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Much to her surprise, Stefanie didn't have to wait long to ponder the details she would give her Watcher, nor did she have to bother with an explanation. From the way he and Jenny rushed into the apartment (Xander and Willow close behind them), Stefanie gathered that they already knew what had gone down.
Giles breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Stefanie was still alive and well. "The call from the hospital was a setup," he informed her with a hint of weariness. "Buffy's condition hasn't changed in the slightest. Xander and Willow were with her all last night."
Jenny quickly went to set Ivory in her crib. "We're guessing it might have been Lorenzo who called. He must have a phone hooked up wherever he is." With that, Jenny began to glance around the room for any trace of vampire dust. "So, where's our illustrious Goddess?"
Stefanie gestured to the area behind the kitchen counter, remaining where she was while her four friends went to look. "Venus was no normal vampire," Stefanie said. "She said she had a history of shooting up on vampire blood. From what I can tell, it gave her an edge we can't even begin to imagine."
Giles took a step closer to the fallen azure-haired woman, noticing the two puncture marks on her neck. He turned to look at Stefanie in shock. He had thought it was beneath her to feed off anyone, her kind included. But he couldn't dispute the evidence of it.
Stefanie let out a breath, not sure if it was out of habit or necessity, at her Watcher's reprimanding gaze. "It was either her or me," Stefanie said simply. "And considering the cruel joke they played on us, I'm glad I chose me."
Giles sighed, shifting his weight. "Well, the first thing I suggest is disposing of the body," he said. "I doubt anyone will miss her... For now, we should just wrap her in a blanket or something to cover the smell, and take her out to bury when it gets dark."
Stefanie looked at him curiously. "You've done this before, haven't you?" she asked.
Giles looked almost embarrassed. "Buffy and I once had to dispose of a werewolf in the same way," he admitted.
Stefanie nodded with a slightly amused look, watching as Willow and Xander went for the fallen drapes; the slayer had been careful to avoid the sunlight that shone through. Within moments, Venus had been bundled in the fabric and set aside for later. With that task completed, the five of them settled in to talk.
"So, what's our plan?" Willow asked quietly. Giles had filled her and Xander in on Stefanie's state and on the fact that the slayer was going into battle in less than twelve hours. "Is there anything Xander and I could do to help?"
Stefanie paused a moment. "You could keep an eye on Buffy," she told them. "There's a chance someone might be sent for her tonight. Other than that..."
Willow leaned forward, looking sad. "This is goodbye, isn't it?" she asked, her voice trembling. "After today, we're not going to see you again, are we?"
Stefanie bit her lip, sitting up straight. There was no guarantee that even the blood she got from Venus would be enough to save her, so the most she could offer was a chance to say her farewells.
"I've lived a long lonely life," she said, as much for herself as for her friends. "Up until I met all of you last year, I thought I would never get attached to anyone. And since I've known you, I've had a chance to be accepted for who I am, a chance to fall in love, a chance to put down roots somewhere... The point is, you guys have been the best friends I've ever had, and I'll never forget you for it."
Stefanie's sentimental words brought tears to everyone's eyes, her own included. Giles was the first to stand and walk over, putting one hand on her shoulder.
Stefanie got up at this, turning to hug him tightly and cry on his shoulder. She hardly noticed when Jenny, Xander, and Willow came to join in the embrace. All four clung to the slayer in a sort of desperation, as if they could freeze time to make this moment last forever. Only, they didn't have that kind of power, and the seconds just kept on ticking by...