Here's a final chapter with more snapshot scenes. Buffy is in this chapter. There is a hint from The Black Panther movie. If you haven't seen it, you won't notice it.

Chapter 2: More Encounters

*****Iowa*****

Buffy grinned, holding in her laugh as she stood outside Dawn's bedroom door. She was trying out for the role of Juliet in the schools Romeo and Juliet production. It wasn't that Dawn wasn't good—she actually was better than Buffy figured she'd be. It was hearing her talk in Shakespearean language that was amusing Buffy. She knocked on the door.

"Come in," Dawn said.

"You're sounding good," Buffy told her.

"Really?" Dawn asked.

"Yep. I think you'll get this part. You're beautiful, and you can learn all those crazy lines!" Buffy said.

Dawn grinned. "I hope the drama teacher thinks like you!" she asked.

"So who's the Romeo going to be?" Buffy asked with a wink.

"Probably Blake. He usually gets all the leads," Dawn said.

"Is Blake a hottie?" Buffy asked.

"Yes, he's very cute, but I think he might be gay," Dawn said.

"Why's that? Does he have a boyfriend?" Buffy asked.

"You know high school boys aren't that evolved," Dawn said, rolling her eyes. "But I've never seen him with a girl."

"That don't make him gay. Maybe he's just picky or waiting for the right girl!" Buffy said with a grin.

"Doubtful, but thanks," Dawn said. She liked how relaxed her sister was away from Sunnydale. The thought of her going to a new hellmouth really upset Dawn, so she tried not to think about it.

"When's the play?" Buffy asked.

"It's the first week of May," Dawn said. "Then school is out two weeks after that."

"Well, if you get a part, no matter how big or small, we have to invite everyone from back home," Buffy said.

"What if I suck?" Dawn asked anxiously.

"You've never sucked at anything but cooking," Buffy said with a laugh.

"Hey, my cooking rocks! You just don't know what's good!" she insisted.

"Buffy!" Laura called out.

"I'm up here," she replied.

"You got mail," Laura told her.

Buffy walked out of Dawn's bedroom and went downstairs. Laura handed her a letter. "Thanks," Buffy said. She waited until she got into her room to read once saw the postmark.

It was from Bucky. She wrote him about two weeks ago, and this was his reply.

Dear Buffy,

I was glad to receive your letter. You can't know how glad. It's been so long since anyone has sent me a letter. It reminded me of the War. Who would believe that my best memories are during the worst war in America's history? But it's true. Then it was so clear. We knew who the enemy was. Everything was black and white. We didn't live in grays.

Now I feel like my whole world is gray. Did you hear that Steve's friend Tony found out that I murdered his parents? Of course, I have no memory of this. Steve says it wasn't me but the Winter Solider. He wants to pretend that it wasn't my hands that did the deed, but it was. My hands have so much blood on them. How will I ever feel clean again?

I'm sorry. I don't want my letter to bum you out. My other news isn't necessarily great either, however. I thought since the doctors Steve has looking at me located what was in my head that they'd be able to fix me. However, they said removing the tech could mess up my mind and memories even more than they are now. Steve told me today that he found someone that might be able to help me. But I have to go to Africa.

Africa might be fun. Have you ever been? Maybe I'll be able to send you pictures. I know it's far, but Steve said I won't have to be there forever. I will write you when I get there, so you can have my new address.

Take care,

Bucky

Buffy's heart ached for the man. She couldn't imagine killing people and not knowing it or even remembering it. How awful it must be for him! She really hoped the people in Africa could help, but she wished he wasn't going to be so far away

*****Los Angeles*****

Cordy spent the first few weeks back shopping with all the money she now had for her two years of service with Buffy on the hellmouth. She wasn't wealthy, but it was a nice hunk of change. Angel had paid off her car while she was in a coma and had been paying her rent and utilities, which she did appreciate. All of her friends came by first as a group and then individually. It was good catching up with them even if she had a really bad feeling about them working for Wolfram & Hart. Somehow, Cordy knew things wouldn't end well. So far, Wesley was the only one she could convince of that. Since Buffy was in school and neither wanted to wait, they were going to go together that weekend to check out the Cleveland area. Wesley received some information from his father that should help them confirm if there was an active hellmouth there or not.

She was getting out of the shower, drying off when a vision hit her. It was the first vision she'd had since she'd been back. What was she going to do? Sighing in resignation, she called Angel and gave him the details.

"Thanks, Cordy," he told her. "Do you want to join us to take this demon out?"

"Are you using resources from Evil Incorporated?" she replied.

"I wish you wouldn't be like this," Angel said in frustration. It'd been weeks, and she still wasn't back with him. Now Wesley might leave town with her. Although he didn't resent her being Buffy's conduit to the Powers, he hated to know she was that disappointed in him. Guilt ate away at him, but what could he do? He signed a contract. More than ever, Angel was determined to destroy the company he worked for. Maybe it was better that Cordy be far away, so she wouldn't have to deal with the fall out.

"Well, I wish you hadn't made a deal with the devil, but we don't always get what we wish for, do we?" she said pointedly.

Angel knew that there was no point in arguing with her. Did she think he liked what he did? Why could she not understand the choice he faced as a father? He didn't bother saying anything, though. She wouldn't see pass her loathing of the law firm. "I'll call you when we're done," he said.

"Thanks," she said before hanging up. She wrapped the towel around her and sat on her bed. Loneliness filled her as she thought of her friends fighting without her. Fear for them and the choice they'd made to follow Angel seemed to get stronger all the time. Leaving Los Angeles for a new mission would be a good thing, but tears raced down her cheek as she hugged a pillow and cried.

Countless miles away, Loki was in Asgard feeling adrift. What was his purpose now? He could no longer plot against his father and brother. Things were different. He had been touched by two angels, and he knew he would never be what he once was. His father, though, would never trust him to represent their family. Idleness allowed worry for his Tara to fill him.

His mother noticed his distraction at breakfast.

"What ails you, my son?" she asked. It was just the two of them as the All-Father rarely ventured out this early.

"I do not like not knowing how Tara fares on the hellmouth," he admitted.

"I am sure Heimdall would tell us if she was in mortal danger," his mother replied.

"Yes," Loki said, not satisfied.

"You know, son, your powers are vast," she reminded him. "Using them to alleviate your worries would not be a bad thing."

"Would it not anger the All-Father?" Loki asked in surprise.

"Since when has that concerned you?" his mother asked with a smile.

Loki glared at her, not liking to voice the change they both knew had occurred inside him. "I do not want to be banished back to the royal jail," he said in a haughty tone.

"Only using your power to harm your people or our allies would cause that to happen," she pointed out.

Loki was still thinking of her words as he went back to his chambers. Although he had not the magics that his stepfather possessed, nor the powerful tools Odin could call upon to wield, Loki's mental abilities were unequal in the Nine Realms. He had not used them since he contacted his brother after Thor's banishment.

He sat on his bed and thought of Tara.

She was walking across a building carrying books. This must be her school. He smiled at her carefree expression, relieved that she fared well. Somehow, she sensed his watching eyes and turned toward him. Her eyes widened, and she rushed toward him.

"Loki! You can for a visit!" she exclaimed, moving to hug him.

He held up his hand and took step back. "I am not actually here," he told her, causing her to stop.

"What do you mean?" she asked, frowning.

"I am a mental projection," he said. "I wanted to see if you were well."

She grinned. "I didn't know you could do that! That's amazing!" she exclaimed.

Loki preened under her admiration—he rarely got such looks. "Not even the All-Father can do this," he bragged.

Tara laughed. "I bet that goes a long way with you," she teased.

He grinned. "It offers some satisfaction," he acknowledged.

"Well, I'm glad you decided now to show off," she said.

"Do you have another class?" Loki asked.

"Not for fifteen minutes; I have some time," she assured him.

"When are you leaving this hell?" he asked, looking around in distaste.

"It's a college campus, not hell," she said, smiling at him.

"The town is a hellmouth—as you well know," he said pointedly.

She laughed. "Yes, I know," she said. "We get done in about a month."

"Then you will leave this place?"

"Yes, Loki," she replied. "We're moving to New York. Will wants to have the summer to get used to New York. Plus, the All-Father said that the longer she was here, the more it would taint her. We probably will come to Asgard after leaving here first, though. That way your dad can fix any tainting."

"He's not my dad," Loki said stiffly.

Tara reached for him and pulled back as she realized she couldn't actually touch him. "I know he's not your biological dad, but he's the only dad you've ever had," she reminded him.

Loki gave her a sour look but didn't argue further. "Have you seen Lady Cordelia? Is she well?" he couldn't stop himself from asking.

Tara grinned. "She's fine as far as I know. I don't really know her," Tara said. "But Xander or Willow would've told me if something was wrong. Buffy's been talking to her. They're thinking of going to Cleveland together because Cordelia doesn't want to be a conduit from the Powers for Angel anymore since he's working for that evil law firm in Los Angeles."

"Yes, I saw her display of anger when she found out," he said. "It was quite fierce."

Since he was smiling at the memory, Tara had to ask, "You like her, don't you?"

"Lady Cordelia? She is a surprising woman, especially for Midgardian," he said.

"Are you attracted to her?" Tara asked.

"Not only is my life span so far beyond hers, but she would never look at me in approval," he said a bit grimly.

"I wouldn't be so sure of that," she said. "Angel has a real demon in him, and she cares about him."

"Does he kill humans with that soul?" Loki said pointedly.

"You made mistakes. No one is perfect," Tara said loyally.

Loki gave her a warm smile. "I don't know that I deserve a friend like you, but I am grateful," he said.

"I've got to go to class, but I'm so glad that you came to see me," Tara said. "I wish I could hug you."

"I will come again," he said.

"You should go see Cordelia," Tara encouraged as she waved goodbye.

Loki thought about it a minute before letting go and opening his eyes. The desire to see the human seer was strong, so he pushed it aside.

She was human and he. . .

He was a killer of humans.

He tried to kill his own brother.

His jealousy had made him weak and unworthy.

The human was better off without him.

*****The End*****

"Buffy's New Challenge" is the next story in the series, so please check it out!