Kaylukos@aol.com
Disclaimer: I don't own Buffy or the Gang, Duster is mine, if you want to use her, just drop me a line. Vague descriptions of two women in love, nothing detailed, this is my first Fan Fiction, be gentle. oh there is a reference or two to Xena and Gabrielle of the Blood and Roses Alterverse..who knows, I might write a story along those lines too. <shrugs>oh well. oh and the actual story, which is Buffy's memories are in Italics and end with ................ the rest are what's happening in the present for her. And no I didn't include Riley or Adam or any of that story line simply because I don't' know where that is going nor do I know Adam's full capabilities.
Swing, punch, feint, jab, pun, stake-the usual course for Buffy's night; or that's how it used to be. Lately though, things have gotten a bit more..interesting. On almost all fronts of her life since Duster came into town. A sharp pain pulls her out of her reverie, knocking her down onto the ground, the late 60's reject of a vampire leers down at her, picking her up and starts going for her neck before she decides to stake him. His face registers the shock of his now non-existent unlife. Buffy takes a step back and brushes herself off, muttering.
"damn vampires, can't keep their dust to themselves, oh well.."
She shrugs starting back to the campus dorm and her room with Willow. Since Duster came to town, having been told by Higher Powers to help Buffy whenever she needed it. Buffy had tried to get the information out of her, though Duster still claims to NOT know who the Powers that Be are. Anyway, standing at 5'2, Brown hair and amazing almost glowing Silver eyes and a slim build. Duster doesn't look like much of a threat, or at least that's what everyone thought till she took out spike with a jab to his nose then a stake to his heart. After that, well, everyone was a little more cautious of her. The funny thing is she didn't realize that anyone had seen her fighting him till she had dusted him. Duster had been trying to keep her identity a secret,but not because she didn't wantto intimidate or scare off her new found friends. It was simply that she liked the suspense. Buffy shakes her head, getting back on course of her thoughts. Suddenly realizing that she's at the exact spot where she first met the first Slayer, looks around. Noting that nothing has changed since that night. The grass seems undisturbed, shadows and moonlight playing along the blades of grass like so many Fae Folk dancing to nature's song. The slayer turns to her right. Looking down at the spot where she stood.
Recalling how she had been trying to cool her system down when a soft, deep female voice spoke in her ear.
"'Hello Slayer'"
Causing her to turn around sharply...only to find no one there. she twisted again and again, looking for the person. But she couldn't find or see anyone, she called out quietly
"'whose there? show yourself!'"
The voice, just over her right shoulder whispered again.
"'Now why would I do that? nah, just stand still, I promise to stay right where I am, 5 paces behind you, as long as you don't turn around. '"
So, Buffy stayed still, knowing she'd heard the voice before, but not able to pinpoint where exactly. So she said to the voice:
"'Fine then tell me who you are.'"
The voice chuckled softly, the sound gentle and soothing to Buffy's sensitive ears
"' oh no, well, maybe. Go ask Giles about Duster. He'll know what you're talking about and if you want to talk with me again, come here, after you're finished with your patrols.'"
"'So you're Duster? What are you? A demon? vampire? human? What?'"
Buffy had called out, wanting to find out as much from this person as possible.
"' Demons and vampires are the same thing..different species, same origin. As for what I am, I'm a friend. Go ask Giles, good night'"
Just as Duster said the last part of 'night' Buffy spun around, just catching a glimpse of Silver eyes, amused and all knowing, and even a little frightening in their familiarity and playfulness. But that was all she could see, the face and body of the silver eyed one was then a flicker of a shadow, disappearing from Buffy's view within a second.............
Entering her darkened room, she drops her jacket and backpack on the chair at her desk then goes to the closet and strips, donning a T-shirt and a pair of boxers. walks over to the bed she shared with Willow, noting that she was fast asleep on Buffy's side of the beds they had pushed together. She slips under the covers and close to Willow, slowly edging her onto her side of the bed. Afterall, that's why Willow was sleeping there..to be close to Buffy. And yes, the slayer had noticed that little trait of Wills'. It had always made her feel loved when she caught Willow either asleep on her bed or holding Mr. Gordo. Willow all but clings to the slayer's side. Buffy grins in the dark and wraps an arm around Willow, hugging her close and rubbing the small of her back gently, thoughts falling back to the one that brought them together just before she drops off to sleep.
She had called Giles, asking if they could meet that day, she wanted to ask him about Duster. She jerked the phone from her ear when she mentioned the said figure. Giles had started yelling into the phone in his excitement, bombarding her with questions. Yet, the one that struck her most was
'Did she have eyes the color of Moon Beams?'
They agreed to meet at 2 pm at the University Library. He was carrying a medium sized book that was bound in black leather. He ushered her towards the back of the library. Then sat down, he looked both pumped up and worn down. Not something too hard for the ex-watcher to do. Buffy held her hand up, forestalling his questioning ahead of time.
"'before you say anything let me explain what happened.'"
Giles looked at her, surprised at her willingness explain, but he could see just how curious she was by the way she leaned forward in her seat. So he waited patiently.
"'Last night, after I had finished Patrolling I thought I'd stop for a few minutes and calm down.........'"
She quickly summarized it for Giles, finishing with the feelings the Moonlit eyes caused in her.'
"It was like I knew her, her eyes were playful, but had depth I've never seen anywhere else, they..made me nervous and jumpy, I had to look away. Then she disappeared. End of story, but she told me to ask you about Duster AND she said You by name'"
Giles sat back.
"' well that is odd, I've never met her before, at least I'd like to know if I had...'"
He takes off his glasses and cleans them. Buffy sits there impatiently..waiting for the ex-watcher to start the story of Duster...........
"Miss Summers..Earth to Miss Summers!"
Buffy sat up rather quickly, looking down at Professor Walsh, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"uh..could you repeat the question?"
She found the silence she was subjected to to be far worse than the snickers and whispers she had grown used to in HS. Maggie Walsh just shakes her head
"I have already, twice. I hope you've been writing down the notes instead of doodling in your notebook Miss Summers, Steven could you answer the question please."
Buffy sank back in her chair, wishing the world would swallow her whole....and take Willow along for the ride, her mind put in totally on its own, bringing another blush across her face. Willow just smiled at her and took her hand, holding it while she paid more attention to the lecture of the day. Meanwhile Buffy's mind picked up where it left off on the next morning after meeting the first slayer.
"'well? who is she???'"
Giles looked up at her, mildly surprised. He cleared his throat in his usual Englishmen way.
"oh yes, of course'"
He flips to a page in the book he had carried in. To Buffy it looked like he was reading the Intro of the book itself, but instead of asking any questions she decided to wait till he was done talking
"'......... She is known as the First Slayer. Her true name lost and replaced by Duster. Few have ever seen her, though it is rumored that she started the Watcher's council. She's older than even the Master or said to be close to his age. She's half Vampire, half Human and all Slayer. How this came to be, no one knows. The chosen one's powers are said to indeed stem from vampires and she is that, erm, missing link. She is timeless, the only physical description that anyone has ever known of her is 'Moonlit eyes'"
Buffy looked at him in shock, her eyes wide and disbelieving.
"' So your telling me that I met the FIRST slayer?'"
Giles motioned quickly for her to lower her voice when she started to almost yell. she sat back quickly, thinking this over.
"'yes, you have and if she's here to help, its for a good reason, its said that she helps only the best. In any case, I suggest you go back tonight to speak with her, maybe get to see what she looks like so you can identify her during the day.'".................
And as suddenly as it started it ended, with Xander on his back looking very shocked. He has attempted to sneak up on Buffy..some things never change. Buffy looks down at him with a raised eyebrow. Willow, Giles, Anya and Buffy all trying NOT to laugh. "hi Xander" Buffy says in a drawl voice, also trying not to grin. Xander gave a little wave and squeaked out a tiny
"hi"
before moving to sit down, sulkily next to his ex-demon girlfriend who said, as bluntly as ever.
"well that was stupid"
They were at Giles', Buffy and Giles to train the others to watch since they had nothing really better to do. Duster had told them she'd be by a little later. She was on her way to pick up some other weapons for Giles to hold and Buffy to train with. As it had turned out Anya and Duster were actually distant cousins, and they did like to play practical jokes on everyone else from time to time, basically acting like teenagers. But on whole everyone was still getting used to having a 40thousand+ year old Slayer hanging out with them and helping them with saving the world on a semi-nightly basis.
The next night Buffy finished her patrol quickly, all but running to the clearing and looking around. She called out quietly
"'Duster, I'm here'"
Directly in front of her a set of all- but-glowing Silver eyes opened up and winked at her.
"'I know, did you do as I asked?'"
Buffy nearly jumped out of her skin at the appearance of Duster,
"'Y-yeah, I did. why didn't you just tell me? I mean, wouldn't it have been easier that way?'"
Buffy could make out a dim outline of the first slayer's head, she could tell that she had short hair, from the way it swung to the side as Duster cocked her head in the said direction.
"'Yes and no. It would have been easier for me..maybe, but you wouldn't have believed me and would have went to Giles anyway.'"
The current slayer nodded, the longer she talked to the immortal the more Buffy felt she knew her. Buffy watched her, wondering what she'd do and say next. She looked away for a moment, when she turned back Duster was gone, she looked around, catching a movement to her right, she spun that way, then heard a chuckle from behind and above her, she looked up swiftly, taking a step back and nearly tripping on a rock just behind her. A foot against her shoulder blade steadied her before she lost her balance on the offending piece of earth.
"'Chill, I just wanted to sit down'"
Buffy turned and looked up, she could clearly see the silver eyes, also taking in the pair of blue jeans, tan work books and what looked like a black leather jacket. Buffy took a step away from the tree so she could get a better look at Duster.
"'Alright, then could you answer a few questions?'"
The leather clad figure shrugged slightly.
"'sure I don't' see why not. I can see your curious about who I am. So I'll tell you this: I'll give you one clue, the rest you'll have to figure out on you own-but if you figure out who I am and if you ask, I'll tell you the truth. Oh and one more thing-You do know me, in fact you've met me recently'"............
Punch, Jab..."Oof!" Buffy is laying on the floor of a gym, Duster grinning and standing a few feet away, waiting patiently for the teen to stand up. Buffy sat up and glared at her.
"how do you DO that?"
Duster shrugged and leaned on her quarter staff a little.
"and if you say practice one more time I'm gonna scream!"
Standing up and picking up her own staff she glared at even more at Duster..waiting for an answer. The elder slayer grins at her student. "patience and lots work"
Buffy growls at her and launches attacks at her so fast Duster has to concentrate on blocking them before going on the offensive.
"Guess that was the wrong thing to say huh? Yipe!"
Duster jumped back, blocking quickly then dropping down on one knee to knock Buffy down. Using Gravity to pull the younger woman down onto the ground yet again, this time though they were both on their backs, Buffy's bare feet next to Duster's head and the other woman's feet near her head. Buffy grinned and reached over, determined to find out just how ticklish this girl is. Most of the people heard a girl shrieking in about 10 very ancient languages for Buffy to stop between her laughter.
After Buffy had shared this with Giles, he frowned. Coming to the same conclusion as Buffy
"'hmph, that only describes almost three quarters of the campus population'"
Buffy smirked and bit into her pizza again. She had met up with him over the weekend after getting a ride back to Sunnydale with Willow and her cousin Nicole, who happens to be able to drive. Right now it was Sunday, tonight around 6pm they'd be going back to the campus to get ready for their classes.
"'So do you think we'll find out who she is anytime soon? I mean..earlier than she expected?'"
Giles sat back, sipping at his tea and made a face, putting the revolting beverage down rather quickly.
"'its a possibility, but you need to really look at the people you've met within the last 5 days that fit the description you've given me..including her personality.'"
Buffy nodded, standing to throw out her garbage, then sitting back down a moment later.
"' Sounds like a plan to me.'"...................
".....So after you told Giles your account of that night I had to rush to meet up with Willow for Lunch..."
Buffy shook her head a little.
"So you were listening in on everything we said?"
"yep, I knew you'd talk to him about me. If the topics had changed I would have left."
Willow looked back and forth between them, suddenly realizing that the two had been talking while she became engrossed in her language assignment. She looked over at Buffy.
"And why didn't you tell me about all of this???"
Duster looks away, whistling innocently and silently. Buffy glares at her, as if saying 'this is all your fault'. Duster just grinned at her and waggled her eyebrows, she kicks Willow under the table gently, Barely managing to keep a straight face. Willow looks between the two, deciding its Buffy she kicks her back, though not hard at all. Buffy looks between the two and just kicks them both. Looking back at Willow she says:
"Because I didn't know what was going on and I wanted to find out more..so anyway..after that informative session on our favorite Immortal....
Every night after her patrols she had gone back to the clearing, and every night Duster had been there. Yet Buffy wasn't able to get anymore information on her, other than clearing up some myths that Giles had asked her to ask the immortal about. But tonight was different, Duster had told she'd be here and she wasn't. Just as Buffy was about to leave- she heard sounds of a fight. Without another thought she took of in that direction, but she stopped short when she heard Spike's voice, cursing his bleached blond head off.
"'You rotten bloody wanker! You ruined me best shurt!'"
Buffy snuck closer, wanting to see who had gotten Spike so mad. She nearly fell back as she saw Willow's cousin, Nicole, easily holding her own against Spike. In fact she seemed to be playing with him. Her mouth dropped open in shock as Nicole broke spike's nose then staked him. Turning him to dust quickly, she gasped softly, not meaning to make a sound. Yet this tiny intake of breath was enough to catch the girl's attention, she fell back as Nicole/Duster looked directly at her, her silver eyes wide and surprised...and pleased(?)..............
Buffy mentally groaned as she found yet another question on her history exam she couldn't answer yet. Her mind drawing up another blank, the third one in a row. Buffy knew if she didn't' pass this test Duster would be really disappointed. Both her and Buffy had been trying hard to pick up Buffy's grades in all her classes. But Buffy just couldn't seem to concentrate on what Duster said when it came to history, Even though she loved hearing stories about Duster's past and her adventures of helping the other slayers. The only thing that bothered her was that she never heard anything about Duster's love life, she had a feeling that it was a very sad part of Duster's life..no matter how much she or the others questioned her about it, she would refuse to answer. At one time Buffy had pressed her too much and Duster actually exploded at her. "How am I supposed to be with anyone! Knowing that they'll die and I won't! How could they accept that!"
Duster looked about ready to cry, she had just turned and ran Buffy's dorm room, after that they didn't see her for a full day. Sighing as she turned the page to the essays. Her mouth lifts up in a grin as her eyes fall on a fictional type essay, thinking about Duster and her life in general she starts to write..rambling almost unconsciously as her mind starts to trek down a familiar, recent path, picking up where it left off earlier when the lunch hour ended, leaving her audience in suspense till after this class.
Buffy was frozen, staring at the girl she thought she knew. Duster walked over to her and dropped down in front of her, sitting down cross legged. She grins.
"'You might want to close your mouth....'"
Buffy shakes her head and looks at her, noticing only now that duster is sitting in front of her and not in the shadows.
"'Your eyes...I thought...'"
Duster laughed softly, taking out a small contacts case out of the inside pocket of her leather jacket.
"'Modern Technology..brown contacts.'"
The current slayer suddenly started to laugh, as does Nicole/Duster.
"'ok, now that I found out who you are, why didn't you tell me before?'"
Nicole tilts her head to the side, regarding the current slayer quietly for a moment.
"'well..think of it this way..would you have believed me if I told you straight out?'"
Buffy looked down for a moment..focusing on the original slayer's work boots quietly. a thousand questions ready to burst out of her mouth. She shakes her head silently, looking up at her friend.
"'No, I don't' think I would have. But..does Willow that you two aren't cousins? I mean, how will she take that?'"
Duster smiles, looking behind her and scooting back to lean against a tree. Takes off her Jacket and tosses it to Buffy after seeing her start to shiver.
"'I've known Willow all her life, I've been in contact with her family for..around 18 years. I've always looked the same..well..other than sometimes letting my hair grow out, or cutting it again..but over time we became as close as cousins. No one ever questioned why I never seemed to change. When she hit about 10 I had to leave, because a reporter from the SunnyDale newspaper had starting snooping around about me.'"
She shrugs a little.
"'I kept in contact with Willow over the phone and later through email. When I found out that the new slayer was here, I decided maybe I should get into contact with you, especially after I found out that Willow was your best friend. Anyway. I figured now was an ok time to come back, seeing how that reporter is gone and no one really remembers me except Willow'".......................
"...you really got me then...cuz I'm always meeting new people, and from the description I had of you already..well..it points out almost everyone in my everyday life..so I just held onto what little I had on you in the back of my head..."
Willow spoke up
"what information?"
She looks like she's really falling into the story. Buffy grins, then laughing softly when she realizes that some of Duster's story telling and playfulness are rubbing off on her.
"oh you know...the silver eyes, about 5'1-5'3, short hair, leather jacket, work boots, young sounding, female and of course the stuff Giles gave to me before."
Duster just grinned at that description, sitting back and crossing her legs under the table, sips at her vanilla milkshake happily as she listens to Buffy and Willow. Wills nodded then frowned.
"why am I almost always the last to know these things..well..other than Xander and of course there was Cordiela oh and Anya...."
Buffy leaned forward suddenly and covered Willow's mouth with her hand gently, grinning at her. Willow blushed and grinned sheepishly at her two friends, saying meekly in her uniquely Willowish fashion
"On with the story..."
After Buffy had asked somewhere around a million questions Nicole interrupted her for a moment
"'shouldn't you be getting back to Willow?'"
Buffy shrugged
. "'I dunno..I mean, well. you said you two were confidants..you told each other everything right?'"
Duster tilted her head to the side, watching Buffy carefully with her Moonbeam colored eyes, knowing the Wiccan and Slayer were not a couple though they wanted to be. They were just both scared...she just had to figure out how to get them together. She nodded slowly.
"'I tell her anything I either need help with or something that is bothering me, she's good at helping people with their problems.'"
Buffy frowned.
"'...Can I ask you not to tell her anything I'm going to say to you? I mean..I don't' want her to know if she doesn't feel the same...'"
Duster smiles at her, her eyes suddenly very playful and serious at the same time.
"'You love her don't you? You always know she's near, you can't stop thinking about her, your heart pounds and your palms get sweaty whenever you're near her?'"
Buffy just looked at her in shock, her hazel eyes wide in fear...........
Early morning on the next day she started early, waking before Willow and going out to the local Dunkin' Donuts get breakfast for them both. On her way she runs into Duster. Calling out to her she jogs to catch up with the immortal.
"hey! wait up!"
The said immortal turns and smiles at Buffy, her brown contacts shimmering with just a trace of silver to them, her hair shining a little in the early morning light.
"hey yourself, what's up? You're up early-even for a slayer."
Buffy counters with:
"I could say the same about you"
Duster chuckles.
"I don't' need that much sleep..MAYBE 3 hours tops, helps keep me from thinking too much."
Buffy shrugs and starts to walk next to Duster, falling into stride with her as they heads for the Dunkin' Donuts.
" Well anyway, I decided to get some donuty goodness for Wills and me for breakfast, we've both been really busy with school and haven't had a chance to hang out too much..other than sleeping and stuff that is."
Duster nods, smiling at the blush creeping up Buffy's neck, chuckling softly. Really glad she had gotten them together
"alright, well, I'm going to go finish my run..Later Slayer"
The said slayer watches Duster jog off, tilting her head the side as she wonders if she hook her up with someone who'd understand her...maybe if she could find another immortal for her..a good one that is...maybe she should call up Willow's Aunt Gabrielle and Xena...she'd have to talk to Willow about that one...
Duster chuckled.
"'Don't' worry I won't say anything to her. But tell her how you feel, you WON'T regret it. I promise.'"
Buffy shook her head, looking panicked.
"'I..I can't do that..she she still loves Oz...and she wouldn't feel the same way..I..I know it'"
Duster/Nicole shook her head, her silver eyes shimmering eerily in the darkness..
"'Your the slayer Buffy, some things even you can't slay, but you can face your fears. I know Willow, so do you, don't' let your doubts stand in the way of your happiness. I've been down that road before, its not a happy place.'"
Buffy looked down at her hands, when she looked up Duster was gone. She looked around for a moment, sitting there puzzled then stood up and started back to the dorm, thinking on what Duster had said. When she walked in she found Wills typing away in on her laptop. She had spoken quietly
"'heya Wills..watcha' doin'?'"
Willow nearly jumped out of her seat looking up at Buffy before closing down her computer.
"'oh..uh..no-nothing..just writing something out for class..that's all...really.'"
Buffy just nodded slowly and sat down on her bed, laying back with Duster's jacket still on...................
Buffy sat very still, playing Guinea Pig for her Wills, letting the wiccan work on her being able to levitate the slayer off her bed carefully. Trying to see how much she could pick up at once without too much strain. The wiccan was able to get Buffy near the ceiling before having to let her down to the point where she felt her control slip, Buffy bouncing back down onto her bed with a "oof" type sound. Willow made a face.
"Well that was sucky, I mean, if I can't lift you, how am I supposed to life even heavier stuff!"
Willow muttered Grumpily. Buffy shook her head and went to sit next to her, putting an arm around her love she gave her a gentle squeeze. "hey, don't start that. you're already getting stronger..remember when you could barely lift a pencil let alone an actual-about-100+ pound living person. come on..your getting better...like Duster says..and I quote-'practice makes perfect.'"
Willow nods and turns her head to nuzzle Buffy's shoulder gently.
Willow looked at her and asked
"'where'd you get the jacket?'"
Buffy looked down suddenly..realizing for the first time she had it on still.
"'oh..uh...I..met..someone..a girl out on patrol...she...had some vampire trouble and I helped her out..then we were talking..I guess she saw me get cold or something and she put it on me...she left and I kinda forgot to give it back to her.'"
Willow nodded softly, putting her computer to the side and turning towards Buffy. The said slayer shifted onto her side..looking at Willow thoughtfully. Willow looked back at her...
"'Will...what do you know about Nicole? I mean..anything unusual?'"
Willow looked at her for a moment..confused..
"'well...she does have a birthmark on her left temple..just inside her hairline...but...not really..I mean..'"
She shrugged slightly. Buffy nodded slightly..laying back on the bed.
"'what would you say if I told you she's alot more than she seems?'"
Willow shook her head.
"'with Nicole..I could believe almost anything..except that she'd hurt someone if she could help it...'"
Buffy nodded softly again..
"'well..than I got lots to tell you.............'"
"So anyway, after C++ I had to make a mad dash back to our dorm, which made me run into tons of people because I was in such a rush and everything. But I still had to run really fast to the other end of the campus to make it time for my Wiccan group, talk about out of breath!"
Buffy grinned as she listened to Willow repeat her day to the gang back at Giles' house. Xander and Anya were cuddling on the couch while Willow was sitting in one of the recliners, Buffy was sitting on the arm of that same chair. The host of the house was in the middle of making some tea as everyone just talked. The assembled group was waiting for Duster to get there with some information she said she could get on a current demon who was invisible and terrorizing most of the campus population, looking for the slayer- or at least that's what the messages carved into the bodies of its victims had said. Just as Giles' tea pot was starting to whistle the door burst open and Duster fell through, looking like she just got into a fight with an F5 twister.
After Buffy had filled Willow in on everything that had happened and that Duster and Nicole were one in the same. She had grown very quiet. Buffy knew this was not good. When Buffy went to talk Willow interrupted her quietly by saying good night and laying down. Buffy bit her lip, having the feeling she made a big mistake. Later the next day the slayer bumped into Nicole on her way to the University Cafeteria. Buffy looked at her for a moment, a little bit nervous. Duster smiled at her, and offered to walk with her over to the Lunch room. As they walked Buffy kept sneaking glances at the immortal.
"'Is there something on my face?'"
Duster asked with a smirk, looking over at the current slayer. Buffy stammered a few times.
'"uh n-no..its just..well..I thought you were half vampire..I mean..not to say your bad or anything..its just well..vampires drink blood a-and go poof in the sun..and well..we in the sunny places now..and you're-'"
Nicole laughed and shook her head
."'Yes I am half vampire. I have all the good stuff..meaning I don't need blood to survive, and I don't go *poof* in the light of the sun and in fact I used to make crosses during the time of christ.'"
she shrugs, then looks at Buffy, her face suddenly shifting into a vampire's game face, though her eyes are silver, even with the contacts in. Buffy stumbles back a bit, in surprise as the other slayer's face switches back just as suddenly.
"'don't worry, I'm not going after you..I just did that to illustrate a point. I can pretend to be either very easily. though the fact is that my human side counteracts the vampiric side, well, other than enhanced abilities and immortality and such.'"
Buffy nodded a little, thinking silently to herself about this odd creature walking next to her..............
Buffy looked worriedly at Duster as she lay on Giles' couch. They managed to find out what happened from her as they cleaned what wounds she'd let them get at. Duster told them that she could just barely see the demons and there wasn't just one, there were at least 9 of them. She found out that they were called The S'kra Mur. Lizard like people and very warlike. They had developed the ability to blend in with their surroundings as human kind became more powerful. The S'kra had inhabited the earth Millions of years before demons or humans had ever come into existance. She had been listening in on their conversations at their lair when one of the younger ones had seen her and attacked her. The rest quickly joined in, she had just barely managed to get away after killing 2 of them. They had mistaken her for the Slayer, so Buffy and their friends were technically safe, though now they were looking for Duster herself.
"Nicole, you shouldn't have done that. you should have gotten away as soon as you knew what they were and where their camp was."
Giles scolded her quietly. applying some Iodine to a wound on her right arm. Duster flinched and shook her head.
"no, I wanted to find out as much as I could then. I knew it was only a matter of time before they noticed I was there, and I wanted to take as many as I could without using my vampiric ablities. They would have known who I was then and they'd start really looking for you Buffy."
After having Lunch with Duster, Buffy had the rest of the day off, so she went looking for Willow, before remembering that She'd have class till around 1pm..and it was only 12pm. She shrugged and went back to her dorm room, thinking maybe she'd play solitare on Willow's little laptop, just to pass some time. After tossing her books onto her bed and booting up the computer she goes to the start menu and goes for solitare. But she accidently hits a document called "fever.doc". She had to wait for it to load up totally before being able to click it out. Yet after it finished loading she had gotten a glimpse what was in it. It certianly didn't look like something for school. If anything it looked like a diary entry. She knew she should have closed it right away but something in the file caught her attention. Her own name.........
Duster fell asleep somewhere around 20 mins ago, her face having hardened into her game face to allow for faster healing. Buffy had gone out patrolling while the others decided to do some research with the info that Duster gave them. Buffy had gone out patrolling while the others decided to do some research with the info that Duster gave them. Buffy meanwhile had gotten into a fight with a small pack of vampires. After getting beat up for a moment or two she starts to fight back, quickly killing them before heading further up into the woods..seeing a small camp of lizardlike people talking quietly..she can barely seem them..their skin fits into the background so easily..she quickly and silently gets away...tracking back to Giles' quickly.
*start of document*
Dear Diary 3/2/2000
ok, this is getting harder to hide from her. I mean, I've actually made it a habit to fall asleep on her bed. But lucky for me I've managed to wake up before she gets home and move over onto my bed. I wonder how long I'll be able to hide it. I mean, so what if I havent' actually asked if she's..you know. But I love her soo much. I've almost said it to her too. She caught me in the middle of a daydream the other day. I want to tell her too, but I'm sure she doesn't feel the same way. and I can't risk our friendship, I mean what if Buffy doesn't feel the same? I'll just have to hide it. shtr
*auto save end of document do you wish to continue? y/n*
Buffy chewed her lip for a moment checking the time and seeing she had about 20 mins before Willow got out of class. She quickly made the decision and clicked Y.
*document addition*
Buffy paused for a moment, frowning as she thought..she looked around the room..thinking of what she could do. Then she grinned and typed in slowly.
I love you too Wills.
*end of document*
Buffy carefully put the laptop on the dresser and set about putting her not-so-little-plan into action. When she was done she looked around..grinned and left the Laptop, still on and the document open. Then grabbed her walkman and went out for a long walk...................
Buffy ran into the ex-watcher's house quickly..out of breath and looking a little bit ruffled with a twig or two sticking out of her hair. Giles and Duster had been sitting at the coffee table talking. Giles had a pad of paper in front of him and a pen in his hand. They both look up, Giles getting up and walking over to her.
"Buffy are you alright? What happened?"
Buffy took a moment to collect her breath and nodded.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I got into a fight with a few vamps, and I found out where the S-whoseit's camp is. There's about 7 of them left. They look like Camelons. Their skin fades into the background. that's why their hard to see."
Giles nodded.
"We were able to find out some about the S'kra Mur. They are indeed old. But their aren't many left. They are fiercely territorial. It seems they have picked Sunnydale as their new home. That means they'll try to destroy all living things they can't eat..."
Duster spoke up for the first time since Buffy came back into the room. Her face was still vamped out but she looked better than the last time Buffy had seen her.
"Meaning Humans and other Demons alike."
About 10 after 1pm Willow walked into her room. However, she dropped her books when she saw Her bed and Buffy's pushed together and their nightstands on either side of the new bed arrangement. Her laptop open and running. She walked slowly over to the said computer and saw Buffy's little message on it. Her mouth dropped open as she stared at it. Just then she heard the shower going in their bathroom. She turned towards the bathroom and walked in slowly, as in a daze. Finding Buffy in the shower, the curtain left open. Willow just kind of stared at Buffy's tanned and lithe body. Her eyes running over breasts, toned tummy and the neatly trimmed triangle between her legs. Buffy opened her eyes and looked at Willow. Her hand came up slowly and she held it palm up for Willow to join her in the shower..............
Buffy, Willow, Xander, Anya, Giles and Duster are all assembled, working on loading their paint ball guns. Xander had explained they could use the bright colors to be able to see the S'kra Mur and therefore make it easier to kill them. Duster had gone out and gotten the equipment, though no one asked her where or how she got them at this time of night. Almost midnight. They had gotten 3 paintball guns, 6 paint balls each. Buffy had a sword to use against the claw like nails of their enemies. The rest were going to run and split up the demons, with Duster helping to take them out with surprise attacks. Willow spoke up quietly after finishing with her paint ball gun.
"So, Nicole..do you think this will really work I mean..could you get back and forth in time to kill them?"
Duster shrugs
"I dont' see why not, besides, I'm not the only slayer here. Buffy will be there to help."
The said slayer looks up at her.
"Won't I be busy with the others who dont' go after the gang?"
Duster grinned.
"No..not with the paint in these guns."
"Why do I not like the sound of that?"
Xander looked nervously at the gun in his lap.
"Maybe because its resting on your-!"
Xander quickly covered his girlfriend's mouth with his hand. His face already turning red with embarrassment. Slowly he takes his hand away.
"What??!"
Duster bites her lip as everyone tries not to laugh.
Willow says quietly
"Anya...discretion..do you know what that means?"
"yeah, why?"
"Use it"
"Oh"
The ex-demon shrugs and goes back to fiddling with Xander's hand.
Alittle over an hour after becoming lovers the two women lay in their bed, holding each other and just relaxing. It had been amazing for the both of them. Buffy had her head resting on Willow's shoulder as her hand traced nondescript patterns along Wills' stomach. Causing her to smile and sigh happily into Buffy's hair. The slayer looked up at her.
'"What?"'
'"huh? oh nothing"'
'"no, tell me..please?"'
Buffy used her best puppy dog look.
'"oh...Buffy..'"
Willow kisses her softly.
"'Relax, I was just thinking about how happy I am and how much I love you..thus the happy sigh"'
"'oh, well, it was still worth sharing right?'"
Willow smiled and hugged her close.
"'yeah...yeah it was..I could tell you a few other things worth..sharing"'
"'or show me?'"
Buffy says hopefully.
"'Oh but of course my love'"
"Tell me why we're doing this again?"
"Because we're decoys..once they start following us we hide and...."
"yeah yeah I know..I know.."
"good..now lets go"
"Will! Wait!"
Willow takes off running towards the camp..almost bowling over a sentry. she makes a small EEK sound than turns and takes off. Xander takes the same path she does, but he knocks the startled lizardman over before taking off in another direction from Willow. A moment after the lizard creatures, 3 to a person, started go after the two teens they were hit with paint balls. First looking at each other in confusion,then horror when one by one they went up in smoke...literally. The last one, the leader had stayed back at the camp and was waiting for the slayer to arrive. Knowing that if he took out human's champion that they would be easier to conquer. Out in the woods Buffy and Duster were having a fight as to who should go out there.
"No, I'm the Slayer, its my job to do this"
"yeah but I know I can defeat this guys without a problem."
"It doesn't matter, its my fight."
"Listen..there's only one of them left. The Leader. He'll be hard to beat, he's one of the few smart ones. watch out for his tail and claws. hit him where the shoulder and neck meet, that's the weakest point on their body. hit it and he's dead."
Buffy looked at her closely for a moment, trying to decide wheither or not she'll interfere in the fight. Xander looked back and forth between the two slayers then finally said.
"Buffy...just go. that lizard guy is waiting."
Buffy just nodded and ran off to win her fight.
Buffy watched with amusement as she, Willow and Nicole had dinner together at Nicole's place. The house itself was just a hair short of being mansion kept in prime condition. With Oak wood panelling on the walls, every room having a fire place. Priceless furniture and artworks all around them, set with perfect balance. Willow and Buffy had looked around them in shock, although not art collectors, what they saw amazed them. Nicole had eventually had to drag them into another section of the house, one that looked more used. Weapons hanging on display. A fish tank that wrapped around the entire section of this house, tracing the walls through the rooms, broken only by the doorway, stairs and her entertainment center. Right now they were in the kitchen, Willow was in full babble mood, nervous around the half vampire.
"'Willow.'"
"'huh?..oh..sorry...'"
"'no..its alright, I mean its understandable, but you dont' need to be nervous around me, I'm still Nicole. I've known you all your life and you've known me. You know me..better than anyone else.'"
"'I know..its just..well...I thought you were..normal..no..wait..wrong word..uh..mortal. you know..human?"'
Duster grinned and smiled.
"'well, I am half human..if that helps at all"'
Willow and Buffy looked at each other than at her and smiled, nodding.
"'Now you just need to work on your sense of humor"'
"'hey..its not that bad! at least not most.....ok...I see your point."'.................
"Ok..I'm going to have STOP doing that!"
Buffy sighed and grumbled as she goes to land a punch into Duster's midsection but instead finds herself on the floor on her stomach. She debates on wheither to get up or not. Grins suddenly and flips up on her hands then on her feet, twisting around to face the anicent being that is her sparring partner.
"So...that train of thought comes to an end huh?
Duster/Nicole smiles at her decendant.
"yeah, I guess so..I always wondered what you thought about how we met...I mean..meeting with the current slayer and all."
"Finding you was the easy part...introducing myself gave me a challenge I haven't
felt in centuries."
"Why is that?"
"Tooo many choices and too many tricks to pull..I mean..I could have walked up to you..game face on and said "Hi..my name is Duster and the first slayer..half vampire, half human all slayer...."
"hey! you wrote that book! the one that....."
"that is my autobiography.."
"ok..so tell me another story..about when you were the current slayer.."
"another time...after all..I'd have to write another book about that one..."
Duster just grins impishly as Buffy shakes her head and laughs.