FIC: Episode 1 in T.C.P.S. "Home is Where the Stake is." (3/6)

[~~Kimber <kacoe@xxxxxxx>]

TITLE: Episode 1 in T.C.P.S. "Home is Where the Stake is." (3/6)
AUTHORS: Heather (nerdgurrl@xxxxxxxxx) & ~~Kimber (kacoe@xxxxxxx)
DISCLAIMER: All recognizable characters from the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer
belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. Any additional characters mentioned are the
property of the authors and may not be used without permission. This arrangement of words
in cyberspace is also owned by the authors and may not be displayed, copied, quoted from
or used without permission. This is a work of fiction done for enjoyment and the authors
who are in no way receiving monetary compensation for their efforts.
SUMMARY: Episode 1 in Heather and Kimber's "Convergent Paths Series". The alternate
universe version of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
SPOILERS: Season one thru four including all season five speculations.
DISTRIBUTION: None. Lists only.
AUTHORS NOTES:
Thoughts enclosed in <. . .>
Flashbacks enclosed in ((. . .))
Emphasis is denoted with *. . .*

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Buffy adjusted the stakes hidden underneath her leather jacket and walked down the moonlit
street. It was a beautiful summer night. If this had been any other town, it would have
been a perfect night for a bon fire or a romantic nighttime stroll. But this wasn't any
other town, this was Sunnydale and even though most of it's residents were oblivious of
the danger that their town possessed, they some how knew to stay in at night.

With a sigh, Buffy picked up her pace and headed toward the cemetery. Walking past Cross
Street she heard a noise. Creeping silently, she peered around the corner, and saw a man
alone, dressed in black, acting rather suspicious.

Buffy grasped a stake, and began to follow the man down the alley. Intent on her prey,
Buffy failed to see an empty coke can in her path.

'SQUISH' the sound of the crackling aluminum reverberated off of the wall of the alley,
making a deafening sound compared to the still quiet of a moment before.

The man reacted instantly to the noise and spun around like a top, brandishing a stake.
Buffy threw up her arm to deflect the blow, then twisted the man's had and relinquished
him of the wooden weapon. Switching hands quickly, she readied herself for a counter
attack. The man stepped back defensively.

He wore a huge white cross that gleamed against the black of the rest of his outfit. He
turned toward her, the streetlight illuminating his face for the first time.

Xander stared at Buffy slack faced and dazed. So many words and emotions crossed his
mind, but he couldn't speak or act on any of it. He simply stood there, staring at his
errant friend.

Buffy smiled hesitantly, not sure what to expect from her dumbfounded pal. <Come on Buff>
she chided herself. <You knew this wasn't going to be easy.>

She wanted to throw her arms around his neck and hug him for hours. She wanted to fall on
her knees and beg him for forgiveness. But she did none of those things. Seeing him
there, decked out in vampire hunting garb, all of the feelings of insecurity and guilt
surfaced. So, Buffy did the only thing she knew how.

"Didn't anyone ever warn you about playing with pointy sticks?" she said jokingly, falling
back on her defense mechanism of sarcasm and jokes. "It's all fun and games until somebody
loses an eye."

Buffy's quip snapped him out of his state of shock.

"You shouldn't sneak up on people like that!" he said crossly, unsure of how to deal with
the slayer's sudden reappearance.

Xander studied her again, convincing himself that she was truly there and not a wishful
mirage. Finally he gave her a small smile and walked closer to her.

"Long time no see." He said nervously with a smile.

Buffy reached out to hug her friend, only to be interrupted by a charging vampire. With a
growl, he hurled himself at Buffy and Xander, causing them all to crash to the ground.
Rolling away, the vampire grabbed Xander by the collar preparing for the kill. Xander
stepped on the vampires foot to distract him, and then reached back to punch the
offending demon.

Buffy jumped in between the two, seething in anger, and threw the vampire across the alley
causing him to crash into a nearby stack of crates.

Cordelia's voice came over the walkie-talkie at Xander's belt, startling them both.

"Come in, Nighthawk! Everything okay?" The reception was static filled, but there was no
disguising the concern of the voice on the other side of the radio.

Buffy stared at Xander, and then at the walkie talkie "Nighthawk?"

Angered and hungry, the injured vampire picked him self off the ground and tackled Xander
once more. Xander grabbed another stake from his belt and raised it to chest level.
Buffy, annoyed by the intrusion and the danger to Xander, kicked the vampire in the chest
oblivious of her friends actions. Buffy began to pummel the vampire kicking and punching
him within an inch of his unlife.

Hearing the scuffle over the walkie-talkie, Willow, Cordelia and Oz ran toward the alley,
armed with stakes and water gun.

Buffy punched the vampire once more for good measure, then plunged the stake home. Buffy
smiled grimily and turned to check on Xander. Hearing all of the noise and looking for
meal, two other vampires charged down the alley. One headed for Buffy and the other for
the trio that had just arrived.

"Uhh, you guys just don't when to give up," Buffy snarled in annoyance then punched the
vampire in the face, following up with a roundhouse kick.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw the other vampire attacking Willow, Oz and Cordelia.
To her amazement, Cordelia let loose a stream of holy water into the vampires face.

The vampire, noting Buffy's distraction, swept her legs out from underneath her and lunged
for her neck. Filled with adrenaline, Buffy propelled herself forward, and snapped back to
her feet, hitting the vampire with a double rabbit punch.

"Oh come on," she taunted. "Do you really think that I'm *that* easy?"

Snarling, the vampire threw her across the alley and they began to trade blows. Slipping
once more, Buffy felt herself falling to the ground. <Damn I must be rusty>

Grabbing the vampire with her left arm, she propelled him toward her, acting with gravity,
as she hit the ground, she raised her right arm and positioned the stake between her and
the heart of the vampire, with in moments he fell on the stake and was reduced to ash.
<Then again, maybe not> she thought with a satisfied smirk. Coughing and sputtering, Buffy
wiped the dust away from her face, looking franticly for her friends.

Oz tried to grab at the vampire, but it turned and threw him to the ground. Cordelia ran
over to check on Oz, as Xander grappled with the vampire. Willow grabbed a stake smiling
grimly as she saw a window of opportunity.

Xander double punched the vampire in the face momentarily stunning him.

"Xander move!" Willow shouted

Xander stepped out of the way and Willow kicked the vampire in the knee as hard as she
could. Her form was sloppy, but it did the trick. The vampire buckled to the ground.
Moving like a cat, Willow quickly drove the stake home, smiling with satisfaction. It was
only then that she then that she saw Buffy.

Buffy smiled at her nervously, every cell in her body screamed at her to run over and hug
the wily red head.

"Um, hi guys."

Willow rushed over to Buffy and enveloped her in a hug, only to quickly pull back, as
though she was getting burned.

Buffy ached to hug her friend back, but something in Willows expression stopped her

Oz nodded toward Buffy.

Hey.

Smiling nervously, Buffy gave him a little wave.

Hi Oz.

Cordelia looked appraisingly at Buffy, and then walked over to her boyfriend and took his
hand.

Its about damn time you came back. I am so over this vampire-hunting thing. You should
see the bill from my manicurist, Cordelia sated with pure Cordy charm, examining her
nails. Hey, do you think the watchers council will reimburse me? Seeing as we had to do
your job and all.

Xander jabbed her in the ribs, in a vain attempt to silence her.

Nice to see you again Cordelia, Buffy replied wryly.

Whatever. Can we go now? This wool sweater is starting to itch.

Willow shuffled nervously, and walked back toward Oz.

So, your back and here, and thats, well, good, Willow babbled nervously.

Buffy smiled fully for the first time since she arrived. She had missed Willow babble.
It almost didnt matter that her red headed best friend was acting kind of twitchy, she
was just glad that she was with them once more.

So Giles should& Willow continued on her babble train know&. That youre here as
in alive and not dead. . .so we should go see Giles.

Willow looked at the gang, and then headed toward the direction of Giless apartment.
After a moment they looked at each other and then, somewhat bewildered, followed after
Willow.

So, Buffy& Xander said, falling into step next to her, Not be parental friend or
anything, but what happened with you? You save the world and do a disappearing act. Where
did you go? What did you do?

Buffy paused momentarily, not sure what to say, then resumed walking. She knew that if she
went into the last few months she would break down, so once again she reverted to her
defense mechanism.

I went to Disneyland, Buffy quipped.

Oh, good a joke, Willow replied sarcastically under her breath. Cause a joke is so much
better than telling your friends the truth.

Buffy swallowed twice, trying to force back the tears that where threatening. Buffy was
sure that no one else heard Willows muffled statement. Sometimes slayer senses sucked.
Buffy took a deep breath, and then placed a hand on Willows arm, effectively halting her.

Look you guys, I&Im really sorry I bailed on you. I just couldnt&couldnt deal with
everything. I dont think I can handle going through all of this with you guys right now,
its just too much, you know. But I will& I promise. Buffy smiled sadly, hopping that
they understood.

Xander gave Buffy an awkward hug. Sure thing, Buff. I just wanted to know what happened
over the summer. I didnt mean to push.

Thanks Xan.

They all stood there awkwardly, Willow looked everywhere, but at Buffy. Sensing that all
eyes were on her, she glanced up at the slayer and gave her a small tight smile.

Sure Buffy, what ever you need, Willow said softly, hurt lacing her voice.

Thanks, Buffy said softly.

Can we go to Giles' now? Cordelia whined, distracting everyone from the tension of the
past few moments. My feet are starting to hurt.

Xander smiled at everyone apologetically and they continued on their way.

Ten minutes later, they reached Giless apartment.

Buffy took a deep breath. Oh boy. How much does he wanna kill me? Maybe this is a bad
time? Yep, bad time. I bet hes asleep or napping or&

Buffy is Eight O clock, even Party-Man Giles isn't asleep at eight, Xander said, pushing
Buffy toward the door.

Itll be ok Buffy, Willow said sounding like the Willow Buffy had missed so much for the
first time that evening.

And you know that how? Buffy asked jokingly, smiling at her best friend. <Well at least
shes really talking to me> Buffy thought.

Its Giles, Willow said knowingly, as if that answered everything.

Oh for petes sake, Cordelia groused, pushing her way to the front of the door. With a
scowl she pushed the doorbell three times in rapid succession. A moment later the door
opened. Hi Giles, Buffys back.

Cordelia turned to a stunned Buffy That wasnt so hard, was it. Can we go now Xander?

Buffy glared at Cordelia, then walked over to a surprised Giles.

Hi Giles, Buffy said softly.

Giles studied Buffy for a moment, then walked over to her and gave her a brief hug.

Its good to see you back safe, Buffy, Giles replied softly.

The rest of the gang just stood there shifting from foot to foot, uncomfortably. Finally,
Willow cleared her throat. You guys should talk and stuff& so were gonna go. Kay?

Giles nodded and Buffy smiled softly at her friends.

Hey Wills, Buffy called. I think a day of mall fun is in order. You up for it?

Once again, Willow closed off and sad look briefly flashed across her face.

I&umm& can't tomorrow, Willow sputtered I have plans and stuff&with Oz& So I can't. But
we will& and soon. Promise."

Buffy nodded and gave Willow a small smile.

Thats fine, I understand. Well do a rain check. Buffy smiled at the gang and tried not
to look hurt. Night guys, Ill talk to you tomorrow.

They all said their good-byes and a few minutes later, Buffy and Giles where alone,
standing in Giless living room.

Well, Giles said nervously, would you care for umm, some tea?

That would be great, thanks.

Giles began to walk into the kitchen.

<Do this now or you never will> Buffy chastised herself. Giles wait, she called.

Buffy walked over to her watcher and put her hand on his arm.

Im sorry, Buffy said softly. I know that sorry doesnt make up for it, but I really
am. Buffy tried to stop the tears, but couldnt. It was all my fault Giles, dont you
see? All of it. You got tortured, Kendra and Miss Calendar died and Willow almost died all
because of me. I didnt know what else to do so I ran. The tears streamed down her face
in a torrent. I know I shouldnt have&.and &god, Im so sorry, Giles. Please dont hate
me.

Giles gathered Buffy into his arms and held her as she cried.

I could never hate you, he said gently, love evident in his voice. Im glad you came
back. I &missed you. We all missed you. Everything will work itself out. You just have to
give it a bit time.

Giles rocked her gently and tried to sooth the girl that was not only his Slayer, but one
who had become his daughter as well.

Its going to be ok, he said softly, as tears glistened in his eyes.

The watcher held his Slayer and comforted her, secure in the knowledge that once
everything calmed down, they would both be stronger.

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