Connor walked into the campus bookstore. He pulled his bag more securely onto his shoulder. He took a deep breath, eyes darting around nervously. The store was crowded, dozens of students going through the stacks, trying to find books. Classes were starting in only a few days.

Connor weaved through the crowd, trying to make his way to the computer science section. A throng of people blocked him. He veered to the right, trying to get around by going through the English Lit section.

He wasn't paying attention. The moment it happened, he mentally kicked himself. With all of his preternatural senses, he couldn't stop from bumping into someone. Connor dropped his bag, spilling the contents.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" The girl Connor had bumped into knelt down, helping him pick up his scattered possessions.

"It's all right," Connor insisted, trying to shoo away the girl. "I can get it." He didn't pay attention to the girl, instead focusing on fishing the cross from under the shelf.

"Whoa..." The girl held up something. "Cry havoc..."

Connor raised his head, focusing on what the girl was holding. He swallowed hard as he saw her clutching his dagger.

"I was... A boy scout," Connor said quickly, taking the knife back and slipping it into his bag.

"Oh." The girl nodded. She got to her feet. "I think you may be over-prepared."

Connor smiled shyly, looking down. His hair fell in front of his face. "I'll keep that in mind."

He finally looked up at the girl. She was very pretty, with short, blond hair. She wore a purple beret cocked stylishly on her head. She smiled at Connor.

"I haven't seen you before," Connor said suddenly, standing up. He didn't know what possessed him. For some reason, he was compelled to talk to the girl.

"Oh." She smiled broadly. "Well, this is my first year."

Connor zipped up his backpack, putting it over his shoulder once again. He held out his hand. "I'm Connor. Connor An-- Riley."

The girl's smile widened as she shook Connor's hand. "I'm Mandy Boyd. It's nice to meet you." She looked around the shelves. "Are you an English major too?"

Connor shook his head. "Naw. I'm utterly cliche. Computer science. I was just trying to get past the crowds when I ran into you."

"It is pretty crazy in here," Mandy commented with a nod. "But it's nice to finally see guys."

Connor furrowed his brow. "Huh?"

"Oh." Mandy blushed. "Yeah. It's been a while since I've been in a co-ed school."

"Oh..." Connor nodded, smiling at Mandy. "You have a great accent."

Mandy cocked her head curiously. "My what?"

"Your accent," Connor repeated. "Where are you from?"

"Toronto," Mandy laughed softly. "I don't get it. I've been told I've got an accent about a dozen times in the last week. I don't sound any different than you."

"You do," Connor said softly, looking down. "And it's nice."

"Thanks." Mandy blushed. She hugged her books to her chest. "Well... I should go. I gotta pay for my books and get back to my dorm." She moved passed Connor. She paused, before turning back. "You live in the dorms?"

Connor shook his head. "No. My friends and I have a house." He paused, looking over Mandy. "Lamia House. It used to be a sorority, but we live there now."

Mandy arched a brow. "Yeah?"

"You should come by sometime," Connor didn't know what possessed him to say it. Something compelled him to open up to Mandy. "I mean... If you're new here and you don't know anyone..."

Mandy nodded. "All right. I'll keep that in mind." She waved. "It's been very nice running into you, Connor."

Connor waved as Mandy skipped away. He smiled and turned, making his way to the computer science section. There was a strange feeling in his stomach. There was something alluring about Mandy. He just couldn't place what it was. And he was desperate to find out what it was.

****

Jamie came out of the back of the store, carrying a price gun. He looked around, frowning. "What happened to our superpower demon help?"

Andrew was laying flat on his back on the counter. He sat up, looking to his friend. "Huh? Oh..." He lay back down, head resting against cash register. "She headed home. Had to feed Jack or something." He frowned. "And I think I may have been bugging her."

Jamie put a hand to his chest, staggering backwards. "You? Bug someone? Never! "

"Jerk," Andrew muttered under his breath. He rested his hands on his chest. "I'm just worried about Connor. I'm sure there's something bothering him."

Jamie hopping up onto the counter, sitting at Andrew's feet. "Well..." Jamie looked over at Andrew, frowning. "Have you thought about asking him?"

Andrew sat up straight, looking at Jamie suspiciously. "Explain."

Jamie shook his head. He laughed softly. "I really don't know how to be any clearer, buddy. Just go up to Connor and ask him straight out what's going on."

Andrew leaned against his knees. "And you think he would tell me?"

"Honestly?" Jamie took in a deep breath, puffing out his cheeks before letting it out. "Probably not. But it's worth a shot. There's nothing much else we can do."

"Maybe you should play hockey with him," Andrew suggested. "That always puts Connor in a good mood."

Jamie just looked at Andrew. "If it was just a matter of getting Connor in a good mood, you'd be better off talking to little Miss Demon."

"She already tried that," Andrew snapped back, the aggravation in his voice palpable. "And she must not be as good as she thinks, because he's still in a mood." He jumped off the counter. "Whatever's wrong with Connor isn't going to be solved with a quick roll in the hay."

Jamie sighed, watching Andrew walk towards the back, absently spinning the manga rack as he went. He rolled his eyes. "Do you want me to try talking to him?"

Andrew turned back, shifting uncomfortably. "Would you?"

"You're supposed to be his Watcher." Jamie hopped off the counter and bounded over to Andrew. He clapped him on the shoulder. "Maybe Connor's not the only one who has to get back into the swing of things."

Andrew scoffed, pushing Jamie's hand away and turning his back to him. "I dealt with Slayers all summer."

"No..." Jamie shook his head. "You dealt with Faith and Vi. That's the not the same thing and you know it. Connor isn't a Slayer. His problems aren't because he's a Slayer... They're because he's Connor ." Jamie shrugged. "Maybe it's just me, but even with Connor acting weird... I'm glad things are getting back to normal. Or as close to normal as we ever get."

Andrew laughed, nudging Jamie. "You're just saying that because Vi wouldn't go out with you again."

"Eh." Jamie shrugged. "She was all right, but I'm not heartbroken over the rejection. Sure I like the Slayer kind... But I'd much rather have our Destroyer back."

Andrew frowned deeply. "I just wish I was sure we did."

****

Shuffling through the kitchen, Connor ruffled his hair absent-mindedly. He picked up the phone, staring at the buttons. He closed his eye, taking a deep breath. He opened his eyes and began to dial. He put the phone to his ear, feeling the tension in his body mounting as the phone rang. He walked into the living room; clutching the phone so tightly he thought it might break.

Unbidden, he smiled when he heard the gentle, "Hello?"

"Hey." He hesitated, taking another deep breath. "Mom. It's Connor."

"Connor!" Colleen's voice brightened considerably. "Hi sweetheart! I'm so glad you called."

Connor paced the floor, his eyes shut tightly. He considered what to say for a moment before managing out. "I just wanted to tell you I'm back at school. I thought I should take a couple of days getting used to the place again... You know, before classes start up."

"Oh." Colleen's happy tone quickly faded to disappointment. "I was hoping you were going to come home before school started."

Connor looked to the couch, frowning. Salome was curled up, asleep, a book on her chest. "I missed Salome... My friends... I didn't think you would..."

"You didn't think we would miss you?" Colleen laughed hollowly. "Connor, you only spent two days here before you went off to Los Angeles! Of course we miss you!"

Connor looked down. "Mr. Nabbit needed me to get to work, you know. The job was really good and I didn't want to give it up."

"Do you think you'll be able to come home soon?" Colleen asked quietly. "For a weekend, at least?"

Connor knelt down beside Salome, pulling the book off her chest and smoothing down her hair lovingly. "I'll think about it, Mom. I don't know what things are going to be like here."

"We really miss you, Connor."

Connor swallowed hard. "Why?"

"What do you mean 'why'?" Colleen sounded horrified. "You're my son, Connor! Why wouldn't I miss you?"

Connor sighed deeply, hanging his head. "You and I both know that's not true. You don't need to pretend."

There was a long, uncomfortable pause. For a moment, Connor considered just hanging up the phone.

"You feel like mine," Colleen finally answered.

Connor squeezed his eyes shut tightly, the tears stinging his eyes. He gripped the phone even tighter.

"Things are getting... Cloudy." Colleen continued. "I can't remember holding you as a baby." She sounded pained. "But that's doesn't change..."

Connor tried to swallow the lump in his throat. "Doesn't change what?"

"I don't understand magic... Or the world you live in... That spell made me remember things that never happened." She paused, letting out a soft sigh. "But it didn't make me love you, Connor. There's nothing in the world that can do that."

"I don't..." Connor stood up, striding out of the room, leaving Salome. "I don't deserve love."

"How can you say that?" Colleen asked. "You deserve everything, Sweetheart."

"You don't know what I deserve," Connor whispered, his voice rough.

"Don't do this," Colleen's voice shook. "Connor, please don't do this."

"I've gotta go," Connor said quickly. "I'll call you later. Give my best to Dad and Gillian."

"Connor, wait!" Colleen pleaded. "Don't."

Connor put the phone back into the cradle, leaning heavily against the wall.

"What was that all about?"

Connor's eyes snapped open and he turned his attention to Jamie, his fists balled. "What?" He relaxed slightly, slumping his shoulders. "I thought you were down at the store."

"Yeah... Because that's the big issue right now... Why I'm not down at the store." Jamie furrowed his brow. "Were you just fighting with your mom?"

"She's not my mom," Connor replied gruffly, turning away.

"Then why were you calling her Mom?" Jamie asked. "She was your mom for two whole years, Riley..."

"My name isn't Riley!" Connor snapped.

Jamie took a step back. "Okay... Sorry. I'm not going to call you Angel."

"Call me Connor." Connor looked down, shaking his head. "That's the one name I am sure of..." He frowned. "At least most of the time."

"Fine. Connor. What the hell is going on?" Jamie asked. "You're not acting like yourself..."

"How do you know?" Connor asked, his voice desperate. "You haven't been around me since the memory spell ended."

Jamie blinked in shock. "What are you trying to say, Connor?"

"I'm trying to say... How do you know this isn't what I'm really like? That I'm not some horrible person you're all going to hate being around?"

Jamie laughed hollowly. "Because I've known you for two years!"

Connor shook his head savagely. "You all expect me to be the exact same person I was before? Things change. I've changed. Maybe I don't feel the same way I did before."

He went very quiet, turning to the door. Salome was up, pulling on her jacket and trying to smooth her rumpled hair. "I just thought I'd tell you I was heading to work." She and Connor shared an uncomfortable look before they both looked down. "Don't wait up."

Connor averted his gaze, nodding. He swallowed hard. "Later."

Salome turned, leaving without another word.

Jamie frowned at Connor. "So has that changed too?"

****

Oni walked down the street alongside Clem, who had his flabby arm around Sophie. Both the demon and his girlfriend were beaming.

"This is a very exciting endeavour," Oni chirped as she walked along. "I asked Connor several months ago if he and Salome were planning to breed and he became very quiet. And your species has never bred with a human before..."

Clem nodded. "Mostly, my species just eats them."

Sophie looked up at Clem incredulously.

"What?" Clem asked. " I've never done it. But it did happen..." He squeezed Sophie's shoulders. "Have I mentioned that I love you?"

Sophie patted Clem's chest lightly. "It's all right, Clem. I know."

Oni pulled her notebook out of her bag, turning the page. "I have spoken extensively to my colleague, Not-Doctor Stewart. She has some very interesting ideas to aid in the co-mingling of your genetic makeup."

"Have you asked Wesley?" Clem asked.

Oni looked down, brushing a lock of hair over her ear. She toed the ground. "I... I don't think Wesley is available. I believe I will be able to do adequate work on my own." She swallowed hard.

"Is there anything we can do while you're researching?" Sophie asked.

Oni thought about it. "I am told ingesting large quantities of alcohol can often result in pregnancy."

Clem frowned slightly. "I dunno if that will work. But thanks for the suggestion!"

Oni closed her notebook, tucking it back into her bag. "I would like to do some further research before I suggest any changes in your copulation techniques."

Sophie smiled at Oni gratefully. "I'm just glad you were willing to help. We tried talking to my doctor, but... Well..." She looked unhappy. "He got a little sick at the idea of us together."

"I dunno why." Clem shook his head, skin flapping. "I think you're really cute, Soph."

Oni shrugged. "Many humans physicians are uncomfortable with the ideas of hybrid pregnancies. Or just uncomfortable with demons. I will do what I can to research. I will give you everything I have found tomorrow at poker."

"You're a doll!" Clem let go of Sophie and gave Oni and hug. "So you're going to be at the game tomorrow?"

Oni nodded. "Most definitely. I have been studying a new technique for card mixing I think you will find most entertaining."

Clem ruffled Oni's hair. "Well, I'll see you then. Tell Connor welcome back, I heard he was back in town."

"I will be sure to do that." Oni waved as Clem put his arm around Sophie and the couple went off down the street.

After a moment, Oni turned away and started down the street. She hummed a random tune, before adding words in a demonic tongue, which consisted of a lot of clicks and chirps.

As she went down the street, she heard a noise. She stopped, frowning and looking around. "Hello?"

"I assure you, I am friendly... Even if you have scales." She pursed her lips and reached into her bag, drawing out a stake. "Unless you are hostile towards me, in which case..."

The figure rounded the corner before Oni had time to react. The hit across her jaw sent her flying back. She hit the ground just as the figure stepped into the streetlight. Her eyes widened as she set eyes onto Clarice.

"You..." Oni scrambled across the pavement. "You are the vampire Vampire Slayer."

Clarice sauntered to the fallen girl. She smiled sweetly. "You sound surprised."

Oni shook as she got back to her feet. "Vampires do not come back once they have combusted." She paused. "Except for those two times..."

"I am the Chosen One," Clarice hissed, morphing into her demonic face. She flashed her fangs. "You think I didn't have a trick up my sleeve?"

Oni broke into a run, racing off in the opposite direction. She panted for breath, pushing herself harder as she fled.

She skidded to a halt when the vampire appeared in front of her. Clarice arched a bumpy brow. "You thought you could outrun me?"

"It was worth a blast." Oni swung her bag, aiming for Clarice's head.

Clarice brought her hand up, easily knocking the bag away. "That wasn't very nice." Clarice punched Oni in the nose, causing it to bleed. "Not very becoming of a demon activist."

Clarice kicked at Oni, but the young Watcher ducked out of the way. She grabbed onto Clarice's legs, knocking her over. Once Clarice was on the ground, Oni tried to scramble away.

Clarice grabbed onto Oni's shoulder. "Hold on there, little girl."

Oni whirled around, balling her fist and swinging at Clarice. The redheaded vampire grabbed Oni's fist, crushing it in her hand. "Did you really think that would work?"

Oni cried out in pain as Clarice wrenched Oni's arm behind her back, tugging it painfully out of position.

"I want to see the Destroyer," Clarice hissed.

Oni struggled to get away. "While killing me would indeed evoke a response from him, I will be more useful in conveying the message if I am not deceased."

She winced as Clarice tugged her arm back harder. "Finding the bodies of your friends is very motivating, hasn't anyone ever told you that?" Clarice leaned in, baring her fangs.

Suddenly, Clarice's yellow eyes went white and her teeth receded. Her hold on Oni waned.

In Clarice's momentary lull, Oni stomped down hard on her foot. Clarice yowled out, releasing Oni. Free of the vampire, Oni took off in a run. Growling, Clarice went chasing after her.

Oni didn't dare look back as she turned down an alley.

Clarice followed her down the alley. She looked around for the girl. It was a dead end. She frowned when she saw no possible escape route, but no sign of her prey. "Here, little girl..." Clarice purred. "I promise it'll only hurt for a moment. You'll come back right away."

When she found no sign of the girl, Clarice rolled her eyes, morphing back into her human face. "I guess I'll have to give him my message another way. Dammit. And I was hungry too."

She stalked off, abandoning the search.

The side entrance of the building opened and a busboy came out, carrying a large trashcan. He opened the dumpster, tipping the garbage can and emptying the contents.

He gave a surprised cry as Oni poked her head up, noodles hanging from her dark hair. She smiled shakily at the shocked young man as she grabbed the side of the dumpster and pulled herself out.

Oni landed on the ground next to the busboy, picking some of the noodles out of her hair. "I thank you for the use of your garbage receptacle." She sighed, shaking her head. "Something tells me Connor is not going to like this."

ACT THREE