A/N New Chapter, lines taken from Buffy season 2 episode 1 When She Was Bad from both this chapter and the previous one. The episode ends next chapter - hopefully.
If you see anything wrong especially with how I portray Aisling's light Irish accent. (Though to be honest by this point it's probably a combination of Irish, English and American,) please let me know. Will probably edit once more tomorrow. I just really want this up today.
You see a bit of Action from Aisling this chapter.
Next Day
Next Day
Morning
Leaning against a wall while pretending to read 'Wuthering heights' Aisling strained to listen to Cordelia while she spoke to Buffy and her two friends. Her brow furrowed as she picked up on the things they were saying.
Xander took Cordelia aside his voice lowered. Aisling had to strain her her ears to catch anything they were saying. "We can't mention that stuff in front of other people, Buffy being the Slayer and all."
Aisling bit her tongue to stop herself from making any kind of noise. I knew it.
"You haven't been talking about our little adventure all summer, have you?" Willow asked worriedly.
Cordelia shook her head. "Are you nuts? Do you think I would tell people that I spent the whole evening with you? Besides, it was all so creepy. That Master guy? And all the screaming? I don't even like to think about it." She turned to Buffy. "So, your secrets safe with me." Aisling frowned. The Master... her father had mentioned him on occasion - he was an old vampire and the progenitor of his line. He was apparently very old and very powerful with many followers. If he was gone that would mean there was a power vacuum left behind in Sunnydale. Though if the Master picked out an heir... Aisling mentally frowned. That would be something she'd have to ask her da' about... later.
Buffy smiled sarcastically. "Great, you won't tell people that I'm a slayer, and I won't tell people you're a moron." She said as she walked off. Aisling frowned at the sarcasm and anger rolling off her in waves.
After Buffy walked off Xander turned his head and saw Aisling leaning against a wall reading just as she had planned. "Hey, if it isn't our Ace in the hole," Xander said with a grin.
Aisling rolled her eyes and put her book away. "That's not how you pronounce my name."
Xander shrugged. "I know, but it seems to fit you well enough,"
Aisling rolled her eyes but decided not to comment on it further. The nickname was nice.
"So Cibo Matto is playing at the Bronze tonight," Xander said as he put an arm around Aisling. The Irish-born girl surreptitiously removed his arm. "You should come to check it out with Buffy, Willow and I."
"Cool," Aisling said as she nodded along before she frowned. "I don't know if I can make it tonight.
"Oh, come on," Xander said playfully shoving her "It'll be fun."
Aisling rolled her eyes. " I don't know Xander. I have a lot of responsibilities at home."
"You're 16, it's not like you…" Xander trailed off and shared a look with Willow that Aisling assumed she wasn't meant to see - or know how to interpret. "have a full-time job to worry about."
Aisling shook her head. "No, but that doesn't make my responsibilities any less important," Aisling said. "Class starts soon - we don't wanna be late," Aisling said before she walked off.
"Can I at least tell you where it is?" Xander called out to her. "In case you decide to show up?"
Aisling paused and thought about it. It couldn't hurt to have the address for after her dad got well again.
"Sure," Aisling said. "Just in case."
After School
"How was school?"
Aisling shrugged as she dumped her bookbag by her father's bed. "Found out who the Slayer was."
Spike raised an eyebrow. "Did you?"
"Yeah, heard a group of students talking about it. None of them realized that I was eavesdroppin' on their conversation."
"Who is it?"
"Buffy. The girl I told you about yesterday." Aisling said. "Do you know about the Master? Hear anything about a possible heir he might have had?"
"Oh yeah... heard through the grape vine in Prague that the Master Snuffed it. Some kid called the Anointed One was supposed to be his right hand. Guess that failed."
"Huh." Aisling said. "Heard the Slayer and her friends talkin' about it today. Kind of assumed he died considering they were... y'know, alive."
"Huh…" Spike said he paused for a moment and then spoke again changing the topic.
"Maybe you and this Buffy should get to know each other"
Ash tilted her head confused. "You want me to befriend her?"
"Maybe," Spike said. "Having the friendship of the Slayer could benefit you, especially on a Hellmouth."
Aisling's eyes widened. "That seems so… Machiavellian." She said as she shook her head. "I don't- I don't want to befriend someone solely because them being my friend would be beneficial. I want to befriend someone because… we like each other."
"You two might end up liking each other." Spike reasoned.
"Or we might end up not likin' each other. Especially if Buffy finds out about you."
Spike placed a hand on hers. "Just… just try," Spike said. "Don't turn down the idea just because it might be bad."
Aisling pursed her lips. "And if it doesn't happen?"
Spike smiled. "At least you tried, don't turn down the possibility of friendship over what-ifs. Don't force the friendship, but don't run away from the possibility either."
Aisling bit her lip for a moment before she sighed. "One of Buffy's friends, Xander, asked me to check out the Bronze tonight with Buffy, Willow and Him. Cibo Matto is playing; I told him I didn't know if I could make it."
There was a slight pause in which Spike seemed to heavily debate what he would say next. After a minute, he took a deep breath and turned to her. "Why don't you go?"
Aisling was surprised. She had been out at night plenty of times, but never while living on a HellMouth and never ever while her father was to weakened to get to her should something happen. "What?"
Spike nodded and took a deep breath. "You know how to defend yourself. You know how to avoid trouble, and the Slayer will be there… I think… so long as you stick close to your friends, be sure not to go off alone with anyone… and call me every hour. You'll be ok."
Aisling paused for a moment before she looked back at him her worried. "But… what about you?"
"I'll be fine." Spike said softly, but insistent.
Aisling shook her head. "I don't like leaving you alone…" She said.
Spike reached out and touched her cheek. "I know. But you can't put your entire life on hold for me."
"Yes, I can," Aisling insisted. "It's my life."
"You shouldn't have to." Spike insisted. "I want you to have fun."
"I can have fun right here." Aisling insisted. "I don't mind stayin' in, you know that."
"You need friends." Spike insisted.
"I have friends." Aisling insisted. " Speaking of… I should probably call them; it's been a week since I last…"
"Friends in Sunnydale," Spike corrected. "I don't want you to be alone. Goin' to the Bronze… it might help you guys bond."
Aisling's eyes widened and she shook head. "You are not goin' to die," Aisling said desperately. "Stop actin' like it."
"Ash-"
Aisling jumped off the bed, "I didn't risk everythin' gettin' you out o' Prague just to have you die in your bed in Sunny-hell." Aisling shook her head; Spike could see her starting to shake.
"You're not goin' to die." Aisling insisted her shaking hands grasped his arms in desperation.
Spike smiled a little. "Technically- "
Aisling groaned and lightly pushed him away. "Da', I swear you give me the 'I'm already dead' line I'll-" Aisling frowned in thought. "I don't know what I'll do, but you won't like it."
"Scary." Spike joked. Aisling glared at him, not for the first time Spike idly wondered if she got that glare from him, because if so, it was mildly unsettling.
"I wasn't referrin' to my possible death," Spike said. He watched as Aisling's glare melted slightly. "I just think having friends in Sunnydale would be good for you."
Aisling snorted. "You've said that with every city we've lived in."
"And you always end up happier when you do."
"I'm plenty happy," Aisling argued.
Spike raised an eyebrow. "Ash."
Aisling crossed her arms and looked away. "You know… Nightmares aside."
Spike raised his hands toward her. "C'mere."
Aisling hesitated for a moment before she crawled into her father's arms. Spike wrapped his arms around the young 16-year-old and smiled. "For the past couple of months, you have been runnin' on fear and adrenaline. Terrified that somethin' is goin' to happen, that's not healthy."
Aisling laughed bitterly. "And you would know what's healthy for me, wouldn't you?"
"I like to think after a good 9 years of knowin' you, I have a pretty good idea."
Aisling sighed. "Buffy, Willow and Xander did seem cool." She said with a sigh. "It would be nice to get to know them… outside of school."
"Yeah, it would," Spike said with a smile. "Go. Do one hour of homework, and then go have fun. Might help you loosen up."
Aisling tilted her head. "Are you… orderin' me to have fun?"
Spike had not thought he had been, but he smiled evilly as the thought came to him. "Yep. I don't want you back in here until you've had some fun with some potential friends. Go."
"Fine," Aisling said moodily. "But I'm gonna prepare your dinner first."
"Take my car," Spike said. "Don't loiter around, when you're done for the evenin' head straight to your car and come straight here. And don't forget to bring some weapons, alright? nothin' will bullocks up your evenin' faster than not having a weapon when you need one."
"Aye, Aye, stake, Holy Water, crosses. I got the drill." Aisling said with a roll of her eyes. "It's not like you haven't been drillin' this into my head since I was 8, Da'," Aisling said with a grin.
"Be safe," Spike said.
"I can stay home," Aisling said. "I don't have an issue not goin'," Aisling said.
"Nice try," Spike said, waving her away. "Go make friends."
As Xander had told her, the Bronze was in the part of Sunnydale that held the shipping docks and the railroad tracks.
She parked the DeSoto as close to the club as possible. Once she was parked, she grabbed the bag that held her stake and her Holy Water, a silver cross - that Spike had given her when she was 8 - hung from her neck.
She pulled out her cell and dialed the home phone number, and waited.
She heard Spike pick up. "Hey Da'" She said. "I'm here. Just gettin' out of my car now."
"Good, have fun," Spike said.
"Always," Aisling said before she hung up her phone and exited her car.
She had changed into something a bit better suited for a club. She still wore her waist-length leather jacket, but she was now wearing a black skirt and a dark blue halter top. Her hair was down and was still in its natural curls. She had decided to apply some light foundation, a touch of blush, and some pink lipstick.
For a moment, despite her promise that she would not loiter outside, she hesitated. Should she do this? Her dad was at home alone, and yeah, she had prepared his blood and stuff, but what if he needed more? What if demons attacked? The invitation-only barrier prevented vampires from entering the home. But what about the other Demons? Or... what if humans stormed the place? What if… what if her dad was kidnapped again?
The image of how she had found her dad in Prague assaulted her mind. The vile things she had had to do just to get her Da' free replayed themselves in her head. It had been over a month since it had happened, but it all still haunted her.
"Hey. You ok?"
Aisling looked up to see Willow and Xander staring at her in concern. Aisling straightened and smiled and shoved the images down by forcefully thinking about how good Willow and Xander looked that evening. Xander in a dark blue t-shirt and Willow wearing a striped long-sleeved shirt.
Aisling smiled. "I'm fine," She said. "You guys look good. We should head in."
Willow took her hand. "Great!" Willow said with a grin. "Come on, this'll be a lot of fun."
"I hope so," Aisling said softly, and the three of them headed into the pub together.
The Bronze looked good, with a stage, dance floor, pool table, balcony, and bar. Aisling was a little surprised of there being a bar in a place that served minors, but she decided against questioning it.
Buffy had already come by. Aisling had seen her having a conversation with an older guy before she had then turned around and grabbed Xander and started dancing with him.
"Glad you could make it today," Willow said eagerly. Almost too eagerly. Aisling had to wonder if Willow was trying to avoid looking at Xander and Buffy on the dance floor.
"Yeah, told my dad I was invited, and he was eager for me to come out, make friends," Aisling said.
Willow looked surprised. "You want to be our friend?"
Aisling shrugged. "Yeah. Maybe. If we uh… mesh? Well?" Aisling said then she paused and shook her head. "That probably came out wrong."
"No, no, I get it," Willow said. "You want to see if we can get along as friends."
"Yeah," Aisling said. "I hope we can."
Willow pouted in thought then linked arms with her. "Well, I already consider you a friend."
Aisling chuckled, "Thanks, Willow."
Aisling watched as Buffy danced provocatively with Xander. Watched as she danced around him, seemed to tease him about something that walked away, while Xander stood in the middle of the dance floor, alone and slightly bewildered and …hurt?
"She doesn't normally act like this," Willow said.
Aisling turned to Willow. "No?"
Willow shook her head. "Something's wrong."
Aisling watched as Buffy walked off. She debated for a moment if she should speak with Buffy or just let her walk off. It is not any of my business, not like we're friends… yet. She thought herself.
Yeah, it is not like you made a good chunk of your friends by taking the plunge and talked to the angry, sad, or jumpy loner sitting alone... Oh, wait. Her conscience retorted.
Aisling jumped off her stool. "I'm gonna go see if a talk with a stranger what is she needs." She said with a smile to Willow.
Willow looked at Aisling, confused. "Huh?"
"Never mind," Aisling said. "Watch my drink?" She asked before she took off.
She came outside just as she saw Cordelia and Buffy hashing it out.
"Get over it," Cordelia said. Aisling winced at the blunt tone Cordelia used, and even Buffy seemed surprised at the words coming out of Cordelia's mouth. "Whatever is causing the Joan Collins 'tude, deal with it. Embrace the pain, spank your inner moppet, whatever, but get over it. 'Cause, pretty soon, you're not even gonna have the loser friends you've got now."
That, unfortunately, was a lesson that Aisling had had to learn the hard way. Aisling would not have phrased it that way, she liked to think she would have used a bit more tact, but yeah, Buffy's pain did not give her the right to treat everyone around her like crap. Cordelia may have said that about as poorly as one could, but she did have an unfortunate point to it.
For a moment, Prague entered her mind, and she shook her head to rid herself of the things she saw and did.
Aisling stepped forward. "Cordelia has a point," She said as she made her presence known.
Buffy glared at her, and it would have been scary had she not grown up in the presence of demons and vampires. "Whatever your pain is, it doesn't give you the right to treat the people around you horribly." Aisling continued.
"I'm sorry, who are you? You don't know me; you don't know what I went through. So, mind your own damn business."
Aisling scoffed and crossed her arms. "I know PTSD when I see it."
"I don't have…"
Aisling cut her off. "You're spiralin' out of control and so mad at the world that you'll burn down every bridge you have. I don't know you? I was you."
Buffy rolled her eyes. "Oh, what happened? Someone steal your dollies?"
Aisling's eyes flashed, and, for a moment, she contemplated punching the Slayer in the face, then she took a deep breath and shook her head. "You know what? Forget it. I'm getting too frustrated, and you're too angry to listen to a thing anyone has to say. Just… be careful on your way home."
Buffy paused and stared at her. "Whatever," Buffy said before she turned and walked away, flipping up her hoody as she did so.
"You have PTSD?" Cordelia asked as Buffy walked away.
Aisling winced as she turned to Cordelia. "My childhood wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, but I'm fine." Aisling sighed. "I've… spanked my inner moppet, so to speak."
Cordelia chuckled. "You heard that, huh?" She asked.
"Yeah." Aisling turned her head; her eyes widened as she pulled Cordelia behind her and pulled a stake out of her purse as she did so. "Shoot."
"Wha…" Cordelia said before the vampire attacked.
Aisling kicked the first vampire that came close to them. When the second one ran right past her, desperate to get to Cordelia for some reason. She turned and staked him through the back. The other vampire – a female with shoulder-length hair regarded her first. "I just want the girl." The vampire said. "Let us have her, and I'll leave you alive."
"Run," Aisling told Cordelia. Aisling's hand went into her bag again. "Get Buffy, I'll try to buy you some time."
At that moment the vampire chose to attack her. Aisling pulled out a vial of Holy Water and smashed it hard into the vampire's face. The vial broke apart; the Holy Water trickled down the vampire's face causing it to sizzle and smoke. The vampire started to shriek and attempted to wipe the burning liquid off her face. Now that the vampire was distracted, Aisling shoved the stake into her chest. She watched as the vampire exploded into dust.
Buffy must not have gotten that far because when Aisling looked to her right she saw Buffy and Cordelia run towards her.
"What happened?" Buffy asked.
Aisling wiped the vampire dust off her. "Dusted some vampires," She said.
"By you?" Buffy asked before her eyes narrowed. "What are you?"
"Human, Irish by birth," Aisling said with a shrug. "You saw me in school, out in the sun, during the day."
"You know about Vampires," Buffy said. "H-how?"
Aisling hesitated as possible stories she could tell flashed through her mind before she decided to just tell as much as the truth as possible. "Remember when I told you my dad was a contractor?"
Buffy nodded though she looked confused. "Yeah…"
"A lot of those contracts involve getting rid of demons and vampires, who are causing problems. He trained me how to defend myself should I ever come across them." Aisling said with a shrug. She shoved the stake into her purse and turned back toward the Bronze. "I'm hungry." She said and hoped that that would be the end of the conversation.
Buffy refused to be deterred. "So, your dad's… what? A demon hunter? Suicidal? A suicidal demon hunter?"
Aisling rolled her eyes. "Demon hunter," Aisling said. "Well, not right now. He's recovering from an injury. But outside of that… yes."
"He'll get himself killed."
Aisling shrugged. "You don't know him. He's survived this long."
Buffy paused for a moment. "You knew I fought demons too. You told Cordelia to come to get me."
"Overheard you, telling Cordelia that you were the Slayer," Aisling said.
"And you know what the Slayer is?"
"You run around in the demon world long enough – that title pops up," Aisling came up with that explanation on the fly. It was true enough; Spike had been running around in the demon world for a long time – but it was only in the last 8 years or so that he was actively fighting against it. "Anyway, we should probably be more concerned over why the vampires wanted Cordelia."
"Probably as food." Buffy shrugged.
Aisling pointed at herself. "Then why ignore me?"
"You had the stake in hand and a silver cross at your neck. They were probably trying to avoid them."
"Cordelia was right beside me. To get past her, they'd have had to get close to me, which they did. One of them was so goal-oriented on Cordelia… they didn't even realize the stake in my hand; that allowed me to stake them from the back.
"Vampires are stupid," Buffy tried.
"Not all of them," Aisling said. "But still…" Aisling turned to Cordelia. "You should probably head straight home right now," Aisling said, sifting through her bag and pulling out a large cross. "Do not take any detours, get into your car, and drive as fast as you possibly can home. Lock the doors, and don't invite anyone into your house until dawn breaks. Understand?"
Cordelia straightened. "I don't follow anyone's orders… it just so happens that I was getting bored anyway."
Aisling bit back a smirk. "I know, you do what makes the most sense to you and to hell with what anyone else thinks."
Cordelia nodded. "Yeah! Exactly, I am Cordelia Chase, not some wanna-buffy; I say I want to go home because I'm bored."
Aisling had a feeling that was a dig at her, but the last thing she needed or wanted was another fight, especially when she had no idea if or when more vampires would show.
"Exactly, want a wanna-slayer to accompany you home?"
Cordelia turned to Buffy instead.
Buffy rolled her eyes. "Whatever, it is better to safe than sorry," Buffy said before turning to
Aisling. "Will you be alright?"
Aisling nodded. "Feeling a mite hungry gonna get somethin' to eat before I head on home."
"Are you going to tell your dad?" Buffy asked. "Not like you have a reason to hide it, given he knows about all this underworldliness stuff."
Aisling snorted. "He'd just worry unnecessarily," Aisling said. "Good luck, getting home; see you tomorrow."
"Buffy's escorting Cordelia home?" Willow asked.
Aisling nodded as she ate her ice cream. "Yeah, given the vampires seemed to be gunning for her, it seemed the safest option."
Willow shook her head. "And you know how to fight vampires?" Willow said. "That's just… wow. Are you sure you're not a slayer?"
Aisling shook her head as she scooped another spoonful of ice cream. Beside her was a bag of blooming onions she was planning on giving to her dad later. "Nah, no super strength. Just a regular girl, who just happened to have been heavily trained by her demon hunter dad."
"Thought you said he was a contractor."
"Oh yeah, like I'm gonna admit that he fights demons to people I barely met. Most people don't exactly believe in the supernatural." Aisling said with a sigh. "Besides, I didn't lie; he does take contracts; just the subject of those contracts typically involves him destroying demons."
Willow winced. "He charges people for saving their lives?"
Aisling shrugged. "Puts food on the table." She finished her ice cream and stood. "Well, after fighting those vampires. I should probably head home," She said.
"Oh, but you just got here," Xander said. "Night's still young. You can't possibly leave now."
Aisling paused. "We have school tomorrow."
"Come on." Xander implored, "One dance… it'll be fun."
Aisling paused and stared out at the dance floor. Her dad did want her to have fun, and if she came home too early, it would cause him some concern…
She checked the time on her watch. "Need to call my dad at least; he told me to check in every hour or so."
"You're pretty close to your dad." Xander told her.
Aisling smiled as she pulled out her cell. "He's the best person I know."
After a quick phone call where both parties assured the other that they were perfectly alright and nothing terrible had happened, Aisling turned back to Xander.
"Everything alright?" Xander asked.
Aisling smiled and nodded.
Xander clapped his hands together and stood, taking her hand and leading her to the dancefloor. "Great, now I believe you agreed to give us a dance."
Aisling stared at the dancefloor and back at Xander and Willow. "Show me how a resident of Sunnydale dances." She said.
Xander looked her up and down. "Only if you show us how an Irish-girl dances."
For the first time in a long while, Aisling smiled a real smile2
A/N Hope you enjoyed this one. Might go through one more editing tomorrow. Might not. If you see any mistakes let me know where.
