It was a couple nights before the end of year dance, and Tugger was sitting on the sofa in the Bronze, Mistoffelees to the other side, sipping at a soda.

"You know how I feel about you," Tugger was saying. "It's pretty obvious isn't it? There's never been anyone else for me but you."

Mistoffelees remained sipping at his soda, not much otherwise reacting.

"We're already good friends, and I'm ready to take the next step," Tugger continued. "Would you... date me?" As soon as he said the words he threw up his hands. "Oh damn it, that's no good. Date me? That's terrible, right?"

Mistoffelees nodded. "It does lack poetry."

"Alright, I'll start with the dance," Tugger squared his shoulders and went back to practicing. "You know, Grids, Spring Fling isn't just any dance. It's a time when the students all sort of choose... a... a mate, and, and we can observe their mating ritual, and tag them before they migrate. Oh just kill me."

"You might want to try writing it down," Mistoffelees remarking, taking another sip from the straw.

"Why is this so hard," Tugger moaned. "I should just go up to her and say, "I like you, will you got to the dance with me.'"

"It might get you better results," Mistoffelees agreed.

"You know, why am I asking your advice anyway? It's not like you've told your guy yet. You've just ninja asked him to the Pizza night of pain and sat on the couch next to him the whole time and let him pick out the movies."

"Tugger..." Mistoffelees said, a bit warningly.

"Why haven't you tried telling him?"

"Because he's fifteen years older than me and works at the school I'm a student at?" the smaller teen reminded him, eyes narrowed.

"Oh... right... that..."

"Yeah huh, that."

Tugger looked around the club, agitated. "Where is she anyway?"

"Probably doing the usual," Mistoffelees replied dryly, just glad to be off the subject of the librarian.

o.o.o.o

Grids glared up at the Vampire who'd just knocked her to the ground. She got to her feet, pulling out a stake and facing him again. She advanced at it backed a couple steps. Her gaze drifted in the direction of the school, not more than a couple blocks away, and the Vamp took advantage of that. He advanced, but she ducked his blow and slammed the stake into his chest, stepping back as he turned to ash, "God...three in one night, this is getting ridiculous..." She caught her balance as the ground beneath her feet trembled.

In the library Coricopat sat in his office, pouring over some books, a teacup nearby. He paled slightly, hoping that what he'd read was mistaken, "The Master shall rise... Yes, this is it... The Master shall rise, and the Slayer..." He pushed the book away, "Oh God." Turning to another volume he double-checked, reaching for his teacup as the room began to shake.

Mistoffelees glanced quickly at Tugger as the room shook, dragging him under the stairs and looking around in fear.

Far beneath the ground, stuck in his church the Master crooned as the earth trembled around him. Raising his arms he cried out, "Yes, YES! Shake earth, crack open to bring forth my unholy issue! This is a sign: we are in the final days!" Beside him, and innocent looking boy smiled.

"My ascension is at hand!" the Master continued. "My time is come! Glory! Glory!" He cackled again as the earthquake finally subdued, looking over at the boy. "What do you think, Colin? 5.1?"

o.o.o.o

Cori came out of his office, glancing at the clock; he hadn't slept the night before, spending the whole night in the library trying to find something to disprove his readings from the previous evening. He made his way over to the cage at the other side of the library. He glanced up as the door to the library swung open.

Grids came in, her gaze immediately moving to the huge crack running down the back wall of the library, "Morning. Wow. That damage looks fairly structural. Are we safe in here?"

The librarian bit back the wave of relief that swept over him at seeing her, "Grids."

She arched an eyebrow at his expression, "Do I have something on my face?"

"What? Oh, no... and yes, we're safe."

Mistoffelees and Tugger followed their friend and both stopped short. "You sure we're safe?" Tugger asked tentatively and Mistoffelees took half a step back.

Cori nodded absently, turning back to the books he was returning to their shelves in the cage, "Yes, I...wouldn't recommend going up to the stacks unless absolutely necessary, but it's less structural than it looks."

"You get much sleep lately?" Mistoffelees asked, looking him over. "You look pretty ashen."

"Hm? Oh...I've been working quite a bit." He located two more volumes, stepping out of the cage and adding the books to the stacks he was accumulating on the study table.

Mistoffelees frowned but Tugger wasn't paying any attention, carefully poking his way around the crack in the floor instead.

Grids glanced at Cori, "So...I went hunting last night."

The librarian paled a bit at that, "O-oh? How'd that go?"

"It's getting hairy out there, Cori. I killed three vampires last night. One of them was practically on school grounds."

"They don't usually come here though," Mistoffelees remarked.

"They're getting cockier," Grids responded, "Last night was a pretty close call."

Cori opened another book, "So I see...their numbers appear to be increasing too..."

Mistoffelees frowned, glancing at the book's spine. "You sure you're okay?"

"Of course."

The small teen glanced back at Griddlebone, as if asking for her support. Grids moved over, frowning, "Cori, are you sure?"

He turned to look at them, frowning, "Of course I'm sure."

"Really? Cause you're really distant today. I was nearly Vamp bait last night, Cori. At least say something to indicate you heard that?"

He drew a deep breath, "I'm sorry. I'm glad you're all right, but I...I need to verify some things. I can't talk right now."

Mistoffelees glanced over to Tugger again, now very concerned. "Do you need any research help?"

"I...Um...N-no, I'll be fine. You all should get to class," Cori replied.

"If you're sure..." Mistoffelees didn't look sure.

"I'm sure."

Grids sighed, "I guess I can't put it off any longer. I have to meet my terrible fate."

Cori turned an alarmed gaze on her, "What?"

She blinked, "…Biology?"

"It's our class today," Mistoffelees said.

"Right...Well, I'll see you three after classes. Have a good day."

"You too," Tugger said brightly, and Mistoffelees waved before following the others out. Cori watched them go before turning back to his work.

o.o.o.o

"Wow, that was boring," Tugger said, walking out of class later.

"I'm not sure that covers it," Grids remarked.

"No, you're right, boring falls short."

"Even I was bored" Mistoffelees said shaking his head. "And I'm a science nerd."

"Oh, don't say that, Misto," Grids said.

"What? I'm not ashamed. Nerds are in." He paused, looking worried for a moment. "I mean, nerds are still in right? I didn't miss the switch back? But whatever, I'm still not ashamed. I'm proud to be intelligent and geeky. I like where the books are."

"Don't you have a thing?" Tugger asked, when Misto's babble ran out, arching his brows at the smaller teen.

Grids grinned at Misto, "Nerds are still in."

"Good," he said and glanced in confusion at Tugger. "A... oh, right, that thing. That thing that I should go to, and deal with, and see you guys later," and he retreated, trying to convince himself not to head to the library.

Grids watched him hurry off in confusion, "What's with him?"

"Oh, he's just him. He gets flustered over random things," Tugger replied, hooking his hands in his belt looks and leaning back slightly. "So, um, speaking of things, I wanted to ask you about a... thing."

She nodded slightly, turning to him, "Okay, what's up?"

"Well, I mean, you know, Grids, Spring Fling is a time for students to gather and... oh, god," he said and abruptly switched tactics before he started talking about mates and tagging. "Grids, I want you to go to the dance with me. You and me. On a date."

"I..." She hesitated, "Tugger, I don't know what to say..."

"Well, you're not laughing, so I'll take that for now. I like you Grids, alot. We've shared a lot, fought some hell demons, have had some good times at the Bronze and in the library, survived each other's nightmares and I just... I love all that but I want more. I wanna dance with you."

"I...Tugger, you're one of the best friends I've ever had. You and Misto I mean. You guys are the greatest and...I just...I don't want to spoil our friendship."

"I don't wanna either, but that's not the point is it?" he asked softly. "Either you feel it or you don't."

"I-I don't. I'm so sorry, I just don't think of you that way."

"Well, could you try? I can wait."

She sighed, "Tugger..."

"No, whatever," he said, suddenly rising. "I'm not him, right? I guess a guys gotta be undead to get under your skin."

She pulled back at that, "That's really harsh."

"I'm sorry. I guess I don't do well with rejection," he said, posture becoming more defensive. "You'd think I would have considering the practice I've had with it."

"Tugger, I never meant...I...I'm sorry."

"Whatever," he said. "Just... nevermind," he shook his head again and all but fled.

She watched him go, sighing before rising and heading inside as well.

o.o.o.o

Cori sat at his desk, his head resting in his hand as he waited for the phone to be picked up on the other end. "Hello?... Yes, this is Charles Coricopat. - Yes I have. It's, um - I need to talk to you. Here. - No, I realize that. Come after sundown." He hung up, looking up to see Demeter Calendar in the doorway.

"Hey," she said, voice soft. "This a bad time?"

He shook his head, "Not the best."

"You know," she remarked, tucking a strand of her bobbed blonde hair back. "That outfit looks just like the one you were wearing yesterday, only wrinklier. You weren't here all night were you?"

He rose, stepping past her into the main library, "I'm sorry, I'm really not up to socializing right now."

"This isn't a social call, Charles," she replied. "Something's going on and I'm placing my bet that you know what it is."

He looked at her, "What do you know?"

"Well, lots of strange stuff has been happening. People have been sending stuff my way on the net. A cat gave birth to a litter of snakes, which promptly ate her. A family went swimming when the lake started boiling over and there were two deaths. A boy was born with his eyes facing inward last night."

"Where did these take place? What countries?"

"Within three miles of here," she replied. "I'm not stupid, Charles. This is apocalypse style stuff. You throw in last night's earthquake and I'd say the end is pretty seriously nigh."

He studied her for a long moment, shaking his head, "I'm not certain I can trust you."

"I helped you before," she said. "I'm scared, okay? This is way beyond casting bones and doing some chants or having pretty crystals. Plus, I got some crazy monk from Cortona e-mailing me about some Anointed One."

Coricopat paled, "The Anointed One? But he's dead. I'm sure of it."

"How sure?"

"I...Who is this Monk?"

"Brother Luca or another. He keeps sending out global mailings about some prophecy."

"I need you to talk to him. Find out everything he knows."

"Considering you've told me nothing?" Deme said, her brows rising. "What's with the orders?"

"Miss Calendar, please. Just do it. I will explain later."

She stared at him for a long moment. "Alright. But you had better."

"I will," he assured her.

o.o.o.o

Bombalurina looked away from her latest boyfriend when she saw Misto coming out of one of the classrooms, "Misto!" She turned to said boyfriend, "I'll see you in the morning." She left him, making her way over to Misto, "Hey, I like your outfit. Nice shirt."

"No, you don't," he replied, tugging down on the jagged maroon and grey lined sweater he was wearing.

"No. You're right I don't. But I do need a favor."

Mistoffelees' brow twitched upward. "What kind?"

"The Bronze isn't letting us use their sound system so I need someone who knows how to hook one up."

Mistoffelees noticed Tugger sulking into an empty classroom. "Shouldn't you ask one of the band members or something? But yeah, sure, I could do that."

"They've got other things they need to do. If you could just show up tomorrow morning at ten I'd be really grateful. I mean, I'd even talk to you at the dance and everything."

"My god," Mistoffelees drawled, his attention somewhat more on Tugger. "What an honor. I'm not sure I could ever repay that. But alright, tomorrow at ten. I'll be there."

"Great. See you then." Bomba swept away, going to catch up with her courtiers.

Shaking his head, Mistoffelees watched her go before slipping into the classroom. "Hey."

"Hey," Tugger replied, throwing a ball at the wall.

"How'd it go?" Mistoffelees said, already able to tell from the other's expression.

"On a scale of one to ten... terribly."

"I'm sorry," Mistoffelees said softly, sitting on a desk next to the other teen.

"Well, it could be worse. I could have a sucking chest wound."

Mistoffelees reached a hand out, resting it on the other's shoulder. "I'm still sorry."

"Do you want to go with me?" Tugger asked, suddenly turning to the other.

"Huh?" Mistoffelees blinked.

"You, me, like a date. Like we used to always do. Dance, go wild, that stuff."

"We never dated, we hung. And, I never really want to date you."

"Why not?" Tugger demanded. "You like guys right?"

"The only reason I'm not hitting you," Mistoffelees said, voice turning cold. "Is because I know you're hurting. I like guys in that vague, abstract way. I love you. You're my best friend who knows way too much about me. We finish each other's sentences and sleep over and I've known you since footie pajamas. Nothing's going to change my affection for you but... I don't want to date you. And I don't want to be a stand in for someone you can't have just because you're hurting."

Tugger wilted slightly under his gaze. "Sorry."

Mistoffelees patted his shoulder again and sighed. "Yeah. Me too. You going to be okay?"

"Eh," he shrugged, tossing the ball in his hands at the wall again, catching it as it bounced back. "That's okay, I don't want to go to the dance. I'll just go home, lie down, and listen to country music. The music of pain."

"Enjoy that," Mistoffelees said dryly, slipping out after patting him on the shoulder again.

o.o.o.o

That evening, not long after sunset, Grids was in the locker room, finishing getting ready to go hunting that night. She moved over to the sink, turning on the faucet to splash water on her face. She froze at the sight of blood coming from the tap.

She shut off the faucet and hurried to the library, "Cori? You're not going to believe..." She paused as she heard muted voices, the timbre of the other voice was familiar, but she couldn't be sure. She moved closer. "Mac...?" She reached for the door to push it open and stopped as she heard their conversation.

"You've got it wrong!" Mac snapped, voice dark.

"I have checked it against every volume I have. I have called every source I can think of. It's real," Coricopat replied, voice tired.

"Then there's some way around it!"

"Some prophecies are dodgy. Mutable. Griddlebone herself has thwarted them time and again." He held up the book as he continued, "But this is the Pergamum Codex. You brought it to me yourself, you know that there is nothing in it that does not come to pass."

"Then you're reading it wrong," Mac all but growled.

"I wish to God I were! But it's very clear. Tomorrow night, Griddlebone will face the Master. And she will die."

Grids froze at that before a slightly hysterical laugh escaped.

Mac's head whipped around. "Grids?"

Cori moved to the door, "Griddlebone?"

She backed away from the door, heading toward the middle of the library, "S-so that's it, huh? My time is up. I remember the drill. "One Slayer dies, the next is called." I wonder who the next one is." Her gaze drifted to Cori, "Are you gonna train her? Or will they send someone else."

"I..." He shook his head, at a loss.

Mac hesitated, taking a step toward her.

"Does...does it say how he's going to kill me?" She wrapped her arms around herself, speaking quietly, "Do you think it'll hurt?"

Looking at the watcher for a moment, Mac took another step forward, gently touching her face. "Griddlebone, I..."

She knocked his hand away, "Don't touch me!" She looked from one to the other, shaking slightly, her voice unsteady, but angry, "Were you even going to tell me?"

Cori spoke quietly, "I was hoping I wouldn't have to. That there was some way around it."

"Oh, I've got a way around it," the teen snapped, "I quit."

"It's not that simple," Mac said, expression pained and it really looked like he wanted nothing more than to wrap her in his arms and let no one close.

"I'm making it that simple! I quit! I resign! Someone else can stop the Master from taking over!"

"I don't know that anyone else can..." Cori looked away, "The signs all indicate-"

"The signs?" Grids picked up one of the books from the table, hurling it at him, "Read me the signs! Tell me my damn fortune! You're so useful, sitting around with your books. You really are a lot of help."

He flinched, "I...I don't suppose I am..."

"I know this is hard..." Mac said softly.

She whirled on him, "What do you know about it? You're never going to die."

"I already died," Mac replied, a bit hotly and regretted it instantly. "You think I want anything to happen to you? Do you think I could stand it if you were? We just need to figure out a way..."

"I already have. I quit, remember? Pay attention."

Cori spoke again, subdued, "Grids, if the Master rises..."

"I don't care!" She looked down, "I-I don't care. I'm sixteen years old. I don't want to die." Her hand closed around the cross that Mac had given her and she yanked the chain off her neck, dropping the necklace. She left quickly.

For a long moment Mac stared at the necklace, recognizing it. He reached down and picked it up, setting it on the counter. "We need to find a way," he told Coricopat.

Cori looked at the necklace for a long moment, "I have looked everywhere I possibly can. There is nothing there."

"Then look everywhere you haven't," Mac snapped. "I'm hitting the streets." With that, he left in a swirl of his leather coat. Cori watched him go before heading into his office to see if he could reach someone who might be able to help.

o.o.o.o

Jenny leaned against the doorframe of her daughter's room. "Hey, honey," she said, seeing her looking through some old photos. "You alright?"

She shrugged, tracing her fingers around the edge of the photos, "I guess..."

"You're probably just full from that, oh, bite of dinner you nearly had. Is there any chance you'll actually tell me what's going on?"

"I..." She almost considered it but settled for, "Mom, let's go away."

Jenny blinked at the abruptness of the request. "Honey, I... what?"

"Anywhere. Just for a weekend." She rose, "It'll be great. A mother daughter thing. We can talk about anything, even the stuff I don't usually like to talk about."

"I... " Jenny shook her head. "Honey, I would love to, but the gallery is open on the weekends, and I can't take off with no warning. What about next weekend? Or at the beginning of the summer?"

Grids looked away, "I..."

"Isn't your prom, or spring fling, or whatever it is tomorrow?"

"I guess so..."

"Nobody asked you?" Jenny asked softly.

"Someone but..."

"Not the right someone I'm guessing?" Jenny smiled at her, warmth and kindness in her expression. "This probably isn't the best time for this then, but..." she rose, opening her daughter's closet door, and displaying the stunning gown hanging there. "I saw you eying this at the store. I figured..."

Grids gaped at the gown as she came over, running her fingers over the white fabric, "Mom, we can't afford this..."

"We can," her mother responded. "That's what occasional luxuries are for."

"It...it's beautiful..."

"I think you should wear it," her mother said and added, "To the dance."

"But, Mom, I...I can't go to the dance."

"Says who?" her mother demanded. "The college I went to put on dances in the dorms, and my freshman year I didn't have a date to the big one. So I got dressed up and went anyway. You don't need a date to go someplace honey."

"What happened at the dance?" her daughter asked.

"It was awful at first. But then I met your father. You could say the rest is history... though with some interesting side trips. But it's how it happens. Do what you want. Call up your friend Misto even, if he doesn't have a date. Go as friends."

Grids considered for a long moment and then nodded, "I think I might. Thanks Mom."

Her mother leaned over, kissing her forehead. "Whatever you decide to do, I'm sure it will be for the best," she said softly. "Good night, honey. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Good night, Mom."

o.o.o.o

Mac shifted in his sleep the next morning, shortly after sunrise, and woke abruptly from a nightmare. He glanced around his flat, disoriented. Collin, the boy who resided with the Master, sat cross-legged on the foot of his bed staring at him.

Mac jumped and then stilled, before slowly pushing himself into a sitting position, never taking his eyes off the boy.

The child tilted his head to one side, "He said you lived like one of them. I don't understand it."

"Maybe when you're older," Mac deadpanned.

"People are weak. They're stupid. Why would you want to be one?"

Mac winced and he ignored the question. "Did he send you?" he asked, tempted to rise and put a shirt on.

The boy nodded, "He's coming. Soon. Stay out of his way."

"And if I don't?"

Collin slid off the bed, starting toward the door. "He doesn't like you anymore, you know. And you know what he could do to you?"

"Yes," Mac said softly, a trace of fear finally entering his expression.

Collin looked him straight in the eye, "No you don't." With that he slipped out of the apartment.

Mac watched him, swallowing hard. But there was nothing he could do while the sun was still up. How the hell had the boy even gotten in and out?

o.o.o.o

Early that same morning, Mistoffelees yawned as he entered the school with Bomba.

Bombalurina was going on and on about something, "Kevin said he'd bring everything to the Bronze last night. He promised! We'll never get everything ready in time."

"He probably just forgot. It's not that big of a deal is it?"

"You don't understand. He skipped out on me-on me- and I don't even mind. God help me, I think it's kinda cute."

Mistoffelees couldn't help but chuckle at that. "Wow, good to know what pushes your buttons." They reached the door to the lounge, looking inside.

"Oh, there they are." She could see the cartoons playing on the TV against the far wall, "They're watching cartoons. That's so -wait, no it's not cute. It's annoying. I'm annoyed." She tried the door, but it was locked so she started digging around for a key to the room. "Men. I don't know why I put up with them."

"Cause you find them cute," Mistoffelees said, smiling faintly.

"Well, Kevin has underestimated the power of my icy stare." She finally got the door open and pulled it open, screaming as Kevin's body fell against her legs.

Mistoffelees froze, his eyes going from the body to the room, finally noticing the strange angle one of the boys on the couch's neck was laying at, and the bloody hand print on the screen.

o.o.o.o

A short while later, Mistoffelees found himself stumbling into the library. Cori looked up from the books he was going over again, "Mistoffelees?"

"I-I, sorry, I should be... I just..." he floundered.

"No, no, shh." He rose, moving over, "What happened?"

"Th-there... in the lounge," he said faintly. "There were... four kids... dead. They were sitting in front of the TV, you know? A-and cartoons were playing b-but they were dead."

Cori gently put a hand on Misto's shoulder, guiding him over to a chair, "Are you alright?"

"No," the teen said, voice pitched wrong.

The librarian looked him over, "Do you want to talk about it?"

"I don't, I just, I came here without actually thinking about it," he admitted softly. "It... was my first response."

Cori blinked at that, "I...Can I get you anything?"

"No," he said softly. "It just," he felt like he needed to explain himself. "You usually have the answers. I always seem to run here when anything happens."

The librarian sighed softly, sitting down in the next chair, "I'm afraid I'm fresh out of answers this week..."

Mistoffelees finally looked seriously at him. "What happened?" he asked softly.

"Griddlebone and I had a bit of a fight, I just need to go over my books again, I may have made a mistake."

"Can... can I help?"

Cori's expression grew wary, "I..."

Mistoffelees caught that expression as well. "Cori... what's going on?"

"It's..." He sighed, "It's an old prophecy. I'm trying to find a way around it."

"Well, I mean, prophecies don't always come true and..."

"The source for this one has never been wrong."

"There's a first time for everything," the teen said softly. "God, this one's got you scared. What is it?"

He swallowed hard, "It predicts that the Master will face the Slayer and...well...he'll win."

For a long moment the other couldn't respond. "That... that would mean... But that..."

Cori looked away, nodding, "I...I'm trying to find some way around it."

"Can I help?" Mistoffelees asked, voice breaking.

"I..." He hesitated, but finally nodded, "I could use the help."

"Thank you," Mistoffelees said and paused. "That is... possibly one of the strangest things I've ever thanked someone for."

"Well, we'd best see what we can find..." Cori managed, unsure how to respond to that either.

Swallowing hard, the younger nodded, rising from the chair and moving over.

o.o.o.o

Grids hesitated before knocking on Misto's door. She pulled the jacket she was wearing a bit tighter.

The door slowly opened to reveal a wan looking Mistoffelees, his pale skin only contrasting harder with the lime green shirt. "Grids," he said, blinking in surprise.

"Hey, Misto. I just heard. Can I come in?"

"Yeah, of course," the teen said, shaking his head slightly as if in a daze, taking a step back and holding the door open for her.

She stepped inside, looking him over, "Are you okay?"

He managed not to laugh hysterically, though it was a close call. "No," he said, though it was more constrained than the no he'd given Coricopat.

She reached out, putting a hand on his arm, "Misto, what happened? They were pretty vague on the news."

He shifted his shoulder slightly, accepting her hand. "I... in the lounge at school, f-four kids were found dead. Not just drained, but... they were really messed up and... the vampires... they'd left the TV running..."

"Oh, Misto..."

"It was different," he said softly and pulled away enough to go sit on the couch.

She moved over, sitting down next to him, smoothing her skirt to one side, "We'll..." She shook her head, not sure how to finish that.

For a moment Mistoffelees just looked at her. He had no idea what to say, or what to do. He couldn't encourage her, but he wanted someone, somewhere to be able to do this. To save them.

"You'll stay in tonight, all right?"

"Yeah, of course I will," he said, swallowing thickly. It was somewhat of a lie though.

She rose, offering him a wan smile, "Take care."

"I like your dress," he said softly.

Grids ran her hand over the white fabric, "Thanks." She slipped out of the house.

Mistoffelees watched her go for a moment before running back upstairs to get what he'd gone home for, and booked it back to the library.

This was such an annoying chapter to find a break for and keep them about the same length.

Hope everyone enjoys and you know reviews make your authors write more! Cheers all as we hit year one's endgame.