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Differences and Resemblences
 
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REPLAY







Chapter 10- Differences and Resemblance



Jonathan and Andrew beat the basement door to death. They could hear the upbeat party music and chatter.

“This is cruel and unusual punishment!” hollered Andrew.

The door flung open. Dawn stood there. Both boys jumped back. They were both frightened of her, remembering their time alone together. She was one disturbed girl to make them watch Space Balls (AN- This is a movie making fun of Star Wars. It is hilarious. If you haven’t seen it, do). Oh the horror of someone mocking the greatest film ever made.

Dawn glared. “Buffy told me that you could come up for awhile. But you have to behave yourself.”

“We promise,” said Jonathan.

“Yes, scout’s honor,” Andrew said.

She rolled her eyes and let them pass into the kitchen.

Andrew noticed the food immediately. “Ooo, pretzels!”

Dawn traveled back into the living room. She went up to her sister.

“They’re in the kitchen. I don’t think we have to worry about them escaping. They’re transfixed by the food,” the teen said.

Buffy smiled.

“So, I think I should get a move on.”

“Good idea.”

The two had made a plan last night. Dawn would go out with Janice and the two vampires. She would act normally. Later Buffy would show up with Spike and dust the unsuspecting pair, plus their friends.

Dawn told Xander and Anya goodbye before leaving.

+ + +

Buffy saw Xander panic from all the attention. The baby remark was his breaking point. She followed him out to the front porch.

He fanned himself with his pirate hat.

“Air. Sweet mother of oxygen,” he remarked.

“You okay?” the slayer asked.

“Yeah. I just ... it's just, I didn't think it would be so much.”

Buffy touched his arm. “Too much too fast?”

“Exactly.”

“Maybe you should talk to Anya about it. Slow things down a bit.”

Xander seemed thoughtful. “But you saw her in there. She’s so happy. I don’t want to ruin that.”

Buffy removed her arm. She didn’t want to ruin it either. But she knew the outcome would be complete horror if things went on this way.

“Just . . . If you have worries don’t keep them inside, kay?”

After a moment of hesitation he nodded. “Thanks, Buff.”

She hugged him. “I’m sure you’ll have a happy ending. No need to call upon the happy demon.”

“What?”

“Nothing. Just have faith in your love. Now go back in there and wallow in the delight.”

“Okay.”

She smiled. “I’m going to go see if Spike is up for a patrol. Gotta be something out there cruisin' for a smackdown.”

Xander stopped. He turned. “You’ve been spending an awful lot of time with the bleached one lately.”

Buffy froze. She hadn’t been expecting that. She replayed her encounters with Spike. They were equal to the ones before.

“Spike can be useful to have around,” she said.

Xander paused. “Right, with the muscle. . . Just, uh . . . Nevermind. You go find yourself something large and slimy to beat the crap out of.”

Buffy watched him head back inside. Could it be that Xander had noticed her warm fuzzies for Spike? She wrapped her arms around herself. So what if he had? It didn’t change anything. She’d face her friend’s wrath if necessary.

She hurried to Spike’s crypt. She considered knocking, but ended up bursting in instead. She surveyed the darkened tomb. The television was on, displaying an old black and white movie.

“Spike, we’ve got trouble,” she called. “Spike?”

He was nowhere to be seen.

“You know . . .”

She spun around. She came face-to-face with the vampire.

“...in civilized cultures, that's called trespassing.”

She recalled this conversation. Her reply was too good of a one to let go.

“Good thing you're uncivilized. We have to go.”

“Giles found you?”

“He was looking for me?”

“Yeah, it’s Dawn.”

“Is she missing?” Buffy asked.

“Right. Dawn and her little friend pulled a Houdini. Up to a bit of candy-corn mischief, I suspect,” he said.

“Well we have to go look for her,” Buffy declared.

Buffy started to walk off.

“I did a sweep of the tunnels, Giles is poking about the cemetery,” Spike said, coming up behind her.

+ + +

It wasn’t hard for Dawn to convince Janice and the vampires to go straight to the forest instead of the innocent Old Man Kaltenbach’s house. All it took was a few flirty gestures with Justin. Then she made the suggestion of splitting up into pairs to have some ‘quality time alone’.

When Dawn was left with Justin in the car, she didn’t wait long. He leaned in to kiss her.

“Shhh. I just wanna taste you,” he muttered.

She gripped her wooden stake with a shaky hand. There were tears in her eyes. She really liked Justin. If only she had met him before he had been turned. They could have hit it off.

The vampire leaned forward. She mouthed ‘I’m sorry’ before thrusting her weapon into his chest. An astonished looked passed over his features, and then she was showered with dust.

It took her a few moments to compose herself. She jumped out of the car.

“Janice!” she shouted.

She ran.

She found Janice, holding her neck. A dazed expression was on her face, and her gaze was directed down a small hill.

“Janice?” Dawn said.

Janice didn’t even acknowledge her arrival. Dawn followed her eyes to see Giles. The watcher tackled Zack to the ground.

“Giles!” Dawn shouted. She tossed her stake toward him.

Giles lifted his head. The stake landed in the grass, near him. He grabbed it and imbedded the wood into Zack’s heart.

+ + +

“This way!” Buffy yelled.

She didn’t bother looking back. She was certain Spike followed behind.

They came to a clearing. Vampires surrounded Dawn and Giles. Buffy acted instantly. She grabbed a vamp and staked him.

“If anyone is here just to make out I suggest you run.”

Two humans took her advice.

She kicked another vampire in the stomach.

“You scream.”

After staking her second vamp, a third rushed at her. She quickly opened the car door to block his advance. He punched at her, shattering the car window. Buffy hauled him through the window. She slammed the door on his head. His body disintegrated.

“Who’s next?”

+ + +

Xander and Anya stood, ready to leave.

“Sorry about the party,” Buffy apologized.

“Nah, don’t worry about it,” Xander said. “Seeing Andrew and Jonathan dance the chicken dance together was a hoot.”

She cracked a smile. “Sorry I missed it.”

“It gave me more time to plan the bridal shower,” Anya said. “Where do we order obscenely muscular male strippers?”

“Anya,” Xander said.

“Well, I’m kidding, geez.”

Before exiting Anya mouthed ‘We’ll talk’.

Spike came up behind Buffy. A shiver ran down her back at his close proximity.

“Guess I should bugger off. Something about big bads not venturing far from their crypts on Halloween.”

“Goodbye, Spike,” she said.

He nodded and left.

+ + +

“We’ve decided to be good,” Jonathan said.



Buffy blinked.



“Yeah, we’re like The Shadow, turning a new leaf and all. I’m talking about the movie since I never –“



Buffy held up her hand for him to stop.



“We owe you,” Jonathan went on. “Well I owe you. You saved my life a bunch of times. And just between you and me, I never liked Warren that much anyway.”



A dark frown crossed Andrew’s face. He crossed his arms. “He thought he was so better than us. And then he left us when we needed him the most.”



Buffy just stared.



“So, uh, Buffy . . .” Jonathan said. “Can we . . . uh, maybe . . . hide out here for awhile?”

“You’re still my prisoners, remember? Until you demonstrate change I’m not letting you leave,” Buffy said.



“Hey!” protested Jonathan. “That’s so unfair!”



“You wanted to stay anyway,” Buffy said.



“But that’s not the point!” proclaimed Andrew.



Buffy snatched their arms and dragged them toward the basement. She could only take so much of them. She shoved them into the basement.



“Keep yourself company.”



+ + +



The door burst open. Willow ran in, going up the stairs. A moment later Tara stepped in. Her eyes were bloodshot.



“Tara?” Buffy questioned. She reached out a hand.



Tara sighed. “She just won’t-won’t listen.”



Buffy stared up the stairs. “She doesn’t realize how deep she’s gotten into her power. It’s controlling her.”



“Can I sleep in your room tonight? I’ll make a space on the floor.”



“Of course.”



+ + +



Dawn made a list.



1. get Spike and Buffy together

2. keep Willow from going all black

3. keep Giles here

4. help Anya and Xander’s relationship

5. prevent the bathroom scene

6. stop Warren

7. help Amy

8. stop Rack





Was that it?



She put Sweet down and then crossed it out. They wouldn’t have to worry about him. Xander had called upon him because things were so messed up before. He wouldn’t do it again.



Would he?



+ + +



Xander fingered the shiny necklace. He contemplates the talisman.



“Xander, honey, come back to bed!” Anya called from the bedroom.



He stuffed the talisman back into his pocket. He turned to go to his fiancé. He didn’t need any spell for a happy future.



Trust in your love. Isn’t that what Buffy had said? She was right.



The phone rang. Xander turned to answer it. He listened to the person on the other end.



“Will, slow down, I can’t understand you.”



All he got as a reply was a bunch of sobs.



“It’s okay, Willow, go ahead and let it out.”



Xander reached into his pocket and brought out the talisman again.

Foreshadowing. Up next, you got it, Once More With Feeling! My version. A better version. And you got it, full of Spuffy.
 
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