Jean-Claude and Asher approached Buffy quietly; she whirled around into a defensive stance. They both held up their hands in a peace motion.
"We only want to say thank you, little witch, we don’t know what you are but thank you."
"Asher, where are you going to stay? You are going to stay here, aren't you?" Buffy asked the golden haired vampire.
"He will be staying with me, little witch, naturellement."
"Yes, I’m staying but not with you Jean-Claude. I know everything I thought was untrue but those feelings haven’t disappeared," Asher replied tersely.
"I have a suggestion; you could stay with me. My house is large enough and I have a basement. We wouldn't crowd each other. The only rule I have is you can't force a were to you, through your animal to call."
"I don’t have an animal to call," he answered quietly.
"Do not worry, Mon Cher, my wolves will feed you," Jean-Claude quickly answered.
"RRNT! Wrong answer. Sorry, don't have any vacancies left at my house anymore. All full at the inn," Buffy snapped crossing her arms.
"That settles it, Mon chardonneret, you will come and live with me at the Circus and my wolves will feed you.Mon ami, we can fix this between us," he pleaded.
"Non, Sacre Blu, I will not live with you." Asher shook his golden head in frustration.
"How about you negotiate with Anita for her leopards to feed you? You pay them whatever you agree on and you've got yourself a place to stay.” Both men look at her with their mouths wide open. (In slight surprise)
"Hey I'm blonde not dumb. Asher go face the big bad Queen Z. She's finished with her queenly rounds. Jean-Claude, you may want to go and referee so she doesn't shoot first and asks questions later."
Buffy tiredly climbed into the car and closed the door. She closed her eyes but quickly opened them again when Damian crawled into the car. He handed her back her weapons and shoes. ‘ You’re a quiet one, aren't you?" Buffy looked into his light green eyes. She once again felt an attraction to him she didn't yet understand.
"You're much more than you appear, tiny warrior. There are many hidden truths, we haven't seen. It's there behind your eyes," he said, in his cool quiet voice.
"What do you mean? I haven't lied to you about anything. I came to help get your missing people back."
"Yes, you spoke the truth of this and your help was greatly needed. But you're no mere witch; the magic you use is ancient and hasn't been used for centuries. How could you know this magic? I do not feel the years of age on you. Who are you, really?"
"Wow, that’s the most I’ve heard you say, cryptic guy," Buffy laughed, "Maybe when I know you better Damian we can swap life stories. I’d like that. I think we could be friends. I don't have any here and from what I’ve seen, you don't either. So, what do you say?"
Damian bowed his head. "I’d like to know you better, daughter of the moon."
Buffy's head jerked up and her eyes grew wide as she stared at him.Does he somehow know who I am? There's so much more to this man than people think, his aura says that. I have to be careful around him; he would be too easy to fall for. This isn't the time for romance no matter what 'Dite would say. That’s where I messed up before I have to put these other people first. Man, being all grown up sucks! Cuz, Damian can we say yum.
The doors opened and Richard, Anita, Asher and Jason crawled into the car. Asher sat next to Buffy, moving closer to her until she gave him a glare and he stopped. Jason looked at her with a look of reverence on his face and continued to inhale deeply. Richard was sniffing as well, only more discreetly.
Buffy realized that her shields had lowered slightly, because of her fatigue. The weres smelled vanilla, forest, rain and some under lying scent, which was so tantalizing; it called to them like mother's milk. She closed her eyes and softly knitted her shields closed leaving open only a small pulse. The weres would still be able to feel the moon's comfort from her but not the pull. There was an audible sigh in the car.
"I'm sorry, all of this must have taken more out of me than I thought" Buffy whispered then closed her eyes hoping to stop any discussion.
"Rest, ma petite sorcière, you have earned it," Asher whispered. Buffy smiled to herself then gave in and snuggled closer.
No one else knew what to think of everything that happened tonight, especially everything this tiny blonde was able to do. Jean-Claude was thankful that Asher was once again a part of his world. Richard still couldn't believe what he had seen her do. He knew about magic, but never anything like what Buffy could do.
Anita still felt torn by her feelings thankful that Richard, Jean-Claude and their people were safe. She couldn't help herself from not trusting Buffy; it was just that she was too good to be true.She comes out of nowhere, can do anything not to mention was tiny, blonde, and beautiful, Anita off track. Something has to be off about this it has to be a setup or something. I don't care what she does I am keeping my eyes on her and I will find a way to kill her if she is here to hurt us.
Asher felt like a weight lifted from his shoulders. He couldn't just make all the anger he felt towards Jean-Claude dissolve, but at least he knew that he didn't abandon them.Who is this blonde goddess snuggled up next to me so trustingly? I haven't met anyone like her before; she didn't even blink when she saw my scars.Asher smiled to himself. He couldn't wait to know her better.
Jean-Claude dropped Buffy, Asher and Gregory, off at her house. She liked the wereleopard. She saw the abuse he had suffered and hoped to find someway to help him. He and his twin were beautiful, with their waist length butter-yellow hair and blue eyes. She agreed that whoever fed Asher would spend the night at Buffy's, to be available to him. She realized this was also Anita's way to spy on her but that was okay. This arrangement worked well with Anita since her house was getting cramped. Buffy showed the two men around her home then excused herself to go and meditate.
Gregory followed Asher to feed and then relaxed in the den watching DVDs. He curled up next to Asher and was soon asleep. Asher decided to go look around the house some more then check on Buffy. He found her in the front study floating above the ground. Moonlight beaming down on her making her golden hair come alive with silver and bronze highlights. A golden glow surrounded her and beneath her closed eyes, a shimmer of glowing blue peeked out.
"Mon Dieu."Asher knew he had never seen anything more beautiful, more alive, yet untouchable in his life. When he had called her a golden goddess, he now knew the name matched her perfectly. He wondered. Is she a benevolent goddess or one after vengeance? Asher felt a cold shiver go down his back when suddenly Buffy's eyes opened. He froze in his tracks not knowing whether to stay or flee.
Buffy looked at Asher, the light making his golden wavy hair even shinier. She smiled floating gently down then stood up. "Are you feeling better? Tummy all nice and full?"
Asher didn't know how to respond then he suddenly started laughing. His laughter had the power to seduce and he poured all of his power into it. He had realized that he wanted this woman in front of him. He hadn't even allowed himself to think of wanting someone because of the way Belle Morte treated him after he was scarred. Buffy must have put a spell on him but he found himself not caring.
She walked toward him then pointed her finger at him/Her hips swaying from side to side in a walk that would make an houri proud. "Now, now." Buffy said in a husky whisper with everything she had learned from Aphrodite. "It's not nice to try to trap a girl with your powers." She stood in front of him looking deeply into his pale blue eyes. She reached up and pressed her hand against his heart.
Asher gasped for air he didn't need as Buffy walked toward him, his eyes glued to her hips. He felt himself grow hard at once. As she got closer and her voice washed over him, it was like nothing he had ever felt before. His heart was beating faster, Sacre Blu; it's impossible. Then Buffy touched his chest and Asher felt it beat even faster and a warmth course through his body. A fine sheen of sweat broke out on his body and he realized he was close to orgasm. Then she pushed him away from her and put her hands on her hips, eyes sparkling with a green fire.
Asher tried to adjust himself to be more comfortable in his pants. He started to feel his anger rise but before he could say a word, Buffy spoke.
"Look roomie, here are some ground rules; if you want to be friends don't try to use your powers on me. I know what Belle Morte is and what she gives her children. No one should have to do something against their will because someone else is stronger, whether it's muscle or magic. I'd never perform magic on you without asking," she told him sternly.
"What you just did was magic was it not? You’re no better than Belle Morte. Teasing to torture, and then showing me what I cannot have because of what I am again," he hissed.
"Oh, for goodness sake, get over yourself! I didn't start that, you did. Great now, I sound like I'm five years old. I know you've had a hard time join the crowd. No one's life is easy these days, not in the circles we run in. The scars you have on the outside don't compare to the ones on the inside. Those take a lot longer to heal. If you let someone help you, it goes faster and somehow becomes easier, I promise. I’d like to be that friend if you’d let me, Asher,” Buffy told him, never taking her eyes from his face.
"Why? Why should you care? Why would a beautiful woman like you want to be around someone like me?” His voice was full of doubt but in the back of his eyes was the faintest glimmer of hope.
"You're beautiful to me, Asher. I felt your love for Julianna, the way you protected her, mourned her and missed her. I can help you heal if you'll let me, it's what I do, what I was born to do, what I want to do. I understand how you feel. The anger, the emptiness, the need for vengeance, the ache for any feeling as long as you feel something. Someone helped me through it and I would like to honor his gift and his memory by returning that favor.” Buffy had tears running down her face. ‘If you let me I can help you find yourself again. I would like to meet the real Asher."
Asher looked at Buffy. Her eyes soft, pleading and full of hope. He could see no deception in her. He could feel the truth of her words and almost taste the sorrow. The one emotion he didn't feel was pity, which surprised him the most. Asher nodded his head in silent agreement not trusting himself to be able to speak.
"It's getting close to dawn. Since you don't have your coffin here, I guess we better find you a room upstairs. Gregory will probably want to sleep with someone since he's supposed to be guarding you. I guess we'll be having a slumber party. Come on let's go put the kitty to bed. Oh, Asher, you can't mark me in anyway so you might as well have a good days sleep.” She called over her shoulder.
Buffy walked out of room with Asher following shaking his head. They climbed the stairs to Buffy's bedroom and started to climb into her large bed. She raised her eyebrow when the men start to pull off their clothes off. They left their boxers on then climbed under the covers. Gregory behind Buffy and Asher in front. Buffy felt Asher's soul leave and placed her hand on his heart. Gregory was fast asleep, Buffy soon followed him.
The next day Buffy heard pounding on her door. She extracted herself from the bed realizing it was almost evening. They had slept almost all day long. The pounding got louder and she could hear Anita cursing and kicking her front door. Ah what a way to start the day, a refreshing round of the wicked bitch of the west. Buffy walked downstairs and opened the front door smiling at Anita then walked away. She went into the kitchen and started the coffeemaker. Anita stalked in followed by Richard, Jamil, Shang-Da and surprisingly Jean-Claude.It must be later than I thought. That means Asher will be up soon; guess the boys will be down as soon as he's fed.
Buffy turned around smiling at everyone ignoring the fact she only wore a pair of boxers and a tank top. The men enjoyed the view, but Anita wasn't happy that Richard and Jean-Claude weren't able to keep their eyes in their heads around the blonde.
Just then, Asher came down the stairs with Gregory bounding down behind him. Gregory went to Buffy in greeting; she scratched him gently behind the ears as a hello. Anita wondered if he was going to roll over so she could scratch his belly. He suddenly smelled his Nimir-Ra and moved toward her in supplication. Anita smirked at Buffy and allowed him to touch her then told him to get up.
Buffy witnessed this quietly.Man, I've got my work cut out for me with her. She's worse than Cordelia."Would anyone like some coffee? Have a seat and tell me what I can do for you."
Before Anita can say anything, Jean-Claude spoke up.” We have some questions for you little sorciere. You've helped us and we thank you, but we have been betrayed before by people we knew and trusted. We don't know you so it is still hard to trust you, even after all of your help."
Buffy was quiet for a moment looking at everyone in the room gauging their true feelings through their thoughts and auras. Trying to decide how much to tell them with out tell them everything.
"Earth was a paradise for demons until man came. The Powers realized that man could not survive if the demons remained so they drove them from this dimension. The last to leave bit a human creating the Vampire who grew in numbers. Shaman forced a spirit with heightened powers to merge with a girl to create a "warrior" to fight the vampires. She had all of their strengths and none of their weaknesses. The vampires had no souls and there were holes that allowed some demons to escape back to earth. The holes were closed quickly but not before some demons escaped through to earth. When the warrior died another took her place chosen by the spirit. The last known warrior fought the greatest evil, the First Evil, she won sealing all holes forever. As a result, her world no longer had any demons and there are no more warriors. The gateway collapsed on the last warrior and she fell through and landed here in your world. She didn't realize the Powers weren't through with her that she hadn't served her time. She was told she was needed here by you." She said in a quiet calm voice.
Asher gasped, "You died I can smell it on you."
"Yeah, I should frequent flyer points or something. I think this was like number, uh, four, yeah four." Buffy grimaced.
"You are certifiable. There is no way a person can die four times and still be living! She's from another dimension, yeah right; do I look like I'm blonde? Don’t think so. How bout once more, with the real truth.” Anita snapped sarcastically.
"Anita," Richard said firmly, "she's telling the truth. I can smell it on her."
"If you are some kind of warrior for humanity, how come you can do magic?” Anita asked still not convinced.
"When I appeared outside Animators Inc. I had all of this knowledge in my head. I guess the Powers gave me what I would need to survive and help out in this world."
"So the shielding, seeing souls, auras, floating, glowing eyes, moon magic, strength and speed all just suddenly appeared. Like a subliminal message or something? Lady, who do you think you are dealing with?" Anita sneered.
"I think I'm dealing with a hard-nosed, uptight, jealous, psycho bitch at the moment. Hopefully, you'll take some Midol, spank your inner moppet and get over yourself," Buffy snapped and her eyes started to glow. Everyone in the room could feel the power as it lashed out at Anita. Anita's knees buckled and she would have fallen if Richard hadn't caught her.
"Sorry, about that but you need to have a talk with your inner bitch and tell her to stand at ease. To answer your question, I have always been able to shield my power if I didn't it would have drawn every demon and vampire from miles around. The Powers gave me the knowledge of your world, the political structures and histories. The relationships of the main players and their strengths and weaknesses. The moon magic was always a part of me they just made it more available to me. My eyes glow because of the awakening of that power and my accessing it. Everything is pure Buffy, what I have always been. You are all welcome to stay for pizza or leave I really don't care." Buffy turned and walked out.
Anita moved as if to follow but Jean-Claude grabbed her shaking his head.” No, ma petite, do not antagonize her more. She spoke the truth you were too angry to feel it. Buffy put her shields down slightly so we could see she wasn't lying to us. She is here to help us Anita. She and her power draw me, but I want you.” He tried to convince her to allow him to mark her again. He wondered if this situation would help or hurt his cause. Jean-Claude knew deep in his mind that he was drawn to Buffy, whether it was her power or her beauty. He feared her though, if he were to try to mark her which one would be the servant which the Master, he didn't know.Non, better to stay on course with ma lovely petite. Better, the devil you know.He smiled to himself.
Buffy went and changed then went down to the gym. The pizza wouldn't be here for about an hour that should give her enough time to shake off the Zombie Queen's tude. Buffy moved through her Tai Chi to relax her mind and body. She didn't realize that Asher and Gregory had followed her. She did several gymnastic layouts to bring her heart rate up so she could get started. Buffy did a double front layout with a round off finish then ran up the wall. She plucked both swords off the wall in a blur of silver faster than a human could see.
The men watch mesmerized as the tiny blonde went from moving slowly as if through water to a quickened pace that only enhanced sight could detect. Gregory turned around rushing back to the others. Asher didn't take his eyes off Buffy who was now in the center of the floor with the two swords crossed over her chest, eyes closed and breathing deeply.
Gregory rushed up, "You have gotta come see this. It’s so cool. She's like that chick in the Matrix; hell no, she is Neo. No. Oh, I don't know what she is, just come see. Be quiet so she won't stop."
Everyone followed him and saw Asher standing in the doorway watching Buffy. Silently they watched as she started her kata slowly moving the swords in perfect sync side by side. It was like a dance as she moved across the floor. The swords began to move faster and faster. She was able to move them in opposite attack thrusts, as if she fought two different opponents. Suddenly, she was like a whirling dervish, moving so fast only silver blurs were seen. Everyone realized at once, that she was defending all directions at the same time when she just stopped. She was on one knee, one sword in front and one behind, eyes closed, breathing calmly waiting to defend any other attack.
Buffy calmly stood up looking at her audience. She put up the swords then walked past the crowd. "Pizza here yet?" Asher and Jean-Claude started laughing then everyone else joined in even Anita. "I'm going to jump in the shower and I will be down in a little bit."
Buffy quickly showered and dressed in low-rise jeans and a baby tee that showed her toned stomach. She brushed out her hair, drying it quickly and leaving it to hang down her back to her hips. For the first time, she thought about how long her hair was getting.Must be something about the time difference.She decided she liked it.
Her friends were setting up pizza and drinks in the dining room buffet-style when she joined them. She smiled and moved forward to load her plate with a meal worthy of a lumberjack. Jason’s jaw dropped at the amount of food on her plate. She snagged a Dr. Pepper then found a seat next to Asher on the couch just as the doorbell rang. She gave Jason a pleading look, and he answered the door. A few minutes later, Jason and Damian entered the room.
"Well, it looks like the gang's all here. Everyone dig in, there should be plenty. If not I'll call for more.” Buffy chirped, digging into the mound of pizza on her plate.
When everyone had finished eating, they went into the entertainment room and waited to see why Buffy brought them all together.
"I think there are a few things we should talk about, because of last night. Some we need to discuss as a group strategy wise but others I need to talk with Richard and Anita about their packs," Buffy announced, as an explanation.
Richard and Anita tensed, "What about my pack? Are they in danger?” Richard asked, a low growl in his voice.
"Not yet, Richard, but there are some things your pack need. I think I can help them if you let me. It would strengthen your pack. Anita, they would also help your pard. That's something that should be done in private though. There are more important things to focus on."
"What is so urgent, little warrior?" Damian asked in his quiet, calm voice.
Jean-Claude gave him a sharp look.Damian wasn't present for Buffy's story. How did he know she is a warrior?
"I know we have been on a roller coaster of fun for the last 48 hours, but I think this ride just started. The Council isn't going to be happy about the Travel Dude's death. Paddy Cakes is going to be out for blood over the loss of his son, and servants - not to mention the death of the members of his Triumvirate. That weakened him a lot. If the Council doesn't kill him now, he will be back. We may have to prepare for, if not a full-blown war with the Council, then some heavy backlash. Have any of you thought of this?” She looked at them as they took in everything she had just told them.
"Mon Dieu! We cannot fight the Council! We've signed our own death warrant!" Jean-Claude whispered.
"We can so fight them!Earthmover thought he could take us on and we proved him wrong! The Traveler's gone and The Master of Beasts would be too if someone wasn't such a Boy Scout!” Anita countered hotly.
"I told Richard he couldn't kill, Paddy Cakes. If he did, the Council would have no choice but to declare all-out war. They love nothing more than to prey on the weak and to steal power. I hope a weakened PC will be too much of a temptation for them to pass up. It will give us time to gather our strength and learn to work as a team. Anita, have you even thought about how vulnerable your pard is because of its size? Have you considered merging it with another pard that has the same problem? The reason the pack is so strong is because of its numbers, and because its Ulfric has a true beast. We have to look at the big picture people. The Council will use every single person associated with us that they can. The stronger each person is the less damage they can do. Everyone has to quit looking at everything from their own backyard. The big question is, do all of you want to come out of this whole and sane?"
"If Belle Morte comes we are powerless against her. Neither Jean-Claude nor I can do anything to defy her order."
"That is why you work as a team. Where one person has a weakness, another lends their strength. We can do this people; it will just take everyone pulling together. I have fought a hell god with the help of a hand full of my friends."
"A hell god!” Anita exclaimed.
"Yeah, she needed my sister to open a portal, so she could go home. So, I kicked her ass. The portal opened anyway, so to close it, I jumped. I gotta stop doing that. That time I died and went to heaven, literally. Four months later, my friends did some major mojo and resurrected me. I don't recommend that to anyone, by the way. A year later there I am portal diving again. Hey, Zombie Queen, ever wonder what you're doing to those people's souls when you do your raising?"
Anita's mind was whirling with all of this information. She had been to heaven and raised four months later? Anita paled at Buffy's last comments, waves of nausea overtook her. She breathed slowly through her nose, swearing she will not puke. No way! She looked Buffy in the eye. Green eyes filled with compassion and understanding looked back at her.
Who is this girl? She’s turned my whole world upside down made me question everything. I can't figure out whether to shoot her or thank her.