[Reviews - 41]
-
Table of Contents [Report This]
Microsoft Word Chapter or Story | ePub eBook Chapter or Story | Printer Chapter or Story

Has been viewed 1693 times

- Text Size +




Author's Chapter Notes:
Hey, an update! And before the 2 year mark, too. Don't all faint on me, now...
Chapter 10

Kendra wasn’t bad. Buffy could clearly see the dedication to her training in the girl’s moves. They’d have to work on improvisation, though. Kendra’s style looked like a series of connect the dots instructions. Textbook perfect, but with no fluidity. No passion.

Buffy tested her on spotting vampires on sight at the Bronze, which the Jamaican wasn’t so good at. Score one for Buffy’s sense of fashion. Speaking of fashion, they bumped into Cordelia, who immediately offered to rescue Kendra and take her shopping.

Kendra fumbled all over herself in front of Xander, giving Buffy an idea for how to get the girl to loosen up. She sent them out on the dance floor, completely missing Willow’s pout when Xander eagerly agreed.

A couple weeks later…

Buffy hadn’t seen or heard from Lillian since the night of joining the Guardians, and she was getting impatient for more info. Or a wicked cool super power.

Instead, she had the utterly boring life of nothing to do but homework, and Bronzing on Friday and Saturday nights. Her friends and Watcher had bonded with Kendra, Angel was still lurking in town but unseen, and her mom kept waiting for her to screw up. So, when Snyder asked (told) her to plan Parent-Teacher Night as a “reward”, she agreed.

Had nothing else to do.

The afternoon before Parent-Teacher Night, Lillian dropped by Buffy’s house.

“Hi, Buffy. It’s important you go to the Bronze tonight with your friends.”

“Um, why? What’s so important?”

“There’s someone you’re supposed to meet. He’s heard about the blonde Slayer that killed the Master, and he’s going to observe you.”

Buffy crossed her arms under her breasts. “And how will he know me from any other blonde girl? You do realize this is California?”

“Just be visible, dear. I’ll tell you more after you meet.”

“Whatever. How will I know him? Is he cute?”

Lillian smiled enigmatically. “Some might say so, yes. And he’s older than you, with bleached hair. Kendra won’t be there, will she?”

“Nope. Not on her schedule. And she always follows Giles’ schedule.”

“Good. I’ll talk to you soon, Buffy. Your mother’s about to pull into the driveway.”

Buffy glanced out the window. When she looked back to her fellow Guardian, Lillian was gone.

“So not fair.”

***

At The Bronze, Nickel was the band tonight, playing "1000 Nights". Xander danced alone. Willow was trying to help Buffy figure out French.

“La vache... doit me... touche... de la... jeudi.” Buffy glanced at Willow. “Is that right?”

“You said, ‘The cow should touch me from Thursday’.”

“Oh. Je stink.”

“Come on, guys, dance with me,” Xander insisted. “You’ve been studying nearly twelve minutes.”

Buffy and Xander pulled Willow out of her seat to join them. A man with platinum hair walked up to their table and watched them dance as the band started a new song, "Stupid Thing". He walked along the edge of the dance floor and watched Buffy intently.

I'm one step away from crashing to my knees
One step away from spilling my guts to you

The blond man walked over to another at the bar and said, “Go get something to eat.”

I’m doing all right
No, don’t feel sorry for me
Really I’m all right
I’m one step away from crashing to my knees

He came back near the teens and spoke loud enough for Buffy to hear, “Where’s the phone? I need to call the police. There’s some big guy out there trying to bite somebody.”

Buffy grabbed a stake from her purse on the table and ran out the door. While she didn’t have Slayer strength or speed anymore, she still knew how to stake a vamp, and Kendra wasn’t here to save the day. She crept up on the vampire about to bite the girl and plunged the stake as hard as she could through his back.

“Nice work, love.”

Buffy whirled around to find a blond man had followed her out of the club. A bleach-haired man. “It’s you!” He looks so familiar… “Hi, I’m Buffy. I heard you were looking for me.”

He paused in confusion, then regained his composure. “Uh, right! Right you are, Slayer. I’ll see you on Saturday.”

“What’s Saturday?”

“When I kill you.”

She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, like I haven’t heard that one before.” Just don’t get in a fight with him, whatever he is… “Can we not? I have plans.”

He came closer, the light above fully illuminating his pale face. “Are you daft? I’m challenging you, Slayer!”

“I realize that, but, I mean, is it really worth it? If you’re just after blood and mayhem, okay, but if there’s something you want, maybe we can come to a compromise.” It had clicked in her mind who this was, now – Spike, Slayer of Slayers. No way was she letting Kendra face him, yet.

He fumbled for a response, sputtering unintelligible half-formed words. She felt proud that she could throw him off his footing.

“Yeah…yeah, there is something I want, but you’re not going to help.”

“Why not? Can’t know if you don’t ask.”

“Know a cure for a sick vampire?” he said through gritted teeth.

Ooo, that cost him something… “Maybe? You got the sniffles, or did you catch some demon STD?”

“I! It’s not for me! And no! I ought to wring your bloody—“

“Ah-ah. If you can’t play nice…” This was almost fun. “Look, Spike, I know you have a rep to maintain, yada-yada, but do we really have to go in circles all night, here?”

“Heard of me, have you?” He started stalking towards her.

Time to get back inside, Buffy. “I’ve read things. You can deal with me, or you can leave my town. There are no other options.” She crossed her arms under her breasts and tried to look bored.

He was suddenly before her. “Option three, I snap your pretty neck and take your body back to Dru.”

She stared up into his eyes. “You won’t do that.”

“I…” His brows furrowed in the middle. “I won’t do that.”

Whoa… “Tell me why you’re in Sunnydale.”

“The Hellmouth seemed like the best place to find a cure for Drusilla, my sire.”

“Thank you. Was that so hard? I’m going to go back inside to my friends, now, and you’re going to meet me back here tomorrow night to see if I can help you. Deal?”

“Yeah, Slayer. Whatever.” He turned and left, looking bewildered.

Buffy sagged, and sighed in relief. What the hell was that? She just mind-mojoed a vampire? I guess that’s what Lillian meant by protecting myself. Wow. She shook her head, and went back in The Bronze. French homework suddenly looked a whole lot nicer.



Chapter End Notes:
Sorry it's kinda short, but I'm just getting back into this, and the earlier voices are less easy for me. Hope to have more soon.



You must login (register) to review.