Buffy was quick to fill Angel in on the nature of Xander's call, then the two of them, expecting a potential vampire raid, grabbed a few weapons (stakes, holy water, crosses) from the closet on their way out, stuffing them in her duffel bag.
They rushed to Sunnydale High as fast as possible. Or rather, Angel ran ten times faster than his girlfriend, getting there way ahead of her. Buffy once in a while envied him for the fact that his powers, whether it be telepathy, agility, or strength, far exceeded her own. All vampires had these traits, which had always made killing them a challenge. And the older they were, the more powerful they got.
By the time she arrived on the scene, Buffy was expecting to find remnants of vampire dust (what was usually left when they were killed) in and around the library, but there wasn't a single trace. Confused, Buffy made her way through the swinging double doors, swearing that nothing could have prepared her for what she found.
Her friends, including Angel, were crowded around the table in the center of the room, appearing anything but frightened. Buffy took a step forward, prepared to start asking questions, when someone entered behind her.
With wide eyes, Buffy turned to see Stefanie, staring at her new friend a moment. Then, taking an inaccurate guess as to what the problem had been, she turned back to Xander, raging inside.
"Are you that afraid of vampires that you can't trust even the good ones?" Buffy asked him angrily. "I understand that you of all people have every reason to hate them after what happened to your friend, Jesse... But this is too much, Xander! Do you have any idea how scared you got me?!?"
During her intense speech, none of the other four could get a word in edgewise, so they all had to wait until she finished. When she had, Stefanie was the first to speak.
"Buffy, you've got the wrong idea," Stefanie said. "Xander and Willow were simply minding their own business when some man named Principal Snyder found them. Xander barricaded himself in the back room and made the quick call to you because this guy was threatening to have them arrested for trespassing. Then, I intervened. He'll wake up in his office tomorrow morning with no memory of tonight.
Buffy calmed down upon hearing this, biting her lip. Next to vampires, Principal Snyder was her least favorite person in the world, as he had made her slaying life difficult in her few years at this school. "I'm sorry," she said to Xander. "I guess I overreacted." To Stefanie, she added, "How did you happen to come here?"
Stefanie glanced around the library with a perplexed look. "Something about this place, this room in particular, drew me," she said, choosing her words carefully. "There's some kind of force at work here, a very powerful one."
Angel looked up from where he was sitting, exchanging looks with Buffy and prompting her to explain to Stefanie what she felt. "Well, sounds like you stumbled onto our local Hellmouth," Buffy started. "It's supposed to be like a center of mystical convergence, which means supernatural creatures are highly attracted to it... But imagine our surprise when we found it was located in one of our favorite hangouts."
Seeing Stefanie's confusion, Willow chose to add her own details. "Basically, this Hellmouth is a portal which has demons trapped beneath its surface. It was opened briefly one night, and this demonic plant tried to eat us," Willow stated as cheerfully as she could.
Buffy was surprised by how positive her friend sounded, considering what they had gone through back then. "It took Giles two months before he would even set foot in here again," she reminisced, then went on to tell Stefanie who Giles was.
"Well, who wants to go hunting?" Buffy then asked. "We can do our usual scoping out at the Bronze, maybe get in a little dancing. What do you guys say?"
Her friends all readily agreed to this suggestion, while Stefanie took a little persuading, not used to Buffy's style. The two of them may be slayers, but that was where the similaraties ended. Stefanie had taken her "work" far more seriously.
At the Bronze, they settled around their usual table, keeping an eye out for anyone who appeared out of place. They hadn't even been there two minutes when Cordelia stumbled by, laughing hysterically. But she quickly sobered when she saw who she had bumped into.
"Well, if it isn't the 'Monster Squad'," Cordelia said in that haughty voice of hers. "Hope it's just going to be your usual routine, because I am not getting dragged into this tonight."
Xander smirked. "I think we can fight the undead for one night without your help, Cordelia," he retorted. "Although, if you'd like to join us for partying afterwards..."
Buffy cut in. "No... No part," she protested, looking at Angel. "I think I'd like to have the time to myself tonight."
As usual, Xander was going through countless objections in his mind, but voiced none of them. He watched as Buffy told Cordelia to rent a hotel, then as she and Angel shared a passionate kiss.
When it was over, Buffy smiled up at Angel. "Thanks for not vamping out on me this time," she said, recounting what had happened during their first kiss. It had become sort of a running joke between them, and he couldn't help but laugh.
"You're too much," he replied, kissing her forehead and going off in search of something to drink (for her, not him).
The few vampires that showed up were no problem. Stefanie and Angel alternated between those that did in the alley outside the club, while Buffy just spent time enjoying herself, although her sixth sense was going off big-time. But her refusal to do anything didn't go unnoticed.
Willow first broached the subject when the five of them left the Bronze and were walking Xander home. "I realized after a while that you weren't lifting a finger to help dust any vamps tonight. What's the deal?" she asked quietly.
Buffy looked from Willow to Angel and back again, debating over whether or not this was a good time to tell her. She heard Angel give his consent telepathically and was about to do so when Stefanie suddenly screamed behind them.
Turning, Buffy was frightened to see the other slayer held in the grip of another vampire, wooden stake poised over her heart. "She can die the same way as the rest of us, so back off," this new vampire said, while Buffy wondered how he had managed to sneak in under their radar.
Her boyfriend had no such concerns. Enraged, Angel let his demon face show, surprising the new arrival. "Let her go," Angel growled, but to no avail.
"You amaze me, Stefanie," the stranger said to the girl in his arms. "That you let this one slip through your fingers, But that doesn't matter. I'll deal with him later. As well as your new slayer friend."
Stefanie felt a few tears escape her eyes. "What do you want, Arnie?" she asked, a note of sadness in her voice.
Arnie looked down at her. "I want my sister back," he said simply. "The way it always should have been, The two of us, killing side by side."
"I'm not you," Stefanie said. "I'll never be like you! So you might as well just kill me now and end this!"
Arnie merely kissed the side of her face, then looked up at Buffy and company. "Bye now," he said. An instant later, he and Stefanie were gone, leaving only their blurred images as they took off and an echo of her screaming on the dark street...
Had Angel not hesitated in following, he might have caught up to Stefanie and her brother. But, in his reluctance to leave Buffy, Xander, and Willow open to an attack, he lost the chance in a matter of seconds.
Buffy swore in anger. "Great, what do we do now?" she said. "We have to help her!"
Angel looked away for a moment, his face returning to its normal appearance. "He won't leave town," Angel said confidently. Once a vampire hits a community with a Hellmouth at the center, they rarely do. I speak from experience."
Buffy nodded thoughtfully. "Hellmouths are to vampires as drugs are to normal people," she quipped. "That being the case, where would Stefanie's brother take her?"
Xander looked over. "Where else but the sewer systems?" he said. "Should we go after them tonight?"
Buffy thought a moment, then checked her watch. "I wouldn't risk it," she said. "Half the night's gone already. I just hope Stefanie will be okay until tomorrow evening."
Both Xander and Willow were confused by this. "What does that have to do with it? Besides preventing Angel from joining us," Willow asked. "You're capable enough without his help, Buffy. Besides, we can just use the car trick again to get Stefanie out of there."
Sighing, Buffy looked around for a few moments, then changed the subject. "Xander, why don't we go to your house to talk? There's something I need to tell you two. And, Angel, you just go home and wait for me. I won't be long."
He nodded slowly, understanding her decision. He and Buffy had done a good job of hiding her pregnancy the past few weeks, but they could no longer.
Angel offered her a sad smile, then turned and walked away. Buffy headed in the opposite direction with her friends, both dreading telling them the truth and simply wanting to get it over with...
"You're what?!?" Xander yelled after her news had sunk in.
Buffy rolled her eyes. "What are you trying to do? Wake the neighborhood?" she asked, hugging a pillow to her chest. "Anyway, I think I made myself perfectly clear, Xander."
Seated in a chair on the opposite side of the room, Willow appeared to be in a daze, simply staring into space. Xander, on the other hand, was pacing back and forth restlessly. Buffy couldn't decide which reaction made her more uneasy though.
After a few tense moments, Xander stopped and turned towards her. "When did this happen?" he asked.
Buffy rubbed at her eyes, feeling as if she were facing her parents (or a firing squad) and not her friends. "The night of my mom's funeral," she answered quietly. "I was really vulnerable that night, and when Angel came over..."
"Angel?!?" Xander questioned. "Buffy, are you out of your mind?"
Buffy paused, feeling a surge of anger rising up inside. Standing, she faced him bitterly. "Yes, Xander, I must be out of my mind! This is not fair, you know! I could really use your support on this, but do I get it? No!"
Buffy stared at him a second or two, waiting for a response, but receiving none. She looked briefly at Willow, but her friend had yet to move, let alone speak. Throwing her arms up in frustration, Buffy went for her jacket. "You guys let me know when you're in a kinder mood," she said on her way out. "Once you are, you know where I'll be."
Buffy had made it halfway home when the usual tears came. It hurt her deeply to know that her two dearest friends weren't happy for her, and she could only imagine what Giles' reaction was going to be in comparison.
Angel had to take only one look at her to know how it had gone. Without a word, he stepped forward and embraced her, holding her close to him until she felt better.
After a long while, she looked up at him, smiling as he wiped her tears away. "Thanks for being here," she said.
Angel smiled slightly. "Where else would I be?" he asked absurdly. "Let's face it. This is home now."
Buffy laughed, leading him to the couch in the living room to sit down. "Don't you dare repeat this to anyone, but at this point, I wish they were more like Cordelia. She wouldn't even flinch if I told her."
"No, I imagine she'd be too busy fixing her makeup," Angel replied. "You shouldn't worry so much though. Xander and Willow are your best friends. They'll come around."
"In this century?" Buffy cracked. "Come on, Angel. The way they were acting, you'd think it was the end of the world, part eight."
Angel sighed, then attempted to rationalize it for her. "Look at it this way. You're the slayer, the only one they know and trust, I might add. You've just told them you're on leave. The way I see it, their reaction is normal."
Buffy nodded thoughtfully, knowing he was right. "Well, they're bound to catch on that they still have Stefanie, once we find her, and you, the slayer-in-training."
Angel smiled again. "You know, for someone who was upset a minute ago, you sure do bounce back fast."
She shrugged. "I'm an emotional roller-coaster. What can I say?" Before he could respond, Angel perked up, certain he heard footsteps approaching the house from outside. "What is it? What's wrong?" Buffy asked him, knowing that look.
He looked back at her. "Xander and Willow are here," he said, five seconds before there was a knock at the door. "Should I get rid of them?"
Buffy moaned, getting to her feet. "There goes our quiet evening at home," she said, going to let her friends in.
She, Xander, and Willow spent an awkward moment in the foyer while she made it clear she was waiting for them to apologize. Then, Willow spoke, appearing particularly uncomfortable.
"I'm sorry I behaved badly back there," she said. "You just caught me off guard with..." Willow cut off suddenly here, looking to Xander for help.
He took that as his cue. "Willow came out of her coma not long after you left. We talked it over, and we're really sorry we... that I was so harsh," Xander added, wincing when Willow elbowed him in the side while he was speaking.
"You're forgiven," Buffy told him with a small smile, then grew serious again. "Oh, by the way... I didn't want to say anything in front of Stefanie earlier, but did you two find something to contradict her story? Can a slayer-turned-vampire still maintain their humanity?"
"We didn't find anything either way," Willow said. "According to Giles' books, there's been no record of such a thing happening."
Buffy glanced towards the living room where Angel was sitting. "In that case, I know not to put it to the test," she said. "I wish there's some way we could know, however. That we could have some idea what we're getting into."
Even from the next room, Angel could hear every word they were saying, and he was at Buffy's side in an instant to put in his own two cents. He gently turned her face towards his, staring deep into her emerald eyes. "Actually," Angel said. "There is one way to find out..."
"No!" Buffy protested the moment Angel finished relating his plan. "Forget it! There's no way!"
Angel leaned forward. "Buffy, it's perfectly safe. And it will only last five minutes at the most," he began.
She cut him off abruptly. "I said no! I don't care how temporary it is! I can't even believe you of all people are bringing this up!"
Angel sighed, burying his face in his palms a moment, then looked up at her again. He did know how much it frightened her to become like him, as it had happened to her twice already. Once as the result of a nightmare turned real and the other when a poison introduced into her system had brought about an interesting side effect.
But this was different, and Angel was determined to make her see that. He reached forward, catching her arm and causing her to glare at him.
"I wouldn't have suggested this if it wasn't necessary, Buffy," he said. "This is the only way to see if Stefanie's for real. We have to know."
Buffy paused a moment, an apprehensive look in her eyes, because she knew there was some truth to what he was saying. "And what if she is lying? I'd be putting myself and the baby at risk if we do this... Angel, I'm scared."
He stood, embracing her in a way so that her cross necklace didn't touch him. "So am I," he admitted.
From their seats across the room, Xander and Willow watched this scene with a mixture of feelings, dread among them. However, neither of them interceded, knowing that Buffy alone had to make this decision.
Buffy pulled back, giving Angel's suggestion a lot of thought for a minute or two. Finally, she reached up and undid the clasp on her necklace, setting it on the nearby table. "Let's do it," she said, looking at Willow and Xander. "Would you two give us some privacy?"
Her friends promptly left the room, and Angel had her lie down on her back on the floor. Buffy then watched in fear as he cut one of his fingers with a small pushpin. She knew it didn't hurt him, as he barely even flinched, but it did get her heart beating a little faster.
Angel moved to prop her head up, but Buffy had other ideas, hoping to make it easier for herself. She took his hand and gently but firmly brought it to her lips, sucking on his wound as if she meant to heal it.
The few drops of blood she swallowed had an instant affect, but certainly weren't enough to change her permanently. One had to ingest a pint or two for that to happen. Yet, Buffy was close to tears as she reached up to feel the rugged crest-like swells over her yellow-tinted eyes; it took everything she had not to be sick. And although she could easily have regressed to her normal features, she didn't bother doing so.
Angel helped her sit up, cradling her face in his hands. It was a first for him, seeing her as a vampire. "Don't worry," he couldn't help but assure her. "I love you no matter what you look like."
Buffy laughed. "That's comforting," she said languidly, gazing at him. "I never asked before, but how do you deal with having to live like this?"
He shrugged. "Beats being a pile of dust," he joked. "In the meantime, how do you feel?"
She sighed, aware that her newfound power was receding quickly, and with it, her unnatural appearance. But other than that, she still felt the same. "Well, I don't have any demon trying to possess me, if that's what you mean," she said. "But, does that prove that Stefanie was telling the truth? She's been a vampire for thirty-some years. I'm only one for a few minutes."
Angel nodded. "She was," he said confidently. "Slayers can preserve their souls as vampires. Few minutes or no, you're now living proof of that."
Buffy smiled, glad there was something positive coming out of this whole ordeal. "Lucky me," she said in a half-cheerful tone. "How much longer until this wears off though?"
Angel smiled, reaching for her hand. "I think I have the perfect solution to get your mind off it," he said, leaning forward to give her a passionate kiss...
In the kitchen, while they waited, Xander and Willow did their best to strike up a conversation. Actually, it was more of a silent chat to begin with, as they kept throwing meaningful glances at each other.
She was the first to tire of it. "How does it feel knowing that Buffy's not going to leave Angel anytime soon?" Willow asked, curious as to what Xander was thinking. "Her being pregnant changes everything, you know?"
Xander sighed, burying his face in his hands a moment. "That's true," he admitted. "To be honest, I don't know how I feel. I spent so long pining away for her that..."
Willow nodded, knowing she could relate very well to what he was saying. "That it's hard giving up the fight," she finished softly. "But face it, Xander. It's time for you to cut your losses and move on."
He gave a brief laugh, looking up at her. "It's funny though, that the one girl I love couldn't care less about me."
Willow shook her head, knowing that wasn't right. "Buffy does care about you, but only as a friend," she said, wanting more than anything for him to agree with her; only then could she gain enough courage to tell him how she felt.
Xander, however, had a fierce habit of never making anything easy for her. "You're right, Willow... Once again, I'm too biased to be thinking clearly."
"Oh, finally, you're admitting it!" Willow said buoyantly.
Xander gave her a goofy look, thinking he could do without her making fun of him. "Oh, you think you're so witty? Let's see who laughs more when I apply the tickle torture!"
That got Willow laughing before Xander even touched her. The two of them were in hysterics, all problems forgotten, when Buffy and Angel entered moments later.
"Okay," Buffy said, taking in the scene before her. "What did I miss? What's so funny?"
Willow took a few more minutes to calm down, wiping tears from her eyes. "Nothing," she said as seriously as she possibly could. "Xander and I were just goofing off... So, how'd it go? Positive, I hope."
Buffy nodded absently, glancing at the clock hanging on the far wall. She noted that the sun was going to rise soon, which sent Angel heading for the basement stairs. To her two friends, she added, "Do you guys want to spend the rest of the night here?"
Xander nodded enthusiastically. "Where do we sleep?"
Buffy thought a moment. "Well, Willow can have my mom's old room, and Xander, you can sleep in my room... And I'll be in the cellar with you-know-who..."