I do not own Buffy The Vampire Slayer or High School Musical. Buffy belongs to the creative genious Joss Whedon and HSM belongs to Disney.
Thank you everyone for the reviews and the story alerts. Keep on reading I am loving this story as I write it.
Chapter Five
Previously on Finding The Music Within...
"Buffy you need to tell now" Chad said speaking up.
Buffy glanced at him and knew she had to. Angelus was on the lose and coming for her. He would kill them all espically Troy and Chad. "Your right" she whispered. "I have too" she said. "Cordy Oz I am going to tell them who I am and everything and I need you guys to be there."
They looked at each other and nodded and Buffy sat down with Cordy on one side and Oz on the other and began her story of her life.
She took a dee breath before starting her story. The others watched her silently. "When I was 15 I was living in L.A. and your typical high school miss. popular I am better then you head cheerleader. Not proud of that stage of my life mind you" she said. She closed her eyes them going back to her past that first day she met Merrick. "I was in the gym after cheerleading pratice and this old man comes in and I think he is creepy and he suddenly tells me I have a destiney to stop Vampires that I am the Vampire Slayer."
"What" Sharpey said. "You expect us to believe that Buffy, if you are our friend tell us the truth" she said shot back. She hated it when people lied to her espically someone that said she was a friend.
"I am telling the truth" Buffy said heatly. "If you would just listen to the whole story before you open your mouth." She did not like to be critized or told she was lying. She woud never lie to friends and she would never be accused of that.
"Let her finish" Gabriella said. "She has a write to tell us her story same as we have to judge when she is done."
"Fine" Sharpey grumbled and crossed her arms.
Troy knew she was telling the truth by the look in Buffy's eyes. They were so serious and looked distant like they were reliving the moments all over again.
"As I was saying my destiny of being the Slayer, The Chosen One, A Vampire Slayer has come to light. And my life changed that night some for the good and some for the bad. I was no longer the shallow Hemery High Head cheerleader. I became a woman over night after I killed my first vampire. I no longer cared about what I normaly did I then worried about who was dead and at a vampires hands. My first big enemy was a master vampire Lothos" she shivered at the name. He could still send shivers down her spine.
"When my life changed my friends did to. I lost my best friends at the time and fell for a guy named Pike. We made fun of him only weeks before now he was the one that understood me and stayed by my side. We were friends only up until the dance. Then I found my boyfriend broke up with me over my answering machine and well we got together. But the whole time I found a guy that knew the real me I was fighting vampires. I even had to kill one that was one of my best friends. And then my first watcher Merrick died." Tears leaked out of her eyes and made tracks down her cheeks.
"He was a father figure to me. He put up with me through all my shallowness till I changed and then he died in my place. He died so I wouldn't" she said and felt hands on her and saw it was Cordelia and Oz. They understood pain more then the others. "After that things changed I trained harder I was going to make him pay for what he did. At the dance it went down. I killed the vampirese and Lothos was last. In the end he died and the gym burned down which I did do but never charged for I was only thought to do it" she said and smiled a bit.
"A few months later my parents told me that they were divorcing my mom was going to get me and we moved to Sunnydale a month later. So me and Pike agreed to be friends and I still hear from him he checks in cause he knows I worry. But in Sunnydale I was going to be normal but that wasn't the case. I tried to run but I couldn't I met my new Watcher Giles" she said crying again. "I met my best friends Willow and Xander and later Cordy and Oz came in while they dated. Sunnydale was where the big bads were it was on a hellmouth."
"And trust me it sucked your life was always in danger" Cordy said and made a face. "Glad Buffy was my friend it kept me alive if not I would of been dead along time ago."
"Anyway my first big enemy was the master he was ugly looking."
"Yeah like a ugly bat" Cordy shivered.
"Never saw him" Oz said from his spot on the other side of Buffy.
"Be glad you didn't gave you nightmares" Cordy said and her and Buffy made a face.
"Get on with it" Sharpey snapped. She was into the story and still did not know whether to believe it or not.
"Fine fine" Buffy said. "After he was dead I died" she said casually. "Only for a few minutes" she said when she saw there looks. "Anyway Angel the vampire with a soul I fell for and my best friend Xander found me and he brought me back to life through CPR. I went crazy that summer being dead really threw a person off" she said. "Then the new enemy came in Spike and Drusilla."
"Well that year my life changed forever more then any other. I met Spike and we always had this attracted but stayed enemy's till things chagned. The night of my birthday me and Angel slept together the first and only time and he lost is soul he turned evil back to Angelus a souless monster" she growled out. "And he made my life hell and took Drusilla away from Spike and me and him turned to each other for comfort and well it turned into more I fell for him. I had to fight Angel in the end and kill him and send him to hell so the world wouldn't be sucked into hell and Spike left with Dru. I was broken hearted so I ran away. For that summer I worked in L.A. at a sleezy diner and came back after I saw Spike again and he was with me. We were happy" she sighed and smiled softly.
Troy got a bit jealous from the look on his girlfriends face but he knew she was with him now and choose him. And she did let him him know she was hurt in the past and this must of been the guys to do it.
"Angel came back from hell he was Angelus again and he started killing. By then my mother knew my secret and had come to accept it that is also another reason I ran away she told me to never come back. She no longer was fighting it at that point and well she still worried. She loved Spike even though she knew he was a vampire that had no soul" she chuckled and smiled. "But we had to leave in the end I thought he would leave my friends alone now. It wasn't the case they are all dead except for Cordy and Oz" she said starting to sob. "And Spike went back to Dru in the end I told him to it was safe that way and it hurt but I can survie. Angelus will be on his way here and he will make me pay for leaving and being with Spike and with anyone else for that matter. If you want to never be around me again I understand" she said softly.
"I am not going anywhere" Troy said a few mintues after silence. "I told you that you have my heart and I can't leave you alone while you go through this." He took his hands in hers and stared into her eyes.
"Your my friend Buffy I can't turn my back on you" Gabby said and smiled. "I trust you that you will be okay and so will we."
"You know where I stand always have right by your side" Chad grinned. "I never knew the whole story like that and I am sorry. Your like my sister and I won't abondon you."
Soon everyone but Sharpey said anything and they all looked at her. "Fine but stil think this is nuts vampires don't exsist" she grumbled. "But I will stay and keep being your friend."
"You guys thank you" Buffy said. "You are some of my best friends" she said sadly. But she knew none of them could take the place of the scoobies. "And Cordelia Oz you have to stay here" she pleaded with them.
"Of course we were not planning on anything else" Cordelia said. "Can I take a bath I haven't had on since we left" she said. She needed to be clean and she needed time to grieve.
"Of course let me show you where it is." Buffy got up and left the room with her. "How you holding up Cordy? Honestly I know you remember" she said softly and stared at her friend.
"Not so good I cry so much I love Xander Buffy and now he is gone" she said breaking down into tears again. And next thing you know Buffy is crying with her. They are just standing in the hallway crying when Joyce walked in.
"Cordelia?" Joyce asked knowing the dark haired girl crying. "What is going on why are you here. Shouldn't you be in Sunnydale?" That caused her daughter and Coredlia cry harder and she knew it wasn't good. "Dear heaven's what happened?"
"They are dead" Buffy sobbed out looking at her mother and joyce shivered. She looked so hurt and lost right now like the little girl she use to be.
Joyce walked over and hugged them both tight giving them a mothers embrace. "Who is dead?" she whispered.
"Xander my Xander and Willow and Giles" Cordelia said between sobs and Joyce had to cry to. Those were like her surrage children and now they are gone it was not fair.
The others walked up to see the women and embracing and Oz knew that Joyce Summers knew what happened. She looked up at him just then and and gave him a sad tear stained smile. "Oz you and Cordelia have to stay here and I am sorry about Willow."
"I am to I loved her so much Ms. Summers" he siad. He walked over and put his hand on her back and his arms around Buffy and Cordelia. The group standing back knew that those would be leaning on each other for a while and understood why.
"Funerals no we have to plan them" Buffy said starting to panic.
"We can talk about that later how about you show Oz and Cordelia where to get cleaned up and out of these clothes" Joyce said. Then she saw Buffy's new group of friends. "Do they know?"
"Yes I just told them I couldn't keep it from them any longer espically since Angelus will be on his way here and I will be waiting. No more waiting he dies and I am going to make it slow and painful" Buffy growled out before leading Oz and Cordelia upstairs.
"Troy would you and the others like to stay for dinner. We have enough food" Joyce said.
"If you are sure we don't want to put you out" he said to her honestly. He did not know if they would want to be alone or not.
"No it is fine and I would like to you to" Joyce smiled and went into the kitchen. "Tell Buffy I am making dinner if she needs me for anything or if Cordelia and Oz need me."
The group walked into the living room and sat down. "Wow can believe her story she has been through much" Taylor said sadly.
"I can see why she did not tell us this right away. Seeing her so broken you know her story is real you can't fake like that."
"Sure you can a real actress can" Sharpey said. "I could easily well okay maybe not so much raw emotion in the eyes the rest I could."
"Well I am not acting" Buffy said from the doorway. "And if you think so well to bad for you Sharpey. You will just get a lesson on what is real then the hard way but seeing it face to face" she said with a glare.
"Whatever I will believe it when I see it" she said dismissivly.
"If you want it that way fine you will get a lesson when he gets here" Buffy said. "Excuse me while I change clothes" she turned and left again.
"Do you see why now I did not tell anyone anything. It was never up to me only here" Chad said. "She has been through so much and I did not want to add on to it."
"I get it man thanks for being a good friend. I am going to show her how much I do love her by standing by her. I am not going to leave her and hurt anymore then she has been" Troy said. "I am worried about her though losing so many people is she going to be okay."
"She is a strong girl I am sure she will be" Gabby said from her place next to Ryan. "We can do all we can to help her through but I think those three will really use each other to heal" she said honestly.
"I know at least they do have each other. I think we would have a hard time dealing with her grief alone" Kelsi said and nodded. "I mean we have never experinced anything like this as long as they help her they are welcome" she smiled.
"They seem nice" Cordelia said as her and Buffy got dressed in Buffy's room.
"Yeah they are not like you guys though. I mean they are my best friends but you guys are special" she said honestly. "None of the girls are like you or Willow a mix but not the same you know."
"I get what you mean I mean they can be smart but they are not Willow Rosenberg. Who knew me and her would be be best friends eventually" she laughed.
"So you and that one guy you a thing? I get this feeling you were by the way he was talking" she said to her. She was glad if they were Buffy deserved happiness for all she has been through.
"Yeah he is" Buffy said. "We have a thing a boyfriend and girlfriend thing. And Cordy I am falling hard and fast and I want to keep him safe so I am not sure what to do. Push him away and keep him safe or keep him near and hope Angelus does not get to him" she said and bit her bottom lip.
"Buffy don't push him away that will make things worse" Cordy said knowingly. "Show Angelus he does not control your life. When he dies he will die knowing that he is a monster that can't hurt us anymore. He hurt me so bad when he killed Xander and almost killed me but I am trying to heal cause I know Xander would want me to" she said when she was fully dressed the same as Buffy.
"I am doing that for Willow to" Oz said from the door. They were dressed all in black. Buffy a pair of black pants and a black tank top and black books. Cordelia in a pair of black tight pants and a black long sleeve top and black boots and Oz in a black tee shirt jeans and black sneakers. "Well don't we look colorful" he commented.
"Hey we are allowed to get away with all black fo ra bit and we all look good" Cordy smiled. She put her arm thorugh Buffy's and then Oz's and all three walked down the steps together. "So Buffy's new friends you staying for dinner?"
"Yeah Ms. Summers invited us" Jason said.
"Oh sorry never introduced anyone" Buffy said and blushed. "Cordy and Oz these are my friends. Chad his girlfriend Taylor Sharpey her boyfriend Zeke Gabriella and her boyfriend Ryan Kelsi and her boyfriend Jason and Troy my boyfriend" she said. She pointed to each one as she named them off. "And everyone as you heard this is Cordelia Chase and Oz Osborne."
"It is nice to meet you all I wish it was under better curcumstances" Chad said. "I have heard so much about she talked about you all non stop before" he said.
"That is where I know you" Cordy suddenly said. "Your her old friend who she has a lot of pictures of. Nice to meet you at last Chad I wish I was different to. I wished you could of got to meet Xander and Willow" she said her eyes filling up with tears.
Buffy walked away from the group and outside taking a deep breath. She was finding it hard to breath and she sat on her knees on the front step. She had her head down when she felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up and saw Troy. Without a word he wrappes his arms around her and she leaned into him. "Troy it isn't fair they didn't deserve to die he should just came here and killed me himself" she said as she began to cry again. She felt like she would never stop.
"It is okay I am here" he whispered. "I can't tell you why this happened just that they are in a better place" he stroked her hair. He saw Joyce look out the window and look sadly at them and turned and walked away. "I am here for you whenever you need me call me day or night."
"Troy I don't deserve you, you deserve a normal girl that doesn't have vampire ex's that are pyshcotic and possive" she said and sniiffled as the tears calmed down. "I am sorry for all my emotions being every which way."
"It is okay it is normal and it is good you are letting them out and not holding them in."
"I don't think I will ever stop grieveing for them it feels like anything will make me start to cry" Buffy said to him honestly and whiped away at her tear stained cheeks.
"I have never gone through somethign like this but I am sure it will take you awhile and you don't have to forget them Buffy. You can still talk about them and think about them."
"Oh trust me I will never never forget them I won't allow there memory to die. They have helped save this world and I wish I could tell the world about it" Buffy said and looked at him.
"I am sure I would of like them if I got the chance to meet them."
"You would of loved them" she said and smiled. "Can we go back inside" she said to him and stood up. He put his arm around her shoulder as they walked back inside.
They all looked at her concerened and she gave them a small smile to let them know she was okay.
Cordy glanced at Oz who was next to her. She knew that they would never be the same and she gave him a small sad smile. He squeezed her hand missing Willow more and more she was the light in his world and now he no longer had that light and he was so lost and he was in so much pain.
Buffy walked over to them and sat on the other side of Oz. She knew she needed them right now to get through this. The others were her best friends but they did not understand what she was feeling or knew Willow, Xander, and Giles. To love them was to know them.
"Buffy" Cordelia whispered. "I want you to know we are going to follow you where ever you go. You are our leader and we trust you to keep us safe."
"How can I keep you safe if I could not keep the others safe" Buffy burst out and jumped up. "Because of me that monster is out there. I believed him when he came back and said he was good I didn't listen to you guys this is my fault they are dead mine."
"Buffy you were going with your heart" Oz said. "I can't say I wouldn't do the same if someone told me the same thing about Willow. You loved Angel you wanted to believe he was good."
"Listen I am not Angel's biggest fan but I don't wish his fate on anyone" Cordelia said. "I am sure he was a nice guy when he had his soul but we all know how he was without it. It is not your fault you loved him and you only saw the good and I know the others did not blame you." She did not want Buffy to feel guilt over something that was out of her control.
"Thank you" Buffy said tears in her eyes. Cordy and Oz embraced her and the Wildcats that were watching knew that it would take a long time for Buffy to heal and get back to herself. "I was going to have everyone buried in Sunnydale that is what they would want" she said. "Giles next to Jenny would you be okay to go back for the funerals?"
"Yes Buffy we will go where you go and your right they would not want to be buried anywhere bu there" Oz said.
"Would you like to come?" Buffy turned and asked the Wildcats. "I want all of my friends there by myside as I get through this day" she said and smiled at them.
"Of course we will" Troy answered for the group. "And thank you for allowing us to come along to something so private."
"Well you wanted to meet them this way you can. We can show you all around the town and where we would hang out and stuff. I mean you don't mind if they come do you Cordy and Oz?"
"Any friend of yours is a friend of ours" Cordy said and Oz nodded in agreement. The new friends have just became apart of the Scooby family once you know the secret your family for life. "I know that the others would not mind either they trusted her judgement with people."
"Are you kids ready to eat?" Joyce asked walking in the room. It was good to see them not in tears but smiling even a bit she knew that her daughter would be okay. Buffy would heal and it will be a rollercoaster ride till then but she knew they could all get through it together now that Cordy and Oz were apart of the Summer's family. "By the way Cordy Oz your parents are allowing me to be your guardian they know that the others were killed but that is it and know it would be easier on you."
"Thank you Ms. Summers" Cordy said and Buffy smiled. She would feel better now that Cordy and Oz could stay and she could keep them safe.
They went into eat and they talked during the dinner but did not bring up the lost friends wanting to not upset Buffy, Cordelia, and Oz more. "We need to get going" Troy said when dinner was over.
"Okay you be careful going home" Joyce said as she gathered up the dishes and started taking them to the sink to wash.
"I will be right back I will walk them out" Buffy said and stood up. She walked the Wildcats out and Troy left last. "Thank you for being here for me Troy and sticking by my side" she hugged him and he held her tight.
"Well I love you so I am here for you till the end. You call me if you need me I mean it" he said and kissed her softly on the lips and left with his friends. Buffy watched the cars dissappear before going back inside. She sighed and closed her eyes and when she opened them Oz and Cordy were in front of her.
The girls broke down again and Oz just held them. He knew that they would be like this when they were alone the walls would come down. They could be weak in front of each other but they had to put on a put together front in front of everyone else. They just sat on the floor and cried for a hour and Joyce was crying in the kitchen listening to her daughter and her friends broken hearted cries she hated her baby was going through this and she could do nothing about it. She could only hope the coming days and months would help them heal and at least be happy again if not the same.