Anote2: Intentionally mixed Hoodoo and Voodoo for the spells and references. Not meant with disrespect to either belief, for storyline purposes only.
Willow had no desire to listen to Cordelia's continued ranting. She wandered down the hall toward the den, intent on laying down, when she saw Momma's room. The scent drew her like a magnet. Willow felt the power humming in the room. It prickled across her skin, calling to her. This magic was different. It was pure, more grounded in the Earth, without any taint of darkness. Walking around the room, her hands softly touching each article in plain sight until a touch of red caught her eye. Willow brushed aside several herb packets to find a red, leather bound book lying on the dresser. Its outside had symbols that she didn't recognize, but could feel the power contained inside its covers. Slowly opening the front cover, Willow realized it was a Grimoire, a spell book, and a very old one at that. There were detailed spells in an intricate language that she couldn't understand. It was a mix of French, Spanish, English, and some unknown language mixed together in no recognizable pattern. Quickly thumbing though the book, looking for anything that she could understand, her heart jumped in excitement when she found one on the very last page with a word she recognized - protection. The symbols translated into - chalk, sulfur, blood, and hair, the Sorcery of the Supreme Protection. Willow read as much as she could and guessed the rest before carefully tearing the page from the book. Rationalizing in her mind that it was a simple spell with few parts, its placement in the back meant it was an old spell and therefore should be stable. Willow squared her shoulders, determined to show Beck that she did help Buffy. She would learn this spell, use it to help Buffy, replace it later, and no one would be the wiser.
"What are you doing in my room, little witch?" a harsh, accusing voice came from the doorway.
Willow almost dropped the book. She quickly hid the spell and slammed the book shut, knowing that she couldn't bluff her way out. She would have to confess to something after being caught red-handed. "I was walking by and the wonderful smell kinda drew my inside." She gave Momma her most innocent smile.
Momma didn't fool easily. She'd watched Willow for several moments before speaking. She couldn't see what the young woman was doing, but knew the little witch was lying. "The magics in this room are not for you."
"Why not? I've been doing magic since I was sixteen. Didn't Buffy tell you?" Willow felt insulted to think that Momma doubted her magical capabilities.
Momma snorted, then said in the voice all New Orleans knew not to dispute. "She told me 'bout you. Left lots out, but Momma has her ways of knowing. You know nothing 'bout magic, 'cept how to fling it out and hope it sticks. That ain't the way and never has been. You got no respect for the craft or the way. Now, get out of my room and don't come near my things again, or Momma will show you just how much you don't know. Gets." She shooed Willow out like a stray cat.
The young Wicca was equal parts scared and angry. She couldn't believe that Buffy's friend would speak to her that way. Willow knew her reputation in the supernatural community rivaled Buffy's. It was a fact she was very proud of, making her feel equal, if not superior to Buffy. Her power wasn't given to her by some higher power, she attained it on her own. Now, here was this old woman telling her she didn't know anything and would curse her if she didn't leave her room. A smug grin spread across Willow's face as she left the room. She'd show Momma and Beck, just wait, she'd use Momma's own spell to help Buffy. That would show that old biddy and the know it all man.
Momma thumbed through Marie's Grimoire. She sighed to see that all the pages seemed to be intact. She assumed that even a novice like Willow knew that the most powerful spells were the simplest. Her great-grandmother kept them at the back, warning her family only to use them as a last resort. Magic should take work; that was why even the simplest spell took numerous steps. Marie Laveaux wanted to ensure her legacy wasn't abused by her descendants.
The house finally settled down, with everyone finding a place to sleep. Beck tucked Buffy into bed, and spent an hour just watching her breath in and out. Wrapping his arms around the slender, yet powerful body, beside him, he too let the tiredness overtake him.
All too soon, the morning came and the house stirred to life. Used to having a vampire occupant, Angel found he could move around safely without worrying about becoming so much dust. He made his way down to the kitchen and found Momma already there whipping up breakfast. Unsure of himself around the voodoo priestess, he warily eased himself into a chair.
"Can I help with anything," he offered.
"I been cooking a long time, 'spect I know how to do it by myself," came the curt answer.
"Yes, ma'am." Angel nodded his head respectfully, not sure if there was anything he could say or do to improve her opinion of him. He sighed in relief to hear others coming down the stairs.
"Good morning, Momma." Beck came into the room, bending down to kiss a wrinkled cheek.
A brilliant smile lit up Momma's face. "How's our girl? Is she awake yet?"
Beck nodded his head, getting the orange juice out, along with glasses. "She's in the shower. I'm going to take her some juice and try to get her to rest a little longer. Don't expect to have any luck, but thought I'd give it a shot. She wanted to know if you'd checked on Robin or if you wanted her to." He saw the look in the old woman's eyes and knew that there wasn't any need to check on the high school principal. "I'll tell her. She'll want to take care of this herself." Beck walked back up the stairs without another word. He sighed, knowing that this morning was going to be hard on Buffy, and he planned to make sure that she knew that he was there for her.
Robin's funeral was a solemn affair, even Faith shed a few tears. They buried him along side the other Potentials who died fighting the First. Buffy couldn't help feeling responsible for his death. She knew that the First took his life because she killed Caleb. As if he knew what she was thinking, Buffy felt Beck gently rub soothing circles on her back. He was always there when she needed him. Turning around and laying her cheek against his heart, Buffy wrapped her arms around his waist. She closed her eyes for a moment just taking strength from the man who held her as if she were made from delicate crystal.
"Let's go back in the house. We need to talk." She announced to the other mourners.
They trudged back into the Summers' house, where Spike and Angel watched safely away from the sun's harmful rays.
Buffy lifted her lips up to Beck's, begging for a kiss. He readily complied. Beck pulled away, placing his hand under her chin. "Babe, whatever you decide I'm with you, remember that. Don't doubt yourself, you know what needs doing. Now, let's go kick some butts into gear. I'm ready for us to get back home. I miss my kitchen and our bed."
They walked inside and everyone turned expectantly toward Buffy, waiting for her to speak. Taking a deep breath, the blonde Slayer started speaking. "It's time for us to quit letting the First jerk us around. I'm going into the Hellmouth in exactly one hour. Anyone who plans on going with me be ready." She ignored the protests, not waiting for anyone's opinion, instead she pulled Beck upstairs with her to prepare for the coming battle.
Spike slipped down the basement steps intent on gathering his favorite weapons and a heavy blanket. Travis did likewise, checking to make sure they had plenty of ammunition. Momma stuck around in the kitchen interested in hearing what the others would say now that the others were gone.
"Are we going to just follow after Buffy like a bunch of good little soldiers?" Cordelia got her question out first. Her tone left no doubt what she thought about Buffy's plan. She was still pouting over Travis' words and Angel's inability to sooth away her feelings of inadequacy when compared to Buffy. Although they did sleep together last night, she only allowed him to hold her.
"I'm not sure that B is thinking straight. You know me, I'm all for the fighting, but the First just kicked our ass. Don't you think jumping in the fight ain't working out to good for us?" Faith plopped down on the couch.
Angel ran a hand through his hair, waiting for Willow to chime in with her two-cents worth. He knew that Gunn wouldn't have much of an opinion one way or the other. The street fighter would fight whenever they said fight.
"Buffy is right." All three looked at the witch as if magic had damaged her brain. "We keep letting the First call the shots and it hasn't gotten us anywhere. Maybe if we do what it doesn't expect, it will give us a chance at winning." Willow didn't tell them that she stayed up memorizing the spell, and planned to cast it on Buffy, knowing that the First would target the blonde Slayer. She snuck it back into the Grimoire when Momma went upstairs to help Buffy prepare Robin's body.
Angel sighed, seeing no better plan in the offing. "Everyone wanted Buffy back, saying she was the only one who could stop the First. I guess we are about to see if they were right. We should go back to the mansion and pack our things in case we have to make a quick get away."
Cordelia glared at him, but went upstairs to borrow the keys from Buffy, since everyone had walked here. She came back down, throwing a blanket at Angel and snapping at the others to hurry up.
~~~~~
Momma came from the kitchen when she heard the door shut. She knew that Buffy would be facing her final challenge and feared for her little girl. Buffy was this world's only chance, and Momma wished that she knew a way to get her girl away from this Hell forsaken place. Moving toward her bedroom, the voodoo priestess intended on giving Buffy all the help she could. She closed the door before lighting candles and pouring oils mixed with herbs into a bowl. Pulling the red book out, Momma thumbed through until she got to the page she was looking for. A soft, melodic chant came from the downstairs bedroom. It filled the people inside the house on Revello Drive with a sense of warmth. Buffy gasped, straightening up from where she was going through her closet packing things to take back to New Orleans.
"Did you feel that?"
"Yeah." Beck smiled at her. "Have a feeling Momma's stirring us up a little something special."
"She should bottle that. It would be worth a million bucks." Buffy shivered with pleasure. The feeling in her stomach felt like she just ate the yummiest chocolate. "We better get this stuff in the Rover, and see what Momma wants to do while we are kicking evil's ass." She stood on her tiptoes while he bent over, giving her the kiss she wanted.
"Well, bugger me; wonder if the old woman would be interested in a younger looking man?" Spike stretched, feeling better than he could remember in the longest time.
Travis stopped in his tracks, looked around, and proceeded to pat himself down before muttering to himself. "This is the weirdest place. One minute you're fighting for your life, and the next the good the fairy of the south is sprinkle fairy dust on your head giving you the tingles." He shook his head and continued packing up the Rover.
Spike let out a loud bark of laughter when Beck drove straight into the school. He admitted that Buffy's man had definite style. The blonde vampire climbed out, then helped Momma from the car. The old woman decided that she wasn't going to wait at home while her kids fought and possibly died. Angel followed suit, pulling the GTO in behind the Range Rover. The Fang Gang got out, followed by Willow and Faith.
"Gunn, take the car back out and park it in front of the school. If we have to make a run for it, I'll just have to use a blanket."
Buffy didn't say a word, walking toward the basement door. Her team followed dutifully behind her. She stopped outside the door. "Travis, I want you to guard this door and not let anything get by you. I don't care what you have to do."
He cocked his gun, giving her a huge grin. "Locked and loaded, ma'am."
"Promise, me that if it gets bad and we don't come back out, you will take Momma out of here."
"Now, you hush up, girl." Momma shoved her way into the middle of the small team. "I'm gonna leave here with you and my boy there." She pulled a container from her pocket. "Come here and let me finish up what I started at the house." Motioning for them to move closer, each stepped up for her to administer a sweet smelling mixture to their hands and face. Momma hummed a melodic tune while she worked. Her voice mixed with the sweeping motion of her hands, putting the fighters into an almost hypnotic trance while she worked. "You will fight with a clear mind and a brave heart. See clearly who your enemy is and strike quickly. Come home to me, my children." They bent down, accepting her kiss as the blessing it was meant to be.
Buffy wrapped her arms around Momma's frail body. "I love you, Momma. Keep safe up here. Who is gonna cook me etouffe if you get hurt?" Tears filled her eyes at the thought of anything happening to the woman who had filled the place her mother's death left empty.
"Don't you worry 'bout Momma none, child. I been scaring off evil since I was a youngen. You just come on out of the hell hole, and Momma will fix you the biggest feast you ever saw." They smiled at each other, understanding all the words they didn't dare say.
Cordelia interrupted. "Are you two done yet? I thought Buffy was all gung-ho on kicking the First's ass." The seer didn't mean to be so abrasive; she was nervous, and unsure that they would make it back out of the Hellmouth alive. In true Cordelia fashion, she fell back to her old ways. She gritted her teeth, glancing up at Angel to gage his reaction. His soulful eyes bounced between her and Buffy, fraying Cordelia's emotions even more than they already were. She started walking by him, when he grabbed her arm. Looking up, Cordelia saw that Angel had finally decided where and who he wanted to be with.
"Please be careful in there. If we survive this, I'd like to work through our problems. I do love you, Cordelia." He bent down, capturing her lips in a soft kiss that told her that he meant the words he said.
A soft smile graced Cordelia's lips when they broke apart. She saw that everyone was looking at them and straightened her back, telling them in a dignified tone, "How about we do like Buffy said and go kick the First's ass, then head back to LA for a huge party?" Not waiting for an answer, she took Angel's hand, walked over to stand beside Buffy, showing her support, and hopefully her apology for the way she had been acting.
Buffy smiled at the former cheerleader. "Okay, people, here is how this is works. Gunn, I want you and Travis manning the exits, don't let anything out." She saw the street fighter about to protest and stopped him with a look. "Everyone else, when we get in there, I want you to fan out. Faith, you and Spike go right; Angel and Cordelia go left, and Beck and I will go straight for the middle. Willow, stay at the back and cover us wherever we need it. Any questions? Good." Buffy hefted the Scythe over her shoulder, took Beck's hand and walked through the basement door.
"Wow, she really goes into general mode doesn't she?" Gunn rubbed his baldhead, not happy with being left out of the big fight. He felt someone slap his head, turning he saw the small black woman staying at Buffy's house. Gunn stepped back, seeing the fury in Momma's eyes.
"You will do what my girl say and keep that tongue in your mouth, or Momma will snip it out." She made a cutting motion with her hands, bearing down on the unlikely man like a fury from Hell. "Now, get to where you're supposed to be. Gets."
Gunn moved faster than he thought possible. He had faced demons, vampires, and evil lawyers, but none of them scared him as much as this angry old woman.
Momma turned to Travis, and winked before moving down the empty high school hallway. A soft cackling laugh could be heard echoing down the halls. Travis shook his head, cocked his shotgun and waited for the all Hell to break loose.
Buffy stood over the Seal of Danzalthar, blood dripping from a cut in her palm to open the Hellmouth's gateway. Beck watched the woman he loved preparing to walk into Hell. He knew that he had loved Buffy before, but seeing her like this brought it all together for him. Beck was willing to die to ensure that she walked back out again. She turned around, feeling his eyes on her and smiled. The Seal opened, unfolding with an eerie silence. It didn't seem right that evil's door should be well oiled. It should be creaky with disuse. The sense of malice and hatred that wafted up from the gapping hole wrapped around each warrior, causing them to shiver.
"That is only a taste. The Shadowmen let me see what's waiting down there, and it ain't pretty. Remember, take the Turok-Han out quickly, don't try to fight them. They are too strong and you will tire out before they do. Take their heads and move on. The First is mine. Let's go."
Buffy didn't bother with the stairs, she jumped straight down, landing on her feet ready for whatever lay in wait for her. The others quickly followed, moving into their assigned positions. Although Buffy had told them what to expect, it took them a moment to wrap their minds around what they were seeing. Walking toward the edge of what seemed like an endless cavern, they looked over to see thousands on thousands of Turok-Han below them on the Hellmouth's floor. The Turok-Han growled when they saw them, snarling as they mobbed below. Spike and the others backed up, turning to look at Buffy.
The snarling Turok-Han army rushed toward the cliff where Buffy and the others stood. Buffy held her ground, knowing that this was where she lived or died. Fighting broke out immediately; as fast as they killed off the first wave another came over the edge. They were holding their own, with only minor injuries, which was odd. The Scythe had a mind of its own, taking out Turok-Han with ease. It seemed to feel them before they were even there. Buffy kicked, spun, whirled, and sliced. She was a blur of red, silver, black, and blonde. Releasing the Slayer power from its tight leash, it lashed out to blend with the mystical weapon into a deadly combination. Beck and the others took care of the straggles on the outer limits, but the majority seemed to concentrate on one target - Buffy. Everyone tried to work their way toward her and found their way blocked on every attempt. Buffy felt a prickling race down her spine, before she could react, a Turok-Han stabbed her in the back. She screamed, crumbling to the ground, and when she looked up there stood the First in her body, smiling down on her.
"Oh no…ow! Mommy, this mortal wound is all...itchy. You pulled a nice trick. You came pretty close to smacking me down. What more do you want?" The First smirked at Buffy. The same wound appeared on its body. It laughed while it scratched it.
Buffy's eyes narrowed. There was something wrong here. Gritting her teeth, she sat up. "I want you to get out of my face." Standing up, she continued. "Bitch!"
Willow had been watching the entire time, preparing herself to throw the protection spell around Buffy. She used a spell to translate the spell she stole and couldn't believe how simple it turned out to be. Pulling on her magical reserves, Willow took chalk, sulfur, and some of Buffy's hair from her pocket. Closing her eyes, she pictured the spell from the book in her mind and cast her hand out at Buffy. A circle with arcane symbols appeared at the four corners around the Slayer's feet, on each symbol the ingredients landed, and on the last wind carried the blood from her wound. Light flared for the briefest moment then went out, sealing the casting.
Buffy started forward only to find that she couldn't move past the odd symbols that had somehow appeared on the ground. "What did you do? You couldn't beat me in a fair fight, so you had to resort to magic to hold me down. Some powerful evil you are." She snorted, showing the First what she thought about it.
"Don't look at me, dearie. Looks like your little witch friend has been playing in the wrong cauldron. This is too rich." The First threw back its head and laughed.
The fighting stopped and all went deathly silent. Buffy turned to glare at Willow. The red headed Wicca wouldn't meet her eyes, letting the blond Slayer know that the First was telling the truth.
"What now? Are you gonna taunt me to death or what?" Buffy crossed her arms over her chest, the Scythe lay comfortably across her breast.
"How about this? You and me in your mystical little circle? We fight it out. You win and I go away. I win, and well, I win." The First grinned at Buffy, gracing her with a mega-watt Buffy Summers smile.
"What choice do I have? Come on in the dirt is fine." Buffy took up a fighting stance, the Scythe held tightly in her hands. She wasn't sure what to expect from the First. How do you fight a non-corporeal being anyway?
It stepped into the mystical circle causing the symbols to flare once more to life. They turned a bright red before fading back to normal.
Beck stalked over to Willow, death in his eyes, and the little witch cringed in fear. Angel intercepted him, pushing him away from the scared Wicca. "Get out of my way. I warned her that if she did anything to Buffy, I would kill her. She is about to find out that I never lie," Beck growled in Angel's face.
"You aren't helping Buffy by threatening Willow. Yes, what she did was stupid, but that isn't important. We have to hope that it doesn't affect the outcome of this fight."
"If Buffy doesn't survive, you won't be able to stop me from taking her out." Beck walked away, moving as close as he could to Buffy.
"Thank you, Angel," Willow softly said.
"Don't thank me. If Buffy dies, I just may help him." Angel snarled at her, morphing into his vampire visage.
Willow started crying. "I just wanted to help her. It was supposed to be a protection spell to keep the First away from Buffy."
"Right, where did you get that spell?" Spike asked, joining in the conversation while keeping an eye on Buffy.
"I t-took it from a b-book in Momma's room." Willow hung her head in despair.
"You idiot. No wonder it didn't work."
Before anymore could be said, the true battle between good and evil began. The First threw a punch at Buffy's head, which struck true. Her head flew to the side from the blow. Eyes widened in shock before a feral grin spread across the Slayer's face. Stepping back and twisting her feet in the dirt, Buffy pulled on the Slayer power sending it down into her hands like a guided missile. She shoved it out into the Scythe, extending it down through the mystical weapon and stuck out at the root of all evil. Gasps rang out when a cut appeared on the Buffy body not holding a weapon. A happy crow escaped Buffy's lips and she spun around ready for another round. A body blow met her square in the chest, knocking her back into circle's outer edge and throwing her back. Buffy cursed under her breath. Fighting inside a freaking circle sucked, and she didn't know how much damage it would take to kill the First. The happy gleam in her opponent's eyes gave her the wiggins, telling her that she was missing something. Going back in for another swipe with the Scythe, Buffy noticed that the First looked more solid each time she hit it. Shit! Her eyes looked down at the weapon in her hands, then back at the enemy that wore her face. The dream came back to her and she broke the Scythe over her knee. A mega-watt smile of her own broke out on her face when the First screamed in agony.
"No! What have you done? You have ruined it all."
"Check mate. Never played chess, but I always liked the saying. This was yours all along, so I'm giving it back, sorry that I broke it. Send me the bill. Catch."
Buffy threw the Scythe at the First, cutting her hand in the process. Her blood sprayed across her chest hitting the amulet Momma gave her. A bright light burst from her chest. The light knocked a hole in the ceiling of the Hellmouth that went all the way through the school until it hit daylight. Sunlight streamed in, hitting the Turok-Han army, turning them into so much dust. Buffy screamed, her back arched as a force lifted her off the ground. The amulet's light hit the First, and it started to slowly fading from sight. It cursed, changing into its true form, trying to maintain its foothold in this world, but finally winked from sight. Angel and Spike ducked back up the steps away from the harmful light still emitting from Buffy's chest. When the First's and its army no longer existed, the light stopped, and Buffy started falling. Beck rushed forward, catching her before she hit the ground. She looked pale and she was breathing shallowly. The others slowly gathered around, hoping that the blonde Slayer hadn't once again given her life to save the world.
Beck gathered her close before moving toward the stairs. The Hellmouth started shaking and stalagmites fell from the ceiling. Everyone quickly followed Beck up the steps. He walked faster, never taking his eyes off Buffy's face. Momma rushed forward when she saw him coming from the building.
"Bring her here and lay her in the seat." She pointed to the Rover that Travis had moved to the back door of the school.
Travis didn't say a word, knowing that his friend was on the edge ready to blow. A loud noise caught his attention, turning around he watched the roof cave in taking the entire high school with it. Large cracks started forming on the ground, spreading out and raced toward them. "Uh, guys, I think that we better get out of here."
Spike dashed to the Rover, jumping into the front while Momma and Beck moved to place Buffy across their laps. Travis gunned the powerful engine and took off down the road, racing ahead of the destruction. Angel's group was like minded. After shoving the souled vampire into the backseat against his wishes, Gunn let out a maniacal laugh as he raced to catch Travis.
"I didn't get to be in on the big fight, but at least I get to drive the getaway car." A grin from ear to ear spread across his face.
The passengers slid in their seats; with each turn the large convertible took. Angel closed his eyes and said several rosaries he remembered from his childhood and Angelus' obsession with churches. Gunn crowed with triumphant when he saw the Rover up ahead, a loud percussion wave hit the cars sending them fishtailing across the road. Looking out the back window, the former Sunnydalers were shocked to see that the entire town had fallen into a sinkhole.
Beck thought it was a fitting end to the town and wondered how far it was to the nearest hospital. Almost as if she could hear him thinking the hateful word, Buffy started to stir. He brushed the hair away from her face, leaning over to whisper. "Babe, Buffy, can you hear me? Do you hurt anywhere? Please, Baby, talk to me, come back to me," he softly pleaded with her.
"Kay." She nestled closer to his warmth, wrapped her arms around his waist, and slowly opened her eyes, then shut them again. "Not to sound like a baby or anything, but light - bad." She pouted prettily.
Momma laughed, knowing that her girl was going to be all right. "From what I hears, you was the light there for a while little missy. Sure you're not just jealous?"
A soft pink lip jutted out even further. "Nope, did so not like being a 100 watt. I'll leave that to Storm on X-Men, she has the nifty suit and everything. Are we far from, where are we headed?" She scrunched up her forehead in the way that Beck found adorable.
"LA. We might as well pick up Dawn before we head home," Beck said nonchalantly, although inside he was shaking. He hoped that those were her plans, but couldn't be sure that was what she would still want to do.
"Sounds good to me. I can't wait to be back in New Orleans. Especially to sleep in my own bed, have good coffee, and beignets and well, you get the picture."
"Xactly, which bed is that? The one in my house or the one in his?" Momma grinned when she saw Buffy blush a bright pink.
"Uh, I think I'm going to close my eyes now, the light is still bothering them." Buffy quickly closed her eyes, turning her head as the car filled with laughter.
They pulled around behind the Hyperion, ensuring the safe exit of the sunlight allergic passengers. An exhausted group entered the old hotel, causing the group inside to start shouting in excitement. Beck ignored them taking Buffy directly upstairs, following the directions Angel had already given him. Dawn took off like a shot, close on his heels. Spike and Travis looked after them with longing, but didn't think they could get by with a quick get away. All noise stopped when a high shriek from Willow had everyone turning around and Kennedy racing on her crutches to help her lover. Willow was stepping backward trying to get away from Momma, but seemed unable to escape the furious woman.
"See here, my good woman, what are you doing and who are you?" Giles started forward only to find he couldn't take another step.
Momma's hand waived in the air, creating intricate patterns in Giles' direction. "Stay away, juju man. You is no better than this witch," the old woman spat the words out. Giles' back stiffened at the insult. "This little fool stole old magic from my great-granmama's Grimoire. She use it in a place of evil, not knowing what it do. She almost got my little girl killed. This one has no business doing what she don't understand and don't respect." Momma's bracelets clinked in the air as her arms waived faster and faster around Willow's head. Those watching saw sparks and a cloud being drawn away from the small red head.
Willow shook while tears ran down her face. Tara's words came back to her about respecting magic and never doing it on anyone without their permission. She hung her head, knowing that she deserved this punishment. After coming back from the coven, she thought that she was in control, but she was wrong. Her personality was too addictive. Perhaps if she had learned magic properly, but now it was too late.
The clinking stopped and Momma lowered her arms. "You will never have the spark inside you again. It is not a place where it can grow; do you understand what I am saying to you child?" A touch of sadness mixed with kindness showed on the old weathered face.
Willow shook her head, tears raced down her face. "You did the right thing."
Kennedy exploded, not understanding anything except that something had happened to her girlfriend. "What did that old cow do to you?"
Momma hissed at her, causing the obnoxious teen to back up. "Young ones should speak when spoken to. Move out of my way so I can go and check on my little girl." Kennedy's eyes went wide with shock when Momma shoved her away with no small amount of strength. A happy cackle filled the Hyperion lobby. "Boy, come show me where the one with the funny hair said to take my girl." Travis escorted the voodoo priestess up the stairs. As soon as they were out of sight the questions started.
Spike lost it, rolling on the ground with laughter. He loved Momma, she was his idea of a woman. Too bad he didn't stick around to watch her grow up when he was in New Orleans all those years ago.
Beck was already on the phone, finding them the next flight for New Orleans. Buffy wanted to leave as soon as possible. She talked to Dawn and told her that they were moving no questions asked. The teenager took the news better than Buffy thought she would. She pouted a little at first, but seeing she wouldn't be getting her way, quickly straightened up. Truth be told, the last few months without Buffy had opened her eyes to the Scoobies, and Dawn didn't like everything she saw. She understood a lot more about why Buffy was the way she was and planned to get her own act together. They found a plane leaving in an hour and were going to be on it come Hell or high water. Now, came the fun part, telling everyone downstairs what was happening. Buffy grimaced at the expected scene and accusations.
"Ready, everyone? Spike, are you going to drive the Rover to New Orleans or do you want us to rent you another vehicle?"
"Don't worry bout me none, luv." The blonde vampire smirked when Beck growled at the endearment. Momma and Travis actually giggled. "Ole Spike be down in 'bout a week. Figure I'll stick round here just to piss ole Peaches off good in proper before I take off for greener pastures. I have to nick me a few of his most prize possessions before I go. No self respecting vampire would just leave a place like this without pilfering something."
Buffy couldn't stop the laughter that burst from her lips. "Spike." She started to admonish him then thought better of it. A wicked gleam entered her eye. "When he had his apartment there was this gorgeous Chinese jade statue, if you see that around anywhere, I call dibs."
Dawn squealed, "Buffy!"
The oldest Summers looked at her with an innocent smile. "What? I'm just saying if he's going to steal something, might as well be something pretty."
Giles and the Scoobies saw Buffy walking down the stairs arm in arm with Dawn. Beck followed carrying Dawn's luggage.
"Buffy, where are you taking Dawn's luggage?" Giles asked. He had a sneaking suspicion, but hoped he was wrong.
"New Orleans," came the short reply.
"What! Are you taking her back with you to pack your things?" Xander asked, moving closer to the steps. Anya trailed after him, which started a wave of the others in the room.
"Nope." Buffy stepped into the lobby, looking over her shoulder at Beck, who moved to the side, ready to step in if needed. She gave him a grateful smile, but knew this was something that she had to do on her own. Taking Dawn's hand in hers, she leaned over and whispered in her little sister's ear. Dawn nodded before walking over to join Beck and the others.
"Why did you send Dawn over there with them?" The inflection in Xander's voice left little doubt what he thought about Buffy's new friends.
"She didn't need to hear this. Since I'm her guardian, those are my decisions to make. Anymore questions?" Not waiting for anyone to fill the small gap of silence, Buffy jumped right in saying what she needed to say. "Dawn and I are moving to New Orleans, permanently. Sunnydale is no more, which means the Hellmouth be all closed for business."
She watched the emotions race across their faces - joy, fear, anger, and then, yep - betrayal. Here it comes.
How can you leave us?...You're the Slayer…Who is going to teach us?... What are we supposed to do?... You have a sacred duty…
"Enough." She didn't yell, but kinda let the Slayer to the fore, and voila, instant silence. Buffy wondered why she never thought to do that before. "I am not responsible for your lives. Giles, you already told me that I no longer need a Watcher, and can't decide to be one when it suits you. I am and always will be a Slayer. Listen close. That does not mean that you own me. Somewhere along the way you have taken the place of the Council in my life, and I'm handing in my resignation."
"That is just like you. When the going gets tough, you get going," Kennedy snorted.
"Exactly when was I ever talking to you?" Buffy leveled the Potential with a hard glare.
"I'm with Willow, that gives me a say," she swallowed, standing her ground.
"She was with Tara, you just sleep with her, so shut the hell up."
Kennedy turned to Willow, waiting for her lover to defend her. When the red headed witch didn't say a word, the teenager stormed off in a huff. Buffy started walking away without another word. Willow called out her name and she turned back.
"I'm sorry."
"Yeah, me too. Sorry that the people I thought were my friends never saw me as a person. Goodbye, Willow."
Willow fell to the floor in tears. Xander ran over, pulling her into his arms. "Why do you have to be such a bitch?"
"Because I'm so good at it. I'm taking my sister, my man, my friends, and I'm going home. And you know what, Xander, you can just get bent."
Buffy walked away that day, leaving behind her childhood. She found the life she had always wanted. She found love, friendship, and a home. She found a normal life. Did it still have demons, vampires, and things that go bump in the night? Of course, normal didn't mean that she stopped being who she was. It simply meant finding someone to accept and share all that she was, so that she could become all that she was meant to be.
The End