** Note: if you recall, in Chapter 2 there was a small mention that Buffy recognized the name Richie. But since then I've found it REALLY difficult to put that in anywhere and instead of just casually dropping it and not mentioning it again, I took it out of Chapter 2. The separate story line would've been great, for Richie and Buffy to have known each other previously, but I didn't know where to put it in. So it's been taken out entirely. **



Before Sairos could stand up, Richie dealt a fatal blow. Sairos exploded, ash going everywhere. Buffy stood up, feeling the pain from her back spread throughout her spine.

"Richie."

"Hey Xander."

"Who are you?" She asked Richie. "What are you?"

"Richie Ryan. Immortal."

"You were dead."

"Yes."

"But clearly you aren't now, so how did that happen?"

"I'm Immortal."

There was a silence between the three and Buffy wasn't sure if she was surprised at the fact that Richie was immortal, that there was such a thing, or that she was surprised at the fact that she was surprised there were things like immortals. After all, after demons and vampires and hellmouths and creepy fairy tale monsters, why not immortals?

"But you're not a vampire."

"No."

"Then how-"

"It's a long story." Richie said. "For tomorrow. Right now, I think we're all pretty tired. I'm done for the night and I think those vampires are too."

Buffy nodded. "Let's get out of here.I'm starting to smell."

They emerged into the night, the city life far away and unaware.

"I'll see you tomorrow. But tomorrow, I want a story." Buffy said to Richie. It was more of a question than a statement. He nodded. She began to walk towards the city to catch a cab for her and Xander.

Richie tapped Xander lightly. "Don't let her go after those vampires tonight." He said.

"I won't."

Richie got on his motorcycle and revved up the engine. Nodding to Xander and watching Buffy's disappearing figure behind his black helmet, he rode past them as Xander ran to catch up with Buffy.

The next morning, Buffy came out of the guest bedroom with pain in her back and a headache worthy of Southern California earthquake proportions. She didn't see Duncan, but Xander was zoned out on the converted couch, reading the newspaper.

"Xander. You're reading." She said. "I think I hit my head last night."

"Hey Buff." He said. "Want coffee?"

She nodded and he poured her a cup of rich brown brew. Adding cream and sugar, Buffy sat down at the table. "So what's what?"

Xander looked at her questioningly.

"Richie. He's immortal. What's the deal with that?" She asked, taking a sip. It was good coffee. She had a feeling it was purchased at the fancy imported gourmet food stores, where everything was 5 dollars a pound.

"Immortals have existed since the beginning of time, I guess. I'm still fuzzy on their origins, but they each participate in something called The Game. They can't die, not permanently, but they can be killed. The only permanent way of killing any immortal is by beheading."

"Thus, swords."

"Yeah."

"How old is Richie?"

"About 26."

"That's it?"

Xander grinned and nodded. "Yeah."

"And you knew all of this and didn't tell anyone?" She asked.

He shrugged. "I swore to keep it a secret."

"Do they know that I'm-"

"Yes."

"I guess my secret isn't so big that you can't tell a bunch of strangers." She quipped.

"Circumstances." He said. He didn't know whether he should reveal his secret or not. Buffy didn't seem to catch on if he was giving any clues. He wasn't sure if he was or not.

"Is Duncan.."

Xander nodded.

"This is a silly question, but are you-"

He felt that nagging feeling and knew someone was near.

The door opened and Duncan entered, holding grocery bags. Xander looked at the beer in one bag and frowned.

"Adam is rubbing off on you." He said.

"Not quite." Duncan said. "For tonight."

Duncan looked out the window and smiled. "Richie's here."

Richie came up a few minutes later. He was riding a fire engine red motorcycle Duncan had never seen before; similar to the one he used to ride, but shinier and more expensive. He was wearing a motorcycle jacket Duncan hadn't seen before. It was red and black leather with a white stripe down the front. A small logo was on the chest.

"I take it you got good news." Duncan said.

"I got the message when I got home. And a big FedEx box along with it. And then this morning, I went to pick up my new ride. You're looking at Midnight Club's new motorcycle racer."

"Congratulations." Buffy said, smiling a little. "You must be really good."

"The best, apparently. They liked me enough to hire me." He said. "So how's the gang?"

"Sore." Buffy couldn't help but saying.

"I suppose while we're all here, we should discuss what happened." Xander said. "Just so we're all clear, the four of us are all trustworthy people. To get things straight, Duncan, Buffy knows about immortals." He added a slight twitch of the eye and hopefully Duncan got the message that he had not told Buffy of his immortality yet. "And everyone knows Buffy is the slayer."

"Thank you for that clarification, Mediator Xander. For a second I was afraid there was gonna be a brawl." Buffy said, not being able to suppress a laugh. Soon, they were all laughing.

Richie cleared his throat and nodded. "Well. Now that we're all friends, I suggest a toast."

"It's 11 am." Duncan commented as Richie pulled out a pack of beer. There was a sharp buzzing through three of their heads and all three looked towards the door, the window, and in the case of Xander, at Richie and Duncan.

"It's never too early for beer." A voice said. They turned and Adam strode in.

"Buffy, this is Adam." Duncan said. Adam had been briefed ahead of time on who Buffy was. Adam had offered a few quotations here and there of the encounters he had had with slayers throughout the years.

"Nice to meet you." She said, knowing he was immortal. She could tell from the different reactions. She watched the man and realized that none of the men were over the age of 35, or at least didn't look it. She mentally shelved that in her mind, wanting to ask Giles about it later.

"Good, beer." He said, opening a bottle. Richie opened one and handed it to Buffy, who politely took one. Xander took one as well.

"To the musketeers." Adam said quickly. "However large the clan may be."

They raised their bottles in good spirits.

"Well, I suppose the AA meetings had to come sooner or later." A smooth voice said. Adam felt his heart sink.

Buffy looked up and saw a beautiful blonde woman stride in. Her clothes were no doubt expensive, her gait spoke of class and her makeup was flawless. She looked no older than a woman in her late twenties and early thirties. But her wise eyes spoke otherwise.

"Hello boys."

She saw Buffy and Xander.

"Well. New friends?"

"I'm Buffy." She said, holding out a hand. Amanda shook it and smiled.

"Amanda."

"I'm Xander." He said, his throat dry.

"Duncan, dear, don't look so surprised." She said, placing a hand on his shoulder. There was a slight pause. She looked at Buffy once more. "Don't you just love to shop?"

"Uh.."

"Come on, we'll go shopping. The boys are giving out the vibe that they want us to leave so they can talk about us." She said. She grabbed Buffy's purse, lying on the floor, and with a slight mumble, Buffy was out of the house.

"Bye." Richie offered as she was ushered out. The door slammed.

"So."

"Yeah." Adam said, sitting down. Amanda left that presence among them as much as she had when she walked in. Buffy felt that though she didn't look much older, she was wiser. She knew about the world and for whatever it was worth, Amanda silently felt she could learn something from this young woman also.

"So, Buffy. How long have you been in town?" She asked.

"A few nights only. You?"

"I arrived this morning. Right after the airport manhandled my precious vase, imported from Sicily. I can't believe how careless they are, for taxpayer's money. Well-" She grinned. "Not my tax payer's money, since I don't pay taxes. In fact, I was born before there were standardized taxes."

"Back when currency was bartering?" She asked.

Amanda nodded. They were outside now, where a black limousine was waiting. "Well go on, darling, it won't bite."

"Nice ride." Buffy said, surprised.

"Thank you. A lot of people think black is so generic, but I think it's classic. Now, where to? Seacouver isn't exactly Milan, but there's still plenty to spend at." She smirked and pulled a plastic card from her purse. "And on Duncan's dime."

"You-you took that?" Buffy asked in disbelief. Amanda nodded.

"Well, I borrowed it. I guess no one told you about me. Honey, I'm a professional thief. Some people skydive, other people race motorcycles, I steal things."

Buffy regarded Amanda with a new sense of respect. She remembered Faith and her no holds barred attitude, ready to roll at a moment's notice. She never let mere mortals (even though she was one herself) keep her from doing whatever she wanted. As she once said, "We're the chosen two." That meant that no one confined Faith. And for a while, Buffy really wanted it too.

She watched Amanda, with her long legs, short blonde hair, and gentle face, makeup immaculate. Her clothes were expensive and fashionable, something probably right off the runway. Her nails were done well, but not in a frilly way. A swordswoman must be able to fight without acrylic nails in the way.

Twenty minutes later, the limo pulled up in front of Seacouver's version of Rodeo Drive. Amanda muttered something to the driver and stepped out. Buffy followed, suddenly feeling like a homeless beggar that was unrightfully standing on a piece of concrete off limits to her.

Amanda seemed to sense her uncertainty. "Don't worry, Buffy, we'll get you something wonderful and new."

Buffy let herself get dragged into the first Boutique and the day was off.

Wendy huddled in the sewers, watching the rats scuttle about. She felt so hungry she felt as if she could take one in her hands and take it's blood. But she had long learned that the blood of diseased animals did badly in a vampire's body. They were not as invincible as they believed themselves to be. They could still die. Again.

"Well, who's hungry today?" A voice called out. Wendy looked up and her face morphed.

"Wendy! Well. This is a surprise. Where's Sairos? You've lost your master, huh puppy?" The voice said again. Wendy couldn't tell where it was coming from. Brushing her long blonde mane back, she stood up and tried to hide the fact that she had not eaten in almost 24 hours and was weak.

"Stop pretending like you can fight me." A figure stepped out. He was dressed in a dark suit, with a blue shirt and black jacket. If he could walk above ground, anyone could mistake him for being a wealthy young businessman. But he hadn't been that since the mid 1700's, when he died in a dark alleyway, not from a drunken stupor like good men did in those days, but from the fangs of a wandering vampire. And then he came back.

"B-Brad?" She quavered.

"Of course it's me." He said. "Who do you expect? Like anyone else would care about you? Sairos didn't care about you. He didn't care enough to have an effective strategy for killing the slayer. Instead he got himself killed."

"We killed a human. Drank him dry, I was there. But then when we were fighting the slayer and her friend, this human came back."

"Came back? Now you've got vision problems, Wendy."

She shook her head. "He came back!"

"How? Who is he?"

"I don't know."

He sighed. "Wendy." He said in a singsong voice. "I'm sick and tired of your excuses. Who is he? I want you to get out there and find out for me." He stepped towards Wendy, who cowered down. He took out a card and flicked it towards her. "Find me there. But don't come asking for food or shelter without an answer."

With that, he left, leaving Wendy to hover by the rats. The sun was out bright, shining down through the vents. It would be another 7 hours before sunset.

"What do we do about these vampires?" Buffy asked, on a short break at a pay phone with Giles on the other end. Her phone card had come in handy.

"Well, you've killed their leader." He said.

"Yeah, but it seemed so easy." She said. "All the big bads have always been tougher than this. I mean, it was almost like he was a decoy."

"A decoy. Interesting." He said. "For now, assume that you haven't eradicated this gang. I've got a source that I'm in contact with and I will call if I have any information."

Buffy squinted and saw Amanda in the boutique, holding up a beautiful cashmere shirt. "Same on this end." She hung up and entered the store again. The clerk turned and was prepared with a withering look, but Amanda stepped in front of Buffy and sent her own withering glance at the arrogant woman.

"Thanks." She muttered to Buffy.

"Only you can allow yourself to feel inferior." She said.

"Didn't someone famous say that?" Buffy said.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, Eleanor Roosevelt said that to me once." She said. "I remember it like it was yesterday. It was a nice day, slightly balmy, but very nice."

"Eleanor Roosevelt?"

"Yes. Don't look so surprised. In time your friend will have stories like mine." She said with a wink.

"Friend? You mean.Xander?"

Amanda looked surprised. For a moment she was without speech. But only for a moment and for a thief, it could be an eternity. "I'm sorry. I thought you knew."

"Xander-is immortal?" Buffy choked out.

Amanda nodded.

"How did you know?" She asked.

"Well, all immortals have that thing, that buzz. It's the only way to explain it. You get this sense that there are other immortals near."

"I have something like that as well." And she went on to explain in brief, the digest version of Giles' slayer speech.

"Oh, I've encountered a few of those here and there in my time." Amanda said. "They were always so surprised that their victim woke up." She picked up a pair of boots. They were knee length and soft black leather. "These are perfect."

Buffy felt out of place but Amanda fit right in. While Buffy was still reeling from the shock of the news that her friend was now going to live forever, Amanda could understand the young woman's shock. She had once, too, had the same kind of surprise. Now things came and went and surprise came very rarely.usually in the form of a Tiffany's box, actually. A girl could get weary of the world, but never ever weary when presented with an expensive gift.

She left the boutique, Buffy in tow.

"I can't believe you really just bought all that." Buffy said, noting many an item in the shopping bags that she liked, but could never afford if she worked half her lifetime. Which, in her line of work, may only be a year or two.

"Well, half of it was for you, dear." Amanda said, smiling.

"Me?" Buffy squeaked.

"Of course. You didn't think I'd just let you wander around being bullied by bossy saleswomen, did you? Come on, we'll go into the next store and you can put anything you want on."

They entered another store and immediately, Amanda whisked Buffy away into the dressing rooms, where Buffy put on a beautifully embroidered shirt in the shade of light blue, and a new pair of jeans with the same type of embroidery down the side. She kept her own shoes, however, and Amanda smiled in approval.

"How about a facial?" Amanda asked, once Buffy emerged.

"I can't believe you lived that long without being an immortal." Duncan commented to Xander. "The Hellmouth is a frightening place."

"Indeed it is." Xander said. "Well, I have my friends. They're the ones who really get me through it all."

"Faced with the apocalypse and still running into the thick of it." 'Adam' said. He shook his head. "Many have something to learn from you, kid."

"Well, running into danger wasn't my specialty. Buffy does that a lot. I stand around with a weapon and pretend to look like I'm doing something useful."

"Don't worry. We've already started training and now that Buffy knows, we can work on it extensively without hiding it." Duncan said. Richie smiled and stood up, leaving the table. He picked up his helmet.

"I've got to get going. First race is in a few days and I have to shape up." He said.

Everyone said their goodbyes and Duncan turned to Xander. "if you want, we can work on something right now."

He nodded and Adam picked up his coat off the coat tree. "I should be going as well. I'm meeting an old friend in a few hours."

Duncan, Richie, and Xander waved their goodbyes as everyone left the house.

"I haven't found a blasted thing." Giles said in frustration.

"Rupert, I doubt you will. These things are old, tricky. At least we know it isn't a prophecy, but a ritual of some kind. These murders up here in Seacouver can't be such a coincidence. Seven murders, that has to mean something."

"Possibly." He muttered. "I'll be expecting you today?"

"I'll drive down to Los Angeles." Adam said.

"Not to Sunnydale?" Giles asked, surprise in his voice.

"To the Hellmouth? Not in your lifetime." He said. "I'll meet you at the Irish Luck Pub at 5."

Before Giles could protest, the line clicked and Adam had hung up.

"Hey Giles." Willow said as she walked into the Magic Box. Anya was behind the counter, reading a magazine. She waved.

"Willow. Hello." He said. "Buffy called a few hours ago. I was wondering if you had found anything on this uh vampire gang or this ritual."

She dropped her backpack on the table and pulled out a few books.

"Well, I cross referenced a few of the words in the entire passage and found this from an occultist website." She handed Giles a folded piece of paper. He skimmed it and nodded.

"This should be very valuable. Thank you. I have to head to Los Angeles today, I'm meeting a friend who could help us with this. You and Anya can stay and find any more information we need."

"Not a problem." Willow said. "We'll man the fort." She frowned and looked puzzled. "Or woman the fort."

Xander followed Duncan's movements measure by measure, one after another. Slowly he was becoming adept at handling a sword. He hadn't been given his own yet. The one he was using was Duncan's, hand crafted in the early 1850's. While he liked the sword he was using, he hadn't fully adapted to it yet.

Duncan noted that with every gesture, Xander was leaving the bumbling teenager behind. He still had his sense of wit and humor, always ready with funny comment, but his walk was different, more aware. His eyes roamed around, wary, but also relaxed. He had begun to built up the confidence in himself and his own ability. Gone also, was his teenager fear. He was braver now, ready for anything that may come, because Duncan suspected that he had finally accepted his fate and had finally realized that life was about to suddenly be very long. It was not something to take for granted though and with time and perhaps hard lessons, Xander would learn that as well.