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Buffyfic-digest         Sunday, March 22 1998         Volume 02 : Number 071



In this issue:

       BUFFYFIC: The Raven's Cry (1/?)
       BUFFYFIC: The Raven's Cry (6/?)
       BUFFYFIC: Discussion -- The Raven's Cry
       Re: BUFFYFIC: Our Hearts Will Go On 4/6
       BUFFYFIC: Our Hearts Will Go On
       BUFFYFIC: Our Hearts Will Go On 1/6

See the end of the digest for information on subscribing to the buffyfic
or buffyfic-digest mailing lists and on how to retrieve back issues.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sun, 22 Mar 1998 12:27:05 +0000
From: "Jennifer Addis-Newton" <[e-mail]>
Subject: BUFFYFIC: The Raven's Cry (1/?)

Hello!  I've been putting this off long enough so...  Hope everyone
likes it.

Disclaimer: This story is a cross-over between a superheroic role-playing campaign
and the television show "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."  All characters
related to "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" are the creations of Joss Whedon
et al. It is also entirely possible for additional well-known
characters or ideas to appear in passing.  I take no credit for these
ideas, merely for reworking them so that they fit into the campaign
world.  Caitlin O'Riordan, however, is entirely my own creation.

Feedback: Please!  This is my first fanfic of any kind.  If
there's any way to make the characters more true to themselves,
I'm all for it.

Spoilers: None of which I am aware.  My universe diverges from Joss'
with "Passion" -- it didn't happen.

Rating:  Some adult situations and language -- I'd give the whole
thing a solid PG-13.

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

Prologue:

     Caitlin O'Riordan quickly scanned the piece of paper    in
her hand, memorizing every line in detail, before turning in    her
chair to look at the man who stood before her.  Alex Wethersby
was the latest in a long line of men and women who had dedicated
their lives to her singular task. He was the current leader of the
Order of the Pentacle, an organization that had become her eyes
and ears in the world.  She smiled briefly at him before turning
her attention back to the report he had handed her.
     "I suppose we should send someone to investigate directly."
Alex spoke in a matter-of-fact tone.
     Caitlin merely nodded, and turned to the fireplace.  She had
created the Order of the Pentacle to observe the paranormal.
There were other organizations in the world dedicated to similar
purposes but they rarely appeared interested in phenomena outside
of the jurisdictions of their sect.  This had angered Caitlin on
more than one occasion, especially because she knew that the
higher-ranking members of each order were aware of the others'
existence.  She had attempted, once, to bring those leaders
together and begin to exchange information; she was unsuccessful
and left the groups to their own devices.
     Fortunately, she had been more successful in keeping The Order
of the Pentacle intact through the years.  Few people knew of its
existence - people might have whispered about it in certain occult
circles, but not one person could explain how to join or where to
find a member. The order had no outward symbol of membership, so it
was impossible to track the membership that way.  Even those people
who could be considered members were unaware of the organization's
scope. An average member had two contacts:  the person who passed
information to them and the person to whom they passed information.
     Remarkably, the system worked beyond any of Caitlin's
expectations.  Its structure was the key, allowing members to pass
information quickly to their superior as well as providing the
membership with a certain protective anonymity.  Looking back, it was
difficult to connect the Order's vast information network with the
five trustworthy seekers she had chosen on an island called Eiru;
their initial task, like her own, had grown with time.
     Perhaps part of the Order's success was also based on the fact
that the Order had no libraries, no real centralized location.  A
member's duty was to collect rumors of paranormal activity; all
information passed through the ranks until it eventually ended in the
leader's hands.  The leader would then give the report to Caitlin,
who would determine what action to take based on the information in
the report.
     She handled this report in much the same way as she had every
other.  She read it twice, making certain that she understood its
contents, and then destroyed the report.  She had been gifted with
an eidetic memory; it allowed her the opportunity to safeguard
the knowledge she had spent years accumulating.
     In this case, Caitlin crumpled up the report in her hands and
placed it in the fireplace on her right.  She watched the report
burn, her hair almost as red as the flames, before responding to
her companion.  "To be certain, you are right."  There was a wild
undertone to her voice that reminded the listener of green fields
and wild flowers and an accent which most people would mistake for
an Irish brogue.  She chose not to correct the assumption.
     "We could send in the entire team."  Alex pushed his glasses
back on his nose thoughtfully.  "You could say that someone in
Sunnydale requested the team's assistance."
     Caitlin shook her head. "This isn't exactly a crime, Alex.  Not
in the sense that they would understand."  She caught herself
imagining how to convince the team to leave Denver - any explanation
would entail more information than she believed her friends were
ready to handle.  Caitlin shrugged her shoulders.  "Besides, Psyche
would never forgive me - Jedite was planning on doing a refit this
month."
     Alex decided to try another tactic.  "What of the business?"
     "I believe that is why I hired you." She laughed suddenly, her
eyes darkening to black velvet from their usual green.  "I was hired
for something else entirely."
     "But the Hellmouth."
     The woman who rose from the chair did not resemble the one
who had sat in it a half hour earlier.  She was tall now, with hair
as dark as a raven's wing, and a fire burned in her black eyes.
".has been expecting me."

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

**************************************************
Jennifer Addis-Newton AKA Branwen ferch Modron

[e-mail]
http://www.pipeline.com/~whiteraven

"For if that which you seek, you find not within
 yourself, you will never find it without."
     - from "The Charge of the Goddess"

- -

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 22 Mar 1998 12:27:06 +0000
From: "Jennifer Addis-Newton" <[e-mail]>
Subject: BUFFYFIC: The Raven's Cry (6/?)

Disclaimer: This story is a cross-over between a superheroic
role-playing campaign and the television show "Buffy the Vampire
Slayer."  All characters related to "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" are the
creations of Joss Whedon et al. It is also entirely possible for
additional well-known characters or ideas to appear in passing.  I
take no credit for these ideas, merely for reworking them so that they
fit into the campaign world.  Caitlin O'Riordan, however, is entirely
my own creation.

Feedback: Please!  This is my first fanfic of any kind.  If
there's any way to make the characters more true to themselves,    I'm
all for it.

Spoilers: None of which I am aware.  My universe diverges from Joss'
with "Passion" -- it didn't happen.

Rating:  Some adult situations and language -- I'd give the whole
thing a solid PG-13.
 *************************************
Part Four: Cont'd

     "You should be."  Nightshade moved from the window towards the
center of the room.  "Because she's going to be sending creatures
after us for the next three days, and I'd hazard an educated guess
that vampires have also fallen prey to her glamour."
     "And Angel knows where to find us," added Willow.
     "What happens if you lose that fight?"  Buffy asked.  "The
Fior-comlann."
     "What's that?" Xander looked at Giles expectantly.
     The librarian pinched the top of his nose with his hand and
sighed.  "A duel to the death."
     "It's bad enough that you're dragging us into this superhero
business, but I'm drawing the line at a duel to the death."  Xander
casually  meandered his way back to the couch and sat down.  "Buffy,
don't look at me like that."
     Buffy's mouth twitched dangerously but she succeeded in her
attempt not to laugh outright at Xander.  "You know that we're going
to spend the next three hours convincing you to help despite your
sense of self-preservation so why not just cry uncle and give up now?"
     "Because then I wouldn't get all this attention," the teenager
replied, closing his eyes once more.
     Willow turned to Nightshade.  "You see what we have to put up
with?"
     "I'd rather spend an afternoon with Eric Dermann," the superhero
replied.
     "You guys are bad enough."  Xander opened an eye.  "But now I'm
getting dissed by a superhero."  He sat up again.  "Uncle.  What are
we going to do?"
     Giles cleared his throat.  "I hate to interrupt all of this
spirited teenage camaraderie but we really should formulate a plan."
     "About one sentence too late," Xander said.
     "It's pretty simple.  We need to get Nightshade to the gate and
give her enough time to fight Angel's new girl toy.  I can take on the
vampires but we're going to need a way to neutralize the other faery
creatures."  Buffy walked to the table and picked up a book.  "Better
start researching "milk and bread" spells."  With those words, the
Slayer pulled back a chair, sat down, and resolutely opened the book
in her hand.
*******************************************
Intermission Four:

A faery tale.

     Two figures stand near the great oak: a young woman with hair
the color of spun gold and an older man wearing a white robe.

     :Pwyll, where is my court disappearing to?:
     :Lady, I did not see you approach.:
     :Pwyll, stop groveling.  It does not behoove a councilor to
grovel.:
     :I am sorry, Lady.:
     :Be that as it may, it does not answer the question.:
     :A new gateway has been formed.:
     :Then I shall investigate the gateway.:
     :Mairrighana has failed you, Lady.  She is flawed.:

     The young woman's eyes burn as bright as her hair.  The green of
her dress flickers against the grass as she walks away.  The man
sighs and leans back against the oak.
***********************************
Part Five:

     Nightshade's prediction regarding the next three days had come
true.  Their otherworldly foe had sent several creatures on the
attack - faery by day, vampires by night.  Buffy suspected that the
vampires fought more out of fear of Angel's retribution than out of
regard for the Morrigan.  The last vamp she had spiked had some
interesting statements to make regarding the relationship between the
Morrigan and Angel; it appeared that the only vampires who had
actually fallen for the sidhe's glamour were Angel and Dru - even
Spike thought the "whole lot of buggers should just go back through
the gate - including that crazy raven bitch."
     The last afternoon had been the worst - several creatures that
Nightshade had called "bogans" and something which was obviously a
psychotic artist's rendition of a giant.  The faery had not even
attempted to remain hidden - they merely plowed through Sunnydale
High until they hit the library.  The bogans had been relatively easy
to dispatch - between herself and Oz's new ability to control his
transformations at will, the bogans spent more time fleeing than
fighting.
     The giant, though, had been another story.  It stood at
least fifteen feet high and did not even attempt to enter the
building.  Instead, its fist pummeled through one of the library
windows.  His bellow immediately followed the sound of shattering
glass.  Buffy and Oz prepared to rush outside for a new attack but
the giant suddenly stopped bellowing and spoke in a voice as grating
as two stones.  Buffy would never forget the voice: Youngling, are
you ready for this evening?  I grow strong in the dark moon.  Tonight
you will regret your challenge as the blood of humans flows once more
from Dulloran's blade.
     As soon as this statement had been made, the giant fled.  Buffy
chanced a glance at the superhero; Nightshade's appeared more
resigned than angry.  As the afternoon meandered its way into the
early evening, Buffy braced herself for the vampires to begin their
last attack before the confrontation between Nightshade and the
Morrigan.
     Strangely, no vampire attacks were forthcoming.  Their
preparations - interrupted as they had been over the last three days
- - were not fool-proof.  Giles had briefed Xander, Willow and Cordelia
on some of the lesser faery spells; he and Jenny would work on a
greater spell which Giles had uncovered.  Oz was going to run
interference with the larger members of "the host" and Buffy was set
to take on the vampires.  Nightshade would neutralize the Morrigan
and attempt to close the gate which had formed to what she called
"the otherworld."  Giles did not think that Nightshade could do it,
and Buffy was hoping that the superhero would prove him wrong.
     They had gathered in the parking lot of the school.  The
original plan was to meet before splitting up and taking different
routes to the abandoned warehouse where the vampires had made their
new home.
     "Do you have all the spell components."  Buffy smiled at
the worried tone in Giles' voice.
     "What's so magical about milk?"  Cordelia sounded incredulous.
     "It does a body good," quipped Xander.
     The sound of rusty wheels approached from behind.  Buffy whirled
quickly to find Spike rolling his way towards them in a wheelchair.
She had not seen the vampire since his "accident" and he did not
appear to be recovering quickly from the fire.  He was flanked by
several other vampires, most of whom Buffy did not recognize.
     *Here it comes* Buffy though to herself.  She tensed
automatically, her eyes flickering across the group.   *Where's
Nightshade?*
     "Slayer," Spike said softly.  "I've got a proposition for you."
     "No deal, dead boy!"  It was Xander who spoke.
     "I don't think any of you are in a position to argue at the
moment."  The vampire made a gesture and the vampires with him began
to surround the group - all managing to stay out of the Slayers'
range.  "Doesn't feel good when you're outnumbered, does it?"
     "I think I can even the odds," came Nightshade's familiar voice.
She floated into the midst of the group and landed next to Buffy.
The simple clothes she had worn during the last three days were gone.
The superhero costume was back.
     "Fresh meat."  The vampire appraised Nightshade with a cool
stare.  The tone in his voice was appreciative.  "And pretty meat at
that."  He laughed.  "But you're still surrounded."
     "What Buffy can't take down, I can."  The superhero held a ball
of fire in her hands and looked at the vampire with an engaging
smile.  "I think you'd like her way better."
     "Less painful," added Buffy. Several of the vampires began to
hiss at the idea.
     Spike held up his hand for silence and looked directly at the
Slayer as he spoke.  "I don't like the faery infestation any more
than the rest of you.  I want the old Sunnydale back."
     "The gullywodes too much for you?"  It was Nightshade who
responded to the vampire.  There was an impudent grin on her face.
     The vampire ignored Nightshade's remark.  His eyes began to burn
with anger.  "More importantly, I want Dru back.  She's gone bonkers
over this raven bitch and is quite put out that Angel took miss
mighty Morrigan away from her."  He sighed.  "Since Angel has her old
one, Dru has decided to find another."
     "Why are you telling us this?" Giles' voice was calm and the
expression on his face was perplexed.
     "Look, I thought it was a good idea at first.  Find a few
faeries, kill off a few sods, and have done with it.  Now this
black-haired wench comes through and decides that she's going to
revenge herself for a war that happened who knows how bloody long
ago."  The vampire rolled closer to the Slayer, a strange look on his
face.  "Now, I can admire the zeal but how she managed to wrap
Angelus around her finger, I have no idea."
     "The glamour," breathed Jenny.
     Giles nodded.  "I hadn't realized it would work so strongly on
vampires."
     "Demons must love pixies," commented Xander.
     "Please," Spike growled.  "I get very hungry when I'm
interrupted."  He looked at the comuputer teacher. "Your glamour
hasn't worked on me or most of the blokes - I'd say about a third of
us have defected to her side."
     "Defected?"  Willow's voice was soft, a perplexed expression in
her eyes.
     "The vampires are at war," returned Spike.  "She's supplemented
her side by pulling more creatures through.  Dru's helping her."
     "Let me get this straight." Xander stepped forward despite the
glares he received from his companions.  "You vampires are at war -
killing each other off, so to speak - and you want us to help you get
rid of this faery so that you can all be undead buds again and start
terrorizing the innocent schlubs of Sunnydale."
     "That sums it up fairly nicely," returned Spike mildly.
     Xander shook his head.  "Just wanting to make certain I
understood you completely before I speak for all of us and tell you
where to ram that wheelchair."
     "I can see this was a waste of time."  Spike turned on his left
wheel and started to roll away.  "Boys, get them."
     The vampires began to move in towards the group.  *There are too
many of them!*  Buffy desperately placed herself between every
vampire who approached her friends, kicking one back only to have
another take its place.  Giles was doing the best he could with his
crossbow, and Oz was growling menacingly at a vampire who had grabbed
Willow by the hair.  *This is hopeless.*
     *You've got one chance, Buffy.*  The Slayer noticed a ball of
fire explode to her left and heard the screams of a dying vampire.
*She's handy to have in a fight.*  Spike had rolled beyond the
fighting area and had turned to watch the melee with a twisted grin
on his face.  The Slayer slammed into a vampire running in her
direction, used the momentum to propel herself into the air, and
landed behind Spike's wheelchair with a stake in her hand.
     "We can do this the hard way," the Slayer whispered to the
vampire, "Or we can do this the easy way."  The stake was inches away
from Spike's chest.
     "Back off, boys!"  Spike bit out the words.  The one vampire who
continued to pursue Cordelia was summarily staked by Xander, grim
determination in his eyes.
     "Talk," Buffy said.
     "Buffy, no!"  The tone in Giles' voice was final.
     "I saw what the Morrigan did to one room of people, Giles.  I'd
hate to think what she could do to the entire town."  Buffy shook her
head with a sigh.
     It was Spike's turn to speak.  "I'm offering a truce.  One night
only.  My vampires won't attack you."  He paused.  "In fact, we're
going to help you.  And just to sweeten the deal.when it's over, I'm
handing Angelus over to the Slayer."
     "What?"  Buffy looked startled.  She almost dropped the stake.
     Spike smiled.  "Consider it a bonus for a job well done."
     Buffy's eyes narrowed.  "How can I trust you?"
     "He's telling the truth," replied Nightshade.  There was a look
of intense concentration in her blue eyes as she watched the
vampire steadily.  Her hands were once again crossed in front of her
and a white glow seemed to emanate from Spike's vicinity.  "And his
goons will only act on his word."
     Feeling that she might regret what she was about to do, Buffy
lowered the stake and took a step back from Spike's wheelchair.
"It's a deal."
     "You won't live to regret this," the vampire replied.
     Xander winced.  "That's exactly what I'm afraid of."
*******************************
Intermission Five:

Mairrighana remembers.

     The blood in Dulloran's hair, darkening the sun, darkening the
moon. A raven's cry pierces the air.  His sword in her hand.  Do you
remember, Mairrighana?  The riastradh?  The humans must die.  For
Dulloran.  Your vow, Mairrighana.
     The quiet voice, the still green place.  See how it shatters the
heart?  The ravens circle you today, your vow unbroken.  The child,
Mairrighana.  It was the child. Dulloran's blade in your hand, the
human grunting for a magic baby. Your magic, like death, in their
hands.  Dulloran's dull eyes staring, the quiet voice in the still
green place.
     Hearts shattered.  Kill humans.  Dulloran's blade will run.
****************************************************
The story continues in Part Six but this is what I've got completed
to date.  Again, please send me any and all feedback (including
negative criticism) you'd like.

Jennifer
**************************************************
Jennifer Addis-Newton AKA Branwen ferch Modron

[e-mail]
http://www.pipeline.com/~whiteraven

"For if that which you seek, you find not within
 yourself, you will never find it without."
     - from "The Charge of the Goddess"

- -

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 22 Mar 1998 12:40:53 +0000
From: "Jennifer Addis-Newton" <[e-mail]>
Subject: BUFFYFIC: Discussion -- The Raven's Cry

Hello, all.

Here I was stressed out about debuting my first piece of fanfic and,
wouldn't you know, some of the parts didn't even make it to the list
(the prologue) and others weren't in order.  (Proof the some e-mail
just takes a little longer to get where it's going... :)

If you'd like a copy of the whole thing, I would be more than happy
to send it.  I will also wait a bit and see if Part 1 ever shows up
on the list -- if not, I'll repost.

Sorry!
Jennifer
Jennifer
**************************************************
Jennifer Addis-Newton AKA Branwen ferch Modron

[e-mail]
http://www.pipeline.com/~whiteraven

"For if that which you seek, you find not within
 yourself, you will never find it without."
     - from "The Charge of the Goddess"

- -

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 22 Mar 1998 16:07:15 EST
From: Greeneteen <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: Our Hearts Will Go On 4/6

can u send me 1-3?  i just signed on.  thanks

- -

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 22 Mar 1998 13:14:22 -0800 (PST)
From: michele v <[e-mail]>
Subject: BUFFYFIC: Our Hearts Will Go On

Ok, something really got messed up when I tried to send out all parts
of "Our Hearts Willow Go On" so I'm going to try this again. I'm
sending out parts 1-5 because a lot of people have been asking for it
again and also the last aprt. (part 6)




_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com


- -

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 22 Mar 1998 13:16:04 -0800 (PST)
From: michele v <[e-mail]>
Subject: BUFFYFIC: Our Hearts Will Go On 1/6

TITLE: Our Hearts Will Go On 1/6
AUTHOR: Michele V
EMAIL ADDRESS: [e-mail]
DISTRIBUTION: Please ask first
FEEDBACK: Yes, especially since this is my first fic-but since it is,
please don't be too harsh
SPOILER: What's My Line 1&2
RATING PG-13
SUMMARY: A Buffy/Angel story that takes place after What's My Line 1 &
2, with some added Willow/Oz and Xander/Cordelia. Also, Buffy and the
gang find out about the return of the Master- in some form.
CONTENT WARNING: Some kissing,talk of sex, and a sexual
situation(nothing graphic at all)
DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters except for one, whose
name is unknown as of now-but will be included in Part 2 and possibly
all remaining parts of this. All of the other characters belong to
Joss Whedon and the WB. No copywrite infringement is intended.
NOTE: I wrote this after "What's My Line 2", therefor without knowing
that something similar to this *sort of* happens in "Surprise"

**********
PART 1

SUNNYDALE HIGH SCHOOL

      Willow spotted Buffy hurrying down the hallway ahead of her.
"Buffy! Hey, wait up!" she called as she ran to catch up with her.

 Buffy waited for her friend. "Hey Will. What's up?"

Willow frowned.

"Will- what's wrong? What aren't you telling me?," Buffy asked
suspiciously.

"Well I saw something that I really didn't want to and didn't need to
see. I saw- oh boy, you are never gonna believe this-"

"Well I don't really need to believe it- I just need to know. What is
it, Will?" Buffy asked impatiently.

Willow sighed. "Ok, well I was in the library helping Giles with
something before and Xander was there and so was Cordelia- and Giles
asked Xander to go find a book on some- thing- and Cordelia to help
him-so they went. And I was left to do research on the computer, of
course, but I finished before Xander and Cordelia found the book so I
went in the back to help them and-" Willow paused.

"And?" Buffy asked anxiously.

Willow frowned. "I saw Xander and Cordelia making out in front of the
Encyclopedias."

"Wow, you really took note of where they were standing-But maybe it
wasn;t what you thought it was," Buffy said trying to give Willow some
hope.

Willow shook her head. "No, no- I know what I saw. And I saw Xander
and Cordelia totally lip locked."

"Maybe one of them passed out and needed mouth to mouth," Buffy
suggested jokingly.

"Buffy this is not funny- I mean- it's Xander and Cordelia here-
Xander hates Cordelia-Cordelia hates Xander- That's like, that's like
Tom the cat kissing Jerry the mouse...uh, well, you know what I mean"

"True, but haven't you ever heard of the saying that opposites
attract? I mean as ick-worthy as it is, maybe Xander and Cordelia are
an example of that."

"Well I don't like *that* example. And the worst part is, I'm his best
friend- you are too- and he didn't even tell us," Willow said with
anger.

"Maybe he was afraid of our reaction. I mean it is Cordelia-she was
supposed to be his- and our - sworn enemy- and now he's kissing her,"
Buffy suggested.

"Maybe- but I'm still mad at him. I don't understand what he sees in
her- he never saw anything in her before except popular snotiness- I
thought she would be the last person that he'd ever date. But now this
happened, and now it's like-" Willow stopped with a frown.

 "It's like what?" Buffy asked trying to be understanding.

"It's like I'm the last person he'd ever date," Willow said with tears
forming in her eyes.

She continued. "Like Cordelia's good enough for him- and I-his best
friend-am not." The tears began falling down her face.

"Hey, it's not you Willow-Xander's probably just going through those
hormonal changes that men tend to go through. I'm sure he never meant
it to be like that," Buffy said as she hugged her friend.

Willow pulled away to look at Buffy, wiping her tears. "Really?"

"*Really*"Buffy repeated.

 "Well, I'm still mad at him. I don't know if I'm even gonna talk to
him. I'll let him tell me- or us, that is."

"We'll see about that. Somehow, I think you will."
The two started walking again.

"So, who's this Oz guy that was so heroic as to risk himself getting
shot in the arm so that you wouldn't?" Buffy asked changing the
subject.

"Oz? Oz is no one- he's just this guy- that I know."

"A guy that you know. Very informative Will,"

"Ok, well, we were both chosen for this computer thing at the Career
Fair, so we've been talking," Willow told her.

"By the way, how did that whole Slayer goodbye thing go between you
and Kendra?," Willow asked changing the subject.

"Was there any hugging or crying going on?" she continued.

Buffy shook her head at her friend with a grin.
 "You were quick to change the subject. But no, no hugging. Just a
goodbye. Kendra has that "No Huggy Huggy, Touchy Touchy," policy."

 "Oh, right. So- I guess that means there was no crying," Willow
answered for Buffy.

"Definitely a negative. But even though I was counting the days until
she'd leave, it was a little sad to see her go. I guess cause we had
something in common. I'm ok now, though."

Willow smiled. "Well, good. So have you and Angel been playing
helpless patient and nurse lately?" Willow asked anxious to hear the
answer.

"Actually, me and Angel haven't even talked or seen each other since
the night at the church. Kendra was kind enough to volunteer to take
him home safely that night so that I could get home to sleep."

Willow couldn't believe it. "Wow, you mean you're not even worried
that he could not be ok?"

"I thought about it of course. But I thought it would be better if he
could rest and if I was was with him, there definitely would be no
resting going on," Buffy explained.

Willow nodded in agreement. "Oh, I see your point. I bet you miss his
kisses though."

"You could say that. I've definitely been going through some *major*
withdrawal," Buffy agreed.

Xander came up behind the two of them just in time to hear Buffy's
last sentence.
"Withdrawal! Buffy, you're not taking drugs now are you? 'Cause that's
what that DARE Program is all bout- Saying *no* to drugs."

Buffy grinned.

 "No Xander, Buffy was talking about withdrawal from Angel's kisses-
which is probably what you're going through now without Cordelia's
kisses!" Willow shot at him with anger.

Xander's eyes widened in shock. He looked at Buffy.

Buffy shrugged. "What can I say, Xand- secrets secrets are no
fun-especially when you keep them from your best friends."

Xander shook his head in disbelief. "I don't kn-I don't know what
you're talking about," he said trying to cover everything up.

Buffy looked at Willow. "Willow?" she asked giving her the cue to
explain.

 "I-I saw you two in the library-when you were looking for that book-I
went to help you-and I saw you two-kissing," she told Xander.

"Oh, boy... Gosh...I'm sorry, Will. We didn't mean for you-or anyone
to see that. We- Look, I have no idea what is going on between me and
Cordelia. I mean we get into these fights and then we kiss-and it's
completely-completely weird. I mean I don't understand it and I know
you two don't either. Right now I'm just trying to sort everything
out. And that's why I didn't tell you guys. I mean it's me and-
Cordelia- we're not supposed to be together. I mean that's like Tom
and Jerry
kissing each other-Well,you know-you know what I'm saying."

 Willow smiled. "I said the same thing," she told him.

"Xander like I told Willow before, you're probably going through
hormonal changes that men tend to go through," Buffy explained.

Xander grinned. "Maybe. I just hope you two will forgive me for not
telling," he pleaded.

Buffy grinned. "You're forgiven-by me at least."

 "Willow?" Xander asked.

"I forgive you-but only this once Xander-you not tell us something
again and I'll-I'll..." Willow paused.

Xander smiled. "Thanks you guys. I promise- it'll *never* happen
again."

"So-" Willow said changing the subject once again,"Where were we?"

"Well I know that I was about to tell Buffy that withdrawal from
Angel's kisses is even worse then from drugs and that she could say no
to that too.. but then.."Xander started.

Willow finished for him. "We kinda got into a different conversation.
But about what you were gonna say," Willow said with a smile,"I don't
think she'd wanna say no to that."

Xander smiled at her then turned to Buffy.

"How is our vampish fiend anyway? Not that I really care but he just
looked like he was in major pain the other night- definitely a good
thing."

 "Actually," she explained again," I haven't seen him since that
night. But, I'm sure he's fine."

"Darn!" Xander said as he stomped his foot.

 Willow and Buffy gave him "the look."

"Sorry, that just came out unplanned-like a reflex," Xander explained.

 "Well you better try to control that reflex or my reflex will be to
tape your mouth shut," Buffy warned him jokingly.

"Whoa-Buff, I knew you were a violent one- with evil creatures but I
didn't think you'd be that way with friends. I mean I 'll try but a
reflex is a reflex- pretty much uncontrollable. Oh, by the way, Buff,
the G-man was looking for you- I was supposed to tell you. Seemed
pretty urgent."

"Gee, thanks for telling me now that class starts in like a minute."

Xander spotted Giles approaching them. "Well, it must be pretty
important 'cause here he comes now," he informed Buffy and motioned to
him.

"Buffy!" Giles called as he caught site of her.

Buffy, Xander, and Willow walked over to him.

"Giles, hey. What's up?" Buffy asked him.

 "Buffy I need to see you in the library- in five minutes."

Buffy sighed. "Giles, can this wait? 'Cause I have history now and you
know how much I'm faltering in that class."

Giles shook his head. "Buffy, this is extremely urgent. It'll only
take a few minutes," he told her.

"Ok. Ill be right there," she obeyed.

 She turned to her two friends. "I'll see you guys at lunch."

Xander nodded. "Ok, best of luck Buff! You may need it with whatever
this urgent thing is."

 "See ya," Willow told her.

SCHOOL LIBRARY

     Giles was relieved when he saw Buffy come through the library
doors. "Oh, good. You're here."

"What you didn't trust that I'd come?" Buffy asked him slightly
annoyed.

Giles shook his head. "Well, no. No it's just-" he began.

Buffy interrupted shaking her head. "Ok, Giles, What's up? What is
this extremely urgent thing that you *need* to tell me about?" she
asked impatiently.

Giles sighed. "Sit down," he told her.

"Gosh this must be bad. When someone asks you to sit down before they
tell you something, you know it can *never* be a good thing," she said
as she sat.

"So, what is this terrible thing?" she asked.

"Well, it's two things actually," he told her.

"Oh goody. So it's the more problems the merrier kind of deal. So, go
head, share."

Giles sighed. "Well, I went back to what remains of the church that
Druscilla's healing ritual was performed in a few nights ago.." he
began.

 "And?" Buffy asked impatiently.

"And while I was looking through the remains of it, I found this," he
continued as he pulled a piece of red cloth out of his pocket and
handed it to Buffy.

"Hmm..a piece of red cloth, probably from a shirt or something," she
said as she examined it in her hands, "Giles what does this have to do
with- anything?" she asked.

"Well, it's not just a piece of cloth off of just anyone's shirt.." he
began.

"Oooo-could it be-I mean maybe it's a piece of one of Gavin Rossdale's
shirts. Can I keep it then- for a souvenir?" Buffy said jokingly.

"Gavin Rossdale- I don't believe I've heard of a Gavin Rossdale.
Who-Who is he?" Giles asked her.

"No one- never mind."

Buffy stared down at the torn piece of clothing in her hands.

"Wait a sec," she said realizing something,"Spike was wearing a shirt
that looked something like this the night that we were in the church
and I...killed.." She paused and her eyes widened.

"When a vampire is killed every part of it turns to dust, except
anything that it may be holding, such as a weapon, but everything else
becomes dust, including all of its clothing," he began explaining.

"Him," Buffy said finishing her sentence from before, "Oh my gosh."

"But when I looked underneath all of the debris, I found not only a
piece of his clothing but not a sign of vampire dust in the area in
which they were supposed to be killed. It still would have been
visible even days later, but since there was none, it would mean
that.." Giles continued explaining but was interrupted by Buffy who
finished his sentence for him.

"Spike and Druscilla are alive," she finished.

 Giles nodded. "I'm afraid so. Now, have you spoken to Angel at all
since that night?"

Buffy shook her head. "I haven't yet. I thought I should leave him to
recuperate," she started.

Giles interrupted. "Well I think it would be a good idea to go see hi,
tonight. To- make sure that he's al right. With Druscilla still alive
and uncured, he could be in great ganger of her and Spike," he warned
her.

Buffy became a little nervous at what he said. "Great danger? Are we
talking death here?" she asked him.

"Buffy he was nearly killed by Spike's last attempt to cure her, and
if that hasn't worked, well- there's no telling what they'll do next."

Buffy agreed. "Ok, so it's Destination Angel's then."

"Wait, Buffy. As I said before, that us only one of the problems."

"Uh, Giles- I wasn't going anywhere. Remember, school? Well, it's
still in session in case you didn't know. And I don't need Principle
Snyder to find out that I ditched the rest of the day," Buffy reminded
him.

Giles agreed. "Oh, yes. That's right. Well anyway, I was researching
that Watcher Diaries.."

Buffy rolled her eyes and interrupted him. "Really Giles? Cause I
thought you always were researching in Reader's Digest," she joked.

 Giles gave her a stern look.

 "Continue," she told him.

 "Well as I was researching, I found out that six months after the
Master dies, on the six day, and the six hour, his or her spirit comes
back in the form of the opposite sex. It then, goes  after the person
who killed him or her, along with a team of all the vampires existing
at that time," he explained.

"Sixth month, sixth day, sixth hour..Giles are you noticing this 666
ocult reference that I'm noticing?"she asked him.

"Yes and I believe that has something to do with the fact that the
Master is like a vampires versian of the Christian religion's
"Anichrist," he explained.

"Ok, so anyway, the person who killed the Master," Buffy observed,
"That would be me. So why don't they just say "the slayer" cause I
thought that's always the person he fights during the Prophecy."

"Well, in a few earlier cases," Giles explained,"the Slayer was not
the person who killed him or her. Sometimes, it was just a person who
happened to be there."

Buffy shook her head in confusion. "You keep saying "him or her." Are
you saying that the Master could be female?" she asked him.

"Well, yes. There have been some female masters in the past, and quite
powerful ones, I might add," he explained.

"Wow. Talk about girl power. And I thought women only ruled in the
90's."

"Yes and the spirit oh the Master that is supposed to be coming will
be female, since it's spirit is always the opposite sex."

 Buffy took everything in and tried putting it into her own words.
"Ok, so this master spirit girl, she's coming- six months after the
Master's death- which would be- next month-and on the sixth day-
Giles, today is the 15th- that means that ghost girl will be coming in
only three weeks, and I'm guessing she's *no* Casper-which means we're
gonna need a *lot* of time to prepare for it- and we don't even know
much of anything about it- I mean it's a spirit,worse then your
ordinary poltergeist, and it's the Masters-opposite sex or not- Giles,
how the hell are we gonna kill this thing!? Or..make it go away?"

 Giles took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes in distress.

He looked at Buffy who stood waiting for an answer. One that he didn't
have. "I-I don't know," he told her truthfully.

Buffy couldn't believe it. "You don't know?! You're the Watcher-
You're supposed to know these things.... Just tell me one thing- Am I
supposed to die from this?" she asked him with tears almost beginning
to form in her eyes.

 Giles shook his head. "No, not that I'm aware if. All that's listed
in the Watcher Diaries is what I've told you. That is why, I need you
to find out from Angel, everything he knows about this," he told her.

Buffy finally calmed down and returned to her normal self.

 "Ok, well, I'll make sure I make some time in between kisses for us
to chat about it," she told him.

"Buffy, this is nothing to joke about. You must be serious."

"I was being serious just now," she joked again.

 Giles gave Buffy the same stern look from before.

"Ok, Ok, I'll make sure that I talk to him about it. And by the way, I
was being serious just a few minutes before the other thing I said.
Maybe a little *too* serious. Anyway, are we done here cause I have to
get to class now?"

Giles nodded.

"Ok then I better go. See ya, Giles," she said as she walked out the
library doors.

LATER ON IN THE SCHOOL DAY

*bell rings*


Willow and Xander walked together out of the classroom that they were
just in and down the halls.

Approaching them was Cordelia, Devon, and Oz.

 Willow smiled at the sight of Oz.

When they were in speaking range Xander acknowledged Cordelia."Well,
would you look who it is," Xander said looking at her.

"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked him.

"Nothing. Just, look who it is- it's you."

 "And your point is?"

"No point. I was just- acknowledging your presence," he told her.

 "Why?" she asked him in a snotty voice. "Never mind. I don't wanna
know. Come on Devon. Let's go." She pulled Devon with her down the
halls.

Oz stayed behind. "Hi," he said looking at Willow.

"Hey Oz," she said smiling. "Weren't you supposed to leave with them,"
Willow asked referring to Cordelia and Devon.

"Well, see, I wanted to know if you were going to the Bronze tonight,"
he explained.

"Oh. Well, I don't know- I mean I gotta check with my friends to see
if their going or not," she told him. "Why do you wanna know?" she
asked him.

"Well my band is gonna be playing there tonight and if you were going,
then you'd get to see us play. And, you know, maybe when we're done
playing, you and I could maybe hang out together for a little while if
it was cool with you," he told her.

"Oh, yeah, that, that would be cool-with me. Yeah."

"So you're going then?" Oz asked her.

"Yeah. I'll be there," she told him.

"Alright, well I'll see you then."

"Yeah, see ya," she said with a smile. She turned and watched him walk
away.

"Willow? Hello? Anyone there?" Xander called waving his hands in front
of her face.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry, Xand."

"That's ok. So, I guess we're Bronze bound tonight, huh?" Xander asked.

 "Yeah," she answered with a smile across her face.

"Well, that'll work out good. I can dance with Cordelia while Devon's
busy singing and you can stare at Oz, the great and powerful."

"Xander!"

"Sorry, couldn't stop myself there. The Wizard of Oz thing was gonna
come up some time. And then was the time."

"By the way, why were you and Cordelia fighting back there. I thought
you guys were ok with each other now." Willow asked confused slightly.

"We are ok, but Devon and Oz were there. We can't act like love birds
in front of them. Not that we are or anything," he explained.

 Xander noticed Buffy walking up ahead.
 "Hey, let's go see if Buffy can join us tonight," he told Willow.

The two ran to catch up with her.

"Hey Buff."

"Hey guys."

"So, Willow and I are going to the Bronze tonight. Feel like joining
us?" he asked.

"Well, I would but I'm gonna go check on Angel tonight. I have to find
out stuff from him for Giles too," she told them.

 "Well, if it's for Giles then I guess you should," Xander said a
little disappointed.

"Oz is gonna be there," Willow told her excitedly. "And we're gonna
hang out when his band's done playing."

 "And you said you two would never become a thing. It's already in the
working," Buffy told her.

Willow smiled.

*bell rings*

"Ooo, gotta get to class. I'll see you guys," Buffy said and then
started to walk to her next class.

Willow and Xander did the same.

 Buffy turned back around. "Willow!" she shouted down the hall.

 Willow turned around.

"Good luck tonight."

Willow smiled and they both turned and continued on to their next class.

LATER THAT NIGHT
ANGEL'S APARTMENT

  Buffy knocked on Angel's door."Angel?" she called.

She tried to open it but it as locked of course.

She knocked again. "Angel, it's just me .Open up."

She waited then knocked once more.

 When he still didn't answer she decided to let herself in by kicking
open the door.

She walked in and closed the door behind her.

"Angel?...Hello? Anybody home?" she called. *He's gotta be home. He's
recuperating* she thought.

Finally she came to the area where his bed was and found him sound
asleep in it.  She smiled at the sight of his sleeping figure, then
got an idea.

She went over to the phone and dialed her home phone number.

"Mom? Hi. I'm over at Willow's- she's helping me study for this big
history test and it looks like we won't be done till late tonight. So
can I stay over and get a ride to school with her?...Yeah, it's ok
with her parents...Ok, thanks a lot mom..I love you too. Bye."

Buffy listened as her mom hung up and grinned mischeiviously at what
she had just done.

 Then, as she was going to hang up the phone she was pulled back onto
the bed behind her and on top of Angel who immediately leaned up and
kissed her.

 They kissed again and soon the two were wrapped up in a whirl of
passion.

 Angel began kissing down Buffy's face and to her neck.

Buffy let out a slight moan as Angel kissed her neck. She then moved
to claim his lips with hers again, afraid that if he kissed her neck
any longer, he might go vamp on her.

But soon she found his lips trailing back down the same path to her
neck.

She had to admit, it felt great when he kissed her there, but again,
she didn't want him to lose his control.
It was too late though- his lips were already there and the pleasure
from him kissing her there, overwhelmed her.

"Angel," she managed to get out, trying to make him stop, but what it
really sounded like was a sigh of pleasure.

After a moment, she called his name again, this time sounded more like
her calling him.

Still he didn't stop. "Mmm?" he just said as his lips trailed up and
down her face to her neck.

 She let out a soft cry again as he kissed a sensitive spot that he
hadn't kissed yet.

Finally she was able to tell him. "Um, Angel, maybe you shouldn't kiss
me there."

Angel stopped and lifted his head to meet her eyes. He was a little
confused. "Sorry-I thought you were enjoying it."

Buffy blushed alittle."I was- I was- it's just-Well I was afraid you'd
go vampire on me- No offense," she explained.

Angel chuckled. "Why would you think that?" he asked with a smile.

"Oh- I don't know, maybe because you-on a few occasions-have been
known to go vamp on me while we were lip locked," she said with a
slight grin.

Angel shook his head. "Well, just so you know, that really only
happens when I'm angry-or- I have something on my mind. But- I can
control it otherwise," he explained to her with a smile.

Buffy tried to fight back her impulse to ask him more, but couldn't.
"Even if you're kissing my neck- the very same spot that you could be
feeding on me from?"

Angel's face saddened a bit.

"I'm Sorry, that didn't come out the right way," she told him.

 Angel just looked away.

Buffy took her hand and turned his face so that he faced her. "Hey, I
trust you Angel, I do."

Angel nodded, but still looked a little sad. "I know," he answered.

Buffy changed the subject."Well, so anyway, I came here to see how you
were-You're ok, right?"

Angel nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Ok, good-Is there anything I could do?" she asked with a smile.

Angel grinned. "Well, you could start by, kissing me again."

Buffy smiled back at him. "That I can definitely do," she said as she
leaned down to kiss him.

Their lips met for a few more kisses before they pulled away. "I've
missed you," Angel said as their lips parted. "Been kinda lonely
here-and without you," he continued.

Buffy smiled. "Sorry I haven't come by- but I thought you'd need some
time to rest and recuperate without any distractions," she explained.

"Yeah, you're probably right," he told her with a smile. Buffy loved
when he told her she was right.

"Well, I'm here now-And we have the whole night to be together-I told
my mom I was at Willow's so I can stay the night," she told him.

Angel shook his head. "Buffy, that's very kind of you to be here, but
I'm not sure it's such a good idea you spend the night."

Buffy didn't understand. "Well, why not? If you're worried that you
don't have an extra bed, you shouldn't cause I think were a little
past sleeping in separate beds. I can just- sleep right here next to
you," she said then patted a spot on the bed.

"That's just it, Buffy. Don't you think it would be a little tempting
being together in the same bed? I mean don't you thing we might end up
wanting to-,"

"Have sex?" Buffy suggested bluntly.

Angel seemed a little uncomfortable. "Well..yeah," he told her.

"So- what's so wrong with that? I mean, we've been way past a cup of
of coffee. We can't even go 5 minutes without kissing each other."

"It's just- If I lose control Buffy, which I could, you could die. And
hurting you is the last thing I want to do," he told her.

"Angel, I know that-But I don't think you would. I trust you enough to
know that you'd never hurt me, even in your vampire mode."

 Angel shook his head. "Buffy please- It's hard enough not to- please
don't make it any harder," he begged.

Buffy looked deeply into Angel's eyes. "Please Angel- I love you..I
need you," she pleaded with him.

 Angel lightened a bit. "What caused the change of mid? Just before,
you didn't even want me kissing you- and now-," Angel began, curious.

"You told me you could control it- and I believe you. And I realized
that we don't know how much time we'll have together. I mean, it was
the scariest thing, you almost died the other night. And me, being the
Slayer-Well,you know, Slayers are known to have short lives. I figure
we should do..things..while we have the chance," she explained.

Angel agreed. "Alright," he said with a slight nod.

His eyes stared deeply into Buffy's.But there was something about
them- something about his eyes that was different. It was as if they
held an untold secret-as if Angel knew that something was about to
tear him and Buffy apart.

"Ok?" Buffy asked with a smile.

 "Ok," Angel replied grinning.

Buffy leaned in and kissed him.

 "I love you, Buffy. I want you to know that," he told her.

She kissed him again. "I know," she said with a smile.

Angel looked as if he was waiting for her to say more.

"I love you too," she finished finally.

He smiled-but then that look appeared in his eyes again-the look of
pain-of knowing something Buffy did not.

 Buffy kissed him again, then saw that look in his eyes. "Hey, what's
wrong?" she asked concerned.

"It's nothing- really."

"Are you sure? I mean are you nervous or something?-'cause I'll admit
that I am a little," she asked slightly worried.

"No- I'm fine," Angel said with a smile. He then pulled her back down
on him for a kiss.

"Good," Buffy said as she pulled the covers up over them , coming back
down on him, and kissing him.

 They kissed each other passionately for a few moments.

Then Buffy took control and began kissing down Angel's face, nibbling
on his jaw line and planting soft kisses down his neck. She then
paused to help him remove his white tee-shirt, and began kissing him
again from his collar bone down to his smooth chest. She then worked
her way back up to his mouth as her hands ran up and down his arms and
broad chest, feeling his muscles....beneath her touch.

Their kiss lingered on for a while, before it was broken by Angel, who
sat up in bed.

"Angel, what's worng," Buffy asked concerned.

Angel shook his head. "I can't. I can't do this Buffy...I'm sorry. I
'm so, sorry. You know I'd do anything for you Buffy, but I can't do
this. I can't," Angel explained to her, quite upset.

 He looked almost as if he was about to cry and Buffy could sense
that. She wrapped her arms around him, hugging him close to her.

"It's ok Angel. It's ok-I understand. I shouldn't have..pressured you
so much. I'm sorry," she whispered in his ear.

Angel pulled away after a short while and laid back down on the bed.
Buffy laid down also, resting her head against his shoulder.

 She turned to look at him. "Are you ok?" she asked him.

 Angel nodded. "Yeah, I'm ok," he replied in a sad tone.

"I still love you,Angel. You know that, right?," she told him.

"I know," he replied.

 Buffy gave him a little smile then settled her head on his chest and
closed her eyes.

 Angel put an arm around her and did the same.

Little did Buffy know that,inside, Angel really wasn't fine or ok-and
she would soon not be either.

To be continued...

















































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