Banner by Selene
Banner
by Selene
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.