From: owner-buffyfic@lists.xmission.com (buffyfic-digest) To: buffyfic-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: buffyfic-digest V2 #179 Reply-To: $SENDER Sender: owner-buffyfic@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-buffyfic@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk buffyfic-digest Monday, May 11 1998 Volume 02 : Number 179 In this issue: BUFFYFIC: Charlotte Sometimes (Part 17) BUFFYFIC: "Reunion" (16/?) by Ingrid BUFFYFIC: "Future Imperfect" -- Chapter 5 -- (1/1) BUFFYFIC: "Sweet Surrender" (1/1) See the end of the digest for information on (un)subscribing to the buffyfic or buffyfic-digest mailing lists and on how to retrieve back issues. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 11 May 1998 18:37:04 -0700 From: LadySun Subject: BUFFYFIC: Charlotte Sometimes (Part 17) Charlotte Sometimes (part 17) He was actually waiting outside the restaurant, as Drusilla's father locked up the shop and grabbing a bag from the ground, started on his way. Angelus hadn't let him get half way through the night air as he approached his new victim "Hello Sir," Angelus began "It's such a beautiful night" "Yes" Replied the man. "We are having lucky weather" "A lovely night for a walk" His smile was so cunning. Really the man should have noticed it. "Yes." Drusilla's father agreed making quick and pleasant conversation "I love to walk on nights like these, the airs so peaceful." There was a brief pause "I ought to be on my way" Dru's father set forth pass Angelus. "Excuse me. If I may be so bold" Angelus continued quickening his stride to keep up with the man. Drusilla's father turned to stare at this stranger "I was just wondering, what's in the bag?" "Oh," Dru's father smiled "just some meats and such, fresh from the shop." Angelus smiled. "For your family?" The man turned around suddenly feeling uneasy. "Yes" He replied trying to sound polite. "I'll make sure that they get them for you" He was still smiling when Dru's father looked up at him, completely enraged. But he made the mistake of blinking once. Angelus' eyes turning into grotesque wrinkles. Dru's father grabbed under his belt, smacking Angelus across the face with his knife. The demon grabbed his arm, listening with ludicrous fascination to the breaking sounds of his victims wrist was crushed under the impact, in quite a few places. He quickly savored the scream of agony that escaped the lips of his victim "Now look what you did." Angelus yelled turning the man so their faces nearly met. Angelus' cheek bleed from the wound inflicted. "Demon!" Dru's father yelled as loudly as he could, under the extreme circumstances, trying to grab his cross to press it to Angelus' head. "Oh, no. You've done all you'll do for the night" He hissed. Then laughed lightly "No, You've done all you'll ever do, how *were* your last few moments on earth?" Angelus laughed, not waiting for an answer "I'll tell Drusilla you send your love" "Drusilla? You demon! Leave her-" But he didn't get to finish his sentence, though Angelus got the general idea. And yanking his head back, drank from the frightened mans blood, jerking his head to the side, he watched as Dru's father, with his last bit of breath, cried. Angelus held the dead body of Drusilla's father in his hands, the head was bobbed backwards. Angelus eyed the two marks his teeth had made. His eyes followed down the lifeless body, and grabbing the knife from under his still clenching hands, sliced the mans throat, nearly in two. Easily covering up any fang marks, and giving off a nice after effect. Now, off to part B of his master plan. ~ Drusilla lit another candle, as she stood up, watching out the window for her father to come home. Isabelle wanted to know more of the time her daughter had spent with such the handsome gentlemen, but her Drusilla was plagued by an unknown feeling, worry for her father. "Any sign of him?" Isabelle asked, donning a long purple nightgown and shawl. She handed Drusilla a cup of hot water. "Not yet." Dru nodded her head in thanks for the water. "Go, get yourself to bed, Drusilla. There's nothing the matter, he's probably stopped off at the tavern to get some drink" Drusilla took a deep breath. "I have a bad feeling, mother." "I'll stay up. It's not good for you to worry so." Isabelle said running her hand over her daughters' face "You'll get wrinkles under your eyes, then what will we do with you?" She smiled knowing Drusilla didn't care for it. "May I stay up with you then?" Isabelle sighed, turning to sit in a chair, looking out the window. "Yes" She smiled at her over reacting daughter. "And you may see your father come home drunken" She laughed softly. Drusilla took a seat next to her mother. "Something doesn't feel right," Dru said softly, lying in her mothers lap. "Shhh, Drusilla." Isabelle whispered, vowing that she was going to have one hell of a talk with her father when got home, sober or not. Dru wrapped her knees closer to her chest and leaned against he mother fearing the worse. - -- ~ ` ~ LadySun ~ ` ~ ~ ` ~ Spikette ` Mercenary ~ ` ~ SD - http://home.earthlink.net/~kbleyle/SD/index.html FK - http://home.earthlink.net/~kbleyle/FK/index.html We look before and After, and pine for what is not; our sincerest laughter with some pain is fraught; Our sweetest songs are those that tell the saddest thought...' The Cure Wish) ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 May 1998 21:03:36 -0400 From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Reunion" (16/?) by Ingrid DISCLAIMER: The characters of Angel, Buffy, Cordelia, Willow, Xander, Jenny, Giles & company are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, and The Warner Brothers Network, and are used without permission. The author claims no rights to these characters. SUMMARY: Willow tells all (sorta). WELCOME to my story. It takes place ten years into the future, but I’m not telling you what’s happened in advance. That’s happening through interludes. FEEDBACK: I love to get feedback, except when my mailbox explodes, which is often, but send it anyway! My address is Ingrid29@juno.com. REQUESTS FOR PARTS: If you don’t get this, that’s because you haven’t read the other parts. If you want to get this, ask me for them! ********* "Reunion," by Ingrid Part Sixteen: "And They All Settled Down…" ********* "What do you mean?" Buffy asked nervously, leaning forwards. Just hearing the vampire’s name again struck a sour cord inside her. She was on edge. "I gather that you’re already aware that the prophesy has something to do with time, since you’re already here, Buffy." "Right. So what exactly is he planning to do?" "He’s found a spell. I’m not sure of the details, but it looks pretty frightening. He wants Dru back, and since there isn’t anyway to resurrect a regular old vampire, he’s determined to stop her death before it’s happened… I mean, it happens." "A time spell?" Cordelia’s heart shot up into her throat. Willow nodded gravely, trying to gauge Buffy’s reaction. A familiar expression was slowly stealing its way across her face. She was the slayer again, 16 and back in the library. Meeting the steely eyes once more, Willow continued. "That’s not all," she cautioned, and quickly explained: "Like I said before, Buffy, he’s not only out to save Dru. He wants to change things…other things." "Other things like what?" The nervousness was showing through again. Angel had crept up behind her, and she grabbed his hand, squeezing it tightly. She finally worked up the nerve to meet his eyes, and all the strength she’d been accumulating during Willow’s speech left her, leaving her deflated. She’d thought this was over years ago. Things that she used to worry over, things like Angel had become solid realities, and now, unfairly, they were in jeopardy again, balanced on the edge of a cliff; back in the tug of war. Willow didn’t answer at first. "I don’t know." She knew. They all knew. And there was to be ‘a sacrifice.’ Someone would die. Buffy felt a wave of nausea sweep over her, and she sat back on her ankles. "So we’ve got to stop him. How?" Cordelia broke in when Buffy had fallen silent. Nobody answered, so she continued "Well, there’s got to be a way to stop him, hasn’t there?" Willow sighed heavily. "Portal. There’s something about a portal. Spike wanted to create a portal that was small enough so that only he could pass through, but apparently, that kind of thing is impossible. Portals will show up all around the location where he casts the spell, some smaller than others, but all leading to the same time, and the same place. I know where they are. And I know when he’s casting the spell. It’s soon." "How are we going to get there, exactly?" Buffy asked, trying to stay hard and unmoved. "I’ll have to take you. It’s not far. The hellmouth never opens up far from where the slayer is. I’ve been…close for a long time." Everybody was silent, each with their own separate world of fears. Xander sat down next to Cordelia and whispered something to her softly. "I know you’re worried, but it’s one o’clock. There’s no way we’re going to be able to pull this off if we’re all exhausted. Willow, we still have a lot of questions. Do you want to sta-" "That’s alright," the vampire answered awkwardly, hiding her face, "I’ve got some things to take care of. I’ll be back tomorrow at sundown with more information." Buffy nearly raised an eyebrow. Somewhere to stay? Maybe she had to feed. Maybe that’s why she was embarrassed. She watched Willow’s retreating back as Cordelia led her to the door. Angel stood up behind her and they silently went off to the guest room. As soon as she closed the door, she felt his arms go about her. "Buffy, I-" "It’s not going to be you, Angel. It’s taken us so long to get this far. I can’t do this again." She was upset, but determined. "I won’t let him take you away." ~~~~~~~~~ Cordelia shut the door softly and walked back to the living room, where Xander was collapsed on the sofa, his eyes closed, fingertips massaging his sinuses. "We can’t let this happen, Cordy." Her teenage nickname slipped out inadvertently. "So much happened that night." And it struck her. She remembered with vivid clarity that night. The turning point. Crying and waking up in Xander’s arms. "So much happened that night." Fear gripped her. One night had changed all of their lives so inexorably, and another could erase it all. "Oh, Xander." She felt on the verge of tears as they walked to the bedroom. ~~~~~~~~~ Willow clutched at her dress, trying to prevent it’s getting dragged through the dirty snow. It wasn’t much farther. That hadn’t been as difficult as she’d imagined, but her discomfiture was surely evident now, if it hadn’t been before. She would go hungry again for the greater good. The door squeaked open. "Willow, love? That you?" "Yes, it’s me, William." "Why do you have to call me that? Out hunting late again I see. We’re gonna have to do something about that." She let the blond vampire draw her into his arms, and draw his lips across her neck sensuously. "We will, will we?" ~~~~~~~~~ Cordelia was balanced and on the verge of dreams when she heard a gentle tapping at the door. Her eyes snapped open. Giles. Xander didn’t move at all as she got up and made her way out into the chilly foyer. She opened the door quickly, and a blast of cold air hit her straight on. He looked the same, polite and gentle as always, but for more aging, which only made his manner kinder. "I’m sorry for arriving so late," was the murmured apology. "No problem," she returned, "It’s just that everyone’s asleep. Your room’s all ready." "Thank you," he replied, as she closed the door behind him. "That way. Two doors down on the left." He nodded curtly and disappeared into his room. She went back to hers. ****** END, part 16. Did you like it? I spent my precious research paper time on it. Feedback! Feedback! _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 May 1998 21:49:50 EDT From: KylenRevik Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Future Imperfect" -- Chapter 5 -- (1/1) Please send all comments, questions, and requests for missing pieces to KylenRevik@aol.com. This is chapter five of thirteen. See prologue for disclaimers and notes. ~ "Part Five: Comprehension Dawning" Place: Sunnydale University, Library. Time: May 22nd, 2012. Xander collapsed against the bookshelf when the girl, who he now knew without a doubt had been Buffy, pushed past himself and Willow. He stared in shock, and from the look on Willow's face he could tell she had seen it too. "Omigod," he whispered. Willow's eyes were wide. "That..." "That was..." "Xander...?" "I..." They stared at each other for a long moment, then both took off in the direction of their-- they had presumed, apparently incorrectly-- dead friend. Out through the library, where both were given odd looks by students, then onto the lawn in front of the library building, and then-- Then she wasn't there. Xander took a deep breath and looked at Willow. "She..." Was he losing his already-infirm grip on reality? But if that was the case, then Willow wouldn't have been able to see it, her, and... Willow bit her lip. "I don't know," she said quietly. "Am I losing my _mind_?" he whispered. She shook her head. "I don't think so," she said. There were a few more seconds, then Xander sighed. "Then...what's going on? And what was she...in that room?" They had been on their way back to the room where Giles had kept his books, back when everything had made some sort of sense. Willow had taken the keys from their ring in the new librarian's office-- new being a comparative term, since the woman who had assumed Giles' duties as the head librarian had been working at Sunnydale U for years now, Xander supposed-- and led him toward the room. Xander sighed as they retraced their steps back up through the library and re-entered the room. He couldn't make sense of what they had seen, and he was sure Willow was pretty confused, as well. When she pulled the door shut behind herself, and let him lead both of them further back into the room, all Xander could do was shake his head. "This is insane," he whispered. "Yeah," she said quietly. "Xander, that--" "That was her," he said quietly. "No it wasn't," she said. "You know what, it's probably just some student here who _looks_ like Buffy, but Xander, Buffy, she's- - -" Willow choked on the last word, and Xander bit his lip, looking up. Tears were forming in the corners of Willow's eyes. *This isn't only about you, you insensitive clod,* he told himself, standing and moving to hug her. Willow let him hold her, but didn't seem to need it as much as he had originally thought. He sighed, letting her go a few seconds later, and taking a couple steps back. Then he glanced up. "Willow?" "Yes?" He shook his head. "This is too freakin' weird." A slight smile formed at the edges of her lips. "Couldn't have said it better myself," she replied. They sat in silence for a long moment before either spoke. "If that wasn't-- I mean, since that couldn't have been Buffy," Xander finally said, "then what was another student doing with a key to this room?" Willow shook her head. "Who knows? Giles let us use this place when he was the chief librarian-- maybe she's friends with Ms. D'Angelo." "Maybe." Xander sighed. He wasn't sure that he wanted to be convinced of that, but what kind of reason could he have for wanting to believe what had to be insane delusions? Maybe coming back to Sunnydale hadn't been a good move. No, he already knew it hadn't been a good idea. He didn't know why he had given in to Willow's words. Why he'd come back here, or what he thought he would accomplish by doing so. All that had happened since he had shown up was that heþd had argument after argument, first with himself, then with the demons of long-gone friends, then with Cordelia, then himself again, then Cordelia again...it seemed like Willow was the only one he _hadn't_ fought with, and she wasn't the type to fight, anyway. What was he accomplishing, he asked himself. The answer came easily enough: nothing but more heartache and trouble. He could barely think straight. He was seeing Buffy every time he opened his eyes, and Willow had already convinced herself that the girl they had seen was just another student here. Maybe Anna-Marie had been right, he thought, when she had told him he needed professional help. But...dammit. He didn't want to admit something like that. Maybe if he just left now, went home, called her and begged her to come home and promised that never again would the words Sunnydale, Buffy, or vampires cross his lips, she would listen to him. Maybe he could move on, carry on with his life... Looking at Willow, who was staying silent and not interrupting his thoughts, though...Xander knew if he made promises to Anna- Marie, he would never be able to keep them. And he would lose her. Just like he had lost everything else. He sighed, said quietly, "Maybe I should just go home." Willow raised an eyebrow. "Why?" "Because," he said. "I don't know. I've lost my mind thinking about things the past ten years, and now that I'm here it's not fixing anything at all. And it should be." "Why should it be?" Because. Things shouldn't have stayed broken for so much time. It shouldn't be taking him so long and so much pain to heal. Mostly, because he should care more about his friends than to suddenly appear out of nowhere and pull them into a tangle with the same ghosts from the past that he'd been fighting for a decade now. "I should know better," he sighed, not speaking the rest and moving to sit on the table that even after all these years was still in the room. "Willow, I came here looking for answers...and all I've done is fight with people and have hallucinations." She looked at him, her expression skeptical. "But Xander..." "I know," he said, "I need to get through this somehow. And I promise I won't shut you guys out of my life. You, anyway." He had the feeling Cordelia wouldn't particularly _want_ any kind of contact with him. "But this isn't fair to any of us, and--" "Xander," Willow interrupted, "what's that?" "What's what?" he asked, confused. "That," she said, indicating something that had become attached to his shoe. Leaning over, Xander pulled up a sheet of paper-- out of some sort of book, he was guessing-- that had somehow become stuck to the sole of his shoe. "Don't know," he said, smoothing it over and scratching some of the dirt off it. Willow took a couple steps toward him, looking over his hands at the paper as he read it. "The gateway must be constructed of a black candle, which must be lit at the..." he skimmed down the page, getting to the bottom and realizing that the text cut off. But the print matched the book he had been looking at earlier. "It's..." He trailed off, reaching into the pocket of his coat, which he had slipped the book into earlier. Then he pulled it open and found the page number in the corner of the loose piece. "...from Giles' book." Willow looked at him quizzically. "How did it get on your shoe?" she asked. "I...don't know," he said, reading the pages where the piece belonged. He swallowed. "Will?" "Yes?" "It's...a description of how to retrieve someone's soul." He swallowed again, hard, trying to fight down the sudden feeling of nausea that was rising in his stomach. "Oh, God..." he whispered, as he reached the end of the page that was still connected to the rest of the book. "Willow, it's..." "What?" "Giles. Made a couple of notes." 'Pg 92, fix', were the notes scrawled in the corner of the page. Xander quickly flipped and found himself staring at the same chant he had read, half-jokingly, the night before. Willow watched intently. "What's it say?" she asked. Xander looked at the page, shaking his head slowly and laying the book, open-faced, on the table between them. //Let us speak across the divide of time Without concern for it's ebb and flow And take us to the hearts of those we love Bringing us closer to the ones our memories best know.// Below the lines, which were italicized, there was a brief paragraph of explanation. The meaning of this passage, though never pinned down exactly, seems to be a call across time and space for a way to communicate with the dead or fondly remembered. By reciting the passage, the chanter may call across time to the one who is foremost in their thoughts.* Xander quickly skipped down the page to the footnote, which directed him to another page. This chapter, when he saw it, was titled "Explanations of the Mechanics of Space and Time". An odd thing to see in a book like this, he thought privately, but at this point he wasn't going to raise the issue. Willow, unable to follow as he moved quickly from page to page, finally spoke up. "Xander, what is it?" He shook his head, standing and moving toward the doorway. "I need to talk to Cordelia," he said quietly. "Xander, I don't know--" But Xander didn't wait around to hear her finish the sentence. ~ Please send all comments to KylenRevik@aol.com. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 May 1998 22:30:50 EDT From: KylenRevik Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Sweet Surrender" (1/1) I just wrote this one off...jeezu. ::swallowshard:: Listening to Sarah McLachlan and got posessed. If you've got "Sweet Surrender", her song, on CD or tape...listen while you're reading. It might enhance things a little. I had it playing the whole time I was writing. If I say much more I'll ramble, and I'm a shaking mess right now. All disclaimers apply. Comments to me, here, please. And yes, I'll send out more of "Future Imperfect" tomorrow morning, provided I wake up early enough to convert the files. ::smallsmile:: ~ "Sweet Surrender" By Rachel Brody //It doesn't mean much It doesn't mean anything at all.// *It doesn't mean much.* Her thoughts were cold and cruel. Stark. Empty. *Doesn't mean anything at all.* Their deaths had been the same. *Worthless.* Pathetic excuse for a Slayer. She hadn't been able to stop him. Hadn't been able to do anything but stand by and watch as people had been slaughtered. Helpless. Meaningless. Useless. Worthless. Their eyes had stared up at her, dead eyes in dead bodies. Dead to the world. And she was alone. The streetlights shone too brightly as she walked, pouring through her irises and burning her retinas. Her flesh hurt. Was this what it was like to be one of Them? To be like Him? Did sunlight hurt so much when it was the only safe place to hide? Or did the mere fact that her last refuge was fast becoming a place of deeper haunting mean only that she had run out of time? Their eyes still watched her. Still burned. Still asked why she had failed them. //Sweet Surrender Is all that I have to give.// The darkness was a thick blanket around her. She was a child once more, helpless and mewing for some sort of vindication. Evidence that she had done anything worthwhile. Because the deaths had been on her head. Her fault. She'd been the one who was there to save them all. Instead, she'd brought Armageddon to her world, her home, her family, her friends. And now, she was going to offer them whatever sort of retribution she could. For the dead ones. For those who had lost any hope of a future, because of her. She was too young, too weary, to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders. And so, tonight, it would end. Tonight, she would give him her surrender. For everyone who had gone before. //Are you an Angel? Am I already that gone? I only hope that I won't disappoint you When I'm down here on my knees.// She fell roughly, the dirt striking her shins. Moist, wet earth. Fresh grave. Rain fell. He was there. Her curse, her savior. She looked up at him, tears shining in her eyes. His own met hers without reproach or sign of victory showing in them. He looked as weary as she. Lightning cracked overhead, thunder ripping through the air. Their eyes had locked. His were cold. Hers, pleading. //Take me now. No questions asked.// Sweet surrender. THE END Copyright 1998 Rachel Brody ------------------------------ End of buffyfic-digest V2 #179 ****************************** To subscribe to buffyfic or buffyfic-digest, send the command subscribe buffyfic-digest or subscribe buffy 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. To unsubscribe, send email to majordomo@xmission.com with unsubscribe buffyfic-digest or unsubscribe buffyfic in the body. 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)