Chapter 7: Inca, Faith & Trick
September 29, 1997 – Monday – Sunnydale History Museum
Dawn followed Xander, Buffy and Willow toward the museum for Cultural Exchange Week. She knew Inca Princess was coming, she just didn't know the details surrounding it. She remembered Xander had went on a date with Ampata and she knew that Ampata had mysteriously disappeared. But for the most part that was it, Buffy had given her and Joyce a brief fictitious explanation about Ampata's disappearance but it had been years before she had learned that the real Ampata had been dead and that the Inca Princess had killed him. Even then she only knew that much because of Xander being a demon magnet. The majority of his relationships had been demons or ex-demons, as was the case with Anya.
"It's so unfair," Buffy said as they approached the large staircase that would bring them into the museum. During the entire bus ride over, she had been complaining because Joyce had agreed again to house one of the foreign students.
Dawn and Xander didn't have to worry about having a foreign exchange student in Dawn's house as there literally was no room left to spare. While the investigation had been wrapped up relatively fast, Tony and Jessica Harris had been arrested for abuse leaving no authority figure to watch him. The attorneys had argued in court that Xander should be emancipated due to his age and were trying to get it pushed through the courts. As a result, the court agreed to a decision was made that Xander could remain in Dawn's home for the time being. And with Elizabeth due to be born soon and Chloe returning from England, all the bedrooms were now taken.
"I don't think it's that bad," Willow said.
"It's the uber-suck. Back me up here, Dawn."
Dawn sighed. "We don't know if the real Ampata will be that bad. Assuming we can save him from becoming the mummy's second victim." She surmised that someone in the museum likely somehow woke up the mummy and that person had been first.
"You don't know when that was exactly?" asked Xander.
"I mainly only know about it because of you, Xander. The mummy was the second woman you found yourself attracted to. In another words…"
"Kind of a repeat of the praying mantis demon," said Xander as he nodded.
"I didn't even find out that much for years afterwards. Buffy told me and mom some lie, that sadly I don't remember, to explain her disappearance as this was still before mom knew about Buffy being the Slayer," Dawn explained.
"I have the best costume for the dance," Willow said as in an obvious attempt to change the subject.
The four of them entered the main hall and passed Cordelia with the Cordettes looking the pictures of the exchange students. They moved on into the South American relics area, which would take them to the special exhibit.
"So," Cordelia asked Buffy as she came alongside them, "how's yours? Visually, I mean."
Buffy shrugged. "I don't know. Guy-like."
"You didn't look at him first?" Cordelia said, aghast. "He could be dogly." She shook her head. "You live on the edge."
Something caught Buffy's attention. "What's he doing?"
Dawn followed her sister's gaze to see that Rodney was leaning in too close to one of the exhibits. In fact, it looked like he was scraping it.
"That's Rodney Munson," Xander said as another student walked up to Rodney, who growled, baring his brace-filled teeth. The kid walked away. "God's gift to the bell curve. What he lacks in smarts, he makes up in lack of smarts."
Willow said, in her usual philosophical way, "You just don't like him 'cause of that time he beat you up every day for five years."
"Yeah," Xander said, "I'm irrational that way."
Dawn went off to soothe the savage beast. Rodney noticed her approach and started another growl, then mellowed when he saw who it was.
"Wha'd you—Oh, Dawn, hi."
"That's probably not something you're supposed to be doing," Dawn said, indicating Rodney's hand. "You could get in trouble."
Shivering in mock horror, Rodney said, "Oh, no. And they might kick me out of school?"
Dawn rolled her eyes as a voice projected from the entrance to the Treasures of South America exhibit. "Welcome, students. We shall now proceed into the Incan burial chamber. The human sacrifice," the red-jacketed guide added ominously, "is about to begin."
The students all shuffled in. Dawn rejoined Willow, Xander and Buffy, Rodney went off on his own. They entered a darker room, spotlights illuminating various artifacts. The centerpiece was a giant stone sarcophagus on a raised platform. The trio joined the queue of students lining up to see it.
"Typical museum trick," Xander muttered. "Promise human sacrifice, deliver old pots and pans."
The guide continued his spiel. "Five hundred years ago, the Incan people chose a beautiful teenage girl to become their princess."
Willow whispered, "I hope this story ends with, 'And she lived happily ever after.'"
When they reached the sarcophagus, Dawn peered in to see a mummified corpse that looked like it was made of leather. The eye sockets were black, the jaw sunken, and the shriveled arms were holding something that looked like a particularly fancy platter. "It doesn't," she said.
"The Incan people," the guide continued, "sacrificed their princess to the mountain god Sebancaya. An offering, buried alive for eternity in this dark tomb."
"They could have at least wrapped her in those nice white bandages, like in the movies," Willow said.
The guide went on: "The princess remained there, protected only by a cursed seal, placed there as a warning to any who would wake her."
"So, Buffy, when's exchange-o boy making his appearance?" asked Xander.
"Dawn and I are meeting Ampata at the bus station tomorrow night."
"Ooh, Sunnydale bus depot. Classy. What a better way to introduce someone to our country than with the stench of urine?"
"Now, if you'll follow me this way, please," the guide said, indicating the way to other Incan treasures.
Dawn noticed that Rodney held back, she found that suspicious. Could he have been the first victim? She had no way of knowing for sure without remaining at the museum till someone somehow woke the mummy. She couldn't believe how easy it was to avoid security. The lighting in the South America exhibit was all directed, and the displays were set up on platforms and stuff, so there were tons of dark, shadowy places to hide in.
Dawn waited as the hours went by then she saw Rodney sneak out of a hiding spot. He moved toward the sarcophagus. She opened a portal beneath Rodney and he fell into it and into Sunnydale High. As the portal closed Dawn walked over to the sarcophagus and looked at the mummy. Hopefully that ensured the mummy wouldn't wake. "Sorry for what happened to you. But I could let him accidentally wake you and then watch as you tried to kill people so you didn't die again."
September 30, 1997 – Tuesday
Ampata Gutierrez was excited. At last, he had come to America. For years, he had dreamed of this. In sixteen years of life, he had never left Peru. But he had read about other places: Paris, London, New York. Since he was a small boy, he wanted to travel—to see the Eiffel Tower, to explore Buckingham Palace, to climb to the top of the Empire State Building. He wanted to see the entire world. If he was honest with himself, he would admit that he was, so far, disappointed. Sunnydale, California, had little by way of great sights. Just a lot of small houses that all looked alike. Even Los Angeles, what little of it he saw from the airplane, did not impress him overmuch.
But he refused to let it get him down. He was in America. It was a start. And he was going to make the most of it.
Of course, he could only make the most of it if the girl who was housing him actually turned up. He'd been waiting for half an hour.
Dawn pulled into a parking spot as Buffy hopped out. "Ampata!" she called out, "Ampata Gutierrez!"
Dawn and Buffy started navigating the parked buses, hoping to see a lost-looking Peruvian.
"Ampata!" Buffy called out again.
"Here," said a male-sounding voice as he stepped around a bus.
Buffy smiled. "I'm Buffy Summers," she said as she stuck out her hand.
"Hello," he said as he grabbed her hand and shook it. "I am Ampata. I am very pleased to see you."
"Welcome to our country," called Dawn from where she still sat in her car.
"Thank you," Ampata called back.
After arranging to have Ampata's trunks sent to the Buffy's house, Ampata got into Dawn's car, while Buffy carrying Ampata's suitcase put it in the trunk.
The drive was fairly quiet. Ampata seemed enraptured by the houses.
"A little different style of buildings than your accustomed to," said Dawn as she glanced at Ampata from the rearview mirror.
"They are," he agreed.
When they arrived at the house Buffy gave Ampata the nickel tour, ending with the kitchen. Joyce and Marie along with Dawn, carrying Elizabeth in her arms, followed.
"Would you like a drink?" Joyce asked. "We have juice and …" She was about to mention milk but noticed it was out of date. "Well juice. I need to go to the store."
"Please," Ampata said, sitting at the kitchen counter.
Joyce handed Ampata a glass of apple juice and asked, "So, have you been to America before?"
"No this is my first time," said Ampata. He looked at Dawn. "Your child?"
"My little pum'kin belly," said Dawn she noticed a confused look. "Her nickname. Kind of a family tradition." She glanced at Joyce and Marie. "My mom called me that when I was little. Well I better be getting home. I am sure Chloe and Xander are probably wondering where I am."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Dawn arrived home and found Chloe waiting for her and sighed. "Let me put her down," she said as she took Elizabeth upstairs. A few minutes later she came back downstairs and sat on the couch next to Chloe.
"Where did we leave off?" asked Chloe.
"Mom's funeral," said Dawn. Since finally admitting what had happened during the summer that Buffy had died for her, she had found a dam had burst and everything wanted out. "Buffy was distant since she found mom dead. She didn't even cry till I tried to resurrect mom. It was during that spell that Buffy began to cry. I think her mind when she thought mom was knocking at the door had devolved into a child wanting solace from her mother."
"I assume you reversed the spell?"
"Yes," said Dawn with a sigh. "I tore up mom's picture which ended the spell. Meanwhile Buffy had opened the front door looking for mom. When she turned and saw the picture torn up, she understood. We couldn't do that to mom. That was when she began to really let it out and while I had intended to comfort her, my tears came as well."
"How long was this before Buffy's death?" Chloe wondered.
"Three months," answered Dawn. "Between the time mom died and Buffy died. We ended up running on adrenalin the entire time. It was one thing after another. So, while we both cried that night, it was not grief as you noticed. I don't even know if I truly know how to grieve. My default has to been to bottle it up till it explodes."
"This is also after you found out you were the Key, isn't it?"
"Yes," said Dawn. "And that's where this came from." She held up the wrist that held the scar from when she had cut herself. "This was a desperate attempt to understand who I was."
"When did you accept you were Dawn and had always been Dawn?" asked Chloe.
"That same night," said Dawn as tears fell down her face at the memory. "Buffy had said that it didn't matter how I got here or where I came from. That I was her sister. That there was no way I could annoy her as much if I weren't. Mom felt the same way."
October 1, 1997 – Wednesday
Dawn walked with Ampata and Buffy toward their friends.
"Your first day of school," Buffy said with a smile to Ampata. "Nervous?"
Ampata looked overwhelmed. "I come from a small village; this is more people that I've ever seen at one time."
"Ah, don't worry. You'll have no problems making friends," said Dawn. "You already have the two of us and we'll introduce you to our friends so there will then be two more." She looked toward Xander and Willow. "Willow Rosenberg, Xander Harris, meet Ampata Gutierrez."
After a few moment Dawn led Ampata to homeroom, for the morning lessons Ampata would stay with Dawn then during the afternoon would go with Buffy. Ampata took everything in with an almost-zealous fascination. The teachers all seemed to take a shine to him, as well.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
That afternoon Faith Lehane hauled her backpack out of the overhead rack, yawning and trailing after the handful of other passengers exiting the bus. She shrugged into it and then paused, frowning, as she stepped down to head into the terminal. She rolled her shoulders under the straps and made her way over to a payphone. She thumbed through it till she found what she was looking for… Sunnydale High School – Library.
She dialed the number and listen to it ring.
"Sunnydale High School Library," came a british voice that Faith recognized as Jeeves.
"Hey, Jeeves, it's Faith. I'm at the Sunnydale Bus Station," said Faith.
"Is Dr. Dormer with you?"
"She's dead," said Faith. "That vampire that the Slayer, was it yours or the other one? Anyways whichever one that mentioned seeing killing me and Diana die, got her. We saw them coming, I just barely managed to get away."
"I will have the Slayer in question, Dawn Summers, pick you up. Stay where you are and in a well-lit area."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
At Sunnydale High Xander and Willow had taken Ampata out to see some of Sunnydale's sights so Buffy and Dawn could get in some training. The two girls circled each other as they waited for the other to throw the first punch. Dawn threw her fist towards Buffy's face, but Buffy reacted quickly as she blocked. Buffy swept her right leg knocking Dawn to the floor with a groan of pain.
Buffy smirked at her sister. "Well, Dawnie, it looks like after being pregnant you are out of practice," she said as Dawn stood.
Dawn threw another punch straight at Buffy.
Buffy was too focused on the hand aiming for her face that she didn't notice Dawn's left leg coming towards her side and she lets loose a grunt of pain as she felt the impact of Dawn's foot kicking her in the side and knocking her down.
"Dawn," said Chloe as Buffy and Dawn looked toward her. "You need to go to the Sunnydale Bus Station. Faith has arrived and her Watcher is dead. The vampire you warned us about killed her."
"Oh no," said Dawn as she opened a portal and stepped through it.
Giles looked at Chloe. "Given that we have two Slayers, one potential and a possible potential in Marie. I say we go against tradition some more."
"Agreed," said Chloe. "With Faith's watcher dead we also now have to find room for her."
"I'd have to ask mom of course," said Buffy. "But she could bunk with me at least till Dawn …"
Chloe and Giles nodded in understanding at the unfinished statement.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Dawn stepped out of the portal looking around the station. She smiled when she saw Faith. "Faith," she called as the young woman turned and looked at her. "I'm Dawn."
"Your one of the Slayers," said Faith as she looked at the attractive brunette teen. "How did you get here?"
"Portal," said Dawn. "I can do magic. Sorry about Diana. You're sure it was Kakistos?"
"Based on the description Lady Di was given yeah," said Faith.
"Just the backpack?" asked Dawn as Faith nodded. "Tomorrow then I'll take you shopping. Get you some clothes." She waved her hand and a portal opened. "Giles, Chloe and Buffy are waiting." She led Faith into the portal and through it. "Now that you are here, Faith. It is time you learn something."
"She just arrived," said Giles. "Let's get her settled first before we start revealing information."
"Giles," said Chloe. "Given the way Dawn feels about her. It would be better if Dawn gets it out now."
"I take it she's your Watcher," Faith asked Dawn as she motioned toward Chloe.
"Yeah that's Chloe," said Dawn.
"Figured," said Faith. "So, what's so important that you're going against the other Watcher?"
"You know how your Watcher didn't know the Slayer line had twinned?" said Dawn as Faith nodded. "That's because technically it hasn't. I'm from around twelve years in the future. I came back to save my family and friends. That includes you Faith. In the future I'm from, you are my predecessor, you actually died protecting me."
"Oh," said Faith. She looked at Chloe and Giles. "Is she telling the truth?"
"She is," Giles said. "We have already prevented at least one thing from her original timeline from happening."
"She also provided examples to multiple people on our team of things only they would know," added Chloe. "The only explanation for that was that she was from a future where that information was revealed or otherwise known to her."
"So, you came back to save your family and friends," said Faith as she looked toward Dawn. "So that means you and I are friends in the future?"
"More than friends," answered Dawn.
"More … than … friends," said Faith slowly as she realized exactly what Dawn was saying. She needed to process that. She turned and looked at Chloe and Giles. "Where am I staying?"
"With me," said Buffy as she exited Giles office. "I'm the other Slayer. I am also Dawn's sister or cousin depending on how you look at things." She looked at Giles and Chloe. "Mom agreed."
"Faith," Dawn said. "I don't expect you to return my feelings. I only told you so you know if I look at you a certain way that is why. Okay?" Faith slowly nodded. She looked at her sister. "Will you give Faith the explanation."
"Yeah," agreed Buffy.
Dawn waved a hand and a portal opened. "Your house, Buffy."
"Come on," said Buffy as she led Faith through the portal.
October 2, 1997 – Thursday
Faith sat in the principal's office, across the desk from Snyder. As she watched him, he looked at the transcript she had handed him. For the most part it was legit with changes of course to explain why she was moving from Boston to Sunnydale.
"Faith Lehane," he said with a glare at the brunette. He had seen who had escorted Faith to the administration office, Buffy Summers. He hoped Faith would be better than either Summers girl. "Junior, late of Lyon High in Boston."
"That's me," said Faith. She had hated school, but Diana had been adamant that she get at least a high school education. So as for as Faith was concerned as Diana's last request to her. She would do just that.
"Every student in this school needs strict discipline," said Snyder. "I don't do the touchy feely my predecessor did. Since I saw you were friends with Summers, I will be keeping an eye on you."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Faith let out a sigh as she walked out into the hall bumping into Dawn.
"Hey," said Dawn.
"Hey," returned Faith.
"Did Buffy give you the full explanation?" she asked.
Faith nodded. "She did. That must have been hard trapped like that for five years. I can't promise that I might return your feelings. But I am willing to see where things go."
"I'm okay with that," said Dawn. "I was thinking along those same lines. That we spend some time together get to know one another, or in my case get to know you again. We'll start with just being friends, hanging out, talking. We can see where it goes. There is a dance, tonight for the Cultural Exchange Week. Maybe we can start there?"
"I think I would like that," agreed Faith.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Faith came into the bedroom she was sharing with Buffy. "What do you think?" she asked.
Buffy looked from where she sat at her vanity doing her own makeup, she was taking Ampata to the dance. "You could use some lipstick but otherwise you look beautiful."
"I've never really been the girl who did makeup," admitted Faith.
"Come here," said Buffy as she stood so that Faith could sit down. She knelt next to faith as she picked up a tube of gold lipstick to match Faith's Inca Princess costume. She applied the lipstick and then stepped back smiling. "Perfect."
Faith looked at herself in the mirror and saw an instant transformation in her appearance. She indeed looked beautiful. "You think your sister will like it?"
"She'll swoon," said Buffy as the doorbell rang. "I'll get it."
Buffy dashed downstairs and opened the door to find Dawn wearing an Egyptian Princess costume. "You look beautiful," she said.
"Thanks, you think Faith will like it?" asked Dawn.
"She'll swoon," Buffy said echoing what she had told Faith.
Dawn looked like she was about to say something as something caught her eye on the staircase. Buffy followed Dawn's gaze to see Faith walking down the stairs.
"Hello, Dawn," Faith said. "You look wicked hot."
Dawn blushed at the compliment. "Hi, Faith," she said. "You look beautiful."
Joyce came in, followed by Marie, carrying a camera. "Faith, Dawn, don't you both look wonderful?"
"I see you have a camera, mom," said Dawn. "I take it the old habit is still in effect."
"If you don't mind," said Joyce.
Dawn looked toward Faith who slowly nodded. She looked back at her mother as she and Faith moved beside one another and Joyce snapped a picture.
"Can I be in one?" said Marie. "After all she's technically my future girlfriend."
Faith glanced at Dawn her eyebrow went up in a questioning look.
"She's my past, so technically she's right. Even though in this timeline she likely won't be your girlfriend. Regardless it's up to you," said Dawn.
"What the heck," said Faith. "Come on over here, M."
Marie moved over next to Dawn and Faith who knelt down on either side of her. Joyce smiled as she looked at them and took another picture.
"Well, mom, I will have Faith back at a decent hour," Dawn said as she and Faith stood back up. She smiled, then went out with Faith.
"Mom, Buffy," said Marie. "I'm happy the other me has someone pretty like her."
"So am I," agreed both Joyce and Buffy.
Outside Dawn and Faith headed for a black limousine.
"A limo?" Faith said shocked.
"I'm not hurting for money," admitted Dawn. "When I came back, I was as I'm sure Buffy told you, inserted into our cousin's family. Originally, they left their money to charity as their only daughter died when Buffy was eight. When I was made Celia's twin, I instantly became their heir. I can only touch the interest for the next few years though."
"Wow," said Faith as they got into the limo. "You must love me that much to spend that kind of money."
"No pressure," said Dawn. "I meant what I said earlier today. We'll take it slow, okay."
"Okay," agreed Faith as she smiled at Dawn.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Dawn and Faith entered the Bronze. They caught sight of Willow who had dressed in an eskimo outfit, complete with furry hood and spear.
"She has to be hot," said Dawn.
"Likely," agreed Faith.
They moved through the Bronze till they found a place to sit down.
"I've seen enough time travel movies to know you aren't supposed to know too much about your future, but…" said Faith.
"…but you're curious," said Dawn with a nod. "Originally you didn't arrive till next year, this was after you were called. You and Buffy got along at first and then you accidentally killed someone, I think it might have been the deputy mayor. You went bad for a while after that and even did time in prison trying to earn your redemption. I was sixteen when you came back to Sunnydale for the battle with the First. Despite the fact you were about six years older, that was when I started falling for you. It wasn't till just before the battle that you reciprocated. Then a few months after the battle, you died protecting me."
"Wow," said Faith shocked at a life she hoped she never had to live, well most of it anyways. She didn't want to accidentally kill someone. "Now you are here."
"I came back for mom and Buffy, primarily," said Dawn. "But also, for you and for our friends. Giles and Chloe said it was a noble thing that I came back for. For me it was selfish pure and simple. I wanted those I loved back."
Faith looked at Dawn wondering if she would have done the same thing. Her future self from what Dawn said might not of. But she knew the her in the here and now might. "How much do you know about me?"
"Not everything," said Dawn. "There was something's you didn't tell anyone, not even me. I never learned what exactly happened with Diana. I only knew that you had seen what Kakistos did to her. I heard rumors about your parents but nothing concrete."
"The rumors were likely true if they were what I think they were."
"Oh, Faith," said Dawn as she gently squeezed Faith's hand comfortingly. "I don't know what it's like to go through that. I do know what it's like to accidentally kill someone though."
"I heard," said Faith who patted Dawn's hand. "B told me about Elizabeth or as you knew her in the future, August. I can't imagine what that did to you to have that blood on your hands. And from what you said I hope we can change that so I never have to know."
Dawn smiled. "Thanks," she said as the band began to play a romantic melody. "Care to dance?"
Faith nodded as they stood up and walked out onto the dance floor. "So, who leads?" she asked. She knew she swung both ways, but the only dances she had been to were when she was a kid and then with a boy.
"You can," said Dawn as she placed on hand on Faith's back and then let Faith take her free hand and as the song played, they danced.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
"I enjoyed tonight," said Faith as Dawn walked her to the front door of the Summers house. She smiled at Dawn. "Thank you for asking me to go."
"You're welcome, Faith," said Dawn. She wondered if it would be too forward to kiss Faith. She decided to risk it as she leaned in and kissed Faith, who she felt was returning the kiss.
Inside the house Marie was watching from the window living room window, she was smiling. "Ooh, their kissing. I'm happy for you, bigger me."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Elsewhere in town a limo pulled up to the Happy Burger drive-thru speaker.
"Welcome to Happy Burger, can I take your order?"
"Diet soda. Medium. Thank you," said a vampire who was known by his associate as Mr. Trick.
"That will be eighty-nine cents at the window, sir."
The limo drove around and pulled up to the drive-thru window.
"Sunnydale," said Mr. Trick. "Town's got quaint, and the people: he called me sir, don't you miss that? Admittedly, not a haven for the brothers – strictly the Caucasian persuasion in the Dale – but you gotta stand up and salute their death rate. I ran a statistical analysis and Hello Darkness – Makes D.C. look like Mayberry. And nobody sayin' boo about it. We could fit right in here. Have some fun."
Kakistos laid a hand on Trick's arm. "We're here for one thing."
"Kill the potential, I know. Still, big picture..." said Mr. Trick as he paid the Happy Burger employee.
"Have a nice night."
"Right back at you," said Mr. Trick.
"I'm going to rip her spine out of her body, then I'm going to eat her heart and suck the marrow from her bones," admitted Kakistos.
"And now I'm hungry," said Mr. Trick as he reached out of the window and grabbed the Happy Burger employee. His face morphed into its vampiric visage. He ripped the employee out of the drive-thru window as the limo peeled away.
October 3, 1997 – Friday
The next morning in the library Chloe and Giles addressed Buffy, Dawn and Faith. It had been reluctantly decided that officially that Dawn would act as both Slayer and as a Watcher for Faith given their personal connection in the future. "Two people have disappeared in the Sunset Ridge district," said Chloe.
"One of them, a fast food worker, was pulled right out of his order window," added Giles.
I'm good to patrol. Late-ish, though; I promised mom I'd be home for dinner," said Buffy.
"Which means I likely need to be there as well," said Faith. "Since I am living at your house."
"Might not be a bad idea," admitted Dawn. "Get to know mom and Marie as well as Buffy. I'll swing by then we can leave right after dinner."
"We'll hunt 'em down and kill 'em where they stand," said Faith pumped.
After Buffy, Dawn and Faith had left Giles turned toward Chloe. "Faith has rather a lot of zest."
"I've noticed," said Chloe. "I hope Dawn will be able to reign it in as their relationship blooms."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
In an abandoned firestation several vampires' light candles, wave incense, and chant: "Kakistos... Kakistos..."
"Mister Trick..." said Kakistos as Mr. Trick moved brusquely through the vampires to him. "Talk to me."
"Check it out. This town – this very street – wired for fiber optics. We jack in a T-3, 2500 megs per, we got the whole world at our fingertips," said Mr. Trick as he waved away the vampire with the incense censer. "Theo, allergies." He looked back at Kakistos. "What I'm sayin' is, we stay local – where the humans are jumpin' and the cotton is high – but we live global: you got a hankering for the blood of a fifteen-year-old Filipina? I'm on the net, she's here the next day, express air."
"I want the blood of the girl," Kakistos said.
"On that front, bad news – rumor is this town has two Slayers guarding her."
"I don't care if there's a hundred slayers!" Kakistos said furiously as he pointed at the scar on his face. "I'll kill them! Then she will pay for what she did to me!"
"Yes, she is," agreed Mr. Trick. "I'm running a computer check on every hotel, rooming house and youth hostel in town." A knock came at the door as he slipped on a long, radiation-type glove-mitt. "Meanwhile, soon as the sun's down we're out in force."
Another knock came at the door. Mr. Trick opened the door to reveal a pizza delivery guy.
"You guys order a –"
Trick's oven-mitted arm shot out into the harsh light, grabbed the pizza guy by the throat and yanked him inside.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Faith rode in the back seat of Dawn's car as they did a slow drive through town. "Didn't we already do this street?" Faith asked.
"Weird thing about vampires, they'll hit a place even after you've been there. It's like they have no manners," said Buffy.
"Well you two are the Slayers," said Faith. "That must mean you know what you're doing."
"Dawn," Buffy said as she motioned over to the side where she spotted three vampires.
"Do you know how to drive, Faith?" asked Dawn.
"Yeah," said Faith. "Lady Di had me get my driver's license."
Dawn pulled the car over. "As soon as I and Buffy hop out. You hop into the driver's seat. Keep the motor running for us, just in case we need to make a quick getaway."
"Okay," said Faith.
Buffy and Dawn hop out of the car and attacked the vampires. Dawn punched one knocking him back away from her. Buffy spun around in a roundhouse kick on another. He blocked her and smashed her in the face. She stumbled back momentarily stunned.
Dawn barreled into the third vampire and hit him hard in the mid-section sending him crashing into a wall.
Buffy punched the second vampire who grabbed a two by four and walloped her with it knocking her to the ground. She rolled as the two by four missed her face by inches.
Dawn swept the first vampire's legs out from under him.
Buffy wrenched the two by four out of the second vampire's hands and gut punched him with it.
The third vampire leapt at Dawn from behind as the first vampire punched her in the side of the head.
Buffy and Dawn glance at each other, time for playing is over. They both pull out stakes.
"For Kakistos we live... for Kakistos, you die," said the third vampire.
Buffy staked the second vampire and he dusted she ran over to help Dawn. She staked the third vampire through the back and he dusted.
They turn on the final vampire and in sync they lunge driving their stakes into his chest as he followed the others and he crumbled to dust.
"Buffy! Dawn!" shouted Faith as she saw Kakistos with five more vampires approaching.
Buffy and Dawn turned and looked straight toward Kakistos, Mr. Trick and the other vampires.
"Stay in the car," said Dawn knowing that Faith not only could not physically take on a vampire since she had not been called. But also, she knew that Faith had in the original timeline held trauma from watching Diana die, which had meant her fear had practically paralyzed her.
Buffy kicked one vampire in the face while she punched another. She whipped out a stake, diving for Kakistos who caught her with one hand – and hurled her against a wall.
Dawn whipped out a stake and dusted a third vampire. She turned and came face to face with Mr. Trick. "I believe this dance is mine," he said.
Dawn hit him knocking him back. She bent forward and flip him over onto his back, She whipped out a new stake. "The music stopped," she said as she drove the stake down.
"Dawn," said Buffy and she motioned with her eyes to the two by four.
"But the beat goes on. Gimmie whatchya got," Mr. Trick said as he came at Buffy. They trade blows.
Kakistos grabbed Dawn's hair and he hit her hard.
Buffy flipped a vampire over her shoulder and staked him.
"Dawn!" said Buffy as she spotted Dawn being held by Kakistos. She ran scooping up the two by four.
"Spirited. We don't do something, they just might kill him," said Mr. Trick to the other vampires who were moving to help Kakistos. "I don't think I have a problem with that. Incense, candles, missing the Bulls games 'cause he's too cheap to pop for cable – who's had enough here?" He led the other vampires away.
Buffy ran at Kakistos and rammed the two by four into his chest as he exploded to dust.
"H&H?" Dawn asked of her sister as they got back into the car.
"Like you wouldn't believe," admitted Buffy.
"What's H&H?" asked Faith.
"Hungry and Horny," Dawn and Buffy answered simultaneously.