Chapter Two

The next day found Chase and Ivory engaged in a training exercise in the middle of the track field some time after school had let out. The two of them went through a round of martial arts practice, purposely in slow motion until Ivory fully got the hang of it. Finally, Chase called it quits, moving to retrieve a water bottle from the nearby bench.

Ivory set into a few stretching exercises while Chase took his break, bending over and extending her arms so her fingers brushed the tips of her toes. She held the position for a count of five, then straightened, taking a deep breath. Ivory repeated the exercise a few more times, then abandoned it, walking to the bench and taking a seat next to Chase.

"Oh, that was invigorating, wasn't it?" Ivory asked, pulling her hair back and fastening it into a ponytail with a little purple scrunchie. "There's just something about exercising that gets me all energized, you know?"

Chase shook his head. "I don't know. Maybe," he replied. "I never got that from it. For me, it was just something that meant family time." He paused, looking at her. "My parents and I used to go out jogging together every afternoon, or bike riding when it got to be summer. Was always a lot of fun."

Ivory pursed her lips together, gazing at him with sad eyes. "You must miss them a lot," she answered softly. "I can't imagine what it's like to be an orphan."

"It's hard," Chase said after a long moment. "Not a day goes by that I don't think of them, at least wish they were still alive. You know, that everything was back to normal... whatever that is."

"I know what you mean," Ivory told him. "I wish I could have my family back too. That time could turn back and my mother's kidnapping could be erased from the equation. I wonder what it would have been like, if she and my Dad had never been taken from me to begin with." Ivory paused, then abandoned this topic to move onto another one. "Well, I know a little about my Mom's situation, but... What was it like for you, living there in the caverns?"

Chase paused for a moment, contemplating this. "Nothing too bad. Cinnamon kept me relatively sheltered from the day I arrived, so my time there was better than most of the other prisoners. But I didn't have many special privileges; I wasn't allowed anywhere in the caves without an escort."

"How'd you escape then?" Ivory questioned, shifting her weight. "Must have been difficult."

"Not very," Chase admitted. "Especially after your mother fed me her own vampire blood and made me immortal, when I gained the power to control minds... I experimented with it at first once I realized I had it, made a few of the lesser vamps do little subtle things that they wouldn't normally. Then, once I was ready, I used it on Serena to escape her and the caverns. Fled through the desert until I reached this run-down, isolated cabin, then hid out there for the night."

Ivory managed a smile. "You're very lucky to have gotten out in one piece... What happened then?"

Chase shrugged. "Come morning, I was on my way to Sunnydale. Even if I had to hitch a ride to do so... From there, it wasn't too difficult to find out where you were living." He paused, looking slightly nervous. "Although I have to admit, Ivory, that our meeting each other face-to-face was somewhat arranged on my part."

Ivory remained silent, blushing slightly, as she recalled how Chase had collided with her on a street corner, claiming he had been out for an afternoon jog. "I'm glad you had," she said finally. "Looking at where we are now, that meeting was worth it."

Chase smiled, prepared to say more, when the cellphone Ivory carried started ringing. Sighing, the Slayer hit the receive button, raising the phone to her face. "Go ahead," she said jubilantly to whomever was on the other end.

Chase began to pack up the picnic basket when it became clear that he and Ivory were returning to the apartment, based on her side of the conversation. At last, Ivory hung up and turned to him, saying, "That was my Dad. He said that my Watcher, Willow, is asking to speak to us via computer in one hour."

Chase stood, picking up the basket. "Everything alright?" he asked, studying Ivory's face for any sign of concern.

Ivory shook her head, getting to her feet and adjusting the sunglasses. "According to Dad, my mentor in Sunnydale was very vague about what she wanted... Guess we'll know when we get there. So, shall we?"

"Be my guest," Chase replied, following her lead from the track field and unconciously running his eyes up and down her slender, tanned form. *I may not stand a chance in hell of forming romantic ties with Ivory,* he thought to himself, *but a little looking and lusting never hurt anyone...*

Angel was in the process of cursing the laptop Willow had provided them with a week earlier when Ivory and Chase entered the room. Quickly, the Slayer moved forward to exercise damage control. "Dad, calm down!" she said lightly. "What's wrong this time?"

Angel shook his head. "If I live to be a thousand years old, I swear I will never understand computers as well as Willow does," he said in frustration. Taking a deep breath, he added, "She said she'd communicate with us by using some sort of camera that will transplant our images onto the screen and hers in turn... What I can't figure out is..."

Ivory gave him a reassuring grin. "Don't worry," she cut in. "I know how to activate it." She quickly hooked a cable into the back of the small round camera attached to the top of the laptop, then opened the corresponding program that went with it. "There, we're all set. Now all we have to wait is for Willow to do the same on her end, and we can talk away."

Angel stared at Ivory in amazement. "When did my daughter become such a technological wizard?" he asked in awe, chuckling softly.

Ivory gave him a broad smile in turn. "Welcome to the Twenty-First century, Dad. And to the idea that you have a daughter highly skilled in electronics... I can do everything from repairing digital clocks to solving even the littlest computer glitch."

Angel grew thoughtful at this, taking a step towards her. "Have you ever considered putting that skill to help you with the slaying?" he asked. "Maybe, if you put your mind to it, I bet you could come up with a device or two that might prove useful..."

Ivory's smile widened, the wheels already turning in her head. "You know, that's not a bad idea," she replied. "In fact..." Ivory hesitated, then ran to grab a pen and paper from the kitchen counter. She drew a quick sketch, then returned to show Angel and Chase. "What do you guys think? Maybe army boots that I could alter in a way to benefit me. Of course, they'd have to be especially large, which means extra padding inside to make them fit, but... I could build in some hidden compartments for backup stakes!"

Chase and Angel nodded in agreement, both amused by Ivory's enthusiasm. Just then, the three were interrupted by a voice emanating from the laptop.

"Hello?" came a small, tinny version of Willow's voice. "If you guys are there, could you step in front of the camera, please? All I've got is an image of an empty room."

As one, Ivory, her father, and Chase moved in front of the laptop, all fixed on the image of Willow on the screen. Quickly, they settled into positions where the Watcher could see all three of them, then Ivory said, "Mind telling us what this little meeting is about?"

Willow sighed, getting right into it. "I know you're down there not only to save Buffy but to stop those who hold her from raising a dangerous demon..."

"Falmorean," Ivory intoned, serving as a reminder.

Willow nodded. "That's right. And we know that four 'half-vampires' are the ones that can help do so, of which Angel and your mother are two of the requirements... Anyway, I've been searching through my books trying to find some added info, and this morning, I came up with something."

Willow cleared her throat. "There's a passage in the Luminot text that reads, 'Only those bound by blood twice over can raise such a demon.'"

"'Twice over?!'" Ivory exclaimed. "Is that even possible?"

"Well, that's another thing," Willow inserted. "Further digging into the matter made it clear that the ritual itself demands that the blood of the participants be mixed. Which means that they all have to be of the same vampire clan beforehand."

Angel tried to work this out. "Well, that tracks," he said. "Considering I'm the one who brought Buffy over... But it also doesn't make sense. All the other members of my particular family, as I'm aware, are dead..."

Willow sighed again. "All except one, who's sitting right in front of you, Angel," she replied.

Ivory's eyes widened, as did her father's. "Me?!" she squeaked out. "But I'm not..."

Willow let out a deep breath. "As long as you exhibit minor vampire qualities, Ivory, you can be considered one of them. Even if it's in the one-eighth category."

Ivory paused, then nodded. "Okay," she said. "Assuming you're right, and I really think you are, who would qualify as the fourth person bound by blood?"

Willow shook her head. "I honestly don't know," she admitted. "Some bloodsucker at the caverns perhaps. Maybe you're wrong, Angel. Maybe someone else in your line is still out there."

"What about Chase?" Ivory asked abruptly. "He has my mother's blood in him. Couldn't...?"

Willow shook her head. "I've thought of that already, and it doesn't apply. Chase is an immortal, not a vampire. There's a difference."

So fixed as they were on the screen, neither Ivory nor her father noticed when Chase quietly fled for the bathroom, looking ill. "Maybe," the elder vampire said in a low tone. "Either way, we'll be sure to be extra careful when we go in to rescue Buffy... Thanks for the warning, Willow."

The Watcher smiled slightly. "Good luck. I hope to see you all back in Sunnydale in a few weeks or so... Goodbye, my friends." And with that, Willow closed the program on her end, leaving Angel and Ivory staring at the silent laptop with a sort of apprehension...

In the bathroom, Chase leaned over the sink, splashing cold water on his face for a moment before stopping to look at himself for a minute. "Oh, God, what am I doing?" he whispered to himself, inwardly feeling angry at his own cowardice. *If I was any sort of man, I would march right out there and tell them the truth right now, promises I made be damned,* he added silently.

Chase sighed heavily, trying to work up the resolve to do just that. While this was going on, he suddenly heard Ivory knocking lightly on the bathroom door. "Chase," she called. "Are you alright? You've been in there for a half hour."

Chase bit his lip, hesitating a moment before calling out, "I'm fine... Just needed a little quiet time. I'll be right out, okay?"

Chase rubbed at his face, feeling the tension ebb away just by the sound of Ivory's voice. Quickly, he stepped out into the living room, intent on spilling all. But the sight of Angel brandishing a six-inch hunting knife stopped him, and he watched as the elder vamp handed the weapon to his daugther. "For tonight's hunt," Angel said to Chase when he caught sight of him. "I figured you and Ivory could use all the leverage you could get."

"That's great," Chase said distractedly. "Look, I have to tell you guys..."

Ivory glanced up, gazing at Chase with a questioning look in her green eyes. "Yes?" she said when he remained silent.

Chase swallowed the lump in his throat, his resolve rapidly dwindling at this moment. Instead, he said, "The name, Antonio, is fine, if you want to continue being Carmelita."

Ivory blushed, throwing a quick glance at her father. "Um, yeah," she said, shoving the knife into a wrist sheath she had strapped on. "I suppose I could stick with it... Well, shall we head out? If we hurry, we could get there just before the sun sets."

"Sure," Chase replied, following her from the apartment, and mentally kicking himself for being so gutless...

The night's hunt passed rather uneventfully, as there proved to be no vamps to reel in this time around, so the Slayer and her companion left for home early. On the return journey, Ivory speculated that maybe the cavern bloodsuckers were growing wise to the decrease in their numbers. However, Chase discounted this possibility by saying that so many had left so unexpectedly over the years, there was no reason for those who remained to get suspicious.

Much to her surprise (and much to Chase's chagrin), Ivory found that Kenyon was waiting outside the door to her apartment, bearing carnations and a box of chocolates. "Hey!" she greeted, running over and giving him a hug and a kiss. "I'm sorry. I wasn't quite sure when you would arrive. Hope I didn't keep you waiting too long."

Kenyon gave her a warm smile. "Not at all," he replied, offering the gifts to her. "I got your favorite kind. All white chocolate," he added, opening the box for her perusal.

Ivory beamed, licking her lips. "Mmm," she purred. "Don't those look delicious!" She paused, tilting her head to look at him. "You're getting to know me and my weaknesses pretty well, Kenyon... What do you say we go in and you spend a little time indulging me with those sweets?"

He grinned in turn, hardly noticing the envious looks that Chase was shooting at him from behind Ivory. "Your wish is my command," Kenyon answered, watching as Ivory fished her key from her purse and unlocked the door to her apartment.

Ivory quickly prepared a vase of water for the carnations, then went to join Kenyon on the nearby chair, seating herself on one of the plush arms. Smiling, he plucked one of the chocolates from the box in his lap, feeding it to her slowly and admiring the sensuous look on her face. "Do you know how very much you amaze me?" Kenyon asked her.

Ivory shook her head. "No. Wanna tell me?"

Kenyon fed her another chocolate, simultaneously digging a piece of paper from his pants pocket. "I'll do one better," he said, a little nervously. "This is a poem I wrote specifically for you... with Hannah's help, of course." He cleared his throat, then began to recite it:

"Lovely as a summer's night,
Inviting as the day's light,
Through it all, never failing to shine.
Why I'm so glad to say you're mine."

Ivory remained silent a moment, eyes misting over slightly. "Kenyon, that's beautiful," she murmured at last. "Thank you... How much did Hannah help with it? Was it mainly your doing?"

"She helped with the rhyme scheme, just offering suggestions," Kenyon answered. "Otherwise, I composed the whole thing."

Ivory grinned, reaching down to brush a strand of hair from his face. "You're very talented then," she whispered, leaning a little closer. "I never knew you could write poetry so well."

"Just don't let it get out to my buds on the basketball team," he joked. "I'd never hear the end of it." Kenyon offered her a smile in turn, saying, "Plus, that's not the only thing I do well." With those words, he removed another chocolate from the box, placing it between his teeth and biting down ever so lightly. Ivory giggled at the gesture, even as his eyes dared her to kiss him. Deciding to take him up on the challenge, Ivory leaned closer and pressed her lips to his, losing herself in the heated kiss even long after the chocolate had melted in her own mouth...

Chapter Three

Chase watched the door long after Ivory and Kenyon had disappeared behind it, his jealousy threatening to consume him. Finally, he turned away with a sigh, retreating to a nearby bench to sit and think. "Who are you to pass judgment?" Chase muttered to himself. "You, who can't even find the courage to tell Ivory about..." Chase sighed again, rubbing at his eyes. "But I know why I can't. I promised. And if she knew everything I knew, I'd definitely lose her trust for good... Oh, why can't there be any easy way out of this?"

Eventually, Chase dug the keys to his own apartment from his pants pocket, going to let himself in. He found Angel, surprisingly enough, watching the nightly news on television and quickly took a seat next to the elder vampire.

Angel was quite surprised to see Chase back so early. "Slow night?" he asked.

"The slowest," Chase confirmed. "Which is a good thing for Ivory since Kenyon was waiting when we got back."

Angel gave a slight smirk. "I know," he said. "I can hear them talking through the walls... I'm almost tempted to run in there to break things up, but odds are Ivory would threaten me with violence if I did." He paused, sitting up straight. "Based on what I'm hearing, I'm surprised how much of a sucker she is for white chocolate, to be honest... Her mother had always preferred caramels, if memory serves."

Chase took a step closer, intrigued. "Tell me about you and Buffy. How'd that start anyway?"

Angel chuckled. "Well, for starters, I became a vampire," he began. "Late one evening, outside an Irish tavern-- This blonde number named Darla, disguised as a proper lady, lured me into an alley and made me an official member of the undead. Spent a few decades in Europe terrorizing people and siring a few vamps of my own. Then, one day, I killed the wrong girl-- a beloved gypsy daughter whose elders cursed me with a soul, for the purpose of drowning me in guilt over all my crimes... For a while, I did, then I put a little meaning into my existence. I helped a few random Slayers, anonymously, from a distance, until I was found by Whistler in New York."

"Whistler?" Chase questioned when Angel remained silent.

"The first halfway friendly demon I ever met," the elder vampire answered. "He gave my life a true purpose, by bringing me to California and showing me Buffy when she was first called. I was drawn to her light from the start, driven by a need stronger than anything to help her. And from that day on, we were able to overcome any obstacle together, whether it be outwardly or inwardly."

"You really love her, don't you?" he asked. "It hasn't diminished with time?"

Angel shook his head. "If anything, it's grown stronger," he replied. "Those years I believed her dead, I would have given anything to find some way to bring her back." Looking up at Chase, he added, "And now, thanks to you, I finally have that chance. I can't thank you enough for giving that to me."

Chase looked down, unable to meet the elder vampire's eyes. "Don't thank me," he said quietly. "At least, not until after this is over." A pause, then, "And your daughter? How do you feel towards her?"

Angel sighed. "There's love there, and admiration," he answered. "Even pride... Ivory's the only child Buffy and I have, and that's just a blessing in itself. I couldn't ask for anything more."

Chase contemplated this for a long while, then started to ask, "But what if..."

He never got a chance to finish, for there was a loud rap at the door at that moment. With another sigh, Angel rose to answer it, finding Kenyon on the porch. Stepping inside, Kenyon said, "Guess I'm stuck bunking down with you guys. Ivory just kicked me out of her room so she could get some sleep." He glanced around the apartment before focusing back on Angel. "So, where do you want me?"

While Chase was thinking of a few inappropriate responses, Angel went to retrieve an extra blanket from the nearby closet. "I'd suggest the couch," the elder vampire said to Kenyon. "Make yourself comfortable. In the meantime, Chase and I should be retiring to our own rooms," Angel added pointedly, speaking mostly to his permanent roommate.

Once they were in the hallway leading to their respective rooms, Angel turned to Chase with a stern look on his face. "Look, I know how much you must be hating Kenyon right now," Angel said in hushed tones, "But I'm sure we'll all be happier if you can set that aside for an evening or two."

Chase started to deny any such emotion, but Angel was quick to cut him off, his face taking on a sympathetic air. "Look, don't try to trick me. I've lived nearly three hundred years and I know how to read what people are feeling... Bottom line, I know how you feel about Ivory. I've seen it clear as day, even if she hasn't." Angel paused, letting out a breath. "But she's with Kenyon, and she's happy with him. That's something neither you nor I have a right to challenge... You just have to let things take their course, and be happy for her regardless of who she's with. Can you do that, Chase?"

The young man sighed, admitting that Angel did have a point. "Yes," he said quietly. "For Ivory's sake, I can do that."

"Good," Angel said with a slight nod. "Now get some sleep. You look like you could use it."

Chase did as asked, retreating to his room with a yawn. Closing the door behind him and despite his promise, he was harboring murderous thoughts towards Kenyon within moments...

How she had gotten stuck in such an awkward position, Cordelia could never quite figure out later on. She had been touring the caverns, at one point finding herself in an enclosed space, with no way out except the way she'd come. However, before she could backtrack, Cordelia heard Leeloo and Riley enter, both of them engaged in what seemed to be a private conversation. So what could Cordy do but remain hidden and listen in?

"So how'd the meeting with your old lady go?" Riley was asking. "Let me guess... She's still depressed that the two of us are spending so much time together."

Cordelia turned her head slightly, interested at the little tidbit that Leeloo's mother was still alive somewhere in the caverns. She listened to the two vampires share a long, impassioned kiss, then heard Leeloo answer, with a laugh, "What do you think? But I think she's starting to accept the fact that she can't do anything about it... Sure took her long enough. I was getting so tired of the speeches that I can do better."

Riley laughed. "You are a definite one-of-a-kind, Leeloo Angelique S..."

At this point, a new voice broke in, one that Cordelia recognized all too well. "If you two are quite finished," Ethan said, "I hope you don't mind if I speak with Riley alone for a few moments, Leeloo..."

Leeloo sighed. "Whatever," she said in slight annoyance. "I'll see you later in our chambers, Riley." With that, the young vampiress turned to walk away.

Once Leeloo was gone, Cordelia heard Ethan say, "You know, Riley. I fear you may be getting a little too close to our special friend... You're aware that Leeloo isn't long for this world?"

"Of course," Riley replied. "You remind me every day... And every day, I say the same thing... I will have no problem letting go of her, Ethan. You of all people should know that after what happened with my previous lover and Leeloo's namesake."

Ethan's eyes lit with recollection. "Ah, Lori Lee," he said, partly reminiscent. "The living... make that dead... proof that no matter how much you care for your paramours, you'll still kill them if it suits your interests."

Riley smirked. "Then there's no reason to have this conversation again, is there?"

"I guess not," Ethan replied, moving to walk from the room. "Just... enjoy her while she lasts, my friend."

Cordelia remained hidden for a long while, listening for sounds that Riley may be leaving as well, but nothing came to her. Eventually, she relaxed her stance, moving to exit the small enclosure... only to find Riley's hand encircling her throat the moment she turned the corner.

"Cordelia," Riley purred, his face inches from hers. "What a surprise to find you here."

"Riley!" she choked out. "I'm sorry... I got lost, and..."

He silenced her by raising his free hand to stroke her cheek. "Don't sweat it, sweet thing," he said softly. "Cinnamon or someone was bound to tell you Leeloo's status here sooner or later." Riley paused, tracing Cordelia's lips with one finger. "At least now you know her position will be open to anyone quite soon. What do you think about filling it?"

Inwardly, Cordelia reviled the suggestion. But, knowing she had to keep up the ruse of being evil, she answered, "Want to give me a taste to help me decide?"

Riley laughed at her seduction technique. "Now you, I definitely like," he purred, lowering his lips to hers and pulling her body closer to his. He all but ravished her for a few moments, then pulled away, eyeing her face in expectation. "Satisfied?" he asked.

Cordelia licked her lips in an enticing manner. "Consider the position filled," she replied in a low erotic tone. "As long as you don't mind not getting some until after Leeloo is done for."

Riley chuckled again. "You got yourself a deal, my lovely Cordelia. I look forward to it." When he remained silent, Cordelia moved to pass him to leave, and was startled when Riley gave her a playful slap on the behind.

It only stopped her for an instant, then Cordelia moved on, offering him one last teasing smile. She didn't stop until she had reached her own quarters, where the first thing she did was wash up in the pool of water adjoining her room to remove all traces of Riley's scent from her. Finally, lying on the bed, Cordelia muttered, "God, what am I getting myself into...?"

Life in Sunnydale had been relatively calm the past few weeks, Willow Harris mused as she switched on her computer to check her e-mail messages. With a sigh, Ivory's Watcher logged onto her online service of choice, then clicked on the little envelope icon. And, much to her delight, she found a letter from the very person she'd been waiting to hear from.

"Jenny Calendar," Willow murmured, opening the desired e-mail to read. "Well, let's see what you have for me..."

Much to Willow's surprise, the message was quite short, but nonetheless informative. Dear Willow, it read. Sorry I haven't written sooner, but my computer time has been severely limited as of late. Due to complications in my pregnancy, my physician made it clear that a lot of bedrest is in order for me for the duration. Nevertheless, I will try to get around to chatting with you tonight at 9:00 your time, using our own personal computer cameras. Hope to see you then. Love, Jenny.

So it was that all of them -- Stefanie Marks, Willow's husband, Xander, and the Watcher herself -- were gathered around Willow's terminal that evening. While waiting for their friend in England to make an appearance, Willow sat facing her two companions, engaging them in light conversation.

Stefanie was the first and only Slayer to ever live into the retirement stage, quite a miracle in itself. Originally chosen in the early 1960s, her reign as a mortal Slayer had been cut short when her vampirized brother had brought her across rather than kill her. Removed from the world for over forty-some years, it had been a twist of fate that had brought Stefanie to Sunnydale and to Buffy's door. A special closeness had been built between the two of them in no time and even existed to this day, Willow thought with a smile. Stefanie owed a great deal to Buffy (especially considering the latter had helped in some degree for Steffi to turn human once more) and was still devising ways to pay her back. The most recent being that Stefanie had raised Ivory personally alongside her own daughter, during the fifteen years that Angel had entrusted the girl to her.

As for Xander and Willow herself, they had been two of Buffy's best friends ever since high school. And it was still a miracle that they'd gotten together at all, in between Xander's state of ignorance and his pining after Buffy the first few years while Willow had been pining for HIM... But thanks to a little interference from Angel, and Xander's brief sentence to an alternate world (another story entirely), the two of them were still a happily married couple with two adorable children. And as an added bonus, Willow had been assigned as Ivory's personal mentor in the vampire-slaying game, thus providing her with her own way to honor Buffy's memory.

"So won't it be great to hear from Jenny?" Stefanie was asking, forcing Willow's concentration to come to the forefront. "I mean, it's been so long since she came to Sunnydale to visit... Made me realize how much I've missed her these past years, how successfully I'd managed to bury it."

Willow gave a half smile at the mention of their friend in England. They had all known Jenny for years, dating back to the time when Buffy's Slayerhood was still new to all of them. In fact, Jenny had been married to (and recently been made a widow of) Rupert Giles, Buffy's personal Watcher\mentor way back when. "That's why we should be glad she's moving back permanently come summer... Provided the rest of her pregnancy goes smoothly and her doctor gives her and the baby the okay to travel afterwards."

Xander cut in with, "Giles, Jr. Can you picture that?" After a pause, he added, in an amused tone, "Never thought we'd see the day, but..."

"But times are changing," Willow filled in, reaching for her husband's hand and clasping it tightly in hers. "Especially now, in light of Ivory's new found Slayer status. Can you guys believe how much has occurred since that day we informed her?!"

Stefanie shook her head in slight amusement, making it a point to rack up all the changes so far. "Well, let's see... Ivory now has full knowledge of everyone's backgrounds. Angel returned to town, and then Cordelia. Jenny made a brief appearance to inform us of Giles' death. Our respective daughters, plus Kenyon, have become to Ivory what we were to Buffy... And, oh yeah, we learned at long last that Buffy's still alive."

Willow let out a sigh, pausing a moment before moving to reply. "I for one cannot wait to see..." That was as far as the Watcher got, for, just then, Xander pointed out that Jenny had just signed on to talk to them. Eagerly, Willow turned to face the monitor, turning up the volume on her speakers slightly. "Hey!" she said cheerfully, focusing on the digitized movie-like picture of Jenny on the screen. "Glad you could make it.... Can you see us okay?"

"If Stefanie could just move to the right a little more..." came Jenny's reply. "Yeah, that's perfect!" Jenny let out a breath, squaring her shoulders. "I want to say right off that I'm sorry I won't be able to talk long. We're looking at maybe half an hour to forty-five minutes at the most... So, how are things going with our new prize Slayer?"

Willow managed a broad smile. "Ivory sure does take after her mother, I'll admit that. She's full of the same spirit, the same initiative... In fact, she's out in Arizona for the rest of the school year at least, getting ready to move on a cavern network of the undead."

Jenny got an uncertain look. "A network?" she asked, a note of unease in her tone. "How many would that be?"

"Hundreds, we believe," Willow replied solemnly. "We don't know for certain... But I don't foresee Ivory having to take them all on at once. If anything, she and Angel will only have to be in the caves long enough to stage a rescue mission."

Jenny quickly catalogued the bit of news that Angel was back in the game, moving right on to her next question. "A rescue?! Of who?!"

Willow bit her lip lightly, opening her mouth to answer, but Stefanie got there first. "I know this is going to sound unbelievable," Steffi said, "but they're there primarily to save Buffy." Without giving Jenny a chance to respond, Stefanie set in bringing her up to date on it all: Chase's revelation, the plan to arrange for him, Ivory, Angel, and Cordelia to travel to Arizona to set things up, and even the ritual that loomed overhead.

When Stefanie was finished, Willow broke in with more, taking note of Jenny's bewildered look. "Plus, we know the names of a few vampires living there, courtesy of Cordelia... Cinnamon, Leeloo, Riley, Serena... And Ethan." Willow paused, exhaling a deep breath. "It was my hope that you could maybe look up information on the first four; maybe there'd be something about them in Giles' books... Not to mention any references to our friendly demon, Falmorean."

Jenny raised one hand to brush her hair back, slightly overwhelmed. "I'll do that," she said absently, appearing sad and pensive. "God, poor Giles," she whispered, so softly that the three had to strain to hear her. "He adored Buffy so much, and he was never the same during the years he believed her dead. So many times, he wished he could have the chance to see her just one more time... But... But I guess now, he'll never have that opportunity." A stray tear fell down Jenny's cheek which she absently brushed away. "Damn Ethan for taking that, taking her, away from Giles and us. I hope someone -- Buffy or Angel or even Ivory -- sees to it that he pays for what he's done... So many years..."

Willow fought back tears, unlike Stefanie. "I know," she added softly. "And I'm sure we'll see to it that he does... Until then..."

"I'll do what I can to help," Jenny said firmly, her eyes showing that she meant it. "Just, give me those names again. I'd like to write them down." The exchange only took a few moments, then Jenny finished with, "It's been good talking to you three... And Willow, I hope to see you again in a few days, hopefully with some insight on my part. For now, it's back to bed." However, Jenny stopped long enough to add, patting her swollen abdomen, "By the way, it's going to be a boy. I found out just last week... So if any of you have any names to suggest, I'd gladly hear about it at our next conversation."

The trio smiled, each bidding farewell to their friend before she signed off. Afterwards, Willow, Stefanie, and Xander leaned back in their seats, feeling an odd sort of serenity in the wake of the conversation. Sure, things were still far from being okay, but that short talk, and the knowledge that Jenny would keep true to her word, was enough to give them peace of mind for now...

On to Chapter Four