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Author's Chapter Notes:
Once again.. sorry for the delay. Update for Communication 101 will be out on or before Tuesday.
Back to Basics

Buffy watched as the men attacked each other. The larger one was defending against the smaller man's quick and well placed punches. "No Derrick. If he comes at you with a left, duck. Don't take it. The best way to win a fight is to avoid the hits." She stepped up in front of the smaller officer. "Come at me."

He shrugged and threw 3 quick punches. She ducked and swerved so that none connected.

After the third punch was thrown, Buffy dropped down and kicked the officer's feet out from under him. The officer, now dazed, watched as the blonde jumped up, straddling him, and brought down her fist towards his heart.

Buffy smiled at the fallen brunette. "You're dusty now."

Buffy saw one of the men who’d been observing the bout while lined up with the others suddenly holding his hand high. "Yeah, Steve?"

"I'm not that fast." The man said simply.

"If you practice, you will be." She looked over the faces of her division's members. "And it's not always about speed. You need to learn to anticipate the next move. I knew where his punches were heading by watching his shoulders turn as he brought back his arm."

"Chris, come at me again, but stop just before you throw the punch."

The brunette sitting on the mat in front of her stood up and pulled back his arm, then stopped.

Buffy walked up to him and placed her hand on his shoulder. "See how he has twisted back his shoulder, here?" The men in line all nodded. "You were going for my chin that time?"

Chris nodded.

"Ok, again. Come at me full force."

The officer did as he was told, and each time she moved out of the way, avoiding connection.

Once everyone understood, she had the two pair up again so they could spar and she could help anyone having trouble.

She had to admit that they were learning fast. Their first week of Vampire Slayage training had been interesting. The myths had to be rooted out and replaced with truth. Many of the men had some sort of formal training in different areas of combat, which helped her to train them.

She had given them a group tour of Sunnydale, one that included most of the preferred haunts of the undead. More than one of the gentlemen had been surprised that The Bronze was a favorite to the local Vamps, which only reminded her how much work she had to do.

Each man was requested to bring street clothes for patrol, and a stake made by his own hands, a container of holy water and a cross. A simple task, but she had to be sure they would keep up their own supply of weapons.

Buffy checked the clock. Sundown was half an hour ago. "Ok, guys. Time to change. Tonight, we split up into three teams." She divided the men up so that each group was comprised of some of the stronger men, and a few who showed promise, but weren't ready to fight alone.

Each team had a radio and had orders to call if there was anything that seemed like too much.

"Don't try to impress me. It won't work. Just call if you need help. All this training does you no good if you get killed before you learn it all." Not that anyone could know it all, but her point was made.

~~`~~

Willow sat at the kitchen table in Giles' old apartment. The laptop had been working overtime on the last few phrases on the prophecy, but apparently was stuck on two symbols. She read once again, the last two paragraphs that had been translated, but were missing two words. One symbol was repeated, which meant three blanks.

"At the new moon, at the height of night, only then can The Key be used. If the shroud remains, the blood will flow, bringing hell to the surface, and darkness shall reign. The 'something' of acceptance is her 'something'.

"She who was forged, she who was created. Only from his life can she be the one, she who will bring forth a new way. Only through her, will the world be whole. In its hell, only she is the key to 'something'".

They knew that Dawn played a major part in this. She was still The Key. At least for this. Buffy had nearly fainted on Thursday when the first draft mentioned "flowing blood".

Spike had left the apartment after hearing what was translated, and only came back after Buffy swore she was not going to die again. His life was somehow pivotal in what was to come.

Dawn knew what she would have to do. If it came to it, she would make the blood stop this time.

Xander and Anya both became pale, and had no intention of a repeat performance that involved a dead Buffy.

Giles was called, and asked if there was any information he could get from the Council, but apparently they had not even heard of any new prophecy involving The Key. Even the coven, with whom he had begun to work closely, was unable to sense the dangers.

Willow pulled out the book again, trying to find a translation for the symbols by going one at a time. The curved line crossed by two intersecting circles was not repeated anywhere but on this page; the other symbol was partially worn away, and seemed to be missing its top. As far as she could see, it could have been a triangle with a square, or possibly a rectangle sitting at the triangle's zenith.

The computer beeped as one of the symbols was recognized and translated. Willow added the word "salvation" to the two paragraphs.

Willow read them again. "It's not just that Dawn is The Key to hell. She's the key to salvation. But how?" Willow typed once more, adjusting the parameters of the search.

~~`~~

The Master stood over the crevice of the Hellmouth. "I love the smell in here." He turned to his childe. "Can you smell the death and destruction just waiting to be set free?"

Jon smiled, revealing his vampiric smile. "I can. I feel it flowing through me. Like power."

"And power you will have. We will have. This place will be a haven for our kind once we have completed this task." The Master closed his eyes letting the dark forces that emanated from the smoldering hole permeate his being. He could hear the screams, and see the faces of those who would die. "They are still unaware of her purpose, of the truth?"

"We have seen no signs. She is still patrolling as before, and has the same restrictions."

"They could not have preformed the calling without her. It was written. Now we need only wait. Then they will come to us, and we shall give them death." The Master smiled delightedly as he inhaled the almost intoxicating scent of the deaths his future would bring to Sunnydale.

~~`~~

Jason wandered the streets of Sunnydale late in the afternoon. The off-duty detective did that more often lately, wondering what he was still doing here.

Like many, he had been curious about the rumors of the small California town. But he had yet to really feel as if it was home. There were too many people that didn't accept new members of the town. He understood why residents were leery of outsiders, but still felt more alone as each day drew on.

His only promise of a chance was with Buffy, but it had been more than obvious that her decision was made. He kicked a stone as he wandered on.

What exactly was he doing here? Of course he was promoted to detective shortly after he transferred. That was a plus. But he only hung out with a few of his colleagues, and even they were not overly friendly to the newbie. Brad was a friend, but since his new assignment to the Zeta Department, the old man had been scarce.

The tall detective found himself standing outside of The Magic Box, and decided to pay the shop another visit. He had enjoyed the incense, and was nearly out now.

The door jingled as he entered the shop. The woman who ran shop had changed her hair color to a light brown. Very attractive.

"Good afternoon, Jason." Anya greeted him with a smile, remembering that many return customers are pleased when you remember their name. "What could I help you find today?"

Jason smiled at the woman. Her skirt showed slender legs. His eyes wondered lazily over her body. "I was hoping you still had some incense. I think it was sandalwood."

"I am sure we still have some. I remember restocking it just yesterday." She led him to the shelves of candles and incense.

~~`~~

Working on Saturday was always a pain, but Xander really couldn't complain. He had a good job, and with the number of raises he'd received in the last two years, he was more than just well off. The young man who had come from a struggling family had a savings account that grew each month.

He was done for the day, and locked up the trailer holding his tools and paperwork. On a whim, he decided to see who was at The Magic Shop.

After the short drive, he entered to find Anya giggling with the detective who had been following Buffy around all summer. None of the other Scoobies seemed to be there.

The two stopped laughing when they heard the bell ring. Both watched as Xander walked down the few steps, and sat at the table used for research. He looked back at them, both holding an assortment of candles and incense. He knew the look Jason had in his eyes. He wanted Anya.

Not even Spike had given her those looks before they... "Don't let me interrupt. I was just checking in to see who was here."

"Jason wanted to make a purchase. Isn't that nice?" Anya smiled.

"Just swell," Xander said flatly.

He wasn't sure what it was, but Jason knew he was missing something. "I think I’ll just take these." He held up the items in his hand. "But if you get any of the raspberry, let me know."

"Of course." Anya pulled out a clipboard and handed it to him. "I could add you to our mailing list. If you would just fill out this information."

He made quick work of it and handed it back to her after she rang up the sale. He smiled once at Xander before turning and going out the door.

Anya's smile faded just as the door closed. "See what you did?"

"See what I did? Could you be more obvious?" Xander yelled at her from his seat.

"Of course it's obvious." Anya yelled back.

Xander shook his head. "It really doesn't matter to you, does it? Not picky at all."

"Why would I be?"

"So, it wouldn't matter one way or the other if it was me?"

"You, him, whoever." Anya shrugged. "I don't understand why you care so much." She closed the drawer on the register. "It's not your shop."

"I care because I love you." Then what she had said registered in his head. "What?"

"You still love me?" Anya forgot about the money in the register, and the paperwork she had yet to finish.

"So, you were flirting for a sale?" Xander didn't move.

"I was not flirting, and you didn't answer my question." Anya placed her hands on her hips, and waited.

Xander looked from his hands on the table back to her. "Well, yeah. Of course I still love you, An."

The smile stretched across her face. "Then we should begin copulating again. And you can take me to movies."

Xander looked back at his hands. "I can't."

"But." Anya was confused. "Why not?"

He slumped back. "Because Anya, you're a demon, a Vengeance Demon. Instead of talking things out with me, you tried to wish I'd never been born, literally. I love you, Anya, but how am I going to be able to feel comfortable when I know that the next time I irk you, and we both know I will, you could have me eviscerated? And not in a good way."

"But I can't." Anya was in tears. She stayed behind the counter, not able to move. "I can't make the wishes, I can only grant them."

Xander studied her face. "I know, Anya. I also know that you tried to get the others to make a wish for you."

"But it didn't work. They all love you." She explained. No one would wish evil on Xander. He would be safe.

Xander looked around the shop before gathering his things. "I just can't." And he walked out of the shop.

Dawn hadn't meant to eavesdrop. She had been in the training room practicing a move Spike showed her, and accidentally opened the door at the wrong time. When she walked in, Anya was leaning on the counter with her hands over her face.

"I'm sorry, Anya."

The demon sniffled trying to hold her tears in check. "He loves me, but he said he can't be with me. Just 'cause I'm a demon."

Dawn tried to smile, but felt too badly for her friend to. "Maybe you need to ask yourself if you still love him."

"Of course I do."

"Then, what are you willing to give up?"

The woman sniffed again. "What do you mean?"

Dawn sat on the stool opposite the shopkeeper. "Well, look at Spike and Buffy. He gave up immortality to be with her."

"A person should not have to change for love. If he loves me, he should accept me for who I am."

"Humph." Dawn mocked. "Well, you sure changed to get away from him. Why do you think it bothers him so much?" The teen hopped off the stool and headed back to the training room. "He sure put up with stuff about you before, but I think knowing you could have him hurt is a bit much."

Anya watched the girl until she disappeared behind a once again closed door. The demon fingered the charm that generally stayed hidden under her blouse. What would she be willing to give up? And exactly why did it matter so much?


Chapter End Notes:
Yeah.. I love getting Xander and Anya involved.



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