Lisa: Part One
by Jay Boo
Disclaimer: All characters on Buffy the Vampire Slayer are created and owned by Joss Whedon. Duh!

Author's Notes: I wrote this story as a Christmas present for my daughter for her enjoyment and to encourage her in her writing. She wanted me to submit it.

Archivist's note: And we're very thankful it WAS submitted!

Part One - Lisa

"The Bronze isn't very crowded tonight, is it?," asked Xander.

"No," replied Willow, not turning to look at him.

"Even so, we were lucky to get this table so close to the band," he continued. Willow still didn't turn to face Xander and this time didn't even answer him. Oz's band was playing tonight and she was a little distracted.

"And I understand they have Mexican fire ants on the menu tonight."

"That's good. Oh, I'm sorry Xander," said Willow, finally turning around. "What were you saying?"

"Nothing. So where's Buffy? I thought she was meeting us."

"She'll be here. She just wanted to make a quick sweep down by the cemetery first."

"Dingoes Ate My Baby sound pretty good tonight," he added, trying to make conversation.

"Yeah, they do," replied Willow, once again turning in her seat to face the band.

"I'm going to get something to drink. Do you want anything?," asked Xander, shaking his head. Willow wasn't going to be very talkative with Oz around. Surprisingly, she did turn around to answer him.

"Something diet. Thanks," she smiled.

Willow reached into her pocketbook to get her compact out. She wanted to check her makeup before the band went on break. She looked at herself in the mirror, but something didn't seem right. After a moment she realized what it was. She felt like someone was standing behind her but she couldn't see anyone in the mirror!

"Hi."

Startled, Willow dropped her compact on the table.

"Oh, Angel! Hi. I should have known it was you standing there and me not seeing you in my mirror and I'm talking too much..."

"Sorry, did I scare you? It's a habit, this being quiet thing."

"No. I mean, well, maybe surprised is a better word to use."

"Is Buffy here yet?," asked Angel, smiling.

"Not yet. She said she was going to make a quick pass down by the cemetery first. She shouldn't be long. Why don't you sit down and wait?"

"No, I'll see if I can find her. Just in case she needs help. Or something. If I miss her tell her I'll meet her back her later, okay?"

"Okay."

"Thanks."

Angel turned and left. Willow picked up her compact to finish checking on her makeup. And again something didn't feel quite right. She looked over her shoulder. Angel was gone. Everything looked normal. In fact, except for a girl leaning against the wall to the right of the band, Willow didn't notice anything different. Thinking it was time to buy a new compact, she once again looked into her mirror. That's when it hit her. That girl didn't cast a reflection!

Willow quickly put the compact away and glanced at the girl. It seemed that she was looking for someone. She seemed to be about Willow's age, with short red hair not unlike her own. Her arms were crossed over her chest as if she were cold, but it was warm in the Bronze tonight.

"Okay, Willow. Think," she said softly to herself. "Xander is still in line for drinks, Buffy's not here yet. But she'll be here soon. I hope! Gotta stall her until Buffy gets back."

Willow crossed the room and made eye contact with Oz. He smiled back. A little more sure of herself now, she approached the stranger.

"Hi!," said Willow, nervously.

The stranger looked Willow up and down, nodded, then again searched the room, looking for someone.

"I haven't seen you before. Are you looking for someone? ‘Cause I come here a lot and maybe I'd know who you were looking for. Well, I don't come here all the time. I mean, I have a life. And homework and stuff. But, well, you know what I mean."

"Yes, maybe you can help me," replied the stranger, looking directly at Willow for the first time.

"Oh, good. I'm Willow," said Willow, extending her hand.

"Lisa," replied the stranger. They shook. Her hand was cold. Very cold.

"Oh, you're cold. And a little pale. Do you feel alright?," asked Willow, a little too nervously.

"It's nothing," she replied, quickly withdrawing her hand. "I'm looking for a girl, about my height. With blonde hair. I don't know her name, but I know she's a student at Sunnydale."

"Well, that narrows it down to about eighty or ninety girls."

"I know. Oh, and she has a boyfriend. I don't know what he looks like, but his name is Angel."

"Angel? Oh, you must mean Buffy! We're friends. In fact, I was waiting for her. Why don't you come and sit with us until she gets here? Okay?"

"Us?"

"Us? Oh, yeah, us. I mean Xander. He's getting some drinks."

"Lead on." They took their seats just as Xander arrived at the table.

"Well, hello! Willow, won't you introduce me to your new friend?," asked Xander, putting two sodas on the table. And a package of twinkies.

"Xander, this is Lisa. Lisa, Xander. She's waiting for Buffy."

"Nice to meet you," said Xander, extending his hand.

"Likewise," answered Lisa.

"Oh, you're cold! Where are my manners? Here, put on my jacket. Are you feeling okay?"

"Actually, no. And I haven't eaten in a while."

"Can I get you something?," asked Xander, not noticing the look on Willow's face. She was a little repulsed by the thought of what Lisa may have eaten last.

"No, I'm fine, thanks."

"A dance might warm you up."

"Thanks. Maybe later."

"So how do you know Buffy?," asked Xander.

"Buffy!," interrupted Willow, rising from her seat. "Speak of the devil. Not that we'd want to do that, of course. But Buffy! Here you are."

"Hi. I think," said Buffy. "Willow, have you been drinking coffee again?"

"Buffy, this is Lisa. She's been looking for you. Her and Angel have a *lot* in common, if you know what I mean."

"Actually, no I don't. Hi," said Buffy extending her hand.

"Hi,' replied Lisa, shaking Buffy's hand.

"You're..."

"I know. Cold and a little pale. I'm not feeling so great."

"I was going to say you're wearing Xander's coat."

"Oh."

"New girlfriend, Xander?," asked Buffy, smiling.

"Not yet. But the night is young," said Xander, hoping for a reaction from Lisa.

"Xander, why don't we dance?,' asked Willow.

"Dance? Us?"

"You big kidder. We dance all the time," said Willow, looking at Lisa. "C'mon," she said, yanking Xander out of his chair by the arm.

"Yes, ma'am!," he replied, terror in his voice.

Buffy looked at her two friends. Both were talking at the same time, though she couldn't hear them. Xander pointed to the band, obviously meaning he didn't want Oz to see him dancing with Willow. Willow pointed at Lisa, who had her back to them. Suddenly they both stopped talking, turned and stared wide-eyed at Buffy. Buffy replied by quickly lowering her eyebrows, the international sign for I don't get it.

"So, how do you know Angel?"

"Actually, I don't. I was looking for you and I heard that you had a boyfriend by that name."

Willow was now pointing at her mirror, shaking her head and pointing at Lisa.

"Is there something wrong with my makeup?," asked Buffy, touching her face.

"No, you look great," replied Lisa.

"Oh, thanks. Sorry. You were saying that you were looking for me. Have we met?"

"No. Word on the street is that you are a blonde girl about my height and a student at Sunnydale."

"Word on the street? What are you talking about?"

"Well, you are the slayer, aren't you?"

"Huh? The what?," said Buffy, trying to act surprised.

"It's okay, Buffy. I know. I'm a vampire."

"Huh? Okay. Let's assume for a second that I'm this slayer person and that you are a vampire. Why would a vampire come looking for the slayer?"

"Simple. I want you to kill me," said Lisa very calmly.

"Again, huh?"

Now Willow and Xander were standing closer to Lisa. Both had their upper teeth stuck out and two fingers in front of their mouth.

"Willow, do I have something in my teeth?," asked Buffy. Xander looked at Willow, shaking his head. Willow slapped her forehead with her hand.

"I'm sorry," continued Lisa, "I'm new at this. You see, I can't feed."

"What's up? Break a tooth?"

"No, no. I just can't imagine doing that to someone," said Lisa, her voice quivering. She was fighting back tears. "Oh, I suppose I could catch a rat or something. But then you have to twist its' neck and..."

"Okay, I get the picture. We don't have to exchange recipes. So what's the prob? This should be second nature to you. Instinct! Just...you know, I can't believe I'm even having this conversation."

Lisa lowered her head and began sobbing.

"Wait a minute. You're different. It's not that you can't feed. You really don't want to. Oh my god...you still have your soul!"

Lisa shook her head yes. Behind Lisa, Willow had tilted her head back, exposing her neck. Xander was pretending to bite her. This only drew a strange look from a passing girl. Xander and Willow separated, smiling sheepishly.

"Lisa, you said you were new at this. How new?"

"Three days," she replied, collecting herself.

"Oh. I'm sorry. Really."

"Thanks. I believe you. Now can we have your friends join us before they embarrass themselves any further?," said Lisa, wiping her eyes.

"Good idea." Buffy waved to them for them to join her.

"Lisa, you sure I can't get you anything from the snack bar? Maybe a Bloody Mary. Or better yet, how about a stake?," asked Xander.

"Xander, sit down. Lisa told me she was a vampire," said Buffy.

"Oh."

"Bloody Mary?," asked Buffy.

"Okay, so it's not my A material. But can't you take a hint? I'd hate to be your partner in a game of charades."

"Question," said Willow. "Why does a vampire seek out the slayer? Isn't it usually the other way around?"

"I want Buffy to kill me," replied Lisa, very calmly.

"Oh, of course," said Willow, confused.

"Well, why don't you just greet Mr. Sun tomorrow morning?," suggested Xander.

"I thought of that, of course. But it's a little drawn out, no? I mean, I was hoping the stake routine would be a lot quicker and...well, not quite as painful," said Lisa, looking at Buffy.

"Back up! No one is staking anyone. Lisa needs our help. She and Angel have something in common."

"And Buffy, that would be what? Besides the obvious, I mean," said Willow.

"I think Lisa still has her soul."

"Angel still has his soul!?," said Lisa, a little too loudly. A couple of people looked over in their direction.

"Yes, Angel has soul alright!. You should see him dance," said Xander, loudly. The curious looked away. "How did that happen?," he continued, softer now. "I know the circus is in town but I don't remember seeing bands of roving gypsies."

"Lisa, what do you remember? About becoming a vampire, I mean," asked Buffy.

"Well, it was dark. Then again, I guess it would have to be, right? Anyway, I was in a tunnel or sewer. I remember hearing dripping water. I was feeding on the neck of a vampire. He was lying on his side, unconscious, but I could see his face. Either I became aware of what I was doing or what was happening to me. There was blood everywhere. I turned and ran. And that's about all I can remember."

"What about the attack? When you were killed?," pressed Buffy.

"No. No, I mean that's *all* I can remember. I have no memory of anything before that, not who I was or where I came from. Is that common when you become...what I am?"

"No, not at all. You die, a demon takes possession of your body and your memories, but your soul is gone. How do you know your name?," asked Buffy.

"Two nights ago I stole these clothes. My old ones were blood-stained and muddy. I was in an alley when a vampire found me. He called to me. He said, ‘Lisa, how are you?' I asked him why he called me that. He answered, ‘You don't remember yet, do you? In time, you'll learn all you need to know.' He then warned me to stay away from the slayer and described her to me. Then he ran away. Tried to find him, but I couldn't."

"So your name might not even be Lisa," said Willow.

"No, I guess not."

"Was it the same vampire that you fed off?," asked Buffy.

"No. That one was taller, with dark hair. This one was shorter, with long, red, almost orange hair. And a German accent."

"Well, that may be something. It's a start. We have to get you to Giles," said Buffy.

"Who's Giles?"

"He's my Watcher. He helps do the research thing. Okay, listen up. Wait here for Angel. When he gets here, meet us back at the library. And fill him in on everything. Lisa's going to need blood soon. He'll know what to do."

"But...," objected Lisa.

"Lisa, you can't starve yourself. Eventually you'll lose control and attack someone," said Buffy.

"Oh. I was wondering about that. They don't give you an owner's manual when you join the club, you know. It's sorta learn as you go."

The band had ended their song and Oz walked over to their table.

"Hi, Oz," said Willow, smiling.

"Hey," he replied.

"Oz, this is Lisa. Lisa, Oz. She's a vampire. But don't worry. She's a good one. We think."

"Cool," said Oz, giving Willow a strange look.

"Buffy, does everyone here know who you are?," asked Lisa.

"Not yet. Willow, fill Oz in. We're going."

"Thanks for letting me borrow your jacket, Xander," said Lisa, standing and handing the coat to him. "Maybe next time we can have that dance. A slow one. Cheek to cheek," she finished, smiling.

Buffy and Willow had to turn away to hide their laughter. Xander was momentarily speechless.

"Buffy, you know, she could be leading you into a trap. Can you trust her?," asked Xander.

"He's right. You have no reason to trust me," replied Lisa. "Do you want someone else to come with?"

"No. I can handle. We stick to plan A."

"Not one word," said Xander as soon as he knew the girls couldn't hear him. "I don't want to hear another joke about my taste in women."

Willow turned towards Xander and was about to speak.

"Don't say it," he added, pointing a finger at Willow.

Willow shrugged her shoulders and smiled.

* * *

Outside the Bronze, Buffy and Lisa walked side by side. The street was empty and they were alone.

"Should I walk a little ahead of you, Buffy? I mean, I want you to trust me, but I know you can't."

"This is fine," Buffy replied, shaking her head.

"Lisa, you don't have to tell me where, but do you have somewhere safe to stay during the day?"

"Not really. I kinda move around. Sewers mostly."

"That's not good. Maybe you can stay with Angel for awhile."

Lisa didn't respond to this.

"Buffy, what's Giles like?"

"He's alright, as far as grownups go. He's British. But don't hold that against him."

Again Lisa didn't answer.

"I'm kidding. Lisa, I know you're scared, but we'll work it out. Okay?"

"Do you love Angel?"

"What?"

"Do you love Angel?"

"Yes, I do."

"And if Giles hasn't been able to help him, someone who is very important to his slayer, what can he do for me?"

This time Buffy had no answer.

Suddenly a big dog came out of a side street. Spotting the girls, he growled and moved slowly towards them.

"You see. No one appreciates what I have to put up with when I patrol alone. There's more troublesome things than vampires to deal with at night."

"Allow me," said Lisa. She took two steps towards the dog, put her hands on her hips and very quietly said, "Boo."

The dog immediately turned and ran away whimpering, its tail between its legs.

"I think it's one of the first tricks you learn as a vampire," said Lisa, smiling for the first time since Buffy had met her.

"Cool."

They began walking again.

"Buffy, this may sound vain, but..."

"But what?"

"How do I look? I mean, it's not like I can look into a mirror and comb my hair or fix my makeup, you know. First impressions? Giles?"

Buffy turned to face Lisa, reached out and touched her.

"You look great. Really."

Buffy smiled and Lisa returned the smile.

"Thanks. I needed to hear that."

Suddenly Lisa looked concerned. She tilted her head to one side as if listening for something.

"Buffy, someone's coming."

"I don't hear anything."

"That's because they're not human."

Both girls moved closer to the building they were in front of, trying to stay in the shadows. Buffy didn't like being this close to a street light and slowly moved forward. Leaning out, she stared into the dark. Then she relaxed.

"It's okay, Lisa. It's only Angel." Buffy turned and was shocked to see a look of terror on Lisa's face, one hand covering her mouth.

"Lisa! What's wrong?"

"That's Angel?"

"Yes. Why?"

"Oh, Buffy. He's the one. The one who turned me! The vampire I fed off of!"

Lisa pivoted and ran. Buffy was too stunned to move.

"Lisa! Wait!"

Hearing Buffy's voice, Angel came running.

"Buffy, what's up? Something wrong?"

He reached out to touch her but she quickly stepped away from him.

"Buffy?"

"Angel, did you see that girl? Did you recognize her?"

"No, I didn't get a good look. It was dark. Why?"

"Walk with me. We have to talk."

* * *

The Scooby gang was assembled in the library. Oz would join them after his last set.

"We're sure that Lisa is a vampire?," asked Giles to no one in particular.

"Well, she does this neat trick with a mirror," said Willow. "Nothing original, but it's effective."

"And she scared off junkyard dog with no more than a look," added Buffy.

"Right. I just didn't want to rule out the possibility that she is a demon. Or something. Or perhaps that she is only pretending to have a soul," said Giles.

"I guess it's possible, Giles. But she was in a lot of pain and I don't mean physically. I could hear it in her voice. If it was an act I bought into it," said Buffy.

"Angel, do you remember where you were three nights ago?," asked Giles.

"Yeah. As I already told Buffy, I had heard rumors that a few vampires, new to town, were hanging out in the sewers in a bad part of town. I went there to check things out. These tunnels are in bad shape even for old Sunnydale sewers. Anyway, I came across two vamps. The big, strong but stupid and slow type. It was a messy fight. More so than usual."

At hearing this Buffy gave Angel a concerned look.

"Teeth, claws. These guys could take some punishment."

Angel looked at Buffy. "I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to worry."

Buffy gave Angel half a smile and a nod.

"I dusted the first one and just as I was about to stake the other, he hit me with a pipe. I was probably out for fifteen or twenty minutes. So it is possible that Lisa could've fed on me. I had been bitten on the neck during the fight. And I was weak later, but I thought that was from blood loss and being tired."

"You did kill the second vampire, though," said Giles.

"Yes. He was fading as I passed out."

"But another vampire must've followed you or known you were there," said Buffy. "I mean, think about it. Not much time could have passed from when Lisa was bitten to the time she had to drink, otherwise she simply would've died. You didn't bite her, so another vampire did. And not long before, or maybe even during, your fight."

"There are two side passages near there. Lisa could've been in one of those tunnels with another vampire," said Angel.

"A practical joke," said Xander.

"What?," asked Giles and Buffy at the same time.

"A practical joke, played on Angel by another vampire. Think about it. Maybe there were three vampires down there and they were about to feed on their victim. The first one is off in another tunnel for snack time when Angel comes along. This vampire returns to find his friends are dust bunnies and decides to take revenge on Angel. It's not impossible that he recognized you and among your circle of friends it's not unknown that you don't like to do the human anymore."

The room was very quiet.

"Wow," said Buffy.

"Not bad, eh?," asked Xander.

"Not bad, but wow, you had a logical thought. A process even!," answered Buffy.

"Well, thank you for a Cordelian compliment. And I have to rest now. No more thinking for tonight."

"Xander is right about one thing, anyway. Another vampire must've been involved. Lisa wouldn't have known to feed on Angel in her weakened state," said Giles.

"My turn for wow," said Xander. "Giles said I was right about something!"

"If Lisa did in fact feed off of Angel at all!," said Buffy.

"Are you having a thought now?," asked Xander.

"Well, there could be another explanation. How about...hypnosis? Yes. Maybe Lisa was hypnotized into not only thinking that she fed on Angel, but that she has a soul, too."

Buffy looked around the room hoping someone might agree with her.

"And that raises another question," stated Willow. "If Angel did make someone into a vampire, would that vampire retain his or her soul just because Angel has a soul?"

The room was very quiet again.

"I don't know," said Angel. "It's strange, but I never really thought about that. I haven't attacked a human in so long that I never considered the next step. It would fit in nicely with my curse, to have that on my conscience." Angel looked at Buffy, then quickly looked away when their eyes met.

"Any precedent for this, Giles?," asked Buffy.

"No, I'm afraid not. Oh, I'll do some research, but there is so little extant material on the subject."

"I still like the hypnosis idea," said Buffy.

"It's possible," agreed Giles. "But to what purpose? Seems that a good deal of work and planning would be involved just to make Angel think he had turned someone. Unless, and I cringe at saying this, Xander is correct about what happened."

"Well, I didn't say I had it all figured out yet. I slay, you read. Remember?"

"Right. Lisa did say something about a German accent. That's something to go on, at least," said Giles.

"Good. A game plan. Willow, why don't you search the net for missing persons, especially recently. And remember, Lisa might not be her name. Angel and I will go back to that sewer; maybe there's a clue there. Xander, help Giles with that German accent thing. Or maybe vampires that like to use hypnosis."

"Buffy, aren't game plans my job?," asked Giles. "You slay, I read?"

"Oh, right. Sorry."

"Yes, well...let's get started then," concluded Giles. "Any questions?"

"Just one," said Willow, raising her hand. "On a similar theme, if a werewolf bit a vampire, would the vampire be a werevamp during the full moon?"

"Uh...I think the werewolf's bite only affects the living. But let's leave that one for another day, shall we?," said Giles.

Just then Cordelia walked into the library.

"I knew it. If you're not at the Bronze, you people are here in the library. Don't you vary your routine at all? Ever hear of Starbuck's?"

"And a good evening to you, too," said Xander.

"It was a quiet night, so we decided to stay in," said Buffy.

"Quiet? Well, quiet for Sunnydale, I guess. I mean there's only one body out there tonight and when you compare us to other towns..."

"One body? What do you mean, one body?," said Buffy.

"They found a boy outside the Bronze. Dead. Two puncture marks on his throat, you know, round up the usual suspects. Oh, no offense, Angel."

Angel smiled and nodded.

"Lisa," said Buffy.

"Lisa? That was his name? I don't know, that's kinda feminine, even for this guy," said Cordelia.

"No," said Buffy, rolling her eyes. "That's the name of the vampire we think did this."

"Oh," said Cordelia, still looking somewhat confused.

"Xander will fill you in. Angel and I will try to see the body before we check out the sewers," said Buffy, turning towards Giles. He nodded his agreement.

* * *

Even though the police had already arrived, Buffy was able to glimpse the body. The boy had been killed by a vampire. Buffy was confident that if Lisa had been the one to kill him, she hadn't turned him. Once her hunger had been satiated, the thought of what she had done had hopefully made her run away. And Buffy didn't want to think of the consequences if Lisa had turned the boy. Would he, too, have a soul?

"Well, we're here," said Buffy, her flashlight sweeping across the sewer in wide arcs. "Nice place. Why don't you show me where the fight took place?," she said to Angel.

"Over here," he replied, walking ahead of her.

"Angel, what's wrong? You were awfully quiet on the way over."

"Nothing. Let's look around."

"Hey, maybe someone else wouldn't notice, but I would. You know that. Is it Lisa?"

"Okay, maybe she is on my mind a little. I mean, look at it from my point of view. No, I didn't kill her. But I could be responsible for what she's become. You can't imagine..."

"No, I can't. No one can. So let's see if we can find something to help her," said Buffy, hugging Angel.

"You're right. Thanks."

There wasn't much to look at. Among the debris, leaves and rusty pipes there wasn't even much evidence of a fight. Just some stains that could have been blood, dirt or rust. Buffy was about to suggest they search the side tunnel they had passed when her flashlight reflected something shiny in the shallow water by her feet.

"What's this?," she said, reaching down and picking up the silver object. It was a pendant, a half circle with serrated middle, attached to a silver chain.

"I wonder if this belongs to Lisa?," asked Buffy.

"What is it?," asked Angel.

"It's a friendship symbol. Usually a boy will give this to a girl when they're in the semi-serious stage of a relationship. Each carries one half of the symbol. Put together and you can read the inscription which, if I remember right, says ‘May God watch over us while we are apart'. This one also has two letters inscribed on the back. The letter W above the letter J. Probably the first letter of their last names. The other half would have the first letter of each first name."

"Good. A clue," said Angel.

Buffy slipped the chain into her pocket and smiled at Angel.

"What?," he asked.

"Just thinking about our rings. Our symbols of us," she said, holding up her hand. Angel smiled and hugged her. And by holding her, Buffy couldn't see the sad expression on his face.

End of Part One

This story archived at: The Slayer\'s Fanfic Archive
The Slayer\\\\\\\\'s FanFic Archive - http://www.slayerfanfic.com/viewstory.php?sid=7458