Heart of Memories
by Angel_Love

The lights flashed an emergency, as the police and paramedic crews of Sunnydale gather round the blond haired injured girl, lying in a heap next to the graveyard.

A shabbily dressed man was trying to get to her, but failing.

“Sir. Sir, if you just back away -... sir!”

“You - you don’t understand - I have to - have to -” He babbled.

“If you just stand back, and an officer will come to take a statement.” The officer placated. “Do you know the girl? Sir, I asked you if you knew the girl.”

The man tore his eyes away from the crumpled body.

“Yes. Yes, I do. Yes. I she - will she -?” He stuttered.

“We’ll have to see. Stand back please Sir.”

The man took a few steps back, more stumbles than steps, and his gaze stayed fixed on the body.

Another officer stepped up to him, holding a notebook.

“I was told you know the identity of the girl?” He asked.

“Yes. Her name is .... her name is Buffy. Summers. Buffy Summers.”

Giles couldn’t take his eyes off Buffy’s bloodied body as she was lifted onto a stretcher and placed in the back of the ambulance.

Buffy lay on something .... cold. Starchy. The place smelled like ....

Why couldn’t she move?

She tried to open her mouth, tried to speak. But her lips were dry and cracked, stiff. Unrelenting.

What was happening - why was she - what could - ?

Was she in some sort of nightmare? Paralysis.

She tried to move again. Again with the nothingness. Why couldn’t she move? Where was she? Where was everyone? What was happening to her?

Her mind was crowded with questions. Questions that made her afraid, because she couldn’t answer them. She was helpless.

Helpless, and Buffy Summers, are not exactly synonymous guys! Buffy cried out inside herself. Whoever cast this really icky spell, wanna let up now? Please? Oh come on! She continued. Help me? Even .... even if you bring me some chap stick, that would help a little.

“Buffy.” A voice whispered.

If she could have moved, Buffy would have jumped at the surprise that another person was ... wherever she was.

She tried to move, ask what was happening .... but the strange, fearful rigamortis stayed, and the slayer grew apprehensive at what was happening.

“They said you could hear me. I really hope you can, because I feel kinda stupid talking to a cor..... a .. sleeping person.”

The feminine voice seemed rather familiar. But Buffy couldn’t place it. Couldn’t pin it down.

“I’m trying to get with the funny, here, but ... suddenly I can’t find the funny side anymore.”

The person moved - was ... sitting next to her? Was Buffy sitting too? Would the person help her? Hey, why wasn’t she?!

“I have to go soon. I shouldn’t be here. Town or building. I just feel that I .... need to help. You know? Get my retribution. Kinda like Angel. Except, I’m not a vampire and ..... but anyway. I need you to get better. I know you will. I need you at my back, B. I need you. It’s getting worse out there. Getting closer. I’ll come back later, maybe. See if there’s any change.” The voice was choked with some sort of emotion. “They say you might not get better. But they don’t know you. I like to think I do. I know you’ll sort all this out when you wake up. I know you’ll fight for the happy ending.”

Warm lips grazed her forehead, as the voice receded to the other end of the room.

Yuh huh. Why is this person - who is not at all with the helpful - talking about Angel??! Buffy asked silently.

Another voice protruded into the room.

“Oh, dearie, what are you doing in here? Your room’s down the hall, isn’t it.”

A woman. Old. Voice weary with time and age.

The girl coughed, then answered.

“Yeah. Just thought I’d look in on ... on her.”

“Are you finished, because the darkness is coming. Better get back to your bed.”

Buffy felt the girl swing in a direction, her voice sharp.

“Darkness is coming. Yeah. I know already.”

The silence that echoed round the room, seemed almost ... sinister to Buffy’s attuned ears.

She wanted to scream, to warn the girl. But she couldn’t.

“You went awfully pale there.” The old woman asked the girl. “Are you alright?”

There was a pause, then

“Five by five.”

A pause, and then the girl added

“Take care of her.”

“We will dearie.”

Buffy wanted to call the girl back. Wanted to ask her all the questions that crowded her head, warn her. Of what, though ?

But instead, she felt something prick the crook of her arm, and languidness swept over her like a tidal wave almost instantly ...

No! No! Please, I need to ask her something! I need to ask her if ......

The nurse looked down at Buffy Summers, and smirked. Something in the room beeped and she pressed a button on the small, compact, electronic device.

A hoarse voice filtered out of it clearly, into the room.

“Is the slayer out?”

“I have done as you have asked, master.” The nurse, the old woman, replied. “She will not wake up until sunrise.”

“Good. Good, but we need her out of the way permanently, Sister Jacobs. Do you think you can handle it?”

“Yes Sir. I beg you for time, though. She has many friends. People poking their noses in where they are not wanted, if you know what I mean. And we may have an added problem. One we had not foreseen.”

“Which is?”

“Another one.”

“Another what, Sister Jacobs? You do tire me and keep me from my quest.”

“Another slayer, master. She was just in here, talking to the subject.”

“And you didn’t think to kill her?”

“She is another patient in here. What would you ask me to do? Visiting hour has just begun, the hospital is streaming with mortals calling upon loved ones.”

“I remember that other slayer.” The hoarse voice had brightened. “I doubt she will be much of an opposition. If anything, I think she could help us. There has been ... how do you put it? no love lost between the two slayers. But, you are a newcomer and will not remember past rituals or memories.” A sigh echoed down the line. “Ah, but they were good times. Now, if that is all, I must go.”

“Yes master. Good fortune to you.”

“Thank you Sister Jacobs, I will not need it. I have faith on my side.” There was laughter and then nothing as they hung up.

The nurse took one more look at the sleeping slayer and walked out of the room.

Buffy dozed on, in a drug induced stupor. She could not foresee the danger that lay ahead. She could not see the death that threatened on the horizon.

And she could not see, that the only way to conquer the evil that rose, was to travel. Travel back to the past, and unite with enemies - and old lovers .....

“Oh God. Oh God. Oh God.” Willow muttered over and over.

“I second that ‘Oh God’ and raise ya one hundred.” Xander muttered, pacing the waiting room.

“We must think. We must .... research what has done this to Buffy, find out it’s -” Giles murmured anxiously to himself.

Willow collapsed onto a chair.

“She will be alright, won’t she? I mean, she’s Buffy ....” She fretted.

Xander sat down beside her, grabbed her hand.

“Of course, I mean, she’s the Bufster. She’ll be alright.” His face was grave. “She has to be.”

Giles turned to them, his voice sharp.

“Stop this talk, the both of you. There is no doubt in my mind that Buffy will be better in a few days time. She has come through far worse.”

“Exactly.” Willow pounced. “She’s used to some very powerful demons, and well, hey, here we are, and she is, in this antiseptic prison, and she’s not well, and -”

“Will, focus on calm. Breathe. In, out. Yeah. Good...” Xander instructed.

Willow nodded, and started breathing.

Giles threw a questioning look at Xander, and he shrugged.

“I translated what she was trying to say as Buffy is a hell of a kick ass slayer. Let’s face it, there’s not much she cannot kill. So how come she can be hospitalised by some graveyard thing that we have no idea what it is, let alone what it’s here for.” He looked at Willow. “Right?”

Willow nodded.

“There has been some rise in the paranormal activity of Sunnydale, as late.” Giles remarked. “Possibility is that Buffy encountered something she has never ... encountered before. She was ill before patrol, wasn’t she? Maybe that could account for her inability to cope with such a demon.”

“Yeah, she was kinda sickly, and how do we even know it was a demon? As far as I can see, we’re pretty clueless on the whole motive front.” Xander fired in quick succession.

Giles looked worried.

“Yes, Xander, I do realise that. Right now I’m just trying to my mind round the actuality that our slayer is in hospital, thus making Sunnydale vulnerable, and with paranormal activity on the swift increase, we need Buffy more than ever.”

“At times like this, don’tcha just pine for nice, sane Faith?” Xander quipped.

“Xander, this is not the time for threats like that.” Giles warned.

There was a crash as the door to the waiting room crashed open to reveal Joyce Summers, Buffy’s mom. And by the look on her face, she was not happy.

Her voice was like ice, her face like stone.

“Is that all you people ever think about? The Slayer?” She spat out the word like it was a curse. “Do none of you care that Buffy is not only a slayer - that she is so much more? That she is just nineteen, a child? That she has her whole life to look forward to, should be out partying, having fun - but instead is putting her life on the life, time and time again, for people who don’t even have the decency to care about her for herself!”

Giles, Willow and Xander looked stunned, and Joyce continued

“One of these times, I am going to be called to this hospital, and it will not be to comfort my daughter, but to identify her body. And when that time comes, I will blame all of you.” Her eyes pinned on Giles.

“Now, Mrs Summers -” He began.

“Don’t even say anything, Mr Giles. Don’t try that stuffy British charm with me. I’m not sixteen this time, it won’t work. All I care about right now, is my daughter. All I want to hear is that she is alright, and that I can take her home, where she will be safe.”

“Mrs Summers, we’re, we’re sorry ... if ... if we’ve offended you. We didn’t mean ... we’re Buffy’s friends. We love her.” Willow spoke quietly, hurt.

“Yeah. We want to help. In any way we can.”

Joyce scoffed, stayed silent.

Giles coughed.

“Maybe we should go home.” Giles suggested to Xander and Willow. “Try and ... find out wh - what did this to Buffy.”

“So you can get your slayer back.” Joyce snapped.

Giles voice had gathered a chill.

“If that’s what makes you feel better, Mrs Summers, then, yes. So we can get our slayer back.”

Joyce sat herself down on the seat that Willow had occupied, as Willow and Xander stood up.

Joyce pinned Xander with a cold glare.

“You want to help?” She said cuttingly. “You talked about Faith earlier. I heard. You go and get her. Tell her Sunnydale is hers. Maybe then Buffy will have a chance at a future.”

“You want Sunnydale to be in Faith’s hands? Are you crazy?!” Xander burst out, then realised who he had yelled at, and laughed guiltily. “Not that you are, of course. It’s completely sane to put that psycho in charge of the population of Sunnydale’s lives.” But he wasn’t making it sound any better. “You know what? I’ll go now.”

“That would be a really good idea.” Joyce told him cuttingly.

But their way out of the waiting room was blocked.

It was the girl who had been in Buffy’s room earlier.

Faith.

________________end part one____________________________

“You know, I don’t have any TNT or explosive, but hey, I come bearing chips and soda.” She brandished the potato chips and a bottle of juice.

“Oh boy. Now you’ve done it. You called the next slayer.” Xander derided, his eyes wide, disbelieving, on the estranged slayer. “Did anybody tell you that Buffy is not dead? That you are not needed? Huh Miss I-sided-with-the-Mayor-and nearly-got-us-all-killed?”

“Xander. Behave.” Giles ordered, then took in Faith with obvious hostility. “Do the police know that you have escaped?”

“Hey. What’s with all this hostility I feel in the air here? Jeez. To think you expect people to be welcoming. Not here, I guess.”

“Welcoming? What do you expect us to be like, Faith?” Joyce asked. “You’ve hardly been a friend to Buffy, have you? You’ve caused a lot of trouble.”

“Look, I’ve changed.” Faith told them flatly. “I don’t care whether you believe me or not. I know I have.”

“Well, that’s a plus - that you know you have. Because, here’s something right out outta left field - we don’t believe you Faith - why should we!?” Xander retorted.

“Why did you come back?” Willow put in. “To gloat? To hurt Buffy more?”

Faith looked at the open hostility on the faces on the people before her. It made her feel deflated. And angry.

She threw her offerings down onto a chair, and looked directly at each one of them, Slayer Spirit lighting up her eyes.

“The Hellmouth is due to be opened in a week. By Kalsmos. Demon. Look him up in one of your research books. He’s what put Buffy in here. And come seven days at twilight, he’s reaping his revenge on this town. And you don’t have the slayer here to protect you.”

With her eyes narrowed, she stalked away.

Xander looked up at Giles, laughing nervously.

“She’s wrong....... right?”

“How would she know if this demon was here and ‘planning to reap his revenge’ anyway?” Willow put in. “She’s hardly been, excuse the irony, faithful to her job, has she? And she was supposed to be in jail.”

Giles opened his mouth to speak -

“She’s telling the truth.” Joyce informed them in a dismissive voice, turning her back to them and sitting down.

“Pardon?” Giles murmured, double taking.

Joyce’s face still held the hostility that Faith had witnessed, except it was now directed at the remaining people in the waiting room.

“What possible reason would she have to lie about it? You’re the Watcher. Were, Buffy’s Watcher. You figure it out, Mr Giles.”

Giles looked at Xander then to Willow.

Willow and Xander stared back at him.

They all made for the door at the same time.

Xander sounded hoarse, but triumphant.

“I found it! I found it!” He was brandishing the book around the room. “Kalsmos! The big slimy yellow and green monster that he is, hiding in a dusty old grey book!”

Giles rubbed his head.

“Xander, this is the tenth time you think you found the demon that Faith was talking about. Are you quite sure this time or do you just want more crackerjacks? You’ll have to go to the store, I seem to have run out.” His voice was sarcastic.

Xander slapped the book down, waking Willow up at the same time.

“Kalsmos.” Xander said firmly, pointing.

“Wha - Did you find him?” She asked groggily.

Giles paused in his reading and interrupted Xander’s gloating.

“Yes. Yes, it seems Xander has come up trumps this time.”

“And don’t say thank you or anything!” Xander pointed out.

“Xander do shut up. I think we have more pressing matters on our hands than stroking your ego.”

“Hey!” Xander protested. “I didn’t say anything about stroking! The only stroking that will be done to me, in here is by me -”

He broke off, flushed, realising what he had just given away, but Giles and Willow appeared not be listening to him their eyes pouring over the words of the prophecy.

“Guys?” Xander let out, a little put out.

Giles’ head rose from the book, and took on a sharp edge.

“It seems out rogue slayer was quite correct in her prognostication.”

He took his glasses off and closed the book with a thud.

“What do mean - correct?” Xander asked, rounding the sofa to where Giles and Willow were sitting.

“It appears that, Faith’s demon, this, Kalsmos Deintera, will attempt - and succeed - at opening the Hellmouth. In approximately six days, if not less.”

“Oh God.” Willow whimpered.

“Well, well - what - what are we going to do? We can’t fight him. He put Buffy in the hospital. Buffy.”

Silence.

They contemplated the enormity of the prophecy, and the sheer impossibility that they could stop Kalsmos Deintera without Buffy.

Willow’s eyes glimmered with a spark of hope.

“Angel?” She put forward tentatively.

Both men’s eyes snapped toward her.

“I mean, someone has to tell him about Buffy, right? And he fought the Kamanche for her, so he could fight this Kalsmos.....”

“How can we be sure that Faith hasn’t told him already, Will? I mean, those two were pretty buddy-buddy the last time we saw.” Xander told her.

“He’d be here in a second if he knew Buffy was in the hospital, attacked by this demon. He’d want his revenge, and if his revenge meant saving the world from a rapid influx of demons and monsters ... well, a vampire’s gotta do, what a vampire’s gotta do for the love of his slayer.” She joked, but Xander remained unconvinced. “Oh, come on Xander, it’s Angel we’re talking about. He’d do anything for Buffy.”

Willow was pale as she put the phone down and walked into the lounge.

Her hand shook and she blinked rapidly, trying to get her mind focused on what had just happened.

She turned to Giles and Xander.

“He’s ..... he’s ...”

“What, Will? What? On the next train? Spit it out.” Xander instructed.

“.....not coming.” She managed.

“’Til tomorrow?” Xander tacked on hopefully.

Giles opened a further book and shook his head.

“I think what Willow is trying to say, Xander, is that the vampire Angel declined our offer to save the world and the woman he loves.”

Xander twisted to Willow.

“Is he right? Angel’s not coming?”

Willow nodded.

“Giles is right.”

Xander’s face was struggling with the emotions that Angels non return made him feel. Both joy and the fact that dying was a grave - and yet probable - forecast, were two of them.

“That, that bastard!” Xander cried.

Willow could not understand it either.

“He said that he had his own life to lead now. That Buffy could do it on her own. He didn’t even give me a chance to say what had happened. He sounded so ... so ..... unangel-like.”

Xander flopped down onto the sofa, seemingly defeated.

“I can’t believe it.” He muttered.

Faith stood at the front door.

“I can.”

Xander grunted.

“Well, well. If it isn’t our faithless, like dramatic entrances - don’tcha.”

Willow ignored the slayer and paced around the lounge.

“We’ve got to come up with a plan, we’ve got to think of some way of defeating Kalsmos..... You know, even though they had secret agendas and tried to kill Buffy and all.... the Initiative would come in handy at a time like this. At least they had guns.” She groused in a slight voice filled with weariness.

“Willow, be careful. The last time Xander said ‘I wish that so and so were here’, his wish turned up. All we need is army brats, overflowing with testosterone bursting in here.”

Riley appeared next to Faith, and Giles frowned.

“I rest my case.”

Xander stood up.

“What’s going on here then?” He demanded to know.

“I took the, um, initiative of going to Buffy’s ex squeeze for some help.” Faith smiled mischievously. “I’ve never closed a Hellmouth before. Should be a ... stimulating experience.”

She stretched her arms out in pleasure of being ‘back on the job’, so to speak.

“Faith stimulated! Well, la de dah, some things never change.” Willow bitched.

Faith checked her out, a languid once over.

“How you coping without the stick shift, red? Liking it as much?” She returned, referring to Willow’s gay relationship.

She knew she shouldn’t be retaliating to their barbs, if she had any hope in securing their help with this Hellmouth, hell-bent demon intent on destroying the world. Demons were so fickle.

“That’s none of your business.” Willow huffed.

“Sure.” Faith sidled over to Xander, unable to step out of the persona they had categorised her into. “Long time no see, X.”

“Not long enough, F.”

Faith let out a laugh.

“Your manners get worse everyday.”

She looked at Riley, standing, awkwardly at the door.

“Come on in, Riley. Meet the troops.”

Giles was reading, apparently ignoring the goings on surrounding him.

Riley walked in, and Xander was shaking his head at Faith, his eyes sparking.

“Troops? Did I hear the word ‘troops’?!”

Faith looked him up and down with a discarding look.

“What is it Xander? Afraid of dying?”

“Ooh yeah. I sense change in you. Uh huh. Completely believing, girlfriend.”

“I’m just responding the only way I know how to you lot .... overwhelming me with all these sincere welcome homes and we’re glad your back. Tit for Tat, X. That much hasn’t changed.”

“And you!” Xander rounded on Riley.

“Shame on you Riley!” Willow burst out.

“What did she do, flaunt her pointed stick at you and promise you some more of that sheet crumpling action that you two dabbled with the last -”

Faith threw Xander against the wall, and advanced toward him.

“I’m warning you, X. You get in my way, I won’t like it. I’m here simply to help an old friend out. When it’s over, I’ll go.”

“You have friends?” Xander managed out, lying on the floor like a discarded dish cloth when the rogue slayer let him go.

“I am talking about Buffy, wise ass.” Faith snarled. “I want to get Kalsmos for what he did to my girl. And close the Hellmouth while I’m at it.”

“You make it sound like one big party trick!” Xander observed angrily.

“Am I supposed to dwell on it and let it beat me down until I’m a snivelling wreck?” Faith returned. “That’s not my style.”

“And don’t we all know it.” Xander retorted.

Faith sniggered and looked away.

“While we’re at it, Faith, how did you know about Angel not coming?” Xander pounced.

She turned to him.

“I didn’t.”

“You said -”

“I just said I could believe he’s not coming back. He’s got his own life now. A whole new world. He can’t just drop everything and come running back here whenever you need him. People could die.”

“At your hands most likely.” Willow snapped, and paled. “My bad...”

Faith shrugged.

“You guys think that Angel’s always gonna be there? When Buffy needs a shoulder, when you need a demon killed? He’s gotta move on. It doesn’t help him coming back here to bail you guys out every two seconds. It’s all over. Time you moved on too.”

“You cynical, jaded ... person.” Xander muttered. “Look, Angel wasn’t exactly my favourite person, but .... he loves Buffy. He’ll do anything for her.”

“No offence, Xander, but you can’t keep asking him to come back, see her and then leave her again. What do you think it does to him every time he does that? Life is hard enough in LA for him as it is. It’s tough surviving on your own. I know that. And I’m not even a two hundred and something year old vampire who’s busting his ass every day for a redemption that might never come!”

Giles looked at her, his eyes curiously and surprisingly understanding.

“No. You’re a young woman who turned her back on her destiny in the pursuit of a higher power, because it was the only thing that offered you warmth and love at that time. But you have changed, and now you find yourself wanting back what you had in the beginning, and by doing that, you are trying to claw back your right to the destiny you forfeited by helping us, and killing Kalsmos.” His eyes were hooded, and each person in the room wondered where the speech was coming from. “Welcome home Faith. We have a lot to do in the next six days.”

______________end of part two_________________

Giles has accepted Faith back into the fold, but as Buffy grows worse, tensions run high.

Note: Fighting scenes from real episodes, transcribed by Xander Thompson. Also, there is reference to episodes - particularly ‘Angel’ - ‘Sanctuary’, to which I am glossing over only (in my world, they did not happen - denial!) because they make slight relation to my plot line. If I have one. Remember that this is a new series, and that stuff happened in episodes between them. Heart of Memories is directly followed by the next book, ‘Be Still My Heart’. Coming soon.

Buffy’s eyes drifted open.

She opened her mouth, her dry lips sticking to one another, and let out a croak.

Working her tongue over her lips, she took in her surroundings.

Hospital? Why was she in hospital?

She sniffed the air. Disinfectant. A hospital.

She frowned, tried to remember what had happened. She had been patrolling ...... in the graveyard...... hadn’t she?

And this demon, this, incredibly lethal, strong demon attacked her, coming from nowhere. It was like he had appeared from thin air. Or an alternate universe, or something.

Where was everybody? Why weren’t they round her bed, telling her she would be okay? How long had she been here?

A dozen and one questions flooded her mind.

She tried to speak, to signal something, but there was no need, as the door opened and a nurse walked in.

“Oh!” Buffy squeaked. “My mom .....?”

The nurse looked startled for a moment, then her face settled back into passive kindness.

“Ah, Ms Summers, you seem to be getting better.” She sounded, as she walked across the room.

At the last minute, Buffy noticed something glinting in the nurses hand. A needle? But she was fine - she was -

Sister Jacobs observed the flare of panic and anger and confusion in Buffy’s eyes, and her smile was faintly malicious.

“There, there, dearie. It’s only to make you feel all better. Settle down.”

Hot blood pounded in Buffy’s veins. She hated hospitals. And she didn’t much like this nurse, either.

“I’ll scream.” Buffy threatened, her voice gathering strength.

Sister Jacobs frowned.

“I’m a nurse. Merely bringing you an injection of antibiotics. Where’s the harm.”

“How long have I been here?” Buffy demanded to know.

“Not long.”

“How long?”

“Two days.”

“What happened to me?”

Sister Jacobs was getting agitated.

“You were attacked.”

Buffy frowned, remembering the demon again. Her sharp eyes focused on the nurse.

“You one of his minions?”

“Pardon?” Was the calm, mild retort.

“I asked if you were in with the demon who attacked me.” When the nurse didn’t answer, Buffy moved her body. “Look at me. There’s not a scratch on me. The bruises have healed. So how come I’ve been having these strange occurrences where I wake up, but I can’t move or speak?”

Again, silence.

“Have you been drugging me?” Sunnydale’s slayer was getting really angry. And when she got angry....

“You were critical. You have not healed yet, it isn’t possible.” Sister Jacobs denied in a hissing voice.

“What can I say, I have a high metabolism rate.” Buffy retorted flippantly.

Sister Jacobs didn’t know what to do, this was not how it was supposed to be going.

“Lie back, I’ll get the doctor in.” She tried.

“Where’s my mother? Where are my friends?” Buffy wanted to know.

A nervous twitch was working in the nurse’s cheek.

“Your mother went home for a change of clothing. Your friends .....”

“What?”

“Are busy.” The nurse finished lamely, looking for a way to get out of the predicament she was in. She looked to the door.

“Don’t try it lady.” Buffy let her know. “I may have been ill, but I bet I’m a hell of a lot faster on my feet than you are.”

To prove it, Buffy sat up, pulling the sheets off her as she did so.

Sister Jacobs eyes were wide.

“You can’t do that! You can’t leave!”

Buffy stopped because there was real panic in her voice. The woman was deathly frightened.

“Why not?” Buffy asked silkily.

“Because ..... you were at deaths door when they brought you in. You’ve just woken up from a coma. You can’t -”

“I wasn’t in a coma though was I?” Buffy interrupted. “I can help you - only if you tell me what is going on here. Why was I attacked - and why the hell were you drugging me?”

Sister Jacobs eyes were shiny with fear.

“If I tell you, he’ll kill me.”

“Who will - the demon who attacked me? I don’t have time for this!”

Sister Jacobs looked at her.

“Do you think it’s possible that a person, who has been evil nearly all of her life - can ever be good?” She whispered. “I want so much to be that person who -”

Buffy interrupted.

“Redemption is granted.” She told the frightened nurse softly. “For those who are brave enough to turn their back on what has made them evil. For those who try to do some good.”

“Kalsmos Deintera was the demon who attacked you, he is twenty -”

“I don’t want a whole history, edit it.” Buffy snapped.

“He’s in Sunnydale to open the Hellmouth. Come twilight, five days from now, he will open the Hellmouth and bring forth the darkness. His second in command is my master. He does not have a name, but those around him talk of him as Ejin. He is not man, nor demon, nor vampire. He is the embodiment of evil.” She looked at Buffy sadly. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” Buffy asked, in confusion.

The door to Buffy’s private room inched open, and Sister Jacobs stepped back.

“All bow to the master that holds the law, above the law, evil upon evil, to the darkness that shall be wrecked. Behold the master.”

A man walked into the room, and Buffy looked at Sister Jacobs, to him, her eyes wide and wild.

First appearances, Buffy’s visitor seemed like a business man. In a suit, and tie, all in all, an orderly appearance. His eyes though, were pin points of darkness. Of evil. Of destruction.

“You failed, Sister Jacobs.” He spoke in a clear, yet hoarse tone.

“Yes Master, I am truly sorry.”

“And how is the subject feeling today?”

This was directed to Buffy.

“What, are we in math now? What’s going on?”

The man’s - Ejin - gaze swept to the nurse.

“At least you do not betray your calling, Sister. There had been talk that you were finding your duties difficult to carry through. That you were perhaps, dreaming about being a mortal.”

“I am not mortal, Master. Nor I ever shall be.”

“That is, sadly, true.” Ejin pronounced, walking toward her, his arms extended.

Neither Buffy, nor Sister Jacobs saw the steel glint of the blade until it was too late.

The blade sliced across the subordinate of Ejin with perfect clarity of preciseness.

With a last choked breath, Sister Jacobs fell to the floor, dying in a pool of blood that was yellow and orange.

Buffy was unable to move, unable to take her eyes off the sight.

Ejin smiled, an evil smile.

“She was unloyal. Flighty. Terrible waste.”

Buffy’s eyes snapped to him.

“If you’re so evil, why are you working for Kalsmos?”

Ejin showed no surprise that Buffy knew.

“In some ways, my world is like your world. We have to work our way up. Get our own .... reputation before we can branch out into our special expertise.”

“Well, you seem to have yours down to a fine art.” Buffy managed out a mouth that was dry, her body wracked with weariness. She was weak.

“Such compliments.”

He came toward her and Buffy scuttled up the bed.

“Oh, do not play. You are weak. Why not take it with strength, with the bravery of death? It will make your death taste so much sweeter. Do not fight what you cannot change. This prophecy, will be executed. Will be completed. You would not want to be here when the darkness comes, besides.”

He was closer, making conversation.

“I took lessons on what your world was like, to prepare me for events such as this. I have a whole mind of memories on what I was taught. I sometimes miss my world, it was very special to me. But your world ..... so far, your world has not let me down. It has so much potential.”

He still holds the knife in his hand, with Sister Jacobs blood fresh upon the steel blade.

Acting with precision and with deadly accuracy despite her illness, Buffy jack-knifed up onto the bed, and round house kicked Ejins head, before jumping off the bed and grabbing the sides, hoisting it over onto him. With a grunt, he fell beneath it, but casually kicked it off not a second later.

Buffy felt weak, but was determined to fight and win.

“Didn’t your lessons ever tell you that too much talk is bad?” She directed at him, noticing his blade had slid away from him, next to the possessions cabinet.

As suddenly as Buffy had moved, Ejin pounced and caught Buffy in a stranglehold. She struggled, wriggling and kicking, until she stopped, and then calmly flipped him over, onto the floor.

With a laugh, Ejin got up again.

“You will not defeat me, subject.”

“I’m not a subject.” Buffy said slowly. “I’m Buffy. And you’re dead.”

Faith tackled him from behind, rolling onto the floor, and delivering a shower of punches to his face.

Ending with a hard kick in the gullet, she stood up, shook her hair away from her face, and took on a fighting stance. Buffy, shocked for only a minute, did the same, fists up, eyes clear and focused.

Faith took in Ejin as he righted himself.

“Who’s this jackass?” She asked Buffy.

“That’s Ejin.” Buffy answered. “Say hi Ejin.”

Ejin’s eyes travelled over the two slayers.

“The power that is in this room is intense. Luckily, it is I who has the most power.”

“We’ll see about that.” Faith rebuked.

The two slayers rushed Ejin with a fierce ferocity.

Buffy, caught again in a stranglehold, back punched him, and Faith flipped him over, kicking him in the process. Buffy broke free and slapped Ejin with furious intensity. Ejin, turning away from Buffy, tackled Faith, and the two rolled onto the floor. Buffy reached down and grabbed Ejin by the collar of his suit jacket, and yanked him up, placing him in a vice stranglehold, while Faith pummeled him with kicks and punches.

Ejin, roaring, ripped himself away, and paced the room, looking at the slayers with eyes that burned.

“How do we kill this guy?” Faith threw to Buffy.

“I don’t even know what he is!” Buffy answered as Ejin flew at them.

Violently knocked against the wall, Buffy fell to the floor, dazed.

She watched hazily as Faith ducked Ejin’s grab and kicked him in the back. Coming for her again, Ejin’s advances were thwarted by Faith banging his head hard against a metal machine that was standing in the corner.

Seeming a little blank, surprisingly, Ejin looked up at Faith with deadly ferocity. But Faith’s gaze more than equaled his, as both prepared for the kill.

Abruptly remembering the piercing blade that had killed Sister Jacobs, Buffy hauled herself up with the aid of the wall, while Faith and Ejin continued to fight. But powerless with fatigue and the remnants of Sister Jacobs potion, Buffy fell back to the floor and had to crawl across the floor - and the bloody corpse of Sister Jacobs - to get to where she wanted to go.

Breathing heavily, and still dazed herself, Buffy turned to see Faith trapped by Ejin in the corner. Ejin advanced toward her, his nostrils flaring at the scent of death.

Buffy tried to move, to help her.

“Faith!” She gasped.

But she was weak, forceless.

Buffy closed her eyes, and when she opened him, someone else had entered into the fray, another man, kicking Ejin out of way, and hauling Faith out of the corner. Once more, Ejin righted himself quickly and stood, ready to take them both on.

Her eyes blurring, Buffy saw Faith and the man tackle Ejin to the floor, and begin another round of the fight to death.

Gathering a burst of strength, she called Faith’s name, and tossed her Ejin’s knife.

“Faith! Catch!”

Through the grey haze settling in front of Buffy’s eyes, she saw Faith toss the blade to the newcomer, and hold Ejin as he pierced the blade into his heart quickly.

With a sigh of relief, Buffy’s whole body lay on the floor, next to Ejin’s kill, both of them covered in sticky blood - a mix of yellow and orange ...... and of dark red ...........

Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind /

Buffy sat recuperating on Giles sofa, a cup of warm cocoa in her hands, the next day.

Faith sat across from her in an armchair.

“What are you doing here?” Buffy asked her quietly.

“I came to help. It’s not over. Kalsmos will still try to reopen the Hellmouth.” Faith told her.

Angel walked into the lounge, with a bag of potato chips. He handed them to Buffy.

“Willow told me to give these to you.” Buffy took them, her eyes downcast.

“Thanks.” She mumbled.

He stood beside the darkened window.

“How are you feeling?”

“Fine. The doctor said it was just a flesh wound. I heal fast anyway.” Buffy answered. Faith watched the two of them, her eyes shrouded.

Memories, sweetened through the ages just like wine /

“I’ll be staying in a motel down the road. Angel’ll be staying the mansion on Crawford Street.”

“Fine.”

Quiet thought come floating down /

“I’ll be gone as soon as I get this job down, B. I won’t stay any longer than that.” Buffy rolled her eyes, her eyes hard.

“I don’t care how long you stay. It doesn’t matter to me because you are nothing to me. You understand? Nothing.”

“Sure.” Faith replied lightly. Angel walked over to Buffy, sat down beside her.

“I think that you two should at least talk this through, Buffy -”

“What?!” Buffy cried, shying away from his touch. “You’re taking her side now? When did this happen?”

“I’m just saying -” Angel began. “Don’t blame Angel -” Faith began.

And settle softly to the ground /

Buffy looked at both of them in turn, her eyes watering.

“Thank you for both helping. God knows we need it. But that’s as far as it goes. That’s all I can offer. To both of you.”

Like golden autumn leaves around my feet /

“Buffy.” Angel whispered, his hand on hers. Buffy breathed deeply, and took her hand back.

“I’m finding it awful hard to be here with you both at the moment.” She admitted carefully, looking at them with a strange light in her eyes. “Ejin told me that he had a mind full of memories from some lessons he was getting of ‘our world’. Well you know what? I have a heart of memories, of what, you Faith, did last year. And what you, Angel, did when you saw that she needed help. Help that you had to give her. And I don’t apologise for it. So don’t wait for one.”

I touched them and they burst apart with sweet memories, / Sweet memories / Of holding hands and red bouquets /

“Buffy, I -” Faith started.

And twilight trimmed in purple haze /

“I know, Faith. You’ve changed. Your trying to find your ..... redemption.” The words she told to Sister Jacobs when she had asked is someone evil could ever be good, spoke faintly in her mind. “I’ll be first to congratulate you when you find it. But until then, I can’t you offer you anything.”

And laughing eyes and simple ways /

“Buffy, do you want us to go?” Angel asked.

And quiet nights and gentle days with you /

Buffy looked at him, and felt her heart squeeze with the love she felt for him.

“Yes.” She said clearly.

Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind /

Faith and Angel stood up, hovered for a minute, and then walked out of the house with a gentle click of the door closing. But Buffy did not cry. There was not time for crying, for wallowing in self pity.

Memories, sweetened through the ages just like wine, / The others, Giles, Willow, Xander, Riley, and Joyce filed in, hearing the door shut.

“Is it all over then?” Xander asked, referring to the confrontation between the two slayers and Angel.

Memories, /

Buffy chose to take a different meaning to his words.

“No. No, it’s not over. It’s just begun.” She told them grimly. Memories, sweet memories.

The End

Next in ‘Call of the Heart’ - ‘Be Still My Heart’. Coming soon, from Angel_Love

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