"Disharmony"
Based on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Episode "Forever" Written by Marti Noxon and the Angel Episode "Disharmony" Written by David Fury
The following story is copyright © 2024 by Mark Moore.
Buffy walked into a darkened room in the Sunnydale Funeral Home. She was surrounded by shiny coffins. She walked between them, looking at each, and stopped next to one. There was a display of urns behind her. Buffy lifted the lid of the coffin.
The lights came on. Buffy looked up, startled. Tara was standing there.
"Buffy, you're here."
Tara, Dawn, and the funeral home director entered. Buffy dropped the lid of the coffin and folded her arms.
"You all right?" Tara asked.
"Yeah."
"Did you find something?" the director asked.
Buffy nodded. "This one."
Dawn walked over and stared at the coffin.
"It's a fine choice. It speaks of your deep feeling for the deceased."
Buffy resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Tara and the director turned to leave. Buffy followed, but Dawn remained. The others stopped and looked back at Dawn.
"You don't like it?" Buffy asked her.
Dawn was still looking at the coffin. "No, it's not that. It's just...what if Mom...what if she'd like something else better?"
"Dawn..."
"I mean...how do we know for sure? She's the one who has to be in it forever."
"Dawn, maybe it wasn't such a good idea: you coming along."
Dawn turned to look at her. "It's fine. It's just-"
"I'm serious. Y-You shouldn't have to deal with this stuff."
"If you'd like a few more minutes to decide-"
"No. I-It's done; it's fine." Buffy looked at Dawn. "Okay?"
Dawn nodded.
"Okay."
Buffy turned and walked out with the others following. Dawn remained staring at the coffin.
That evening, in the Summers' dining room, the table was laid out with food. Buffy sat at the head. Tara sat at Buffy's right, eating. Amy sat to Tara's right, Katrina sat to Amy's right, and Harmony sat at the foot; all three of them were eating as well. Jenny sat at Buffy's left, and Giles sat to Jenny's left. Buffy, Jenny, and Giles were looking at paperwork. Dawn was standing by a side table, looking at the card in a flower arrangement.
Giles looked at Buffy. "I checked prices at different florists, and the funeral home seems to be fairly competitive."
Buffy shrugged. "Let's just go with that; it's easier."
Dawn looked at her. "What color flowers?"
"Uh, white." Buffy looked at Dawn. "They're nice."
Jenny smiled. "Yeah."
"Uh, what about an announcement?" Buffy asked. "People are gonna be expecting a wake after the burial unless we say something."
Giles thought for a moment. "Um, well, we could put a-a line in the program expressing your mother's preference not to have one."
"There's no wake?" Dawn asked.
Buffy shook her head. "Mom didn't like them. She said potlucks are depressing enough as it is."
"She said that? When?"
"Uh, right before she went in for the operation. We had a talk about what she wanted...in case." Buffy looked down.
"She never said anything to me."
Tara looked at her. "I'm sure she just didn't wanna upset you, Dawn. Now, you better get to work on that dinner. You barely touched it."
Buffy nodded. "You really should eat something."
"Why should I? You're not."
"This isn't about-"
The cordless phone on the table rang.
Buffy sighed and looked at Giles. "I'm all phoned out. Will you? Unless it's my dad."
"Of course." Giles answered the phone.
Buffy returned to the papers.
"Hello?" Giles got up and walked out of the room.
Buffy and Dawn were disappointed.
Buffy sighed. "Can't believe he still hasn't called."
"Your dad's still AWOL, huh?" Amy asked.
"The number he left for us in Spain is no good, and I've left messages everywhere." Buffy paused. "Um, how about a line that just says 'Following the burial, there will be no wake'? Or 'gathering'? 'At the request of Joyce, there will be no gathering'? Ugh, that sounds lame."
Buffy put a hand to her forehead. Tara gave her a concerned look, looked at Dawn, got up, and began clearing the table.
"What are we gonna do? After, I mean. Are we just gonna...come back here?" Dawn asked.
"Uh...I-I don't know. I guess so. Unless you wanna go out somewhere for a while." Buffy paused. "Um, how about 'At the request of the family, there will be no wake'?"
Katrina nodded. "Good, yeah."
"Should I put it at the top or just a small line at the bottom?" Buffy asked.
Jenny looked at her. "Bottom, I think."
"Hymns? Readings?" Katrina asked.
Buffy looked at her. "Dawn and I already picked those out."
Jenny thought for a moment. "You, Dawn, Tara, and Rupert are pallbearers. Do you wanna pick two more?"
"No, four's fine." Buffy thought for a moment. "I guess that's everything for tomorrow." She looked at Jenny. "What about our finances?"
Jenny sighed. "Your mother prepared everything really well. She had insurance..." She paused awkwardly. "Life insurance. Which should have left you covered, but...hospital bills...pretty much sucked up all of the money. Which you're still hemorrhaging, by the way."
Buffy was confused. "How am I doing that?"
"No, not you, the house. Uh, see, this house, just sitting here, doing nothing, um, by itself costs money. Selling the gallery helped a little, but you're gonna run out eventually."
Dawn was worried. "So...what do we do?"
Tara returned from the kitchen.
Buffy thought for a moment. "Maybe we can downsize? Move into an apartment or something?"
Tara looked at her. "I wouldn't."
Buffy looked at her. "Why not?"
"I don't know. I just...have this feeling." Tara paused and considered, sitting down. "Like we're gonna need this house someday."
"Can you be more specific?" Buffy asked.
Tara shook her head. "No, sorry."
Buffy sighed and looked at everyone. "Okay, it's - it's bills; it's money. It's pieces of paper sent by bureaucrats that we've never even met and don't know a fucking thing about us. It's not like it's the end of the world." She thought about that for a moment. "Which is too bad, you know, 'cause I'm really good at that."
Dawn was still worried.
Buffy looked at Dawn. "I'll take care of this. I promise. I...just don't know how yet."
The doorbell rang.
Harmony stood up. "I'll get it." She walked into the foyer and unlocked and opened the front door.
Cordelia and Faith were standing there.
"Hey." Harmony stepped aside. "Come in."
Cordelia and Faith walked into the house. Harmony was about to close the door, but Sunday arrived, holding a bouquet of flowers. Buffy, Tara, Dawn, Jenny, Amy, and Katrina walked into the foyer.
Buffy looked at Cordelia and Faith. "Hi."
"Hi." Cordelia hugged Buffy.
Buffy hugged Cordelia.
"How are you holding up?" Cordelia asked.
"Barely. Thanks for coming."
"Of course."
They released each other. Then Buffy and Faith hugged each other.
Buffy noticed Sunday standing outside. Buffy and Faith released each other.
Buffy walked over to Sunday. "Hi, Sunday. I...didn't expect to see you."
Sunday looked at her awkwardly and offered her the bouquet. "They're for Joyce. I liked her."
Buffy smiled. "Thank you." She took the bouquet.
Tara reached for them. "I'll put them in a vase."
Buffy handed the bouquet to Tara.
Jenny and Giles soon went home. Buffy, Tara, and Dawn sat on the couch. Cordelia sat in the chair. Amy, Katrina, Harmony, and Faith sat on the floor. Buffy had found her mother's leftover beer in the refrigerator, and everyone except Dawn drank a bottle as they spent some time getting caught up.
"Sorry to hear about your money troubles." Cordelia paused in thought. "I know what you can do."
Everyone looked at her.
"Um...i-i-if you wanna pay every bill and...have enough to start a nice college fund for Dawn?" Cordelia gave the sisters a big smile. "Start charging."
Buffy was irritated. "For what?"
"Slaying vampires!"
Faith was embarrassed.
"Well, you're providing a valuable service to the whole community. I say cash in."
There was awkward silence for a while.
"Well, that's an idea...you would have. Any other suggestions?" Buffy asked.
"Well, I mean...it's - it's not so crazy."
Dawn stared at Cordelia. "Yes, it is! You can't charge innocent people for saving their lives."
Cordelia felt awkward and embarrassed and didn't know what to say.
Buffy thought for a moment. "Since we're keeping the house...Amy, Trina, would you like to live here?"
Amy and Katrina looked at her in surprise. Dawn and Tara were also surprised.
Buffy looked at Dawn and Tara. "I mean...if it's cool with you guys."
Dawn and Tara shrugged.
Amy was confused. "I don't understand."
Buffy looked at her. "I earn a rookie cop's salary, and Tara works at the Magic Box. You work at the video store. If you're willing to cover your fair share of the bills, you and Trina are welcome to live here with us. Our home can be your home."
"Oh, wow." Amy looked at Katrina. "What do you think?"
"I don't have a job." Katrina paused. "But I can probably get a decent one once I get my associate's degree." She paused again. "I think we accept. Thank you, Buffy."
Amy smiled. "Yeah, thanks, Buffy."
"So are you gonna be moving your stuff into the master bedroom?" Katrina asked.
Buffy was surprised and looked at Tara. "Uh...I think that might be a bit too weird for me. I'd rather stay where we are."
Tara nodded. "Yeah, that's fine."
Buffy looked at Amy and Katrina. "You two can have the master bedroom."
Harmony looked at Amy sadly. "I'm gonna miss you, roomie."
Cordelia thought for a moment. "Harmony...you're a film student, right?"
"Uh-huh."
"So...you're probably planning on moving to L.A. eventually, huh?" Cordelia guessed.
"I guess, yeah."
"Would you like to go there now?" Cordelia asked her.
Harmony was surprised. "Live in L.A. without a job?"
"I can give you a job. I could use help running the club."
"Interesting offer. I'll need to find a place to stay, though."
Cordelia smiled. "Bullshit. You're coming home with me."
Harmony smiled. "Awww, thanks."
"I hope you don't mind the couch."
Harmony's smile wavered. "Greeeaaat."
"It's just temporary. I'll set a room in the Hyperion aside for you." Cordelia looked at Faith. "Faith, that goes for you, too."
Faith was surprised. "I'm...good, thanks."
Cordelia gave her a skeptical look. "Really? In Buffy's old, shitty-ass apartment?"
"Hey!" Buffy exclaimed.
Cordelia looked pointedly at her.
Buffy reconsidered. "Actually, that's fair."
Cordelia looked at Faith. "C'mon, I'll charge you half of whatever rent that you're currently paying. Bring Anne in as well, and that's a three-way split of the room rate."
Faith's mind was a bit foggy. "Okay, the only part of that that I understood was 'three-way'."
Cordelia smiled. "And think how much more enjoyable that it'll be on a comfortable bed with fresh linens."
"You tryin' to bring me into the fold?" Faith asked. "'Cause, while you're making money off saving people, I'm busting my ass at the diner and staking vamps around that neighborhood. I can't abandon it."
"I'm not asking you to." Cordelia paused. "Well, actually, ditch the diner. You two can work in my club. I'll pay you better than what you're getting at that dive."
Faith considered. "Okay, I'm game, but Anne will never go for it. That teen shelter is her baby. She spends all of her time there."
"So no need for that apartment."
Faith shrugged. "I'll have a talk with her."
"Oh, where's everyone gonna sleep tonight?" Tara asked.
Faith shrugged. "I'm gonna patrol. Crash on the couch when I get back."
Harmony smiled. "Cordy, you're coming home with me. We can watch the servants pack my stuff."
Katrina looked at Amy. "Oh, yeah, packing. We should do that tonight. We can move in here tomorrow after...uh...you know."
Buffy looked at Katrina. "It's okay, Trina, you can say it. The funeral."
Amy looked at Harmony. "Oh, Harm, don't forget: you've got stuff in our dorm room, too."
Harmony nodded. "Thanks, Amy."
"What about the vehicles?" Tara asked. "There's my scooter, your van, your mom's Jeep, and Trina's car."
Buffy thought about it. "We gotta keep the van. It's the only thing big enough to transport all of our gear. My mom's Jeep...is more compact. Good for most trips. Trina, what kind of car you got?"
"A '93 Ford Escort LX wagon."
"Four adults, four vehicles." Buffy thought for a moment. "Cordy, how did you and Faith get here?"
Faith looked at Buffy. "Anne let us borrow her Sentra."
"One car work for three people?" Buffy asked.
Cordelia frowned. "I wouldn't recommend it. But four vehicles for four adults living in the same house seems excessive."
Katrina thought for a moment, then she looked at Cordelia. "You want my car?"
Cordelia thought for a moment. She looked at Harmony. "You're bringing the Miata?"
Harmony smiled. "Uh-huh. It's cute."
Cordelia looked at Katrina. "Then no. Thanks. Harmony and I will probably mostly be carpooling."
Katrina looked at Faith. "Faith?"
Faith thought about it. "Anne and I currently carpool, but, if she doesn't wanna leave her neighborhood, I might need to buy your ride."
Katrina shrugged. "Let me know."
Buffy woke up in the middle of the night and lay in bed for a while, unable to sleep. She looked to her right and saw Tara sleeping. She got out of bed, walked over to the door, opened it, and walked into the hallway, closing the door behind her.
Buffy walked downstairs and into the kitchen. She turned on the light.
Buffy opened the refrigerator and took out a bottle of beer. She closed the refrigerator, opened a drawer, took out the bottle opener, and opened her bottle.
The back door unlocked and opened, and Faith walked into the kitchen. She stopped short when she came face-to-face with a naked Buffy.
Faith smiled. "Well, well."
"Find anything?" Buffy asked.
"Nah. Slow night. Can't sleep?"
"Just woke up. Was gonna head out back to drink this and...I dunno...get drunk. Care to join me?"
"Sure."
After Faith had taken off all of her clothes, she and Buffy went out back and sat side-by-side at the table.
Buffy took a gulp of beer. "Faith?"
"Yeah?"
"What do you think happens when we die?"
"You'd know better than me."
Buffy was confused, but then she realized what Faith meant. "You know what I experienced? Not a fucking thing. I fell face-down in water, and then Katrina was breathing life back into me. It was a few minutes, and I wasn't even aware of it. Didn't even have a dream."
Faith took a few gulps of her beer as she thought about that. "Maybe because they knew you'd be revived, so your soul never left your body."
"They?" Buffy asked.
"The Powers That Be. Whoever sends Cordy her visions. Hey, maybe ask her."
"I will. Still, I've heard stories of people having near-death experiences."
"Key phrase: near-death. As long as the brain isn't decayed, the person isn't dead."
Buffy took another gulp of beer as she thought about that.
After breakfast, Buffy and Tara returned to their bedroom and changed for church. Buffy put on black pants, black shoes, and a black polo shirt.
Tara looked at her. "I don't think I ever saw you wear that shirt before."
Buffy looked at herself in the mirror. "Mom liked how it looked on me." She started to cry.
Tara walked over to her. Buffy turned and hugged her. Tara hugged Buffy.
Buffy eventually looked into Tara's eyes.
"We'll get through this." Tara kissed Buffy on the lips. "Come on. It's time."
Buffy grabbed a long beige coat from the closet. The two of them walked into the hallway. There, they met Dawn, who was just leaving her bedroom. Dawn wore a black dress; she barely looked at them.
Buffy, Dawn, Tara, and Giles walked into St. Anne Catholic Church, carrying Joyce's coffin. Buffy and Dawn were in front, and Tara and Giles were in back. Amy, Katrina, Cordelia, Harmony, Faith, Sandy, Julie, and Jenny followed behind them. Buffy, Dawn, Tara, and Giles turned left at the altar and carefully set the coffin down on the catafalque. The four of them then went to their seats. They all sat in the front row, to the left of the aisle. They waited for the Mass to start.
Buffy looked to her left at Cordelia. "Cordy?"
"Yeah?"
"These...Powers That Be. How would you describe them?" Buffy asked.
Cordelia frowned. "Assholes."
The priest and several parishioners looked at her.
"Do you think they're proof that an afterlife exists?"
"No. Angel doesn't remember anything. Neither did Darla."
"Maybe they weren't allowed to remember?" Buffy suggested.
Cordelia shrugged. "Only God knows."
Buffy thought that was an interesting choice of words. "If God exists. Do you think so?"
Cordelia was silent for a moment. "Only God knows."
After Mass, they drove to the graveyard for the burial. The entire group of people stood around the coffin. Tara, Buffy, and Dawn stood together, holding hands, closest to the coffin. Tara leaned her head on Buffy's shoulder. Amy, Katrina, Cordelia, Faith, Harmony, Sandy, Julie, Jenny, and Giles stood behind them.
After the coffin was lowered into the ground, Buffy stepped forward, crouched down, grabbed a handful of dirt, and dropped it on top of her mother's coffin. Dawn winced, then crouched down, grabbed a handful of dirt, and dropped it on top of her mother's coffin, upset. Then it was Tara's turn. After her, the others walked forward and did the same. Then the gravedigger came with his shovel and started digging into earth. Dawn suddenly turned and buried her face in Buffy's shoulder. Buffy put her arms around Dawn, still staring at the coffin. She watched the shovel put the first dirt on the coffin.
Tara took out a sheet of paper. "'Do not stand by my grave and weep. I am not there; I do not sleep. I am the thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints in snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. As you awake with morning's hush, I am the swift, up-flinging rush of quiet birds in circling flight. I am the day transcending night. Do not stand by my grave and cry. I am not there; I did not die.'"
The group broke up. One by one, the others hugged Buffy, Tara, and Dawn.
Buffy then turned and stared down at the grave. Most of the others walked away to give her some privacy, but Cordelia stood to her right.
"How are you holding up?" Cordelia asked.
"Barely. The funeral was..." Buffy sighed. "It was brutal, but it's tomorrow that I'm worried about."
"What's tomorrow?"
"That's exactly what I don't know. Up until now, I...I've had a road map. Things to do every minute, having to do with Mom."
Cordelia nodded. "Tomorrow, the stuff of everyday living resumes."
"And everybody expects me to know how to do it, because...I'm so strong."
"You just need some time. I'm sure everybody understands that."
"Time's not the issue. I can stick wood in vampires...but Mom was the strong one in real life. She always knew how to make things better...just what to say."
"Yeah...you'll find your way. I mean...not all at once, but-"
Buffy shook her head. "I don't know. I keep thinking about it...when I found her. If I had just gotten there ten minutes earlier-"
"You said they told you it wouldn't have made a difference."
"But still-"
"Doesn't make it your fault. You couldn't have done anything different."
Buffy let out an annoyed sigh. "I didn't even start CPR until they told me. I fell apart. That's how good I am at being a grownup."
"Buffy-"
"And it'd be okay if it was just me I had to worry about. But Dawn-"
"Look, it's okay. I know you don't feel like it now, but you are strong, Buffy. You're gonna figure this out. And you have people to help you. You don't have to do this alone."
Buffy paused, then nodded. Cordelia hugged Buffy again. Buffy hugged Cordelia.
Cordelia kissed Buffy on the cheek. "Take care, okay?"
"Okay."
"I love you." Cordelia released Buffy.
"I love you, too." Buffy released Cordelia.
Cordelia looked at all of them. "We're gonna head out."
Buffy nodded. "Have a safe trip."
"Thanks."
Harmony was crying. "I'm gonna miss you guys. I feel kinda...bad...leaving you like this."
Buffy managed a small smile. "Follow your dream, Harmony. Kick Hollywood's ass."
Harmony smiled. "I will."
Faith looked at Buffy. "Hey, B, if you ever need any help here, call me."
"I will."
Cordelia, Harmony, and Faith turned and walked away. Jenny and Giles followed.
Amy looked at Buffy. "We're all packed up. We're just gonna go and start moving our stuff in."
"Okay." Buffy paused. "Um, we're probably gonna go out to eat or something. Dawn's not ready to go home yet, and, honestly, neither am I."
"Would you like to come over to my place?" Sandy offered. "I can order some takeout, and Dawn can hang out with Kendra."
Buffy looked at Dawn. "Would you like that, Dawn?"
Dawn shrugged. "Whatever."
Buffy smiled. "Thank you, Sandy."
Katrina looked at Buffy. "Oh, if you're not gonna be home, can I borrow your house key?"
Buffy took her keys out of her pants pocket. She took the house key off the ring. "It's my mom's, actually, from the Jeep. I guess I'll have to make copies for you two."
Katrina smiled and took the key. "Don't worry about it for now."
Buffy and Sandy were hanging out in Sandy's living room. Empty wrappers and sauce packets from Taco Bell littered the coffee table. Kendra, Tara, and Dawn reentered the living room from the kitchen, where they had washed themselves. Kendra reached down to pick up the trash.
Sandy looked at her. "Don't worry, I'll get that."
Kendra straightened up.
"Why don't you show Dawn your room?" Sandy suggested.
Kendra looked at Dawn. "C'mon, Dawn."
They headed for the stairs.
Tara looked at Buffy. "Having fresh Mexican food was great, but I'm stuffed. I'm gonna go out and get some air."
"Okay."
Tara walked over to the front door, opened it, and walked outside, closing the door behind her.
Buffy looked at Sandy. "Thank you for lunch."
"No problem."
Buffy stood up and started walking to stretch her legs. Sandy did the same. Buffy looked at Sandy and opened her mouth, then closed it.
"What?" Sandy asked.
Buffy looked at a portrait of Sandy on the wall. "Is this you?"
"Considering that's my graduation photo that was done at Sears, yeah, that is me."
"Okay." Buffy looked at an earlier portrait of Sandy. "Is this you?"
"I believe so." Sandy paused. "Or, at least, I like to think so."
Buffy looked at her. Sandy grinned, baring her fangs, and laughed.
"Sandy, do you ever think about where your soul is?" Buffy asked.
"Of course. I even wrote a paper about vampirism and soul politics for one of my classes."
Buffy was interested. "I'd like to read it."
"I'll find it for you."
"Did you reach any conclusions?"
"Only that I really don't like that those with a vested interest in exterminating my kind dehumanize us by promulgating as fact an ultimately unprovable claim."
"And that is?"
Sandy stared at Buffy. "That the soul is all that matters, and, without one, I don't matter."
Buffy felt sad and put a hand on Sandy's shoulder. "You matter."
Sandy gave Buffy a small smile.
"Anyway, how are things going with you?"
Sandy shrugged. "Okay."
"And with Julie?"
"Okay."
"So nothing crazy going on in your life?"
"No." Sandy paused, then smiled. "Well, we met a nice couple at the Bronze a while back. Took 'em back to our dorm and had a foursome."
Buffy was surprised. "How was it?"
Sandy grinned. "Great. Fucked and sucked the guy. Ate the girl."
Buffy felt uneasy. "By that, you mean...?"
"Chillax, they're fine. I'm speaking orally." Sandy laughed at her phrasing. "But they did let me bite them."
Buffy shot Sandy a worried look.
"Chillax. It's common in vampire-human relationships."
"Are you being careful?"
"Of course. I don't drink enough to harm them, and Julie doesn't drink at all. The only blood that she tastes is her own and a bit of mine."
Buffy nodded. "So you say this is...common?"
"Uh-huh. There are even vampire prostitutes."
Buffy was surprised. "Who would pay to get bitten?"
"Oh, that's been going on for centuries. Humans hire vampires to feed off them; they, well, you know, they - they get off on the rush." Sandy paused. "And the...hazards of the underworld can become addictive to...some people."
"Why don't the vampires just kill 'em?" Buffy asked.
"Because they get cash, hot and cold running blood, and...they don't leave any corpses behind, so they don't get hunted. Self-preservation."
Buffy frowned. "But still, i-it can be terribly dangerous for humans. I mean people can end up dying accidentally or - or meeting a-a vampire that only pretends to play by the house rules."
Sandy shrugged. "I haven't heard of any incidents around here, but, then again, I'm not into that scene. If you want more info, ask Sunday."
"Sunday?" Buffy asked, surprised. "She's a professional slacker."
"Exactly. You think that ginormous mansion pays for itself? You never wonder where she gets the money?"
Buffy was astounded. "Holy shit, I thought she was just squatting."
"And the power company keeps the power on for the hell of it?" Sandy asked.
Buffy paused for a moment. "I'm such a dumbass."
That night, Amy, Tara, and Dawn sat on the couch in the living room, Amy and Tara on either side of Dawn.
Amy was sad. "Oh, Dawn. I wish I could...help more."
Dawn didn't look at her.
"The only thing is...it'll get better. I promise."
Dawn looked at her. "You don't know that."
Tara smiled. "Sure, she does. We're witches. We know stuff."
"What?" Dawn looked from one to the other. "Life goes on, and I forget Mom?" she asked, angry. "Is that what you're saying?"
"Not forget, no! I - You..." Amy looked to Tara for help.
"You make a place for her in your heart. It's sort of like she becomes a part of you. Does that make sense?" Tara asked.
Amy nodded hopefully. "Dawn...hey, we don't have to talk about this now; uh, you could just go to sleep."
"No." Dawn got up. "I don't wanna sleep."
Tara felt sorry for her. "Okay, we can just...sit or - or whatever you want."
"Good. 'Cause I know...what I wanna do now."
"Great. What are you up for?" Amy asked.
"You guys are witches...and you do...magic and...stuff."
"You want us to teach you something?" Amy asked. "Uh, like a-a glamour, or - or I could...make a stuffed animal dance."
"I wanna do a spell. I wanna bring Mom back."
Amy and Tara were concerned. Dawn was determined.
Tara hesitated. "Of course, you wanna bring your mother back, and...I wish we could, but it's not possible."
"Why? You guys do magic for all kinds of things."
Amy took a breath. "We do, but-"
"This is different. Magic can't be used to alter the natural order of things."
"But all you do is mess with the natural order of things. You - You make things float a-and disappear and-"
"But we don't mess with life and death." Tara paused and considered her next words. "Dawn, I know how bad you hurt."
Dawn was upset. "You don't. She wasn't your mother. They put her in the ground."
Tara was hurt. "They did, and it's awful and unfair, but this isn't the way."
"I'm not even sure it's possible, Dawn. I mean...I've...seen things on resurrection, but...there's books and stuff...but I guess...the spells...backfire?" Amy guessed.
Tara looked at her. "That's not the point."
Amy nodded. "That's not the point. The - The point is it's bad...because-"
"Because witches can't be allowed to alter the fabric of life for selfish reasons. Wiccans took an oath a long time ago to honor that."
"So it's possible...to bring someone back?" Dawn asked. "They wouldn't have taken an oath, if they didn't know they could do it."
Tara shrugged. "Maybe they could, but we can't."
Amy nodded. "She's right, Dawn. It's too dangerous. They must have had a damn good reason to collectively agree to not mess with that shit."
"You said you wanted to help me." Dawn made an annoyed sound and walked away.
Amy got up and followed her. "Dawn..." She touched Dawn's shoulder.
Dawn jerked away and stomped up the stairs. Amy looked over at Tara. Tara was concerned.
Cordelia and Harmony walked into the lobby of the Hyperion.
Gunn slapped a mace into the palm of his hand, then dropped it into a box full of weapons. He picked the box up and walked away as Kate came up from behind the counter and dropped some three-ring binders on it.
"I'm back!" Cordelia announced.
Gunn smiled. "Hey, welcome back! Things have been chaotic here without you."
"I express zero surprise."
Angel came down the stairs. Kate looked at him, and Angel slowed, looking around. Kate cocked her head towards Cordelia. Angel shifted his feet, then moved towards Cordelia while Kate looked back down with a slight smile.
Angel walked over towards Cordelia. "Uh..."
"Don't."
"Don't?"
"You're gonna start trying to make small talk, get all stammery. Don't. You might strain yourself."
Angel looked over towards Kate, who looked back at him over her shoulder.
Angel turned back towards Cordelia. "I just wanted to know how you were. Are. How was your trip? I mean we really haven't had a chance-"
"Fine."
"Great. How was the funeral?"
Cordelia glared at him. "I brought Harmony back with me. She's gonna be working in the club and possibly working the front desk and other odd jobs as needed. Faith's moving into the hotel and will be helping out as well, and Anne might be moving in as well."
"Oh." Angel looked. "Hi, Harmony."
Harmony smiled and waved. Angel smiled and waved back. Cordelia frowned at him. Angel stepped back, shifting from foot to foot, and looked around.
"You wanna know how I am?" Cordelia asked. "Tired, mostly - with sweaty running a close second. I'm also jazzed. Ready to help those helpless."
Kate threw a glance over her shoulder in their direction. Angel looked down, then tried to meet Cordelia's eyes as she was about to walk past him. Suddenly, her face scrunched up as she was hit by a vision.
Angel grabbed a hold of her arms and eased her down onto a chair. "Kate."
Cordelia had a blurry vision of two kids being dragged out through shattered car windows. Kate leaned over Cordelia, Angel stood just behind Kate, and Gunn leaned on the other side of Cordelia's desk. Harmony stood and watched her friend in concern.
"Okay, she's screaming. They're pulling her from a car. Guys in robes. Blue robes. They're taking...people and - and - whoa, big bird."
"Big Bird?" Gunn asked.
Cordelia looked at him. "Not the Muppet, you dumbass."
"Where's the car, Cordelia?" Kate asked.
"Uh...Lafayette Park, near the fountain."
Kate nodded. "Right. Let's move."
Kate and Gunn headed out.
Angel leaned in closer to Cordelia. "Are you, uh-"
Cordelia leaned away, holding up a hand. "Fine."
"You should, uh, take off." Angel reached for his jacket. "I mean, uh, for the rest of the night." He backed away from her to follow Kate and Gunn. "Go home." He backed into one of the pillars, stumbled, then hurried towards the door. "Order - Order Chinese."
Cordelia watched Angel run out.
"Are you okay?" Harmony asked her.
Cordelia looked at her, sighing. "Yeah."
"I've never seen you have one of those before. Do they hurt?"
Cordelia nodded. "Like a motherfucker." She paused. "C'mon, let's go home."
They started heading toward the door.
Harmony tried to think of something to say to lighten the mood. "You - You - You cut your hair!"
Cordelia touched her hair. "Yeah."
"Well, I think it looks adorable off your neck."
"Thanks. I...was just, you know, looking for a change."
"Sure. Change." Harmony laughed. "Change is good...sometimes."
"You having second thoughts about moving here?"
Harmony shook her head. "No. I'm just...scared."
"I know the feeling."
Gunn, Angel, and Kate ran up to the teenagers' car and saw the doors hanging open and the blood on the broken windows, but otherwise there was no one in sight. They stopped.
Gunn looked around. "Now what?"
"We fan out. Gunn, search the area near the fountain. I'll take this path towards the picnic area. Kate, you-"
They could hear some faint screaming.
"Follow the screaming woman?" Kate guessed.
They took off in the direction of the screams. A woman was struggling against a figure wearing a hooded green robe. Green Robe saw Gunn, Angel, and Kate running towards them, picked up the woman, and tossed her towards them. Angel caught the woman while Gunn tackled Green Robe. Gunn pulled the hood back to reveal a vampire.
"Now, see? What you want to go hiding such pretty teeth for?" Gunn asked.
Gunn ducked under the vampire's swing, then, holding on to the robe, hit the vampire with a hard right punch. The vampire struggled out of his robe and turned to run - only to find himself face to face with Angel, stake at the ready. Angel staked him and looked at Gunn, but Gunn only frowned and walked over to Kate.
Kate was trying to calm down the woman. "It's all right. It's over now. You'll be safe here."
"Cordelia said 'blue robes', didn't she?" Gunn asked Kate.
"It was dark. Maybe she was mistaken."
"I'll do another quick sweep. See if those blue boys are still around."
Kate noticed a symbol sown onto the robe: a triangle with a snake forming the number two inside of it. She showed it to Angel. "Religious sect?"
"I don't know."
Kate pulled out her cell phone. "I'll ask Cordelia to get on it."
"Um, I-I gave her the night off."
Kate was a bit irritated.
"Well, I thought, you know, she looked so tired, and...I mean...the vision took a lot out of her. Do - Do you think, maybe, that I should...send her something? Some flowers, maybe?"
"Flowers."
"Yeah, uh, to say, you know, 'thanks'. Um. 'Sorry about the migraines.' Um, you know, 'I-I appreciate you'?"
"You can't buy back her trust, Angel, or her affections." Kate paused. "There is only one thing you can give her, Angel. And that's time. Cordelia has a lot of pain to work through."
Cordelia was laughing. She and Harmony were sitting on the couch in her apartment, wearing house robes, their heads wrapped up in towels. Harmony was also wearing fuzzy pink slippers. There was a half-empty bottle of red wine on the table, and both of them had wine glasses in their hands.
Harmony laughed. "The cackle."
"Remember in ninth-grade Remedial Spanish? Donnie something."
"Oh! Donnie Ray, yes."
"That's him. He followed me everywhere."
"Oh, oh, and he wrote that love song to you. How did it go?" Harmony asked.
They thought for a moment.
"Oh, Cordeeelia, how I long to feel ya!" Cordelia and Harmony sang.
They broke into laughter.
"Eww!" Cordelia exclaimed.
Harmony grinned. "Oh, God. We totally ruled."
They clinked glasses.
"Yup, that, we did."
"We were powerful, rich, popular."
"None of that's changed for me - apart from the powerful, rich, and popular." Cordelia paused. "But I tell you one thing: I am happier now than I was then."
"Get out."
"It's hard to explain. I'm telling you. It's like...I don't know. I had these air pockets inside of me, and the work I'm doing, uh, we're doing, it's - it's like the pockets keep getting filled, and I'm becoming me, and-"
Harmony laughed.
"-me has had way too much to drink, and me shut up." Cordelia pushed Harmony with her foot. "You, now. You barely told me anything."
"Um, well, uh, what can I say? Things are faboo. I'm having a ball and a half. And just, you know, feeling really good about me in general."
Cordelia paused. "Well, good for you...in general. Well, you must be doing something right, because you look...sad. Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Just..." Harmony took a deep breath. "I didn't have much of a purpose in Sunnydale."
"Well, I'll help you find a purpose here."
"And..." Harmony paused.
"What?"
"I'm kinda hungry."
"Got the cure for that. Pizza!" Cordelia laughed and leaned across Harmony to reach for the phone on the side table. Cordelia sat back, phone in hand. "I know just the place to call. It's my favorite. Thin crust, heavy on the sauce. Do you like tandoori chicken?"
"Oh, yeah. It's all good."
The next morning, Tara walked over to Dawn's bedroom, holding schoolbooks. Dawn was laying in bed, covered with a blanket. Tara saw her from the back.
"We're heading down to breakfast."
Dawn turned over to look at her. "I'm not hungry."
"Oh. Okay."
Dawn sat up.
"It's just we have class after that, and I-I didn't know if you want to stay home or-"
"I was gonna sleep some more."
"Oh, okay, great. Sure, uh, hang out." Tara smiled. "I have a-a break around lunchtime. I can come back."
Dawn shrugged, sullen. "I might not be here."
"Well, I'll try my luck."
Dawn looked away.
"Take care, Dawn." Tara walked away.
Kate was looking through an old book laying on the counter in the Hyperion's lobby while Cordelia was looking for information with the computer.
Angel paced behind Kate, holding the green robe in his hands. "There is a label on here. Maybe I can locate the manufacturer."
"Already looked into it. The name's a fake. No listing anywhere."
"Okay. I should go out, see if I can pick up any information on the street."
"You mean the street bathed in morning sunlight?" Kate gave him an amused smile. "Relax. Gunn's contacting his sources."
"Any suggestions on what I can do?"
"Grab a book and help me look."
Angel did.
Kate flipped to the next page. "The triangle evokes pyramidal imagery, but there is nothing with both the serpent and the pyramid as a symbol."
Harmony walked over and climbed up on a stool next to Kate, loudly chewing some pink bubblegum.
"Doesn't appear to be either hieroglyphic or-"
Harmony popped a bubble.
Kate looked at her. "Do you mind?"
"Well, I'm kinda bored, but...go ahead."
Kate stared at her for a moment, then walked over to Cordelia's desk.
"Yeah, well, look, the red bird you saw in your vision, was it, uh, you know, an eagle, a hawk, a falcon?" Angel asked.
"What am I? The bird lady of Alcatraz? It had wings and a beak. For all I know, it was a duck. A big...red duck."
Kate thought for a moment. "Maybe it's an idol or a totem that the cult uses in its rituals, or-"
"Duck worshippers?" Harmony laughed, chewing her gum loudly and tapping a pencil on the countertop.
Angel looked at Kate. "It could also be a landmark of some kind, telling us their hiding place."
"Well, I'm unaware of any red bird statuary in downtown L.A., but-"
Harmony popped another bubble.
Cordelia got up from her desk. "Harmony, do me a favor: lose the gum."
"Okay, okay! Sorry." Harmony ripped a page out of the book that Angel was looking at earlier and spit her gum into it.
Angel pulled the book off the counter and snatched the crumpled-up page from her hand. "What are you doing?! This book is twelve centuries old!"
Harmony stared at him, annoyed. "Okay. So it's not like I fucked up a new one."
Angel put the book down on Cordelia's desk.
Cordelia looked at him. "Angel, it's not like she did it on purpose."
Harmony nodded. "That's right."
Cordelia looked at her. "Harmony, why don't you go see if they need help in the club? Y'know, the job that I'm paying you for?"
"I'm back!" Gunn walked down into the lobby.
Angel dropped onto a stool and leaned onto the counter. "What did you find out?"
"All right. Robed vampires been grabbing people off the street for a while now, almost a month."
"A month? How come we didn't know about it?" Cordelia asked him.
"Maybe we haven't heard, because not a lot of bodies been turning up."
Angel stared at him. "They're not feeding. They're turning them."
"Into vampires?" Cordelia asked.
Kate thought about that. "Someone's recruiting, building an army."
"Question is...for what?" Gunn asked.
In Minden, Louisiana, Shannon was busy sparring with Sam in the rectory of Saint Martin Catholic Church. He was wearing protective gear and blocking her punches and kicks. Shannon eventually got in a punch to Sam's chest, surprising herself.
"Well done."
Shannon grinned. Sam shoved Shannon to the floor.
"Hey!" Shannon complained.
"You shouldn't have stopped. Vampires won't."
Shannon got back up.
"I think that's enough for today." Sam started taking off his gear.
Shannon grabbed a towel from a rack and dried her face, arms, and legs. "I still don't get why I can't tell anyone about this."
"You want to tell people that you're spending most of your free time alone with a Catholic priest?" Sam asked.
"Yeah, why not?"
"Uh, never mind. If vampires learn your identity, it will put your loved ones at risk."
Shannon hung the towel back up. "Christ in a cunt, that's retarded."
Sam glared at her.
Shannon rolled her eyes. "Sorry. Christ on a Popsicle stick, that's retarded. If even one vampire sees me fight and gets away, guess what. They're all gonna know. Keeping my friends and family in the dark puts them at a disadvantage."
"The Council's policy is quite clear."
"Fuck the Council." Shannon picked up her bookbag. "They're not on the front lines, doin' the grunt work. They ain't got no right to say nothin' to me."
"Shannon-"
"I'll see ya tomorrow." Shannon quickly left the room.
She walked up the hall, opened the door, and left the building.
She walked over to Jessica's car, which was one of the few cars parked in the parking lot, opened the passenger door, got in, and slammed the door shut.
Jessica looked at her. "Over so soon?"
"Yeah. He pissed me off." Shannon set her bookbag on the floor and fastened her seatbelt.
"How far did you get?"
"He got me on the floor."
Jessica grinned. "Is it true that all black guys have big dicks?"
Shannon sighed and leaned her head back against the seat. She took a few breaths, then she looked at Jessica. "I ain't fuckin' him."
"Well, what else are you gonna do with a priest in church? Bible study?" Jessica asked.
Shannon stared into Jessica's eyes. "Training to become a Vampire Slayer."
Jessica stared blankly at her friend for a moment. "Huh?"
That evening, Giles was standing next to the phonograph in his apartment. He had a glass in his hand. There was a record on the turnstile. "Tales of Brave Ulysses" by Cream played.
Giles went over to a chair and sat down.
The song went into a guitar riff. Giles slowly took a sip from his glass and sat, staring at nothing.
Kate was pushing pins into a map while Angel sat on the edge of a desk with his arms crossed, watching.
"Next?" Kate asked Gunn.
"Two USC students grabbed in a parking garage. 4th and Figueroa."
"Got it. Next."
"Guy was snatched two blocks over on 6th."
"Really? When was this?"
"Last night. Heard about it from one of my guys."
Cordelia was sitting in front of the computer. Harmony sat on the edge of her desk, watching her.
"What?" Cordelia asked.
"Nothing. It's just...I can't believe this is what you do now. We always said we were going to do something cool with our lives. Now, look at us. You're an office manager, and I'm-"
"About to be unemployed." Cordelia stared at her. "Life takes some funny turns sometimes. Maybe I'm not where I thought I would be, but it's still good, solid work. Try it sometime."
Harmony flinched.
Cordelia looked at her monitor. "Ho! Hey! Hello! Guys? Found something."
Kate, Gunn, and Angel walked over to look at what she'd found.
"And there is nothing mystical about this. Department of Justice website. It's a logo for a defunct pyramid scheme."
"Vamps running money scams now?" Gunn asked. "That's low."
"This particular one was run by a motivational speaker and - ugh, Lord help me - self-described 'life coach' named Doug Sanders. Held meetings all over the city until the feds caught up with him."
"He was arrested?" Angel asked.
"According to this, he disappeared. Still at large."
Kate looked at the screen. "Sounds like he has the makings of a cult leader."
"Oh, hold on. Here is something: a list of his known meeting sites - and a picture!"
Gunn nodded. "Now, we're talking!"
"Oh, let me see!" Harmony, cup of coffee in hand, leaned over to get a look at it.
The coffee spilled all over the keyboard and screen, causing it to spark and fizzle and the screen to fade out. Cordelia jumped and let out a squeak.
Harmony gave her an apologetic smile. "Okay, that was my fault."
Angel looked at her. "Get her out of here. Now."
Cordelia put a hand on Harmony's shoulder. "Come on, Harm."
"Such a fitting nickname." Kate picked up the keyboard and held it sideways to let the coffee drip out. "Fucking hell."
Harmony went to sit on one of the chairs in the lobby. "This was a mistake. I should never have come here. I'm just getting in the way. Fucking up, like always."
Cordelia sat down next to her. "Don't talk like that." She thought for a moment. "Come with me."
Harmony was sitting on the stage in Cordy's, singing:
"They used to talk about the weather,
Making plans together.
Days would last forever.
Come to me, cover me, hold me,
Together with breakfast chains of love.
Don't give up; don't give up now.
Together with me and my baby,
Breakfast chains of love.
Together with breakfast chains of love.
Don't give up; don't give up now.
Together with me and my baby,
Breakfast chains of love.
Together with breakfast chains of love.
Don't give up; don't give up now.
Together with me and my baby,
Breakfast chains of love."
Cordelia was sitting at a table near the stage and clapped in confusion when Harmony was done.
Harmony laughed and held out her hands as she walked over to Cordelia's table and sat down. "That was so...fun! I can't believe I did that!"
Cordelia grinned uncomfortably. "Me neither. Uh, Harm, it's 'break these chains of love'."
Realization dawned on Harmony's face. "Ohhhhhh. Now, that makes a lot more sense. But it saddens me that this isn't an ode to buttermilk pancakes, hash browns, and breakfast sausage."
Cordelia nodded with mock seriousness. "Me, too."
"So you can help me?" Harmony asked.
Cordelia smiled. "You're already on your path. Stick with me and let me be your guide."
Harmony grinned.
Kate, Gunn, and Angel walked into the club.
"Cordy."
At Kate's call, Cordelia got up and went over to them.
Kate eyed Harmony briefly. "I realize you have, uh, other concerns at the moment, but we need you."
"Why?" Cordelia asked.
Gunn looked at her. "Most of the attacks been taking place within a ten-block radius. Now, we figure the cult's headquarters must be somewhere near the center."
"And, look, we want to drive around the area. Maybe you can pick up some...vibe from your vision or see something?" Angel suggested.
"Like a red bird."
"For instance."
"Okay." Cordelia went back to the table. "Harmony. I have to go. Work shit. Uh, you're okay here?"
"You kidding? Free wine, potato skins. Hey, I'm thinking about doing another number. Now, what do you think: 'Candle in the Wind' or the Princess Diana 'Candle in the Wind'?"
"Go nuts. Do 'em both."
Harmony smiled. "Ooh. Yeah. Okay. Like you said: you're my guide."
Cordelia walked back over to the others.
The gang was walking, shoulder-to-shoulder, down the sidewalk outside the hotel. Cordelia did a double take when she suddenly noticed a grinning Harmony walking beside her.
"Harmony?" Cordelia asked.
They all stopped and looked at her.
"I just got it. You said stick with you. I understand now where my place is."
"Where?" Cordelia asked.
Harmony stepped between Cordelia and Angel and put an arm around each of their shoulders, smiling. "With you!"
Angel looked over at Kate.
Harmony was sitting between Cordelia and Gunn in the back of Angel's convertible as they were all driving down the street.
"Woo-hoo! This is gonna be great! I am a professional evil fighter! It's so clear to me now." Harmony turned to Cordelia. "Is this what it feels like to have a purpose? I mean wow! Look at us. We're working together. I've never had a job before. We can meet at the water cooler and gossip."
"Harm, I'm trying to concentrate."
"Oh. Sorry." Harmony turned to Gunn. "So. How long have you been fighting evil? I mean I kinda suck, but, you know, I've got some moves. Oh...do we get paid vacations?"
"Stop!" Cordelia yelled. "Stop the car. Pull over here."
Angel pulled the car over, and they all squinted up at a sculpted phoenix decoration above a theater marquee with the words 'Closed for Repairs' on it.
"Is that...?" Angel asked Cordelia.
"I don't...I'm not sure."
All of them got out of the car.
Kate looked at Cordelia. "The bird you saw was red."
"It is. I mean it was."
Gunn frowned. "Looks more like a puke green."
Harmony frowned. "And nothing like a duck."
Cordelia stared at the phoenix. "There's just...something familiar."
Angel looked over at Cordelia, then walked towards the building.
Gunn looked at Cordelia. "Well, we passed this place before. Maybe that's all it is."
"Cordelia?" Kate asked.
"No. No, I guess it isn't it."
"Right. Back in the car. We'll keep..." Kate looked around. "Where's Angel?"
Suddenly, a red neon arrow sign came on, throwing a red glow over the bird.
Angel walked back over to them. "Electronics store forgot to turn on its lights."
Cordelia smiled at the others. "Ha, I told you this was it!"
Angel, Cordelia, Harmony, Kate, and Gunn grabbed some weapons out of the trunk.
Angel looked at the others. "Cordelia, Harmony, cover the front. Kate, Gunn, and I will go around the building, see if there's another way in."
Suddenly, they heard a lot of screaming coming from inside. Then the front door burst open, and a lot of teenagers ran out of the building. Cordelia recognized the teenagers from her vision and was glad that they were safe.
"What the fuck?" Kate asked.
Gunn stared at the scene in confusion. "You and me both, sister."
After the last of the teenagers cleared out, Faith walked out, holding an ax over her right shoulder and a stake in her left hand.
Angel stared at her. "Faith."
Faith smiled. "You dumb motherfuckers. There were hundreds of vampires in there. What was your plan?"
Cordelia stared at her. "How did you-?"
"Overheard bits and pieces while doing odd jobs around the hotel. Heard you heading out and got here first." Faith looked at Harmony and smiled. "Hi, babe."
Harmony smiled. "Hi, Honey Bunches of Oats."
Faith kissed Harmony on the lips. The two of them started making out. Faith shoved her tongue into Harmony's mouth. Everyone watched them.
In Buffy and Tara's room, Tara sat on the bed, studying. Buffy lay on her stomach next to Tara, writing in her diary. The two of them were naked.
"What did I have for breakfast this morning? Do you remember?" Buffy asked.
"Hmm?"
"I-I wanna say bagel, but I think that was yesterday. You had two eggs sunny side up." Buffy smiled faintly. "I remember, 'cause they were wiggling at me like little boobs."
Tara grinned. "Sassy eggs. What are you writing this for?"
"My diary."
Tara put her book aside and lay on her stomach next to Buffy. She put her hand on Buffy's non-writing hand. "That's pretty detailed for a diary entry."
"Yeah. I-I figured life goes by so fast that, if you don't write stuff down, it just gets...lost. And I wanna remember."
"Down to every last bagel."
Buffy looked Tara in the eyes. "Down to every last everything I do with you."
Buffy returned to writing, the fingers of her other hand still twined with Tara's.