My Mother Myself
by Samantha
Rating: R
Disclaimer: All belong to Fox, and UPN, and Joss, wish I had thought of them
first, but hey, at least I get to play with them =)
Spoilers: If you have seen up through the first half of season 5 then no spoilers.
Willow Rosenberg stepped off the back of the truck along with twenty or so ragged, weary travelers. It was dirty here, obviously the effects had been worse here than Sunnydale. She pulled her backpack over her shoulder, looking back she saw her wife Tara just getting off the truck.
“Well that was an experience,” Tara said smiling to make light of the horrible ride.
“Yeah one I can’t wait to repeat,” Willow joked along with her. They smiled at each other. Willow leaned forward kissing Tara gently on the lips before taking her hand.
“Come on we have to find her.”
“Where are we going to look?” Tara asked doubtfully, “this is a little bit bigger than Sunnydale.”
“Cordelia's vision saw her in a bar near here, so we just try some bars I guess. We just need to find her fast if we want a chance to bring them back.” Willow and Tara looked worriedly at each other, knowing just how important their mission was, what was left of Sunnydale would be gone within the week if they didn’t succeed.
Hours later they stood in front of one more bar. The last they would check, before they found a place to sleep for the night. It was crowded and dark inside, but the crowd seemed happy. It was a change from most of the bars they had tried where despair filled the air like fog. Here laughter was heard, and music played that wasn’t filled with pain. They worked their way through the crowd to the bar where they each ordered beers; they stood waiting for them. Tara stared around the room as they waited.
“Ouch!” She cried out as Willow elbowed her sharply in the side.
“Sorry, look,” Willow exclaimed excitedly pointing down to the other end of the bar. There a girl sat, her dark hair fell into her face as her head bobbed to the music as she chatted to a black girl next to her. Willow and Tara quickly walked toward her, forgetting their drinks and pushing people out of the way as they went. Willow tapped the girl on the shoulder. Her head whipped around, face sharp and guarded.
“Can I help you?” She asked looking at the two of them.
“Um, Max?” Willow questioned.
“Yeah who are you?”
“I’m Willow, and this is Tara, we need to talk to you.”
“So talk,” Max answered her voice tough. Willow looked at the girl sitting next to her and added.
“Alone, can we get a table or something?”
“Right because I am just gonna walk off with two people I don’t know, just tell me what the hell you want.”
“It’s about your mother,” Willow answered; she was surprised by the change in Max’s face. It went from hard and cold, to confused in a matter of seconds, then she regained her composure.
“Yeah, okay lets get a table,” she turned to Cindy, “I’ll catch you later okay?”
Cindy looked cautiously at Willow and Tara, then back at Max who nodded her head.
“Sure girl, call me,” giving one final look to Willow and Tara, she picked her glass off the bar and sauntered away.”
“So, a table,” Max turned away with the other two following. They approached a booth with four burly men at it, who looked at Max and quickly cleared away.
“Guess you get good parking places,” Willow said dryly. They sat down with Max across from the two of them.
“I hold my own. So my mom? You know something? You better not be fucking with me.”
“No, no fucking,” Willow quickly answered glancing nervously at Tara who responded by taking her hand. “We know who your mom is.”
“Yeah so who is she?”
“A woman named Faith Wilkins.”
“So where can I find her?”
Willow shifted nervously in her seat. This was the part she had been dreading.
“She’s dead.”
Max leaned back in her chair, letting this sink in.
“Wow. I appreciate knowing, but why are you telling me? I mean why suddenly come looking for her kid?”
“Because we need your help,” Willow answered truthfully.
“Great, just what I need. Like Logan’s not enough,” Max rolled her eyes.
Willow leaned forward, this was the crucial part, getting Max to understand and believe her history. It was the only way. She took a deep breath.
“Max, just listen okay. This is going to be a crazy story, and you might not believe it. Every word of it is true though.” Max didn’t say anything, but continued to stare expectantly at Willow with her arms crossed over her chest. Taking this as a sign to begin the story Willow started.
“Your mom had it rough. She grew up in Boston never knowing her dad and living with her alcoholic mom who slept around a lot and let Faith get abused pretty regular. This went on until Faith was eleven and her watcher found her, a woman named Stella, Faith was to train to be a slayer. Fight the forces of evil, vampires, demons, that sort of thing.” Willow paused then checking Max’s face for a reaction, but she kept her expression neutral. “Stella was killed shortly after Faith began to trust her, and six years later after she was called to be the slayer, her second watcher was killed. After that Faith ran to Sunnydale, where we met her. My best friend Buffy was a slayer also. Everything was going good for Faith there. Buffy cared a lot about her, but then Faith accidentally killed a man and she lost it. Faith terrorized all of us and lots of other innocent people for the next year and a half, until she turned herself into the police and was put in jail. While in there she volunteered for this government program in exchange for early release. You were that program. After you were born they sent her back to Sunnydale where her and Buffy made up and worked together again. They fought side by side, making Sunnydale almost safe again. They also fell in love, strong and complete. Buffy used to tell me how Faith would wake up in the middle of the night crying for you, but she had been warned if she ever tried to contact you that she would be killed.”
Max still stared at Willow, perhaps in disbelief, but she wasn’t quite sure. Max leaned in elbows on the table confronting Willow.
“So let me get this straight. My mom killed demons with her girlfriend as a job, but this was after she went crazy and killed other people?” She was obviously having doubts.
“Max I know all this sounds crazy, but please believe us,” Tara pleaded. "Your mom loved you, so much."
“I’m sorry, I want to believe that you know my mom, but this fish ain’t biting on the worm you’re dangling.” Max stood swiftly striding to the door. Willow and Tara jumped up running after her. Tara grabbed her arm and Max spun around glaring. “What?”
“We have something to give you, if this doesn’t make you believe us then leave.” Tara handed her a worn Polaroid. In it Faith lay on a bed, in her arms was a small baby girl, a barcode just visible on her neck. Max held the picture in her hand and tears welled in her eyes. She looked up at Willow and Tara. Willow reached to hold her hand tenderly.
“She really was my mom, you guys aren’t lying. How did she die?”
“That is a whole other story, and it is getting really late, do you think we could stay with you tonight?” Willow asked.
“Yeah, of course,” Max answered in a noticeably more genial tone.
Max opened the door to the apartment, and entered with Willow and Tara following. They looked around the living room and kitchen.
“It’s not much, but it’s home, for now,” Max explained. “You two can sleep in here, sort out the couch on your own. Drinks?”
“No thanks,” Tara answered for herself and Willow. Max shrugged and opened a soda. She pulled herself up on the counter and motioned them to take the two empty chairs at the table.
“So about my mother, how did she die.”
“I’ll tell you this part of the story,” Tara offered. “Willow was out of town at the time. Nine years ago Sunnydale was safer than it had ever been. Buffy and Faith had both finished college and were running a small day care next door to Giles magic shop. We had all gotten pretty cocky about how safe it was. But life seemed good. Xander moved to New York where he met his wife. He and Cordelia still talked sometimes, enough so that he tried to keep the streets free of demons at night. Angel was doing great in LA. So you can imagine everyone’s surprise when Quellstien surfaced.” Tara paused then, her eyes filling with tears. “If we had just been prepared this never would have happened. He attacked them in broad daylight as they left the daycare. They fought him, and won. But as he died he wove the spell of Noctorisma. As he fell they dropped to the ground. Giles and I thought they were dead, we ran to them to find them still breathing, but totally still and unable to be waken. They aren’t dead; we mislead you when we said that. But they might as well be, they can’t wake up at all. He did worse than kill them; he left the world with no defense from evil, because no slayer will be called until one of them dies. We have kept them in Giles apartment for these past years; they never age or change. Two years ago we found the solution to the problem. There is a potion that we can make, but it needs the blood of a descendent and an elder. Buffy's mom completes one aspect of it but we need you for the other. We have been searching for you these last two years. But the blast destroyed everything.”
“Wait, wait, wait. You need my blood? You people are crazy.”
“No we’re not. Listen you little brat this is the only way to save your mom, and possibly this planet,” Willow insisted hardly. “That blast was not human. There is a demon highbred prepared to destroy us all, and if you don’t help us you, and everyone else will die.”
Max looked from one serious face to the other.
“You’re serious aren’t you?” She jumped down from the counter top and paced the length of the kitchen. “Okay so let’s say I believe you, and go through with this crazy plan. What do you do with my blood?”
“We take some of it and mix it with various other ingredients, including Buffy's mom's blood and feed it to them.” Willow answered matter-a-factly
“This is crazy.” Max’s beeper went off. She reached down to check it. “Shit it’s Logan, I gotta blaze. Make yourselves comfortable I’ll be back late.” She grabbed her jacket off the chair and headed out the door. Willow and Tara gazed stunned after her. Her head poked back inside.
“By the way, I’m in, we can go to Sunny whatever tomorrow morning."
Two days and six run down trucks later Max, Willow, and Tara arrived in Sunnydale. They had hitchhikes the whole way. Max looked around the street in awe, most of Sunnydale had been destroyed in the blast. But the building still standing were grand compared to what she was used to.
“This place is the kick,” she exclaimed. Tara and Willow smiled at each other, thinking how much she sounded like Faith.
“Yeah we were lucky, lots of the buildings had protection spells on them from the old mayor, so even the blast couldn’t shake them,” Tara explained.
“Wow,” perhaps for the first time Max really believed the stories Willow had told her. Willow led the way across town to Giles apartment. It was in the only standing building on the block. As they walked up the stairs Willow explained some things to Max.
“Actually this apartment used to be your mom's a long time ago. She worked for the mayor so he made sure she was well protected. Giles moved in after the blast,” Willow knocked on the door then stepped back.
“One minute,” came the reply from inside. They heard three sets of locks slide back. Giles peaked out cautiously before undoing the chain. “Willow, Tara, I trust you were successful?” He asked eyeing Max.
“Yep, step one of mission wake sleepyheads is complete,” Willow answered lightheartedly.
“Max I presume?” Giles extended his hand in greeting. Max looked at it for a second before smirking and taking it.
“Yeah that’s me.”
“Good, yes very good,” Giles mumbled. “Joyce is already here, and I have the supplies. Come in, come in.”
Willow, Tara, and Max filed into the apartment past Giles. Unlit candles were set in a circle around a sleeping Buffy and Faith. Around that there was a circle of salt. Max grabbed Willow's arm.
“Which one’s my mom?”
Willow smiled and took her hand leading her over to the circle.
“Careful not to touch anything. This is your mother,” Willow pointed at Faith. Max sunk to her knees reaching toward her mother, but pulling back when she remembered Willow's warning.
“She’s beautiful,” Max whispered.
“Yes she is,” Joyce added softly from the couch. “I’m Joyce, that,” she inclined her head towards Buffy, “is my daughter Buffy. This is my other daughter Dawn.” Dawn smiled.
“I am so sorry,” Max said looking at Joyce. She looked much older than her years. Her hair had turned gray, and her eyes were tired.
“No Max, thank god that Willow and Tara finally found you. These past years have been horrible.”
Giles walked back into the room then. His arms were laden with books. He handed a couple to Tara and Willow.
“We don’t need you quite yet Max. Dawn, take her into the kitchen and get her something to eat she must be starved by now.” Dawn stood up and motioned for Max to follow her. Together they entered the kitchen.
“Now I’ve eaten here before, and I am going to suggest the peanut butter and jelly,” Dawn said smiling.
Max smiled back and nodded her head to signify that that would be fine. She lent against the counter as Dawn made them both sandwiches.
“So that’s your sister huh?” Max asked.
“Yep, she is my older sister too, which will be really weird once Willow, Tara, and Giles wake them up.”
“Why?”
“Because they haven’t aged at all since they were put under the spell. Mr. Giles doesn’t think that they will either. So when she wakes up she will still be twenty-eight. That makes me five years older then her now. Your mom will be 27.”
“You don’t look thirty-three,” Max said with a smile. Dawn looked up returning the smile.
“Thanks. But for real, I miss her, this better work. Mom hasn’t been the same since it happened."
“I just want to know my mom. I always thought she was dead, so I never expected this chance you know?”
“I hear you.”
They both jumped as they heard the door slam open, the window in the living room shattered almost simultaneously. Joyce screamed.
“Stay here,” Max shouted at Dawn as she sprinted out of the kitchen. The living room was in an uproar. Six demons fought against the humans. Max was stunned, but quickly snapped into action, she punched the nearest one causing him to double over. Suddenly three of them were on her and she was loosing. One punched her in the face and Max fell back. All the others were on the ground as well. Quickly the demons snatched up the still sleeping bodies of Buffy and Faith, leaving the room.
Max crawled to her feet, going to shake Giles. Dawn entered from the kitchen and went quickly to her mother’s side. Soon they were all conscious again.
“Giles, Giles they took them. They took my daughter,” Joyce was nearly hysterical as Dawn tried to control her. Giles went to the bathroom and returned with a sedative. Soon Joyce was asleep on the couch.
“Wha…what are we going to d..do?” Tara asked, her stutter returning with fear.
“Oh dear,” Giles sounded defeated. “I don’t know how they found them. Our spells, they were so complete. Dear me.”
“We’re going to get them back,” Max said matter-a-factly.
“That’s exactly what we’re gonna do.” Dawn backed her up. The two smiled at each other.
“Are you crazy?” Willow asked.
“Been told so,” Max replied. “I can’t believe you guys are giving up? Way Red and Putter told you guys were in this. Did you need their bodies for confidence? Any of you ever seen Dumbo?”
The others looked at each other thinking about what Max had said.
“She’s right. Buffy and Faith wouldn’t have given up. We can’t give up on them just like poof.” Willow said. Giles nodded.
“So this spell, can it be done somewhere else?” Max asked.
“Well, yes, I suppose it could be done anywhere as long as we have all the ingredients,” Giles answered.
“Then we go, we find, I distract, you do your abracadabra, we kick ass.”
“M..Max, it’s dangerous,” Tara warned.
“It’s my mom, her daughter, your friends. It’s worth it.”
The others stared at Max, then at each other considering everything she had said. They still looked worried.
“Come on. You know it's what they would do,” Dawn chimed in.
“Alright then. Tomorrow then, For now I believe it would do us all some good to sleep.”
They left Joyce asleep on the couch, not wishing to disturb her. Willow and Tara went back to their apartment, promising to return early in the morning.
“You two can share the guest bedroom. Is that alright?” Giles asked.
“Whatever,” Max answered.
“No problem,” Dawn quickly added.
Upstairs Dawn changed and lay in the bed already half-asleep by the time Max entered the room.
“You going to sleep? Want to share the bed?” Dawn asked sleepily. Max smiled.
“No thanks, I don’t really sleep much. I’m gonna go find some action kay?”
“Uh huh,” Dawn mumbled.
Max crept quietly down the stairs, and past Joyce, letting herself out the front door. Once outside she reached the sidewalk and decided to go left, not knowing which way would be better, but figuring they had come from the right. Damn she had come so close to finally meeting her mom, and lost her again. Fucked up day anyway. She had believed in a lot of weird shit before. But now she could add demons and other bad dream things to her list. As Max walked on she suddenly noticed lights flashing up in the sky. Curious, she stepped up her pace. Soon she was able to hear music as well, rounding a corner she came to a run-down building. Parts of the walls were broken down, and a sign hung sideways from one nail. It read “Bronze”.
Max showed her ID to the big tattooed man at the door. He grunted and she took this as permission to enter. Walking in it became apparent why she could see the lights and hear the music so far away. There was no roof on the building. The music pounded loud, and the dance floor was a sweaty overcrowded mess. Max loved it. Moving forward, she was soon lost dancing. Men and women around her stared, and quite a few tried to get in closer. Max humored some of the cuter ones, and sent the others away with one look.
Half an hour or so later she fought her way off the floor to get a drink. She stood leaning against the bar drinking and surveying the crowd, she noticed an unusually tall man off to one side. He was nothing special but she kept coming back to him, he looked familiar for some reason. But she couldn’t know anyone here, so she kept looking away. Then it hit her, he was one of the demons. He looked human enough now, but she was positive he was one of the assholes who took Buffy and Faith. She slammed her beer down on the bar causing the bottle to crack, and started working through the crowd toward him. She approached him slowly. His attention turned her as she got closer and a wide smile spread on his face.
“Hey there, hot boy,” she smiled leaning up on him. “What are you doing over here all alone.”
“Uhhh…I’m not doing anything…waiting for you,” he smiled greasily. Oh yeah he’s a charmer Max thought. Why didn’t they get that someone like her would not honestly be hitting on them?
“Well here I am. You wanna go for a walk? Or something?” She slid her hands up his chest to his shoulders.
“Yeah, uh, yeah I do.” He answered.
“Lead on big boy,” Max stepped back allowing him to take her hand and lead her out of the building. He smiled big at the guard who grunted at him. He walked past an alley, and Max tugged him into it.
“Hey what the?” He asked as he stumbled behind her.
“Why go any farther?” She asked leaning up against the wall and pulling him onto her. “When we could just stay here.”
“Fine with me I don’t care where.” He leaned forward kissing her neck slowly. While his hands found her breasts. As his mouth moved toward them she slid her hand up his torso and caught his neck in a choke hold. Sputtering he tried to back away, but she held tight jerking his head so it was level with hers.
“You know for all your sliminess you’re not such a bad kisser. It's almost too bad I have to do this,” Max said as he sputtered clawing at her hand. “No, on second thought, it’s not too bad. Listen, you like breathing?” He shook his head. “Ok then we shouldn’t have a problem, you tell me what I wanna know and you’ll keep breathing ok?” He nodded again and she reduced the pressure of her hand so he could breath, but not move a muscle before he would be choking again.
“Now, what’s your name?” She asked.
“Gordy,” he quickly answered. Max laughed loudly.
“Gordy? Guess you really strike fear into your victims huh?” He glared at her. “Sorry. Who do you work for?”
“No one.” She tightened her grip again.
“Who do you work for?” She asked slower, loosening her grip a little.
“Melanon,” he gasped.
“Good. Now who’s that? And why does he want Faith and Buffy?”
“He has a plan. I don’t know what it is.” Faith tightened her grip. “No, I mean, he has a plan, to get rid of all you humans, a ritual. It takes place soon. It has to be done before the day of Owenshidder. I don’t know anything else I swear.”
“Where is he?”
“Under the gymnasium outside of town.”
“Thanks,” Max said, before she pulled back punching him in the face and knocking his head into the brick wall. When she let go of him he slid lifelessly to the ground. Max adjusted her clothes before leaving the alley. She walked back by the guard who grunted once more at her, and headed back to Giles apartment.
Another man left the Bronze shortly after Max had started back to Giles apartment. He left the back way, and came up through the alley. He was stumbling, still drinking a bottle, and mumbling to himself.
“Fucking Gordy, what the fuck was that shit? A hot girl like that going off with him? Shit, he’s a fucking Necrall demon, if she saw him all slimed up horns sticking all over his face, fucking gook sliding out his eyes, and sores all over. She wouldn’t have gone with him. Girl like that needs a good Muerrel demon in her life. No slime, horns in the right places, smooth blue skin. She woulda gone with me. Fucking Gordy. Asshole better tell me all about it.” He stumbled over something lying in his path falling onto his face. “Fucking goddamn humans, leaving their trash everywhere.” He rolled over to inspect what he had tripped over. “Oh shit dude. Gordy? Man fuck dude.” He crawled to his feet, and backed out of the alley dropping his empty bottle. “Shit.” He turned running the opposite way from Max, toward the lair.
He burst into the gymnasium and ran to the trap door that led below. Running through the under ground tunnel he made the turns from habit and stopped just before the main cavern to compose himself before he entered.
“Master I have news. Not good news.” He stood straight and formal waiting for permission to continue.
“Go on Bob.”
“Yes master. While patrolling, I found that Gordy had been killed. Ruthlessly sir, and probably from a large evil demon. He was a good, and loyal soldier sir, it would have taken much to distract and kill him.”
“This news does not please me Bob. Step forward." Bob moved forward, His master became visible. Melanon was a nine-foot tall Tristnom demon, small for his race, with large imposing horns, talons, and teeth. Bob shivered.
“Yes master?”
“Gordy was not killed by another demon. None would be fool enough to interfere with my plans. No this somehow has to do with the slayers. It seems I have underestimated their friends. They no doubt know of our plans. But no matter, you will stand guard and come to me only when they are here. Understood?”
“Yes great and powerful master. Forgive me sir, but how long will it be?”
“Soon, soon we will rule. Now go, and don’t return unless it is because they are here.”
Bob bowed and backed out of the cavern. Once away in the tunnel he leaned against the wall. Thanking, not God, but someone for sparing his life. He slowly made his way up out of the tunnel to the gym and outside to stand guard.
Max slammed the door open in her hurry to get into Giles and tell him the news. Joyce sat up on the couch screaming.
“Oh, sorry, just me,” Max cringed at forgetting about the poor woman.
“Max, oh. You scared me. What were you doing out there? Is everything ok?”
“Yeah, let me just go wake Dawn and Giles and I will tell you everything,” Max answered. Joyce nodded. Max turned heading up the stairs trying to be a little quieter this time. Opening the door to Giles room she walked over to his bed where he lay still in his clothes from the night before. She shook his shoulder gently.
“Um.. Mr. Giles? Hey.” Giles jumped up, and across the bed grabbing a knife from the nightstand and thrusting it in her face.
“Whoa there. I wake you up on the wrong side?” Max said holding up her hands.
“Oh, I’m terribly sorry Max, it's just one never know these days what one will wake up to,” Giles put the knife back on the nightstand grabbing his glasses and sliding them on. “What are you doing here Max?”
“I got news. Get dressed, or well you are dressed, so do whatever, and come downstairs, I’m waking Dawn.” Max left Giles, and walked down the hall to the room she was supposed to have slept in. Quietly she opened the door and went to the side of the bed. Dawn slept soundly cuddled under the covers.
“Dawny? She said quietly.
“Hmmmm,” Dawn rolled over. Max smiled lightly shaking her shoulder.
“Dawn, you gotta get up, big biz on the way.”
“Huh? What’s going on?” Dawn sat up wiping the sleep from her eyes.
“I got the down low on who took my mom and Buffy,” Max answered.
“Really? Oh my God you’re amazing!” Dawn threw her arms around Max hugging her tightly.
“Eh-hum,” Giles said from the doorway. “Whenever you girls are ready.” Dawn jumped from the bed not bothering to wash up at all and they followed Giles downstairs. The other three sat sipping tea Joyce made while Max paced in front of them telling them everything she had learned the night before. When she was done she took the last glass of tea and sat waiting for Giles thoughts.
“Well, um, good show I do say. Yes we are much better off than we were before,” Giles cleaned his glasses as he spoke.
“Really? Good to know all this new information is getting us somewhere new,” Max said sarcastically.
“We do have one new problem,” Giles said ignoring her. “The day of Owenshidder is tomorrow.”
“Anyone surprised?” Max asked leaning back in the armchair. “Didn’t think so.”
“Oh dear,” Joyce gasped from the couch.
“Yes, well, anyhow we should call Willow and Tara and get them back here immediately,” Giles advised.
“Got it,” Dawn said leaving for the phone.
“We will have to work fast. Lucky for us we already have the necessary ingredients for the spell to wake them. But we will need to find a way into the gymnasium. As well as see what we are up against with this Melanon, and what rituals are done on the day of Owenshidder,” Giles moved to get books from the shelf.
“How do you have a gymnasium? I guess you guys really got it good compared to us,” Max said. “I mean all the gyms near us were burned down or turned into low rent housing.”
"Mayor was a big fitness nut, I guess, the gym is indestructible,” Dawn said reentering the room. “Willow and Tara will be here in a few minutes.”
“Very good then, for now, research for you three,” Giles handed books all around. Max quickly looked through hers and within five minutes handed the large book back.
“Max I understand maybe you don’t want to do this but it is really imperative,” Giles said.
“Done, there’s nothing in that book about Melanon, or Owenshidder. Next book,” Max held her hand out expectantly.
“What?” Giles looked confused, as did Joyce.
“You read it?” Joyce asked.
“What can I say? Good breeding. Hand me the next one.”
“Whoa, Giles meets his rival,” Dawn joked.
“Yes, well, this is very fortunate,” Giles handed Max another three books. Just as she closed the first one Willow and Tara entered the apartment.
“Reporting for duty sir,” Willow said smiling. Max shook her head, these people could joke in the middle of the apocalypse, for all she knew maybe they had joked, and averted the apocalypse.
“We need to find a way into the Gymnasium just out of town. We figure that is the Skelting gym,” Giles filled her in.
“And probably not through the front door,” Max added. “If anyone found my RSVP they’ll be expecting us.”
“Right, just the thing for hacking girl,” Willow smiled again before sitting down and setting up her laptop.
“Y..you want me to read something?” Tara asked.
“Yes, but I’m afraid with Max here, we shall soon be done,” Giles said.
“She is like superman, faster than a speeding bullet,” Dawn said moving to grab another book.
“Excuse me, Giles, what was the day again?” Joyce asked.
“The Day of Owenshidder. Have you found something?” Giles leaned closer.
“Take a look at this,” Joyce handed the book over to Giles who quickly scanned the page.
“Oh dear,” he said.
“Ok rocking with the suspense Giles. What does it say?” Max asked.
“Giles, what is it?” Willow asked from the computer.
“It seems that Gordy was right. The Day of Owenshidder is the only time in a millennium that the plague of Islandorgh can be called. It corrupts each human soul so that they mutate into demons.”
“Oh, is that it, phh no worries then,” Willow said swallowing hard. “I mean what are a few random horns right?”
“Giles I think you better look at this too,” Max handed Giles her book. He looked at it before passing it around. Each of them took a good long look at Melanon in all his horned and fanged glory.
“He’s massive,” Joyce whispered.
“Yeah, and power hungry too,” Max added.
“Indeed, he has risen through the demon hierarchy rather quickly,” Giles said. “Any luck with finding a way into the gym Willow?”
“Not yet. The mayor had that place protected just as much as this place. All the files related to it are encoded beyond my comprehension. It's amazing really.” Max gave Willow a look. “Well not in a really good way, because, hey, we need to get in there. I don’t think I’m going to be able to do this Giles. Maybe an old fashioned breaking and entering would be best.”
“Just tell me where to go and I’m there,” Max stood up.
“I’m not sure that’s our best course of action,” Giles held up a hand to stop her.
“Yeah, and I wasn’t sure coming here was, but I’m here now and I for one am not gonna sit around watching you drink tea and say ‘hmm’ ok? I’m gonna blaze outa here and go do something,” Max turned toward the door just as there was a knock. “You guys expecting company?” She asked suspiciously. Willow looked around.
“Dawn, Joyce, you, Tara, Giles. Gangs all here.”
“Time to party then,” Max went to the door, and pulled it open, punching straight out at whoever it was. To her surprise her fist collided with the doorframe.
“Nice to see you too Max,” Logan said as he stood up again.
“Logan? What are you doing here?” Max asked bewildered.
“I talked to Cindy, she filled me in on where you were. I thought you might need some help. So I called in a few favors and here I am.”
“And as always it is nice to see you,” said Max moving aside so he could walk into the room. “Guys this is the ever ready Logan.” Logan glared at her. “Hey, I can’t help the truth, you’re always there in a pinch. Now I gotta blaze, thing to do.”
“Max, I still say it would be best to give Willow more time try to access the files,” Giles looked at Logan for support.
“What files?” He asked.
“Cut a long story short. My mom's life was just as whacked as mine, only minus evil scientists, add a few monsters. She’s in a magic coma, and kidnapped along with her girlfriend to a Tristnom demons lair, so they can’t interrupt his plan to turn us all into demons. Got any idea Logan?”
“No I still don’t know what files you are trying to get,” he answered flatly.
“The demon has his lair under the Skelting gym, we need to find a way into it. But the old mayor has it guarded like Area 51, all the codes are encrypted,” Willow filled him in.
“I see, can I take a look?” Willow handed him the computer. He sat down across from her. He typed a few buttons, then turned the computer back to her. Everything was in perfect English.
“What? How? Who are you and what kind of superpowers do you really have?” Willow asked stunned. Logan pulled the computer back to him.
“The code was a simple one used on all small government files during the years preceding 2000. I applied the counter code. I’m Logan, no superpowers.”
“Like I said. Ever ready,” Max said leaning over Logan’s shoulder. “There,” she pointed. “We can go in through that tunnel, it starts in a house outside of town a little way. Should only be like ten minutes from the gym.”
“Let me see,” Logan turned the computer to Willow. “That’s Angel's old place,” she said looking up at Giles.
“Very well then, we know our surroundings then.”
“Who’s Angel?” Max asked.
“Buffy's ex, he lives in L.A. now, hasn’t been brooding by since they fell asleep. Still calls mom every once in a while,” Dawn explained. “He still loves Buffy.”
“Giles,” Joyce said sharply.
“Yes? What’s the matter?” Giles turned to her.
“We missed something,” she said. “He is going to offer them as a sacrifice.”
“Dear Lord, an offering? Then we have even less time than we thought. We will prepare and leave as soon at sunset,” Giles commanded and the rest of them nodded in agreement.
As evening fell, the troops headed out of town toward Angel's old home. The abandoned mansion stood alone on the road, imposing and gray. They stopped in front to rest for a minute and take everything in. Joyce had stayed in the safety of Giles apartment. The rest of them were outfitted and ready for a fight. Each witch had two vials, one of Max’s blood and one of Joyce’s. If they got separated one could do the ritual without the other. Logan carried a broadsword, Dawn a smaller sword and Giles an axe. Max had refused to carry any weapon. Logan convinced Giles not to push it. They entered the mansion quietly not knowing who had chosen to live in it since Angel’s departure. To their surprise it was empty, probably because the inside was falling apart. Everything was dust covered and moldy.
“Your Angel was some decorator,” Max commented.
“Quite,” Giles said sidestepping to avoid a missing board.
“If you ask me I think we should find this tunnel and get out of here before the whole place collapses on us,” Logan advised.
“I second that,” Willow said and Tara nodded.
“I really second that,” Dawn said as she stumbled over a loose board. “Nobody sneeze.” Max laughed quietly.
“Yeah we could be in a world of hurt.”
“The passage should be right here,” Logan said pointing at the fireplace.
“Well all right Santa, after you,” Max gestured pulling out a flashlight.
“I suppose there is probably a hidden device to open it, a loose brick or some such thing,” Giles said as he started pushing on the bricks.
“Right,” Dawn said. “I’m gonna pull on this candle holder and the back of the fireplace will slide away.” She pulled and the candleholder slide down as the back of the fireplace moved to the side.
“Whoa,” she said stepping back.
“Cheater,” said Willow. “Like you didn’t know that was gonna happen.” She smiled to let Dawn know she was kidding.
“So, Rudolph, led on,” Logan gestured letting Max ahead of him.
“Ok if anyone’s Rudolph it is definitely Willow,” Max said as she passed.
“Yeah but you have the light,” Logan said following behind her. The other filed in behind them quietly and quietly they followed the tunnel until it came to a fork.
“Here we are then,” Giles said. “According to Logan’s map the ritual room is down that tunnel,” he pointed left, “and Melanon should be in the main cavern to the right.”
“Right, Tara, and Dawn will come with me this way,” Willow pointed left.
“And we’re on distraction duty to the right,” Max finished.
“Yes, should there be any problem then send Dawn for us,” said Giles.
They went their separate ways, Willow took the flashlight and Max led the others with her night vision.
“I hope your spell worked,” Dawn said worriedly to Willow, who put her arm around her.
“Don’t worry Dawny. Well at least not for us. We should be fine, in five minutes every demon in that room will freeze, and stay that way for roughly 15 minutes. It shouldn’t take us that long to do the ritual.”
“Then we will have Faith and Buffy to protect us again,” Tara added.
Dawn nodded and they continued on. They approached what they believed to be the ritual room; slowly Willow peered around the corner. She turned back to the other two with a big smile on her lips.
“All froze,” she said. They all entered the room, around them stood four guards who looked as asleep as Faith and Buffy who were lying on a big upraised stone platform. “Dawn get the salt and candles while Tara and I prepare the rest.”
Dawn nodded and took the candles and salt from her bag. Slowly she sprinkled a circle of salt around the base of the platform and lit four candles setting them at each corner. She then went to stand lookout at the door. Willow poured half of each vial into two glasses and added other ingredients to each. She handed one glass to Tara and they began to chant making another circle within the salt one with the blood. Dawn watched then turned her attention back to the tunnel.
“Are you quite sure you know where you are going?” Giles asked for the twentieth time.
“Yes. I told you I can see in the dark, no big deal,” Max answered. “We should be almost to the main cavern.” As she said this light was suddenly visible up ahead. “Get ready to rock this boys cause I am sure we’ll be seeing some company.” She paused letting Giles get a little ahead of her to see. Logan pulled her arm bringing her next to him.
“Be careful when we get out there,” he said looking into her eyes he could just barely see.
“You know me Logan,” Max smiled.
“Yeah, that’s what I’m worried about. Please, try to stay alive.”
“Always do, been pretty good at it so far,” she said, her smile fading.
“I know, but these are new things, so please,” Max could see the worry in Logan's eyes, it was kinda sweet really.
“Check, stayin alive,” she said seriously.
Logan smiled at the reference to one of his favorite classics. He tucked a loose piece of hair behind her ear, and surprising himself, leaned forward his lips brushing hers. He was even more surprised to feel her move a little closer making it a real kiss. As quickly as she moved in she backed up again.
“Ok, then,” she said.
“Ok, then,” he answered. Max turned heading up to Giles wondering what exactly had just happened.
“Let’s do this then,” Max led the way into the cavern, and ten demons of various shapes and sizes.
“Well I see this could be going better,” Logan said right before the demons attacked. He cut the first one down no sweat, cleanly decapitating it. Soon two more were on him and though he ran one through with the sword and it fell to the side, he was soon fighting three at once, his sword was ripped from him. Giles also found himself fighting two at a time, though he did hack both arms off the first one sending him reeling away. Soon he too was overpowered. Max waited for her first attacker to get within arms reach before she took his head and twisted breaking his neck, and back kicking to break another. All attention focused on her now she found herself fighting six demons and was soon tied up along with the rest, arms behind their backs they were marched to meet Melanon. They all hoped they had earned Willow and Tara enough time to complete the spell.
After mixing the rest of the blood again in two glassed with different ingredients, Willow and Tara stood over Faith and Buffy chanting quietly. They held the glasses up to the sky and then emptied their contents into the mouths of Buffy and Faith. Bright light filled their bodies, it quickly engulfed the whole room so that Willow and Tara had to cover their eyes. Then it disappeared leaving only the candle light again. Dawn came running in.
“Everything ok?” She asked worriedly.
“What is going on?” Buffy asked slowly sitting up.
“Yeah, I got a wicked bad headache,” Faith also sat holding her head.
“Buffy, you’re alright,” Dawn ran forward hugging her sister.
“What the?" Buffy pulled back getting a look at Dawn. “Dawn? What is going on? Why are you old?”
“Check out Red and her woman too,” Faith added. “I’m getting the vibe we missed something.” Quickly Willow and Tara filled Buffy and Faith in on what was happening. They both looked dazed by the end of the story.
“So we’ve been Rip-van-Winkle for the past ten years?” Buffy asked.
“Yes,” Tara answered.
“And we wake up in the middle of battle?” Faith asked.
“Pretty much,” Willow nodded. “And one more thing, we found your daughter Faith, she’s fighting out there right now.”
“My daughter?” Faith had started to get up and now sat back down. “How did you find her?”
“Another long story we don’t have time for now. We gotta go help them.”
“Lock and load then, lets go,” Faith stood.
“I’m up for my morning exercise,” Buffy added standing next to Faith taking her hand. “Lead on.” Willow, Tara, and Dawn filed out followed by the slayers.
“So, this is who dares to try to interrupt my plan? Scrawny bunch,” Melanon said looking over the beaten three.
“Yeah boss, they’re done,” Bob added, after hearing they had been captured he had run right down from his watch post.
“Now which of you killed Gordy?” Melanon asked.
“I killed his sorry ass,” Max answered. “What about it?”
“This is your big evil demon Bob. This little girl.”
“Kinda a let down, huh master?” Bob laughed nervously.
“That must be what your mom said when you were born,” Max said snidely.
“Hey, you leave mom out of this,” Bob wagged his finger in her face.
“Enough,” Melanon commanded. “I have no time for this bickering. You are strong little girl. I will keep you for after the change. You will make a strong warrior.”
“So they’ve been telling me,” Max answered.
“As for the rest of you, your little rescue mission has only served to provide me with more sacrifices to make my spell even more powerful. Thank you very much.”
“Pretty sure of yourself aren’t you?” Buffy entered from the tunnel.
“Especially because you have oh, 3 minutes to live,” Faith followed her out.
“You, how? You are supposed to be asleep,” Melanon bellowed.
“Shit happens,” said Faith.
“Get them, kill them I don’t care what you do!” Melanon ordered. All at once the demons attacked. As Faith and Buffy fought Willow and Tara worked a spell loosening the ropes that bound Max, and the others. Max joined in the fight, pulling the back demons off Faith and Buffy. Bob was slowly creeping out of the cavern.
“Where are you going?” Logan asked moving towards him. Bob yelped and ran flat out from the cavern. Logan turned his attention to the more dangerous foes. There were only three of them left, he took out the nearest one, as Buffy and Faith fought the other two. Max moved towards Melanon who stood to her challenge.
“They are slayers, you are just a girl. Why do you bother trying?” He asked.
“Because that’s my mom,” Max ran forward twirling in a high kick connecting with the side of his head. Before she fully regained her balance he was on top of her knocking her down. He tried to get a grip on her under him but she flipped him off and sat on his chest punching his face.
“Max out of the way,” Faith yelled. Just as Max was off him Faith drove the broadsword through his chest pinning him to the ground and killing him. Max slowly stood up and dusted herself off. She moved toward Faith, both of them staring at each other silently. Then Faith reached out pulling Max into a tight embrace. They stood there like that as the others gathered themselves. Max pulled back.
“I tried so hard to find you,” she said tears in her eyes.
“It’s alright now, come on, lets blow this joint,” Faith led Max to join the others.
“Nice to meet you Max,” Buffy said as they approached.
“Yeah, nice town you got,” Max smiled. Buffy smiled back, taking Faith's hand she led the way out.
After they had all cleaned up and changed they sat in Giles living room catching up. Faith and Buffy snuggled on the couch with Buffy's mom on the other side of her and Dawn perched on the arm. Giles had pulled up a chair while Willow and Tara sat on the floor. Logan sat in the armchair with Max on his lap.
“So you ever think this was how you were gonna find me?” Faith asked Max who smiled and shook her head.
“Not in a million years. It figures though, I mean to think I would have a normal family."
“Just think you were always looking for one mom and here you have two,” Logan added.
“Nice,” Max nodded.
“And a whole extended family,” Dawn said from her perch.
“Not to mention a whole network or weird and interesting friends right?” Willow asked, Tara nodded smiling.
“Listen I have to thank all of you so much, for rescuing us, especially you Max, that was a lot of trust to come here,” Buffy said leaning forward and touching Max’s arm.
“Anytime,” Max smiled.
“So, Logan,” Faith drawled. “That’s my daughter on your lap you know, wouldn’t wanna be in your shoes if you ever deserve some maternal wrath, understand.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that,” answered Logan sliding his arms around Max and pulling her closer to him.
Yeah I wouldn’t worry about that at all, Max thought as she snuggled into Logan's embrace, and smiled at her new friends and family. Not at all.