Dark are the Shadows
Ms. Hunter Ash

frost29@post.com
ripperbard7@yahoo.com

A BTVS/Dark Shadows crossover

Rating: PG13
Pairings: Buffy/Quentin, Giles/Angelique, Willow/Tara, Xander/Anya, Julia/Thomas, Barnabas/Roxanne

##  # #

COLLINSPORT, MAINE

Barnabas stepped into the Old House a half hour after David had left him at the Collins crypt.

“It's Barnabas,” he called. He smiled as he walked into the living room. “Sorry about that, I talked with Quentin about Nicholas being gone and the dangers out there.”

“No problem,” David said. “I told them about seeing Sarah at the crypt.”

“She was just as David described her,” Barnabas said.

“Julia was telling us that she thinks Quentin is taken with someone in California,” Maggie said, turning the conversation.

“Yes, Dawn's sister,” Barnabas said. “I think it could be serious but it wouldn't be easy. She hunts vampires and it's a dangerous occupation and he's an immortal.”

“Can't she just quit?” Joe asked.

“No, that's her... her curse or calling, whichever you want to look at it,” Julia said.

“Ouch,” Joe muttered. “Seems like everyone in the Collins family has it rough when it comes to romance.”

“And Jennings and Haskell families,” Amy added.

Maggie nodded in agreement and kissed Joe's cheek.

# # # #

SUNNYDALE, CALIFORNIA

Buffy opened the door to the tomb with Oz' cell and hesitated. She sighed when she saw the inner door open slightly and a crossbow arrow appear.

“It's me,” Buffy said. “Our school mascot was a razorback pig.”

Xander opened the door and smiled as he lowered the crossbow. “Hope you have a handcuff key. Giles is getting really irritable.”

“I do,” Buffy said. “Why didn't Willow open the cuffs with magic?”

“Apparently there's anti-magic or something on them,” Xander said as he closed the inner door behind them.

Buffy looked down and saw Giles sitting on the cot inside the cell, leaning into Angelique's arms. Everyone else was sitting in camp chairs or fixing dinner on a camp stove.

“I snuck back into the mansion and grabbed everyone's cell phones and more weapons,” she said as she and Xander walked down the stairs to the lower level. “I also called LA and Cordelia and Angel are going to pick Dawn up and drive her over here.”

“Good,” Willow said. “What are we going to do about the Initiative? They know Giles is kinda not totally human now.”

The Slayer glanced at her Watcher and nodded. He was still obviously agitated to the point where his newly discovered fangs wouldn't recede.

Buffy stepped into the cell and handed Angelique the universal key to police handcuffs. “How are you feeling? Did they hurt you beyond a bloody nose?”

“No, but you've been bleeding,” he noted as he pulled his hands out from behind his back. “That's better.”

Buffy looked down at her side and shrugged. “Barely a scratch.”

“How do we handle the Initiative?” Xander asked.

“One possible solution would be to call the Council,” Giles said. “And try and bluff our way through. To tell them Willow thought we were under a home invasion or something and threw a spell at me to make me seem dangerous or frightening. It probably won't hold up but it might buy us some time.”

“What happens if they find out that you're kinda a vampire and will become one when you die?” Tara asked.

“They wouldn't see it as a positive even with a soul intact,” Giles said. “They'd see it as a threat to the Slayer.”

“And they'd work to eliminate the threat,” Buffy ventured and Giles nodded.

“It'll buy us time,” Buffy said after a moment. “Get them to call off the Initiative and when they tell us that the soldiers swear that you're a vampire we'll get on one of those video call things and show them you out and about in the daylight and holding a cross.”

“And that the soldiers were looking for vampires and didn't want to admit they made a mistake,” Willow added.

“They were looking for Angel because he helped us with the Leviathans and we made them promise not to stake or capture him,” Xander added.

“That should work for awhile,” Buffy said with a nod.

“And when it doesn't I can get him away with no trace on a private airplane,” Angelique offered.

“They'd insist that Buffy have a new Watcher and put me on a wanted list and send strike teams,” Giles said wearily.

“Then we'll convince them that you aren't a vampire,” Buffy said. “First have them get the Initiative to back off.”

“I'll call when the office opens in a couple of hours.”

# # # # #

COLLINSPORT, MAINE

“Well, we're going to head home,” Joe said as he and Maggie stood up. “We'll see everyone tomorrow night.”

“And we'll promise not to keep you up as late,” Julia said with a small laugh.

“And we're going to head back up the hill,” Carolyn said. “I have to get up early and it's past Elizabeth's bedtime.”

“I brought my car down after following Sarah to the family crypt,” David said. “I'll drive the girls up.”

“Roxanne and I can walk, it's a lovely evening,” Barnabas said.

Julia and Thomas walked everyone to the door where Barnabas kissed her cheek.

“Thomas has started work on the cottage,” Julia told Barnabas and Roxanne.

“Thank you,” Barnabas said.

“What...what did Sarah say?” Julia asked softly.

“That I've changed and she's happy with that,” Barnabas said. “She won't rest, however. She said the family and I will need her and then she was gone.”

“What on earth?”

“I don't know,” Barnabas said. “Rest well, you two.”

The vampire was surprised to see Maggie standing beside her car while Joe sat inside.

“Give me a moment, darling,” Barnabas said to Roxanne and she nodded and moved to the tree line to wait for him. Barnabas started towards Maggie and she met him halfway across the parking area. “Maggie?”

“Are you all right? I mean, I get the feeling that you haven't seen Sarah very often,” Maggie asked.

Barnabas wasn't sure how to respond.

“I remember Sarah but it's very distant, like in a dream,” Maggie said. “She comforted me during nightmares. I don't remember who or what caused those nightmares and I never will.”

“Maggie...I'm beyond sorry,” Barnabas said softly. “I suppose isolation of one hundred and thirty years would drive someone insane, theoretically, I mean.”

“Josette also appeared to me during those nightmares,” Maggie said. “Thomas and Julia told us how she appeared to Julia and Willie when you were in danger. She protected you.... I mean, if she did that for someone who had once been insane, that must mean they had changed. If that's what could have happened.”

Barnabas smiled and raised her hand to his lips. “You are a remarkable woman, Mrs. Haskell.”

“Good night, Barnabas.”

The vampire walked over to Roxanne as Maggie got into the car and Joe waved as they drove off.

“Are you all right?” Roxanne asked.

“Yes, come on, I'll tell you about as we walk,” Barnabas suggested. “My sister Sarah....”

# # ##

SUNNYDALE, CALIFORNIA

Buffy felt her phone vibrating and sat up on the air mattress she had been napping on. A quick glance around told her most everyone was asleep except Tara, Angelique and Quentin. Buffy checked the text message and went up the stairs to where Quentin was keeping watch on the upper landing.

“Dawn, Cordelia and Angel are outside,” she said softly. “They didn't want to alarm everyone.”

“Good idea,” he said.

Buffy opened the inner door and crossed to the outer one and opened it cautiously and looked around.

Angel stepped out from the shadows of a tree and Buffy nodded. Cordelia and Dawn trotted over and rushed inside the tomb followed by Angel.

Buffy shut the outer door and hugged Dawn. “Hey, runt.”

“Hey, what's going on? Angel said there'd been trouble? Is it Glory?”

“No, the Initiative this time,” Buffy said. “Come on, I'll explain and we'll head over to the hospital. Thanks for bringing her over, guys.”

“No trouble,” Cordelia said.

Ten minutes later Angel and Cordelia glanced over at the cell where Giles slept with his head in Angelique's lap.

“He's not human?” Cordelia asked, her voice almost a whisper.

“Not really,” Buffy said. “We're hoping the Council will get the Initiative to back off and then we'll work on convincing them that he's not a vampire. If not... he'll have to disappear.”

“That won't help you here,” Angel said with a frown.

“Yeah, I know,” Buffy agreed. “Dawn and I should get to the hospital.”

“We'll drop you off,” Cordelia offered. “We're heading back. There's a case that might break wide open at any minute.”

“We appreciate the help, really,” Buffy said. “Tara, we're going to the hospital. Tell everyone I'll call when Mom gets out of surgery.”

“Okay, give her a hug from all of us,” Tara said.

“You got it.”

# # # #

COLLINSPORT, MAINE

“Maggie knows it was you that tormented her all those years ago,” Roxanne said thoughtfully as they lay on an air mattress.

“She does and forgives me,” Barnabas said. “That's how I read it. She knows I've changed.”

“I like the changes,” Roxanne whispered and kissed him.

# # # #

SUNNYDALE, CALIFORNIA

Buffy tried to calm her near panic as hospital staff entered her mother's room with a gurney and helped Joyce from her bed onto the gurney. Joyce reached out and squeezed Dawn's hand and then Buffy's.

“I'll be fine, girls,” Joyce said with a small smile. “I love you both.”

“We love you, Mom,” Buffy managed to say. “We'll be waiting here.”

The two girls watched their mother being wheeled to an elevator and returned her wave as the doors closed. They stood frozen for several moments.

“Come on, runt,” Buffy said softly. “Let's start waiting. We'll call everyone.”

“Will Giles get to stay?” Dawn asked as they walked to the surgical waiting room.

“He has to,” Buffy said. “There's no other option. Let's call Willow and let her know Mom's in surgery.”

“Okay.”

Buffy sighed and pulled her phone out and dialed Willow's number.

“Hello, Buffy?”

The Slayer put the call on speaker. “Hey, Will, Mom just went into surgery so now we wait.”

“Okay, we'll be sending good vibes,” Willow responded.

“How's Giles?”

“I think the last two weeks caught up with him,” Willow said softly. “He fell asleep before sunrise and he might sleep more than a couple of hours. He's... he's really stressed, Buff.”

“He held it together long enough to call the Council, thank God,” Buffy commented. “Do you have his phone?”

“Yeah, if they call I'll talk to them,” Willow promised.

“Tell them to call me,” Buffy suggested. “I'll tell them that I need him here to fight Glory.”

“Okay, let us know when she gets out of surgery,” Willow said.

“Right away,” Buffy promised and closed his phone.

“We can't lose Giles,” Dawn said softly. “Not now!”

“I know, I know.”

# # # #

COLLINSPORT, MAINE

“Is Dawn coming back?” Elizabeth asked Amy as her grandmother fixed lunch.

“I hope so,” Amy said. “Are you excited to start school again?”

“Yeah,” Elizabeth said. “And I promise I won't tell anyone about Barnabas, Julia or Roxanne.”

“Good,” Amy said. “I know it'll be tempting but people wouldn't understand and would want to hurt them.”

“Why?”

“Because people wouldn't understand or believe that they don't hurt people,” Amy said. “People would be afraid of them and when people are afraid they try and destroy what they're afraid of.”

“That's dumb.”

“It is in most cases,” Amy agreed.

“After lunch can I play outside?”

“Yes, but stay away from the old greenhouse,” Amy said. “It was dangerous when David was a boy, it has only gotten worse.”

“Okay, I went down there with Willie once, he wanted to walk around,” Elizabeth said. “It was all dirty and there was broken glass and rust and stuff. Yucky.”

Amy nodded. “Yeah, very yucky. Oh, Dawn called a little bit ago. Her mother has gone into surgery and they'll let us know how she does.”

“Okay, she's really nice,” Elizabeth said. “I'll think positive vibes and stuff.”

Amy laughed. “You've been listening to your cousin Carolyn!”

# # # #

SUNNYDALE, CALIFORNIA

“Hey, Will,” Buffy said into her phone.

“Buffy, what's up?” Willow asked anxiously.

“Mom's out of surgery and they think they got it all,” Buffy informed the witch.

“Oh thank the goddess!” Willow whispered. “How are you holding up?”

“I'm okay,” Buffy said. “Just kinda tired. Dawn got some sleep but not much. She's talking with that intern named Ben.”

“I think I remember him,” Willow said. “kinda cute and he watched you a lot.”

“Until he saw me with Quentin,” Buffy said.

“Yeah, well, Quentin would make anyone think twice!” Willow commented. “He's so damn tall and there's an air of....confidence and strength.”

“I'd agree with that,” Buffy said. “How's Giles?”

“We're about to go to the shop,” Willow said. “He wants to check on things and lend Anya a hand. She's been doing everything for awhile now. He wants her to know she's appreciated.”

“Oh cool, do you know how it went with the Council?”

“He said they weren't happy but they're going to get the Initiative to back off and call Giles later,” Willow said. “He offered to prove he's not a vampire and he said Travers seemed to calm down a little. We can only see how things go, I guess. He said he's going to stay out of sight as much as possible.”

“That's probably a good idea,” Buffy said. “I'd hate for them to pick him up and claim they didn't get the memo. Once they can prove he's not totally human the Council would probably let them keep him.”

“Yeah,” Willow agreed. “We'll come up and see your mom after the shop closes.”

“Cool,” Buffy said. “Is Quentin going to watch over our two vampires?”

“Yeah, he said I need to get out of the house,” Willow said. “We'll see you in a couple of hours.”

“Okay, call if anything comes up.”

# # # #

“I can't figure out how to fight Glory!” Willow complained. “We should get Dawn out of the state ASAP.”

Giles sighed and nodded. He walked over to the rear door. “I know it all seems bleak now, but as they say, this too...”

The Watcher flung the door open and one of Glory's demons fell into the room.

“Shall pass,” Giles finished his sentence.

In a moment he grabbed the demon by the ear and dragged him into the main part of the shop and threw the creature into a chair. Willow and Anya followed.

“Now, what do we have here?” Giles asked.

“He's one of those things that work for Glory!” Anya exclaimed.

“Yes, how helpful,” Giles commented.

“I do indeed work for the god,” the troll-like demon admitted. “Let me go if you do not wish to incur her anger.”

“Well, she's not here,” Giles pointed out. “What a marvelous opportunity for you and me to talk.”

“I will not betray Glorificus!” the demon declared. “I will never talk, no matter what heinous torture....”

“Actually, you're talking quite a lot,” Giles responded. “Just not about the right things. Tell us why you're here.”

“No words shall pass my lips that will bring peril to Glorificus!”

Without taking his eyes off the demon he pointed to behind the counter. “Girls, get that twine that's on the counter, let's tie him up.”

The Watcher quickly restrained the demon in the chair. “Girls, check and ensure there's no one else back there and that the door is locked.”

Anya and Willow went into the back room and glanced outside the back door.

“No! No! I'll tell you!” they heard the demon yell and rushed back into the main room and found Giles standing behind the demon looking very calm.

“Anything! Please, whatever you want! Just, I'll... anything!”

“What happened?” Anya asked.

“He changed his mind,” Giles answered.

“I'm supposed to watch,” the demon said. “We're watching the Slayer's people. Our glorious god thinks she knows the key.”

Willow and Anya looked stunned and Willow dashed after Giles as he ran out the front door.

Anya looked at the demon and crossed her arms.

# # # #

Buffy smiled as she approached her younger sister and Dr. Ben in the hall of the hospital. They had both visited with their mom after she had gotten out of Recovery. Joyce had drifted off to sleep within minutes and Buffy had assured her sister that was normal.

“Hey, guys,” Buffy said and moved out of the way as a gurney started past them with a man strapped down and struggling lightly.

“Look at the green! Beautiful green energy!” the man shouted.

“Excuse me, ladies,” Ben muttered.

Buffy grabbed Dawn and turned her to look at the Slayer. “Hold it together. No one else is around. We'll get you back to Maine tomorrow, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Hi, girls!”

Buffy turned and found Glory standing in the hallway and the hell-god was smiling widely.

Buffy whirled and grabbed Dawn's hand and began running with the teen. They could hear Glory laughing as they started down the stairs at a break-neck speed. Buffy let Dawn pass her as they heard the door above open.

“Keep going! Get to Barnabas and Carolyn or Angel if anything happens!”

“Don't let it happen or I'll kick your ass,” Dawn responded as they ran.

Dawn pulled the door open and dashed for the exit of the hospital with Buffy behind her.

“Keep going! Giles has your Jeep!” they heard Willow yell. Buffy glanced behind her and saw the witch waiting near the entrance.

Dawn fell to her knees as they reached the parking lot. Buffy pulled Dawn to her feet and picked Dawn up in her arms as the familiar Jeep skidded to a stop by them. She dropped Dawn into the passenger seat and she jumped into the back.

The trio looked over at the entrance and saw Willow gesture and Glory stopped, her expression reflecting irritation. She backhanded Willow into a wall and saw the Jeep.

Before Giles got five feet Glory was in front of the Jeep with a smile.

“Don't stop!” Dawn yelled.

“She'll just destroy the Jeep,” Giles said as he shifted into reverse and hesitated.

“Any last words, mini-slayer?” Glory asked as she walked around the Jeep.

“Yeah, just one,” Buffy said. “Truck.”

As Glory started to look to her right something pulled her directly into the path of the large vehicle.

Giles took off across a grassy meridian and Willow jumped into the back with Buffy.

“Go!” she yelled.

Witch, Slayer and teen looked back and saw Glory getting up from where she had landed on a car in the parking lot.

They saw her stop and her body jerked.

Giles made a turn around a building.

“No! Not now, you idiot! Let go....” Glory yelled.

“Of my body,” Ben finished. He looked down at the dress he was wearing. “Oh god.”