Title: Season of Change 2/?
Author: Katy Hart
Disclaimer: Joss and company own them. I’m just
changing things for the better.
A/N: Part 2 Spoilers for Faith Hope and Trick
From Buffy’s Diary Oct 13, 98
I dreamed of Angel again. It was just as scary as all the other dreams I’ve had of him. This one involved dancing at The Bronze, the ring he gave me and flashing back to killing him. In the dream, Angel told me to go to hell. Been there, done that. I’m sure it’s all deeply symbolic or something. I’ll have to tell Giles about it, make sure it isn’t a prophetic Slayer dream. Actually all my dreams lately have been weird, including the ones with Giles in them. Probably something to do with being back in Sunnydale. I’m sure Giles would have some long boring word for it. Must get ready, it’s my first day back and mom and I have to meet with Snyder first, ick.
From the Personal Journal of Rupert Giles October 13, 1998
As I prepare for the work day, I realize that Buffy will be back today. The faculty is abuzz with rumors of how she managed to accomplish this. There is also much speculation on Buffy’s involvement in the incident last year, despite her being cleared by the police. There are several things I wish to discuss with her, including Acathla. If she believes that I need to know exactly what happened to do a binding spell, to keep the world safe, perhaps she will talk. She has said nothing about what happened, and her silence worries me. If Willow’s spell worked and she sent Angel to hell I know she will suffer in silence, refuse to talk about it, especially in light of what he did to me. However if he was still Angelus, how does she feel about what happened? Of course it is all moot if she refuses to talk or uses her ever ready flippant wit to deflect the questions. I may have to approach this several different ways before she answers and there is the distinct possibility that she will never answer at all. All I can do is try.
Buffy’s Diary
What a day. The meeting with Snyder was long, boring and utterly pointless. I have to take some tests, get a letter from someone other than Giles and meet with the school shrink. Fun. Watching mom get all childish with Snyder was great though.
Met with Giles, he mentioned some binding spell on vortex guy. He just needed to know exactly what happened. I wasn’t sure how to say it. Dreaming about it was bad enough, but actually talking about it? So maybe no to telling him about the dream. I made some stuff up. I don’t think he bought it. Gotta go, Bronze with the guys, then patrol.
From the Personal Journal of Rupert Giles
When I told Buffy about the binding spell, she seemed upset. I could see the pain in her eyes and I wished I could take it away, replace it with the bubbly spark that used to be there. She told me a false tale about killing Angelus, not mentioning whether or not the soul spell worked. The she was off to start her makeup tests.
Willow stayed behind and we discussed her attempt to restore Angel’s soul. I am not angry at her, but perhaps there will be a time soon for tutoring so she may get a handle on her newly developing skills. Untrained magic is a dangerous thing. I know this all too well and do not wish to see her go down this path.
Buffy’s Diary
Just back from the Bronze, skipped patrol. All because of something I hadn’t really thought about. A new Slayer, Faith, called when Kendra died. I was too busy saving the world to think about the consequences of Kendra’s death. I wonder who took care of her, Giles? Scott was there too, but I gave him the brush off, not ready to dive into another relationship. Still getting over the last one.
Faith seems really into the Slaying thing. The guys were asking her all kinds of questions. Why aren’t they ever interested in my stories? Oh yeah, probably because they star in most of them. She seemed cool with oz’s sitch, which is bonus for her. When I asked about her Watcher, she said he was at a retreat. Not sure I buy it, but I’ll introduce her to Giles tomorrow, see what he thinks.
From the Personal Journal of Rupert Giles October 14, 1998
Buffy brought along the new Slayer today, Faith. I shouldn’t have been surprised really. But it brought up all the memories of dealing with the aftermath of last year. I was the one who had to call Sam, he was devastated. I do believe he will mourn her passing more than her parents will. I arranged for Kendra to be transported back home. It all made me wonder how I would react to Buffy’s death, her permanent death that is.
I’d quite forgotten that the retreat was in session right now. My invitation must have been lost in the mail, or perhaps they thought it best I stay to help Buffy with the Hellmouth. There’s always next year. Meanwhile, Faith seems rather…peppy and her comment on my age and looks received a glare from Buffy. I had rather expected one of her patented ‘eeewwws’, it was rather interesting to the look on her face. It was almost as if she were possessive. But I do not dare to think about it, dare not hope. I am just her Watcher, nothing more.
Buffy’s Diary Oct 14, ‘98
That skanky ho! Trying to horn in on MY Watcher. Okay, sorry, don’t know why I got all uberbitch there. All I saw was red when Faith made the comment about Giles being young and handsome. Why? He’s just Giles, just my Watcher. At least that’s what I keep telling myself. But there’s a niggling little voice in the back of my head. I keep shutting it up. When the gang left, Giles wanted to talk more about Acathala. I was flip about it, again. I still don’t think he bought it.
Walking out to the hall, Faith was talking to Scott. I encouraged the couplyness between them. Maybe it will get Scott off my back. And with the way Faith dresses, she’ll have him hooked in no time. Will and Xand were big with the showing her all the places where big things happened. Didn’t scare her off, which is cool. Now I gotta go get ready for dinner with her and mom.
From the Personal Journal of Rupert Giles
After meeting with Faith, I’ve had some thoughts on the continuity and integrity of the Slayer line. It’s been a source of controversy in the Council since Kendra’s calling. I had to do some fast talking to keep them from flying here and testing both the girls, especially Buffy. The Council has some interesting things to say about her and our methods of dealing with the Hellmouth. I get the feeling I’m not very popular in certain circles, either.
Back to the subject of the Slayer line. It seems that with Buffy’s ‘death’, we have encountered a ‘hiccup’ of sorts. Although she was only technically dead for a few minutes it seems to have been enough to trigger Kendra’s calling. And yet, Buffy still retains all of her Slayer abilities. And of course with Kendra’s death, Faith was called. There is a lot of discussion of who the Power passes through now. Will another be called when Buffy dies again or has her link to the Power been severed? It bothers me to think of her dying once, I don’t know how I would react should it happen again. I should leave these ideas and theories to others better suited to it.
Buffy’s Diary
Well that went well. Mom and Faith totally bonded. Mom was all rah rah about the second Slayer thing. Of course she totally wigged when she found out I’d died. Now she’s talking about splitting patrols and me spending more time at home, preparing for college next year. Geez, I’d like to get through this year first.
On patrol things went all to hell. First she gets in my face about Angel. Not a good thing to do. Then we were attacked and it’s instant Slayer mode. We’re both kicking ass and one of the vamps says some name, tacquitos? Anyway, they live for him; they die for him, yada, yada, dust. Faith looked a little shocked by the name, but wouldn’t tell me anything. Guess we all got our secrets, huh? But it looks like we’ve bonded with the Slayage and maybe there won’t be any more talk about Angel.
From the Personal Journal of Rupert Giles October 15th, 1998
Kakistos, the very name conjures up fear in many a Watcher’s heart. When Buffy dragged Faith into the library today, I never expected his name to enter the conversation. When I mentioned contacting Faith’s Watcher at the retreat, she reacted with such force and negativity. It took Buffy and myself quite a while to calm her back down. I managed to coax the truth form her. She has been on the run from Kakistos after he killed her Watcher in front of her. She’d heard of Buffy and came to Sunnydale seeking help and protection.
It took a great deal of courage on her part to admit her fear and ask for our help. It seems her bravado was just a front and I do hope she knows she can trust us from now on. I set Buffy straight on Kakistos’ nature, his age and his looks. It will take more than a simple stake to kill him. It will also take their combined strength to eliminate him. Should they succeed, they will truly be heroes in the eyes of the Council.
Buffy’s Diary Oct 15, 98
Well Kakistos (I had Giles spell it out for me) is no more. While Faith and I were on patrol, we got into a fight with some more of his cronies. They led us to a warehouse, obviously a trap, but we were ready. Faith really stepped up, whaling on the big ugly like there was no tomorrow. Giles was right, as usual, didn’t take a tiny stake to kill him. Faith was a genius, using one of the fallen roof beams to run him through. The look on his face! And let me tell you, for a big ol’ vamp, he didn’t leave a lot of dust.
Faith broke down in my arms then, but I think she’ll be okay. I took her back to Giles and arranged for her to stay here with me for now. Giles is gonna call the Council in the morning, see where they want her to go. I hope they let her stay for a while. Last I saw, she was inviting Scott to the Bronze, good for her. But something she said helped me make a decision. I went back to the mansion. I was saying goodbye to Angel, leaving his ring behind. It’s time to move on, time to let go. Which is also why I told Giles and Will about what happened. It felt good to do it, felt like a weight being lifted. I will always have a place in my heart for Angel. Now though, I can heal and maybe in time, find room to love someone else.
From the Personal Journal of Rupert Giles October 16, 1998
The Council sends its deepest thanks to both Faith and Buffy for the death of Kakistos. They have assigned me to be Faith’s Watcher until a replacement can be sent. I was very surprised at how well Buffy took it. She and Faith seemed to have bonded and Joyce is putting Faith up until more permanent arrangements can be made.
Something about this entire incident also led Buffy to reveal the truth. Angelus had reverted back to Angel when she killed him. The spell worked. Willow seemed pleased, but she will still need guidance. I feel for Buffy, I know how painful it is to lose the one you love. But strangely, I can feel nothing but satisfaction that Angel was killed at her hands. It seems absurdly fitting somehow.