Fic; The Chosen; Where Do We Go From Here? (4b/4)

[Kirayoshi@xxxxxxxxxx]

Disclaimers in part one.

Oh, and the song, The Foggy Dew, which Vi sings at the memorial, is a traditional Irish melody, the lyrics for this version were written to commemorate Irish soldiers who were pressed by the British into fighting and dying in foreign wars circa 1915. I skipped a few verses that didn't quite fit, and in the interest of brevity. Actually, I found that before 1915, the original song was about a young man who used his girlfriend's fear of the night to trick her into his bed. She later married someone else, leaving our hero wishing he had respected his love. Oh well...

======== 

Hyperion Arms, Los Angeles
December 2003

"The problem as I see it, Giles," Xander commented as he, Angel and Giles examined the blue prints for the first of the new Guild headquarters, "is that we got four-hundred plus Slayers in two city blocks in Los Angeles. The same problem the Council had before. Too easy a target."

"So what you're suggesting," Angel mused, "is that we open several schools?"

"Right. The main HQ here in LA, of course, plus a few private school set-ups around the States. Once they've been trained, we can put together Slayers with compatible personalities and send these squads to whatever demonic hot spots we know about."

Giles pursed his lips in thought at Xander's suggestion. "Like the old Scooby Gang. I can see the merits of your plan. Strength in numbers and all that. But still, the main concern is the number of faculty involved. Fortunately we have new recruits from various sources. I've even contacted a few surviving members of the Order of Byzantium, who've agreed to assist us. They're especially proficient in hand to hand combat, and are willing to train the Slayers."

"Oh God," a familiar voice groaned from the entrance to the old hotel. "Not the Knights Who Say 'Key'! Just keep them away from Dawn, that's all I ask."

All heads turned toward the entrance, as Faith and Vi sauntered into the lobby, with Buffy, Willow and Dawn following. "They followed me home, Giles," Faith quipped, "can I keep 'em?"

"Hey, Giles," Willow smiled slightly. Buffy waved slightly, still uncertain how she would be received.

Angel was the first of the three men to approach the women. "Buffy," he greeted his former love with a warmth that belied his vampiric state. "Glad to have you here. You too, Willow. Hey, Dawn," he flashed a welcoming smile toward Buffy's best friend and sister.

Giles then approached his former charge, his calm veneer of British reserve cracking under a wave of parental affection. "Buffy, I hope you can forgive me," he stammered slightly as he spoke, "for not contacting you sooner, but I have been buried in my work, with the restructuring of the Slayer's Guild. But it is good to see you again. I didn't realize...just how much I missed you...until just now." 

His voice faltered under the weight of his emotions, but Buffy understood his message loud and clear. Without another word, Buffy walked up to Giles and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Giles hesitated at first, but then reciprocated the embrace, welcoming his foster daughter back into his life. "I missed you too, Giles," Buffy whispered in his ear. Willow and Dawn approached the two, and soon joined in a warm group hug.

Finally the hug ended and the four friends separated. Buffy glanced around the lobby, noticing Xander leaning against the desk in the corner. "Hey," he gave his famous Han Solo half-smile and waved his hand. "It's been awhile."

Buffy felt the distinct sensation of butterflies in her stomach; she knew that she would have to face Xander, the friend she had failed most of all in Sunnydale. She swallowed hard and met Xander's eyes with her own, determined not to cave...

...when she first noticed that Xander wasn't wearing his eyepatch. "Xander?" she started, then stopped, uncertain how to proceed with her question. "Uh, you're not, uh, that is, you're not wearing..."

"The Pirates of the Caribbean look?" Xander grinned. "Yeah, let's just say that it's good to see you again, Buffy." Striding forward and displaying his right eye, he added, "Out of both eyes."

Buffy's jaw dropped, and Willow gasped slightly at the sight. "Xander," Willow started hesitantly, "is that thing real?"

"Real as taxes, Will," Xander announced proudly. "Let's just say that Angel has a few markers with some interesting people. And it works too."

"Whoa," Willow exclaimed. "Whoever set you up, I gotta meet this person."

"I'll introduce you to her," Xander exclaimed happily. "Uh, am I the only one here who's noticed that my childhood best friend hasn't hugged me since she got here?"

Willow laughed out loud before launching herself into Xander's arms. "C'mere ya goob!" she whooped gleefully as she embraced Xander fiercely. "Goddess it's good to see you," Willow said breathily, not caring that Xander's arms were wrapped around her hard enough to restrict breathing.

As the two lifelong friends slowly let go, Xander turned his attention to Buffy. The Slayer steeled herself, finally able to finish her initial thought. "Xander," she started, "you think you could forgive an idiot who thought she was more important than her friends and jettisoned her friendships when things started to get tough?"

Xander regarded Buffy warmly, his chocolate-brown eyes tinged with a little sadness. "On one condition, Buffster. I'll forgive you, if you can forgive me for being an asshole who let fear and despair tear down one of the few relationships in my life that really worked."

"Deal," Buffy cried out, choking back a sob. Immediately she and Xander embraced, laughing and crying at the same time. Willow breathed a sigh of genuine relief, gladdened that her two best friends had achieved a closure that they so badly needed.

After long moments of emotional rebonding, Xander left Buffy's arms but took hold of her hands, and dragged her along with him. "Hey, wanna take the five-dollar tour? I wanted to show you guys what we're doing here."

======== 

The tour was most enlightening. Buffy was surprised at how much Angel and his newly acquired law-firm had been helping the new Slayer's Guild. Angel had given Giles the Hyperion flat out, no questions asked, as he and Angel Investigations had moved into the penthouse offices and residential area at Wolfram and Hart. She was still a little shocked at the fact that Angel now controlled the organization that, as she understood, had given him so much grief when he first moved to Los Angeles. 

However, W&H did control staggering resources and capital, which, combined with the remaining liquid assets of the former Watcher's Council was more than enough to provide lodgings, headquarters and every conceivable necessity for the Guild. Giles had commented that all future Slayers would receive a stipend, sufficient to provide for the basics. He also discussed payment for Buffy's part time services as a mentor and trainer for the Guild. Buffy agreed that they would discuss the plans for the new Guild later. 

Most of the Hyperion had been converted to lodging for the new Slayers. The long-dormant kitchen facilities were up and running, as were laundry and other basic services. The courtyard was mostly converted to a training field for the Slayers, and Buffy got to catch Faith working with some of the younger Slayers on martial arts techniques.

Later that night, after sunset so that Angel could participate, Xander invited Buffy and the others to join him for a special ceremony in one corner of the courtyard. The exercizes were done for the day, leaving a respectful silence in the evening air. Willow, Dawn, Faith, Giles, Angel, Cordy and Vi were present as Xander stood beside a large object covered in a red cloth. 

"Ladies and gentlemen," Xander announced somberly, "perhaps the greatest tragedy of the destruction of Sunnydale was that it was so complete that there wasn't even a sign that a town even existed there. I know; the important thing was that, by some crazy how or other, the entire population escaped before the final battle. But there were so many before that battle who died, from demons or vampires, or by more mundane causes. And their graves were lost with the rest of Sunnydale. Therefore, it is my great honor to present-" With a flourish he removed the red cloth, revealing a six-sided basalt column, five feet tall and three feet wide, finished to a black marble-like luster. Names were engraved neatly across the sides of the stone, and a brass plaque on the base of the stone read; 

"In Memory of Sunnydale,
The Slayers and Their Allies do hereby Pledge,
Never Again."

"With some help from Giles and a few others," Xander nodded his head toward the former Watcher, "I obtained the names of as many people as I could who were buried in the Sunnydale graveyards, especially those who died of what could only be supernatural means, and arranged to have their names engraved here." He pointed out a small pile of rounded stones heaped next to the basalt monument. "Now, I'd like to borrow a page from Jewish tradition, inspired by my friend Willow. It is Jewish custom to place a stone on a loved one's grave instead of a bouquet, since stones are eternal and flowers wither and die. You are all hereby invited to pick up a stone and place it on top of the monument, and as you pick up the stone remember a loved one who passed on."

Giles nodded and gestured to Xander. "Since it was your suggestion, Xander," Giles offered, "you should place the first stone."

Xander nodded without speaking, and picked up one small stone. Placing the stone on the memorial, he whispered, "Anya Jenkins. Here's hoping I'll see you in the next life. Maybe there's a nice bunny-free corner of Heaven."

As Xander left the memorial, Giles took his turn and approached with a stone in his hand. "Janna Calderash, aka Jenny Calendar," he spoke as he placed the stone. Kneeling for a second, he added, "Whatever good I do in the latter part of my life, I dedicate to you."

Vi took the next stone. "Chao Ahn, Chloe and the other Potentials who fell. Ye were friends and allies, and I shall honor thee the rest of my life." As she left the monument, she felt Dawn's hand surround her own and hold it closely. She smiled at Buffy's sister, grateful for her solace.

Angel hesitantly took his stone and approached the monument. "I've been responsible for so many deaths," he spoke silently, "I can't just name one. But I swear to all whom I've hurt, if it takes me forever I will atone for my crimes."

"Doyle," Cordy spoke as she placed her stone on the monument. "I wish things had been different. But you went out a hero. Take care."

Faith followed Cordy with her stone. "Kendra. I never met you, but you were a Slayer, and that makes you my sister. Sorry I let you down. Won't happen again."

Willow kissed her stone before setting it in place. "Tara Maclay. I think I'm where I need to be now, babe. Thanks." As she backed away, she turned and allowed Buffy to hold her for a moment, feeling the emotion of finally letting go of Tara's death and remembering her life.

Dawn took her turn next. "William Blood," she said. "Or as we all knew you, Spike. May you finally be at peace."

Finally it was Buffy's turn. Swallowing back a tear, she placed her stone next to Willow's. "Joyce Summers. I love you, Mom. I'll make you proud." She felt Willow's hands on her shoulders and leaned into the embrace. For the first time since her unwanted resurrection, Buffy began to feel whole again. 

For a long moment, not a sound could be heard, as those gathered remembered lost friends and family, fallen lovers and allies. Finally, Vi began to sing, clear and soberly;

"'Twas down the glen one Easter morn
To a city fair rode I.
When Ireland's line of marching men
In squadrons passed me by.
No pipe did hum; no battle drum
Did sound its dread tattoo
But the Angelus bell o'er the Liffey's swell
Rang out in the Foggy Dew. 

"Oh the bravest fell, and the requiem bell
Rang mournfully and clear
For those who died that Eastertide
In the springing of the year
And the world did gaze, with deep amaze, 
At those fearless souls and true
Who bore the fight that freedom's light
Might shine through the Foggy Dew. 

"Ah, back through the glen I rode again,
And my heart with grief was sore
For I parted then with valiant friends
Whom I never shall see more
But to and fro in my dreams I go
And I'll kneel and pray for you
For slavery fled, O glorious dead,
When you fell in the Foggy Dew."

As the song wound down, Buffy finally managed to swallow the lump in her throat. She felt a hand take hers, and turned toward her best friend. Willow held Buffy's hand gently, assuring her without words that their bond of friendship would never be broken. Buffy gave Willow a watery-eyes smile, once again thanking the gods for the miracle that was Willow's friendship. As she stood among the others, she realized that she was truly where she belonged.

======== 

"I swear," he spat angrily, "I am going to throw up. Funerals make me nauseous."

"Funny you should say that," Lilah Morgan grinned as she glared at her partner in crime. "Considering the number you've caused over the years."

"It's not that," Ethan Rayne smirked, rubbing his vacant eye-socket through the leather patch he wore over it. "It's just the whole touchy-feelie thing. Never thought of Buffy as a sentimentalist. I mean all that caring about her friends, as if they mattered. It just isn't proper."

"This from a man who cut out his own eye to spy on the Slayers' Guild?" Lilah countered acidly.

"Why Lilah," Ethan commented, his good eye trained on the dead woman before him, "I'm shocked. Didn't you have a classical education growing up? Didn't you ever read the tales of the Norse Gods? How Odin had himself lashed to the trunk of Ygdrasil the World Ash, in order to learn the fate of the Gods at the time of Ragnarok? How crows pecked at his eye, removing it from its socket before his ordeal had passed? Odin sacrificed his eye for knowledge." 

"So you equate yourself with Odin?" Lilah mused. "Hmm, personally I figured you to be more like Loki."

"The trickster?" Ethan asked, a sickeningly suave grin plastered on his face. "Perhaps." In his mind's eye he saw the memorial service winding down as Buffy embraced Willow in a gesture of comfort. "I had no reason to sacrifice anything. Xander's merely-" He stopped and clicked his tongue against his palate, seeking the most apt turn of phrase. "He's the custodian of my eye. That's why I kept Dr. Teng under my hypnotic control, you see. Once this enterprise is done, I will want my eye back. I see through it as easily as I see through the eye remaining in my face. Whatever Xander sees, I see now as well. And believe me, I see plenty!"

"Quit thinking with your little head," Lilah grumbled. "So you've created the perfect spy, huh?"

"Ideal," Ethan Rayne answered with a faint Scotish Burr. "He doesn't even know that he's about to betray all of his friends. But once he finishes his blueprints, I will have knowledge and access to the floor plans of the new Watchers Council."

"And what do you plan to do with the knowledge?" Lilah posed the question coolly.

"I plan, my partner in crime," Ethan announced, "to take control of this new army of Slayers. Imagine it, my friend. Hundreds of superhumanly strong women, and once I find the proper binding spell, all will be subservient to me. Imagine the possibilities!"

"I'd rather not, thank you very much," Lilah groaned. "I just had Szechwan." 

"Oh get your mind out of the gutter," Ethan tut-tutted his accomplice. "Besides even I don't have that kind of stamina. Now hush up, Xander's about to show Buffy the blueprints." Ethan concentrated on the line forged by his far-seeing spell, watching through Xander's borrowed eye as a new Watchers Council was about to be forged.



End of part one.


"Friends are the DNA of society. They are the basic building blocks of life. If you have a couple of good ones, treasure them like gold. There's nothing better. Ever look at that MCI ad they have, "Friends and Family"? Who do they mention first? Your friends help you carry the big weight in life. That big burden we've all got called, 'What the Hell am I doing?'" 
--Jerry Seinfeld