Once More with Attitude.

"Have you seen enough, or do we need to show you once again?" The disembodied voice echoed around the chamber.

The beautiful blond rolled her eye's in irritation. Who knew the Powers That Be could channel Giles? That just wasn't right. They could at least give her some breathing room, couldn't they? It wasn't her fault! Okay well technically it might be construed as being a little bit her fault, but it wasn't like she had killed herself.

"Look, I get that my being dead kinda screws up your all important prophecy plans, and surprise, surprise, I even understand why it all had to be done the way it was done. But I figure you wouldn't have called me here if you didn't have some sort of contingency plan. So, give me the scoop and we'll take it from there," she suggested. Sighing dramatically, she left the distinct impression that she was trying to show that they were the ones being difficult.

When they explained the options, Buffy latched onto one. One that showed promise. One that would take time and patience on her part, but if she could make it work...if she could make it work, it promised her everything.

*~*~*

"Buffy!" Xander called as he saw her stagger to her feet by the pool of stagnant water.

Angel raced to her side, seemingly frantic. He dragged her into his arms. "Oh, God! Oh, God! You're alive."

She pushed him roughly away. He was smothering her. She held up her hands to ward off the two would be saviours while she looked wildly around the cavern and took stock of her situation.

Lifting her gaze, she ground out her question. "The Master?"

"He's gone up." Angel willingly offered as he drank her in with his eyes.

Buffy moved to follow the Master's path, but Xander stalled her with a fearful cry of, "No. You're still weak."

"No, Xander, I'm pissed. That groady old parasite ruined my dress." Her smile turned feral. "It's payback time."

As she strode purposefully towards the school, Xander and Angel followed; neither sure what to say to the focused slayer. Not surprisingly, it was Xander who broke the silence. "So, how do you know where the Master's going?"

"I know." Her tone brooked no argument. As they approached the battlefield that the school had turned into, Buffy issued her orders. "You two head to the library and help the others."

"No Buffy, I should go with you to protect you." Angel attempted to take control of the battle plans. As he spoke a vampire stepped out of the shadows. The fledgling knew his mission; no one was to enter.

"Oh, look; a bad guy," Buffy quipped as she slammed him with a debilitating punch before effortlessly dusting him and continuing without a pause. "I won't tell you again, Angel. Library."

As the Master watched through the skylight, green tentacles wormed their way through the floor of the library. He languidly clapped his hands. "Yes. Come forth, my child. Come into my world."

"I don't think it's yours just yet."

His head snapped up in surprise. "You're dead!"

"I may be dead, but I'm still pretty. Which is more than I can say for you," Buffy replied smartly as she moved closer to him.

"You were destined to die! It was written!" His shock was palpable.

"What can I say? I flunked the written."

Growling, the Master reached out his arm in an attempt to re-thrall her. "Come here!"

As she reached him, her hand snapped out to grab him by the throat. Power radiated off her in waves, his thrall useless. Flipping him effortlessly over her shoulder, Buffy watched dispassionately as he tumbled through the skylight, landing on the lethal wooden point of what used to be a research table. His ancient body disintegrated on impact until only his bones remained.

With the death of the Master, the tentacles disappeared back into the floor as the Hellmouth closed and the minions scattered. Moving swiftly, Cordelia moved to clear the main library doors, opening them for Buffy as she arrived. As one, the group moved to the skeleton of the Master.

Giles was first to speak. "The vampires?"

"Gone." Cordelia stated with satisfaction.

"The Master?" Angel asked for confirmation, not willing to believe what his eyes were telling him.

"Dead. The Hellmouth is closed. Buffy... Buffy?" Giles smiled in relief. His concern for his young charge required he assure himself that she was unharmed.

"Oh, sorry. It's just been a really weird day," she answered with a smile.

"Hey! I hear there's a dance at the Bronze tonight. Could be fun." Xander grinned, happy that once again they were all safe. Plus, if they went to the dance, he might get to see the Buffster jiggle.

"Why don't you guys go ahead? I gotta get rid of Skeletor first," Buffy suggested absentmindedly, her mind already focused on the job at hand.

"I can take care of that, my dear," Giles offered tiredly.

Buffy smiled her gratitude to her watcher. "It's okay, Giles, I got it. His bones have to be ground up, then sprinkled on running water. You go home and get some rest. We can talk tomorrow."

"Why do you think his bones need to be disposed of in that fashion, Buffy?" the watcher asked, shocked at her knowledge.

"It's a slayer thing," she said, shrugging with casual indifference.

"It's okay, Giles. I'll stay and help her, then drive her to the river," Cordelia offered with uncharacteristic generosity.

"I can help," Angel offered.

"Nope. Sorry, don't need any more help. Cordy and I can handle it," Buffy quickly assured the large brunette.

Unsure how to deal with the two determined females, the group accepted their suggestions and left. Xander's voice drifted back to the two girls in the library. "So, is anyone else wigged by Cordelia's willingness to help?"

Both girls stifled a giggle.

"I came to in a pool of stagnant water...you?" Buffy grinned at the brunette cheerleader.

"Morons brought me back while I was in my car," Cordelia replied derisively. "Damn fools could have killed me...again!"

"Hey! I'm on the fourth version of 'Buffy – This Is Your Life'. At least you're only on number two," Buffy groused good-naturedly.

"I became part demon, ascended to the higher realm, got sent back, had my body kidnapped by a power hungry higher being who slept with a junior Power Ranger, then gave birth to a worm-faced cannibal with delusions of world domination, slipped into a coma, died, and temporarily got brought back as a ghost for a day, before being sent back in time to high school. Wanna swap?" Cordelia challenged.

Buffy put her hands up in mock defeat. "You win, and ewww."

Cordelia chuckled before turning back to the table and the skeleton they needed to dispose of. "Come on, lets get rid of the anorexic vampire, then we can go meet the third member of our little fix-it squad and start with the planning."

"T-third member?" Buffy stammered hopefully.

"Your mom got sent back too. She's the one with all the rest of the details." The brunette replied, unaware of the emotional rollercoaster she'd just sent the petite blond on.

Buffy didn't know how to feel. Sure, she was elated that her mother was back and completely in the know– it would makes things so much easier- but a small part of her was disappointed that it wasn't the blond vampire she loved. She was so not looking forward to facing the Spike that not only hated her, but was still sleeping with the ho.