Sure enough, the next day, everyone was back at school. They were shaken, but none the worse for wear. They talked about last night of course, but they didn't speak of vampires or demons or anything of the sort.

Instead, they spoke of incredibly ugly people, obviously on drugs, who had raided the Bronze, babbling about something they couldn't even begin to understand.

Cordelia was the worst gossiper, but as long as she spread misinformation, I was more than willing to put up with it.

The Slayer and I gave each other knowing looks when we passed by Cordelia doing exactly that. I think we were both comfortable with the thought of everyone believing a lie, or forgetting what had happened. I just wish I could do that as easily, as well.

Buffy had actually sought me out when I arrived at school that morning. At first I had thought she was going to say something about the Watcher getting attacked on my watch, though he hadn't even been scratched.

To my surprise, she gave me an approving nod.

"You did good." She said. "Better than I thought."

I was so surprised that I couldn't say anything at first, but I finally managed to stammer out a thank-you. We stared at each other for a beat, and finally I broke the silence.

"I'm sincerely sorry about Jesse." I murmured. "Believe me, the last thing I ever wanted to do was see any of you hurt. You can't know how terrible and how responsible I feel for what happened. I know I'm not something you can easily trust, and I'm not even sure you should. But believe me when I say I never came here with the intention of hurting anyone.

"I'm not asking you to forget what I am, because I know that's impossible. I simply ask that you give me a chance. I've done terrible things, I admit. I don't make excuses, but I've had centuries to make up for it, and I've done my best to stay out of everyone's way. Now that I can actually do something to help, I'd like to, if you'll just let me."

I hadn't meant to assault her with such a torrent of verbiage, but I was worried if I didn't do it then, I might lose heart and not say it at all.

The Slayer didn't say anything for a moment, but finally I saw her shoulders relax as she looked down at the ground. Then she looked up at me and gave a nod of her head.

"Okay." She said, she gave me a smirk, and then offered her hand. "Call it a truce?"

I smiled in return and shook her hand firmly.

"By all means." I agreed.

When we went walking across the courtyard, side by side, and saw Xander hurrying towards us, I think he was shocked to find us together. His eyebrows went up in surprise and he slowed, but tried to act as though this was perfectly normal behavior for us.

He couldn't believe what he was hearing from everyone else about what had happened last night.

"What were you expecting?" Buffy asked with a grin as Xander fell into step beside us.

"I don't know," he admitted, "something. I mean, the dead rose! We should have at least had an assembly or something."

The Watcher stepped out to join us as we rounded the corner, while Willow trotted up from behind to join the group. I couldn't help but smile a little as I looked around at our small group.

Here we were, an odd little band of heroes. Two children, a Slayer, a Watcher, and a half-vampire. And we'd managed to avert the apocalypse. If someone didn't write this down in a book later on I would be very upset.

"People tend to rationalize what they can," Giles explained as we continued, "and forget what they can't."

Buffy nodded.

"Believe me, I've seen it happen." She said.

I smirked.

Oh how times change. Back in my day, people were all too eager to believe in monsters. There was a lot more burning back then…so I suppose it's a good thing times do change.

"Well I'll never forget it," Willow said, "none of it."

I didn't want to say I doubted she'd be able to even if she wanted to. The subconscious is funny that way. Well, less funny and more or less downright oppressive.

"Good." Giles commended, adjusting his glasses. "So next time you'll be prepared."

The two children stared at him in dismay, the poor dearies. They had yet to learn winning a battle did not mean winning the war.

"Next time?" Xander said.

"Next time is why?" Willow asked.

"Well, we prevented the Master from freeing himself," Giles explained, "and opening the mouth of Hell, but that's not to say he's going to stop trying."

I nodded.

"Vampires are a determined lot." I said, "And unfortunately they've had centuries of experience in this sort of thing. Not to mention this Master is especially eager to get out. They'll find another avenue even if they have to make one themselves."

"So the fun is just beginning." Giles said with a smirk.

"More vampires?" Willow asked, fiddling nervously with the hem of her sweater.

"Not just vampires," Giles said, almost eagerly, "the next threat we face may be quite different."

Buffy shrugged.

"I can hardly wait." She said.

'You and the Watcher both, apparently.' I thought. For a man who seemed so hesitant, he certainly did seem to have an eagerness for danger. I couldn't help but think about that look I'd seen in his eyes in the library.

"We're at the center of a mystical convergence here," Giles continued, "we may, in fact, stand between the earth, and it's total destruction."

"Yes, thank you for not frightening the younglings with such a task," I said, prodding him with my elbow, "they might get worried otherwise."

"Well I've gotta look on the bright side," Buffy said, "maybe I can still get kicked out of school?" She, Xander, and Willow started to walk away while I lingered with Giles.

"Oh, yeah, that's a plan." Xander said.

"Maybe you could blow something up?" Willow suggested, "They're really strict about that."

I couldn't help but chuckle. Especially at the look on Giles' face. He looked so exasperated and resigned.

"The earth is doomed." He declared complacently. That made me laugh. All right, I guffawed, and believe me that's not something I do often. I think I was just so relieved that everything had turned out nicely for a change.

Giles looked at me in surprise and I hastily turned away, still chortling.

"Sorry!" I said. "I-I'm not sure why I thought that was so humorous."

Giles cleared his throat, and I saw him blushing awkwardly. I think he had forgotten I was still standing beside him. Granted, I was much shorter than he was, so I suppose I can forgive that.

"So, Margery," he began, and I looked up at him expectantly. He hesitated, then continued without really looking at me, "I know this is rather short notice, but I was wondering if you wanted to conduct our interview now?"

I had forgotten all about the bloody interview.

"Of course, sir." I answered with a dip of my head, though anxiety shot through me like a bullet. A very painful bullet.

"Then if you'll be so kind as to follow me to the library," he said, already moving, so I fell into step beside him, "I'll get everything set up. It shouldn't take long, but I just wanted to be sure and document everything I could. It's so rare that one of your kind of seen, you understand?"

I nodded.

"I do."
I hadn't even met another one of my kind, so of course he would be curious.

He was a researcher, a reader, a learner.

I couldn't help but respect that.