Chapter 111: Buffy Vs. Dracula
Buffy and Riley lie in Buffy's bed together. Riley is sleeping soundly but Buffy is wide-eyed and restless. She looks over to Riley… Makes a decision. She climbs quietly out of bed, leaving Riley undisturbed. She quietly gets dressed and flames out.
Moments later in a graveyard Buffy pursues the fleeing vampire at an astounding pace. The intensity of her pursuit is wild, almost animal… Like a leopard springing after it's prey…
WHOMP! Buffy bounds onto a headstone, pushes off it and leaps onto the vampire, bringing him violently to the ground. Buffy and the vampire struggle in the mud for a few beats before she straddles him and brings her stake down hard, dusting him. She rises from the kill, breathing hard - eyes shining deadly before she flames back to the Manor.
Buffy changes and quietly climbs back into bed, pulls the covers up. Unaware of her absence, Riley instinctually pulls her close. Buffy relaxes into the embrace - and falls asleep.
The next day Buffy is with Riley, Willow, Tara, Xander and Anya on the beach. She snatches a football from the air that Riley had just thrown, she jumps around in triumph. "Touchdown! Yes! Go team Me!"
Buffy carelessly tosses the ball back to Riley. It's short. Riley misses it.
"Anybody ever told Team You that the quarterback throws like a girl?" Riley asks as he grins and sends the ball flying back to Buffy, who catches it, smiling innocently
"I do?" Buffy asks.
Buffy lets loose a zinger - hurtling the ball toward Riley with slayer force. Riley catches it in the gut and goes flying, hitting the ground hard.
"I'm exhausted just looking at those two. The splashing and the jumping and the running… Shouldn't relaxing involve less exertion?" Xander says. "Especially for Buffy who's pregnant."
"Absolutely. Exertion can lead to sweatiness." Anya says.
"Which can cause the pain and heartbreak of stinkiness. Better to just stay put." Tara says.
"I think we've just put our finger on why we're the sidekicks." Willow says. "Oh and Xander ixnay on the pregnant talk. Riley doesn't know Buffy's pregnant."
"Oh I forgot," Xander says. "Why doesn't he know?"
"Well because first he will think the baby's his. Second because it would mean explaining about Angel." Willow says. "Buffy's trying to find the right way and right time to tell him without him getting the wrong impression and leaving her."
"Oh, yeah." Xander says.
Buffy and Riley come running up, out of breath and happy.
"Game over?" Willow asks.
Riley holds up the football, which is completely squashed. "Buffy slayed the football."
"It was an accidental… slew." Buffy says. "Where are the burgers?"
"Yeah man, I'm starving. Cow me." Riley says.
"I'd love to make with the moo but the fire's not cooperating. I think this charcoal is made out of water." Xander says.
"What's the deal, Xand? I thought you were a cow griller by trade." Willow says.
"Well they had a newfangled gas stove at the burger place." Xander says.
"Plus they fired him in like a day." Anya says.
"Anya embarrassing me in public! Who saw that comin'?" Xander says.
Anya smiles, "He's fine. He's back to working muscle-y construction."
"Not for long. The job is over in a couple weeks - then all my ends will be loose again." Xander says.
"Tell me about it. I'm kind of in drift mode myself these days." Riley says.
"You're not drifty. You have school." Buffy says.
"Yeah - but I'm not even sure what I'm doing." Riley says. "I mean, I figure I do want my masters in psychology… But, there are different areas… The new advances in psycholinguistics are intriguing - but I've really always thought of myself as a congnative neurobiology guy."
Xander just looks at Riley, "I hear ya."
"I do. Really. I was gonna structure my major around computer science - but now I don't know… what if drama class is awesome? Do I cast off the safe and dependable for the exhilarating unknown?" Willow asks.
"Maybe you should take the class before you re-think your life plan. I mean, it's not like the Goddess Thespia rules your seventh house." Tara says.
Tara and Willow bust up at this apparently funny thought. Everybody else just looks at them.
Willow tries to explain chuckling all the while, "Ohhh, God… See that's… The Goddess Thespia - she was a total drama queen and… The seventh house, that's like when… Ahhhh… Whooo…"
"It's okay. I keep forgetting - jokes should have funny parts." Tara says.
Willow nods, "It was funny. Super funny and clever and… Fire ready yet?"
Xander shakes his head, no. He's supremely frustrated. It's comforting to know I lack the culinary finesse of a caveman."
"Tara, I've been meaning to ask. Where did you learn magic? The stuff I taught Willow never had to do with invoking gods or other deities." Buffy says.
Willow casually waves a hand. "Ignis incede."
Tara nods, "My mother taught me some before she passed away. Then I learned some from whatever books I could get my hands on."
WOOOSH! The grill is suddenly ablaze.
Buffy nods, "Like that. I don't think I taught you that spell, Willow. I don't even think I know that spell. I of course I don't need that spell I can produce fire without a spell."
"It was in one of the books Tara gave me." Willow says. "Pretty much you just have to balance the elements, so when you affect one you don't end up causing-"
BOOM! Willow's interrupted by a sudden thunder clap. Out of nowhere, clouds gather and a dramatic change in weather ensues… They scramble to get out of the sudden downpour. Willow protests-
"I didn't do it! I didn't do it!" Willow says.
Later at Riley's place. Buffy looks very unhappy, "No way. This is so wrong." She's helping Riley clean his room. Currently she's examining a plate she's just pulled from under his bed. Something black and moldy grows there. "Take this away. Whatever it is."
"It's tuna. Or… a pop tart." Riley says as he throws it out. He moves to the dresser, picks through clothes.
"That's it. I'll face monsters, but I'm done helping you clean." Buffy says.
"You're not seeing the whole sexy bohemian thing? 'Cause I had it on good authority that chicks dig slack." Riley says.
"Actually I'm starting to miss the whole military fold-your-clothes-with-a-ruler experience." Buffy says.
"You should talk. Your drawer's a mess." Riley says as he lifts a sexy, frilly nightie out of Buffy's drawer. "— oh, no. That's my drawer. Sorry."
Buffy moves to him, flirtatious. "You sure that's yours? Looks kinda…snug."
"Maybe you should try it on. You know - just so we can see who it belongs to." Riley says.
Buffy's eyes flicker down to her stomach wondering if the nightie would still fit. She wasn't showing yet but she had gained a couple pounds. "Ooh. I'd love to." Riley kisses Buffy. Then Buffy draws away, regretful. "But I promised Piper I'd hang at the homestead tonight. I think we're going to be talking about Piper's baby shower details."
"That's cool. I gotta get through all this - hey, old mail. Bonus." Riley says as he starts to thumb through the mail - something he sees stops him. His face clouds a little but Buffy doesn't pick up on it.
Buffy stands and gets ready to go. "I'd better scram. I'm late."
"Okay… Say hi to Piper, Phoebe and Paige." Riley says as he kisses her and then Buffy flames out.
That evening Piper, Leo, Paige and Phoebe are finishing up dinner.
"Thanks, Piper. Everything was mega yum." Buffy says.
"Are you up for desert?" Piper asks.
"I would - but I have to get out and patrol." Buffy says.
Leo shakes his head, "Buffy, I thought you were going to take it easy?"
Buffy looks to Leo, "I'd love to Leo. But I am still the Slayer."
Piper sighs, "Maybe Paige should go with you to be on the safe side. That way she can orb you out if you get hurt. We don't want anything happening to our niece or you."
Buffy sighs, "Okay. You might want to change though, Paige."
Paige nods as she gets up, "Be right back." She heads upstairs.
Later Paige and Buffy are in a graveyard. Buffy's rolling on the ground again with a vampire. Buffy fights with primal, animal intensity.
Paige watches stake in hand.
In the shadows, a man is watching them, well more Buffy than Paige.
Buffy gets the upper hand with the vamp and pulls out a stake dusting him.
Paige helps Buffy sit up. "I swear, Buffy…"
The man whose been watching them steps into the light. "An impressive hunt. Such power."
Buffy, immediately sensing this creature's strength, stands warily… "That was no hunt. That was just another day on the job. Care to step up for some overtime?"
Paige turns to face the man and frowns, wondering how he snuck up on them.
"We are not going to fight." The mystery man says.
Buffy takes this in, baffled. What's this guy's deal? "Do you understand what a Slayer or a Charmed One is?
The mystery man smiles knowingly. "Do you?"
"Who are you?" Paige asks.
"I apologize. I assumed you both knew." The mystery man says. "I am Dracula."
"Get out!" Buffy and Paige says.
"So - let me get this straight. You're Dracula. The guy. The count." Buffy says.
Dracula nods, "I am."
"This isn't just a fanboy thing, is it? 'Cause I've fought more than a couple of pimply, overweight vamps who called themselves "Lestat."" Buffy says.
Dracula smiles, "You know who I am. As I would know without question that you are Payson Halliwell. Though at one time you were known as Buffy Summers."
Buffy rolls her eyes, "Only my friends and family still call me Buffy. Of which you are neither."
"You've heard of her?" Paige asks.
Dracula nods, "Naturally. She is known throughout the world. As are you Paige Matthews."
"We are?" Buffy asks.
Dracula smiles, "Why else would I come here? For the sun? I came to meet the renowned killer."
Buffy's face clouds at this. "I prefer the term Slayer or Charmed One. Killer just sounds so…"
"Naked?" Dracula asks.
"Like I paint clowns or something. I'm the good guy, remember?" Buffy says.
Dracula smiles at her foolishness. "Come now. You can't deny your history."
"What do you mean, history? Paige and I along with Piper and Phoebe hail from a long line of good witches." Buffy says.
"Perhaps. But your power as the Slayer is rooted in darkness. You must feel it." Dracula says.
"No, you know what I feel? Bored." Buffy says.
Paige looks at Buffy and frowns, "I really think we should be orbing out, Buffy. Leave Dracula here for another night."
But Buffy is not listening to Paige as she lunges at Dracula. But the only thing she catches is dirt. She's on the ground and Dracula, miraculously, is now some distance away from her and Paige. He moves so quickly, it's as if he can appear and disappear at will.
Buffy recovers and flies violently at him again. This time he avoids her by morphing into mist and drifting away. Buffy spins, looking for him to reappear.
"Okay. That's cheating." Buffy says.
"How can he do that?" Paige asks. "No other vamps can do that."
Xander and Willow walk towards them; they don't see Dracula - just Buffy and Paige both on high alert.
"Hey Buff. What's up?" Xander asks.
"Yeah, you look like you saw a –" Willow says.
Dracula de-mists behind them. They're oblivious.
"Fine. I was going to give you a sip of my double mint mocha but-" Xander says.
"Behind you!" Buffy says.
Xander and Willow turn around - face to face with Dracula. Xander takes in his look - and can't help but be amused.
Willow, on the other hand, swallows hard, immediately cowed. "Hi."
They back up next to Paige, bracing for a fight, while Dracula slowly advances on them.
"Nice. Look whose got a bad case of Dark Prince envy." Xander says.
"Leave us." Dracula says.
"No, we're not going to "Leabbb you." And where'd you get that accent, Sesame Street? "One, Two, Three - three victims! Maw ha ha!"" Xander says.
"Xander, Buffy and I are pretty certain that's Dracula." Paige says.
Xander digests this. Then he stammers nervously, "Wow. Really? Hey, sorry man… I was just, jokin' around…"
Dracula ignores him, turning instead to Buffy. "This is not the time. I will see you soon." He launches towards Paige, Xander and Willow. Paige orbs out as Xander and Willow hit the deck. Dracula flies over them, his cape rippling behind him as he morphs into a bat. Buffy sees the bat coming toward her.
The bat flies over Buffy's head and she starts to flail madly. "Bat! Eww! Bat!" She flames out as Paige orbs back in.
Dracula takes off, disappearing into the night.
Xander scoffs, "Oh, yeah. Vampires can't even do that - How'd he do that?!" He looks around for Buffy. "Buffy?"
Buffy flames back in.
Later Piper, Phoebe, Paige, Leo, Buffy, Willow, Xander, Tara, Anya, Giles and Riley are assembled in the living room of the Manor. Buffy, Willow and Xander are all pretty hyped up from their Dracula encounter, talking excitedly and jumping all over each other's sentences-
"…so then Buffy's all – look out! - and then friggin' Dracula's standing right behind us and can I just say he's in serious need of a monster make-over?" Xander says.
"And then he lunges at us - Like WOOSH, and-" Willow says.
"He totally looked shorter in person-" Xander says.
"I told you he'd heard of me, right? Can you believe that? Count Famous heard of me?" Buffy says.
"I couldn't believe it the first twenty times you told us, but it's starting to sink in now." Riley says.
"Actually he's heard not just about Buffy but the Charmed Ones also, all of us." Paige says.
"Sorry. Am I repeato girl? I guess I'm a little blown away." Buffy says. "Paige is right he did mention that he knew of the Charmed Ones also."
"It's not that surprising that he knows you, Buffy. You are the Slayer." Riley says.
"I guess. But the way he said it, he made it sound so-" Buffy says.
"Sexy. I bet he made it sound sexy." Willow says.
"Kinda. He of the dark, penetrating eyes and lilty accent…" Buffy says.
"You thought Dracula was sexy?" Tara asks, Willow.
"What? Oh, no. he was - yuck." Willow says.
"Right. Except for the whole tall, dark and handsome thing. Yucko." Anya says.
"How would you know?" Xander asks.
"Oh, we hung out a few times." Anya says.
"You "hung out" with Dracula?" Xander asks.
"Back in my demon days. Only once or twice. He was really cool." Anya says. "You know - from an evil thing perspective."
"Please. He was no big whoop…" Xander says.
"No big whoop? What about the thing where he turned into a bat? That was awesome." Willow says.
"It must have been. I have to admit - I'm sorry I missed that." Giles says.
"Me too. I kept thinking - gosh, I wish Giles were here. He'd know what to do." Willow says. "Didn't you guys? Think that?"
Giles looks embarrassed.
Buffy and Xander are both a bit mystified at being put on the spot.
"Ahhh - definitely." Xander says.
"Actually, I was more thinking - "BAT!"" Buffy says. "Of course that was just before I flamed out."
Paige nods, "So how come he can do that? No vampires we've met can do that."
"I've no idea. There's a great deal of myth about Dracula - I'd imagine the trick to defeating him is in separating the fact from the fiction." Giles says.
"Great point! It's so Giles to think of something like that. Which we would have never." Willow says.
"Right… I guess we should take things slow with Dracula. He said we'd meet again, but I'd like to avoid it until we do some serious homework-" Buffy says.
Piper nods, "Agreed."
"I don't know. He may have a Bunch of swell party tricks but he's still just a vampire. I say we load up with stakes and crossbows and go after him now." Riley says.
Xander raises his hand, "Second."
"No, Buffy's right. Dracula's too slick to fall for the usual stuff." Anya says.
Buffy nods, "So we hold off. No killing until we know exactly what we're dealing with."
Piper nods, "We'll check the Books see if he's in there."
Leo shakes his head, "I doubt he is Piper. Both Books are a collection of demons and warlocks your family has met in the past or has heard of. Since Dracula likely has never come to America before. Your ancestors likely never met him and dismissed any accounts they heard as simply someone telling stories."
Piper sighs, "Leo it's still worth looking."
Riley tries to joke, but he's obviously uneasy. "You're not just saying that because of those dark, penetrating eyes of his, are you?"
"No, his eyes were just - there was no penetration. Cross my heart." Buffy says.
"Alright. Willow, you and Tara find anything you can on the actual legend of Vlad the Impaler on the internet. I'll search the library." Giles says.
Phoebe smiles, "Actually I might have something on Vlad the Impaler. I'd have to go through my stuff from college. I think I did a report on him for one my required history classes."
Giles nods, "That will be most helpful. Thank you, Phoebe."
"If the Initiative was still around we'd be able to find everything on this guy in a few hours." Riley says.
"We may not be as fast - but we'll find him. Let's say we reconvene here in the morning?" Buffy says.
Everyone agrees, moves to leave.
Riley goes to Buffy. "So what's your plan?"
"Big sleep. My count encounter wiped me out." Buffy says.
"I'm kind of wired. Maybe I should just let you rest." Riley says.
"You sure? I bet if you just lay down with me-" Buffy says.
Riley shakes his head, "Nothing you are about to say will lead to rest."
Buffy smiles, "Good point. So I'll see you here?"
Riley nods, "With donuts."
"Ummm. Heaven." Buffy says as Riley kisses her. "See? A little sugar and I'm all yours. Dracula Shmakula."
That night Buffy's sleeping as a mist forms at the window, then seeps under the crack and slithers across the floor to Buffy's bed.
Buffy senses the intrusion. Sits up - and gasps when she sees Dracula at her bed, looking down at her. She's about to strike out when he holds a finger to his mouth. She quiets despite herself - can only submit to his lingering gaze… He looks at her for a long beat, then, finally-
"You're magnificent." Dracula says.
Buffy fights to speak, determined to hold onto her will. "Bet you say that before you bite all the girls."
"No. You're different. Kindred." Dracula says.
"Kindred? Hardly, I –" Buffy says.
"Pull your hair back." Dracula says, interrupting her.
To her consternation, Buffy obeys his command, bears her neck to him… Still, she protests weakly.
"Ha. You really think you can just waft in here with your hypno eyes and you music video wind and - and…" Buffy says as she falters as he moves to the bed and sits near her.
Dracula's desire for her is palpable, his tone unwavering… "I've searched the world over for you. Yearned for you…"
Buffy shudders as he runs his fingers along the curve of her throat. Then he stops, intrigued by the scar that the Master left when he bit her.
"He was-" Buffy says.
"Unworthy. He let you go." Dracula says as he moves closer still. Buffy struggles, but he's too strong for her. "But the embrace. His bite… you remember…"
"No…" Buffy says as she tries to bury the memories of the day the Master killed her.
Dracula soothes her, gently caressing her neck. "Don't fight. I can feel your hunger."
In this moment, Buffy is locked in his orbit. She can't deny it. And he bends to her, sinking his fangs deep into her neck. Buffy gives into it, gasping…
The next morning Buffy is sleeping in her bed. Everything appears quite normal, almost as if the night before never happened - as if it was a dream.
Buffy wakes, groggy. She gets out of bed and gets dressed. Buffy starts to brush her hair in the mirror and finds the fresh bite mark. She takes it in for a beat - disturbed and embarrassed. Then her expression hardens slightly and she covers the mark with a scarf.
Later downstairs in the living room, Riley reaches in to the donut box and grabs one. He offers it to Buffy. "It's jelly - want it?"
Buffy warily eyes the bit of red oozing from the pastry, shakes her head "no."
Xander sees this, eagerly takes it, "Got it. Mine, mine…" He licks the jelly off the side, starts enthusiastically sucking the rest out…
"Well, I think we got some Dracula factoids…" Willow says. "Thanks to Phoebe."
Xander snorts, "Like any of that's enough to fight the Dark Master - bator." Xander says.
"A lot of it we already knew… Turn offs: wood, fire, crosses, garlic. Turn ons: nice duds, minions and long slow bites that last for days…" Willow says.
"Riley nods, "Yeah, I did a little research, too. Dracula likes to live in style. Which means we can rule out the usual dumps vampires haunt."
Xander looks a little squirrelly, "Ah! But he's smart enough to figure we'd know that. I'm guessing he's laying low."
Paige leans over to Phoebe, "Does Xander seem like he's acting a little strange?"
Phoebe simply nods.
"Actually, my research backs Riley up. Drac isn't the lay low type." Willow says.
"So we'll check the nicer places first - don't you think, Buffy?" Giles asks. Buffy - distant, lost in thought - doesn't hear him. "Buffy?"
"Hmm?" Buffy says. "Right - sorry. Swanky places first. What else did you guys get?"
"Well, Willow and Phoebe found most of it, actually-" Giles says.
"Only because you gave me super pointers. I never would have-" Willow says.
"Just - go ahead, Willow." Giles says.
"Okay. Dracula's modus operandi is different from other vampires. He'll kill just to feed, but he'd rather have a connection with his victims. And he has all kinds of mental powers to draw them in. He can read and control minds, appear in dreams." Willow says.
"Huuuuh." Buffy says, growing uncomfortable listening to this. She touches the scarf around her neck… Still, she says nothing about her love bite.
Piper watches Buffy and notices how Buffy's hand moved to her neck.
"It makes sense. That stare… he kind of looked right through you… Didn't you feel it Buffy?" Willow asks.
Buffy hesitates… Of course she did. Then she sees Riley looking at her oddly. Shakes her head. "Nope. Uh uh."
"See? Buffy didn't feel it. I think you're drawing a lot of crazy conclusions about the Unholy Prince." Xander says. "- bator…"
"The point is - he goes through the motions of an intimate seduction, but it always ends the same. He turns the victim into a vampire." Giles says.
"Well, that is intimate. Dracula's gifting these ladies with his own blood. And blood - blood is life!" Xander says. "According to them."
Giles continues, a little puzzled by Xander's outburst. "Just be aware that he tends to develop a relationship with his prey. It's not enough for him to take her, she has to want to be taken. She has to burn for him –"
Agitated and uncomfortable, Buffy stands abruptly. "That's interesting. I'll go look for him." She starts to head out - but Riley and Piper stops her.
"You shouldn't go alone, Buffy. This guy is seriously dangerous." Riley says.
"It's cool. I'm on top of it." Buffy says.
"No, he's right Buffy. It's safer." Willow says.
"Thanks, but I've got it under control. Really." Buffy says.
"Buffy, take off the scarf." Piper says.
"What?" Buffy asks. "What? I will not."
Riley looks at Piper and nods in understanding before looking back at Buffy, "You're under the thrall of the Dark Prince!"
Buffy blusters, "Please. I am not under the thrall of the Dark Prince!"
"Then take that scarf off." Piper says.
"This is ridiculous-" Buffy says.
Riley tears the scarf off of her and everyone can now see that she's been bitten. "Buffy…"
Buffy takes in Riley's pained expression. And suddenly Dracula's spell over her is a little lessened. Freaked, she sinks into a chair. "Oh, God…"
"Why didn't you say anything?" Phoebe asks.
Xander tries to play it down, "'Cause she didn't want to worry us, right Buffster? It's nothing. Just a scratch –"
"Two deep, puncture-y scratches." Willow says.
"I'm not sure why I tried to hide it. I guess I was embarrassed that I let him do this to me… And, I don't know, I couldn't fight this voice telling me to cover it." Buffy says.
"What did I tell you? That's thrall." Riley says.
Xander scoffs, "You're saying Dracula has some sort of freaky mind control over her? You've been watching too many creature features man."
"It does seem like he's got some kind of control over me, even though a big part of me is resisting…" Buffy says.
"What do you mean, a part? Only part of you is resisting?" Riley says, worried. "Which part's not?"
Buffy realizes how that sounded. She goes to Riley, trying to comfort him. "Riley –"
"No, it's okay. I shouldn't take this personally. I mean, what with Angel, it's understandable that there would be transference. I mean, they're both broody immortals…" Riley says.
Buffy's hand goes to her stomach, she wonders for a moment if this is how he would react to finding out she is carrying Angel's child. "Listen to me. I'm not transfer-y I swear. I'm your girl, and I'm going to stay that way."
Riley takes this in, finally nods. "Okay. But you're not going anywhere near him again."
"Riley's right. You'd best keep out of sight while the rest of us look for Dracula." Giles says.
"I have to agree with Riley and Giles." Piper says. "I'll stay here research take another look through the Book of Shadows. Leo you might orb up there and see what you can find out about Dracula. A location would be nice."
"Ok Piper." Leo says and kisses her before orbing out.
"Phoebe I think you have a deadline so get that knocked out quick as you can so you can help Paige and the rest find Dracula's place."
Buffy nods, "I can't stay here. He already got inside once."
Piper nods, "Phoebe, Paige?"
Phoebe raises her hands, "I think he put his whammy on me. I invited him in when I didn't know who he was."
"You can come to my place. I'll make sure you stay put." Xander says.
Giles nods, "Good. Riley, Paige, Phoebe and I will search for Dracula. Willow, you and Tara do a protection spell on the Manor to prevent him from returning. Once done help Piper with further research."
"Got it." Willow says.
Later in Xander's basement Buffy's lost in thought, while Xander paces, restless.
Anya trails after Xander - petulant. "…and how come I have to be here slayer-sitting while the other guys get to look for Dracula? Just because –"
"What time is it?" Xander asks.
"Almost six," Anya says. "I mean - I'm the one who knows him. I'm the one who's had a really good look, right? So why does –"
Xander shoves Anya into the closet and locks it. Anya starts pounding, but Xander is unconcerned. "I'm supposed to deliver you To the Master now. There's this whole deal where I get to be immortal… Are you cool with that?"
"Hey! What are you doing? Xander! Xander, this isn't funny! Hey!" Anya says.
Buffy doesn't hesitate. She's cool indeed. "Take me to him."
Sometime later Xander leads Buffy into a long, large hallway with many doors inside Dracula's castle. They move into the dining hall.
Xander makes a big show of presenting Buffy. "Master - I deliver the Slayer. She who you most desire! Sorry, 'whom.'" Buffy, wide-eyed and quiet, steps forward. Dracula takes her in hungrily. "So now comes the immortality, right? You do the thing and –"
"Leave us. We must not be interrupted." Dracula says.
Xander obeys, although he's clearly bummed. "You bet. But I'll be outside, whenever. Any old time you feel like bestowing eternal life… or, you know, just a little nibble of something fleshy…"
Dracula shoots Xander a look. Xander ducks out. A beat. Then Dracula moves closer to Buffy, pleased. "I knew you'd come."
"Why? 'Cause I'm under your thrall?" Buffy asks as she powers up a fireball. "Well, guess again, pal."
"Extenguish the fireball." Dracula says.
"Okay." Buffy says as she instantly obeys, extinguishing the fireball. She then realizes what just happened. She blusters, freaked… "Right. That was - that was not you. I did that because I wanted to, and - and… Maybe I should rethink that thrall thing." She laughs nervously, looking around desperately for some kind of help…
Buffy backs up slowly as Dracula advances, equally slowly. "Stay away from me…"
Dracula smiles, "Are you afraid I'll bite you? Slayer, that's why you came."
"No… last night was… That's not gonna happen again." Buffy says.
"Stop me. Vanquish me." Dracula says.
"I'm… any minute now…" Buffy says.
"Do you know why you can't resist?" Dracula asks.
"'Cause you're famous?" Buffy asks.
"Because you do not want to." Dracula says.
Buffy tries to look away, tries to flame out – but nothing happens. "My friends are –"
"They're here. They will not find us. We are alone. Always… alone." Dracula says as he reaches her. He runs his hand along her neck under her hair. He is genuinely enraptured by her. "There is so much I have to teach you. About your history, your power… What your body is capable of…"
"I don't… need to know…" Buffy says, breathlessly.
Dracula leans in, "You long to. And you will have eternity to discover yourself. But first… a little taste."
"I won't… let you…" Buffy says.
Dracula pulls back, looks into Buffy's eyes, his own calm with mischief. "I didn't mean for me." He slices a fingernail across his wrist, drawing a thin trail of blood.
"What are you…" Buffy says.
"All these years, fighting us - your power so near to our own - and you've never once wanted to know what it is we fight for? Never even a taste?" Dracula says.
Buffy shakes her head, "No… if I taste that –"
"I have not drunk enough for you to change. You must be near death to become one of us and that will come only when you plead for it." Dracula says.
"I'm not hungry." Buffy says, but she cannot take her eyes off the trail of blood…
"No. Your craving goes deeper than that." Dracula says as Buffy looks into his eyes. "You think you know. What you are, what's to come… you haven't even begun."
Buffy takes his wrist in her hands. Slowly puts her lips to it. And drinks.
Dracula's lids half-closed in ecstasy. Buffy drinks slowly as her eyes shut. "Find it… the darkness…. Find your true nature."
Buffy's eyes fly open as suddenly Dracula is sent flying back. Buffy looks around and then notices a flame shield in between them. "Wow. That was really gross."
Dracula comes off the table in pain and controlled fury. "You are resisting…"
Buffy nods, "Looks like… And I think so is my baby."
Dracula frowns, "Baby?"
Buffy smiles, "You didn't know? According to Angel, she is Dhampir."
Dracula's eyes go wide. "Dhampir? The prophesy."
"Come on Drac. We did your little dance. Let's see if you're any good at mine." Buffy says.
Dracula charges, roaring, as Buffy flames out and back in behind him as he smashes into the wall.
Dracula flies at her again, this time taking her down. Buffy's fighting style is rough but ferocious - she doesn't give an inch as they slam each other into the floor again and again.
Dracula gets the upper hand and throws Buffy off him. She flies hard into the opposite wall. Recovering quickly, she grabs a lit torch off the wall - thrusts it toward Dracula.
"A guy like you should think about going electric. Seriously." Buffy says as she swings it at him and he MISTS - she follows the curl of mist up with her eyes, "No you don't –" She throws the torch down and runs, powering up a fireball, leaps on the tables and thence to the landing, throwing the fireball as Dracula reforms. "How do you like my darkness now?"
Dracula stumbles, falls - disintegrating as he hits the steps below.
Buffy walks down as Riley and Giles enter.
"Buffy? Are you okay?" Riley asks.
"I'm good. Chock full of free will." Buffy says.
"And Dracula?" Giles asks.
"Eurotrashed." Buffy says.
"Oh. Had hopes to meet him… well, to fight him…" Giles says.
Xander enters, also with fiery torch in hand. He's furious. "Where is he? Where's the creep who turned me into his spider-eating man bitch!? I've got a flaming enema with his name on it-"
"He's gone." Buffy says.
"Damn it! You know what? I'm sick of this crap. I'm sick of being the guy who eats the insects and gets the funny syphilis! As of this moment, it's over. I'm finished being everybody's butt monkey!" Xander says.
Buffy smiles, "Check. No more butt monkey."
"It could have been worse. At least you weren't making time with the Dracubabes like Giles here." Riley says.
"No kidding? You got tranced?" Xander asks.
"I did not. And I was not making time! I - I was just about to kill those loathsome creatures when Riley interrupted me-" Giles says appalled.
Riley and Buffy move past Giles, heading out. Xander follows them.
Riley grins good-naturedly. "Really? You were gonna nuzzle 'em to death?"
"Of course not. I was in complete…" Giles says as Buffy and the others exiting. Giles hangs back only slightly. "…control."
The room is silent for a moment
As a mist forms, coalesces, becomes Dracula, hunched over, he rises painfully reborn.
Buffy throws another fireball from the doorway. "You think I don't watch your movies? You always come back."
Dracula disintegrates painfully. Buffy turns to go.
The mist begins to form -
"I'm standing right here." Buffy says. "Oh by the way I want the deed to your castle here."
The mist dissipates, with a sort of sigh.
The next day at Giles apartment he examines an airline ticket to London… A knock on the door interrupts him and he returns it to a drawer in his desk. Then he moves to the door and opens it to find Buffy standing there. Giles steps aside to let her enter.
"You rang?" Buffy asks.
Giles nods, "Yes. Thanks for coming. Can I offer you some tea?"
Buffy glances at the coffee table, where Giles has already laid out tea. She looks a little perplexed. "You put out cookies. How come I rate little cookie treatment?"
"Well, actually, there's something I have to tell you." Giles says.
"Cookie important? Yeah, I guess I have something too." Buffy says.
"Well - you first, by all means." Giles says.
"That's okay –" Buffy says.
"I insist." Giles says.
Buffy takes this in. Nods. "You know, you haven't been my watcher for a while. I haven't been training; I haven't needed to come to you for help –"
Giles nods gravely. "I agree."
"And then this whole thing with Dracula, it's made me face up to some stuff... I've changed so much since I first became the Slayer. I'm still changing. Ever since we did that spell that called on the first slayer… I've been going out a lot. Every night…" Buffy says.
"Patrolling." Giles says.
"Hunting. That's what Dracula called it, and he was right. He understood my power, better than I do. He saw darkness in it." Buffy says. "I need to know more. About where I come from. About the other slayers. Maybe if I learn to control this thing - maybe I could even be better, stronger… Maybe even live longer for my daughter. But I'm scared. It's gonna be hard, and I can't do it… without you. I need your help. I need you to be my watcher again." Giles is moved, but fights to control his emotions. "So - I just talked all over you. You had something to say too."
"No. it was - it was nothing." Giles says.
Buffy takes this in, a little confused. Giles, overwhelmed, smiles.
"Though if I may ask. How long are you going to go without telling Riley that you're pregnant? He will see it eventually." Giles says.
"I know." Buffy says. "I just don't know how to tell him that I more or less cheated on him with Angel."
Later back at the Manor Buffy walks upstairs into the attic intending to add a new page in hers and the Charmed Books about Dracula. There she sees a 14 year old girl flipping through her Book.
"What are you doing up here?" Buffy asks.
Dawn's about to reply when Piper's voice calls up from the downstairs. "Buffy? Once you're done with the Books. Since you're going out – why don't you take your sister with you?"
"PIPER!" Buffy and Dawn says.