BuffyL Fanfiction

Chapter 1

Buffy looked around her room and sighed.  Things in Sunnydale were getting uber weird.  She’d just come back from patrol where an earthquake had rocked the town and she’d killed more vampires than she was used to on a routine patrol.  She was going to have to talk to Giles about that in the morning when she got to school.  The clock on her nightstand said one AM in the morning.  Too bad she wasn’t tired yet.  Stupid Slayer insomnia.

A noise at her window made her jump and grab a stake laying on her nightstand.  That was silly because vampires couldn’t get in without an invitation.  Though there was one vampire with an invitation that she wouldn’t mind seeing.  To her surprise, a head with brown hair that stuck up everywhere and brown eyes appeared.

“Are you Buffy Summers?” The man asked.  “I got a note…. It said you needed my help.”

“Who….?” Buffy started.

“Oh, I’m the Doctor.” He pulled himself up and tumbled into her room.  Thank God her mom was working at the gallery tonight and had decided to sleep in her office there.  She watched him stand up and straighten his brown overcoat.  He was wearing a brown pinstripe suit underneath with…. Sneakers.  And he’d called himself the Doctor.  That was her imaginary friend’s name.  Buffy decided to glance out the window over his shoulder to see if there was a blue box out there, but she couldn’t see anything from her angle.  Plus, there was a tree and he was tall. “So, are you in trouble?  How can I help?”

She stared at him and shook her head. “The Doctor?”

“Yes.  That’s me.  Have we met before?  Blimey, time travel can be a bit tricky.”

“Uh…. My imaginary friend was named the Doctor, but he didn’t look like you.” A dark look passed over the man’s face and he seemed…. Sad. “He had a blue box that he said was bigger on the inside.”

“That…. He must be a future version of myself.”

“He said he could time travel…. In the box.” She shook her head and moved around him to look out the window.  Sure enough, there was the same blue box parked under the tree. “But that’s impossible because he was my imaginary friend.  Im-ag-in-ar-y.” She sounded the word out slowly.

He patted himself and tugged at his coat sleeve. “I’m plenty real.  Are you?”

“Unfortunately.”

“You seem leery of me, but you’re not afraid.”

“Well, after the past year of my life…. An old imaginary friend with a different face, but the same blue box showing up talking about time travel seems like the least scary thing I can think of.”

“Wait…. Why am I your imaginary friend?”

“I just figured you were imaginary because you just kind of…. Appeared in my back yard in LA…. In a big blue box…. And then you disappeared again…. In a big blue box.  And my parents never saw you.  An eight year old mind is pretty imaginative.”

“You must be incredibly important to me…. And this must be when we meet.  Did I ever mention us meeting?” Buffy shook her head.  He seemed to think for a minute. “I received a note…. It said there was some trouble here…. And it mentioned you specifically.”

“There’s always trouble brewing in Sunnydale.  And it always involves me.  And why am I telling you all of this?”

“I have a trustworthy face?”

“How can you be the Doctor?”

“Well, I just am.  If you’ve met my future self, didn’t he explain anything to you?”

“I was eight.  We had a couple of tea parties and talked about the stars and what Mr. Gordo planned to wear to school the next day.”

“Oi!  Can somebody please help me?” A female British voice said from the window.  Buffy looked out to see a blonde woman struggling to climb up onto the ledge in front of Buffy’s window.

“Sorry.” The Doctor rushed over and pulled her in. “I thought you were staying in the TARDIS.”

“Got bored.  This her, then?” The woman pointed at Buffy. “She doesn’t look in danger.” The woman looked back at Buffy and smiled. “Hi.  I’m Rose Tyler.  You must be Buffy, then?”

“Hi.” Buffy said, shaking Rose’s hand. “I’m sorry…. So confused right now.”

“It happens.”

“Apparently one of my future faces is her imaginary friend.” The Doctor said.

Buffy shook her head. “My head hurts.”

The Doctor pulled out a metal tube with a blue light and pointed it at her.  She jumped slightly when it started buzzing at her head.  He shined the light across her and then looked at it. “You’re fine.” He squinted at the metal tube in confusion, but Buffy missed that.

“Why can’t I just have a normal life with normal imaginary friends that don’t show up with new faces…. and friends?” Buffy groaned sitting on the edge of her bed.

“I’m sorry…. Now I’m confused.” Rose said. “Normal life?”

“You guys don’t know who I am?”

“The psychic paper said Buffy Summers.”

“The Vampire Slayer.”

“Those don’t exist.” The Doctor said. “They’re just stories.  Well…. I always assumed they were just stories because I’ve never met a Vampire Slayer.”

“I wish they were just stories.” The Doctor looked at his metal tube again, squinting at it. “What is that thing?”

“Sonic screwdriver.” Rose explained. “May I sit?”

“Sure.”

“What exactly is a Vampire Slayer?”

“One girl in all the world to fight against the forces of darkness.” The Doctor said.  He scanned Buffy with the…. Sonic screwdriver…. Again and squinted at it…. Again. “They’re supposed to be just…. Legends.  But the readings I’m getting from you…. You’re not a run of the mill human.  You’re something…. More.”

“Yeah.” Buffy said sadly. “Vampire Slayer.  Complete with super strength, super speed, super hearing, super…. Everything.”

“There’s only the one of you, then?” Rose asked.  She looked at the Doctor. “Kinda like you, eh Doctor?”

“I suppose.” The Doctor looked at Buffy…. Really looked at her…. And he felt very drawn to her.  Her eyes portrayed someone wise beyond her years and an incredible sadness seemed to radiate from them.  Something inside of him seemed to recognize something in her. “Are you all right?”

Buffy sighed. “At the moment, yes.  But I feel like there’s something coming.”

“How do you mean?” Rose asked.

“Tonight…. On patrol….”

“What’s patrol?”

“When I go out hunting for vampires.”

“Right.”

“There were more than usual.  Plus, there was an earthquake.  Granted, it’s Southern California and those are pretty standard issue, but…. There was something different about this one.”

“Different how?” The Doctor asked, grabbing the chair from her vanity and sitting in front of Rose and Buffy.

“I don’t know.  Just…. Different.  I can’t explain it.” She looked at the Doctor. “You’re obviously not human.”

“Never have been.”

“What are you then?”

“Time Lord.”

“Alien.” Rose interjected. “He’s an alien.”

“Right.” Buffy stood up and grabbed the Doctor up out of his seat.  He looked nervous at her display of strength, but she wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug.  After a moment, he hugged her back.  His hand drifted to her neck and he cradled her head against his chest.  She felt…. Right…. held there against him.  Buffy laughed slightly.  That was exactly how he’d always hugged her.  Like he was trying to protect her.  Shield her from the world and the monsters he knew she would eventually face. “You really are him.”

The Doctor gave her a big goofy grin. “I really am him.  Just a newer…. Younger version, I suppose.”

She pulled back. “I have to tell Giles!”

“Sorry…. Who’s Giles?”

“My Watcher.  An imaginary friend who isn’t imaginary!  And Willow and Xander…. They’re going to be psyched.  Alien, huh?  Geez, no wonder you talked to me so much about the stars and planets….”

“What’s a Watcher?” Rose asked.

“He’s uh…. Sort of my guide.  Very stuffy.  Very…. British.”

“Oi!”

“Sorry.  He’s the stuffy kind.  You don’t seem stuffy.  You seem pretty cool.”

“Thanks.”

Buffy shrugged. “He won’t be at the school until seven.  I should probably try and sleep.”

“School?” The Doctor asked. “How old are you?”

“Uh, sixteen.”

“Sixteen!?” Rose cried. “You’re supposed to be the only one stopping the forces of darkness and you’re only sixteen?”

“Slayers are said to be Chosen young.” The Doctor said. “When were you called?”

“Uh…. Last year.” She snorted slightly. “Last year Merrick walked up to me and told me I had a destiny.  Some destiny.  I’ve lost friends.  I’ve watched people I care about die.  I was expelled from school and arrested…. I fight for my life on a nightly basis.  Not exactly the destiny I was hoping for.”

Rose reached over and hugged Buffy tightly. “You poor thing.”

“I’m so sorry.” The Doctor said.  Buffy looked up at him and they shared a moment of understanding.  They both were alone in their destinies. “We should let you get some sleep.”

“You’re not leaving, are you?” Buffy asked.

“Of course not.” Rose answered before the Doctor could. “You said something was coming and it sounds like a bad something.  So, consider us the cavalry.”

“I think they only come in when things look really bad for the good guys.  It’s not that bad yet.”

“Ok…. An extra pair of hands, eyes, brains…. Whatever you need.” Rose smiled and looked at the Doctor expectantly.

“Of course.” He said.  Truthfully, he wanted to stick around and find out more about the Slayer.  A legend come to life and one he had a connection with. “I’ll just go make sure the TARDIS is invisible to passersby.  Rose….”

“I’m going to stay here.” Rose looked at Buffy. “If that’s all right with you?”

“Yeah.  I mean, I’ve only got the floor for you to sleep on.” Buffy said.

“Floor’s fine.  It’ll be like a sleepover.  Haven’t had one of those in ages.”

“Ok.  Cool.” Buffy smiled. 

 

 

The next morning, the Doctor and Rose followed Buffy into the library.  The Doctor beamed. “Brilliant!  Your base of operations is in a library!”

Giles came out of his office and walked over to the cage, not noticing them. “Morning!” Buffy said to get his attention.  He turned and looked at her. “Wow.  The damage looks fairly structural.  Are we safe in here?”

“Buffy!” Giles said.

“What?  Do I have something on my face?”

“No!  Uh, and…. And yes, we're…. We're safe.” He gestured to the stacks on the second floor. “Uh, but probably best not to go up there.” Giles seemed to notice she wasn’t alone. “Oh, uh…. Who are your friends?”

“Giles, this is Rose and this is the Doctor.”

“The Doctor!?”

“Hello!” The Doctor said cheerfully.

Buffy missed the fearful tone in Giles’ voice. “He was my imaginary friend when I was younger.  And he’s real!  He’s an alien.  He’s….”

“A Time Lord.”

“Yeah!  Wait, how did you know?”

“First Angelus, now…. Buffy, we really must discuss your choice in friends.”

“How're you doing there, Giles?  Get much sleep last night?”

“Um…. I…. I've been working.” Giles eyed the Doctor as the alien just stood there gawking at all of the books.  Rose was leaning against the library counter. “Do you have any idea who the Doctor really is?”

“Yeah.  My not-so-imaginary friend.”

“We’ve only just met last night.” The Doctor said. “But I’ve visited her in her past…. My future.”

“Time travel!” Buffy said. “How cool is that?  So anyway, I wanted to tell you about patrol last night.  It's getting hairy out there, Giles.  I killed three vampires last night, and one of them was practically on school grounds.”

Giles still eyed the Doctor warily. “Their numbers are increasing.”

“And they're getting cockier.  Look, I'm not loving it.  Last night was a pretty close call.”

“Yes.”

“Giles, care?  I'm putting my life on the line battling the undead.  Look, I broke a nail, ok?  I'm wearing a press-on.  The least you could do is exhibit some casual interest.  You could go, 'hmm'.”

“Hmm?” Giles finally looked away from the Doctor. “Oh, sorry.  Um, yes, I'm very glad that you're all right.  Uh, I…. I need to verify, um…. I just can't really talk right now.”

“Fine.  That's ok.  I can't put it off any longer.  I have to meet my terrible fate.”

“What?!” The Doctor didn’t miss Giles’ reaction and found it a bit odd.

“Biology.”

“Oh, I hated that in school.” Rose said.
“Yeah.  I pretty much feel the same way.”

“Biology’s not a bad subject.” The Doctor said.
“Yeah, right!” Buffy and Rose said.  The bell rang and Buffy sighed. “Will you guys be ok in here till I get back?”

“Of course!  Look at all the books!” The Doctor said enthusiastically.

“You and your books.” Rose rolled her eyes at him.

“Later Giles.” Buffy called, heading out to join the other students in their mad dash to first period.

“What do you want with her?” Giles asked the Doctor.

“To help her.” The Doctor said.

“You don’t help.  You just kill.  I’ve read about you.”

“Oi!” Rose yelped. “Watch it.  He’s not a killer.”

“No, he’s right.” The Doctor said. “I have killed before.  But I’m not here to hurt anyone.  I got a note saying that Buffy needed my help.  I’m here to help.”

“You should leave her alone.” Giles said.

“You know something.”

“I know a lot of things.  I know that you killed off your entire species.”

“And I feel guilty about that every single day, but I saved the universe.  Just like Buffy saves the world by doing unimaginable things.  So, do you want to tell me what that reaction was to her talking about fate?”

 

 

Buffy, Xander and Willow came out of the doors onto the balcony and headed down the stairs. “Wow.  That was boring.” Buffy said.

“I don't feel that boring covers it.” Xander said.

“No, boring falls short.”

“Even I was bored.  And I'm a science nerd.” Willow said.

“Don't say that.”

“I'm not ashamed.  It's the computer age.  Nerds are in.  They're still in, right?”

“Oh!  Hey!  I forgot to tell you guys.  Willow, do you remember me telling you about my imaginary friend the Doctor?”

“Yeah.” Willow said warily.

“He’s real!”

Willow’s eyebrows raised. “What do you mean ‘real’?”

“Real!  As in flesh and blood and here.”

“Wait…. You had an imaginary friend?” Xander asked.

“Yes.  But he’s not imaginary.  He’s real.”
“Does he still have that big blue box you were telling me about?” Willow asked.

“Yes!”

“Is he a demon or something?” Xander asked.

“No.  Well…. He’s an alien.”

“Alien!?  What is the matter with the youth of America these days?  Your imaginary friend was an alien?”

“Is an alien and not imaginary.  He’s in the library with Giles and his friend Rose.”

“Willow, you should go introduce yourself.”

“Yeah!  I’ll introduce you.” Buffy said.
“But…. You have that thing, Will.  That you have to do…. Before….”

“A thing?” Willow asked. “The thing!  That I have!  Which is…. a thing that I have to go to.  I’ll…. Meet you in the library later.” Willow rushed off.

“What on earth is her deal?” Buffy asked, shaking her head.

“Uh, she's Willow.” Xander laughed nervously. “So, uh, Buffy, I wanted to, um…. There was this thing I wanted to ask you, to talk to you about.”

“Ok, what's up?”

“Uh, let's go over here and sit.” He led her over to a bench.

“Ok, now you're making me nervous.”

“Oh, no, no, there's nothing to be nervous about.  Really, it's silly.” He laughed nervously again as they reached the bench.  There was a boy sitting there and Xander shooed him away. “Hey.  Leave.” The boy stood up and walked off. “Thanks.” They sat down and Buffy glanced at the doors towards the library.

“Well?” She asked.

“Um…. You know, Buffy, uh, Spring Fling is a…. time for students to gather and…. Oh, God!  Buffy, I want you to go to the dance with me.  You and me, on a date.”

Buffy blinked at him for a few seconds. “I…. I don't know what to say.”

“Well, you're not laughing.  So that's a good start.  Buffy, I like you.  A lot.  And I know we're friends, and we've had experiences…. We've fought some blood-sucking fiends, and that's all been a good time.  But I want more.  I wanna dance with you.”

“Xander, you're one of my best friends.  You and Willow….”

“Well, Willow's not looking to date you.  Or if she is, she's playing it pretty close to the chest.”

“I don't want to spoil the friendship that we have.”

“Well, I don't want to spoil it either.  But that's not the point, is it?  You either feel a thing or you don't.”

Buffy looked down for a moment, feeling completely guilty. “I don't.  Xander, I'm…. I'm sorry. I just don't think of you that way.”

“Well, try.  I'll wait.”

“Xander….”

“Nah.  Forget it.” Xander stood up. “I'm not him.  I mean, I guess a guy's gotta be undead or imaginary to make time with you.”

“That's really harsh.”

“Look, I'm sorry.  I don't handle rejection well.  Funny!  Considering all the practice I've had, huh?”

“Xander, I'm sorry, I don't know….”

“You know what?  Let's just not.” He headed into the building with his head hung low.  

Buffy sighed and watched him leave.  Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the Doctor standing by the stairs.  He walked over to sit next to her. “Everything all right?”

“No.”

“Wanna talk about it?”

Buffy smirked slightly. “It’s boy troubles.”

“Oh…. Ah…. I….” The Doctor glanced at the doors. “Did you just break up with him?”

“No.  That’s my friend Xander.  He just asked me to go on a date with him.”

“You turned him down, then?”

“Yeah.  I just don’t see him like that.  I think I really hurt his feelings.”

“He’s young.  He’ll get over it.” Buffy blinked at him. “Sorry.  That was a bit rude.”

She shrugged. “I guess it’s true.  I just hope he’s not super mad at me.  It’s not like I have a ton of friends to choose from.” The Doctor reached over and hugged her suddenly.  She was startled at first, but she quickly hugged him back. “What was that for?” Buffy asked when they pulled away.

“For being so wonderful.”

She laughed. “I’m really not that great.  I better get to class.  I’ll see you later.” Buffy stood up and walked off, waving at the Doctor before she walked in.

 

 

Later that night, Rose and Buffy were talking in the gym locker room.  Buffy had changed into clothes more suitable for patrolling after the two ladies had gone out for dinner.  Buffy shut her gym locker and turned around. “So, are you sure you want to go patrolling with me?”

“Yeah!  New adventures and all.” Rose smiled brightly.  She was supposed to distract Buffy so the Doctor and Giles could work on a way around the prophecy that Giles had discovered before Buffy found out about it.  The Doctor was pretty upset about it, too.  He’d finally found someone he could actually relate to and he might lose her right off the bat.

“Ok then.” Buffy set her stake down on one of the sinks and adjusted her hair.  She looked at herself in the mirror and absently turned on the water.

“What the….” Rose said.  Buffy glanced at her and saw her attention was on the sink.  She looked down to see blood was pouring from the faucet.

“That’s not normal.” Buffy turned the faucet off. “Ok, that’s something we need to tell Giles.”

“Was that blood?” Rose asked as she followed Buffy.
“Smelled like it.”

“You can smell blood?”

“I can smell a lot of things.  Supergirl, remember?”

“Right.  The Doctor has advanced senses, too.”

“Giles, you are not gonna believe this.” Buffy said as she opened the doors to the library.

“It's clear.  It's what's going to happen.” Giles said. “It's happening now!”

Buffy noticed Angel move into the light to read a book that Giles was holding. “Angel?” She headed toward the office where the Doctor was sitting in Giles’s desk chair.

“It can't be.” Angel said. “You've gotta be wrong.”

“I've checked it against all my other volumes.  The Doctor has run it through the TARDIS.  It's very real.”

“Maybe we should come back later, yeah?” Rose suggested.

“Well, there's gotta be some way around it.” Angel said.

“Look, prophecies are dodgy.” The Doctor said. “They're inconsistent.  Giles has assured me that Buffy herself has thwarted them over and over.  This thing can’t be right so I’ve got the TARDIS working on searching for anything out there that could contradict this prophecy.  ”

“Why can’t it be right?”

“Because my future self knows her quite well.  Well enough to go back in time and have tea and play games with her eight year old self.  That can’t happen if she’s destined to…. It won’t happen.”

“What….” Buffy started, but Rose pulled on her arm.

“We should go.” Rose said quietly, knowing that the Doctor would be able to hear her.

“You don’t understand.  This is the Codex.  There is nothing in it that does not come to pass.” Giles said.

“Then you're reading it wrong.” Angel said.

“I wish to God I were!  But it's very plain!  Tomorrow night Buffy will face the Master, and she will die.”

“Well, have you verified the text?”

Buffy let out a laugh.  The Doctor, Angel, and Giles saw her and exchanged looks.  Rose looked at the Doctor apologetically as Buffy slowly started to walk away from the office door.  Angel came out of the office after her.  She stopped by the table and faced them as Giles stood in his office doorway.  The Doctor walked over to Rose who was closest to Buffy.  His hearts broke for her.

“So that's it, huh?” Buffy asked. “I remember the drill.  One Slayer dies, next one's called.  Wonder who she is.” She looked at Giles. “Will you train her?  Or will they send someone else?”

“Buffy, I….” Giles started.

“They say how he's gonna kill me?  Do you think it'll hurt?” Tears were flowing freely from her eyes now.  Rose moved to try and hug her, but she put up her hands defensively and quickly stepped away. “Don't touch me!  Were any of you even gonna tell me?”

“I was hoping that no one would have to.” The Doctor said. “There has to be some way around it.  I….”

“I've got a way around it.  I quit!”

“It's not that simple.” Angel said.

“I'm making it that simple!  I quit!  I resign!  I’m fired.  You can find someone else to stop the Master from taking over!”

“I'm not sure that anyone else can.” Giles said. “All the…. the signs indicate….”

“The signs?” Buffy grabbed a book and threw it at him, hitting the wall next to his head. “Read me the signs!” She threw another one. “Tell me my fortune!  You’re so useful sitting here with all your books.  You’re really a lot of help!”

“No, I don't suppose I am.”

“I know this is hard.” Angel started.

“What do you know about this?  You're never gonna die!”

“You think I want anything to happen to you?  Do you think I could stand it?  We just gotta figure out a way….”

“I already did.  I quit, remember?  Pay attention!”

“Buffy, if the Master rises….” Giles started.

Buffy yanked the cross from her neck. “I don't care!  I don't care.  Giles, I'm sixteen years old.  I don't wanna die.” She threw her cross necklace down and walked out of the library without looking back.

The Doctor walked over and picked the necklace up.  He looked at it sadly and headed out of the library after Buffy.  He found her crying against the TARDIS, curled up in a little ball.  Slowly, he sat down beside her and she turned into him as he put an arm around her.  They sat there like that for a long time as he rocked her.

“I just want to go home.” Buffy whimpered.

“I’ll take you.” He stood up, still holding her and unlocked the doors to the TARDIS.  He didn’t set her down until he reached the pilot seat. 

She barely noticed her surroundings as she stared at her shoes. “Why was I chosen?  Why does fate have to take everything away from me?  My friends.  My home.  My school.  My life.  And the one guy that I’ve ever felt anything like this for…. We can’t even be together.”

The Doctor leaned against the console and looked at her. “Angel?  You’re in love with a vampire?”

Buffy snorted. “Yeah.  Some Vampire Slayer I make.  I fall for the enemy and run away from my duties at the drop of a disagreeable hat.”

“Sounds familiar.”

She looked up and glanced around. “Nifty.” After a moment, Buffy stood up and walked over to him as he worked the controls. “Is that why you hugged me today?  Because you knew about this stupid prophecy?”

“Yes.”

“Why do you care?”

“Because you’re wonderful and precious to me.”

“You just met me.”

“I’m the last of the Time Lords.  The only one left.  You’re the Vampire Slayer.  The only one of your kind.  But there’s something more about you…. Something inside of you….  A kindred spirit, if you will.”

Buffy looked up at the console’s big glass pillar. “You promised me adventures once.  We could start now.”

“Buffy….”

“You said it yourself.  I’m not destined to die because I know you in the future.  I’m important to you.  So, let’s go somewhere!  I don’t even care where.”

The Doctor sighed. “Ok.  Let’s go somewhere.”

“I’ll go get packed.”

“Your house is right outside.”

“We moved?” He smirked and opened the TARDIS door to reveal they were sitting in her backyard just out of sight of the back door. “Very cool.  I’ll be back.”

“I’m going to go get Rose.  If I’m not back tonight, I promise we’ll leave tomorrow.”

“Why wouldn’t you be back tonight?”

“Well, the old girl is kind of…. Old.  Sometimes she doesn’t land exactly where I tell her to.”

“Don’t leave me to rot here, ok?”

“Never.”

 

 

Buffy sat and stared out her bedroom window, waiting for the TARDIS to show back up with Rose and the Doctor.  She wanted so badly to leave.  To not look back.

“Hi, honey.” Joyce said behind her from the doorway. “You all right?”

“Sure.” Buffy said.

“Probably just full from that bite of dinner you nearly had.” Buffy sighed and looked back out the window. “You used to do that when you were little.  Like you were waiting for something or someone.  You started doing it again when things between your father and I got bad.  It’s like your tell when something’s wrong.  Feel like telling me what's on your mind?”

“I’m fine.”

“Isn't the Prom tomorrow night?  Or Spring Fling?  Or whatever they're calling it?”

“I guess.”

“Nobody asked you?”

“Oh, someone….”

“But not the right someone.  See, sometimes I actually do know what you're thinking.” Joyce went over to Buffy's closet. “Well, then, uh, this probably isn't the best time for this, but, uh….” She opened the closet to reveal a beautiful white sleeveless gown. “I saw you eyeing it at the store.  I figured….”

“Mom, we can't afford this.”

“The way you've been eating, we can afford it.”

“It's beautiful.”

“I think you should wear it…. To the dance.”

“No, I can't go to the dance.”

“Says who?  Is it written somewhere?  You should do what you want.  Homecoming, my freshman year of college.  I didn't have a date, so I got dressed up and I went anyway.”

“Was it awful?”

“It was awful.  For about an hour.”

“Then what happened?”

“I met your father.”

“He didn't have a date either?”

“He did.  And that's a much funnier story that you will not get to hear.  Oh, but it was a beautiful night!”

“And you had your whole life ahead of you.”

“Yeah.”

“Must be nice.” Buffy sighed and went back to the window.

 

 

Buffy sat with Willow at the red head’s house wearing her new white prom gown.  The Doctor and Rose still hadn’t come back.  Not long ago, her mom had come rushing in to tell her that Willow was on the news.  Apparently Willow and Cordelia had discovered a room full of dead teenagers at the school.

“I've seen so much.” Willow said, hugging her knees tightly to her. “I thought I could take anything.  But, Buffy, this…. this was different.”

“It'll be alright.” Buffy said.

“I'm trying to think how to say it…. to explain it so you understand.”

“It doesn't matter as long as you're ok.”

“I'm not ok.  I knew those guys.  I go to that room every day.  And when I walked in there, it…. it wasn't our world anymore.  They made it theirs.  And they had fun.” A tear rolled down her cheek. “What are we gonna do?”

“What we have to.” Buffy stood up. “Promise me you'll stay in tonight, ok?” Willow nodded and Buffy started to leave.

“Buffy?” She stopped and turned back. “I like your dress.”

Buffy looked down at it and smiled weakly. “Take care.” She walked out and headed for the school.  She hated her destiny.  Despised it.  But she couldn’t let her friends be killed by the Master.  She couldn’t let him take over.

“Well, that depends where he's leading them to.” Giles said as she approached the library. “Aurelius wrote of the Anointed One, 'The Slayer will not know him, and he will lead her into Hell.'”

“So Luca thinks the Anointed is a kid.” Jenny Calendar asked.

“If the vampire that Buffy killed was in fact not the Anointed, then it may well be.”

“Well, then we need to warn her.”

“I don't intend involving her at all.”

“What do you mean?”

“Buffy's not gonna face the Master.  I am.”

“No, you're not.” Giles and Ms. Calendar looked over at Buffy as she walked in. “So, I'm looking for a kid, huh?  And he'll lead me to the Master?”

“Buffy, I'm not going to send you out there to die.  Now, you were right.  I… I've waded around in these old books for so long, I've forgotten what the real world is like.  I…. it's time I found out.”

“You're still not going up against the Master.”

“I've made up my mind.”

“So have I.”

“I made up my mine first!  I'm older and wiser than you, and just…. just do what you're told for once!  All right?”

“That's not how it goes.  I'm the Slayer.”

“I don't care what the books say.  I defy prophecy, and I am going.  There's nothing you can say will change my mind.”

“I know.” Buffy pretended to turn to leave, but then threw a hard punch to Giles’s face, knocking him out cold.  He fell backward to the floor and Ms. Calendar scrambled to his aid.  Buffy put her hands into her pockets and felt something cold in one.  She pulled out her cross necklace and stared at it for a moment.  The Doctor must’ve slipped it into her pocket.  She smiled slightly and put her necklace on. “When he wakes up tell him…. I don't know.  Think of something cool, tell him I said it.”

“You fight the Master, and you'll die.” Ms. Calendar said.

“Maybe.” Buffy picked up a crossbow off the table. “Maybe I'll take him with me.” She smiled sadly and headed out.  On the front lawn of the school, a little kid stood there.  He was cute.

“Help me….” He said.

Buffy lowered the crossbow and walked over to him. “It's ok.  I know who you are.” The kid held out his hand and she took it, following his lead.

 

 

The Doctor growled in frustration and banged on the console with a small mallet. “What is wrong with you!?”

“What’s going on?” Rose asked, holding on as the TARDIS pitched around.

“She won’t land where I’m telling her!”

“Then land somewhere else.”

“I have to land before she faces the Master.”

“She said she quit.  She won’t go up against him.”

“I know her, Rose.  She’s so much like me.”

“You’ve only just met her.”
“But I’ve been inside her mind.  When I hugged her…. Every time I held her, I could see inside her mind.  She may hate what she is, but in the end…. She’ll do what’s right.  I have to save her.”

“So what do we do?”

The Doctor kicked the console. “Make the TARDIS land.” He hit it again with the mallet and suddenly, the TARDIS landed.  Grabbing his coat, he took off for the doors with Rose hot on his heels.  The Doctor yanked open the door and stepped out into a cave.  His eyes came to rest on a young girl’s body clad in a beautiful white dress floating face down in a pool of water. “No!  No, no, no, no, no….” He rushed into the water and pulled Buffy up.

“Is she….” Rose started.

The Doctor laid Buffy out on dryer ground and listened for her breathing. “She’s not breathing.”

“Doctor, is she dead?”
“Not if I can help it.” He started CPR on her just as Xander and Angel ran into the cave.

“What the….” Xander started.

“Is she ok?” Angel asked, rushing over.

“Breathe!  Come on, breathe, Buffy!” The Doctor said, pumping her chest again.  He blew breath into her lungs and sat up, watching.  A second later, Buffy opened her eyes wide and drew a ragged breath. She looked at the Doctor for a moment as he lifted her into his arms.  He kissed her forehead and hugged her tightly.  She turned her head to the side and coughed out a lungful of water down the Doctor’s arm.  He didn’t mind.  He was just so happy she was alive.

“Doctor?” She said after a long moment.

“Welcome back.” He said gently, still holding her tightly.

“You better let her breathe.” Rose suggested. “We don’t want you suffocating her right after you saved her life.”

The Doctor reluctantly let go and he and Xander helped Buffy to her feet. “Easy.  Easy.” Xander said.

“The Master?” Buffy asked.

“He's gone up.” Angel said.

Buffy started to leave, but Xander held her arm. “No.  You're still weak.”

“No.  No, I feel strong.  I feel different.  Let's go!” She started to head for the entrance to the cave, but the Doctor grabbed her hand.

“I have something that will travel much faster.” He pointed to the TARDIS and Buffy nodded.  They all headed over and Xander let out a squeal when they walked in.

He looked around sheepishly. “Sorry.  It’s…. how is this possible?”

Angel looked a little discombobulated. “I….”

“Yup.  Bigger on the inside.” The Doctor said as he ran around the console. “Time Lord thing.  Where are we going?”

“The school.” Buffy said. 

“Hang on!” He sent the TARDIS into flight and barely a minute later, they landed with Buffy standing at the doors ready to charge.

“So, how do you know where the Master's going?” Xander asked, joining her by the door.

“I know.” She stepped out of the TARDIS just as Angel, the Doctor, and Rose joined them.  A vampire tried to block their way into the school. “Oh, look, a bad guy.” She punched him on her way by and he fell flat on his back.

“You didn’t kill him.” Xander said as they walked into the school.

“No time.” Buffy rounded a corner and stopped in front of the stairs to the roof. “Ok, Xander, Angel, you two wait here, keep the rest of the vampires off me.”

“Right.”

“Angel, better put on your game face.”

Angel vamped out. “I'm ready.” Rose yelped slightly at his face and backed up into the Doctor.

“Doctor, Rose…. Get to the library.  Help Giles and Ms. Calendar.”

“Is that safe?” Xander asked. “I mean…. There’s vamps everywhere!”

“Don’t worry about us.” The Doctor said. “I’ve got some skills of my own.” He took Rose’s hand.

“One way or another, this won't take long.” Buffy nodded and headed up to the roof as the Doctor and Rose ran off down the hallway.

The Doctor pulled Rose back behind a wall when he spotted a horde of vampires at the library doors. “What are those things?” Rose asked.

“Vampires.” He said, reaching into his pockets.

“Real vampires?  Like suck your blood, Dracula types?  They’re not very handsome.”

“Dracula is a different kind of vampire.” He pulled out his sonic screwdriver. “Ah!”
“Shouldn’t you have a wooden stake?”

“Don’t carry one.  I don’t usually come up against vampires.” He adjusted the settings and held it out. “Oh…. Cover your ears.”

Rose looked at him funny, but did as he asked.  He set the sonic off and a high pitched noise sounded.  The vampires all let out screams of pain and ducked out of the way.  Most of them ran.  The Doctor grabbed Rose’s arm and pulled her along towards the library. Someone screamed Giles over and over as they ran into the library and shut the doors again.  Rose screamed and the Doctor turned around to see a huge, green, multi-headed, and tentacled demon burst through the floor.

“The Hellmouth!” Giles yelled.

“Doctor!” Rose yelled. “What is that thing?”

“I would suspect a demon.” The Doctor said. “An old one at that.  One of the first.  Humans think that the dinosaurs came first, but actually….”
“Look out!” Willow yelled.

A tentacle whipped around and sent the Doctor flying across the library.  He landed painfully behind the counter.  Rose went to run to him, but another tentacle sent her out into the hallway.  With the vampires.  She took off running for where Angel and Xander had been with five vampires running behind her.

The Doctor stood up, shaking off the aches and pains and realized Rose wasn’t in the library.  The demon was still wreaking havoc on the library.  Giles was hacking away at one of the heads with an ax.  The demon knocked him off of the mezzanine and onto the large table below.  It broke when Giles hit it and one side fell over onto its end, leaving a huge spike pointing upward.  The Doctor looked up and realized that he could see Buffy fighting the Master through the glass dome. 

At the doors, vampires were starting to climb in through a hole in the barrier.  He sighed and jumped over the counter, sonic screwdriver ready.  Shoving the barrier through the swinging doors and the vampires with it, he rushed through and activated the sonic again.  The vampires screamed and dove out of the way, running down the halls to get away.  The Doctor yanked Rose to her feet and they ran back down the hallway towards Angel and Xander.  They dodged past them and up the stairs towards Buffy.

The Master had Buffy by her neck. “Where are your jibes now?  You laugh when my Hell is on Earth?”

“Skylight!” The Doctor yelled as he burst through the door.

The Master turned and looked at the Doctor and Rose and Buffy grabbed him by the neck. “You're that amped about Hell?  Go there!” She lifted him up and flipped him over herself and through the skylight.  He fell down and was impaled on the table.  The Doctor and Rose joined Buffy to watch as the Master slowly turned to ash until only his skeleton was left.

“Are you all right?” The Doctor asked, turning Buffy towards him to check her for wounds.

“My hair is wrecked!” Buffy said.  He grinned broadly and hugged her tightly. “Is everyone else ok?”

“They’re ok.” Rose said, glancing down into the library. “That three headed thing is gone.”

“Let’s go check on them.” The Doctor took Buffy’s and Rose’s hands and led them downstairs.

“Are you all right?” Angel asked when he spotted Buffy.

“Yeah.” Buffy gave him a small smile before Xander hugged her tightly. “Hey, Xand.”

After a moment, they headed for the library.  Cordelia pushed the last of the junk away from the doors and pulled it open.  They all walked over to the Master.

“The vampires?” Giles asked.

“Gone.” Cordy said.

“The Master?” Angel asked.

“Dead.” Giles answered. “The Hellmouth is closed.  Buffy….” She didn’t respond. “Buffy?”

“Oh, sorry.  It's just been a really weird day.” Buffy smiled slightly and the Doctor put a comforting arm around her shoulders.

“Yeah!  Buffy died, and everything!” Xander chimed in.

“Wow!  Harsh.” Willow said.

“I should have known that wouldn't stop you.” Giles said.  Buffy smiled up at him again.

“Well, what do we do now?” Jenny Calendar asked.

“I don't know about the rest of you, but I'd like to get out of this place.  I don't like the library very much anymore.”

“Hey!  I hear there's a dance at the Bronze tonight.  Could be fun.” Xander offered.

“Yeah!” Cordy said.

“I love a good party!” Rose said.

“Sounds like fun.” The Doctor said with a big grin.

“Buffy?” Willow asked.

“Sure!  We saved the world.  I say we party!” Buffy looked down at her dress. “I mean, I got all pretty.”

“What about him?” Rose asked, gesturing at the Master’s bones.

“He's not going anywhere.  Loser.”

 

 

Buffy stood inside the TARDIS and looked around at the massive control room.  The Doctor was preparing to leave and Rose was out saying goodbye to Willow and Xander.  After a moment, he turned around and looked at her. “Do you want to come with us?”

She smiled slightly. “I can’t.  My dad is supposed to come get me for the summer.”

“Well, you know…. The wonderful thing about a time travelling ship is that I could have you back not even five seconds after you left.”

“I’m afraid that if I run off with you right now, I’ll never want to come back.” The Doctor watched her for a long moment, just studying all of her features.  She popped up suddenly and wrapped her arms around him tightly.  He held her to him, his hand drifting to her neck protectively. “Just…. Promise me that you’ll come back, ok?”

“Oh!  Of course I will!”

“Good.” She held him for a moment longer before letting him go. “I’m glad you’re real.”

“I’m glad I met you, Buffy Summers.”