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Chapter 32: Connections

“So, Giles, you want to tell me what in the world is going on?” Buffy asked in her usual, take-charge manner.

Spike cast a broad grin the watcher’s way, grateful that he was the one that would be explaining things to Buffy.

“Er, yes, well…” Giles stuttered. He was still somewhat in shock at seeing Buffy before him. Oh he knew that she was undead – well, he guessed she was anyway, with the whole lack of breathing and the pale skin – but, he wasn’t quite sure what she was really. That snippet of prophecy had alluded to two demons inhabiting her body. He could only assume one was the demon that helped make the First Slayer, while the other was the vampire demon.

“Quite frankly, we’re trying to figure this out as we go, Buffy,” he replied to her question. “We do know a little bit about your would-be assassin.” Spike cocked an eyebrow at that; in his mind there was no ‘would-be’ about it. Giles ignored him and pressed on, telling Buffy about what the demon had hoped to accomplish and why. He went on to explain that the Draemuir demons were apparently trying to re-enter Earth’s dimension and that the event was supposed to take place next week.

“We have to assume that they’re going to attempt to re-enter through the portal. They have no way of knowing that their attack was unsuccessful and that the slayer line is secure. That all of them are still here. We’ve got a little time yet to do research to see how we can get the portal closed preventing them from entering our dimension for another two thousand years. Angel has given us some information to get us started…” he trailed off.

“So, this thing tried to kill me because it knew I’m somehow linked to the other slayers now?”

“Exactly. Killing you would wipe their slayer strength away – possibly worse – and would leave just Faith to handle the influx of demons. Much better odds for them than currently stands right now.” Buff nodded at this. She was starting to get sleepy again, her strength having not returned completely. With a muffled yawn, she leaned her head into the crook of Spike’s shoulder.

“Ok, so that tells me why that demon went after me. Have you got any info on why I’m still here? And, apparently with my soul intact with no mojo from Wills.”

Giles was somewhat shocked at her calm acceptance of her new “status.” He knew that she had desperately loathed the idea that the creatures she had been duty-bound to stake may one day turn her. It was one of the risks she ran being a slayer. He wasn’t quite sure, but she seemed almost happy – certainly happier than she’s been since she’d been called to be the Chosen One. Maybe that second slayer dream she had had mentally prepared her for her new role she was now destined to lead.

Clearing his throat, he attempted to answer her. “Ummm… exactly why, er no, I don’t.” At her confused look, he struggled to continue. “See, all I…we…had to go by was the prophecy delivered to Wesley and the subsequent one I found while researching the translation to the original.” Quickly he read both to her. “So, you see, according to the prophecy, you were never in danger of losing your soul. And I have to say, the sight I beheld earlier was nothing short of a miracle.” The other occupants of the room murmured their assent. Just thinking about Buffy as she lay in bed glowing had Giles starting to tear up, his awe clearly evident. “We…uh…just weren’t sure exactly how that was going to be accomplished,” he pushed on, trying to get back on track.

“We’re still not sure exactly what you are, Buffy. We do know that you are possessed of not one, but two demons. The rest…” he shrugged his shoulders, his voice trailing off. “We can only hope to learn as we go. We’ll need your help for that. Spike’s as well. Even Angel can assist us, put in his “two cents.” Anything that feels off, any sensation you don’t recognize as normal, you need to let someone know. We have no way of knowing exactly what may happen. I’m sorry about that, Buffy.”

“That’s ok, Giles,” she said, yawning into Spike’s neck. Seeing how tired Buffy was, Spike stood with Buffy in his arms, putting an end to the conversation. She needed her rest if she was to regain her strength. The only reason he came down here in the first place with her was to ease her mind about her soul, to try and give her some answers. Now it was time to head back to the room for some more blood and then rest.

“Right then, we’re off. Someone needs her rest. How ‘bout we meet back down here later so we can discuss what to do about those Draemuir demons. Sound like a plan, Giles?” Giles just nodded, his thumb and forefinger rubbing back and forth over his eyes wearily.

Noticing this, Spike added, “Besides, when was the last time you guys slept? No offense, but you all look like the walking dead. ‘Cept Peaches, of course, since he already is.” With a grin tossed his Grand-Sire’s way, he made his way to the office door. The others soon followed in his wake, exhaustion clearly evident as they rose from their chairs. When they heard Spikes voice raised in concern, a burst of adrenaline had them all rushing to the door to find out what was wrong.

~*~*~*~*~

“You can put me down, you know. I am capable of walking,” she muttered to Spike, once they were outside the office.

“I like holdin’ ya, pet,” he replied with a wink. She just settled back in his arms, getting comfortable, figuring it was useless to argue. As he made his way across the foyer Buffy suddenly stiffened in his arms. She could feel her body start to tingle, and unbeknownst to her, her eyes flashed yellow. Before he could stop her, she scrambled out of Spike’s arms and rushed off towards the living room. Spike took off after her.

“What is it, pet?” he hollered as he ran after her. She didn’t hear him, intent on reaching the living room as quickly as possible. When she reached the entryway, she pulled up short, scanning the sleeping occupants for sign of trouble. Dawn and Willow were stretched out on the couch, their heads at opposite ends, fast asleep. The ten young slayers were scattered haphazardly on the floor, buried in sleeping bags or under quilts. On her first pass, Buffy noticed nothing amiss. Then she heard it – a soft moan coming from Angelina. Her yellow-tinged gaze zeroed in on the girl, and she quickly made her way over to her.

Spike had managed to catch up to Buffy just as she stopped in the entryway of the living room. He watched as her gaze scanned the occupants of the room before honing in on one of the young slayers. He felt Angel and the others coming rushing up behind him and he raised his hand in the air to keep them out of the room. They all watched in silence as Buffy knelt down by the girl, her hand hovering above the girl’s head. She was obviously having a dream, and a bad one at that, if her facial features were any indication. Then they noticed as Buffy ran her hand over the girl’s hair, pushing it off of her face; she used her other hand to cradle one of Angelina’s hands in hers. Buffy’s eyes closed as if she were concentrating deeply and the others watched amazed as the girl ceased her struggles, her dream apparently no longer affecting her. Buffy ran her hand through the girl’s hair one more time then slowly released the hand she had been holding, placing it gently by the girl’s side. Her eyes opened and she stood up to meet the gaze of Spike, Angel, Giles, Wesley, and Fred. Concern was evident on all their faces.

“Uh… she was having a slayer dream,” she spoke softly to the others, trying not to wake the girls as she attempted to explain.

Giles was about to comment, but Buffy shook her head at him, signaling for him to wait until they had left the room. No need to wake the girls up with their conversation.

“How did you know?” Giles asked as they made their way back into the foyer.

“I’m not sure exactly. All of a sudden I just started really tingling, and just…ya’ know…knew. I can feel them all in there, actually. More so, Angelina, because she was, um, distressed?”

“Interesting… wait, you said you could feel them?” Giles questioned. “All of them?”

“Uh huh.” She wasn’t sure if she should mention that there were vague feelings of other slayers scattered throughout Rome. Maybe later, once she got used to it. She had ignored that subconscious tingling she had been feeling, thinking it was somehow related to the vampire demon now inhabiting her body realizing that slayers were about. But, the more she thought about it; she realized it was the slayer demon that was feeling the connection to the other slayers.

Giles looked like he wanted to rush back to the office to get his Watcher’s diary so he could record this for posterity. ‘Talk about feeling like a freak,’ Buffy thought. Nervous with all the eyes on her, she looked around at the group. The others weren’t looking at her like she was a freak, however, which was somewhat comforting. Sure, they were curious, but not to the point where they’d want to stick her under a microscope and study her. Thoughts of the Initiative flitted briefly through her mind before she brushed them aside. She’d like to see them even try to get their hands on her. The evil grin that came suddenly to her face had the others looking at her questioningly. She bit her bottom lip to hide her smile, but her eyes still gleamed. She caught Spike’s stare and gave him a slight shake of her head. She’d tell him what she was thinking about once they were back in their room.

The newness of her recently arisen status was starting to take its toll on her body and she let out a huge, fanged yawn. Both Spike and Angel watched her amused. She reminded Spike of a newborn lioness with that yawn. Telling the others to get some sleep and that they would meet back downstairs in a few hours, Spike ushered Buffy upstairs to bed.

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