From: owner-buffyfic@lists.xmission.com (Buffyfic-digest) To: buffyfic-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: Buffyfic-digest V2 #86 Reply-To: buffyfic@xmission.com Sender: owner-buffyfic@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-buffyfic@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk Buffyfic-digest Tuesday, March 31 1998 Volume 02 : Number 086 In this issue: BUFFYFIC: Hope (36/?) BUFFYFIC: Hope (37/?) BUFFYFIC: Hope (38/?) BUFFYFIC: Hope mistake BUFFYFIC: Hope (39/?) BUFFYFIC: Hope (40/?) 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: Tue, 31 Mar 1998 17:31:24 PST From: "Sara Barton" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Hope (36/?) Title: Hope Author: Sara B. Sara114@hotmail.com Disclaimer: I don't own them. Part 36 “Paging Mr. Giles. Mr. Rupert Giles. You have a telephone call,” a loud voice said over the intercom. Giles sprung to his feet and ran to the front desk. “I’m Rupert Giles,” he said quickly. The large, overweight man pointed to a phone. “Line 3.” Giles nodded and picked up the receiver. “Hello?” “Giles! It’s Buffy. We’ve got big problems.” Buffy explained what had happened, from the moment her and Hope left the hospital right up to this telephone call. “Oh....oh m..my. Sh-Sh-She rrripped it off?” Giles gulped, loosening the tie that had suddenly become extremely tight around his neck. “Yes, Giles. She ripped it off. I think Hope just fulfilled the fantasy of every American woman,” Buffy said. Giles felt largely uncomfortable, and changed the subject. The though of what Hope did to Marcus made him feel queasy. “S..so you say that she wasn’t in control of her body? “That’s what she told me. You should have seen her, Giles. She was raving mad. It was like someone else in Hope’s body.” Giles pondered this. “It may be a side effect of her transformation.” “Her transformation?” Buffy asked, confused. “Yes. If her slaying abilities are permanent, then she is going through a transformation, just like what you went through and what all the other slayers went through.” “Oh...okay. What if her abilities are temporary?” She asked. Giles took in a deep breath and was silent. “What is it? Is it bad?” He winced. Giles didn’t want to have to tell her this. He had hoped she wouldn’t ask, but since she did he couldn’t lie to her. “Yes, I’m afraid so. If her abilities are only temporary, then she might die when they leave her.” “What do you mean, she might die?!” Buffy exclaimed, feeling a little dizzy. The Watcher wiped the sweat from his brow. “A transformation takes a lot out of a person. Her body is going through some changes. If her abilities were to leave her, then her body might not be able to handle the immense stress that she would endure. The stress would kill her.” “Oh, no,” she whispered. Buffy tried to push the thought of Hope dying out of her mind. “If we are lucky, she won’t die. The transformation will be permanent, and she will be a slayer,” Giles said, trying to not make Buffy more upset than she already was. “But we can’t think about that right now. We need to think about how to rescue your mother.” Buffy nodded. “Your right. I’m sure by now she already knows all about who I am. How is she going to handle that? What if Angel kills her?” Buffy’s hands began to shake and her chin quivered. “What if Angel turns her into a vampire?! What if I never see my mother again?! What if I am forced to kill her if she is a vampire?!” She was starting to panic. Her mind was racing with horrible things Angel could do to Joyce. The thought of Angel hurting her mother made her sick. Buffy’s emotions were running wild. One moment she felt fine, the next she was in a frenzy. “Buffy, now is not the time to panic. You have to think clearly and rationally. Angel won’t kill your mother. I hate to say this, but right now she is the bait to lure you in.” When Buffy didn’t respond, he continued. “Listen, just try to relax. I will be there as soon as I can.” He said, and hung up the phone. < How are we ever going to do this? Hope is raging and Buffy is hysterical > He saw Xander who sat with his head resting in his hands. < Poor boy. He must be tired > Giles walked over to him. “Would you like me to take you home, Xander?” Giles asked. Xander looked at the old librarian, shaking his head. “No. I want to stay here.” Giles sighed. “Very well. I am going to Buffy’s house. Apparently she had a run in with Angel, and he has kidnapped her mother.” Xander stood up so quickly he almost knocked Giles over. “What? That bastard. I’m going with you.” “Xander, I don’t think--” Giles began, but stopped in mid sentence as Xander pushed him out of the way and out the doors of the lobby. Giles sighed again. “Teenagers,” he muttered, and followed the boy to the car. ***** A half an hour later, Giles walked up to Buffy’s front porch. He paused before knocking, feeling guilty for leaving Jenny, Willow, and Cordelia at the hospital. Xander walked up behind him. “What are you waiting for, G-man? Knock already,” Xander said. Giles glared at him with annoyance, and Xander shut his mouth. He knocked three times, and waited. The door opened, and Hope greeted them with a smile. “Hey guys,” she said. “Hey, Buffster,” Xander said, pushing his way in front of Giles. “Where’s Hope?” Someone poked him gently on the back and he turned around to face Buffy. “Hey Buffy.” He stopped, his eyes opening wide. He looked at the girl in front of him and again at the girl behind him. “WOAH! What is going on? Have I entered the Twilight Zone?” he asked, backing away. Buffy smiled at Hope. “Told you it would work.” Hope laughed. “I didn’t think they would buy it!” Xander and Giles, both incredibly confused, demanded an answer. “Who is who? And what is going on?” Buffy smiled. “I’m Buffy, and that’s Hope. How alike do we look?” Giles was amazed. “The resemblance is uncanny,” he said. “How did you do this?” “Let’s just say it was a fast hair cut and a quick dye job,” Buffy said. “I cut about two inches and lightened her hair, then I styled it just like I do mine. We dressed the same, so we now look alike.” “Except that I have to wear a pair of two inch black boots to make me taller,” Hope said, grinning. “Wow, two Buffy’s. This is my lucky day. Thank you God!” Xander exclaimed. Ignoring his rude comment, Buffy shut the front door. “Now, we have to get moving. I have stakes, holy water, and crosses,” she said, sitting on the couch. “Does everyone still have their stakes? Or did they fall off when we were hit?” She asked, referring to their car accident earlier. Giles and Xander nodded, while Hope re-strapped the stakes on her body. Both girls had tiny backpacks full of crosses and two small bottles of holy water. Buffy handed the two men each a large cross and a bottle of holy water. “Take these,” she ordered. “What is the plan?” Xander asked. “I’ll explain it on the way. Right now, we need to hurry before it is too late,” Buffy said, leading her three friends our of the house. “Hey Hope, I have a question,” Xander asked, hurrying down the steps of Buffy’s porch to catch up with the blond beauty. She turned to look at him. “What?” She asked. < He is so cute. No wonder why Cordelia likes him. She is so lucky > “Did you really rip off that guys ----” “XANDER!!!” Buffy and Giles scremed in usinson. He quickly snapped his jaw shut for the second time that evening. Hope leaned over and whispered in his ear. “Yes, but don’t worry...I only do it when I’m angry.” Grinning, she walked away, silently chucking to herself, while Xander stared at her in amazement. “That is one wild woman,” he said to himself, and followed them to the car. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - - ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 31 Mar 1998 17:38:30 PST From: "Sara Barton" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Hope (37/?) Title: Hope Author: Sara B. Sara114@hotmail.com Disclaimer: I don't own them. Part 37 Angel walked into the Master’s old lair, and could feel his lingering presence. He examined his surroundings. Parts of old pews were strewn about, and old, dead, dried up bodies and body parts lay around the old church, which was now mostly a huge rock cave. A large wooden crucifix was mounted on the stone wall. Angel walked over to a grand, stone platform and wiped the dust off the lavish ornate chair that the Master had sat in. < His throne. My throne > Angel thought with a gallant smile. Tall cement columns stood around the lair, with white liturgical candles resting on their tops. He turned and walked to the pond where Buffy had almost drowned. The thick ledge that went all around the pond was slowly crumbling away with age, and the tall pillar still resided in it’s center. Candles lined the edge, and sat on the pillar. Angel sauntered over to the pool of blood that the Master hibernated in. He bent down, and swirled his finger in the warm liquid. Bringing his finger to his lips, he tasted the bitter sweet nectar. Slowly standing up, he watched Spike, Drusilla, and the woman enter the cavern with a large amount of minions behind them. “It’s a fixer upper,” Angel joked, as they inspected the underground chamber. “Out of all places, why did you want to come here?” Spike asked, kicking an old pew out of his way. “Because she died here once, and she doesn’t want to come back here,” Angel told him, while walking back over the throne. He sat down in the plush, velvet cushion and relaxed his body. “I thought you wanted to kill her,” Spike said. “If she isn’t going to come here, then how are you going to do that?” “I never said she wouldn’t. I said she doesn’t want to. She will be extremely uncomfortable and I will use that to my advantage,” Angel told him. Spike nodded. “I can’t say it’s the best plan, but I suppose it will due.” “You suppose? Do you question my decision?” Angel asked raising his eyebrow. Spike was about to retort with a sarcastic comment, but knew that he could no longer disrespect Angel. “No,” he answered roughly. “Good,” Angel said. “Now, I want this place cleaned up. Get rid of those old pews and bones. Sweep the dust away. Make sure this place is all tidy,” he commanded. The minions went to work, following his orders. Spike led Drusilla through a small passageway into another cave where she could rest. The Woman sauntered over to Angel, holding Joyce by the neck. “What shall I do with her?” She asked, baring her demonic face. “Chain her up,” Angel said. “Where?” Angel looked over by the wall with the crucifix. “Over there. Under the crucifix.” She nodded, and hauled a struggling Joyce to the wall. She put a chain on her wrists and her ankles. “Now don’t go anywhere,” she said, laughing. He watched her chain Joyce up. A small smirk formed on his red lips, as he relaxed in his plush throne. Angel was trying to prepare himself for near future battle between him and the Slayer. He was partially amused, thinking of her last fight with a Master. < It’s too bad it will end the same way for her...only this time Xander won’t be there to save her > The thought of killing Xander brought joy to him. The hated that the two men held for each other was intense. He chuckled, imagining the look that the poor fool will have on his face as he slowly got the life sucked out of him. The Woman, who was standing nearby, heard his small laugh. “Something funny?” she asked. He shook his head. “Nothing in particular,” he told her. The minions continued cleaning up the cavern. “HURRY UP,” Angel’s voice bellowed, and the vampires increased their speed immensely. “They are coming,” the Woman said, slowly sitting on his lap. She straddled his body in an very sexual way. She rubbed her hands down his bare chest. The cut that Drusilla made of the star still resided, and the Woman traced the outline of it with her finger. Angel nodded, ignoring her sexual advances. “Yes, I know.” She leaned in to kiss him, but he turned his head. “How do you feel?” she asked, putting his arms around her tiny waste. “Strong.” He answered. She put her finger on his lips. “Can I make you feel even better?” Angel rolled his eyes. “Not now,” he said harshly. “I’m not in the mood.” He pushed her off of him. “I need to prepare for her,” he said, and walked over to one of the columns. With a quick wave of his hand, the wicks of the candles sprouted a flame. “My power is almost complete.” Angel roamed to each column and did the same to each candle, lighting them with this power. Standing across the room from the pond, he waved his hand in front of him and the candles lit simultaneously. “Ahh, the power,” he said, feeling himself grow stronger by the minute. “Want to show me your power?” The Woman asked, and sat down in his chair. She spread her legs apart and cocked an eyebrow at him, silently begging him to come to her. “I told you I am not in the mood. And get the hell out of my chair,” Angel growled. She glared at him and stood up abruptly, leaving the cavern embarrassed and offended. Angel sighed. < She was always impatient > he thought, watching the woman walk through the passageway into a different cave. He looked again at Buffy’s mother. < Time for the truth to come out > he thought, strolling over to her. Her tired eyes glanced at the vampire who stood before her. “Hello, Joyce.” “What do you want with me?” She asked quietly. “Don’t worry. It’s not you I want. You’ll make it out of here alive.” He said, changing his face into his human form. “I don’t care about me, I care about my daughter. You tried to kill her. Why?” She asked, demanding an answer. “Because she is a threat to my existence,” he answered simply. Her questioning look caused him to explain himself. “You see, there is something you don’t know about your daughter.” He studied her face for a reaction, which she didn’t give. “It is time you knew the truth about Buffy. I will repeat to you what has been said many times before.” Taking a deep breath, he began. “In every generation, there is a chosen one. She alone, will stand against the vampires, the demons, and the forces of darkness. She is the slayer. Trained and guided by her watcher, her destiny is to basically fight and die.” Angel said, slowly pacing back and forth while he recited Giles’ words. Joyce’s eyes narrowed. “And your saying that Buffy is the Slayer?” “Well, yes. Buffy is the slayer. Unto each generation a slayer is born. One girl in all the world, the chosen one. One born with the strength and skill to hunt the vampires. All this would describe your seemingly normal daughter.” Joyce laughed. “And you expect me to believe this?” Angel took a step backward. “You mean you don’t? I would think that you would. I have an idea Joyce, that might help you put all of this into perspective,” he said, pulling an old pew over to him. He sat down on it, and stared at Joyce. “I want you to replay the last two years of your life, starting in Los Angeles.” She looked at him questioningly. “Okay.” “Buffy gets kicked out of Hemory High for setting the gym on fire. Why?” Angel shrugged. “Did you ever get a real reason for that?” Joyce stared into his cold eyes. “No.” “I didn’t think so. But, I’ll tell you why. That gym was full of vampires.” Angel said. Joyce’s shocked expression pleased him. “Vampires?” She asked, reluctant to believe his words. “Yes. Vampires. Surprised? Don’t be. I’m not finished. Now think about when you moved here. Buffy is out late *every* night. Sometimes, she--,” Angel gave a fake gasp, “--sneaks out! Why would Buffy do something like that? Because she goes hunting. She goes to kill vampires.” Joyce’s expression started to soften at the reality of his words. “And why, oh, why does a sixteen year old girl hang out religiously with an old, creepy librarian? If you think that answer is because he helps her with her homework, then you are very gullible, seeing that Buffy’s grades are less than stellar. Anyway, back to the question. That old creepy librarian just happens to be her Watcher. He trains her to fight. He tells her of prophecies. He helps her perform her duty as the Slayer.” Joyce shook her head in the disbelief she still tried to hold on to. “I don’t understand. If all of this is true, then why didn’t she tell me?” Angel snickered. “Think about it. If Buffy had come to you and said: ‘Mom, there is something very important to tell you. I am a Vampire Slayer. I go out and kill those pointy, toothy, bitey blood suckers that hang out in the dark. I have to go and risk my life now. See you at dawn.’” He smiled. “Would you have believed her? I don’t think so. You would have had her committed to an institution before she could say good-bye to you.” “So if she is a Slayer, and you are a vampire, then she has to slay you, and you want to kill her before she gets the chance,” Joyce said. “It’s so nice to see you understanding all of this,” Angel said. “So who are you? What is your name? Age?” Joyce questioned, oddly interested in his life. “My name is Angelus, but you can call me Angel. I am 242 years old. Born in Ireland. Anything else you want to know?” Joyce thought for a moment. “Actually, there is. If Buffy is a slayer, then why did she let you in our home? Why didn’t she kill you before?” She questioned, trying to find this so-called vampire in a lie that would prove he was feeding her a bunch of B.S. “Glad you asked that. Well you see, I was going through a phase. I was a good vampire, vowing never to feed off a person again. I became friends with Buffy, helping her out when she needed me. Eventually, in her vulnerability, she fell in love with me,” he said laughing. “Well, my phase has officially ended. Tonight, was the Rising of the Master, which would be me!” he said in mock enthusiasm. “I am the Master, and it is now time to kill you daughter. Which, I might ad, will be very enjoyable.” Joyce felt sick. The thought of all this being true was unbelievable. < I feel like I am Scully from the X-Files, doubting Mulder’s every word, except this time Mulder was a 242 year old Master Vampire. Vampires. Vampire are real, and my daughter, out of ALL people, was chosen to kill them. This is too much. Buffy doesn’t have the strength to kill anybody... > Joyce’s thoughts steered into the memories of Ted. She remembered watching Buffy beat up Ted so violently. Joyce had been shocked at her daughters strength and ability to fight off a man who was twice her size. She remembered that night at her school when that PCP gang...< PCP gang? > Joyce’s head pounded. < That wasn’t a PCP gang. Those were vampires. And that’s why Buffy went after them. Oh my god, how could I have been so blind to all of this? > She leaned up against the wall. < All the times I got angry with her for sneaking out and coming home late....all the times I called her irresponsible and careless...all the times I grounded her for her bad grades...she had the weight of the world on her shoulders > Guilt swarmed within her. < She was protecting my life, and the life of her friends. Oh God, my poor Buffy > Unexplained memories filled Joyce’s head. The time she went to pick up Buffy from the library, and found Mr. Giles with those books on Vampires and the Occult. The time she found the stake, holy water, and cross in Buffy’s desk drawer. < Now I know why she has those things > The night she caught Buffy sneaking in through her bedroom window. < Why didn’t she just tell me who she was? I would have understood..... > Joyce looked at Angel, who stared at her with an evil grin. < No, I wouldn’t have. Angel is right. I wouldn’t have believed her. > “Do you believe me now?” Angel asked, eager for her answer. Joyce glared at him. “If you even dare to hurt Buffy I’ll...” “You’ll what?” Angel asked, interrupting her. “You’ll kill me?” “Yes. I will kill you,” She told him. Angel laughed. “I’d like to see you try,” he said, and stood up, walking back to his throne. Joyce tugged at her chains, trying to escape. “You’ll never succeed,” Joyce yelled at him. He turned to face her. “We’ll see,” he said, and sat down on the plush cushion. The minions finished cleaning and stood, waiting for his next order. Angel waved his hand, dismissing them. < Ahh...nice and tidy. Just for my precious little Slayer. Won’t she appreciate it? > He looked at the pond. < Won’t she appreciate her death? > (End part 37) *I would like to thank Mark Safransky, BLS7877, and Daphne1784 for giving me the descriptions of what the Lair looked like* ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - - ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 31 Mar 1998 17:44:28 PST From: "Sara Barton" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Hope (38/?) Title: Hope Author: Sara B. Sara114@hotmail.com Disclaimer: I don't own them. Part 38 Giles pulled up in front of the large graveyard and parked the car. Hope looked wearily at the mostly new tombstones and ghostly feel of the old cemetery. “A graveyard?” She asked, cocking an eyebrow. “This is how we get to the Master’s lair. We have more than enough reason to suspect that Angel is there, assembling his army,” Buffy said. “So how do we get down there? I’m assuming it is underground, is it not?” She asked. “Yep, it’s underground. When the Master tried to open the portal between Hell and Earth, he got himself trapped down there in what used to be a church,” Buffy explained. Hope shuddered. “Great. Just another creep factor that I have to deal with.” “But that’s just one of the benefits of living on the Hellmouth,” Xander said, unbuckling his seat belt. “Where exactly is the Hellmouth?” Hope asked. “Right underneath the library,” Giles said, thinking back to that dreadful night last year. “But we’re not here to talk about that right now. Buffy, what is your plan?” “Well, me and Hope,” Buffy began. “Hope and I,” Giles corrected her. Buffy rolled her eyes with an annoyed glare. “Giles, we are here to save the world and you are correcting my grammar? What gives?” Giles blushed slightly. “O..oh..I guess you are right. Sorry.” “Anyway, Hope and *I* are going to go down there, save Angel, save my mom, and kill Spike and Dru. Any questions?” She asked, as she opened her car door to leave. Giles was skeptical. “This is incredibly risky,” he said. Buffy nodded. “You’re right. It is risky. Everything in my life is a risk. My being alive is a risk.” Hope spoke up. “If I can pull of being Buffy for even a few seconds, then it should work. I know that he will soon realize that I’m Hope, but if Buffy and I look as much alike right now as you say we do, then we should be able to pull this off.” “Do you want us to go in there with you?” Xander asked, hopeful that she would say yes. “No. It would be to dangerous,” Buffy said. “You ready, Hope?” “Yeah, as ready as I’ll ever be,” she said, grasping a hold of her necklace. Giles took in a deep breath. < I have to tell them this now, before it is too late > “Hope, there is something you should know about that necklace.” “What?” she asked. “I wasn’t going to tell you, but considering our present situation, I think it is necessary,” he said. He turned to face her. “That necklace may be what is giving you your power. It may also be what is keeping you alive.” Hope’s eyes grew wide in shock. “What? What do you mean, keeping me alive?” He tried to choose the right words to tell her this. “Your body is going through a transformation right now, giving you your ability to be a slayer. If your power was to be taken away, the stress level on your body might be too much for you to handle and it might kill you.” He looked down. “I’m sorry to have to tell you this under these circumstances, but you need to know that you must not take that necklace off, for any reason. Do not take it off. Remember that,” he warned her, his voice stern. Hope nodded, and grasped her necklace again. She opened her door and stepped outside, breathing in the night air. She looked at the cemetery and scrunched her nose up. < Graveyards. Ick > Before Buffy stepped outside, she turned to Giles. “In case I don’t make it...” “Don’t talk like that, Buffy,” Giles said quickly, cutting her off. She put her hand on his and squeezed gently.. “Just listen,” she whispered softly. “In case I don’t make it, make sure my mother and Hope are safe. And,” she took a deep breath, “make sure Angel dies. I don’t know what will happen in there tonight, but I need to say this. Giles, you have been the best Watcher that a Slayer could have. And I mean that with all of my heart,” A tear slide down his usually unemotional face. She looked at Xander, who was frantic with worry. “Xander, I love you and Willow so much. You are my best friends. I don’t know what I would do without you,” she held back her emerging tears. “Tell Will that, okay?” Xander shook his head. “No. I won’t tell her that. I won’t need to because you will make it out of there alive.” Buffy saw his tears and finally couldn’t hold hers back anymore. She leaned over and kissed Xander, then Giles. “I love you, guys,” she said, and got out of the car. She looked at Hope, wiping her tears from her eyes. Hope gave her a sympathetic smile. “Let’s go,” she said, and walked to Buffy, who led her to the crypt. Before they stepped inside, Buffy took a moment to speak with her friend. The Slayer looked into Hope’s eyes, trying figure out what she was feeling. “Hope, are you sure your okay with this? I mean, fighting Angel is a big thing and I...” Buffy’s voice trailed off not knowing what words to use. “I’ll be fine. If my mother was telling the truth, then this is my destiny. I was put on this earth to fight Angel,” she said, looking down the dark stairs of the crypt. “I can’t believe all of this is happening,” a small, half-hearted laugh emerged. “I had such a normal life.” Buffy looked down at the ground, feeling the exact same way. “It’s okay. I know how you feel.” < She knows how I feel? > Hope looked at her with a sudden boiling anger. “How can you possible know how I’m feeling?! I was born for one reason. Not to have a normal life, not to grow up and get married or have a job. I was born to save Angel. To help him. I don’t even know what to do! How do I save him? Do I kill him? What?!” Hope yelled furiously. “I don’t even know how to feel! I don’t know if I am upset or angry or perfectly okay. How am I expected to deal with all of this?!” Buffy listened to her Hope’s words with more of a familiarity that she knew. She took a step backwards, understanding her friends feelings but becoming angry and offended at her harsh tone. “How do you think I felt when I learned of my destiny? Huh? How do you think I felt?! I was put on this earth to be a slayer. I am in the exact same situation that you are in so don’t you dare think that you are the only one who doesn’t have a normal life. Don’t be that selfish to think that you are the only one who might not live to see tomorrow.” She snapped, trying to control her anger. Hope opened her mouth to speak, but shut it immediately, feeling ashamed at her behavior. She forgot about Buffy’s feelings. The blazing look in her eyes turned to a look of shame and regret. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I don’t know what came over me.” “It’s okay. I understand what you are going through. I wasn’t exactly kosher at the idea that I was the chosen one.” Buffy said. Hope ran her fingers through her blonde hair and rubbed the base of her sore neck. “I don’t know how to deal with this,” her chin quivered. “What if I die tonight?” She asked. Buffy gently pulled her friend closer and hugged her tightly. “You won’t die. I promise,” she said, wiping the tears from Hope’s eyes. “Do you want me to fight Angel?” Hope shook her head. “No. I can do it,” she said, then smiled faintly. “I just don’t know how believable I’ll be. I mean, can any one do the same strut that you do? You really have the hip action going on when you walk,” she joked. Buffy laughed. “Hip action?!” “Just ask Xander. I see him watch you walk away. You’ve got in going on!” Hope exclaimed with a giggle. Buffy laughed. “Come on, we have to go down there. We can’t put this off any longer,” Buffy said, trying to become serious again. Hope nodded. “Your right. Let’s go,” she said. They stared down into the black tomb, barely able to see a thing. “Uh, you can go first,” Hope said, slightly afraid of the unknown. “N..No, really. After you,” Buffy said, urging Hope to go in first. “I think we should get a flashlight,” Hope said, backing away from the darkness. “Yeah, we should. OH! That’s right, I put on in my bag,” Buffy said, opening her small backpack. She pulled out a flashlight. “Well, here we go.” The two girls slowly walked down the old stairs. A rotting stench filled the tunnel and got stronger as they neared the sewer. Buffy held the flashlight steadily in front of her, carefully avoiding the dead bodies and old bones of the innocent, unsuspecting people who walked or were lead down this passage. Finally, they reached the sewer. The murky water was only an inch deep as they trudged toward the lair. “This smell is awful,” Hope whispered, covering her nose with her hand. “And to think, I’ve been here before and willingly am going here again,” Buffy said. She too, covered her nose, blocking out the foul odor. She began to have flashbacks of her last visit here. Shuddering, she blocked the images out of her mind. “Ugghhhh,” Hope groaned in disgust, as she stepped over the body of a decaying cat. “I think I’m going to be sick.” “I know what you mean,” Buffy said. They reached the end of the sewer and came upon another staircase lit by small torches that lines the walls. “Here we go.” They carefully crept down the stairs, trying to be as quiet as possible. “How much farther,” Hope breathed. < I want this night to get over as soon as possible. This has got to be the most hellish day I’ve ever had > “We should be there soon,” Buffy said. They reached a small cave-like room, with three different passageways. “This way,” she whispered, and beckoned Hope to follow her through the middle one. Creeping down the small corridor, Buffy’s awareness of Angel grew intense. She could feel his evil presence fill her body and mind. They came to a tiny, round room with a small doorway. Buffy looked at Hope, with fear in her eyes. “We’re here.” Part 39 “We’re here,” Buffy breathed. Hope took a deep breath. “Let me go in first.” Buffy nodded. She peeked her head into the cavern and looked around. She saw her mother chained up beneath the crucifix, and Angel sitting in his throne. “He’s alone.” “Good. It will be easier that way,” Hope said. She looked at Buffy. “Be careful.” “You too,” Buffy said, and Hope stood up, and cautiously walked through the doorway. ***** “Do you think they are okay?” Xander asked Giles. The two men sat in the car, staring at the crypt. Giles nodded. “Y..yes. I..I’m sure they are f.fine.” “I think we should go down there,” Xander said. Giles looked at him. “Just in case, you know. Something might happen.” He stared at the Watcher with hopeful eyes. “Yes, I think you are right. We should go down there,” Giles said, and they got out of the car, running toward the crypt. “You go first,” Xander said, staring at the darkness. Giles rolled his eyes and walked down the old steps with Xander close behind. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - - ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 31 Mar 1998 17:47:14 PST From: "Sara Barton" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Hope mistake Oops! I accidentally sent part 39 right after 38 without putting it on a seperate post! Sorry! Sara B. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - - ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 31 Mar 1998 17:48:44 PST From: "Sara Barton" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Hope (39/?) Author: Sara B. Title: Hope Disclaimer: I don't own them. Part 39 “We’re here,” Buffy breathed. Hope took a deep breath. “Let me go in first.” Buffy nodded. She peeked her head into the cavern and looked around. She saw her mother chained up beneath the crucifix, and Angel sitting in his throne. “He’s alone.” “Good. It will be easier that way,” Hope said. She looked at Buffy. “Be careful.” “You too,” Buffy said, and Hope stood up, and cautiously walked through the doorway. ***** “Do you think they are okay?” Xander asked Giles. The two men sat in the car, staring at the crypt. Giles nodded. “Y..yes. I..I’m sure they are f.fine.” “I think we should go down there,” Xander said. Giles looked at him. “Just in case, you know. Something might happen.” He stared at the Watcher with hopeful eyes. “Yes, I think you are right. We should go down there,” Giles said, and they got out of the car, running toward the crypt. “You go first,” Xander said, staring at the darkness. Giles rolled his eyes and walked down the old steps with Xander close behind. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - - ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 31 Mar 1998 18:15:35 PST From: "Sara Barton" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Hope (40/?) T: Hope A: Sara B. Sara114@hotmail.com D: I don't own 'em! Part 40 Hope stepped through the small doorway into the Lair. Looking around the room, she couldn’t see Angel. “Hello? Any vampires in the house?” She called out. Joyce looked at her from under the crucifix. “Buffy! Get out of here! They will kill you!” She screamed, pulling hard on the chains, desperate to escape. “Tsk Tsk Tsk. Come on, Joyce. Don’t give away the ending,” a voice said, and Angel stepped out of the shadows. Hope’s heart thudded violently and her hands trembled. She took a deep breath, trying to maintain her cool composure. < Okay, Hope. Buffy could do this without spazing, and so can I > “Hello Angel,” she said, keeping the shakiness out of her voice. “Hello Buffy,” he said, leaning against a column. < He bought it! He thinks I’m Buffy! > “Your looking good,” she said. < Damn. He is hot. NO! Don’t think about that. Those are bad thoughts! > Hope thought, scolding herself. “Really? In these old things?” He said, referring to his black jeans and bare chest. “Really,” she replied. < And I am being honest > Hope walked farther into the cavern. She ran her hands along the stone wall. She walked over to the throne, forcing Angel to turn his back to the door. “I’m surprised you came alone. I thought that annoying Hope girl would be here with you.” < ANNOYING?! > “I’d rather do this alone. It’s easier that way.” “What? No Giles, Willow, Xander? This is a first,” Angel said. “Your not the only one who can change their ways,” Hope said casually. “Touché,” Angel said, walking closer to Hope. Hope ran her fingers through her hair and tugged at her earlobe. < The cue. Come on down, Buffy > “Mmm...you look tasty,” he said, surveying her appearance. “Good enough to eat.” Hope laughed. “So now you are unoriginal? You can’t come up with your own lines?” “If the line works, why not use it?” He said, shrugging. His eyes wandered down her body, examining her. “You look different.” < DIFFERENT?! Oh no. RELAX! Don’t let him know who you are! > “Can’t say the same about you,” she said. “The same old Angel. But then of course, you wouldn’t know if you changed, would you? Since vampires can’t see their reflections. Do you even remember what you look like? It’s been, what, 242 years?” She asked, sarcastically. “You think your funny?” He asked, angrily. Hope saw Buffy slip through the door silently. < Finally > “No, not really. Just stating the facts. I mean, you can’t see your reflection. You can’t wear a cross. You can’t eat normal, human things. Hell, you can’t even suntan. When _was_ the last time you saw the sun?” Angel growled loudly. “Oh, Angel, don’t get mad. Those are just small technicalities in the vampire world.” Hope watched Buffy tiptoe into the other passageway. < Whew > Angel looked behind him, just as Buffy disappeared. < Thank the Lord he didn’t see her. I hope she will be okay....> ***** Buffy crept down the passageway toward the other cavern. She could see the Spike and Drusilla sitting in an old pew. Her head was on his lap, and he was stroking her hair softly. < Truly amazing. Two demons who are cold blooded killers can show so much affection for each other > Buffy walked through the doorway, entering the cave. It looked a lot like the Master’s Lair, except smaller and not so extravagant. Spike looked up and growled. “What the hell are you doing here?” She smiled. “Just paying ya a visit.” “Shouldn’t you be with Angel? I figured he would have killed you by now,” Spike said, annoyed. Buffy rolled her eyes. “So quick to assume.” Spike suddenly wore an evil grin. “Have you been re-acquainted, yet?” “Huh?” Buffy asked, confused. Spike motioned for her to turn around. She did, and was stunned beyond belief. “Oh my God,” she whispered. “Hello, Slayer,” the familiar voice said. “Darla?!” Buffy’s mouth gaped open. She couldn’t believe her eyes. Darla was standing before her, alive and well. She wore the same Catholic school girl outfit that she wore the last time she saw her, right before Angel put a stake through her heart. Her head spun as she tried to keep in control. “You’re alive? How can you be alive? I watched you die,” Buffy asked, her eyes wide with shock. “Just a technicality,” Darla said with a laugh. “Angel killed you,” Buffy said, gritting her teeth. “Oh, but Drusilla brought me back,” she answered sweetly. Buffy looked at the sleeping vampire. Spike stood up and stood beside Darla. “Are you surprised?” he asked. “Gee, no. This doesn’t come as a shocker at all. I’m used to seeing vampires who I thought were dead roaming around,” Buffy snapped sarcastically. She stared at Darla, still shocked. “Why were you brought back?” “To rule with Angelus,” she said, nonchalantly. Darla held her hand out in front of her, inspecting her nails. Buffy stepped backward, trying to maintain her composure. “Wha...What?” “You heard me. I’m here to rule the earth beside Angel,” Darla smirked. “Y..you’re Angel’s true love?” Buffy asked, near tears. < I thought he loved me... > Spike roared with laughter. “True love? Who said anything about true love?” “I read the prophecy,” Buffy snapped. “It said that Angel’s true love will rule beside him.” “Haven’t you learned anything? But prophecies are tricky creatures. They don't tell you everything.” Spike said, gloating. Buffy inhaled sharply, her head pounded as the night the Master was set free.....Those had been his exact words..... *But prophecies are tricky creatures. They don't tell you everything.* *You tried. It was noble of you. You heard the prophecy that I was about to break free and you came to stop me. But prophecies are tricky creatures. They don't tell you everything. You're the one that sets me free! If you hadn't come, I couldn't go. Think about that!* *Oh God! The power!* *And by the way.....* *I like your dress.* The Slayer shuddered, the memories rushing back to her. She was here--in the Hellmouth--again. Facing a Master...hearing those words replay in her head. It made her sick to her stomach. She wanted to run, far away, so she didn’t have to face this---so she didn’t have to deal with this problem. “What do you mean by that?” Buffy asked, fighting her fear. “Angel’s true love is the same as his true nature. Angel lives for death, destruction, suffering, pain, killing. He wants to bring hell upon the world and it’s inhabitants. Angel’s true love isn’t a measly human, it’s evil. It’s everything that is the exact opposite of righteous and good. It’s the exact opposite of you. And who better to help him achieve that than Darla?” Spike asked, his voice raw and emotionless. “Angel may love you. But Angelus doesn’t.” Buffy’s head spun with dizziness as she grasped the wall for support. < Don’t let him do this to you. Keep your head clear > Buffy commanded herself. She glared at Spike and Darla, her eyes full of anger. A sinister smile formed on Darla’s red lips as she sauntered over to Buffy. “Eat you heart out, bitch,” she hissed. “Your precious boyfriend is gone. It’s only a matter of time before he kills you.” Her laugh rang out through the hollow cavern. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time.” “And I’ve been waiting for this,” Buffy growled, and gave Darla a roundhouse kick to the face. She stumbled back and pulled out a knife. Darla swung with the knife, but Buffy ducked the swing and and gave her a kick to the head, knocking the vampire to the ground. She scrambled to her feet, holding the knife up and ready. “What’s with you and weapons?” Buffy asked, dodging Darla’s swings. Darla swung with the knife, and Buffy caught it. The vampire pulled her around and slamed her into the wall, pushing the knife into her chest. Buffy pushed the blade up and away from her. Darla pulled down on it, flipping Buffy over onto her back. She bared down on her, and Buffy kicked Darla’s feet out from under her, causing her to fall on her face. They both scrambled to their feet. Buffy kicked the knife out of her hand. Darla tried two kicks, which Buffy easily blocked. She belted out a right hook to Darla’s face, hitting her right in the nose. She winced in pain, and hit Buffy in the stomach, and kicked her hard in the face. Buffy backed away from her and pulled out a stake from the small of her back without Darla noticing. The vampire lunged at Buffy, but she did a quick flip over her head and landed behind her. Buffy grabbed Darla around the neck and held the stake at her heart. “Say buh-bye,” she snarled, and plunged the stake in her heart. Darla screamed as she turned into a pile of dust. “One down, one......disappeared,” she said, turning to Spike’s vacant seat. Buffy frowned, wondering where he went. “Oh well.” Buffy was about to leave when she came across to vampires who blocked her exit. “Not now,” she grumbled, and with two quick moves she staked them both. Buffy looked behind her and noticed a large curtain. She walked over to it and looked behind it. A large opening lead to another passageway. “Bingo,” Buffy said, and walked down the small corridor to another cave. THANX: Thanks to everyone who has been patient with me thru "Hope". Sorry it has taken me so long to write and sorry it has been such a long story! Don't worry, I'm almost done writing it! ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - - ------------------------------ End of Buffyfic-digest V2 #86 ***************************** 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)