-
Xander stared in awe as Buffy had set the scythe down. “Great timing as always.” He had no idea when she got the message and had no idea how she was able to know where they were. He was certain he didn’t mention that when he sent her e-mail and he wasn’t sure if told Giles or the others where they were going to face off against Dandridge and his cronies.
The other vampires were circling Buffy and the other Slayers. The ladies were already in a defense stance. Buffy herself was not staring at the demonic vampires. She was glaring at Dandridge.
“Buffy Summers I presume,” Dandridge said and held up his hand. “Back off everyone. Stand away from Miss Summers and her entourage and release the others.”
The other vampires did not like that idea but they did as they were told. They continued to glare and snarl at Xander and the others as they released them.
“No Staking,” Xander instructed. He knew they were soulless demon human hybrids but he had to show them who was the better people, and if they do disobey Dandridge’s orders then the Avengers and the Slayers will be able to take care of them all.
“You lead well Alexander,” Dandridge said to him. He turned back to Buffy and smiled warmly at her. “I have heard so much about you.”
“I’ve only heard a few things about you Jerry Damage,” Buffy said. Good ole Buff. Some things about her would never change.
“I believe you may have misheard my surname,” Dandridge said. “You can simply call me Jerry.” He took a step closer to her.
“What do you want?” Buffy asked as she pointed the blade at Jerry.
“I only simply wanted to meet you.” Jerry said as he seemed to be drinking up Buffy with his eyes. “You are even prettier than your pictures, and your voice is as equally lovely.” He placed a finger on top of the blade. “The stories about you say you have stopped the world from ending several times.”
“First of all it wasn’t just me,” Buffy said as she lowered the scythe. “Xander helped several times. In fact he did it all by himself once.”
Xander couldn’t help but to feel proud at the words.
“I can see why he is the leader here,” Dandridge said. He was looking deeply into Buffy’s eyes as he talked. “Now let’s talk more about you.”
“What is this?” Buffy asked. “Are we meeting at a bar and secondly I didn’t get to my main secondly yet. Where did you get pictures of me?” She narrowed her eyes at the direction of Spike.
“Not me this time pet,” Spike said. “And if Angel wasn’t busy being a tosser I’d accuse him.”
“I got it from an old friend of yours,” Dandridge said.
“Why are you so interested in me?” Buffy asked.
“You are the queen of the Slayers.”
“We have no queen,” Buffy said “We just have an organization and they look at me as a leader.”
“A leader,” Dandridge said as he walked around her. “A mere leader is not a name worthy to bestowed upon you. You are more than a leader.”
“So maybe we should come up with an official title of leadership,” Buffy said as she stared back into his eyes. “Once I’m done here we will brainstorm for official names, pick the ones we like the best and then have a vote on it.”
“This isn’t good,” Charley said. “He’s putting his control on her.”
“Buffy stop staring into his eyes,” Xander shouted and was silenced when a hand was placed over his mouth.
“You don’t have to do anything that you don’t want to do,” Dandridge told her. “It is your choice what you do.” He reached out to stroke her hair.
Buffy smacked away his hand. “Do those lines ever work?” She picked up the scythe and pointed it at the ancient vampire. “Sorry Jer, but you should try your charms on someone who hasn’t already done this dance before.”
“I see it is going to take a lot to win you over,” Dandridge said.
“More like nothing,” Buffy said. “No more words.”
“If you insist,” Dandridge said as he snapped his fingers and threw something on the ground. More things were thrown on the ground and black smoke swelled around them.
“Rissa,” Xander shouted. “Do that spell again.” The same spell as before was shouted and several glowing blue lights were retreating. “Attack the lights.” He ran after one of the glowing lights and staked the vampire from behind.
The smoke drifted away and Dandridge was gone as was several of the other vampires. There were cars screeching away and other vampires jumping into the other vehicles.
“That’s right,” Spike shouted after him. “Keep on running like the bloody cowards that you are.”
Xander didn’t look at the retreating vampires. He only looked at Buffy who seemed annoyed. “Buffy, thank the lord you are here.”
“Xander,” Buffy said. She handed the scythe to Rowena and ran up to him. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too,” Xander said as he embraced her
“Nice timing B,” Faith said.
“Faith,” Buffy pulled away from Xander. “We don’t hug do we?”
“And we are not going to start,” Faith said as she held up her fist. “But we can bump.”
“Bumping is fine,” Buffy said as she bumped her fist against Faith’s.
“What are we going to do now?” Lyra asked. She sounded pissed off and she seemed to give Buffy the stink eye for some reason.
“We are going to go back to the house,” Xander instructed the Avengers. “You kids go on ahead. The rest of us will catch up.” He turned back to Buffy. “How did you find out where we were?”
“Drusilla told me when we arrived at your place,” Buffy explained. “And we kind of borrowed the limousine.” She pulled the keys out of the pocket. “I hope the owner doesn’t mind.”
“We should ask him,” Xander said and turned to Charley. “Charley, do you mind that Buffy and her team borrowed the limo?”
“No problem,” Charley said with a wide smile.
“That settled,” Xander said. “Let’s go home.”
-
Jerry landed in front of his house after shifting forms. He finally was able to meet with the enchanting Buffy and she was Lucinda reincarnated. She even sounded like her past self.
“I take it everything went well?” Ethan asked. He was waiting outside the door with a bright shiny green apple.
“Everything went quite well,” Jerry said as he snatched the apple out of Ethan’s hand. “She was everything you said she would be.” She was and she was much more.
“You have met her?” Ethan asked in a worried tone. “Buffy Summers is here?”
“She is indeed.” He took a bite from the apple. “The plan is so far set into place.” He walked in and saw Abigail sitting on the floor. “Is it set up?”
“Everything has been set,” Abigail said as she stared at the stones in front of her. “Depends on if the minions have tagged any of the friends of the teen slayer.”
“We won’t know for certain until it has been activated.” He took a bite from the apple.
Abigail hovered her hands over the crystals and chanted one of them started to glow with a violet light.
“One of them has been tagged.” He had instructed one of the minions to place a tiny gemstone one of the teenagers and to make sure they get it on exposed skin. The crystal will stay even if they scrub the area for several hours and act as a homing signal for them.
“Everything is set into place,” Abigail said. “We have hired the human goons. I will go with them tomorrow.”
“Good and has the plane tickets been purchased?” He took another bite from his apple.
“They have.”
He smiled. It won’t be long and he will be reunited with his Lucinda.
-
By the time Charley’s group had returned to the house he could see that the teens were already seated and drinking either soda or warm cups of tea or cocoa. Lyra was still in her costume although she had removed her gloves and did not put her mask back on.
“Welcome home,” Dru said when she looked up. “What would you care to drink?”
“Just more blood,” Charley requested as he sat down next to Lyra. “How are you?”
“Good and tired,” Lyra said before she yawned. “It is a school night.”
“That’s right,” Charley said. He wasn’t sure when the high schools in the area were going to hold their spring break. “How did you convince your parents?”
“I snuck out the window,” Lyra explained. “I managed to bribe Lina to help her cover for me. I didn’t tell her the truth though. She thinks we are together.” She blinked. “On a date together, not facing off against a bunch of vampires together.”
The door opened and the group of Slayers entered the house, all following Buffy who was arguing with Spike.
“Here you are,” Dru said as she handed Charley his cup of blood and went on to play hostess to the Slayers.
“Maybe if you weren’t so stubborn-“ Spike had started but was immediately cut off by Buffy.
“Spike, it’s late,” Buffy said. “I had a horrible flight. I nearly thought Willow’s disguise spell on the scythe was going to fail at check in. I’m suffering from a bit of jet lag and I had some arrogant vampire try to seduce me. I do not want to hear about it.” She spun around and nearly bumped into Dru. “Sorry, Dru, I didn’t see you there.”
“What would you like to drink?” Drusilla asked.
“Just a glass of water would be fine,” Buffy said and walked up to the Avengers who were introducing themselves to the other Slayers. “Let’s see a bit tall, strawberry blond hair and carries around nunchuck stakes. You must be Tyler.”
“Good evening Ms Summers,” Tyler greeted.
“I want to personally thank you,” Buffy said.
“Thank me?” Tyler blinked and pointed his thumb at himself.
“Your ideas for some of the weapons you helped make,” Buffy said. “They are quite genius and impressed a lot of us. We have made our own Ninja crosses and Holy hand grenades.”
“Thank you, or should I say your welcome?” Tyler asked.
“I understand what you are trying to say. I think.” She turned to Ace. “You have to be Ace. I hope you learned your lesson.”
“I have,” Ace said. “Hard to sleep at night, chairs are not quite comfortable anymore and hard to explain to my mother why she finds large black feathers in the house. Although the flying almost makes it worth it.”
Buffy just stared at him. “I’ll forget the last part if you forget the fact that I was temporarily wowed at your being able to fly.”
“Deal.”
Buffy turned to Rissa and Ronnie. “Willow wants to speak with both of you on the net. Rissa, you have impressed her with your magic skills, you should still listen to your friends when they tell you a certain spell might be too risky.”
“What if I have to do it though?” Rissa asked. “What if it’s a do or die, all or nothing, save the day or else kind of spell?”
“Consult with Willow,” Buffy told her. “And Ronnie, Willow wants to speak with you about your hacking and computer skills.”
“Just give me her e-mail, instant messenger handles, Facebook page, Myspace page, blog, Deviant Art name, Fan fiction account names, Gaia Online name and everything.”
“Her Gaia account is Geeker Joi,” Spike shouted. “With Joy spelled with an I.”
“How would you know?” Buffy asked. She shook her head. “Never mind. I just hope you two will contact her.” She approached Charley and Lyra. “The costumed Slayer.”
“The leader of the Slayer Organization,” Lyra said coolly.
Buffy was taken aback by her attitude. “I’m sorry?”
“Nothing,” Lyra said.
“If you are worried that I’m going to force you to come back to Scotland with us when this is over you have nothing to worry about. I can see how connected you are to this place and to your friends. When there was only one Slayer in the world at a time it was just them and their Watcher and they didn’t live long. I think the reason why I have lived as long as I have is because of my friends.” She paused. “Granted I died twice, but my friends brought me back. Lyra, your friends are an important part of the team. You don’t have to be with a Slayer cell to be a part of the organization and you don’t have to be a Slayer.”
“The Avengers can join?” Lyra asked. Her tone of voice had softened.
“Yes they can. In fact I feel as they already are.”
“What about Charley?”
Charley held up his hand to say hello as he continued to sip his blood.
“We have other Vampiri Draculae in our ranks,” Buffy said as she smiled at him.
“What?” Charley and Lyra asked.
“Giles felt like there should be an official classification between the two vampires,” Buffy explained. “The ones that Slayers are used to fighting are called Vampiri Demonica and the new kind are Vampiri Draculae.”
“That does sound fitting,” Charley said.
“A vampire and a Slayer in love with each other,” Buffy said. “I have sung this song before, twice in fact. I wonder if I should start asking for royalties.” She turned to Lyra. “Not to say I can’t blame you when a dashing mystery guy who is an incredible piece of eye candy.” She glanced at Charley. “Or in your case the whole eye dessert cart, not that I’m trying to hit on your or anything.”
“I understand,” Charley said and was thankful he couldn’t blush.
“I do feel sorry for you,” Buffy said to him. “As soon as we can catch another live Mohra demon we will send you the blood.”
“Thank you,” Charley said. “I’m not sure how it would effect the Draculae kind though.”
“We still have to try,” Lyra said.
“I do like the costume thing you got going there,” Buffy said as she pointed at Lyra. “I’m surprised none of us ever thought of something like that although I kinda want to make a no capes joke, but I really should go to bed before I say something stupid.”
“There is plenty of room,” Charley said. “Even if you have to bunk two to a room there is still plenty.” He turned to Lyra. “You and the rest of the team should go home. You have school tomorrow.”
“And it’s Early day,” Lyra said.
“They start classes earlier that day?” Buffy asked. “That’s insane, that’s un-American.”
“No, we get out of school an hour early,” Lyra explained. “Good night.”
“Good night,” Charley said to her and kissed her.
-
Good thing it was a Wednesday. Lyra wasn’t sure if she would be able to make it through any other day and she barely made it through today. She kept drifting off through first period and since Ms. Noxon played a movie about the first World War in history class, Lyra took a nap.
“What are we doing today?” Lyra asked as she and Ronnie walked home.
“Fighting Dandridge wise or what?” Ronnie asked as she scratched at the back of her neck. She had been scratching that spot all day and Lyra wondered if she had a rash or if something had bit her.
“Whatever.”
“Do some homework,” Ronnie said. “Send an E-mail to Willow, meet up in the training room, return home for dinner, don’t think I’ll be helping out with any patrolling tonight.”
“Sounds about right,” Lyra said in between yawns. “First I’m taking a nap.”
“Yeah. I think I will do that too.”
“Buffy does seem kind of interesting,” Lyra said after a few minutes. “Now with all of these extra Slayers we are more than a match for Dandridge.”
“What do you think he wants with Buffy?” Ronnie asked.
“Probably the same thing Regine wanted with Xander.” There was no doubt in Lyra’s mind with what Dandridge wanted to do with Buffy. The look he was giving the older Slayer was the same look Regine had cast on Xander.
“Buffy’s too smart and too tough to fall for his tricks,” Ronnie said. “Slayer resistance is awesome.”
“You can say that again.”
“Slayer resistance is awesome.”
“We are so fatigued.” She yawned again just as a car pulled up to the curb.
“That’s her,” a man said as he jumped out of the car. He and another ran up to Lyra and Ronnie.
“Hey,” Lyra shouted as one of the men shoved her to the ground.
“Lyra!” Ronnie shouted as the other man grabbed her.
“Ronnie,” Lyra gasped as she sprung up.
The man that pushed her socked her hard in the nose before he jumped for the car.
“No you don’t.” Lyra ignored the pain in her nose the blood that was trickling out and jumped at the man. She grabbed at the bottom of his shirt as he slid in the car and it started driving.
“Slam the door,” one of the other men said.
The man that had attacked Lyra punched her hard in the arm and closed the door when she let go.
Lyra cursed herself and continued to run after the car. Her eyes were focused on the license plate as she chased after it and didn’t stop until the car was too far away. She closed her eyes and cried as she reached for her phone.
-
Charley woke up to the sound of knocking on his coffin. “I’m up.” He grumbled as he unlocked the lid and pushed it open. He blinked as he stared at Spike who was knocking on Evil’s coffin. There would only be a few reasons that the older vampire would be knocking on their coffins like that and they all meant the same, trouble.
“What’s going on?” Ed asked after he had opened his lid.
“Drink up as fast as you can,” Spike said as he handed them their mugs of blood. “Ronnie’s been kidnapped.”
“What?” It was a good thing Charley wasn’t drinking when he had heard the news or else he would have spat some of the blood out in shock.
“You heard me the first time,” Spike said as he rushed from the room.
Charley didn’t even take a sip and ran with his mug out of the room and into the living room where everyone had gathered. He ran straight up to Lyra who was crying hysterically.
“I called the police and told her parents,” Lyra said between sobs. “I’m pathetic.”
“No you are not,” Faith was trying to console her. “You did everything you could.”
“It’s not good enough,” Lyra said. Her nose looked slightly swollen
“Lyra what happened exactly?” Charley asked. He had only taken one sip from his mug. “Tell me everything.”
“Ronnie and I were walking home,” Lyra tried to explain. “All of sudden this car pulled up. One of them shoved me and punched me in the face and the other one grabbed Ronnie and pulled her into the car. I tried to rescue her but the other guy punched me in the arm and I couldn’t hold on. I couldn’t hold on.” She buried her faced into his chest.
“Shhh,” Charley said in a comforting voice. “You did more than other people would have done in your situation.”
“Obviously weren’t vampires,” Ed said and took a drink from his mug.
“She already told the police and gave them the license number of the car,” Tyler said in a low tone. He was pissed.
“They already caught the driver,” Ace said. His wings were rustling. They did that whenever he was tense.
“What did they find out from him?” Xander asked.
Ace took a deep breath. “He said they don’t want ransom money cause they were already paid when they dropped the girl off. He also wasn’t going to rat out his employer or his associates.”
“Dandridge is the employer,” Charley said. He was sure of it.
“Why does he want Ronnie?” Ed asked. He had a blood mustache.
“He doesn’t want her,” Faith said as she spun her stake around. “He wants B.”
“Jerry Dandruff is going to be in a bit of a surprise then,” Buffy said
Drusilla walked into the room. “Charley, someone is calling for you.”
“I think I know who it is,” Charley said. He kissed the top of Lyra’s head before he separated from her. “Thank you, Dru.” He stormed straight up to the phone. “Hello, Jerry.” He told the studio to give the home number to J.D. in case he called again.
“You were expecting me after all, Charley,” Jerry answered.
“Where is Ronnie?”
“She’s safe. Still human and has yet to be bit by anyone,” Jerry said. “Of course her safety depends on if I get what I want.”
“I know who you want.”
“It would be a simple exchange. I’ll send the car to the pancake house where you showed me your immortality. She gets in and comes here and I will release the girl.”
“Do you know what you are getting into?”
“This is not your place to ask such a question,” Jerry said. “The car will be there in an hour. If Buffy Summers is not there I will have the girl killed.”
“Let me talk to him,” Buffy said and held out her hand.
“Here,” Charley handed the phone to her. He wasn’t certain how Buffy was going to talk her way out of this one.
“Hi Jerry it’s me, remember how I threatened you the other night?” She frowned as she listened. “I don’t know when or how you got this little crush but get over it. It just won’t work between us.” She was silent for a while. Her scowl melted away and was replaced with worry. “No weapons and no friends?” She was quiet again. “You’re right I don’t have a choice. I’ll be there.”
“What are you doing?”
Buffy sighed before she hung the phone up. “I’m giving him what he wants”
-