Time After Time

Giles was the next to go. Strangely enough, it hadn't been a demon, or one of the minions of darkness that had killed him. Because of their advanced ages, both the former Watcher, and Buffy's former mother, Joyce Summers, had been forced to stay at the hotel.

Sunrise had forced both sides back to their residence. Buffy and Angel had taken Xander's dead body back to the hotel, to be buried later on, only to find that Giles had died shortly before their return. Buffy cried hysterically when she found out the circumstances. The former Watcher had simply had a heart attack. Joyce had informed them that he'd been worrying about everyone too much and the added strain had gotten to him, or so the paramedics had told her when she'd called him.

None of them could believe that Giles was gone. For Buffy and the others, Giles had been there forever, helping them through whatever new demon had sprung from Hell, or even when they just needed someone to talk to. Even though Buffy had gotten used to being without Giles and the others, she'd still viewed him as her Watcher, the one who'd looked out for her when the Council was on her back, and when she'd needed some strange demon needed researching.

Their day was filled with nothing but sleep, with the exception of the Charmed Ones. Many of them were aching from all of the fighting. Even Buffy was starting to feel it. The Slayer felt sympathy for her family. It had become clear that the fight would last a few days, at the very least, and the Charmed Ones would be left shielding the active 'human killer', until they found a way to disable, or destroy it.

For this reason, Buffy had Willow and Tara work on a spell to keep her family suspended in time, their power held steady, shielding the machine, until they found the 'off' button. Buffy watched from one of the upstairs windows of the hotel, as he family stood on a rooftop a few blocks away, frozen, but still casting their energy. No one, man or demon, would be able to move them, or the machine that sat on the footpath below.

The Slayer turned away from the sight. Tears filled her eyes as she thought about the battle. For years, it had been coming, but it hadn't truly been real. She'd always known that she would fight the battle, but she'd never lost anyone before. Not anyone close...

It was day two of the battle. The demons were back, as were Drusilla's troop of vampires. Since he didn't tire, Leo stayed on the field, as did Buffy, Spike, Dru and Angel. This rotation of empowered fighters were Anya, Cordelia, Willow, Wesley, Daniel and Tara. Merry, Elizabeth and Zo�, kept to the rooftops with the others, wielding daggers and crossbows.

Drusilla was having the time of her unlife, enchanting the demons, then killing them. She clapped and danced each time she took another demon down. It got to the point where Buffy couldn't help but liking Drusilla's antics. Spike periodically took stock of his family, which included Buffy, to see how they were all doing. His princess was his main concern, but Buffy and Angel came a very close second.

Sometimes, Buffy's friends would get a little enthusiastic in their killing of the demons, making it more painful than was necessary in death. It was times like those when Drusilla would start humming about the blood flowing and the screams of Hell. Buffy couldn't remembering hearing of a more entertaining battle to the death...

Even Angel couldn't help but be entertained by his murderous childe. Even at night, when everyone was too exhausted to even speak, there she was, mumbling about Miss Edith and their newest adventure, killing the big, bad demons that wanted to ruin her playground and destroy her happy home.

By the time daylight was on the rise for the second time, half of the Scourge had been killed. More vampires had joined Drusilla's minions throughout the night, as well as many other half breed demons, and even some full demons. They had had enough of the Scourge, and they didn't want their lives destroyed by the opening of Hell. It seemed, that in the twenty years passing Buffy's death, demons had wised up for some reason. She later discovered from Spike, that her death had actually triggered the change.

The number of demons on earth had great dissipated with her reign as Slayer, but even worse, the minions of Hell kept coming to the human dimension, trying to open the gate to Hell, hoping that with Buffy's death, so too, was the Hellmouth's protection.

The gate had briefly been opened, just after the news had circulated that the great Slayer had been killed at the hands of Kaltar. It had taken the Scooby Gang, as well as various Watchers, who had kept an eye on the team in Sunnydale, directly disregarding the Council's orders, three days to close the Hellmouth once again, sucking back in, the demons that had come out.

For those three days, Sunnydale got a taste of what it would be like if Hell came to their dimension. The other demons and vampires who had witnessed Hell's 'triumph', quickly put it forward that they were better off leaving Hell where it was. It was no place for them.

Many demons had mourned her death, especially those whose ingrained honor had applauded her personally, though not her cause. Many had fought and been defeated by her. In the years that passed her death, it had become an honor to have been defeated by her. It wasn't often that one came across a demon that had defeated her. Only Angelus had that medal on his mantle, and no one dared bother him when it came to the Slayer. He was still their enemy, but no demon uttered her name in his presence, not even in a drunken state, would they so much as think her name around the ensouled vampire...

And now, to all of the demons that joined her in battle, it was more than an honor to side with her against the very thing that would end their existence. And make no mistake, they had all heard who she was, who she had been, and would forever be. The Slayer was back, and strangely enough, most of them were happy about that...

Drusilla breezed into the dining room, intruding upon everyone's somber mood. She was trilling about the moon. "She whispers of death...he will die...he will die..." she giggled.

Spike silently got up from the table and gently ushered his princess out of the room. The vampiress' minions had disappeared at the first rays of the sun, as did all other demons, scurrying off to wherever it was they escaped to during the day. Buffy thought it sadly gratifying. Each morning, they would have an eleven hour respite, in which she and her friends would all spend worrying about who would be the next to die in the nights that followed.

For the fifth night in a row, the vampires and other various demons surrounded the hotel, waiting for the Slayer and her troop to exit and lead them into yet another night of fighting. Their spirits were high. In the five nights of dealing with the Scourge, only a third of their numbers were still active, whereas Buffy's side had lost only a third of the vampires and a couple of handfuls of demons, not to mention Giles and Xander.

For two nights, Buffy and her friends had had no fatalities. Some of the younger children had a few scrapes, since one of the Scourge had cornered them, but they knew how to handle themselves and soon, it had been dead. Buffy herself had almost made herself forget about the two others that were supposed to die, until Drusilla started up again.

What really worried everyone, was the length of time that the Warren/Halliwell line could continue to cast their energy. Even in their suspended state, it was becoming clear that their powers had been nearly drained. Buffy knew what she had to do, but she wasn't sure if she could pull it off. This would be the last night that her family would continue to cast the shield. After that, it would probably kill them.

And so it went, yet another night of fighting. Buffy methodically kicked, punched, froze and beheaded each of the Scourge that dared to go against her, as did Angel, Spike and Dru. Her friends and the rest of her family were still alternating between hand-to-hand, and crossbows.

Suddenly, a scream pierced the night. No windows or curtains were disturbed in the apartments above the street. No one dared to look at what was happening below. Each night, the residents of Los Angeles had instinctively stayed in, knowing that to venture out would be signing their death warrants, and trying to block out the noises that echoed in the night, the screams, the clashes of swords, was easier than a decade of therapy bills.

It was Buffy who dealt with her opponent first, then turned to the scream. She distantly heard Drusilla's melodic humming, indicating yet another death. To her right, she saw Marina, her Watcher, draped over the fallen body of her partner, and fianc�, Reginald.

To Buffy's rear, Wesley took a calming breath as he saw the body of his nephew. Just as the others had done, he collected himself, and vowed to grieve later. The former Watcher blocked out the image and went back to fighting...

Marina ignored the battle going on around her. She'd never thought that either of them would die this way. They had been Watchers, they didn't fight.

She was dimly aware of the demon that held his sword above her head, ready to kill her. She didn't move. She didn't care...

Spike saw the two Watchers and groaned. One was dead, and the other soon would be. He noticed that he was the closest and rushed over to stop the demon. He ignored the expression of Marina's face and hauled her out of the way, while she collected herself.

The vampire didn't wait for her to acknowledge him. He shook his head to himself. "I'm bloody pussy-whipped..." he muttered to himself, as he made his way back to the battle.

They watched the battle that continued beneath them. Hanging in limbo, all they could do was float above and keep and eye on things. They couldn't even guard their friends and family.

They cried when someone died, they laughed when Drusilla did her thing, they felt fear whenever a demon got too close. They did all the things that the others were too busy and too focused to do. All of the emotions that were bottled up inside their friends, was released through them for the time being.

The female smiled sadly. "I know, and I won't even have time to say goodbye. As soon as I leave the protection of their spell, I'm going to die. This energy field that we cast has taken too much out of me."

"Why?" One of the others asked. "We're all as strong as each other. If one of us is drained to the point of death, then all of us should be, as well."

"You won't be the only one to go. You'll be taking her with you..." The rest of the group understood in an instant, as Phoebe placed her hand on the other woman's stomach.

Buffy had taken everything that she could take care of. It was daylight once more, and she and her friends were up on the rooftop, standing by the circle of Halliwells that were casting their shields.

Prior to dawn, Leo had been able to switch off the device that was being protected by the Charmed Ones. He'd been able to move through the power of the Charmed Ones, and not being human, he was able to turn it off without being made a pile of dusty Whitelighter.

Leo had finished the task just as dawn approached. The Scourge had fled with the oncoming sunrise, not realizing that their doomsday device had been disabled, and as they had done each day, they had left the device in its place on the footpath, undisturbed by the masses. Or so they thought...

Once they came back, a new shield would be in place, and the demons would be unable to penetrate it, and wouldn't be able to turn it back on, keeping the world safe until the Scourge were defeated. The lack of negative energy trying to break through the shield would mean less power needed to keep the shield up. This worked to Buffy's advantage.

Angel gave Buffy and quick hug and kiss, before shaking Leo's hand, as did the rest of the group. Leo whispered a quick, "Take care of the others for me..." to Angel, before Leo and Buffy took their places beside the rest of their family.

Willow and Tara began reciting the spell that would awaken Phoebe, Piper, Prue, and the others. The group fell into a heap of exhausted bodies, as Leo and Buffy recited a spell of their own, casting a shield around themselves and the Scourge's doomsday device, taking over the Charmed Ones' role.

The two mortal witches once again hung the Whitelighter and Slayer in time, keeping them protected from the demons, and their own spell. Leo and Buffy's world fell away as the spell took effect. They didn't see their family start to rise...

Just as the Charmed Ones before them, Buffy and Leo were aware of what went on. They were, however, surprised to see one of them in limbo with them.

Buffy looked at her, then back at the scene below them. "You're the fourth person, aren't you? You're the last to die..." The Slayer pointed out the single body that still remained on the ground, below them.

Buffy didn't cry. Somehow, she'd known it would happen, but she hadn't wanted to believe it. Even Leo said nothing. The figure before them smiled sadly. "Phoebe wanted to tell you, but she just couldn't. It's for the best..."

A smile began to form on his face as he felt warmth surge through his body. He held the palm of his hand over her forehead. She tried to remove it. "Leo, there's nothing you can do. I'm already dead."

"Dead, but not quite gone, apparently." Buffy pointed to the group of Whitelighters behind them. Leo and Buffy immediately knew that the surprised figure in front of them was about to become like Leo, a Whitelighter, a guide for future Whitelighters and good witches.

Leo sighed in relief. "I was told when I first became the guardian of the Charmed Ones, that one of the sisters would become a Whitelighter, herself. I just never expected it to be you..."

The brunette smiled. "I guess we'd better start with our friends out there. They look like they're doing pretty well, but they could probably use a hand..." she suggested.

"You'll have to come with us, first, young lady," came an amused voice from behind. The trio turned around. Before them, stood a circle of five beings, all trussed up in robes. "There are a few things that need to be considered and rectified. Number one, is that the world will need the coming child in years to come."

The apparent leader smiled. "You're sister will carry her to term. She will still be Charmed, though, no matter who gives birth to her. You are still her mother."

Buffy and Leo gasped at the implication. Another Warren witch had been on the way. Bright light blinded the trio, as the child's soul was removed from the energy of its mother, and placed in Phoebe. No sooner that it had occurred, that Phoebe had a premonition. She sobbed her relief and made her way back to the hotel with the others.

Yet another night had passed. There would be no more fatalities on the side of good. Only one more night, then all would be finished...

The brunette cried silent tears as she felt the absence of her child. She backed away from Leo and Buffy, the light and its guardians beckoning her to her teachings. The couple soon felt alone.

Anya sat in her room, alone. It had been five nights since her husband had been killed. The former vengeance demon knew that she still hadn't the time to properly grieve, and nor did she. The tears just refused to come...

Joyce spared a thought for Buffy. She didn't know why, though. It wasn't as if Buffy knew what was going on, being suspended in time and all. But Joyce's attention was focused more on Giles. Over the years, with Buffy's death almost two decades ago, the two adults had become closer, to the point of being one another's best friend.

Marina sat in the bedroom that she had recently shared with her fianc�, Reginald. She was on the bed, her knees under her chin as she rocked back and forth. She was a Watcher, she wasn't supposed to be like this, but even Watchers had feelings...

Tears seeped down her cheeks as she remembered her final conversation with him. It was now so obvious that he'd had some inkling that he was about to die. Marina made a decision about her future in that instant. She would take up his cause. The Watcher's Council didn't matter anymore. Nothing mattered...

Wesley rubbed his eyes, behind his spectacles. Even though Xander had been an annoyance at the best of times, he'd still been a friend, and the former Watcher would miss his startling personality. Rupert Giles was another soul he wished good luck to in the afterlife. He'd never been sure where he'd stood with Giles, but in the passing years, they had become each other's greatest source of information...and respect.

And finally, his nephew, Reginald. There hadn't been time for them to get reacquainted, but he'd been fond of the boy when he was younger, and even more so, knowing that Reggie hadn't allowed others to poison his mind against their little operation in California. It now seemed that they had done more good for the world in their twenty-four years, than the Council had been able to accomplish in any given time.

Melinda sat silently in the lounging area. She couldn't believe that her mother was dead. Her father and her older sister were both stuck in some kind of time vortex, which prevented them from doing anything apart from keeping their shield in place.

Or did they? Melinda questioned herself. She dimly recalled her time in the same vortex, and she remembered saying goodbye to her mother. Maybe her father and sister knew...

That somehow made her feel worse. If the rest of her immediate family knew, then they were probably all messed up inside. Especially her father. Suddenly, Melinda knew that her family knew what had happened, but the loneliness and helplessness left her soul, only to be replaced by a seed of hope.

Drusilla watched the scene around her, with unsurpassed delight. The mean Slayer was frozen in time, her mother was dead, and so was the second generation of Charmed Ones, since the middle witch had taken the child with her in death.

"Ooooh..." she moaned as a vision hit her. Drusilla bent over in pain. Spike rushed over to his princess and held her gently, asking her what she'd seen.

Wesley removed his glasses as he handed a glass of water and an aspirin to his wife. "These synchronized visions are starting to become a startlingly regular occurrence..." he observed wryly.

Cordelia agreed. "You'd think that with three visionaries around, they'd just choose one of us to send it to, then a different one each time. It'd be much less painful..."

"You get used to it after a while," Phoebe chuckled. The premonitions didn't bother her any more. They were never painful, but sometimes gave her a bit of a shock. "It does get a tad annoying, though."

Phoebe grinned as she put a hand over her own stomach. Cordelia watched in silent fascination, and Drusilla's gaze never left the witch's belly, her hunger and crazed longing obvious, and slightly unnerving...

Finally, it was all over. For the seventh night in a row, the Slayer's allies had fought the pure demons, beating them, down to the very last one. It had been Drusilla's pleasure to eliminate the last of the Scourge, driving a long, flat sword into its stomach, jerking it upward with a crazed grin.

It was soon after, that the other vampires and demons faded back into the night, their task completed. Willow and Tara quickly awoke Buffy and Leo from the spell, and once their shield was done, Angel and Spike destroyed the Scourge's End Of Days device.

Slowly, but surely, the desensitized group made their way back to the Hyperion Hotel. Angel carried the still off-balance Buffy, as Prue and Phoebe aided Leo. No one dared mention Piper, at least until they'd gotten back to the hotel and sat down.

It was about an hour or two before daybreak, but no vampires, or demons, apart from Angel, Spike and Drusilla, were on the streets of Los Angeles. No one believed that it would last, but for now they had a brief respite.

It was about twenty minutes later when everyone was seated around the lounging area of the hotel. Everyone was uncomfortable around Leo and Buffy, not knowing exactly how to tell them that Piper was dead. All, except for Melinda.

It was Angel who finally took charge. He asked to speak to the father and daughter team privately, then took them into the room that he used as his office. Buffy and Leo sat down, questioning looks on their faces. Angel sat down in his chair and sighed.

Angel slowly closed his eyes. He was relieved that he didn't have to break the news of Piper's death to them. The vampire hadn't looked forward to a hysterical Buffy, he hated to see her cry...

"Oh, I don't believe this!" Piper let out an exasperated groan. She'd been cooped up in the tiny hall with several of her new 'bosses' for hours, and they still hadn't gotten any further into revealing what her duties were.

As the group argued in hushed tones, the new Whitelighter took a seat, contemplating her new existence. On the plus side, she'd get to spend time with her family, without consequences, but on the negative side, she'd be like Leo, popping in and out every time that someone was in trouble.

The more she thought about it, the more troublesome it seemed, but then again, no one thought anything of it whenever Leo was called away. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad, afterall...

Everyone was marveling over Phoebe's recent discovery of her pregnancy. There was nothing like celebrating a new birth to take a person's mind off the death of a loved one. Even Marina, in all of her grief, gave a brief smile every now and then as they all spoke about the new addition and what it meant for them all.

Even Drusilla was cooing over the child that grew in Phoebe's womb. The vampiress' earlier expression for the fetus making the witch slightly wary, but Dru seemed to have settled down.

Spike was glad that his princess was starting to fit in. He was sorry about the Slayer's mum, but he had a feeling that they'd see her again. Spike wasn't exactly sure how, but he was still sure...

Drusilla cooed to the young lady inside the witch's tummy. She would grow up big, strong and...powerful. She would be an auntie to the little girl. Her Spike would help the mean Slayer and her friends, and she'd stay with him for an eternity, and then they would all die. She could wait 'til then to have her Spike back, all to herself...

Buffy was seated in Angel's lap by the time she'd ended her tale. The vampire was stunned into silence. In his experience, the only beings that came back from the dead were evil. He hadn't known the full story behind Leo, either, so naturally, Angel contemplated what this meant for his and Buffy's future.

Suddenly, Buffy's face lit up. She spied the figure of her mother behind Angel. Leo stood from his chair and held his wife close. Buffy leapt from Angel's lap and joined her parents. After a minute, the family let go of each other.

Piper smiled, but shook her head. "Wait a minute. There's something that I should do first." The former witch turned to her daughter. "I've been sent here for my very first charge."

Piper shook her head. "No." She turned to Angel. "I was told that there was a prophesy that needs fulfilling, and I'm just the future mother-in-law/Whitelighter to do it..."

Angel rose from his chair and crossed over to Piper slowly. He couldn't believe that the time had finally come for his redemption. And contrary to his earlier belief, Buffy was with him when it happened...

Piper held her hand over his heart. The four beings watched joyously as Angel's heart resumed beating, slowly, but surely, inside his warming chest.

Buffy and Angel failed to notice Leo and Piper orb out as Angel lifted his lover and soon-to-be wife up into his arms and swung her around the room, laughing at his new-found humanity...

From their own private little cloud, Piper and Leo watched their family discover the bond they held between them over the next day or so. Buffy and Angel were planning to elope, while Wesley had invited Marina to aid him in starting his own unofficial Watcher's Council. Naturally, the numerous Halliwell's wanted to be a part of it.

The second generation of Charmed Ones would soon be on its way. That was their only regret, that they wouldn't be having their child, but Phoebe was a good choice. The Whitelighter couple debated on whether to go see Cole, to get him a quick pass out of Hell to see his wife and daughter, Penny.

Within twenty-four hours, the teams from Sunnydale, Los Angeles and Bay City were a family, so Piper and Leo decided to keep out of their hair for a while a get around to fulfilling their own fantasies.