Buffy accepts the challenge

Buffy glanced at the stake in her hand, glanced at Vamp Buffy, and then shrugged.

Then she saw Vamp Buffy stick her tongue out at her and she charged forward.

Almost immediately, Buffy found herself flat on her naked back. Moreover, the Count Saint-Germain was now standing over her with an angry expression on his face.

"Are you mad?" he asked. "Did you honestly think I'd allow you to kill a vampire in my own residence?"

"But you saw what happened, Count," said Buffy. "She did start it."

"She taunted you," said the Count. "That does not give you the right to kill her. And yes, her behavior was deplorable but that does not mean I'll permit you to kill her for any reason short of self-defense. And seeking **** for having your feelings hurt does not constitute 'self-defense'."

The Count moved aside and let Buffy stand up.

"The stake, please," he said after she had stood up.

"What do you want with the stake?" asked Buffy.

"For you not to have it," said the Count.

Buffy considered making a second try at Vamp Buffy, then using the stake on the Count himself.

But no, her conscience would not let her stake a vamp who up to now had been nothing but kind to her and the Count's muscles and body language indicated that any attack on him would not be an easy feat anyway. As for Vamp Buffy, there undoubtedly would be other opportunities to get back at her.

As she handed the stake to the Count, the Count said, "I think, Mademoiselle Summers, that you and your friend, Mademoiselle Madison, had better leave."

"What about the Philosopher's Stone?" asked Amy.

"Your friend has hardly proved herself worthy of that, Mademoiselle Madison," said the Count. "Neither have you. Now please leave."

"That's it?" asked Buffy. "I have to leave and Vamp Buffy gets to stay?"

"Vamp Buffy -- as you call her -- does not get to stay," said the Count. "In fact, she'll be leaving this place a short while after you and Mademoiselle Madison leave. And I would not lurk outside waiting for her if I were you. You really don't want to test my patience tonight."

Then the Count turned to Drusilla. "You and your friend will be leaving soon as well. In fact, I would much prefer it if you never come back here, Drusilla. After tonight's events, you are no longer welcome here."

"But, Count..." said Drusilla.

"No 'but, Count', Drusilla," said the Count. "You do not wish to cross me either."

The count's servant Roger opened the door for Buffy and Amy and watched as they slowly made their way outside.

As Buffy and Amy walked out, Amy sighed and said, "I love you, girlfriend, but apparently I can't take you anywhere."

At this point, Drusilla laughed and said, "It's funny that your friend calls you that, Buffy. In some of the worlds I've visited, you and she literally become..."

But before Buffy could hear more, the door closed behind them and Drusilla's voice was no longer within earshot.