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As the night progressed ever more towards the deadline Giles had set for her, Stefanie spent every moment either training or resting when the fatigue got to be too much for her. It was during one such resting period the following morning that Stefanie developed an appetite for the bacon and cheese omelette Jenny was preparing for breakfast, signalling that her transformation was proceeding rapidly.
Tentatively, Stefanie took a bite of the omelette, savoring the taste of it in her mouth. How long has it been since I had real food and actually enjoyed it? Stefanie mused. I could get used to this... provided I live long enough.
Despite himself, Giles eyed her in worry while she ate, then asked hesitantly, "How are you feeling?"
Stefanie looked up at him, a sad light in her blue eyes. "Nervous, I suppose," she replied, pausing a moment. Then, she leaned forward slightly, crossing her arms on top of the counter. "We haven't discussed it, but... Giles, we both know I'm not going to survive this fight."
For the majority of the night, Giles had been praying for a miracle, something to insure that both Buffy and Stefanie would come through this unscathed. But, hearing her voice the obvious dispelled any lingering hopes. Unable to speak, he simply nodded.
From her spot at the kitchen sink, Jenny scrubbed at the frying pan, feeling a lump in her throat at those words. But, before she could say anything, the phone a few feet away from her rang. Jenny quickly dried her hands with a towel, wiped at her eyes where the tears were beginning to form, and picked up the receiver. "Hello?"
It was a deep masculine voice that spoke. "Hi... Is this the Giles' residence?" the voice asked. When Jenny said yes, the mystery man answered, "This is Dr. Cole. I'm calling from Sunnydale Medical concerning a Miss Buffy Summers."
Jenny wasn't sure whether to be concerned or hopeful. She quickly called Giles and Stefanie over, letting them listen in as she asked what this was regarding.
"Frankly," Dr. Cole answered. "She woke up about an hour ago, and she's been asking for a number of people. Is this Jenny?"
"Yes, it is," the technopagan replied, exchanging looks with her husband. "We'll be right there... Thank you." Upon hanging up, Jenny joined her two friends in a group hug, all of them overjoyed by the news.
Much as Stefanie wanted to join her two older friends on their excursion to the hospital, the fact that it was daylight out was a problem. She simply asked that they call her as soon as they saw Buffy, then watched as Jenny bundled up Ivory for the trip and left with Giles.
But it didn't stop Stefanie from working herself into impatience, and within a few minutes of their departure, she was pacing restlessly. By the time a knock came at the door, Stefanie headed for it eagerly, grateful for any type of distraction. She hadn't even opened it an inch when it was pushed open violently from the other side. It hit her square in the face with enough force to send her sprawling to the floor about three feet away.
Venus stepped in with a grin, shutting the door behind her and jamming the lock before Stefanie could reorient herself. In another instant, the blue-haired singer crossed the distance between them, pulled the slayer to her feet, and struck her once more to further daze her.
Stefanie looked up at her nemesis weakly, recognizing Venus from the one time she had seen her performing at the Bronze. It didn't take her long to make the connection based on what Giles had told her. "The Goddess?" she asked uncertainly.
Venus gave a short laugh. "See you've done your homework, slayer," she responded, starting towards the nearest window with Stefanie in tow. All that stood between Stefanie and a patch of sunlight was some thick burgundy drapes, but she suspected that obstacle would be removed shortly.
"If you open those curtains, you'll die too," Stefanie said desperately, her mind still slightly foggy. She may be becoming mortal, but she didn't want to take the risk that the sun wouldn't harm her now.
Venus laughed again. "Not necessarily," she said. Knowing she had plenty of time before Giles or Jenny returned, the singer set about filling Stefanie in on what she was exactly. "An now," Venus added, reaching for the curtains in preparation to tear them down, "I think this room could use a little light. It's so dark in here."
"No!" Stefanie cried, shaking off the last of her lethargy and fighting to pry Venus' hand away from her shirt collar. Unprepared for the struggle, Venus lost her balance and fell to the floor, Steffi and the thick drapes coming down on top of her.
Stefanie took advantage of the distraction to twist out of the singer's grip. She then found her way out from under the silky fabric, scrambling for the front door of the apartment to work at the lock. But, Venus had jammed it too well, and it would take more time than Stefanie had to fix it. Hearing her opponent approaching swiftly, the slayer ducked, executing a low roundhouse kick to knock Venus' legs out from under her.
Why didn't I think to carry a stake with me? Stefanie thought wildly, running for the kitchen and searching frantically through cabinets. And why didn't I ask Jenny where she hid them?!?
However, there wasn't time to find the appropriate weapon. Stefanie realized as she saw Venus coming in for the kill. So, the slayer grabbed the only one available, pulling a knife from its slot of the wooden holder on the counter.
Venus stopped short upon seeing the sharp gleaming blade, putting ideas in Stefanie's head. "Don't tell me someone like you is vulnerable to a little thing like a slit throat," she taunted the singer. "Or is that one of the disadvantages being a hybrid will cost you."
Venus' violet eyes burned with hatred. "You may be clever enough to stop me, but you won't do the same to Lorenzo. He's far more powerful than you can imagine," she sneered. "And weak as you are, you don't stand a chance."
Stefanie gave a smug smile, taking a step closer. "Well, then I'll just have to even the odds, won't I?" she responded, putting on her vampire face. Venus seemed to realize what Stefanie's intent was, and it terrified her to the very core. In a panic, she turned to run, but the slayer had already seized her from behind.
Stefanie drove the knife into Venus' stomach, sinking her fangs into the blue-haired girl's throat at the same time. As the blood flowed into her, Stefanie felt a very needed surge of strength and power descending on her. And while it lent a new potency to the slayer, the loss of blood made a weakling of Venus. When it was over, the singer slumped in Stefanie's arms, hovering on the brink of death.
Stefanie gently lay Venus down, leaning closer. "Don't take it personally," she said. "I needed that energy far more than you did." They were the last words Venus heard. She was gone seconds later, failing to turn to dust like any normal vampire would.
"Great," Stefanie muttered, going to fix the lock. "I can just see myself explaining to Giles and Jenny why there's a dead body in their kitchen..."