This one took a little bit longer than I anticipated. I was about three quarters of the way through the chapter when I decided to scrap ninety percent of it and start over. I just wasn't happy with the way it was going.

This is what I came up with instead. I hope it was worth the wait.

X X X X X

"So what's the procedure?" I asked. We were still seated next to each other, in the Echolls' poolhouse, on the sofa the Adversary had created.

"In keeping with the theme," the Adversary said, "Of you attempting to change a television show, I thought we would do it in the format of an episode guide. We will examine every episode from Bad Eggs onward and I will point out the changes you have wrought, for good, neutral and ill. I will not count any changes not instigated by you, directly or indirectly. For instance, Logan Echolls' presence caused a woman not to die from a vampire attack – he collided with her on a street corner and the vampire gave up hunting before she turned down his alley. That was not part of the wager."

"Significant?"

"Yes. Insignificant changes are those which could, in essence, fold back into the original universe. 'For want of a nail' works at times, but far more often does not. A new timeline is not permanently created by every choice – only every important choice. A decision of what color shoes to wear rarely has lasting ramifications, and those universes become one when the shoes are removed at the end of the day."

I thought I understood.

"I will also not be counting any changes instigated by your mere presence in events essentially unrelated to the timeline. Fortunately, as with those caused by those who accompanied you, those changes are minor. Not necessarily insignificant, but combined they would not be enough to tilt the balance for or against you."

"Okay." I took a deep breath. "You said you are judge and jury, and executioner, if necessary, though obviously I don't want it to come to that."

"The stakes remain the stakes, Miss Mars. I will not be your 'executioner' regardless."

"So I'm going to get opportunities to disagree with you."

The Adversary said, "Correct. I am not – quite – infallible. My final judgments are just that, though: Final." After a second, he said, "The first thing we need to do is define what was meant by the word 'better' in the terms of the bet."

"I would've have thought that was obvious."

He smiled. "And you would have been wrong. Better, for example, could very easily refer to making it a more interesting story. More action, more excitement, more plot twists."

If that was the definition he was going to use, I might as well give up now. I'd never been trying to make it a better story; I'd been trying to make it better for the inhabitants. I

I said, "Well, if that's the way this is going to go, you might as well pronounce me a failure and send me on to my punishment. Not only did I not make their 'story' more entertaining, I deliberately tried to do the opposite. Not that it still wasn't chock full of action and adventure despite my best efforts." I paused, then added, "Hell, if I'd believed that was the standard going in, I would have concede defeat immediately. No way I was I going to screw these people over just to win the bet. I've been called Machiavellian, but I have my limits."

"Miss MacKenzie said, and I quote, 'You think you could run it better?' and you answered with, 'Knowing what I know now? Damn right I could.' "

"Yes, but that wasn't in the terms of the wager, either. Since we never specified what constitutes 'better,' I think my definition is as good as any other."

"And that definition is?"

"That I would make the lives of the inhabitants better. That I would spare them pain and suffering. Even prevent an apocalypse or two, if possible."

He nodded his head. "Then we will use your definition. Well argued, Miss Mars."

"Thank you."

"You said the episode guide will see how the future will play out after my interference, correct?"

"Correct," the Adversary said.

"With or without my presence?"

"With your presence, but also with the presumption that you longer change the future using your knowledge of it," he said. "Shall we begin?"

"Do I have a choice?"

One more smile. "No."

Prior to Bad Eggs:

Aaron Echolls' death, of course, makes national headlines – his death at the hands of this mysterious woman who was menacing you makes it even more bizarre. Though Sheriff Lamb presses everyone for 'the truth,' eventually he is forced to settle for the story you all tell. Your father, naturally, is furious with you, but eventually, grateful that you are still alive, forgives you. Later, he writes a book detailing his theory that Aaron Echolls killed Lilly Kane – and he is helped in this by Lynn and Logan Echolls, who back her theory.

Mayor Wilkins is uncomfortable at the publicity, but plays along. He is grateful to have Spike and Drusilla dead, but wonders whether you and your father may be forces to be reckoned with.

Whitestone leaves town.

You, Miss Mars, give Mr. Giles his money back and apologize for not being able to locate Epimetheus.

Bad Eggs:

There are no significant changes to Bad Eggs. You avoid being taken because in this new reality you are Mr. Harris' partner for the child-rearing experiment, but otherwise things proceed as they did in the original series.

Surprise/Innocence:

Now here, Miss Mars, is where things start to swerve. With Spike and Drusilla gone, Lyle Gorch – who did not leave town at the end of Bad Eggs – is now attempting to fill the void left with their deaths. One of their minions who was not present during the raid on their headquarters informs him of their abortive attempt to assemble The Judge; Gorch believes this an excellent idea, though, without a scholar around, he will have far more difficulty obtaining the remainder of the limbs. His attempts do not come to anyone's attention during this episode, although his presence in Sunnydale is noted when Buffy kills a vampire.

Her birthday celebration goes smoothly. Angel and Miss Summers, having been informed of the curse and the conditions under which it can be lifted, refrain from sleeping together. Ms. Rosenberg does not discover that MS. Chase and Mr. Harris are, in the lingo, "an item." She and Mr. Osbourne begin dating.

You and Miss Kelly have little to do with this episode, though you are invited to the birthday party.

Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered:

With Miss Madison being deceased, the love spell so crucial to this episode's happy denouement does not occur. Miss Chase breaks up with Mr. Harris, and Mr. Harris attempts to get first Miss Rosenberg and then Miss Kelly to cast the "revenge" love spell. They decline, in Miss Rosenberg's case because she lacks the skill – and because she's furious with Mr. Harris for not confiding in her in the first place that he and Miss Chase were in fact dating -and in Miss Kelly's case because "she's not fuckin' with anyone's mind." At the end of what would have been the episode, Mr. Harris and Miss Chase are still separated.

Passion:

Does not occur. Miss Summers and Mr. Giles are made aware of Lyle Gorch's plans to reassemble the judge during the time frame of what this episode would have been.

Killed by Death:

Miss Summers does not collapse from her illness this time and the doctor she goes to prescribes antibiotics and rest, not a trip to the hospital. Thus, Der Kindestod is not killed during the episode and in fact remains at large for several months more, during which he kills several more children, before Miss Summers is finally made aware of the situation and arranges for his demise.

Mr. Harris and Miss Chase have a huge argument in this episode, concluding with Mr. Harris saying, "We're not going out anymore, remember? You can't talk to me that way anymore!" and Miss Chase responding with, "Well maybe we should, so I can!"

Angel, in the meantime, finds out more about Gorch's plans, discovers when a shipment is coming in. and vows to make certain he and Miss Summers are there to intercept it when it arrives in a couple of weeks.

I Only Have Eyes For You:

Unfolds quite similarly to the episode, except that the words Angel and Miss Summers speak mean less to them, under the circumstances. No significant changes. Mr. Giles and Ms. Calendar are now in a full-blown relationship.

Go Fish:

The main plot unfolds similarly, except that with Ms. Calendar and Ms. Mistwood's assistance they are able to reverse the spell on the boys. Ms. Calendar, additionally, tells Principal Snyder no when he "suggests" she change the grade. He fires her, and she promptly files a lawsuit.

Becoming (both parts):

Does not happen in any form, save for Mr. Giles being informed of the finding of the obelisk containing Acathla. Nothing further happens with Acathla during the timespan of this episode. Specifically: the other Slayer, Kendra, does not make an appearance.

In its place – perhaps those who say that the Buffy universe has a law of conservation of apocalypses are correct. Angel and Ms. Summers attempt to intercept the final "arms shipment" but are driven back by a large mass of vampires. Gorch may not have Spike's intelligence or the poetry of Angelus, but in its place he has sheer brutality. His solution to most problems is to throw as many vampires at them as possible.

Knowing Miss Summers to be an issue, he later sends another attack force to stall her while he assembles the Judge and turns it loose. She and Angel manage to defeat them, though Ms. Rosenberg and Mr. Giles are injured – while the Judge begins its rampage.

While Miss Chase and Mr. Harris get them to a hospital, Miss Kelly, Miss Summers and Angel go after the Judge, and Miss Kelly manages to delay him by trapping him in a collapsing building. You and your father have little to do with the events of the episode; you are assisting Ms. Calendar in her lawsuit.

Then the events of Innocence play their way out, except that the final confrontation occurs not at a shopping mall, but in the middle of a street. The Judge is destroyed and Lyle Gorch is killed. The remainder of the vampires scatter, at this, and good has won the day.

The Summer between Seasons 2 and 3:

Miss Summers once again goes to visit her father, but returns early when her father's business needs intervene.

Your own father finishes writing his book, and submits it.

Ms. Calendar's lawsuit against the school is settled and her job is restored to her. This is due largely to pressure provided by Mayor Wilkins, who once again prefers to avoid publicity, if possible. She is given back pay plus damages. Mayor Wilkins is now convinced that you and your father are people to be kept an eye on.

Dozens of people do not die, because Spike and Drusilla are no longer there to kill them.

The Slayer, Kendra, continues her work.

Angel and Buffy have several long conversations about whether their relationship could work, coming to no particular conclusion.

The Slayer Faith is not called, does not kill several other menaces, and does not run afoul of Kakistos and Mr. Trick.

X X X X X

"Well," I said, "So far, so good."

The Adversary smiled. "It would seem so, wouldn't it?"

Anne

Miss Mars, the woman known as "Lily" – to whom you gave your card – calls you from Los Angeles to help her find her missing boyfriend. You go up there, quickly determine that the cause is more up Miss Summers' alley than yours, and call her in. Miss Summers is, from there, able to take care of the problem in much the same fashion as in the original storyline, though she is unable to provide "Lily" with an apartment or a job. You agree to help her with both of these.

As Miss Summers never left Sunnydale in the anguish of having sent Angel to hell, none of the other events of this story happen.

Dead Man's Party:

Occurs similarly to the original storyline, although there is not a party for the zombie attack to disrupt, merely Miss Summers, Mr. Harris and Ms. Rosenberg watching television. Mr. Osbourne, happening open the zombies marching, calls in the cavalry and the attack is thwarted, the mask destroyed. The attack brings home to Mrs. Summers the reality of the supernatural, and the confrontation that happened immediately prior to the Acathla incident occurs now, instead.

Mrs. Summers is less than mollified but agrees to hold off on any drastic action until she and Mr. Giles have a talk.

Faith, Hope and Trick:

Is drastically modified. Mr. Hope asks Ms. Summers and is rebuffed.

The Slayer Kendra does not come to Sunnydale. Neither does the Slayer Faith. The former was killed while fighting Kakistos, as was her Watcher, and the latter is activated now. Mr. Giles is made aware of this during the timeframe spanned by this episode.

Mrs. Summers comes to the library and has a long talk with Mr. Giles, Ms. Calendar and her daughter. As it turns out, she has had Mr. Giles investigated.

And, of course, the number of private detectives in Sunnydale being what it is -

["Oh, shit," I said.

"Indeed," the Adversary replied.]

So Ms and Mrs. Summers are not the only set consisting of parent and child having a long, involved conversation. Ms. Summers, though, has a reason for remaining in Sunnydale. You do not. Your father has little desire to uproot you during your senior year, but makes it clear to you that you are to stay away from the things that go bump in the night, and that you will be moving from Sunnydale the second after graduation.

Beauty and the Beasts:

One fewer beast to deal with in this changed universe, as Angel, of course, has never gone to Hell. The remainder of the episode proceeds almost as it did in the original, except that, with the assistance of you and Miss Kelly, the student named Debbie is saved, although Mr. Platt is still killed, and Ms. Calendar is menaced but escapes unharmed.

Homecoming:

Is severely altered, as Miss Summers, while annoyed by Miss Chase, declines to run for Homecoming Queen, and with no Mr. Trick in town, there is no Slayerfest. Mr. Harris and Miss Rosenberg do not kiss. Mr. Echolls accompanies you to the dance.

Miss Chase wins, incidentally.

Band Candy:

Does not occur, but something takes its place, something a good deal less elegant. Mayor Wilkins, not knowing Ethan Rayne or having Mr. Trick at his disposal, sends many of his follower vampires to wreak havoc at the same time others invade the hospital to kidnap the children needed for the sacrifice. Miss Chase notices a pattern of where they are not striking – "They're attacking everywhere but around the hospital! I mean, why wouldn't they go there? Wouldn't that be like an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord?"

Suspicions raised, Miss Summers and Angel go to the hospital, learn of the kidnapping, and trail the vampires to the sewers, where the demon Larconis is killed and the children rescued.

All is not well, however. Miss Kelly's mother is killed in the rioting, as are a couple of dozen other people.

Revelations:

Occurs much as before, minus the actual revelations, save for the one that Gwendolyn Post is in fact no longer a Watcher. Her excuse for coming to town is simply that she is on the trail of Lagos and the Glove of Mynhegon.

As Miss Kelly is to turn eighteen in a matter of weeks, the courts are reluctant to take her into foster care, and you convince your father to allow her to stay with you until graduation.

Lovers Walk:

Does not occur in any form.

The Wish:

Does not occur in any form, save for the demon being killed at the beginning, During the events of what would have been this episode, Ms. Calendar informs everyone that there is no known way to make the curse permanent. Ms. Mistwood and Miss Kelly concur in this.

This prompts a long conversation between Angel and Miss Summers about the future of their relationship. Or, to be precise, the lack of a future for their relationship.

Amends:

Occurs. Angel is vulnerable at this point, but without being able to taunt him in the form of Ms. Calendar, the First uses the forms of Drusilla and Miss Summers to try to manipulate him into murder or suicide. The First does not succeed but is determined to leave Sunnydale because he no longer trusts himself around Miss Summers. Miss Summers drives away the Bringers.

Gingerbread:

Angel and Miss Summers have a long conversation that ends with Miss Summers being very upset. The following night, the events of the episode begin, and play out similarly. Your father joins the group as well, though, and even though you are not a target, Miss Kelly is – as are Ms. Mistwood, who escapes, and Mr. Pulaski, who does not, and is killed in the store the day before the attempted burning at the stake.

The remainder of the episode is much the same, although Angel also assists in the rescue before bidding Miss Summers goodbye.

Following this, he leaves Sunnydale for Los Angeles.

You and Mr. Echolls are definitively dating by this point.

[So Angel leaves earlier?" I asked.

"Yes. But cheer up, Miss Mars: This means the spinoff begins a whole half season sooner."

I was not amused.]

Helpless:

And this, Miss Mars, is where things truly begin to swerve.

Mr. Harris walks in on Mr. Giles and Miss Calendar having a huge argument, though he can't tell what it's about. Both refuse to talk about it.

Then a "surprise visit" from the Slayer Faith and her Watcher occur. Of course, to Mr. Giles, this is no surprise at all, as he contacted the Watcher's Council and arranged for the visit in the interests of keeping things under control in Sunnydale while Miss Summers undergoes the cruciamentum.

Miss Summers and the Slayer Faith interact similarly to their encounter in the original timeline, although Faith is slightly more restrained, neither being on the run nor upset because of her Watcher's death.

This Watcher –

["Why aren't you naming them?"

"Your rules, Miss Mars. For the same reason I have not used the name 'Lehane' for the Slayer Faith. You do not consider it canonical if it did not appear in the series."

"I didn't appear in the series, either."

"But your name is canonically Veronica Mars, Miss Mars."

"I have a canon?" I asked.

"Of course you do. As do I."

Lovely.]

In any event, because of Mr. Giles' idea, this Watcher will be the one who observes Miss Summers and Mr. Giles, not Quentin Travers.

It appears as though the cruciamentum proceeds similarly to the way it had originally done up to the morning after Miss Summers' father does not take her to the ice show. Mr. Giles then hypnotizes her, but does not inject her with the weakening drug, and brings her out of the trance.

Later, he and Ms. Calendar have a discussion, and that evening, as Miss Summers and her friends research the cause of her weakness, Mr. Giles tells her the truth.

"So that explains all the fighting," Mr. Harris said.

"It does," is Mr. Giles' response.

The other Watcher has overheard this, and informs Mr. Giles . . . that she quite agrees that the cruciamentum is an utterly barbaric ritual and that she would resign sooner than expose Faith to it.

Alas, she will never have the chance.

Mr. Kralik, per canon, escapes, and while Mr. Giles goes to the boarding house and finds a murdered worker, the Slayer Faith, patrolling per her Watcher's orders, runs across Mr. Kralik and his newly turned minion.

She kills the minion.

And is killed in turn by Mr. Kralik.

Working together, everyone is able to kill Mr. Kralik – but the damage has been done.

["Still confident that you've changed things for the better, Miss Mars?"

Well, Faith's dead and Angel left early; but Spike is still dead, Drusilla is still dead, Xander and Cordelia are still together, and Ms. Calendar is still alive."

"Yes," I said.

He smiled. "Well, in the words of the legendary Al Jolson, "You ain't heard nothin' yet.'"]