a/n: almost done with episode one! because the first season is only 12 episodes I'm trying to break it up the best I can. this may be going fast in regards to finding out about buffy but that's what happened in the show so...oh well!

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The cross necklace hits my chest as I jog the rest of the way to The Bronze. When the building comes into view and the bright sign with the logo of The Bronze catches my attention I breathe out a sigh of relief. Entering the building, I accidently bump into some guys walking out and I don't miss when their eyes stray down my body. Cringing, I make my way through the people dancing and checking out girls to find Buffy talking to Willow.

"Are you here with someone?' Buffy asks, looking around them.

Before Willow can respond I lean against the counter beside her. "That would be me," I smile as I see Willow jump slightly in her chair. I wave over the guy mending the bar and order a Coke.

Willow laughs to try and play it off. "She's here now." Willow plays with her fingers. "I thought Xander would be here too."

Furrowing my eyebrow, I look at my red headed friend. "He didn't show up?"

Willow shakes her head, trying not to come off saddened.

"Oh, are you are guys going out?" Buffy asks, pointing to Willow.

"No, we're just friends," Willow says quickly, looking to me for help.

Biting my lip, I add, "They used to go out, but they broke up."

"How come?" Buffy turns to Willow, taking a sip of her drink.

I play with my straw as I watch Willow. "He stole my Barbie," she announces, looking at the counter top before noticing Buffy's confusion. "We were five," she adds as Buffy nods with understanding. "I don't date a lot—lately. Watching Lindsay date is enough for me at the moment."

The straw around my lips drops as I playfully smack her arm. "Hey! Just because I happen to have dated quite a few guys shouldn't put you off to dating."

Willow gives me the stick eye. "You've dated jerks Lindsay. Half of them send you to my house crying at the middle of the night after a breakup."

Puckering my lips, I look down into the glass. I swirl the straw around the ice cubes. "It was only once," I mumble.

Buffy chuckles, taking a cherry from a red stick that came with her drink. "Guys can be jerks, but dating isn't that bad. We all have our bad relationships, but you never know if it'll be a good one until you try."

"Thank you!" I exclaim, turning to Willow.

Willow gives us both a pointed look. "I bet it's easy for both of you. Unlike me who can barely talk when a boy I like is around."

"Yeah, really easy," Buffy says, looking into her glass.

I scoff, shaking my head. "You've met me Willow. I have issues but I don't let that hold me back because life is short."

The corner of Buffy's lips curl up. "Yeah. Seize the moment because tomorrow you may be dead," she shrugs.

"Well that's nice," Willow nods, smiling.

I watch as Buffy looks up at the second floor. I need to talk to her about the whole slayer issue and find out if it's actually true. "Buffy," I speak up, her eyes quickly shooting to me. "Can I talk to you alone?"

"Um," she stammers, looking back to the second floor of The Bronze. "I'll be back in a minute. Then we can talk." She sends me a smile before walking passed us.

Taking my drink, I turn to Willow. "Lets go seize the moment," I wink before taking her hand and walking her onto the dancefloor.

                                                                                         ****

Bodies dance around me as I sway to the music. Keeping my eyes closed, all I can think about is having a good time and trying to forget about the argument with my mom earlier. Groaning internally, I push away the thoughts of guilt and sadness. I refuse to think about it right now.

Thinking about earlier tonight, my hand moves to my chest to find the sliver cross necklace resting a few inches above my cleavage. My pointer finger moves along the shape, remember the handsome but infuriating man who gave it to me. He made it seem he knew me for a while, like he was expecting me. I don't know what he was talking about being the second because there is no way in hell I'm a slayer. Until this afternoon I didn't know vampires were real. Not liking where my thoughts are heading, I open my eyes to see Jesse hitting on Cordelia. Gross. Why does almost every guy in our school want her? She's so rude.

Watching as Cordelia walks away, I cross my arms around my chest and walk over. I help but smirk at Jesse trying to play it off. "Awe, poor Jesse," I pout as I step beside him.

Jesse sighs, cracking the back of his neck. "You saw that?"

Shrugging, I lean against the back of one of the vacant chairs. "Most of it. Why do you even bother with her? You obviously know she isn't interested."

"A guy can dream can't he?" he asks, taking a step closer.

Tilting my head to the side, the smirk remains. "Is that supposed to be a double meaning to—oh I don't know—Cordelia and you wanting me as well?" I take a seat on the back of the chair.

Jesse smiles down at me, stepping once more so our legs are touching. "Maybe." His hand reaches out to touch my shoulder before running down my arm.

I can't help but play along until I see Willow behind us with some guy. The guy is flirting heavily with her, but I can't see his face. Willow usually picks good ones, but I cringe at his outfit. I'm more of a girl who likes a guy to wear leather jackets or a nice shirt—not an outfit that's outdated. I feel Jesse's hand move from my waist and up, but all I can focus on is Willow walking away with the guy. She's leaving with a guy? She's leaving me here alone? Pursing my lips, I shoot up and away from Jesse. I don't look back as I weave my way through the crowd. I want to yell at Willow for leaving me here—haven't she heard of the buddy system?—but I know better. Willow is trying to step out of her shell and it's not like she scowls me for my mistakes.

Seeing a blue jacket and blonde hair ahead of me, I manage to push through a few more people before grabbing Buffy's hand. The blonde spins around quickly and rips her hand from my grip. She blinks rapidly. "Oh," she sighs. "Lindsay, I didn't know it was you. Um, I saw Willow leave and I got worried. I was going after her."

"I was too. I have a bad feeling about that guy," I mention, walking alongside Buffy towards the back of the building.

Buffy studies me, I notice, but doesn't say anything. "We'll find her Lindsay."

The back hallway is dark with a few random lights illuminating the walkway. My palms start to sweat as we make out way, but soon stop. Turning, I watch as Buffy snaps an end of a chair to create a sharp weapon. "How the heck can you do that?" I question, my eyes not leaving the sharp woodened end.

"I'm just—really strong," Buffy says, not elaborating more.

It's because she's a slayer, a voice in the back of my head says. I know it's not the right time to question her right now. Licking my lips, I walk behind Buffy. She opens a door and we walk down another hallway with no sign of Willow. Suddenly, I feel Buffy's hand on my torso, stopping me from moving forward. Before I can question what's going on, Buffy spins to her left and spins someone to the wall behind us. A womanly gasp is heard before I turn around and see Buffy holding Cordelia up by her throat, pointing the stake shaped weapon at her face.

"Cordelia," Buffy and I both say at the same time. Buffy slowly lowers her to the ground as Cordelia gives Buffy her famous death glare.

"God," she seethes, fixing her shirt. "What is your childhood trauma?"

Ignoring Cordelia's question, I look to her and her friends coming out of the bathroom and ask, "Have you guys seen Willow?"

"Has she come by here?" Buffy adds.

Cordelia glares down at the blonde. "Why? Do you need to attack her with the stick?"

Buffy turns away and walk back out into the main part of The Bronze. I watch as Cordelia takes out her phone, mentioning how she has to tell everyone that Buffy is basically a crazed person. "Ruining another life?" I question, glaring at her. Cordelia looks at me for the first time since Buffy almost put a piece of woof through her head.

"Did you not see what she almost did?" Cordelia questions with shock.

"I was there," I add, crossing my arms on my chest. "Buffy made a mistake and yeah, it may look odd what she did, but maybe there was a good reason behind it? Think about the whole scenario before talking rudely about someone." Feeling accomplished, I turn around and push through the crowd to find Buffy. When I finally find her she's talking to the new library about something. Why is the school's librarian here?

Just as Buffy is about to walk away from the new librarian—Giles I think his name is—I hear the word vampire thrown in. I stop in my tracks. Is Willow with a vampire right now? Is that why Buffy is so worried? As the blonde walks further away from where I am, I curse and get back to my goal—safe Willow.

                                                                                                       ****

"Buffy," I say loud enough once I reach outside of the club. She turns around and seems to sigh when noticing it's me. "I don't know what the heck is going on, but if Willow is somehow in danger with a vampire I want to help."

Just before Buffy can respond Xander walks beside us. "You guys leaving already?"

"Xander," I sigh in relief. "Have you seen Willow?"

Xander shakes his head, noticing my worry. "No."

A frustrated sound leaves my lips as I run my fingers through my hair. "She left with a guy—a strange one—and we're worried about her."

"We're talking about Willow right?" he asks, looking between Buffy and me.

"I need to find her," Buffy says in urgency. "Where would he take her?"

"Why?" Xander asks, looking at me. "I hope he's not a vampire and you'll have to slay him."

Buffy stops walking and turns to look at us. Huffing, she asks, "Was there some school bulletin—was it in the newspaper—is there anyone in this town that doesn't know I'm the slayer?"

"We only know that you think you are the slayer," Xander adds, pointing to us both.

"This isn't helping anything," I cut in. "Xander, let's think. Where would Willow go?" I don't doubt Buffy is the slayer anymore after all I've seen and heard tonight.

Xander looks between the blonde and me. "You guys are serious?"

Buffy becomes alive with firmness. "If we don't find her there will be one more dead body in the morning."