Buffy the Vampire Slayer created by Joss Whedon under his production tag, Mutant Enemy Productions, with co-executive producers being Jane Espenson, David Fury, David Greenwalt, Doug Petrie, Marti Noxon, and David Solomon.

Highlander: The Series is a Canadian-French fantasy science fiction action-adventure television series, co-produced by Rysher Distribution in the United States, Gaumont Television in France, Rete Italia in Italy, RTL Plus in Germany, and Amuse Video in Japan.

Highlander: The Raven produced by Gaumont Télévision and Fireworks Media in association with Davis-Panzer Productions.

Slayer and Immortal

[Potential]

At the Bronze

Every town has a place, where all teenagers like to hangout, whether it's the local arcade, a dancehall, or an IHOP®. These places allow teenagers to learn how to interact with one another, be with friends, date, form relationships, and generally learn about themselves by how they communicate. In the town of Sunnydale, California, a nightclub known as the Bronze serves that purpose, but the Bronze is not just for teenagers, it serves as a general meeting place for new faces hoping to blend in, and evade notice, because the majority of the nightclub's patrons rarely include people above the age of 19, unless you count the dead.

Tonight, however, there is one patron, a living patron, that supersedes that margin, by over 1100 years. This patron, a woman with raven-black hair, in a pixie-cut, her thin frame covered by a loose fitting, black dress. As old as she is, she carried herself with the grace of an acrobat, which helped her become what she has trained herself to be; invisible. She was finally able to make it inside, and a wall of sound that in her opinion, was an insult to music everywhere, struck her like a physical blow. Walking through the swell of humanity, she seemed to be looking for someone in particular, but she seemed to know where she was heading, like she knew just where to find her prey.

She walked up a flight of stairs, passing a girl who seemed to be holding court, the nearly twelve-century-old woman, shook her head as she listened to the pseudo-queen, before moving passed, up the stairs to a table. At the table, already seated and looking over the railing, sat a young man with dark hair the same shade as hers, cut down to the nape of the neck, with bangs sweeping down to just above his eyebrows, from the back he was wearing a black-leather jacket, and blue-jeans. The immortal woman, feeling a slight jolt of electricity, like her hand had gripped a hand buzzer, only it was in her head, approaches him from behind, placing her hand upon his shoulder, and says in a sexy tone of voice, "Hey, big boy, would you like a date?"

The boy whipped his head around in astonishment, that anyone would speak to him like that. When he sees who had spoken to him, his face evolved into a bright grin, "Aunt Manda," he exclaimed, while surging forward and lifting her into a shaking hug, "It's so good to see you," he declared!

Amanda LaVelle, also known as, Amanda Darrieux, also known as, Amanda Deveraux, aka, The Amazing Amanda, laughed and squealed in delight as the young man, picked her up and brought her into a bone-crushing hug. One she gladly returned, "Alexander Lavelle Harris, put me down, now," she demanded in faux anger, when he did, she stepped forward to give him a kiss on the cheek! She looked him over, noting the rest of his outfit, a light-blue polo-shirt, with dark-blue trim, and black tennis-shoes. "My, my, Xander, you sure have grown into a handsome young man," she appraised him, "I'm surprised you don't have the ladies knocking down your door."

Xander flushed from the compliments, "Amanda, it's almost as bad as my mother saying stuff like that, when you say it," he admonished in embarrassment.

To which, she smiled as brightly as the sun, she could still see traces of her husband in Xander's eyes, and the cut of his chin…

Flashback 840; Normandy, France

I remember my wedding day, the food, the dancing, the toasts; the man, his name was Alexandre La Velle, the eldest son of the local innkeeper. He would have inherited the inn when his father died, I met him when I took a job there as a tavern girl. Alec, as most called him, was not the best-looking man in town, but what he lacked in the looks department, he more than made up for in intelligence, but more importantly, with me at least, he was the gentlest soul I have met in my mortal, and immortal life. While in those days, girls were pretty much sold to their husband's families, my father nor I, had aught to say about the arrangement, because I have never loved anyone as much as I loved, Alec. Only Duncan Macleod, has ever come close to eclipsing my feelings for Alexandre La Velle.

I gave birth to Angela La Velle, within a year of our wedding, but I lost Alec to the Plague in 848, and because Alec died before my father-in-law, by law the inn passed to his next oldest. Bruno La Velle was a pompous ass, and he never liked me very much; well, the feeling was mutual, especially after he had me evicted from my home like I was trash. Luckily, Alec's youngest brother, Lucas, who had been employed as a steward for the local landowner, took more after his father and oldest brother, especially towards family. He agreed to take in my daughter, and raise her as his own, he could not accept me, since he was married, and his wife Angeline, a survivor of the Plague, was rendered barren by it. The last night I spent with my daughter, was the hardest night I have ever had in my life, it was agreed that I would leave in the night after she was put to bed. I told, Lucas and Angeline, that if Angela ever hated me for leaving her, that I would be okay if they encouraged it, because regardless of my reasons, I was still abandoning my daughter.

I'll never know if they did encourage her hatred, because that was the last time I saw my daughter. Because, what most people don't realize is that when I went into that Plague infested house, I wasn't looking for food, I had lost all hope, and wanted to be with my Alec again, so I went into the house hoping that I would be in Paradise soon. Just my luck, that mob caught me just before I entered, they thought I was coming out of it, but it didn't matter to me what they did to me, either way, when it was all over I would be with my Alec, or so I thought. When I awoke in Rebecca's Abbey, and realized I could not be with my Alec, I started to cry like I had just lost him again. I felt his loss anew, and this time it was even more cruel, because it felt as if God was punishing me, I felt the guilt of leaving Angela all over again, as fresh as if I had just done it, because now, it felt like I had abandoned her for nothing.

Then I met, Rebecca Horne, and she taught me how to live properly, that even in an Immortal life there was hope. Rebecca was the only person who ever saw the real me, Amanda La Velle, wife of Alexandre La Velle, and mother of Angela La Velle. The only Amanda, Duncan, or anybody else ever saw was, The Amazing Amanda, the sly, capricious, opportunist, who would sell out her own mother just for some fun and profit. I never told Duncan, that I had been married before I became Immortal, the only person I have ever told was Rebecca, and that was only because she helped keep track of my family, until her death early in this decade. I kept track of them over the years, even visiting them when it wasn't too dangerous for them. I adopted a completely different persona when I was with them, well not so much a different persona, just the one I had before my First Death, the mother, the wife, the widow.

For various reasons, all of my bloodline has been eroded away over the centuries, for some unknown purpose, whole branches of my family tree have become lost. The methods vary from war atrocities, to diseases that left that branch withered and impotent. There were only ever two branches from my family tree, the European Branch, and the American branch. The last of my European Family Tree were destroyed by World War II, either in combat or victims of Hitler's concentration camps. The American Branch has suffered losses too, though not as quickly as Europe, which is why I spent so much time in America over the last century, I was doing what I could, to preserve my bloodline. I know its my bloodline being targeted because none of my sister's line have been so severely impacted as mine, nor has Bruno's had the same massive die offs as mine. In fact, and this is why I believe these die offs have had a hand of guidance involved, because the last of my line has culminated in the young man in which I currently have my arms around; Alexander Lavelle Harris.

Flashforward 1998; Sunnydale, CA, USA – Present

… especially the way his eyes look at her, before Alec fell in love with her. "So, tell me, what lovely maiden has captured the eye of my little Alec," Amanda demanded of her Ultimate Grandson?

Almost on their own Xander's eyes leave hers, and flick to the side, down into the main floor of the Bronze, and the look her Alec acquired after he fell in love with her came over his face, she recognized it, because when directed at her, it never failed to make Amanda La Velle weak in the knees. Amanda followed his gaze down until her sight fell upon a pretty, blonde girl, sitting next to a red-head, Amanda also recognized as Xander's best friend since kindergarten, Willow Rosenberg. "So, have you finally, recognized Willow's affection for you as more than just best friends," Amanda asked, just to be sure?

Xander Harris shook his head, and with a light-hearted sigh, answered, "I do love Will, there's no denying that, but I can never see Will, as anything more than a sister," then added in a quip, "she knows way too many embarrassing things about me to ever change that. No, the woman who has captured my heart recently, is the goddess sitting next to my, sister from another mister," he continued, "her name is Buffy Summers, and she just recently moved to Sunnydale, at the beginning of this school year, this week."

Amanda looked at Buffy, and seemed to know her, somehow, the way she carried herself reminded her of a few women that she had met. They were always accompanied by an older gentleman, who seemed to be her primary caretakers. Could she be, the Slayer of this generation, Amanda wondered, where's her Watcher? Amanda knew that Slayers, only appeared when nests of vampires could be detected, but she had not sensed any in the club so far. Just as she had that thought, her Quickening was set off, and unlike the electric shock she gets when she senses another Immortal, this sensation felt more like what happens, when she ate ice cream too fast. It was the chill of the grave, and in all of her over eleven-hundred-years, she has only felt this sensation ten times, and it always preceded the appearance of vampires.

Rebecca always said, The Game, was a distraction from the true purposes of Immortals, that of monster exterminators. The real reason Immortals do not fight each other on holy ground, because that is the place they fight to hold back the darkness. They can fight the monsters anywhere, but if they fight alongside other Immortals, they run the risk of being vulnerable while absorbing the demonic energy. Rebecca took all of her students on a few Hunts, to acquaint them with the demons of Hell. While Amanda, was reluctant to participate in the Game, she and Duncan had taken more than a few vampire heads. Not all Immortals participated in the Hunt, feeling themselves above such activities, and really, it's every individual's right to choose how they live, however those who do Hunt, always have a slight advantage, in the Game, over those who do not.

They watched, as Buffy looked around and spotted something on the other balcony. She excused herself and they followed her with their eyes, as she made her way up the stairs, until she came next to a middle-aged, well intellectual looking gentleman was the nicest term, Amanda could come up with. So, that must be her Watcher, Amanda looked up at her grandson, and watched his confusion mount, as he watched a teenage girl get up and make her way to stand next to what was clearly and older-man. It was too good of an opportunity for teasing to pass up, so allowing an innocent smile to cross her face, Amanda observed, "she is very beautiful, but she seems to be going into an older man phase," she commented while idly, scratching her chin. Then seeing the horror cross his face, as he whips his head around, she adds more fuel to the fire by slowly stroking down his arm, "just recently, I myself just went through a younger man phase, I had a lover named Duncan, and he seemed to fulfill all my needs, except one."

Xander's face could have rivaled a traffic light in redness, as he gulped down the frog in his throat, "wh-which one was that, Aunt Manda?"

Amanda threaded her arms around Xander's neck, leaned in closer to his ear, while pressing her body into his, and whispered, "he wasn't my Alec." Amanda herself did not know if she meant her husband, or the teenager she was teasing so mercilessly. In the end it did not matter, because both Alecs held pieces of her heart, she could never allow even Duncan to have, so while she was close enough to do it, she planted a kiss on his cheek, and hugged him a little tighter.

Xander smiled and hugged her tightly, and accepted the kiss, before turning to look back down on the main floor area. He spotted something anomalous down on the edge of the dancefloor. Willow was chatting up a guy who looked like he had just walked out of the seventies, "did That 70's Show throw-up on this guy or what?"

Amanda jerked her head around, to look at where Xander was pointing, and her eyes widened as she spotted it too. I've never known the bloodsuckers to be this sloppy unless, they weren't worried about being caught, which means they weren't planning to leave any survivors. She suddenly tensed, then turned to her grandson, the last person in her life she truly loved, and pulled his arms, "we have to leave Alexander, now," her tone brooked no argument, and sensing the urgency in her voice, a voice that had never beguiled him on things that truly mattered, especially when she called him by his full first name. So, Xander followed her without a word, almost as soon as Willow and her paramour, started making their way out of the Bronze.

Out of the Bronze

As soon as Xander and Amanda left the Bronze, Amanda began telling Xander the true story of Earth. "This world is older than you know," she began, "contrary to popular belief, it did not begin as an Eden. For untold eons, demons walked the Earth," Amanda continued, while drawing a sword, seemingly from nowhere, "they made it their home, their... their Hell, in time, they lost their hold on this reality. This paved the way for mortal animals, for humanity. All that remains of the Old Ones are remnants, certain magics, creatures, and guardians, that have been tasked with controlling the populations of these fiends, one such protector, if they choose to take up that mantle, are the Immortals. From the dawn of time Immortals have walked among mortals, moving silently among other humans, they are born mortal and live out their lives, never knowing that they are special, until they die a violent, or otherwise unnatural death."

They have been following Willow and her would be boyfriend, while Xander listened to his Aunt Manda tell him a fairytale, that was all the scarier because he wanted to believe it. He reached his arm out to stop her, and turn her to face him, "what are you talking about, and where did you keep that sword, that dress didn't seem large enough to hide a European broadsword?"

Amanda turned toward him and proffered the hilt of the bastard sword in his direction, "take it, Alec," she ordered, and when he did, she closed her hands around his with surprising strength. Before he could wonder about it, she looked him in the eyes and ran herself through with her own blade.

The shriek of pain that came from her, was as real as the two feet of steel protruding from her back, she suddenly fell to the ground, and he pulled the sword from her belly. His eyes were wide with shock, as he looked at the blade, that had just been pulled from one of the women, he saw as his mother, and noted the blood dripping from the sword in his hands. Xander ran his fingers along the blade, through the substance that was coating it, his hand came away and he sniffed it, and given the amount of times he skinned his knee as a kid, he knew the coppery-metallic smell of blood, and then overwhelmed by what he was seeing, he dropped the sword with a loud, CLANG! While he was distracted, Amanda reached up and grabbed his clean hand, pulling until he could feel the wound he inflicted, he felt the wound closing and within seconds, he felt unblemished skin, where before had been a gaping wound that would have meant death, if he was not beginning to realize what she was. "You're an Immortal, aren't you," he asked just for confirmation? Amanda just smiled, and nodded, "how old are you," Xander asked?

"Didn't I and your mother, teach you to never ask a woman about her age," Amanda asked, in mock-outrage? Xander still had the presence of mind to look abashed, despite this new revelation about her identity, she was still the woman who diapered his butt, as a baby, and scolded him when he was seven-years-old for drawing on the walls. Seeing his demeanor, Amanda smiled, he's still the boy I helped raise for six-years, when his dad ran out on his family. "Let's put it this way, Alec," she informed him, "I was born well before, Columbus discovered America."

Xander's eyes widened at that, but before he could speak he heard a voice calling him from the direction of the Bronze. It was Buffy Summers, and she was hurrying toward him, calling his name, "Xander," she called!

They both turned in Buffy's direction as she reached them, and she seemed to shiver, as she got close to them "Hey, you leaving already," Xander asked? Amanda hid and amused smirk, So, she sensed me, she just doesn't know what she's sensing.

Buffy just shook her head, and hurriedly asked, "Xander, have you seen Willow," she asked in a pleading gesture.

Xander nodded, "Yes, I have, I just watched her leave with some guy, who looked fashionable if you didn't count the clothes right out of the Walton's," he told his crush.

Amanda felt a shadow passover her, as she stood next to Buffy, yep, definitely the Slayer. "We were going to go after her, because that man she was with, was a vampire," Amanda informed the Slayer.

Buffy turned to look at this woman, who seemed to know who she was, in shock, her mouth hanging open, eyes bulging out of their sockets, "H… How do you kn… know that," she stammered?

Amanda turned and began walking at a brisk pace, "It'd take too long to explain it, now, Slayer," she told Buffy. "Come along, you're going to be needed, you too Alec, I don't want you staying here, by yourself."

Cemetery

"You should've brought your own," a male voice was saying as the trio approached a particular tomb. They had entered the graveyard, and almost seemed to know exactly where they were heading. Well, Amanda and Buffy seemed to know, Xander just followed in their wake. For Amanda, she allowed her Quickening to direct her, and Buffy was following her instincts. They came upon the mausoleum where it seemed, Willow had been taken, and events were coming to a head inside.

"I did," came a cocky, sarcastic, female voice.

"Hey, wait up," came another voice, a voice Xander and Amanda knew well.

"Jesse," they whispered, and both Amanda and Buffy, had to grab his arms to keep him from rushing inside half-cocked.

"Oh my god, Jesse," came a cry from Willow.

"She gave me a hickey," Jesse's voice sounded from inside, it sounded weak, to Xander and behind his back, Amanda and Buffy shared a look, and Amanda's eyes had a shiny quality to them, before she dashed them away and got her head in the game. I will mourn later and help Alexander and Willow, through their grief.

"I got hungry on the way," the female voice said, like it was no big deal.

"Jesse let's get outta here," Willow's voice sound with a warble of fear.

"You're not goin' anywhere," the female, vamp-tramp's voice said menacingly. Just as Amanda and Buffy made their move.

"Leave us alone," Willow demanded.

"You're not goin' anywhere," the vamp-tramp continued as if Willow had not spoken, "until we've FED!" Willow shrieked a fright.

"Ew, honey," came a voice from behind them, "I think you need a few hours in the sun, and maybe you'll be passable," came Amanda's voice in a dismissive tone as she walked in to the right, sword at the ready.

Then Buffy entered, moving down the center, followed by Xander to the left, "Well," Buffy said in a bright, happy voice, "this is nice," she said, complimenting the tomb, just like she was complimenting a homeowner, then condescendingly added, "it's a little bare," she said sauntering forward without a care in the world, not at all like she was walking into a vampire's lair, "but, a dash of paint, a few throw pillows," she walked straight to the original occupant's bed, "and you could call it a home."

Amanda advanced on her side, placing herself between the undead, and Willow and Jesse to further prevent the vamps assault. She was more than willing to let Buffy take the lead, to see what this Slayer was made of; steel, or cotton. "Who the Hell are you," the vamp-tramp demanded, she was obviously the one in charge?

"You mean there's actually someone in this town who hasn't figured it out," Buffy asked sardonically, looking at Amanda, who gave a devilish grin? "I'm telling you," Buffy said in consternation, "having a secret identity in this town is a job of work."

Xander just listened to his crush take charge of the situation, and he could tell this was not Buffy's first rodeo, she's done this before! To say that this night, was the most surprising one of his life, would be the understatement of the century, and they only had two more years before the end of the millennium. First, he discovers that the woman who practically raised him, was older than America, then he learns of the existence of monsters, he only thought was the domain of science fiction, finally he discovers that his crush is a Slayer, capital S, and is facing down two of the previously mentioned monsters like it was nothing. He looked at Amanda, who was looking at him with a reassuring smile, one he could only return, he was definitely out of his element.

The vampires seemed to be doing their best to trap Buffy between them, the male on the far side of the tomb from the door, and away from Xander, but closer to Amanda, though he apparently did not sense his danger. The female was closer to Xander, and the door, "Hey, Buffy, Amanda, we bail now, right," Xander asked in an apprehensive voice?

The male vamp snaps, "not yet." His lips do not close, before his head is sent rolling across the floor, courtesy of Amanda La Velle.

"Be quiet, little boy, the grownups are talking," she quips, just before a silvery flame begins to rise from the vampire and envelops the Immortal in what looks like a frozen fire. The vampire was astonished, this woman had taken out her subordinate, like she had done it a thousand times and was literally sucking in his demonic energy. Buffy took advantage of the vampire's distraction and started pummeling her, Buffy was wiping the tomb with her.

Amanda was just coming out of her Quickening, when Xander dashed next to her, "Aunt Manda, take Willow and Jesse and go," Amanda was about to protest, but Xander added more forcefully, "you're in no condition to fight, even I can tell you're not ready to fight." Amanda looked into his eyes and nodded, then gathering the other teens in her arms she flees the tomb, with tears streaming down her face.

Buffy has the female vampire down, and is ready to destroy her, they appear to be having a conversation, when from behind the Slayer, a hulking brute of a vampire appears almost out of nowhere. Picking Buffy up, he throws her to the side, like she is nothing, then begins taking his anger out on the female vampire, taking her to task for dereliction. As he seems to be preoccupied with his subordinate, Xander decides to try and sneak by him to get to Buffy. He manages to get to Buffy and get her up, she is dazed, but recognizes him as a friend. "An Immortal, here," Xander hears the newcomer exclaim, and he can only smile, because he hears a grain of fear behind the surprise, and relinquishes his hold of his subordinate, "Go, I will handle the little girl, and her lapdog."

Xander felt him, the new vampire come behind him, and Xander pushed Buffy away to reduce her chances of getting hurt. He felt an inescapable grip on his neck, then a sickening crunch, and unbearable pain before he was no more…

"XANDER!"

[Awakening]

Cemetery

Three people are running through a graveyard, running for their lives, running as if their very lives were in danger. For two of them, that may be true, but for one, she was only running to lead their vulnerable people, away from the previous fight. She had finally recovered from the absorption of the demonic energy of a vampire, and this individual vampire, was nowhere near as debilitating as the Quickening from another Immortal. Amanda began looking around for danger, and her Quickening alerted her to the presence of more vampires.

They ran into a gang of vampires, she could not afford to be debilitated by the energy of another vampire, luckily, they were right next to a tree. A tree with a lot of low-slung branches, so brandishing her sword, and putting some distance between her, and her charges, Amanda sliced off a branch. Remembering her time in Asia, Amanda's broadsword became a blur of motion, as she whittled the wood into two rudimentary stakes, then before they hit the ground, she returned her sword to her Place, and caught the stakes before they hit the ground. The bark cut into her hands, but it would heal, she thought, I need to get back to Buffy and Alec.

All of her motions took place in seconds, her actions were a blur even to the vampires attempting to surround them. Amanda's lips began to grow into a predatory smile, "You sure you children, wanna take me on," she asked in a hiss of contempt, "you might get a spanking?" They were surprised, they have never encountered anyone, this side of the grave, who was not afraid of them, and for the first time in their unlife, it was they who were afraid. Which was all Amanda needed, because she dashed forward, faster than a mortal on skates. She thrust forward with her right-hand stake, taking a dark-haired male vampire in the chest. Not waiting to admire her handiwork, Amanda sidestepped to the right, as a female tried to ambush her from behind, the Immortal's left-hand stake took her right between her boobs.

Allowing the force of the female's lunge to push her, Amanda added her own force to a spin that brought her around, and into a lunge at a male vampire. Noticing another female behind the male, Amanda capitalized on her forward motion and lunged again, to ram one of her stakes up under the ribcage of the female. Amanda noticed the last two vampires keeping their distance, it seemed self-preservation had won out, over whatever vampire lord commanded them, but the only good vamp, is no vamp at all; I always say. The four vampires she staked, had already become dust, as she took a breath to calm herself. The two vampires keeping their distance, were arrayed at 90-degree intervals from each other, one of them, a blonde-haired teenager was standing ten-feet away, at Amanda's three o'clock, and a male of Asian descent was twelve-feet back, at her six. Amanda seemed to relax, allowing the tension in her shoulders to ease, then she was a blur of motion, whirling around to cast her right-hand stake at the Asian, while whirling back toward the blonde with her left-hand stake. Both stakes impacted the vamps' chests at the same time, and they were dust before they knew it.

There was a sudden scream of surprise from Willow, and just as Amanda turned back toward her charges, the blonde female vampire from the tomb, stood there holding Willow and Jesse by their necks. She positioned them in front of her, to prevent Amanda from doing anything rash. The undead woman's eyes were full of curiosity, as she gazed from behind her two hostages, "I have to say, I've heard rumors of Immortals like you, but I always thought they were a myth, I've never seen one before."

Amanda shrugged, "you probably have, they just weren't fulfilling their obligations," she spat, "they probably sensed you were there, they just never bothered to confront you. What's your name, little girl," Amanda patronizingly asked?

"Darla; My name is Darla, and I have met one immortal in Rome, who calls himself, The Immortal," Darla took on a wistful expression, "he was one of the better fucks, I've ever had."

"I've met him too, but he's not one of us," Amanda admitted, "he has no Quickening, he's just a self-indulgent ass, who doesn't care about anything," she replied bitterly.

Darla smirked, "I smell sour grapes," she sing-songed, "this has been fun, but I'm late to my Master with the groceries," she said lifting Willow up to indicate just what she meant by groceries. That action was all Amanda was waiting for, because from the same Place she kept her sword, out came a small kukri-knife and with a flick of her wrist, she let it fly until it connected with Darla's arm. Darla was more surprised than injured, because she dropped Willow and leapt back, using Jesse, still gripped in her hand by his neck, as a human-shield. Then keeping her meat-shield in place, she begins retreating in the opposite direction.

Amanda would have chased after the vampire, if she had not heard Buffy scream, "XANDER!"

Buffy's Would Be Tomb

I felt it, when Xander pushed me away, the force with which I hit the floor snapped me out of my daze. I turned, just in time to see the big vamp, grab Xander by the neck in one hand, lifting the first person to welcome me to this horror-show town, off his feet like a child would lift a doll. The brutish vampire did not even contemplate biting him, it merely squeezed Xander's neck like a soda can, then threw him to the other side of the crypt, like Xander, was the aforementioned can of soda. I just watched as the boy, who welcomed me so warmly, if awkwardly, to Sunnydale High, die right in front of me – and it was like seeing Merrick die, all over again. I could not prevent the death of my first Watcher, and now I could not even keep a friend from dying, as a Slayer, I was pretty useless, and Giles wants me, to really do this all the time?

I barely recognized my own voice, as I screamed out his name, "XANDER!" My adrenaline was pumping as I launched at the thing that killed my, maybe – hopefully – friend. I wheeled into a roundhouse to it's midsection, ending up on it's right side, and using my forward momentum swung my right-hand in a ridge-hand formation, into the creature's neck. The combination pushed it back a few feet, giving me enough room to launch into a lunging sidekick, which fueled by adrenaline and Slayer strength, pushed it back into the back wall of the tomb.

The creature stood up and just grinned, "you're strong," it observed, then it lunged off the wall faster than I could follow, and back-fisted me across the face, which sent me reeling into the crypt, standing in the center of the tomb. If anybody else, had been hit with such force, from fist and stone coffin alike, their bodies would look like the aftermath of a twenty-car pile-up. Thank God for Slayer durability, I thought, even while my vision swam from the hits I just took. "I'm stronger," it snarled, while moving over to my prone form. "You're wasting my time," it accused.

I scrambled to my feet as fast as I could, putting the crypt between us. "Hey," I snapped as I moved around to the other side of the tomb, spotting the mortal remains of my would-be friend, and for some reason a minor tinge of regret colored my feelings. "I had other plans, too," I said to it, then steeled my face and hardened my heart, "I was ready to retire, and live like a normal teenager, then your minions had to target one of my friends," I screamed at it! Then, I went on the offensive, and charged forward, vaulting the crypt, sending my foot right into the creature's chest. The blow sent it reeling back into the wall, and down to the floor. Then seeing the stake, I brought with me on the floor, I grabbed for it and thrust forward, but it grabbed my wrist in it's powerful hands and began to squeeze my hand with bone breaking pressure, and I cried out in pain. Slayer durability or not, it still hurts when someone crushes your hand.

"You think you can stop me," it asked as it increased the pressure on my hand, pulverizing the wooden stake, sending splinters into my palm, "stop us," it sneered? Finally ripping and snapping it, it threw the stake away, and grabbed my shirt, pulling me closer to it, "you have no fucking idea, what you're dealing with," it whispered in my face, before throwing me, over the crypt, to the other side of the tomb. Again, I landed next to Xander's body, and I thought fleetingly, that I saw him move, I looked up expecting the vampire to be on me sooner, than I thought.

I was confused and started to lean up, to see if the coast was clear, just as I was thinking it left, the creature leapt over the stone coffin, straddling me. "And, like a plague of boils," it began to recite, reminding me of Giles, for some reason, "the race of man, covered the Earth, but on the third day of the newest light, will come the Harvest, and the blood of men will flow as wine, then the Master, will walk among them once more, the Earth will belong to the Old Ones, and Hell itself, will come to town," as it was speaking in moved closer and closer to my face. It reached down to grab me, then suddenly recoiled as if burned. It roared in outrage and pain, as it recoiled from the symbol of the pure, noble, sacrifice of Christ, something that was anathema to the creature, above me. Before I knew it, the creature was gone, fleeing from the Power of God.

I sat up, and hastily ran my hands down my body, checking for any lasting damage, then looking around for any danger, my eyes fell upon the broken remains of Xander. Tears unbidden, began leaking down my face, I crawled over to my fallen friend, and leaning down began sobbing harder than I have in my entire life. All of a sudden, there was activity at the entrance of the tomb, I stood up ready to defend myself if more monsters came to attack me, a pity it wasn't monsters, because the first person through the door, was the woman Xander identified as Amanda. I'd observed them, as we walked to the cemetery tonight, and noticed how close they were, it reminded me of the way I used to be with mom, back before the whole burning down the school sitch.

When the woman called Amanda, saw me standing over Xander she just stopped, and stared as if she couldn't believe her eyes. I looked into Amanda's eyes as she stood there, and it was like all hope died in her eyes, even my inexperienced mind understood that this woman, had seen a lot of pain and suffering, and never lost that spark of humanity that kept her from succumbing to her own darkness. When Amanda saw the body of Xander, that spark dimmed noticeably, I looked over at Willow, unable to meet the other woman's face, but Willow's face was just as wrecked as Amanda's.

Willow was only a step or two behind Amanda, so she saw Xander, at almost the same instant. When she saw him, she had to put a hand over her mouth, to keep herself from screaming, she looked between Xander and I, as if she did not believe what she was seeing. I sighed and let my own tears begin to fall, I also explained how Xander died, "he," I began, my voice was clogging with emotion, upon clearing my throat, I began again, "he tried to get to me, while the big vampire was yelling at the female vampire." I knelt down and picked Xander's body, off the floor in a bridal carry, and moved him to the top of the crypt, laying him reverently upon the bier.

"Darla," Amanda supplied, eyes glued to Xander.

I nodded, "Darla," I acknowledged, "I was still out of it, when he almost had me out the door," I continued, while taking him by the hand, it seemed warmer than I thought it would. "The Boss vampire, let Darla go, to come after you, he said something about an immortal, and he didn't seem to like it very much," injecting a moment of levity into a tale of woe, Amanda nodded, as she stepped up to the crypt, and caressed Xander's brow, "just as we were almost to the door, Xander pushed me out of the way, I guess to get me out of the way, and reduce my chances of getting hurt," and that's when the tears began to flow, "then that, that thing, killed Xander like it was swatting a fly." I had thought Lothos was a despicable creature, but even he didn't view killing as if it was nothing, this creature tonight, made Lothos, seem like a kitten, next to a lion. "I'm sorry, so sorry, it should've been me, it was my responsibility to be the one to die, it's what I was born for," I finally broke down, and just began to sob while clutching his left-hand. I felt a shiver work its way down my spine, and Xander's hand closed around mine.

Willow had listened to the tale of her best friend's bravery, and courage, even when faced with impending death, he wouldn't have hesitated to do what he could to help someone out. Now, one of her best friends was dead, and the other had been captured, by what could only be described as monsters, and the girl she hoped to be her first female friend, was sobbing over the misguided notion that she was supposed to be the one to die, and Willow didn't know how to help her. Oh, Xander, please come back, we would be lost without you, we need you, I need you, and now more than ever, Jesse needs you. As soon as, Willow finished that thought, she felt Xander's right-hand close around hers.

Amanda idly stroked the hair of her ultimate grandson, the last of her bloodline, when in the future some asshole came to take her head, if she lost, then whatever remained of who she was, would be lost forever. Nothing would remain of Amanda La Velle, this world would be erased of the blessing of an Alec La Velle, and she didn't know if she even wanted to live in such a world. Amanda reached over and laid her hand on the trembling shoulders of the Slayer and did what her Alecs, would want her to do, provide as much comfort as she could. She would mourn the passing of her family later, she wondered if Duncan would allow her to stay with him, during his retreat. I'm sure if I tell him, about both of my Alecs, he'll understand and let me stay, Duncan's always… And, that's when she felt it, a vibrating buzzing that resonated all over her being, she always thought, it sounded like bells tolling and Angel's singing, all rolled into one sound. It was the unmistakable feel of an Immortal's birth, and that coupled with the sudden gasp of an Immortal's first breath of air, coming from the mouth of her last living blood relative, made it the most glorious sensation Amanda had ever felt. If Duncan, were here I would definitely be giving him a ride tonight, she thought ecstatically.

When Xander abruptly sat up, and gasped for air, two of the three women surrounding the bier were so shocked, they immediately backpedaled so rapidly, they slipped and lost their footing, and sat down hard on their asses. I didn't know of any other creature but a vampire, that could wake up after they were dead, and it's entirely possible Xander could have been turned while I was dazed, so I took the cross given to me by that mysterious guy in the alley and held it in front of me, as I advance toward the body of our Xander. "Get back, Xander," I screeched, "back! Willow, you get away from him too, he's been turned," I ordered, she complied, but only reluctantly. To my utter surprise, Xander didn't recoil from the crucifix, he just sat there looking at me like I was an idiot.

I hear Amanda laughing at me, and turn to look at her, if he was a vampire shouldn't she be cutting his fucking head off, not laughing like a jackass? Seeing my confused expression only made her laugh harder, before getting her laughter under control, "Buffy, Xander is not a vampire, so don't worry, he has joined a very special society," Amanda told her, then addressed the rest of the group, "it appears you are all going to be part of each other's future, so I'm going to tell you a little of what I told Xander, earlier tonight. From the dawn of time we came, moving silently among mortals, we came from every walk of life, and we are as diverse in origin, as we are in temperament, and moral rectitude. We are Immortals, we cannot die of old age, or disease, and though we are susceptible to toxins and drugs, even the most potent poisons known to mankind, and the most exotic drug cocktails, never keep us down for long."

Mine and Willow's eyes were getting bigger and bigger, the longer Amanda spoke, I have seen things I only thought, were mere products of an overactive imagination, but even I can't fathom a creature, who was well-nigh unkillable. I looked up at Xander, but asked my question to Amanda, "So are these Immortals, as you call them completely invincible, or unkillable?"

Amanda smiles sadly, but shakes her head, and answers, "No, and therein lies the crux, of what we Immortals call, the Game," she turned her eyes to look at all three of the young people before her, "there is one method, and one only, that will end an Immortal's existence: decapitation." Willow and I nodded, and Xander was listening raptly, but Amanda went on, because she needed to explain some things, while she had their full attention, especially Xander's, "listen carefully, especially you, Alexander. When an Immortal is killed by another Immortal, and energy we call, the Quickening is released, and absorbed into the victorious Immortal, with the Quickening comes all the knowledge, and life experiences of the defeated, plus the knowledge and experiences of all the Immortals they have killed, all the way back to the beginning."

"So, how does one become Immortal, Aunt Manda," Xander asked, "is it inherited, a product of the zodiac, or the stars aligning?"

"We don't know, those of us who have studied our history, have never found any kind of pattern, rhyme, or reason, over who becomes Immortal," Amanda told them. "I know two Immortals, both great men, who hail from the same clan in the highlands of Scotland, but they are not directly related, in fact one of them was a foundling, so are only connected by their family name." Amanda could see she had their full attention, but wanted to continue while she had Xander, and the girls to herself, "You, Xander, have probably the most unusual origin of them all, because you are directly related to me."

"Why is that so unusual, Immortals must have tons of kids, with all the women, or men that they meet," a confused Xander asked?

Amanda's eyes became downcast, then brought back up to look him in the eyes, "Actually, Alec, Immortals can't have children," my eyes widened in disbelief, and looking around, I see Willow's eyes sadden, at that revelation, Amanda only nodded and continued, "women cannot become pregnant, and men can't knock a girl up," then with a devious grin she cast her eyes to us. "So, girls, if you ever wanna get your cherries popped, and not worry about the consequences," she said patting Xander on the shoulder, "then Alec here, is your safest choice."

I feel my cheeks burn with my blush and see Willow's face flush, as red as her hair, Xander, thank God, hurriedly returned the subject to the original course. "So, how am I related to you again, Aunt Manda," Xander asked?

Amanda nodded her understanding, for getting back on the subject-at-hand, "believe it or not, Xander," she answered, "you are actually, my great, great, great to the power of three, grandson," I saw Xander open his mouth, probably to ask how it was possible, if she couldn't get pregnant, but she answered his question, "it was before I became Immortal, I married the love of my life, his name was Alexandre La Velle, and we had a daughter, her name was Angela. I became Immortal, and it was too dangerous for her to be with me, so I had my brother-in-law and his wife adopt her." I was looking at the woman, as she was talking about her family, and what became of them, and even to this day, I can tell she beats herself up about her decision, and if I can see that having only known her for one night, then surely Xander will see it too. I was proven right when, he placed his palm on her hand, and squeezed it in reassurance and affection, she looked at him and smiled back with gratitude.

Amanda shook her head and got back on point, "anyway, the ones born to be Immortals, have potential to be one all their lives, I've met Immortals as young as ten, and have heard of them as young as eight, the only way for a potential to become Immortal, is to die a violent death."

"You mean when vamp the Hulk, mistook my neck for a squeeze toy, that's what made me Immortal," Xander asked, he sounded more frustrated, than angry? "Why couldn't he have waited until I was 18, to put the squeeze on me, now I'm going to be 15 forever," he said in an annoyed tone of voice?

As we looked at him, in astonishment at what he was having a problem with, Amanda, me, and Willow all face-faulted, I looked up at him and in a flat-voice asked, "Really, you're worried about your age, when you won't ever have to worry, about crow's feet, or wrinkles?"

"You damn-skippy, I'm worried bout my age," Xander replied stubbornly, "if I look like I'm fifteen for the rest of my life, whose gonna take me seriously, what women are gonna be able to be with me in today's society, where age is a huge factor in who can be with whom?"

"Oh," was all I could say to that, then giving him some scrutiny, "well, if that's really what you're worried about, you could easily pass for a twenty-something-year-old," I assure him.

"Really," he asked, preening, and straightening his clothes, "so you're saying I act mature for my age?"

"No," I answer, with an innocent smile, "but you definitely look old enough." As my quip hits home, the two other women in the tomb, begin sniggering up their sleeves, at our favorite boy. Willow didn't even attempt to hide her amusement, Amanda at least tried to stop herself from giggling into her hand.

Xander was a good sport about being the butt of my joke, "oh, ha, ha, ha, let's all laugh at the immortal," then pretending to actually be angry, he said, in a not so accurate imitation of Cartman, "you know what, fuck you ladies, I'm goin' home," then jumps down, from the top of the crypt I laid him on, when he was dead, but he doesn't seem to head towards the door, he just stands there, and leans on the stone coffin, next to me. Willow, even while still laughing, hurried to our side of the crypt, placing her arms around Xander, hugging him from behind, and leaned her forehead into his back. I didn't blame her, I noticed I was leaning a little more toward him, his perceived demise had catapulted this undying boy, from potential friend, to true friend.

After, she finished laughing, Amanda grew deadly serious, "What I've just told you, are the benefits of Immortality, now I'm going to tell you some of the realities of it," she started. "First of all, I am going to tell you, about the Game," she said with severe finality, "the Game, is an ongoing war, perpetuated between ALL immortals with a Quickening. The Quickening is the focus of the Game, and the only way to get a Quickening, or to protect yours, is to take heads."

All three of us were aghast at Amanda's revelation, none more than Xander, "you mean, I'm going to have to kill other people, just to get this Quickening stuff?"

Amanda just nodded, before adding, "you don't have to seek them out, but other Immortals will seek you out, because the Ultimate Goal of the Game, is to be the last Immortal left alive, because There Can Be Only One Immortal left to receive the Prize."

Xander was still reeling, but he had to ask, "and what is this Prize, that makes it worth so much bloodshed?"

Amanda just shrugged, "we don't know, maybe it's the ability to have children, or the supreme knowledge of everything, or something equally as great, all we know is, on some far-off date there will be only two of us left, and if those two decide to fight, to the victor, goes the Prize."

I could see Xander's thoughts, as if he were speaking them aloud, which he did eventually, "how do we even know this Prize is worth all this, I mean we're talking about murder here? How did this, so called, Game, even start?"

Amanda pursed her lips in thought, "The origin of the Game, is another thing we don't know. The oldest living Immortal, we know about, has been alive on this planet for over 5,000-years, he could be older than that, and even he can't remember how it started, says his memory is unreliable beyond five-millennia."

"You've met him," Willow asked in awe?

"Oh yes," Amanda smiled fondly, "we met through a mutual friend, and after a few adventures together, he and I, became good-friends in our own right." Amanda's smile waned a little, "he was even mentioned, in the Christian bible," she looked at them noting their curiosity, and her smile returned, "yes, he was quite infamous in antiquity, as a member of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse." After speaking she looked casually down at her outfit, casually flicking off pieces of vamp-dust.

"Well," I asked, "which Horseman?"

Amanda looked up with a vacant stare, appearing to have just remembered, we were still here, "Hm, yes?"

"Which Horseman was your friend," I asked in exasperation?

"Why, Death, of course," Amanda answered.

Xander appeared to be fuming, mulling over everything Amanda, had told him about the birth of the Game, but he still wanted answers to his other questions, "Hey, Granny Manda, I'm still waiting on answers to my other questions!"

Amanda gave him a hard look, and Willow and I, both reached over and gave him a smack upside the head, it was Willow who scolded him though, "Xander, be nice, just because you don't like the answers you're getting, doesn't make her any less the woman who helped raise you. She's still your Aunt Manda," she chided.

Xander deflated and took a deep-breath, "You're right, Will," then extracting himself from Willow's hold, he walked over to one of the few women he loved. He opened his arms, pulling her into a hug, "I'm sorry, Aunt Manda, I guess, I am just a little overwhelmed by all this, especially the thought of having to murder people, for some vague unidentified reward, that could very well be nothing." Xander sighed and lowered his head in humility, "will you forgive me, for the way I spoke to you just now?"

Amanda just looked at him, drawing herself up, like she was getting ready to bite his head-off, but then she just wilted and wrapped her arms around him, just before she completed the hug she suddenly stopped, "Wait," she said, with her finger in the air. Amanda stepped to his side and added her own rebuke to the back of his head, before resuming her position, "of course, I forgive you, my little Alec, I love you, you're my family, and family should forgive. That's what my only husband, your forefather taught me." They hugged for a good while, before she pulled back, "now for your questions," she said returning to her serious attitude, Xander turned and leaned his arms over the top of the crypt, and Amanda leaned into him with her arm around his waist.

"If fighting for the Prize doesn't suit you, how about fighting for survival, fighting to live, or fighting to protect your friends, and family," Amanda asked, while gesturing to me and Willow, and then pressing a hand into her chest? "I said it once toward the beginning, you don't have to seek out other Immortals, because they will seek you out, its only a matter of when, not if. You may stumble across them, or they may stumble across you, without actively hunting each other. I, also said that each Immortal has their own moral compass, or Code of Conduct, and there are many who will come to fight you in honorable combat," Amanda's eyes went dark, and her voice became hard, "there are just as many who will use every dirty-trick in the book, and then invent more dirty-tricks, the book never even thought about.

"A good rule of thumb to follow," Amanda advised, then looking directly over at me, "and this is good advice for Slayers, as well as Immortals, don't trust anyone you've only just met, or don't have regular contact with," looking over at Willow, "hell it's good advice for life in general, but it's a matter of life and death to Slayers and Immortals. Let me give you an example," Amanda demanded, "do you remember, the ten-year-old Immortal, I mentioned meeting?" At our nod, she continued, "his name is Kenneth, and he is a Saxon, born in 1172, and as far as I know he is still alive," the looks we gave her showed our understanding. From everything Amanda has told us, the Game, is a contest of strength, endurance, and skill, and while I believe someone of this Kenneth's age, could have gained the skill and the endurance for combat, there is no way he could become strong enough in a ten-year-old's body, to have made it this far without being a son of a bitch. I'll have to ask Giles if he's ever heard of any vampire children? I think, I'll also remain on guard with that Angel guy, he helped me out tonight, but why, and how could he know I would need that crucifix? Witnessing our understanding, Amanda went on to elaborate, "I met him in 1182, he was my first pupil, we were separated after a year, and for centuries I searched for him, until he turned up on Seacouver, Washington, and nearly killed a dear friend of mine. While I don't fault him for his tactics, not like he can stand toe-to-toe with the older-bodied Immortals, what I take exception to, is the fact he targets the mortal families of the Immortals, and even murdered the wife of one of his Immortal caretakers."

Xander looked incensed, at the tactics of this Kenneth, and I was inclined to agree, he may look like a little-boy, but he has the mind of an adult. Okay, he can't win a straight fight, I get that, and under the circumstances, I would employ the same tactics, but family is sacred and should never be messed with, especially if they're noncombatants. Xander's face came out from his anger, with a rueful grin, "Now, I feel bad for that crack I made about being 15 forever, at least I can pass for an adult, Kenneth is a perpetual child."

At that, me, Willow, and Amanda, nodded sagely, then Amanda asked a question of her great times-nine grandson, "Tell me Alexander, you've made reference to a time or two tonight, about the decapitation of Immortals being murder, why is that?"

Xander looked at her like she asked, whether the sky is blue, and why, "well, isn't it obvious, to keep yourself alive, you have to fight this unending battle and cut people's heads off with little provocation, and no restraint."

Amanda just nodded as if she had expected this answer, "I see, tell me, is it murder, if everyone has a fighting chance, to win?"

Xander thought for a moment, then answered, "No, it's not murder in that context.

Amanda smiled deviously, but continued, "would you say we had no restraint, if I told you that there were rules to the Game, that no Immortal, no matter how despicable would violate?"

Xander's face looked surprised, as did mine and Willow's, "what sort of rules, Amanda," I asked?

Amanda smiled at me for asking, "the third most sacred rule is: Only melee weapons are allowed, in combat," at our confused expressions, she elaborated, "no guns, or firearms of any kind may be used; no bows, crossbows, slings, or any projectile weapon is allowed. Only swords, axes, polearms, or weapons you have to swing with your arms are permitted.

"The second most sacred rule that Immortals follow when in actual combat: Battles must be fought, one-on-one, no one else is allowed to help you in your fight and ganging up on your opponent is not allowed.

"And, The Most Sacred Rule, that no Immortal will EVER violate: There will be no fighting on Holy Ground: Any holy ground." My eyes bulged at that revelation, why is that rule even in there, and what does she mean by Holy Ground, I didn't have to ask because she answered our unspoken questions, "cemeteries, churches, temples, shrines, any sacred place, regardless of your personal religion, cannot be a battleground for Immortal battles, and I have never met anyone who has violated this rule. Its such an ingrained rule, that a fellow by the name of Kurgan, a sickening sadist, and rapist, and one of the more evil among our kind, actually rebuked my friend Connor Macleod, as good a man as I've ever met, for almost violating the holy ground law."

Then Xander was the one to ask the next question, "Why's that rule so inviolate to Immortals?"

Amanda just smiled, "According to my Mentor, Rebecca Horne, because it involved what she believed, the original purpose for Immortals was, a sacred duty, entrusted to us by Higher Beings," though she smiled, Amanda's tone was anything but joking, she truly believed in the sincerity of her next words, "The HUNT."

[The Hunt]

The Hunt

Sunnydale Cemetery

Amanda watched as three pairs of teen eyes, watch, and wait for her, to continue explaining the responsibilities of Immortality, to the infant Immortal, Alexander Lavelle Harris. After dying at the hands of an unknown, but powerful vampire, Xander awoke as a bouncing, baby Immortal. Alec, as Amanda calls him, died protecting Buffy Summers, the current Slayer, and rose, seemingly from the dead in front of her, and his best friend since kindergarten, Willow Rosenberg. For that reason, and because a Slayer must remain anonymous, Amanda felt safe to begin educating her Ultimate Great-grandson, in what it means to be Immortal. Amanda's thought was, by sharing the details for Alec's new life with these young ladies, she was helping to forge a bond of trust between the three. Also, Slayers led such solitary lives, that they believe they are alone in the world, that nobody could understand what they went through day-to-day, and though different in the details, this Slayer seemed no different, and being over 1100-years-old, Amanda knows that Immortals, feel the same way at times. So, by forging these bonds, Amanda hoped these two would, learn to rely upon each other, and it was an attempt on her part to play matchmaker.

Amanda just finished explaining the rules of the Game – significantly, the Law of Holy Ground – to the three teens, and what her Mentor taught her, was the true purpose of the existence of Immortals. Beside the Game, which Rebecca had always said was a distraction, to keep Immortals occupied so they did not run rampant over the Earth, in this world of vampires and demons, and only one Slayer per generation, an Immortal's purpose and obligation, was to quell the Denizens of Hell, and keep them away from Mortals.

"The Hunt," Xander and Buffy asked in unison, when they looked at each other, they both smiled, before turning back to Amanda?

Amanda smiled fondly, "Yes, the Hunt," she confirmed, "remember when I took the male vampire's head tonight, remember the energy discharge just before he crumbled to dust," she asked, indicating the area she was standing, before they tried to make a run for it tonight? At their nod, she continued, "that was the demonic energy that fuels a vampire, it works similar to an Immortal's Quickening, but has a different feel to it. It feels like a bucket of ice water getting dumped on me, every time I take a vamp-head, and demons feel like the inferno they came from."

Amanda was looking in Buffy's direction as she finished her explanation, and witnessed a desperate hope fill the teen girl's eyes. Buffy schooled her features, and in a tightly controlled voice, "you mean there are other people, out there, fighting demons, and vampires, and all kinds of supernatural events? There are others, fighting against evil, that the world's hope isn't solely resting on my shoulders," she was asking, by the end she was speaking rapidly, and in an excited tone of voice?

Amanda just nodded in affirmation, and Buffy's grin could have rivaled the sun in its brilliance. Amanda's face grew suspicious before she asked, "I hope you weren't asking that, just so you can quit, and leave everything to Alec here, the world needs the Slayer?"

"No, of course not," Buffy replied a little too quickly. Then at a hard glare from the eleven-hundred-year-old woman, Buffy cringed, then conceded, "okay, I was thinking it a little, but not seriously, I mean with so many out there fighting, what difference could a single teenager make?"

Amanda nodded at her reasoning, "globally, very little; nationally, not much; locally however, quite a bit; and universally, your contribution, could be all there is to turn the course, of the never-ending war between good and evil." Buffy looked at her in disbelief, at her own importance, "if you doubt me, then when you get a chance, I suggest you research, how almost two-thousand-years-ago, a lowly carpenter rose to become more significant than all the monarchs, philosophers, and inventors of his day, and continues to hold even more significance today." Buffy nodded, and Amanda continued, "and, I believe that bringing you and Alec here, together, is not only vital to the never-ending struggle, but has been a divinely-crafted convergence."

"Why do you say that," Willow asked, and the other two could only just nod their agreement to her question?

"I'll start by saying, Buffy, you are the third Slayer, I've met," Amanda informed them, but before the Slayer could ask, Amanda asked the question herself, "why does that matter, you ask?" When Buffy nodded, as that was the question she wanted to ask, "because of all the Hunter Immortals I know, I am the only one to ever work with, more than one Slayer, every Hunter Immortal I know of, has only ever worked with one Slayer. You, Buffy, are my third."

"Um, Aunt Manda," Xander began, but he was cut off by Amanda.

"Alec, if you're about to ask, if you can get out of the Game, by concentrating on Hunting, the answer is no," she snapped severely, then softened her face, and continued, while squeezing his hand gently, "the Game is a constant, the Hunt is a choice, and it's why we have the Holy Ground Law." Amanda turned back to look at Buffy, "that's right you're my third Slayer," then turning back to look at Xander, "another clue that supports my theory, is the fact I am directly related to Alec here, I told you that's never happened before because of the sterility of Immortals, but what makes it even more significant, is Alec here, is the last of my bloodline."

"What," he asked?

"Over the centuries, I, with the help of my Mentor, have kept tabs on all of my descendants, mostly so I could know how they were doing," Amanda informed her, "but every few generations, most significantly in Europe, whole branches of my family tree have either been, pruned, no, more like hacked off, or withered from disease to nothing. The last of my European descendants met their end in Nazi occupied Europe, in Le Résistance. You, Alec, are my last blood tie to this world," she informed him, "and you know why your mother will never be able to give you brother's or sister's," Amanda reminded him, causing him to nod sadly, which caused Buffy a look of curiosity. "So, there you all have it, everything I have to say about Immortality, from the Game to the Hunt, and now I think it's time we went to find your Watcher, Buffy, and do not worry, the Watcher's Council knows all about, Immortals. They are actually an offshoot of a larger organization of Watchers, who are supposed to observe and record Immortal activity."

"Hey," Xander snaps looking around, "where's Jesse, so much has been going on tonight, I haven't had a chance to notice he was missing?"

At this, Willow and Amanda, look down, with all the excitement of Xander's death, and rebirth, they totally forgot the other tragedy of tonight. "Xander, Jesse was taken by the vampire's," Willow told her best friend, "Amanda was only able to save me from the same fate, but then we heard Buffy scream your name, and we rushed in here to see you dead on the floor."

Xander's mouth was dry when he asked, "are we ever gonna be able to get him back?"

Buffy and Amanda both shook their heads, "No," Buffy tells him, "I don't know if there is a cure, because the Kiss, kills the recipient, and a demon takes up residence in the corpse. It has all the memories and skills of the person before, but the soul, has gone on to whatever reward awaits."

Amanda could only just nod in agreement, "I only know of one vampire, who has ever had his soul returned to them, and then, it was only as a curse by the Romany, for murdering their princess," she admitted, "he was still a vampire, and just because you have a soul, doesn't make you less culpable for your actions, in fact with a soul you are more culpable, in my opinion. I prefer to judge based on his actions, not the presence of a soul. Humans, who are born with souls, are just as likely to be a saint, as they are a sociopath," then turning to look at Xander and Willow, "if you see Jesse again, don't trust him, and don't invite him inside, vamps cannot enter your home uninvited, it actually hurts them."

Amanda turns to them gesturing, "Come on, let's get out of here, I'll drive you all home," she looked at Buffy, "when and where, is the best time to meet your Watcher?"

"At school, he's the librarian at our high school," Buffy replied, "and the best time to meet with him is in the morning, first period is Study Hall for me." Xander and Willow chimed in, saying first period was also Study Hall for them.

[We Have an Accord]

Sunnydale High School; Library: Next Morning

The next morning, during first period, which happened to be study hall in the library, and Sunnydale High did not have designated classrooms for study hall, therefore students could meet in the Quad, the lunch room, or the library for the period. It was here, that Amanda, Buffy, Willow, and Xander, all met with Rupert Giles, Buffy's current Watcher. When Amanda entered the library, with his Slayer and two other teenagers Giles vaguely knew, he surmised that today, was going to be an eventful day. How right he was, when Xander was introduced as a new Immortal. Amanda was quite right, when she deduced that Giles would know exactly what an Immortal was, and the issues that stemmed from association with one, and when Giles was apprised of last night's battle he decided to just accept it and report to the Council, the birth of a new Immortal.

While not a member of the Watcher Immortal division, all Watchers with active Slayers, were given a list, published weekly, of nearby Immortals. The list included their moral leanings, whether they were Hunters or Gamers, or a mixture of the two regimes, and if they were a danger to their Slayer, or would help her, if asked. He has not checked his mail yet today, so this week's list may include her on it. Amanda explained most of what happened the previous night, leaving out her theory of divine guidance, until she could feel out how Giles felt on the subject.

At the moment, Giles was giving Willow, the same speech Xander got from his foremother the night before. Giles, however, was talking about the origin of Vampires, in this narration, "This world is older than you know," he began, "contrary to popular belief, it did not begin as a Paradise. For untold eons, demons walked the Earth," Giles continued, meandering around the library, returning books to their proper shelves, and keeping only one with him as he came to stand before them, leaning on a table, "they made it their home, their... their Hell, and in time, they lost their purchase on this reality. The way for mortal animals, for mankind, was made. All that remains of the Old Ones are vestiges, certain magics, creatures, and…"

"… and vampires," Buffy finished for him.

"Where did vampires come from," Xander asked, "I still have a hard time believing they exist," he admitted?

Then Willow asked, "What else could it have been," she wondered, "I mean everything movies and books have ever said about them, was shown to be true last night," she told him? Then rubbing the back of her neck, where the one known as Darla gripped her, "They felt real enough, what else could it have been? Willow was in her usual attire, multi-colored cotton blouse, and matching skirt, in sandals, she pulls it off way better than the 70s vampire from last night, Xander thought.

It was Buffy, who answered Willow, but looked at Xander to let him know, he was the one she was talking to, "naw, those weren't vampires, those were just… guys in dire need of a facial," she said in mock-disbelief, "or maybe they had rabies, it could've been rabies," she said in false hope, like someone grasping at straws, to make themselves feel better, "and that guy turning to dust, that was just a trick of the light…"

"… or they had gone mad, and become delirious from the Plague, I've seen that before," Amanda chimed in to help Buffy get through the thick skull of her distant relative, she winked at Buffy, who sent her a grateful smile, and Amanda nodded in acknowledgement, "and they were only able to run down that horse, because it was an old horse, and probably already tired from the long journey they had…"

"… and, not to mention the big one, who used your neck like a used soda can," Buffy added, making it personal for Xander, "he was just hopped up on PCP and Steroids," Buffy concluded, in a deadpan voice. By the time they finished, Xander was smiling at them sheepishly, already accepting the existence of those bloodsuckers. Hard not to, when you consider that the results of last night's encounter, was the birth of my Immortality, and the loss of one of my best friends. Aunt Manda gave me a set of Butterfly swords, this morning, it was a weapon I was familiar with, for the simple fact that she trained me in some Chinese martial arts for about six years, before she left for what she called, an extended work trip. She said last night, that she felt my potential for Immortality since I was a baby, and took it upon herself to prepare me, for the day it might happen. We talked a little more about it this morning on the ride to school, and she assured me, that while she didn't know, when or if, I would become Immortal, she would be shirking her duties as my Aunt, and guardian, when my mother wasn't around, if she didn't prepare me for any eventuality.

The Butterfly swords were forged from a single piece of carbon-steel, with a natural curve in the metal, peaking with a sharp point for stabbing, with a heavy-edge Amanda said was perfect for chopping. The hilt included a hand-guard, that slithered it's way from the end of the grip, which was wider toward the blade but tapered as it moved away from it, ending in a prong that was perfect for disarms, again according to my, Ultimate Great-grandmother? She showed me, how to conceal them with my Quickening, so that even metal detectors would be fooled, and how to wear loose clothing so they would be easier to draw. She said, she would begin sparring with me, today after school, to continue preparing me for the Game. She encouraged me, if I could, to get in some sparring with Buffy, to learn how she fought Vamps. That way, not only would I gain experience sparring against a powerful opponent, it would help us become closer as partners, and learn each other's rhythm's for Hunting. Today, Xander wore a long-sleeved, button-down shirt, untucked with a yellow mushroom pattern on it, over a white, crew-necked t-shirt, blue-jeans, and converse all-star sneakers. All this went through his head, as Xander listened to Buffy set him straight about vampires, "that's similar to what I said the first time, I saw a vampire. Well," she said, with a tilt of her head as she remembered something ironic, "after I stopped with the screaming part."

Amanda snorted, "I was even worse, I was still in Normandy, France, with my Mentor, when she took me on my first Hunt," she said as she remembered her own experience, "it was the Dark Ages, well before the Age of Reason, when shadows were the sins of your soul made manifest, and a sneeze meant you were possessed by the Devil." She winced at an unflattering moment, "I was a basket case, Rebecca had to hold me down, with a hand over my mouth, to keep me from running away in hysterics," she admitted.

Willow's mouth was hanging open, and despite her earlier conviction of what vampires were, looked ready to faint. "Oh, I need to sit down," she moaned, as Amanda laid a comforting hand on Will's shoulder.

Knowing how stunned she felt, when she was first told about vampires, Buffy said gently, "You are sitting down." That devastating feeling was only later compounded, when she was told she would be the one tasked, with fighting these monsters. Today, Buffy was wearing a black long-sleeved blouse over pants, and a silver crucifix dangled around her neck. She still seemed to be nursing some injuries from the night before, as she was holding an ice-pack to her right arm.

"Oh, good for me," Willow retorted.

Amanda began rubbing Willow's arm in reassurance, "It'll be alright, Will," she told the teenager, "forewarned is forearmed, and we'll teach you the countermeasures you need to know to prevent the vamps from attacking you." For some reason Xander never understood, his Aunt Manda always dressed in black like she was in constant mourning, today however was different, it was as if she had been given a new lease on life, and it showed by the way she dressed. She was in a white tunic-like blouse, and a blue-denim skirt dropping to her ankles, the only black she wore, was a black pair of leather boots that had zippers on the sides.

"So, vampires are demons, right," Xander asked, returning to the subject at hand, seeking confirmation that Jesse was truly beyond the point of saving?

It was Giles, who fielded this question, "The books tell, that the last demon to leave this reality fed off a human," Xander turned toward the older man, and gave him his undivided attention, "mixed their blood, a human form possessed, infected by the demon's soul," Giles handed Xander the book he was reading, "he bit another, and another, and now, they walk the earth; feeding. Killing some, mixing their blood with others, just to make more of their kind, waiting for the animals to die out, and the Old Ones to return."

Then, turning to the Immortal woman, he asked seeking answers of his own, "So, what exactly are you doing here, I never knew of one of your kind, to be interested in the trials of the Slayers?"

Amanda's eyes narrowed, "then you don't know very much about us, do you, Mr. Giles? If you did, then you would know that many Immortals have aided Slayers in the past," she explained, then placing a hand over her own chest, "I have the distinguished honor to have helped, three Slayers." Then, pointing to the Slayer in the room, "Buffy, just happens to be my third Slayer."

Giles' eyes rose slightly in surprise, "All right, I'll have to get confirmation from the Watcher Network on that," and Amanda nodded her understanding, but he was not finished, "in the meantime, what are your goals for the moment?"

"I must continue preparing, Alec for the Game, and get him used to using a sword," she gestured to Xander, then moved her head to look at the only blonde in the room, "and if she's willing, I would like for him to become partners with the Slayer, with his ability to sense bloodsuckers and other supernatural creatures, including Buffy herself," she said pointedly, "he could aid her in the night, and reduce the chances of surprise attacks."

Giles fingered his chin as he thought over Amanda's proposal of a partnership, "it has merits, and I see no downside to an alliance, if you'll also help me train Buffy further in hand-to-hand combat. We're taught the standard styles during Watcher-Slayer training, and we are given much leeway in learning other forms of martial arts, but we're far from Masters in said styles."

Amanda just smiled as she assented to her side of the arrangement, "That sounds fair to me."

Xander and Buffy listened, as their Mentor and Watcher respectively, brokered their deal, and then looked at each other, "They sound almost like parents, discussing playdates for their children, don't they Xander," Buffy quipped in a neutral expression, and deadpan voice?

"Makes sense for Aunt Manda, she did raise me for six years, before leaving for her work trip in '92," Xander's voice was just as deadpan as Buffy's, then. "Hey, Buffy, you wanna take me on as a partner, and show me the ropes of Slaying/ Hunting, I can be your early-warning monster detector," Xander asked his new female friend?

"Sure, Xander," Buffy agreed, "if your grandma, will teach me how to better whup vampire and demonic ass, I have no problem, but you have to listen to me, regarding tactics and strategies."

Xander nodded, "I bow to your experience fighting Vampires and Demons, within reason," he conceded, "but if I sense another Immortal, I want you to let me handle it, Buffy," then looking in consternation at his foremom. "I will follow the Rules of the damn Game, if I have to play it," he admitted with resignation, "can you accept that, Buffy?"

And suddenly the reality of Xander's knew existence, was brought to the front of Buffy and Willow's minds, they were not deliberately ignoring it, they were just simply, perhaps subconsciously, not talking or thinking about it. He would have to fight for the rest of his life, killing others so he could live to see tomorrow, chopping other people's heads off, and if he survived, if he somehow made it to the end, and only two remained, he could die then, or become the last Immortal and gain the Prize. Buffy had only known him for a few days, but even in that small window, she has come to care for him. Looking at Willow, who has known him since kindergarten, Buffy can only imagine what she must be going through, knowing what could befall her best friend. Buffy nodded, and barely keeping her emotions in check said, "I will do that, but I reserve the right, to act as your second when you face the other Immortals," she countered, "partners should have each other's backs, no matter what situations may arise."

Stepping forward Xander, spit in his palm and extended his hand to Buffy. Buffy, suppressing her womanly instinct to gag, approached Xander spitting in her own hand, and clasped hands with the Immortal, then for some reason a phrase came to their lips unbidden, and together, in harmony, Slayer and Immortal said, "we have an accord!"

Hoping to change the subject Amanda waves her hand to get Giles' attention, then with a sigh, begins an admission, "when you ask the other Watchers about me, ask after the name, Amanda Darrieux, or Amanda Deveraux, or the Amazing Amanda," she informed him. "Alec here, and his mom, have only ever known me as, Amanda La Velle," she admitted glancing at Xander, then going on, "when not around him, I adopted a completely different persona, it was the face most of my Immortal adversaries, and even my friends saw when I was among them," her voice took on a downcast tone, "and I'm afraid, its not very flattering, outside Sunnydale I was a capricious thief, and opportunist, and many thought me a coward, and unable to take care of myself." She looked at Xander out of the corner of her eye, "she was not someone, I would've ever wanted my little Alec to meet, because she wouldn't have thought twice about abusing his trust in her."

"Hey," Xander said sharply, before taking her by the hand, and softening his eyes, and speaking to Amanda in a warm, loving voice, "if that was all she was, then she wouldn't have such close friends," he said to her, "you've mentioned your Mentor enough times, to give me the idea that whomever that Amanda was, your Mentor still obviously cherished her. And, you mentioned that you had Immortal friends," Xander continued, "given what you've told me about the Game, those friends obviously cherished you, far more than any Prize they might receive, if you're still alive. So, as bad as you think that other Amanda was, she obviously had some redeeming qualities, or you'd be dead. So, whether this Amanda or that, I'll take any Amanda I can get, because I love all of her," Amanda just looked at him, stunned before he bent, to kiss her forehead.

Everybody was quiet, as they watch the spectacle of the two Immortals, then – "BRRIIIINNNGG" – and the spell was broken by the school bell. The three high school students gathered their things and made for the door, to go to their second period. As they were leaving they heard Giles ask the Immortal woman, "What's this game you've been mentioning?

[That Dreadful Machine]

Sunnydale High School; Library: After School

When the last bell had been rung for the day, the gang returned to the library. After the children left, Amanda filled Giles in on the Game, all Immortals must play, the reasons behind it, as well as the ultimate goal of this so-called Prize. Giles had a horrific countenance upon his face, when he was informed of the only means to achieve or protect, oneself in this Game, and the only refuge one could find from the unceasing bloodshed. She told him of the Hunt, she simply repeated for Rupert Giles, the same information she told the kids.

During the day, after she left, and well after regaining his composure, Giles contacted his superiors, and informed them of an Immortal taking up residence in Sunnydale, not to mention the birth of a new one. Amanda's reputation preceded her of course, the Immortal-Watcher Network, confirmed what Amanda told him of her reputation, away from Sunnydale. His informant told Giles, that while Amanda was not evil, she has only rarely, stuck her neck out for anyone. Then he confirmed, Amanda's claims of the help she has given two previous Slayers, one in 1476, in Bucharest when they deposed, the infamous, Vlad Tepes, the only known vampire to rule a nation, and 1916, in St. Petersburg, Russia, to put down Vlad's childe, Grigori Rasputin, who came very close to achieving his sire's reputation.

The Watcher's saw no issue to an alliance with the Immortal, Amanda, and applauded his initiative in securing a partnership with a couple of Immortals. Even the young one would be a benefit for the Slayer, as she would no longer have to hold back her power, during training, something, that because Watcher's were mere mortals, was a requirement. They even liked the idea of a 'companionship' with the young Immortal, between the current Slayer, because they did not have to worry about 'accidents' should their relations reach the consummation stage.

The youths, and Giles, assembled in the library after school. Amanda left during the day to run some errands, and let Giles contact his superiors in London, she would return later. While they waited for her return, they completed their homework, Xander would never be Willow, but he made decent grades, and Buffy refused to let herself fall into the dumb-blonde stereotype.

As they finished their homework, Xander began musing, and idly stared in the direction of the Slayer. She looked over at him wondering what he was thinking about, she felt his eyes on her, his gaze was not too creepy, he seemed to be wanting to ask her something. "What is it, Xander," Buffy asked and they all looked in their direction, "you obviously have something weighing on your mind?"

Xander immediately blushed for getting caught staring, "I'm sorry if I creeped you out, but I've been wondering, you know about me of course, since you were there when I was reborn. What about you, Buffy," Xander asked, "what exactly is the Slayer?"

It was Giles who answered the infant Immortal, "for as long as there have been Vampires, there has been the Slayer," he began, "one girl in all the world, a Chosen One…"

Buffy was grinning and shared a look with Willow, "He loves doing this part," she said rolling her eyes, and Willow giggled.

"Alright," Giles said in exasperation, accepting her rebuke, "the Slayer hunts Vampires -Buffy is a Slayer - don't tell anyone."

Xander just chuckled, "you don't have to worry about that," then turning to Buffy, smirking with a quirked eyebrow, "you keep my secret - I'll keep yours."

"Deal," Buffy agreed.

Then Xander grew serious, "I take it you're not just a pretty face," he asked Buffy, "just what should I expect from the Slayer?"

Buffy just nodded, "Slayers have the strength to stand toe-to-toe with most Vampires and match them," she told him, "over time, our physical capabilities increase, and we can sometimes sense vampires in our vicinity, I'm still working on that one though. We can pick up fighting styles faster than most people and seem to have an instinct for combat. Even before we get the Call, we are usually better than average when fighting." Buffy stopped and seemed to be remembering something, "I don't ever remember getting into any real fights, before becoming a Slayer, but when I was little, I was better than most of the boys when it came to sports and such activities. The one time, I remember getting aggressive with anybody, was a day or two before I met Merrick, my first Watcher," Buffy seemed to sadden at that, then smile viciously as she remembered something. "this idiot was making lewd gestures with his hot dog and using just a plastic butter knife, I cut it into fours." Buffy came out of her memories and looked suggestively at the two men in the room, who cringed, unconsciously and turned away from her, which only made her smile widen.

Xander nodded at this information, "Okay, now we know who all the players are, how do we kill these things," he asked, "other than cutting off their heads, of course."

Giles looked confused, "why would you have a problem with decapitation," he asked?

Before he could answer, Xander felt his head vibrate like his head was the recipient of a jolt from a stun-gun, and Buffy shivered, as if an icy-hand had been run down her back. She was starting to make sense of this, she had felt these shivers, off and on throughout the day, and they always preceded the appearance of Xander, the few times they had class together, or passed each other in the halls. Once she saw him, the feeling went away, could Xander's Immortality be triggering my Slayer senses? While the Immortal and the Slayer, reacted to something, the other two in the room remained oblivious, and Giles just finished asking his question, when a different but familiar voice answered, "because whenever we take the head of a Vampire or a Demon, we absorb their energy, and the process is always painful and debilitating for a few seconds," Amanda's voice sounded from the doorway.

Xander and Buffy turned to the doorway, as they deduced what their respective sensations were, Aunt Manda said, I could sense other Immortals, vampires, demons, and even Slayers, and I would have a small almost instant flash of a shadow, like something was passing over the sun, I've noticed that just before I saw Buffy today, every time. Could that be the indication, that she's near me, is that how I'll know she's around? "That's what I figured, Aunt Manda," Xander explained, "I remember what happened last night when you beheaded that one vampire, you could barely stand after," he elaborates, "so I figure I'll have to be selective in the heads I take."

Amanda smiled at her Alec's perceptiveness, "very good, my little Alec," she complimented, "if it's one, or even two bloodsuckers its okay to take their heads, especially if you're with your new partner," she said indicating Buffy, who smiled in greeting, "but vampires, especially young ones, freshly out of the grave, like to swarm their prey, in that case, taking heads is an easy way to die at the hands of vamps. Remember, Alexander, all it takes is for your neck to leave your shoulders for it to be all over."

"Okay, now we know my limitations," Xander accepted, "and we know how everything started, we know everything we need to know, except for two things."

"What's that," asked Willow?

"How do I kill them without taking their heads," he asked, "where the hell are they?"

"Very well," Amanda conceded, "first, what hurts a vampire, holy objects, and places: religious symbols of any kind: crosses, ankhs, stars of David, Muslim crescent moons, any symbol that is associated with the divine are anathema to them. Though that's largely the personal beliefs of the vampires, not the wielder of the religious symbols. Also, substances blessed by said religions above: water, oils, holy liquids, and solid objects anointed with said substances, can cause lasting wounds, that take time and energy to heal. If you anoint a blade with holy oil, and drive it through their hearts, it won't kill them, but it hurts them like a motherfucker," Amanda stood there grinning sadistically.

"Okay," Buffy said with a shiver, "I'll take it from here Amanda: of course, decapitation is a sure method, but I'll leave when you do that to you. Stakes through the heart kill them, exposure to the Sun, and fire are all effective for dusting vamps, though the older a Vampire the more they're able to resist the latter three. And, you may be right, Amanda, the religious symbols aren't universal, and personal belief and may be even age, must play some role in their effectiveness, I remember Lothos only getting pissed and setting my cross on fire, when I brought it out, to ward him off. But the vamp from last night, Luc, I remember that Darla chick named him, he had me dead to rights, but the moment his hand touched this cross," she said fingering the cross around her neck, "it completely drove him away, and he was more powerful than Lothos, crueler too," Buffy said looking at Xander as she made that assertion.

"Does anyone mind if I pass out," Willow asked, looking sick? Buffy placed her hand on Willow's shoulder, she gently began telling Willow to breathe, which caused Xander to smile at the tenderness Buffy showed his remaining best friend.

Suddenly remembering something, Buffy broke-away from Willow and stepped forward, "This big guy, Luc," she began, "he talked about an offering to the Master, I don't know what or whom," Buffy asserted, "but if they weren't just feeding, Jesse may still be alive. Maybe we can find him, before they turn him," Buffy suggested to them.

Xander's smile was bright and energetic, "you mean, we could still get him back," he asked with hope in his voice?

"It's possible, now that I think about it," Buffy answered, "but don't get your hopes up, if he has been turned," she said steeling her voice, "I'll stake him just like any others."

Xander nodded, "I'll understand if it comes to that Buffy," he said hardening his heart, "the way I see it, if he has been turned, then the demon has hijacked Jesse's body, and would be more merciful to destroy it, than allow Jesse to suffer."

"This may be the dumb question," Willow put in, "but shouldn't we call the police?"

Giles shook his head, "and they'd believe us, of course," he said sardonically.

"You don't have to say it was a vampire, you could just say it was a bad man," Willow said, defending her position.

"They couldn't handle it, even if they did show up," Buffy told her, "they would only come with guns."

"And, who's to say they haven't bought the cops, Will," Amanda put in gently, "with all the disappearances in town, don't you think the police would've noticed by now?"

"You mean," Xander asked?

"Yes, one of the errands I had to run today," she explained, "was to run over to the town's public library and do some research." She pulled out, copies of newspaper articles made from a microfiche copier, and threw them on the table. The other four took up an article each, then all shared a look, as Amanda further explained while gesturing at the articles, "those talk about the increase in disappearances for the last year. The total number of people disappearing has increased by as much as 25%, and the town of Sunnydale already has an abnormal amount of disappearances compared to towns in the area." The four at the table look up silently asking Amanda to elaborate, "Sunnydale disappearances, are greater than surrounding towns of comparable size, by as much as 15%, and yet official population totals have never dropped below the average," all their eyes widened at this revelation, "that means someone in this town's government has been cooking their books, to hide the number of disappearances, and keep the state and/ or federal government from investigating."

"Well, let's shelve that for now," Giles suggested, and they all nodded in agreement, "so, you have no idea where they took Jesse," he asked, looking at Manda?

Amanda shook her head, "I didn't have time to follow, when I heard Buffy yelling about Xander, I ran to see what had happened to him and it was too late, by then, to try tracking them."

"We did try," Buffy informed her Watcher, "we looked around before we left last night, but as soon as they got clear of the graveyard, they could've just, VOOMD!"

Xander looked incredulous, "you mean they can fly?"

"They can drive," Buffy answered.

"Oh," Alec looked relieved, that they were earth bound like the rest of us.

"I don't remember hearing a car," Willow supplied, "

Xander, had a sudden epiphany, "I don't think the one that killed me drove," he said as an idea struck him, "I remember standing near the entrance to the door, before moving to get Willow, Jesse, and Amanda out, and I was moving back toward it," Xander admitted, "so I don't think that, Luc-fucker, came through the door."

Amanda smacked him in the back of the head, "language Alexander," she chided, when he looked about to protest, she got in his face, and in a dangerous, mother's tone said, "just because I say stuff like that, doesn't mean you can! I raised you better than to swear around a lady, didn't I," she hissed, indicating Buffy, Willow, and herself, "and you're still fifteen, regardless of your condition?"

"He killed me, Aunt Manda," but Xander looked in her unyielding eyes, then sighed in compliance, and cast his eyes down in contrition, then turning to his friends and his foremom, "I apologize for my language! I'll try not to use such language around you in the future, or wait until I'm 18," he said whipping his head up to look Amanda in the eyes defiantly.

She just smiled, and kissed his forehead, before continuing their discussion, "this Luc-guy, didn't run by me either, even if he was that fast my Quickening would've alerted me to his presence."

"Then let's take an enormous leap of intuition, and say they went underground," Giles suggested.

"Vampires really jam on sewer systems," Buffy agreed, "you can get anywhere in the entire town, without catching any rays." Then thinking of an alternative, added, "but I didn't see any access around there."

"Luc must've used, what was known in my mortal life, as the doorway to the underworld," Amanda suggested, then looking at their confused expressions, explained, "a portal that allowed the soul to enter and exit the tomb, while it was believed to be the actual gate to the realm of the dead, it also served to prevent the smells of decomposing corpses from leaking into the above ground area. It's hard to cherish the departed when you're breathing in the smell of decomp," Amanda quipped, "it was the first use of underground sewage systems in Europe, especially in cities like Paris or Rome."

"And there's an electrical tunnel, running under the whole town," Xander informed them, Amanda looked at him with a quirked eyebrow, asking how he knew that, "what, I read newspapers, and watch the news, plus on mom's better days, she liked to attend town meetings." Amanda nodded accepting his answers, Willow looked sad when he spoke of his mom, Buffy and Giles looked on in curiosity?

"If we had a diagnostic of the tunnel system, it might indicate, a meeting place," Giles added sounding reluctant, then squaring his resolve suggested, "I suppose we could go to the building commission."

"We so, don't have time," Buffy grated in frustration.

Then Willow made her contribution, "Uh, guys, there may be another way," they looked at her waiting for her to continue, "most of the information we need can be accessed on the town website, and the cool part is," she stood up and walked over to the computer in the library, "sewage systems, the electrical tunnels, and other things like that are a matter of public record," she concluded with a pretty smile, "so we're not breaking any laws." They chuckled at her enthusiasm, while they waited for her to work her computer magic.

It took almost no time for Willow, to bring up the files on the sewer system, she accessed a chart on the sewers, scrolling until she found the graveyard. "There it is," Buffy pointed on the screen.

"That runs under the graveyard," Willow added.

"There's nothing here, this is useless," Buffy exclaimed, finally venting her frustration, while distancing herself from them.

"You're being too hard on yourself," Giles tried to console her.

She whipped around with hard eyes at Giles, "you're the one that told me, I wasn't prepared enough. Understatement," Buffy admitted! "I thought I was on top of everything, then that monster Luc came, he killed Xander, and then he totally kicked my ass."

"Buffy," Amanda said coming closer to her, Amanda's voice had a consoling quality to it, and as she placed her hands-on Buffy's shoulders, Buffy accepted the perceived comfort, when, "SLAP!" "Get the Hell over it," Amanda snapped, as Buffy brought her hand up to her left cheek, "you are not the only one in this room to taste defeat, I cannot even remember, the last time I didn't have to have my ass bailed out in a duel," Amanda admitted?! "So, you've lapsed in your training, big deal," she chided, "fix it, the time for autocastigation is over, and the time to step-up and take your obligation seriously is at hand!" Then leaning over, she whispered in Buffy's ear, "and I'm not talking about Slaying, because he's your partner, you now have a greater obligation to keep my Alec alive, and if you fail me, then so-help-me-God, I will. kill. you." Amanda stood back taking in Buffy's shocked face, she leaned forward and kissed the Vampire Slayer on both cheeks, "I'm so glad we understand each other."

Taking a deep breath, Buffy nodded, and in a whisper to Amanda, "I understand, Amanda, thanks for the swift kick." Then turning to the others, "the entrance is in the tomb, Darla must have double-backed with Jesse, after we all left," then turning to Amanda with a baleful glare, "and it probably wasn't the best idea to hold who are we meetings, on the bloodsucker's doormat?"

"So, let's saddle up," Xander said stepping forward, looking down into Buffy's eyes, "what's the plan, partner?"

"Buffy, Xander," Willow spoke up with hesitation, "I'm not anxious to go into a dark place full of monsters, but I do wanna help," then with a little more conviction said, "I need to do something."

That is when, Rupert Giles began to speak, to provide some form of comfort for the girl, "then help me, in researching this Harvest affair," he suggested while leaning over her to look more closely at the screen, "it seems to be some preordained massacre, 'Rivers of Blood… Hell on Earth,' quite charmless." He looked up at the partners, "I'm a bit fuzzy, however on the details, it may be, that you can wrest some information, on that dread machine," he finished head-pointing to the computer. At that statement, all eyes focused on Buffy's Watcher, at the ass he had just made of himself, and when realizing, he had bared his hatred for computers a little too vehemently, he felt embarrassed, "that was a bit, um, British, wasn't it?"

Amanda was smirking in amusement, when she answered, "No, Mr. Giles, that was just right, tell us how you truly feel, about modern technology." Then in a lecturing tone added, "you've gotta get with the times, Rupert," Amanda said condescendingly, "or you'll be steamrolled by them."

Buffy chuckled in fondness, "Welcome to the new world." Then getting serious turned to her new partner, "Think you're ready, Xander," she asked looking him in the eyes, noting in passing how deep they are?

Xander looked back at her radiant, blue-eyes, then closing his eyes, taking a deep breath he opened his eyes, then shook his head, "No, I'm not ready, but who the Hell ever is, when these situations come." Then his eyes hardened as he looked at her, "but, I've got your back Buffy, whether we get Jesse back or not, alive, dead, or undead, that will never change."

"Okay, Xander," Buffy said looking up at him, "we'll have to go in before school, tomorrow, tonight when you get home with Amanda," she asked, looking quickly at the older Immortal, and getting a nod continued, "I want her to get you used to using a stake."

[Xander's Watcher]

Summer's residence; After Work

Joyce Summers was enjoying her day, she had sold three out of four works of art, bringing in a hefty commission for herself, which was good money for the household. She had a great lunch, and more importantly, she had not been called by the school to report on the alleged delinquency of her daughter, Buffy. Now, at the end of her day, she wanted to kick back and soak her troubles away in a bubble-bath, before Buffy got home from her Crime Stopper's club meeting, a group she joined to help combat the growing crime spree in Sunnydale.

Buffy told Joyce, it was her way of making up for all the grief she caused, when she burnt-down her school auditorium. Who better to talk to about crime avoidance, than a reformed criminal, Buffy reasoned this morning, when she told Joyce all about getting an invite from the Aunt of one of her new friends. The club was sponsored by the school librarian, who had begged Buffy to join her first day for the very same reasons Buffy told Joyce. Joyce was just happy that her daughter was turning her experience, into something positive, instead of wallowing in the past.

Joyce had just walked in and shut the front door, when there was a knock, at the door she just walked through. Looking bewildered she turned back and opened the door, only for a man to hand her an envelope. Before turning and walking back to a waiting automobile, Joyce did not have to wonder what it was about, the symbol on the front, where the return address would usually sat said it all. It was, mostly blue, with a tandem circle and 13-points between the circles, in the was an abstract design that always reminded Joyce of mountains, it was the symbol of a secret society called the Watcher Network. Dedicated to watching and recording the activities, of a race of human beings called Immortals, who participated in a contest, they called, The Game. Where they fought in single-combat to the death, via beheading, and absorbing an energy known as the Quickening. They would fight, until only one remained to collect some sort of Prize, one that even they did not know much about.

Joyce was introduced to Immortals, in 1985, Buffy was two, and they were visiting her family, Buffy was spending time with her dad, and Joyce was just relaxing in their room. When she witnessed two of these beings, fighting, on a rooftop in New York, they very nearly destroyed the Silvercup studio sign. She was close enough, that she was able to snap multiple photos of the spectacle, before the two combatants fell through a skylight. While the two fighters, never saw her, a man named Adam Pierson (Methos) approached her door, he told her he saw her taking pictures of the event. Against her better judgement, Joyce let him in, and that is when, he explained to her about Immortals, and the Game, and a little about the Hunt, just not what they Hunted.

That night, she joined the Watcher Network as a reserve member, and kept that status until last year, right after her daughter was sent to the Juvenile Correction Center. Then her marriage fell apart, she filed for separation, and with nobody to come home to, she applied for Watcher status. She graduated 25th in her class of 100 and had merely been awaiting an Immortal to Watch. Even in the Watcher Academy, they never explained the Hunt, they said specifics of the Hunt, were only divulged to Watchers who witnessed a Hunt.

Joyce moved into the bathroom, removing her clothes, she inspected her body in the full-length mirror on the back of the bathroom door, her reflection cast behind her, was in line with the mirror over the sink. There, high on her neck was a tattoo, the Watcher's Mark, her hair, was long enough to hide it from general view. It was her badge as a Watcher.

Turning to the envelope in her hands, she opened it and extracted two photos, and on the back was a brief overview of the two, the first of a dark-haired woman, in a pixie-cut, taken while said woman was performing the high-wire act, in a circus. The information that went with her read: Name(s): Amanda La Velle, aka, Amanda Darrieux, aka, Amanda Deveraux, or the Amazing Amanda; Age: 1,178; Year of First Death: 850; Birthplace: Normandy, France; Most common occupation(s): Thief, con-artist, outlaw, high-wire performer; Moral leanings: Neutral-Good. The second photo was a yearbook photo of a young man, similar hair-color to the woman, but his hair was unkempt, and he looked like he loved to laugh. His information was sparse: Name(s): Alexander Lavelle Harris; Age 15; Year of First Death: 1998; Birthplace: Sunnydale, CA; Most common occupation(s): Student of Sunnydale High School; Moral leanings: Unknown. Joyce's eyes moistened when she saw the date of First Death, and the age, thinking about how she would feel, if Buffy became an Immortal, or if something else similar happened to her. I hope I would be able to handle it, and accept it eventually, not like I could change anything. Joyce heard the front door close, and her daughter's voice call out, "MOM, ARE YOU HOME!?"