| Buffy Season 8- The Next Step by SinisterChic |
| Chapter #7 - Episode 3- Tell-Tale Moon (Part B) |
| Scene 4 Grimness shrouded the England Council of Watchers. Buffy and Dawn wandered through the days without focus or purpose. Their heavy hearts might have lightened if their atmosphere contradicted it, but everything supported the mood. Willow and Kennedy had fallen into lover-quarrels. Willow supposedly wasn’t giving enough, and Kennedy was too demanding. Giles was concerned about the slayer stationed in Cleveland. He hadn’t received word from her in over a week. Andrew was upset because his girlfriend broke up with him. ‘Long-distance relationships don’t work,’ she said. To top it all off, the sun seemed to have taken an extended vacation. Things had to change eventually. Nothing could stay this solemn forever. All they had to do was wait for something happen. And happen it did . . . It was late at night, or technically early morning, around two AM. Buffy had been waking up off and on, and eventually gave up. She stared blankly at the shadowed ceiling. She wished she could cry, but no matter how hard she willed the tears they wouldn’t spill. The fact was she didn’t feel sad or angry. She felt- like someone had stolen the “Buffy-Buffy” her and left a robot slayer in its place. Suddenly pounding erupted from her door. Buffy shut her eyes in protestation. She just wanted to be left alone. What was going on at this time anyway? A demon most likely. Figured. “Buffy, get your booty out here!” Dawn demanded. Okay, whatever it was didn’t sound dangerous. “What is it? I’m trying to sleep,” Buffy lied. “Come out here and see!” Was that excitement in her voice? All right, all right. If something had caused Dawn to break out of her gloominess then it had to be good. Buffy dragged herself out of bed and to the door. She opened it and blinked at the smile Dawn displayed. It seemed so out of place considering the lack of emotion lately. Dawn grabbed her arm and pulled her. She led her down the hallway and to the stairs. “Wait till you see,” Dawn said. This had better be good. They reached the bottom of the winding staircase. A man stood in the entry hall. She ran her eyes up and down the back of his form with a frown. She didn’t recognize him, and yet she felt she should. Then he turned to face her and she gaped. “Xander?” His brown eyes sparkled. “There’s my Buffster.” “Oh my God!” Buffy shrieked. He looked so . . . incredible. Buffy never had lusty thoughts toward Xander, he was always the best-friend/brother, but . . . God, he looked eatable. Africa treated him well. The skin had kissed his skin, making it rich and healthy in appearance. His hair was grown-out and disheveled playfully. The chub he put on was completely gone, replaced with the muscular physique Anya drooled over early in their relationship. She licked her lips. No, off limits, she thought. Buffy rushed at Xander. The momentum made him stumble backwards into the mirror behind him. “Whoa, watch the dramatic reunion,” he said with good humor. “Xander,” Buffy said. She hugged him tightly. Dawn came over and joined in with the affection. “Xander!” A red-head popped up from nowhere and propelled her way into the embrace. There was a long moment where all three women squeezed their friend to a pulp. “Hey, I think I’m suffocating here. But what a way to go,” Xander choked. They backed off just a tad. “Are you aware of the time?” a voice asked from the stairs. The group turned to find Giles. He wore a blue robe and his hair was ruffled from sleep. He peered sleepily at the scene. “Dear lord, is that Xander?” Willow pointed at Xander. “It’s Xander!” “Yes, Xander,” Xander said. “I’m glad no one caught amnesia while I was gone. I’d hate to have to reacquaint myself.” There was an awkward moment of silence. Xander eyed them with confusion, not understanding the implication of what he said. Buffy let it go. The joy of his return was too great to dwell over past mistakes. Besides, Buffy already had the ‘you’re forgiven’ speech with Willow. “Well, this is quite splendid. Welcome back,” Giles said. “How was Africa?” Dawn questioned. “Yeah, it looks like it did you good,” Buffy agreed. “Not that you looked bad before!” “You’re all tanned and athletic. Was your plan to come back and woo us all?” Willow teased. “Nah,” Xander said. “I’ve been through the girl-magnet.” “Good luck with the de-magnetfying,” Buffy said with a laugh. Xander grinned. “So, anyone notice anything else besides my manly tan and bulging biceps?” “Don’t forget the washtub abs you can see through the tight t-shirt,” Dawn mumbled. She immediately shut her mouth and a light blush came to her cheeks. Xander cleared his throat. “What large muscles I have. What large. . . “ He pointed to his face. “Eyes I have.” They all froze. Giles descended the stairs. He dug into his pocket and took out his glasses. He slid them on and stared in awe at the miracle. “H-How?” Buffy stammered. “I can’t believe you didn’t notice.” Xander shook his head. “Just proves you are all horny.” Willow got up into his face. He pressed himself into the wall. She took her pointer finger and prepared to touch his left eye. “Hey!” Xander scolded and slapped her hand away. “No poking out the newly renewed eye! I went to a lot of work to get it, thank you.” “Wow,” murmured Willow. “It looks real. Looks just like your eye.” “That’s because it is ‘my’ eye,” Xander informed. “But didn’t it get squished by Caleb?” Buffy asked. Giles was beaming with interest. Buffy fought a giggle-fit. She knew he was about ready to explode if he didn’t get the chance to record this phenomenon. Xander puffed out his chest. “Vampires aren’t the only ones who can earn rewards from certain mystical shamans.” “Extraordinary. Where and when did this take place?” Giles said. “In the morning,” Xander insisted. “I’m really tired from my flight.” “Of course,” Giles replied. He wilted. Giles took Xander to a free room. Buffy, Dawn, and Willow lingered. They grinned foolishly at each other. “He looked wow! Did he look wow to you!?” Dawn cried. “Amazing,” Buffy said. Willow nodded. “I have to keep reminding myself I’m gay now.” They all giggled, heading up to their rooms as a pack. Scene 5 People describe near-death experiences as a tunnel of brilliant white. The journey back was like that, although a channel fading into darkness instead of white. Spike tumbled to the ground on impact. “Ooomph,” he heard beside him. He lifted his head from the cold grass and spotted Cordelia. She picked herself up and brushed off her jeans. “I miss my gown. Levis! They didn’t even have the decency to give me mall-bought. And they’re getting grass stains!” Spike stood up. He straightened his leather duster. “Looks like everyone made it,” Cordy said. “Unfortunately,” Angel mumbled. “Ha ha, peaches,” Spike replied. “So, now what?” Angel asked Cordelia. She shrugged. “That’s your decision.” “I thought you were my guide.” “I’m not here to steer you. I’m here to pull you back when you take a wrong turn. There are many possible right directions.” Angel furrowed his brow. Spike glanced around at their surroundings. He realized that they stood in a park located in Los Angeles. “Guess we are free to go where we choose then,” Spike said. “I’m off to bigger and better things.” “What is your hurry, Spike? Off to see Buffy?” Angel growled. “What of it?” Spike spat. Angel shook his head. “She’s with The Immortal. And besides, she’s still cookie-dough.” Spike raised an eyebrow. “I thought we agreed to get over her.” “I agreed none of the sort. I was going to let her be and give up trying to win her. That isn’t the same thing.” “Oh, and rushing off to her side is letting her be,” Angel said. “I changed my mind.” “Why?” “That’s none of your business.” “I won’t let you ruin her life!” Cordelia touched Angel’s arm. “Okay, Angel, I’m supposed to guide you away from bad decisions. So, I’m guiding and saying ‘stay out of Spike’s affairs’.” Angel gritted his teeth. Illyria stepped forward. “I will accompany the white-haired one,” she announced. “Sure, blue bird, wouldn’t mind a tag-along,” Spike said. Illyria’s eyes sparked. “I did not ask, vampire!” “R-ight.” Spike waved. “So long, grandpa.” He nodded farewell to Cordelia. “Cheerleader. Or- hmmm- I need a new name for you.” She smiled. “Let me know what you come up with the next time we meet.” Spike pointed at Angel. “Don’t let it be too soon.” __________________________________________________ That last part kinda sucked. Oh well. |