Part One

Moonlight shines down on the sleepy little town of Sunnydale, California. Most people have already decided to call it a night and are safe at home. A lone girl walks through the neighborhood graveyard. Her pace is neither rushed nor overly slow, but steady and purposeful. Her eyes scan the shadows for signs of trouble in the form of the walking dead. This is the last patrol of the night and she is anxious to return home. She may be the only thing standing between the world and its total destruction but her teachers still seem to think that an assignment deadline should apply to her too.

Man, slow night. Didn't even get to try out my new kick and I still have math homework waiting. Life is so unfair. Stopping to indulge in a moment of self-pity, she gazes up at the sky. I never just look at the night's sky any more...

Unnoticed, a group of three vampires jump from the overhanging branches of a nearby tree, landing all around her. Under her breath she mutters "Good, Buffy. Failing grades on paying attention," as she assumes a fighting stance, a stake slides down the sleeve of her jacket into her right hand.

"I've gotta start watching what I wish for," the girl dead pans. Then in brighter spirits. "But on the up side - I get to try out this really cool move I've been practicing. Why don't you take a moment, draw straws, see who gets to go first?"

The team of undead slowly circle their supposed easy prey. They are newbies to the struggle between light and dark and they offer a routine kill for the experienced Slayer. But the battle goes even easier than the girl ever imagines. As she turns to the burly gentleman on her left, he bursts into flames and disintegrates. Well, that's different. A confused look plays over her face, crinkling her brow.

She turns to the next of her victims, an older woman. The heroine advances one step and the vampire snatches the stake out of her hand and promptly falls on it, turning to dust. A look of total surprise comes over the girl. Her jaw drops and eyes grow wide. She straightens her stance and glances sideways at the last remaining vampire - seemly questioning him as to what the deal is with his partners. He turns to run but is consumed by fire before he can take his second step.

Placing her hands on her hips, the girl murmurs to the wind. "Giles is never going to believe this one." Then turns and heads home.

A bright sun replaces the moon from the previous night. The school yard is a buzz with teens hurrying to complete last minute homework assignments or catching up with friends they haven't seen or talked to for twelve hours - at most. Occasionally, a student or two actually heads off to be early for class.

Most of the students don't hear, let alone recognize, the soft music that is emanating from an empty classroom. A short guy with disheveled dark hair (yesterday it was blonde) sits on the teacher's desk strumming a guitar. The guy looks like he should be covering the latest tune by Four Star Mary but instead the piece he plays is classical. A thin redhead watches from the door. The smile on her face and in her eyes conveys all her joy at watching her boyfriend.

"A little different from what you usually play, isn't it?" She questions and she enters the room. "I'm not distracting you - am I?"

"Ahh, Willow." He turns and gives her a smile but it's a troubled smile. "Yes, very different. And you always distract me - but in very pleasant ways." He is truly happy to see his girl but the music still beguiles him.

"I didn't mean for you to stop. I like it when you play." She tries to encourage him to continue. "What was it, that you were playing? It sounded old... and sad."

"A guy named Mahler wrote it. He dealt with a lot of death as a kid. Comes through in his music," he tells her. "I can also play happier stuff." He starts picking a passage from the Symphonie Fantastique by Berlioz. "As a matter of fact, if it's classical, I can now play it." He says with a hint of pride and moves on to Tchaikovsky.

"Hey! I know that one. It's from the Nutcracker." She beams as she shares her knowledge with him.

"Correct you are! You win the prize!" He exclaims yet doesn't stop playing.

"A prize! What prize? I don't usually win prizes. Unless its for literature essays. Do I have to write an essay?" Her mood runs from elated to suspicious as the thought of more homework hits her.

"No writing required. I'm talking movies. Then some ice cream - if you'll indulge me." He stops playing and continues before she can answer. "But the weird thing - ok, not really weird on the scale of the last few weeks, but definitely interesting... I can't remember any of the songs my band plays, yet I can play everything by Strauss." He demonstrates by playing a passage from Metamorphosen. "This stuff isn't even written for guitar."

"So this is a bad thing then? Being able to play the classics? Oh, and movies and ice cream sounds cool. Guess it would have to be cool with the ice cream and all. And indulgence could be good, too." She is trying to be supportive but is unsure as to what exactly to support - other than a date and possible smoochies with him.

"Classics are good. I've just never been able to play them before. And we have a gig on Saturday. I should be there, me being part of the band. I don't think the Bronz crowd will be into Mahler... or even Berlioz. I'm a bit screwed if I can't relearn our stuff. Friday then. Pick you up at eight?" He confirms the date and his continued confusion.

"Oh, goodie. Eight, it is. You free after school? Cuz if you are, we should probably tell Giles about this... this... whatever this is. It's not exactly normal, so it's Giles' territory." She babbles as the bell rings. She gives him a quick peck on the cheek and darts out of the room towards her first class.

While the exchange between the two teens plays out in the classroom, a much more lively discussion is about to take place in the school Library.

A blonde ducks out of her mother's sport utility vehicle, promising to pay attention during math - just for a change. Taking the steps two at a time, she bounds into the building, heading straight for the library. She pushes both the doors open to make a grand entrance. They slam into the walls and rattle.

"Giles, you are so not going to believe the happenings of your favorite Slayer during last night's patrol. Giles?" She peeks into his office, into the weapon's locker and then heads for the stacks. "Why is it you can never find a Watcher when you want one? Yet they're always around when you want to goof off or have a little fun?"

She only makes it up to the first landing when the librarian appears through the double doors. "I-Is that you making all that racket? I can hear you clear down the, ah, hall. This is a library you know." He walks over and places his tattered old briefcase on the counter and begins riffling through its contents.

Buffy returns to the front of the room next to where the man in tweed is working, hops up on the counter and crosses her legs. "So, what's so important that you don't even care how last night's patrol went? I bagged three. Well, actually, they bagged themselves. It was so weird."

He removes his glasses and pinches the bridge of his nose. "B-Bagged? Why would one want to put a vampire in a bag?"

She rolls her eyes. "Oh, God, Giles - get with the lingo. Bagged. Killed. Slayed. Dusted." He looks slightly annoyed at the grammar lesson but goes 'Ah-ha' at the appropriate place. She continues. "It's a problem isn't it? Ok, maybe problem isn't the right word. A convenience, maybe? It's definitely a situation. Correct?"

"Let me see if I understand you correctly. You say, um, three vampires staked themselves in your presence last night? T-That would be most odd." As he converses with his young charge, he continues to sort through the contents of his case.

"Actually, only one staked herself. The other two just burned up. Guess I should be happy. I've kept a manicure for two whole days now," she comments as she examines the nails on her right hand.

That catches his attention. "They spontaneously combusted? This is most unusual. D-Did you touch them?"

"The dust? No, that's pretty much my signal that all is right with the world. It's bad enough when it blows on you. I'm not going to play in it." She gives him a look of disgust for even suggesting such a course of action.

He places a hand on a hip and gives her a stern glare. "Before they combusted. Did you touch them, before they combusted?"

She has the good sense to look sheepish. "Oh, right. No. I barely had to look at them. And I only took one step towards the woman before she stole my stake and committed ... would it still be suicide if you're already dead?" The Watcher gives her an off handed wave about the last question. He is already deep in thought and pacing away from her.

"Since you no longer seem willing to communicate with this world, namely me, I'm going to class - early. See what you do to me." She jumps off the counter and heads for the door mumbling: "My internal clock is gonna be messed all day now. Getting to class early - walking legions of undead are more normal."

"You have practice here after your last class. Please be prompt," he yells as an afterthought. The entire exchange is witnessed by a solitary male, lurking from the stacks. A devious smile inches across his face and he backs towards the concealed door, feeling like all is right with the world.

The last bell of the afternoon rings, releasing the students for another afternoon. The redhead packs up her books and tries to make it out of the room without bumping into Him. Still, her thoughts often drift to that day she found herself in his bed then that whole incident with the ax.

How could he do something so irresponsible? And dangerous? He's such a.... Guy!! Making me say... Humpf, making me do, all that stuff. There's never ever been an us. There's only ever been me. And I've moved on. I have Oz. And he made me hurt Oz. He's such a cretin. And why am I still thinking about this... She is so lost in thought that she totally ignores His girlfriend's attempt at civility as she breezes out the door.

"Hey, I'm the ones who's cool enough to be ignoring you!" the tall brunet yells after the redhead.

The hacker doesn't even hear the snide comment as she continues down the hall. She turns a corner and finds her boyfriend at his locker. The previous anger turns to happiness as he looks up and smiles at her. "Uh, hi. Are you still classics friendly?" She asks and leans against a locker.

"Hi back. And yup. But truly, is this really a Giles matter? Maybe my tastes have changed and I just haven't figured that out yet." He stands and grabs his case with one hand and reaches for her hand with his free one. "'Fraid so. As members of the Slayerettes we try and keep an eye out for the wacky. This qualifies. I know Giles can be a bit long winded but he's basically cool."

He just shrugs an agreement and they walk the rest of the way in sileince. As they come upon the library, a rather loud discussion is taking place inside. Only it's not Buffy's voice that is arguing with Giles.

"I swear it's not me! That last fiasco was enough. I've sworn off magic." At least until I can get a better handle on it. The teen witch's voice rises as she continues to defend herself to the Watcher. The two are standing facing each other in front of the center table. The Slayer is there, sitting quietly with her legs crossed on said table and enjoying someone else's go around with the librarian.

The couple push through the double doors, temporarily disrupting the interrogation, and join the blonde at the table. They exchange glances 'hello' before the redhead speaks. "You're casting more spells? I for one have had enough induced psychotic activity for one semester. Is anyone else with me on this?" The hacker is not thrilled with the aspect of a repeat of the last spell to hit Sunnydale and schooches closer to her boyfriend. He lazily slips an arm around her waist.

"Chill, Wil. Hey, I rhyme! Anyway, Amy swears she's living spell free. I guess we could always see if she turns blue again but I'm thinking we should trust her on this one," the blonde comments then jumps off the table and crosses to the check-out counter looking concerned. She pounds on the counter top a couple times before turning to her mentor. "Giles, could this be...?" She stops upon seeing her friend go bug eyed; waving frantically in the background. Then it hits her. "Umm, Amy since you swear you've been a good little witch, you don't have to stick around here. See you in class? Tomorrow?" The other girl turns and leaves, a bit in a huff at being dismissed.

Once the witch leaves earshot, the Slayer mouths 'thank you' to the resident computer expert before continuing. "Like I was saying: Could it be Angel? Maybe he's gonna try killing me with kindness."

The older man takes off his glasses and absently polishes them on his vest. "Anything is possible where Angelus is concerned. But this does not match any of his known patterns, habits or abilities for that matter. Of course I'll check into it, just to be sure."

"Guys? What's going on that the answers are either witchcraft or Angel?" the hacker asks. Her boyfriend gives her another shrug but she is looking to different faces for the answer.

"It, ah, it seems Buffy had a most unusual encounter last evening while patrolling," the librarian starts to explain but his charge cuts him off.

"It was so weird! They dusted themselves before I could even throw a punch," the blonde complains then pouts.

"This isn't an improvement?" The guitarist asks. "I'm new." The others all give him open palmed shrugs and raised eyebrows. It seems like a positive development but is not sitting right with anyone.

"Looks like weirdness abounds," the redhead starts as she jesters at her boyfriend. "Show them." He unpacks his guitar and plays a passage from Hayden then one from Beethoven before finishing with Strauss' Swan Lake.

"M-Most impressive. I didn't realize they scored those for guitar." Although the tweed clad man finds the renditions not unpleasant he does not understand why they are being serenaded.

"I don't think your band's gonna have much success if that's your new sound," the blonde quips.

"It's not so much the band's sound as mine. It's all I've been able to play since I got up this morning," the young man explains and puts away his guitar. "Not that I mind the classics for myself or even to share with a friend. (He looks at Willow) Hey, I can play an E flat diminished ninth now, which is awesome, but the rest of the guys are gonna be pissed if I can't play Saturday."

"I'm sorry. What is the, ah, problem? You play, um, beautifully." The librarian is still confused.

"He can't remember how to play Rock," his girlfriend explains.

"And, yes... This is bad," the blonde answers the upcoming question before it is asked.

"Well, since it's , ah, not life threatening, I'll do some research tonight. Hopefully I'll have an answer or two in the morning. All of you stop by to see me before your first class. And Buffy, do be careful on rounds tonight. W-Would you like me to come with you?" The Watcher makes sure all the bases are covered.

"Nah, I'll be fine. Maybe I'll even get three days out of this nail polish," the Chosen One states, then continues to her friends. "Are we Bronzin' it tonight? Say eight?"

The two halves of the couple look to each other before replying in unison. "Ok, eight."

The hacker continues. "Since you have practice and I have a mountain of homework to catch up on, I'm heading home." Then to Oz "Walk me?" This elicits a nod and they leave the library the same way they enter it - hand in hand.

The Slayer and the Watcher observe the twosome of cuteness head off. The blonde is so happy her friend has finally found such a special guy to fall for - one that's not a demon. Ok, he's a werewolf, but that could be dealt with. Coming to stand by the librarian she clasps him on the shoulder. "So, Giles, what is on my agenda for today? Hand-to-hand, quarter staff, army surplus?"

"Ah, yes... training. Well, I had planned some more quarter staff work, but considering the developments - let's do some conditioning and then homework." The Watcher is a bit distracted. He is trying to sort out exactly where he should start the investigation into this latest round of paranormal activity.

The blonde looks a little disappointed about not getting to hit anything this afternoon but figures her school persona needs a boost, so extra homework time is not necessarily evil incarnate. "Suits me." And off she goes to get her boom box and exercise cloths.

The same shadowy figure that was present before classes began has returned. He is a tad miffed that the developments have not caused more of a stir by now. They don't seem overly concerned... Maybe they need a little hint of who they're dealing with. He is about to sneak off again when she arrives back in the library dressed to sweat. Her blonde hair is pulled on top of her head and twisted into a scrunchie. Purple spandex shorts hug her thighs, a white tank top cut to half shirt length is pulled over a sports bra the same color as the shorts. Well, a few more minutes won't matter...

Part Two

The end of the school day also finds two other students contemplating their day's developments. The May Queen and her 'lame' boyfriend are sitting on a bench under a tree. Actually she's sitting. He's pacing. And ranting.

"Because of you, I have handed in the worst History paper of my high school career!" He is a tad upset. His arms are flailing and pointing, occasionally, in her general direction. And some of those early ones were hard to beat.

"You're so not blaming your shoddy workmanship on me! Like I even know anything on Pre-Columbian Art." She glares at him as she settles back against the bench with her arms folded in front of her chest.

"I'm not saying you should have helped me - God forbid - but that you have been a major distraction! Our 'study sessions' are so counter productive on the studying! Although the extracurricular activities have been fun." He looks irate then softens as thoughts of her lips enter his mind.

She rises off the bench and takes two strides to stand in front of him. He involuntarily retreats a step, but she follows and pokes him in the chest. Her face is positioned inches from his own. "Oh! Is that all you ever think about? Can we have one argument that doesn't end because your mind's in the gutter?" She is steamed and turn her back to him and walks a few steps. Her arms are straight by her sides, fingers spread wide, palms down - as she tries to regain some semblance of her cool.

He goes after her, gabbing her by the arm and spinning her towards him. "But it's so nice and warm down here in the muck and mire. And not one comment about where I was raised!" He inches closer to her.

"Like it even needs to be made! I don't know why I put up with you!" She inches closer to him.

"Put up with me? I should..."

"Should, what?"

"Should..." The idea never gets finished. The two join in a passionate embrace. Well, maybe not passionate - but definitely lustful.

She has already made an uneventful first pass around her community when she enters the Bronz to meet her best friend and her boyfriend. She finds them at a table just off the dance floor, holding hands and sipping a couple of sodas, debating what sounds like the merits of clothing only one of the zoo animal.

"Hi, guys," she announces her presents and sits on a vacant stool. "And you want to give a hippo pants?"

"Hey, Buffy." The redhead smiles broadly as she greets her friend and then looks confused about how to explain her previous conversation. Her boyfriend rescues her.

"He's very jealous of the monkey." The comment seems like a perfectly reasonable explanation... to him.

The blonde continues to look perplexed then decides to ignore the issue all together. Whatever.

"How did patrol go? Any more combusting vamps?" the original Slayerette questions.

The Chosen One shakes her head. "Nope - no vamps of any sort. Was kinda a bust. But on the up side, it's early. Plenty of time for a game of Stake A Vamp later." The thought of a fight lightens her mood. Hitting a well padded Watcher just isn't the same as really walloping a night walker. She hates to have to pull so many punches.

A silence falls over the table, only the couple doesn't seem to notice. They are content to gaze into each other's eyes. Well, this is fun... "I need to visit the little girls room," the blonde announces and tries to catch her friend's attention to signal her to follow. The attempt makes her look like she's developed a twitch but the desired effect is produced. The two girls head for the restroom.

As they move out of ear shot, the questions start. "So... you and Oz... seem to be getting along well. Do tell all the juicy details. Have smoochies been accomplished?" She elbows her friend gently to show support and encourage divulgence of all pertinent information.

The redhead starts to answer as they turn down the darken corridor for the bathroom. The Slayer is suddenly on full alert, her Spider sense telling her a vampire is near. She brings a finger of her left hand to her lips as she pushes the her friend back against the wall with the other. She walks carefully to the bathroom door. A stake drops into her right hand from her sleeve. She jerks the door open to reveal a female vampire about to feed off one of the popular crew.

"You're getting pretty bold actually trying to kill in the club. What? Don't you have your own bands?" The blonde continues to stand upright and looks puzzled. That was so lame. She's bouncing the stake against the palm of her left hand as she thinks. The vampire drops the girl, whose head connects with the floor - knocking her out cold, as she lunges for the stake.

"Hey! That's mine!" But the vamp catches the Slayer off guard and tears the stake from the blonde's hand and impales herself. Looks like I still have the touch. Ash falls over the unconscious girl as Harmony bursts in through Willow who's trying valiantly to stop her. The blonde pockets the stake and moves to help the dazed girl off the floor.

"Out of my way, loser. Like I care if someone else is in the room - they can leave." The redhead stops protesting as she sees only two people in front of the stalls. Harmony's mouth falls open at the spectacle in front of her.

"You should really be more careful. Water and those shoes can be deadly," the blonde announces but is pushed aside for her troubles. "Oh, m'God - Ora. What has she done to you." The Slayer collects her friend and they exchange the 'here we go again' look and exit the lady's room leaving the other two to concoct a fairy tale to explain the happenings of the last five minutes. No matter what they decide on, it will be far from the truth and no doubt cause endless levels of embarrassment for our hero.

"Did you really knock out Ora to keep her from seeing you stake that vampire?" the hacker asks as they head back to their table.

The Slayer rolls her eyes and her facial expression asks if she isn't known better by this time. "No - On both accounts. Another case of vampicide. Ora's blackout was just a happy accident." Upon seeing her friend's squeamish face she quickly adds "Ok, horrible accident." But they both laugh.

"I guess we've found the downside to this new skill of yours," the redhead comments as they collect her boyfriend and exit the establishment. They can't take the chance of having the Slayer near any more vampires in public - the results are difficult to explain.

The library is animated before the start of the new school day. The Watcher's frustration level is through the roof. He hasn't been able to discover a reason for the guitarist's sudden change of desired format. And more importantly, he wants to believe his charge dreamt the entire incident the other night. Or that she is trying to play a practical joke. The reports about the events at the Bronz discredit both of his theories.

"V-Vampires do NOT self destruct without a cause! I, um, must be missing something... something basic to the situation." The librarian is pacing in a small circle in front of the three students.

"And I thought this was going to be positive tilt to being the Slayer. Just get near a vampire and poof. But, now I can't go out at night anywhere near people if these things are going to commit hari kari whenever I'm around." The blonde is worried - more for her social life than her calling at the moment - but worried none the less. "The secret identity thing is a problem for me even when I can get them into a dark ally."

"Maybe it's still witchcraft, just a different witch," the hacker suggests but sounds timid. She can't believe she is bringing this possibility to light. "Miss Calendar does know 'a little something' about the arts." The Slayer's eyes go wide and her jaw sets into a menacing scowl - but then her whole manner changes and she suddenly looks tremendously sad.

Before another comment can be made, the school's public address system blares to life. "Alexander Harris report to the Principal's Office immediately. Mr. Harris to the Principal's Office."

The guitarist finally speaks. "Looks like he and Cordy finally got caught one time too many in the janitor's closet." The remainder of the room's occupants stare at him, shake their heads, then return to the matter at hand.

"W-well, y-yes, Willow - I, well, I suppose that could be a possibility. One I hadn't considered. C-can't imagine why." As the Watcher speaks he observes his charge. "Uh, Buffy, I will need to speak with her - in, in order to determine what is going on here." He does not want to upset her but must track down every lead.

"I know, Giles. And I know I'm being petty and unreasonable. My mind knows this. My heart, on the other hand, is on its own wavelength." The Chosen One shakes her head as if trying to clear a caffeine induced haze. "I just can't help but think things could have happened differently if we knew everything..."

The bell rings signaling the start to another school day. The students shout their good-byes and head for class agreeing to meet back up for lunch.

Once again a lone male figure eavesdrops from the stacks. Took him long enough. Finally he believes something's afoot. Guess I know were I'll be for the rest of the day.

Mr. Delfine is standing at the board scribbling numbers at an alarming rate while explaining the method to solving his latest word problem. Most of the class is lost and has been since the beginning of the period. This is not new. Mr. Delfine is notorious for ignoring text books and giving students his own unique brand of torture. Every day at least one student prays for some supernatural force to strike him down. As yet their prayers have not been answered.

The Slayerettes are sitting in a row; Xander behind and Willow in front of their Slayer. The male leans forward and whispers. "Stake me now - I don't care about the relationship between velocity and fuel efficiency. It makes my head hurt." His words cause the blonde to stop composing the note to the bud in front of her and look at the board. After a moment her hand shoots up. "Mr. D.?"

The teacher turns to the class. "Is there a question? Yes, Buffy? Do you need me to explain the formula again?"

"Umm? No. Did I really say that? Actually, you made a mistake. You've used the wrong conversion factor when changing gallons to liters and in the second step you need to add the quantities within the parentheses before you multiply by the rate." I know this? Why do I now this? Confusion grips her as the class turns to stare at her. Well, at least they're not staring because I'm wielding sticks.

Mr. Delfine turns back to his equations and after a minute of review erases his errors and corrects the example. "Thank you Buffy. Good catch. And you do understand this material better than you let on. Evidently there will be no more 'the homework is too difficult for me' excuses."

"Nope, this is the new 'me' - math whiz." The muttering is coming from the direction of the blonde who is trying to sink into her chair. The class mercifully ends before she can notice and correct any more errors.

Once out in the hall the redhead slips her arm through the Slayer's. "I'm so proud - all that tutoring is finally paying off. See, math really isn't all that hard." Before the blonde can answer a hand slaps her on the back.

"Well, all right! Looks like we all have become scholastic over achievers," Xander exclaims and he falls into step with the girls.

The hacker scowls at the interruption but the blonde responds kindly. "What's with the 'we' Kemosabe? You can barely make change."

"Ouch! But good one. Me? No math, but history. I'm sure you all heard I was called to see Herr Snyder this morning." The group continues to the library for lunch and the redhead can't resist a friendly(?) jab.

"We heard. So where were you and your excuse for a human girlfriend found this time?" She is all smiles but the tone is sarcastic to the hilt.

"Meow!!" The blonde responds as she looks at her friend and her eyes go wide.

"Hey, that's now two! Good for me!" the redhead exclaims.

"Look, you have more than enough reason to be pissed at me. I accept that I have a lot of groveling to do before I'm back in your good graces. But can we leave Cordy out of it?" The male Slayerette starts and then stops suddenly and swings onto his knees in front of his injured friend. He bends and places a kiss on her shoe and then looks up to her face looking pathetic.

"Get up, Xander!! You're such a nut case!" The hacker's manner soften slightly as she attempts to drag him to his feet. She is not ready to try and recapture their entire friendship, yet. The Slayer is relieved to see her best buds trying to move on with their lives. They'll make it yet...

The boy gets to his feet and the trio continues down the hall. "As I was saying before I was reduced to a quivering mass of Jello, Snyder wasn't mad at me... per se. He was mad at not being able to be mad. Ms. Renolds nominated my history paper for the state competition. Said it was the best work she's seen in years."

"Hey, I had Ms. Renolds last year." The hacker is incredulous that he could possibly write a paper that beat one of her reports for such a distinction. Xander wrote a better history paper than me? My world is all askew.

"Xander, I'm not understanding where this is a bad thing. Your history grade needs all the help it can get. It was on the critical list for mid-terms," the blonde replies as the three enter the library. It is empty of all other student life - per normal. Not even the librarian can be found.

The lone male drops his bag on the center table and flops into a chair. "Don't get me wrong. I'm all a tingle over the actual grade. But Ms. R. is requiring me to present my paper... in front of people, smart people... at the University."

"Come on, Xan - you don't have the public speaking phobia that I do. You live for being in front of an audience." Ok, so flailing shouldn't be involved with a presentation... As much as she wants to the redhead can't stay mad at him for long.

The three spread their lunches over the table and start digging in. No one really pays attention to who's lunch they're consuming - it doesn't really matter. After a few bites to quite their stomachs, they return to the discussion at hand.

"Spill it. Why don't you want to present?" The blonde kicks back and munches on an apple but before he can reply to her inquiry another couple walk into the library.

The librarian descends upon the group of teens, the computer teacher a discrete distance behind him. "Well, good, y-you're all here. We most definitely have a problem."

Part Three

"You're tellin' me! I have to present a paper I didn't even write." Xander finally blurts out why he is less than thrilled about being nominated to the state competition.

The two faculty members look at him in absolute confusion. "What?" They both question at the same time.

"You handed in a plagiarized report?! That's dumb, even for you." The Slayer admonishes. As all eyes turn to her, she continues, slightly annoyed. "What? I can't use multi-syllabic words? See there's another one. Jeesh!"

"It wasn't copied when I handed it in. Matter of fact - it was some of the poorest writing I've ever done." He puffs his chest out until he realized what he's taking pride in and then quickly deflates.

The librarian is finally annoyed enough at being left in the dark. "F-For all that is holy - what are you, uh, young people talking about? The trouble I am referring to is Buffy's new... ah, ability."

The hacker gets a gleam in her eye as a thought coalesces in her mind. "Giles, I think Xander's problem is related to Oz's music and Buffy's suicidal vampires and sudden expertise in algebra."

"B-Buffy is an expert in algebra? Since when?" The Watcher comments in a very amused tone, then seeing her outraged facial expression quickly adds, "No, no, offense." He looks embarrassed at his remark and gives a half hearted smile.

"None taken." The blonde responds, slightly irked - until she realizes he does have a point. That fact will not keep her from paying the comment and look back - in spades. Just wait; my faithful, padded, punching bag. Her thoughts are light and joking - for the most part.

"Rupert, the message." The computer teacher gently prods.

"Oh, y-yes, the message. It seems, well... it seem Ethan has decided to pay us another visit." As the librarian talks the computer teacher hands out copies of the e-mail she received from one Ethan Rayne. "He was, ah, nice enough to contact me, albeit through Miss Calendar and her, the - uh computer, taking credit for our present state of affairs. N-Needless to say, Jenny is not behind our current predicament."

"Thank God for small favors." The sentence was barely audible under the Slayer's breath as she shoots a sad smile towards her Watcher.

"Rupert, I'd better leave. If Ethan sends any more mail, I'll get it to you." Dejected, the computer teacher turns and begins walking towards the doors when a hand grabs her from behind.

"Miss Calendar?" The voice is small and dripping with hurt. Maturity sucks! "I'm so very NOT happy with you. But that is on an extremely personal level." The Slayer takes a deep breath, trying to calm her shaking nerves before continuing. "But if you have any idea how to stop whatever it is that's happening - stay." She finishes with her bout of adulthood for the day and returns to her chair, leaving the teacher standing in the entrance dazed and surprised.

I won't let her down again. The gypsy thinks as she wanders back to the group.

Regaining her composure, the blonde starts with the questions. "So, what spell has the psychopath from your past decided to bestow upon us this time? He is gonna bleed so badly the next time I see him..."

"I'm, I'm not entirely sure we're even dealing with a spell. As you can see, the message is, ah, fairly cryptic. Ethan, well, he doesn't specify what he's actually done, only that he's done, something." The Watcher explains, running his hand through his hair causing it to stand at more bizarre angles than usual.

"Ok, I'll bite. If it isn't a spell, what is it?" The resident hacker asks while rereading the e-mail for the fourth time, trying to find a hidden clue.

"I vote for a Fairy Godmother with a whacked sense of humor." The Twinkie king announces as he waves his arms above his head and points at himself. His two friends give him the brush off for even suggesting something so crazy.

"G-God help me, but he may not be that far off. There are plenty of entities alluded to over the course of history that could produce these results: purportedly helpful but with a less than desirable side effect." The librarian resumes pacing as the bell rings.

"Looks like research party during our free and then again after school. Shall we get to gym?" The blonde comments to her friends and they exit the library. "See ya then, Giles."

As they leave, the computer teacher turns to follow but remarks, "It's a start. Rupert, we need to talk too - when you're ready. I'll see what I can find out from my friends." And she's out the door, leaving the librarian wishing for an easier time when no one's past was an issue.

The mysterious figure returned to the library in time to catch the final exchanges amongst the occupants. From his hiding place in the Occult Section he is most happy to see that his plan is taking perfect shape. That's better. Right on track.

Before retiring to his office to consult various tomes, the librarian moves to the center table to collect forgotten copies of his first e-mail message. Can't leave these lying around. Snyder would have a conniption, not to mention questions.

He collects the papers, jogs them into a neat pile and scans the top one again, just for good measure.


Date forwarded: Tue, 19 Feb 1998 15:09:23 -0800 (PST)
Date sent: Tue, 19 Feb 1998 14:20:50 -0500
From: A friend < Jonas@yahoo.com >
Send reply to: Jonas@yahoo.com
To: jcalendar@worldnet.com
Copies to:
Subject: A friend requests a favor


My dearest Jenny,

Please get this to our favorite Watcher.


Ripper,

Since I've only seemed to bring problems for you recently -please accept my gift as a way of saying - Have fun with a non lethal enemy.

Ethan

The Government wishes it could run a think tank as thorough, dedicated and purposeful as the group assembled in the Sunnydale High School library this evening. Granted, this group's specialty is demonology and as often as the hacker breaks into the FBI's mainframe, she can't confirm whether or not the government has accepted the existence of the supernatural. But that is another story.

This special group convenes in support of the Slayer and her calling. Research is carried out in all mediums: antiquated texts, personal journals and digital information. Each member sticks with their specific area of expertise (albeit recent - in most cases).

Willow sits on the stairs with a laptop across her knees, diligently surfing electronic libraries while chewing on the back end of a pen. Xander is sitting in a chair with his feet propped on the center table, a Watcher Journal cradled in his arms. Cordellia sits across from him, bent over the table and a leather bound edition of some text that Giles thinks may hold an answer, possibly two. Giles himself, is off in his office, translating. As the 'floater', Buffy covers whatever needs doing at a particular time. Right now, she is in the stacks searching for another musty old book.

Considering the complement of people in the library, it sounds incredibly like - a library. Jokes, bickering and assorted verbal sparing are put on hold while they try to determine exactly what type of 'gift' the enigmous Mr. Ryane has sent them.

The librarian exits his office, walks to the center table and taps the sneakers resting there. "Kindly remove these from the furniture. Surely you mother raised you better than this." The sneakers drop to the floor with an exaggerated thud and their owner repositions himself in his chair, looking both embarrassed and annoyed.

"A-All right, all. What have we, ah, discovered?" The Watcher's request is greeted by a rustling of papers and movement as the students away from the table move in for 'discussion time'.

Before another phrase can be uttered, the double doors swing open and a vampire waltzes into the room. The group spins and rises out of their chairs (those that were sitting).

"No, no, need to get up." The vampire starts, waving the group back down. "Just have a little message here for the Slayer." He holds up an envelope and tosses it onto the counter. As he moves forward, the blonde vaults over the railing onto the table and completes the move to the floor with a round off. She lands and continues walking towards the intruder.

"It's a message from your ex. But you probably figured that out all by yourself." The vampire jibes and backs away. "Besides, no need to kill the messenger, right?"

"Oh, I wouldn't say that. Anytime I can dust one of you... Ahhh... It gives me a happy." The Slayer retorts, closing the gap between them. When she reaches arms length, the demon combusts. She has become so used to flaming vampires she doesn't even flinch.

From his perch in the stacks the dark figure gasps as the vampire turns to dust without absorbing one blow. Quite, old boy before you get discovered too soon. Even after all he has seen in his long, sorted past with the occult - that was impressive.

The blonde turns and looks towards the stacks, thinking she heard something. She shakes off the feeling, figuring it's just the building and walks back to her friends, grabbing the envelope on the way by. "Not a bad deal when done in private."

"Wow..." is all the wide eyed redhead can seem to mutter.

"Hey, that's handy. Giles, got a Dust Buster? Mom taught me to clean up my messes," the male teen jabs.

The librarian ignores the boy. "What... what does it say?" He is more than a little apprehensive about communications from Angel.

"Well, lets see here..." The blonde rips the end off the envelope and retrieves the paper inside. "Oh, this is fun. I get a week..."

She is interrupted by the brunet. "A week for what?"

"Let the girl finish..." The brunet is implored by her boyfriend.

The blonde shoots an evil glare at the brunet and continues. "As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted... He's giving me one week ..." She pauses to see if anyone else dares speak. "... to choose which one of you he gets to kill first. Seems it's his idea of 'fair play'" She throws the letter at her Watcher.

She rubs her temples and then runs her hands through her hair, letting out a breath. "I so don't need this right now..."

The redhead moves to her friend and hugs her around the shoulders. "We'll deal. It'll be ok. It will be ok, won't it?" She looks to the librarian for reassurance.

"Yes. Yes, it will. But one thing at a time. If he says he's giving you till next week, he will. A-At least he's always kept his word in the past." The Watcher looks grim but decides to brighten to keep his charges mood elevated. "Now, ah, we need to continue with what we were doing here."

"Giles, just because he never lied to us as Angel... But now that he's Angelus..." The Twinkie king starts to pace.

"Xander, when I talk of 'in the past' I don't mean last year. I mean the century, or more precisely, the century plus before he was cursed." As the librarian lectures he removes his glasses and absently cleans them on his vest before replacing them on his face.

The Slayer's mind is in over drive and she begins issuing orders like a drill sergeant. "Ok, but we close in ranks. No one, and I mean no one (she looks at each teen and the Watcher in turn) goes out at night alone. And make sure you all carry the essentials: crosses, holy water and stakes. Avoidance is preferable - track shoes are now all the rage for evening wear - yes, even for you Cordelia. The biggest problems revolve around my house and Willow's. Angel can get into both. Giles I leave it to you to determine the best course of action there."

The librarian nods but attempts to argue that he does not need an escort, being a Watcher and all, but his charge waves him off and reiterates her point. "No one, Giles. I've already lost one Watcher - I don't plan on making it two. Now, where were we before the fireworks started?"

"The mystical whatsit that's causing you to be more offensive than usual to the legions of undead and me to become an expert in Pre-Columbian Art." The boy redirects the conversation back to their present problem.

"Yes, quite right. Well, what have we discovered?" The librarian questions.

"I have a couple of possibilities." The brunet replies.

"Good, because I came up empty. As far as I can tell, none of the previous Watchers have ever run into a situation like this." Her boyfriend answers as he slams closed the journal. "Although, some of the situations... Like this one town where a couple of supposed witches had a battle over coal and pigs and fought by lobbing flaming potatoes..."

"Xander!!" The hacker yells and everyone else just looks at him funny.

"Never mind," he replies and slouches into his chair.

"Would you pleahse pay attention?" The brunet demands of her significant other. "There are three creatures mentioned that can grant wishes. Genies are one - but they reportedly stick with one 'master'. And none of the texts I read have actually confirmed their existence."

"Correct, t-they are mostly involved in certain mythologies. The most famous being... Needless to say, no record actually exists. Please, continue." The librarian offers upon seeing the 'here we go again' looks from his research assistants.

"Second, there's pixies. There have been reports of them on several continents. And finally - gremlins." The brunet completes her report.

"Hold it. We've all seen Gremlins - Ok, probably not the transplant from the British Isles here, but... They were furry little creatures that went psychotic when fed after midnight. They did not rewrite history papers."

"Xander, you're actually expecting Hollywood to portray gremlins accurately? The same group of people that have vampires sleeping in caskets, turning into bats and saying 'I vant to drink your blood'." As the hacker gets to the last line of her dialog, she slips into a bad rendition of Bella Lagosi.

The Slayer congratulates her friend. "Good point Wil." But looks pained at the acting job.

The librarian slips into his Watcher persona and continues questioning his research staff. "Willow - can you corroborate either of Cordelia's last two hypotheses?"

"Oh, yeah... Well, not the pixies. No mention of them on the Net. But you won't believe what I found on gremlins." She hands the blonde three printed sheets to give to the Watcher.

"These look like order forms," the blonde replies as she passes them along to her mentor.

"That's cuz they are. There are several Asian sites that advertise for live gremlins - complete sets," the hacker explains.

"Complete sets? How many exactly make a complete set?" the brunet asks before the librarian can. Actually, the longer the group works together, the less he speaks. It seems that the teen researchers communicate best when interrupting each other.

"Six. On all offers. They're bi-pedal and about the size of a gerbil. When they're caged together they go into some type of hibernation state. Only when they're separated are they 'active'." The redhead completes her report.

The Watcher moves to wrap up this late night session. "Good work all. Let's call it a night. I'll finish up the last of the research at home. See you all in the, ah... morning."

The group collects their various belongings and makes to head for the exit. Before anyone gets far the Slayer interrupts. "Have we forgotten rule one already?" She taunts, clucking like a mother hen. "The buddy system is in effect. Xander, I'm sure you can manage to see Cordy home? Giles, you can drop off Willow before I get you home."

"Now, Buffy, that is really not necessary. I'll deliver both Willow and you safely home before retiring," the librarian offers.

"No dice, Giles. Besides, I need to do a quick patrol before I turn in. Saddle up, all. This session is officially over." And with that the group heads into the night.

Part Four

The Slayer's patrol is totally uneventful for the third night in a row. She sends two newly created vampires to the here-after (again) by just standing on top of their graves. It gives her a happy. Older vampires seem to develop an increasing respect for their nemesis and wisely, for them, give her a wide berth. She spots one across the park and chases it but abandons the hunt when it disappears down a manhole. Sewers... yuck - not unless it's absolutely necessary.

The Watcher, meanwhile, pours over a couple of different tomes - hurriedly jotting down notes and impressions. His jacket and vest have been long discarded and sleeves are rolled up the forearm. A cup of tea rests in the upper right corner of the area he is spread over on his dining room table - not that is has ever actually been used to feed more than just himself. It looks to be a long night, but he plans on having a solution come the morning.

The morning sun streaks down, covering the occupant of the school bench in a warm glow. The blonde is slouched - it is a good thing she is in pants today - with her head tilted back, resting on the back of the bench. Glasses are perched on her nose and hands are folded in her lap. Her eyes are closed beneath those glasses. Recently sleep seems to come easier for her during the day. The sun represents a safety net she can not realize at night.

A duo strides up the walk. The male signals for quiet upon seeing the blonde on the bench.. He does a corn ball dance with lots of flailing, but seems absolutely silent. It draws the attention of everyone but the blonde. He gives the all clear and they carefully position themselves on either side of their friend.

The redhead pantomimes 'now what?'. The male rubs his chin, representing deep thought. The female taps her watch - they don't have much time before the first bell. He gets a gleam in his eye and reaches into his backpack retrieving a package of cupcakes. He tosses the wrapper aside. The redhead gives him a stern glare and he retrieves the wrapper and stuffs it in his book bag while popping one of the cakes into his mouth. The other he gingerly places in the blonde's open, up turned hand.

The redhead's eyes go wide. She starts signaling that this may not be such a wisest course of action. The male just brushes the advise aside. He turns to the blonde and lightly touches her on the nose. Said nose crinkles several times before returning to rest. He lets out a breath and repeats the maneuver.

This time the hand raises up off the lap. It accelerates quickly, but not in the direction of its own face. The cupcake finds contact right in the snoz of the male. The arm exerts a little more pressure to make sure the frosting gets imbedded clear into the nose.

A look of complete surprise overcomes the male as he tries desperately to dislodge the dessert and foreign hand from his face. The redhead is in complete hysterics - close to the point of hyperventilation.

"Now, Xander, my snack food covered friend... did you really think you could sneak up on the Slayer," the blonde removes her glasses to get a good look at her handy work. She is trying to admonish but has a hard time stifling a series of giggles. "You make enough noise to wake the dead." She turns to the other friend and continues in an exaggerated huff. "And you were going to let him do it! So much for loyalty." Then as an afterthought "Breath, Wil."

"Ok. Breathing. Xander, you're more of a mess than usual," the hacker's speech comes in hiccups as she attempts to regain some composure. The bell sounds and she and the Slayer rise to head for class. But she can't resist taking a finger full of frosting from the poor boy's face as they pass.

"See ya in the library," the blonde calls back over her shoulder as the two girls skip off.

After their last class, the blonde and the redhead are at their lockers, chatting. There are actually only two things that consume most of their conversations. First it's boys. Second it's demons. And lately they tend to overlap. But not today. They haven't been able to make it through a period without getting the giggles. Memories of the shocked look on their friend's face when the cupcake hit drives them to fits of laughter.

As they converse in the hall, they are accosted by the irate girlfriend of their male friend. "Ok, you two... what did you do to my boyfriend to reduce him to tears? (A foot starts tapping) I'm waiting for an answer!" She is standing facing them with her hands on her hips, purse dangling from a wrist.

They exchange a look that is a combination of worry and laughter. The blonde starts the explanation. "Tears? Um, Cornelia... We haven't seen him since before school. And although I turned the tables on him, it really wasn't anything to get that worked up over."

"Yeah! Besides, Xander never minded wearing his food. That was before he started dating you..." The redhead comments and scoots behind her defender before Cordy can swing.

"Food? What are you two talking about? When I saw him right before first, he was covering his face and running for the boy's room. We wouldn't even stop to talk to me. To ME!!" The brunet was close to hysterics. "What is the matter with my boyfriend?!"

The blonde slips an arm around her waist and the trio start walking down the hall. Her voice drops to barely a whisper and she forces herself to become choked up. "Cordy... I didn't want to have to tell you this... But I know you can be strong. Xander needs you to be strong. Oh, poor, Xander..."

Her acting job is going a little too well and the redhead starts to show panic. What did I miss??

The blonde stops as they reach the library and moves to face the brunet, grasping her shoulders. Cordelia listens intently, apprehension visible on her face. "Xander... HAD TO CLEAN CUPCAKE OFF HIS FACE!!" the blonde yells as she gives the taller girl a slight shake. "God, Cordelia, get a grip. He tried to make me wear it and I don't look good in brown. Not that he looked all that good himself."

"But he tasted good!" the hacker exclaims. The brunet just gives her a weird look, not quite sure exactly what to make of the comment.

The trio enter the library making more noise than the resident librarian approves. Luckily for them, he is nowhere to be found. The blonde and the redhead takes seats at the center table across from each other. The brunet paces in front of them, explaining how NOT funny she found the preceding exchange. She is well into her tirade when the remainder of the gang show up.

"See, I told you it was Cordelia's voice we heard clear on the other side of school," the cupcake king announces to the remainder of his party. "It's been directed at me enough. Kinda nice not bein' on the receiving end of that." He points emphatically at his girlfriend.

The guitarist files past the group to take a seat next to his hacker. The librarian walks to the table, praying the infernal yelling would soon stop. The computer teacher is at his heels but breaks off to connect her laptop. Seeing her boyfriend quite all right, the brunet and he take a seat around the back of the table. They are arguing with each other low enough, for a change, that no one can hear them, but it is a spectacle to watch.

"Ah, well... anyone with any further developments to report? Or can w-we get down to a possible solution?" The Watcher seems grumpy. The blonde shoots a questioning look towards the computer teacher, who offers no insight into the librarian's disposition and just shrugs.

"Rupert, maybe we should start with some facts about what we're dealing with?" The techno pagan suggests as she starts typing away at her keyboard.

"Yes, Giles... What are the fun facts about gremlins?" The blonde starts and then as an aside "Ya know, it's just too weird that our childhood movies are starting to come true. I so don't want to have to deal with a possessed car or aliens."

"If they're the size of mice, can't we just set traps out for them?" the brunet asks.

The guitarist jumps into the discussion. "Uh, Cordy - just because they're not exactly welcome, doesn't mean we should just go around killing creatures we find annoying." His girlfriend backs him up on this one. "Yeah!" You'd be tops on a number of people's lists. Including mine.

"Ok, mouse traps are bad. Hey, what about one of those Have a Heart ones? Our gardener uses them all the time on the estate." The brunet is searching for the solution that will require the least amount of work on her part.

"Well, um, that is a most interesting hypothesis, Cordelia, but a-although these creatures may look like rodents, they act, um, very differently," the Watcher responds while polishing his glasses. "W-We have ascertained that these... these, gremlins work in pairs. And perhaps the most beneficial news is that t-they won't vacate an edifice that they have been released into."

"All right. So these little fur balls are confined to this *huge* building. Well, at least it isn't all of Sunnydale." The Slayer has visions of all the nasty places a small creature would naturally gravitate. A disgusted look plays across her face.

"Good, positive thought," the guitarist adds and jabs a finger towards the blonde for emphasis.

"Uh, guys. I hate to bring this up. But how do we even find them? Have any of you seen a gerbil type thing wondering around school. I know I haven't," the redhead comments then her eyes brighten as she moves to unpack her laptop. "I'm gonna do a little more research." She picks up and moves away from the group. No need to unnecessarily worry Giles. Besides, I'll only be in the FBI computer for a moment.

The Watcher looks a little pained and slightly embarrassed. "I, ah...believe Miss Calendar has had a bit more luck in that department than I."

The teacher disengages herself from her computer and joins the group at the table. "I contacted a cousin of mine from the old country. She has a library almost as complete as Rupert's." The Slayer can't help but give her a pained look. She quickly moves on to her discovery. "Anyway... There is a relatively simple spell to force gremlins into revealing themselves and a second incantation to bind a pair together."

"This is a cinch then. Let's start chanting!" The cupcake king pushes out his chair and drags his girlfriend to the center of the library. "Come on, what's everyone waiting for? We chant, we capture, we party."

"Xander, it's probably more complicated than that. It's always more complicated than that. Am I right?" The blonde asks of the two adults in the room.

"That is a fair assessment of the situation..." the computer teacher begins to explain but she is cut off by a very upset hacker who has been living up to her nickname.

"Oh, boy! Oh, boy... this is so not good. We've gotta stop these things, now, - before someone not as nice and normal and harmless as me gets whammied," the redhead is visibly shaken as she logs off her machine. He boyfriend repositions himself by her side on the steps and slips a comforting arm around her waist.

The blonde turns and looks at her friend. "What is it, Wil? These things can affect the Net?"

"Oh, I don't think it's the Net they're affecting - but my ability to manipulate it. Giles don't even scowl, I was doing this to help. But after I hacked into the FBI's crime computer, every password I tried looped me into the Military's Strategic sites." The hacker puts down her laptop and curls deeper into her boyfriend's arms resting her head on his shoulder.

Before either of the adults can question her further, the brunet interrupts. "So, what's the big deal? You've hacked your way into tons of off limits sites."

"I think I know," the cupcake king announces as he moves towards the stairs, gesturing at her with both hands. "Not only could you get into these sites, but you also know the codes." The memories of his time as a soldier come flooding back. His girlfriend just continues to look confused and slightly perturbed that she has fallen out of the loop.

"Yup. Saddam or Castro could be toast right now... if I had the stomach for nuclear holocausts," the redhead mutters and begins to look physically sick over the thought.

"W-Willow, how do you, ah... know you possess these launch codes?" the Watcher asks.

The redhead didn't like what the librarian was insinuating. "No, I didn't plug and play. Can't you all just take it on faith I know what I know. An actual demonstration isn't really an option."

"Wil's, right then. We need to start bringing these gremlins under control, and fast." The Slayer is all business and moves towards her Watcher before continuing. "So, what are these spells and how do we start demousing this school?"

The librarian defers to the resident techno pagan with a sweep of his arm. "Ok... the first incantation will force the gremlins to show themselves." She passes around photocopies of the translation. "For a change, the spell does not need to be spoken in its native tongue."

"And this is a great boon because..." the slayerette just can't resist a smart comment.

"Well, Xander - since I don't think you've gained a mastery of 8th century Chinese, English is preferable," the computer teacher retorts then continues. "Now the tricky part is that the binding spell must be started immediately once the gremlins are seen. If you wait, they can move and disappear again." She hand out the second spell.

"Ok. I have a question. Actually, I have several - all very on topic," the guitarist raises his hand as he speaks. "Well, after we bind these gremlin things, can we touch them? I mean, they don't bite do they? Or have poisonous fur? And once we have them, where do we put them? Do we have a gremlin keeper?"

"Um, no... no... t-they won't be able to nip or scratch when bound, so handling them should be a, ah... relatively simple task. Bring them back here. We'll use..." The librarian fields Oz's question and stops to look around the check out counter before crossing to search the weapon's locker. "Ah... yes, this shall do nicely. We'll use this." He brings the object he's found to the center table and places it in front of the group.

"Giles, my latest shipment of arrows is in that box," the Slayer exclaims, a little too emotional over the tools of her trade.

The librarian removes the lid and extracts eight shafts. "Yes, b-but there are so few left. I'll just put them with the crossbow." And he moves to the locker then returns to the table.

The ensemble all turn an eye the Slayer. She gives her best innocent 'who, me' face, then breaks into a wide grin. "Hey, only makin' the world safe for democracy."

"All right, since this seems like a pairs event, and I'm odd man out... the six of you stay and chant, while I go make a trip around town." The Slayer begins to collect her weaponry and waves off a few protests from the crowd. "And, remember: carry a stake and holy water - Angel has access to the school." With that she turns and exits but not before nabbing the crossbow from the locker - not that she anticipates needing it, unless her friends work extremely fast.

Part Five

It is a beautiful, starry night in Sunnydale. A crescent moon shines over a town that is not quite ready to call it a night. People are still walking the streets; teens heading for the Bronz, adults heading... to wherever adults head at night: movies, coffee, illicit affairs.

The Slayer moves amongst her townmates, unnoticed. She recognizes some from school, others from the mall. It during times like this that she laughs at the absurdity of her life. Not that it's all bad. She knows she has the best friends in the world - they know who she is, what she must battle - and willingly choose to stand by her side.

The fighting, well -that she actually likes - more than she knows she should. She's good at it. And she takes out the pressures of her destiny on those that would kill her kind. Being the Chosen One also gives her a really cool excuse for never studying. She hated that part of life even before she was Called.

But the worse part of the whole, maddening deal isn't even the fact she may not live to see twenty, hell - eighteen. It's the fact she can't tell her parents, especially her mother, the truth. The reasons why their daughter is constantly in trouble and considered a poster child for the School for Wayward Girls. That is the hardest part, being a constant disappointment to her parents because they don't have a clue as to what she's really dealing with.

Whoa, girl - back this train up. What's bringing on this wave of pity? The Slayer is about to stop but checks around, especially looking up, to see if she's anywhere near a tree. She is in the park and chooses an empty swing to rest. After a few minutes of quite reflection that has offered no insight into her mood, she leaps from the swing and collects her crossbow. Better make one last trip through the cemetery - then I'm bed bound.

Back in the hallowed halls of Sunnydale High, the three anti-gremlin factions are not having as easy a time as the Slayer. The first unsuccessful attempt is made by the resident pair of hormones on parade: Xander and Cordelia.

"Ok, first stop: bio lab," the male announces as he opens the door and guides his significant other into the room. "So... I get to call 'em and you get to bind 'em. Fitting. Always figured you as the bondage type."

That comment quickly gets him slapped - hard. "Xander!!"

He rubs his arm. "Ow. Jeez - Ok, I didn't figure... it was more like fantasized anyway." A playful - hopeful grin plays across his lips as he forces his eyebrows to wiggle.

"I am not encouraging this! We have work to do. Start your... thing," she directs with a wave of her hand and proceeds to stand in her patented 'unamused' pose.

Here goes nothing... He jumps on top of a lab counter and raises his arms over his head.

"What do you think you're doing?" His girlfriend looks up at him in disgust as she backhands him in the leg.

"Stop hitting me! I just thought I'd try a little drama. Make it 'real'. Now if I may continue..."

"Whatever!"

"Ah hum. Hear me those who move in shadows. Those who hold the power of a time long past. I summon thee forward. I command thee to appear!"

Two small creatures hop onto the lab station in front of them. The female can not believe these two hamster wannabes are what's causing all the problems. She is so dumbfounded she forgets why she's there.

"Cordy, now!" But all he can do is throw his arms up in despair as the gremlins scamper out of sight. "Please tell me you lost your voice - that some demon ripped out your lungs. We had a pair and now they've pulled a Hudini."

"I'm, a... sorry. All this mess is being drudged up by those little things?" She still wears a pained, not quiet believing, look on her face.

The male moves over to her and drapes an arm lazily around her shoulder and escorts her towards their next room. "Cordy, how many times do we have to tell you girls? Size doesn't matter."

She pushes his arm from her and moves away from him. "Yeah - right... As long as you believe that." And continues on to the chem lab.

While missed opportunity number one is played out in the science labs, Giles and Jenny are having their own difficulties in the administration wing.

"First stop, Rupert... the General Office," the techno pagan comments over her shoulder as she keys into the room.

"What is the possibility that our wonderful, caring, student oriented, leader will surface in time to make our lives even more of a living hell?" The librarian questions as he lays out the spell he needs to recite.

"Ya know, Buffy is correct. You do abuse sarcasm. But with the luck we've been having lately he'll show as I botch the binding ritual and tie the two of us together," the computer teacher jokes. Not that it wouldn't have its up side... a small smile plays on her lips an in her eyes.

The librarian manages to look more embarrassed than usual. "Y-Yes, well... um... that would be... um... m-most untimely."

"Rupert..." she says with a small laugh, "start chanting."

"Ah... umm... very well. Hear me those who move in shadows," he starts in a soft voice that begins to build as Jenny signals for him to increase his volume. "Those who hold the power of a time long past. I summon thee forward. I command thee to appear!"

The two stand at the ready. Both shift position to survey every cranny of the office.

The librarian repeats his mandate. "I command thee to appear!!" His frustration mounts and his voice along with it. "Appear!!"

The computer teacher gently places a hand on his arm, drawing his attention away from the incantation he is trying to cast. "Well, looks like this room is a bust. Snyder would have been exhibiting some sort of aberrant behavior if they were around here. He would have been spouting Buffy's praises, for a change."

"Q-Quite right..." he chuckles. "I suppose we should try over in Guidance, next."

She slips her arm through his before speaking. "Lead on, McDuff."

He stiffens at her contact but as he looks down at her, smiles and places his other hand on top of hers and leader her out of the office and into the hall

The final duo are working their way through the english and foreign language classrooms. Willow enters the first room ahead of Oz. She gets half way into the room before she realizes he hasn't followed. He is leaning against the door frame - staring at her.

Seeing him watching her intently, she becomes nervous. Do I have toilet paper hanging from my shoe? Or is my shirt untucked? She gives herself a quick once over before shooting an inquisitive look to the doorway's occupant. "What's wrong?"

Her words being him out of his dream like state. "Nothin's wrong. Why do you ask?"

She motions for him to join her in the room. "We need to be in the room, first off. And you've been watching me all evening. If I didn't know better, I'd be scared of you."

"I don't mean to make you uncomfortable," he starts. "But when I'm near you, my mind wanders..."

She hops up on the teacher's desk. "Where does it go? When it wanders?" She swings her legs and looks as cute as ever.

"I can usually guarantee it stays on this plane. It almost always ends up fantasizing..." he stops, not sure if he should continue, if continuing would cause her to run, run screaming from the room. He decides it's worth the risk. "...about you. But not just you... me and you, actually me kissing you... and not just any kiss, a kiss with meaning, a kiss with feeling - one with tongue..." Did I just say that? He cringes.

"Oh..." On the outside she seems unfazed - like when she hacks into the school's record system to keep Buffy from failing all her classes - but on the inside she's doing back flips. YES!! He wants to kiss me! Wet kisses! Grown up kisses!!

He takes her lack of reaction to his confession as a bad thing and starts to slide away from her towards the other end of the desk.

His movement brings her out of her thoughts. Where's he going? "Hey!!" she grabs his hand and drags him to stand in front of her. "Where are you going?" then hopefully, with a hint of apprehension "I thought you wanted to kiss me?"

"I did... I do! But you didn't seem too keen on the idea." He is trying to avoid her gaze but his only other choice of view, due to their closeness, is her chest. What a dilemma...

She pulls him closer with the hand she has yet to release, placing said hand on her hip. She brings her other hand to tip his face upward, leans in and places a tentative, hesitant kiss to his lips. When he doesn't pull away, she becomes more bold and extends her tongue to gently caress his lips. His arms envelope her waist as he takes another half step closer. He is standing between her knees, chest pressed to chest. Her arms encircle his neck so her fingers can play in his hair. The kiss continues to deepen; their tongues dancing from one mouth to the other.

After many minutes, they finally break the lip lock. She takes a hand from his hair to remove a bit of saliva from the corner of his mouth with her finger tip. "Wow..." her voice was low and dreamy.

"I was gonna say that," he says, but neither moves to break the physical contact with the other. "If we don't take a break and catch us some gremlins - I'm not gonna be much use to anyone..." the guitarist announces as he backs up and grabs a spell from the desk, then in a much lower voice that he assumes she won't be able to hear "...at least not without a cold shower."

But she does hear him. The comment causes a smile to plaster across her face. She jumps off the desk, the other spell grasped in her hand. "Ok, gremlins. I'm caring about gremlins." She desperately tries to push the memories of his lips, his tongue, his smell, his... well, his everything, to the back of her mind.

"Looks like you go first," he explains. "I've got binding." He waves the paper at her.

"Me first... Ok, here it goes..." Her voice cracks as she starts but becomes more confident as she continues. "Hear me those who move in shadows, those who hold the power of a time long past. I summon thee forward. I command thee to appear!" As she finishes two little fur balls hop onto the windowsill and stand side by side.

Another voice begins to chant. "Oh, benevolent Power, Power of the Ancients; do my bidding, grant my desire. Bind these creatures to them self. I ask this of you, now!"

A light circles the gremlins, then disappears. They look no different now than before the teens started the ritual. The duo exchange a confused look. No one ever explained exactly what would happen.

"Did it work?" she asks nudging her male counterpart forward.

"I guess if I can pick them up - it worked." He hands her the copy of his spell and walks to the windows. The creatures just stand there. He glances over his shoulder and gives her an unsure shrug. He reaches out and runs a finger across one of their heads. They stay motionless. He gently picks the pair up in one hand and turns back towards his girl friend with a triumphant look on his face. "Looks like we make quite the pair. Wonder if the others have had as much luck?"

"Probably - considering how much time we spent in the extracurricular department, they're probably waiting in the library for this last pair," the smiling hacker comments as they exit the classroom and make they way to the library.

A pair of adults and a pair of teens meet up in the hall before the library. Neither are carrying anything but the photocopied spells.

"No luck?" the computer teacher asks of the teens.

"Only one sighting and then parties that will remain nameless..." he shoots a look to his girlfriend. "... couldn't get the binding spell out fast enough. Something about small creatures not being able to perform." The techno-pagan immediately understands the implications of his remark and starts to chuckle. The librarian looks confused. His eyes keep darting between his partner and the teens. An explanation is not forthcoming.

The brunet just glares at her significant other before replying. "I'm sorry already! They took me by surprise - that's all."

"It doesn't take much to surprise you, now does it?" he retorts.

Before his girlfriend can respond, the librarian puts an end to their bantering. "Enough. We didn't even get a glimpse of them. At least now we know the first incantation works."

The four arrive at the library and push through the double doors. They find the totally unexpected. The guitarist is seated in a chair pushed back from the table. The extra room is required because he is not alone in the chair. The resident hacker is seated across his lap, her back to the door. Another game of tonsil hockey is well underway. And by the looks of the two, it has gone into sudden death overtime as each struggles for the advantage.

"Well, this is just great! We're out bustin' our butts to capture rodents, these two are reinventing CPR. This is so unfair!" the brunet complains.

The Watcher turns a light shade of pink (barely visible through a days worth of stubble) at the display in front of him. The computer teacher also flushes but is slightly envious of the teens. Soon, Rupert...

The male teen just stares, unbelieving, mouth agape. She's kissing a Werewolf. Ok he's not a werewolf now - but wait... Why do I care who she kisses?

At the sound of the May Queen's verbal attack, the couple in the chair break their kiss and the hacker swivels around to look at the entrants over her shoulder. She clears her throat before speaking. "We, were - just waiting for you all to show up..."

"That's one hell of a way to wait. Why didn't you cover your rooms? Oh, wait... mouth to mouth is so much more important." The cupcake king is incredulous. If I can't be gettin' any, neither should anyone else...

The guitarist places a finger over his girlfriend's lips before she can tear into her longtime friend. He then shifts and dislodges her from his lap (she is none to pleased about being uprooted and she settles disgruntledly into a nearby chair - alone) he stands and moves over to the box on the table, tapping on the lid. "We've done our part." He looks over the rest of the group with questioning eyes. How 'bout the rest of you?

"Y-you caught a... a pair?" The librarian's eyes go wide and the shock is more than evident in his voice. He and the techno pagan move over to the box and peek inside.

"Yup. Take a look see for yourselves," the guitarist offers and reclaims his chair. He extends his hand and the hacker quickly intertwines her fingers with his.

"W-well... ummm... Job well done," the librarian starts. "Unfortunately, the... ah, rest of us haven't had quite as, ah, much luck." He runs his hand through his hair and turns towards his office - deep in thought. No one makes a sound, waiting for him to speak again, to give them some direction.

The brunet brings the quite to an abrupt end. "So, what's the deal now? Is tonight over yet? Or is more chanting required? If I don't get seven full hours sleep, I require too much foundation to look my best."

"And we couldn't have that now, could we?" The computer teacher responds as they all would. The women become embattled in a staring contest for a long moment before the teacher breaks it off and continues. "Look, Cordelia's right. It's late. We have a third of our problem under wraps. We'll do this again tomorrow night."

As the hacker and guitarist rise a pained look crosses her face. "Giles? Do we need to feed these things? I'd hate to have them starve. That just doesn't seem right."

Thoughts of an atypical quiet, early evening for the Watcher go flying out the window because of her question. "I-I don't know..." He pinches the bridge of his nose as he turns to face the group once again. "I'll check with..."

"A veterinarian?" the brunet suggests.

Her boyfriend bounces on that comment like a kitten with a ball of yarn. "Yeah, Cordy - the local vet is gonna have a manual on the Care and Feeding of Gremlins." The others get a chuckle out of his comment, but if looks could kill, he isn't long for this world. She just stands there looking mighty annoyed.

"Rupert, I think I may be able to answer that question on line," the computer teacher moves to lap top. "Why don't you kids go home?"

"Yes... g-good idea. But remember - in pairs, at least." The last thing the Watcher wants is an irate Slayer on his hands come morning.

Part Six

It's another beautiful morning in Sunnydale, California. The town, more often than not, lives up to its name. The spectacle is lost on the high school principal. He stands on the second tier of the school, scoffing at the activity around him. Alexander Harris - star pupil. That's just wrong - so wrong it makes my teeth itch. He turns and walks back into the building planning on taking his foul mood out on the first unsuspecting student that doesn't conform to his sense of proper.

Meanwhile, the hacker is walking up the stairs towards the balcony the principal just vacated. She turns at the sound of her name being bellowed from behind her. "Willow!!" It's the Slayer. "Hey! Put it in neutral for a moment." The blonde is at a slight jog, trying to catch her friend.

The redhead pulls off to the side to wait - allowing others to pass. "Hey, Buffy. How'd patrol go last night?" she asks in a lower voice.

"Boring and so totally dull. I fear loosing my oh so proficient violent tendencies if I don't get to beat a vampire senseless soon. Please, tell me our rodent problem has been eliminated," the Chosen One hooks arms with the hacker and they resume walking.

"Mmmm... not completely. We do have one pair under wraps, though," the redhead explains. "And Oz and I caught 'em. No one else had any luck." She is beaming and practically bouncing.

"Wil, you can't be this excited over catching gremlins. What's the good word?"

"Ok. It was so cool... Oz... me... Miss Pullman's room... Eeek!!" Exuberance spills over as the hacker remembers the activities she shared with her boyfriend the night before.

The blonde places a hand on her friend's arm and stops their forward motion. "Whoa - girl - you've promised no more coffee. Are we gonna have to limit your sugar intake too?"

"No... no stimulants - better!" Actually, I guess it could be considered a stimulant... Her expression changes from happy to elated as she contemplates the ramifications of the idea forming in her head.

It finally registers with the Slayer. If this was a classic Batman episode a small yellow light bulb would have appeared over her head with the word BING. "Smoochies??" The hacker nods furiously. "Awesome!! Details, dear girl, details!"

"A+; Gold Stars; Works and plays well with others.... He earned them all." Her voice takes on a dreamy tone and her eyes glaze over. She stares past Buffy's shoulder, into nothing in particular.

The blonde waves a hand in front of her friend's eyes. "Earth to Willow, come in Willow... Must have been some kiss, you're still not seeing straight." Snapping fingers don't even penetrate the gaze.

The redhead can only manage a sigh and the word "Yeah..." She still refuses to focus on anything.

"You've got it bad, girlfriend." The Slayer takes the other by the elbow and leads her into the building. "That's right... one foot then the other. See, walking's easy."

"Mmmmm... Cute, gentle, furry. His goatee tickles..." she is still mumbling about her guitarist boyfriend when they stop at her locker. It doesn't even register. She just leans against the wall, a small, quirky smile plastered across her face.

"Good God... if this is what I was like when I was so jacked for Angel... I should have been shot." It's now the blonde's turn to mumble to herself. She collects the books her friend will need for the next class and then leads her to the room.

Gym class - that wonderful time of day when the jocks have extra incentive to pick on the less athletically inclined. The fact that the powers that be schedule her to endure this particular hell right after lunch is, well, just wrong - like caf food in and of itself doesn't warrant a free just to recuperate.

Never again... Next year I will reorganize the schedule myself. Cordy's right - that's a weird thought for me. Anyway - if you got it, flaunt it. And when it comes to hacking, I most definitely got it. All these thoughts go scampering through her brain as she slips a standard issue Sunnydale High t-shirt over her head.

The scowl on her face elicits a comment from the friendly neighborhood Slayer. "Now, what would you do if your face got stuck like that?" As she speaks, she bends over to look up at the lowered face of the hacker who is now seated on the locker room bench tying a sneaker.

The blonde's upside down smile is infectious. A grin tugs at the corners of the redhead's lips. In a moment of complete silliness, she sticks her tongue out at her friend.

The Chosen One rights herself and plants both hands on her hips. "That's the Willow I know and love... What's with the long face? No quality time with Oz yet today?" She extends a hand and pulls the other girl off the bench and to her feet.

"Now that you mention it, no - I haven't seen Oz today. But that's really not the problem at the moment. This class, this class that I loath. Basketball - yuck. Shooting, running, dribbling - running and dribbling... together. It's a klutz's nightmare, hence my nightmare. This whole thing requires levels of coordination I just don't have." Thoughts of yet another embarrassing moment to add to the long list of gym fiascoes over the years play through her mind.

"Come on, you're intelligent and cute. Besides, Oz ain't gonna care whether or not you can play basketball." The Slayer has achieved her desired effect. The hacker gives her a half hearted nod as the exit the locker room and join the rest of the class in the gym.

While an unusual star lights up the basketball court, a rather heavy, deep and real conversation is about to take place in the library office.

A soft knocking draws the Watcher out of the 13th century demonology text and into the present. A sad looking techno-pagan is standing in the doorway. He is actually very happy to see her, but dreads the upcoming conversation.

"Jenny..."

"Hi, Rupert. I have a free and was hoping we could finally get around to having the talk we'd both rather avoid. God, did I just say that out loud?" She blushes and shakes her head. Why is it that everything worth having is such a battle?

"Talk... well, yes... I-I suppose we do, ah, need to talk," he realizes he's being rude. "Please, come in. Sit down." He gets up off his desk chair and hold it for her, then seats himself on the couch against the back wall.

The two alternate between staring blankly at each other and staring blankly at a wall or a book or anything else in his little office. Awkwardness abounds. The shear number of conflicting emotion they both hold is staggering.

After one last, hard swallow, she starts. "I'm sorry. I know it doesn't begin to cover it. It can't make it acceptable. Not that you even want to hear it. But it's true." As she begins her dialog, she dislodged herself from the chair and paces in the small area between the desk and the door.

He takes a deep breath as he stares at the ceiling. "Jenny... I do believe you meant no harm to come to my Slayer - I have to believe that. But concealing a past you believe is over and concealing a past in order to manipulate the present are two very different things." He acknowledges his own spotty history and differentiates it from the betrayal he feels towards her.

In a soft voice, muffled even more since her back is still towards him as she leans against the door frame, "I know... I never expected to meet people who would accept that vampires are real. I never expected to help battle them. I was only supposed to watch Angel - make sure he was tormented." She spins around to face him again, tears streaking down her cheeks. "There is so much I would do differently if given the chance to go back..."

He rises up off the couch and moves to her. From within his jacket he retrieves a starched, pure white handkerchief and presses it into the palm of her hand. "I can understand why you kept information hidden. I do understand the complexity of duty and familiar obligation. But the fact I want to take you in my arms and tell you everything is going to be fine..."

The computer teachers eyes go wide. There's hope?

"...I can't do that."

Her expression goes crestfallen.

"My first responsibility is to a sixteen, seventeen - year old girl. The one girl who has been Chosen to fight what has now been created, by her love... and granted, impulsive actions." He breaks into a sweat and removes his glasses to wipe away the beads of perspiration that are collecting on his brow with his fingertips. He stops for a moment to look at the wetness on his hand before shrugging and wiping them on his pant leg in a very un-Giles like manner.

"So where does this leave us?" she asks, knowing his duty is as important to him as hers was to herself.

Sitting heavily on the sofa, he runs a hand through his hair before answering. He looks much older than his forty odd years. "I don't know. Time may gives us an answer..."

The stay motionless for many moments, reverting to staring at the floor or a wall, before the computer teacher speaks again. "Well, we've had honesty... I'll see you tonight for more rodent control?"

"Umm, yes! I had managed to forget about those pesky little buggers. I-imagine that." He stumbles over a good-bye and ushers her out of his office. That was almost as fun as... how did Xander put it? Rectal Surgery?

Back in the gym it is a traditional game of shirts verses skins; only since this is a co-ed class the shirts are in Sunnydale maroon - the skins wear institutional gray. The skins have an overwhelming lead over the shirts even though the shirts are playing the center from the men's team and the point guard from the women's squad. The lead is thanks to the spectacular play of a petite female.

Over the first half game, she has picked the opposing point guard clean three times for three easy layups. She has made two three pointers, each over the out stretched arm of the 6'1" center. But scoring hasn't been her only forte; she has made no less than a half dozen breathtaking and unusual passes to open teammates - resulting in 14 points.

As the period and hence the game is about to come to an end, she comes from behind and pokes the ball free of an opposing guard. It bounces to her teammate and the race is on. The ball handler drives the lane and kicks the ball back out to the waiting hands of the play maker who has positioned herself behind the arc on the left wing. She watches her final three pointer find 'nothin' but net' from her back. She is fouled - hard.

She pumps her fist into the air as a male team mate drags her to her feet and ushers her to the charity stripe. Moments later, her attempt falls effortlessly through the net. Her line is impressive: 10-13, 3-3 from three point land, 5-5 from the line for 28 points - 4 rebounds, 8 steals, 8 assists. Not a bad afternoon's work - or should that be play? Whatever.

The whistle sounds. The game and the period are over. Before she can join her friend in the jog to the locker room, the coach grabs her for a 'chat'. "Where have you been hiding?" He is all smiles. "You have systematically out played members of both the women's and the men's teams. I want you to talk to Coach Lazlo - you're our ticket to States. She's gonna owe me big time for discovering you."

The girl just stares at the coach - How could she get herself into such a mess? How could she let this happen? She has her own special talents. And this has never been one of them... This is going to make her life too difficult. She hadn't meant to show off - but everything just felt so right today. She didn't know how she did what she did. It was if someone else was performing all those neat moves. It was instinctual - she just knew what to do - even though she'd never understood the rules of the game, before today.

She comes back from her thoughts as the coach clasps her on the back. She mumbles a "Yes, sir..." and promises to speak with Coach Lazlo then heads off to find her friend.

She enters the locker room, turning the corner the descend the row with her locker in it. Her friend races up to her - grabbing both shoulders. "That was amazing!! And after you spouting off about hating basketball - you're a regular Michael Jordan, Wil."

"Oh yeah - just great. Let's remember how talented I'm gonna be once our pest problem is eliminated. I won't be able to walk and dribble at the same time." The redhead sits herself on the bench and cradles her head in her hands. "And I've always wanted to be more athletic...after everyone else's problems, God I should have known better!"

The blonde could do nothing but look slightly amused as they quickly change to hit their next class. "Look at the bright side, Willow. At least it wasn't a nuclear holocaust."

The redhead just groans.

Ahhh, the end of the day; no more school, no more books, no more teacher's dirty looks. A tad juvenile, granted. Anyway, a time when classes can be forgotten for a little while. Although school is officially over, one would never guess for the activity around campus. Various club meetings are being held while the spring sports teams are practicing.

To an uneducated outsider, the Sunnydale High School library looks like any school library. A couple of students are at a table completing homework assignments. Another is in front of a computer but reading a borrowed leather bound book with the title Spells and Incantations embossed on the cover. If it wasn't for the padded librarian getting the snot beat out of him by a petite blonde welding a seven foot quarter staff, everything would look absolutely normal.

The exchange goes by quickly. She blocks two attempts by her Watcher; one aimed for her head, the other at her knee. And moves to attack. She fakes to his leg, then with lightening speed counters to his arm. She slides her staff down the length of his, dislodging it from his grasp. As the stick starts to get away from him, he foolishly lunges after it. She repositions her staff down to his ankles and lets gravity do the rest of her work. The noise of the Watcher landing unceremonious on the library floor causes the other three in the room to momentarily glance up from their work.

The sight is too typical in the fact that Giles is the one on the floor and Buffy is the one still standing. What is less than typical is that the Slayer is standing over the defeated Watcher who is sprawled on his stomach - arms stretched out over his head, with a boot placed snugly in the small of his back and her quarter staff raised over her head. Her next words, spoken in her best Dom Parto voice, send the room into convulsions. "Winner and still champion! Buffy Summers! And for defeating a man twice your weight for the beezillionth time, here's your years supply of Rice-a-Roni, the San Francisco treat!"

As the teens are overtaken by belly laughs, the Watcher has had enough of being the brunt of the joke. He pushes himself up without any warning and tips the Slayer over backwards, landing her on her butt. "Ooof..." She is more than a little startled. "Aw, come on Giles - I was only having a wee bit of fun, I believe you Brits would say." She rises and rubs her sore posterior and follows the librarian to the weapons locker.

"I am here to train and guide you in your duties against the forces of darkness. I am not here for your amusement, and the amusement of your friends." His voice is harsher than typical for the Watcher. His run in with the computer teacher half a day earlier is still setting him on edge.

His manner elicits an untypical pledge from his Slayer. "Giles, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I promise I'll concentrate more and no more goofing off."

The two make their way to the center table. They come in on some big news being dispersed by Cordelia. "I can't believe I almost forgot to tell you guys. Harmony has to be the latest victim of the gremlins. There's no other explanation. Get this: She's invited the chess club and the home ec club over for a pool party this Saturday."

"Gremlins, definitely gremlins. Harmony wouldn't be caught dead with either of those two groups. Mmm, Cordy? How did she explain this to the rest of your group?" the redhead asks.

"More importantly, how do we get invited so we can then poke fun at her once this mess is over?" The male teen has visions of finally one upping that self righteous...

Before any of the other teens can continue the conversation, the Watcher jumps in. "I'm sure this is all very interesting to all of you, but I have work that must be completed before this evenings activities. So, I will leave you to complete your homework - all of you (he shoots a look towards his charge). If you must leave, please be back before 7:30pm so that we can get finished with this problem."

The group nods and goes back to their homework or research. Even the Slayer cracks open a history text and begins to read. From deep in the stacks, a shadowy figure has watched the entire exchange with amused distraction. This was definitely going better than anticipated.

Part Seven

Oh, this is going to be GOOD. The thought comes from the sorriest excuse of a human being. The excuse is sitting at a picnic table in the park with a cup of steaming hot coffee cradled between his hands. You have outdone yourself this time. And Ripper can't possibly get pissy. No one has died.

The individual proceeds to get lost in his own memories. Of times, far past, when he and Ripper were part of a merry band - much like that Slayer and her brood. Only we brought the evil forth instead of attempting to defeat it. Rupert, you were always so weak...

The reminiscing continues for some time. He had crept out of the stacks when all of the festivities finally calmed down and had taken a walk - he need to stretch his legs, they had been getting all crampy - about the hell hole of a town before coming to rest in the park. He had never come across so many delusional people crammed into one tiny community.

So, he sits and thinks and waits for the hours to pass till he needs to creep back into the library to watch his hapless foils act out another touching scene.

It has been too many hours of quite. They are teenagers after all. Too much stillness and they just might be mistaken for adults. That would be a bleak day indeed. So the eruptions begin.

It is 5PM and the Slayer has been studying for almost 2 entire hours and her 'brain full' light is about to come on. She is leaning back in a chair, balancing it on its hind legs, with her history text propped on a knee. Maximum capacity is reached. She slams the book shut then tosses it with a higher arc than necessary onto the center table causing another loud BANG. All heads snap up at the sound, more out of reflex than anything else. One is never absolutely certain as to the cause of a ruckus in Sunnydale.

As all heads continue to stare at the discarded text book, the blonde rights the chair, jumps to her feet, stretches and starts to babble. "I've had enough... I'm done. My brain's full... And I'm starvin'. I know I can count on Xander's agreement for a food break, who else is with me?"

A couple of more books slam shut. As assumed, the male is more than happy to forgo studying on behalf of food. "So right, food is an awesome idea. Cordy, ya feel like dinner - my treat."

"I suppose I could consent to be seen in your presence if buying me things is involved. Where to?" The May Queen dumps her book in a Gucci bag and whips out a compact and a lipstick. She checks her hair before reapplying the lip cover.

"You're all heart, Cordelia," the Slayer rolls her eyes and spots her bud still entrenched in her reading. "How 'bout you, Wil? Micky D's is calling us over to the land of grease and salt."

"Umm, what? Dinner - I, ah... can't. Work. I have work which must get done. So, no thank you," the redhead manages to stammer out as she quickly slips a book mark into her spot and closes the book - placing it on its cover so no one can read the title. Need to see Miss Calendar, perfect!

"Come on, Wils - lack of food is making you talk all funny." Her long time best friend walks over and slipping an arm around her shoulders tries to cajole her into the food run.

"I really can't. I'm way behind due to our never ending research parties and need to get caught up," she begins to explain. When it looks like even Cordelia is about to argue with her she quickly adds "Plus, if my work isn't done, who are you all gonna copy from?"

The blonde slides up to the hacker and waves a very serious finger in front of the girl's nose. "That's not why I like having you around. It's a very welcome bonus on more occasions that I care to admit, but Willow - I don't ever want you to feel like I'm, we're - using you." The other two slayerettes shake their heads in agreement and mumble the same sentiments.

Well this got too serious too quick. "Oh, I know. But my work still needs to get done - for me. So, bring me back a Big Mac value meal, super sized. Oh... and an apple pie, with a diet Coke." the redhead places her order and retakes her seat. All eyes question her decision on meal choices - it being much more Xander like than Willoweques. "What? Lunch was gross, for everyone but Xander, and the bagel I had at 7AM is no longer doing its job and you saw how I over exerted myself in gym today. Go already." She shoos them out of her library.

The three others shrug and noisily leave to indulge in the sin of fast food. Finally! Now off to see Miss C. I hope she hasn't gone home. Before the hacker can make her escape from the library, the Watcher pokes his head out of his office and catches her practically skipping past the check out counter.

"Ah, Willow..." He takes a quick look around before continuing. "Where are the rest of your cohorts in crime? It sounded like a small army was here a moment ago."

She halts at the sound of his voice and spins on her heels. "Dinner. Giles. Oh, no!" Her elated spirits suddenly drops along with her expression. "They're bringing me back dinner, but I didn't think to order for you too. Hey! We'll spilt mine, I did order a Xander sized portion. Do you like garbage burgers?"

As usual the librarian is having trouble following the adolescent's side of the conversation. "It's all right, Willow - I have a snack in my desk. Are you finished with that manual yet?"

"Not quite. Can I keep it one more night? I should be done by then," the redhead fingers the spine of the book then remembers her desired destination. "I gotta run, Giles. Be back for tonight's hunt." She yells the last line as she exits the library and heads for the computer lab.

The light in the computer room is on and the continuous sound of keystrokes can be heard from within. They stop, every now and again, to be replaced by the tapping of nails on the metallic desk top, then another flurry of keystrokes. Good, she's in...

The redhead peeks into the classroom before softly rapping on the window of the door. "Hey. Do you have a minute? If it's a really bad time, I could come back later."

The teacher jerks her head up at the sound of her student's voice and quickly hits the 'boss key'. Her work is immediately replaced with a generic desktop view. Not many people would have noticed the keystroke or screen change, but the alert eye of the hacker made a mental note of the action without even realizing she had witnessed anything.

"No... no need. I was just finishing up a lesson plan for next week," the computer teacher explains as she rises from her chair and grabs a stack of unknown papers and signals for the student to take a front row seat. "So, Willow, what's so important that Giles has let you out of his sight.?"

The hacker takes the designated seat and delves right into her request. "I need to ask a favor of you. And no, neither Giles nor Buffy know I'm here or what I'm planning. Giles would burst a vessel and Buffy would feel the need to beat something... but this can't keep happening. We have enough to deal with without blasts from the past giving us more 'gifts'. And I think I've found a way to keep it from happening ever again and it will also let us indulge in some sweet revenge. But I want your expertise before I try anything." The redhead jumps out of her chair midway through the soliloquy to pace. She is rather animated during her explanation but still manages to spout out the entire speech without taking a breath, then falls silent and waits for a response as she sinks back into her chair.

The techo-pagan is taken aback momentarily as her brain tries to wrap itself around all the different aspects of the words that were just thrown at her. She is leaning against her desk and just stares at her student. < Wow. You'd think I'd be used to her speech patterns by now... >

She replaces the papers to her desk before pushing herself upright and walking towards the door. She starts to speak as she turns to face the hacker. "Ok, let's slow this down. I can only comprehend at a 33 speed and you talk at 78."

The comment elicits a confused look from the pupil. She has grown up in a time devoid of LPs. The computer teacher brushes off the reference. "Never mind. I'll explain it at another time. If I've understood you correctly, you want to do something to Ethan to prevent him for fooling with us again plus pay him back for the problems he's already caused." The redhead nods and looks as if prepared for a scolding.

"Sounds like a good, basic plan. But why do you need me and not Giles or Buffy? I really don't want to aggravate our shaky re-relationships," the computer teacher retakes her position, leaning against her desk, hands on her thighs.

"I can't go to Giles because he just wants Ethan to disappear. And I can't find a spell for that. Buffy. Well, she just wants to make him bleed and we deal with too much blood as it is," the hacker starts to explain. The computer teacher's ears perk up on the word 'spell'.

"Spell? As in Magic? Oh, no. We are not going there." The techno-pagan stutters and she shakes her head and signals 'no' with her hands. "Haven't we had enough problems with magic without adding to them?"

The redhead blows a stray strand of hair out of her eyes. She figured this was going to take a little persuasion. "Just listen to what I'm proposing." She opens the book to its marked page. "This isn't a spell that will force him to do or not do anything, as the case may be."

The teacher moves to read over her student's shoulder. After a minute or two of reading, the teacher backs off, nodding. She has to admit, she is mighty glad this young Einstein is working with them and not against them. It just might work...

"So? Do you think it's suitable? And will you help me carry it out?" the hacker asks.

The teacher grabs a slip of paper from her desk and a pen then leans back over the book, scribbling a few notes. "I really don't want to go behind Rupert's back... but, yes, I'll help. I have the two stones we'll need - they're hanging off my rearview mirror. You'll need to draw the circle in the library. Use chalk. We'll wash the floor later." Then as an afterthought. "How are you going to get Ethan to the library? We don't even know if he's in town."

The redhead collects her manual and pushes in her chair before heading for the door. "I'm not. If we have something from him, he won't need to be present. Several of Giles' books used to be Ethan's. One will work rather nicely - don't ya think?" With those final works and a smug smile she exits to return to the library. Hopefully dinner will be waiting for her.

The redhead just enters the hall to the library when the wonderful aroma of french fries hits her. She closes her eyes and tilts back her head, drawing a deep breath in through her nose, all the while clutching the book to her chest. "Dinner..." she mumbles to the ceiling and doubles her pace towards the library.

She descends upon the library at a slight jog. She heads straight for the bag sitting on the side of the table - ignoring her friends. She spreads out the feast and pulls over a chair. She dives into the burger without saying a word. After two bites she realizes all talking has come to an abrupt halt and the four other people around the table are staring at her wide eyed.

The male teen is impressed. Those two bites have devoured half the sandwich. The Slayer, brunet and librarian are pretty much disgusted even though the redhead is chewing with her mouth closed.

The hacker holds their gazes as she finishes chewing, then takes a swallow of soda before responding. "What?!" And proceeds to pop a few fries into her mouth.

The group looks pained. Unsure as to exactly what to say. If anything needs to be said. "Since when did you become the human Hoover? I thought that was his job," the brunet quips as she throws an accusatory thumb towards her boyfriend.

"Hey!" If he was a bird, he'd definitely have his feathers ruffled. "I resemble that remark!" But he's the class clown, so he pokes fun at himself instead.

The comment elicits a chuckle from the Slayer and the Watcher. "Yes, well, all things considered, Xander that is perhaps the most rational thing you've said in quite some time." The librarian's comment brings on another round of laughter as the teen clutches his chest and falls back into a chair.

"You wound me, G-man," is the teen's retort.

Before the librarian can chide the youth for the reference, the blonde waves them both off. "Enough all ready! This slap stick is cheesy even for you two."

The contented and full hacker is lounging in her chair, the 32 ounce soft drink resting in her lap. She begins to speak but as yet has not reopened her eyes. "So, Giles - if you can spare a moment from you're intense verbal duel, what are we gonna do with the gremlins once we catch the last two pairs?"

Oh, yes the matter at hand. How quickly one forgets.

"England, I am going to send them to the Watcher Council. The member's will assure that they cause no more difficulties, at least this bunch." The Watcher comments as he polishes his glasses and tries to remember that he is the loan adult in the group and maybe he should be setting a better example.

"The Watchers have a zoo?" the blonde asked. "They don't seem like the cute and cuddly type if you and Merrick are the reference points."

"Not precisely... but they will look after things, that ah, need... well, looking after." The librarian's reply is typically confused. He gives a half hearted smile and retreats back to his office.

The Slayer kicks the hacker's foot with her own. "Hey, wake up. When's Oz gonna show?"

"Mmmm, I'm awake," the redhead replies as she sits up and rubs her eyes. "And Oz can't make it tonight - Devon called practice." The hacker pouts because lack of Oz translates into lack of smoochies. And she has become quite enamored with his lips, especially when they're pressed snugly against her own.

The blonde senses her friends desire for quality Oz time. "Looks like you'll have to settle for me as your partner for the hunt. I'll try not to be too much of a disappointment." The last line is dripping with sarcasm.

"I think I'll survive one night without him." The redhead's tone is equally as sarcastic. "But, I won't survive another minute without first visiting the little girl's room." The contents of her super sized drink has extended her bladder to its fullest capacity. She rises and heads for the door.

The Slayer jogs up behind her friend. "Wait up, I'll join you. It's a physical law or something that females can not go to the bathroom in anything less than pairs." And with that, they leave together.

The other two couples have already taken off to their appointed areas to perform their rituals leaving the blonde and the redhead alone in the library. The blonde watches as her friend chalks out a circle in the center of library.

"Wil, you've never been a vandal before. What gives? Giles is gonna have a cow when he sees this." The Slayer is leaning against the check out counter, her back to the double doors.

The vandal finishes her work before tossing the chalk piece into the air and smartly catching it and depositing it into the front pocket of her overalls. "It's gonna be a present from me to all of us," the redhead announces cryptically.

"Presents? Presents are cool? So, what's the present?" the blonde collects her chanting partner and they exit the library, heading for the gym and locker rooms.

"Not tellin'. It's a surprise," the hacker retorts in a snooty fashion, then quickly switches moods to bubbly. "But you're gonna love it. I'll be presenting it to everyone once we wrap up our little infestation problem. You'll just have to wait till later."

The pair continue for the gym, hoping that within the next couple of hours their lives will get back to normal. Yet, in the back of their minds are wondering if 'normal' is really an improvement.

Part Eight

Two adults walk slowly down the darkened hall of the deserted high school. The clicking of the woman's heels and the plodding footfalls of the man's steps echo through the emptiness. Other than that, there is silence; and it hangs in the air like honey - think and sickeningly sweet.

One would assume they are deep in their personal thoughts, contemplating the whacked turns their lives have taken over the past semester. But one would be wrong. (Insert the juvenile saying about what you get when you assume HERE) Looking at their faces and the clenched fists, it is readily apparent that mountains of self control are keeping the two from each other's throats.

Finally the woman cracks. She stops and looks skyward. "Goddess!!" she blurts out in frustration. She levels her eyes to stare at her partner who had turned at the sound of her explosion.

His look is a combination of confusion and anger. "What are you yelling about now?" Scowl lines crease his forehead as he rubs a hand over it. He continues under his breath "One conversation at a civilized volume... Just one..."

"Oooo, You Brits never change! You will be a bunch of stuck up snobs when the apocalypse comes!" She marches past him, throwing he hands up in disgust.

Exasperated, he turns on his heels and goes after her. "We are not stuck up or snobbish. We, as a society, just happen to believe that people should act... and react in accordance with certain standards... certain accepted practices."

Upon hearing the same explanation for the seemingly hundredth time, she spins to confront him and is almost run over by him. "Whoa..." She practically bounces off his chest as he skids to a halt.

"Uh, pardon me..." he manages to stammer out.

They dance around each other, extremely conscience not to actually touch the other person. They come to rest facing each other once again. The near collision has not detoured either participant.

"So, why are your 'standards and practices' so against technology? Why does a person have to have a Ph.D. in order to have a valid outlook on a situation? And then, why does that opinion have to be found in a printed text? Ya, know - I'm actually surprised you have consented that the printing press is an okay invention," as she speaks she leans back against a wall of lockers.

It is an old argument. One the pair has had since their first encounter, all those months ago. It's not that he is against technology wholesale - it has provided him and his Slayer with timely information too often to ignore.

Besides, just as she once claimed she likes to see him squirm, he loves seeing her bent out of shape. He has always hoped that same fiery passion she used to argue would also spill over into other areas of her life; areas that didn't require an electrical supply, modem or the walking dead.

As her soliloquy continues he is lost in his own thoughts. She'd surely do me great deals of bodily harm if she knew I initiated this disagreement just to watcher her face light up... His thoughts are interrupted as he notices her eyes blaze as she makes a particularly important point. What that point was exactly, he didn't know. God, she's beautiful...

"... and then the vampires were sent to Mars and the Easter Bunny took control of the Senate." She catches him in his own little world. She pushes herself from the lockers, hoping movement will bring him back to the present.

"Rupert! If you can't even pretend to listen.... Why do I bother? Let's just make a sweep of these rooms and get out of here," she shakes her head and starts off down the hall, wiping a stray tear from her cheek. Why do I have to care?

Finally , he snaps back to the present. "Damn," he mutters as he turns to follow the figure marching down the hall. "Jenny! Wait! It's not what you might think," he tries to explain but it comes out with a chuckle that only infuriates her more.

"So, now my ideas and thoughts are funny? I can handle and accept your anger - I deserve it. But I will not stand around and be the butt of some personal joke for you." As she speaks he tries to slow her down by catching her by the arm. She pulls out of his grasp and continues towards their destination.

She slows as she comes upon the office, fishing for the master key. The door flies open.

"What is all the commotion out here?" the petite principal questions the occupants of the hall.

The surprise at finding the office not empty is clearly evident of the faces of the shocked librarian and computer teacher.

"Principal Snyder!" they exclaim in unison, looking at their boss, then each other, then back to the boss.

"I was going to run a virus scan..." the computer teacher tries to explain at the same moment the librarian tries to cover their presence by stating:

"I need to retrieve a book."

The two shoot each other another exasperated look. The Watc