Part Three - Julie
"Sorry we're late," said Willow.
"Research," said Oz.
"So, how's she doing?," asked Willow as they sat down next to Xander. Her question was answered with a loud thud.
"Actually, she's employing a very clever strategy to wear down her opponent," replied Xander. Another loud thud made Willow and Oz wince.
"Good thing they have mats on the floor," said Willow.
"This strategy. It involves tiring out her opponent by letting him throw her around like a deflated basketball?," asked Oz.
"She's playing mind games with him. Just toying with him," said Xander unconvincingly.
"Oh. look! She landed a punch," said Willow. Another loud thud evoked more winces.
Buffy looked up and blew a stray hair from her eyes. She looked directly into Tucker's eyes and smiled.
"Well, I'm warmed up. How about you?," she asked. Only for a moment did Tucker's face show surprise or concern. Buffy attacked.
Tucker was quick. Until now he had not tried to block Buffy's punches and kicks but deflected them or dodged them. By doing this he conserved his energy. Now Buffy came directly at him and for the first time put some of her strength behind her blows. Tucker had no choice but to try blocking and took more punishment. Buffy faked a knee to his groin, causing Tucker to instinctively lean back.
Grabbing his arm, she twisted and threw Tucker over her shoulder. Knowing that he would just use his momentum to roll once he hit the mat, Buffy held onto his arm instead of letting go and drove him down onto his back. She sprung back into a defensive position but Tucker did not get up.
"Tucker?"
He didn't answer and didn't move. Buffy knelt down at his side.
"Okay, Tucker. You just had the wind knocked out of you. Remember to breathe. You know, in, out, in, out. Hey, you alright?," she asked, concerned. He nodded but couldn't speak. Buffy glanced up at her friends but they were just staring at them, not knowing what to do.
"I'm okay," said Tucker, raising himself up on his elbows. "That was an interesting move," he commented.
"Oh, sorry about that. I guess it was a cheap shot."
"No, not at all. It would only have been cheap if you connected." Tucker laughed.
"Why are you laughing?," asked Buffy, trying not to smile.
"I've finally found someone who can challenge me. This is great!"
Even Buffy laughed. "Yeah, that was a good workout. Do you want to keep at it?"
"Actually, we'd better call it quits for today. I think I have to look for my spine. It must be here somewhere!"
"Oh, come on," said Buffy, helping him up. "You gave better than you took."
"Thanks. And I meant what I said. That was great. Let's do it again soon."
"Sure. I'd love to," agreed Buffy. She picked up a towel, wiped off her face and walked over to her friends.
"Okay, slugger, when the bell rings for round two, come out swinging. Hands up, jab and move, jab and move. No more of this clinching stuff. Clean breaks and head to your corner after a knockdown. I think you've got him now," said Xander.
"Xander, there is no round two," said Buffy, giving Xander a strange look.
"Well, I guess he's not limping today," said Willow.
"No, he's not. And Willow, when you were checking out his school records, did you happen to notice the words ‘black belt' anywhere near his name?," asked Buffy.
"No," replied Willow, looking at the floor.
"Hey, I'm only kidding. But he is good. Every time I would shift my weight from one foot to the other, he would pick up on it and close on me to that side. By doing that I couldn't lunge at him or get anything behind my punch. I ended up fighting flat-footed."
"So you weren't just toying with him, letting him think he was better?," asked Xander.
"I stopped toying with him about seven minutes ago. Still don't like the idea of him hunting vampires, but I'm a little less worried about him than I was."
"Oz and I looked up his address. Thought we'd walk by on our way home," said Willow.
"That's a good idea. See you at the Bronze tonight?," asked Buffy.
"Wouldn't miss it," answered Xander, with Willow nodding in agreement.
* * *
"Should we move against her tonight, Sven?"
"No, Olaf. It is not time yet. And there are not enough of us."
"We have six now. Even the slayer cannot stand up to that many at once."
"One does not defeat the slayer with numbers, Olaf, otherwise she would have fallen by now. First we must weaken her mind. We must let the events unfold as I have planned. Still, tonight you will recruit for us again. Take Erik with you. Another three, possibly six, but always in threes. Remember that."
"Yes, Sven. I understand."
* * *
"I don't get this," said Willow.
"You mean why they named this street Hill Street when it's as flat as the soda they serve in the school cafeteria?," asked Oz.
"No, but I thought of that. There doesn't seem to be 36 Hill Street. You know, where Tucker is supposed to live?"
"Yeah, all the numbers on this side are 10, 20, 30 and so on and on the other side are 5, 15, 25 and so on," agreed Oz. "Time to ask a higher power."
"Huh?"
"Mailman," pointed Oz.
"Oh, yeah. Good idea."
"Excuse me sir, but we're looking for a friend's house. Tucker Jenkins. He just moved here and I thought his address was 36 Hill street," said Oz.
"Sorry, no such number. And I've never seen any mail for that name before. I'd remember. I've been on this route for fourteen years."
Just then a dog walked up to the mailman with his tail wagging. He handed him a dog biscuit.
"Oh, that's nice. You feed your dogs!," said Willow.
"Beats being bitten by them. I know every pet's name on my route. After a while you sorta become part of the fabric of the neighborhood."
"Ever been bit yet?," asked Oz, petting the dog.
"Not by a dog."
"By what, then?," asked Willow.
"Well, there was this goose."
"A goose?," giggled Willow.
"Hey, it was a big goose. They don't make good pets. Kinda territorial. And don't even ask about the wild turkeys."
"Wild turkeys? Around here?," asked Oz.
"No, I'm from back east. Transferred out here years ago. Anyway, one day around Thanksgiving there was just a little snow on the ground and I noticed some strange looking tracks. I'm looking down at them, following them and when I look up, I'm surrounded by about fifteen turkeys, right there on somebody's front lawn! At the time I thought it might be funny to yell like a turkey. They didn't find it very amusing. Things are a little fuzzy after that, but I do remember there were a lot of feathers."
"You know, thanks for your time, but we have to get going now," said Oz.
"Right. What he said," agreed Willow.
"Sure. Glad I could help. Oh, by the way, we don't like to called mailmen anymore."
"Oh?," said Willow.
"No. Nowadays everything is so politically correct. You don't call a sanitation engineer a garbageman anymore, do you?"
"Hadn't really thought about it," said Oz, looking at his watch.
"So, what do we call you then? In the future, if I ever approach a postal worker again, I mean," said Willow.
"A communications engineer. I like to think I work for the federal government in the communications field."
"And you're on the road a lot," added Oz.
"Right, that's the idea. Well, have a nice day."
"You know," said Oz as the mailman walked away, "I think I'm more nervous now than I was before about postal workers."
"Just keep moving slowly and try not to make eye contact," whispered Willow.
* * *
Buffy walked very slowly through the cemetery. Clouds obscured the moon and there was no breeze, making it darker and quieter than most nights. Something just ahead seemed out of place and she stopped. Was that someone sitting on the ground in front of a large headstone? Buffy drew a stake from the sleeve of her jacket.
"Lisa?," called out Buffy, softly. She took three more steps forward and slipped the stake back into her jacket. Lisa was sitting with her knees pulled up to her chest, her arms wrapped around her legs and her chin resting on her knees.
"Lisa! I've been so worried about you. Angel and I have been looking everywhere for you!," said Buffy, kneeling down beside Lisa.
"I know," replied Lisa, not looking at Buffy. "I thought you might hunt here tonight. And I was hoping that you'd be alone."
"Lisa, I have to ask you...there was a boy outside the Bronze after you left me."
Lisa closed her eyes and started crying.
"It was you?," asked Buffy.
Lisa nodded yes.
"I'm so sorry. I couldn't stop myself. I couldn't stop. God, you must think I'm so pathetic!"
"No, Lisa, not at all! It's not your fault. That wasn't you who had control then. It was the demon."
Buffy moved closer to Lisa to give her a hug. Lisa gasped and stumbled away from her, staring at her neck.
"Oh, the cross! I'm sorry," said Buffy. "Here, I'll take it off."
"No! No, don't! Please. You can't trust me. I can't trust myself," said Lisa, looking at Buffy for the first time.
"Okay. Let's just talk for a while." Buffy took Lisa's hand and they stood up.
"You don't understand, Buffy. The hunger. It never goes away. Ever. Don't ever trust any one of us."
Buffy looked away.
"Yes, that means Angel, too. Maybe he's different. Maybe because he's so much older he has more will power or control. But the hunger is still there. How can I explain it? It's addictive, like a drug. Even though I was repulsed and horrified at what was happening, the physical pleasure was overwhelming. Erotic. I can't describe it."
Buffy looked at Lisa. Angel had never talked to her about this. They both had avoided the subject.
"And afterwards, the guilt and remorse suffocate you. Your body trembles, you feel like vomiting but you can't."
"Lisa, I don't know what to say. I can't know what you're going through."
"You know, Buffy, I think you can understand. That's why I came looking for you. I'm so lonely, I'm so alone. I'm not human anymore but I'm not one of them. I have no one. You have friends, but they don't understand. They can't know what you've given up to do what you do. What you have to do. I understand how alone you are. Am I making any sense?"
"Yes," answered Buffy sadly. "I know what you're trying to say. Maybe that's why I feel the way I do about Angel. He understands. And he's so like you, Lisa. Remember, he has a soul, too. You have to talk to him. He can help."
"Buffy, I just want to die. I need you to kill me. I'm not strong enough to do it myself."
"No. Not without you at least talking to Angel first. You may have fed on him but he doesn't remember a thing. He was unconscious. And if it helps, he's totally wigged about what happened to you. That he may have been responsible. You've been this way for a few days. Image feeling like this for a hundred years. He can't believe someone shares this curse with him."
"Angel didn't bite me."
"What? You remember now?"
"No. Not everything. Just bits and pieces. But I know Angel didn't kill me. Something's happened to me ever since I fed. I see faces and places that seem familiar to me but yet I can't name. It's more than just my memory coming back to me. I don't know how to describe it. It's like I see myself walking towards me, but as the image gets closer, it fades and I can't touch it."
Buffy shook her head, not understanding.
"There's more. I'm changing. And it scares me. You see, the thought of eating a rat no longer disgusts me. My mind must be accepting what I've become. The will to survive is emerging."
"Does the name Julie mean anything to you. Julie..."
"Weber," finished Lisa. "I know the name. I want to say it's me, but I can't make the connection."
"Here," said Buffy, handing her a copy of the police report that Willow had found. Lisa stared at the photo of Julie Weber.
"That's my face, but it doesn't mean anything to me. Not yet. Maybe in time, if my memory keeps coming back, but somehow it's just not as important as I thought it would be. Buffy, I don't want you to call me Julie. Even if that's me, Julie is dead. I'm Lisa. And it's time I accept that."
"Okay, if that's what you want. But there is another reason for you to live."
"Really? What?"
"Revenge. Help me find the vampire that did this to you. I swear I'll kill him and then, if it's still what you want, I give you my word that I will help you find peace."
"Don't sugar coat it. You'll drive a wooden stake through my heart."
"Yeah, I guess that sums it up. And I know I'll dread that moment because there's so much human left in you. But I promise to help you."
"Thank you."
Suddenly Lisa put her hand up, motioning Buffy to be quiet. She turned her head and sniffed at the air like an animal.
"Buffy, you're in danger. There's five of...of us, coming this way. Run. I'll try to stall them."
"No, Lisa! You're coming with me!"
"What can they do to me? Go! I'll slow them down. Now!"
"It's too late. Company's here."
The five figures came to a sudden stop, as if they were surprised to find the slayer and weren't looking for her. Two of the vampires held back as if to watch. The other three spread out to attack them from different directions.
"Lisa, take this," said Buffy, handing Lisa a wooden stake. "I have another one. Get behind me. If we fight back to back we'll have a better chance."
The three vampires hesitated but began circling the two girls. Buffy heard a low growl emanate from behind her and knew that Lisa had changed into full vamp face. Then, as if ordered by some command only they could hear, the vampires attacked. Buffy was glad to see that two were coming at her, both because she didn't know how well Lisa could fight and that these two would probably get in each other's way.
What Buffy hadn't anticipated was that Lisa would be knocked down into her. Everyone fell to the ground. Buffy glanced at Lisa, who had been pinned under her attacker but was able to stake him by reaching around to his back. Buffy's legs were caught under one of the vampires and the other punched her in the face. She took two more punches before Lisa tackled him.
With the other vampire gone, Buffy was able to kick the third one off of her. Springing to her feet and getting mad, she knocked him down with only a few kicks and punches. Lying on his back, he was nearly helpless and was quickly staked. Buffy looked for Lisa and was shocked at what she saw.
Lisa was behind the other vampire and he was trying to flip her over his shoulder. Instead, Lisa savagely bit into his neck, ripping it open. The vampire grabbed at his wound and Lisa lifted him up and brought him spine down onto a headstone. There was a horrible snapping noise. She killed him by driving the stake into his chest so hard it pierced the ground below him. In a second he was dust.
"Well done, Lisa. Angelus would be proud. Feed often. Soon your memory will return and then the slayer will not trust you, but fear you," said one of the two remaining vampires. Both carried large axes in their hands. They simply turned and walked slowly away.
"Let them go," said Buffy, grabbing Lisa's arm. "They're armed. Let's pick our fights. I'm sure we haven't seen the last of those two."
"How do they know my name?," asked Lisa.
"I'm not sure." Buffy looked at Lisa and couldn't avoid staring at her mouth. Lisa raised a hand to her lips and looked at it. It was bloody. She quickly turned away from Buffy.
"I'm sorry you had to see me that way," said Lisa, wiping her arm across her mouth.
"Lisa, look at me. Look at me!," said Buffy, turning Lisa around. "I look at my lover's face and only see him," she said, touching Lisa's cheek. "That's all. And I only see you. Understand?"
"Thanks," nodded Lisa. Her face changed back to human.
"Let's get back to the Bronze," said Buffy. "My friends are probably wondering where I am."
"Sorry about the knockdown. I think you're going to have to teach me some new fighting techniques," said Lisa.
"I wasn't going to mention it, but since you brought it up, that might not be a bad idea. And another thing. When you wanted to find me, the first place you think of is a cemetery?"
"Actually, I was looking for where the buried Casper the Friendly Boy when I said to myself, hey, maybe Buffy hangs around here."
"I only meant that the Bronze might have been a more obvious choice," replied Buffy.
"Yes, but the last time I was there the food didn't agree with me."
"Oh, right."
"Speaking of that, what do you think that vampire meant about feeding often? That the more blood I ingest the quicker my memory will come back?," suggested Lisa.
"That's what my watcher is for. I fight, he reads."
* * *
"What do you think they're talking about?," whispered Willow. Angel and Giles were on the other side of the library, talking with Lisa.
"I don't know," answered Xander. "Telling jokes? You know, there once was a vampire from Nantucket..."
"Xander!," interrupted Buffy. "Besides, that's not a joke, that's a limerick."
"Sorry. Just trying to lighten the mood," said Xander. "To be honest, I don't know what to say or how to act with Lisa around."
"Just be yourself," replied Buffy. "Right now she needs us. Put yourself in her place. Can you imagine? I almost wish she didn't have a soul. It would be easier."
"You mean, to kill her?," asked Willow.
Buffy looked at Willow and considered her question.
"No. I mean yes, then I could kill her with no remorse. But what I meant was that it would be easier for her not to have to deal with this. Right now what she needs is a friend."
"I'd say more than one," said Willow, making Buffy smile.
"Maybe it's better that she can't remember who she was. Maybe it's less painful that way," said Xander.
"I doubt it," replied Buffy, looking across the room. "Still, remember to call her Lisa, not Julie."
"Buffy, can I ask you something? Something personal?"
"Sure, Xander. What's up?," said Buffy, cautiously.
"What happened to Julie...is that something you think about when you're out on patrol, alone? Are you afraid it might happen to you?"
"Maybe we shouldn't be talking about this," said Willow, even though she wanted to know the answer too.
"No. It's okay. If I can't talk to you two, who can I confide in? I don't think about it when I'm on patrol. I can't be distracted. And then I'm in the moment, you know? But later, when I'm home, alone in bed...yeah, I think about it. I just can't give in to it."
Willow frowned at Xander. He was going to defend himself but instead looked down at his shoes.
"Thanks for asking, Xander," said Buffy. And she meant it. Xander nodded. Giles, Angel and Lisa walked over to join the others.
"Well, I think it would be wise if Lisa stayed at Angel's place for the time being," said Giles.
"Is that safe? Sven's creeps might be watching Angel and it's not like they have to invited in over there," suggested Buffy.
"Jealous much?," said Xander.
"No! Of course not. I just think..."
"Buffy's right," agreed Angel. "What's plan B?"
"How about my house tonight? You know, a sleepover thing," said Willow. This surprised everyone so much no one spoke.
"No, really, I mean it. Slumber party. Sounds good. Right?," asked Willow.
"Willow, I appreciate the offer. Really. But you don't have to do that," said Lisa.
"No, that's a good idea. But let's do it at my house. Less questions and all," said Buffy. "And how ‘bout filling us in with the details of your Malta Conference."
"That's the Yalta Conference," corrected Giles.
"Whatever."
"We discussed the possibility that Sven has hypnotized Julie...excuse me, Lisa. But for what purpose we can only guess at. His wife's name, of course, was Lisa, so he may be preparing her to be his bride, although he should need some contact with Lisa to reinforce these suggestions," stated Giles.
"What concerns me is that he may have planted a suggestion to harm or attack Buffy. Maybe this action would be activated by some key word or command she'd hear later," said Angel, looking at Buffy.
"I agree," said Giles. "Especially with the warning that vampire gave you. And Lisa may have a soul, but the possibility exists that she was hypnotized into believing she does."
"Why?," asked Buffy.
"To get you to befriend me," said Lisa. "Trust me. What better way to earn your trust than to have something in common with Angel."
"Nice theory, but I believe that you have a soul. And if you do, I know you couldn't harm me," said Buffy.
"If," said Xander. "Sorry. It had to be said."
"Well, if my two cents is worth anything, I say Lisa has a soul," said Angel. "Just a feeling, but I trust my instincts."
Both Buffy and Willow smiled at this.
"Giles, could there be a connection between how often Lisa feeds and her memory returning?," asked Buffy.
"Yes, it's possible, considering what she is."
"In that case, don't forget this," said Angel, handing Lisa a brown paper bag.
"Right," agreed Lisa, somewhat embarrassed.
"Don't be uncomfortable, Lisa. I've gone to the butcher lots of times for Angel," said Buffy.
"Oh, that's what's in the bag," said Willow.
"C'mon. I'll walk you home," said Angel.
* * *
"Don't stop walking. Just act relaxed. We're being watched," said Lisa. The group hadn't even gotten out of sight of the library yet.
"Angel?," said Buffy, not looking at him. Angel listened but shrugged his shoulders.
"One thing I've learned is that there's no sneaking Sally through the alley past Lisa. She seems to possess a keen awareness of other vampires."
"Which direction?," asked Angel.
"Across the street, on the roof of that brick building," said Lisa.
"Okay, I'll double back and check things out. I'll see you later," he said, giving Buffy a quick kiss on the lips. Willow looked away and smiled. Xander just looked away.
"Thanks," said Buffy. "Xander, do you want me to walk you home before we stop by Will's?"
"I'll ignore the affront to my manhood and simply say no. I have a cross and, as you know, I can run like the wind if need be. Guess that means I'm not invited to the slumber party?"
"It's a girl thing," said Willow.
"Yeah, you probably want to have pillow fights in your underwear or something," said Xander sadly.
"You know, I'm not going to burst that interesting, adolescent bubble of yours. Just take that happy thought home with you," said Buffy.
"Sweet dreams," teased Willow.
"Goodnight," replied Xander.
"Bye," added Lisa.
"Do you really have pillow fights or are you just teasing poor Xander?," asked Lisa after Xander was out of earshot. Buffy wasn't sure if she was serious.
"We like to gossip. But maybe we could squeeze in a pillow fight. What do you think, Will?"
"Oh, sure! I'm going to take on the slayer and a vampire in a pillow fight. I don't think so."
"Spoil sport," said Buffy, disappointed.
* * *
"How do those fit?," asked Buffy.
"Great! Besides peejays, we should share clothes, girlfriend," said Lisa.
"Make yourself at home much?"
"Lisa, sorry about that door thing again. I thought you knew," said Willow.
"I was going to invite you in, you know," said Buffy. "I turned around and..."
"I only bumped my head. Call it a learning experience," said Lisa.
"Just don't want you to think I was being rude," continued Buffy.
"Why would I think that when we wear the same size?"
"Great! The sister I never had!"
"Buffy, it was nice of your mother to make those cookies for us," said Willow. "Warm chocolate chip and milk!"
"Slice and bake but still, nothing beats it," agreed Buffy.
"Oh, I don't know," said Lisa, looking into her brown paper bag. She glanced at Buffy and Willow.
"Something wrong?," asked Buffy.
"No. It's just that with this much blood...I'm still new at this and sometimes I...can't control my face."
"Lisa, it doesn't matter. You're with friends, so relax. So what if you get all grrr," said Willow.
"Thanks," said Lisa, holding back tears.
"Well, if this isn't a Kodak moment. I propose a toast. To friendship and midnight snacking," said Buffy, holding up her glass of milk. Lisa and Willow raised their glasses and drank.
"Uh oh," said Lisa.
"What?," asked Buffy, not knowing what could be wrong.
"Well, if you and Willow both have milk mustaches, then I must have..."
"Yep. Wouldn't this make a great commercial!," said Willow, laughing and licking clean her upper lip. So did Buffy and Lisa.
"Buffy, are you going to tell your mother about me?," asked Lisa.
"No. Not unless it's necessary. I don't like bringing my work home from the office. Not that you're work, I mean. But I would like to know what you and Angel talked about. You had some time alone before Giles came over."
"He was nice. Don't get jealous or anything, but we really connected. The soul thing, you know? Anyway, you were right. It helped talking to him. As lame as it sounds, I just need to take one day, or is that night, at a time. It might not get any easier, but I can survive."
"Oh, come on! Where's the juicy details?," asked Buffy.
"Hmm, let's see. Details. He reassured me that he didn't willfully turn me and that he doesn't know if he would be the reason I would have a soul. Told me some icky tips on non-human feeding such as the local butcher, warned me about certain urges and feelings I might get and how to resist them. Told me if I needed anything to come to him. And he told me, above all, to trust you with my life. Then Giles came along and quizzed me about Sven. Couldn't help him much."
"I didn't mean to pry," said Buffy, sheepishly.
"Thought. Urges? So Angel gave you that...that snack to help you fight urges?," asked Willow. "You don't sleep walk, do you?"
"No, Willow, I don't. I want you to relax around me, to be comfortable, so why don't you wear a cross tonight. For both of us."
Willow made a sad face a pulled on a chain around her neck. At the end of it was a silver cross.
"Sorry. Boy, if my dad could see me wearing this. Whew! Oh, I'm Jewish, if that helps to explain my rambling."
"You don't have to explain. I want you to wear that. To explain about myself further, yes, the blood helps. Obviously I'm not hungry and so then I'm more in control. And I'm not so cold. I always seem cold, but less so after drinking this. That's one thing Angel couldn't explain. He doesn't feel cold like I do."
"We'll have to ask Giles about that," said Buffy. "He's good at doing the book thing."
"Willow, tell me about Xander. He's got a sense of humor. What's he like?," asked Lisa.
* * *
"I told you, Sven. Those three had not yet been taught our ways. When we found the slayer, I couldn't control them. It was still instinct that made them attack."
"Excuses! Bist du verrucht? You should have been more careful and avoided the slayer! It is not time yet for her to know yet!"
"I understand. We will find three more to replace them. Perhaps they weren't worthy of the calling."
"Perhaps," said Sven, somewhat appeased.
"I bring good news as well, Sven."
"Oh? Explain."
"You told me of your desire to find a new girl. A red haired maiden, I believe were your words."
"Go on, Olaf. You intrigue me."
"I've found one. And better yet, she is a friend of the slayer."
End of Part Three
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