Aftermath

Chapter 1

THE SUMMERS' RESIDENCE
2000 HOURS

With the Hellmouth closed, Buffy's life returned to normal. Or as close to normal as a Slayer's life could get. There was still a little vampire slayage to be done, but now that seemed like an extracurricular activity, not a full time job. There had been no unexplained deaths for a while and Buffy was starting to relax and enjoy the good things in life. Cordelia was no longer such a bitch to her. In fact, at the moment she was preparing to go to the Bronze with her and Willow. They were going to meet Xander and a bunch of guys Cordelia had introduced her to. She wasn't interested much in dating, her heart was for Angel only, but she did like to have fun. The Bronze was the only place to have fun with your friends until the traveling carnival stopped in town. Buffy looked at her calendar. Three more days, she thought. She had already made plans with Willow and Xander to go on the opening day. A flyer that had been distributed to every home in the town read that there were a variety of rides and games for all ages, even a haunted house. And what Carnival would be complete with out a freak show? Buffy suppressed a shudder as she looked at the gruesome photo of a two-headed muscle man covered in a body tattoo displayed under the words, "World's Greatest Freak Show". She knew the picture was probably grossly exaggerated to appeal to the public. She looked away from the picture as a car horn sounded. As always, when Cordelia picked her up in her car, she marveled at how undamaged it was, considering how Cordelia drove. She ran out the door, with her mom calling after her to be careful. Willow was already in the car, gesturing for her to get in. Buffy got into the back-seat, and the car pulled away. from the curb before she even got the door closed. Dimly she wondered what the rush was, butdismissed it as typical Cordelia behavior. The first to arrive, the last to leave. Cordelia drove like a maniac, swerving from side to side as if she were trying to evade a pursuer. They arrived at the Bronze in one piece, after narrowly missing a tree, only to find another car in their usual spot. This annoyed Cordelia, who insisted on speaking to the driver. They quickly parked next to the other vehicle and Cordelia stormed into the Bronze, Buffy and Willow staying out of her way, knowing any attempt to stop her was futile. They handed their I.D.'s and some cash to the attendant, and strode towards the only other person in the building, besides the band.

Giles got up from his place at the table and headed towards the three girls. Cordelia's anger faded somewhat when she realized that the other car belonged to the Sunnydale High librarian, but she was still annoyed at not being the first one there. Before she could get a word out though, Giles began,

"Buffy, we've got trouble."

"Right now?" she asked in a slightly pissed off voice.

"Well, umm, no," he admitted.

"Good. You can tell me all about it tomorrow. Bye." She turned around and started to walk away.

"Buffy..., "

"Giles," she cut him off. "There has been no vampire activity for almost a week. I just want to have fun and relax for once. You should try it sometime. You said yourself that there wasn't any immediate danger, so you can fill me in on the details tomorrow, okay? I'll bring Cordelia, Willow and Xander along too. But for now, bye." Buffy turned around with Cordelia and Willow in tow, and headed towards Xander and the guys that had just entered the Bronze.

*****

Jenny Calendar turned on her computer and clicked on the icon to start the Internet dial-up sequence. She took a sip of her coffee and turned her eyes back to the screen to see the little "You've got mail" message flashing. She clicked on the miniature envelope and watched as the message scrolled across the screen. Her eyes darted back and forth as she quickly scanned the contents of the letter. Her mouth dropped open even as she continued to read what was written. She picked up the phone, glad that she had a second phone line, and dialed a number she had memorized not so long ago.

"Giles you are not going to believe this," she said when someone picked up.

*****

Rupert Giles carefully set the receiver back into it's cradle. Ms. Calendar had caught him just as he had entered his house. So my translation was correct, he thought. frowning. One cycle after the new moon, the new moon being four days ago, that would put it... He turned around sharply, and strode over to the bulletin board he kept in his kitchen. He ran a finger along the notices and reminders there, coming to rest on the carnival flyer. "The day the carnival arrives," he whispered aloud to the empty room.

Chapter two

FBI HEADQUARTERS
2300 HOURS

Scully put down her cup of ice tea with a sigh. It was two weeks since she had helped Mulder stage his own death. Scully did not know this, but the day Mulder "died", the Mouth of Hell opened up in Sunnydale and the vampires had their stand. Now, two weeks later, she had finished packing away all the articles and books in Mulder's basement office. She alone knew that Mulder was alive. She looked at her watch. 15 minutes 'till the cab arrives, she thought. She had told Walter Skinner, her boss, that she needed a little vacation to rest after Mulder's tragic "suicide" in his own apartment. What she didn't tell him was that she was going to rendezvous with Mulder in the small town where he was hiding from the world. A small town which just happened to be named Sunnydale. Where strange occurrences happened more often than not. Where he could hide until the truth was reviled.

*****

She had the sudden, overwhelming urge to turn around. She'd been having this feeling a lot since her bout with the Master. She had come to recognize it as a warning signal, against dangers of all kinds. She heard the rustle of clothing behind her, and she pivoted on the balls of her feet. The stake which had been concealed up her sleeve was suddenly in her hand. She looked up, and a smile of delight crossed her features. She lowered the stake and returned it to it's place. Looking down at her was Angel, smiling in his quiet, vampiric way. Buffy broke the silence first.

"Angel," she said softly. "Are you here to warn me about some new danger, or did you just pop in to say hi?"

He grinned. "Well, a little of both, but I think the warning can wait." Angel took Buffy's hand and led her to a table in the least crowded area of the Bronze. For a while they just sat there, looking intoeach other's eyes. Then Angel said, "Buffy, I've been doing a lot of thinking lately and..." he broke off as Buffy's face fell. "No, no no," he quickly reassured her. "Its not bad, its good. Ever since the Master died and you closed the Hellmouth, I've been feeling... different. It's kind of hard to explain. I feel... fuzzy, and, pure sunlight doesn't seem to affect me as much anymore. Also, I don't have this overwhelming lust for blood anymore." He looked at her, waiting for her reaction.

"Angel," she said at last. "Are you becoming human?" He cocked an eyebrow at her.

"The more plausible explanation is that with the Master gone and the Hellmouth energies bottled up, whatever force the Master used to control his disciples is no longer in effect." Buffy was quick to point out the flaw in his explanation.

"But the Anointed One is still alive. He is at least as powerful as the Master, if not more so."

"Colin is neither as old or as experienced as the Master was. Maybe he doesn't have the expertise to control the negative energies. If that is not true, then I am in fact becoming human, or a vampire hybrid. Of course, there could be some new stranger in town who is somehow blocking out the negative energies of the Hellmouth."

"Angel that's great news!" Buffy beamed at him. "Come, we are going to celebrate our good fortune with a dance." She took his hand and led him onto the dance floor.

*****

Xander watched Buffy lead Angel onto the dance floor. He felt something open up in his stomach, and suck everything out it. He felt empty. Xander sighed unhappily and turned back to Willow, Cordelia, and the group of people they were with.

*****

Xander didn't know it, but Willow felt the same way towards him. It hurt her to see Xander lusting after Buffy, and paying her no heed. Xander thought of Willow as his sister, such was the upbringing they had, and the amount of time they spent together. He had always gone over to her house for home-cooked meals and for school work help. Xander had no idea how much it had teased her when he had practiced asking Buffy to the Spring Fling on her. She had thought numerous times about spilling everything to him, but it would embarrass the both of them to do so. She supposed that one day he would get over Buffy, and he might even become interested in her, but she knew that wasn't likely to happen anytime soon. Willow let out a small sigh and smiled at Xander when he rejoined their conversation.

Chapter 3

SOMEWHERE IN SUNNYDALE
2151 HOURS

Mulder put down the box of books he was carrying and wiped his brow. He picked up the box again, and transported it to the nighttable next to his bed. The small apartment he had rented was sparsely furnished and lit by a single bulb in the lamp beside his bed. He had brought nothing with him. It would all arrive tomorrow with Scully. Scully. He smiled as he remembered the expression on her face when he had told her what he was planning to do. She had been firmly convinced he was mad when he had told her about his plan to stage his suicide. Only after he had listed his many valid reasons to leave the Bureau and have everyone think he was dead, did he get her support. Now he could go about his investigations any way he wished, with almost no chance of having government spies breathing down his neck and watching his every move.

*****

The last of the dust settled to the ground at Buffy's feet. Buffy put her hands on her hips and glared at the spot where the vampire had once stood. She glanced quickly around her, then, seeing noone, she bent down and retrieved her stake from the pile of dust it was resting in. Buffy heard the rustle of cloth on cloth behind her, and pivoted around, stake in hand and ready to be thrust into the heart of a demon. She was caught slightly off-guard when the person turned out to be just Xander.

"Xander," she called out. "What are you doing out here? Get inside where it's safe."

He looked at her calmly, then advanced towards her, brushing against her side as he whispered softly in her ear, "I can take care of myself." He continued walking on, fading into the shadows and fog of the night. Buffy stared after him, mystified. That was so un-Xander like, she thought to herself. She blinked twice, then shrugged off the remark.

Buffy picked her way around boxes and old garbage to the side entrance of the Bronze. She glanced behind her once, checking for any last danger, and walked strait into Angel, who had been waiting for her to return. She let out a high-pitched yelp, then blushed slightly in embarrassment at Angel, who was chuckling softly. She poked him lightly with her index finger, then looked over her shoulder. Her mouth opened in surprise, and she blinked repeatedly, making sure what she saw was real. She pinched herself, wincing slightly at the pain it brought her. She looked up at Angel, seeking confirmation of what she saw, and saw him looking down at her in concern, frowning slightly. She motioned for him to turn around, and his eyes opened wide as he saw. For there, on the dance floor, was Willow. Dancing. With... Owen? Buffy moved closer for a better look. No, not Owen, but someone who slightly resembled him. Buffy grinned to herself. Willow was finally moving on. Good for her. She could use some fun. The slow song that Willow and the guy were dancing to ended, and Buffy rushed over to Willow, who was grinning like the Cheshire Cat. Buffy grabbed her wrist, and pulled her to a nearby table.

"Okay girl, spill. Where did you find that guy?" Buffy asked, her eyes sparkling.

Willow, giddy with joy responded; "His name is Hank, and he works with the Carnival that's coming to town. He saw me sitting with Cordelia and the others, and asked me to dance. Oh Buffy, he's so nice... and you should have seen the look on Cordelia's face when he asked me to dance instead of her." Buffy glanced over to where Cordelia was sitting, glaring icebolts at Hank's back. Buffy could almost see the steam coming out of her ears. She turned back to Willow in time to hear her say, "... and he invited me out to look at the Carnival preparations tomorrow night." Willow beamed at Buffy, who returned the smile. Buffy motioned Angel forward, and he timidly wrapped an arm around her waist. Buffy flashed him a dazzling smile, and the three of them walked out of the Bronze.

Click to continue to Chapters 4-6.