The Awaited One: No Stranger Meeting Part2 7/?
Couldn't fit in one post....
Sara entered the office through the back door nearly an hour after she had left with Spike. Almost immediately Angel’s voice beckoned. She stood in the doorway looking at Angel and Serenity’s crew.
“Where’s River?” the mercenary said before the doctor even opened his mouth.
She suppressed a smile and rolled her eyes, “your girlfriend is sparring with Spike.”
“Sara,” Angel warned.
“Their not-” Simon hastened to correct her about the merc’s relationship with his sister.
“Sparring?” Zoe’s stone face showed only a hint of surprise.
“How long?” Angel asked.
“They’ve been at it nearly thirty minutes,” she shook her head. “Spike can’t resist a fight and the Slayer was wound up tighter than that time Spike was in the cargo hold for five days.”
The dark vampire shook his head, “they going to join us anytime soon?”
“Yeah,” she shrugged, “Spike was teaching River a few cool downs. And she was naming the muscles it affected.”
“River’s been dancing since she was able to walk,” Simon pointed out, “she knows how to stretch.”
“Oh,” she shrugged and said nonchalantly as she watched for reactions, “then he was just checkin’ out her ass.”
Jayne’s entire body tightened, any more and he’d snap. Simon was doing a fish impression. Kaylee had a hand over her mouth. Zoe was unaffected and Mal looked thoughtful. Inara was the only one who appeared to see through her scheme. Except for Angel, who was giving her a patented look of annoyance.
It was this moment the two chose to reappear from the main door. Spike wearing a smirk, River suppressing a smile.
“Have you told the flies everything?” she asked Angel.
“Yes,” he nodded, “Ms Serra was just going over the prophecy when I heard Sara come in.”
“Do they believe ya?” Spike asked.
The vampire shrugged. “Seems like.”
“The last part of this prophecy you have not explained,” Inara indicated the last few lines. “Release her by way of Delida /Her rebirth shall separate the lines/The fifth sign is the Key/A new Legacy.”
“The fifth sign is the Key,” River tilted her head at the room, “the others are reminders…” she looked at Jayne, her voice far away and not her own. “Hamilton,” she turned to Zoe, “Jasmine,” and she scowled at Mal, “Caleb.” She placed a hand over her heart, “Slayer,” and the other to her abdomen, “Key…”
“It’s not the first time we’ve met reincarnations or look-alikes,” Angel acknowledged.
“It is, the first time we’ve seen them together,” Spike pointed out, “add the Slayer and her sprog….”
“Who are they?” Kaylee asked, “Hamilton, Jasmine, Caleb?’
“Evil,” Spike answered, “or evil’s lackey,” he gestured vaguely to Jayne.
“In the time of the Slayers,” Angel cut in, “they were people Spike and I met who made a lasting impression.”
“Great-Aunt Jasmine, the evil incarnate of Cordelia?” Sara suddenly asked.
“I blame you for this,” Angel glared at Spike.
“The girl liked the stories,” the blue-eyed vampire said defensively.
“Spiders are not telling all,” River sing-songed as she sat down and went back to her pasta.
“Jasmine was the name given to the Blessed Devourer,” Angel said, “the Devourer was a rogue entity of the Powers that Be. It set up it’s rebirth to my son and a… friend. She devoured people to keep up the human face. To her followers looked like Zoe here.”
“What happened to her?” Simon asked.
~A young man’s fist going through the back Zoe’s head. Then retreating, the corpse falling to the ground.~
“She was killed,” he looked at his hands, “we weakened her and she was killed.”
“Marcus Hamilton was a liaison to an evil that exists in several dimensions,” Angel looked at Jayne, “your man looks only a little like him. But enough that he is one of the signs.”
“What happened to him?” Kaylee asked. She was absolutely intrigued with the lives the two vampires had lived.
River launched herself at Jayne. Her perfectly aligned teeth sank into Jayne’s corded neck muscles. A growl emanated from her as Jayne howled in annoyance and surprise. The tang of copper brought River to herself. She unlatched her mouth and stumbled backwards.
“I - I’m sorry,” she tried to say.
“What the hell did ya do that fer?” Jayne demanded from where he was standing. He was holding a hand to his neck, batting away the doctor.
“I d-don’t know,” she said miserably.
“It’s what I did to Hamilton,” Angel stepped in, “he had the blood of evil running through his veins. In order to defeat him I needed it was well. So I bit him.”
“Felt it, like reliving a dream,” she sat on the edge of the chair with Spike between her and Jayne, “sorry.”
“Jayne let the doc get a look at your neck,” Mal ordered as Sara delivered a small med box.
“Ruttin’ bitch,” the merc grumbled giving the doctor a full look at his neck.
River grabbed Spike’s arm when the vampire went to step forward. “This is not my first,” she whispered, “I have other times done wrong by Jayne.” Spike turned fully to her, shielding the tears that clouded her vision. “Never do right, never behave. Always cause harm. Dangerous. Evil.”
“No,” he hissed. “You’re not evil.”
“Am,” she argued. “darkness resides here… and,” she said barely above a whisper, “I like it…”
“You’re not evil,” Angel emphasized from where he sat. “Slayers who are evil don’t cry when they kill an innocent, much less when they barely injure an ally.”
Zoe watched the two men talking to River. Angel was so removed, a direct antithesis to how involved Spike was.
“Perhaps we should get back to the ship,” Mal rose.
“No!” River said, “must hear the last one. Caleb,” she looked at Spike, “must connect the dots.”
“Caleb was a woman-hating serial killer who quoted the Bible and dressed as a preacher,” Spike said quietly. He rubbed a hand along River’s back, but she didn’t relax nor move away. “He was a servant of the First.”
“The First what?” Inara asked.
“Evil,” Angel sat back. “It tried to kill me, and then three years later tried to end the Slayer line.”
“Since the First wasn’t corporeal, it needed a human,” Spike shrugged, “Caleb was perfect for the position. He died by being sliced in two.”
“Irony,” River said. “Mal has been battling his beliefs since Serenity Valley.”
“River,” Zoe warned.
“Beliefs?” Angel jumped in.
“Captain was a man of God,” the genius said. “Until he watched all but Zoe die for a victory only they fought for… Left his faith on the battlefield with all the bodies.”
“Enough,” Mal snapped. “She doesn’t know anything about it.”
“She does,” Jayne told him, “even crazy she saw it all in our dreams… yours are the ones she hates most.”
“So much loss,” she nodded.
“They’ve lived for several centuries,” Mal gestured to Spike and Angel, “I’m sure they’ve had worse.”
“Not all at once,” she told him, “loss men, battle, faith, and hope…”
“It’s why you liked making the Shepherd uncomfortable,” Inara said. “You wanted someone to feel as faithless as you.”
“Where is this Shepherd?” Angel asked.
“Passed eight months, two days, and four hours ago,” River murmured.
“During the Miranda broadcast,” he guessed.
Kaylee nodded sadly.
“What order was he part of?” Spike asked.
Everyone looked at the other not remembering. “The Order of Andrew,” Zoe said, “from the Southdown Abby on Persephone.” She shrugged when the crew looked at her, “Wash told me.”
“He was part of the Order that was charged with the Orb of Ashes and the ceremony of Delida,” he chuckled, “what are the chances?”
“We’re leaving,” Mal said.
“Please,” Angel stood, “we have quarters here if you’d rather a soft bed. We’ll leave you all be until tomorrow evening. Give everyone time to adjust. Sara will be your guide, if you need anything ask her.” He swept from the room.
“We still have a job to discuss,” Spike added as he left.
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The vampires had the foresight to land-lock Serenity.
“I’m not surprised,” River sighed as she watched the captain’s face turn molten. “They’re several centuries old; they can read people as well as I can.”
“Kaylee,” he turned to the mechanic, “can you over ride it?”
“Maybe,” she looked at the code, “but cap, even if I do we are days from the nearest settlement, and we don’t have food to last more than two days.”
“River?” Mal beseeched.
“She’s right, even rationing what we have left we’d be two days shy of the M39H6.”
“I want off this rock,” Jayne snapped.
“I agree,” Simon added, “we need to leave.”
“I do not,” River said, turning the pilot’s chair around to address the crew. “They have answers. Answers I need.”
“They don’t know anything about you, mei mei.”
“Spiders have nests,” she replied sternly, “they lie in wait and know more than the fly whose life only lasts for a brief hour in comparison.”
Inara’s brows furrowed, “are they dangerous?”
“Don’t know,” she shrugged, “Spike is easy to read, everything written where anyone can see. Angel shrouds himself in darkness and hides all.”
“They are very different,” Zoe nodded, finally acknowledging what had made her so uneasy about the duo.
“Family,” River answered, “sire’s sire, granddad… they would have met the sun centuries ago if not for family.”
“Right,” Mal rubbed his face, “we’re stuck until we get stocked up anyway.”
“Town’s bar is the only joint still open,” Kaylee reminded him.
“Not the only thing,” Sara startled them from where she stood in the hallway. “Please excuse the trespassing,” she raised her hands in an innocent gesture. “I felt my grandfathers may have left more questions than answers.”
“Grandfathers?” the mechanic was surprised.
“Several generations removed,” she smiled, “but my kin none the less.”
“The last,” River murmured.
“Hopefully not,” she replied with a look of pain, “but at the moment I am all they have.”
“Mayhap we should move someplace less confined,” Kaylee suggested.
Mal and Zoe shared a look before leading the crew and Sara to the galley. Jayne took a watchful stance.
“Do I need to worry about any more surprise visitors?” Mal asked.
“I closed the bay door,” River said as she sped in on light feet. She took a seat on the table watching Sara.
Sara smiled softly at the younger woman, “I brought a gift.” She reached into her side bag and placed a small jar on the table.
The genius’s eyes lit up, “peanut butter?”
“It’s one of Dyton’s exports,” she smiled. “Thought you might like it.”
“Yes,” she popped the top, “thank you.” She jumped off the table and rummaged through the cupboards. She came back with a spoon and an apple. She tossed the apple to Jayne who had his knife out.
She dipped the spoon in the jar and happily licked the spoon clean. She looked up when Jayne set the apple slices in front of her. She picked up two and placed them in his hand before he could retreat.
“Why did ya feel the urge to sneak on my boat?” Mal turned away from the disturbing connection between his merc and pilot.
“I knew you were landlocked,” she said evenly, “figured you’d not trust Spike or Angel… so I thought I’d explain what they are too afraid to talk about.”
“Afraid?” Kaylee thought they were scary, not scared.
Sara smiled sadly, “Back on Earth-that-Was they were one of the most feared lines in the history of the world. The Master was the head of the Aurelius vampire line; he was so old he no longer had a human face. He sired a prostitute in the 1600s and named her Darla.”
“Sired?” Simon asked.
“To turn another is to sire them,” she explained, “the one created is the childe of the one who created him.” She continued, “Darla was vicious and cruel. In 1763 she found Liam, a man of dark desires and darker potential. She turned him, and he became Angelus. They were unstoppable, she ruthless, him an artist of torture…” She studied the table suddenly. “His masterpiece was a virgin seer who he drove mad before turning her in 1860.”
“Drusilla,” River said softly as though listening to something.
“Yes,” Sara looked up, “she was as vicious as anything, though often went off on tangents that drove Darla up the wall. Not a maternal bone in her body. William was the last to join the Scourge of Europe. He was a man who, much like Dru, knew little of the true world. A suppressed Victorian that could rival Dr. Tam here.”
River giggled.
“William loved Dru. He would have done anything for her. He greatly enjoyed freedom from his upbringing. Angelus was his mentor. Just before the turn of the century Angelus and Darla took, tortured, and murdered a gypsy girl. Her clan got revenge by cursing him with a soul. He spent two more years with the Scourge, adding more guilt to his soul, trying to ignore it. In China, at the height of the Boxer Rebellion William killed his first Slayer. Angelus’s soul became too heavy and he ran. Darla went back to her Master. Dru and William went their own way.”
“They sound awful!” Kaylee shuddered.
Sara couldn’t hide her smile, “they can be.”
“They’re still alive?!” she squeaked.
“That’s how he got the scar,” River touched her eyebrow.
“Yes,” Sara grinned. “Spike got it from the Chinese Slayer.”
“You mean…” Kaylee’s eyes went wide.
“Spike thought William was a weak name,” Sara nodded.
“Not when his last name is ‘the Bloody,’” River put the cap back on the peanut butter.
Sara laughed, “true.”
The crew looked confused, but had become accustomed to it with River.
“Anyway,” Sara got herself back on track. “Angelus became Angel spent the century in rat holes, while Spike and Dru caused trouble across the world. Spike got his second Slayer in the 1970s. The Slayer’s son spent thirty years hunting him for vengeance. But that’s a little passed where everything starts.” She blinked several times to focus.
“The Slayer they told you about, the one whose daughter was the Key? Her name was Buffy. The chance to be hers started Angel on his path to true redemption. He fell in love with her, a sixteen year old. Even killed Darla, only to have the Master kill Buffy. But her friend brought her back. The next year Spike and a very sick Dru needed Angel’s blood. Caused a lot of trouble. But not as much as when Angel lost his soul…
She explained Angelus’s return. And how he was sent to a hell dimension. And she told them about Angel’s LA friends and Spike’s incapacity to hurt anyone. She explained the original Key and Darla’s return. She explained the Slayer’s resurrection and Connor being kidnapped. She told them of the imbalance of Buffy’s second return and the First’s defeat which became known as the Calling Day. The deity known as the destroyer Angel fought. She told them of the duos last stand against Wolfram and Hart and the loss of all Angel’s friends.
She told these stories as though she knew them by heart as though they were her life, her recollections. She explained the rebuilding of the Council and the training of the Potentials-turned-Slayers. “They found out about Dawn’s paternity when one of the Slayers had an accident. It was decided a blood sample be taken from each and everyone in the Council. It would be nearly ten years before Dawn found the answer… again an accident. It was the day her son was born. Spike had been in a fight with some demon he’d chased into London and been assisted by a Slayer. When his blood was taken and added to the database it came back with an attachment to Dawn. By then Buffy was dead. And Connor had a four year old.
“When Connor died his great-grandson was married to Dawn’s granddaughter. Dawn died a great-great-grandmother, along with the last Slayer - who had been three on Calling Day. It was not long after this that Earth was abandoned. Angel and Spike had been watching their families for nearly a century since the death of the girl they had both loved. Their children’s children gave them a reason to live and Dru’s prophecy gave them hope.
“My ancestors were many two hundred and fifty years ago. Most moved to other planets, had herds of children. Some were soldiers, others doctors and Companions; a good portion were scholars. About sixty years ago Spike and Angel realized there were not many of them left anymore. So they convinced my mother’s family to move here when she was just a girl. By the time I was born there were only two families left, my older brother, my mother, and I here on Dyton. And a small cluster of cousins on Shadow.
“The war took what was left of them,” Sara looked away suddenly. “Five hundred years and I am the last of their bloodline. But I was raised to help the Slayer,” she glanced up at River, “to train her and be her friend, to make sure she was tied to this world so she would not die young. It is my only purpose… but if I leave there is the chance I will return old and worn and they will be alone when I die…”
“That is what they fear,” River whispered.
“More than anything.”
Kaylee had a shocked expression. How could two men who started out so different, living violent and evil, care so much for two young women?
“What part of Shadow?” Mal’s raw voice interrupted the ladies’ thoughts.
“A little town outside of Elmo,” Sara replied. “Did you know it?”
“You lost family during the war?” he asked instead.
“My brother, two uncles, and a cousin,” she told him. “My mother died shortly before the war started… It’s just been me, Spike, and Angel for sixteen years.” She looked away suddenly, “I understand if you don’t believe them. I understand if you think everything a fairy tale, but finding River is hope for the ‘Verse.”
“Shh,” River stilled the redhead’s hands. “They understand. Believing is not key to their acquiescence.”
“Right,” Sara stood, “I should leave, I’m sorry to have taken up so much of your night.”
“I need to go with her,” the genius said.
“River…” Zoe said apprehensively.
“Need off-ship,” she wrung her hands, “or I may kill Jayne during our next sparring match.”
“Hey!” Jayne came out of his thoughts enough to be offended.
“Can, will,” she told him pointedly. “Sensing demons and fighting one reminded me how little control I have.” And having Jayne still mad at her was playing with her head again. She could feel his feelings acutely. ‘Guilt,’ she decided.
“I’ve got a few options for you,” Sara told her, “completely alone versus a room at the mansion.”
“Mansion?” Kaylee inquired.
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And quite a mansion it was. The large cemetery where River had run off to was the front, leading to the main walk of the vampire’s home.
“Angel was willing to set everyone up at the pub,” Sara admitted to River, “but if it’s just going to be you I thought they wouldn’t mind.”
“It’s beautiful,” River smiled, “It speaks… she has seen so much life for owners who don’t have beating hearts.”
“It’s just over three hundred years old,” Sara touched the gray stones as they passed through the gate to the main entrance, “They built it as the family home.”
“And as a memorial,” the genius finished. She stopped halfway up the walkway. The stones beneath her feet had bronze plate in them.
“I can name each and everyone. I can tell you whether they were family or Slayers, Scoobies or part of Angel’s friends.” She kneeled down, her fingers tracing the name, “this is Darla.” Two stones above it was ‘Kennedy - Slayer.’
“There is no order.”
“No,” she stood suddenly, “only a handful are near the door.”
“Will you two silly bints get in here!” a yell came from the door, “supper’s getting cold.”
“He’s impatient,” Sara rolled her eyes as they continued their trek to the door.
In the doorway stood Spike, his face displaying every bit of annoyance at them. “I’m only impatient when people hold up dinner.”
“Like you wouldn’t eat without us,” Sara reminded him.
“If your grand-da wasn’t such a prick,” he muttered.
River giggled at the two as she was led through the large foyer. On the left of the door was tall polished table with a bouquet of fresh flowers. The living room was full of the latest electronics. Though it held several simple items that oozed age. Spike led them straight to the dining room. It was as formal as any River’s parents had ever attended. The biggest difference was the atmosphere.
The long table that could easily fit twenty-eight was set only at one end, where Angel was setting food down. He seemed stiff and stilted but a small smile went a long way in making him appear more relaxed.
“Glad you decided to join us, River,” he said. “You’ll have to forgive my earlier façade. It’s easier to deal with business if it is kept intimidating.”
“Have to balance,” she said with a nod, “unbound enthusiasm and restrained hope.”
“No two more opposites born,” Angel nodded in agreement.
“Much less of the same line,” Sara dropped into the seat to the right of Angel. Spike sat across from her, and the seat next to the redhead reserved for River. When they were all seated and prepared Angel uncovered simple dishes of soup and sandwiches.
“Mmm,” Sara’s appreciative sound drew another smile from the darker vampire.
River realized that her earlier hunger had returned and she tucked in. Spike did too. Angel sipped from a large mug, watching them with an unreadable expression.
“Your trip took a long time Sara,” he finally commented.
“They were resistant to my leaving the ship,” River told him. “The last year… everyone is on edge.”
“And the pregnancy,” Spike watched her with bright blue eyes, “I imagine that has them all bloody confused.”
“Simon is a trauma surgeon,” she shrugged, “he knows how to do the blood test but looked no further into my condition.”
The three looked at her in concern.
“I am used to not being believed,” she assured them, though the words felt like acid, a truth that left her bitter.
Spike placed a hand on hers. “We may not always understand, but we’ll always believe you.”
River looked back at her food eating mechanically through the rest of the meal. As Sara finished she looked up, “so you haven’t had a proper examine done?”
“No,” the genius shrugged. “Simon refuses to accept for the moment. And,” she smiled wickedly, “he cannot even mention pelvic exams without stuttering.”
“Well, Spike can do it,” Sara announced, “he has for most of the women in my family, he even delivered me.”
“I also taught you,” he said pointedly.
“Yes,” she lifted an eyebrow, “but as a crude mid-wife, not with the tech you have here in the mansion. At the very least you can do the first ultrasound.”
“Sara…” Spike started.
“I would like that,” River interrupted.
Sara smiled triumphantly, Angel used his mug to hide his smile, and Spike looked like he was having an internal battle.
“Okay,” he finally said. “But only because you want to.”
The two relatives snorted at Spike’s put-upon tone.
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Jayne sat alone at the table late into the night. So lost in thought he was nearly surprised by Inara entering.
“Jayne,” she said motioned to the sink, “I have a need for tea to soothe my nerves.”
He shrugged in response.
“You are up late,” she commented neutrally. “I’d have thought you would be at the very least asleep.”
Another shrug as Inara let the kettle sit.
“I would have thought you’d be glad to be able to sleep in your bunk.”
“Tried,” he growled.
“Is something bothering you?” she asked sincerely.
“It’s stupid,” the merc snapped, mostly to himself.
Inara turned to the screaming kettle to hide her small grin. “Not being able to sleep is a grave problem to a thieving crew…”
“It’s just be bein’ dirtside,” he announced as though he had come to some conclusion, “’specially when we’re ‘locked.”
“Perhaps River will get her answers,” she nodded, “and we’ll be off planet soon. If not… we may be here until Kaylee and River can crack the code.”
Jayne’s brow furrowed even further at River’s name.
“Are you bothered by what Spike and Angel said about River’s child?” she asked pointedly.
“No!” he stood, slamming his fist on the table.
Inara looked at him from her lashes as she sipped her tea. He stomped away. She only heard his bunk slam shut.
“Very convincing,” she muttered as she turned off the lights and headed for her shuttle.
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River was nervous until she entered the birthing room. Instead of the medical facilities of the Academy and even Serenity it looked and felt like any other room. The emotional touches were not lost on River. The room held age-old pain and innocent love.
She lay on the table as Spike used the controls to flatten it completely out. He turned the machine, a small hand held device, and the large screen River could see on, “it’s gotta warm up, pet.”
River nodded absently as she lifted her shirt and stared at her abdomen in thought. She could see a few colors but there was not way to distinguish the embryo from her last two meals.
“Not going to magically get obvious,” the blue-eyed vampire told her.
“Just examining for a change in taste or color,” she explained.
He crooked a smile at her as he picked up the wand. “This is going to be a bit cold.”
“Icy fingers,” she announced petulantly, “felt them before, they may come again.”
His smile was sad as he focused on her face, “if I could prevent what happened at your Calling-”
“Ability to change the past is a futile attempt, time moves one direction, and it is not backwards.”
“Too true,” he conceded with a weary sigh. He stared at the black and white screen as he wiggled the wand just above her pelvic bone. He pushed at an odd angle into her soft, pale skin. “There we are.”
He flipped a switch and a rapid thumping filled the room.
“There you are, pet,” he spoke reverently, as he listened to the fluttering rhythm.
River stared at the little black and white screen. The levels of grays made it a hard to distinguish a particular pattern. “There,” she touched a finger to the screen. A tiny flickering between black and white was at the tip of her finger.
“That’s the baby’s heartbeat,” he nodded, pushing more buttons on the machine. Another machine started up in the corner.
River jumped and the image and fluttering were lost.
“Sorry,” she restrained from turning to examine the noise.
Spike touched her face softly, “it’s okay.” He used a few tissues to wipe off her belly. He crossed the room while she straightened herself out and sat up.
“Stare at the light,” she whispered, “ignore the needles as they poke skin and eyes and soul.”
“Shh, shh,” Spike stood in front of her, bending down to be at eye-level. “It’s okay to be afraid, just don’t let it control you.”
Chocolate tear-filled eyes looked at him, “what are you afraid of?”
He took her hands and placed them over his unbeating heart, “many things…”
“Do I…” she sniffled and tried to steady her emotions, “am I going to die…? Like Buffy did for Dawn?”
Spike shook his head in a denial he wasn’t sure of. She could feel his uncertainty and his fear for the future. But he spoke no words of reassurance.
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The white space was a room. One that had a bed, two side tables, a dresser, vanity, and a closet. The room was obviously feminine, though it had no color.
“You took longer than I thought,” a sultry voice said. A brunette woman wrapped in leather, a nasty looking knife on her belt. “First with the nightmares and then the protection charm… been waiting for you to fall asleep without it for awhile.”
River looked down at her body, she was wearing the clothes she had been wearing on Mr. Universe’s moon. Blood dripped from her and the two axes in her grip.
“Who are you?” she asked, not feeling anything from the woman or the room.
“Name’s Faith, I’m the last true Slayer,” she smiled cockily.
“True, how?”
“Buffy’s death at the Master’s hand activated Kendra. Kendra’s death activated me. I didn’t die before all the Potentials were given their powers.”
“What does that make me?”
“A new line. Everything you were told is true…” she tilted her head, “as far as the vamps and the Watcher-kid knows. The reality isn’t so simple. Not even for your baby.”
“What do you know?”
“Only what I am supposed to tell you,” she smiled, sliding her blade from the belt, “trust you instincts.”
Faith lunged at her.
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River came awake with a start.
A/N: If you’ve ever written fanfic, you know how chapters like this go. No more squinting for BtVS/Angel material, but must know gist of series and each season’s big bad.
Sara entered the office through the back door nearly an hour after she had left with Spike. Almost immediately Angel’s voice beckoned. She stood in the doorway looking at Angel and Serenity’s crew.
“Where’s River?” the mercenary said before the doctor even opened his mouth.
She suppressed a smile and rolled her eyes, “your girlfriend is sparring with Spike.”
“Sara,” Angel warned.
“Their not-” Simon hastened to correct her about the merc’s relationship with his sister.
“Sparring?” Zoe’s stone face showed only a hint of surprise.
“How long?” Angel asked.
“They’ve been at it nearly thirty minutes,” she shook her head. “Spike can’t resist a fight and the Slayer was wound up tighter than that time Spike was in the cargo hold for five days.”
The dark vampire shook his head, “they going to join us anytime soon?”
“Yeah,” she shrugged, “Spike was teaching River a few cool downs. And she was naming the muscles it affected.”
“River’s been dancing since she was able to walk,” Simon pointed out, “she knows how to stretch.”
“Oh,” she shrugged and said nonchalantly as she watched for reactions, “then he was just checkin’ out her ass.”
Jayne’s entire body tightened, any more and he’d snap. Simon was doing a fish impression. Kaylee had a hand over her mouth. Zoe was unaffected and Mal looked thoughtful. Inara was the only one who appeared to see through her scheme. Except for Angel, who was giving her a patented look of annoyance.
It was this moment the two chose to reappear from the main door. Spike wearing a smirk, River suppressing a smile.
“Have you told the flies everything?” she asked Angel.
“Yes,” he nodded, “Ms Serra was just going over the prophecy when I heard Sara come in.”
“Do they believe ya?” Spike asked.
The vampire shrugged. “Seems like.”
“The last part of this prophecy you have not explained,” Inara indicated the last few lines. “Release her by way of Delida /Her rebirth shall separate the lines/The fifth sign is the Key/A new Legacy.”
“The fifth sign is the Key,” River tilted her head at the room, “the others are reminders…” she looked at Jayne, her voice far away and not her own. “Hamilton,” she turned to Zoe, “Jasmine,” and she scowled at Mal, “Caleb.” She placed a hand over her heart, “Slayer,” and the other to her abdomen, “Key…”
“It’s not the first time we’ve met reincarnations or look-alikes,” Angel acknowledged.
“It is, the first time we’ve seen them together,” Spike pointed out, “add the Slayer and her sprog….”
“Who are they?” Kaylee asked, “Hamilton, Jasmine, Caleb?’
“Evil,” Spike answered, “or evil’s lackey,” he gestured vaguely to Jayne.
“In the time of the Slayers,” Angel cut in, “they were people Spike and I met who made a lasting impression.”
“Great-Aunt Jasmine, the evil incarnate of Cordelia?” Sara suddenly asked.
“I blame you for this,” Angel glared at Spike.
“The girl liked the stories,” the blue-eyed vampire said defensively.
“Spiders are not telling all,” River sing-songed as she sat down and went back to her pasta.
“Jasmine was the name given to the Blessed Devourer,” Angel said, “the Devourer was a rogue entity of the Powers that Be. It set up it’s rebirth to my son and a… friend. She devoured people to keep up the human face. To her followers looked like Zoe here.”
“What happened to her?” Simon asked.
~A young man’s fist going through the back Zoe’s head. Then retreating, the corpse falling to the ground.~
“She was killed,” he looked at his hands, “we weakened her and she was killed.”
“Marcus Hamilton was a liaison to an evil that exists in several dimensions,” Angel looked at Jayne, “your man looks only a little like him. But enough that he is one of the signs.”
“What happened to him?” Kaylee asked. She was absolutely intrigued with the lives the two vampires had lived.
River launched herself at Jayne. Her perfectly aligned teeth sank into Jayne’s corded neck muscles. A growl emanated from her as Jayne howled in annoyance and surprise. The tang of copper brought River to herself. She unlatched her mouth and stumbled backwards.
“I - I’m sorry,” she tried to say.
“What the hell did ya do that fer?” Jayne demanded from where he was standing. He was holding a hand to his neck, batting away the doctor.
“I d-don’t know,” she said miserably.
“It’s what I did to Hamilton,” Angel stepped in, “he had the blood of evil running through his veins. In order to defeat him I needed it was well. So I bit him.”
“Felt it, like reliving a dream,” she sat on the edge of the chair with Spike between her and Jayne, “sorry.”
“Jayne let the doc get a look at your neck,” Mal ordered as Sara delivered a small med box.
“Ruttin’ bitch,” the merc grumbled giving the doctor a full look at his neck.
River grabbed Spike’s arm when the vampire went to step forward. “This is not my first,” she whispered, “I have other times done wrong by Jayne.” Spike turned fully to her, shielding the tears that clouded her vision. “Never do right, never behave. Always cause harm. Dangerous. Evil.”
“No,” he hissed. “You’re not evil.”
“Am,” she argued. “darkness resides here… and,” she said barely above a whisper, “I like it…”
“You’re not evil,” Angel emphasized from where he sat. “Slayers who are evil don’t cry when they kill an innocent, much less when they barely injure an ally.”
Zoe watched the two men talking to River. Angel was so removed, a direct antithesis to how involved Spike was.
“Perhaps we should get back to the ship,” Mal rose.
“No!” River said, “must hear the last one. Caleb,” she looked at Spike, “must connect the dots.”
“Caleb was a woman-hating serial killer who quoted the Bible and dressed as a preacher,” Spike said quietly. He rubbed a hand along River’s back, but she didn’t relax nor move away. “He was a servant of the First.”
“The First what?” Inara asked.
“Evil,” Angel sat back. “It tried to kill me, and then three years later tried to end the Slayer line.”
“Since the First wasn’t corporeal, it needed a human,” Spike shrugged, “Caleb was perfect for the position. He died by being sliced in two.”
“Irony,” River said. “Mal has been battling his beliefs since Serenity Valley.”
“River,” Zoe warned.
“Beliefs?” Angel jumped in.
“Captain was a man of God,” the genius said. “Until he watched all but Zoe die for a victory only they fought for… Left his faith on the battlefield with all the bodies.”
“Enough,” Mal snapped. “She doesn’t know anything about it.”
“She does,” Jayne told him, “even crazy she saw it all in our dreams… yours are the ones she hates most.”
“So much loss,” she nodded.
“They’ve lived for several centuries,” Mal gestured to Spike and Angel, “I’m sure they’ve had worse.”
“Not all at once,” she told him, “loss men, battle, faith, and hope…”
“It’s why you liked making the Shepherd uncomfortable,” Inara said. “You wanted someone to feel as faithless as you.”
“Where is this Shepherd?” Angel asked.
“Passed eight months, two days, and four hours ago,” River murmured.
“During the Miranda broadcast,” he guessed.
Kaylee nodded sadly.
“What order was he part of?” Spike asked.
Everyone looked at the other not remembering. “The Order of Andrew,” Zoe said, “from the Southdown Abby on Persephone.” She shrugged when the crew looked at her, “Wash told me.”
“He was part of the Order that was charged with the Orb of Ashes and the ceremony of Delida,” he chuckled, “what are the chances?”
“We’re leaving,” Mal said.
“Please,” Angel stood, “we have quarters here if you’d rather a soft bed. We’ll leave you all be until tomorrow evening. Give everyone time to adjust. Sara will be your guide, if you need anything ask her.” He swept from the room.
“We still have a job to discuss,” Spike added as he left.
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The vampires had the foresight to land-lock Serenity.
“I’m not surprised,” River sighed as she watched the captain’s face turn molten. “They’re several centuries old; they can read people as well as I can.”
“Kaylee,” he turned to the mechanic, “can you over ride it?”
“Maybe,” she looked at the code, “but cap, even if I do we are days from the nearest settlement, and we don’t have food to last more than two days.”
“River?” Mal beseeched.
“She’s right, even rationing what we have left we’d be two days shy of the M39H6.”
“I want off this rock,” Jayne snapped.
“I agree,” Simon added, “we need to leave.”
“I do not,” River said, turning the pilot’s chair around to address the crew. “They have answers. Answers I need.”
“They don’t know anything about you, mei mei.”
“Spiders have nests,” she replied sternly, “they lie in wait and know more than the fly whose life only lasts for a brief hour in comparison.”
Inara’s brows furrowed, “are they dangerous?”
“Don’t know,” she shrugged, “Spike is easy to read, everything written where anyone can see. Angel shrouds himself in darkness and hides all.”
“They are very different,” Zoe nodded, finally acknowledging what had made her so uneasy about the duo.
“Family,” River answered, “sire’s sire, granddad… they would have met the sun centuries ago if not for family.”
“Right,” Mal rubbed his face, “we’re stuck until we get stocked up anyway.”
“Town’s bar is the only joint still open,” Kaylee reminded him.
“Not the only thing,” Sara startled them from where she stood in the hallway. “Please excuse the trespassing,” she raised her hands in an innocent gesture. “I felt my grandfathers may have left more questions than answers.”
“Grandfathers?” the mechanic was surprised.
“Several generations removed,” she smiled, “but my kin none the less.”
“The last,” River murmured.
“Hopefully not,” she replied with a look of pain, “but at the moment I am all they have.”
“Mayhap we should move someplace less confined,” Kaylee suggested.
Mal and Zoe shared a look before leading the crew and Sara to the galley. Jayne took a watchful stance.
“Do I need to worry about any more surprise visitors?” Mal asked.
“I closed the bay door,” River said as she sped in on light feet. She took a seat on the table watching Sara.
Sara smiled softly at the younger woman, “I brought a gift.” She reached into her side bag and placed a small jar on the table.
The genius’s eyes lit up, “peanut butter?”
“It’s one of Dyton’s exports,” she smiled. “Thought you might like it.”
“Yes,” she popped the top, “thank you.” She jumped off the table and rummaged through the cupboards. She came back with a spoon and an apple. She tossed the apple to Jayne who had his knife out.
She dipped the spoon in the jar and happily licked the spoon clean. She looked up when Jayne set the apple slices in front of her. She picked up two and placed them in his hand before he could retreat.
“Why did ya feel the urge to sneak on my boat?” Mal turned away from the disturbing connection between his merc and pilot.
“I knew you were landlocked,” she said evenly, “figured you’d not trust Spike or Angel… so I thought I’d explain what they are too afraid to talk about.”
“Afraid?” Kaylee thought they were scary, not scared.
Sara smiled sadly, “Back on Earth-that-Was they were one of the most feared lines in the history of the world. The Master was the head of the Aurelius vampire line; he was so old he no longer had a human face. He sired a prostitute in the 1600s and named her Darla.”
“Sired?” Simon asked.
“To turn another is to sire them,” she explained, “the one created is the childe of the one who created him.” She continued, “Darla was vicious and cruel. In 1763 she found Liam, a man of dark desires and darker potential. She turned him, and he became Angelus. They were unstoppable, she ruthless, him an artist of torture…” She studied the table suddenly. “His masterpiece was a virgin seer who he drove mad before turning her in 1860.”
“Drusilla,” River said softly as though listening to something.
“Yes,” Sara looked up, “she was as vicious as anything, though often went off on tangents that drove Darla up the wall. Not a maternal bone in her body. William was the last to join the Scourge of Europe. He was a man who, much like Dru, knew little of the true world. A suppressed Victorian that could rival Dr. Tam here.”
River giggled.
“William loved Dru. He would have done anything for her. He greatly enjoyed freedom from his upbringing. Angelus was his mentor. Just before the turn of the century Angelus and Darla took, tortured, and murdered a gypsy girl. Her clan got revenge by cursing him with a soul. He spent two more years with the Scourge, adding more guilt to his soul, trying to ignore it. In China, at the height of the Boxer Rebellion William killed his first Slayer. Angelus’s soul became too heavy and he ran. Darla went back to her Master. Dru and William went their own way.”
“They sound awful!” Kaylee shuddered.
Sara couldn’t hide her smile, “they can be.”
“They’re still alive?!” she squeaked.
“That’s how he got the scar,” River touched her eyebrow.
“Yes,” Sara grinned. “Spike got it from the Chinese Slayer.”
“You mean…” Kaylee’s eyes went wide.
“Spike thought William was a weak name,” Sara nodded.
“Not when his last name is ‘the Bloody,’” River put the cap back on the peanut butter.
Sara laughed, “true.”
The crew looked confused, but had become accustomed to it with River.
“Anyway,” Sara got herself back on track. “Angelus became Angel spent the century in rat holes, while Spike and Dru caused trouble across the world. Spike got his second Slayer in the 1970s. The Slayer’s son spent thirty years hunting him for vengeance. But that’s a little passed where everything starts.” She blinked several times to focus.
“The Slayer they told you about, the one whose daughter was the Key? Her name was Buffy. The chance to be hers started Angel on his path to true redemption. He fell in love with her, a sixteen year old. Even killed Darla, only to have the Master kill Buffy. But her friend brought her back. The next year Spike and a very sick Dru needed Angel’s blood. Caused a lot of trouble. But not as much as when Angel lost his soul…
She explained Angelus’s return. And how he was sent to a hell dimension. And she told them about Angel’s LA friends and Spike’s incapacity to hurt anyone. She explained the original Key and Darla’s return. She explained the Slayer’s resurrection and Connor being kidnapped. She told them of the imbalance of Buffy’s second return and the First’s defeat which became known as the Calling Day. The deity known as the destroyer Angel fought. She told them of the duos last stand against Wolfram and Hart and the loss of all Angel’s friends.
She told these stories as though she knew them by heart as though they were her life, her recollections. She explained the rebuilding of the Council and the training of the Potentials-turned-Slayers. “They found out about Dawn’s paternity when one of the Slayers had an accident. It was decided a blood sample be taken from each and everyone in the Council. It would be nearly ten years before Dawn found the answer… again an accident. It was the day her son was born. Spike had been in a fight with some demon he’d chased into London and been assisted by a Slayer. When his blood was taken and added to the database it came back with an attachment to Dawn. By then Buffy was dead. And Connor had a four year old.
“When Connor died his great-grandson was married to Dawn’s granddaughter. Dawn died a great-great-grandmother, along with the last Slayer - who had been three on Calling Day. It was not long after this that Earth was abandoned. Angel and Spike had been watching their families for nearly a century since the death of the girl they had both loved. Their children’s children gave them a reason to live and Dru’s prophecy gave them hope.
“My ancestors were many two hundred and fifty years ago. Most moved to other planets, had herds of children. Some were soldiers, others doctors and Companions; a good portion were scholars. About sixty years ago Spike and Angel realized there were not many of them left anymore. So they convinced my mother’s family to move here when she was just a girl. By the time I was born there were only two families left, my older brother, my mother, and I here on Dyton. And a small cluster of cousins on Shadow.
“The war took what was left of them,” Sara looked away suddenly. “Five hundred years and I am the last of their bloodline. But I was raised to help the Slayer,” she glanced up at River, “to train her and be her friend, to make sure she was tied to this world so she would not die young. It is my only purpose… but if I leave there is the chance I will return old and worn and they will be alone when I die…”
“That is what they fear,” River whispered.
“More than anything.”
Kaylee had a shocked expression. How could two men who started out so different, living violent and evil, care so much for two young women?
“What part of Shadow?” Mal’s raw voice interrupted the ladies’ thoughts.
“A little town outside of Elmo,” Sara replied. “Did you know it?”
“You lost family during the war?” he asked instead.
“My brother, two uncles, and a cousin,” she told him. “My mother died shortly before the war started… It’s just been me, Spike, and Angel for sixteen years.” She looked away suddenly, “I understand if you don’t believe them. I understand if you think everything a fairy tale, but finding River is hope for the ‘Verse.”
“Shh,” River stilled the redhead’s hands. “They understand. Believing is not key to their acquiescence.”
“Right,” Sara stood, “I should leave, I’m sorry to have taken up so much of your night.”
“I need to go with her,” the genius said.
“River…” Zoe said apprehensively.
“Need off-ship,” she wrung her hands, “or I may kill Jayne during our next sparring match.”
“Hey!” Jayne came out of his thoughts enough to be offended.
“Can, will,” she told him pointedly. “Sensing demons and fighting one reminded me how little control I have.” And having Jayne still mad at her was playing with her head again. She could feel his feelings acutely. ‘Guilt,’ she decided.
“I’ve got a few options for you,” Sara told her, “completely alone versus a room at the mansion.”
“Mansion?” Kaylee inquired.
88888888
And quite a mansion it was. The large cemetery where River had run off to was the front, leading to the main walk of the vampire’s home.
“Angel was willing to set everyone up at the pub,” Sara admitted to River, “but if it’s just going to be you I thought they wouldn’t mind.”
“It’s beautiful,” River smiled, “It speaks… she has seen so much life for owners who don’t have beating hearts.”
“It’s just over three hundred years old,” Sara touched the gray stones as they passed through the gate to the main entrance, “They built it as the family home.”
“And as a memorial,” the genius finished. She stopped halfway up the walkway. The stones beneath her feet had bronze plate in them.
“I can name each and everyone. I can tell you whether they were family or Slayers, Scoobies or part of Angel’s friends.” She kneeled down, her fingers tracing the name, “this is Darla.” Two stones above it was ‘Kennedy - Slayer.’
“There is no order.”
“No,” she stood suddenly, “only a handful are near the door.”
“Will you two silly bints get in here!” a yell came from the door, “supper’s getting cold.”
“He’s impatient,” Sara rolled her eyes as they continued their trek to the door.
In the doorway stood Spike, his face displaying every bit of annoyance at them. “I’m only impatient when people hold up dinner.”
“Like you wouldn’t eat without us,” Sara reminded him.
“If your grand-da wasn’t such a prick,” he muttered.
River giggled at the two as she was led through the large foyer. On the left of the door was tall polished table with a bouquet of fresh flowers. The living room was full of the latest electronics. Though it held several simple items that oozed age. Spike led them straight to the dining room. It was as formal as any River’s parents had ever attended. The biggest difference was the atmosphere.
The long table that could easily fit twenty-eight was set only at one end, where Angel was setting food down. He seemed stiff and stilted but a small smile went a long way in making him appear more relaxed.
“Glad you decided to join us, River,” he said. “You’ll have to forgive my earlier façade. It’s easier to deal with business if it is kept intimidating.”
“Have to balance,” she said with a nod, “unbound enthusiasm and restrained hope.”
“No two more opposites born,” Angel nodded in agreement.
“Much less of the same line,” Sara dropped into the seat to the right of Angel. Spike sat across from her, and the seat next to the redhead reserved for River. When they were all seated and prepared Angel uncovered simple dishes of soup and sandwiches.
“Mmm,” Sara’s appreciative sound drew another smile from the darker vampire.
River realized that her earlier hunger had returned and she tucked in. Spike did too. Angel sipped from a large mug, watching them with an unreadable expression.
“Your trip took a long time Sara,” he finally commented.
“They were resistant to my leaving the ship,” River told him. “The last year… everyone is on edge.”
“And the pregnancy,” Spike watched her with bright blue eyes, “I imagine that has them all bloody confused.”
“Simon is a trauma surgeon,” she shrugged, “he knows how to do the blood test but looked no further into my condition.”
The three looked at her in concern.
“I am used to not being believed,” she assured them, though the words felt like acid, a truth that left her bitter.
Spike placed a hand on hers. “We may not always understand, but we’ll always believe you.”
River looked back at her food eating mechanically through the rest of the meal. As Sara finished she looked up, “so you haven’t had a proper examine done?”
“No,” the genius shrugged. “Simon refuses to accept for the moment. And,” she smiled wickedly, “he cannot even mention pelvic exams without stuttering.”
“Well, Spike can do it,” Sara announced, “he has for most of the women in my family, he even delivered me.”
“I also taught you,” he said pointedly.
“Yes,” she lifted an eyebrow, “but as a crude mid-wife, not with the tech you have here in the mansion. At the very least you can do the first ultrasound.”
“Sara…” Spike started.
“I would like that,” River interrupted.
Sara smiled triumphantly, Angel used his mug to hide his smile, and Spike looked like he was having an internal battle.
“Okay,” he finally said. “But only because you want to.”
The two relatives snorted at Spike’s put-upon tone.
88888888
Jayne sat alone at the table late into the night. So lost in thought he was nearly surprised by Inara entering.
“Jayne,” she said motioned to the sink, “I have a need for tea to soothe my nerves.”
He shrugged in response.
“You are up late,” she commented neutrally. “I’d have thought you would be at the very least asleep.”
Another shrug as Inara let the kettle sit.
“I would have thought you’d be glad to be able to sleep in your bunk.”
“Tried,” he growled.
“Is something bothering you?” she asked sincerely.
“It’s stupid,” the merc snapped, mostly to himself.
Inara turned to the screaming kettle to hide her small grin. “Not being able to sleep is a grave problem to a thieving crew…”
“It’s just be bein’ dirtside,” he announced as though he had come to some conclusion, “’specially when we’re ‘locked.”
“Perhaps River will get her answers,” she nodded, “and we’ll be off planet soon. If not… we may be here until Kaylee and River can crack the code.”
Jayne’s brow furrowed even further at River’s name.
“Are you bothered by what Spike and Angel said about River’s child?” she asked pointedly.
“No!” he stood, slamming his fist on the table.
Inara looked at him from her lashes as she sipped her tea. He stomped away. She only heard his bunk slam shut.
“Very convincing,” she muttered as she turned off the lights and headed for her shuttle.
88888888
River was nervous until she entered the birthing room. Instead of the medical facilities of the Academy and even Serenity it looked and felt like any other room. The emotional touches were not lost on River. The room held age-old pain and innocent love.
She lay on the table as Spike used the controls to flatten it completely out. He turned the machine, a small hand held device, and the large screen River could see on, “it’s gotta warm up, pet.”
River nodded absently as she lifted her shirt and stared at her abdomen in thought. She could see a few colors but there was not way to distinguish the embryo from her last two meals.
“Not going to magically get obvious,” the blue-eyed vampire told her.
“Just examining for a change in taste or color,” she explained.
He crooked a smile at her as he picked up the wand. “This is going to be a bit cold.”
“Icy fingers,” she announced petulantly, “felt them before, they may come again.”
His smile was sad as he focused on her face, “if I could prevent what happened at your Calling-”
“Ability to change the past is a futile attempt, time moves one direction, and it is not backwards.”
“Too true,” he conceded with a weary sigh. He stared at the black and white screen as he wiggled the wand just above her pelvic bone. He pushed at an odd angle into her soft, pale skin. “There we are.”
He flipped a switch and a rapid thumping filled the room.
“There you are, pet,” he spoke reverently, as he listened to the fluttering rhythm.
River stared at the little black and white screen. The levels of grays made it a hard to distinguish a particular pattern. “There,” she touched a finger to the screen. A tiny flickering between black and white was at the tip of her finger.
“That’s the baby’s heartbeat,” he nodded, pushing more buttons on the machine. Another machine started up in the corner.
River jumped and the image and fluttering were lost.
“Sorry,” she restrained from turning to examine the noise.
Spike touched her face softly, “it’s okay.” He used a few tissues to wipe off her belly. He crossed the room while she straightened herself out and sat up.
“Stare at the light,” she whispered, “ignore the needles as they poke skin and eyes and soul.”
“Shh, shh,” Spike stood in front of her, bending down to be at eye-level. “It’s okay to be afraid, just don’t let it control you.”
Chocolate tear-filled eyes looked at him, “what are you afraid of?”
He took her hands and placed them over his unbeating heart, “many things…”
“Do I…” she sniffled and tried to steady her emotions, “am I going to die…? Like Buffy did for Dawn?”
Spike shook his head in a denial he wasn’t sure of. She could feel his uncertainty and his fear for the future. But he spoke no words of reassurance.
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The white space was a room. One that had a bed, two side tables, a dresser, vanity, and a closet. The room was obviously feminine, though it had no color.
“You took longer than I thought,” a sultry voice said. A brunette woman wrapped in leather, a nasty looking knife on her belt. “First with the nightmares and then the protection charm… been waiting for you to fall asleep without it for awhile.”
River looked down at her body, she was wearing the clothes she had been wearing on Mr. Universe’s moon. Blood dripped from her and the two axes in her grip.
“Who are you?” she asked, not feeling anything from the woman or the room.
“Name’s Faith, I’m the last true Slayer,” she smiled cockily.
“True, how?”
“Buffy’s death at the Master’s hand activated Kendra. Kendra’s death activated me. I didn’t die before all the Potentials were given their powers.”
“What does that make me?”
“A new line. Everything you were told is true…” she tilted her head, “as far as the vamps and the Watcher-kid knows. The reality isn’t so simple. Not even for your baby.”
“What do you know?”
“Only what I am supposed to tell you,” she smiled, sliding her blade from the belt, “trust you instincts.”
Faith lunged at her.
88888888
River came awake with a start.
A/N: If you’ve ever written fanfic, you know how chapters like this go. No more squinting for BtVS/Angel material, but must know gist of series and each season’s big bad.