From: owner-buffyfic@lists.xmission.com (Buffyfic-digest) To: buffyfic-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: Buffyfic-digest V2 #62 Reply-To: buffyfic@xmission.com Sender: owner-buffyfic@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-buffyfic@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk Buffyfic-digest Thursday, March 19 1998 Volume 02 : Number 062 In this issue: BUFFYFIC: The End Of The Innocence Epilogue BUFFYFIC: ADMIN: List rules Re: BUFFYFIC: Need Collaborator or Other Assistance BUFFYFIC: "Kendra" (1/?) Re: BUFFYFIC: The End Of The Innocence Epilogue Re: BUFFYFIC: The End Of The Innocence Epilogue Re: BUFFYFIC: The End Of The Innocence Epilogue BUFFYFIC: "Footsteps" (6/?) by Ingrid Re: BUFFYFIC: "Footsteps" (6/?) by Ingrid BUFFYFIC: "On This Page..." (1/1) See the end of the digest for information on subscribing to the buffyfic or buffyfic-digest mailing lists and on how to retrieve back issues. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 04:29:26 EST From: Trey Cash Subject: BUFFYFIC: The End Of The Innocence Epilogue Title: The End of the Innocence Epilogue Author: Alex Queirolo & Erika Rottler Email: treycash@aol.com, Sasheer@Aol.com Distribution: Just ask. Feedback: Absolutely! Please..we're eager to know what y'all thought of our collaboration. Drop us a line. Rating: PG-14 at best..extreme situations..see CONTENT WARNING below. Spoilers: When She Was Bad..basically everything up until PASSION. *** AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story takes about three months after "I Will Survive" and "That Was the Day". In this time-line, everything up until "Passion" occured but that is where they split. For the important back story, please read "I Will Survive". CONTENT WARNING: We need to be up-front about this; this piece is NOT meant for minors to read. It tells of graphic violent events and speaks rather frankly of sexual situations. However, there is no actual sex involved in this piece. It is rather unflinching and at points crude. We hope you will agree however that nothing is out of place. Again, this story contains violence, intense language, extreme angst and rather explicit discussions of sexual situations. DISCLAIMER: The only character in this piece that belongs to us is Asher. All of the others belong to Joss "Da Man" Whedon and Co. Them are gods..we are students. No bad is meant by this. *** "Shouldn't we like...bring stakes?" Willow squeaked as she took the flashlight from Giles. "It won't matter. If Asher is alive..we'll know instantly." Jenny told her. She picked up a cross and a small vile of holy water. "Let's get going then," Xander whispered, leading them down the steps to the basement. "Cordelia is down there and she needs our help one way or another." Oz rested a hand on his friends' shoulder,"She'll get it, bro." Xander nodded. He didn't bother adding that the only thing that could comfort him would be seeing Cordelia alive and breathing. Closing his eyes gently, he stepped up to the door of the basement and gently pressed it open. "Cordy?" he asked, voice shaking with emotion. When he heard nothing, he started to move into the room but a hand caught his wrist. He looked up at Giles. "No, let Jenny perform the spell. We must know if it is Angel who leaves." "Fine. Hurry..her life could be in danger.." Xander growled. "Right," Jenny whispered, setting down the cross. "Everyone give me your hand. We need to form a link." *** Her eyes opened to a blinding light and she instinctively shrank away from it, whimpering in protest. "Cordelia?" a voice said from above her. "No..." she said, turning away from it. "Open your eyes, Cordy." Xander whispered, touching her cheek gently. She blinked and allowed the burn of a flashlight to pierce her mind."Turn it off, " she grunted, reaching out to push it away. Jenny dropped the light and offered Cordelia a hand. "Sit still, okay? You've got some cuts and bruises I want to clean up." "I'm sorry," Angel whispered, looking away. Xander stood up from where he was crouched next to Cordelia. "You have nothing to be sorry for. This is my fault. I started all this.." Angel spun so quickly that he almost toppled. His eyes staring dagger, he growled at Xander. "Outside, now." Xander blinked and was about to reply but commom sense stepped in and he nodded. Glancing back at Cordelia, he sighed and then turned to follow Angel. Once outside in the cool morning air, Angel reached over and grabbed Xander. Pulling him up by the lapels, he smashed Xander against a wall. "Dammit, get a grip on yourself." "Wha?" Xander squeaked, wide-eyed. "This wasn't your fault. This was no one's fault. Asher manipulated you..God..he got all of us. You've got to stop blaming yourself. Enough is enough. There are other people hurting here." "Okay," Xander whispered. "Okay." "Good," Angel replied, setting the boy down. Then he let out a breath of exhaustion. "The sun will be up in fifteen minutes so I better get moving. You take care of Cordelia..she and Buffy need your strength. Tell Buffy I'll stop by tonight." "Sure," Xander replied. "Okay. Oh hey, Xander?" "Yeah?" "You're a good man. Don't forget that. Buffy..Willow..Cordelia..they have a good friend in you." And with that, Angel turned and walked away. Nodding slowly, Xander fell to his butt next to the wall and placed his head in his hands. He felt hsi eyes watering and then he just let go and began to shake as the emotions overwhelmed him. *** "Hi, Mrs. Summers? It's Willow...I just wanted to call and make sure Buffy is okay." "Hi, Willow. Buffy had a rough night but she's alright now," Joyce replied. "She's sleeping." "Good. I was..worried. Tell her we'll stop by later." "Okay, Willow. Have a good day at school." *** "Cordelia!" Xander called out. He'd watched her to exit the school staring at the ground and for a moment he'd considered letting her go but he couldn't..he just couldn't.. She turned slowly and gazed back at him through weary eyes, "What?" "Can we talk?" "Yes. But not now." "Don't you want to know what happened?" Xander asked. She laughed bitterly. "You know, I probably do..but not right now. I have a feeling that whatever the truth is..I can't handle it." She swallowed hard and opened her mouth to say something else. And the closing her eyes, she whispered. "Please, just give me time." He reached forward and touched her face. Almost immediately, he felt her stiffen. Cringing slightly, he pulled his hand away. "All the time you need. All you need but you know what..I'll still be here. I won't let this end like this." She nodded and then smiled at him, tears glinting in her eyes,"Thank you." *** She finally found him standing by his lccker before Biology class. Striding up to him, she placed a hand on his arm. "Hey, Xander." "Will," he murmured, still staring at his lockers' contents as if they might give him the answers to life. He'd been in the same lethargic state since the Monday night the week previous. "Um, Buffy wanted me to remind you that we're doing the group movie thing tommorow night at her place to celebrate her release from the hospital." Willow chirped, reaching into his locker and pulling out his Bio book. "Right. You know..maybe I.." "Don't even say it..I already went through this with Cordelia..it took me over an hour to make her see reason. God..you guys can't avoid each other for ever. This is stupid...you're not even angry at each other." "No," he said shaking his head. "Not angry." "You guys are scared but you have to face this sooner or later..." Willow said softly. "You need to." "I know." "So you'll be there, right?" "Will.." "Xander..if you're not...Buffy will hurt you. You know pain..bad. She just got out of the hospital after almost two weeks.." "That's because she kept trying to escape and kept reopening the wound," Xander muttered, shaking his head. "True enough but now she wants to party," Willow chirped. "And I have specific orders to get you there any way I can." He sighed, "Alright. I know better than to go against a testy Slayer. I'm there." "Good," Willow grinned. "It'll be fun. And remember..Buffy is still laid up..in bed..only she'll be on the couch...so we can harass her without worrying about her taking us out." Xander laughed and this time it reached his eyes,"Sounds like a plan, little buddy." *** "Just where the hell do you think you're going?" Willow asked as she stepped over Oz's legs and sat down next to him. She glared up at Buffy who was trying to sit up but failing miserably. The little Slayer was curled up next to Angel with a blanket over her body and her head on his chest. Angel for his part, simply watched her struggles with amusement. Looking rather pathetic, Buffy lifted up a glass and whimpered, "Is empty. Need refill. Soda in kitchen." Sitting on the couch next to Buffy and Angel, Cordelia rolled her eyes and grinned. She couldn't help it. It wasn't every day that she got to see the Slayer to weak to take out someone if they insulted her. It was open season and people were having a field-day. And of course, Angel wasn't defending her. He'd actually joined in a couple of times. "I'll get it. I need one myself," Cordelia replied, standing up. She took the glass from Buffy's hand and shook her head. "If you didn't look so pathetic, you'd actually look normal." Buffy grinned sardonically and tilted her head,"Oh Cordy..always good to know you care." "Only enough to send the very best," Cordelia shot back as she walked towards the kitchen. Still laughing, she pushed the door open and stepped in. She walked around to the fridge and opened it. "Hey," Xander murmured from the doorway to the back yard. She jumped at the sound of his voice and almost dropped the bottle of Dr.Pepper. "Xander," she stammered. "Yeah..hey..I'm sorry." "No..I'm sorry..no..." "It's okay." "Right. So,haven't seen you around much this last week." Cordelia murmured. "Yeah..I've been busy." "Right. Um, how did you do on Keller's test?" "Okay..I think." "Yeah..me too..I think.." "Cordelia.." "Maybe an A or a B.." There was a ling noise in teh other room. The bell from the front door. "Pizza is here." "Right, yeah..Cordelia, this has got to stop." Xander exclaimed. She looked up at him, "Yeah..I guess so." Unable to meet his eyes just yet, she stared down at his hands and to her shock, she saw that in them, he held the necklace he'd given her two weeks earlier. The same one that Asher had used to hurt him. "I gotta know..can you look at me without hating me? Do we even stand a chance?" "I have dreams, Xander." "I know..so do I. They scare me." He reached forward and placed a finger under her chin. Lifting it up so that their eyes locked, he whispered. "I don't want to walk away unless you want me to." There was a moment of silence and then he nodded. "Okay." Shaking his head, he stepped away from her and walked through the door back into the living room. Cordelia stared at the ground for a moment and then crossed back over to the fridge and finished refilling the drinks. She watched the carbonation fizzle for a few moments and then she turned and followed Xander into the living room. She walked through the doors and locked her sites on the Slayer and her undead boyfriend who were very visibly having a PDA moment. She rolled her eyes in amusement and then stepped over to them. "Smoochies later..like..when I can't see them." Buffy blushed and pushed her face against Angels's chest. Then she pushed herself up and took the glass from Cordelia. "Thanks, Cordy." "Don't get used to it, Slayer..I'm just being nice." "Must be killing you. Sit down, take a load off," Buffy quipped. "Funny." Cordelia replied. Then she sombered up as she saw Xander sittinng on the floor by the end of the couch. He was holding a video case from Blockbuster in his hands. She looked back up at Buffy and the Slayer nodded her towards him. Cordelia smiled slightly and then moved over to him. Sitting down, she placed a hand on his arm. He looked up at her in confusion and then watched as she moved her hand down to his and opened it up. Catching his eyes, she removed the necklace from his palm and put it around her neck. In a low voice she whispered, "Does that answer your question?" He grinned and replied in the same low tone,"Can I make everyone leave the room?" She punched him in the arm and then curled against him. He smiled and looked up at Buffy who was grinning at him like a hyena on uppers. She winked at him and then fell back against Angel. "Okay, who has the movie?" Oz asked as he walked into the room carrying a pizza. "I do," Xander chirped, throwing Oz the box. "Cool." Oz said, staring at the box. "Denzel Washington." "What's the movie?" Buffy asked, reaching back to knead Angel's chest in order to make it more comfortable. He said his head and watched her with an amused look. The girl was crazy. "Fallen." Oz murmured, sliding the tape into the VCR. Willow lifted an eyebrow. "Oh good." FIN FEEEEEEEEEEDBAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCK Please. Pretty please? - - ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 10:34:36 -0500 From: sah Subject: BUFFYFIC: ADMIN: List rules Welcome! This list is for fiction related to "Buffy The Vampire Slayer," both the TV series and the movie. To ensure that we all get to enjoy as much fiction as possible, please adhere to the following guidelines, and please save them for future reference. 1. Fiction should have Buffy characters in it and clearly be related to Buffy. Crossovers are great, and expected, but general vampire/monster stories that aren't in the Buffy universe and don't use Buffy characters belong somewhere else. 2. Discussion of posted fiction is permitted onlist. Please put "DISCUSS" in your subject line. Requests for missing story parts should go directly to the author, and not be posted to the list. Discussion that is not related directly to the fiction should go over to the general Buffy list. Discussion of fiction is expected to follow common netiquette guidelines and use PG-13 language. 3. No advertising of items or services, Buffy related or not, and no posting of non-story items such as .gifs, sound files, etc.. 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PLEASE NOTE: not following any or all of these rules will get you the following: **First offense: offender is uns*bscribed for one week. **Second offense: offender is uns*bscribed to the Buffyfic list for a minimum of three months. **If the offender returns and does it again, they're offlist permanently. As noted above, posting sexually explicit material is the exception -- you go straight to permanent unsubbing. Again, welcome! If you have any questions about these rules, please contact either one of us offlist. If you have subscription problems or questions, the fastest way to get help is to e-mail one of us at the addresses below, at the kirby@xmission.com addy which is the "official" e-mail owner of the list. Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) & Sharon Himmanen (romana@mindspring.com) Listowners, Buffy the Vampire Slayer Fiction List buffyfic@xmission.com - - ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 08:21:23 -0800 From: groovy@snowline.net (vampyreprincess(Rachel)) Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: Need Collaborator or Other Assistance >Buffy/Scream SCREAM IS THE BEST MOVIE EVER MADE!!!! YES YOU SHOULD REALLY CROSS BUFFY WITH SCREAM. I MYSELF WANTED TO DO THAT, BUT I CAN'T THINK OF A PLOT. PLEASE, IT WOULD BE SOOSOSOSOSOSOSOSOSO COOL. YES, DO SCREAM. If you need someone to help write it, I would LOVE to help!!! Cya! - -Rachel ++++++++++++++++++++++++ "Did Norman Bates have a motive? Did they ever figure out why Hannibal Lector liked to eat people? DON'T THINK SO!" - -Billy Loomis 'Scream' - ---scream-----------------------------------------------scream 2--- Buffy The Vampire Slayer: **BUFFYFIC List**Faithful Followers of Xander**Xanderite Keeper of: Xander's oh-so-yummy hyena stage, cute Buffy chasing, and Willow's ear lick...** - --vampire----------------------buffy----------------------vampire-- X-Files: WLDD**SPCDD**DDSB**GBLA**DDPOL**LODD**X-F Creative**^Friend^ Shipper MY DD WEBSITE:Obsessed with David Duchovny http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Lot/4440/ - ------------------------------the-truth---------------------------- If you believe, no proof is necessary. If you don't, no proof is sufficient. - - ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 11:09:36 -0800 (PST) From: Janine Sebastian Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Kendra" (1/?) TITLE: "Kendra"(1/?) AUTHOR: Janine Sebastian (Jeanie) EMAIL: or DISTRIBUTION: If you want it great, just keep my name on it please. SPOILER WARNING: "Prophecy Girl", "What's My Line part I and II" RATING: G SUMMARY: Kendra has spent her whole life training to be a slayer. How did she know she was to be a chosen one? What happened before she met Buffy and co.? DISCLAIMER: Kendra and all other Buffy related characters do not belong to me. I'm just borrowing them for a while. They belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant enemy, WB etc. "Grr Argg." The name Sam Zabuto is taken from the dialogue of 'What's My Line Part II.' Kendra's family members [Carrah, Shali, Nuru, and Kendall] and the details of her past are creations of mine. If you'd like to play with them, I'd be happy to lend them to you, just ask first. AUTHOR'S NOTES: Well, this is my first fanfic. I was avoiding studying for an upcoming test, and I somehow stumbled upon this *great* new form of procrastination. [it should be my middle name!] This is what happens when I give in to that little voice in my head which tells stories. Thoughts are enclosed with < >. Keep in mind that Kendra and Zabuto have thick accents, though I have left the spelling normal in order to understand what they are saying. If you like where this story is going, and you want me to continue it I will. Feedback and constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated. Well I've babbled long enough...enjoy the story! Kendra by Janine (Jeanie) Sebastian Kendra, the vampire slayer, was sitting in the cargo hold of an airplane, thinking about what lay ahead, and about the events which led to this journey. Kendra had been training her whole life for one thing, to slay the vampires. She was the chosen one...the one girl in all the world with the strength and skill to fight the vampires... She had finally got her calling last spring... She automatically knew when the last slayer had died...she had felt it...and dreamed about it. That was when the dreams began. Kendra's first dream was of the last slayer's death. The slayer had been drained by a Master vampire, and had fallen unconscious, face first in a few inches of water. She had drowned. One day Kendra's watcher told her that a great evil was about to arise in Sunnydale California. He told her that she was to go to Sunnydale to try to control the dark forces there. That was the reason for this impromptu trip. In order to keep her identity a secret, she had concealed herself in the cargo hold of a plane destined for California. This was where she was now sitting, pondering her destiny. *** Coming from a small, superstitious village, Kendra had known her entire life that she was to be a chosen one. Her watcher, Sam Zabuto, had been training her in martial arts, mythical studies, and slaying tactics since she was a small child. Kendra's parents had sent her to Sam Zabuto's village to train when she was very young. She could remember clearly the day she asked Zabuto about her parents. "I know 'tis me destiny to be a slayer, and that is why I am with thee, but do I not have parents somewhere?" His answer, as always, was cryptic. "In the past, family has only distracted the chosen one from her calling. Thee, and *thee alone,* must fight the creatures of darkness..." "...I know...I just wonder who they were, that is all." Sam Zabuto walked slowly over to the old cupboard which Kendra had never seen unlocked. She had always wondered what was in there, but every time as a child in her inquisitive voice she had asked, Zabuto had made it clear that the contents of the cupboard were to be left untouched. Zabuto extracted an old box from the cupboard, then locked the door again. He proceeded to carry the box over to the anxious girl. "I knew the time would come for thee to know thy past, I suppose now is the right time." Zabuto carefully handed the box to Kendra, with only the faintest hint of hesitation. "Thee will find what thee is looking for within this box...but remember, thee cannot allow the past such importance that it will detract thee from thy calling. It is important that thy destiny be fulfilled...Do not dwell on the past..." With that he exited the room, leaving the child to ponder the meaning of his words. Eventually curiosity got the better of her, so she carefully opened the box, not knowing what to expect. As the lid was lifted, the contents of the box were revealed. Inside were many papers, a weathered envelope, and two old leather-bound books. , Kendra thought to herself. First she took the envelope out and examined it's contents. It was filled with pictures. Kendra looked at the first, labeled simply 'the babies.' It was a photograph of two young children, a boy and a girl, both approximately two years of age. The little girl looked disturbingly familiar, and after careful examination, Kendra realized the baby was in fact, herself. "But if that is me, who is the boy?" Kendra looked at the next picture, this one of what appeared to be a family. A young couple, each holding an infant, a girl of five, and a boy of three. Kendra knew that she was not the five year old girl, for she had been sent to train with her watcher when she was four, yet there was a striking family resemblance. It took several minutes of shuffling through pictures before Kendra found one that particularly caught her eye: it was of a boy and a girl both approximately four years old. The back of the photo said: 'The twins fourth birthday." Now Kendra was even more confused. Kendra didn't let herself continue the thought. Instead she lifted the first book. As she opened it to an arbitrary page, she knew her first assumption had been correct, it was a journal...or a diary. 'On May 21st, 1981 Shali and Nuru both had their wishes granted. Shali wanted the baby to be a girl...so she'd have someone to mother. Nuru wanted a boy so he'd have someone to play with. Well Shali got her sister...and Nuru got his brother. Twins! I could hardy believe it myself...And here I thought the two children I had were hard enough to handle. How are we ever going to deal with twins? Zabuto was right, Kendra...that's what we've named her...has the birthmark of the chosen one. The same one that I have. She will one day become the new slayer. We'll have to begin her training as soon as she is old enough. Kendall is also a doll. They are both so alike! Not only in looks, but in temperament. I love being a mother! And Zabuto said I'd probably never reach twenty! I am twenty-three years old...the oldest slayer on record. I just hope I live long enough to see my children grow. Carrah, May 24th, 1981.' Kendra read the page over and over, not believing her eyes. Her mind was filled with questions. She opened the other book, also a journal, but in a different hand....A chillingly familiar hand...she recognized it as Zabuto's writing. Kendra skimmed through the pages until she reached the last entry. 'June, 2nd, 1985, My worst fear has been realized. Carrah is dead. She, like too many of her kind, met her fate at the hand of Lothos. He had her hypnotized, and she couldn't break free. It pained me so, to see her perish. Lothos was also the one who claimed my grandmother's life. I suppose now another slayer will be called. It will not be Kendra for she is far too young, but her training must begin soon. I mustn't let the child down as I did her mother. I simply cannot. I have spoken to the child's father, he agrees that I must take her away, keep her from harm until she is ready...until she is called. She *WILL* be prepared when her turn comes. I will see to it. I only wish I could have better prepared her mother. Carrah...she insisted upon pursuing a family. Well I will not allow Kendra to make the same mistake. A family only weakens a slayer. It distracts her from carrying out her destiny. It pains me to think of separating Kendra from Kendall and the others but it must be done. It is for their own good. The twins should not have to be separated but there is no other way. This is a truly sad time for me. I shall never forgive myself for not better preparing Carrah. I will not make the same mistake twice. Carrah, I hope that thee shall have peace now. Sam Zabuto.' Kendra was twelve then, in the eight years she had lived with Zabuto, she had learned every available fact about vampires, demons and the other creatures of night. She was in excellent physical condition. Kendra had learned to distance herself from everyone except her watcher. She had no contact with her family, though sometimes she was aware of thoughts invading her own. She never told Zabuto about them, but secretly Kendra believed that the voice in her head was that of her twin brother, Kendall. ...TO BE CONTINUED... Jeanie :-) Feedback PLEASE!!!!!!!! (good? terrible? more? or should I quit now?) "The thunder was ominous-sounding, much like the sound of a thin sheet of metal being shaken backstage during the storm scene in a play." (Barbara Fetherolf, Alexandria) :) - - ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 14:35:00 -0600 From: Tannim Umoren Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: The End Of The Innocence Epilogue Wow... This story is one of the best if not the best I have read this year. You kept the characters well.. in character! You even expounded on them! I mean I love how you had Cordy and the X-man react to the situation. I mean I could feel their pain! Excuisite!! Buffy and Willows action were so totally real like it took my breath away. It was excellent. I can't wait to hear more from you guys. Keep up the good work. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go back to the.... ...all concealing lurker-type shadows :-) - - ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 16:50:45 EST From: Trey Cash Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: The End Of The Innocence Epilogue Thank you so much. It's good to know that pur time and effort came out well. Thanks again, Alex - - ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 18 Mar 1998 13:44:45 PST From: "Laura Nurczyk" Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: The End Of The Innocence Epilogue >From owner-buffyfic@lists.xmission.com Tue Mar 17 13:34:52 1998 >Received: from domo by lists.xmission.com with local (Exim 1.82 #1) > id 0yF363-0003aK-00; Tue, 17 Mar 1998 13:36:27 -0700 >Received: from (mail.xmission.com) [198.60.22.22] > by lists.xmission.com with smtp (Exim 1.82 #1) > id 0yF361-0003aE-00; Tue, 17 Mar 1998 13:36:25 -0700 >Received: from (iria.inwave.com) [206.101.238.8] (root) > by mail.xmission.com with esmtp (Exim 1.82 #1) > id 0yF35x-0004r9-00; Tue, 17 Mar 1998 13:36:21 -0700 >Received: from [207.170.32.151] ([207.170.32.151]) > by iria.inwave.com (8.8.7/8.8.7) with ESMTP id PAA25026; > Tue, 17 Mar 1998 15:36:26 -0600 >Message-Id: I agree, this is by far the best Buffy fanfic I have ever read. I loved the plot and your perfect depiction of the characters. Keep up the good work! Laura nurch4@hotmail.com >In-Reply-To: <92f1be72.350e4278@aol.com> >Mime-Version: 1.0 >Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" >Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 14:35:00 -0600 >To: buffyfic@xmission.com >From: Tannim Umoren >Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: The End Of The Innocence Epilogue >Cc: treycash@aol.com, Sasheer@aol.com >Sender: owner-buffyfic@lists.xmission.com >Precedence: bulk >Reply-To: buffyfic@xmission.com > >Wow... This story is one of the best if not the best I have read this year. >You kept the characters well.. in character! You even expounded on them! >I mean I love how you had Cordy and the X-man react to the situation. I >mean I could feel their pain! Excuisite!! Buffy and Willows action were so >totally real like it took my breath away. It was excellent. I can't wait >to hear more from you guys. Keep up the good work. > > > > > >Now if you'll excuse me, > > I need to go back to the.... > > ...all concealing lurker-type shadows :-) > > > >- > > > ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - - ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 18 Mar 1998 23:07:15 -0500 From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Footsteps" (6/?) by Ingrid Disclaimer: Characters are not mine. They belong to Joss, WB, ME, K, and SD. Sue me and die!!! (Sorry about that- I'm a little tired and cranky right now.) Summary: Hey! I finally wrote another part. It's short, but it's more, ok? I had a concert today- there's my excuse. I'm trying!!! If you don't get this, that's b/c you haven't read the other parts. If you want to get this, ask me for them. As always, comments are what really inspire me to write- please send them (Ingrid29@juno.com)! Warning: Implied sex. Nothing bad. *********************** "Footsteps," by Ingrid Part Six *********************** He was sleeping peacefully now, she noticed, looking up from her resting place on his chest. His arm was wrapped around her securely, as if he thought she might float away in sleep. She might have. The ecstasy of this afternoon had been beyond imagination. She’d never realized what kind of passion she was capable of. After all she’d done little more than kiss a boy before her change. He’d been careful with her; tender. It was something she’d never imagined vampires capable of. But then she’d never imagined that becoming a vampire would be like this. Demons, Buffy had said. "They’re all a bunch of soulless demons." Willow felt like so much more. There was the demon, no doubt. She could feel it within her, and it gave her the strength she used to lack. But she was Willow, none the less. She was who she’d always been, altered, but still the same. Spike had said she looked more beautiful as a vampire then she ever had before. In truth, she had no way of knowing. It surprised her the first time she’d looked into a mirror and saw what was behind her instead of her own reflection. All she knew was that she felt more beautiful. She felt strong. She kissed his bare shoulder sweetly, and watched his eyelids begin to flutter. Recognition was instant, and he smiled drowsily. She slid back into his embrace, nuzzling his throat and whispering his name. It was nearly dusk, and soon it would be time to leave, she knew. Denying reality for a moment, she pressed her lips to his with a shyness that only she could maintain at this point. "We don’t have that much time," she reported, taking a look at the watch she’d left on the table. "As much as I’d like to stay, you’re right," he acquiesced, pulling her up with him. Their clothes were scattered all over the place. A shiver ran through her as she slipped on the long white dress. Automatically, she grabbed Buffy’s pink sweater from the floor and buttoned it over the silk. She felt strange. Some foreign energy seemed to be running through the warm folds of material, as if it was an object of magical significance. Instantly, she knew. They were coming. Soon. ********** Please let me know what you think!!! (Ingrid29@juno.com) Ingrid: Author of many long Buffyfics (and some short ones). "Return to Normalcy," "One Vampire's Headache...," "This Fleeting Hope," "Ghost of a Chance," "Tragic Sighs" and "Footsteps." _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - - ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 19 Mar 1998 07:57:19 EST From: AlysFaire Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: "Footsteps" (6/?) by Ingrid Short, yes, but, oh my. Way to go, Ingrid, another fabulous part (it certainly made my morning )! Looking very forward to what comes next, Alys - - ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 19 Mar 1998 16:59:10 EST From: JMHnoodles Subject: BUFFYFIC: "On This Page..." (1/1) Title: "On This Page, I Write My Last Confession" (1/1) Author: Noodlebrain (Jen) Rating: maybe a PG for a slightly descriptive death scene Disclaimer: "Grr, argh..." Not mine, no money, s'all good. Buffy, etc. belong to Whedon, WB, Sandollar, Mutant Enemy, and just about everyone else in the world besides me. The two song sections belong to Alain Boubil, who wrote all the lyrics for Les Miserables. Distribution: I don't care, just tell me about it. Notes: We're doing Les Mis in chorus, and I was inspired by a line from the finale, which is also the title of this story. This is not my first fic, but it is my first completed one, and it is also the first one I've shown to anyone else. And many thanks to Ingrid for reading it over for me. Feedback: Please!!!!!! (JMHnoodles@aol.com) I need to know if I suck! Don't leave me in the dark! Flames will be used to warm my feet...this basement's cold! ***"On this page, I write my last confession Read it well, while I at last am sleeping It's a story of those who always loved you..."*** The rain poured down in unebbing sheets, as if the heavens were sobbing for the departed soul. Even so, heaven couldn't match the anguish of the three people who were being steadily drenched by the celestial tears. There were three of them, standing in the tiny graveyard. Two females and a male. The male was holding one of the sobbing females, all the while trying to keep his own tears back in vain. The other female, though, was completely disconsolate. She was on her knees, wailing, burying her face in her hands. The male looked at her and lost all resolve, sobs racking his frame. He glanced at her once again, wanting to help her, but he already had his hands full, so he just buried his face in his companion's shoulder and cried. The skies continued their lament. Later on that night, the three found themselves at the library. They still weren't willing to let go of their loved one, and even his apartment wasn't as full of him as the rooms full of book-laden shelves were. A blonde girl with tears still forming in the corners of her eyes walked around the library, fingers trailing over the surfaces, realizing that he was gone forever, the kind man who had always been there for her. She still had the image fresh in her mind: he'd just stood there as the dark vampire came at him. He'd actually offered his damned neck to it, not struggling as the evil creature sank its fangs deep into his neck, passionately and greedily draining his life away. She'd caught his eye, and he had this look of sad resignation...he'd even smiled at her, a tear gliding down his cheek, right before he'd fallen into sleep everlasting. She returned to the present with a jolt. The library smelled like him; Christ, every table, every chair, every volume in the place radiated his essence. As she wandered into her Watcher's office, the girl once her shaky control, breaking down into tears. She sank down into his chair, laying her head down on his desk. She could feel the impressions his body had made in the chair, and pressed herself into it, attempting to fill the void her much smaller frame left. Her hands traced patterns on the wood of his desk, and she noticed every minute detail of the grain. Her hands moved onto an old tome that he'd left open, over some papers, and finally came to rest on an envelope. She sat up. *He doesn't have a family,* she realized, *he needs someone to take care of his things.* But when she saw the name on the envelope, and then noticed that it was not one, but three envelopes laid side to side, she choked back her tears and called for her friends. Three envelopes, made of cream-colored parchment, sat next to each other on the desk. Each bore a name: *Buffy Summers* *Xander Harris* *Willow Rosenberg* Her companions entered, and each picked up their respective envelope. The trio shared a look; they didn't need words to know that each wanted to read their letter in privacy. While Xander and Willow walked together in silence to their homes, Buffy wandered the dark streets of Sunnydale alone. She was eager to read the letter, wanting so desperately to cling to all of him that she was left with, but another part of her also knew that once she read the letter, it was read. She couldn't go back in time and read it again like it was for the first time. This was the last action he would ever make towards her. She stopped in front of a building, realizing where she'd made her way to: his apartment. She let herself in, made herself tea, sat on his couch, wrapped herself in his afghan, and finally, opened his letter. "My dear, wonderful girl, I love you more than anything on Earth. I care for you so much it's crushing me, which is why I'm have to do what I'm about to do. "You see, last night, I was reading an old book I had come upon. I hope you're laughing right now in spite of yourself...all my books are old, I'm always reading, what else is new?" And he was, right, Buffy smiled at that, her grin cutting a ray of light through the darkness into which she had plunged. She continued reading. "I stumbled upon a prophecy which I'm surprised I had not heard. I'm not going to bother you with what it said exactly, but the reason that you and Willow and Xander have gone through so much...torture...is because we had been defying destiny. "In short, my dear, I was supposed to die. Remember how the attempts on me had increased? I wasn't supposed to live past the last solstice. But we didn't know, and we went against it...it was my fault that all of you, but you especially (God knows you'll always hold the most special place in my heart), had to suffer those unending trials." Buffy noticed that the funny, circular dark smudges on the parchment were increasing as she read on. *Tears,* she realized, her heart wrenching painfully. *He's crying while he's writing this...* "I know, precious child, that we've resisted prophecy before, and gotten away with it, but this is different. This book is older than any other, for it was written by the Old Ones. It cannot be burned, the pages cannot be torn or erased. It is set in unbreakable stone." By now, Buffy was adding her own blotches to the paper- the tears were streaming uncontrollably down her face and onto the letter, and she was gagging trying to choke back her awful sobs. "With my death, you are set free. You no longer have to slay. You don't have to put your life in danger, or worry about putting your friends at risk. "By the time you read this, a new slayer will have been dispatched. Go, my dear, and live that normal life you always wanted. It was all you had ever really asked of life, and it was the one thing I could never give to you. I could give you all the protection and caring in the world, but as long as I was alive, you would always be a prisoner of your fate. "Please, I'm giving it to you now; remember me well by living you life the way you always wanted to. I'm sorry I can't be there to see you grow up and become the beautiful, successful, wonderful woman I know you'll be. "As I write this, I'm trying etch every detail of your face into my mind. Just five minutes ago, I watched you for the last time. I know I'll carry your memory with me forever, and I pray you'll never forget me. You are the most responsible, lovely, caring, extraordinary, marvelous, phenomenal person I've ever had the luck to encounter. So many people hate their jobs; I count myself unbelievably fortunate to have had *you* be my life's work. Goodnight, my dear, I will always be with you. Love eternally, Rupert" Buffy set the letter down on the table so she wouldn't ruin it as her fists clenched with grief. She let herself cry as she never had, not caring how each sob rattled her small body. She shook uncontrollably, her weeping eventually decrescendoing to a soft whimpering, which was reduced to haggard breathing, which became silence. Sitting up, she went for the phone. "Mom," she said when she heard the answer, her voice a pale shadow of the confidence it had once held, "I can't come home. I'm going to stay over Willow's." A pause. "I know. It's hard...I love you too. Bye." She sat back down and folded the letter back into the envelope. As she was doing so, something scrawled on the back caught her eye. In Giles' beautiful (everything of his seemed beautiful to her now) script, a line from a song: "All your grief, at last, at last, behind you." She managed a weak smile and nodded to the empty room, then climbed the stairs to his room. She snuggled beneath his sheets, burying her face in his pillow, trying to find him one last time. "Thank you so much, Giles," she murmured as she drifted off to her first peaceful sleep in years. "I love you that much and more. Eternally." finis - - ------------------------------ End of Buffyfic-digest V2 #62 ***************************** To subscribe to buffyfic or buffyfic-digest, send the command subscribe buffyfic-digest or subscribe buffyfic to majordomo@xmission.com. You will need to go through a confirmation process, and the listowners have to manually approve your subscription request, so it may take some time. 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