Summary: Patty Halliwell died and when she was to go on to the afterlife, she was approached by an Angel of Destiny and the Elders to either continue on to the afterlife, or to be reborn and continue the fight against evil. She chose to be reborn and was reborn as Buffy Summers, the Slayer.
Pairings: Buffy/Sam - Dawn/Faith - Piper/Leo - Phoebe/Canon Pairings - Paige/Canon Pairings
A/U: Set during and after the BTVS season 6 episode, Tabula Rosa and the Charmed season 4 premiere, Charmed Again.
Disclaimer: Disney owns Buffy the Vampire Slayer and CBS owns Charmed
Prologue: Tabula Rasa
August 30, 2001 – Thursday
Summers Home, Sunnydale
Buffy gently closed the front door behind her, feeling a mixture of relief and exhaustion wash over her. Seeing her friends again, just being in their presence, had felt wonderful, but the weight of the past 24 hours was bearing down heavily on her shoulders. As she stepped into the familiar hallway, her eyes met Dawn's, who was sitting on the stairs, clearly waiting for her return.
"Hey, Buffy?" Dawn greeted, her voice filled with warmth as she smiled at her sister. But as her gaze settled upon Buffy's expression, the smile faded, replaced by concern. "Is everything okay?"
Buffy approached Dawn with hesitant steps, an unusual sensation convincing her that she didn't have to conceal the truth from her sister. It was as if Dawn would understand and offer her unwavering support. "I was happy," she began, her voice tinged with vulnerability.
"I don't..." Dawn interrupted, her confusion evident in her voice and on her face.
"Wherever I... was... I was happy," Buffy continued, her voice carrying a mix of yearning and sadness as she took a seat on the stairs beside Dawn. "At peace. I knew that you and everyone I cared about was alright. I just knew it. Time didn't hold any meaning, and nothing had a tangible form... but I was still me, you know? And I was warm, and I was loved... and I felt complete. I don't understand the intricacies of dimensions or theology or any of it... but I think I was in heaven."
Dawn's eyes widened in shock at the revelation, her mind struggling to process the profoundness of Buffy's words.
"And now I'm not," Buffy concluded, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was torn out of there. Our friends pulled me back. And everything here is so bright and harsh and violent... Everything I feel, everything I touch... this is Hell. Just trying to get through the next moment, and the one after that... all the while knowing what I've lost..." She turned to Dawn, her gaze filled with sorrow, and noticed the tears welling up in her baby sister's eyes. Gently, she reached up and wiped them away. "They can never know, Dawn. Never."
"I won't tell them," Dawn promised, her voice unwavering as she wrapped an arm around Buffy, pulling her into a comforting embrace. "It's alright to cry," she whispered into her sister's ear, her words a tender reassurance. "Whatever you need, I'm here for you."
"Thanks, Dawn," Buffy murmured, her voice choked with emotion, grateful for the solace her sister provided in this moment of profound despair.
The two sisters sat there on the stairs, finding solace in each other's presence. Buffy rested her head on Dawn's shoulder, allowing herself to release the emotions she had been holding back since she was resurrected. The weight of her experiences, the pain of being ripped away from a place of bliss, crashed down upon her like a tidal wave. Tears streamed down her face, and her body trembled with the intensity of her grief.
Dawn held Buffy tightly, absorbing her sister's anguish, her own tears mingling with Buffy's. She knew that no words could undo the torment her sister was going through, but she was determined to provide a safe space for Buffy to express her pain.
September 27, 2001 - Thursday
Shady Hill Cemetery
It had been almost a month since Buffy had finally revealed to her friends the truth about where she had been, a result of a dancing demon's influence. True to her word, Dawn had kept the secret, offering unwavering support and being there for Buffy whenever she needed it. However, despite her sister's loyalty, Buffy couldn't shake the feeling that there was an ulterior motive on Dawn's part. No one had told her but she was sure something had gone on with her sister during the five months she had been dead, something bad.
Lost in her thoughts, Buffy walked through the cemetery, an air of unease surrounding her. Unbeknownst to her, a shadowy figure trailed her, obscured by the mist. Her Slayer instincts prickled, alerting her to the presence lurking behind her. She abruptly halted, turning around with her body tense and stake ready, only to find herself face to face with Spike.
"Can we talk?" Spike asked, his voice laced with a mix of urgency and apprehension.
Buffy shot him an irritated look. "Vocal cord wise, yes. With each other, no," she retorted, preparing to walk away.
Spike held his ground, determined to have his say. "We have to talk," he insisted, his voice tinged with desperation.
Ten feet away from Spike, Buffy turned to face him again, her eyes narrowing. "About what?" she asked, her voice guarded.
"Um, whatever," Spike stumbled over his words. "Just conversation. For instance, the weather, the... graves... the—We kissed, Buffy."
Buffy stared at him, her expression unreadable. "So?" she replied, her voice detached.
"We kissed, you and me," Spike emphasized, his voice filled with a mix of confusion and longing. "It was like something out of 'Gone with the Wind,' the rising music and all. What was that, Buffy?"
"A spell," Buffy responded curtly, turning to walk away once more.
Spike quickened his pace to catch up with her. "Don't you get all prim and proper on me. I know what kind of girl you really are," he retorted, his voice tinged with bitterness. He circled around her, positioning himself to face her directly. "Don't I?"
"What we did is done," Buffy stated firmly, her voice tinged with finality. "I will never kiss you, Spike. Never touch you, ever, ever again." Suddenly, spotting something behind Spike, she lunged forward, knocking Spike to the ground just as a stake whizzed through the air, narrowly missing them and embedding itself in a nearby tree.
Both Buffy and Spike looked up, their eyes meeting a shark-headed demon and his two vampire lackeys, who stood just ten feet away.
Buffy rolled off of Spike, her irritation evident at the untimely interruption. She faced the approaching demon and vampires, her muscles coiled, ready for a fight.
The demon sauntered forward, a casual grin on his face. "Easy, boys," he said, addressing the vampires. "No need to get physical. Isn't that right, Mr. Spike?"
Buffy glanced at Spike, a mix of confusion and curiosity in her eyes. "You know this guy?" she asked, seeking answers.
Spike nodded. "Yeah," he confirmed, his gaze fixed on the demon. "What do you want?"
The demon casually walked past Buffy and Spike, plucking the stake from the tree with a nonchalant flick of his wrist. He returned to his pacing, using the stake to clean under his fingernails. "Me?" he replied, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "There are a lot of things I'd like. A house in Bel Air with a generously-sized swimming pool, a lady barracuda who loves me for who I really am..." He suddenly stepped into Spike's personal space, holding the stake dangerously close to his heart. "And the forty Siamese that you owe me."
"Take it easy. You'll get your kittens," Spike said, his tone attempting to pacify the demon.
"I trust you, Mr. Spike," the demon said as he withdrew the stake. "That's why I let you gamble the felines in the first place."
Buffy's revulsion was evident on her face. "Oh god, what is it with you guys and kittens?" she exclaimed in disbelief. "Why kittens? Why can't you use money like normal people?"
The demon chuckled, clearly amused. "She's funny. I like funny in a girl," he remarked, his attention shifting back to Spike.
"I just need a little time." Spike interjected cautiously.
"Time. Time's what turns kittens into cats." The demon gestured to his vampire companions, signaling them to approach Buffy and Spike. "I don't want to see anyone get hurt," he stated.
In a swift motion, Buffy grabbed hold of a tree branch, swinging forward and delivering a powerful kick to the first vampire's face, causing him to stagger backward. "Then you better close your eyes," she warned, her voice laced with determination as she dropped gracefully from the branch.
The second vampire charged at Spike, stake in hand, only to have Buffy intercept his path, shielding Spike from harm. With a quick succession of blows, she incapacitated the vampire, rendering him immobile. She picked up the fallen stake, using it to push back the first vampire who was attempting to regain his composure. Spike seized the opportunity to edge away cautiously.
"I said she was the Slayer, Boss," the first vampire remarked, fear evident in his voice.
"Good for you. The Vampire Slayer," the demon responded with a sly grin. "Have you given any thought to freelance work? A little debt collecting, perhaps? I bet you could really bust up a kneecap or two."
Buffy scoffed, her eyes narrowing. "No, thank you," she retorted dryly, her focus unwavering as the second vampire struggled to his feet and moved to the demon's side.
"Boss," the first vampire spoke up, scanning their surroundings, "he's gone. Spike has split."
They all glanced around, realizing that Spike had indeed vanished.
"That's what I get for socializing," the demon muttered in annoyance. He turned to his vampire companions. "C'mon, boys, up and at 'em. We'll locate Mr. Spike and, uh, talk to him a little more," he declared, leading his entourage away.
Buffy looked around for any sign of Spike, frustration etched across her features. "If I just stopped saving his life, it would simplify things so much," she muttered to herself.
September 28, 2001 – Friday
Magic Box
In the training room, Buffy sat on the couch next to Giles, her mind reeling from the shocking revelation. The weight of the news hit her hard, and she couldn't fathom the idea of Giles leaving. "No," she uttered, her voice filled with disbelief and desperation.
Giles sighed, his expression pained. This was a difficult conversation he knew he had to have, even though he dreaded it. "I'm afraid I have to," he said, bracing himself for Buffy's reaction.
"Uh-huh," Buffy responded, her voice laced with a mix of confusion and frustration. "What do you mean you have to? You can't! Giles, this is when I need you. I'm all messed up. Everything is all messed up." Her thoughts drifted to Dawn, recognizing her sister's unwavering support. 'And Dawn has been the only one truly supportive.'
Giles nodded, understanding her turmoil. "I know. But you have to be strong. I'm trying to—" he began, struggling to find the right words.
"To what? Abandon me, desert me? Leave me all alone when I really need..." Buffy's voice trailed off, her heartache palpable. She needed someone she could rely on besides her sister, after all Dawn was only a teenager and still in school. Dawn could only do so much. "That's great, that's just really great of you."
"Buffy, please, this is hard," Giles pleaded, his voice tinged with sorrow.
"Yeah, I know, I know. This hurts you more than it hurts me," Buffy retorted bitterly. "And it will be really hard for you over in jolly old England, palling around with all your jolly old friends and riding around in double-decker buses or whatever the hell you do there."
Giles sighed, his gaze fixed on Buffy. "I don't want to leave—"
"So don't. Please don't, okay? I need someone, I need someone besides just Dawn. She's been real supportive since I came back, but there is only so much she can do," Buffy pleaded, her voice laced with desperation. Giles realized that Dawn had been aware of Buffy's secret long before she had revealed it to the rest of them. "I can't do this without you."
Giles shook his head, a mix of sadness and determination in his eyes. He knew Buffy had to learn to stand on her own, even if it hurt both of them. If he could he would take Dawn with him, removing Buffy's last crutch. But he knew he couldn't, that would have been kidnapping after all. "But you can. That's why I'm going. As long as I stay, when things arise that you feel you can't handle, you'll turn to me. And I'll step in, because... Because I hate to see you suffer."
Buffy let out a weary sigh, her shoulders slumping. "As much of it as I can take—"
"And I'm loath to cause you any more, believe me. But this is... In every mentor relationship, there's a point when the student must kill the teacher," Giles explained, realizing he needed to clarify his metaphor. Buffy's glare made it clear she wasn't thrilled with that analogy. "Metaphorically. What I'm saying... I've taught you everything you need to know about being the Slayer. And your mother taught you everything you need to know about life. But you won't believe it until you're forced to stand alone."
"But why now? Now that you know where I've been. What I'm dealing with—" Buffy protested.
Buffy straightened herself, determination glimmering in her eyes. "So I won't. No giving up. You can be here, and I can still be strong. I don't have to depend on you or Dawn as much as I have."
"Buffy, I've thought this over. And over. I think it's the right thing," Giles implored, hoping she would understand. "And if you allow me, I would even be willing to—"
"First," Buffy abruptly stood up, hurt and anger flashing across her face. "You're wrong. Second, if you think of taking my sister from me..." Her voice trailed off, leaving the sentence unfinished as she stormed out of the training room, her emotions swirling inside her.
Summers Home
Dawn and Tara stood at the bottom of the stairs, waiting impatiently for Willow. Dawn's voice echoed through the house, calling out, "Willow! Get the lead out!"
"Coming!" Willow's voice floated down from upstairs.
Curiosity got the better of Dawn as she turned to Tara. "What does that mean anyway? 'Get the lead out'? Get what lead out of where?"
Tara pondered for a moment before answering, "Cars."
"Oh. For some reason, I pictured a pencil," Dawn replied, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Willow! You ready yet?"
Suddenly, Willow appeared at the top of the stairs, wrapped in a towel with another towel wrapped around her hair. "Not so much. You go ahead. Tell Giles to hold up, I'll be there in a sec."
"Fine," Tara sighed, a tinge of frustration in her voice.
"Hurry up; you don't want to miss the lowdown on our latest featured creature," Dawn urged, nudging Tara toward the door.
As Dawn and Tara left, Willow took a moment at the top of the stairs to ensure they were gone. She then made her way toward her bedroom, a determined expression on her face. With a subtle wave of her hand, she used her magic to transform her towel-clad state into a fully dressed one. Now ready, she descended the stairs and entered the living room.
Her gaze fell upon an old photo of Buffy taken before her sacrificial jump from the tower, protecting Dawn. Willow's heart ached at the memory, fueling her determination to ease Buffy's pain. She also hoped to help Dawn forget the five agonizing months when Buffy had been absent and the moments when Dawn had contemplated suicide to be reunited with her sister. Additionally, Willow wanted to erase Tara's memories of her misuse of magic, hoping for a fresh start for everyone involved.
Approaching the bookshelf, Willow discreetly shifted a few books to reveal a hidden Ziploc bag containing dried Lethe's Bramble. Carefully, she retrieved the dried herb and replaced the books. Kneeling by the fireplace, she took four sprigs of the Lethe's Bramble and ignited them, casting them into the flames. The herb crackled and smoldered, releasing a dense, unpleasant smoke. In a gesture of certainty, she added a fifth sprig for good measure.
Reciting an incantation, Willow's voice filled the room. "For Buffy, Dawn, and Tara, this I char, let Lethe's Bramble do its chore. Purge their minds of memories grim, of pains from recent slights and sins..." With each word, she held a pure white crystal from her breast pocket and gently touched it to the burning herbs. Immediately, the crystal transformed, its color fading into a pale gray. "When the fire goes out, when the crystal turns black, the spell will be cast. Tabula rasa. Tabula rasa. Tabula rasa."
Satisfied with her spell, Willow took a final look at the smoldering fire before heading toward the door. Unbeknownst to her, the bag of Lethe's Bramble, left carelessly near the fireplace, caught fire and burned, overpowering her intended spell.
Magic Box
At the Magic Box, Tara, Dawn, Anya, and Giles gathered around the table, awaiting the arrival of Willow and Xander. Concerned, Dawn observed her sister, who sat next to the counter, wearing a troubled expression. Something had clearly happened since Buffy had left the house that morning. Moving closer to her sister, she took a seat and whispered, "Is everything okay?" Buffy shook her head, indicating that it wasn't. She turned to Giles. "So what have we got?" she asked.
Confusion crossed Giles' face at Dawn's question. "Sorry?" he inquired.
Dawn put her arm around Buffy, offering comfort. Speaking calmly, she asked Giles, "So, what kind of oogly-booglys are we dealing with? Lizardy-types, zombies, vampires, or something else?"
Giles, cleaning his glasses in his usual manner, responded, "Dawn, there are no oogly-booglys."
"Thanks for clarifying," Dawn replied, maintaining her composure. She continued to provide support for Buffy, who was on the verge of tears.
"Thanks, it's cold out there," Willow said as she entered the shop, accompanied by Xander, wearing his jacket.
"No problem. The cold only makes me stronger and more macho-like," Xander joked, puffing out his chest. He and Willow leaned against the table near the cash register.
Giles stood up, expressing his relief at their presence. "I'm glad you're here. I have something important to tell all of you. I know it may seem repetitive, but—"
Interrupting him, Buffy stood up, breaking free from Dawn's comforting embrace. "Why don't you cut to the chase, Giles?" she said on the verge of tears. "Just tell them that you're—"
But before Buffy could reveal Giles' departure, the front door swung open with a bang, and Spike burst into the shop, smoke rising from his skin due to the sun. He wore a brown tweed suit and a hat with ear flaps. He looked toward Buffy with a nervous smile. "Fancy meeting you here."
Confusion filled Giles' face as he addressed Spike. "Spike?"
"Holy moly," Anya exclaimed, taken aback by Spike's attire.
"You need to give me asylum," Spike declared, hopping up on the counter and removing his hat.
"I'll say," Xander joked
"No need to get cute," Spike said glaring at Xander as he took off the hat. "It's a disguise, a thrift shop find. There's a bloke I'd rather avoid right now." He looked at Buffy. "You've met him, I believe. The toothy bloke with the baby seal breath?"
As everyone stared at Spike, Willow discreetly retrieved the crystal from her pocket and checked its color—it had turned as black as tar, the spell had been cast.
"Alright then, if we've recovered from Spike's sartorial humor..." Giles said, reclaiming his seat next to Anya at the table. He glanced at Buffy and Dawn, who had risen alongside her sister. "I will jump to the chase. I'm heading back to England, and I plan on staying there indefinitely."
"Now? Not now, not right after... everything," Xander protested.
Giles nodded. "Yes, now—"
"For real this time?" Anya interjected hopefully. "Because, honest to Pete, a young shopkeeper's heart can only be broken so many times. I mean, not that I want you to—"
Overwhelmed with distress, Buffy moved toward the door, and Dawn followed closely behind. Dawn understood the anguish she had seen in her sister's eyes; Giles had confided in her about his departure in private. "I... I can't do this. I have to..." she trailed off as Willow, sensing her pain, followed her and Dawn.
Willow placed a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder. "Buffy," she began, her voice filled with remorse. "I know this must be awful for you, and I'm so sorry, truly sorry, for everything we've put you through."
Buffy spun around, her emotions overwhelming her as tears streamed down her face. "Sorry? You're sorry? Everyone here has been sorry, except for Dawn, who's been nothing but supportive."
"Do you even know what my sister has been going through?" Dawn confronted Willow, her voice laced with venom. Willow instinctively backed up, seeking refuge next to Xander. "She's in pain. There's a reason she turned to me and confided in me before any of you. Because out of everyone here, she..." Suddenly, Dawn's eyes shut tightly, and she collapsed to her knees, followed by the others who experienced the same inexplicable sensation.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Several hours had passed since the sun had set, and Buffy's eyes blinked open. She sat up, stretched, and yawned, as if she had just awoken from a long nap. However, confusion washed over her as she realized she had no recollection of where she was or even who she was. Squinting, she desperately tried to remember, her mind grasping for any fragment of information. Suddenly, memories flooded back of her previous life as Patricia 'Patty' Halliwell filling the void that the disappearance of Buffy Summers' memories had left . Carefully, she rose to her feet, surveying the room filled with sleeping strangers.
The next to wake was Willow. Startled, she looked at Xander, who she had been resting next to, and let out a small yelp. "Uhh!"
As Willow recoiled from Xander, he awakened with a startled yelp of his own. He gazed at her, his face displaying a mix of confusion and uncertainty. "Hey."
"Hey?" Willow responded, a tinge of discomfort in her smile as she looked back at Xander, unsure of who he was.
Tara, stretching like a satisfied cat after a nap, gradually opened her eyes. However, her satisfaction swiftly transformed into embarrassment and then confusion as she took in her surroundings and realized she recognized no one.
Anya and Giles woke simultaneously, exchanging curious glances. "Hello," he greeted, breaking the silence.
Spike, jolted awake by his fall from the counter, hit the ground with a loud thud. "AAAaaa!"
Dawn, awakened by Spike's sudden outburst, scanned the room in terror, her wide eyes brimming with panic. "Who, who are you guys?" she stammered, rising to her feet in a state of unease.
Patty, moved by Dawn's distress, approached her and reached out, attempting to provide comfort. "Hey, don't worry. I don't know anyone here either," she reassured the girl, offering a comforting presence in the midst of their shared confusion.
Dawn, feeling uncertain about Patty but sensing a strange familiarity, couldn't help but wonder about the woman standing before her. It was as if she knew her, and that the woman placed her trust in her. "Who are you?" she questioned, her voice tinged with both curiosity and caution.
Patty, taken aback by the direct question, was momentarily lost for words. One of the last memories she had was conversing with the Angels of Destiny and the Elders, discussing her reincarnation and the continuation of her fight against evil. She was certain that this was the body she had been reborn into, but why did she retain memories from her previous life outside of her astral form? "I—I," she stuttered, unsure of how to formulate a response.
Suddenly, Xander sprang to his feet, his confusion turning into apprehension. "Who are you freaks?" he demanded, his voice filled with suspicion.
"Don't you know me?" Willow asked, a flicker of recognition surfacing as she recalled waking up in his embrace.
Xander shook his head in bewilderment. "I haven't got a clue."
"But you just acted all, 'Hey,'" Willow retorted, puzzled by the inconsistency.
Xander nodded, his brow furrowing. "Yeah, because I thought you were a girl and that I'd remember in a second, but—"
"I am a girl. I'm..." Willow trailed off, realization dawning upon her that she couldn't recall her own name. "Not sure who I am, exactly. But—"
"Okay... why was I on the ground? And why is everyone staring at me? Is this some kind of psych test? Am I getting paid for this? Is this a bad dream?" Xander's words tumbled out in a mix of paranoia and desperation, as he resorted to pinching himself in an attempt to snap out of a possible dream. "Yow, okay, no. Am I in trouble? I didn't do it! And if I did, it was an accident."
Giles intervened, attempting to bring calm to the bewildering situation. "It's not just you," he reassured them all. "Does anyone remember anything?"
Spike shook his head, his bleached hair ruffled. "Nope, not a thing."
Patty observed as each person present shook their heads in shared confusion. She pondered the fragments of memories that remained, realizing that what she recalled should have only been possible when summoned by her daughters. However, Piper, Phoebe, and Prue were nowhere to be seen, and she knew they hadn't summoned her. The question lingered: why did she retain the memories of being Patty Halliwell?
"Perhaps we all got terribly drunk, and we're experiencing some kind of collective blackout," Giles proposed, trying to rationalize their predicament as they gathered around the table.
"I don't think I d—drink," Dawn murmured, struggling to hold back tears that threatened to spill.
Anya, scanning the surroundings, chimed in matter-of-factly, "I don't see any booze; I don't feel any head bumps; and I don't see Alan Funt."
Xander fought against the rising panic, willing himself to remain composed. "Okay... I'm not panicking, I'm not. I'm not," he repeated, attempting to convince both himself and the others. "Stop looking at me like I'm panicking."
Patty reassured him, offering a comforting smile. "Hey, take it easy, guy. No one's hurt, right? And none of us look like we're about to kill each other, so we're probably safe. Here. Wherever here is," she said, surveying the surroundings. The familiar trinkets and mystical artifacts in the shop triggered a recognition within her. She had been in plenty of magic shops before and could unmistakably identify one. The question remained: where exactly were they? Were they in San Francisco or somewhere entirely different?
Willow picked up a peculiar book from the shelves and examined its cover. "Look at the things on these shelves: weird jars of weird stuff and weird books with weird covers like... 'Magic for Beginners.' Oh."
"A magic shop. A real magic shop," Tara marveled, her eyes widening in awe.
Patty considered the revelation. "That's probably it," she said before thinking to herself. 'Someone among us must have cast a spell, possibly for personal gain, and the spell backfired dramatically.' "One of us likely cast a spell."
Giles scoffed at the notion. "Magic? Magic is all balderdash and chicanery. I'm afraid we don't know a bloody thing. Except, I seem to be British, don't I? And a man. With glasses. Well, that narrows it down considerably."
Dawn, overwhelmed by the uncertainty of their situation, whispered to Patty with tears welling in her eyes. "I don't like this."
Patty regarded Dawn, a sense of familiarity and trust emanating from the young girl. Even without the memories of her current life, there was a connection between them that she couldn't ignore. "Listen, it's going to be okay," she reassured Dawn, her voice gentle and soothing. "We'll take care of each other, okay?"
Dawn nodded, finding solace in Patty's words despite her tears.
Giles chimed in optimistically, determined to regain their memories and restore normalcy. "Yes, we'll get back our memories, and everything will be right as rain."
Spike couldn't help but interject. "Oh, listen to Mary Poppins! Got his crust all stiff and upper with that nancy-boy accent. You Englishmen are always so—" He paused, suddenly recognizing his own accent. "Bloody hell. Sodding blimey shagging knickers bollocks—oh no. I'm English."
"Welcome to the nancy tribe," Giles quipped.
Spike narrowed his eyes at Giles, a dreadful thought creeping into his mind. "You don't suppose... you and I... we're not related, are we?"
Anya, ever the observant one, couldn't resist offering her input. "There is a ruggedly handsome resemblance."
Giles, dismayed by the idea, looked at Spike with a mix of surprise and disappointment. "And you do inspire a particular feeling of familiarity... and disappointment. Older brother?"
"Well, I'm thinking more like—" Anya began.
"Father!" Spike exclaimed, his eyes locked with Giles's as he filled the room with palpable animosity. "My god, how I must hate you."
Confusion clouded Giles's face. "What did I do?"
"Oh, there's always something. And what's with the trollop?" Spike pointed a finger at Anya, his tone dripping with disdain.
"Hey!" Anya hissed, offended by the remark.
Giles turned his attention to Anya, seeking clarification. "Her?"
Spike nodded vigorously. "I saw you... sleeping together."
"Resting together!" Giles corrected, attempting to defend his innocence.
Anya, determined to clear the air, interrupted their exchange and proudly displayed an engagement ring. "Look!" she exclaimed. "It's okay, we're engaged."
Giles glanced at the ring, a shy smile forming on his face. "Oh."
Anya beamed at Giles, her eyes filled with affection. "It's a lovely ring."
Spike, still agitated, couldn't resist another jab. "Great, a tarty step-mum who's half ol' Daddy's age."
"Tarty!" Anya shot back, clearly offended by Spike's comment.
"Old! I'm young enough to still get carded—" Giles retorted, his voice laced with a mixture of exasperation and amusement.
"Carded! Driver's licenses!" Willow interjected, her eyes widening with a glimmer of hope. The group immediately began rummaging through their pockets, desperate for any form of identification.
Xander triumphantly pulled out his wallet and brandished his driver's license. "Look! Me! Alexander Harris," he exclaimed, a mix of relief and excitement in his voice. He proudly displayed the photo, a small grin spreading across his face. "Cute picture. Hey, I exist!"
"I'm Willow Rosenberg. Willow!" Willow exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she discovered her UC Sunnydale student ID. She couldn't help but giggle at her own name. "Funny name."
Tara, standing beside Willow, glanced at her own student ID and smiled. "I'm Tara. And look, I'm also a student at UC Sunnydale." She held up her ID, a sense of connection forming between her and Willow. "Maybe we're study buddies."
Dawn, feeling left out without a wallet of her own, sighed and looked at Patty. "I don't have a wallet."
Patty's gaze shifted to a nameplate necklace hanging around Dawn's neck. "Don't worry, neither do I. But here..." She gently touched the necklace. "You're Dawn."
Dawn's eyes focused on the necklace, reading it upside down. "Or Umad," she said, the corners of her mouth turning up into a smile. She and Patty shared a knowing look, as if an unspoken bond had been rekindled. Patty was certain that Dawn was her sister, her beloved younger sister.
Meanwhile, Giles meticulously searched through his billfold and finally retrieved his driver's license. "I'm called, let's see, Rupert Giles," he declared, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Rupert," Anya murmured dreamily, casting a playful glance at Giles.
"Rupert," Spike scoffed with a smirk.
"You're not too old to take over my knee ... Son," Giles warned glaring at Spike. "What did I call you anyway?"
Spike couldn't find a wallet in his pockets, but his attention was drawn to a tailor's label inside his coat. His eyes widened with disbelief. "Made with care for Randy," he uttered, staring at Giles in dismay. "Randy Giles?! Why didn't you just name me Horny Giles or Desperate-for-a-shag Giles? I knew there was a reason I hated you!"
Giles remained composed, offering an explanation. "Randy is a family name, undoubtedly."
Just then, Willow noticed the embroidery on her jacket, right over her heart. "Harris," she read aloud, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion.
Xander, standing nearby, perked up at the mention of his last name. "Harris? That's my last name. Hey, maybe I have a brother and you go out with him," he suggested, a playful glimmer in his eyes. He then added, "Or maybe you go out with me."
"We did wake up all snuggly wuggly. I guess maybe you're my boyfriend," Willow remarked, a hint of playfulness in her voice.
"Either that or I have one pissed off brother out there somewhere," Xander replied, sharing a knowing smile with Willow.
Anya, standing near the front door, chimed in. "I'm Anya!" she said testing her key in the lock. "My key fits the lock, and I found some forms by the register that said Rupert and Anya own the shop together. That's me—Anya, Shop-owner."
Giles surveyed the magic shop, taking in the surroundings. "So this is our magic shop?" he pondered. "Well, that's... very progressive of me. You know, it truly is a small mind that fails to acknowledge the alternatives to our rational, scientific understanding of the universe. Oh look! Fancy herbs!"
Dawn turned her attention to Patty, her curiosity piqued. "So you don't have a name?" she asked.
Patty considered Dawn's question, unsure of how to respond. "Of course, I do," she replied. "I just don't happen to know it."
Dawn offered a suggestion. "You want me to name you?"
Patty smiled gratefully. "That's sweet, but I think I can name myself. I'll name me... Patty," she decided, using the name that she remembered from when she was still alive.
"Ug!" Dawn exclaimed, not fully satisfied with the name choice.
Patty looked at Dawn with understanding. "You don't like my name?" she asked, a touch of uncertainty in her voice.
"It's just so... blah. Patty?" Dawn explained her reaction.
Patty shrugged, not letting it dampen her spirits. "I like it, dear sister," she affirmed.
"Sister?" Dawn uttered in surprise.
Patty nodded, embracing the possibility. "Without proof, we don't know for sure, of course," she admitted. "But I get this feeling of familiarity and trust when I look at you. I am almost positive, even without the proof, that you are my sister."
Dawn absorbed the words, nodding slowly. "I got that feeling too," she confessed, wrapping her arms around Patty, who returned the embrace.
Spike, observing the scene, couldn't resist teasing. "You never showed me affection like that, I'd wager," he remarked, directing his comment at Giles.
Patty broke away from the embrace, her focus shifting to the urgent matter at hand. "We've got to figure out what's going on. We need to get help," she urged. Thoughts of contacting Prue, Piper, and Phoebe flickered through her mind, but she knew they were unaware of her reincarnation. And without access to a Whitelighter, seeking help from the Elders seemed challenging.
"Looks like Patty fancies herself the boss," Spike quipped, his tone laced with sarcasm.
"We've got a teenager, and we have no idea what's wrong with us," Patty expressed with concern. "I think a hospital is our best bet."
Giles nodded in agreement. "Alright then, let's head out," he said, leading the way towards the door.
Dawn voiced her practical question. "Any suggestions on how we get there?"
Spike, ever the provocateur, chimed in with a smirk. "Dad can drive. He's bound to have some classic mid-life crisis transport: something red, sporty, shaped like a penis."
As Patty opened the front door, her eyes widened in surprise. Two vampires, who had been associated with the demon Spike and Buffy encountered the previous night, stood menacingly at the entrance. They snarled and charged towards the group. In a split second, Patty's instincts kicked in, and she instinctively flicked her wrist, freezing time around them.
Dawn looked around, confused. "What happened?" she asked, scanning the motionless scene.
Tara blinked in shock. "That's my question," she added, her voice filled with astonishment.
Patty shifted her gaze between the frozen group and the frozen vampires. A realization struck her—she possessed her powers in this body. How was it possible? Could she be a witch in this lifetime, endowed with abilities akin to her previous life?" "I don't know exactly what's going on," she admitted, addressing Dawn and Tara. "As far as I know, I shouldn't have my powers, not in this body." She focused her attention on Dawn. "But since I do, I can attest now that there is a good chance you and I are indeed sisters."
Tara raised an eyebrow, seeking clarification. "Why?" she asked.
Patty explained, her voice tinged with certainty. "Two things. Firstly, Dawn and I both have feelings of familiarity and trust towards each other. And secondly, only good witches don't freeze. When combined with our shared connection, it strongly suggests that Dawn is my sister."
Tara absorbed the information, processing the implications. "Why am I not..." she trailed off, gesturing to the others.
Patty offered a possible explanation. "Because, like me and Dawn, you must be a good witch as well," she replied. "It's even possible that you could be related to us, although I don't sense the same level of familiarity with you as I do with Dawn."
Dawn turned to Patty, her eyes filled with hope. "So, you have your memories?" she asked, longing for confirmation.
Patty sighed, her gaze fixed on Dawn. "Not the memories I should have. I was reincarnated after I died in 1978. I'm fairly certain that this body is the one I was reincarnated into. The only time I'm supposed to remember my previous life is when my daughters summon me, and I appear to them in an astral form they would recognize."
Understanding dawned on Tara's face. "So, that's why you called yourself Patty? Because that's what you were called in your previous life?"
Patty nodded. "Yes, My name was Patricia Halliwell, but everyone called me Patty. Now, I'm going to unfreeze the room now. Both of you need to pretend that no one else was frozen, okay?"
Dawn looked puzzled. "Why?"
Patty clarified the need for caution. "Because it risks exposure," she explained. "We can't afford to reveal that we're real witches."
Dawn drew a connection. "Because of things like the Salem witch trials?" she asked, glancing at Patty for confirmation.
Patty nodded solemnly. "Exactly. We need to keep our abilities hidden."
Tara concurred, realizing the importance of secrecy. "Yes, it would be dangerous if the wrong people found out."
Patty turned back towards the door flicked her wrist, releasing the freeze, allowing everyone to resume their movements.
"Slayer!" one of the vampires growled as Patty swiftly slammed the door shut.
Patty adopted an innocent expression, playing dumb. "Did you see what I—" Of course she knew they were vampires, of the Nosferatu variety which were a possessor demon unlike their cousins the Vampirus who were more of a hive variety. It had been why she had reacted on instinct and froze everything. She wondered about the word Slayer. She remembered reading something in the Book of Shadows about Slayers, but couldn't remember what.
"Vampires!" Spike exclaimed, interrupting Patty, his tone filled with urgency, as the group crouched down behind the door for cover.
"Maybe it's Halloween," Tara suggested, glancing at Patty and Dawn for confirmation.
Dawn shook her head, her instincts telling her otherwise. "Doesn't feel like Halloween," she replied.
Xander chimed in, the seriousness evident in his voice. "Even if it is, those were definitely not kids, and they were definitely not wearing costumes. Randy's right. We've got vampires!" He pointed out the banging on the door. "And I don't think they're knockin' for candy."
"Doors! We should check for other doors, make sure they're locked, and then put big heavy things in front of them! Come on!" Willow exclaimed, taking charge as she grabbed Xander and disappeared into the back of the shop.
Patty couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu as the chaos unfolded. "Monsters are real... Did we know this?" she whispered, careful not to reveal her prior knowledge of the supernatural. Her mother, Penny, had instilled in her the importance of keeping their family secret hidden from others.
Tara, her voice filled with urgency, responded, "I don't know. We n—need our memories back! We have to get to the hospital!"
Giles nodded in agreement. "Speaking as the proprietor of a Magic Shop, I propose we fight back. We can use things here in the shop, magic... tricks, or whatever they call—"
Before Giles could finish his sentence, a vampire slammed against the front window, followed by the relentless banging on the front door by another vampire. The vampires were determined to gain entry. "Send out Spike!" the first vampire demanded.
Giles pondered the situation. "They seem to want spikes," he observed.
Spike, seizing the opportunity, hurried over to Giles' desk and collected a handful of stakes among the clutter. "Here. Let's give 'em these," he suggested, his nonchalant demeanor concealing the underlying tension.
Dawn looked at Patty with concern. "Wait. What are they going to do—"
"Slayer! Come out and play!" a vampire called interrupting Dawn.
"Slay her! That's just what they said before. They're going to use those spikes—" Tara said.
Patty thought for a moment as she tried to remember the passage in the Book of Shadows that talked about the Slayer. "To kill a girl," she said as Spike put the stakes in his jacket pocket.
Just then, Willow and Xander returned, breathless, with crucial information. "You guys!" Willow exclaimed. "There's a trapdoor in the basement that seems to lead to the sewer."
"Let's go," Anya urged, as the group quickly made their way towards the basement. However, their escape was interrupted when the a vampire burst through the front window, blocking their path.
In a state of fear, everyone except Patty scurried into the front corner for safety. Patty, remaining composed, followed them at a more measured pace, positioning herself between the vampire and the innocents, Tara, and her sister.
Moments later, the other vampire broke through the front door, intensifying the perilous situation. Xander, thinking on his feet, dropped to his knees. ""Now I'm not sure what I am, so bear with me here, okay? Um, Now I lay me down to sleep... Shema Israel...uh, Ohm, Ohm," he said as he recited various prayers and mantras, attempting to ward off the vampires.
Meanwhile, the first vampire started vandalizing items in the shop, while the second vampire confronted Spike, their anger palpable. "You owe us!" the second vampire snarled at Spike, cornering him against the wall.
In a defiant gesture, Spike grabbed the stakes from his pocket and threw them at the vampire's feet. "Fine! Take the damn spikes!" he retorted.
The second vampire snarled at the stakes that clattered to the ground. "Don't be stupid," he said taking a step closer to Spike.
Seizing the opportunity, the first vampire lunged at Patty. Instinctively, she froze the room once again, thwarting the attack. "Stupid vampires," she quipped.
"Patty?" Patty heard her sister's concerned voice as Dawn moved closer, seeking comfort in their shared presence.
Patty smiled reassuringly. "I'm fine. I just need to unfreeze the room," she replied, flicking her wrist and releasing the frozen state.
The second vampire, still fixated on Spike, reiterated their demand. "I said, you owe us!"
Spike, feigning ignorance, responded, "Who, me?"
The second vampire nodded vigorously. "You got the boss's kittens!"
Confusion washed over Spike
Confusion washed over Spike's face. "Kittens?" he questioned, clearly perplexed.
Without warning, the second vampire lunged at Spike, preparing to attack. Acting purely on instinct, Patty swiftly kicked the first vampire in the groin, incapacitating him, and then grabbed a stake, driving it into the second vampire's heart.
Dawn's eyes widened in awe. "Whoa!" she exclaimed, witnessing the vampire turn to dust. She couldn't contain her admiration. "Way to go, Patty!"
"What did you just do?" Willow asked, her voice filled with awe and amazement.
Patty stared at the stake in her hand, her own surprise mirrored in her eyes. Vampires were notoriously stronger than humans, and she shouldn't have been able to stake one so effortlessly without relying on her freezing powers. "I don't know," she replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Meanwhile, the first vampire, sensing defeat, leaped out through the broken window, leaving a chilling warning behind. "The boss isn't going to like this. I'll be back, and I won't be alone."
Spike swiftly made his way to the front of the shop, strategically pulling down a metal security gate to secure the entrance. It was a temporary measure to buy them some time and prevent further intrusion. The loud clatter of the gate closing echoed through the shop, providing a momentary sense of safety.
Patty's mind raced with questions. How had she managed to defeat the vampire? What had triggered this newfound strength? The mysteries surrounding her own abilities and why she had her memories instead of the ones she should have for this lifetime deepened, but she knew she had to focus on immediate threats and find answers later.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Later four vampires, including the first vampire and the demon surrounded the outside of the magic shop. "The boys want to taste blood Boss," the first vampire said. "They want to break down the door."
"The boys are barbarians. There's no need for that. The humans will turn on him soon enough. And if not ..." the demon said as he lit a cigarette. "We'll burn the place to the ground."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Inside Patty peered out the barred window, looking at the gang of vampires. She turned around to face the others. "Okay, I've got a plan."
"All ears." Xander said.
"They seem to want Randy," Patty said. "And I'm strong. So, while you all go through the sewer and find the hospital, Randy and I'll take the monsters for a run."
"That's your plan?" Spike asked.
Patty nodded. "Yes."
"Right." Spike said.
Anya interjected, her voice carrying a hint of anxiety. " I'm not leaving the shop. I need to protect the cash register and ... do spells," she declared, her determination unwavering.
"Perhaps magic can help us. It's worth a shot," Giles suggested optimistically, his eyes searching for a glimmer of hope..
Patty rolled her eyes; very few non-gifted witches could actually successfully cast a spell she knew. Unless of course they were progenitors. She knew there were no other powered witches other than herself, Tara and Dawn. She was unsure though if there were any progenitors, since progenitors froze like everyone else. "Alright. You two work on that then. We got to go. Ready, Randy?"
Spike nodded firmly. "Ready, Patty," he affirmed, his voice tinged with a mixture of determination and loyalty.
Giles, however, had one last request. "Son, come here, please," he called out, gesturing for Spike to come closer. Spike complied, allowing himself to be enveloped in a heartfelt embrace.
Patty approached Dawn, her smile warm and reassuring. "Take care, Dawn. We'll make it through this," she said, her voice filled with sisterly affection and confidence as she pulled Dawn into her arms.
Giles and Spike awkwardly disengaged from their embrace, their emotions briefly laid bare.
Patty took a step back from Dawn, her eyes meeting her sister's. "I promise, Dawn," she said, her voice steady and resolute.
Dawn returned the sentiment with a nod, her worry etched on her face. "Be careful out there," she urged, her concern evident in her voice.
With a final exchange of glances, Patty and Spike prepared to face the danger that awaited them beyond the shop's doors.
Streets of Sunnydale
Patty and Spike burst out of the magic shop, racing through the pack of vampires that gave relentless chase. Within moments, the vampires closed in on them, their feral intentions evident.
As Spike grappled with one of the vampires, Patty called out his name with concern. "Randy!" she exclaimed, her worry for him palpable in her voice. She watched as Spike fiercely fought back, his face morphing into a vampiric visage. The vampire was sent flying, and Spike, now standing before Patty, couldn't help but taunt playfully, "Hey! I'm a superhero?"
Patty's brows furrowed slightly at the sight of Spike's vampiric transformation, but she pushed aside her concerns for the moment. Her priority was to lead the other vampires away from her companions and her sister. Without hesitation, she bolted forward, determined to lure them away.
"Patty! Where are you going?" Spike called out, his voice filled with urgency as he chased after her. "Hey, Patty, wait up!" He managed to catch up with her in a nearby residential neighborhood. He reached out to grab her shoulder and spun her around to face him.
In a swift and instinctive move, Patty seized the opportunity, using her momentum to flip Spike backward, effortlessly pinning him to the ground. Spike grumbled in disbelief, "Bloody hell! What're you doing?"
Patty stepped forward, her gaze locked with Spike's. "You don't know who you are," she stated firmly, her words laden with a mix of concern and revelation.
Spike scoffed, his voice laced with denial. "Right. None of us do. And we're being chased by the fiendy—" he began, but Patty interjected, cutting through his words.
"You're a Nosferatu," Patty revealed, her tone leaving no room for doubt.
Confusion flickered across Spike's face as he repeated the unfamiliar term. "Nosferatu?"
Patty clarified, her voice steady. "A vampire. There are two varieties: Nosferatu and Vampirus. You and they are Nosferatu."
Spike struggled to process the revelation. "How could you ..." he said. "I ... me a vampire ... Nah ..."
"Check the forehead ... and the teeth." Patty said pointedly.
Spike reached up to feel the distinct ridges on his face. He then ran his tongue over his fangs, his disbelief slowly giving way to acceptance. Finally, he placed his fingers to his throat, confirming the absence of a pulse.
"I kill your kind," Patty chimed in, her voice laced with a hint of caution. Spike, as a Nosferatu vampire, was a demon residing within a lifeless body. In her previous life, she had vanquished both Vampirus and Nosferatu.
Spike's expression softened as he locked eyes with Patty. "And I bite yours," he responded, his fierce demeanor giving way to a more introspective expression. "So why don't I want to bite you? And why am I fighting other vampires? I must be a noble vampire. A good guy. On a mission of redemption. I help the hopeless. I'm a vampire with a soul!"
Patty couldn't help but roll her eyes at the absurdity of the statement. "Oh my god," she exclaimed, a mix of disbelief and sarcasm lacing her words. "A vampire with a soul?! How lame is that?" With a sigh, she rose to her feet, allowing Spike to do the same.
Spike, undeterred by Patty's reaction, continued with enthusiasm. I'm a hero, really. I mean, to be cast such an ugly lot but then to rise above it, to seek better, nobler things. It's inspiring, in'it?" Spike said as he looked at Patty who watched him, expressionless. "And the two of us! Natural enemies thrown together to stand against the forces of darkness! Utter trust! No thought of me biting you. No thought of you staking me ..."
Patty interrupted his monologue. "Kind of depends on how long you keep on talking—" she remarked, her attention shifting as she heard the approaching vampires. She turned her gaze to see the four vampires followed closely by a formidable demon.
"You know what you're doing?" Spike asked, seeking reassurance in the face of the impending battle.
Patty nodded with determination. "Yes," she replied, her voice laced with confidence as she mentally prepared herself for the imminent confrontation.
"Why, if it isn't Mr. Spike and the Slayer," the demon sneered, addressing Spike and Patty. "It seems there was some miscommunication between us. Somehow you've killed three of my vampires."
Patty's mind raced, and a sudden recollection from the Book of Shadows flooded her thoughts. She remembered reading about the role of the Slayer, a mortal chosen by the neutral group known as the Powers that Be to combat the forces of darkness. While her family had been blessed with magical abilities, the Slayer she recalled was gifted with inherent strength and agility, operating without the need for magic. This revelation made her question her own powers in this lifetime and why Dawn hadn't froze back at the magic shop. If she wasn't a witch in this lifetime, it was likely that her sister wasn't either.
The demon's voice interrupted her train of thought. "Hey, so no big deal, they're a dime a dozen," he taunted. "But you know? You still haven't paid me my kittens. And that's okay too because you'll pay me now. At 'em, boys!"
Without further ado, the vampires lunged forward, launching themselves into the attack. Two vampires targeted Spike, while the remaining pair focused their attention on Patty.
Patty swiftly unleashed a series of blows, striking her assailants with precision. However, she was not invulnerable, and a sudden blow to her jaw caused her to momentarily stagger. Reacting swiftly, she kicked the vampires away, her eyes scanning the surroundings for a makeshift weapon. Spotting a nearby mailbox, she seized it, wrenching it free from its foundation. With a swift motion, she dispatched one of the vampires, driving the mailbox post through its heart, reducing it to dust.
Meanwhile, Spike engaged in his own intense fight, utilizing his vampiric strength to his advantage. He headbutted one of the vampires, rendering it incapacitated. Pulling a stake from his jacket, he swiftly plunged it into the heart of the fallen vampire, ensuring its demise.
As the chaos unfolded, Patty swiftly recovered from her momentary disorientation. Spotting another vampire advancing toward Spike, she intercepted it with a forceful kick, causing it to stagger backward. In a synchronized move, Spike seized the opportunity and struck the vampire, propelling it back toward Patty. Acting on instinct, she swiftly drove a stake through the vampire's heart, vanquishing it.
In that fleeting moment of triumph, Patty felt a surge of familiarity and understanding. The memories of Buffy Summers sprung forth from the depths of her mind. The pieces were coming together, and a newfound clarity washed over her.
Sewers
Xander, Dawn, Tara, and Willow ran for their lives, their footsteps echoing through the dark sewer tunnels. Behind them, a vampire pursued relentlessly, his menacing presence sending shivers down their spines. They knew they had to find a safe hiding spot, somewhere they could catch their breath and regroup.
As they rounded a corner, they spotted a ladder built into the side of the sewer tunnel. Without hesitation, Tara gestured for them to follow her, and they hurriedly made their way up the ladder and into an old pipe that ran parallel to the concrete wall. It was a tight fit, but they managed to squeeze inside, their breaths becoming audible in the confined space.
Xander kept a vigilant watch at one end of the pipe, while Tara guarded the other. In the middle, Willow turned to Dawn, her concern evident. "How ya doin', Dawn?" she asked, her voice filled with both genuine care and a hint of her own inner turmoil.
Dawn nodded, her voice tinged with a mix of fear and familiarity. "Okay. It's scary. But weirdly? Kind of familiar."
Willow understood Dawn's sentiment, her own confusion mirrored in her words. "I know what you mean. Everything feels so... jumbled. But I think I'm kind of gay."
Dawn blinked, absorbing the unexpected revelation. "Really? That's... brave."
Before they could delve deeper into their conversation, a sudden sound caught their attention. The vampire, having retraced his steps, was closing in on their hiding place.
Xander whispered a warning to the group, his voice barely audible. "He's coming."
They held their breath, anxiety building with each passing second. The vampire's footsteps grew louder as he approached the pipe, his presence looming closer. The vampire, his senses heightened, halted just below the pipe. He sniffed the air, a sadistic smile curling on his lips. "I smell fear," he taunted, relishing in the terror he sensed.
With a surge of determination, he began to climb the ladder, inching closer to his prey. The group inside the pipe trembled, their hearts pounding in their chests.
But just as the vampire reached the opening of the pipe, they swiftly scrambled out the other end, evading his clutches. Tara, Willow, and Dawn made it to safety, but as Tara jumped down, followed by Willow, the vampire lunged towards her.
In a split second, Willow threw herself on top of Tara, shielding her from the vampire's attack. They tumbled to the ground, the impact causing Willow's crystal to fall from her shirt pocket. Miraculously, it landed at the point of a V-shaped junction in the sewer, unbroken.
Xander, rushing down the ladder to join the fray, found himself caught in a fierce struggle with the remaining vampire. As their battle escalated, Dawn raced around the corner, clutching a piece of scrap wood she had found. "Alex!" she called. With a desperate throw, she threw the piece of scrap wood toward Xander.
Xander caught the piece of scrap wood in mid-air, holding it close to his chest just as the vampire lunged. The vampire impaled himself on the stake, turning to dust before their eyes. Xander stood in shock, uttering a breathless exclamation. "Wow."
Back in the other branch of the tunnel, Tara and Willow moved towards each other, their faces filled with longing.
Xander, still recovering from his near-death experience, stumbled backward, unaware of the crystal beneath his feet. He accidentally stepped on it, shattering it into pieces. The crystal's color transformed from black to white, and in that instant, the spell was broken and their memories restored.
Streets of Sunnydale
Buffy blinked, her mind flooded with memories that collided and merged—her life as Buffy Summers, her mother's death, her experiences in heaven and hell on Earth. She stood there, frozen in the midst of the conflicting memories of Buffy Summers and Patty Halliwell, grappling with the realization that she now remembered both lives. And if she dared to test it, she was certain she would possess Patty's powers as well.
Before she could fully process the weight of having two sets of memories, a vampire swiftly kicked Buffy in the face, sending her sprawling back onto the unforgiving pavement. She attempted to sit up, but the overwhelming surge of memories left her dizzy and sickened.
"Buffy..." Spike's voice called out, a flicker of recognition and identity crossing his features. He glanced over at Buffy, his gaze filled with concern. "Buff—"
Enveloped by a surge of fury, Spike's dormant instincts surged to the surface. He seized the vampires by their scalps, crushing their skulls together with a vicious force. The vampires crumpled to the pavement, reduced to nothing but lifeless dust.
Spike staked them without hesitation, uttering a solemn declaration. "From dust... to dust."
The demon, witnessing the swift defeat of his minions, regarded Spike with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. He couldn't help but comment on the peculiarities he observed. "You're an odd duck, Mr. Spike," he remarked, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Fighting your own kind, palling around with a Slayer. And that suit! Chutzpah must be your middle name."
Spike, his eyes gleaming with determination, walked deliberately toward the demon, his steps exuding an air of purpose.
The demon surveyed the surroundings, realizing he was now alone, with all his vampires reduced to mere remnants of ash. He hesitated, finding himself caught off guard as he spoke. "Uh, hey, look... About our little debt problem... It's okay. I don't need the kittens."
Spike seized the demon by the collar, his grip tightening momentarily. "You'll get paid. I'm no welsher," he growled, releasing his hold on the creature.
A smile curled on the demon's lips, a mix of admiration and amusement. "Right, sure. You're good for it. I know that. So, I'll just, uh... Yeah." He swiftly backed away from Spike, then hastened off into the veil of the night.
Spike, now alone, made his way over to Buffy, extending a hand to help her up from where she still lay on the ground. Concern etched his features as he asked, "You alright?"
Buffy ignored his outstretched hand, her gaze distant and troubled. She slowly rose to her feet, a silent resolve settling upon her. Without uttering a word, she began to walk away from Spike, leaving him behind in her wake.
September 29, 2001 – Saturday
Sunnydale Airport
Dawn strode purposefully into the bustling airport, her determination unwavering. After swiftly consulting with Anya, she had discovered that Giles was scheduled to depart today. With her mind set on confronting him, she made her way toward the area where he sat, patiently awaiting his flight. As she closed in on him, a simmering anger consumed her.
"Don't come back, ever," she snarled, her voice dripping with disdain, halting in front of Giles.
Giles, taken aback by Dawn's sudden appearance and the venom in her tone, glanced around in search of the familiar faces of Buffy or their friends. "Dawn?" he questioned, confusion evident in his expression. "How did...?"
Cutting him off, Dawn's voice grew sharper, laced with bitterness. "You know what she's been going through," she spat, her words filled with accusation. "And your solution is to run away. This is hurting her. And if you are going to hurt my sister, then don't come back, ever. Don't call, don't write, nothing!"
Her eyes bore into Giles, challenging him to defy her words. The weight of her sister's pain and her own protectiveness fueled her resolve, leaving no room for negotiation or excuses.
Summers Home
Dawn entered the house and was met by Buffy, who seemed concerned. "Where did you go?" Buffy inquired, her worry evident in her voice.
"To give someone a piece of my mind," Dawn replied, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. She looked at Buffy, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "So, I'm curious. Do you still have...?"
Buffy shrugged, uncertainty shadowing her expression. "I haven't tried. I remember Patty's life, so I know how to control the power. I've just been kind of scared of what it all means if I tried to use it."
"Then try it," Dawn encouraged, her voice filled with support.
Buffy nodded, contemplating the idea, just as they heard footsteps descending the stairs. Willow appeared, making her way down. In that moment, Buffy decided to put her newfound knowledge to the test. With a simple flick of her wrist, she froze the room, causing the footsteps to halt abruptly. Willow stood frozen in place.
"I guess that's a yes, Buffy," Dawn remarked, her eyes widening with excitement.
"I guess it is," Buffy replied, her mind racing with the memories that had surfaced from Patty's past. She recalled how Patty had also possessed the ability to freeze others. A realization struck her, and she turned to Dawn. "I wonder why Willow is frozen though?"
"Why?" Dawn asked curiously.
"Good witches don't freeze, remember?" Buffy said and then realization crossed her mind as a bit of Patty's memories came to her mind. "She could be a progenitor."
Dawn's brow furrowed in confusion. "Progenitor?"
Buffy explained, drawing from Patty's memories that were now interwoven with her own. "According to Patty's memories," she said as Dawn looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "I'm slowly remembering her life. The memories didn't go away. Anyways according to her memories a progenitor is a witch who marks the beginnings of a new magical lineage. It would explain how Willow can be a witch and still be frozen."
Dawn absorbed the information, her eyes widening in understanding. "So why am I not frozen?"
Buffy's gaze softened as she shared a significant detail. "Remember, the monks created you from me. They used some of my blood, which contains something that makes me a witch. That means you likely have powers too. You just haven't learned how to access them yet. We'll discover them together. I'll train you."
Surprised by her sister's offer, Dawn hugged Buffy tightly. "You're going to train me?"
Buffy returned the embrace, a warm smile on her face. "As I remember, yes. And it's not just because of your unwavering support since I revealed what our friends did. It's also because, as a witch with potentially active powers..."
Dawn nodded, her eyes filled with gratitude. "I understand. Thank you, Buffy. So are Patty's memories helping you with...?" she tapped the side of her head.
Buffy nodded as she smiled at Dawn. "Yeah, they're helping put everything in a new light," she affirmed. "When Patty died, she was offered the choice of going to heaven or being reincarnated and continuing the fight against evil. She chose to be reincarnated. Knowing that she chose to be reincarnated as me has brought into perspective everything about my life, including things I had dismissed till now. Patty believed there was a reason for everything, which means there is a reason for my dying, her memories and powers, all of it."
"You might be right," Dawn agreed as she wrapped her arms around her big sister again. When they broke apart she waved toward Willow. "Maybe you should," she suggested, prompting Buffy to flick her wrist and restore everything to normal. Moments later, Willow joined them in the living room, tears staining her cheeks.
"How are you doing, Will?" Buffy asked, genuine concern etched on her face.