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LONDON: 21 CENTURY
Buffy stood in front of the Mirror and sighed. Why didn’t they see it before? If they had, then so many things would be different. So much pain that they had endured over the past several weeks would have never occurred. Xander, Giles and her mom would still be alive...
“And they still might be,” Buffy whispered, “if this works.”
“If what works, Buffy,” Wesley asked, limping next to her.
Slowly, one by one, the remainder of her family, and friends entered the room, where the Looking Glass was being kept. Buffy looked around at the many eyes that were focused on her, and sighed. They all looked to her for guidance, now. She was the only Slayer ever to retire....she was their friend, their sister....their hope.
But Buffy didn’t feel much like their hope and salvation. The true power laid in the Mirror, and its will. And it was only now willing her to make things right.
“Guys,” she started, as soon as the last of the stragglers came in, “with everything that’s happened so far, what is the one thing that’s remained a constant in all three timelines?”
“Um,” Stuart said, “that everything we do only screws things up even more.”
Buffy gave her little brother a hard glare, “Yes...but no. Look, this entire mess is focused on three people. Mom, Giles...”
“And Wolf,” Wesley finished, beginning to understand, “Wolf is the constant. He was in Scotland when the mirror was first activated, splitting him in two. Then in Sunnydale, when your mother and Mr. Giles were pulled in. And in this timeline, he was responsible for their deaths, and the death of Xander...then he entered the mirror himself.”
“Right,” Stuart said, shaking his head, “but, in this timeline he’s a full fledge evil vamp. Back in Scotland...”
“The vamp part of him was good,” Buffy nodded, “So, maybe something happens to rejoin him...making him a true vampire. Something with the mirror.”
“Well, what do we do?”
Buffy paced the room. It was a strange mix of magic and technology, thanks to Willow, their Techno-Mage. Buffy was still trying to come to grips with the mixing of magic and science, but her best friend had proven over the years, that it was not only possible, but a very good means to fight in the Demon Wars. The Slayer sat down on a metal table, pushing aside several computer components, and a pile of sage. She had to convince them that what she was proposing was not insane, nor a desperate attempt to save the ones they loved. And the only way to do that....was through honesty.
“I have to go back,” she said, waiting for the fireworks to begin.
Three seconds later...it did.
“Guys! Guys!!” she urged, trying to retain order, “Please, let me explain!”
“You can’t go,” Stuart said, angrily, “the Mirror won’t allow it. Remember?”
“Yes, it will,” she said sadly, “I saw a vision in the Mirror. Every one was there...then there was a new face...my face. I don’t know what my role was...is...will be....damn, I hate this time travel stuff. All I know, is that both Wolfs must to be present near the Mirror when the eclipse comes. He has to be made whole again.”
“So, why can’t Cam and Robbie figure that one out,” Stuart said, trying to hold back his tears. He spoke for everyone in the room. “I don’t want to lose you. I love you, Sis.”
“Oh, Stu,” Buffy said through heartbroken tears, “I love you too. All of you. But the Mirror showed me what has to be done. And if we can stop Wolf in Scotland...then nobody will die. I have to do this, guys. Besides, when this is over, then I’ll be back.”
“But what if the Mirror doesn’t let you come back,” Wesley pointed out.
“That’s a risk I’m willing to take.”
“You’re not the Slayer anymore!” Stuart yelled.
“No,” she bit back, “but I’m still capable of fighting evil. And if I don’t...we may never see them alive again!”
As they were arguing the Mirror began to glow. Everyone turned to the Glass and peered at the sight. There, standing in the cave, was Buffy....
“It’s not fair,” Stuart sniffed, turning away from the scene.
Buffy walked over to her remaining siblings, and held Stuart tightly, “I know,” she cried, “I know. But, it’s the only way.”
Wesley looked down at the floor and said, “Buffy, in my heart I know you’re right...but...”
“Yeah,” she nodded, making her way to the Mirror, “story of my life. Don’t worry...I’m going to do everything I can to make this right.” The Looking Glass glowed, as though it was inviting her, “And I will be back.”
Buffy Summers, stepped through the shimmering glass, and disappeared into the past.
****** MORT GRANGE: SCOTLAND
Giles moaned and tried to sit up. He was feeling somewhat better then he had before, but he was still very sore, and weak. The past day had been a blur to him, and he wasn’t even sure what day it was. All he knew was that he longed to be back home, with Joyce, and his new life.
“Joyce,” he called out, looking around the room, “Joyce, love?”
“Right here, honey,” Joyce smiled, sitting next to him, “How are you feeling?”
“Better, I think,” Giles gave a pained smile.
Joyce cuddled next to him, pushing his hair away from his forehead, “Well, believe me...you look a damn site better than you did yesterday.”
So, he was unconscious for an entire day.
“When is the eclipse due?” he asked, trying to calculate it in his head.
Joyce thought for a moment and said, “Tonight, I think.”
“Tonight?!” he exclaimed, propping himself up, “Are you sure?”
“Well, that’s what Robert and Cameron said,” Joyce explained. She then helped him to sit up, “Rupert, what happens now?”
“I’m not sure,” he said, climbing out of bed, and standing on shaky legs, “If I only knew what the Mirror wanted from us... Where are the others?”
“Down with the Mirror, last time I checked,” Joyce grinned, “The boys are just as stumped. ‘The Boys’. I can’t believe we are going to have a big family. And they’re so handsome too...”
“Joyce, love,” Giles sighed, “this is all providing we escape all this. If not, our ‘Boys’ might cease to exist.”
Joyce helped him up and led him to the door, “I never thought that. We’d better see if we can help.”
****** “Cammie I’m telling you,” Robert argued, “I don’t think the Mirror should be kept here so close to the eclipse.”
“And I’m telling you,” Cameron growled, “We shouldn’t move it. Right now, the Mirror is safe. If we move it, then we run the risk of it being stolen again!”
“Oh please,” Robert grumbled, “You were never the one to play it safe! You know yourself that the final events of the Mirror, took...takes...will take place....argh, I really hate time travel! It will take place in the cave.”
“And how the Bloody Hell do you know that wasn’t the problem in the first place?!” Cameron shouted back, “What if, when we move the Mirror, it causes the entire mess?”
“And what if,” Robert countered, “us not moving it, will cause even more problems?”
“Robert! Cameron! Boys!!!” Joyce shouted, getting in the middle of the two, “You two are giving me a headache! Do you always over analyze everything?”
Robert and Cameron back down immediately upon hearing their mother’s voice. This Joyce Summers may be the younger version of their mother...but she was no less formidable.
Giles stood in the entrance to the room and smiled, wistfully to himself. Yep...this was definately a woman he could spend the rest of his life with. “What do we know so far?” He asked his future sons, “Or should I ask, what do *you* know so far?”
“Dad?” Robert said, quickly moving to his father’s side, “You should be resting. You’re still not well.”
Giles waved his hand and walked over to the Mirror, “Nonsense. I’m feeling better, and we don’t have very much time left. Now, I ask you two again...what do you know so far?”
At that moment, the Looking Glass began to shimmer and glow. Robert quickly pulled Giles away from the Mirror, as Cameron held onto his mother. A fierce wind kicked in, forcing everyone in the room to cover their eyes, for protection. When the wind died down, Giles noticed a woman standing in front of the Glass. She almost looked like an older version of...
“Buffy?” Joyce whispered, moving slowly toward the woman, “Buffy, is that you?”
“Buffy.” Robert shook his head, “What the Hell are you doing here?! I thought you couldn’t pass through the Mirror? What is going on?”
Joyce looked into the blonde woman’s eyes and choked back tears, “Oh, my sweet...it’s really you!” She embraced her daughter, as though, if she let go, she would never see her again, “Look at you!” she cried, “You’re all grown up. How? Are you still a Slayer? Did you finish college? Are you married?”
“Mom,” Buffy hugged her mother, almost as hard. She allowed her tears to fall freely down her face. It was several days since she saw her mother alive...and it seemed like ages since she saw her this young. This was the Joyce Summers of her youth. “Oh, Mom,” she said, “you....you look great! And, the rest...is a long story....”
“One in which we have little time to explain, big sister,” Cameron hinted.
“Right,” she said, springing into action, “We have to move the Mirror to the cave before the eclipse....in...” she looked at her watch, “six hours.” She caught a look of triumph in Robert’s eye, as he grinned at Cameron.
“Why?” Giles asked, trying not to show the pain he was in.
Buffy turned to Giles, who was sitting on the sofa. He looked so tired and pale....but at least he was alive. Which was something she had so longed for. “The Mirror showed me how to correct the damaged done to the timeline.”
“How do you propose to do that?” a voice asked.
The former Slayer turned to the direction of the voice and couldn’t believe her eyes. There standing in the doorway was a much older Giles and...
“Mom?” she blinked, “Giles?” Then turning back to the other Giles she said, “See? This is why. Two Giles. Two of my mom. And two Wolfs. We really need to get things straight. And fast. We also have to bring both Wolfs with us...”
“There’s a problem with that, love,” Cameron said, “One of the two Wolfs, is a vampire. We can’t travel in the day time with him. And if we wait ‘till the Eclipse...it will be too late.”
“I know,” Buffy said, trying to think, “We need a carriage...something that’s covered.”
“Damn,” the older Giles sighed.
“What?” Buffy asked.
“We had a carriage,” Robert said, “we left it on the road. Stuck in the mud. Why is it when you don’t think you’ll need something...you always do?”
“You never lived on the Hellmouth,” Buffy grinned.
“That still doesn’t solve our transportation problem,” Giles said, wincing from the pain in his shoulder. The longer he was awake, the weaker, and sicker he was feeling. He only hoped that he could protect his beloved Joyce, should the need arise.
Buffy sat down next to Giles and gave him a small hug, “You okay?” she whispered in his ear, “I mean....really okay?”
Giles avoided her eyes, not saying a word. That was all Buffy needed to know that he was NOT doing well, “When things go down,” she said to him, “I want you and Mom to stay out of the way. Understand me?”
Giles smiled, “Understood.”
“Okay,” Buffy said, going into Slayer mode, “Cammie, I need you to find us some kind of transport for Vamp Wolf. Robbie...help me move the Mirror. It’s gotten a lot heavier since last I remember. Giles...both of you....stay put with....um...both Moms....I’m really gonna need some time off after this.”
Buffy and Robert began the task of moving the Mirror out of the room. She was joined by Amanda, who was more than willing to help. Malcolm went off with Cameron to prepare an old, worn out carriage that was in the stable. Leaving both Giles’ and Joyce’s in the room alone.
The elder Giles turned to his Joyce and whispered, “Is this what the Mirror wants?”
Joyce sighed, “That I can’t tell you. I wish I could.”
He took her hand and said firmly, “I lost you once. I’m not going to lose you again, no matter what. But, is the only way we can be together, in that blasted mirror? And if we’re there...will we...you know...be together?”
“Existence in the Looking Glass,” Joyce replied, “is not like anything you have ever known. Will we be together? Yes. Will it be the same? No. That’s all I can say.”
“Can you stay here with me?” Giles pleaded, “Here in Scotland?”
Joyce tilted her head slightly, as though she was weighing her response, “Maybe,” then added, when she saw the elation on her lover’s face, “if someone took my place.”
The elder Giles walked over to the window, and looked out over to the stables, where the split Wolf was being held, “I think that could be arranged.”
****** “There,” Malcolm said, wiping his hands clean, “I believe that should do it.” Turning to Vampire Wolf, who was watching his imprisoned self, he asked, “What do you think?”
The soulful vampire turned away from his other self, trying to ignore the ugly rants coming from his mouth and nodded, “It should work fine.”
“And I hope we leave soon,” Cameron snorted at the other, more aggressive Wolf, “Or else, I’m going to smack him senseless.”
“Let’s load up,” Buffy said, as her, Amanda and Robert, carried the heavy mirror onto the back of the carriage, “Man, this is heavy.”
“So many travelers have entered,” Cameron deduced, “increasing it’s magical mass. Thank goodness we didn’t send anymore of us through...we might never have been able to life the damn thing.”
“You won’t succeed,” human Wolf spat, “You’ll fail, and the Mirror will be lost forever!”
“Oh, do shut up!” Robert sighed, tossing the bound man into the carriage.
****** SUNNYDALE: PRESENT DAY
“So what now?” Buffy asked, as she watched the group load up and head off.
She could see her mother say goodbye to Morag, and little Meg, and wondered...was history changing again. What about the diary that told about the deadly attack on Mort Grange? The group began to set out, and stopped. Something was wrong.
“Something’s wrong,” Buffy and Minnie said. Both Slayers looked at one another...
“What is it?” Guin asked, “I don’t see...”
“Look!” Xander said, pointing at the images that appeared in the Mirror.
****** JUST OUTSIDE OF MORT GRANGE: SCOTLAND
A horse raced up to the group, and stopped right before Malcolm. The man saddled on the tired steed was in just as worse condition as his mount, but was determined to deliver his message. “Mr. Malcolm,” the young man puffed, “I have terrible news!”
“What is it laddie?” Malcolm asked.
As he spoke, the rest of the travelers join him to greet the messenger. “It is about Lord Ferguson,” the man continued, “we where searching for his darling Meg, and...oh, heaven help us...”
“Just say it,” Malcolm insisted.
“We were set upon by creatures of the night,” he cringed, as though he were reliving the nightmare, “It was horrible! I barely made it away alive.”
“And Master Ferguson?” Malcolm asked, with growing concern, “what has become of him?”
“I suspect, nothing good,” the elder Giles suggested.
“Aye,” the young man nodded, “Ach! Tis a terrible thing. Now his lordship will never see his lass and little one again. And we will never find her.”
“Meg is safe,” Malcolm reassured, “She was returned by these good people.”
“Yes,” Giles said, rubbing his sore shoulder, “They’re both safe...”
“But for how long?” the elder Giles finished.
“Right,” Cameron reigned his horse, “I’m going back to get them out of the house before the eclipse.”
“Cammie,” Robert objected, “are you sure that’s a good idea? If you don’t make it to the cave in time...”
“Don’t worry, big brother,” Cameron smiled, “I’ll get them out, and still beat you all to the caves.” He paused and asked, “Which is in which direction, please?”
“I know where they are,” Amanda offered, “I’ll go back with him, then lead him to the caves.”
“Good lass,” Malcolm smiled, “Now we must hurry....time is growing short.”
****** Father Ramsey hid in the thick brush, off the side of the road, as the travelers passed by. He couldn’t believe his luck. They were bringing the Mirror to the caves! Just as it should be. Now, he thought to himself, all he had to do was bide his time...
“We must follow them,” Ramsey said to his three hired thugs, “But as not to be seen.”
“All of this trekking about,” one of the men complained, “better pay off.”
“It will,” Ramsey smiled, “It will.”
****** SUNNYDALE: PRESENT DAY
“I feel like I’m watching a movie,” Cordelia complained, “One that’s in subtitles. What’s going on now? I don’t understand. I thought the cave was a bad thing. Why are they bringing the Mirror there? And wouldn’t you know that?” she asked turning to Buffy, who was enthralled by the appearance of her older self.
“Yeah,” Xander chimed in, “If you’re here...and you went back there....wouldn’t you already know what was going to happen in the future...past...okay, I just confused myself.”
“Your right,” Oz pointed out to his friend, “in theory, Buffy should have known what her future self was going to do in the past. But she...you...don’t.”
“Okay,” Buffy shrugged, “Why not?”
“Perhaps,” Wesley chimed in, “the Mirror wouldn’t allow those memories to surface.”
“Or perhaps,” Wolf growled, rattling the cage, “none of you knows what the Hell your talking about.”
“SHUT UP!!!” everyone in the room shouted.
“Look,” Angel said, pointing to the Mirror, “something’s happening again...”
****** OUTSIDE THE CAVE: SCOTLAND
Buffy and Robert unloaded the Mirror and heading inside the cave. “Okay, Sis,” Robert said, once they were alone, “What’s the sitch?”
Buffy smiled. It was strange hearing a Southern Californian phrase spoken with an English accent, but for Robbie...it just seemed right, “What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean,” he glared at his big sister, “Why are we in the caves? You know yourself about the dangers involved with this. You know the history. So, why did you bring us here?”
Buffy stopped and looked at her younger brother. There were times in which he knew her better than she did. And lying would was been a wasted effort. “The Looking Glass showed me.” she explained. “It wanted me to bring it here. Robbie, do you remember when the Mirror was uncovered? It was back when I was nineteen. Do you know where it was uncovered?”
“A remote cave in...” Robert struck his head with his hand, “Of course! We have to bring it here, because this is where it will be hidden until it’s rediscovery and shipment to Dad! But what of the risks? We all know what’s to come...”
“I know,” Buffy sighed, “But time’s a funny thing. It’s always changing.”
“Unhand me this instant!” Wolf Ferguson bellowed, struggling against his captors, as they brought him into the cave.
“Look,” the elder Giles growled, “you will either shut up...or I will shut you up! Permanently!”
“It’s only two hours until the eclipse,” Joyce warned, “Where is Cameron?”
****** Cameron and Amanda raced into the large house. Morag looked at the young man and woman with concern, “What is it?” she asked.
“We have to get you and Meg out of here,” Cameron instructed, “The forces of darkness will be paying you all a visit here, as soon as the sun goes down.”
“Yes,” she said, “but by then, my Gussey will be back. He and his men can protect us.”
“Master Ferguson,” Amanda said, matter-a-factly, “has fallen prey to them. He will be coming for you.”
Morag shook her head in disbelief, “Nay, that canna be true. My Gussey would never...”
“It was not his fault,” the young man, who rode along with them said, “There were too many of them.”
Morag collapsed on the floor. Tears flowed down her cheeks like waterfalls of sorrow. Her beloved husband...a victim of the darkness. When Meg came in to see her mother, Morag held her daughter close to her breast, and gently swayed.
“Great,” Cameron sighed, to Amanda, “We don’t have the time for this.”
“Aye,” she agreed, “we don’t.” Then kneeling next to the grieving woman, she said, “I know this is hard fer ye. When I lost my dear Watcher, I thought all was gone. But you must come with us, or your husband’s death with be for nothing. Please.”
Morag looked at both of them with blank eyes. She had lost so much, and yet...if she didn’t go with them, she would lose so much more, “Aye,” she nodded, through the tears, “Let me get Meg dressed.”
“Thank you,” Cameron said, relieved, “I’m going to tell the others to vacate as soon as possible.”
Minutes later, Carmeron, Amanda, Morag and Meg, said goodbye to the house and left. Meg road with Amanda, while Morag sat behind Cameron, on his horse. As they set out she tapped him on the shoulder, “I have a small question fer ye.”
“Yes?”
“Have ye ever ridden a horse before?”
Cameron paused, then shrugged, “Enough to get by.”
Morag sighed, as the broke into a gallop, “Glory help up.”
****** INSIDE THE CAVES: SCOTLAND
Back at the caves, Buffy and Robert finished the preparations for the eclipse. Joyce, help Giles into the area, and sat down next to him on a large rock. He might have been in better shape, but the travel took a lot out of him. He was tired, and visibly in pain.
The elder Giles and his Joyce, stood by the entrance, alone. He kept looking over at the two Wolfs, with almost desperate eyes.
Robert noticed this and turned to his older sister, “I know he’s our Dad, sort of,” he whispered, “but, I don’t trust him.”
“He’s been through a lot Robbie,” Buffy whispered back, “Tragedy changes lives.”
“Yeah,” he nodded, unable to take his eyes from the man, “But there’s something dangerous about him. He’s up to something.”
“Maybe,” she agreed, “Let’s keep an eye on him.”
“So,” Joyce called out, “What do we do now? I mean, what’s going to happen with the eclipse?”
Buffy walked over to her mother, and sat down next to her and Giles. It was so good to see them alive, and as she remembered when she was young. But, she knew that if things couldn’t change, then all this would only be a painful reminder of what she once had. “Mom,” she smiled, “When the time comes...we’ll know.” Then she shrugged, “I hope.”
“Me too honey,” she smiled, hugging her grown daughter, “But, not matter what happens...just knowing that you’re still alive, is all that counts.”
“Yeah,” Buffy smiled wistfully, “it’s a plus.”
Malcolm ran into the cave, “We have a problem,” he announced.
Buffy stood up immediately when she saw the look of concern mask his face, “What is it?”
Malcolm was about to speak when he was pushed aside by a very large man. Buffy quickly went into defense mode, when Father Ramsey entered next.
“The problem is,” Ramsey said calmly, “you don’t realize the importance of this mirror.” Buffy went to strike the clergyman, when she was stopped by a gun, aimed at her chest, “I wouldn’t, my dear. It would be a far better thing to give up the Mirror, than your life.”
The other’s started to help, but quickly realized they were out gunned. Giles stood up on shaky legs and began to approach Ramsey, “I understand your sorrow, and need to bring your Slayer back,” he tried to reason, “But this is not the answer. Your interference with the Mirror will further damage the timeline. You can’t bring her back.”
“Oh, yes I can,” Ramsey argued, looking at the slowly fading sun, “And soon you’ll see how.”
****** Cameron and Amanda rode as fast as they could, given the young Watcher’s inexperience with horses, and the fact that the roads where still muddy. Still, as fast as they went, he had a nagging feeling that they were just not going fast enough.
“Look at the sky!” Amanda reigned the horse to a stop, and pointed, “The sun is disappearing!”
“Yes,” Cameron said, quickly, “It’s called a Solar Eclipse. It’s when the moon passes in front of the Earth and Sun. And don’t look directly at it...you could damage your eyes.”
“So, day will become night,” Amanda deduced, “And the vampires?”
“Will be out in full force,” Cameron said, “Which means, we had better hurry.”
The sky grew darker, and an eerie feeling crept over them. Although it wasn’t a full eclipse, as yet, the sun was sufficiently hidden enough for...”
“Vampires!” Amanda shouted, pointing at a group of them, coming out of hiding.
“Oh my god!” Morag cried, “It’s me husband. It’s Gussey!”
Cameron could hear the group of undead talking among themselves, and several more, bringing out what could only be described as Demon Horses. The Watcher had never seen what could happen to animals, should they become infected with the demon soul. And, after seeing the ghostly, Death Steeds, he hoped he would never see them again.
“You were right about waiting here,” one of the vampires said to Gussey, “Easy pickings.”
Gussey spied his wife sitting on the back of the horse, and smiled, “And now, I’ll have my Morag back.”
Amanda went to jump down to fight, but was stopped by Cameron, “This is neither a good time, or place to fight,” he advised, “we are sorely out matched.” Then as the vampires mounted their Death Steeds, he shouted, “GO!! GO!!!!”
“The chase is on!” Gussey announced, as the unnatural creatures took off down the muddied road after their prey.
****** “We don’t have time for this,” Buffy whispered to Robert, “The eclipse is almost complete.”
Cameron leaned in close to his older sister and said, “I know. I wish there was a way we can disarm them, without risking Mum and Dad. But with those thugs pointing their pieces at them...I don’t see how...”
“Ow, my shoulder,” Giles cried out, slipping down to the dirt floor, “the pain is too great!”
Joyce knelt down by his side to try an comfort him, as the thug assigned to guard him moved in closer. Buffy grinned.
“It looks like Giles already figured out a way,” Buffy whispered, “follow my lead.”
In two seconds, all hell broke loose. Giles swung his hand up and threw a pile of dirt into the man’s face, while Joyce swung her leg out to trip him. At the same instant, Buffy and Robert rushed the two other men, tackling them to the ground. As his plans unraveled before him, Father Ramsey attempted to get control, by raising his gun, but was stopped by Malcolm and the elder Giles.
Vampire Wolf watch the events with great interest. He wanted to join in the fight, but he knew that guarding his other self was more important. Should he escape, time will never be returned to normal. So, he remained on the sidelines, waiting for the sun to finally disappear.
“Look,” Buffy said, kicking the large man in the gut, “go down already! Don’t make me kick you ‘till you bleed.”
The man grappled with her, throwing her against the cave wall with a loud thud.
“Okay,” Buffy said, rubbing her sore arm, “If you insist...”
Just as she was going to punch the man in the face, the room went completely dark. Everyone stopped in mid fight, and turned toward the Mirror. It began to glow brightly, and pulse. The three big strong men, that were putting up such a good fight, looked the mirror, then at each other....and ran out of the cave.
“Wait!” Ramsey cried out, “Come back! Come back!!! I’ll bring her back!!!!”
“I don’t think so,” the elder Giles, snorted, punching him in the nose, and sending the clergyman sprawling to the floor, unconscious.
“It’s starting,” Giles said, struggling to get to his feet.
“Great,” Robert said, “Where the HELL’s Cammie?!”
****** “They’re gaining!!!” Cameron shouted, as his horse sped forward.
The Death Steeds pounded the ground behind them, snorting, and huffing. Cameron knew that if they didn’t put an end to this soon, they would lead them right to the cave, and the Mirror. “We have to slay them!” he cried out over the noise of the chase.
“I told ye that before,” Amanda said, riding up close to him, “But did ye listen ta me? No! Can we switch places?”
“I’m not sure,” he said. Addressing Morag, he asked, “Can you ride?”
“Of course I can,” she said, almost insulted, “Anyone can.”
“Good,” Amanda shouted, “Mr. Cameron, climb over here, and I will hand little Meg over to ye. Ride to the caves...an we’ll catch up.”
“This is not a Western, Amanda,” Cameron argued, “That’s a dangerous stunt you’re proposing.’
“Aye, it is,” She said, sliding up onto the horse, “But do ye have a better idea? Without them catching up to us?”
“I see your point,” Cameron sighed, and inched over.
The horses galloped next to each other, almost to the point of touching, as Cameron swung his leg over the front of his steed. As he stretched his leg out to straddle the other horse, Morag grabbed the reigns, to steered the animal straight. For a moment, as he was caught between both beasts, he felt his legs stretch outward. The horses were moving away!
“Hey,” Cameron squawked, “do you mind?! You’re not trying to split a wishbone, you know!”
“Sorry,” Amanda said, as he finished his mount. As soon as Cameron was safely over, the Slayer handed Meg to her mother, and smacked the rear of the horse, “Now go! Go to the cave as fast a ye can!”
Cameron watched them tear off, and turned his own steed around. Amanda reached for a branch on a tree they passed. Breaking it off, she held it out as a jousting pole, telling Cameron to charge them. As they neared the vampire, the Watcher pulled out a stake from his pocket and reached out. Between them, they managed to impale two vampires on either side.
That would be their only chance on horse, as the five other vampires, including Gussey, knocked them down onto the ground. It only took them a couple of seconds to recover their wits. Amanda, being a Slayer, was ready for the fight a bit sooner than Cameron, but not by much.
“Ye can take a lot for a Watcher,” she observed.
“Yes, well...” Cameron paused, “Hey, how did you know...”
“A Slayer knows a Watcher when she spies him,” Amanda grinned, raising her stake, “but what I dinna understand,” she said, striking out at her first foe, “is what you are doing in the fight. Watchers don’t fight.”
Cameron blocked a blow from a vampire, and smiled, “Yes, well, Watchers in my time...are a bit more...involved.”
Cameron and Amanda fought side by side. Watcher, Slayer. Past, future. Under the dim glow of the eclipse, it was like poetry in motion. Amanda used pure Slayer strength, grace and cunning, while Cameron mixed brute force with a touch of magic he prepared before they left. In the end...all who remained was the Slayer...the Watcher...and...
“Tis far from over,” Gussey hissed, climbing onto his horse, “Make no mistake!”
As he began to ride off, Cameron shouted, “Stop him! We can’t let him get away!”
Amanda smiled, as raised her stake, “Tis not a problem,” throwing the stake with deadly accuracy she added, as Gussey exploded into dust, “See?”
Cameron looked at the horse galloping away, short a rider and laughed, “Quite.” As they climbed back onto their horse, he said, “You and Minnie would get along great.”
As they rode off, Amanda asked, “By the way....what’s a Western?”
****** SUNNYDALE: PRESENT DAY
Buffy was watching the events in the Mirror, when it suddenly went blank, “What the HELL?!”
“Hey, everything went dark,” Guin said, shaking her head, “What’s going on?”
“It’s begun,” Angel said, pointing to the now glowing mirror, “Time is changing.”
****** INSIDE THE CAVE: SCOTLAND
Vampire Wolf stood up and walked over to Buffy, “This is our only chance to become whole. But when that happens...I’m afraid, I might not be like this. If I am...well....a monster....”
“I know,” Buffy sighed. She was actually beginning to like this Wolf, and now...she would most likely have to slay him.
Wolf walked over to his other self and picked him up as though he weighed no more than that of a child’s rag doll. The man cursed and spit, and tried to struggle against him, “Let go of me! You can’t do this!”
The Mirror’s glow increased and radiated through out the cave. The elder Giles watched this closely, waiting for the right moment. As both Wolfs stood in front of the Mirror, the light began to engulf them, taking them in. At last things would be right.
Then...they both screamed....
...and became one.
****** SUNNYDALE: PRESENT DAY
Wolf, banged against the cage, shouting as loud as he could. He leaned back and smashed into the gate, throwing it open, and grabbing Guin. “You just made a fatal mistake, Watcher!” he hissed.
“Guin! NO!!!!” Buffy, and Minnie leaped to the rescue, only to be stopped by a strange sensation.
Wolf shimmered and blinked in and out of existence, until...
“He’s gone,” Wesley said stunned.
“They did it,” Guin said, rubbing her neck, “They changed history!”
****** INSIDE THE CAVE: SCOTLAND
Wolf turned around and shook his head, “I’m whole again,” he said, “And....I’m...”
“Human,” Specter Joyce announced, “The Mirror gave your life back to you. Now, what do you plan to do with it?”
“Make up for all my mistakes,” Wolf smiled, “Starting with dear Morag...”
“No,” elder Giles whispered with growing anger, “this isn’t supposed to happen! You’re supposed to be evil!”
He rushed Wolf, in the hopes of pushing him into the Mirror, but was stopped by his younger self. Both men slammed into the wall, struggling to gain the advantage, “What the Hell are you doing?!” Giles gritted his teeth, as he fought the older man.
“Leave me alone,” the older Giles shouted, hitting his younger self in his injured shoulder, “You don’t understand! You never lost her! I did! I can’t live without Joyce! And this is my only chance!”
Giles fell back, gripping his shoulder in pain, “So, you plan on sacrificing an innocent man, for your own benefit?” His vision clouded over for a moment from the agony he was feeling.
The elder Giles broke free and raced back toward Wolf. Only this time, his Joyce was standing between him and his plans, “Joyce, Love,” he pleaded, “get out of the way. I’m doing this because I love you. I don’t want to ever lose you again. Please.”
“No,” she said calmly, “I can’t let you do this. This was not what was meant to be.”
The Mirror began to glow even brighter. But now, it seemed be coming alive. The Mirror’s glass became like living fluid, swirling, and churning....and calling out to them.
Joyce looked at her Rupert, who was sitting back against the stone wall with his eyes closed. Then she looked at the older version of the man she loved. He looked so sad, and beaten. And, Joyce figured, he was...in a way. He had to live for so many years alone, without the woman he loved...
Woman he loved? That woman was her! And yet...
“Are you really me?” she asked the other version of herself.
The specter Joyce smiled softly and replied, “What do you think?”
Joyce walked over to the image of herself. She squinted as she tried to peer into the woman’s eyes. But the deeper she looked...the more she saw....
“Nothing,” she whispered, “it’s almost like I’m staring into a mirror when I look into your eyes. What are you?”
The elder Giles moved in close to his love, and held her protectively, “What are you taking about? Of course she’s you! She’s the Joyce who never had a chance to live. Who died far too young...”
The specter pulled away from Giles and smiled, “I am Joyce,” she said to him, then turning back to her other self, she added, “And I’m not. I am what you once were...and more. I am the Mirror.”
Everyone in the cave was speechless.
The older Giles held her, and stroked her golden hair, “But...you’re so.....you’re real.”
“Oh Rupert,” she sighed sadly, “I stopped being Joyce the moment I died. But all that was me, all of my memories...my heart and soul....will live forever,” she pointed to the Mirror, “in there.” She kissed Giles gently and said, “I can’t exist out here, but you can still be with me...”
“In the Mirror?”
“Yes.”
Giles turned to the group and looked sadly at them. An older Buffy, so beautiful and strong, and Robert, his eldest son. These were people he would never be able to see grow up....never be allowed to experience the joys of life with.
“I don’t really belong here now, do I?” he asked, already knowing the answer, “This isn’t my world anymore.” he turned to his Joyce and said, “I would love to join you. Just give me a moment.”
“Of course.”
He walked over to his younger self and looked down at the tired, injured man, “I’m sorry about the shoulder,” he apologized, “I guess I wasn’t thinking straight.”
Giles smiled and sighed, “I don’t blame you really. I imagine I wouldn’t do anything different, given the circumstances. After all...we are one in the same.”
“Yes we are,” he nodded, “but you have a chance that I never did. You have a chance at a long life with the woman you love. Don’t waste it.”
“I won’t.”
Specter Joyce took her lover’s hand in hers and addressed the group, “Once Rupert and I cross over, the Mirror will be open for those of you to return to your own time. But, only for as long as the sun and moon are one. Take care of each other. You’re all family.”
Buffy watched as they walked silently into the Mirror, disappearing into warm glow. In a strange way she felt saddened....as she waved goodbye to her Mother and Giles. They might not have been her parents, exactly...but in a way...
“How much time do we have?” Buffy said, shaking the sorrow from her mind.
Robert looked at his watch then peeked out of the cave and said, “Not much. Five minutes at the most. The moon is already beginning to pass.”
“Where the HELL is Cammie!?” Buffy said nervously, “I’m not leaving without him!”
“I’m going to look,” Robert offered. He was just about to exit the cave, when Morag and her daughter bumped into him, “Mrs. Ferguson? You’re here! Where’s Cameron?”
“We were set upon by...” she began trying not to cry, “by my husband. Mr. Cameron and dear Amanda fought them so we could escape. I almost didn’t find the cave. They aren’t here?”
“No,” Buffy sighed, “Damn! Cammie, why did you have to play the hero? Where did you get ambushed?”
“A little ways passed the Moors,” Morag said, “About twenty minutes ride from here.”
“Not enough time,” Giles said, “the Mirror will be closed by then.”
“I’m NOT leaving Cammie behind!” Buffy cried.
“Buffy,” Robert sighed, taking his sister’s hand, “We might not have a choice. We all knew the risks, when we crossed over. Cammie especially. We cannot risk losing all of us, for the sake of...”
“One?” a voice finished, “Giving up on me already, eh Robbie? You’re just jealous, that I’m the active Watcher in the family.”
“Cammie!” Buffy and Robert shouted, rushing their baby brother with open arms.
“Breathing,” Cameron gasped, “Breathing would be a good thing.”
After a minute of hugs of relief, Buffy hit the young Watcher in his shoulder, “Don’t you EVER do that to me again! Or, I’ll kill you myself!”
“Ouch! I’ll bear that in mind,” he saw the Mirror pulsating and asked, “Cutting this thing close are we?”
“Thanks to you,” Robert hissed, “Yes.”
“Right then,” he walked over to Malcolm, who was standing guard over Father Ramsey, and smiled, “You’re going to have one hell of a Slayer. Amanda is extremely capable...and talented . Good luck.”
“What’s going to happen to Father Ramsey?” Joyce asked.
Malcolm looked down at the broken man and sighed, “He should get a decent hearing with the Council. And with any luck...he’ll get the help and guidance he needs.”
“And the Mirror?” Giles asked, taking Joyce’s hand, “What’s to become of that?”
“Given the events,” Malcolm figured, “I’m sure it will remain safe here. After all...in one hundred and fifty years, it will be found again.”
“We really must be going,” Robert urged, seeing the sky growing brighter by the minute.
“Well,” Buffy said, “I suppose the Mirror knows what it’s doing...so we’ll all return to our own timelines. I guess we just...walk through it,” then turning to her mother and Giles she added, “I hate saying goodbye...so...I’ll see you in about three minutes.”
One by one they entered the Mirror, until it was only Giles and Joyce left. Joyce hesitated pulling on her lover’s hand, “What if we don’t remember any of this?” she asked, “What if, when we get back, none of this ever happened?”
Giles smiled and kissed her gently on her lips, “I don’t think the Looking Glass would have gone through all this trouble, for us to forget. Now, come on. Let’s go home.”
****** SUNNYDALE: PRESENT DAY
The Mirror glowed brightly as Giles and Joyce stepped back through the portal. The moment they did, he realized that something was different.
“My shoulder,” he grinned, “It’s healed. Thank you Mirror!”
“Giles? Mom?” Buffy sighed with relief, “Thank god you’re back! Not that you were gone for a long time...but...what happened?”
Giles looked confused, “Not gone for a long...how long were we gone?”
“About two hours,” Xander said, “We were thinking about bringing the mirror to Buffy’s house...cause, you know, Wesley, the Wonder Snoop was asking for you...but...”
“Now you’re here,” Willow smiled.
“Yep,” Buffy hugged her mother, “And everything’s back to normal.”
Joyce looked at her daughter, knowing that the events her and Giles remembered and experienced were real, and said, “Well....not everything.”
“Huh?”
Joyce gave a secret smile at Giles and put her arm around Buffy, “We have to talk.”
****** LONDON: 21ST CENTURY
Buffy and the others passed through the Looking Glass, one at a time, to be greeted by...
“An empty room,” Minnie sighed, “Okay, I’ll bite. Where did everyone go?”
“Are we in the right timeline?” Buffy asked, looking around, concerned.
“I think so,” Cameron said, “But what’s going on?”
Then as if to answer his question, the door to the room opened, and a flood of concerned family and friends filed in. To everyone’s relief, Joyce and Giles lead the group.
“Did it work?” Giles asked his family, “Did you correct the timeline?”
“Mom! Giles! Oh, it’s good to see you too. Um....yeah,” Buffy nodded, “you don’t remember?”
“Well,” Giles explained, “Your mother and I remember the plans to enter the Mirror. Don’t forget, we were back in time as well....just not at this point. But if you changed our present, then none of us would remember. The alarms indicated that you had returned.” Looking at his other children he asked, “Strange. On the one hand, I only remember giving Robert permission to enter the Mirror...”
“And yet,” Joyce continued, looking at her daughter, “I remember seeing you and Cameron there in Scotland, too. Weird.”
“And what on Earth is Guin and Minnie doing here?” Giles cocked his head.
“It’s a long story Dad,” Guin said, rocking on her heals.
“One in which, the Council will want full details,” Wesley lectured, “After, of course...we celebrate your safe return.”
“Sounds good to me,” Buffy smiled broadly, glad that the turmoil her and her siblings had to endure was finally over.
“Dad,” Guin looked around, concerned, “where’s Xander?”
“You don’t remember?” Joyce asked.
“Oh god, no,” Guin sobbed, “We didn’t save him. He’s dead!”
“No, of course not,” Giles said, taking his daughter by her hand, “Him and Angel are in France...helping the resistance there.”
“So, Xander’s still alive?” she asked, a smile lit up her pretty face.
“Last I heard, yes.”
“Oh, thankyouthankyouthankyou!” Guin jumped up and down.
As they headed out to celebrate a job well done, Buffy was surprised to see Angel race into the compound. He was bleeding and exhausted, but determined to give his report. “The French resistance,” he shuddered, “has fallen. We did everything we could...but they just overwhelmed us!”
“Xander?” Guin asked.
Angel swayed as he spoke, “Captured. Along with Spike. I tried to help them...but...”
“Who was in charge of the attack?” Giles asked, trying to keep the wounded vampire from collapsing, “Was it Belloqu? Or Rainier?”
“Or Morak?” Wesley added.
“No,” the vampire gasped, “It was Drusilla.” With that said, he fell to the floor unconscious.
“My god,” Giles said, “She’s back!”
****The end?**** Back
Through the Looking Glass Index
Part One: by, T.C. Healy