Hey, everyone! I know. It's almost been three months since my last update. I've kind of got a plan in my head for getting chapters out to you guys more quickly.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything ever written by the god named Joss Whedon. I only own Ivy and Tom.
I sit at the table next to Buffy. I sigh in relief as I watch the gang open the crate with a crowbar. It was worth it.
Xander smiles at Buffy. "Happy Birthday, Buff. Hope you like the color."
Buffy shakes her head and leans onto the table. "Giles, Ivy and I'll hit the factory first, but we may not find them. If they're on the offensive, we need to figure out where to go." She decides.
I nod as Giles voices his agreement. The box is finally opened, and I grin as I see the weapon in person. I notice Buffy and Giles staring at it in awe.
"This is good." Buffy appraises. I smirk with more than a little victory.
I hear a tentative clearing of a throat, and I look up to find Jenny Calendar. I glare at her as she shyly asks, "Do you… is there something I can do to-"
Buffy cuts her off with a simple: "Get out." She still stares at the weapon. I tug at my sleeves uncomfortably.
"I just want to help." Jenny pleads pitifully. Not that I forgive her.
Giles stands straighter and stares her down, emotionless. "She said get out." He repeats tonelessly. I feel a slight pang in my chest. He loves her, but he's shunning her for Buffy. Jenny looks hurt at his words, but she slowly shuffles out of the room.
After a few moments of awkward silence, Xander clears his throat. "Do you want me to show you how to use it?" He asks, ignoring what just happened.
Buffy nods. "Yes I do." She tells him.
I concentrated on the target as I let loose a dagger. It hit the center and went through the block of wood. I winced slightly. Ever since I'd found my mother's ashes, I'd been inexplicably different, stronger. I turn to my watcher, Tom, and smile. I'd always forced myself to be more proper with him. He was, after all, a perfect example of a gentleman.
He smiled in wonder at the broken board. "I do believe you are ready to take on any adversary to come your way." He appraised. I grinned at that.
"Thank you, Tom." I responded. I walked to him, only to receive a crossbow. "I suppose I don't get a break?" I muttered hopelessly.
He allowed himself a humorless laugh. "If only, my dear Evangeline," He comforted, "we were allowed such a pleasure. However, no enemy would allow such a break. If you were to tire, you would most likely be cut down where you stood." At his words, he flushed and looked down. "Forgive me darling, it's only that with Angelus hunting you, I find myself anxious about you when you hunt. It is not my place." He explained hurriedly.
I smiled kindly and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you for caring. You appear to be the only one who does." I confided honestly.
He attempted to smile, but it appeared as a grimace. "There are stories of your brother. He's growing more bloodthirsty by the day." He warned me carefully. He knew how sore a subject William was for me.
I winced slightly, worrying at the hem of my shirt. Thankfully, I'd been allowed a shirt and trousers for training. "I feared this would happen. It's only… I remember the days when William would defend me with his life. His nickname, William the Bloody, was due to his poetry, not for him brutally murdering innocents." I sighed sadly, staring at the horizon. "I remember when he worried if Angelus was a vampire, and now look at him, fighting side by side with the devil himself." I growled at the end, tightening my grip on the axe. In a swift motion, I swung it towards a tree in the center of the field. It fell to the ground after a single stroke with a resounding thud. I stared at the weapon in my hands and turned to my Watcher, who was watching me carefully. "How did I become like this? When did my strength grow so immensely?" I wondered.
He shook his head. "If only I knew, my darling." He comforted. He hesitated for a moment before taking the axe from my hands. "I still stand by what I said. An enemy would not stop." He sighed and ran a hand through what little hair he possessed. "However, you have been through quite a lot. You have been training without a break for these two weeks. Therefore, I believe you are deserving of a small break. Do not take this as permission to rampage through the streets like a savage, but I have reserved a horse for you if you should wish to ride alone." He finished in a rush.
I let out a shocked cry and hugged him tightly. "Oh, thank you! Thank you so much!" I exclaimed happily. "I won't forget this. I'll repay you someday, mark my words." I promised.
He smiled, flustered. "Well, that is certainly not necessary, Miss Evangeline. This is a gift." He insists. "After all, it is your birthday."
I widened my eyes at that. I had completely forgotten. "My birthday… Has it really been a year?" I wondered.
"Indeed it has." He confirmed. He put a hand on my shoulder. "Happy seventeenth birthday."
Buffy and I creep through the factory, silently searching for any sign of the Judge. As we walk through the space, however, I know they're already gone.
"I knew it." Buffy mutters.
I sigh, frustrated, as we begin to walk back to the others at the doors. "Any idea where they could be?" I wonder, looking around the abandoned building.
"I don't know." She admits. I look over at her, and I know the look in her eyes all too well. That determined look, with the hint of loss underneath the façade. Recognizing it will only hurt her more. We reach the others, and I shake my head. "Somewhere crowded. The Judge is gonna need bodies." She decides.
I nod at that. Willow pipes in, "The Bronze?"
"It's closed tonight." Xander reminds us.
"There's not a lot of choices in Sunnydale. It's not like people line up to get massacred." Cordelia adds.
Realization flashes across Oz's face. "Uh, guys? If I was gonna line up, I know where I'd be." He tells us.
'Oh! Idiot!' I mentally scold myself. "Where?" Xander asks, confused.
I nod to both myself and the others as Oz clarifies. "The mall."
"Oh!" Willow exclaims. "You're a genius!" She shoots Oz one of her goofy grins. He flushes in response and looks down. I exchange a look with Buffy, almost smug at Willow's budding romance.
"Come on." I prod, shooing them out. "We've got lives to save." Just as I reach the doorway, I freeze, prickles shooting down my back. I look around a final time before leaving.
I cooed softly to the black horse I had mounted. I rubbed her neck before gently prodding her into a trot, then a canter. After I found the main road, I urged her into a gallop. I let out a gleeful cry as I felt the wind rushing past me. I felt as if I could fly if I tried hard enough. I laughed and leaned closer to the horse. I forgot my troubles as I sped along the road, ignoring the indignant shouts of civilians, shocked at the sight of a teenage girl, practically a lady, in trousers, galloping down the road with her nearly white hair flying behind her.
I reluctantly came to a stop in a field and tethered the horse to a tree. I climbed up to the upper branches and surveyed my surroundings. I was alone in a meadow, and my horse was blissfully grazing below me. I wanted to give the horse water and a snack… There! I noticed an apple tree on the other side of the meadow, so I quickly climbed down and trotted across the field to it. I plucked an apple from the branches and tossed it up into the air. I caught it before racing back to my horse, who looked up at me with baleful brown eyes. I offered my hand, and as it ate I gently rubbed its muzzle.
"There, do you like that?" I asked sweetly. I smiled and pulled my now wet hand away. I laughed and wiped it against my trousers. I then poured some water from my canteen into my cupped hand. The horse happily slopped up the liquid and nuzzled my side. I giggled, a noise I hadn't made for months. I lay down and closed my eyes. I was so tired…
Several hours later, I was awoken by deep laughter. I shot up, glancing around me.
"It's been too long, love." A voice with an Irish lilt greets me. "I must admit, not what I was expecting from you."
All of my worries came crashing down on me. No. "Angelus. It's been too short." I growled.
He chuckles as he walked into the moonlight. "And here I thought you were attempting to run." He mocked, smirking at me. "Though, I suppose you couldn't stay away."
I allowed myself a cynical laugh. "Yes, I can't resist the psychotic vampire who killed my brother and replaced him with a demon." I spat.
He chuckled darkly. "I wasn't the one to turn your brother. A… friend of mine, Drusilla did that." He told me.
"You have friends? Shocking." I quipped, but it didn't sound as brave as I hoped.
He stalked forward, closer to me. He shot me a sickening grin. "May I have this dance?" He asked.
I had a split second to duck as he swung his fist directly at my face. I darted back, worried for a moment that he would kill me. Then I remembered, 'I'm a Slayer. He's the one that should fear me.' I let loose a feral snarl before I launched myself at him. I kicked his stomach, sending him stumbling. Then I delivered a harsh punch to his jaw, followed by a swift blow to his nose. I managed a final blow to his mouth before he was able to retaliate. He shoved back, sending me reeling. He spat blood to the side and grinned at me, his true face showing.
"What, love? Is that all you've got?" He taunted, an unnamable look behind his eyes.
"You wish." I uttered before throwing myself at him again, all nails and feet. When he shoved me back once more, he grinned at me.
"You've gotten stronger. Trained a lot, I'd bet." He evaluated. I narrowed my eyes. "Perhaps it's time to put an end to that." He decided before disappearing into the woods.
I froze. How could he just stop my training? That would mean… "Tom!" I gasped. I raced to the horse, the one Tom had reserved for me, and untethered it before leapt onto it. "Go!" I cried, urging the horse into a gallop. He could not die for me.
I follow Buffy into the mall. I survey the surroundings. We're unseen for now, but I can see The Judge.
"Everybody keeps back. Damage control only. Take out any lesser vamps if you can. I'll handle the smurf." She tells us determinedly.
"What about me? I'm a Slayer too." I remind her.
She nods. "You think you can handle Drusilla and Angelus? This baby won't keep 'em down for long." She tells me, patting the wooden box affectionately. I nod, grinning at the thought of killing Drusilla. "Just do me one favor?" She asks.
"Sure." I reply, waiting for her request.
"Leave Angelus to me." She says grimly. "Beat him all you want, but I get to dust him."
I nod. "Wouldn't have it any other way." I tell her.
We walk into the center of the mall, where the Judge has weakened every civilian. I kneel down, turning my hands into a brace. She nods and places one foot on my hands. I boost her up on top of the popcorn machine. Xander and Giles are on the other side of the machine, holding the box.
Buffy raises a crossbow and shoots it into the Judge's chest. The three finally look up to notice us.
"Who dares?" The Judge growls.
I smirk up at Buffy, who looks down at me, an identical expression on her face. "I think I got his attention." She quips lightly.
I grin and shoot her a thumbs up. I turn my attention to the two vampires on the stairs next to the Judge. I survey Drusilla, who's watching Buffy carefully, shocking considering the fact that she's insane. Angelus, however is watching me intently. I'm tempted to wave cheerfully, but I think he might have caught on to my joy at being able to hurt him. I don't want him to have any hints about that. Yet. He smirks as he catches my eye and raises an eyebrow. I look back at the Judge.
"You are a fool. No weapon formed by man can kill me." He threatens.
I grin as she tosses me the crossbow. "That was then," She explains. She leans down and grabs the rocket launcher. "This is now."
Drusilla and Angelus catch on quickly, they throw themselves off the staircase. The Judge, however, stares at Buffy quizzically.
"What's that do?" He wonders.
I let out a whoop and drop to the floor as Buffy fires. The rocket slams into his chest, causing the entire room to shake. I grin up at the scattered remains of the Judge. Parts of him are on fire, and rubble surrounds the area. To my dismay, Drusilla races out of the room.
"Aw, come on Dru! I was really looking forward to killing you!" I call after her. I continue to search for Angelus as Buffy and the gang talk.
"My best present ever." Buffy praises, practically glowing.
Xander shoots her a goofy grin. "Knew you'd like it." He replies.
Willow walks forward. "Do you think he's dead?" She wonders, looking at the remains.
Buffy is obviously unsure. "You guys pick up the pieces. Keep 'em separate." She orders.
Before I can hear anything else, I spot Angelus going around the corner. I race after him. When I reach the corner, however, I cautiously creep past it. Just as I enter the section, however, a fist connects with my temple. I go flying onto the ground. I look up to find Angelus smirking down at me.
"Hello, Evie." He greets.
I leapt off the horse before it stopped. I was outside his house, and it was dead quiet. I forced myself to take a calming breath. Angelus couldn't have been invited in, right? I kicked the door, expecting it to be locked, but it swung open easily. I cautiously stepped inside the house.
Nothing. No candles were lit. I crept to one of the lanterns and lit it.
At the sight that I see, I couldn't help but turn away and empty the contents of my stomach onto the front porch.
"Oh, God." I murmured as I stared down at the body of Tom, lying in the center of the floor. There was a gaping wound in the center of his stomach, but his arms had a gruesome design carved into them. His neck was torn open, and blood stained the carpet around him. "Oh, God. Tom." I whispered in horror.
I stared at the body, numb. However, that numbness turned to rage as I heard laughter behind me. "Do you like my art?" Angelus asked me with false sincerity. "I gave it my best effort."
"How did you get in here?" I growled, hatred towards the vampire causing me to tremble.
He grinned at me and stalked forward, slowly moving closer to me. "He opened the door, and I used the post outside to drag him out." He gestured to Tom's gaping wound. "I can only not enter the home of the living. And, well, I decided to have a bit of fun." He licked his lips, where some blood was still smeared. "Don't worry. He died screaming." Despite his obvious taunting, I took the bait. With a snarl, I leapt forward, pouncing on him.
"You killed him!" I shrieked as I clawed at his face. I pummeled him relentlessly, pounding his face, stomach, and chest. I lashed out, channeling all of my rage and hatred into my punches. He managed to grab my arms and pinned them behind my back.
"I'd stop now, pet, unless you want to end up like him." He hissed into my ear. I stomped on his foot.
"I am not your pet!" I insisted, enraged. I retaliated further by swinging my leg back and kicking his shin. I then jerked my head back, hitting his lip. He spat blood to the side and whirled me around.
"Aren't you?" He taunted, throwing me against a glass case. I screamed in pain as glass embedded itself into my back and neck. I groaned slightly as I attempted to stand. He roughly grabbed my arm, digging his fingers into the cuts made by the glass. He threw at the bookcase, and I let out another agonized cry as the wood splintered. "If you're not my pet, then what are you?" He asked with fake seriousness.
I forced myself to my feet, grinding my teeth together to keep myself from screaming. He raised his arms once more, but I threw up a hand, catching his arm. I clenched my jaw and slowly forced his arm behind his back, bending it to an awkward angle and not relenting until I heard a snap.
"I'm the girl who will murder you." I growled into his ear. Then I shoved him away from me and limped to the door.
He chuckled. "All talk. But you can't do it." He predicted, and I could hear the smirk in his words.
I turned a final time and gave him a withering glare. "Give me time."
I leap to my feet and move into fighting stance. "Hello, Angelus." I growl.
He swings his fist towards my head, but I easily duck. I attempt to kick him, but he sidesteps. He keeps his human face the entire time. I take another step forward, only to take two back as he wrenches a pole from a stand and swings it at my chest. I grab it from his hands and jab it towards him, barely nicking his chest. I allow myself a frustrated growl and advance towards him, swinging the pole the entire time.
He grins and grabs the pole, but I refuse to relinquish my hold on it. "I must admit, I've missed my dance partner." He murmurs. I shove the pole in his direction in an attempt to shake him off.
"Is that what this is? Still just a dance to you?" I ask, still as casually as possible.
He tears the pole out of my grip and swings it at my head. I easily duck. "All it's ever been." He replies. He tilts his head to the side. "Come on, Slayer. That all you got? Let it out. You know you've wanted to kill me for over a century. Let's play." He hisses, a smirk playing on his lips.
I can't help it. I deliver a flurry of kicks and punches. I drive him back, towards a stand. I grab his collar and slam him against the floor and wrench the pole out of his grip. I slam it into his stomach. He groans in pain.
"That was for Tom." I growl, twisting the pole.
"Well? Are you going to kill me?" He taunts, shooting me a grin.
"I promised Buffy she could have the pleasure." I tell him, leaning down so that we're face to face, but I keep my foot on his chest. "But don't think that doesn't mean I can't have a little fun."
To my disgust, he begins to chuckle lowly. I raise my eyebrows. Why is he laughing? He grins, blood staining his teeth red. "You're beginning to sound like me." He explains, more than a little victory coloring his voice. I push the pole deeper into his stomach and get off of him.
I narrow my eyes. "I will never be remotely like you." I hiss.
He chuckles at my words and smirks. "We'll see."
I turn to find Buffy in the doorway. I nod to her. "He's all yours." I tell her before walking next to her. "Do you want me here, or do you want him to yourself?" I ask.
She hesitates for a moment before responding. "I'd like to be alone for this." She tells me. I nod in response and walk out, not looking back to meet Angelus's eyes.
I stumbled to the horse, who was whinnying. I patted its neck and agonizingly pulled myself onto its back.
"Come on." I urged. I prodded the horse into a gallop, despite the overwhelming pain in my back. Blood soaked the ground behind me, but I couldn't think of that. I had to keep moving.
I had to make good on the promise I had made to my brother. I had to hide.
I had to find the Gypsies.
I sit next to Buffy as Giles drives us home. She couldn't do it. She couldn't kill Angelus. Not that I blame her remotely. She was in love with the bastard. Buffy stares numbly out the window, and I remain awkwardly there. I can't comfort her, but I've had my share of tortures at the hands of Angelus. I want to do something.
"It's not over. I suppose you know that." Giles speaks up, breaking my train of thought. "I would normally say that he would come after you in particular, Buffy, seeing as he usually strikes out at the things that made him human. However, he does seem to have slight, um, unfinished business with you, Ivy." I scoff slightly at his words.
Buffy nods glumly. "You must be so disappointed in me." She voices.
"No, I'm not." Giles tells her, obviously surprising the other Slayer.
"But… this is all my fault." She insists.
"I don't believe it is." Giles corrects her.
She turns to me, searching for blame. "What about you? You have to be angry at me. I brought back the man who tormented you to the point of getting a Gypsy curse."
I shake my head, watching sadly as tears brim in her eyes. "Buffy, it was bound to happen eventually. I don't blame you." I tell her softly.
"Do you want me to wag my finger at you and tell you you acted rashly? You did, and I can. But I know you loved him, and he has proven more than once that he loved you. You couldn't have known what would happen. The coming months are going to be very hard… I suspect on all of us. But if you're looking for guilt, Buffy, I'm not your man. All you will have from me is my support… and my respect." Giles adds gently.
Tears pour out of my friend's eyes, and I do the only thing I can. I pull her into a hug. She holds me in return, letting herself silently cry.
As soon as we pull up to her house, she quickly wipes the tears away. I squeeze her hand and lead her towards the door.
"Happy Birthday, Buffy." I murmur quietly, barely loud enough to be heard. Still, she smiles slightly and squeezes my hand back.
About ten minutes later, we're watching a cheesy old musical. Joyce walks into the room, holding some hot chocolate and a plate with several cupcakes on it. She sets them on the coffee table and sits next to Buffy.
"Did I miss anything?" She asks.
"Some singing. And some running around." Buffy responds quietly.
Joyce smiles at her daughter and sticks a candle in one of the cupcakes. "Here. I'm sorry that I didn't have time to make a cake." She apologizes.
Buffy smiles softly. "It's perfect." She comforts.
Joyce smiles in return. "But we're still going shopping tomorrow." She promises. Buffy nods in response. "So, how was your birthday? Did you do anything?" She wonders.
I smile at her curiosity, thinking of my mother in her youth. "I got older." Buffy replies simply.
Joyce looks over at the Slayer, hints of worry flickering in her eyes. "Well, you still look the same to me." Joyce comforts her daughter. She sighs and lights the candle for her. "Happy birthday. Do we have to sing?" She asks. Buffy shakes her head in response and stares numbly at the candle. "Well, go on." Joyce prods. "Make a wish."
After a moment, Buffy quietly responds, "I'll just let it burn."
Joyce pulls Buffy's head onto her lap and gently stokes the girl's hair. She looks over to me, worry gracing her features. I shrug minutely. Sighing quietly, Joyce continues to watch the movie, stroking her daughter's hair the entire time.
So! I've missed this, you know, the process of actually writing this story. Since the last chapter, I've started and abandoned over thirty other stories. I know. I suck.
So! I'll definitely try to put this story at the top of my list. Pinky promise, okay?
Okay, so here's the excuse this time. School has been… insane. I'm in all honors, and this is my first year of high school, so I've been trying to adjust. On top of that, I dance three hours each week, and I do the plays at school. After everything, I have essentially no free time, especially when I'm trying to be able to watch Supernatural every Tuesday. I know, bad excuse, right? Well, I'm putting this at the top, like I said.
Anyway, I decided to update on Christmas. So, here is my Christmas present to all of you. Merry Christmas!
Ooh! Final thing! I planted a few hints for the flashbacks coming in the next chapter. Any guesses?
Anyway! Please favorite, follow, or review. Make an authors day better. See you soon! (hopefully)