It had to be perfect. There really was no other option for her. It was the first Thanksgiving after her mom died and she was not going to have the Indians taking revenge on Sunnydale fest. There would be no apocalypse, there would be no demons or ghosts or anything else supernatural to ruin it. It was going to be a Hallmark holiday, damn it and Buffy would make sure of it. Even if she had to stake every vampire, decapitate every demon and exorcise every ghost.
Buffy ran the preparations as if she was a general in the field of battle. Assignment had been given and she'd micromanaged to make sure they were completed perfectly. Oh, she saw the dirty looks and heard the whisperings but there was no way she was going to fall down in this so she ignored them. Her relationship with Dawn was spiraling out of control. She couldn't be the mother her sister needed, especially when she needed it just as badly herself. They were both floundering without their anchor and it was hard, but this she could do. After all, how hard was it to make a perfect holiday meal? Martha Stewart did it all the time. Then again, Martha didn't live over a Hellmouth.
Buffy was beginning to question herself which was so not of the good. How had they come so far down the wrong path? Slayers were in hiding because people hated them. Public opinion was on the side of Harmony and that was wrong on so many levels. They were the good guys, right? Right. Yet here they were in Tibet hiding out trying to learn to ‘control’ the magic.
Had it all started with the robbing of the rich to help the poor? Namely the Slayers and Slayer Central? Buffy hadn’t thought that she was hurting anyone. It wasn’t like she was taking money from orphans or anything. It was for the greater good. At least that was how she convinced herself it was the right thing to do at the time. Now, she didn’t know. Now she was remembering what it was like when Faith had first come to Sunnydale and she’d changed. Had she really? Yes, she’d been freaked by the accidental death of the Mayor’s guy but she hadn’t really felt remorse for the other things that they’d done. Maybe she only buried that feeling, pretending to be someone that she wasn’t. Which was the real Buffy though? Was she the responsible one, the General to the other Slayers? Or was she the one that felt she was different because she was Chosen. That certain things could be done for the ‘greater good’ but who was to say what those things were? As Anya would have said who died and made her the one?
Choices. Had she made the wrong ones? Everything had consequences. She knew that. She was the poster girl for it. Look what had happened when Willow had brought her back from Heaven. The First and all the Uber vamps to balance the wrong of her being alive. Her stealing had led to the rogue Slayers, which contributed to the hate of Slayers now. Then there was Dark Willow. What had she done to turn Willow dark in the future? Was this it? Was her going to Tibet to help control the magic that was inherent to all Slayers what drove Willow? Or was it the opposite? Was it asking Willow to do so much magic that she was tapping into the dark side?
Okay, she seriously needed to stop thinking about this and did she mention that she really hated meditation? How can you get calm when all sitting around with a bunch of candles does is make your mind go down about a hundred and fifty what ifs?
Buffy woke up in a cold sweat and her heart pounding as if it would burst out of her chest. She hated when she had one of those dreams, when it seemed so real that when you woke up you didn't know if it was a memory or prophecy. It didn't help matters when you were a Slayer and had dreams that were supposed to mean something. Was this a case of sometimes a cigar was just a cigar or did it have meaning?
She sat up in bed, resting her back against the headboard and stared into nothing. There was truth in the dream, and she had to think through it. Willow had turned dark in the future. Buffy didn't know how or why or even how she got to the future but she was there. Then there was the Slayers, plural only not. In the future there was only one again. How did that happen? Buffy had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach that it was decisions that she'd made that led to that future that she'd gone to. The one that she was dreaming about since the missile attack on Slayer Central.
Had she done something to make Willow go dark again? Had whatever Amy and Warren had done to her before she could get to her friend trigger something dark inside? GAH! She was second guessing herself about everything now. Buffy didn't know if her going to the future had been a fluke, something to show her what might be if she continued on, or something that will be because of her actions setting up Slayer Central and basically creating the rogue Slayers. Though admittedly, she didn’t know she had.
Buffy leaned her head on her crossed arms over her drawn up knees. She missed Giles. More than the feeling of abandonment when he went to be with Faith. She missed him even more than his being her Watcher. What Buffy missed most about Giles was having someone to talk to. She couldn't go to Willow, not with this, and she couldn't go to Xander either. Buffy didn't want to worry them. Dawn was most assuredly out of the picture and Angel --- well Angel and Spike had a lot more to deal with than her worries over a dream. She supposed that was why she got paid the big bucks. Oh wait, she didn't. Sometimes being the General sucked. How sad was it that she missed the almost nightly haunting of the faces of the people that she couldn't save over this latest nightmare?
Wearily, she forced herself to get out of bed and take a shower. Maybe the hot water would make the images go away. Yeah, and maybe Brad Pitt would leave Angelina Jolie for her. Buffy wasn't holding her breath on either.
I used to envy anyone and everyone that wasn't a Slayer. Back in Sunnydale, I'd see Cordelia being popular, rich, a cheerleader, uncomplicated life and remember my life pre-Slayage and how much I missed it. I'd see Willow with Oz or Tara and I'd wish I had something like that. There was Angel but that was complicated. Understatement much. Then I had my chance to be that person. I mean I'll always be a Slayer, that's never going to change, but I had a chance to be a normal girl with all the Slayers activated. I didn't take it, obviously, since I'm still doing the slaying thing. It's a part of who I am as much as my hair color. Okay, not a good example since I dye my hair.
I used to envy Britney Spears. She could sing, she had all these cute outfits. She had Justin Timberlake but then came K-Fed and the crazies and I really don't envy her any more.
I guess the one thing that I've learned since becoming a Slayer, besides how hard it is to get some demon blood out of clothes, is that no one's life is as enviable as you think. I don't really envy anyone anymore. Okay that's a lie. I envy whoever Daniel Craig is dating. The why is pretty obvious. I mean look at him. Seriously.
[Note: This takes place in the Spooks AUverse]
Buffy wondered what else could go wrong as she stepped outside the department store. Her meeting with the bank managers didn’t go as well as planned and despite their best efforts she felt the James Bond types eyes on her. Call it years of living over the Hellmouth or Spidey sense or heck even paranoia but Buffy was getting very good at feeling eyes on her. Just as they were now, even though she couldn't spot them.
She glanced down at her watch to see how much time she had before she had to make the train back up to Scotland. Stupid James Bond types making her not be able to use Willow's witchfu to teleport back. Buffy would use the excuse that her mind was on the myriad things that she had to do that she hadn't felt the attack coming before it was too late. Out of nowhere it seemed six men in business suits approached her and had her surrounded separating her out of the crowd. It was all very subtly done no one else in the area gave Buffy or them a second look. That was until the first man threw a punch that caught Buffy in the side of the head knocking her down. Anyone else would have seen stars, Buffy just saw red.
"Hey! I thought you James Bonds were supposed to just watch." Her bag with her new shoes went flying which in and of itself deserved a quick kick. Buffy's foot lashed out, catching the nearest one in the shin. She didn't put her Slayer strength into it but she made a statement and his leg crumbled under him. She was back on her feet in a flash and into a fighter stance. Buffy watched them warily trying to decide their next move. "Come on. What are you waiting for?"
She really hadn't wanted the MI-5 people to learn about her Slayer skills but she wasn't going to let them beat up on her either. She just had to temper it and then go give Hunky Spy Guy a yelling for beating up on innocent citizens. Buffy was also aware of the innocent bystanders around them. That put up a little warning flag. Why would the spies be so obvious in their attack? Buffy didn't think on that too long as another one of the men moved into attack position.
Her eyes scanned the area of what weapons that she could use to stop them when she saw a flash out of the corner of her eye. Buffy turned quickly just in time to dodge a fist coming at her and catch sight of the metal of a tranquilizer gun reflecting in the waning sunlight. With almost inhuman speed and reflexes she dropped to the ground and out of the way of the dart. There was a satisfying feeling when she heard the man that had thrown the punch give a groan as he went down unconscious. They were the decoy to keep her occupied while someone else shot at her. She'd just been very, very lucky.
"Who are you?" She rose to her feet again and decided that a hasty retreat was the best solution. She couldn't risk innocents getting caught in the crossfire since they didn't seem to care who they hurt in order to get to Buffy.
The man nearest her smirked and pulled down the collar of his shirt to show her the Twilight tattoo in answer to her question.
London might not be over a Hellmouth but it had the Hellmouth curse of answering your question of what else could go wrong. You'd think she would stop asking that question even in her mind.
Her mind whirled with the implications. How had they known she was going to be in London? Had they followed her or had hunky spy man tipped them off? Did they know of the new base of operations? Oh GOD! The girls she had to get back quickly. Screw being watched. Buffy took off in a dead run that was faster than any human girl could run. The dropped package of shoes forgotten in her haste to get away and back to the girls. She pulled out her cell phone from her pocket and speed dialed Willow.
"Please be there, please be there." She chanted and glanced over her shoulder. The gods were with her today it seemed because she once again saw a gun being raised only this time it wasn't a tranquilizer but a revolver. Buffy zigged but unfortunately she should have zagged and the bullet grazed her arm. She ignored the pain and the bleeding as Willow answered. "Will! Twilight. Need some witchfu. I need teleported out of here now. I'm at---" She glanced up. Crap where were street signs when you need them? "I'll go back to the bank. Meet me there and be really careful. They don't care who they hurt to get to us."
Buffy didn't wait for Willow's answer trusting that she would be there. She hung up and ran for her life. Literally.
Buffy's muscles were screaming but that was nothing new. The hot water of the shower was working its magic and the Slayer healing would take over to finish it. The main thing was that Dawn was back. She wasn't a thricewise, she wasn't a centaur and more importantly, Dawn wasn't a china doll. If Buffy were honest, it was the last one that she envied. Not being small and breakable, but being treated carefully because she was precious.
She always had to be the strong one and not just her Slayer strength. When her parents were arguing just before their divorce, she had no one to turn to. She had to deal on her own and knowing that it was because of her had added to the burden. It was selfish of Buffy but she was kind of glad that Dawn hadn't actually been around then. To be strong for herself was hard enough, but to be strong for a younger sister would have been that much harder.
The water cascaded over her as she stood under the spray in the shower. Her mind going back to the one time in her life that she hadn't had to be strong since becoming the Slayer. That Halloween that she'd been so insecure about Cordelia with Angel that she'd almost been killed. Buffy was definitely laying the blame for that at Ethan's feet, but she'd also thought it was the type of woman that Angel had wanted.
She liked the idea where her only stress would have been what to wear and not have to think about anything else. Buffy would be the first to admit that if anyone did treat her like a fragile doll she'd yell at them but it would be a nice change than being looked at to be the strong one all the time. The General.
Finishing up her shower, Buffy stepped out into the steam filled room wrapping herself in a robe.
"Buffy!"
She closed her eyes and sighed. A Slayer's job was never done. Buffy knew that she would never be that girl but it didn't stop her from wishing it.
Note: Takes place in the AU Spooksverse
Buffy didn't drive. It was a fact of life. She had been going for the world record of how many times you can fail the test before getting your license but she hadn't made it into the record books. Driving in another country where they drove on the 'wrong' side of the road, so not happening. All of which explained why Buffy Summers was now sitting on a train heading into London rather than driving. She would have asked Willow to teleport her there like she usually did except they were being watched by the Scottish Police and MI-5. So not the time for her best friend to do her witch-fu.
So Buffy was being low-key girl and hopefully boring the government guy that was most likely following her to death. She idly flipped through the fashion magazine on her lap but she wasn't really looking at it. Instead, her mind was going over everything that Xander had come up with. The missile had most definitely come from the Twilight Cult and it had specifically come from Warren and Amy.
She sighed and leaned her head back against the headrest. It wasn't anything that she could admit to either. How can you tell people that not only was it a missile but it was a magical one done by someone that your best friend had skinned alive but yet he wasn't dead? Yeah, that would go over well with the authorities. Willow would be locked up forever.
How was she supposed to fight people that used weapons like that? She could deal with vampires and demons but she didn't know the first thing about fighting missiles. How could she protect the girls? Willow could get up wards but would it be enough? So many things were piling up on her shoulders and she wasn't sure that she was strong enough to fix it.
Buffy knew that she wasn't alone. She had Willow and Xander but it wasn't the same as having Giles. They were all learning together. Her eyes drifted closed and she let the steady movement of the train car soothe her. Buffy forced her mind away from Giles and Faith, away from Amy, Warren and the Twilight Cult, and finally she forced it away from the added complication of the police and government getting involved in her life. She tried to focus on the positive. Dawnie was no longer a centaur, that was a big yay. See? She was so silver lining girl. Plus, she was on her way to London where shopping could be had. Sure it would have to occur after the bank meeting but still---shopping. Always of the good.
Buffy was not a happy Slayer and an unhappy Slayer meant that everyone else was miserable, too. They had a problem. A big one. Probably would have been smaller if Giles had been there but he wasn't and she so wasn't going to go there. Not yet. There was a Bermuda Triangle adrift in the sea of Denial.
The MI-5 guy had caught her off guard which she supposed was the nature of their business. The only thing it had cured her of, was her tendency to use Daniel Craig in the anywhere but here fantasies. It's hard to find spies sexy when you were on the receiving end of their suspicions. Not that Robert Wheeler wasn't sexy, he was. It just diminished the appeal to know that he was suspicious of her and the bombing.
She waited until all the Slayers were seated before she started. "Okay, guys. You know that MI-5 has joined in the investigation with the Scottish police. We have to be uber careful. They're trickier than most and probably have listening devices and surveillance cameras all over the place. The last thing that we need is to be caught on camera putting a stake in a vamp's heart or cutting the head off a demon."
Wanda raised her hand. "But wouldn't that be a good thing? I mean people knowing what's out there."
Buffy shook her head. "No, it would be very much of the bad. They'd probably think it was some goof dressed up like a demon and we're out being serial killers or something. Plus we have to think about the Twilight Cult. If they get their hands on the surveillance material they'll know where we are. Right now, we have decoys in five different locations. They can't be sure which one we're at. I know it sucks. Believe me, I know, but we have to keep a low profile at least until the next big crisis hits Great Britain and they forget all about us."
How sad was that? Buffy thought to herself that she needed another terrorist threat for people to take their attention off her.
"So until further notice we're Slayers by night and girls that are gaining self-confidence through training and discipline by day." Buffy made a face, "Don't ask. It was the first thing that popped in my head when he asked what the foundation did and now we're stuck with it."
There was much bitching and moaning among the Slayers and this time Buffy joined in. The general was just as upset as they were except it was her fault they were in this mess. Next time Robert showed, she'd be ready. Hopefully.
Seriously? You need me to explain why I wish that had never been taken? Seriously? Look at it? It's me in my burger uniform. It wasn't a happy time in my life anyway but that outfit just made it worse. I suppose I should be grateful that Dawn didn't capture me in my hairnet on top of it. DAWN! No getting ideas of finding a picture of me with my hair net to splatter all over the Internet!
I mean who wants to have it on their resume that they got pretty good at "Do you want fries with that?" Not that there is anything wrong with that as a career choice, there's not but ugh. The uniforms are so not flattering.
It could have been worse, I guess. I could have to wear prison orange which washes out even the best skin tone. Wait no, that would make me Faith. *g* I guess I didn't have it so bad after all.
The house looked like her house in Sunnydale did when the Potentials came to live. There were bodies all over the place and some even slept on the floor. The insurance and paperwork were a nightmare not to mention she was expecting a government worker any day. Buffy had been very tempted to let Xander deal with them but she was the Slayer. The one in charge and it fell to her shoulders. Xander had enough to deal with, without that added to it. He and Andrew were the lone males in a house full of about fifty women. They deserved medals.
She was taking advantage of this quiet time, with the girls out training and Xander at the hospital checking up on the injured to fill in paperwork. Has she mentioned how much she hated paperwork?
Note: This is the beginning of a universe where Buffy's world collides with Spooks.
The day had started out so well. Buffy had returned from the future where she'd met a Slayer. Sure there weren't legions of them like in her time which freaked her out and Willow was dark again. That was so not of the good. But time could be changed and the future wasn't always written in stone. Buffy stopped dark Willow in the future by using the help of her Willow in the past. Ironic? Maybe, but it worked and right now Buffy was feeling pretty good.
That was until she got the phone call from Xander. The castle in Scotland, Slayer Central was in ruins. The Twilight Cult had launched an attack using a missile. What was it with Warren and his using weapons against her? Buffy was prepared for magical attacks or demons wanting to end the world while ripping her head off. She was never prepared for anything like a missile.
Thankfully, all of the Slayers had made it out through the hidden passageways before the attack had happened. There were casualties but no deaths. Buffy couldn't have taken any more innocent deaths on her shoulders. There were enough faces staring at her with accusation at three in the morning to add any more.
Buffy also wasn't prepared for life without Giles. Life where he was traveling with Faith. Yeah, she wasn't going to think about that betrayal. Not now. Not when she needed to deal with everything. The everything that included a visit from MI-5. Thank you terrorists around the world. Now, not only did she have to deal with finding a place for almost a hundred girls to be safe, she had to deal with government workers wondering why a castle owned by an American in Scotland was the target of a possible terrorist attack. How was she going to explain being a Slayer and the enemies that meant? Not to mention Twilight had supporters in the government and military. How would she know who to trust and who not to trust?
The castle wasn't the only thing in ruins. Buffy sighed, packed her bag and prepared to return to Scotland from New York. Sometimes it sucked to be the general.
Wow, there are so many of them. Wait. That makes me sound like Cordelia in high school. What I mean is that as the Slayer there are a lot of acts that I'm proud of but that's not really me. That's my training and my destiny. As Buffy, just the girl and not the Slayer, there's only one. Or a series of them if you want to be technical about it. I'm most proud of doing the adult thing and taking care of Dawn after mom died.
I'm not saying I was perfect at it. I was a horrible mess and I still am sometimes. I get it wrong more times than I get it right, but I'm trying. I knew dad wasn't going to step in. He didn't come to the funeral but I heard that he visited her grave so I guess that's something. Wow, bitter much?
[Locked to those that know about Dawn}
To be honest, I'm not even sure if he knows there is a Dawn. He never mentions her and I don't want to be the one to say anything in case the monks' mojo didn't make its way to him.
[/Locked]
We're doing okay, Dawn and me, and I think that's what I'm really the most proud of.
I'm a Slayer. Notice how I don't say The Slayer anymore since there are like a hundred thousand of us now. Okay, that might be a little exaggeration but there are definitely hundreds of us.
None of us chose the path we're on. It's part of our destiny to become the 'Chosen One'. Ironic right? We don't have a say in the choosing. I mean we can decide what we're going to do with it. We could ignore it, help people with it or like some of the rogue slayers use it to be brats but we never had a choice.
If you're asking why do I do what I do, then I really don't have an answer. Seriously, I don't. I mean I had a chance to walk away. When Sunnydale became a crater, I could have walked away and just been an ordinary girl. It's what I've always wanted to do and trust me I was very close to doing it. Then I realized something. Being a slayer isn't just what I am, it's a part of who I am. There is no way I could ignore the things that go bump in the night. Maybe if I'd been made a slayer through Willow's magic and I had no idea that demons and vampires existed I could have ignored it. Knowing what I know, I couldn't turn my back on vampire attacks, or apocalypses once a year. Ignorance really is bliss I guess.
The days when I'm getting my butt kicked from a demon I would gladly give it up and just lay on the beach somewhere with Daniel Craig giving me a massage. Mmmmm. Sorry, I went to a happy place there. On days when we're the ones kicking vampire butt I wouldn't trade what I do for anything.
I've been accused of being bossy and I am but only about some things. Don't listen to Faith or Dawn because they're biased. My way really is the better way, but it's from experience. I have the memories of all the Slayers before me but even if I didn't have that I know what works and what doesn't.
I won't even go into the 'I told you so' memories like when they kicked me out of Slayer central but then realized that my idea was a good one. Okay, maybe just the one I told you so memory but I'm being good and not giving more than that one.
I really do have a lot of experience at being the Slayer and yes I mean as the original one. I have stopped way more apocalypses than Faith and I've defeated a lot more big bads than the others. I'm not saying someone can't take my place, they can. I'm just as dispensable as the next one, but what I am saying is that when I come up with a plan it's with a lot of history behind it.
Also, someone has to be the General. It's not fun and I hate that I can't connect with the other girls. But I have to be the bad guy and make the life and death decisions for everyone. Yes, that makes me bitchy sometimes. Okay most times but I've thought of every contingency before I mention any plan, so no I don't want to go over every detail a million times with people. No, I don't want to start second guessing myself because that way leads to sleepless nights and I have a lot of those on my own anyway thanks.
Being the head of Slayer Central sucks most of the time and I hate being the bad guy. I want to be the fun one like Faith. The one that says 'yes let's party and blow off steam' but I can't. I have to be the responsible one and if that makes me seem like a dictator then I will be. I can live with the Slayers hating me as long as they're alive to do it.
Cooking. I know, I know you thought I'd say something to do with ice skating but I already have that skill. Sure, I'm not Dorothy Hamill or anything but that would come with training. Or Dawnie and Giles might have hoped I'd pick driving. But seriously if God had meant for people to drive a car he wouldn't have invented public transportation. Or you know, given me Wills who can fly or teleport me anywhere.
Anyways, like I was saying I'd like to be able to cook without burning something. My mom could cook. She was a great cook and maybe it would make me feel a little like I got something of hers besides my looks and great fashion sense. The Slayer thing? That wasn't from her genes or even dad's that I know about. At least I think I'm the only Slayer in the Summers line.
I want that connection to mom. That feeling that she's watching over my shoulder to see that I'm making the chili like she used to instead of going to Wendy's. Even though Wendy's has very good chili. I want to be able to pass it on to my kids, assuming I live long enough and meet someone that doesn't freak about my being a Slayer.
Your result for What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test...
Balanced, Secure, and Realistic.
11 Impressionist, 8 Islamic, 11 Ukiyo-e, -14 Cubist, -9 Abstract and -7 Renaissance!
Impressionism is a movement in French painting, sometimes called optical realism because of its almost scientific interest in the actual visual experience and effect of light and movement on appearance of objects. Impressionist paintings are balanced, use colored shadows, use pure color, broken brushstrokes, thick paint, and scenes from everyday life or nature.
People that like Impressionist paintings may not alway be what is deemed socially acceptable. They tend to move on their own path without always worrying that it may be offensive to others. They value friendships but because they also value honesty tend to have a few really good friends. They do not, however, like people that are rude and do not appreciate the ideas of others. They are secure enough in themselves that they can listen to the ideas of other people without it affecting their own final decisions. The world for them is not black and white but more in shades of grey and muted colors. They like things to be aestically pleasing, not stark and sharp. There are many ways to view things, and the impresssionist personality views the world from many different aspects. They enjoy life and try to keep a realistic viewpoint of things, but are not very open to new experiences. If they are content in their live they will be more than likely pleased to keep things just the way they are.
Take What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test at HelloQuizzy
Oh my God, the paperwork. I swear I will never complain about the Watcher's Council again. Okay, that's a lie because I will, but seriously, if I knew that taking care of an army of Slayers involved so much paperwork I would have given it to Faith to do.
I have to file incident reports when they get buildings blown up and don't even get me started on the insurance claims. GAH! I hate it. I'm the Slayer. No really. Slayer comma the. Look me up. Instead of just fighting bad guys that want to destroy the world, I'm also den mother to a bunch of girls. Get you minds out of the gutter guys we do not have pillow fights in our pjs. Okay, sometimes we do to let off steam but not in the way that you're thinking. Anyway, being the den mother I could deal with it's the day to day running of the operation and all that I have to do that I hate. Oh, don't get me wrong I have Xander and Giles helping and I'm sure Giles has way more paperwork than I do I just hate it.
Sometimes I wish we could go back to when Giles just pointed me in the direction of the big bad and I did my Slayer thing. I still do that, but now I slay piles of forms in duplicate and triplicate. It sucks.
My best gift ever? That's an easy answer, my sister Dawn.
[Locked to those that know about Dawn]
Dawn may have come into my life as something to be protected for mystical monks and so a demon god wouldn't get her hands on the key to open a portal, but that doesn't make her being my sister any less true. Dawn is my sister and it doesn't matter if she came from my parents or monks or was made from my blood. All that matters is that she's a Summers and I can't imagine my life without her.
[/Locked]
Okay, sure there are times when I don't think she's that great of a gift but that's what sisters do. We borrow things without asking. Or you know in Dawnie's case become a thricewise even after I warned her and yes I'm not above saying I told you so about that
Dawn is the best thing in my life. I wish mom was around to see what a strong woman she's becoming. Well, maybe after she goes back to being her regular self because honestly if mom were around to see her being all gianty I would so get blamed for it.
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