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Part 3
The day seemed to pass rather slowly, either due to boredom or out of dread over what the coming night would bring. But whatever it was, Stefanie was nevertheless glad when school let out for the day.
Before venturing to the library to have Giles drive her home, Stefanie ducked into the restroom, going to the sink, turning on the faucet, and preparing to splash water on her face. However, when she heard a voice emanating from one of the stalls behind her, unnecessarily (or perhaps, intentionally) loud, she made the mistake of stopping to listen.
"So, did you hear that Jared Foster was moving out of state?" the loud feminine tone was saying, perhaps to someone in the neighboring stall. "I talked to him just this morning, and boy, was he glad he was accepted at a prestigious college in New York! Also mentioned he was glad he wouldn't have to see Stefanie Marks ever again. Believe his exact term for her was a cheap slut who deserves what's coming to her."
Stefanie grew numb at this, scarcely believing her ears. She and Jared had been on bad terms ever since she informed him of her pregnancy. But, to have to hear second hand his exact opinion of her... that simply hurt like hell.
"When's he leaving? Do you know?" the second girl asked.
"Soon as the graduation ceremony is done," Girl #1 answered. "Sure am gonna miss him when that time comes. I swear, the guy is so cute and sexy!"
Stefanie bit her lip, then quietly stepped from the restroom, fighting the urge to cry. However, just before she slipped out, she managed to catch the little tidbit that Jared and the rest of the basketball team would be celebrating their latest victory at the Bronze tonight.
Stefanie slowly made her way to the library, deep in thought and with a wave of bitterness welling up inside her. Then, for some reason, she began to remember and even long for the high school life she had had in the sixties before she became a Slayer. She had had several close friends her own age then, no one who judged her too harshly or made fun of her behind her back. However, there was no going back to that time and place if she wanted to finish up her senior year. "Well," Stefanie whispered to herself, surprised by her own sudden mean streak. "If Jared wants to play that way, I sure as hell can too..."
Giles, Stefanie, and Jenny stayed at the school for a few hours more that day, packing up some of the volumes that Giles owned into boxes. Both women had been surprised when, two weeks prior, the Watcher had announced his decision to retire from his position as librarian. However, once the initial shock had worn off, the trio had busied themselves by preparing for that day.
Finally, Giles and Jenny piled the loaded boxes on a cart to take them out to the car. Stefanie waited in the library for them to come back, leaning on the balcony railing and looking out into the main area. With a sigh, she whispered, "Definitely won't be the same without Giles here... Oh, well. I guess no matter how much we wish otherwise, change is inevitable."
Giles and Jenny returned minutes later. While the Watcher ducked into his office, Jenny asked Stefanie if she was ready to go. Walking carefully down the steps from the balcony, Stefanie threw a glance at the office. "Isn't he coming?"
Jenny shook her head. "Said he wanted to be here when Angel and Buffy get back. The three of them are going to have a long night ahead of them," she replied with a deep sigh. Leading Stefanie out into the hallway, Jenny added, "I'm so tired of this routine. Just once, I don't want to have to wake up wondering if my husband survived another night... Don't get me wrong. I admire that he's so devoted and loyal to Buffy... But, it's gotta end sometime. I don't think he should have to spend the rest of his life playing adviser to her."
Stefanie's eyes widened, for she was startled by this admission, especially coming from Jenny. Upon seeing the younger girl's expression, Jenny put in, "Buffy's going to live forever. Giles isn't... And just once, I'd like to have a few uninterrupted years with him and him alone."
Stefanie nodded in understanding, once more getting the affirmation that change was inevitable. She spent the rest of the walk and the ride home in silence, half contemplating and half brooding over this fact. The changes surrounding her guardians were already in flux; they couldn't be altered or stopped. Yet, that wasn't what bothered Stefanie. It was that, she somehow got the feeling that her other friends would go through some sort of life-altering events as well.
She couldn't explain it, nor could she shake the deep-seated intuition. All Stefanie sensed (knew?) was that by week's end, life as she knew it would never be the same...
As soon as the sun had set, Buffy and Angel split up to do a combined sweep of Sunnydale and meet at the school in an hour. Right now, he stood hidden in the shadows outside the Bronze, positioned in a way so that he could catch anyone who was coming or going.
After a few moments, a petite jovial brunette girl exited the dance club, flanked by two much taller and significantly brawny guys. Angel watched them for a moment, then moved to follow, sensing that two of the three were vampires. His senses sharpened as he walked, allowing him to catch, clearly, the conversation his quarry were having.
"So," one boy was saying to the other. "Think you're man enough to handle both me and Serena here, Miguel?"
The boy being questioned nodded, although Angel could sense he was nervous. Self-proclaimed bi-sexual, although most likely uncertain that the label suited him, the elder vampire deemed of Miguel. In the same moment, Angel determined that, unsure or not, this wasn't an experience that Miguel would want to go through. He caught up to the trio in a flash, growling loudly to announce his presence, and pushed the mortal boy back a few paces.
Angel turned to look at Miguel, wearing his demonic face. "Leave us," he growled at the young boy. "This doesn't concern you." Miguel turned pale, but nodded nevertheless, turning and hurrying away as fast as his legs would carry him.
With that accomplished, Angel turned back to face Serena and her companion, taking a few menacing steps towards them. In one swift motion, he staked the boy vampire, then seized Serena and hustled her into a nearby alley where he shoved her against a wall.
She, too, was frightened at his appearance, but that didn't stop her from struggling briefly in his grip. "So, the great vampire, Angelus," she said after a moment. "I've heard a lot about you. You're quite the legend, and the disappointment, of our kind."
Angel glared down at her pretty face. She was young, perhaps no more than fourteen when she was turned. "I won't take too much of your time," he said brusquely. "But a new vampire's hit town, and I need to know who it is. If you fail to answer... Well, let's just say that all you've heard about my reputation will be put to good use."
Serena paled more than Angel had thought possible, making him wonder exactly which stories she had heard. "I... I don't know his name," she stuttered out. "But he came to Sunnydale just last week. He's old... in mortal years, not vampire. And he knows stuff, magics and that sort. He's newly made, but with the magical knowledge, he's very powerful. Already making loyal allies out of the locals. He's promising to ensure the Slayer's downfall, seems to have a score to settle with both her and her Watcher."
Angel took a few seconds to absorb all this. "With Giles?" he whispered, mostly to himself. "What would a new vamp want with Giles?" Then, shaking off the thought, Angel looked back at Serena. "You'd be wise to leave Sunnydale tonight, right now," he warned her. "If I catch you around after this evening, your new residence will be an urn. Got it?"
Serena nodded, looking terrified. Angel released her, watching her scurry from the alley. Knowing she'd listen rather than incur his wrath, he took off for the school, prepared to tell his wife and Giles what he'd learned...