Not Too Late: Part Fourteen
by Ahn
If you don't know who or what the characters are, then they belong to me and my twisted imagination along with my mountain of student loans. If you recognize anything, then you know that the great Joss and the WB owns it.

Author's Note: Look to the previous parts to know when this story takes place.



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Part Fourteen

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Buffy slowly opened her eyes, automatically putting her hand over them to shield them from the glare of the sun. She felt the warmth against the skin of her cheek, and smiled. She was above ground again, and it felt good.

"Are you awake?"asked a voice quietly. Buffy's eyes widened as she sat up quickly. She instantly took a battle stance as she mentally took in where she was. From what she could see, there were clinging plants that were growing on the side of the grey stone walls. She was standing in the front of something that looked like an altar. "Take it easy, Slayer. It's only me, I've come to bring you breakfast."

Lady Lilith entered the sun lighted atrium with a tray filled with fruit, cheeses, fresh bread, cereals, juice and milk. For a moment, she stood still and looked at the sun, as if absorbing its warm rays. Her raven hair was still, and for a moment she looked like a normal woman. < A normal woman that didn't plan to sacrifice her tomorrow night. > thought Buffy sardonically. "What's that?"

"Food, Slayer, to keep you from being hungry,"she replied mildly."I told you, I have no plan on sacrifing you until tomorrow when the moon is full. Sit, we will have a picnic, Slayer."

Buffy reluctantly sat at the base of the altar. She didn't take time to notice it before, but someone or demon had placed a down mattress and comforter upon the stone steps. These also were a different shade of blue with a trim of silver. "I guess you like blue, Lilith,"Buffy said as she pointed to the dress and makeshift bed.

"It is the color of royalty, Slayer. And that is what you are,"Lilith replied as she divided an apple."And you are a type of royalty, Slayer. You are the Chosen One."

"I'd like to be the Forgotten One,"Buffy muttered."Or at least the Normal One." Lilith gave her a ghost of a smile that caused Buffy to narrow her eyes."What?"

"Nothing, Slayer. Something that I was remembering from a long time ago. A very long time ago."

"Something like around ten thousand years ago?"snorted Buffy as she started eating the apple that Lilith handed to her."So where did you live back then?"

"In a home like this one. A palace that was filled with flowers, sun and loved ones. Atlantis was beautiful before it was destroyed,"Lilith said wistfully."My beloved, though he seemed not, was an incredible romantic. He supplied me with flowers and wore them when I asked. Once, as I was learning how to knit, I created a shirt for him that a lot of flowers. He didn't want to wear it, but he did. My beloved did try to make me happy and protect me. And he did for a time."

"He sounds like quite a guy,"Buffy said gently. Damned if she was feeling sorry for the creature that was planning to sacrifice her. Lilith looked at the Slayer consideringly.

"You are different,Slayer. You have family and friends, even a life of your own. That is something that has not been allowed for some time. I am surprised that the one that guides you has not objected."

Buffy smiled wryly."He did. But I won the arguement."

Lilith smiled warmly."I am glad. Even if you had not a child, at least you had a life."

"Children are not on my agenda right now."

"Because the one that you love is a vampire with a soul?"Lilith shook her head."You should have at least tried for a child with someone else then. Then you would have know the joy of holding a litlle one that was a piece of you."

Impaitent, Buffy grabbed a knife to butter the bread."So your kid died by vampires and humans, that doesn't mean that you have to kill off the humans too."

"But, I do, Slayer. Humans, I have found, are inherently evil. They are often not like you, honorable, brave, tempermental. They are often greedy and selfish. They would embrace evil if it would get them what they want,"Lilith replied seriously. Her voice then dropped."When I kill off all the vampires, who is to say that there will not be a human to resurrect their kind?"

Buffy had no answer to that as Lilith continued."Besides, little one, I would think that you would be happy that as soon as the Dance of Shiva is done, then there will be no more Slayers. No more Chosen Ones. Only-"

"Only nothing and nobody to do anything,"Buffy said angrily."Thanks, but I'd rather be a Chosen Slayer than to have nothing in the future to look forward to."

"Look at it this way, Slayer,"Lilith said with a shrug,"This is one way that you will be guarenteed to meet your Maker and to give Him a piece of your mind about His choosing you to do His work."

"Are you teasing me? 'Cause it isn't funny,"Buffy said through narrowed eyes. Lilith looked at her innocently.

"Heavens forbid that I tease the Slayer,"Lilith said as she dramatically brought her hand against her chest. Buffy was about to retort when they were interupted.

"Lady Lilith, there is a need for your attention,"said a vampire in his game face as he was standing in the doorway, well away from the sunlight."There seems to be a problem with the intruments that you need for the ceremony."

"I will be there anon, Jack,"Lilith called out."Begone!" The vampire left quietly.

"Stupid blood suckers,"Lilith sighed."Can't do anything right. Not even in bringing about their own demise."

Buffy bit back an insane urge to giggle. Lilith turned to her."Eat the food, child. Enjoy the sun and the garden. You may come into the house, but you cannot leave. The house is filled with vampires, and they have been told to keep you here in any means they can."

"Short of killing me. Right Lilith? For tomorrow's ceremony for the Dance of Sneeze."

"Shiva."corrected Lilith as she nodded."Yes, short of killing you. You cannot escape, we are not near Sunnydale, you cannot call for help or go anywhere. There is no escape, Slayer. From here or your destiny. It is too late for that. I will see you at even time, Slayer. With more food and clothes."

"Clothes?"

"Yes,"Lilith smiled sadly."It is the least that I can do for you. You are the key that will finally avenge my husband and child's death. It is my duty to take care of you the best way that I know how."

"By feeding me and clothing me? I'd really rather trade it for a ticket out of here."

"As you said once,not possible,"Lilith said sadly as she walked out. Buffy watched as the figure disappeared in the darkened doorway. Buffy looked up at the walls covered with the clinging plants, and started to plan. She only had about ten hours of sun light to escape.


* * *
Hlin entered the Summers home with four packages all wrapped in brown paper. Giles moved forth to her as she was about to set them down on the coffee table.

"Where is everyone, Watcher? Whare are the demons? And the Slayer's Mother?"

"She's down with the others in the basement giving them fresh pig's blood. They were a bit hungry,"Giles said absently."Is that-"

"Are you mad, Watcher?!?" hollered Hlin as she bolted towards the basement. Giles followed quickly.

"Hey!"Xander exclaimed startled as he opened the basement door. "Where's the fire?"

"Hlin is a bit nervous with Spike, Whistler and Angel down in the basement,"Giles explained. Hlin shot him a deadly look.

"It is not easy to think that there are demon who are on the side of the Slayer. Especially when two of them have no soul. Their motives are suspicious,"Hlin retorted.

"And I disagree,"said Joyce as she walked up the stairs."I will accept anyone's help in finding my daughter.And furthermore, young lady, I-"

"Hey! Let go of that packet! It's mine!"

"No! I got it first! Let go!"

"Exscuse me,"Joyce said gracefully as she started back down the stairs. Curious, Hlin followed.

Joyce ignored the two vampires that were fighting over a packet of pig's blood and went straight to a closet at the other end of the room. Eyeing the militant walk of the Slayer's Mother, Whistler came between the two vampires to try and stop their bickering.

"Uh, guys? Guys! Stop this now! You're making her mad!"

Angel grunted as he firmed his grip onto the packet."I got it first. The damn packet is mine!"

"Like bloody hell it is, you Irish dog!"growled Spike loudly as he also tightened his grip."Let go of the packet! Mum got it for me!"

Suddlenly a flash of metal was seen in the air, and it swung toward Angel and then Spike. Both vampires let go of the packet of blood as they grabbed their now painfully hurting heads.

"I told you two boys no more fighting! You're giving me a bloody headache!"Joyce said, her voice filled with angry annoyance. She glared at the two vampires and then grabbed the packet from the floor. Looking at it for a second, she then threw it to Whistler, who caught it in surprise. Outraged looks were given Joyce's way."I told you, everything was divided equally between the three of you."

"There was an extra packet, Mum,"protested Spike."I saw it first!"

"Did not! I smelled it before you did!"growled Angel. Spike started to double up his fists.

"Enough!"Joyce yelled. She glared at the two vampires."It wasn't enough for you two to keep everyone up with your fighting. It wasn't enough for you two to break some of the furniture down here! Now you *both* have to fight about blood?!?"

"Yeah!"shouted Whistler happily at the two. Joyce glared at him before she continued.

"Well, let me tell you something, the next one that so much as starts arguing will get more than a hit with my axe. It'll be buried in your immortal thick hides, is that clear?"

The two vampires looked at each other in mutual dislike, and then at Joyce's axe which was next to her impaitent toe that was tapping on the floor. They both looked to the ground.

"Uh, yes Mum."

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Good,"said Joyce as she was about to start up the steps. Hlin moved aside to let her through, then caught her arm. Joyce looked at her questioningly.

"Mother, we must meet down here. There is important news and plans to be done if we are to help your daughter."

Joyce nodded and started to call the other downstairs to the basement.


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