Disclaimers

All characters appearing in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel are copyright Joss Whedon. No infringements of these copyrights are intended, and is not authorized by the copyright holder.

All original characters are the property of Celgress.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Four AU - Corruption: Episode One

By

Celgress

Sunnydale Art Gallery mid-July afternoon

"I will take it" said the tall, well dressed, handsome man with shoulder length iron grey hair, pointing at a large piece of abstract art. "Please have it wrapped and delivered to my home, here is the address." The Tall Handsome Man passed Joyce Summers a stack of crisp bills thousand dollar bills, and a business card that read 'Llewellyn Drake' followed by business and contact information.

"Oh so you're the businessman who recently moved into the old Parcel Mansion" Joyce said her eyes lighting up, immediately recognizing the address on Llewellyn Drake's business card.

"Guilty as charged" Llewellyn Drake said, giving her a warm smile. "Tell me Mrs?"

"Its' Miss actually, Miss Joyce Summers" said Joyce.

"Of course please pardon me, assuming one as young and vibrant as yourself of being married" Llewellyn Drake said, with an apologetic air.

"Please I'll get a big head from such a compliment Mr. Drake" Joyce said, blushing.

"Please call me Llewellyn" Llewellyn Drake interrupted Joyce, taking her hands in his own. "Ms. Summers."

"Joyce" Joyce said starting deeply into Llewellyn Drake's penetrating hazel eyes.

"Joyce if I may be so bold. Would you like to dine with me tonight at the Diplomat Restaurant?" Llewellyn Drake asked Joyce.

"The Diplomat is the most upscale restaurant in town" Joyce gasped, in a mixture of shock and delight. "I couldn't impose on you in such a way, certainly not on a first date."

"Joyce tell me do you believe in destiny?" Llewellyn Drake asked, still holding Joyce's hands.

"Excuse me?"

"Destiny Joyce invincible necessity, that which will happen no matter what. I feel we were destined to meet here today. I have been alone a long time. I feel a connection between us Joyce. I know you feel the same way, please give us a chance dine with me tonight."

"I have children" Joyce blurted out, "two daughters, the oldest especially can be a handful."

"No matter" Llewellyn Drake said, rubbing Joyce's hands gently. "The more the merrier. This revelation does not change how I feel about you Joyce. Besides I have always wanted a family."

Joyce was amazed by Llewellyn Drake's reaction. Upon hearing she had kids most men would quickly make some excuse to free themselves from any further involvement with her. Who knows maybe Llewellyn Drake is the one?

"I'd love to have dinner with you" Joyce said with a smile.

"Excellent" Llewellyn Drake said, tenderly kissing Joyce's hand before releasing his gripe. "My driver will be around to pick you up, say at eight?"

"Sounds good" Joyce said, giving Llewellyn Drake her address and phone number before he left the Art Gallery a few minutes later. Joyce's head was still swimming hours after Llewellyn Drake's departure. Closing up the Art Gallery late that afternoon Joyce felt giddy as a school girl.

A cemetery in Sunnydale 3:00 am that night

Buffy staked the third of three vampires with little effort. Things had been rather dead for the undead since Mayor Wilkins' demise a couple of months ago. Buffy was beginning to think she might be in for an easy summer, perhaps a much deserved holiday before college the sound of loud clapping destroyed that dream.

"Bravo" said a tall figure wearing an ornate black robe, the hood of which left the figure's face obscured in deep shadows, glowing red eyes peered out of the seemingly impenetrable gloom. The Robed Figure was standing atop a nearby mausoleum.

"Who are you exactly Mr. Robe?" Buffy challenged in her usual snappy manner.

"Your conqueror brat" said the Robed Figure in deep, raspy voice, his clawed hands now by his sides.

"Yeah, sorry to disappoint you by I've heard that line before many times in fact" Bully replied, taking up a defensive stance holding her stake high in one hand while clenching her free hand into a fist.

"Alright try this one on for size Buffy Anne Summers" rasped the Robed Figure. "I know everything about you. I know you have a mother named Joyce and a little sister named Dawn. If you threaten me, or my plans, in any way, shape or form I will take them away from you forever. What is the matter child, no snappy comebacks?"

"If you touch them I'll…." started Buffy.

"You will kill me. Is that what you were going to say? I thought that was the goal of our little dance anyway. I do not fear you little one, you threats are pathetic just like you" The Robed Figure laughed.

Buffy jumped up onto the mausoleum lunging with her stake at the Robed Figure who side stepped her attack. The Robed Figure picked Buffy up by the scruff of her neck hurling her into several tombstones below. The impacted broke several of the tombstones. Before Buffy could recover the Robed Figure was upon her. His right hand was around her throat. Picking her up by the neck the Robed Figure dangled her several feet off the ground. Buffy attempted to stake the vampire, for her sixth sense told her vampire he was, with her spare stake but the Robed Figure easily blocked her attack grabbing the stake and snapping it in half.

"I could end this right now" the Robe figure hissed. "Fortunately for you, I enjoy playing with my food. Remember my name girl, Naoikientan (pronunciation: Nah-Kean-Tune). It is the name of your own slayer." Naoikientan threw Buffy to the ground. A few moments later he was gone.

The apartment of Rupert Giles half an hour later

"Coming" Rupert Giles said rushing down the stairs while fastening his housecoat around his waist secretly cursing whoever his unexpected am guest was. Opening the door he was appalled to discover a bruised, battered Buffy who was on the verge of tears. "Come in, come in Buffy please." Giles closed the door behind her. "What is it Buffy what is wrong? What has happened?" Giles asked escorting Buffy into his living room.

"He said he's going to kill my family" Buffy said, slumping into the seat Giles offered her.

"Who, what are you talking about Buffy?" Giles asked his voiced filled with concern.

"A new vampire, all in a black robe I didn't see his face. He knows their names Giles. He knows about Mom and Dawn" Buffy went on. "He was so fast and strong Giles. I just couldn't stop him. I swear he was the fastest and strongest vamp I faced since the Master."

"Oh dear" Giles mumbled. "Did you happen to get a name?"

"Yeah, he called himself Kean'Toon, or something like that."

"Was it Naoikientan?" Giles asked with trepidation.

"That was it" Buffy said, seeing the worry in Giles' face. "Why is that bad?"

"Very" Giles said. "Naoikientan is a Celtic Grand Master Vampire, a powerful sorcerer, and former druid. He is over two thousand years, and may have been a contemporary of Julius Cesar during the latter's invasion of Gaul. Though some source claim he is even older. Discounting his dark magic abilities which are rumored to be extremely advanced, he is easily the most powerful vampire you have faced since Kakistos."

"And he wants to wipe out my family, wonderful" Buffy said. "What are we going to do Giles?"

"I-I'm not sure yet, but we'll think of something" Giles stammered, removing his glasses. Something he always did, when he was stumped.

To Be Continued

Note- I decided to have Dawn around in this AU, not as the key just as Buffy's little sister so Naoikientan (Nah-Kean-Tune) would have somebody besides Joyce to hold over Buffy's head.