Xander, Willow and Rebecca stood in the gateway leading to the front door of the Hyperion. They watched at two police cars screeched down the vacant street. Across the road three police officers were ushering a group of pedestrians into the nearest buildings while another group of police officers inspect another.
“Hey have you noticed that none of the police haven’t come inspecting this building?” Xander asked curiously
“Yeah,” Willow replied, “it’s kinda creepy.”
“They’re boxing us in.” Rebecca replied seriously
“Why?” Xander asked as he watched an old woman being manhandled off the street
“Keep all you enemies in one place that’s easy to find.” Rebecca replied
Rebecca turned and headed back inside. In the lobby the mood was intense. Buffy leaned angrily against the check in counter holding the phone to her ear. In the corner Gunn was consulting with another one of his contacts. In the corner Angel and Conner and the juniors watched the TV they brought down from one of the rooms.
Buffy slammed the phone down and rubbed her head stressfully. She turned back to the group a look despair in her eyes.
“Gen S. was just raided,” she said, “The police seized everything.”
Gunn hung up his cell and looked at Buffy.
“You ready for the icing? Police have been rounding up slayers all day.” He said seriously
“On what charge?” Angel asked tuning into the conversation
“Anything that could stick,” Gunn replied, “so far slayers have had charges ranging from littering right up to murder one.”
“God damn it!” Buffy yelled as she slammed her hand down on the counter
Rebecca leaned against the pole near the entrance. She tried to think of options but none were coming at the moment.
“How many do we have left?” Rebecca asked
“Form the one’s who’ve checked in about thirty or so?” Buffy replied, “That’s if the police haven’t got them first.”
“We need them here.” Rebecca said seriously
“Good thinking Lazarus Girl! And how are we supposed to do that?” buffy yelled
“I don’t know yet.” Rebecca replied
“Hey!” Xander yelled from the door way as he and Willow stepped back inside, “not helping. We need to be more constructive people.”
Buffy glared at Rebecca for a moment then turned and leaned on the counter. Rebecca frowned unhappily. She didn’t want any of this to happen but they all knew that prophecies are hard things to avoid.
“Ah guys.” Alison said pointing to the TV.
The group huddled around the TV as a news report was running. On the screen their photos began to flash up on the screen.
. . . Police Chief Moss warns everyone to avoid direct contact with these individual as they are to be considered to be armed and extremely dangerous . . .
“This is getting low.” Angel commented
“It does have a certain ‘digging the boot in’ quality about it.” Xander commented
Buffy frowned angrily. She turned and charged for the door.
“Whoa Buff where do you think you’re going?” Xander continued
“I’m not just going to sit around here until Wolfram and Hart decides to eat us like a happy meal.”
“Usually I would say ‘go get ‘em’ but this whole wanted felon thing . . . I don’t thing you should be on the streets.”
“What do you suggest I do?”
“I swear to god I wish I knew.”
Suddenly the front door burst open. The group, started, get ready to fight. Whistler walks in and everybody relaxes.
“Have you looked outside? It’s like a mad house out there.” He commented
“What are you doing here?” Rebecca asked
“I wanted to see if you guy are alright.”
“For the moment.”
Whistler looked around the anxiously.
“oh come on guys,” he said cheerfully, “you’ve beaten worse then this, hell, between you you’ve stopped the world from ending at least a dozen times. Just because the home of evil has you in their gun sights don’t mean that you still can’t win. You just need to find your opening.”
Then a light bulb went off in Rebecca’s head.
“opening.” She said quietly to herself
Rebecca looked up at whistler seriously.
“How slayers do you think you could round up?” she asked
Whistler thought about this for a moment.
“It’s gonna be hard to dodge the police but I can pick up a few,” he replied, “Why what did you have in mind?”
“If Wolfram and Hart want a war then it’s time to build our army.”
“That’s a sweet thought kiddo but the slayers are scattered all over the city how are we suppose to get to them all?”
Rebecca turned and raised her hand. Small flames shot out and forged open a portal a few feet away from her. She turned back and looked at Whistler.
“Leave that to me. You guys be ready.”
~ Across town – two hour later ~
Four slayers were running for their life. They dived behind a dumpster as a police car screeched passed them.
“The cops have gone insane!” one of them yelled
“You just noticed huh?” another said as she peeked out from their hiding spot
“What are we going to do?” the third one asked
“We’ll head for Gen S. hopefully Buffy will have a better idea what’s going on.”
“Yeah and what if the cops got their first?” the forth one asked
The slayer on look out turned and glared at the forth.
“Then we get the hell out of town.”
Suddenly all four girls were startled by a portal opening a few feet away from them. Buffy stepped out and looked around anxiously.
“Over here!” one of the girls yelled.
This caught the attention of some near by police who started to move to their location. The slayer on lookout turned to that other slayer
“Good one.” She said in an annoyed tone
“Are you four just gonna sit there? Come on!” Buffy yelled as she indicated to the portal
Not wasting any time the girls scramble from their hiding place and charge for the portal.
“Freeze!” one of the cops yelled as he fired off a couple of rounds.
Buffy ducked down as the bullets ricocheted of the walls. Just before the police could move any closer she dived into the portal and it was sealed instantly behind her. She landed roughly on the floor of the lobby of the Hyperion. She quickly climbed back onto her feet and looked around at the flurry of activity. The lobby now contained seventeen slayers that they managed to rescue. Around the side of the room monks working under Brother Gabriel help portal the Scooby’s to the locations provided by Willow and the witches she managed to retrieve.
Angel, seeing that Buffy had returned, went over to her.
“How did you do?” he asked
“Another four to add to the scoreboard,” Buffy replied, “That brings us up to twenty one How about the others?”
“Xander and Connor just portaled down to the docks to pick up another two, Gunn’s travelled to Hollywood to get another three.”
Buffy looked around and frowned
“Where’s Rebecca?” She asked
“We had a little trouble getting the last four,” Angel explained, “so Rebecca decided to handle it personally.”
Three SWAT officers flew back against the wall. Rebecca kicked a fourth and he crashed thought the window and hurtled down the five floors to the road below. Rebecca looked around the room anxiously. This room was cleared but it wouldn’t be long before reinforcements arrived so she didn’t have time to waste. Rebecca walked to the door purposefully and kicked it down. She was instantly met by six SWAT officers who pointed rifles directly at her head. The squad’s commander stood between Rebecca and the last four slayers.
“Stand by men,” the commander ordered, “don’t fire until I give the order.”
Rebecca sized up the situation. They were all in a tight bed room of a cheap apartment with no room to mauver. Two of the SWAT officers had pistols aimed at the terrified teenagers. The commander slowly walked up to Rebecca and sized her up. He drew his pistol and placed it on her forehead.
“Get your hands up bitch.” He said angrily.
Slowly Rebecca raised her hands. Calmly she looked over to the slayers.
“Girls,” she said, “close your eyes.”
The slayers looked at each other confused by complied. Once Rebecca raised her hands just above her head she opened her palms. A blinding flash of bright light shot out dazing all of the SWAT officers. Rebecca Grabbed the commanders arm and twisted it unnaturally. He bends over and Rebecca knees him in the face knocking him out cold. She shot a serious look to the teenagers.
“Come on!” she yelled
The four slayers knock the officers out of the way. The five woman bolt out of the apartment and down the hall as they arrive near the steps they heard the sound of more SWAT climbing up. Having no choice the slayers and the Divine One make their way up to the roof. Busting down the roof access door they bolt across the length of the rooftop. Just before they were able to jump to the next roof a SWAT helicopter descends on them blocking their path. The come to a screeching halt just as the other SWAT team make it onto the roof.
“Nowhere to run lady!” one of the officers said, “Just give yourself up.”
Rebecca looked around the roof for an exit. Sizing up her options she soon realised that there was only one thing left to do. Rebecca looked over to the police
“No,” she yelled back, “I have a better idea!”
Rebecca thrust her hand down. Beneath the group of women a portal opened. They all dropped into it efficiently just at the SWAT tried to charge them and sealed before the police could enter. Back in the Hyperion a group of slayers scattered out of the way as a portal opened in the air. Rebecca and the four slayers dropped down and landed perfectly on their feet. Buffy rushed up to her quickly.
“You okay?” she asked seriously
“Yeah we’re fine,” Rebecca replied looking around the crowded lobby, “This everyone?”
“The one who checked in yeah.”
Rebecca scouted the crowd for the two slayers she really wanted to see. When she couldn’t find them she turned back to her aunt and frowned.
“Where’s Shona and Penny?” she asked
“Penny’s in Australia with Alex. We still don’t know where Shona is.”
Rebecca looked at Buffy in surprise.
“Penny’s in Australia? Why?”
“Visiting their mom I think. Alex and I weren’t on speaking terms when they left.”
“What happened?”
Buffy looked at her niece anxiously.
“When you . . . Died things got a little heated around here,” she explained, “some words were said and . . . Well lets just say that we ended up one team short because of it.”
Rebecca leaned heavily against one of the walls. She never considered what happened to the others while she was dead. Buffy surveyed the scene seriously
“This may sound harsh Rebecca but feel bad later right now we need to prepare our army. I’ll see if one of the monks can portal me to Melbourne. We’re gonna need as many people as we can get.” Buffy continued
“No I’ll do it.” Rebecca replied, “I can portal faster then the monks. Besides I need you here to try and find out what happened to Shona.”
Buffy nodded. She wasn’t in the mood to argue. Rebecca pushed off from the wall and moved to the centre of the room. Opening a portal she rushed in. as the portal sealed Buffy thought about her last statement.
This gave her an idea.
~ Southbank Promenade, Melbourne Australia ~
Penny and Doug walked silently down the path. Penny gazed out over the river and looked at the cityscape. Doug nervously glanced over to her.
“You don’t mind me inviting you to lunch do you?” Doug asked, “You did kinda save my life yesterday.”
“It’s okay,” Penny replied.
Doug giggled involuntarily which made Penny looked at him curiously.
“What?” Penny asked
“Sorry,” Doug replied, “I’m just enjoying you accent.”
Penny gave him a playful look.
“You’re weird.” She replied
The both of them moved over to a bench and sat down. Doug looked over to Penny curiously.
“What was it again that you said you were?” he asked curiously, “A Vampire . . . Something?”
“Vampire Slayer.” Penny replied
“Oh . . . and that guy you killed?”
“Demon.”
“Oh.”
“What about you?” Penny asked curiously, “do you have any deep dark secrets I should know about?”
Doug thought about it for the moment.
“I’m into bird watching if that’s what you mean.”
“Bird watching? You’re not serious.”
“Hey it’s not a bad as you think. Sure with bird watching I don’t have to stab things through the head with letter openers but I find it exciting Pretty good at it to.”
Penny looked around the area.
“Alright smarty pants if your so good what’s that.” Penny asked pointing to one of the birds walking around.
Doug looked from the bird to Penny.
“That’s a pigeon.” He replied blandly
“Okay how about that one?”
“That’s a seagull.”
Penny smirked at Doug. There was something about this guy the she found adorable. For the first time in weeks she felt at ease. A bird flew down and landed across from the two of them. It looked at penny with a bird like curiosity. Penny noticed it and brought it to Doug’s attention.
“What about that one?” she asked
Doug looked at the bird and frowned. He gazes at it with extreme curiosity.
“That’s weird.” He said
“What?”
“That bird shouldn’t be there.”
“Why what’s wrong with it?”
“No there’s nothing wrong with it,” Doug explained, “that bird it’s a Chordeiles minor.”
Penny gave Doug a look that suggested that he needed to give her a definition.
“It’s a common Night-Hawk.” Doug continued
Penny looked at the bird in surprise.
“You mean there’s actually a bird called a Night-Hawk? I just thought it was a cool name.”
“Yeah there is I’ve just never seen one during this time of the day . . . or this far south . . . or even on this continent. It’s a north American bird.”
“Maybe it’s someone’s pet.”
“Don’t think so Quarantine laws would stop that.”
At that moment the bird took of. Penny watched it fly away from them and land of the shoulder of an old man who was a few meters away from them. The old man stared at penny for a long moment before wandering away. Something about what just happened with the bird and the old man didn’t sit right with Penny.
Meanwhile on the other side of the Melbourne CBD a portal opened in a side alley and Rebecca stepped out. She entered the main campus of RMIT and approached the receptionist. The Receptionist looked up at the Divine One and smiled.
“Hi I’m looking for Teresa Whitfield.” Rebecca asked
A red headed woman walked past and the receptionist caught her attention.
“Terry!” she called out, “This woman want’s to see you.”
Teresa stopped in her path and looked at Rebecca curiously. Rebecca turned and smiled at her potential mother in law.
“Can I help you?” Teresa
“Mrs. Whitfield I can’t remember if we’ve met yet. My name is Rebecca Summers I’m a friend of Alex and Penny’s.”
Rebecca couldn’t help but notice the strange smirk on Teresa’s face. She looked the Divine One up and Down.
“I don’t see any visible tattoos, and you’re breath doesn’t smell like cigarettes. Those are two positives.”
“Pardon me?” Rebecca asked curiously
“Forgive me dear I’m just ascertaining whether or not you’re good enough for my Alex.”
“Oh, “Rebecca replied awkwardly, “Have you seen either of them anywhere?”
“Penny is out at the moment and Alex was just behind me he should be along any second.”
There was a loud crash that came from right next to them. Rebecca looked over to see Alex staring at her white as a ghost.
“Oh god,” Rebecca exclaimed quietly as she rushed over to him, “Alex it’s me okay?”
“No,” Alex replied in shock, “you . . . You died I-I saw you.”
Rebecca put her hands on his shoulders in an attempt to calm him.
“Yes I did but I was brought back and right now I need your help where’s Penny?”
Alex didn’t reply. He simply stared at her.
“Alex, Please, We don’t have much time.”
Still no response Rebecca sighed this was going to take longer to explain then she hoped. This left her with no other option. Drawing him in close Rebecca kissed him passionately. At first he resisted but that didn’t last long. Soon Alex was fully involved in the moment. They pulled away and Rebecca noticed Alex smiling at her.
“Rebecca,” he said in deep relief, “Oh god, it’s great to see you.”
“Where’s Penny?”
“She said something about heading into the city. Not sure where.”
“Damn it!” Rebecca exclaimed
“What’s going on?”
Rebecca looked at Alex seriously.
“Los Angeles is about to become a demon war zone we need all the slayers we can find.”
Alex’s relieve expression dropped from his face. It was replaced by a look of Dread.
Later on that day Penny and Doug returned to Penny and Alex’s hotel room. Penny’s eyes opened wide and she covered her mouth in shock when she saw Rebecca standing in the room.
“Oh god,” she said softly.
Rebecca turned to look at who entered the room.
“Oh thank god,” Rebecca replied, “Penny I need you to come back to L.A. with me.”
“You’re alive.” Penny continued.
“Be shocked later,” Rebecca exclaimed, “Right now we need to go.”
“Why? What’s going on?”
Rebecca switched on the TV. A news report laid down the details about what was happening in L.A.
“What the hell?” Penny exclaimed
“Wolfram and Hart have taken this further then they ever had before,” Rebecca said seriously, “I need my team back together.”
“No.” Alex said from his seat
Rebecca turned and looked at him anxiously.
“Alex . . . “she attempted
“I just saw my fiancé come back from the dead. I am not going to stand here watch you go back and get yourself killed all over again and I am certainly not letting you take my sister.”
“We don’t have a choice Alex. A lot of good people are going to die if we don’t head back.”
“Why does it always have to be you when Wolfram and Hart are involved?” Alex
“I didn’t choose this Alex it chose me.”
“Then get yourself unchosen.”
“I can’t do that.”
Alex paced around the room stressfully. He shot a deliberate look to Penny.
“Can you talk some sense into her please?”
“No,” Penny replied considering what she saw on the news, “she’s right.”
“I don’t believe this.”
“This is my job Alex. I know you’re trying to; like, protect me but if I don’t go things are gonna get worse.”
Alex looked at both of the stubborn women harshly. Still fuming he starts to pack his bag.
“Fine then I’m going with you.” he announced
“No your not,” Rebecca said seriously.
Alex stopped packing and turned to her.
“No?” he asked, “Let me tell you something Rebecca. If I’m not going through that portal with you when you leave I’ll be on the first plane over even if I have to hijack one to do it.”
Rebecca saw the determined look in Alex’s.
“Alright, we don’t have time to argue anyway, come on there’s not much time left.”
The portal opened in the lobby of the Hyperion about twenty minutes later. The three of them stepped out to the sight of the hotel lobby being transformed into a staging ground. Penny and Alex placed their bags on the ground and looked around stunned. One of the slayers caught Buffy’s attention and indicated to Rebecca. Buffy picked up a piece of paper and rushed over to her.
“You’re back, great,” she said quickly, “We found Shona.”
“Where?” Rebecca asked
“New York. Just got off the phone with Veronica apparently there was some kind of vamp attack.”
“Is she alright?”
“She’s fine but the lead vamp was her brother.”
“Shona told me something about this.” Penny commented
“Do we have an address?” Rebecca asked
Buffy handed Rebecca the note. After studying it she looked up at Penny.
“You up for another trip?”
“Maybe we should help Alex . . .” Penny commented
“You two go,” Alex replied co-ordinating the suitcases, “I’ll deal with the luggage.”
Rebecca looked at Alex. The scene in the lobby had rattled him slightly and he was trying to hide it as best as he could. Sensing Rebecca’s staring he looked up at his fiancé.
“I’ll be fine. Go.”
~The Hole, New York City – 30 minutes later ~
A man sat drunk at the bar. He swayed back and forth as he slammed down his glass for a refill. Del looked up at him seriously
“Don’t you think you’ve had enough?” he asked
“Hey!” the man yelled, “I’ll tell you when I’ve had enough. Just pour the damn drink.”
The man felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Shona looking at him calmly.
“Sir I’m gonna have to ask you to leave.” She said in an even tone
The man looked her up and down. A drunken smile crossed his face.
“Are you going to give me a good night kiss first?” the man asked.
Shona frowned. She grabbed him by the arm and twisted it behind his back. She forced him to his feet and walked him to the door. The man tried to struggle free but he was no match for her slayer strength. After she tossed him out onto the street Shona returned to the bar. Del smiled at her.
“Thanks Shona,” he said in relief, “These late night crowds are becoming a pain.”
“You could have taken him.” Shona replied resuming her security duty
“I know, hell, I think even Molly could’ve taken him just good to have someone who can handle themselves working security for this place.”
“Thanks Del.”
“Oh and before I forget there’s two women on table nine who want to talk to you.”
Shona looked at Del curiously.
“What did they look like?”
“One was a short girl, red hair; the other was a taller brunette.”
Shona looked over to table nine. She recognised Penny instantly. A small smile crossed her face as she moved over to the table. As soon as Shona approached Penny bounced out of her seat.
“Hey there.” Penny called out excitedly as she hugged her sister slayer tightly
“Hey Pen,” Shona replied in a mixture of excitement and confusion, “I though you were in Australia girl. What happened?”
“Yeah . . . I’ll think I’ll let Rebecca explain.”
Shona looked at Penny in complete confusion. She looked at the other woman sitting at the table and had to sit down.
“Rebecca?” she asked in shock, “Penny told me you were dead.”
“That’s a long story,” Rebecca replied, “and we don’t have much time. We need you in L.A.”
“What’s the deal?” Shona asked
“You haven’t heard the news?” Penny asked, “Los Angeles is about to go, like, nuclear.”
“Why?”
“I rubbed Wolfram and Hart the wrong way now they’re looking for payback.” Rebecca replied
“Yeah that sounds like you.” Shona replied
“We’re getting as many of the L.A. slayers as we can. This has to stop now!”
Rebecca noticed a flash of sadness cross Shonas eyes.
“Count me out Beck this ain’t my gig any more.” Shona replied
“What are you talking about?” Rebecca asked
“I got two slayers killed that night I ran, you were one of them, I just don’t think I have it in me anymore.”
Rebecca studied Shonas face closely.
“Penny can you wait out side for us?” Rebecca asked
“Okay?” Penny replied
Penny stood from the table and left the bar. Rebecca looked down and began to play with the napkin.
“Shona do you know why I left you in charge when I went to Rome?” she asked in a serious tone
“Because if you left Nighthawk in charge the juniors would all be wearin’ capes?” Shona replied
“I’m serious why do you think I left you in charge?”
Shona sighed. This was a question she had been wondering for a while herself.
“Because you keep people alive,” Rebecca continued, “You’re my right arm Shona, my go to girl. I can’t do this without you.”
“What if I’m not that anymore Becky? What if I just get in the way?”
“How did you feel about killing your brother?”
“You heard about that?”
“How did you feel?”
“It made me fell like I wanted to throw up.”
“But you did it anyway. That’s what you’re good at Shona. That’s what we need . . . I need if I’m going to take down the three most powerful demons in the world.”
Shona saw the seriousness in Rebecca eyes. This girl meant business.
“What about Ken? How am I supposed to face Willow?”
“Kenney wasn’t your fault. Willow knows this I think it’s time you knew this as well.”
“I don’t know Beck. . .”
“The only way we’re going to survive this is together. I need my team back Shona. Once we’re reformed nothing can stop us.”
Shona smiled slowly. She shook her head playfully.
“One day you’re gonna have to teach me how to do that ‘talking makes everything better’ thing you do.”
They arrived back at the Hyperion about ten minutes later. By that stage most of the slayers had gone to bed to prepare for tomorrow. All that was left in the lobby was Gunn, Xander, Willow, Buffy, Angel, Conner and Whistler. Whistler looked up at the Divine one with a worried look on his face. This didn’t make Rebecca feel any better.
“What?” she asked, “What is it?”
“You’re not gonna like this.” he explained, “While I was gathering slayers I managed to get a glimpse of the Wolfram and Hart force.”
“And?”
“Like is said kid you’re not gonna like it.”
The group sat silently in the back courtyard. Rebecca looked into the fountain in disbelief. She knew the number was going to be high just not that high.
“Can’t believe it’s that many,” She said softly, “You sure you got it right?”
“Went back three times to make sure, trust me, its right.”
“We haven’t got enough people.” Rebecca said
“We’ll work something out Rebecca.” Angel said seriously, “Maybe some of you demon friends can help Whistler.”
“What are you kidding? Most of them have skipped town by now.”
“There has to be something we can do,” Rebecca replied, “there’s got to be some way of getting more people.”
Just then an electronic hum startled Rebecca. She listened to the sound curiously. If she didn’t know better she could have sworn it sounded like a tazer rifle charging. Interested she stood up and walked cautiously back inside.
Byron stood casually in the center of the lobby. Behind him stood a force of about 150 fully armed men and women. Byron smiled at her as he casually rested his tazer rifle on his shoulder.
“Hi,” he said, “need a hand?”
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