Chapter 11:

Ashley had about a heartbeat to think of some way to stop the axe blade coming toward her face, realize that she would not be fast enough, and marvel at someone who was. A hand came out of nowhere and caught the handle of the axe, the blade coming to a halt about an inch away from her nose.

"Need a hand?" It was a terrible quip, Ashley thought, but right now she really did not mind.

Buffy managed to wrench the axe out of Lagos' hand, but the giant demon was not amused and delivered a punch that sent the blonde Slayer flying. Ashley wasted no time flipping back to her feet, grabbing the axe that had fallen to the ground right next to her. Now there was a weapon that seemed capable of doing some damage.

Lagos was stalking after a dazed Buffy, who suddenly found herself protected by a snarling figure in black. Angela attacked the demon with animal ferocity, enough to make Lagos take a step or two back. Then he retaliated, though, shoving the vampire away with enough force to send her down on her rear end, sliding through the wet grass.

"That was really dignified," Angela sighed, getting back to her feet.

"You never had to take a sloth demon's head off with a nail file, did you?" Buffy smiled at her. Fighting side by side with Angela again felt good. It felt right. "Dignity went out the window a long time ago."

They attacked again, darting back and forth to strike against their large opponent. Largos struck back with abandon, swinging wildly, but they managed to stay out of the way of his giant fists. As Buffy and Angela were keeping him busy Ashley snuck up to him from behind, brandishing his giant axe.

"You're really more of the brawn type, are you?" Buffy made sure Lagos' attention was kept. "I mean, why is it you demons never have any better ideas than just trying to pound people into paste?"

"I hope you weren't intending to say something about him using his head."

Lagos turned upon hearing Ashley's voice behind him, just in time to see the blade of his own axe swinging toward his neck. There was no one there to catch it for him. Moments later his body crumbled to the ground, the severed head rolling away between the tombstones, right past Xander who quickly jumped out of its way.

Ashley looked at Buffy and Angela with a smile on her face. Fighting together with others, even if one of those others had almost killed her just a few hours ago, was kinda fun.

"We got him good," she said, content.

"Nice swing."

Angela walked over to Buffy. "Are you all right? He landed quite a punch on you."

Buffy smiled at her concern. "Nothing a good night's ... or good day's sleep, rather, won't cure." She looked at the horizon. "The sun will be up soon. You should probably take cover, Angela."

The vampire nodded. "I will. As soon as we make sure that the glove is taken care."

All eyes turned to look at the crypt, where Xander was standing to look at them.

"Mrs. Post went inside," he said. "I think she should have found ..."

His voice trailed off as Post came out, a superior smile on her face. In one hand she held a steel glove, covered in spikes. Angela's eyes narrowed as she looked at the thing, the aura of evil surrounding it was thick enough to cut it with a knife.

"Wow!" Buffy sensed it, too. "Let's get rid of that thing, shall we?"

Post just looked at them, still with that smile on her face, and a very cold feeling made its way down Angela's spine.

"Lagos is destroyed?" Post looked at Ashley.

"Off with his head," the Slayer smiled proudly, leaning on the captured axe. "It's somewhere over there."

"Good."

"We need the eternal flame to destroy the glove," Angela said, not taking her eyes off Post. "Why don't we take this thing to the library? I'm sure Giles has prepared everything."

Post looked the vampire with disdain in her eyes.

"I have a better idea," she said.

Angela tensed and even Buffy seemed to get worried when the Watcher reached into the pocket of her coat and pulled out ... a bag full of dirt?

"I have all the ingredients for the eternal flame right here," Post said. "No need to go back to the library and risk someone else taking it."

Breathing a silent sigh of relief Buffy and Angela assisted the Watcher in preparing the flame, using the remains of a statue as a modified fire bowl. The strike of a match later the flame burned and Mrs. Post delivered the Glove of Mhyneghon to the fire.

"I am glad that is over with," the Watcher said, wiping some sooth from her hands before her gaze fell on Buffy. "May I assume, Buffy, that you will be taking up your duties as Slayer in Sunnydale again?"

"Uh ... yeah, I guess I will."

"Good. Come on, Ashley!" The Watcher stalked off, leaving Buffy staring after her. Ashley just gave her a shrug that seemed to say 'that's just the way she is' before she hurried up to follow.

TO BE CONCLUDED