Buffy the vampire show

Disclaimer : I do not own mutant enemy. I just act like I do sometimes.

Authors notes : This chapter takes place in the stead of “Phases” from the original BTVS show.

O-O-O-O

Chapter name – Yes sire, no sire.

O-O-O-O

Scene - dark warehouse.

As far as Joyce knew, Buffy was seeing a specialist for her unique medical condition. Her symptoms were troubled sleep, skin cold to the touch and a distinct aversion to sunlight.

Buffy was sitting down on a chair with a veritable army of tweed wearing watchers surrounding her. In front of her, a watcher was showing her ink blots.

Buffy - “A road sign with little scorpions climbing up the sides.”

The watcher put down that inkblot and lifted another.

Buffy – “Oh, that one’s easy. It’s a butterfly. It’s even got antennae.”

The watcher frowned and wrote something down on a pad, causing Buffy to frown too. Then he showed her another inkblot.

Buffy – “It’s a Scallia demon that wants to plant its eggs inside your head.”

Seemingly satisfied with that answer the watcher put down the card and picked up another. By the way the watcher reacted, that was a perfectly fine answer.

Buffy groaned.

Buffy – “Seriously, how long is this going to take?”

Travers, the head of the Watcher’s council – “That’s enough for now.”

Buffy turned around and saw that Giles had come out of his meeting with the upper rung of the council.

Travers addressed the troops in the warehouse - “You are all dismissed.”

Some of the watchers hesitated.

A lesser watcher – “But sir! We can’t leave you alone with that creature.”

Travers – “I’m safer in her presence than I am in yours. You will leave. Now!”

At their head’s harsh tone, the rest of the honor guard left.

Buffy – “So what’s the decision? I take it you’re not going to kill me?”

Giles – “No. Apparently you were prophesized to become a vampire and yet be a force for good.”

Buffy blinked, not expecting this.

Buffy – “Another prophecy? Nice. What’s this one about?”

Travers – “It’s a prophecy from the slayer Lambronazi, a very notable slayer.”

Buffy, frowning – “But I haven’t heard of her before.”

Travers – “And for good reason. Her diaries are amongst the watchers greatest treasures. Their very existence has only ever been known by the highest echelon of the council and certain active watchers and Slayers throughout history. Now you and Rupert join their ranks.”

Buffy – “What’s so special about her?”

Travers – “She was an incredibly troubled girl who became even more so when she was called. She was so plagued by terrible visions that she couldn’t properly function as the Slayer. After she took her own life and her diaries were read, the reason behind her calling became clear. Her diaries detailed many prophecies, almost all of which have been fulfilled and many of them have been leading up to this point.”

Giles – “Towards you.”

Buffy, still frowning - “Towards me? I don’t get it.”

Travers – “You herald the beginning of a new era for the council, a golden age. Since the foundation of the watchers council, the watchers have been, how should I put this? We have been powerless to a certain degree. You see, once a girl has been called, her life is forfeit. It seems that despite all we try, all we can do is help her come to terms with this. They might live three years if they’re lucky but two is average. But in this new era, the universe is irrevocably altered somehow and this endless cycle of death is ended.”

Buffy thought about what was just said and noted that they had not said that she was prophesized for causing this change, only that she would be there at the beginning of it.

Buffy, hopefully - “Yay for me?”

Travers – “Yes. I suppose so.”

Buffy – “So how exactly do I fit into this again?”

Travers – “It’s prophesized that you will become the guardian for a device which will eventually be used to bring forth this new era.”

Buffy – “So no clues?”

Giles – “None at all.”

Buffy sighed and one of the watchers came forward and placed a vault like metal box on the table next to Buffy. He unlocked it and pulled out a golden oblong on a long chain, which he handed to Buffy.

Buffy looked at it with disgust. It was shiny but remarkably heavy for its size and etched into both sides of the golden oblong were ugly faces with notable fangs. She guessed it looked slightly South American in origin but then Buffy wasn’t an expert in such things.

Buffy – “And what’s this supposed to be?”

Travers – “What you have in your hands is the last remaining amulet of Teznan. In her journals, Lambronazi outlined several tasks for the watchers council to complete. One of them was to slay Teznan and destroy all traces of his experiments into the dark arts except for one particular item, that amulet. After acquiring the amulet, we were instructed to hold it until it could be given to the abomination which is you.”

Buffy – “Huh? Did you just call me an abomination?”

Travers, smiling slightly - “No. Lambronazi did. She always did have a way for words.”

Buffy frowned and looked at the amulet.

Buffy – “So what am I supposed to do with this? Is this the device which I’m supposed to use to usher in a golden age?”

Travers – “No. The texts are a little vague on the exact nature of the device except for the fact that the watchers will be forever blind to its existence, even after it is used. Even Lambronazi couldn’t foresee its nature, which is troubling in itself.”

Buffy – “Okay then. So what am I supposed to do with this doohicky?”

Giles – “Wear it. It’s a magical augmentation that will protect you against the sun.”

Buffy blinked.

Buffy – “It does what?”

Giles, not hiding his smile - “It will allow you to walk around in sunlight.”

Buffy – “Is.. is this some sort of trick? Like some funny way to dispose of vampires?”

Travers – “I assure you, it is not. Tests have proven its effectiveness to be ironclad. It also explains why Lambronazi was so adamant that Teznan’s work would be destroyed. There’s no telling what other augmentations he was working towards.”

Buffy – “So I wear this and I won’t burst into flames if I go outside?”

Giles - “Try it.”

Buffy hung it around her neck then opened the door to exit the warehouse. As she did glaringly bright sunlight shot down through the door and Buffy flinched back instinctively. After some hesitation, she forced her hand into the sunlight, ready to pull it back and smother it in her jacket. When it didn’t burst into flames, she slowly walked forward into the sunlight.

Then she slumped to her knees. Quickly, Giles was by her side, trying to help her back up.

Buffy, with happy tears in her eyes - “Giles, I can feel the sun. It feels so good. So warm.”

Giles gave her an uncomfortable smile.

Giles – “That’s great, Buffy. But you know what this means.”

Buffy frowned.

Buffy – “What?”

Giles – “School.”

O-O-O-O

Scene - Sunnydale high school Library.

Buffy was gleefully twirling herself around on the spot when the student arm of the Scoobies wandered into the library. They all paused when they saw Buffy there, acting brainless.

Xander – “Giles, why is Buffy here and why is she insane?”

Giles looked up from what he was reading.

Giles – “Hmm? What was that?”

Xander – “Buffy. Here. I thought she was being home schooled.”

Buffy tried to stop spinning around and wave.

Buffy – “Hey guys.”

Then she fell over sideways and burst into laughter.

Cordelia – “Xander’s right. Buffy has definitely lost a few more marbles. Or is she marble-free now?”

Buffy got her balance back and bounded back onto her feet.

Buffy, grinning widely - “I’m not insane. I’m just happy. Insanely happy. That sky light mocks me no more.”

Willow looked up and gasped at the sky light in the ceiling which was currently letting a stream of sunlight shine down through itself onto Buffy.

Willow - “Buffy! You’re standing in sunlight!”

Buffy, still laughing - “I know. Isn’t it great?”

Giles – “The watchers council bestowed a gift onto Buffy. An amulet that grants immunity to the effects of sunlight.”

Xander gave him a weird look.

Xander – “Really? I thought they would be more likely to dust her. Not give her gifts.”

Buffy – “I don’t think they’ll do that. Not with this new prophecy about me. Apparently, I usher forth a golden age. Isn’t that just so cool?”

Cordelia – “She what?”

Buffy – “Tell them, Giles.”

Giles - “Apparently Buffy plays a key role for the watchers council as it evolves into something else, something more capable than it currently is. I’m reading the prophecy now and I must admit it’s astounding.”

Buffy – “Yeah. See, there was this Slayer who wrote down like a ton of prophecies. She gave the council instructions on how to handle each one and for my one she told them not to dust me. And to give me this sunscreen medallion thing. Isn’t that nice?”

Xander – “What makes the watchers think Buffy is part of this prophecy?”

Giles hemmed and read out a line of translation.

Giles – “The abomination, that’s Buffy, will defy both life and death, having been born twice during the lull on the vampire’s calendar.”

Xander, frowning - “And what is that supposed to mean in English? And by English, I mean American.”

Giles, sighing - “I’ll translate further then. Buffy has defied death. She died and you resuscitated her. It could be said that she has defied life by becoming a vampire. As far as being born twice during the lull of the vampire’s calendar, that part works too. Her birthday is almost exactly six months removed from the night of Saint Vigeous, the time of year when a vampire’s strength is at its peak. She was also turned on her birthday, which could be said to be another type of birth.”

This silenced Xander but intrigued Willow.

Willow – “What else does it say about her?”

Giles turned over the transcript before Willow could see it.

Giles – “Nothing you need to read. Some of it outlines very personal events in Buffy’s life. How would you like it if I let Buffy shuffle through your locker or diary?”

Willow, pouting slightly - “Oh. Okay. But, um, does it say anything about us?”

Giles – “Actually it does.”

Buffy, not expecting that - “Huh? What do you mean it does?”

Giles – “There are some passing references to people you know or will know in the future. Some of them could quite possibly be us.”

Xander – “So it mentions a ruggedly handsome devil with a razor sharp wit?”

Giles raised an eyebrow at Xander.

Giles – “Now that you mention it, none of the characters within this prophecy match your description, except maybe this blinded fool fellow on the third page. I-I could be wrong.”

Xander didn’t look impressed.

Xander – “That’s not funny.”

Giles, not picking up on Xander’s tone - “Actually, it would make a lot of sense.”

Cordelia – “So you’re saying that we’ve got prophecies about us now? That is so cool! So how famous to I get?’

Giles stopped searching through the texts and looked up at her.

Giles – “Umm. I don’t think the author would have written something like that down. In fact, there’s a possibility that none of us are in this prophecy. Apparently, Buffy could live for a very long time, outliving not only us but becoming an ancient. There’s a mention of her, um, mating with immortality, blessed in a city of sanctity. I’m not entirely sure what that means but I find it suggestive of a long lifespan. Also, I have doubts that this much prophecy would fit into one lifetime.”

Buffy – “Cool. Well, not so cool on how you guys will die of old age but cool! I bet I’ll get to fly a jetsons hovercar in the future.”

Oz – “That would be a plus.”

Giles – “Buffy, I wouldn’t be jumping for joy quite yet. It becomes a bit confused at one point but it seems you might pass along your status as the abomination to a different vessel and you either vacate the prophesies altogether or die from the process.”

Buffy, frowning - “That doesn’t sound like me.”

Giles – “Yes, well, as I have said, prophecies are often open to interpretation.”

Buffy – “Except for ones where you die. So far I’ve had two of those and it happened both times. Oh hey. Does it have anything about Angel in there?”

Giles – “It seems that you will get to know more than a few people who skirt the line between good and evil. Any number of them could be interpreted as Angel.”

Buffy – “Angel doesn’t skirt. He’s either nice or completely evil.”

Cordelia – “She’s right. You can’t call him indecisive.”

Buffy – “I think I’ve had enough skylights for one day. How about we go get some lunch?”

Several of the scoobies looked at her strangely.

Buffy – “I never said I’d be doing any of the eating, did I? I just want to catch up. Have I missed anything important?”

Willow – “Xander’s dating Cordelia.”

Buffy gave Willow a shocked look.

Buffy – “How long was I gone? It only seemed like a week and a half to me.”

Willow, giving Xander a dirty look – “It seems they’ve been keeping it secret for a while.”

Buffy – “I can see why. But don’t worry, Xander. We’re your friends. We’ll find a way to understand no matter how insane you’ve become.”

Cordelia was about to object to that but instead held back.

Ignoring Cordelia’s glare, Buffy pulled her lunch box out of her bag.

Buffy – “Okay, who wants to eat my lunch? Mom packed me a banana, an apple and pastrami on rye. I’ll trade for anything that can get rid of the taste of my actual lunch.”

Xander – “Would a twinkie do?”

Buffy considered this and nodded.

Xander – “Then I’m your man. I brought three.”

Buffy gave him a smile and then the younger generation left, leaving Giles alone with his work.

After the children left, Jenny Calendar came in.

Giles didn’t notice her at first and she hemmed slightly.

Giles, looking up - “Oh. Ms Calendar. I-uh.”

Jenny – “Rupert. I-um, do you have a minute?”

Giles looked down at the texts on his desk, sighed and looked back up at Jenny.

Giles – “I guess it’s a good as time as any. I can just tell I’ll be trying to decipher this for weeks.”

Jenny looked over at the texts.

Jenny – “What is it?”

Giles – “Prophecies. You know how those are.”

Jenny – “The pergamum codex? I could help translating.”

Giles – “Uh, no. You wouldn’t have heard of this. It’s a watchers council secret.”

Jenny backed off a little.

Jenny – “I see. About Buffy?”

Giles – “Yes. As a matter a fact it is.”

Jenny - “So. How is it.. going?”

Giles - “It’s hard slogging. Most prophecies don’t give enough information. This one is overflowing with it. How I’m supposed to figure out what is important and what is a passing fancy, I don’t know.”

Jenny – “I’m sure you’ll get it.”

Giles – “I think I’m afraid that I will. The more I read, the more I don’t like what I’m reading. When I first read that Buffy was going to die by the master’s hand, I didn’t think it could get any worse. But this, it’s a nightmare. No wonder the author committed suicide.”

Jenny – “Maybe you’re not reading it right.”

Giles, angrily – “I damn well am.”

The way Giles sighed and gave Jenny a sorry look, he didn’t want to direct that anger at her.

To say things have been strained between Jenny and Giles recently would be understating it. There was always the promise of more between them but since Jenny had a run in with Giles’ past, she had chosen to take a break from that promise. Matters became even more strained after Jenny’s gypsy past was revealed. Buffy’s overt hostility towards her didn’t help at all either. Although Giles didn’t respect the wishes of this dead version of Buffy as much as the live one. It seemed a small part of him died that night with Buffy.

The part that cared for Buffy.

Now to him, Buffy was merely a weapon to him. A tool. A slightly defective tool at that considering her inability to slay her sire. From the start Giles had serious doubts about trusting her but now he didn’t need to worry as much. His worries were eased by what some crazy slayer that had jotted down her mad ramblings in writing.

If he was a cynical, he would consider it all too convenient.

Jenny – “Cynical much?”

Giles – “Excuse me?”

Jenny – “What I mean to say is, you shouldn’t believe everything you read. When you read that Buffy was going to die, you never expected her come back to life, did you?”

Giles – “No. I’ll admit that. However, this set of prophecies expected it.”

Giles ruffled through some of the papers and prodded one of them with a finger as if it was offensive.

Giles – “See. It’s written right there.”

Jenny leant over and read the line.

Jenny – “Wow. That’s..”

Giles – “Scary? That’s nothing. Wait until you see what else is in this. Evils and corruptions I’ve never heard the like of and it seems we’ll get to look forward to the very fabric of reality being torn apart like tissue paper on more than one occasion.”

Jenny – “So more of the same then?”

Giles groaned but had to smile at her dry humor.

Giles – “Yes. More of the same.”

O-O-O-O

In the lunch room, the youngsters were sitting around a table. Somehow they had sat so Buffy was sitting on one side and everyone was sitting on the other. She didn’t seem to mind, content with eating her recently acquired Twinkie.

Cordelia, breaking the awkward silence - “You’re looking perky.”

Buffy - “Thanks. I feel it too. I think it’s the sunlight. I never really appreciated it until it was gone. Before, I hardly noticed it. Now, I can really feel it. It’s more than just warm. It’s gentle and embracing and by the looks you’re giving me, you think I’m insane.”

Willow – “No. We don’t think that.”

Buffy – “Anyway, how’s things been? Like how’s Oz been?”

Willow looked over to Oz then back to Buffy.

Willow – “He’s been good.”

Oz, agreeing - “I’ve been good.”

Cordelia – “Oh! And when Xander and I were parked last night, we got attacked by a werewolf.”

Buffy looked shocked.

Buffy – “Wait. You and.. You were parked with Xander?”

Willow – “I know. It’s horrible.”

Cordelia – “Haha, very funny. But hey, werewolf. That’s something Slayer’s deal with, right?”

Buffy, to Cordelia - “I guess.”

Buffy, now to Xander - “But don’t you think you’re taking it a little fast? Parking is a big step. Are you sure you want to .. park like that.. with Cordelia?”

Xander, groaning - “Buffy, who else would I be parking with? As far as I can tell, I’m not going to get a chance with anyone else in high school.”

Buffy, frowned and reluctantly nodded.

Buffy – “You’re right. It’s not really my business. So Werewolf? Neat. New. That’ll keep me busy. You’ve told Giles, right?”

Xander – “Yes. We’ve told Giles.”

Buffy – “Good. Then I’ll uh talk to him then. Um. Thanks for the twinkie, Xander. It was scrum-diddly-umptious.”

Now Buffy was back to being all smiley and Xander tried smiling back.

Xander – “That’s nice. Um. Don’t take this the wrong way but did the watchers give you something else besides that amulet? Maybe some pills or something?”

Buffy, shaking her head - “Nope. I’m just really relieved, you know? I thought that just because I died, my life was over.”

Oz – “That’s normally how it works.”

Buffy – “Exactly. But it looks like I get to have my cake and eat it too.”

Xander – “But I thought you’d be at least a little bummed about Angel.”

Buffy – “Oh, I was. I still am. I’m not so good at boyfriends going evil and killing me. But prophecies? But prophecies killing me I can handle. Going to school, fighting werewolves and prophecies where I die a horrible death, that’s home to me.”

Xander - “What exactly do you do in this prophecy?”

Buffy – “I dunno. Well, to be more precise, Giles doesn’t know. There’s a bunch of world saving and deering-do but he hasn’t coughed up any details yet. I wish he would. I’d like to get started now.”

Willow – “I think I can understand that. Why put it off?”

Buffy – “Yeah. But I hope it’s not too hard.”

Willow – “If it was easy, someone else would have done it. I’m sure it’s very Buffy specific. Like, maybe you need to, um, do something that you’re very very good at doing.”

Oz – “I hear she’s good at slaying.”

Buffy, nodding - “That’s true but.. Not much else though.”

Buffy, considering this - “Huh. That’s odd.”

Willow – “What is?”

Buffy – “Me. I really doubt I usher in a golden age just by slaying something. But that’s all I’m good at.”

Willow – “That’s not true. You’ve got tons of things you’re good at.”

Buffy – “Really? Then name one.”

Xander – “You’re very cute.”

Cordelia – “And you’re great if you leave a carjack at home.”

Buffy – “But those aren’t really ushering qualities, are they?”

Willow – “Maybe it’s something you learn or it’s some skill that you never knew you had.”

Oz – “Plus, you’ve got this vampire deal going for you.”

Buffy gave him a sour look.

Buffy – “I don’t think that’s going to help me at all.”

Willow - “Hey, I think he’s onto something. Think about it, Buffy. You could give the council a new understanding about vampires. They’ve never had a vampire willing to just cough up information before. Sure, we know about stakes and sunlight but there’s bound to be more to them, isn’t there?”

Buffy – “I doubt it.”

Willow – “Well, uh, what about that, um, thing in the hallway?”

Buffy’s eye shot wide open.

Xander – “What thing in the hallway? I don’t remember a thing. What is this thing?”

Buffy – “Willow. I don’t think anyone wants to know about that thing. Let’s just put that thing behind us, okay?”

Willow – “But that thing could be important.”

Buffy suddenly stood up, getting upset.

Buffy – “No. It’s not. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go freshen up before class.”

They watched her go with some worry.

Willow – “I think I should go after her.”

Cordelia, flippantly - “Eh, let her go.”

If anything, this propelled Willow into action quicker.

Some football jocks were passing Buffy as the came the other way and one of them, Larry, leaned over and said something to Buffy. Willow didn’t catch all of it but she did catch Buffy’s name being said, along with her name. Buffy obviously took offense at this and pushed the lead jock away.

With what looked like a simple push, Larry was launched off his feet and slammed into the lockers against the wall. Buffy kept walking on obliviously but the jocks stared at her like she just grew another head. Willow gasped, realizing what a mistake it was to let a vampire go to high school. Before the day was over, there would be another mob trying to burn her at the stake.

Then the jocks started laughing at their fallen comrade as Larry got to his feet. He started laughing too as he held his ribs.

Willow, approaching them - “Larry, are you okay?”

Larry – “Yeah. I just slipped. Takes more than that to take down me. Aint that right, guys?”

The guys agreed with a bunch of grunts and slaps on the back which sounded like some foreign language to Willow. But they seemed content to block out the whole affair so Willow moved on, chasing after Buffy.

Buffy entered the toilets and Willow intercepted her on the inside.

Buffy – “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Willow - “But you have to, don’t you see? You can’t just bottle things up.”

Buffy, growling - “Keeping things bottled up is the only reason you’re not dead.”

Willow backed off and Buffy looked ashamed.

Buffy – “I’m sorry. I just- I don’t want to be like this. I can’t control it. I’m scared I’ll just lose control again and.. and I won’t be me anymore.”

Willow – “This has been hard on everyone.”

Buffy – “Has it? Really? Because that’s not it looks like.”

Willow, ashamed – “Giles told us to.”

Buffy gave Willow a weird look and Willow explained in more detail.

Willow – “Giles told us to act as if nothing had happened.”

Buffy – “Why? Oh, I get it. To help me keep hold of my humanity. Well, it’s too late, I - Whoa!”

Buffy looked shocked, yet again.

Willow – “What?”

Buffy pointed to the mirror.

Willow – “What? Oh. Uh, I didn’t think vampires had reflections.”

Buffy, looking closer at her reflection, – “They don’t.”

Willow – “It must be the amulet.”

Buffy, fixing her hair - “Why didn’t anyone tell me about this?”

Willow, confused – “About what?”

Buffy – “My hair. Look! Split ends!”

Willow - “Your hair looks fine. I thought you were just trying a new look.”

Buffy – “And I’m so pale.”

Willow – “Buffy. You look fine.”

Buffy – “Did you bring any make up with you? Maybe some blusher.”

Willow – “I don’t even own any make up.”

Buffy turned away from the mirror and blinked at Willow.

Buffy – “Really?”

Willow, shaking her head - “Nope. Unless you count my strawberry flavored chapstick. Which you aren’t, are you? That’s why I go to your house every time I want to wear make up.”

Buffy – “Some day soon, we’re going to have a sit down and I’m going to teach you all about grown up things.”

Willow – “No. That’s okay.”

Buffy – “I insist. It might.. It might get Oz’s attention.”

Willow, looking more interested - “You think?”

Buffy – “Sure. I’m curious to see what you’d look like glammed up.”

Willow – “I don’t know about glamming. It sounds a little...”

Buffy – “Scary? It is the first time. But you’ll grow to love it. Umm, I know it’s none of my business but have you and Oz…?”

Willow, crestfallen – “No. We haven’t done anything. We don’t even kiss.”

Buffy – “He probably doesn’t want to push anything on you. Think about how would you feel if you were dating someone a year below you?”

Willow shivered at that thought.

Buffy – “Exactly. Making a move on you would make him feel like a dirty old man.”

Willow – “But I want him to make a move on me. I’m-I’m ready. I really am. It’s not my fault I look like a kid.”

Buffy – “Umm. Willow, I just have to say something and it never leaves this room.”

Willow – “What?”

Buffy – “You’ve got to promise.”

Willow – “Okay. I promise. What is it?”

Buffy – “Umm, you remember that thing in the hallway? When I.. you know, It’s like since I uh, changed, I uh.. I like girls.”

Willow, with wide eyes - “You.. you what?”

Buffy, quickly – “It’s a vampire thing. I can’t control it. I don’t even want it. But let’s just say, you have nothing to worry about in the appeal department and leave it at that. Okay?”

Willow, very uncomfortably - “Okay.”

Buffy – “And don’t tell anyone about this. Especially Xander.”

Willow – “I won’t. I promise.”

Buffy, letting out a sigh of relief - “Thanks. You know, it’s true what they say. You really do feel a lot better afterwards.”

Willow – “Do you still like boys?”

Buffy – “Of course. It-I-uh, can we just not talk about it? This is really embarrassing.”

Willow – “Fine.”

The two girls stood there for a while before anything was said.

Willow – “So Cordelia-“

Buffy – “Major hottie.”

Willow, revolted – “Oh god.”

Buffy, looking like she just bit down on a lemon – “Welcome to my hell.”

O-O-O-O

Scene – High school library.

A couple of hours later and school was over. Buffy walked in followed by Xander and Willow.

Giles looked up with one of those strange pleased smiles he always wore after he had spent a good day reading.

Giles – “Ahh, yes. Buffy. How was school?”

Willow - “Phys-ed was interesting.”

Buffy - “Come on. Larry was totally grabbing my ass. What was I supposed to do?”

Willow – “Anything besides throw him to the ground and stand on his throat.”

Giles – “Good god, Buffy! This boy, is he okay?”

Buffy - “Yeah. He’s fine. He doesn’t look it but Larry can really take a beating. Oh wait. No, he does look like it.”

Giles – “But that’s no reason to punish him. I realize this might be hard for you but you must learn some restraint.”

Buffy, sighing – “Yes mom. I’ll play nice.”

Giles – “I’m serious. If you don’t, we might have to remove you from school entirely.”

Buffy took this threat more seriously.

Buffy – “Okay. I’ll refrain from giving him more brain damage than he already has. So, what’s up tonight? I hear we’re going werewolf hunting. I’ve never slayed a werewolf before and I’m rearing to go.”

Giles – “No. We are not going to slay them.”

Buffy raised an eyebrow.

Buffy – “Then we’re going to .. what?”

Giles – “The Hollywood depiction of werewolves is quite accurate. For the most part, they’re normal people. It’s only during the full moon and apparently the two nights on both sides of the full moon that they become werewolves. In all likelihood, they’re an innocent who ordinarily would have no compulsion to harm anyone.”

Buffy – “Seems to be a recurring theme, doesn’t it?”

Giles – “Also, they have only targeted animals so far.”

Xander – “Its okay, Buffy. He already told me off for jumping towards silver bullets too.”

Buffy – “Okay. I get it. No stakey. So, I’m thinking I tackle him to the ground then hogtie him rodeo style. I mean, it won’t be able to turn me into a werewolf, will it?”

Giles – “That is true but I should warn you. Werewolves are more closely attuned to nature than most of the supernatural.”

Buffy, not really caring - “Uh huh.”

Giles – “Because of this, they, uh, I believe they tend to see vampires as a threat, not only territorially but because of their unnatural nature.”

Buffy – “Oh. You’re talking about me now. So what? You think he’ll target me specifically?”

Giles – “If confronted, yes, I believe so.”

Buffy – “Good. It’ll stop them from targeting someone human.”

Giles – “From what I have read, werewolves can be incredibly resilient. You shouldn’t take them lightly.”

Buffy, smiling widely – “Oh good. And I thought this was going to be easy.”

Giles, to Willow and Xander - “I don’t think we’ll need your help in this matter. Too many people may scare away the werewolf.”

Xander, nodding towards Buffy behind her back - “Are you sure?”

Giles – “Uh, yes. I think we will okay together.”

Buffy, without turning - “Xander, I’m not going to bite Giles.”

Xander, trying to act hurt - “I never said you were going to.”

Buffy – “I’m undead, Xander. Not stupid.”

Willow – “She’s right. She won’t bite Giles.”

Buffy – “Not that you’re not biteable, Giles but uh.. I wouldn’t… and it’s a good thing I can’t blush anymore because whoo! I’d be so red now.”

Willow to Buffy – “But if you have any more surprises like in the hallway, you’ll call me, okay? It doesn’t matter how embarrassing it is, I’ll still respect you. Okay?”

Buffy nodded - “Thank you, confidant Willow. You don’t know how much I appreciate you being here for me.”

Xander – “Excuse me but I really want to know. What happened in the hallway?”

Buffy and Willow, in unison - “Nothing.”

Buffy – “Anyway, I doubt I’ll have anymore surprises. I reckon I’ve got this vampire thing down.”

O-O-O-O

Continued in next chapter