Misplaced Book I: No Place Like Home

Note- In case you were confused about the history, story was this: In the late 1800’s in the Anita verse there was a demon that tried to end the world. It was defeated, but the death caused Glory like portals to open. A bunch of people were pulled into the rifts. One of the rifts was the Buffy verse. Those that survived never noticed the difference since the two dimensions were alike. They had children and a few are still alive in the Buffy verse. When Buffy died the powers realized she was decended from these misplaced people and decided to send her home, to the Anita verse. They couldn’t send anyone else before because someone would have noticed their absence. So Buffy wasn’t meant to be a Slayer. She was supposed to be in the inner circle, along with a few other still misplaced, and change the Anita verse. So this is where we are now.

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The Oracles were wincing. The Slayer was a little more pissed off than they had anticipated. Of course she had good reason, but did they have to be on the receiving end of it. Why couldn’t the powers get Whistler to do it? They could talk to Jean-Claude. Besides, the Slayer enjoyed threatening Whistler.

“So let me get this straight. I don’t belong in this world. I wasn’t supposed to be a Slayer, to a point. I was supposed to help people for peace, not end darkness where no one would notice. I suffered while others got rewards like being half demons because little visions might blow their empty heads off. Big deal, they wouldn’t die alone in a graveyard bleeding to death. I had to deal with people who thought I was so strong when they didn’t take into account the bad guys were just as strong. I had to act like a insipid moron so people didn’t see me as a weapon. I lost people I loved because they weren’t strong enough for my life so they died. But oops the powers made a boo boo. So since you’re dead anyway let’s bring you to a world where you belong and expect you to fit right in. Am I getting close?”

The Oracles nodded, painfully.

“Fine, but let’s get one thing. I am not your puppet. You will tell me what I’m supposed to be working towards, give me info to do my duty, and supply my means to live. But I don’t see or hear from you again. You don’t mess up my life. And unless I tell them to, no one brings me back when I die.”

“Fine, there are actually laws to help with that. A beginning bank account, you will have to find a way to enter more money when you need, will be supplied as well as a new identity of your choice.”

Buffy thought for a while. Her name was unusual and invoked certain underestimations about herself. She needed to fit in, but still be known. “What about Elizabeth Viajar, sounds good?” She remembered something of Spanish class, considering she really wanted to leave at the time. And with Elizabeth she could have several forms for enemies and friends. Oh yes, she was treating this like a war effort.

“That is fine, you will have a paper slip to your bank account when you arrive. Your new identification and other necessary papers will be in the vault. Though we ask of your help with one more thing.”

“What?” Of course there was a loophole.

“When we moved you, we found other misplaced persons. If at a future time we can bring them to their correct dimension will you help them acclimate?”

Big words. “Sure. Who is it?” They told her one and she smiled. It’d be nice to see someone with a past but I don’t have issues with. “But I do things my way, agreed?”

“Agreed. And please, try to see this as a reward, not a punishment.”

Buffy didn’t answer. She hadn’t really wanted to die, but she was so tired. The oracles didn’t say another word, as though they read her mind( not likely because she had blocks prepared after the Dracula incident), and teleported her to her new home.

St. Louis.

* * * * *


Jean-Claude felt the hair on back of his neck prickle about an hour after Whistler left. He had a few lycanthropes waiting outside the door in case his guest decided he was a threat, or she was a threat. He might have agreed to help this person, but Jean-Claude had worked to hard and long for his power base to be ill prepared. Powers didn’t ask a person to do something easy or without a price.

Blue energy flowed in the center of the room, dropping a figure before disappearing as quick as it had come. After being around Anita he didn’t want to underestimate this slight woman, but she looked like an airhead California teenager. Until that is, he lower his mental shields. Whatever she was made him want to alternatively feast on her blood and run for the hills. He did neither, waiting for his visitor to focus on him.

Buffy examined the room she had landed in saving the vampire for last. She almost laughed as the powers supplied her with a few base details. Did every 1700’s vampire have the same decorating and fashion sense? And does he think he’s hiding what’s behind the door? She could sense what she supposed was shapeshifters waiting. Ohh, was the little vampire afraid of her? If he didn’t attack this could be fun.

Jean-Claude seemed to gather himself. “I am Jean-Claude, Master of the City of St. Louis.”

“I know.” When he frowned Buffy stopped from smiling. Stop it, you’re supposed to annoy not piss off the nice vampire who’s your only link to this world.

“What is your name mademoiselle?”

“Elizabeth Viajar.” Looks like he’s figured it out if he knows Spanish. Maybe I can drop the act.

Viajar was Spanish for travel, Jean Claude thought. Obviously she changed her name, just as obvious her manner was a façade designed to confuse. Jean-Claude had experience in that area. He could see tiny lines around her eyes that held their own secrets. What had the world she comes from done to this child?

Buffy rolled her eyes. Okay, screw it with the formality. “Through some silent communication I think we understand each other. The powers dumped this on both of us so let’s make the best of it. You help me, I help you when I give a crap about your political grandstanding.”

“Very well.” Wait, what did he just agree to?

“Good. Now how about inviting those shifters in, ignoring them is like a pink elephant in the room.” Jean-Claude moved to do as she suggested thinking, she runs circles around like Anita. “Oh, and Jean-Claude? Don’t think I’m going to fall over you. I’ve done the dark, sexy vampire thing before. You are going to be direct with me, understood?” He stiffly nodded and opened the door.

Buffy examined the group that came in. The powers didn’t tell her anything, but that didn’t mean they weren’t important. They just weren’t the large pawns. One or more of them probably served as pome de sangs for the vampires. She wouldn’t say anything about it, unlike Riley she assumed they knew what they were getting into.

It consisted of four young guys that could have all been models or strippers. Looking at their clothes, they probably were. Two of the guys were twins with long blond hair. Another had shorter blond hair and a look on his face that was pure flirt. It was the fourth that caught her attention. He had long auburn hair and-whoa- lavender eyes. Jean-Claude introduced them, “May I introduce, Miss Viajar, Jason, Stephan, Gregory, and Nathaniel.”

Buffy rolled her eyes. “Elizabeth, just Elizabeth, until I tell you otherwise.” She turned her full attention to the shifters. Stephan and Gregory were the twins while Jason was the flirt. Nathaniel looked young, she wondered if he was any older than her. She recognized Jason and Stephan were werewolves, thanks to years with Oz around. The others were something else- cats she was thinking. Puppies and kitties, damn fine ones at that, I’m going to have fun here. Wait, how much can lycanthropes smell? Fuck, no shit, she was in trouble. They seemed to know what she was thinking. Everyone relaxed somewhat.

Jason stepped forward. “May I be the first to welcome you to this great city. Will you sleep with me?”

Cute. “No puppy.” They choked at her words. “Calm down. I don’t care what you are as long as you’re not evil. With your strength we might be able to play games.” She shot a glance at Jason. “Down doggie, not that kind of games.” Jason didn’t really look put off. She looked up as a new vampire with blood red hair and cat green eyes entered. He was momentarily distracted by her but quickly turned his focus to Jean-Claude.

“Anita and Richard are here.” He seemed to hesitate. “Together.”

They got his unspoken meaning. Buffy sorted through what she had been given on Anita and Richard, shaking her head at the bizarre triangle that was the result of an unsuccessful triumvirate. Jean-Claude didn’t give sign of his thoughts but turned to her. “Everyone might as well come along. What would you have me say of your presence? They will find out eventually.”

Buffy shrugged. “Might as well go with the truth. I need to gain their trust.” He raised his eyebrows to say what about me? “Honey, you’re in the same boat as me, you have to put up with me. They don’t.”

He actually huffed.

* * * * *

Anita and Richard were waiting in his office. Anita was nervous about what she was about to tell Jean-Claude; Richard was smug. He walked in with a group of shifters she barely recognized, except Jason and Stephan. As well as a small woman she had never seen before.

Anita stiffened, power flowed from this stranger. But the weres didn’t seem worried. She wasn’t a shifter and Anita was reminded of vampire servants she had met. “Who is she?”

Buffy stepped forward, “Elizabeth Viajar, I’m from a different dimension.”

Anita snorted. “She’s telling the truth ma petite, ask any who can smell truth. She’s here to help.” And Anita strangely believed her. There was something about her she would examine later.

Buffy turned to leave with the weres following her. “I’m off to shop and find a place to live.” She was not staying so near to this many vampires, soul or not. “We’ll talk later tonight.”

Anita spoke up after a nudge from her now fiancé. “Richard and I were thinking of moving in together. You can stay in my apartment as you need.”

“Thank you.” She gave Buffy keys and directions without looking at Jean-Claude.

After Buffy exited she turned back to her now ex-boyfriend. He was looking at her blank faced and still.

Shit, she was in big trouble.

* * * * *