Disclaimer: I don't own Buffy or any of the other wonderful characters in
the Buffyverse. I am using them without the permission of the people who
do own them who are not going to sue me because I am not making any money
off this. Joss Whedon, WB, Mutant Enemy, Kusui and Sandollar own the Buffy
characters.
Buffy was filling the water guns up with Holy water.
"I don't quite understand the purpose of these, Buffy," Giles said. Buffy picked up one.
"Well, all the slayerettes, even you Giles, carries one around, so if a vampire attacks you, just shoot some Holy water in their eyes," Buffy explained.
"Just like pepper spray," Willow commented.
"Yeah, but this is just a precautionary measure. I want everyone to stay
somewhere where none of the vamps can get you," Buffy said.
"Buffy, we're going to work out of Oz's basement, because Angel can come into the library whenever he wants," Willow told buffy, as she was putting some of the weapons into a box. Xander packing up books with Giles and Cordelia. Oz was helping Willow pack the weapons.
"Okay, what else needs to be done?" Buffy asked.
"Well, that's the last box. Buffy would you help carry these boxes out to Oz's van?" Giles asked, gesturing at a stack of five boxes.
"Sure," Buffy replied, picking up the stack of boxes. "Oz, where are you parked?"
***
Jenny was sitting across from the elderwoman of her tribe. Jenny sipped her coffee.
"So, Janna, you have returned to us."
"Yes, grandmother. I need your help," Jenny returned simply.
"It is about Angelus. . .and a girl. . .and others. Tell me about it. What do you need?"
"It is about Angel. The girl is Buffy and she is the Slayer. She loves him, and with his soul, he loved her. He helped them, Buffy, her watcher and her friends. And me. He saved my life. Now, they think it's my fault he lost his soul. I need help to restore his soul. And I want to make it permanent," Jenny explained, crossing her fingers, hoping they would be able to help her.
"I knew you would come. I have already begun the search. I will try to help you Janna, but I cannot cast the spell. It must be someone who was affected by the soul. And they must be trained in magic."
"What does the training involve? Can I do it?" Jenny asked.
"I was hoping you'd ask. Come with me Janna," the elderwoman got up and beckoned for Jenny to follow. Jenny followed silently.
***
They all sat together in the back of Oz's van. Buffy was getting nervous. The sun was dipping down to the horizon. They probably only had another half an hour. "Here we are," Oz said, pulling into the driveway. They all jumped out and Buffy grabbed the boxes. Willow grabbed her bag and Xander carried Buffy's
bag. Oz led them into the house and down to the basement.
"Are you certain it's okay for us to be here?" Giles asked.
"Yeah, like I said, no sweat," Oz replied.
"I'd feel better if we all stayed here tonight. Is that okay with you Oz? I just don't want anyone going out between sunset tonight and sunrise tomorrow," Buffy said.
"Sure, no problem. You guys can stay as long as you want. My mom's out of town visiting relatives and my dad works nights," Oz answered.
"Let's unpack then."
***
Angel paced back and forth, eagerly awaiting sunset. "Angel, love. Come out and play," Dru said through the door.
"Coming Dru," Angel replied. He didn't really love Dru. He never really had. She'd just been an obsession. But he never got tired of making Spike
jealous. It was so easy. "What do you want to play Dru?" Angel asked. He came out of the room and
grabbed her hands.
"I want to dance, but Spike wont' dance with me."
"I'll dance with you Dru," Angel replied, grabbing Dru and spinning her into the main room where spike was sitting in his chair. Spike glared at Angel as he spun Dru and she laughed. When they came to a stop, Dru walked over to Spike.
�What do you want to eat tonight Spike? Someone young? Someone old?" Dru asked him.
"What I want is to be able to hunt for myself again."
"To bad you're in the chair Spike. I'm going to get Buffy a present. The body of a certain red-haired hacker," Angel said.
"Can I come Angel? Can I?" Dru asked, getting excited.
"Sure, baby. As soon as the sun sets," Angel smiled, taking satisfaction in Spike's anger.
***
Jenny fell into a chair, completely exhausted. The training the elderwoman had spoken of was physically tiring. "Take a break Janna. Have something to eat and get a drink. Our work is difficult, but we're almost through. I will find out how far they are in
finding the spell. We will meet h ere in half an hour," the elderwoman walked off.
Jenny remained in her chair. <> A few moments later a woman walked in carrying a tray. The woman was younger than Jenny.
"Here Janna. The elderwoamn told me to give this to you. She said you would be hungry. I'm Alice, by the way. How are you feeling?" Alice asked.
I'm okay. Tired, but okay. Thanks for the food." Jenny started eating. She polished off every crumb.
"Wow, you must have been really hungry."
"Yeah, the training is pretty intense."
"Why are you doing the training?" Alice asked.
"I need to cast a spell," Jenny replied simply.
"What spell? Why? To whom? Oh, I'm sorry, I really don't have any right to ask you all these questions."
"That's okay. I guess a lot of people are curious. I just show up here, out of the blue and immediately plunge into training. You have heard the stories of Angelus?"
"Of course. Everyone in the tribe knows the stories."
"Well, I was sent to watch him. To make sure the curse still held. In the process, I got to know both him and a group of people he was involved with. Angel saved my life. However, when we gave him his soul, the curse had a small flaw. If Angel experienced even a moment of true happiness, he would lose his soul. Angel loved a girl, but now that his soul is gone, he's breaking her heart. I want to make it up to her by restoring his soul."
Alice nodded, and without a word, she leaned forward and gave Jenny a hug. Alice picked up the tray.
"Good luck."
***
The vampire who stood on watch to wait for sunset came into the room. "The sun is down," he announced and left the room. Angel smiled and jumped off the table he had been perched on. Dru got up from her chair next to Spike. "Let the games begin," Angel said, grabbing Dru's hand. Spike looked upset. "Don't worry Spike, we'll bring you something nice," Angel reassured Spike. Angel picked Dru up and swung her around by the waist. "Let's party!"
***
Giles put the last book onto the makeshift shelves they'd set up. Buffy picked up her crossbow. "I'm going to patrol. Xander, Cordelia, do you want to go home? Speak now or you're not going home."
"No, I'm staying," Xander replied.
"Me too," Cordelia said.
"Okay, I'll be back in an hour tops," Buffy said, heading out with her crossbow. "No one leaves."
***
Angel led Dru to Willow's house. Angel looked in the window. "She's not there," Angel said with disappointment. He thought for a moment. "Okay Dru, new plan. We'll split a passerby and wait for Willow to come home." Suddenly, Angel saw a girl with dark hair on the road. He walked out tot he sidewalk. "Excuse me, do you know the time?" Angel asked her politely. She turned around and Angel walked towards her.
"Umm. . .yeah, it's eight fifteen," she replied.
"Do you go to Sunnydale High?" he asked.
"Yes, I do," she answered, but looked at him suspiciously.
"Do you know Willow Rosenberg? I'm supposed to meet her, but I can't remember which house she lives in," he continued.
"Oh, you're a friend of Willow's? She helped me with science last year. Umm. . this is her house," the girl pointed and headed toward the house, "Yup, this is it." While her back was turned, Angel put on his game face.
"Thanks," he said as he sunk his teeth into her neck.
***
Buffy sat on the wall of the graveyard, swinging her legs with her crossbow ready. She smiled thinking about her situation. `How many teenagers hang around in graveyards waiting for vampires? Me, Kendra, and maybe a few weirdos.` Suddenly, she saw a vampire come out of a grave. She jumped silently to the ground and headed towards it. She aimed the crossbow and reached for the trigger. Then, out of nowhere another vampire grabbed her from behind. Buffy supported herself on the vampire's arms and kicked it in the knees. It let go of her and she quickly shot it in the heart. Then without missing a beat, she shot the other one straight in the heart. Buffy brushed off her jeans and smiled to herself. `Two is plenty for one night.` Then she headed back to Oz's.
***
Jenny fell into the bed the elderwoman had had prepared for her. Jenny was pleased with her progress. She had finished the training and they were almost finished preparing the spell. Jenny lay under the covers thinking about the work she had accomplished. She was pleased and proud of herself. As she drifted to sleep her last conscious thought was `Almost Buffy. Almost.`
***
"Angel, the sun will be up soon, I don't think she's coming home tonight. Let's go home," Dru said.
"Let's stop at Buffy's first. I want to know if she's protecting Willow. They might be at the library. Come Dru," Angel instructed grabbing her by the hand and marching in the direction of Buffy's house.
