Love On The Hellmouth

When Willow said unconsecrated ground, Buffy knew just the place. It was a little section off one of the cemeteries that she normally patrolled. The unconsecrated burial ground is unkempt and overgrown. There are gravestones tilted and unattended. Buffy looks around and soon finds a tomb. She walks to it and kicks in the door. She enters and looks around cautiously. Buffy hears a voice echo in the dark, “I’d forgotten.” Buffy turns around, scythe prepared to strike. She sees an old woman dressed entirely in white, her clothes so old and faded she practically blends in to the dusty surroundings. “I'd forgotten how young you would be. It comes from the waiting. Mind plays tricks.” Buffy walks forward, still ready for a fight. “I see you found our weapon.” “Who are you?” “One of many. Well, time was. Now I'm alone in the world. I'd gamble you know what that's like.” The woman approaches Buffy who stiffens in defense, “Don't worry. You hit me, I'd just
about crack in half, but then...” She inspects the scythe from her distance. “You've been doing some killing lately. And you're going to do a lot more. Not a wonder you're anxious.” “So, what are you? Some kind of ghost?” “Nope. I'm as real as you are, just ... well put it this way: I look good for my age. I've been waiting.” The woman holds out her hand for the scythe. Buffy thinks but hands it over. “You pulled it out of the rock. I was one of those who put it in there, and don't think that was easy.” “What is it?” “Weapon. A scythe. We forged it in secrecy for one like you, who... I'm sorry, what's your name?” “Buffy.” “No, really.” Buffy gives a shrug. The woman continues, “Buffy. We forged it in secrecy, kept
it hidden from the Shadow Men, who…” “Yeah. Met them. Didn't care for 'em.” She smiles at Buffy and hands the scythe back. “Yes. Then you know. And they became the Watchers. And the Watchers
watched the Slayers. But we were watching them.” “Oh! So you're like... What are you?” “Guardians. Women who want to help and protect you. This was forged, centuries ago, by us. Halfway around the world. Forged there, it was put to use right here. Only once, to kill the last pure demon that walked upon the earth. The rest were already driven under. And then there were men here, and then there were monks, and the first men died and were sent away, and then there was a town, and now there is you. And the scythe
remained hidden.” “Does this mean I can win?” “That's really up to you. This is a powerful weapon.” The woman runs a finger along the flat side of the scythe. “But you already have weapons. Use it wisely... and perhaps you can beat back the rising dark. One way or the other, it can only mean an end is truly near.” Just as she finishes two hands reach in from behind her and with blinding speed, snap her neck. She falls to the ground dead and Caleb steps forward, “I'm sorry, I didn't catch that last part on account of her neck snapping and all. Did she say the end is ‘near’? Or ‘here?’”

Buffy looks surprised as Caleb comes at her. She quickly recovers and hits him several times in the head. Caleb maneuvers Buffy to a pillar and punches her. Buffy ducks and his punch shatters a chunk of the stone pillar. “You're not slipping out of this fight, girl. Don't you see? You can't stop me... I can just keep going back for more.
Like being re-born.” Buffy lunges at Caleb with the scythe. He ducks under it. She presses the attack; swing the scythe hoping for contact. Caleb stops his attack and waits for Buffy’s attack. She swings the blade at his neck. Caleb catches the scythe in mid-swing, stopping it. He punches her sending her into a far wall, dropping the scythe on impact. They both run for the scythe. Caleb gets there first. Buffy kicks the scythe from his grip and catches it. She spins, catching Caleb behind the knees with the scythe’s shaft lifting him off his feet. He goes crashing to the floor. Buffy thrusts the scythe, stake-end first, at his throat. Caleb catches it an inch before his face. He twists the scythe sending Buffy on her back. Jumping to their feet, Caleb sets off a round of punches all sending her further back. Buffy tries to defend herself with the scythe, but she's running out of energy. “I gave you ample warning. I told you
not to interfere. And you chose not to heed. But you know what?” He hits her again sending her through a stone column. “I was kinda hopin' it'd go this way.” Caleb lifts the scythe up over her head ready to strike when suddenly he hears a voice, “Hey.” He turns and is hit in the face by Angel. Caleb hits the far wall of the tomb, momentarily dazed. The scythe falls to the ground. Angel lifts Buffy to her feet. “I never was much for Preachers.” “Angel.” “You look good.” “You look timely. And also good.” “Heard you maybe needed a hand.” Caleb gets to his feet. Angel moves towards him but Buffy stops him. “Ah. This one of those things you just have to finish yourself?” “Really kinda is.”
Caleb is pissed. He moves towards her. Buffy picks up the scythe from the ground. Caleb rushes Buffy and rains down a series of fast blows. She blocks each one with the scythe. Angel leans up against a wall, clearly enjoying the show. “You're so gonna lose. She does this thing where…” She dodges Caleb, “Ooooh, yeah. I've missed watching this.” Caleb catches the scythe and tries to impale her. She twists out of the way, the stake end barely misses her as it embeds in the wall. She pulls it free and in one motion slices the scythe into Caleb’s stomach. Buffy pulls the blade out and Caleb falls to the fall. Buffy looks to Angel, “See? Under control.” She walks to Angel, “Well at least tell me you're glad to
see me.” Angel pulls Buffy into a hug. Buffy lets go of the scythe and hugs him back. They stand together till Buffy pulls back and kisses him. They break the kiss and Buffy becomes uncomfortable. “Well, I guess that qualifies as ‘happy to see me.’” “Angel, what are you doing…no. Don't even. I just wanna bask.” Buffy smiles and takes in the sight of Angel. She quickly returns to Slayer mode. “Okay. I'm basked. What are you doing here?” “Not saving the damsel in distress, that's for sure.” “You know me. Not big with the damseling.” Angel turns and retrieves an accordion file from the corner, “Got your share of distress, though.” “And then some. You heard?” “I got coverage on the whole thing. Very gripping, needs a third act.” “You have to leave L.A.” “It's the First. Right? The First Evil, The power that tried to convince me to kill myself.” “Yeah. It's gotten a little more ambitious since then. It's raising an army.” “Well it failed once, and I'm here to
tell you that…” Caleb hits Angel in the head with a beam sending him across the room. Angel lands face first and skids to a halt. Buffy looks at Caleb. His eyes are black and dark blood dripping from his eyes, nose and mouth. “You ready to finish this, bitch?” Caleb rushes Buffy and swings his fist at her. She blocks it with the scythe. Buffy stumbles back, “Okay, how many times do I have to kill you? Ballpark figure.” “You understand nothing.” He comes at her again, “You think you have power over me? I am everything. Everywhere.” “Speech gettin' old.” “Stupid girl. You'll never stop me. You don't have the b…” As he speaks she arches the blade back and swings it up right between his legs. “Well, who does nowadays?” She uses both hands to pull the blade upwards. She watches as the two halves of Caleb fall to both sides of her.