From: owner-buffyfic@lists.xmission.com (Buffyfic-digest) To: buffyfic-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: Buffyfic-digest V2 #71 Reply-To: buffyfic@xmission.com Sender: owner-buffyfic@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-buffyfic@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk 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" 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 whiteraven@pipeline.com 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" 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 whiteraven@pipeline.com 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" 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 whiteraven@pipeline.com 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 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 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 Subject: BUFFYFIC: Our Hearts Will Go On 1/6 TITLE: Our Hearts Will Go On 1/6 AUTHOR: Michele V EMAIL ADDRESS: glynisgrl33@yahoo.com 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... _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com - - ------------------------------ End of Buffyfic-digest V2 #71 ***************************** To subscribe to buffyfic or buffyfic-digest, send the command subscribe buffyfic-digest or subscribe buffyfic to majordomo@xmission.com. You will need to go through a confirmation process, and the listowners have to manually approve your subscription request, so it may take some time. Back issues of this digest can be found at: ftp://ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/buffyfic/archive/ Dalton Spence has also provided an index of the buffyfic archive at: http://www.hwcn.org/~ag775/BUFFYFIC.HTM For help, contact Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) or sah (romana@mindspring.com)