"She's coming around," Xander whispered, as Buffy's eyes fluttered open. She gazed up at him
silently, a faint smile appearing. "How are ya?" Xander asked, touching her hand gently.
"Okay...but my head hurts," she replied, putting her hand to her head with a groan, and sitting
up. As she changed position, she realised that Giles was standing in front of her, an excited beam
on his face.
"Th-that's just...well, it's to be expected," he explained, gesturing to her head.
"Water!" Willow trilled, as she too appeared at Buffy's side, brandishing a cool drink in her fist.
Smiling, she passed it to Buffy, who accepted it eagerly, drinking so anxiously that droplets ran
down her chin. As she finished the last few sips, she licked the wetness from her lips and placed
the glass down onto the desk she lay upon.
"So..." she began, blinking wistfully, "cloned, huh?" Giles nodded in agreement. "Even Cordelia
with her *many* experiences can't say she's done that."
"But why would anyone wanna do that to Buffy?" Willow asked, plaiting her fingers together
nervously.
"Because of her powers, her strength, h-her birth-rite, her-"
"-dazzling beauty," Xander murmured dreamily, resting his head on his hand. Buffy, Willow and
Giles stared at him surprisedly. "Uh...that part was a joke," Xander explained, flushing an
embarrassed red. Buffy smiled to herself, rubbing the back of her neck with the heel of her hand.
"And you're sure you're alright?" Giles asked, his face wrinkling into a caring smile. Buffy
nodded and placed her hands in her lap.
"So this lab was burnt down, right?" Everyone nodded enthusiastically. "Totally?"
"Utterly," Xander continued.
"Completely," Giles murmured.
"To the ground," Willow finished earnestly.
"It's over," Buffy whispered, relieved. "Over."
