By M&M

"Oh come on Will. Melvin Udall was nothing more than an obnoxious jerk who alienated every one around him.", Xander Harris said as he, his girlfriend, Cordelia Chase, his best friend Willow Rosenberg and her boyfriend Oz walked out of the movie theater after seeing "As Good As It Gets". "No, Xander. Melvin was charming in an interesting way that made him appealing to the audience. That's part of James Brooks genius. He takes rude men and make them enduring. He did the same thing with Jack Nicholson before when they made "Terms Of Endearment"., Willow said. "I agree with her.", Oz said. "That's because she's your girlfriend. "Yeah, but I'm not her girlfriend and I agree too.", Cordelia said. "That's right you my girlfriend which means you should stick by me." "That doesn't mean I have to share the same opinions as you do."

"What's Buffy up to tonight? How come she didn't come to the movie with us?", Oz asked. Xander mouthed a thank you for getting him out of that argument. "She's hanging out at the library with Angel and Giles.", Willow answered. "God that all she ever does lately.", Xander replied. "She's trying to repair the relationship between the two men she loves. Although she loves Giles like a father and Angel like a lover." "What about me?", Xander asked. "She loves you too. Like a friend. And soon I think she'll love Oz too." "The more I'm around you the more I think that you're the smartest person in the world.", Oz said. Willow just blushed. "I still think that Buffy should give Giles time before he has to look at Angel. I don't think he's still over Ms. Calendar. Yet." "Of course he's not over her.", Cordelia said. "Yeah. It'll take him a lot longer than the rest of us to go on with life back to normal. Life will never be normal again for him.", Oz said "It never was normal.", Xander said. "You know what I mean.", Oz answered. "It's also gonna be hard for Angel to get over it especially." "You're right. It's gonna take a long time for Angel, Giles and Buffy too to get over what's happened.", Willow said.

***

Buffy, Angel and Giles were sitting around the table in the library, not doing much at all. They were all uncomfortable in the silence. Angel more so than Buffy and Giles. He felt awkward around Giles, because he knew how much pain he had caused him. He knew how much pain he had caused Buffy too. He'd hurt her more than he had hurt in his entire life. He felt. He told her mother about their most intimate and loving moment and almost taken his one and only love's life. How could she forive him. He didn't understand this, but was happy to see her, yet also sad to see her and the pain she was feeling for Giles. At least she had regained her strength after the bite he had taken out of her. He did things he would give his entire existence of knowing her to take back. He would do any thing if he could just take back all the things he had done following the night of Buffy's birthday. Buffy gave around the library. It seemed darker and mustier than usual. She too was uncomfortable with the silence. She understood it though. She knew that time was what was needed between the three of them.

The awkward silence was thankfully interrupted by the opening of the library doors and the entrance of Ophelia, Buffy's cousin. "What's going on? Anything demon like for Buffy to kill and the rest of us to celebrate when it's over? Hey Angel.", she asked. "No. Nothing new.", Giles said. "Did you come from home?", Buffy inquired. "Yeah. That's why I'm here. Aunt Joyce was looking for you. I figured I'm come get you so that you don't get into trouble." Angel's head was still facing toward his shoes. That's where it always was since he got his soul back. The only comfort he got was knowing that he would never lose his soul again and never be able to torment those whom he cared about. He didn't even get comfort from Buffy when she offered it. He knew what he had done and that he couldn't look into those eyes which he loved and longed to look into so much. He desperately wanted to hold her in his arms for just one second. He wanted to see her smile. The most beautiful smile he had ever seen. He just wanted her to be happy. To see her eyes light up when she and her friends were together. When she had no worries. It wasn't often that he had seen that, but he loved it just the same. "I'd better get going.", Buffy said.

They were again interrupted by the opening of the door and some one entering. This time it was some one they hadn't seen since November. "Kendra!", Buffy cried, "What are you doing here?" "Me watcher said that some thing is going on and to come here. He had his assistant fly with me." "Your watcher has an assistant?", Buffy asked. "He hired him to help with things. He knows about the Slaying and just helps us keep the facade going." "Oh." "How is Mr. Zabudah, Kendra?"< Giles asked. "He is doing well." "You remember Angel, right?", Buffy asked. "Of course. Hello Angel.", Kendra replied. "Hello." "Is some thing wrong?", Kendra asked. "You've missed a lot.", Buffy answered back. "Who's this?", Ophelia said. "We better get going. You can come to my house for right now. You'll have to stay with Giles though. Angel I'll walk you home." "All right." They four of them walked out of the library leaving Giles behind to rummage through books to find what Kendra's watcher was speaking of. "Who are you?", Giles heard Ophelia ask Kendra.

***

"Night.", Buffy said. "Thank you for walking me home.", Angel answered. She went to kiss him on the cheek but he backed away. "Not now.", he told her. She had a sad look in her eyes as they walked home. It wasn't long before the three of them reached Buffy's home.

"Buffy, is that you?", Joyce Summers asked. "Yeah." "Is Ophelia with you?" "I'm here, Aunt Joyce." Joyce had walked to the front entry to greet them. "Who's' your friend?" "Mom, this is Kendra. She's an exchange student. Kendra, this is my mom." "Nice to meet you Kendra. Where were you Buffy." "I was hanging around the library." "Okay. I'm going to bed. Don't stay up too long." "Alright, Aunt Joyce."

The girls walked up stairs and entered Buffy's room.

"Kendra, this is my cousin, Ophelia.", Buffy said. "It's nice to meet you.", Ophelia said. "Ophelia, Kendra is also a Slayer. When I died they called another Slayer even though I lived. Kendra, Ophelia knows I am a Slayer because she had a ansty encounter with a vampire a few months ago. Anther person also knows." "Who. You still haven't looked up 'secret identity' have you?", Kendra replied. "No I a haven't. Willow has a boyfriend and he knows." "What is all this you mentioned that we have to talk about? And what is wrong with Angelus?" "Please don't call him that.", Buffy asked softly. "Of course." "To begin with. Angel has changed some. After you left we got closer. On my birthday we made love. In the middle of all that he lost his soul. He terrorized all of us. He told my mom about us. The computer science teacher, Ms.Calendar, you didn't meet her but she and Giles were seeing each other. She turned out to be a member of the tribe of Gypsy's that gave Angel his soul back in the first place. She figured out a way to give him his soul back and he killed her. A month or so after we gave him his soul back. He almost killed me before that though. He bit me while they were performing the ritual. He feels terrible and will never forgive himself. That's why he seems different." "A lot has happened since I left." "You can say that again.", Ophelia retorted. They spoke for hours before Kendra left for Giles'.

***

Buffy, Willow, Xander, Oz, Cordelia and Ophelia walked into the library. They immediately saw Kendra there with Giles. Talking about some anchient prophecy no doubt. "Hey, G-Man!", Xander said. "Xander I have asked you to not call me that." "I know, but I love the look on your face when I say it." "So, any news on prophecies?", Buffy asked. "None yet.", Kendra answered. "We should get to class.", Willow said, "You know what Snyder will do to you if he knows that your not in class, Buffy." "I can stay and help if you want.", Oz offered. "Yes thank you, Oz.", Giles replied. "Kendra, I neglected to introduce you to Oz. He's my boyfriend.", Willow said. "It is nice to meet you sir.", Kendra answered. "I see you've eased a little around boys.", Cordelia remarked. "Well we should get to class.", Xander said. "See you all later. You all have free periods next, correct?", Giles said. "Yeah.", they all answered.

"Kendra, did your Watcher say any thing specific as to what exactly was going on?", Giles asked. "No. Just to come here to give you any assistance required." "I'm sure we'll find it. Oz, can you look through some of the books on the table there? Look for any thing mentioning...well any thing that may seem of interest." "No problem.", Oz said.

***

"You know I thought chemistry would be much more interesting. I thought we would get to mix some stuff together or something.", Xander said as the six of the juniors exited their first period chem class. "Well, well. If it isn't the rat pack of Sunnydale High.", Harmony said as they passed by her. "Harmony shut up.", Cordelia said. "Don't make fun of my friends. They are a lot nicer than you ever were to me. And unlike you and the rest of the sheep they actually listen to what I have to say. No matter how un interesting they happen to find it. They would save my life if they had to. You would just run away like the sheep that your are!", Cordelia yelled. "Alright. You really have turned into a loser." "Um, Harmony, the Rat Pack was cool.", Ophelia said. "You know the more I am around you the more proud I am that your my girlfriend.", Xander said.

"Miss Chase, there is no need to yell.", Principal Snyder said as he walked up to them. "I suggest the six of you do something valuable with your time rather than standing around pestering one of Sunnydale High's finest students.", he said as he looked at Harmony. The six of them just walked away.

"Finest students?", Ophelia said as they walked away. "Where did he get that into his head?". "It's probably the ears. He could store a mac truck in those things.", Buffy said. "We better head to the library.", Willow said.

***

"Hey I think I found something!", Oz said proudly. "It says here 'the watcher and Slayer will die by the bite of a vampire group from France and two vampire lovers' It says there are four vampires in the group. Would that be something?" "I think so. The rest of the text is in Latin. I'll have to spend some time translating it." "Um..I don't want to really bring this up, but which Slayer and Watcher would that be?", Kendra asked. "I haven't figured that out yet.", Giles answered. Just then Buffy and company walked into the library. "Hey Giles.", Buffy said as she sat in a chair at the table. "Did you find any thing?", Xander asked. "No. I did not. Oz did.", Giles replied. "I'm so proud.", Willow exclaimed. "Don't be. It's not good news.", Oz said. "What is it?", Cordelia asked. "It says in this book that a group of French vampire called the Seven Sinners will kill the Watcher and two vampire lovers will kill the Slayer. However it does not say which Slayer and Watcher." As they were discussing this the phone rang. Giles went to answer it. "Hello, Sunnydale High School Library how may I help you? It's for you, Kendra." Kendra went to the phone. She seemed surprised to hear the voice on the other end. The she seemed alarmed. "Okay. Good-bye.", she said before she put the phone back on the cradle. Before the phone could reach the hook she collapsed to the floor and lie there, unsonscience.

"I wonder who was on the phone.", Ophelia remarked. They all rushed to Kendra's side. Xander lifted her up and put her on the table. Cordelia went and got a cold cloth to put on her forehead. Willow got her jacket and put it under her head. Then they all waited for her to wake up. It didn't take long. She was only out for about fifteen minutes.

"Kendra, who was that on the phone?", Buffy asked. "It was me Watcher's assistant. I know which Watcher and Slayer the propheciy is talkin' about It is Mr. Zabudah and I. He was malled by animal. At least that's what the police say. I know better, though. Mr. Giles, does this mean that Spike and Drusilla will kill me?", she asked. "No. We won't let them.", Buffy said firmly. "That's right. We can stop them.", Willow said. "Excuse me.", Kendra said as she walked out of the libarary. They rest of the group just stood there. About ten minute safter Kendra left, Buffy left to go find her. The rest tried to go with her, but she signaled them to stay behind. They need to research stuff she said. So she left them all behind and went to find Kendra.

***

Kendra was walking through the streets of Sunnydale. She was alone and looked it. No one or nothing was around her. It was late and all the stores had closed for the night. "Well, well. Look what we have here. I see you got a new shirt. Same pants, though.", Kendra heard from behind her. It was a familiar voice. She had heard it the last time she was in Sunnydale. It was Spike. She turned around and was in a fighting stance. Spike had his vampirical features showing. He charged Kendra and she ducked. She charged her again and they fought.

***

Buffy knocked on the door vigerously. She was in the middle of knocking a second time when Angel answered his door. When he saw that it was her his head went down again in shame. He still couldn't look into her eyes. He longed for so much though. "I need your help. Oz found this prophecy that said that some French vampire group, I can't remember what their called, will kill the Watcher and two vampire lovers will kill the Slayer. We wer'nt sure which Slayer and Watcher, but Kendra got a phone call from her wathcers assistant today. Her Watcher died.", Buffy said quickly. "What do you need?", Angel asked. He was always happy to do whatever Buffy asked of him. This was no exception. "When Kendra found out about her Watcher she fainted. She woke up and ran out of the library and now she's gone. I need some help finding her in case I run into trouble." Angel grabbed his jacket and they walked out the door.

***

"Poor Kendra. I only met her yesterday, but she seemed really nice.", Ophelia said. "Have you found any thing, Giles. I want to know if we'll have to face that vampire group", Willow asked. "No. I'm still working on translating the text. Xander, why don't you call Angel. He might know some thing about this group and the prophecy." Xander looked at Giles blankly. All of them were still unsure of Angel, but they no longer hated him. Yet Xander still held a grudge. Most likely because Angel got Buffy. No matter what. Willow knew this and offered to call Angel herself. She dialed the number quickly, but after a few second hung up. "There was no answer. He's probably out hunting.", Willow said. "Or feeding.", Xander said in a muffeled voice. Cordelia nudged him in the ribs. "Get over it Xander.", Ophelia said. "Xander, you must learn to forgive. It is the hardest thing to do, but it only makes you a better man. I have forgiven Angel, because I know it was not Angel who killed Jenny. It was Angelus. As long as Angel keeps his soul then I know he will not do any thing to harm any of us." Xander hated to admit it, but Giles was right. He would just have to get over his hate for Angel...for Buffy. She was, after al his friend.

***

When Buffy and Angel finally found Kendra, she was still fighting Spkie in the street. Angel rushed up behind Spike and grabbed his shirt collar. He twisted the bleached hair vampire around so that they were face to face. Buffy ran up and got Kendra. They went to the sidewalk and watched Angel and Spike fight for about five minutes then Spkie ran away as usual. "Are you two all right?", Angel asked as he came up to them after Spike had gone. "Yeah, I'm fine. I think Kendra is just a little shaken up." "I am okay, Buffy.", Kendra replied, "Thank you for your help, Angel." "Your welcome.", he replied softly. The three of them got up and walked towards the school.

***

When they got back to the library they found their friends sitting at the table pawing through musty old research books. When they walked in every one looked up at them. Knowing Buffy as they did, they knew somothing was up. But as usual they did not know what. "What happened", Cordelia asked. "Kendra got in a fight with our resident David Bowie un-dead look alike.", Buffy answered, "I went and got Angel to help me look for Kendra. We found her fighting with him." "What happened with Spike.", Giles inquired. "He ran away agin.", Angel replied.

"Buffy, we were going every possible plan we could think of. The most logical one was that you, Kendra and Angel kill Spike and Drusilla.", Willow sais in one quick breath. "It is the most logical step.", Xander said. "And it's better than hiding.", Oz added. "Or running.", Cordelia said. "I'm okay with that. What about you two?', Buffy asked Angel and Kendra. "Yeah.", Angel said. "How about you, Kendra. Are you up for this?" "I tink so.", the other Slayer answered.

***

"How are you, pet?", Spike asked the slender vampire as he walked back into their new home. He had made it so that every thing was the same as the burnt dwon factory. He wanted to make Drusilla feel at home. He managed to salvage all of their personal belogings. They couldn't stay at the old factory, because the fire had burnt a hole in the roof. This could be fatal the two of them. "Spike, can we leave Sunnydale now?", Drusilla asked in her child like voice. "Not yet, ducks. We have a visitor in town. Now we have a different Slayer to kill." "Oh goody! Can I kill her, Spike. Can I?" "I was thinking tomorrow night we would go on a special hunt." "What about Buffy, my darling?", Dru asked. "I think we should wait a little longer on that." "My Spike. You also know what to do."

Drusilla started dancing around their new home. She danced the entire length of the building. Spike just watched his beloved with a smlie on his face. He was extremly glad that Angelus was no longer in the way of his and Dru's relationship. Now Spike had his Dru all to himself. He never was one for sharing things. Even when he was alive. 'No matter how crazy she is, I love her', he thought to himself. He loved watching her prance around. She was like an extremly cruel, evil, drugged up child. And he loved every thing about her, eccentricities, visions and all.

***

Their day went by quickly. Buffy and Kendra trained for hours and hours. Not even stopping for the bathroom or food. The Slayerettes stood by with towels and water bottels. Principal Snyder, thankfuly, was out at some pirncipal conference for the next two days and would not be in their way. Buffy came to school early. Her mother didn't see any thing wrong with this, because she was in San Diego visiting her cousin twice removed. Joyce Summers was the only one who would talk to that particular reletive. Buffy was glad her mom would be gone for a week. Now she could keep a better eye on Kendra and have her stay at her house.

Each Slayer trained vigorously all day. The finally quite around three in the afternoon. They need a nap, a shower and some food before their fight. No one was at school. Every one had gone home. The last person left about an hour ago. The halls were completly desolate. It very much resmbled the showdown of a Clint Eastwood Spagetti Western. Niether of the two Slayer, Watcher and five slayerettes said a word. They weren't sure what to ay. They were perfectly aware that one of them might not live through the night. The had decided to go after Spike and Drusill the next night. About two hours of just sitting in silence, Buffy decided she and Kendra should go home and rest. They headed home leaving everone else sitting in the library in an uncomfortable silence.

***

When they got home it had gotten dark. Buffy let Kendra stay in her room and she would bunk in with Ophelia. Kendra sat on the bed. On her way out Buffy stopped and turned around. "How does it feel? Emotion I mean. I'll bet you didn't expect this to be your first emotion. You would probably give any thing for a different kind of emotion. That's how I felt when Angel left me." "It is different. I do not know what I will do. With me Watcher gone and all." "You'll get a new one. Giles isn't my first Watcher. Merrick was and he died. You'll be okay. Do you want me to shut the door?" Kendra nodded a yes to Buffy.

Buffy walked up to the phone in the upstairs hall. She picked it up and dialed the number. "Hi. It's me. Can you come over...I just wanted to see you..okay. I'll see you in a few minutes. Bye."

About five minutes later Buffy heard the doorbell. She got up and answered it. It was just who she was expecting. "Hi.", she said. "Hi.", Angel replied. "Come on in.", she said. "Are you sure?" "You cannot lose your soul again. It's there for good. Now come in."

They sat on the sofa just being together about after twenty minutes of that Buffy heard a noise. She and Angel went up to her room to see what it was. When they got up there they saw the window open and Kendra gone.

***

Again, Kendra was wandering the streets of Sunnydale all alone. Except for a few street lamps it was completly dark. Every few steps she turned around because she thought she heard a noise. The next time she turned around there was someone there. "Hello.", said Drusilla. "It is awfully nice of you to come visit Sunnydale again. We hope your trip is a pleasant one...because it will be your last." Kendra charged for Drusilla. After all the training that day she believed that she could take Drusill all by herself. Waht she didn't count on was Spike comeing up from behind her. He held her by her arms. Both Spike and Drusilla had their vampire faces on. About two hundred yards away, Buffy and Angel, who had gone looking for Kendra, heard her screams. They ran towards the voices. As they saw they saw Kendra, Spike and Drusilla, Dru was wiping her muth and Spike had his hace buried in her neck. Kendra was still consciencs and kicking. Buffy and Angel ran as fast as they could towards them. When the two vampires saw them they ran. Spike didn't want to kill them yet.

Buffy and Angel ran up to Kendra who was lying n the ground shaking. "Kendra.", Buffy replied. "I understand Buffy. It was written some where. This was when I was suppossed to go. I was not ment to live any longer." Not a tear fell from Kendra's face, but Buffy had the water works going almost completly now. "No, Kendra, it's not too late. We can still get you to a hospital." "No, Buffy. It is my time. A new Slayer will take me place and fight. Maybe with you. It was a privelage fighting along side you, Buffy Summers. You wre right. You would have been able to take me in the end." "Don't say that. Your gonna be okay." "It's alright Buffy." During Kendra's last sentences her voice became weak and almost iaudible. With her last word she died. Her eyes closed and her body went limp. Buffy began to cry even harder. Angel held her in his arms for a few minutes and then picked up- Kendra's body. He and Buffy walked all the way to the library. Niether of them saying a word. The only sound that could be hear was Buffy's crying.

When they got to the library every one was still there and sitting at the table. Willow was the first to get up. "Oh my God, Buffy she's not dea-", Willow knew the answer and couldn't finish her sentence. She collapsed in her cahir and Oz went and consoled her. Xander and Cordelia sat in disbelief. Giles got up and cleared the table off so that Angel could set Kendra's body down. "Spike and Drusilla?", he asked. "Yes. They ran away when they saw us. I guess she went for a walk. Angel and I heard a noise and went up ti see what it was. The window was open and Kendra was gone. When we found her Spike was drinking from her. We were too late. We were too late." "It's not your fault Buffy.", Xander replied. "You didn't know she would climb out your window and go for a stroll.", Cordelia said. "I sould have stayed with her." No one said another word they just called the police and answered the questions they were asked. Not truthfully of course.

***

About three days later they buried Kendra. They deicided along with her parents and watcher's assistant to bury her in Sunnydale. They don't know hy that was decided, but it was just the smae. It was held in the late moting the skys were perfect for a funeral. Cloudy and stormy. The only ones there were the seven of them. The stood around the fresh garve, each of them had placed a lavender rose on her grave. Al the tombstone said was 'Kendra, a friend'. No one knew what else to put. Not even her Watcher's assisstant and parents, who hadn't ssen her since her birth could not remeber the year of her birth. Coincidently,her grave was right next to Jenny Clendars. They each placed a rose on her grave as well. The minister at the church found it funny how the last name, year of birth and family were not there. When he remarked about family Buffy replied, "I was her family."

***

It was a week to the day that they had buried Kendra. It was night and no one was out. No one ever was at three in the morining. The only sounds were comeing from the graveyard. Buffy was out hunting and went to investigate. She his behind the stone moselium marked "Alpert". It was the same one Angel had banged her head in to whiles he was Angelus. Standing on Kendra's grave were Spike and Drusilla. They had a stereo playing opera music and two champagne glasses with blood in them. They wee holding the glasses and about to have a toast. "Here's to the wonderful killing of Slayers", Spike said cheerfully. He and Dru, who both had their vampire faces on, drank and began to dance. "I told you I'ddance on the Slayer's grave with you, Pet.", Spike said. He and Drusilla, who had her eyes closed, twirled around on both Kendra and Jenny's grave. Buffy snuck up behind Spike armed with two stakes, one in each hand. "This one's for you, Kendra." Spike turned around and was met with a stake through the heart. Drusill was holding his hand when he turned to dust, stake and all. "Spike!", she cried out. With the other stake Buffy thrust it into Drusilla's heart. "Rest in peace means you don't dance on peoples graves." Buffy walked out of the graveyard and went towards Angel's.

***

When she got there she just barged in. "I killed them. I caught them dancing on her's and Ms.Calendar's grave and I killed them. Their dust." "Spike and Drusilla?" "No, Kathie Lee and Frank Gifford. Yes Spike and Drusilla." "You need to tell Giles and the others." "You're right." They left his apartment amd headed towards the library.

"I did it. I killed Spike and Drusilla. I caught them dancing on Kendra's and Ms.Calendar's graves and I killed them.", Buffy said as she and Angel walked in. They went and sat in the two extra chairs at the table. "How?", Cordelia asked. "I was pissed.", Buffy replied. "That's a plus when she's pissed. She kills vampires more effectivly than when she's happy.", Xander said. "It made me sick. I had to get that sight away. They were toasting eachother on killing Slayers and dancing on graves. I had to do it." "Well, that means we get to stop thinking of a plan to kill them.", Ophleia said. "Good, I haven't seen my house almost at all in the past week and a half.", Oz said.

They talked more about the events of the last week and a half. They spoke until about 4:30 in the mrning. They were all glad that omorrow was Saturday and they didn't have school. Oz offered to drive every one home in his van.. Every one excepted except Angel. When he declined Buffy did as well. She told him they need some time together and asked him to walke her home.

***

When they got to Buffy's house sunrise was very near. Angel told Buffy, but she wouldn't listen. "You can stay on the couch in the basement if you want. It'll be safer than trying to make it home." "Alright. What about your mom?" "She decided to stay an extra week." They went inside and Buffy showed Angel to the basement. She was on her way back up the her room, but turned back. She nelt down by the sofa and kissed him softly on the lips. He didn't try to back away this time. When she went up he smiled and said softly "I love you Buffy."

~THE END~