Ch.35

Being reborn as Jesse McNally in Sunnydale California wasn't the highlight of my existence, but hey, everybody's gotta start somewhere right? Well, the first ten years I was bored out of my skull just hanging with Willow and Xander mostly from the crayon phase to the awkward kid phase. I try not to think of what came before, who fucking would? Seriously, it's- eesh, purging from memory 3…2…1, Ah, where was I?

Ah yes, boredom. There's not a lot to do as a kid in a small town with a middle class family at best. Add that to the spell that keeps normal people from seeing the supernatural and it sucked more. Still, being me, I managed to get pocket money enough to buy occult books at the magic shop and slip away while shopping long enough to pull it off. The magic shop owner said he didn't sell to kids and I blasted him through his counter daring him to call me a kid again.

He was terrified and asked what kind of demon I was. I gave him a dry look and told him I was a reincarnated Egyptian prince/warlock from five thousand years ago. He was stunned and I told him the books I needed to relearn the basics and tap into my full power because turning him into wall paint would be a parlor trick compared to my full power. He shivered and sold me the books quickly which was good for his survival.

I left and met my parents saying I got lost seeing a martial arts add in a window. My father asked if I was interested and I shook my head saying I wanted to learn it on my own but I'd need a strong body and energy bars. Fast forward four years and I was a martial arts prodigy having beaten the sensei's in the three different dojos in town. I won tournaments and prize money which went to magic books and stuff to appease Willow and Xander.

By the time we entered the second year of high school, I was well known for being a martial arts prodigy amongst the students and teachers, having fought three black belt masters at the first talent show in my eighth grade year. I beat them all down fast and brutal, and they were full grown buff adults. I met the school librarian on lone from the British museum and all I could think, I kid you not, was fucking Paracelsus got loose!

Still, I kept a calm head and didn't brutally beat him down when he touched my shoulder, I swear I didn't…mean to. So yeah, that happened and I apologized saying it was instinct. He said I had pretty good instinct even if I was dazed out. I shrugged saying it was reflex then and he gave a wry smile as I helped him up.

At six foot two with the ability to break bricks with my fist, helping an old man up wasn't hard and he didn't scare me. I'd spent six years learning every bit of magic the magic shop had access to and honing my body like a weapon. The only time I relaxed was when I was Willow and Xander watching movies or hanging out. I helped Giles up and checked over the books he was unpacking, asking if he needed help.

He said no, that it was a private collection. I shrugged and told him to try out the magic shop if he needed more books. I gave him the address and told him magic and demonography was a hobby of my alongside martial arts and chilling with my friends. I left him there and wished him luck with whatever after checking out my books I needed.

A few months later Cordelia and I had a bad breakup. She wanted me to be her arm candy as a well known badass and I wasn't into it. Hell, I only dated her to see if I could help her become less shallow. Granted, I only had sex with her because she wanted it bad.

So yeah, after a month of sex, I was going cold turkey even with teenage hormones. She spread the rumor she dumped me, knowing I didn't care either way about that stuff. Still, she flaunted short skirts and guys, trying to get a ride out of me. When she saw it wasn't going to work, she asked what changed and I told her I'd had higher expectations that were unfair to her.

I sighed and told her I'd hoped she'd change from her shallow ways because the real world was hard and unforgiving. I told her that to live in it beyond high school she'd have to be stronger or she'd be tricked by assholes for another notch on their bedpost or far worse. I told her I'd hoped she was ready to start getting stronger, inside, not physically. I shook my head and sighed, telling her it was unfair of me to push that on her when she should be enjoying high school and all that stuff, as much as anyone could enjoy school besides Willow.

She snorted and smiled, saying she guessed we just weren't meant to be. I grunted and we ended up screwing in the janitor's closet. Unfortunately I only had one wallet condom and that was it, but she blew me well enough, swallowing because there wasn't anywhere to get rid of it. I cupped her face and shook my head while she bobbed for more, telling her after this we were done for good, hormones be damned.

She stood up and pushed up her shirt, letting me in and saying she was on the pill. I was surprised, but soon I was bringing us both pleasure until completion. She shuddered as I was buried in her and I gotta say, I'm not small. This body was definitely part Giant as Osha would say.

She groaned as heat filled her and I pulled free, watching none come out. I shrugged and tucked myself away, pulling her skirt down while she moaned in bliss still. I grabbed her breasts and worked them until she finished, making it last longer. She thanked me and I shrugged before suggesting she go to the bathroom and try to push it out into the toilet.

She agreed and I made it to my next class with ease, much calmer. It was no more than a month later that Buffy arrived and with her, all kinds of crazy. I kept my peace and watched the love triangle form where none of them would be happy with the other. Willow introduced us and I only nodded Buffy's way before closing my eyes and meditating on the table.

Willow told Buffy that I was a Buddhist who believed in reincarnation and karma. She added that I was a martial arts champion with more black belts than anyone in every martial art on the planet including the illegal to teach because extremely deadly kind. Xander said enough about me because I was boring with the whole zen thing. He wanted to know more about Buffy, asking a lot of questions.

Cordelia came over and stilled seeing me. I opened my eyes and only said. "Hey."

She gave a complicated look before saying hey back and turning her attention to Buffy. I closed my eyes and heard about the dead guy in the female locker room. I hummed lightly before sighing. "Only in Sunnydale will you miss a single class when murder has been committed on campus and a body shows up in a female locker room. Anywhere else and the school would be shut down for a few days so the police could investigate."

Cordelia asked. "Your point?"

I shrugged without opening my eyes. "Just an observation."

The bell rang and I sighed. "I'll see you guys at the Bronze tonight. I have a tournament in LA right after school and the winner gets to go to Japan this summer for a world championship jujitsu competition. It'll pay for my college fees if I win so I'll be able to use the money my parents have put back to buy a car. I hate the bus and I'm not crazy enough to walk home alone at night in this town."

Xander said I could drive us all to school then and I shrugged saying so long as he's up and ready because I'd be in deep trouble if I skip classes while on a scholarship to wherever I choose to go. Later that night after an easy victory, I met Buffy on my way in and we hung out outside for a bit talking about random things. Mostly she talked because I didn't usually say much unless necessary or to explain things. I asked if she wanted to get a private table and some drinks on me.

She agreed and we ran into Willow at a table while I was getting drinks. When I came over, I raised an eyebrow and Buffy said she'd be back in a moment. I looked up and saw the watcher before looking to Buffy heading to him. Willow said she was headed to seize the moment so when Buffy was looking like she'd be there long, I sighed and headed outside only to be stopped by Darla.

Darla stopped me and asked where I was going, calling me handsome. I told her I was headed outside for some air that doesn't smell like hormonal teenagers. She asked if she could join me and offered some fun. I looked up to Buffy before seeing she was gone so I shrugged and told her it was a free country.

She came with and once we were outside she kissed me. I dusted her as she went for my neck and both Xander and Buffy saw it. I shrugged and slid the stake up my sleeve, asking what they were doing. Buffy said a vamp took Willow so I mentioned the cemetery near the ice cream parlor. We headed there and I was fast using parkour to leap and move over headstones.

When I reached the mausoleum, they'd just gone inside. I got into a fight with the vamp and dusted it by the time Buffy and Xander came in. I told them we should go because the cemeteries are crawling with vamps and this mausoleum leads to the sewer access, their front door. The next day I had a lot of explaining to do and Buffy insisted it be in the school library where her watcher was.

I sighed while seeing the watcher listen to Buffy say I took out vamps like a slayer, better and quicker than she did even. I grunted remembering the group we ran into outside trying to leave the mausoleum. It'd only been four vamps so it wasn't much. When he looked to me, the others did as well so I unfolded my legs while sitting on the counter.

I asked them. "What?"

Xander sighed. "Make with the explaining."

I raised an eyebrow. "I'm not a complete moron?"

They were unamused so I sighed. "Dude, we live in a town who's death rate would terrify every other large city in the world. Honestly between that and the supposed PCP gangs, the constant cause of deaths being neck wounds and the fact that there's twelve cemeteries in a town this small, making them a significant portion of the town, you'd have to be an idiot not to have figured it out by now when presented with all the facts."

Buffy asked. "So you what, hunt them?"

I shook my head. "I'm not that stupid. I don't have supernatural strength and even with my skills enough of them together could make me a walking blood bag. No, I'm just prepared if I'm attacked."

I nodded to Willow. "Or if my buddies are attacked. The reason I began practicing martial arts at age ten and studying the magic from the magic shop was to protect those that I cared about in case something happened. I couldn't live with myself if Xander or Willow died because I could've done something and didn't so I spent six years now preparing for the worst while hoping for the best."

Xander and I fist bumped and Willow thanked me. I shrugged and Giles said I was smart about it at least. I chuckled and told him. "It helps that I made some money from competitions to buy magic books and when I learned how to track with spells, I was able to find some magical artifacts here in town to sell at the magic shop, letting me get more magic books."

He asked what kind and I shrugged. "Currently I just sold off a bunch of crusades treasure, but I have the Gem of Amara, the Cross of Du Lac, the Glove of Myhnegon, the amulet of Balthazar and a cursed Chumash knife to mention a few."

Giles was shocked while I held up my hand and a ring appeared. "Plus this neat item. It was in with the crusade treasure only it's like some kind of magical storage device."

I made the Cross of Du Lac appear with it and put it back. "I'd have sold it for the gold but it's actually just a dagger in the cross of plated gold. Cheap and worthless mostly, but I'm sure someone would want the cross for a price."

I shrugged at the end and sat down again since show and tell was over. Giles asked to see the ring and I took it off before handing it to him. He put it on and tried it out, failing to do anything. I told him to try magic since that's how it started working for me after it but me.

He asked about it and I told him it wasn't much, but it drew blood and went all glowy before I was able to accidentally put a plate of gold in it by accident when I touched it. I told him I figured it out from there and when I don't use magic it becomes invisible. He tried and nothing happened even as a ball of fire appeared in his hand. I smiled and took the ball of fire from him. "Check you out, a low level fireball spell so easily. You must've had a lot of practice."

He said he gets by but that was the first time making that spell work. I tapped the ring. "It amplifies the ambient magic around the caster making it easier to use spells."

I made the low level fireball grow into the size of a basket ball before making more and juggling them. I ended them in a clap as a cool breeze blew and dissipated them into nothingness. Giles said I was extraordinarily gifted in magic which I shrugged to saying that was a parlor trick.

He asked to keep the ring for now and I shook my head, making it appear on my hand again in the blink of an eye. "No can do librarian man, all my stuff is in that ring including my spell and class books. If you want to study it and take a picture, be my guest. But it goes where I do. It's the best magic artifact I own and I plan to keep it. Besides, if the best you can do is amplify a small spell with it, it's better off in my hands."

He asked why that is and I told him it's second purpose. "It can store magic inside and I've spent three years storing magic inside it. With it I can fight off more than a few vampires if need be. It's my big safeguard against a horde of bloodsuckers. Your small fireball can't compare to a hurricane of fire that could wipe out a city. Though I doubt I'd ever use so much to do something that wasteful, you get the picture."

He nodded slowly, gaping like a fish. I let him study it a bit and I sketched it for him before taking a picture of it with a five dollar camera. I told him to have the film developed and he'd be able to look at it all he likes. As for the harvest, we got on that and found out what it was rather easily.

Once we had the what and when, it was obvious where it was going down so later that night so we headed to the Bronze and dealt with the group of vamps. Their leader asked which of us killed Darla and I told him. "That's a very judgmental and pointed trap of a question. You know Buddha teaches us to let go of that we can't change right?"

He told his pets to kill me slowly and bring the rest up for the master. I grabbed a pool cue and fucked up the whole group in seconds leaving only the few who fled and the one Buffy dusted on the stage. I caught up to those running because the others poured holy water on them and Xander dusted one. I dusted the rest with three quick strikes.

We went back in as Buffy stood on the stage alone. I asked if she was waiting for an encore cause I was game if she was. She got off the stage and the next day things went back to normal. On the bright side I hadn't died like the Jesse of my memories so yeah, win column.

We all hung out more and more until one day Buffy asked while we were in the library why I meditated most of the time. I told her. "I seek inner balance so I can exhibit balance over my body, mind and soul."

She looked confused so I stood up and shrugged off my black leather jacket. I was in a black T-shirt when I flipped right there on the table and landed on my hands. I straightened my body and went up to my fingers. When only my index fingers held me up, I closed my eyes while my shirt fell off. I ignored it and raised my right arm to my side, breathing slowly.

I kept my eyes closed as my muscles burned familiarly. I didn't comment when Xander came in and told me my shirt fell off. I didn't say a word when Giles said it was impressive the amount of control over my own body that I was exhibiting while remaining focused. I did however comment when Buffy asked how I was doing it. "Years of practice, meditation and body strengthening. You can relax, you voice aren't enough to distract me now. I've found my balance now."

Xander said it wasn't that impressive. He said he once drank a whole gallon of milk on a dare. I chuckled lightly. "Good times."

Buffy said she couldn't do what I was doing and I asked if she'd like me to teach her. She said yes and Xander asked what standing on one finger has to do with being a slayer. I hopped off and landed in front of him, opening my eyes. "Nothing directly, but the focus, the skill and being able to stop a blade with your finger can come in handy."

I grabbed my shirt and put it on while Buffy said I should be shirtless more often. I winked at her saying I would if she does. She blushed and I went to the cage, grabbing a sword. I handed it to Xander and held up a finger. I stopped and took it from him saying he was more likely to stab himself than to stab me.

I handed it to Giles and told him to come at me full force with intent to kill. He asked if I was sure and I smiled. "I am, though I must apologize beforehand because this is going to hurt."

He raised the sword and I raised my finger, dancing around him with ease, striking him and his blade dozens and hundreds of times until he collapsed. I apologized again and released his acupuncture points. "Sorry, your sword skills are adequate so I wanted to see how far you could go if pushed. I'd have been done in the first three seconds if I'd taken you as a serious threat to my life."

I helped him up and handed the blade to Xander. Seconds later it shattered into metal shards. He and Buffy both looked stunned so I chuckled saying. "Just like a sword is tempered and beaten into shape to become stronger than a hammer, so still can the hammer break the sword if used properly. The same principle applies here in case you were wondering."

I turned to Giles and apologized for the sword. He said it shouldn't be a problem if it helps teach Buffy. I nodded and told Buffy. "Sometimes an enemy is too strong to overpower in one strong blow, so at times it's necessary to use your mind to find the weaknesses and apply many blows to them, repeated and successive until they break. So long as it's accurate and repetitive, you can be as weak as an ant and still bring down a bear with overwhelming precision and successive blows."

I held up my finger and told her. "You have super strength and other gifts, but if we were to fight, I have a chance to bring you down using this finger alone. The lessen is to work smarter, not harder amongst other things."

Xander said he doubted I could take down Buffy even if it was a straight up fight. I smiled and Buffy said she was game after school so after school it was. Giles, Willow and Xander watched as I won barely against Buffy with me one finger technique. I then fought her with all my other skills and martial arts.

We got down right sweaty and with only some gym shorts and a black wife beater against her lights and sports bra, it got awkward when we got heated after I beat her a few times. She kicked me across the mats and I rolled it off before taking it to a ground and pound submission game. After an arm bar I twisted out of, I soon had her in a familiar position with her legs wrapped around my sides and her arms pinned behind her back.

We panted in each other's face sweating and glistening when I growled and told her to release me. She told me to release her first and tag out. I growled and told her I was fighting a natural reaction to the position we were in. She blushed and told me to give up first and I growled. "Your fault."

Her eyes went wide as I stiffened in more ways than one. I told her again to release me. She looked indecisive at not wanting to give up the win and feeling the thickness of me pressing against her core. Her body responded to the intense moment and she let out a moan before. Xander asked if we were about done.

We released each other and Willow called it very hot. I grunted and fixed my shorts while grabbing a cold water bottle. I turned to Buffy and apologized for what happened, not saying the details. She said it was fine and left it at that so I toweled off before telling Giles I was hitting the showers so he could teach Buffy whatever watchers taught slayers.

Buffy asked if I didn't have the stamina and I grunted. "I have the stamina, I just doubt you'd like the results in front of your watcher and our friends. My restraint doesn't have limits, I am a teenager after all, not some ancient monk."

She blushed and Xander said he'd spar with her if she still needed a partner. I chuckled and wished him luck, saying I'd see him in the next life when she kicks his soul from his body. Buffy asked him if he was sure and he looked a lot less sure now. He still got punched and he hit the ground hard.

I winced and he said his ribs her, and his spleen. I told him he likely bruised the ribs since she hit him lightly. He asked. "That's light?"

I nodded and he asked how I didn't end up beat up. I lifted my shirt and showed him a few red spots. "Mostly it's how I move, expand and contract to take the blows I have to and spin out or roll to lessen others. I doubt she could truly hurt me without a weapon right now. She's all instinct and only a bit of skill. Still, she was improving rapidly as we fought, mimicking my moves and styles. It's why I had to switch it up so often."

Buffy thanked me for the compliment and Giles said it was settled, I'd be her sparing partner from now on. He asked how I was with weapons and I told him I was a master of all forms except the sword. He frowned and asked why I hadn't improved on the sword. I shook my head. "When it comes to kenjutsu or swordplay, I'm beyond any master level you'll find and I've yet to find a better swordsman even off the circuits."

Considering what I'd done with my finger before, he was reluctant to challenged me so he let it go saying he'd instruct Buffy when we train and spar. A week later Buffy and I had several heated spars which ended with Xander asking if there was any way I could teach him everything in a week so he could spar with her safely. I suggested he wear heavy padding and pads the room while she tosses him around like a beach ball.

He called dibs and I told him I was still unsure if the sparks we felt were just physical or not so I wasn't playing a childish game. I told him she had a choice to make and I was fine with her choosing of us or neither of us. I chuckled saying I'd be just as happy for her if she chose to be with Willow or some random guy because she was our friend, not some piece of meat. I knew Buffy was listening with Willow a few feet behind us.

I patted Xander's back and told him he should ask her out if he feels so attracted to her. I shrugged saying he might just like dangerous women who have power. I chuckled and called him a little masochist. He said I was the same way and I shook my head saying. "No, I have power of my own and the skill to back it up. In a real fight she has instinct to stake her enemies to guide her, but I've been holding back as well. I don't use the lethal martial arts and I won't ever go full speed with her. My luck we'd kill each other on instinct alone. Besides, I have magic if it comes down to it and no slayer can face a fully realized and pissed off warlock head on. She isn't immune to magic so I'm holding back a lot, though I can tell she's holding back a lot as well sadly."

He grunted and said he was going to go for it and I shrugged. "Shoot your shot. If it's a bullseye I'm happy for you, if not I hope she finds someone to be happy with, be it whatever I'm picking up on maybe her mysterious friend."

He groaned and told me not to mention that guy. I shrugged and sighed, telling him that sadly he's still not seeing everything or he's actively ignoring the obvious connection he could have. I didn't say any more because Willow decided to jump in and tell us Buffy was joining the cheerleading squad. I looked to Buffy and shook my head. "It doesn't seem like the real you even in that outfit."

Buffy's eyes met mine and Xander said it was all her alright. I facepalmed and ended up watching a girl get burned at the cheerleading tryouts. After that we met in the library and Buffy asked if it was possible that it was spontaneous combustion. I told her no and they looked to me.

I sighed. "Amy Madison is a witch, a natural born one at that as well. I've known for years and let it be because she was untrained and harmless. I figured even if she was trained she'd be one of the new age sisters of the moon types that worship the moon's phases and talk about feminine power like it's a sisterhood."

I looked to Giles. "Up until today, when I got close to her, I'd thought nothing had changed. Something evil and filled with dark magic has crawled it's way inside her. Whoever's riding around in her body, it isn't Amy and it's using her gifts to maim and potentially kill people."

Xander asked. "A demon?"

I shook my head. "No, not that I know them all, but I doubt a demon could possess a body like this, particularly a natural born witch's body. No, odds are it's some form of body swapping spell another darker and far more trained witch cast."

Willow asked why someone would want to do that and I shrugged. "Youth? Power? Both or none. It could be just because they're board. Those who steep themselves in dark magic find it harder and harder to see reason. It becomes a drug like addiction that overwhelms their minds or so I've been warned by the old magic shop owner before some fangs killed him last year. I don't usually touch dark magic so I'm not too sure myself if it's true."

Giles said it was and it gets worse for those powerful and addicted. I shrugged and he asked if I could reverse the spell on Amy. I nodded. "I'll need the grimoire the witch used and the chem lab for the ingredients."

Xander asked why the chem lab and I replied. "Most magic is based off science regular people don't understand after all. Though the magic itself is more like a force of nature, wild, ferocious and dangerous if you're not fully prepared to tap into it just right. To an amateur who dives in, it'll consume them whole and leave them an addicted dumbass with black hair, black eyes and black veins all over their skin. They'd do anything for another hit, even kill innocent people or sacrifice their own soul."

Buffy said it sounded bad so I told her. "It can be, but magic isn't all bad. There's good to. Healing, nature magic, protection spells and other things. Like with everything you gotta take the good with the bad. I've spent six years learning magic and there are many spells and magics I've never touched."

Touched, no, but Mewtwo and I have learned every magic everyone in this world knows. The immortal city has an entire library dedicated to magic. We soon found Amy in her mother's body and I warned Amy that even if I reversed the magic she'd have some of the dark magic in her from now on. I told her she could very easily become addicted to it and it would change her in ways until she wouldn't even recognize herself anymore.

She showed us the attic and I looked around unamused. I grunted when I found the grimoire and told them we should go and bring Amy with us. When we reached the door her mother was there in her body. I brought up a hand. "Vincire!"

A blast of magic shot out and enveloped her in a binding ring. I told them. "That should hold her long enough unless someone frees her from the outside with a spell. Her body and magic is bound for now."

The others were surprised and I just headed outside where I stuffed the bound woman in the back seat of Giles's car. I told him Buffy and I would meet him at school. She and I ran through graveyards to take shortcuts along the way. We actually beat him there which was funny in and of itself.

Still, I learned while we waited that Xander had asked her out and she told him the truth, that she saw him as just a friend, like Willow. I asked her if she saw me the saw way and we stood there for the longest time until Giles arrived in his car. I sighed and told her to think about it and get back to me once she figures out what she wants when we aren't in danger of broom Hilda.

She snorted lightly and I pulled Amy's mom out after Amy herself got out of the car. Xander and Willow met us in the lab where I set everything up and reversed the spell, boiling my essence into the mix as energy to power the reversal. When I felt the change, I released Amy and her mother blasted me through a door. When I got back up she was gone, having done a spell that was reflected back at her.

The next day I had to get a brace for my wrist as it was sprained. Still, I was fine and the others were safe so I called it a win. I found Buffy staring at a trophy case with Amy and told them. "Ah, so she trapped herself in her old high school trophy, neat I guess. She must've really hated you though."

Amy shrugged, asking. "Is she really in there?"

I nodded. "Yup."

They shrugged and we left happily while Amy mentioned staying with her father and wanting to get fat. A few days later Buffy decided what she wanted and it wasn't me. I let it go and wished her happiness with whoever she finds. She smiled and so did I before I side stepped the subject to telling her we'd have a less hands on approach because it would be torture I didn't need to get so close to physical with her without having her.

She blushed a bit and I told her it was nothing to be embarrassed about. I shrugged saying it was a natural thing with adrenaline pumping and our instincts pushing us. I told her humans are still animals and fighting like that can bring on issues I'd rather not feel with someone I'm not with. I told her I'd show her the katas and forms, even going over them with her in slow motion matches, but after a few full speed spars we'd have to stop and switch to something else.

I sat on a bench and told her that the reason I was attracted to her was because she was strong, smart and a gifted fighter, but she was kind and caring as well. She asked how that was different from Xander and I chuckled. "So you were listening huh"

She waved me off and I smiled. "The difference is that I'm strong as well and with you we'd have been equals or more in favor of me thanks to the magic. I don't care that you're physically stronger than I'll ever be without magic, my skill and power levels the playing field into my favor so I'm able to go toe to toe with a slayer and come out on top. Somewhere that something tells me you need."

She blushed and I smiled. "A rare thing for a human to be able to fairly do without tricks or weapons. It's gotta be a turn on in and of itself which is why I figured you responded to my own hormonal desire."

I chuckled and stood up, looking down at her. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. Everyone has their own desires and I'd never begrudge you of them."

I tapped her chest saying. "But the heart isn't the desire, it's the passion. The body feels desire, but the heart feels love so if whatever it is that drives your desires isn't the heart, I'm happy that you've gotten past it so you can find that love that lasts."

Her eyes met mine and we stared into each other until Xander came over asking if it was feel up Buffy day or something. We broke apart and I sat down, taking an apple from Willow and bringing out a tray of food from my ring. "Buffy and I were just deciding it was best we didn't date and no I wasn't feeling Buffy up. Though feel free and try so I can see her toss you head first into the vending machines."

Xander stopped and asked. "Wait. You two aren't dating? Come on, Jesse is a great guy, plus he's a great fighter and he's got that magic thing. Oh, and he buys lunch and pays for the Bronze."

I groaned. "Never will I ever have you as any sort of agent. I'm not a car and you aren't a salesman bro, you suck at it."

He shrugged. "Fair enough."

Buffy had collected herself saying she just wasn't in the dating mood when it came to friends. I hissed and held my chest. "Ahh, my poor whittle heart. However shall I recover."

Willow said my heart was on the other side of my chest. I gave a blank look. "Oh, that's how."

They all laughed and I finished my apple before meditating more. Weeks went by of fun and laughter before Angel showed up at the bronze. I asked for a mirror from Willow and she handed me one. I used it, saying. "Interesting."

Willow asked what and I handed back her mirror before walking over to Buffy and Angel as he gave her his coat. He eyes me and I chuckled. "So you're a vampire huh?"

He stiffened and I asked. "So, what's your name vampire? It wouldn't happen to be Angelous would it?"

Buffy looked horrified and he replied that he goes by Angel now. I nodded and pulled Buffy behind me while I asked him. "When is the last time you killed someone?"

He grunted. "Almost a hundred years ago. Aren't you a little cocky for a kid? Why are you protecting the slayer?"

I smirked as my ring appeared. "I'm much more than I appear to be Angel. Trust me, if you attack you'll be a memory and nothing more. Now, why have you stopped killing people?"

He said he didn't have to answer to me and vines leapt up from the floor, entangling him until only his head and shoulders were visible. "Oh, I think you do have to answer me. These vines will drain you of blood and crush you with the power of a titanoboa, the world's most powerful prehistoric snake. Even a two hundred and forty odd year old vampire like yourself would be in traction for eternity without blood to heal with."

He grew paler as the vines squeezed and fed until he said his story about a dumb gypsy girl and getting his soul back. When the vines released him and went into the floor, I cut my finger and gave him a drop of my blood. Almost immediately he healed and was brought back to full strength.

I patted his shoulder saying. "Sorry about that. The magic in my blood should be payment enough for the pain and suffering. Understand that I couldn't let a vampire with your reputation around my friends without knowing everything."

I held out a hand. "No hard feelings?"

He agreed and said he understood, though asked where I learned to do all that. I grunted. "The plant stuff is nature magic. A spell I made a few years ago. The blood trick was blood magic and no, I don't do it often because it's dangerous. If you'd have lied or were still evil the vines would've pulled you into the ground and eaten you until only dust remained. I take my friend's safety very seriously and considering a vampire was treating one of them like his girlfriend, I think I'll reserve judgement for now."

I turned to Buffy saying. "He has a soul and he isn't lying. What you two crazy kids get up to is your business I guess. He's no more evil than the next human at the moment."

I left them there as Xander and Willow came over and asked what happened. I told them I'd cloaked what I'd done before telling them about Buffy and Angel. When Angel left, Buffy rejoined is and I told her I'd look into his curse to see if it had any downsides just in case so things don't turn out bad. She thanked me for everything and I nodded, telling her I just wanted my friends to be happy even if it's with a vampire who has a soul.

Willow called it sweet and I gave Xander money for snacks while I told Willow that she should tell him how she felt. She said she was a coward and I flicked her forehead. "I don't let anyone talk bad about my friends, not even themselves."

She rubbed her head and thanked me with a smile. I nodded and Buffy asked about me. I chuckled saying that I'd be fine and I could find amusements until I find something real. Willow said I meant sex and I didn't reply except to tell her I don't talk about it with anyone because I prefer to keep the intimacy private. Buffy called me a gentleman and Xander brought over cheesy curly fries and nachos.

I had a few before hitting the dance floor and soloing it. Several girls danced up to me and I had my own fun repeatedly in the club's female bathroom. Harmony of all people had been amongst the fun that was had and she'd been a virgin and dull as a table lamp as well. Still, we had our fun and I'd fucked her blonde brains out, thankfully not literally because with this town you never know.

I washed up after making her clean me off with her mouth and swallow another load. She asked if it meant we were going steady and I told her all it meant was she had a full stomach and tight body. She and the other dimwits cleaned up and left while she said she'd just find someone better. I wished her luck and headed to the table where the others were.

Xander asked if I got lucky and I grabbed my dink saying I don't kiss and tell. Willow said I had a hicky on my neck and pulled my collar down seeing my back looked like a scratching post. I grunted and healed myself with magic saying I'd be fine. The scratches healed up quick and Willow blushed while Xander asked what they were from.

I didn't answer and Buffy told him girls had nails and from the looks of it I'd been with a few of them or a pissed off demon. I scowled lightly and said I don't sleep with demons in any shape or form be they vampires or weird slimy ones. I told them I'd see them in the morning and left, having to dust half a dozen vamps who smelled the blood and though I was an easy meal.

They were very wrong and died on fire in a group. I saw Angel watching and walked away, uninterested in anything he had to say. The next day Giles complained about the weather. Xander said the science teacher was missing and I handed him a cup telling him to get some water.

He did so from the fountain and I did a spell before dumping the water out. "He's dead."

Xander got distracted by a teacher that came and I grunted. "I'm not impressed."

Xander got tongue tied and we met the substitute teacher Miss French in class. I was the only guy not to volunteer in the entire class for extra credit after class cause screw that. It ended badly when they found Dr.Gregory's headless body in the cafeteria and only went down hill from there until we ended up saving Xander and another guy from the giant preying mantis that was Miss French.

On the bright side the guy we saved was the same one teasing Xander about being a virgin so he was outed as a virgin as well. Xander took his anger out on the nest of eggs and I committed a bit of arsine. We left and I destroyed the eggs in the classroom closet at school. I spent some time researching Angel's curse as proof which wasn't hard.

When I tracked down Angel and gave him the details of his curse, telling him what would happen and giving him the names of my sources. I told him I'd look into a way to fix it and said I hadn't told Buffy yet so it was best he wait on his brooding until I see about fixing it. He thanked me and I grunted, saying Buffy was my friend and I just wanted to see her happy. I told him it wasn't for him, but if he'd like to kick back a few and hang I didn't see why we couldn't be friends as well.

He smiled a bit and I told him I was always happy to make new friends. He shook my hand and I told him I'd see what I could do. The mummy incident came and went with minimal incidents after that and I was able to repair the seal so we had that as well even though we didn't get to use it. When the pack incident happened, I ejected the hyenas out of the students when I figured out how.

The principal was eaten unfortunately alongside the mascot so there was that, but besides some serious therapy, they'd be fine, Xander included. The issue was I'd been buried in research on the nature of souls and trying to figure out how to make Angel safe. I only had one real solution so I used it in the end. He and I met and I told him what I'd come up with, telling him I could make him human with Mohra demon blood if we had any, but it was too rare.

Instead we tried a ritual to displace and replace the curse. I nearly ended up dead from the backlash of pissing off someone blocking the spell and Angel had scorch marks on his body from the backfire. I told him to grab my hand when he helped me up. He grabbed it from across the room and I coughed up blood. I told him to put the ring on my other hand that was still attached.

He did so and I took out a bean, telling him to put my limbs where they should be and pull the metal bar out of my stomach. When he did, I groaned and barely managed to eat the bean. My body repaired itself and I lived, luckily. He watched me rapidly heal and I sighed in relief once the pain was gone.

He frowned and I cut my thumb, healing him with a few drops of blood. When he was fine, I grunted. "The spell failed, epically I might add. If I had to guess, I pissed off some higher powers or gods I believe their called. They've taken an interest in keeping you the way they are my friend and I don't currently have the power to do anything about it I'm afraid."

He said it was fine and I shook my head. "No, it's not fine. I don't give up on my friends, ever. If I can't make you human or change the nature of your curse, I can damned well do something about your quality of life."

I sat up more and got up fully before holding up my hand. A ring appeared and I told him. "The gem of Amara. I found it a few months back when I was scrying for magical treasures buried in town. It gives vampires the ability to walk in the daylight and a sort of pseudo indestructibility. Crosses, holy water, stakes to the heart, none of it works while you wear the gem."

He shook and took the ring, thanking me. I nodded. "No problem. I can't make you human Angel, but I can help you remember what it feels like, if only a bit."

We cleaned up and I watched him feel the sunlight for the first time in centuries. I changed, thanks to the explosion ruining my clothes, before telling him. "If you wear the ring on a finger it can get cut off or stolen by those who know what it is. I suggest wearing it on a toe or getting something pierced."

He turned and seriously hugged me out of the blue. I patted his back and when he released me, he said he owed me. I waved him off. "You don't owe me anything. Consider it a gift from a friend. I'm just sorry I can't do more."

He said not to worry about it and asked if I had a picture of a Mohra demon. I gave him one and told him. "Mix it's blood in a cut and you'll become human again. Don't kill the demon if you don't have to because they come back stronger than ever if you do. If you do need to kill it, break the gem on it's forehead and it'll die. I suggest just knocking it out and tying it up with chains while bleeding it dry. Their blood is worth a lot to some sorcerers and healers on the black market. Just feed it salt and it'll never die without being killed."

I thought for a minute and tapped the weapon the one in the picture held. "Though if you do find one, be sure to get me a souvenir. I'm a big sword collector. My best one yet is Excalibur I picked up in England during a martial arts tournament two years ago."

He happily agreed and I left him there, heading to handle my own business. I heard from Buffy that evening when she stopped by my place. She thanked me for helping her and Angel with what I could. She told me that Angel told her how I'd nearly died trying to help him so they could be together.

I shrugged and told her they were both friends of mine and I do what I can to whatever lengths I need to so that I could protect my friends. She gave me a hug in the doorway and I sighed, seeing Angel there as well at the curb. I shook my head lightly saying they were a lot alike in some ways. I when she released me, I told him. "Happy hunting and be safe. I'd hate to have to kick whatever eats you's ass."

He smiled and said I'd do fine before taking Buffy's hand. I left them to it and headed to bed, getting some rest before meeting with Oz in the morning. I ended up joining the band the Dingos Ate My Baby as a singer, song writer and backup guitar/pianist. After school later that day I spent my time with the scoobies as Willow called us.

We were scanning books when I caught one and handed it back to Giles. "Moloch the corrupter is sealed inside. Anyone who reads it or scans it will set him free. Not a good thing."

He took it and put it away, agreeing with me. Jenny Calendar, the computer science teacher, was the only one to overhear us. She mentioned being a techno pagan and all that fun stuff. I stayed out of it saying I was Buddhist in my beliefs even if I practiced magic.

A month later I'd practiced a lot with the band and we were pretty good. They agreed to play with me for the talent show as part of my act in exchange for the amps and speakers I had prepared for the band. The other scoobies got roped into the talent show which was pretty great. I had it worked out that I'd go up before the others and do a martial arts demonstration before finishing the talent show after Cordelia squawks her song out.

In the meantime I stopped a demon from killing a student and killed it instead, decapitating it. I incinerated the demon's body and met the puppet using brat, Morgan Shay. He'd passed out so I slipped him a nanite pill that would remove his cancer and flush his body of any other issues. I left him there and told the others what I'd done to the demon.

That night I was the first up for the talent show and Giles told them I'd be opening and closing the show. I was in full gi with ten kendo masters only unlike them, I told the crowd not to try this at home before putting on my blindfold. I nodded to the masters and they circled me. I told them to come at me full speed with intent to kill.

I moved and danced, dodging blows, redirecting others and beating them with their own bokken. When it was over all of them were on the ground either unconscious or hurt. I took off my blindfold and tossed it to the new principal, Snider, who scowled and looked it over while I woke and helped up the masters.

I bowed respectfully and thanked them for helping with the demonstration. I bowed to the crowed and nodded to the ten martial arts masters. They brought out metal swords covered in oil and lit them, circling me. I held up the wooden swords in a reverse grip and told them. "Come!"

When it was over they were groaning on the floor with my shattered wooden swords while I used a fire extinguisher to put the flaming ones out, without letting a single spark get away. I bowed to the masters again and to the crowd, saying that was the end of my demonstration and the beginning of the talent show. The parents and teachers were impressed while they clapped and cheered. I watched the rest of the talent shows and prepared for the band.

I got to see the horrible play the other scoobies did and plugged my ears until Cordelia was done. We went up next and Cordelia offered to sing a duet. I told her the song was a rehearsed one we didn't have a set to include her in. We went up and when the curtain raised, I told the crowd. "We are the Dingos Ate My Baby and this is Satellite."

(You can't feel the heat until you hold your hand over the flame

You have to cross the line just to remember where it lays

You won't know your worth now, son, until you take a hit

And you won't find the beat until you lose yourself in it

That's why we won't back down

We won't run and hide

Yeah, 'cause these are the things that we can't deny

I'm passing over you like a satellite

So catch me if I fall

That's why you stick to your game plans and party lines

But at night we're conspiring by candlelight

We are the orphans of the American Dreams

Oh, shine your light on me

You can't fill your cup until you empty all it has

You can't understand what lays ahead

If you don't understand the past

You'll never learn to fly now

'Til you're standing at the cliff

And you cant truly love until you've given up on it

That's why we won't back down

We won't run and hide

Yeah, 'cause these are the things that we can't deny

I'm passing over you like a satellite

So catch me if I fall

That's why we stick to your game plans and party lines

But at night we're conspiring by candlelight

We are the orphans of the American Dream

So shine your light on me

She told me she that she'd never face the world again

So I offered up a plan

We'll sneak out while they sleep

And sail off in the night

We'll come clean and start over

The rest of our lives

When we're gone, we'll stay gone

Out of sight, out of mind

It's not too late, we have the rest of our lives

We'll sneak out while they sleep

And sail off in the night (we have the rest of our lives)

We'll come clean and start over

The rest of our lives

When we're gone, we'll stay gone

Out of sight, out of mind (we have the rest of our lives)

It's not too late, we have the rest of our lives

The rest of our lives

Because we won't back down

We won't run and hide

Yeah, 'cause these are the things that we can't deny

I'm passing over you like a satellite

So catch me if I fall

That's why we stick to your game plans and party lines

But at night we're conspiring by candlelight

We are the orphans of the American Dream

So shine your light on me (shine your light on me)

No we won't back down

We won't run and hide

Yeah, 'cause these are the things that we can't deny (shine your light on me)

I'm passing over you like a satellite

'Cause these are the things that we can't deny, no

This is a life that you can't deny us now.)

The crowd went wild, applauding and whistles, the whole nine. They wanted an encore and I asked the others if they wanted to play State of My Head. They agreed so I brought out my keyboard and we played them one last song before Snider told us no one was impressed, even while the crowd gave a standing ovation. I shrugged and we packed up before loading up Oz's van.

I told Oz we'd play when he can get us a gig since we were in sync. He agreed and said he'd let me know while Buffy, Xander and Willow came over. Xander asked if there was something I couldn't do. I answered smoothly while Oz smiled at my reply. "Synchronized swimming. I don't do well in pools filled with people I don't know well. Something about feeling like I was bathing in their old bath water never set well with me."

I patted Xander. "You can try out for the swim team if you want, I won't even try to compete I swear."

The others looked amused while Xander said I wasn't funny. I told him to lighten up and added that I took guitar and piano lessons when I was a kid because my dad was determined to see me shine or whatever. I told him it took almost a month for me to brush off those rusty skills while practicing with the band. Oz said it was true, their lead singer quit over creative differences and I was bored so I'd offered to join up which needed major rehearsal.

I held my heart and winced. "Ouch, you wound me."

He had an easy going smile saying it was worth it because I was a major badass musician. I shrugged saying I was alright, but without them I'd be Cordelia on my own. The other two said that wasn't possible and Xander just replied. "Yikes."

I congratulated them on their play and told them to stick to violence because trauma made drama. A month later a psychic kid boosted by the trauma of a beating and the energy of the hellmouth, made the world into one of nightmares. I wasn't effected mostly beyond everyone else's fears and after helping the others, Xander asked. "By the way, where was your nightmare?"

I shrugged. "I guess I'm immune or my ring protects me from psychics. Can't bring my nightmare to life if they can't get into my head I guess."

Giles mentioned the council wanting to buy the glove of Myhnegon and the Cross of Du Lac before I can sell it on the black market this coming summer. I agreed to see what their price was and wished Buffy a happy birthday. She thanked me and went off to meet her dad for their weekend in LA. After bargaining over the phone with some old stuffy asshats who made the sin of greed seem like a petty inconvenience to their wants, I managed to agree on a price for the glove.

I told them I knew what it could do and what it was worth so they'd have to stop low balling me like rank amateur bargain bin seller if they wanted it because otherwise they were insulting me on purpose and that wasn't wise. When they mentioned the Cross, saying it was a trinket without the right texts, I literally translocated Giles and I to Britain and the council room. I radiated magic on a level that terrified the magic users as I told them that if they don't want the cross then I won't sell it to them.

I looked their leader, Quentin Travers, looked at me more seriously because I'd shattered the wards all over the building.