FIC: Episode 2 in T.C.P.S. "I Once Was Lost, But Now I'm Found." (1/8)

[~~Kimber <kacoe@xxxxxxx>]

TITLE: Episode 2 in T.C.P.S. "I Once Was Lost, But Now I'm Found." (1/8)
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 2 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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The room was still and quiet. Books were crammed onto every available space, despite the
fact that it was his office in the school library, to him it felt like home. Giles took
of his glasses and stared out the small window. A smile graced his mouth, a smile that
reached his eyes as he looked at the Slayerettes in the main portion of the library. Over
the course of the last two years, they had become his children. To any passer-by, the
sight in the library would be a strange one indeed, but to its inhabitants it was a one a
blissfully normal one.

Cordelia sat at a table flipping through the latest edition of Cosmo, pretending to be
bored out of her mind. But if you watched her closely, you would see that every once in a
while, when no one is looking, she'd glance up from her magazine, study the group, then
smile.

Buffy was in the corner practicing punching and kicking drills on a person shaped padded
dummy. Xander sat next Cordelia alternating between reading a old dusty book and making
silly comments to Buffy. Willow was typing away furiously at the computer, and
occasionally stopping to smile at the antics of her friends. Oh yes, life was back to
normal for the Slayer and her merry band of Slayerettes. It was a very good thing.

Buffy finished her routine once more, than grabbed a bottle of water and sat down next to
Willow.

"So Will, when does our deal start? Because I have a feeling I'm gonna need some tutoring
big time."

Willow smiled sympathetically at her blond friend. "They're gonna make you take all of
your finals, huh?"

Buffy smiled back and then sighed dramatically, "Yep, and I have to keep up with the
school work for this year as well." She grinned then snatched an apple out of Xander's
hand, taking a big bite. "Gotta love high school education."

Xander playfully glared at Buffy and then gave a mournful glance to his half-eaten apple.
"But at least you're here to participate in that high school education Buff. For a while
there, we all thought that you were catholic school bound. How did you manage it anyway?
I thought that when your mom tried to talk to him. The words 'no way in hell' were
uttered."

Buffy lifted her eyebrows up questioningly at Giles, as the watcher entered the room.
"Tell us Oh Watcher One," Buffy said teasingly. "How did you get the troll man to let me
back in to school?"

"I simply convinced him that he needed to rethink his choice." Giles replied cryptically,
but for a brief moment Buffy was sure that she saw an evil little twinkle in his eye.

"Cool!" Buffy said quickly, deciding that it was best to drop the subject. "So Will's,
back to the tutoring thing. When do you think you can fit me in?" Buffy batted her lashes
and gave her friend her best set of puppy dog eye's.

Willow giggled and playfully smacked Buffy's arm. "Enough with the eyes Buffy. I promised
Id help you, didn't I? How about we meet here an hour before school in the mornings,
starting tomorrow, after school we'll do the work out thing, then study until you have to
patrol. That should give you at least four hours of study time a day until you finish
your finals, then we can cut back a little."

"Slave drive much?" Buffy asked, then promptly dropped the sarcasm when she saw her
friends resolve face. "That sounds fine." She raised her hands in an 'I give up'
gesture. "Great in fact, the greatest."

Giles softly cleared his throat, and the gang looked up at him. "Willow, Cordelia and
Xander can you please help me move the last of these books to the back? Buffy, I suggest
that you start hitting the books, you will have to patrol soon."

Buffy opened a book, shooting her watcher a pained look. "Home less than two weeks and you
guys are already ganging up on me." Giles simply looked at his slayer. "I'm studying, see
this is my being study-Buffy." She smiled at Giles, and then took out the rest of her
books.

Willow and Xander stood up and walked to the back of the room, looking pointedly at
Cordelia, who was still reading her magazine.

"Fine Ill help you pathetic losers." Cordelia said exasperated, not looking up from her
magazine. "Sheesh, but Im finishing this article first, OK? I'll be there in a minute."

Xander gave one last look at his girlfriend, then walked away. A minute later, Cordelia
put down Cosmo and quietly studied Buffy.

"Look Buffy," Cordelia said softly, "I don't want this go to your head or make you think
that I like you or anything, but I'm glad your back. We all are. I know that we all put
on the "we can slay vampires tough act" but the truth is, slayage or not, we...I mean,
*they* missed you. So don't pull that disappearing shit again. Ok?" With that, Cordelia
stood up and started to walk away. "Oh and Buffy, we didn't have this conversation, and
if you ever tell anyone that we did.... Slayer or not, I would find a way to kill you. "
Cordelia turned on her $200.00 dollar Prada heels and walked to the back of the library
leaving a stunned Slayer behind her.

After the shock had worn off, Buffy smiled and shook her head. "Despite the bitch
routine Cordy actually likes us," Buffy thought with a smile. "Too bad the gang wouldn't
believe me if I told them, or would they?" Buffy chuckled softly to herself, and began to
study.

-------------

Thirty minutes and three chapters later, Buffy looked up from her books as she heard
someone enter the Library. She stood up, walked over to the newest inhabitant of the
library, and gave her a big hug. Amy, Sunnydales resident Witch, had spent the summer on
vacation with her dad and it showed. She was tan, her skin was glowing, and she had put
on a little weight. Amy looked relaxed and happy.

I see that summer vacation agreed with you, Amy girl. Buffy said greeting her. They
were not exactly friends, but she had gotten pretty chummy with Willow, and any friend of
Willows was a friend of hers, especially a girl who had the ability to turn you into a
rat.

Amy smiled at the Slayer. It was a great summer. I can still work the guilt factor with
dad, so we had a great time in Europe. Amy paused for a second, then lowered her voice.
Im glad youre back Buffy. Willow was really worried about you.

Buffy smiled sadly at the blond witch and shrugged her shoulders slightly. Thanks, but
that it behind me now, and Im concentrating on the future. You know, things like School,
and guys, and slayage&Girly Stuff.

So" Amy looked around cautiously. "Have you heard about the new transfer student from
New York? I hear she's a real wild girl, even makes you look tame." Amy grinned at the
Slayer. "Her name is Veruca or something like that. I heard that she was living with
this guys who was like 23, until her Grandfather found out, and forced her to move here
and live with him. Amy smiled again, happy with her bit of gossip.

Willow chose that moment to poke her head out of the back of the library.

Hi Amy, give me a sec to get my stuff together, then we can go, Willow called, walking
over to her backpack. She looked over at Buffy and smiled. Amys helping me with a
project tonight, but we're on for Study-Fest 98 tomorrow morning. Right?

Buffy nodded. Yep, Ill be there with bells on. Just call me Jingle-Buffy.

Willow studied her friend for a moment, then gathered up her things and began to walk out
of the library. Be careful Willow. Giles said quietly as he walked past her.

I will Giles, thanks. Willow replied just as softly. She turned and waved to the gang,
and walked out of the library, Amy waving goodbye behind her.

Buffy looked at her watch and her stomach began to growl. I need food. Anyone feel like
a pizza?

Xanders ears perked up like a dog with a bone at the mention- of his favorite cheesy
concoction.

Im in, Xander stated happily, as he began to gather his things.

Big surprise their pig-boy, Cordelia replied sarcastically.  You can buy me a diet
coke.

The three gathered up their stuff and began to walk out of the library.

Hey Giles, Buffy called to the office, We're going on a food run before patrol, you
want?

Giles shook his head and smiled affectionately at his slayer. No thank you, Buffy. Ill
be fine. Be careful tonight, and Ill talk to you tomorrow.

Will do, Tall, Dark and Tweedy." Dont work too late. Buffy waved and the trio headed
out of the library.

Giles snorted at the comment. Yes indeed, <Everything is back to normal.> He thought to
himself. And for now, it was enough.