Chapter 3: The Harvest Part 2

March 14, 1997 – Friday

Summers Home

Paige let out a sigh of relief, her earlier spell having successfully restored Joyce's powers. "Try calling on your power now," she said, a glimmer of anticipation in her eyes. She had just cast the reversal spell, eager to witness Joyce's powers in action.

Joyce nodded, her brow furrowing in concentration as she tried to recall the trigger for her power. And then, to everyone's surprise, she began to fade from view, her form gradually disappearing into thin air.

"It seems you remember how to use your power," Leo observed, impressed by Joyce's swift recollection.

"That's good," Joyce replied, a mixture of wonder and familiarity evident in her voice. "I had always wondered..." Her words trailed off as she noticed a concerned frown forming on Paige's face. "What?" she inquired, sensing something amiss.

Paige hesitated for a moment before sharing her discovery. "I was just sensing Buffy and Dawn's location," she revealed, her voice tinged with worry. "Buffy is not at school but in a cemetery."

Joyce sighed, her concern deepening. "Why would she have skipped classes?" she pondered aloud, her mind racing to find a plausible explanation.

"I don't know," Paige replied earnestly, determination flickering in her eyes. "But I'll find out." Without wasting another second, she vanished in a swirl of orbs just as the phone began to ring.

As the telephone rang insistently, Joyce swiftly made her way to the desk in the living room, her heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. She picked up the receiver, pressing it against her ear. "Hello?" she answered, her voice filled with a mix of hope and worry.

"Mom," came Dawn's voice on the other end, relief evident in her tone. "I thought I would call you before the school does, if they haven't already. Buffy left school after getting some new information on what happened last night. She's going to try and save a boy that was taken."

Restfield Cemetery / Electrical Tunnels

Buffy moved cautiously; her body tensed as she ventured deeper into the darkness of the mausoleum. Her senses on high alert, she kept a watchful eye on her surroundings. As she reached the iron door on the opposite side of the room, she attempted to open it, only to find it locked. Disappointed, she let out a slow breath, her determination unwavering.

Just then, Buffy sensed a presence behind her and turned to face Paige. The tension in her shoulders eased slightly upon seeing a familiar face. "Paige?" Buffy said, her voice laced with a hint of relief.

"Your mom was not happy when I told her you weren't at school," Paige said. "And I'm not sure the school calling just as I orbed out helped matters. What are you doing here?"

"Jesse could still be alive," Buffy said. "I'm going to try and save him. Can you get me to the other side of the gate?"

"I could or…" Paige paused; her attention diverted as she noticed a figure at the entrance. It was Xander, looking determined but slightly out of place.

"Who is this?" Xander asked.

"Paige Matthews," Buffy said. "You remember her from last night, don't you? I was just asking …" Paige shook her head subtly, signaling Buffy not to reveal her magical abilities, "… telling her I could do this on my own. What are you doing here?"

"Something stupid. I followed you," Xander didn't seem at all contrite. "I couldn't just sit around not doing anything."

Buffy stared at him, not knowing whether to laugh or scream. "I understand. Now go away."

"No!"

"Xander, you're going to have to!"

Xander's resolve didn't waver. "Jesse's my bud, okay? If I can help him, then that's what I got to do."

Buffy hesitated, studying Xander's sincerity. She understood the loyalty and friendship driving his determination

"Fine," Buffy relented, sighing. "You can come with us. But stay alert and be prepared."

Paige sighed too. It was Buffy's call of course but she couldn't fault Buffy's friend from wanting to help save his friend. Then a thought occurred to her. Why hadn't the Cleaners erased his memory of last night? She began to think he had a part to play in Buffy's destiny.

Xander's face lit up with gratitude as Buffy kicked the gate open, signaling their departure. They ventured into the labyrinthine tunnels, their footsteps echoing in the eerie quiet.

Navigating the dark and twisting passageways, they moved cautiously, their senses heightened. Buffy led the way, while Paige and Xander kept close, their bodies tensed and ready for any threat that may arise.

"Okay'" Xander said attempted to ease his nerves while also trying to prepare himself. "So, crosses, garlic, stake through the heart?"

"That'll get it done," Buffy assured him.

"Cool. Of course, I don't actually have any of those things."

Paige rolled her eyes. Of course, she couldn't fault him for not coming prepared; after all she had not come prepared either.

Buffy nodded, handing him a cross. "Good thinking."

As Xander clutched the cross, his voice quivered slightly. "Well, the part of my brain that would tell me to bring that stuff is still busy telling me not to come down here," he defended himself. "I brought this, though." He produced a flashlight and flicked it on. The bright beam of light stabbed through the darkness, illuminating seeping walls and oozing puddles underfoot.

"Turn that off!" Buffy hissed while Xander scrambled to do so.

"Okay, okay," Xander complied. "So, what else?"

"What else what?"

"For vampire slayage."

"Fire, beheading, sunlight, holy water…" Buffy said listing off all the various methods of dispatching a vampire. "The usual."

"So," Xander's voice sounded a little weak. "You've done some beheading in your time?"

Buffy smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "Oh, yeah. There was this one time when I was cornered by a vampire who used to play varsity football… I mean, mean before he was… well anyways, he got one of those really thick necks, and all I've got is a little X-Acto knife—"

"Buffy," Paige interrupted, sensing Xander's discomfort. "You're not helping. He's not loving the story."

Xander managed to suppress a shudder. "Actually," he mumbled, "I find it oddly comforting."

Sunnydale High School

"Are we heading to the Bronze tonight?" Harmony inquired of Cordelia in their computer class, a subject that Cordelia clearly disliked. Amidst the diligent efforts of their classmates, Cordelia's mind wandered far from programming.

Cordelia glanced at Harmony, her partner for the class, who also struggled to comprehend their project. It dawned on Harmony that Cordelia hadn't caught her question.

"No!" Cordelia burst out in frustration. "It's supposed to detect the syntax and match it. Or, hold on..."

Harmony focused on the keyboard, typing slowly. "Are we going to the Bronze tonight?" she repeated.

"No," Cordelia replied sharply. "We're going to Club Venus!" she said sarcastically.

Harmony gave Cordelia a puzzled look. "The Gay Bar?"

Cordelia rolled her eyes. "Of course, we're going to the Bronze! Friday night, no cover. But you should have been there last night."

Harmony chose not to inquire about the events from the previous night. Instead, she furrowed her brow at their program and remarked, "I think we messed up this part."

"Why do we have to come up with these programs?" Cordelia snapped irritably. "Isn't that what nerds are for?" She glanced at the neighboring desk where Dawn and Willow sat. "What did they do?" she muttered.

Harmony leaned over to observe Dawn and Willow, both deeply engrossed in their own worlds, searching for information on the internet. She shrugged and turned to Cordelia. "Um, they're working on something else."

Cordelia glared. Sure enough, both girls were occupied at the adjacent terminal. Dismissing them with a disdainful sneer, she resumed her authoritative stance. "Alright," she said to Harmony. "And then 'Pattern Run,' right? Or 'Go to End.' That's it."

Harmony appeared completely bewildered. "Maybe... I think..."

"Well, what does the book say?" Cordelia asked, her patience wearing thin. "So anyway," she continued, "I step out of the bathroom, and she charges at me with a stick, screaming, 'I'm going to kill you! I'm going to kill you!' I swear."

"Who?" Jared inquired, leaning eagerly from his desk. He was one of the class's most attractive guys.

Cordelia realized with smug satisfaction that she had finally captured an audience. "Buffy," she informed him.

"One of the new girls," Harmony added.

Jared appeared perplexed. "What's her deal?"

"She's completely unhinged!" Cordelia exclaimed.

"Did you hear about their previous school?" Harmony whispered conspiratorially, nodding toward Dawn. "They were both booted."

"I'm not surprised in the least," Cordelia declared.

Jared leaned closer. "Why were they kicked out?"

"Because they're both psycholoony," Cordelia stated.

"No, Buffy and I are not." The unexpected voice spoke with firmness and composure, causing the trio to turn their heads and find Dawn standing before them, her eyes ablaze with anger.

"And if I catch you spreading that rumor, I will make sure you regret it," Dawn warned before nudging Willow, who got up, and the two of them left the room.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

As they exited the computer class, Dawn's frustration bubbled to the surface, and she couldn't help but rant to her Willow about Cordelia's hurtful comments. She gripped Willow's arm; her voice filled with agitation. "Can you believe Cordelia?" she exclaimed; her voice tinged with anger. "She has no right to call us 'psycholoony' just because we're new here. Who does she think she is?"

Willow listened attentively; her expression empathetic. "I know, Dawn. It's unfair and uncalled for. Cordelia can be so judgmental and mean sometimes."

Dawn continued her rant, her voice growing louder. "And did you see the way she dismissed me and Buffy? Like we don't matter, like we're beneath her. It's infuriating!"

Willow nodded; her eyes filled with understanding. "I completely get it, Dawn. It's hard not to let her words get under your skin. But you know the truth about what happened, and her opinion doesn't define you or Buffy."

Dawn's frustration turned into determination. "You're right, Willow. I can't let her bring me or Buffy down. Both Buffy and I are capable, intelligent…though Buffy does like to play the blonde card, and we belong here just as much as anyone else."

Willow smiled, her supportive nature shining through. "Absolutely, Dawn. You and Buffy will rise above her negativity and show her what you both are made of. Your worth isn't determined by Cordelia's words."

Dawn took a deep breath, her anger slowly subsiding. "Thanks, Willow. I'm glad I have you as a friend."

Willow squeezed Dawn's hand, offering reassurance. "Anytime, Dawn."

Electrical Tunnels

"They're close," Buffy whispered, breaking the silence that had enveloped them during their long walk. Each tunnel seemed to blend into the next, amplifying their growing unease. There was no comfortable banter between them now. Buffy furrowed her brow, scanning the darkness with a mixture of concern and determination.

Xander's voice trembled with nervousness as he asked, "How can you tell?"

Paige interjected, her mind recalling the encounters the version of vampire she and her sisters had faced last year. "No more rats," she remarked, referring to their preference for alternative blood sources when humans were scarce. These vampires, although similar to the ones she and her sisters had previously encountered, were not quite the same either. The ones she, Piper and Phoebe had faced were more of a hive variety with a queen. The ones the Slayer dealt with were a distant cousin and more akin to a possessor demon.

While Xander wasn't thrilled with Paige's explanation, he kept his unease to himself. They continued traversing through more tunnels until he finally spoke up again, pointing towards a dimly lit side chamber. "Look over there. What's that?"

Curiosity piqued; they cautiously approached the small chamber. Xander retrieved his flashlight, its beam revealing a motionless figure lying face down on the ground just beyond the entrance. With a sudden intake of breath, Xander exclaimed, "Jesse!"

Buffy's voice turned somber as she murmured, "Oh no..." She exchanged a meaningful glance with Paige and Xander, silently acknowledging the need to be prepared for anything. Paige understood the unspoken plan—if things went awry, she would use her powers to orb Xander to safety, even if it meant risking exposure.

Buffy stepped forward; her arms outstretched to help Jesse. But before she could react, Jesse lunged at her with a pipe, poised to strike.

Xander's urgent voice rang out, "Jesse!"

Jesse froze mid-attack, his eyes widening in astonishment. "Xander?"

Relief washed over Jesse as he dropped his weapon and cautiously approached his friend, accepting Xander's embrace. After a moment, Xander pulled away slightly, examining Jesse to ensure his well-being. "Jesse, man, are you okay?"

"On an epic scale, I'm not okay," Jesse weakly joked, attempting to lighten the tense atmosphere.

Paige sensed that something was amiss. Why was Jesse alone and chained to the wall? It was evident that he had been used as bait. "We should leave immediately," she advised. "Jesse is bait, and we've walked into a trap. Escaping won't be easy."

Xander looked at Paige, puzzled. "Bait? What do you mean?"

Buffy, realizing Paige's assessment was accurate, quickly took charge. She ran her hand over Jesse's restraints and stated grimly, "Hold on." Grabbing the pipe, Jesse had dropped, she shattered the lock on the shackles, the sound reverberating through the labyrinth of tunnels.

Xander winced, casting doubtful glances at Buffy and Paige. "You think someone heard that?" he murmured skeptically.

"Yes, someone heard," Paige confirmed. "As I said, your friend here was bait, and we fell into their trap. Getting out of here won't be easy."

Understanding the urgency, Buffy motioned for Jesse and Xander to follow her. She addressed Paige, who nodded in agreement, fully aware of her role in ensuring their safety. "Paige."

Paige nodded back, acknowledging her responsibility. If anything happened to Buffy, she would use her powers to orb Xander and Jesse to safety before the vampires could reach them or herself.

"They knew you were going to come," Jesse admitted anxiously. He gestured towards Paige. "She's right. They said I—I was the bait. I've seen their leader." The sheer horror in his eyes conveyed more than words ever could.

Buffy swiftly led the way back through the tunnel. However, just ahead, in the dark and murky passage, multiple vampires appeared. "Oops," Buffy muttered.

Fear crept into Jesse's voice. "Oh no, no..."

Paige turned to Jesse; her voice urgent. "Do you know another way out?"

Jesse looked at her desperately. "I don't know, maybe?"

"Come on," Xander commanded, determination in his voice.

They reversed their course, running frantically. As they reached a junction of several tunnels, they chose one and hurried inside. However, they were met with gleaming eyes and whispered laughter that echoed through the darkness. They swiftly turned again, reaching yet another intersection.

"Wait, wait," Jesse gasped. "They brought me through here! There should be a way up, I hope."

There was no time for argument—they simply ran.

Moments later, they found themselves in a dim, confined chamber. It was too late when they realized the vampires closing in on them from behind. Buffy, grasping the dire situation, understood that their only escape route would be through Paige.

"Paige," Buffy said, her gaze fixed on her Whitelighter. "I know you're reluctant to expose your powers, but..."

Paige sighed, recognizing that innocent lives were at stake. Buffy was right; there were times to conceal her abilities and times when risks needed to be taken. "Give me your hands," she directed Jesse and Xander, causing them to look at her in bewilderment. "Give me your hands. If you want to get out of here, do it now."

Jesse frowned as his face morphed into a vampiric visage.

Paige firmly grasped Buffy's and Xander's hands just as Jesse lunged at them. In an instant, she orbed herself, Buffy, and Xander away, leaving Jesse alone in the dim chamber.

Sunnydale High School

Giles sat hunched over his notes, his concentration unwavering until he sensed the presence of someone entering the library. Raising his gaze, he hoped to see Buffy standing there, but instead, it was Willow and Dawn who greeted him. His voice carried a touch of disappointment as he spoke, "Buffy?"

Willow shook her head apologetically. "It's just me and Dawn. No word yet?"

Giles's weariness became evident as he removed his glasses and replied, "Not as yet." He rubbed his tired eyes, hoping for some positive news.

Dawn reassured them both, "Buffy is alright. I'm sure of that." She refrained from mentioning Paige's involvement, knowing her mother had informed her about Paige's timely orbing after Dawn's call, revealing Buffy's truancy and the reason behind it.

Giles asked hopefully, "Did either of you find anything of interest?" He motioned for them to sit, ready to examine the articles they had gathered.

Taking their seats, Willow and Dawn spread out the copied articles before him. "I think, maybe," Willow began. "We went through old papers from around the time of the big earthquake in 'Thirty-seven." She pointed to a specific page. "And in the months leading up to it, there was a series of murders."

Giles straightened up, his glasses back in place. "Great! I mean, not great in a good way... Go on."

Dawn flipped through the articles; her voice somber. "The murders fit the description of a vampire attack. Throats drained of blood, occurring for months beforehand."

"It's all coming together," Giles nodded, his expression growing anxious. "I rather wish it weren't."

Just then, Paige suddenly orbed into the library with Buffy and Xander, catching Willow and Giles off guard. Their eyes widened in astonishment.

"Hi," Paige introduced herself. "The name's Paige."

"I thought you didn't want to reveal your powers in front of others, fearing exposure," Dawn said, a hint of confusion in her voice.

Paige sighed, realizing the gravity of the situation. "Normally, I don't. But there were extenuating circumstances, and this was the first place I thought of, especially since Mr. Giles is Buffy's Watcher."

Curiosity piqued, Willow interjected, "What are you talking about?"

Paige explained, "I'm a Whitelighter. In fact, I'm Buffy and Dawn's Whitelighter."

Giles, recalling his encounter with the Whitelighter for the Devon coven years ago, nodded. "I've heard of Whitelighters. But you said your Buffy and Dawn's Whitelighter...?"

"That's correct," Paige confirmed.

Giles looked to Buffy and Dawn, seeking confirmation. "But you two are not witches."

Buffy exchanged a glance with Paige before speaking up. "Actually..."

Paige sighed again, understanding the need for transparency. "Go ahead. If they're not meant to know, the Cleaners will erase their memory of this revelation and my orbing in front of them. I believe there's a reason they haven't had a visit yet."

Buffy nodded as she turned back toward Willow, Xander and Giles. "Mom bound mine and Dawn's powers when we were babies."

Giles couldn't hide his astonishment. "This is astonishing. I've never heard of a Slayer who was also a witch, let alone one gifted with magical powers."

"Not that this isn't interesting," Willow interrupted. "And it is and I know I want to know more." She redirected the conversation to her lost friend. "But, did you find Jesse?" Deep down she was pretty sure she already knew the answer.

The weight of the situation settled on Xander's shoulders as he replied tersely, unable to meet Willow's gaze. "Yeah."

Buffy echoed his sentiment, her face a mix of anger and regret. She slumped into a chair, defeated.

"I'm sorry, Willow," Paige offered sincerely. "We were too late, and they were waiting for us."

Willow shook her head, acknowledging the grim reality. "At least you guys are okay."

Xander couldn't contain his frustration any longer. "I don't like vampires!" he exclaimed, kicking a nearby trash can. "I'm taking a stand and saying they're not good."

Buffy turned to Giles; her voice tinged with resignation. "So, Giles, do you have anything else that can make this day worse?"

"How about the end of the world?" Giles calmly responded.

"I knew I could count on you," Buffy muttered wryly.

Giles proceeded to share what they knew. "Sixty years ago, a very old and powerful vampire arrived on these shores, not solely just to feed."

Buffy rested her chin on her hands, listening intently. "He came because this town is a mystical whatsis?"

"A Hellmouth," Paige chimed in, capturing Giles's attention. "I'm the one she mentioned last night at the club. I was ten feet away during that conversation."

Giles nodded, acknowledging Paige's presence and insight. "The Spanish settlers called it Boca Del Infierno, roughly translating to Hellmouth." He began pacing as he continued, "It's a portal connecting this reality to another. The vampire hoped to open it."

Dawn interjected, "Bring the demons back."

Xander added, "End of the world."

Willow summarized their findings, "But he blew it. There was an earthquake that swallowed half the town, including him. And him, too—or at least there were no more vampire-type killings afterward."

Giles considered their words, designing new diagrams on the chalkboard. "Opening dimensional portals is a tricky business. It's likely he got himself stuck, like a cork in a bottle."

Paige interjected, "It's not as difficult as one might think, but it does require considerable power. It's mostly a capability possessed by higher beings. Very few witches have the necessary power to open a portal; it's an advanced form of magic."

Xander, seeking clarity, asked, "So this Harvest thing is about getting him out?"

Giles confirmed his understanding, "It occurs once every century, on this very night." He pointed to his sketches. "A Master vampire can draw power from one of his minions while it feeds, gaining enough power to break free and open the portal. The minion is referred to as the Vessel and bears this symbol." He indicated the sketch of a three-pointed star.

Buffy, trying to inject some levity, said, "So I just need to dust anyone sporting this look, and no Harvest?"

Giles replied simply, "Yes."

"Any clue where this gathering is taking place?" Buffy asked.

"Well, there are several possibilities," Giles began, but before he could continue, Xander interjected, "They're going to the Bronze."

The room fell silent as everyone turned to look at Xander.

"Are you sure?" Dawn asked, her disbelief apparent.

Xander shrugged nonchalantly. "Come on, tasty young morsels all over the place. Plus, that's where Jesse will be. Trust me."

"Then we need to get there," Giles declared, tension lacing his voice. "The sun will be down before long."

As Willow, Xander, and Giles made their way to the door, Buffy and Dawn positioned themselves next to Paige.

"We need to make a quick stop," Buffy explained. "It won't take long."

Curiosity piqued, Giles inquired, "What for?"

Dawn offered a secretive smile. "Supplies."

And with that, Paige orbed out of the library with Buffy and Dawn.