''You sit behind your desk and learn how to accept the world. Well here's the rub, heroes don't do that. Heroes don't accept the way it is, they fight it''

-Lindsey

Chapter 5

She'd almost been too late. Her time with Spike meant she was late to fight off the vampires that attacked her friends in the cemetery, she'd forgotten about them. She had arrived on the scene just as one of the vamps was closing a hand over Jesse's cross, crying out even as he pulled it off the boys neck. With an expert toss the stake went through said vamp, leaving her open to his partner to tackle her from behind. Grunting Buffy moved to push him off her, screaming at her friends to get to Giles. Xander, smart boy that he was, plucked the fallen cross from the ground and pushed it into Jesses hand before running, full tilt, at the vamp on top of her. He hadn't been expecting it.

"You ok Buffs?" He breathed out, raggedly. Jumping to her feet she pushed him to the ground just as the vamp tried to tackle him from the side. Frowning she turned to her fallen friend.

"Get them to Giles Xander. I'll be right behind you." Two more vamps popped out from behind headstones, Willow and Jesse scrambled to Xander and pulled him to his feet. Buffy slammed a palm into Ugly #1 when he tried lunging at her again, sending him back against the newcomers.

"GO!" She commanded as she rushed the vampires, scooping up her stake along the way. As her friends pounding footsteps faded behind her she jumped Ugly #2 pushing the stake deep into his chest. He exploded in a cloud of dust, Buffy whirled and got knocked on her back when Ugly #1 and #3 tackled her from both sides. #1 pulled the stake from her hand, his hot breath making her gag. #3 pinned her struggling legs. Growling Buffy struggled against their hold.

"Boys I really am more of a one guy kinda girl." She freed a hand, swung at her captor, missed. He pinned her again. The vamps laughed uproariously, #3 bent over her body, eyes tracing the faint pulse at her neck. She felt his fangs scrape.

"Now that's not fair." A voice broke out from the darkness making Buffy's eyes widen in shock. Ugly #3 pulled back, eyes searching the darkness. Buffy didn't give him a chance, putting all her strength into a jarring headbutt. #3 rolled off her with a groan, Buffy's head felt like she'd slammed it into a brick wall. Close enough. Ignoring the pain she pulled her legs up and back, locking them around ugly #1 and twisting. Breaking his neck, he crumpled to the side. Vamp healing would have him up and rarin' to go, but it would take a few minutes. Berating herself under her breath she looked into the darkness, eyes picking him out of the shadows.

"Toss me my stake would you Angel?"

One came barreling out of the darkness. Catching it effortlessly she proceeded to walk over and stab Ugly #3, who was blinking away doubles, then to the twitching Ugly #1. Vampires dealt with Buffy turned to where Angel was gliding out of the darkness. Really? Hadn't she already addressed the stalker thing?

"Thanks." She offered, sounding both grateful and annoyed all at the same time.

"This isn't a game..." His questioning eyes sought hers, his lips twisting in a wry smile.

"Buffy." She completed for him, amicably enough. "And ya, trust me, I know. First day of school and already dealing with vamps. I mean here I thought I'd be worrying about being behind in class or, hey, if there weren't any cute boys in my class. But noooo. I'm here a week, a week! Nothing happens, first day of school? Well let's just go after the Slayer today guys. And didn't I tell you to stop following me? I mean I appreciate the assist but, totally, creepy. Yes?"

He was just standing there, as if he couldn't believe the words coming out of her mouth. She knew why though. He had expected her to be some sweet, empty-headed cheerleader. Only interested in shopping and her equally air-headed friends. Essentially he wanted her to be Cordelia. Once upon a time she had been. Gods he had made her hate everything about her life. He had been solely responsible for her attitude on Slaying. He had wanted her to be normal and she had loved him so much that she had let that one thing color her entire life. She had hated her life. Now she was determined to enjoy it.

"Problem?"

He shook his head numbly, eyes searching for some spark within hers. "You're not safe here, at the mouth of Hell."

Buffy huffed, "Look Angel, buddy. I get it. I'm on a Hellmouth, the master is trying to come back and bring the old ones with him. Horrible things will happen. I know you've got a soul, I know you want to help but this is not the way to do it. I'm the Slayer and, ya, I might be just a kid but if you want to help me, be part of the group, you're gonna have to learn how to treat me as an equal. And equals do not stalk each other in the night."

"Each other huh?" He asked, giving her one of those charming smiles that was destined to make any woman weak in the knees. Her knees stayed strong, her body still on such a large Spike-high that it didn't even acknowledge him. Chuckling, exasperated Buffy walked away from him. She sooooo did not need this right now. Nope she had a Scooby Gang to create, and memories from the here and now of a very tasty Spike. Nope she wouldn't let Angel ruin that. He didn't try following her, she was unsurprised. Angel had always been like the wind, coming and going without warning. It annoyed her.

She ran through the cemetery, heading to the school and Giles, hoping she would catch up with her friends before they reached the librarian's. Things would be less icky if she was there with them.

He had manged to get his Demon under control, barely, but his mind was still reeling. His body burning from where the damned Slayer had pressed against him. Soulless he may be but the thought of what he'd just done, with a child (ok the girl was fifteen and, ya, technically all humans were children compared to him but that wasn't the point sod it all!) was making his head hurt. His demon argued that she had instigated that little snogging session but he refused to think on that. If he did he would go out into the night, find her, and take her hard and fast against the nearest available surface. She was right, she was too young. That bit of information did nothing to slow the raging lust. He couldn't even bring himself to consider her offer for Slayer blood. After all he could kill her now and take the blood while he was at it. He found himself strangely reluctant to consider that. Why kill her now when he could just fight her over and over, claiming his prize each time. Until he was tired of her, of course. She was proving to be one surprise after another. She had been so fierce, nipping and sucking at his lips, matching his ferocity with her own but her touch had been tender, careful. As if she had been holding something precious, it was damned confusing. Her scream broke through the night air.

He didn't realize he was moving until he was almost upon her. Pinned to the ground by two new-turns, his ears catching the fading sounds of footsteps. Her friends? He questioned, understanding the oddity that was a Slayer with friends. When one of the young ones bent down, fangs at the ready, he saw himself stalking over to them and ripping them from her while growling mine. He took a step, pulled himself back. Dru wanted the girl dead, he should have killed her in that crypt. He hadn't but there was no reason for him to help her now. No need either. When a voice came from the darkness opposite him he retreated, not keen on facing Angelus just yet. Especially when the poof tossed a stake to the slayer. He listened intently, chuckling at the girls gratitude and subsequent telling off. Wait Soul? Angelus with a soul? Did she really believe that? Truly? Angelus was one of, if not, the most evil being he'd had the misfortune of meeting. Not to mention all those years he'd been under the older vampires 'care'. Spike shuddered involuntary, anger making his jaw tick.

When both the Slayer and Angelus moved on Spike allowed himself to take a moment and consider his options. Dru would want to know Angelus was here, he might even be able to fix her. Not that he'd do it if asked but Spike had no intention of asking. The Slayer could wait, he didn't know how long Angelus would be in town and he needed Dru to be back to her normal childish self again, her weakness hurting him somewhere deep inside. Decision made he lit a ciggy, unconsciously rubbing the filter against his lips just as Buffy had when she'd been on top of him. When his body hardened he assumed it was thoughts of Dru and not the little blond that had come alive in his arms just a few minutes before.

"No. No! You don't understand she was like, oh you're so cute, but then she was like, grrr and then Buffy came and the other guy went like...Poof." The panicked words, spluttering out of three different mouths, was accompanied by waving arms and plenty of sound effects. She almost wished she had popcorn. Jesse, Willow, and Xander had reached Giles a few minutes before she did, her poor watcher desperately trying to get the three teens to come down long enough for him to make sense of them. She had reached them in time to make herself comfortable in a chair, their backs to her, and Giles looking at her with what could only be described as a 'Explain yourself right now young lady' look reserved for parental scoldings. She shrugged helplessly, the exchange drawing her friends attention. Xander moved first, running up to her and hauling her into his arms. He squeezed her hard, ignoring the way her feet hit his calves as he walked her to the others. When he did release her it was to allow Jesse to wrap his arms around her shoulder from behind, and for Willow to lock her arms around her waist. Xander rested a hand on her head, eyes scanning her for any injury. It felt good to be so loved. After a few moments of this she shook them off of her, moving to stand next to Giles.

"What's going on Buffy?" Xander demanded.

"Ya, what was that?" Willow asked breathlessly, her body collapsing onto a chair, arms wrapped around herself protectively. Jesse moved up behind Willow and placed a hand on her shoulder, earning himself a grateful smile. Buffy watched the two with interest for a minute before turning to her watcher. Giles sighed, openly, tiredly.

"This world is older than any of you know. Contrary to popular mythology, it did not begin as a paradise. For untold eons demons walked the Earth. They made it their home, their... their Hell. But in time they lost their purchase on this reality. The way was made for mortal animals, for, for man. All that remains of the old ones are vestiges, certain magicks, certain creatures."

"Like vampires." Buffy supplied, grinning as she realized this was the same speech that Giles had given the gang the first time around too. Xander moved away from the group, frowning, pacing. He turned on Giles, "Okay, this is where I have a problem. See, because we're talking about vampires. We're having a *talk* with vampires in it"

"Isn't that what we saw?" Willow questioned from her spot in the chair. Jesse just stood there, Buffy figured he was still going through shock.

"No. No, th-those weren't vampires, those were just guys in thundering need of a facial. Or maybe they had rabies. It could have been rabies. A-and that guy turning to dust? Just a trick of light." She huffed at him, hands on her hips, " That's exactly what I said the first time I saw a vampire. Well, after I was done with the screaming part." She corrected herself instantly. She was almost ashamed of how she'd reacted, the dreams showing her things more horrible than just vampires. Jesse suddenly yelped, hands slapping against his neck.

"What's your issue?" Buffy questioned as the boy began running his fingers across his neck, arms, he took of his shoe and checked between the toes. Buffy rolled her eyes at his panic-induced search. She snapped a finger in front of his eyes, drawing his attention to her.

"To make you a vampire they have to suck your blood. And then you have to suck their blood. It's like a whole big sucking thing. Mostly they're just gonna kill you."

Giles focused on the four youths, his eyes taking on a fierce expression that made the mild-manner librarian thing seem more like a psycho-killer thing.

"A Slayer hunts vampires; Buffy is a Slayer; don't tell anyone. Well, I think that's all the vampire information you need." With that he started trying to heard the three outsiders out the door. Buffy reached over and placed a hand on his arm, preventing him from moving. He looked at her, displeasure evident in his eyes. Buffy offered a beaming smile, Giles could never resist the smile. Predictably he dropped his hand and turned, arms raising in the air in exasperation before falling, defeated, at his side. Taking his place Buffy considered the occupants of the room. She would have to play this carefully, but she needed them in fighting shape yesterday.

"So now that you know about that little gem i've got a few more things to throw your way. Let's start Jesse you should be dead. The vampires were gonna turn you and use you to try to kill me and Xander. No worries, didn't happen." Jesse turned sheet white, muttered that he felt sick. "Xander if you wanna tackle vamps go for it, just take some classes first. I'm stronger than the average person, faster, i'm a better fighter. I was made to take out ghoulies and ghosties, it's what i'm made to do. You are not. Even at your best i'll still be better than you but if you can accept that, and get some classes in, then you can help me out."

"No. No absolutely not Buffy." Giles rounded on her, his voice injected with just the right mix of disbelief and righteous fury. Buffy raised a brow at him, "Look, Giles, I'm not doing the whole 'lonely' slayer thing. So last year. If they want to help they're gonna help. Better to have them with us then let them go and wait to see if they do something stupid on their own. Besides i've got a feeling that Xander'll be a major badass in no time. Jesse well Hell, give him a crossbow, some holy water and a stake and he could defend himself just fine. And Willow." The girl froze, still as a statue, "Willow can help you out with the computer stuff. Let's give her some training too, you like magic Will? There's plenty of magical threats out there, you could be our resident expert. We could get you a teacher."

"Buffy what you're talking about is putting children into an unfair fight." Giles tried to reason with her.

"We're already in the fight." Xander shot out. Jesse moving to stand next to him in support. Willow worried her lower lip for a moment before nodding shyly. Buffy was looking forward to putting Willow on the fast track to magic and this time she'd make sure the shy girl learned everything she needed to about consequence. She'd beat it into the red haired girls head if she had to. Buffy turned back to Giles with a 'See, told you so' smile stretching across her face. The watcher sighed in defeat, leveling her with an unreadable look, "Buffy I do not approve of this, the watcher council wi-"

"Fuck the watcher's council. I'm the Slayer, my life my rules. If they want to help, let them help. I'm not going to throw away assets just because the council wouldn't like it. Beside the only Watcher I need is you." She countered vehemently. Giles swallowed, trapped between happiness at her compliment and outrage on behalf of the council. Refusing to acknowledge that, perhaps, she had a point. Allowing that he'd have to humor her for now. Admitting that having others fight at her side would offer a measure of safety. Not much but some. Finally nodding jerkily in her direction he allowed her to continue.

"Now people this is what's going on. A pack of vamps have come here to Sunnydale, which is a Hellmouth that acts as a bridge between our dimension and the dimension of the old ones. It attracts some majorly bad juju. Anyway the vamps are part of the Order of Aurelius and they want to bring their daddy back except he wants to bring along all his friends. So not good, bad, you could say apocalyptic. Tomorrow night is the Harvest, they're gonna try to bleed as many people as possible. They're gonna be especially desperate since I dusted their, uh, vessel? Pretty soon they're gonna get the annoying one to come here, trust me you don't wanna know. All we gotta do is stop them now, later, and always and the world is safe. Questions?"

Nobody moved. She turned to Giles, he had the same glazed expression that her friends sported. Minus Jesse whose mouth had opened in slack-jawed information overload.

"Too much?" She squeaked out.

Ok so I know that I said i'd be updating next week but I got so many great reviews yesterday that I wanted to give you guys one more before my work week starts. I know it's a little short but I hope you enjoy the new twists.

valerie21601- Don't worry...I intend to.

Serenity's Embrace- I don't blame you. I've read my fair share of Spuffy fics and most of them just plain hurt. The rest of them were really good though and part of my inspiration for this story.

kelticmoon- No I never even knew such sites existed but i'm touched that you think my fic would rate a recommendation to those pure Spuffy sites out there. Thank you so much.

And a special thanks to ginar369- I appreciate you pointing out my little mess-ups. I enjoy your reviews, hehe I forgot that Angel use to snack on rats.

See you next week everyone.