#Next chapter 2012 Buffy/Joan swaps with 2000 Buffy instead of Faith

[hiddenbysuccubi]

2012 Althenea had just finished reapplying the ward on their ramshackle hideaway when the chosen one of their little renegade group popped back into time. She was startled just enough for her eyes to widen at the brunette's sudden appearance, but didn't otherwise let the surprise show or her magic waver. Vi was down for the count on a twin bed upstairs, having trained hard at both martial arts, duel-wielding, and defensive spell casting that day. It was evening - colder than any October this part of Cali had ever seen. Althenea was pleasantly bundled up but shrugged off her insulated snow poncho without reservation in order to cover Buffy's shivering form. Joan felt the electricity in her teeth before the pop of sparks from her time-watch burned her and she hastily scratched and scrambled to get it off, then clutching the poncho tightly around her thin shoulders.

"Damn technobauble!" Joan admonished the watch, before catching Althenea's baleful eye and carefully scooping the thing back up before standing. She blinked. "Um, can't jump for- for a bit." she said apologetically, not expecting an answer from the ex-coven witch.

Althenea wasn't made of steel, though she was indeed known to lack emotion. "It'll do you good to rest before another jump anyway, Buffy." She offered in an altogether flat tone. Still, she put a reassuring hand on Buffy's shoulder and guided her inside. Buffy-Joan-Joan-Buffy. Joan knew her friends here knew her despite the darkened hair and disguise. They wanted Buffy. Joan didn't know how much Buffy still remained in her. So she just nodded at the name and let the older woman lead her. Low, keep your head, keep your head low Oh, you gotta keep your head low Inside, it was clear they'd neglected cleaning cobwebs for training and planning. It was just as well - none of them expected to exist after succeeding. The cobwebs and spiders could take this timeline. As Joan sat on a well-worn recliner that reminded her of a certain someone, she felt the time sickness inside her settle and let her mind rest as Althenea carefully detoxed her from the alcohol with a healing aura. If you wanna keep your head ----- Later on, Joan held her palms to her eyes, and asked about Vi.

"Violet's shown marked increase in ability." Althenea remarked, fixing them some tea. It's what made her more Giles than Dark Willow - despite the depth and breadth of her magical ability. "She's not as strong a slayer as you, not as strong a witch as me. But she's got promise. And with her powers together I'm sure she's capable of anything." She paused to pour the tea. "If it comes to it." Joan raised her head slowly, eyes adjusting to the dim lighting and skin adjusting to the cold. It was colder than the last time she'd left. Sunnydale of the past had been much warmer. In the coldest time of year, why is it so hot down here? "Will it...?" Joan asked meekly as Althenea appraised her, then set a cup in her hands and sat on the recliner's arm rest.

Althenea drank from her own cup, looking far off. "Spike's here, but you stayed dead after the portal. No chip, and he didn't pass on the scythe - he's leading the army in the northeast."

Joan almost dropped her cup to the floor. "So I-"

Althenea reached out to steady the slayer's hold on her tea. "Don't have long until you fade away. We'll fix the watch and send you back again before that."

"Mm." Joan hummed in annoyance. She'd changed enough to change the future this time, but for the worse.

Lover, you were gone so long. Lover, I was lonesome. So I laid a power grid. Think of it as my despair for you! ----- Later still, Joan crept into the bedroom and looked at the younger slayer sound asleep. Vi was nothing like Dawn, but that didn't make the Buffy in her see her as anything less precious to protect. As Joan collapsed onto the other twin bed, she thought of what to do to make this all finally right. And that is the reason we're on this road