Playtime
by Captain Average

They had encountered the nest of vamps unexpectedly. There were twelve of them, all larger than usual (like someone had turned an NFL team, or something).

Buffy had plunged into the fray, leaving the others to watch her back (and theirs).

Even though greatly outnumbered, Buffy's smile suggested that this was a minor skirmish. The rapidly accumulating piles of dust attested to the aphorism that "size isn't everything."

Behind her, Willow and Tara wove a small hex that caused three of the remaining vamps to move as though wading in jello. Xander, without really looking like he was exerting himself, staked a couple more (Anya was right behind Xander - where she felt safest). He'd gotten to be very efficient with a stake (he'd been working out with Buffy and Giles).

Unfortunately, when the jello spell faded, Willow and Tara had only dusted two of their targets. The third knocked Tara aside with a casual sweep of one hand and reached for Willow.

"Sorry, big guy, no vamp touches my Willow," said Xander as he leaped between them and right into the big guy's fist. He went down like he'd been hit with Olaf's Hammer.

"Buffy!" yelled Willow, as she darted away from the big guy. "Tara's down and Xander's hurt!"

Buffy's smile vanished.

"Playtime's over, boys," she growled. Her stake flashed like wooden lightning. Five seconds later, it was all over.

Buffy tossed her fallen friends over her shoulders and sprinted for the hospital. "Get Giles and meet us at the hospital," she called to Willow and Anya, as she sped off.

Willow and Anya turned and ran towards Giles' house - their tears only now beginning to flow...

~Fin~

Disclaimer: All Buffy and Angel characters belong to Joss Whedon, David Greenwalt, Mutant Enemy, Sand Dollar, Greenwolf Productions, and the Kuzuis; this piece of fan-written fiction intends no infringement on any copyrights.