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Distribution: For all my stuff and some other Buffy/Angel stuff (gallery, episode guide, character file, demon file etc) check out my website. www.geocities.com/slayerandvampirealways If you want this story or any of my work contact me and I will let you know, but please ask first.

 

Also if any of you would like to beta read my work plz let me know.

 

Summary: What if Buffy and Angel never slept together on her birthday, my take on what would have happened after that. (Same couples as in the show)

 

*************************************

 

It's late. All is dark and peaceful. Buffy stirs in her sleep, wakes. Reaches for a glass of water on her nightstand, finds it empty. A beat. She climbs out of bed. Still half-asleep, Buffy pads down the hallway. From the shadows behind her emerges Drusilla, ripe, carnivorous blood staining her mouth. A truly horrifying sight.

Dru stalks Buffy - is a heartbeat away from grabbing her when Buffy senses something and turns.

There is nothing there. Buffy shrugs it off, moves to the bathroom door. She opens it and enters the Bronze?!!! Buffy wanders in, still in her pyjamas. The music is haunting, otherworldly. Willow is at a table, having coffee with a monkey - who wears a little hat and a vest. She turns and waves. Buffy, puzzled, waves back.

Buffy turns and sees Joyce, who is drinking coffee out of a large cup and saucer. Joyce looks concerned - addresses Buffy.

“Do you really think you're ready, Buffy?”

“What?” the saucer Joyce is holding slips from her hands. It falls to the ground and shatters, Buffy looks at the broken plate on the floor and then back up to her mother to find her gone. Buffy turns again, wanders to the dance floor - which is alive with sexual energy. Couples writhe sensuously to the music - totally entwined, into each other - oblivious to her. The crowd parts and Buffy sees Angel on the other side of the dance floor. They meet eyes - smile. Through all the oddness - it is a moment of true connection, lovee. They move toward each other. Just as Buffy is about to reach Angel, Drusilla appears again behind him. Dru stakes Angel in the back - so swiftly and suddenly that Buffy can't act in time to save him.

“Angel!” Buffy reaches for him. She touches his hand and less than a second later it turns to dust. She looks up to his face, which disappears, before her eyes revealing Drusilla who is leering at her. She addresses Buffy, relishing every moment of her suffering. But as she opens her mouth to speak she is pierced by a stake from behind in much the same fashion as she did to Angel. Buffy is then faced by herself, just a little older.

“Buffy whatever you do tomorrow night do NOT sleep with Angel, both of you instead go and see Jenny Calendar and ask her who Janna is? Don’t sleep with Angel whatever happens, trust me it will ruin your entire life. Just like it did mine.” Buffy bolts up from her bed, waking in horror and confusion from her dream. She's very panicked and covered in sweat.

*

Buffy knocks at Angel's door. A little tentative.

“Angel?” There is silence for a second then a muffled reply.
“Hold on.” He opens the door. Just out of bed. Nicely rumpled.

“Hey... Everything okay?” They move inside. The shades are drawn. It's dark as a tomb. Good thing, too.

“That's what I was going to ask you. You're okay, right?”

“Sure. I'm fine. What's up?” Buffy moves into his arms, relieved. Angel's happy to hold her, if a bit confused.

“I had this dream. Drusilla was alive. It was awful-“

“What happened?”

“She killed you. Right in front of me. I saw the whole thing.” Buffy debates whether or not to tell him the rest and decides not to. Angel strokes her, trying to soothe.

“It was just a dream. It wasn't real.”

“But it felt so real.”

“It wasn't. Here I am.” Buffy moves away from him now, her anxiety mounting.

“This happened before, Angel. That dream I had about the Master... It came true.”

“Still, not every dream you have comes true. I mean, what else did you dream last night? Can you remember?” Buffy thinks, then

“That... Giles and I opened an office supply warehouse in Las Vegas.” She looked up at him with a slightly reddening face, embarrassed a little by his obvious point.

“You see my point.”

“Yeah. But, I mean, what if Drusilla is alive? We never saw her body.”

“She's not. But even if she was - we'd deal.” He moves to her. Draws her back into his arms.

“But, what if-“ Angel silences her with a kiss. Tense at first, Buffy relaxes into it. The intensity grows fast. Finally Angel pulls away.

“What if what?”

“Sorry. Were we talking? They kiss some more. The bed in the corner entices. They both feel it - glance there - but don't go there.

“I... have to get to school.”

“I know.” And they kiss some more.

“God. You feel-“

“You have to go to school...” Still kissing, Angel picks her up and moves her to the front door. Now they kiss against the door. Finally they pull back.

“Alright. This is me leaving.” Buffy opens the door, but pauses for one last kiss.

“You still haven't told me what you want for your birthday.”

“Surprise me.”

“Okay. I will...” They smile. Neither one wants to end the moment.

“This was nice. I like you first thing in the morning.”

“It's bed time for me.”

“Then I like you at bed time.” She realizes how that sounds. “I mean... You - know what I mean...”
”I think so.” He pauses for a minute before saying “What do you mean?”

“That I... I like seeing you. And the part at the end of the night when we say goodbye, it's.., getting harder.” Buffy waits for an agonizing minute before he responds.

“Yeah. It is.” They just look at each other. Afraid to say any more.

*

“"I like you at bed time?" You actually said that?” Buffy and Willow are walking toward school together.

“I know. I know.”
“Man. That's - I don't know, that's moxie or something!”
“Totally unplanned. It just came out.”

“And he was into it? He wants to see you at bed time, too?” Buffy stops walking. Suddenly feeling the weight of this.

“Yeah. I think he does. I mean, he's cool about it.”

“Of course he is. Cause' he's cool. He would never, you know…”

“Push.”

“Right. He's not the type.”

“Willow. What am I going to do?”

“What do you want to do?” Buffy suddenly remembered the more confusing part of her dream.

“Well... WANT isn't always the right thing... To do, I mean. To act on want can be wrong.”

“True.”

“But, to not act on want. You could watch your whole life pass you by.”
“Carpe diem. You told me that once.”

“Seize the fish?”

“Not carp. Carpe. It means seize the day.”

“Oh. Right. I think we're going to... seize it, Will. Sooner or later. Once you get to a
certain point - seizing is sort of inevitable.” This sinks in. They start to walk again - slowly.

“Wow.”

“Yeah.”

“Wow...” Buffy notices Oz, guitar in hand, walking ahead.

“Ooh, speaking of wow potential, there's Oz. What are we thinking? Any sparkage there?”

“He's nice. I like his hands.”

“Ooh, fixation on insignificant detail. Definite crush sign.”

“I don't know, though. I mean, he is a senior...”

“You think he's too old cuz he's a senior? Please. My boyfriend had a bicentennial.”

“That's true, I guess... I just...”

“You can't spend the rest of your life waiting for Xander to wake up and smell the hottie. Make a move. Do the talking thing.”

“What if the talking thing becomes the awkward silence thing?”

“You won't know unless you try. Come on, Will - seize the fish!” Buffy smiles, moves on ahead. Leaving Willow to her task. As Buffy enters the building she fails to notice an old dark-skinned man who is lurking near the school. Will gathers her courage as she catches up with Oz. He's pleased to see her. In his Oz-ian way.

“Hey.”

“Hey.”

“Do you have a... a gig tonight?”

“Practice. The band's kind of moving towards this new sound where we suck. So, practice.”

“I think you guys sound good. I bet you've got a lot of groupies.”

“It happens. But I'm living groupie-free nowadays. I'm clean.”

“Oh.”

“I'm gonna ask you if you wanna go out tomorrow night. I'm actually kind of nervous about it. It's interesting.”

“Oh. Well, if it helps at all, I'm gonna say yes.”

“It helps. It adds a comfort zone. You wanna go out tomorrow night?” She is about to answer with a yes when she remembers something.

“I can't!”

“I like that you're unpredictable.”

“It's Buffy's birthday and we're throwing her a surprise party.”

“That's okay.”

“But, you could come. If you wanted.”

“Don't wanna crash...”

“No, that's fine. You could be my... date.”

“All right. I'm in.” He takes off, Willow standing in place, a little shocked.

“I said date...”

*

Cordelia's at her locker. Xander hangs around, trying to look like he's not hanging around.

“So, Buffy's party. Manana.”

“Right. Just because she's "miss save the world" we have to make a big deal. I have to cook and everything.”

“You're cooking?”

“I'm chips, and dips girl.”

“Horrors. All that opening and stirring.”

“And shopping and carrying.”

“You should have a person who does such things for you.”

“That's what I've been saying to my father. But does he listen?” Xander leans in. They talk in hushed tones.

“So, you're going. I'm going. Should we - you know - go?”

“Why?”

“I don't know... This thing. With us? Despite our better judgement - it keeps happening. Maybe we should just admit that we're dating.”

“Groping in a broom closet is not dating. You don't call it a date until the guy spends money.”

“Fine. I'll spend - then we'll grope. Whatever. It's just some kind of whacked that we feel we have to hide from all our friends.”

“Well, of course you want to tell everybody. You have nothing to be ashamed of. I, on the other hand, have everything to be ashamed of.”
”Know what? 'Nuff said. Forget it. Must have been my multiple personality guy talking. I call him Idiot Jed, Glutton for Punishment.” He moves off. Cordelia closes her locker, catches up to him.

“Let me... Think about it. Can I pick out your clothes?”
“For the party?”
“For pretty much... every day.” She walks off. Xander watches her, chagrined, then sees Giles in the school lounge. He moves to him.

“Good morning. I trust that everything is in order for the party.”
“Absolutely. Ready to get down, you funky party weasel?” Giles sees Buffy and Ms. Calendar approaching.

“Ah. Here comes Buffy. Remember -discretion is the better part of valour...”

“You could have just gone - "shhhh." Are all you Brits such drama queens?” Giles would respond, but Buffy and Ms. Calendar have now joined them. Xander turns to Buffy

“Buffy! I feel a pre-birthday spanking coming on.” Buffy gives Xander a look that would melt steel.

“I'd - curb that impulse, Xander.”
“Check. Cancel spanking.”
“What's the matter, Buffy? You look fatigued.”

“Rough night. I had a dream that Drusilla was alive - and she killed Angel. It really spun me. I even went by Angel's on the way to school to make sure he was okay.”

“There's a line I haven't tried. "I just dropped by to see if you're dead." It says caring. Concerned. Smooches guaranteed.”

“Please. I didn't go over there for smooches - Well. When I found out he was okay
I was relieved, and so, naturally...Someone stop me.”

“So, Angel's alright?”

“Yeah, but... I've just got this bad feeling. This wasn't a normal dream.”

“You feel it was more of a portent?”

“I don't know. I don't want to start a big freak-out over nothing.”
”Still. We should be on alert. If Drusilla is alive then we may be facing a cataclysmic state of affairs.”

“Again. So many words. Can't you just say we'd be in trouble?”

“Go to class, Xander.”

“Gone.” He starts to move away. Stops. “Notice the economy of phrasing. "Gone." It's simple. Direct.” And he's off.

“I guess I should get gone, too.”

“Don't worry yourself unduly, Buffy. This could be nothing.”

“I know. I should keep my Slayer cool and all, but, it's Angel. Which automatically
equals maxi-wig.” And she heads to class. Ms Calendar and Giles watch her go -then move down the hall toward the libraary. Giles' expression now betrays the fact that he is more concerned than he let on.

“What? You really think Buffy's having premonitions?”

“It's possible.” Ms Calendar and Giles enter the library, continuing their talk.

“I guess it makes sense. I mean, all of Buffy's senses are heightened. Why should her intuition be different?”

“Precisely. It's not unheard of for the Slayer to start having prophetic dreams and visions as she approaches adulthood-”

“Adulthood? Buffy's seventeen tomorrow, Giles. Don't rush her.”

“I'm not the one rushing her. While I'm loath to say it, the fact is - the Slayer rarely lives into her mid-twenties. It follows that she'd exhibit signs of maturity early on.
Her whole life-cycle is accelerated.”

“Still, you should be careful about treating her like a grown-up. Like - this thing with Angel. Have you even talked to her about it?”

“I - I suppose I try not to pry.”

“Maybe you should, a little. The way she talks - it's clear she has intense feelings for him”
“Well, yes. They're friends-”

“They're more than friends and you know it.” A minute passes as this sinks in.

“I'm not her father, Jenny.”

“She looks up to you. She'll never actually say that, but she does. And I just think, at her age, it's easy to get in. over your head.  She could make some bad choices here. Trust me on this one.”

“I'll keep an eye to it. Right now I'm worried enough trying to think of the right birthday present.”

*

In a factory in the seedier side of Sunnydale a vampire is coming in with a large box. The box is rectangle shaped, but has an odd peg groove device at one end, as though it is meant to fit with another piece.

“I have your package.” A voice emerges from the shadows.

“Just put it on the table. Near the other gifts.” Dalton moves away as Spike rolls out of a dark corner of the factory. He's in a wheelchair, disabled from the accident at the church - deathly pale and scarred from buns.

“Are you dead set on this, pet? Wouldn't you rather have your party in Vienna?” Now we reveal Drusilla, brimming with vitality, who pushes Spike into the main room of the factory for a party. It is being decorated by two vampires. Creepy Drusilla style, natch. Two boxes similar in look but different sizes are on the table. Dalton adds his to the pile.

“But - the invitations are sent.” Spike knows this is true - although he doesn't like it.

“It's just, I've had it with this place. Nothing goes off the way its supposed to.”

“-until my celebration. My gatherings are always perfect. Remember Spain? The bulls?”

“I remember, sweet. But Sunnydale is friggin' cursed for us. Angel and the Slayer see to that.”

“Shhhh. I have good games for everyone. You'll see.” She sees some flowers woven about two of the chairs. Stops, suddenly shaking. “These flowers are wrong. They're all wrong - I can't abide them!” She screams with genuine horror and tears them off the chairs - then stops, as suddenly as she begun. Spike looks wearily at the two vamps.

“Let's try something different with the flowers, then.”

“Can I open one? Can I? Can I?”

“Just a peek, love. They're for the party.” She goes to the boxes. She opens it and looks inside with rapturous glee. “You like it, baby?”

“Oh, it reeks of death. This will be the best party ever.”

“Why's that?”

“Because it will be the last.” She slams the box closed.

 

****************************

 

It's morning at the Summers’ residence and Joyce is clearing plates from the breakfast table while Buffy gets ready to leave for school. There is an open birthday card near Buffy's place.

“Mall trip for your birthday on Saturday. Don't forget.”

“Space on a mom-sponsored shopping opportunity? Not likely.”

“So, does seventeen feel any different than sixteen?”

“Funny you should ask - I actually woke up feeling more mature, responsible and level-headed.”

“Really? That's uncanny.”

“And yet, true. I now possess the qualities one looks for in a licensed driver.”

“Buffy.”

“You said we could talk about it again when I was seventeen.”

“You've been seventeen for forty-eight minutes.”

“And-”

“First of all - you promised you'd stay out of trouble in school.”

“I try. You know I do. But Principal Snyder has it in for me-”

“I know. But... You behind the wheel, it worries me.”

“It worries all moms. It's biological imperative. But I'm going to drive sooner or later, so we might as well deal sooner - right?” Joyce turns to her - a plate in her hand. The same exact pose and expression she had in Buffy’s dream.

“Do you really think you're ready, Buffy?” The plate slips from her grasp - shatters on the floor. Joyce reacts to breaking the plate.
“Oh, damn it.” She stoops to pick up the pieces. Buffy just stands there, power-freaked by the dream deja vu.

“Grab the broom, would you Buffy?” Nothing. Joyce looks up. Buffy's gone. The back door slams. Joyce looks after her skittish daughter, baffled.

*
Jenny enters her classroom, loaded down with her bag, books, cup of coffee, etc. She sets some stuff down near a terminal. Turns the computer on-

“Jenny. Jenny Calendar...” Jenny spins - sees the old man who was watching Buffy earlier outside the school. He's standing at her desk, reading her nameplate his voice is tinged with a more than obvious Yugoslavian accent. A few minutes as Jenny comprehends his presence in her classroom.

“You startled me.”

“You look well. Comfortable.” Jenny becomes increasingly uncomfortable.

“Yes. I'm fine. I - I know I haven't written as much lately. I've been busy-”

“I cannot imagine what is so important that you ignore your responsibility to your people.”

“I've been working. And. distracted. I'm sorry.”

“The elder woman has been reading signs. Something is different.”

“Nothing's changed. The curse still holds. He's still tortured by all that he's done-”

“No. The elder woman is never wrong. She says his pain is lessening. She feels it.”

“There is...”

“There is - what?”

“A girl.” The old man's eyes fill with fire. He cannot believe what he is hearing.

“What? How could you let this happen?”

“I promise you. Angel still suffers. And he makes amends for his evil. He even saved my life.”

“So you just forget? That he destroyed the most beloved daughter of your tribe? That he killed every man, woman and child who touched her life? Vengeance demands that his pain be eternal, as ours is. If this - this girl - brings him even one minute of happiness. That is one minute too many.”

“I'm sorry. I thought-”

“What? That you are Jenny Calendar now? You are still Janna, of the Kalderash people. A gypsy.”

“I know, Uncle. I know...”

“Then prove it. Your time for watching is past. The girl and him - it ends now. No matter what you must do, take her from him.”

“I - I will see to it.”

“Good.” He moves off, exits. Leaving Jenny a total mess.

*

Cordy and Harmony stroll to class they see Xander and Willow hanging in the lounge.

“Hello. I'm having, like, a totally random thought... Xander Harris. Is it just me, or
does his shirt almost match his pants?” Harmony looks. Shrugs.

“Almost. Why do I care?”

“Well. If you look at him a certain way - is he vaguely. cute?” Harmony looks over just as Xander does some spazzy dance for Willow’s amusement.

“Oh yeah. I'm hot for spaz boy. Are you tripping, Cordelia?” Cordelia laughs a little too loud.

“You thought I was serious? Please. I was just testing you! Ha. I'm hot for spaz boy. Good one.” Xander and Willow are at the snack machine.

“So we're all set. I've got all the decorations. And I think Cordelia's bringing snacks and stuff.”

“Yeah. She said she was. Which was thoughtful. Don't you think? Hey. Cordelia: not as horrible a person as we once thought? I mean, she's obviously trying to be helpful.”

“True. Maybe...”

“But, you wouldn't ever, like, be able to be friends with her or something.”
“You mean, like hang out and take Cosmo tests together?”
“I mean - actually elect to be in her presence.”

“I don't know. She's better - but she's still Cordelia. Just... look.” They look over to the area, which Cordy and Harmony were just in talking. Cordy and Harmony are joined by a few other Cordettes. They all squeal in greeting. Jump up and down.

“Example: what is the shrieking thing? They just saw each other yesterday... And now, watch - Cordelia's going to model her new outfit-” Xander turns to look again. Sure enough - Cordelia spins around, showing off her mini-dress. More shrieks. “Note the reaction - like Cordelia invented clothes. They're not bad people, Xander. It's just - we are of two worlds. And theirs is bad.” Xander lets this sinks in.

“Right. Of course you're right. What was I thinking?” Now Oz approaches. Willow immediately gets shy, happy.

“Hey.”

“Hey. So - tonight?”

“I'm there. Feeling surprise-y. Can I pick you up?” Xander's watching them, unsure what to make of all this.

“Yeah. That would be... Here-” She writes it on her pad - tears it off and gives it to Oz, who is obviously very pleased.

“I have your address.”

“You do.”

“Excellent.” He moves off. Xander looks at Willow - a little shocked.

“Is this a date?”

“Hmmm...? Yeah. It's a date.”

“Shouldn't you meet him or something? Are you sure you should be giving some stranger your address?”

“He's not just some stranger, Xander. He's a friend. He took a bullet for me.”

“So? I would've taken a bullet for you. Nobody offered me one.” Willow is obviously enjoying Xander's discomfort.

*

In the library Giles and Buffy are talking.

“-and then my mom broke the plate. It was exactly like I saw it in my dream, Giles. Every gesture. Every word. Beyond creepy.”

“Yes. I'd imagine-” Now Willow and Xander enter the library upon seeing Buffy they greet her with the usual cheer one receives on their birthday.

“Hey! The woman of the hour.”

“It's happy birthday Buffy!” They move to her to give her a hug - but sense her mood. “Not - happy birthday Buffy?”

“It's just... A piece of the nightmare Buffy had the other night actually came to pass.”

“Something happen to Angel?”

“He's fine. For now. But if part of what I had a dream about came true-”

“Then all of it may come true.”

“And Drusilla might be alive. In the dream, I couldn't stop her. She blind-sided me, Giles. Angel was dead before I knew what happened.”

“Even if she is alive, we can still protect Angel. Dreams are not prophecies, Buffy. You dreamt the Master had risen, but you stopped it from happening.”

“You ground his bones to make your bread.”

“That's true, except for the bread part. I guess we're one step ahead. But Giles, I'd like to stay that way.”

“Absolutely. Let me read up on Drusilla, see if she has any particular patterns. Why don't you meet me here at 7:00? Map out a strategy.”

“Okay. What do I do till then?”

“Go to class.., do your homework...Have supper...”

“Oh, right. Be that Buffy.” She grabs her book bag, heads out. The others watch her go.

“That is not a perky birthday puppy.”

“So much for our surprise party.”

“Man. This Slayer gig is 24/7. Can't even stop for a little pinata-bashing.” Bummed, Willow starts to get up, collect her things.

“I bought little hats and everything. Oh well, I'll tell Cordelia.”
“No, you won't. We're having a party tonight.”

“It looks like Mr. Caution Man talking, but the sound he makes is funny.”

“Buffy's surprise party is going to go exactly as we've planned. Except I won't be wearing the little hat.”

“He has dignity.”

“But Buffy and Angel-”

“-May well be in danger. As they have been before, and, I imagine, will be again. One thing I have learned in my tenure here on the Hellmouth is that there is never a good time to relax. But Buffy is only turning 17 this once. She deserves a party.”

“You're a great man of our time.”

“And anyway, Angel's coming. So she'll be able to protect him and have cake.”

“Precisely.”

*

Buffy arrives for her appointment with Giles, heads toward the door but is startled by Jenny, who steps from the shadows.

“Buffy.”

“God. I didn't see you there.”

“Sorry... Giles wanted me to tell you that there's been a change of plans. He wants to meet you someplace near his house. I guess he had to run home and get a book or something.”

“Yeah, 'cause heaven knows there aren't enough books in the library-”

“He's - very thorough.”

“Which is not to bag. It's kinda manly in an obsessive/compulsive sorta way, don't you think?”

“I have my car. I can drive, if you want...”

“Okay...” They move off. They climb into her car and Jenny drives away. Buffy looks out the window.

“So – where are we headed, anyway?” Jenny doesn’t answer. The car pulls into the dark alley and slows. Buffy checks out their surroundings, clearly confused.
“We're going to the Bronze?”

“I'm not sure. Giles gave me an address. I'm just following his directions-” Buffy sees something out the window. Grows alert.

“Uh oh.”

“What?” They both now look out of the window and see three suspicious guys are checking around furtively as they move another rectangle- shaped cast iron box from the leading dock to a waiting truck.

“This looks funky. Stop for a sec.” Jenny slows the car.

“Buffy - maybe you shouldn't.”

“Sorry. Sacred duty, yadda, yadda, yadda.” She opens the car door. Steps out. Jenny watches.

“What is this...?” Buffy sneaks toward the possible crooks. One turns – it’s Dalton - in full Vamp face. Buffy recognizes him.

“Every time I see you you're stealing something. You should talk to somebody about this klepto issue.” WHUMP! A hulking vampire attacks Buffy - she fights him off, but is distracted when she hears the truck start. She looks and sees that Dalton is now in the back of the truck with the box, struggling to close the cargo gate. Buffy leaves the hulking vamp and leaps for the driver's side of the truck - gets the door open and stakes the vamp behind the wheel before he can get the truck in gear. Now Buffy moves to the back of the truck to intercept Dalton and the box. Dalton knows he's no match for her and runs off, leaving the box behind. A few minutes pass as Buffy catches her breath. Then the hulking vamp is on her.

*

Giles, Willow, Oz, Xander, Cordelia and Angel all huddle in the dark. The Bronze is decorated for Buffy's birthday and the place is empty except for the gang. Angel looks anxiously at the clock on the wall.

“Where is she?” They hear the sound of some kind of disturbance on the other side of the back wall of the Bronze.

“Shhh! I think I hear her coming-”

*

Buffy and the hulking vamp continue to battle. She knocks him back - but he's up again in an instant, body slamming her-

*

Another beat of quiet as everybody lies in wait. Until- Buffy and the hulking vamp come crashing through the window behind the stage at the Bronze. Glass flies everywhere. They land on the stage, struggle briefly but Buffy has the upper hand. She stakes him. Dusto-rama. A long, stunned beat. Everyone stares. Then Cordelia pops from behind a couch.

“Surprise!”

“That pretty much sums it up.” Buffy, Angel and Giles move together.

“Buffy, are you okay?”

“Yes - what happened?”

“There were these vamps in the alley. And one of Dru's guys was- What's going on?”
“Surprise party.”

“Yeah, happy birthday.”

“You guys did all this for me? You are so sweet!”

“You're sure you're okay?”

“I'm fine.” Oz is still staring at the spot where the vampire turned to dust. Willow approaches him.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Did everybody else see a guy turn into dust?”

“Uh, sort of...”

“Yep. Vampires are real, lot of 'em live in Sunnydale,  Willow'll fill you in.”

“I know it's hard to accept at first...”

“No, actually, it explains a lot.” Jenny comes in the door with the iron box that the vamps left. She's struggling under its weight.

“Can somebody give me a hand here?” Angel and Giles move to help her. They put the box down on a table. “Those creeps left this behind.”

“What is it?”

“I have no idea. Can it be opened?” Buffy moves to the box, runs her hands under the lid.

“It feels like it has some kind of release... There.” Buffy slowly lifts the lid. Everyone peers into the box. A minute as their faces register shock and amazement. In the box is a powerful, heavily armoured arm. Then the arm shoots from the box and grabs Buffy by the neck. Angel grabs her, takes hold of the arm. Finally manages to pry the thing's fingers from Buffy's neck, one by one, and wrestle it back in the box. He slams the lid shut, locks it. Another stunned beat of silence as Buffy gasps for breath.

“Clearly - the Hellmouth's answer to ‘what do you get the Slayer who has everything?’”

“Good heavens, Buffy, are you alright?” Angel is helping Buffy to a chair. She sits.

“Man. That thing had major grip-”

“What - what was that?”

“Looked like an arm.” Angel, troubled, gets up and moves to the box. Checks it over more carefully.

“It can't be- She wouldn't...”

“What? The vamp version of "snakes in a can?" Or do you care to share?” Buffy reads Angel's expression. Moves to him.

“Angel?”

“It's a legend. Way before my time. Of a demon brought forth to rid the earth of the plague of humanity. To separate the righteous from the wicked... And burn the righteous down. They called him the Judge.” This obviously registers with Giles.

“The Judge... This is he?”

“Well, not all of him...”

“Uh, still needing backstory here...”

“He couldn't be killed.” He looks to Angel for confirmation, and continues as Angel nods: “An army was sent against him. Most of them died, but they were finally able to dismember him. But not kill him.”

“The pieces were scattered - buried in every corner of the earth.”

“You think they left his heart in San Francisco?” Scattered glares.

“I had that thought too.”

“So all these parts are being brought here.”

“By Drusilla. The vamps outside were Spike's men.”

“She's just crazy enough to do it.”

“Do what? Reassemble the Judge?”

“And bring forth Armageddon.”

“Is anyone else gonna have cake?” No takers. She moves to the cake.

“We have to get this out of town.”

“Angel.”

“What?”

“You've got to do it. You're the only one who can protect this thing.”

“What about me?”

“You're just gonna skip town for a few months?”

“Months?”

“She's right. I have to take this to the remotest region possible.”

“But that's not months.”

“I can catch a cargo ship to Asia, maybe trek to Nepal...”

“You know - those wacky, newfangled flying machines are much safer than they used to be...”

“I can't fly. There's no sure way to guard against the daylight. I don't like this any more than you do, Buffy. But there's no other way.”

“When?”

“Tonight. As soon as possible.”

“But - it's my birthday.” Jenny moves to Buffy - puts a hand on her shoulder.

“I'll drive you to the docks.” Buffy and Angel meet eyes. Buffy knows he has to go - but she's desperate for him not to. Everyone stands silently amid the festive decorations. This was not the way it was supposed to happen.
*

The vampire Dalton stands quaking with fear before Drusilla, who is seriously unhappy. Spike is in his chair nearby.

“You lost it? You lost my present?”

“I know... I'm sorry-”

“Bad turn, man. She can't have her fun without the box.

“The Slayer, she came out of nowhere. I - I didn't even see her.” Drusilla moves to Dalton, she snakes one hand around his neck. With the other, she lifts Dalton's glasses from his face and drops them to the floor. Steps on them.

“Make a wish.”

“What?” She points her razor sharp fingernails at his eyes. Pulls back, about to strike. Dalton cowers.

“I'm going to blow out the candles”

“Dru, sweet. You might give him a chance to find your lost treasure. He's a wanker, but he's the only one we've got with half a brain. If he fails - you can eat his eyes out of the sockets for all I care.” Dru hesitates.

“I'll get it. Please. I swear.” Dru considers. Then slowly lowers her hand. She picks Dalton’s twisted, shattered glasses off the floor - places them on his nose. Potemkin style.

“Hurry back, then.”

*

Angel, who holds the iron box, and Buffy move furtively down the docks toward a large cargo ship. They stop when they are still some distance away. Angel sets the box down.

“I should go the rest of the way alone.”

“Okay...” Buffy tries to smile, be the brave little soldier. Can't.

“I'll be back.” Buffy nods - unconvinced.

“I will.”

“When? Six months? A year? Who knows how long it will take. Or if we'll even-”

“If we'll even - what?”

“Just, if you haven't noticed, someone pretty much always wants us dead.”

“Don't say that. We'll be fine.”

“But we don't know.”

“We can't know, Buffy. Nobody can. That's just the deal.” Angel pauses for a minute. “I... have something for you. For your birthday. I was going to give it to you earlier, but...” He pulls a small box from his coat. Hands it to her. Buffy opens it. Inside is a silver ring with two hands holding a heart engraved on it.

“It's beautiful.”

“My people... Before I was changed, they exchanged this as a sign of devotion. It's a Claddagh ring. The hands represent friendship, the crown represents loyalty. The heart, well, you know... Wear it with the heart pointing toward you, it means you
belong to somebody.” Buffy just looks at him. He lifts his own hand. He is wearing a ring like the one he gave her. Heart turned in.

“Like this.” Buffy's trying hard not to lose it.

“Angel-”

“Put it on.” She does. Heart pointing in. Looks at it. Then at him.

“I don't want to do this.”

“Me either.”

“So - don't go.” They both know he has to. He takes her into his arms and they kiss. The potentially last kiss kind of kiss.
“Buffy... I-” He never gets to finish because Dalton and two other vampires suddenly leap on them from a cargo net that hangs above their heads. Vamp #1 takes on Angel, while #2 knocks Buffy to the ground. Dalton makes a bee-line for the box.

“Angel! The box!” Angel beats vamp #1 off him - at least for the moment - and tackles Dalton. The box falls from Dalton's hands. While Dalton and Angel struggle, Buffy is engaged with Vamp #2. They fight fiercely, but Vamp #2 manages to knock Buffy into a thick wood pylon. Buffy hits her head hard, is momentarily stunned. Vamp #2 then sidekicks her legs out from under her, sending her sprawling off the edge of the dock and into the water. Angel hears the splash just as vamp #1 grabs the iron box. Angel turns to look for Buffy

“Buffy!?” She's gone. In the soup. Angel sees Vamp #1 making off with the box - but he has no choice. He drops Dalton and dives off the docks to Buffy’s rescue. Dalton runs off. Angel fishes a dazed Buffy out of the water.

*

Giles, Willow and Xander are gathered - waiting for Buffy and Jenny to return. There are a number of books open on the table. Giles checks his watch.

“They should be back by now...”

“Maybe Buffy needed a few minutes to pull herself together. Poor Buffy. On her birthday and everything.”

“It's sad. Granted. But let's look at the up-side for a moment. I mean, what kind of future could she have really had with him? Working two jobs. Denny's waitress by day, Slayer by night. Angel's always in front of the tube, with a big ole' blood belly... And he's dreaming of the glory days when Buffy still thought the whole creature of the night routine was a big turn-on...”

“You've thought way too much about this-”

“That's just the beginning. You want to hear the part where I fly into town in my private jet and take Buffy out for prime rib?” Xander does not see Buffy - who enters in a new outfit.

“Xander-”

“And she cries?”

“What happened?”

“Dru's guys ambushed us. They got the box.”

“Where's Jenny?”

“She took Angel to his apartment to get clothes. I had some here.”

“And we were needing clothes because.”

“We got wet. Giles, what do we know?”

“The more I study the Judge, the less I like him. His touch can literally burn the humanity out of you. A true creature of evil can survive the process. No human ever has.”

“So what's the problem? We send Cordy to fight this guy and we go for pizza.”

“Can he be stopped? Without an army?”

“’No weapon forged can kill him.’ Not very encouraging. But if we can keep them from assembling him...”

“We need to find his weak spots. And we need to figure out where they'd be keeping him.”

“This could take time.”

“We better do a round robin. Xander, you go first.”

“Good call.” Xander moves to the phone.

“Round robin?”

“Everybody calls everybody's mom and tells them they're at everybody else's house.”

“Thus freeing us up for world savage.”

“And all-night keggers. What, only Xander gets to make dumb jokes?”

“Hey, mom. Listen, Willow and I are studying,  I'm gonna stay over here... uh huh...”

*

The clock reads 2:00 am. Willow and Xander are at the table, looking through books and research material. Jenny is absorbed in work at the computer.

“I think I read this already...”

“I can't get over how cool Oz was about all this.”

“Gee, I'm over it.”

“You're just jealous cuz you didn't have a date for the party.”

“No, I sure didn't...” Giles moves with Angel from the stacks to his office they stop upon seeing Buffy asleep at his desk.

“It seems Buffy needed some rest.”

“Yeah. She hasn't been sleeping well. You know, tossing and turning.” Willow, Xander and Jenny look at him, suspicious.

“She told me. Because of her dreams.”

*

Buffy, dressed for a party in a sleek black dress, moves through The Factory, which looks especially dark and spooky. Black and tattered party decorations hang down from the ceiling. Buffy has to push them aside as she moves forward. Ahead of her, a female figure darts among the streamers. Buffy follows her.

“Hello? Who is that?” The figure turns. It's Ms Calendar, who promptly ducks back into the shadows. Buffy reacts, confused. Now Buffy turns, sees all the cast iron boxes in a circle. She moves to them - reaches for one - but is stopped by Drusilla’s voice.

“Now, now. Hands off my presents.” Buffy looks up. Drusilla, wearing the same dress that Buffy has on, stands with Angel in her grip, holding a gleaming knife to his throat. She starts to draw it across his neck.

“No!” Now Buffy looks around, terrified. Angel and Drusilla have suddenly vanished. In their place she see the older version of herself.

“Maybe I should have told you about the ambush but it’s better this way, well it is if you remember what I said do NOT sleep with Angel, ask Jenny who Janna is. Don’t forget.”

“Buffy?” Buffy's eyes snap open. Angel is standing over her, gently shaking her shoulder.

“No! Angel!”

“It's okay...” Buffy, not quite out of the dream world, moves into his arms, shaking and terrified. “I'm here. I'm right here.”

*

Drusilla, in the dress from buffy’s dream.

“More music!” She claps her hands with delight as her party seems to be in full swing. There are a number of vamps dressed to the nines - drinking, revelling. Spike rolls up to Drusilla - he has a small, head shaped cast iron box in his hands.

“Look what I have for you, ducks.”

“Ah! The best is saved for last.” Drusilla takes the box from Spike. She moves around a corner. The rest of the iron boxes have all been assembled. They fit together perfectly - creating the form of a large man. Drusilla moves to a footstool, places the last box. As soon as the box is attached – a surge of energy surrounds the boxes. It continues for a moment, and then abates. Now the boxes open all at once, revealing THE JUDGE. He's enormous, dressed in black armour. His skin is sickly pale blue. There is something primordial about him - not quite fully formed. His eyes open - revealing solid black. No iris. No light. He is horrible. Terrifying. Drusilla is thrilled. She grabs Spike's hand.

“He's perfect, my darling...Just what I wanted.” He takes his first, lumbering steps out of the box. His aura is that of deadly indifference. He is a killing thing, not good or evil. Drusilla starts to move forward, but Spike holds her back.

“I'd let our guest make the first move, precious.” Drusilla pauses. The Judge turns to them.

“You...” He takes another step. He starts to lift his hand to them. Spike immediately rolls forward - getting in his face. Well, sort of...

“Ho! Ho! What's that, mate?”

“You two stink of humanity. You share affection. Jealousy...”

“Yeah, what of it? Do I have to remind you that we're the ones that brought you here?”

“I have no alliances.”

“Right then. You want to go back in the little boxes?” The Judge considers this.

“You may live. You will help me serve my purpose.”
”Works for me.” Drusilla moves to the Judge, points to the assembled party guests, who have gathered to watch.

“Would you like a party favour?” The Judge nods and scans the crowd. His eyes land on Dalton. The Judge points to Dalton.

“This one - is full of feeling. He reads.” The Judge nods to a vamp minion.

“Bring him to me.”

“What's with the bringing, mate? I thought you could just... zap people.”

“My full strength will return, in time. Until then - I need contact.” Dalton is brought before him, pleading. But The Judge raises his hand to his chest.

“Silence...” Dalton begins to shake and smoulder. Then the Judge’s hand goes to his chest. Dalton's flesh blackens and crumbles. Finally, flames shoot from his eye sockets and he falls into a burned-out heap. A stunned beat as all gathered take in this hideous sight. Then Drusilla starts to clap and jump like a small child.

“Do it again! Do it again!”

*

Buffy comes out of the office, Angel on her heels. She starts gathering her weapons. Giles, Jenny, Willow and Xander react to her urgency.

“Buffy? Are you alright?”

“She had another dream.”

“I think I know where Drusilla and Spike are.”

“Very good. However, you need a plan. I know you're concerned, Buffy, but you can't just go off half-cocked.”

“We have a plan. Angel and I go to the factory to do recon. See how far they've gotten assembling the Judge. You guys fan out and check places the boxes may be coming into town. Shipyards, the airport...  We have to stop them from getting all the boxes in one place.”

“Yes, well... That's quite a good plan, actually.”

“This thing is nasty and it's real, Giles. We don't have time to wait for it to come get us.” She heads out the door. Angel follows her. A beat while everyone reacts to General Buffy.

*

Buffy and Angel steal in through a dark doorway to the balcony. They keep out of sight, talk quietly.

“Angel. Maybe I should go in alone. I mean, if my dreams are so true…”

“I'm not letting you go by yourself.” Buffy knows she can't fight him on this.

“Okay - what do we do if the Judge is already put together?”

“I'll deal with it. You keep your distance.” Buffy looks at him. Blinks.

“We're going to have to get over this virtuous thing or we're dead meat.”

“If he's assembled, we retreat. Together. Get the others and make a battle plan.”

“Deal.” They creep along the upper deck area of the factory. Peer over the edge.

They see the party below, it is more macabre than ever. Spike, Drusilla and the Judge aren't in sight.

“I saw this. The party...” Angel nods - then grows alarmed, seeing something downstairs. Buffy follows his gaze to The Judge who is at that moment striding across the room with Spike and Drusilla. He seems to sense something and stops.
”What? What is it?” The Judge doesn't reply. Just starts scanning the room. Then looks up. Angel grabs Buffy - speaks in an urgent, hushed tone.

“We have to get out of here.” They move quickly toward the window they came in, but find two vamp minions have come up the back way. Another two block the only other escape route. Buffy and Angel are brought before the Judge by the minions. Spike and Dru are digging it, big time.

“Well, well. Look what we have here - crashers.”

“I'm sure our invitations just got lost in the mail.” Drusilla moves to Buffy - examining her closely. Runs a finger along her cheek. Buffy holds her ground, defiant.

“It's delicious. I only dreamed you'd come.” Angel tries to shake off the minions restraining him.

“Leave her alone.”

“Yeah, that'll work. Now say pretty please.” Now the Judge steps forward, his sights on Buffy.

“The girl.”

“Chilling, isn't it? She's so full of good intention.” The Judge starts to move toward her. But Angel breaks free from his captives - moves in front of her.

“Take me. Take me instead of her.” The Judge is almost on top of him. Angel starts to shake -just like Dalton did.

“You're not clear on the concept, pal. There is no "instead". Just first and second.”

“And if you go first - you don't get to watch the Slayer die.” She motions to the minions, who move in on Angel again, drag him away from the Judge. Now THE Judge moves to Buffy, who struggles against the vamps holding her. She manages to kick the Judge.

“No, Buffy - don't touch him!” Sure enough - Buffy starts to tremble uncontrollably. Angel summons all his strength and knocks the vampires off him and dives for the chain that holds the televisions. Before the vamps can get to him, he yanks the chain from the ground. The Judge reacts to the groaning load above his head. He manages to jump clear as the thing falls, and crashes through the floor! The hole it opens reveals a sewer tunnel that runs under the factory floor. Buffy takes advantage of the confusion that follows this spectacle, breaks free from the vamps and runs to Angel.

“This way.” She moves to hole in the floor and they leap in. Drusilla sees them, calls to her minions.

“Stop them!” Angel and Buffy run down a tunnel with a pair of minions not far behind. It's raining, so the tunnels are especially damp and hard to negotiate.

They turn a corner, duck into a dark alcove. The minions run past - not seeing them in their hiding place. Once they are sure they can move they make their way cautiously out of the sewers.

“I think we lost them.” Angel looks at Buffy - shaky, exhausted, soaking wet again. Her shirt is ripped in the back and she has a bloody cut.

“Come on. You need to get inside.” She nods. He leads her off.

*

Giles and Jenny return from a shipping office and get in his car.

“Well that was a big zero. No box, no, vamps.”

“Perhaps you ought to go home and get some sleep. I'll continue from here.”

“Like I could sleep, Giles.”

“Yes, I feel rather restless myself. Buffy and Angel can handle themselves, of course, but...”

“I know. I'm worried too.” Giles nods. Jenny takes his hand, tries on a smile to cover her mounting guilt.
*
Buffy and Angel enter his apartment. He turns on a few lights.

“You're shaking like a leaf.”

“Cold.”

“Let me get you something.” He goes to his wardrobe. She moves about a little aimlessly, the way a person does on somebody else's turf. He comes back with a shirt and some sweats, leads her to the bed.

“Put these on and get under the covers. Just to warm up.” She nods, waits. He gets it and turns his back to her.

“Sorry.” Buffy starts to take off her shirt but winces with pain.

“What?”

“I - I got cut or something on my back.”

“Can ... Let me see.”

“Okay.” He turns back. Buffy's holding her unbuttoned shirt around her. Angel moves to the bed. Sits on the edge, gently moves her shirt off her shoulder so he can see her injury. He touches her back and looks at the wound, which is small.

“It's already closed. You're fine.” She's still turned away from him. They are both obviously affected by being this close. This vulnerable. She leans back into him. His arms go around her. He breathes her in.

“You almost went away today…”

“We both did.” He holds her tighter. For an intoxicating beat.

“Angel. I feel, like - If I lost you... But you're right. We can't be sure. About anything.”

“Shhhhh. I…” She turns. They are face to face.

“You - what?” A long moment. Angel finally says exactly what's been on his mind for some time.

“I love you. I try not to, but I can't stop.”

“Me too. I can't either.” They kiss. A kiss that is the beginning of something much bigger and they both know it. Buffy stops and pulls away.

“Angel. Maybe we shouldn't.” Angel lets his arms slip from round her and is unable to keep his usually void face in place.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to rush you.”

“No, it’s not that Angel I want to. I do it’s just there’s a part of my dreams I didn’t tell you, or anyone else.”

*

Xander enters the library in a bit of a huff. Willow, Cordelia, Giles and Jenny are there. They turn to him, uniformly worried.

“Well, the bus station was a total washout and may I say what a fine place to spend the night? What a vibrant cross section of Americana.”

“You saw no vampires transporting boxes?”

“No, but a 400 pound wino offered to wash my hair... What's up? Where's Buffy?”

“She never checked in.”

“Neither did Angel.”

“And if the bus station was as empty as the docks and the airport...”

“You think this Judge guy might already be assembled?” Giles nods. “Then Buffy could... We gotta find them! We gotta go to that place, that factory. That's where they're holed up, right? Let's go!”

“And do what? Besides be afraid and die.”

“Nobody's asking you to go, Cordy. If the vampires need grooming tips, we’ll give you a call.” Cordelia glares at him, stung.

“Cordelia has a point. If Buffy and Angel were... harmed, we don't stand to fare much better.”

“Yeah, well those of us who were born with feelings are gonna do something about this.”

“Xander...” Willow jumps up and joins Xander.

“No, Xander's right. My God! You people are all... Well...  I'm upset and I can't think of a mean word right now but that’s what you are and we're going to the factory!” They start out and run into Buffy herself. “Buffy!”

“We were just going to rescue you.”

“Well, some of us were...”

“I would have...”

“Where's Angel?”

“He’s coming soon. I had to go home and he stayed there for a while.”
”Is the Judge...?”

“No assembly required. He's active.”

“Damnit.”

“He nearly killed us. Angel got us out.”

“Why didn't you call? We thought...”

“Well, uh, we had to hide... stuck in the sewer tunnels... and with the hiding... we went to his place, safety reasons.”

“Buffy, the Judge. We have to stop him.”

“I know.”

“What can you tell us?”

“Not much. I just touched him - kicked him - and it was like a sudden fever. If he'd gotten his hands on me…”

“In time he won't have to. The stronger he gets... he'll be able to burn us all with a look.”

“Also not the prettiest man in town.”

“I'll just have to keep researching, look for a weakness. You all should get to...” Just then Angel appears. Buffy realises now is the time. He approaches her and they join hands. Buffy then turns to Jenny.

“Who is Janna?” Jenny looks obviously very shocked by this and everyone except Angel looks on surprised themselves.

“Where did you hear that name?”

“The fact that you know it kinda means we should be the ones asking the questions, which I already did and you haven’t yet answered.” Jenny looks down.

“I am.”

“Really? Cos we thought you were Jenny Calendar, techno-pagan, teaches computer science at the local high school. What does Janna do?”

“She was sent here to watch you.”

“Why do I need watching?”

“Not you. She was sent to watch, she was sent by her people. The Kalderash gypsies.”

“The ones that cursed me.”

“You’re a gypsy! You betrayed us, completely.”

“I’m sorry, I wanted to tell you. The elder women they think something is happening, they want to split you up because when Angel is with you his mind is not on the things he did. His pain is…no longer enough for them.”

“Get out.”

“Buffy…”

“I said get out.”

“Rupert you…”

“She said ‘get out.’” Jenny sighs and then leaves. Buffy turns round into Angel’s arms.

“I’m gonna go try to get some sleep.”

“Buffy I hardly think now is the time to sleep.”

“No it’s not but it’s the only place I ever seem to get answers.”

*

Buffy is walking through the stacks in the library.

“Hi, you listened.” Buffy spins round to see the older version of herself.

“Yeah. Did you think I wouldn’t?”

“I always was impetuous.” Buffy smiled at herself.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“If I hadn’t listened what would have happened.”

“Shall we walk?” Buffy nodded and the two began to walk through the stacks and into a park. “Angel’s curse has a clause in it and if he gets true happiness, then the curse breaks and Angelus is free again.”

“What did you have to do?”

“He tried to use Acathla to open hell and so I had to send him there. Life isn’t worth living without him.”

“But you survived and you got a cool little power thing goin’ on.”

“What power thing?”

“Being able to go to dreams.”

“That’s a trick Slayer’s get after time, it’s a trick that comes when you die.”

“You’re dead? How long do I have left?”

“You have over 3 years.”

“Only three years until I die.” Buffy wanted to ask more questions, hoping she could find a way to prevent her death when her other self started to fade away.

 

*****************************

 

Buffy found herself in the Magic Box. She looked around and found Angel beside her. Jenny was stood at the counter talking to Giles.

“Hey, you obviously not getting enough sleep. Or maybe you’re just catching up on all that you missed cos of Glory.”

“What happened?”

“When?”

“After the Judge. Everything from then.” Angel looks a little confused but tells her what she wants to know.

“Well we beat him, jenny found the clause and recursed me with the newer version. We stopped the Judge and staked Dru. The Mayor ascended but we stopped him, luckily. I still don’t know how we managed that if it wasn’t for him accidentally letting it slip about his wife we never would have managed it. Then there was the Initiative who put a chip in Spike’s head and then Glory.”

“In the fight with Glory, what happened?”

“Well you were fighting her and Giles, Xander, Cordy, Spike and I were fighting the minions and stuff. Jenny, Tara and Willow were using magic, that was of course after they’d got Tara back. Then Spike got to the top only for that creepy old guy to stab him and knock him off. But before he got to Dawn I was up there and pushed him off. We rescued Dawn and you killed Glory.”

“We’re together right?”

“Of course we are.”

“Good cos I had a really bad dream where we weren’t.”

“Come on Buffy, it’s okay now. It was only a dream. We’ll always be together.”

“Forever, that’s the whole point.” She leant over to kiss a slightly confused Angel.