Caleb wondered how Buffy was doing at the dance as he drove toward the Putnam barn. He grabbed his phone, unable to resist hearing her voice before facing off against Caleb. Surprise washed over his handsome features when Tyler answered.
"Hello, Buffy's phone and watch dog at your service," his voice cheerily sounded through the line.
"Hey, it's me. Why are you answering the phone?" He smiled at Tyler's way with words. "Is she okay?"
"Yeah, she didn't have any pockets in that dress, which we can just say a thank you to the designer gods for, and she didn't want to carry a purse. Something about needing her hands free. Women, they make no sense to me, but I'm fine with that."
He laughed at his friend's assessment of Buffy's outfit, agreeing wholeheartedly. "Would you put her on?"
"Sure, man, she's right here." Tyler turned to where Reid and Buffy were standing a little ways off and found Reid standing alone. "Where's Buffy?"
Reid turned to his left and felt his stomach drop. She was just there. He had only taken his eyes off her for a second to check out Sarah Michaels in a skimpy dress. No way, that she would've walked away without saying something. He turned worried eyes back to Tyler, knowing that they had to tell Caleb.
"She's gone."
"What do you mean she's gone? You were supposed to watch her."
Before he had a chance to learn more, something heavy landed on his car. Slamming on the brakes, the car jerked to a stop. Chase stood on the hood with the wind whipping his hair and clothes about him. His eyes held a maniacal glint as he bent down to peer at Caleb.
"Thought I'd start your birthday festivities early." Pointing a finger at the windshield, it shattered, sending glass shards toward Caleb's face while widening into a large hole. He backed up, stood with arms straight out, flipped over the car and landed on the ground. Laughing as lightning struck close by him, he watched Caleb exit his car, and start running across the open farmlands. "Run Caleb, it'll make it that much sweeter when I catch you," he screamed over the elements." Tipping his head back, he filled his mouth with the clean rainwater, then spit it out as if its purity had burned him.
The boys split up to search for Buffy. They met back together after circling the entire dance floor and finding nothing. What they found upon their return shocked them both. There stood Pogue, uninjured and impatiently waiting for them. They approached 'Pogue' warily, unsure if he was real or another mind trip from Chase.
"Stop looking at me like that; it's me. Ask me whatever frickin' question you want, but get it over with so that we can go help Caleb." He leaned against the wall, waiting for them to make up their minds. His muscles tense and ready to pounce like an angry tiger.
"That's Pogue. No one could fake being cool, angry and frustrated at the same time. It'd take up too much power. Not even Chase would waste it like that. He'd be aging in front of our eyes. We lost Buffy. Chase must have her. She was here, then poof, she's gone. That son of a bitch's a freak. Not that I'm unhappy to see you, but how are you upright and mobile? We left you looking like road kill." Reid eyed his friend skeptically, wondering what else was going on that he didn't know about.
Pogue gave the younger Sons a roguish smile. "Buffy's a lot more than she seems. She found me after Chase left me looking like pounded shit. Hearing her tell it, she's here to help Caleb and us. Don't know everything, but I do know that she saved my life. She also told me that we needed to help Caleb put Chase down, permanently. "
They exchanged looks, communicating silently. Just as the older Sons were close, the younger two shared bonds that, though their personalities seemed miles apart, made them willing to die or kill to protect each other. Tyler watched Reid's back, pulling him back to reality when he tried to fly too close to the sun. Reid pushed Tyler to explore outside his safe world, while ensuring that no one ever thought about hurting him. They nodded simultaneously; this wasn't the younger Sons pushing for recognition. Someone had come into their town and threatened one of their own; no one did that and walked away, not while breath remained in a Son of Ipswich.
Pogue motioned them forward. They gathered close, heads bowed. "This is what we need to do."
Caleb ran through the fields. Rain hit him with pinpoint precision, blurring his vision. He entered the old Putnam barn, then realized that Chase had led him there. Looking around, he saw that someone had kept the place in working order. An old plow stood off to the right, pitchforks lined the wall, with harnesses next to them. It was like stepping back in time. Lightening flashes provided light as he walked further into the structure that held such meaning for the Covenant. Would it bear witness to another Putnam furthering their thirst for power, or would it end tonight?
"Glad that you could finally join me." Chase stood on the upper level. Lanterns that he lit with a wave of his hand illuminated his body. "Have you come to be a good little witch?" He put his hand over his mouth, his lips forming a cartoonish 'O' as he pantomimed. "Did I call you a witch?" Pushing out with both hands, his power went out in a visible energy waves that hit Caleb, forcing him to his knees. "I meant wiyatch."
He struggled to stand as he watched as Chase levitate up to the banister. "You're not getting anything from me. Tonight or any other night."
Chase looked down at as his nails, then polished them on his shirt, leisurely taking his time answering. "Thought you might say that. So, I brought a little insurance." Light flared illuminating a previously shadowed portion of the barn. There an unconscious Buffy floated above the ground, looking like a fallen angel. "She really is quite beautiful. It'd be a pity to extinguish that." Flames flared to life, surrounding her, drawing closer with each passing minute.
She floated above the ground, listening to Chase bait Caleb. She'd give anything to step down and put a beating on that jerk's ass. This waiting for the Powers' champion to choose his path before being able to do anything sucked. It certainly gave her a new respect for her friends and Watcher. The sidelines were so not her style.
"I told you to leave her out of this." Caleb's pupil's flared red before fading to black. He put his feelings behind the power that he shot at the hateful boy. It sent him spiraling to the ground.
She mentally cringed when Chase retaliated with another wave of power, sending Caleb across the barn. It shouldn't be much longer until Caleb ascended, then the real party started. If she could, she would do a Snoopy Dance, as it was she just watched and waited.
His face crumpled from the pain when his back hit a support beam. Taking a deep breath, he tried to push away from the pole. The clock struck twelve minutes past eleven, and the lightening that had flashed outside gathered into one large cloud. It centered above the barn at the exact moment that he turned eighteen. The cloud of energy let loose, shooting bolts straight into his chest. His body arched backward as unholy screams tore from his lips. A blue aura surrounded him, dissipating when the show stopped. He fell to his knees, breathing heavily as power suffused his entire body.
"Welcome to the club, little brother. Too bad, you won't get to enjoy it. Now, about those dues." Chase's smile faltered when Caleb used his new powers to throw him across the barn. He stopped himself mid-throw, twisting back around to face-off with the younger boy. "Ooh, you want to play first? Sounds like fun."
He stomped his foot, shooting shock waves at Caleb, knocking him off his feet. While he had him down, he sent the upper level crashing down on top of him. A smug smile crossed his lips as he advanced on his fallen prey. He sent the boards flying, expecting to find the newly ascended Son unconscious. A scream of frustration escaped his lips when he found nothing but dirt and scattered hay.
"Looking for me?"
Chase turned around. He was hit by huge burst of power at him that sent him flying against the back wall. Pitchforks that had lined the walls of the Putnam Barn for decades rushed forward, intent on skewering the evil Son in place. He dodged the sharp instruments in time, hurling an ancient plow in a defensive move to buy him some much-needed time.
Evelyn Danvers rushed upstairs, intent on forcing her husband to help their son. She hated that she had to choose between them. James had chosen his path years ago, but Caleb's was still ahead of him. Her heart thumped in her chest when she stared into his eyes. She remembered the handsome man that had swept her off her feet. Kneeling down beside him, she took his withered hand.
"Caleb's fighting for his life tonight. I've never asked you for anything all these years, James. I ask you; no, I beg you, will him your power. Don't force me to bury my son. You've never given him anything, give him this."
He stared at her. She was still so beautiful. Her eyes pleaded with him and it broke his heart that he couldn't do this for her, for his son. Buffy's words rang in his head. The Powers would kill his son if he did what she wanted. He had to trust in the young woman who had won his son's heart.
James felt the Covenant's power increase and knew that it wouldn't be much longer. He had to keep Evelyn away until Caleb and the Sons, along with Buffy, did whatever they had planned to eliminate the Putnam Line. He held his wife's eyes, knowing that she would curse his name. Hopefully, she would come to understand when it was over and Caleb was safe. Evelyn held her breath when she saw his lips start to move.
In a barn several miles away, the fight increased in tempo. Chase sent Caleb straight through the barn's wall to land on the wet ground. He stood over him, clamping his hands around his neck. "Time to pay the piper, or she dies." He sent a burst of flames into the barn. "Will me your powers and the flames go bye-bye."
Caleb glared up at him, forcing words through his strained throat.
James stared into the warm, brown eyes, so like his sons.
Two male voices spoke at once. "I… will… you…nothing."
Screams filled the night. "What!"
"Yes, finally," Buffy said, sitting up to stare at the fire that surrounded her. "Easy, peasy, lemon squeezy." She blew at the fire and it went out.
"Is that a hard spell where you're from?" Pogue asked as he entered the barn followed by the Reid and Tyler.
"Nah, just heard it in a movie and always wanted to say it." She floated down until her feet touched the ground. "Bout time you guys got here. Let's go put this jerk down for good. Caleb just said the magic words. Did you explain everything to Team Ipswich?"
"We know our part. It's not much different than how we took out the Wood's Hole Warlock," Tyler said.
She eyed Reid who was uncharacteristically quiet. "What's up with spaz boy? Not a lot of time here; if you're not sure, don't come." She turned, already walking toward the barn door and the battle royal between Caleb and Chase.
"Just want you to know that if for some reason you aren't on the level, that I'll take you out once we're through with Chase." His pale eyes blazed with his conviction as he glared at her even as he double stepped to catch up with her.
"Sounds fair to me. Now, let's get this party started."
Caleb shoved Chase away from him, using the shock to his advantage. He pulled the power from deep within himself and threw it at his adversary. His eyes widened in shock when the other boy caught it. Chase grabbed the power, throwing it back and forth between his hands, as if it were little more than a tennis ball. He added his own formidable power to it and wound up to throw it back at the target of his animosity. Winding up, he sent it toward Caleb. A feral smirk spread across his lips as he started forward, intent on extracting the other boy's powers once he had him barely hanging on. Stopping short when a barrier surrounded Caleb, he turned around, searching for its source. His shock increased when he saw Buffy, followed by the other Sons. How could she have escaped my spell?
"Surprise," she said, laughing at his expression. "You thought you were so powerful, all souped-up with your father's powers. Too bad the extra power didn't give you extra smarts," she taunted. A sweet smile lifted her lips as she continued advancing toward him. She watched his face purple with anger.
An angry growl escaped his lips as he sent every bit of anger and frustration he felt hurtling at her in one huge wave of power. Caleb shouted for Pogue to get her out of there, even as he started running forward. He threw his power out at Chase at the same time that the other Sons did as well. Buffy pushed her own power out at Chase to keep him focused on her. He saw everything that he had worked for failing; and the bitch smiling at him was to blame, he just knew it. He pushed more power at her. If he was going down, he was taking her with him.
The Sons watched with equal parts horror and awe as her blonde hair flew about her like a golden nimbus. They saw her eyes change to a glowing amber, unlike their own obsidian black. When Caleb raised his hands to defend his ladylove, his friends spread out and mirrored his stance. They readied themselves by some pre-acknowledged agreement. Power shot from the four Sons' hands, hitting Chase from all sides. It startled him, causing him to lose his concentration and allowing Buffy's power to complete the circle. The five created a pentacle as they surrounded the evil Son. They continued pushing their power at him as they started to slowly step closer. His knees buckled from the onslaught. He tried to defend himself, but found his power completely depleted. He stared down at his hands, wondering why they wouldn't do what he wanted. Wrinkles spidered across formerly youthful hands as the knuckles swelled and reddened with arthritis.
"No," escaped his lips in a shocked whisper.
"By the Powers' decree, the fifth line tainted by John Putnam during the Damnation, kept secret by the Covenant of Silence, dies tonight with its last and final Son. Its evil will taint this world no longer." The wind carried her words to their intended target.
"No, no, this is my time. The power's mine, my father's and his. It should be mine, all of it. I'm stronger, better than them, any of them, all of them," he spat. He turned his head to glance at the Sons of Ipswich, and then turned back to Buffy. "They're too afraid to use their power and would be groveling at my feet, begging me not to hurt them, without your help." His eyes blazed with hatred as he crawled forward. "Why should the Powers interfere for him and not me? How come they left me with people who never understood me, never wanted me? Why?"
She rolled her eyes at him. "Oh, get over yourself already. Your parents loved you and you killed them. That's no one's fault but yours. You wanted power, well, here you go."
Her head fell back on her shoulders as wave after wave of power shot from her palms. Caleb and the other Sons continued their own assault, but it was Buffy's blasts that led to Chase Goodwin Pope's ultimate demise. His body continued to decay like a flower under a time-lapsed camera. It withered into an old man, then its outer covering cracked and flaked away, leaving nothing but dust. A soft wind scooped up the tiny particles and swept them away.
Caleb stared at Buffy, unsure whether to go to her, or simply walk away. His mind whirled with everything that had happened tonight and he wasn't sure what to make of it. Yes, she had helped him defeat Chase. She had also lied to him, if not by commission, then by omission. He remembered worrying over his decision about breaking the Covenant, and she known about it and him all along. Was everything else a lie? Did she even care about him? The Sons? Ipswich? Anything other than fulfilling the Powers' decree.
A hand clasped his shoulder, followed by another, until the Sons stood together shoulder to shoulder, a united front. The way they had started and the way they would remain, facing whatever life threw at them - together in a covenant of friendship.
"Pogue, how? You were hurt." He took in his best friend's smile and unmarked face.
"It's a long story that should be explained over beers at Nicky's. Let's get out of here." He turned to leave, throwing an arm around Caleb's shoulder as he called back to Buffy. "Hey, girl, come on, it's time to party." He gave her one of his famous Pogue Parry smiles.
She couldn't stop the giggle that escaped at his happy expression. He was lucky to have such good friends. It made her miss the Scoobies something awful. She hadn't missed the varied expressions and doubts that had traveled across Caleb's face. Buffy knew that he needed time to decide whether he wanted to hear what she had to say. She sent him a tentative smile, which he didn't return. He still had a deer in the headlights look about him. "You guys go ahead. I have some things that I need to take care of here." She turned away and walked back into the barn.
She looked around the old barn, noticing the ghosts that still haunted it. A sad smile crossed her lips as she watched them repeat their unfinished activities. She closed her eyes, recalling words written in an ancient text from the archives. Her lips formed the necessary chant to release the unsettled spirits.
"You did good kid," a heavy Bronx accent said.
Buffy saw him standing there in his famous bowler hat and bad clothes. It surprised her that she didn't feel an urge to do him bodily harm. She wondered if it had anything to do with her time on this side of the street. Not that she would ever admit it to him, but his job wasn't the easiest in the world.
"Whistler, where the hell have you been? Why didn't you come and help me out when I was stuck in the Land of Nod?" Her hands went to her hips as she leveled an angry glare at him.
"Whoa, kid, you handled the Powers just fine. I'm not allowed in the upper realms unless they call me. They only let me come tonight because it was part of your agreement. What's that all about? How did you get them to agree to anything, not to mention, force them to provide proof?"
She gave him an Angelus worthy smirk. "Powers can't break a signed agreement." She elegantly shrugged a shoulder. "Just made sure that them providing proof was part of the deal." She sat down on the lower step of an old ladder, ignoring the harm that it was doing to her dress. The fight had pretty much ruined it beyond repair anyways.
A loud, low whistle came from the balance demon as he kicked at some loose hay near his feet. "That's pretty good. I'll have to remember that one. Do you plan on hanging around here? Thought I noticed some sparkage between you and the young Mr. Danvers," he said as he leaned back on his heels.
They exchanged smiles as they talked about old times and new. She explained her deal, the benefits she had worked out for herself, as well as for the Sons. He let her know that the Powers would honor their agreement and that the Sons had won their freedom.
Caleb called to let his mother know that he was safe. He hung up before she could ask him about what had happened. His phone rang immediately with his mother's number flashing across the screen. It wasn't that he didn't want to speak to her; it was that he didn't know what to say. The entire night played repeatedly inside his head. He couldn't seem to turn it off or wrap his mind around what he had seen or done.
"Don't you think so, Caleb?" Reid asked, smiling his smart-ass smile at his friend.
"Huh, what? Don't I agree to what?" He looked at his friend's smirking face, then at the same grin mirrored on the other two boys' faces. His eyes searched from one boy to the next, trying to figure out what the hell was going on. He looked out the car window and wondered how they had reached the roadhouse so quickly. "Not funny guys."
The boys laughed at their newly ascended leader. "Not sure I'm wanting to step up to the majors if it's going to make me go all Space Cowboy," Reid said with another smirk. "Maybe Buffy's blondness is contagious. I can think of lots of ways that it could have rubbed off." His eyebrows danced up and down. "Nice ways, 'specially with a body like that."
Caleb punched him in the arm, frowning at the mention of the object of his obsession. "Hey, that's my, uh, well. Don't talk about her like that."
Pogue laughed at him. "You tell him, Caleb." He punched Reid to stop him from talking. "Does it feel different? You know, after you ascend."
The oldest Son turned to stare into pale green eyes. Without saying a word, he simply let his power free, first from his body, then further out to encompass his friends. It held them encapsulated within a living, breathing cocoon. Pogue closed his eyes, inhaling to pull the power into his body. Reid threw his head back and laughed as his senses swam in the exhilarating rush. Tyler's eye widened in awe even as a tentative finger poked at the heavy blanket that surrounded him.
"Woo…Hoo!" Reid crowed.
His excited voice echoed within the close confines, effectively breaking the spell. The power bubble broke with a loud 'pop.' As quickly as it had filled the space, it dissipated, leaving a subtle odor in its wake. They instinctively sniffed the air, trying to understand what they were smelling. It held a hint of Ylang Ylang, Cedar and Sea Greens, with Caleb's own unique scent carrying through. The Sons turned to each other as one and smiled. His power carried his scent like a calling card. This was different, which brought the unspoken question to mind. What else was different?
"That's new. Kinda nice. Not sure if it's great news for Reid, though. He's not particularly fragrant," Tyler deadpanned.
Reid didn't say anything at first, not quiet catching the joke at his expense for several heavy seconds. Then, he turned in the seat to smack Tyler on the back of the head. "Hey," he said, with an affronted tone and expression. "I'll have you know that chicks dig my smell."
Caleb ignored their antics as he repeatedly asked the question to himself, until he couldn't stand it anymore. "What else is different? Why does the power feel different? How were you able to help me with Chase? Why was Buffy able to do what she did? Why did I just walk away without getting any answers? And, what's up with my girlfriend lying to me about who she is?" His voice had started out soft, but slowly increased in volume until he was shouting at his friends.
Pogue grabbed his arm, trying to calm him down. Caleb brushed him off and started to get out of the car. He pushed him back into the seat, and motioned for Reid to lock the doors. Caleb glared up at his best fried, unlocking the doors with his powers. "Stop it, Caleb. You need to calm down before you hurt someone. No one made you leave Buffy back at the barn. She was standing right there; ready to talk if you had wanted to listen. You were the one that was too freaked out. So, I suggested leaving, and she offered to give you some space." He applied some pressure to Caleb's chest when he tried to get away. "No, you're going to listen for once in your life." He settled down and waited for Pogue to talk. "I know that you're used to being the leader and normally you're the one that's in charge, but sometimes you have to depend on us to help you."
"I do."
"No, you don't," Reid chimed in from where he had turned around in the front seat. Tyler sat quietly beside him, watching the proceedings. "I offered to help you with Chase and you told me to watch Pogue. Then, you set up Tyler and me as little more than baby sitters to watch over Buffy. Little good that it did." He frowned, remembering how worried they had felt searching everywhere for her.
"We aren't trying to start a fight with you, Caleb. Just trying to get you to see that you take your leader role to the extreme sometimes," Pogue said, as he released his hold and leaned back in the seat.
Caleb sat up. He raked a hand through his hair as he searched his friends' faces. Had he pushed them aside when it came time to make the decision? He tried to look at it from their viewpoint. Was there another way that he could have handled things? What if Buffy didn't have powers of her own? What would have happened tonight if he truly had to fight Chase on his own? He would never have the answers to those questions, but they certainly gave him food for thought about how he needed to handle future situations.
"All right," he sighed, "You guys are right. I planned to face Chase by myself and didn't really include you in what I was doing. That wasn't right. He was a threat to the Covenant, which meant he was a danger to all the Sons, not just me. Somewhere along the way, I forgot that. I was trying so hard to do what was right for me, for my Mom, that I forgot that I can't choose what's right for someone else." He gave them a tentative smile as he looked from one Son to the next. His best friend shoved him, then gave him a forgiving smile.
"Oh, Caleb, that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me," Reid said in a high falsetto voice.
"Pogue, all these years I've wanted to tell you that you're the one. The one for me," Tyler said, in a deep contralto as he grabbed Reid's head and the two boys puckered their lips and twisted their heads as they air kissed the space between them. Intermittent phrases of 'Oh, Caleb' and 'Pogue, you're such a manly witch. Make me yours.' filled the air along with loud kissing noises.
The two boys pulled the jokesters over the seat where they proceeded to tussle inside the car. Shadows played out oddly against the windows as the two ton automobile swayed on its tires. Its occupants continued their mock battle within its steel barriers. The play stopped as quickly as it had started, leaving its warriors breathing heavily. Laughter lay not far off ready to turn lips from straightedge seriousness to full fledged heady tones filled with the exalted feelings that lifted their spirits with an easy, breezy joy that they hadn't expected.
"We need to go find Buffy," Tyler said. The others turned to him, knowing that he would say exactly what needed saying. It was his way, after all. "She knew what to do and how to fight Chase. Pretty sure that she knows what's going on with Caleb and what, if anything, is different with his powers now that he's ascended." He dove back over the seat, then turned back to smile at Caleb. "If you don't want her anymore, I do." He laughed aloud at the gaping expression on the older boy's face.
Reid wiggled back over the seat, starting the car and backing away from the roadhouse. He drove in silence for several miles before adding his own view on the topic. "Tyler, Caleb can't just give away Buffy like that…." His pale eyes caught dark brown ones in the car's mirror. "He has to ask her permission first…And anyways, I'm older and should get first dibs, cuz Pogue already has a woman. That means that I get her if he doesn't want her." Caleb's head jerked so quickly from the quiet Tyler over to his own wickedly spiteful sense of humor that Reid was fearful that his head might simply snap right off his neck. The car swerved across the road when Reid's humor got the better of him. "Whoops."
Pogue leaned over and slapped the back of the white haired boy's head. "Whoops. Whoops my ass, which I might add, my girlfriend happens to like very much and would appreciate you not plastering against a tree. If you can't be a smart-ass and drive then just do one at a time, please. Sorry for using big words and all, but keep your freaking eyes on the roads, smart ass. Give my man, Caleb, here a break guys. He's not used to having such a fine assed woman like Buffy actually wanting to be with him. So, if he's pretty much screwed it up, then it's really not his fault."
Caleb's glare went from Reid to Pogue. "Gee thanks, Pogue. Way to stand up for your best friend there, buddy. There will be no taking of Buffy off my hands. My hands are just fine where they are, which is on Buffy…err…with Buffy. You know what I mean." He let out an exasperated sigh as he set back in the seat. Trying to gather his thoughts for the upcoming meeting, he thought about the way she had looked tonight coming down the stairs. A soft smile lifted the corners of his lips at the memory.
"Man, what brought on that look? Are you thinking about her naked or something?" Reid pulled the car to a stop at the Putnam Barn. Turning in his seat, he sent his eyebrows dancing as he asked, "You want us to wait outside in case she wants to try out a few spells with you?"
Buffy heard the car drive up and knew that Caleb had returned. She had hoped that he would and that he wouldn't. She had wanted him to return so that she could make sure for herself that he was okay. Yes, everyone, including Caleb himself had said that he was. She just wanted to have the privilege, the luxury, of seeing that, ensuring that for herself. To take her hands and brush them over his handsome face, feeling for any remnants of Chase's power sticking to him, and chasing them away with her own hands. Using her senses, not just the physical but the emotional and metaphysical ones as well to search his aura to ensure that it remained whole and that Chase Goodwin Pope wasn't able to obtain even just a little nibble of Caleb's inner core. More importantly than all the others, she just wanted to hold him in her arms and know that he was safe. Know that although a Big Bad had threatened his life, that he was safe, sound and whole, and that she had played a part in achieving that goal. Taking a deep breath, she knew what happened next could lead to a new life for her or close a chapter on her hopes for said new life. She straightened her shoulders, then turned to face the doorway, waiting for the Sons to return to hear about their future and to let her know about her own.
Caleb saw her standing there waiting for him. He couldn't find the words to describe how beautiful she looked. Ethereal. Luminous. Fairylike. None of them did justice to the creature that waited for him. Soft light turned her hair into a golden cloud that lay softly about her shoulder before falling down her back. The crème satin gown, though marred from her earlier battle, hugged her body lovingly, pooling around her tiny bare feet. It seemed incongruous that the tiny toes with pink polish that peeked out from the gown's edge belonged to a powerful witch who had protected him and his friends. She had not only protected them, she had battled against Chase, battled…and won. Chase, with his inherited powers from his father, had been a powerful opponent, and yet Buffy had taken him out without too much trouble, or so it appeared to him.
She watched the memories play over his face. The memories brought questions, which brought doubts, which carried fear. It hurt her heart that he could be afraid of her. She didn't blame him and would feel the same way if she were in his place. Still, it didn't stop the sharp bite of pain that lanced through her heart. She had to push forward and face whatever fate threw her way.
"Hello, Caleb," she said, smiling at him softly. "I'm glad that you decided to come back."
He stepped into the barn, hesitating when she spoke. "I wanted, needed some answers…and ne…to see if you were all right."
She heard what he had started to say, and it lightened her heart. "I understand. Are the others coming for story time or just you?" Her eyes went toward the door, watching for the three other Sons' entrance. She wasn't disappointed as they came tramping inside not too much later. "Hey guys, uh, pull up some hay and let's talk." Caleb started to speak when she held up a small hand and he couldn't draw his eyes away from her beautiful face.
"Okay, lover boy, we know that you'd like some alone time with your woman, but the rest of us would like to know what's going happening. So, the quicker she tells us, the sooner we'll, you know, leave you two alone." Reid stuck his tongue out at Caleb while he gave Buffy a knowing smile.
"Okay, here goes. You know who the Powers are, right?" They dutifully nodded their heads. She held back the giggle that was trying very hard to escape. They looked like little boys ready to hear a scary bedtime story. "They pretty much move everyone around on a big whopping chessboard, deciding our fates, depending on which day of the week it is."
A large bolt of lightening shot from the sky, hitting mere inches from her foot. Pogue jumped back, Reid tackled Tyler to the ground, while Caleb leapt across the short distance toward Buffy. He skidded to halt when she rolled her eyes up at the ceiling.
"Cool it with the lightening bolts, would you? I'm barefoot here."
"Uh, Buffy, I don't think that they like your 'tude," Tyler said as he pushed Reid off him, brushing away the hay and dirt that clung to his clothes.
"Yeah, I get that a lot. They'll just have to live with it, though. You can make up your own mind once you've been their butt monkey for a while and tell me if you don't agree." Crossing her arms at chest level, she gave them a smug smirk that let them know that she hadn't told them the half of it. "Where was I in the tale of Buffy, and how she came to join the Sons of Ipswich? Oh, yeah, too bad that we don't have alcohol, I'm sure that you'd believe this easier with alcohol. I know that I'd believe me better. 'Cept last time I drank beer it was cursed and I went all cave Buffy on my bestest male friend." Her shoulder went up in a casual shrug as she settled down on an overturned bucket. Four healthy teenaged boys' minds generated mental pictures that brought a quick protest to her lips. "Eww, get your minds out of the gutter." She wrinkled her nose at them, and then giggled when they looked everywhere but at her. "Back to the story…I'm not from around here, which you already knew. What you don't know is how far away home really is…They told me that I broke the rules… This is kinda funny if you think about it…They explained about what they wanted me to do here…Caleb, the Covenant of Silence, the Sons, everything to do with this world…I only agreed to come here if they agreed to my conditions….And that's how I went from being Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Buffy Summers, the one time only messenger for the Powers and Caleb's backup against the Big Bad." She finished her story and sat back, waiting for it to all sink in. That's when the questions would start. It didn't surprise her that Reid was the first to speak.
"So, you came here as a spy, and if everything worked out then you get to stay. That's whack. I'm with you; those Powers are way cruel. Did they have you put a spell on my man, Caleb, to make your job easier?" Reid's eyes narrowed as his hands clenched as if he wanted to throw a bolt of lightening at her if she answered the wrong way.
"No, that's gross," she answered, her nose automatically wrinkling without her realizing it. "I like Caleb, which surprised me." She saw the expression on Caleb's face and quickly tried to explain. "Not that you're not gorgeous and sweet and great boyfriend material." She stopped when Pogue punched him in the arm, while Reid put a hand over his heart and fluttered his lashes at him. Her cheeks flared bright red with embarrassment. "Uh, well, you see I haven't had great luck with my choice of guys in the past. Caleb," she said softly, her eyes softened as he looked at her. "I'd like to keep seeing you after today, but it's up to you."
"Erm." Tyler cleared his throat, feeling uncomfortable witnessing the private moment. "Pogue mentioned something about our powers changing. What's that about?" Ever to the point, like a dog with a bone, the Sons knew that they could count on their youngest member.
A mega-watt smile spread across Buffy's face. It literally took her audience's breath away. Caleb felt his heart turn over in his chest, and admitted that no matter the circumstances, he cared for her and wanted to try to work things out between them.
"That's the best part about all this. Well, for you guys. I thought that having power that when you used it, it burned your body up was stupid. So, I got the Powers to agree that if you guys fought off Chase without any thoughts of your own safety, that your powers should change." She watched them, seeing when her words finally sunk in and understanding dawned.
"What are you saying? How have they changed? Are they changed for good, or until the Powers want to change them back? What are the rules? There are always rules," Tyler asked the questions in rapid-fire succession. The Sons heads whipped around to their fourth and junior most member, then back to the woman who could provide the answers.
She took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "Hold onto your hats, boys, you can use your powers without worrying about them aging you." They whooped and hollered, slapping each other on the back. She waited for them to calm down, before proceeding. Tyler was the first to realize that she wasn't through talking. He shoved Reid, motioning for him to sit back down and listen to the rest. The high-strung Son tapped Pogue and Caleb to let them know that there was more news. Once the Sons had settled down, Buffy sat back down to let them know the rest.
"Of course, you can't just use them anyway you want. You can't go to Vegas and run the strip or anything else that stupid." She laughed when she saw Reid's shoulders droop. "The Powers agreed that if you use your powers wisely, there won't be any repercussions. What does that mean? If you don't use them for self-gain, then they won't burn your body out, which was a stupid rule anyway." She saw Caleb wince. "I'm sorry Caleb, but there isn't anything that can be done for your father. He accepted his fate and ignored the rules that he had to live by. You four can live a long and happy life, using your powers to help others when needed without any repercussions. They're part of you and you don't have to be afraid of them any longer. Your families have done great things throughout history with their powers and still have paid the price for using them. Now, you don't have to; and any children you have won't either."
They didn't say a word, just turned to look at each other. Unable to believe that this was even possible, it finally sunk in and smiles slowly crept across their faces. They came to their feet simultaneously, grabbing hold of each others' arms, pulling together in a group hug. A huge weight had been lifted from their shoulders. They actually had a future where they could see further than only a few decades.
Caleb broke away from his friends to walk over to the small blonde that quietly watched him. Her large hazel eyes asked questions that he wasn't sure he could answer. He held out a hand to her, which he was glad to see that she took without hesitation. His steps automatically led them outside for a private conversation. When they were alone in the dark, he dropped her hand and turned his face up toward the full moon. He closed his eyes as the night played over in his mind. He saw her standing there with her eyes blazing amber as she took out Chase, then he remembered her floating above the ground helplessly. The conflicting images tore at his heart and mind. He didn't know what to think or feel for the woman, who had brought so much to his life, but she had carried it to him covered in lies.
"Caleb," she whispered his name, breaking his train of thought. He turned to look down at her beautiful face bathed in moonlight. Tears filled her eyes when she saw the confusion written on his face. "I didn't plan on falling for you." She explained in a halting voice. "You took me by surprise. I want you to know that whatever happens next is up to you. I'll leave Ipswich if you want me to." She had to force the words from her throat, but knew that she had to offer him the choice.
He took another step away from her, turning his back to her. Raking a hand through his hair, he let out a heavy sigh. What did he want? Buffy took his stance as a rejection and started walking away. She had only taken a few steps when she felt a strong hand on her shoulder. She stopped, glancing over her shoulder. Caleb stood there with his heart in his eyes. He turned her around, then took a step forward, bringing their bodies together. His other hand came up to caress her cheek. They stared into each others eyes as their lips drew closer until they met in a tender kiss. The kiss grew in intensity as their emotions came to the forefront.
He leaned back so that he could look into her eyes. "Buffy, I won't say that I'm not upset that you weren't honest with me, but I don't want to lose you. Will you stay in Ipswich with me? Let's see how things go from here. But, we have to be completely honest with each other, no more secrets - deal?" He gave her a sweet smile as he waited for her answer.
She rose up on tiptoe to plant a quick kiss on his lips. "I'd like that very much. Not that I wouldn't have left if you would have asked me to, but I sure didn't want to." He pressed his forehead against hers as she fell flat-footed back to the ground. They smiled into each others eyes, happy to be here with each other even though everything wasn't perfect. They knew that they had time to work through their problems.
The End