A Blast from the Past
Sunnydale seemed empty without Buffy, and everybody felt it. Something was gone, and nobody could put it back. And nobody tried to fill the gap left behind.
Buffy's will had been read and all things had been distributed, all but one, a pendant, one of the last things in Buffy's box of personal items. It was rather large, and symbols were engraved on the face. It was to be given to Angie.
The young Slayer had already received all of Buffy's weapons, as well as her own personal Slayer journal (which consisted of her telling about her opponents, as well as weaknesses, and what-not. But it was all about Slaying), and now she was to receive the pendant.
Angie felt that she didn't deserve the things she had gotten, and she knew she had gotten most of it because she was Buffy's successor. But she took it all, but only because Mrs. Summers insisted on it.
She stared at the pendant. "What is it?"
"I don't know, but my mother wanted you to have it," Mrs. Summers said. "I'm sure you'll find out what it does."
"Thanks." Angie faked a smile and she placed the item in her pocket.
The woman smiled back, then turned at the sound of feet behind her. It was Meg, she stood in the hallway and looked at her mother.
"Hey baby girl," Mrs. Summers said with a small smile.
Meg walked toward her mother and gave her a big hug. "I don't wanna go back to school, mama."
"Oh baby girl, don't say that." Mrs. Summers held her daughter back at arms length, her hands on her daughter's shoulders.
"Don't you need me here?" Meg seemed as if she were pleading.
"You go back to collage, I'll be okay."
Meg now looked at the Slayer.
"You need to go back," Angie said.
"I just don't want to leave you all," Meg said.
"Listen." Angie walked toward her friend. "If you go back then we'll be able to go back to our normal routines, and soon the pain of loosing Buffy will go away. But if you stay, then that pain will linger."
Meg smiled. "You're right, thanks Angie."
The two girls finally let go of each other.
"I'll write as soon as I can," Meg said.
"Okay." Angie smiled. "See you later. Don't get in too much trouble okay?"
"I promise." Meg got into the car and drove away once again. And Angie walked back to her house.
Thomas stared at the markings on the necklace. "I've not a clue what they mean. I can't find them anywhere in my books."
"What about the pendant itself?" Angie asked as she fingered the markings.
"No where." Thomas shook his head.
"How long are you guys going to research this thing?" Stephanie asked tiredly.
"Just a little longer, don't get impatient," Angie said.
"But Angie you promised," Stephanie complained.
"I know," Angie said.
Thomas looked at the two girls. "Where are you going?"
"I promised her I'd take her to the Bronze tonight," Angie explained.
"Are you sure that's wise?" The Watcher asked.
"We'll be okay," Angie assured him. "I am the Slayer after all."
"Okay." Thomas really didn't mind. He thought it good that the two girls were bonding; he had been getting tired of the tension between them.
"Can we go now?" Stephanie asked.
Angie sighed. "Let's go change, then we'll leave."
"Yippee." Stephanie jumped out of her seat, and flew up the stairs.
Angie looked at Thomas and shrugged, then she too, walked up the stairs.
"You're slow for a Slayer," Stephanie said when Angie finally walked into the bedroom the two girls now shared.
"Only when I can be," Angie said. She walked over to the closet and pulled out a spaghetti strap, short black dress. She tossed it over to her sister. "Put that on." She turned back to her closet, and for herself, pulled out some black leather pants and a red tank top. They dressed and walked down the stairs.
Angie walked into the kitchen and picked up the pendant. "See you later," she said to Thomas. She walked to the front door and grabbed her black leather jacket, checking the pockets for stakes.
Once at the Bronze, Stephanie immediately began to dance, dragging her sister with her.
"This place is awesome!" Steph exclaimed.
"I'm glad you like it." Angie smiled. She looked around the crowd and spotted Spike at the bar. "I'll be right back." She walked up to the bar and sat next to the bleach blonde.
"Hey love," Spike said still looking at his glass.
"How's it goin' Spike?" Angie asked
Spike looked at her. "I'm not exactly skippin' all over the place, but I'm okay."
Angie smiled at him. "You still miss her don't you?" Spike didn't have to answer. "Me too." She pulled out the medallion and showed it to Spike. He looked at it, then at her. "I need your help. We don't know what this does."
Spike took it from her and flipped it over. "Never seen it before."
"I was hoping you'd help me find out about it," Angie said.
Spike placed a couple dollars on the bar and stood up. "Where do we start?" He asked as he handed the medallion back to the Slayer.
"I can't start now, Stephanie is here." Angie indicated her sister. "But we can start when I go on patrol."
"Okay." Spike went to sit down again, but the Slayer grabbed his arm.
"In the mean time, come dance with me," she said.
"We've been over this," Spike protested.
"Just come." She pulled him out to the floor and she began swinging her hips back and forth. Spike watched her, and soon started mimicking her. The two swayed together, and Angie moved closer to him. "Relax," she said putting her hand on his arm. "Just move to the beat." She moved closer to him, and her hand rested on his chest. "That's it," she said when Spike finally got the beat.
They continued on like this for a couple dances, and Angie moved closer to him, their bodies now touched as they danced. They swayed together as if one person. Soon a slow dance began to play and the two danced together.
"Spike?" Angie asked.
"Yeah," he said.
"Smile," She prompted. "You look much better when you smile."
Spike looked down at her, and when he did, the two stopped dancing and just looked at each other.
"Your eyes..."
"Angie we..."
"Shh," she silenced him. "Spike I..."
"Hey guys," Stephanie's voice interrupted. "Do you mind if I cut in?"
The Slayer looked at the vampire in her arms, then at Stephanie. She sighed and backed away letting her sister take her place. She walked over to a table and sat down. She watched, and anguish filled her as the two smiled and laughed together. What makes her better than me? Why will he smile with her and not me? She continued to watch, even as the song ended and they danced to a more up-beat song.
It took a while for Angie to realize it, but she was getting jealous of her sister. Spike had always been Angie's friend and companion; the one that fought with her, and stood by her, no matter what the challenge, even if it was Stephanie. But now as the Slayer saw them together she realized just how much she wanted Spike. How much the vampire meant to her. How much she cared for him.
Pangs of fear spread through her body as she realized the way she felt about him. Then anger. Why Stephanie? Why does she get him when she hasn't done anything? She can't just waltz in here and take Spike away? Can she?
Now filled with confusion Angie pulled out the pendant and began examining it again. And this time she noticed a small button, and a knob that she had never seen before. And as she turned the knob some of the symbols on the face began to change.
"That's strange," she said to herself. She though about pushing the button, then reconsidered when the thought about the things the pendants could do. She pocketed the necklace and walked over to her sister and Spike. "Let's go," she said sternly. She turned and walked out of the building. Spike and Steph looked at each other, then walked out after her.
Once outside the Slayer looked at them. "It's late, Stephanie you need to go home while we patrol."
"Why can't I come with you?" Steph questioned.
"Because it's dangerous, and I don't want you to get hurt," Angie answered.
"Let her come pet," Spike said. "She'll be fine."
Angie knew she was defeated. "Fine."
As they walked Angie pulled out the pendant. "It has a knob and button, but I don't know if I dare push the button." She pointed to them.
"Are you going to push it?" Stephanie asked excitement in her voice.
"I'm not sure if I should." Angie stated.
Spike looked at her. "Just do it love."
Angie looked at it, then at Spike. "What if it releases a really bad demon?"
Spike smiled. "You can handle it." He walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Besides it would make things a bit more exciting around here."
Angie took a deep breath and pushed the button. The scenery started to fade away around the Slayer and vampire. And when it rematerialized they found themselves looking at a young Buffy Summers, and Xander Harris fighting a band of vamps.
"Angie? Spike?" Stephanie looked around her, but neither were anywhere around. Stephanie heard a low growl, and quickly ran back to the house to tell Thomas everything.
Angie and Spike stood stunned for a moment, only snapping out because a vampire attacked them. Angie quickly dusted it, and they were assaulted at once by more. The two separated and began fighting. The vampires kept coming, no matter how many were killed, more and more appeared.
Buffy Summers finally noticed the two new figures that fought along with her. She immediately recognized Spike, but the girl was someone she'd never seen before.
Angie fought, but was soon over come, and she noticed that Buffy had begun falling to the same fate. She heard the voice of Buffy cry out as she hit the ground.
"Spike help!" Angie cried, trying to fight the vamps off her.
Spike ignored her, and instead headed over to help Buffy, throwing her attackers to the side and helping her up.
Angie's hands were now being held down, and despite her efforts she couldn't get out. "Spike!" Angie called again. But Spike was pre-occupied. Angie screamed as a free vamp pulled out a knife. And she was surprised when the vampire exploded into dust. There stood Xander, game face on, and stake in hand.
He attacked the other four, sending them away from the Slayer. She jumped to her feet and continued fighting, Xander helping her out.
After many more minutes of fighting, the vampires finally retreated.
Buffy looked at Spike and asked. "Where have you been?"
Spike looked at her, and too excited to see her stated, "Around."
"Thanks for your help." She walked forward and kissed him.
Angie quickly turned away from them, and Xander now stood in front of her.
"I've never seen you around, you new?" He asked.
Angie contemplated the question. "Kind of."
"I'm Xander." He held out his hand.
"Angie." She took his hand and shook it.
"Quite the grip you've got there," Xander said.
"Comes with the job," Angie said.
Buffy and Spike now joined them. "Who're you?" Buffy asked.
"I'm Angie," Angie answered.
"You're a good fighter," Buffy complimented.
"Not bad yourself," Angie said. "I've always wanted to see my predecessor at work."
"Predecessor?" Buffy asked.
Angie bit her bottom lip.
"Don't do that love," Spike scolded.
"Sorry Spike," Angie said.
Buffy looked at the blond vamp in front of her. "You know her?"
"Truth be told pet," Spike said. "We're from the future."
Buffy rolled her eyes. "Doesn't surprise me."
"So you're the Slayer in the future?" Xander asked.
"Uh-huh." Angie nodded.
"I guess that means you need somewhere to stay?" Buffy expected. Angie just stared at the current time Slayer. "I don't have any room at my house," Buffy said. "It's full."
"I have one room," Xander piped up.
"Well," Buffy thought for a moment. "Angie can stay with Xander, Spike can stay at my house."
Spike and Xander both smiled, but Angie didn't know what to think.
"I'm okay with that," Xander said delighted.
"Is that okay love?" Spike asked Angie, seeing the look on her face.
"I promise I won't bite you," Xander said.
"I guess it's okay. I mean, Xander didn't turn out to be such a bad person, so I guess I'm okay with that," she answered.
"Okay," Buffy said. "Xander, you bring Angie to my house tomorrow and we'll see what we can do."
"Right." Xander nodded his head once.
"Let's go Spike." Buffy turned and walked away, the vampire at her heels.
"I can guess what they're gonna do tonight," Xander said as they walked away.
Angie diverted her eyes from the two as they grabbed hands.
"Are you and Spike...?" Xander asked.
"No, we weren't." She took a deep breath. "But I had kind of hoped we could've."
"Spike's a looser," Xander said. "C'mon, let's go."
Stephanie ran all the way back to the house, and burst in the door.
"Back so soon?" Thomas asked walking into the front room. "Where's your sister?"
Stephanie was frantic. "She was playing with the pendant and she pushed the button and just disappeared. Her and Spike were suddenly gone."
"What!?" Thomas asked.
"I looked for them as long as I dared to, but I heard some growling behind me, so I ran home," Stephanie panted.
"This isn't good; we don't know what happened to them," Thomas said, he sat on the couch. "They just disappeared?"
"Yes, one minute, they're there, and the next they're gone." Steph sat next to Thomas.
"Spike is gone too?"
"Yes."
"Looks like were looking at a night of research." Thomas sounded a little excited.
"What're we going to do if we can't get them back?"
"Let's not think about that for the moment." The two got up and walked up the stairs to the office.
The next day, Angie and Xander headed to Buffy's house. Once there they all sat around a table with Willow, Dawn, and Spike.
"So how'd you get here?" Dawn asked.
"That's the problem, I'm not quite sure," Angie said. "But it happened when I pushed the button on the pendant." She pulled it out and put it on the table.
"Where'd you get it?" Buffy asked, picking it up.
"Well I," Angie hesitated. "I got it from you, after you died."
Buffy laughed a little. "Well I haven't gotten it yet."
"I don't know precisely how it works, and I don't know anything about it," Angie said.
"Have you researched it?" Willow asked.
"My Watcher and I looked in every book we had, and we didn't find anything." Angie looked down at her hands.
"We can look," Willow suggested anxiously.
"If you want to, go ahead. But you might not get anywhere with it," Angie said.
"We'll see what we can do," Buffy said. "In the mean time, Xander you stay with her, entertain her."
"Right-oh." Xander smiled.
Spike walked over to Buffy and kissed her neck. "Spike, not now."
"I want to help love," he said.
"That's fine," Buffy said.
Angie was beginning to get angry. "Buffy?"
"What?" Buffy queried.
"Can I go train down stairs?"
"Sure go right ahead."
"Thanks." Angie walked down the stairs and began ferociously beating the bag. She hit it again, and again, each time with more vigor than before, letting out her frustration.
"Don't kill the bag too much," Xander said as he walked down the stairs. "It didn't do anything to you."
Angie ignored him and continued hitting the bag.
"Whoa, slow down turbo," Xander said.
"I'm so stupid," she growled as she continued to hit the bag.
"Why?"
"I always fall in love with the dumbest people."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I just always pick the dumbest people."
"Oh, is this about the Spike thing?"
Angie punched the bag and it flew off its hook into the wall. She was breathing hard. "I just can't ever win."
"Just forget about it, all he cares about is..."
"Buffy. All he cares about is Buffy. All he ever does is talk about Buffy. After she died all he did was mope around and think about her. She's all he cares about." She sank to the ground.
Xander walked over to her and kneeled to face her. "You're a beautiful girl. I'm sure there are tons of guys lining up to date you."
She laughed. "Not when you've had the life I have. People know who I've dated and they all think I'm a freak, and they're all right."
Xander stood up and offered the girl his hand. "C'mon, let's go get your mind off Spike."
"I kind of need to take a shower, and my clothes are dirty," Angie pointed out.
"Okay, you can take a shower at my house, and we'll talk to Buffy about clothes," Xander suggested.
They walked up the stairs and everything was settled.
"I can't find a thing," Willow said, shutting another book.
"I'm not finding anything either." Buffy looked up at her friends.
"Same here." Dawn looked at her book and then at her sister.
"Maybe Giles can help," Buffy suggested.
"But he's on vacation," Willow protested.
"Well, they can't stay here forever," Buffy pointed out.
"He's almost back, just give him the week that he has left," Willow said. "Until then, we can continue looking, and if we don't find anything by then, we can ask Giles."
The Slayer sighed, and she nodded her head. "I don't know about you, but I could use a break."
"I second that," Dawn agreed stretching her arms.
They all stood and departed from the table.
No matter how much they looked nobody found anything about the pendant. Not even Giles, when he returned, could find anything about it. Now three months had passed, and still nothing.
Xander and Angie became close friends. They talked a lot, and laughed with each other, they even spent most of their time together.
"You're much better than the Xander in the future," Angie told him one day as they sparred in Buffy's basement.
"Am I really that boring?" Xander asked.
"No, you're not boring, you're just," Angie thought for a minute then said, "old."
"That bad huh?" Xander asked.
"You're still as sweet now as you are in the future," Angie admitted.
"You think I'm sweet?" Xander questioned.
"Yeah."
Xander smiled at her. "You're a great person too ya know."
"I wish I felt that way." She punched at him but he blocked it.
Xander looked at her and said, "You should really get a better view of yourself." He walked up to her. "I don't see anything wrong with you. In fact you're just perfect."
Angie looked at Xander and smiled. "Thanks."
"Angie," Xander spoke softly. The two looked at each other, and Xander slowly moved forward. Their lips met, but only for a moment, for Angie pushed him back.
"Xander we can't," she protested.
"Why can't we?" Xander asked.
"Because, we can't," Angie said backing away.
"Angie, please wait. I'm sorry." He grabbed her arm, and she turned to face him. "I just, I think I'm in love with you."
Angie looked at Xander, her eyes wide with surprise. "I'm sorry, but we can't do this."
Xander walked closer to her still holding her arm. "I've never felt this way about anyone." He thought for a moment, then added, "Not even Cordelia."
Angie shook her head. "I'm not from this time. It would only complicate things."
"I don't care if I'm only with you only one more day, just as long as I'm with you." Xander slid his hand into Angie's.
"Xander." She spoke softly, and looking into his eyes she saw them sparkle. He wasn't lying to her; he truly did care for her.
The back of his hand slid down her cheek. "You're so wonderful, and beautiful in every way possible."
Angie smiled. "As are you." She leaned up and kissed him.
Xander gladly accepted, and he held the girl tightly as they kissed. Soon their kiss evolved to a more passionate one. Behind them someone cleared their throat, and they quickly parted.
"Buffy!" Xander exclaimed. "What're you doing here?"
Buffy gave Xander a look and simply stated, "This is my basement."
"Oh," Xander said, "Right."
"Anything yet?" Angie asked, hoping to change the subject.
"No," Buffy said. "I was just wondering if you wanted to patrol with me tonight. You've been in the major bored mode lately. I know what it's like, not being able to use your skills."
"Are you serious?" Angie asked. "You don't think I'll get in the way?"
Buffy chucked a little. "You're a Slayer; I highly doubt you'll get in the way. Besides, if I can deal with Faith, I'm sure I can deal with you."
"Cool, thanks Buffy." Angie grinned at the Slayer and walked up the stairs with her.
"So, you and Xander huh?" Buffy asked when they got up the stairs.
"Not really, that was the first kiss," Angie admitted. "But I do like him."
They walked out the door into the night. "He's a nice guy."
"Yeah but I don't know what I'm doing. He's over 80 years old in my time," Angie said.
Buffy laughed. "I can't imagine Xander being that old."
"Well, he's still rather dumb at times, but he knows a lot of stuff." Angie sighed. "I just don't know what to do."
"Well, there's no use torturing your self while you're here. We don't even know if you'll be able to get back to you own time. Giles and Willow have tried everything they can think of. We're running out of ideas, and quickly."
"I was afraid that was going to happen."
Buffy turned into a graveyard. "Gotta get a newcomer," she explained.
"Ah, the notorious standing in front of the grave for Mr. Dead to pop up."
Buffy nodded. "Another reason I wanted you to come."
"So, now there are three Slayers in this time?"
"Yup." Buffy sat on a grave stone across from the one she was watching.
"That's got to be cool." Angie sat next to her.
"Aren't there at least two in your time?"
"No, Faith died a long time ago, and the council decided that they would right their wrong and make it so there's only one again. So they just let her die, and they kept you, until you became too old to work. Then I was called."
"So I don't die in battle?"
"No, you live a long time, and you die peacefully in your sleep."
A hand popped out of the soil in front of them. "About time." She hopped up and pulled to vamp out of the ground.
The vampire looked at her. "Hey Buffy, how's it goin'?" He asked. "What're you doing here?"
"I'm here to send you to hell." She buried the stake into his heart and he exploded.
"That was exciting," Angie said sarcastically.
"Now we can go patrol." Buffy walked out of the yard, Angie close behind her.
Over the next few months Buffy and Angie patrolled together, fighting the big- and not so big- bads. They trained together, and Angie learned some new tricks. She also learned about some of the bad guys Buffy had faced. And Buffy in return had learned about Angie, and her life.
Xander enjoyed the fact that his best friend and his girlfriend were getting along, as well as the fact that he could talk to the both of them about the other. As far as he was concerned, his life was perfectly wonderful. His relationship with Angie had evolved, and the two were now an item. They had even gone as far as sleeping together at night, and eventually having sex.
Angie was enjoying this life, she had to admit it, but somewhere deep in her heart, all she wanted to do was go home. Back to her own time where her "family" was. Somewhere she was needed. But the fact that nothing could be found about the pendant only lessened her hopes of going home.
Spike was as happy as he'd been in a while. He had his lover beside him, and all the action he'd longed for in his own time. He didn't even think about going home, as far as he was concerned, he could stay there forever and be perfectly fine. But he knew that Angie wanted to go home, so he did his part in searching for clues about the pendant. And he talked to the girl from time to time.
However, now Angie seemed more distant. It had been four months since she arrived in this time, and she was growing distant. She often wandered away during the day, and she stayed out late during the nights, often leaving with out telling anyone.
She sat alone on a park bench. Just looking up at the sky, and listening to the rustle of the leaves. She often came here lately. It reminded her of her home, the one thing that hadn't changed much in the last century. There were still the same old trees, and flowers, and the same benches. Everything in this place was the same, except for the people who walked through it. She'd sit there and think about her time, wondering what her Watcher and sister were doing; hoping that they were okay, and, most of all, hoping that things weren't getting too bad on the Hellmouth.
When everyone was gone from the park, she lay down on the bench, and tears soon flowed over her eye lids and fell to the bench.
"Hey love," Spike said from behind the bench.
Angie quickly wiped her tears. "Hey."
"You shouldn't be out so late," he said casually, "it's dangerous out here."
Angie chuckled at the comment. "I think I can take care of myself."
Spike walked around the bench. "Up," he said. Angie sat up and Spike sat next to her. "Now what's been troublin' you?"
"It's nothing really," she lied.
Spike saw through it. "Don't lie to me pet, tell me what's wrong."
"What do you care?" Angie asked bitterly. "The only thing you really care about is Buffy."
"What made you think that?"
"Think about it. The first thing you do when we get here is help her out, then you kiss her, and you hang with her all the time. I have to count on Xander all the time, and he's not always useful. I thought you were my friend, you always stood beside me, until we got here."
"I'm still going to fight with you. But what else is botherin' you?"
"I wanna go home, Spike. I just want to go back to my own time."
"You really miss it that much?"
"I do, but we're probably not going to be able to, or, at least not me."
"Why do you say that?"
Angie looked into Spike's eyes, and then down at her hands. "Because, Spike, I'm pregnant."
Spike was taken aback. "With Xander's kid?"
Angie nodded. "We've only done it a few times, but I guess that was enough."
Spike stood up. "That's going to be one stupid kid."
"You're not helping," Angie pointed out.
"Have you told him?"
"I don't know how."
"Just tell him."
"But what about slaying, I can't do that if I'm pregnant."
"Buffy'll do that for now." He offered her a hand. "C'mon, let's go home. I'll take you to Xander's, then I'll go to Buffy's."
Angie sighed, but she took the vampire's hand, and they walked together.
"She's what!?" Buffy asked when Xander told her the news.
"She's pregnant a month along, with my child!" Xander said happily.
"That's great Xander!" Willow exclaimed giving him a hug.
"How is she about all this?" Buffy asked.
"She seems fine," Xander said. "She hasn't said much about it though."
"Well," Giles said. "At least she's old enough."
"We should have a party," Dawn suggested.
"No, we should keep this low for now," Buffy said. "If the demons and vamps find out about this, who knows what they'll do. They know she's another Slayer, and they'll do anything to get rid of her."
"You're not going to be able to hide it for long," Willow said.
"I know that Will, but we need to be sure she's always with someone when she starts to show," Buffy said. "We need to make sure that she's safe."
"I can take care of myself," Angie said, walking into the room. "Pregnant or not, I'm still a Slayer and I can still fight."
"But not without jeopardizing your child," Buffy said. "You're fine for now, but let us protect you."
"I'm not a child," Angie said offensively.
"She knows that." Xander stood and walked over to her. "She just wants to make sure that you're okay. Let her do this, if not for your sake then for mine."
Angie sighed and rolled her eyes, but she consented.
So that's how it went. Whenever Angie went out, someone was always with her, and this went on for six months. Angie however was getting agitated; she hated being treated like a child. She was the Slayer, and pregnant or not, she could take care of herself.
As she slept one night a group of demons kidnapped her. They had drugged one of her jugs of water earlier in the day, so she slept soundly.
Angie only awoke when she felt a breeze cross her stomach, and she was surprised to see that she could not move either her arms or her legs, and even more surprised to see five demons standing around her.
"Ah, awake I see," one demon said. They were ugly demons, but they were a common sight in Sunnydale. Most of them were just friendly demons, not really looking for a fight. They were blue, with yellow pointy teeth, and two curly horns on their heads.
"Where am I?" Angie asked. She was still a bit queasy from the drugs.
"Welcome to my home," another demon said walking up to her. "I'm so very glad you could come."
"What do you want with me?" Angie asked. She was a bit scared, at seven months pregnant she wasn't sure she could put up much of a fight.
"Nothing much really," the demon said casually. "Just your unborn child."
"No." Angie said. She began tugging at the bonds around her wrists.
He pulled out a knife and reflected the light from the candles around them off of it. "Beautiful isn't it?" He moved it toward her stomach.
Xander walked into the room quietly, trying not to wake Angie. But as he got closer to the bed, he could see that she wasn't there. "Angie?" He called out her name several times, and he wandered the house looking for her. But only when he was finished did he notice the open window at the side of the bed. "Oh God, Angie!"
The tip of the knife was now only inches away from her swelled stomach.
"Please don't," Angie begged. "I'll do anything, just don't take my baby."
The demon laughed. "You're a pathetic mortal." The knife cut her. "I'll bring my master back to life no matter what it takes." He slid the knife down her stomach, making an upside down Y.
"No," Angie cried out, but the pain got the most of her and she cried out. Blood gushed from her skin, and she fought the pain.
"Master, hear our cries," the lead demon shouted.
"Hear our cries," the others repeated.
"We give to you a child, the unborn child of the Slayer." He pulled apart Angie's skin. She screamed, and again tried to free herself.
"The unborn child of the Slayer," the others chanted.
The lead demon's hands were now inside Angie's stomach, and she was cringing in pain. Soon he emerged with a tiny child in his bloody hands.
"No," Angie said faintly.
"Arise my master, and fill the world with a terror it has never known." He cut the umbilical cord with the knife.
"Fill the world with a terror it has never known." The other demons were now smiling.
"My baby," Angie said even more weakly. "I'm sorry." She looked at her child one last time, and as she fainted she heard the child's weak cry.
"Angie?" Xander cried out as he, Buffy, Willow, Spike and Giles ran into the building where Willows tracking spell had taken them.
"Oh my God!" Willow gasped when she saw Angie's bloody body strapped down to the table.
"Angie!" This time it was Spike who cried out. Both he and Xander ran over to her. They were too preoccupied to notice the big demon that stood behind them.
"Watch it you guys," Buffy said as she shot an arrow at the monster. She ran up to them. "You get her out of here, I'll deal with the big bad."
"Okay," Xander said. He untied her arms, while Spike untied her legs. Xander tried to pick her up, but Spike stopped him.
"Let me take her," he said.
"Like I trust you," Xander said.
"Look, I know you don't trust me, but I'm the faster runner, I'll get her there faster than you can," Spike said.
"Take the car," Giles said tossing Xander the keys.
"I can run faster than that piece of junk too." Spike picked up the Slayer's limp body and zoomed out the door. Xander followed him, and he hopped in the car.
Buffy and Giles fought the demons, and the monster, while Willow stood by and cast a fire spell.
"Willow!" Buffy called. She was in the grasp of the big monster, and fighting desperately to get free.
"Go!" Willow shouted, and fire flew from her hands and clung to the monster. It screeched and flung the blonde aside.
"Buffy!" Giles cried.
"I'm okay." She stood up. "Let's get out of here. Willow burn the whole place down."
"Right." Willow now turned toward the wall, and shot fire at it until it was engulfed.
"No, master," the lead demon screamed. The monster didn't say anything to the smaller demon; he simply picked him up and bit off his head. Then he was burned to a crisp.
Xander paced back and forth in the waiting room.
"Sit down would ya, you're makin' me restless," Spike said.
"I can't, Spike, she could be dying in there," Xander retorted.
"Xander!" Willow's voice rang through the hall.
"How is she?" Buffy asked.
"I don't know," Xander replied. "They're stitching her up right now."
"Tell him to settle down," Spike said. "He's drivin' me crazy."
"She'll be fine," Buffy assured him. "She is a Slayer after all."
"Is that you're assurance for everything?" Xander asked.
"Well, it's true isn't it?" Buffy asked.
"Yeah, but even Slayers die," Xander half-shouted.
Just then a nurse walked up to them.
"How is she?" Spike asked.
"She'll be okay," the nurse answered. "But it'll take a while for her to get her strength back."
"That's what she thinks," Buffy whispered into Willow's ear.
"I don't know what you kids were doing, but I suggest you never do it again. You're lucky she's a live," the nurse said.
"Uh, excuse me miss." Giles stepped forward. "When will we be able to see her."
The nurse looked at him, and seeing the cut above his eye said, "As soon as you let me look at that cut."
Giles consented, and the two walked into a nearby room.
"I appreciate this," Giles said to the nurse.
"You owe me one Giles," she replied.
"I know, I know." Giles said. "I don't know what Buffy and I would do with out you Shannon."
"You'd be in big trouble, that's what," Shannon said. "You're just lucky that you've never had anything as big as this before." She put a bandage on the cut and looked at him. "What happened anyway?"
"A sacrifice," Giles said.
"Of what kind?" Shannon asked.
"The baby kind, she was seven months pregnant, and she was taken away. Her baby was ripped from her stomach, and fed to a giant demon of some kind," he explained. "Xander is taking it hard."
"Was it his?" she questioned.
"Yeah it was. She is a Slayer from the future. She got stuck here some how, and we can't figure out how to get her back." He took a deep breath. "She's been here for a year. And things just seem to be getting worse for her."
"They're not about to get any better. Even if she does heal quickly physically, she's always going to have a scar, both physically and mentally. She's never going to forget this night, not as long as she lives," Shannon pointed out.
Angie awoke two days later, she was still weak, and she was hoping everything had been a dream.
"Angie!" Xander said excitedly as he saw her eyes open.
"Xander," Angie asked weakly, "where am I?"
"You're in the hospital, Spike ran you here as soon as he could," Xander answered.
"What happened?" Angie asked.
"You mean you don't remember?" Buffy spoke for the first time.
"I think I do, but I'm not sure," the young Slayer answered.
"You were kidnapped, and you..." Xander's voice trailed away.
Angie's eye's filled with tears. "Then it wasn't a dream."
"Oh Angie." Xander squeezed her hand as tears of his own streamed down his cheeks.
"I failed you," Angie sobbed. "I'm a horrible person."
"Don't say that, it's not your fault," Xander assured her through his tears.
"This isn't fair," she cried. "Why me? Why do I have to be a Slayer?"
"That's what we all want to know," Buffy said. "Every Slayer who walks on this earth wants to know why she is the Slayer. But no one can give them an answer, because nobody knows."
"It's just not fair," Angie wept.
"She's awake!" Giles said as he walked in the room with Shannon.
"Good, I'm glad that you're doing better," Shannon said. "You must be hungry. Do you want me to bring you something to eat?" Angie looked at the nurse with cold, tear filled eyes. "Uh, right."
"When is she going to be able to leave?" Xander asked, after he settled down.
"We'll keep her here for a couple days just to see that she'll be okay, then if all is well she'll be free to go," Shannon answered.
"I'll be fine," Angie said. "Just let me go home."
"I'm sorry miss, but I can't let you. You may feel fine, but that doesn't mean anything. The doctor wants to do a few tests, just to make sure that everything is healing as it should be," the nurse told her.
"Fine, but I can assure you that everything is going to be fine," Angie said wiping some tears from her eyes.
"I'll go get him, then we can do the tests." Shannon turned and left the room.
"How are you feeling?" Giles asked walking over to the bed.
"Take a wild guess," Angie replied angrily.
"Ah, yes." He set some flowers down on the night stand next to her and backed away.
"Willow said that she and Spike have found something about the pendant." Buffy tried to cheer the girl up.
"It's probably a false lead," Angie said. "Like all the others."
"She thinks this one is genuine," Buffy said.
Angie took a deep breath. "I guess we'll see, won't we?"
"Don't be so down," Buffy encouraged.
"Don't tell me that," Angie said. "Why don't you all just go away? I want to be alone."
Buffy shook her head, but she got up from her chair and walked out of the room. Giles followed her. Xander however stayed with her.
"I'm sorry," Xander said.
"For what?" Angie asked.
"For not being there for you," he replied. "If I hadn't gone patrolling with Buffy you would've been fine. I would've been there to protect you."
"I was asleep," Angie said quietly. "How were we to know that I was going to be kidnapped?"
"Don't act like that," Xander scolded. "I know that you're hurting."
"Yes Xander I am, but I can't let you blame yourself for this. It's not your fault."
"I just wish I had been there."
"Well, you weren't, so get over it." She leaned forward, but only for a second. "Ow!"
"Are you okay?"
"I'll be fine." She grasped her stomach and for the first time noticed that it now wielded a scar. "I'm never going to forget this." She spoke more to herself than to Xander.
"I wouldn't imagine that you could," he said.
"I have a scar." She looked at him, more pain in her eyes than before. "I can never forget this, no matter how hard I try. Every time I look down at my stomach I am going to see this hideous scar, and I'm going to remember everything. Whether I want to or not." Tears streamed down her face once again.
Xander leaned forward and kissed her. "I love you."
"I know you do." She placed her hand on his cheek.
There was a short knock on the door as the doctor walked in. "Hello."
"Hi." Angie wiped away her tears and took a long deep breath.
"I'd like to do a few tests, and then we'll see when you can go," he said.
"Okay."
After all the testing and hours of waiting afterward, Shannon came in with the results. "Well, I have some good news, and some bad news."
Angie frowned. "Give me the good news first."
"The good news is that you're body is mostly healed and that you'll be able to leave soon. However, the bad news is . . . that because of your not-so-lovely encounter, you'll never be able to bear children again."
Xander and Angie looked at each other, and Angie broke down. "No," she sobbed. "It's not fair, it's not fair!"
Shannon shook her head. "I'm sorry." And she left.
"Oh Angie." Xander sat on the bed and held his love tightly. "I'm sorry."
"It's not fair Xander," she cried. "I never asked for anything too big. All I wanted was a normal, happy life. All I wanted was a baby."
"I know, but hey, you could always adopt," Xander pointed out.
Angie pushed away from him and wiped her eyes. "I know, but it's not the same." She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Her body shook. "I just want to go home."
"You'll be able to in a couple days," Xander said.
"No, Xander, I want to go to my real home, back in my own time, where I belong," Angie explained.
"You could belong here."
"No, I couldn't. I'm needed back in my own time. Who knows what's going on because I'm not there."
"They've probably already called a new Slayer."
"That's not the point. The point is that I have family there, people need me there."
"I understand." Xander stood up. "I've got to go, but I'll be back later. I love you." He bent down and kissed her.
"Bye Xander," Angie said.
Three days later Angie was let out of the hospital to go home. The whole group (Excluding Spike) came to join her, and they all walked back to Xander's house quietly. Once there they had a small celebration.
"Cheer up," Xander said. "At least you're alive."
"I wish I were dead," Angie replied honestly. "Anything would be better than this torment."
"I know how you feel," Buffy said sitting down beside her. "Try being dead for a while and then being brought back to life."
"But you've gotten over it," Angie said.
"You'll get over it too," Buffy assured her. "You've got to eat something at least."
"I'm not hungry," Angie growled.
"You've got to eat love," Spike said.
"Why don't you all just leave me alone!" Angie shouted. "All I want is to be left to my misery."
"It'll get better," Buffy told her again.
"Don't tell me that Buffy. My life has been nothing but torture and pain. You always had people there for you. You had a family, and you have wonderful friends that will help you no matter the consequences, and you have someone who loves you so much that he's willing to change his whole life for you. I have none of those," Angie half-yelled.
"What about Stephanie?" Spike asked.
"What about her? Sure she's my biological sister, but she means nothing to me. She takes everything away from me. All she ever wants to do is hang out with me, and she gets impatient when I do Slayer stuff. Thomas even likes her more than me," Angie said.
"I know how that goes," Buffy said looking at Dawn.
"Hey I never got impatient when you did Slayer stuff," Dawn said defensively. "I even helped out most of the time."
"Okay, I'll give you credit there," Buffy agreed.
"What about me?" Spike asked.
"Let's face it Spike, you like Stephanie more than you're willing to admit," Angie said angrily. "Besides, you're not my family."
"I don't have parents anymore either," Buffy said.
"Yes, but when you lost them you were old enough to take care of yourself. I wasn't. I was in an adoption home for 14 years. I was always an outcast. The only friends I ever had were the little ones at the home. I was 16 years old when I was finally adopted, and that was only because I was the next Slayer, and adopting me was the only way that I could've been trained," Angie explained. "You don't know what it's like. My life has been an endless torment."
"My life isn't all that grand either," Buffy said.
"I know, but did you have an intimate relationship with you father/watcher, and then have him torn away from you? Did you fall in love with a soulless vampire who tried to kill you, and then watch him die after changing his ways and helping you with one of your hardest battles? Did you see your predecessor die, and then live with the expectation to be as good as her? Did you fall in love with someone who doesn't even know it, and watch him fret over everyone else but you? Did you get thrown into the past, only to fall in love with someone you can't have, get pregnant, and have your unborn child ripped from your stomach just because you were a Slayer? Tell me, did you?" Angie was furious.
Buffy sat silent for a moment then answered, "No."
"Then don't tell me that it's all going to be okay. You grow up to be an old woman. You marry a wonderful man; have a wonderful son, and a wonderful granddaughter who is my best friend. And to top it all off, you die peaceful, while you're sleeping. You accomplish everything that every Slayer has ever wanted. You live a normal life." Angie's voice was soft now, and she swallowed the lump that was forming in her throat. "All I ever wanted was to be like you. You are the strongest Slayer time has ever known; the fact that you live your whole life demonstrates that. You nearly close the Hellmouth three times in your life. Lord only knows why you fail, but you almost do it, and that's what counts. Do you realize how hard it is to live up to those expectations?"
"No, I suppose I don't," Buffy said quietly.
Angie shook her head. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be taking this out on you."
"It's okay, you're tired, and you hurt. Why don't you go to bed?" Xander offered.
"Yeah, I think I'll do that." She stood up. "Good night everyone."
Once the girl disappeared Willow spoke. "Spike and I found out how to use the pendant."
"That's great!" Dawn exclaimed.
"It is, isn't it?" Willow said with a smile. "Anyway, Spike thinks that we can get them home tonight."
"Tonight?" Xander's face fell.
"I know it's going to be hard for you, but you know more than any of us how much she wants to go home," Willow said.
"I know." Xander swallowed hard. "I just didn't think it'd be so soon."
"We have to send her back," Buffy said.
"Look," Spike piped up. "I know you're gonna miss her, but you've got to give her up. We can do it while she's asleep. I've a feelin' she won't be woken easily."
"You're right, she needs to go home." Xander stood up and walked out of the room.
"I suggest you say good night to her," Spike said.
And that's just what Xander did. He walked into the room and sat next to the already sleeping Angie. "Hey," he said softly, running his hand down her cheek.
"Xander?" Angie asked sleepily.
"Yeah," he answered.
"What's wrong?" She asked.
"Nothing, I just wanted to make sure that you were okay."
"I'm okay."
"Are you sure?"
"I promise."
"Good."
"Are you okay?"
"Do you really want to go home?"
"I do, why?"
"Just wondering." He sighed. "Go back to sleep okay?"
"Okay," Angie said with a smile. Xander stood up and walked toward the door. "I love you, Xander."
Xander stopped and turned around, he walked back to her and kissed her passionately. "I love you too, and I always will. Just remember that, no matter what happens you're always in my heart."
"Good night."
"Good night."
Later that night Spike walked quietly into the Slayers room and picked her up. Then walking out side he pushed the tiny button on the side of the pendant, and they disappeared.
Well every one that's it for this chapter. Please review and I hope you read the next chapter.