Amends: Reasearch
by writer girl wow
Giles was already in the library when Buffy got there.
“Giles, something’s wrong with Angel.” She said, her voice tainted with worry.
“I know. I saw him.” Giles replied. “He wanted to know why he was back. Then something I couldn’t see scared him off.”
Buffy sat down at the table where Giles was working and grabbed a book to help him research.
Xander, who had been standing unnoticed in the doorway, spoke up. “So what is it exactly that we’re looking for?” He asked. Both Buffy and Giles gave him a look.
Look, I know I haven’t been the mostest best friend when it comes to the whole ‘Angel’ thing, and I don’t know, maybe I’m getting the Hanukkah spirit.”
In that moment Giles gained a new respect for the boy he’d come to love as his own son. In the two years since Xander had started helping the Slayer fight evil, he really had grown up so much. They all had, himself included. The three teens had, on so many occasions been forced to take on challenges no one should have to face, and they had done it with an amazing level of maturity.
Buffy and Giles explained the situation and Xander joined them in their research. Giles was reading from a book and came across a reference to the First Evil.
“…For they are the Harbringers of death. Nothing shall live, above or below them.” Giles read aloud.
“God, no wonder you like this stuff so much.” Buffy said. “It’s like reading the Sun.” “Nothing shall live, above or below them.” Buffy repeated. She thought about the cryptic words for a moment. And, then it hit her. Nothing shall live, above or below them. The dead circle of trees at the Christmas tree farm.
“I know where they are.” She announced. “You guys keep researching. I’ve gotta go.” Giles and Xander looked at each other with confused expressions, then returned to their research only to find they’d already read every book on the table.
“Xander, We’ve done all we can. I suggest we both go home and get what some rest.” The boy nodded, and together they put away the rest of the books before leaving the library.
“Okay, 10 more minutes of chanting, and then you guys have to go to bed.” Buffy quipped, alerting the Harbringers to her presence. She easily killed them. Only she and the First remained in the underground room. The First appeared as the late Jennifer Calendar.
“You think you can fight me. I’m not a demon, little girl. I’m something you can’t conceive. The first evil. Beyond sin, beyond death…I am the thing the darkness fears. You will never see me, but I am everywhere. Every being, every thought, every drop of hate-”
“I get it. You’re evil. Do we have to chat about it all day?”
“Angel will be dead by sunrise.” The First said coldly. “Your Christmas…will be his wake.” Buffy turned and started running toward the mansion where Angel was living.
“Dead by sunrise!” The First screamed out its final warning.


This story archived at: The Slayer\'s Fanfic Archive
The Slayer\\\\\\\\'s FanFic Archive - http://www.slayerfanfic.com/viewstory.php?sid=7607