Life Goes On
"Angie," Thomas knocked on the door. "Meg is here to see you."
"Okay." Angie got off the bed and unlocked the door, letting her friend in, but not acknowledging her new Watcher.
"You've got to come out of this room sooner or later you know," Meg said.
"Who says?" Angie asked locking the door again.
"Every one does. Even my grandma said that you've got no reason to pout. She had to kill her first love," Meg said.
"Who, Angel?" Angie asked.
"How'd you know that?" Meg asked walking over to the bed and sitting down.
Angie walked over to her desk and held up a book. "Giles' Watcher journal; I've not just been moping around you know. I've been reading about the other Slayers and their opponents." She sat down in her desk chair.
"I brought your homework," Meg said placing some papers on the bed.
"Thanks."
"Your teachers are starting to suspect something; you have been in here for a week. And if you don't start acting normal and come to school again, they're going to start asking questions."
"I know, I'm planning on coming back tomorrow. Even Spike is starting to complain about my no patrol state."
"He's doing your job; he has a right to complain."
"If I complain I'm told to shut up."
"Well, it's not Spike's job to kill the vamps around here, it's yours."
"I never asked him to do it."
"Yes, but he's also saved a couple lives, and you a couple more Slayings."
"I know that. And I thanked him already. I guess I'll have to repay him somehow." She looked at the clock. "It's 4:30 so the sun should be going down soon. I'll go over to his crypt and see what I can do to repay him."
"That would be good. Now what about Thomas?" Meg asked.
"What about him?" Angie asked angrily.
"You've got to get used to him. It's not his fault that Zacharius had to leave. And he's really a nice guy. You should lighten up on him."
"I know it's not his fault. I just don't want to have to get used to him. I want Zacharius to come back." Angie looked down at her hands, a saddened look on her face.
"I know that. But you can have a good friendly relationship with Thomas too. Just give him a chance, that's all I'm asking."
"Fine."
"Great. Well I've got to go. Come get me before you go on patrol okay."
"Actually, I'd like to do patrol alone tonight."
"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow at school."
"All right, see you then." The two girls got up and both exited the room. "I'll call you later tonight after I talk to Spike okay."
"Okay, I'll see you later Angie," Meg said walking out of the house.
"Thomas," Angie called.
"Yes?" Thomas answered from the kitchen. Thomas was an average height man, kind of scrawny for a Watcher, Angie thought, and he had brown eyes and hair. He too had an English accent, but it was much lighter than Zacharius' had ever been.
"I'm going out to see Spike, I'll be back in a little while," Angie told the man.
"Won't he be asleep?" Thomas asked.
"Probably not, he doesn't sleep too much." She walked to the front door. "I'll be back in an hour or so."
"Don't be late for dinner okay," Thomas called.
"I won't don't worry," Angie said walking out the door.
Once at Spikes crypt she knocked on the door, but not hearing anything she walked in. "Spike?" She called.
"In here love," Spike's voice answered.
Angie followed his voice, and saw that he was still in bed. "Did I wake you up?"
"Yeah, but its okay," Spike said sitting up.
"I can go and come back later if you want me to," Angie said.
"No it's alright, come on in," Spike answered. "So what can I do for you?"
"Well nothing, actually, I was wondering what I could do for you," Angie said. "I wanted to thank you for taking over for me, even though I didn't ask you to. And I didn't just want to say it; I wanted to do something for you."
"Well you can start by handing me my pants." He pointed to the pants that hung on the back of the couch.
Angie picked up the pants and walked over to Spike. "Here."
"Thanks love," Spike said.
"No prob." She turned around and walked over to the couch, while Spike put his pants on.
"So you want to do something for me eh?" Spike said standing up and walking over to her.
"Yeah, I just thought that I should repay you somehow."
"And what are you willing to do for me?"
"Pretty much anything I guess."
Spike looked at her for a minute then said. "I'll get back to you on that okay love. Till then you owe me."
"Right." She walked up to him and kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks again Spike."
"No prob," he said.
"Well, I guess I'll get going. I'm sorry to have woken you," she said with a smile and she started walking off, but then she stopped and she began to shake. Realizing that her love had said that to her once.
"Are you okay?" Spike asked.
Angie swallowed the lump in her throat. "Uh, yeah, sure, I'm fine."
Spike heard the quiver in her voice. "Are you sure you're okay?"
Angie turned around and looked at him with tear filled eyes. "No," she said quietly.
"Now love, what's wrong?" Spike asked.
"Oh Spike," Angie sobbed throwing herself into the arms of the vampire in front of her. "It hurts, it hurts so much."
"I know it does," he said moving over to the couch and sitting down on it, Angie still in his arms.
Angie sobbed in his arms. "I just don't understand."
"No one does love, that's just the way it goes."
"But, Spike, why does it have to be like this?"
"I don't know," he answered honestly. The girl continued to cry. "Now look love, do me that favor and stop cryin'."
Angie pulled away from Spikes cold body. "No, I'll do it for free, I still owe you." She wiped her eyes. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be." Spike stood up. "You going on patrol by yourself tonight?"
"Yeah."
"I'll come with you. Someone as unstable as you shouldn't be out on her own."
"Thanks." Angie stood. "I'll come get you before I go okay?"
"Right."
"See you later Spike."
"Later."
Angie smiled and walked out of his crypt. "Now I know why Buffy liked him so much."
When she got home Thomas already had dinner on the table.
"I'm back," she said.
"Just in time," Thomas answered. "I was about to eat without you."
"Well, I'm glad you waited," the Slayer answered. "Smells good."
"Thanks," Thomas said sitting down.
Angie sat down as well. "Thomas?"
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry for the way I've been treating you. I know it's not your fault."
"Don't worry about it. I know that it's been hard for you. Just eat, then go on patrol. And with your permission I'd like to start some training tomorrow."
Angie smiled. "That would be great."
After Angie finished her dinner she washed up and headed out for patrol. But not before getting Spike like she promised she would. But while on patrol, Angie and Spike found that there was a new vampire boss in town. Only this time it appeared to be a little child that ran the business.
Angie looked at the child amused as he ordered a much older looking one to attack her. Angie dodged his attack and fought this vampire, but she dusted him quickly.
"You're quite good," the vampire child said. "But you'll not defeat me, I'm much more difficult that you would ever expect."
"Who are you?" Spike inquired, also amused that this little blonde haired, blue eyed boy was ordering others around.
"I'll tell you, but only so you know who will kill you. The name's Maxamillion," the boy said proudly. "Max for short."
"You?" Spike questioned. "You're Max the murderer?" Spike snickered.
"You know who he is Spike?" The Slayer asked.
"Yeah, he's supposedly really strong and has killed a million people or more, but there's no way it's this little punk," Spike explained, trying not to laugh.
"I am who I say I am," Max yelled in rage. "You'll see Spike; you'll regret ever saying that."
"We'll see who regrets it," Angie jumped in. "Now come on, and show me just how strong you really are."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. You really should speak nicer to your elders," Max said letting his true form emerge. "I've never tasted the blood of a Slayer before. But I've heard it's the most delectable blood on the face of the planet."
"Well it's too bad that you'll never find out huh?" Angie said as she lunged toward Max.
"That's what you think," Max said as he counter attacked the Slayer.
Angie round housed the boy, but he ducked and missed it by far, then he grabbed her leg and tripped her to the ground. And as she lay there Max began laughing.
"Looks like you loose this round Slayer." Then he turned around and walked away, "Till next time."
"This isn't over, you only won because you're short," Angie yelled. She got to her feet and dusted off. "How humiliating."
"Don't worry, love," Spike said. "He's just lucky he's that short."
"How old is that boy?" Angie asked.
"I've heard that he's 800, and I've also heard that he's 100, so I don't know."
"He's only 100 years old?" Angie looked at Spike, who nodded, "Then why is he so strong? Jarred was older than him, and he's wasn't nearly that strong."
"You only think that because you found his weakness and were able to kill him. All you've got to do with this guy is find his weakness, and do the same."
"Yeah I guess you're right." She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Well, let's keep going. The night is still young and there are plenty more vamps to dust."
Spike smiled at her. "Lead the way Slayer."
Angie began walking then she stopped and looked at the vampire beside her. "Spike, do you ever think that I can get over Zacharius?"
"You'll never fully forget the way you feel about him. But over time you'll be able to go on with your life," Spike assured her.
"I hope you're right," Angie said as she began walking once again.
"I am," Spike said following the girl.
The rest of the night was a generally quiet one. They dusted a gang of ten vampires, who put up little fight, but other than that, it was quiet. Angie and Spike spoke as they walked, about Buffy, and Zacharius, and other things. Spike's past life, and what he'd wanted to do and things like that.
"So what are your plans for the future?" Spike asked Angie.
"Well, I had hoped to marry Zacharius, and raise kids with him." She sighed. "But now that that's been shattered, I don't have a plan. Being a Slayer, there's not much use in planning ahead. Every time I go out on patrol I think, 'hey, tonight could be my last night in this life.' You know, 'what if I meet someone that I can't defeat, what if I get distracted, or one of my close friends get killed?' I wonder about these things every night.
"Zacharius used to tell me that I needed to make more friends. But I was always so afraid that if I got one, something terrible would happen to them, and just because I was the Slayer. I didn't want them to get hurt, and I didn't want my heart to be torn out. But I guess both of those failed. My one true friend was taken away from me, thus causing anguish to both of our lives. I don't want that to happen again."
Spike placed a hand on her shoulder and she stopped. "Friends are the one thing that you can't do without. Besides, you've got that Meg chick." He turned her around. "And you've got me too."
Angie smiled at the bleach blonde. "Thanks Spike, that means a lot to me."
"Yeah well, don't count on me too much," he said. "What do you say we go to the Bronze and get a soda or something?"
"Sounds great," Angie agreed.
Once at the Bronze the two got a soda and sat down at one of the small tables.
"I don't know how you do it Spike," Angie finally said.
"What?" He asked sipping at his soda.
"Go through life without ever wanting to give up and quit." She shook her head. "You've lived, what? Three lifetimes or more, and yet you're still here, standing strong, and you never want to give up. I just don't know how you can stay that strong. I've only lived eighteen years, and I feel like giving up."
"You get used to it love. And believe me, I've wanted to give up at times," Spike confided.
"And yet you're still here."
"And so are you."
At this remark Angie looked into the eyes of the vampire in front of her. "You're eyes are so beautiful," she pointed out. Then she stood up and took the man's hand, "Come dance with me, Spike."
"I don't dance." Spike protested.
"Then you'll learn." The two walked out to the dance floor, but as they got there, a slow song began to play. "Don't tell me you don't know how to dance to this."
"This is something I can do." Spike took her left hand into his right, and put his other hand on her hip. "I was raised by a good mother, despite the monster I've become."
"You're not a monster," Angie whispered as she moved in closer and leaned her head on his chest. "In fact, you're one of the kindest people I've ever met."
Spike didn't say anything; he just continued to dance with the Slayer. And as he did, he remembered good times he'd had with Buffy. A smile slowly crossed his lips, and he leaned his head down on the top of Angie's.
When the song ended, the two went back to their table and finished their drinks.
The next day, Angie told Meg all about what had happened the night before.
"I just hope that Max doesn't do something during graduation," Meg said.
Angie looked at her friend with wide, fearful eyes. "I hadn't even thought about that."
"Unless you kill him in less than a month, you know you're gonna have to be prepared for the worst at graduation," Meg pointed out.
"Crap, there's enough going on as it is," Angie complained. "I know Max is going to plan something. I just have to figure out what it is before he does it."
"That's not that easy though," Meg reminded her friend. "I'll help you as much as I can. But Thomas and Spike are going to know more about this guy that I do."
"Spike has already told me everything he knows about the kid. But that's not much help. If I can just find out where he's staying."
"That's easier said than done."
"Tell me about it," she sighed. "I guess I'm gonna have to visit some friends tonight."
Meg snickered, she knew exactly what her friend meant by that. And she had to admit that, even though it was scary at times, when Angie went to get information from other vampires and demons it was really funny. You definitely see the lighter side of them.
"I'll take you on patrol with me tonight if you want to come. You can help me rustle up some demon for info."
"Yay." Meg smiled, and Angie laughed. "What? It makes me fear them less when they cower before you."
"I know, it is kind of funny huh?"
"Kind of? That's an understatement."
"Very true," Angie said as the bell for last period rang. "I'll come get you before I go okay?"
"Alright, see you later."
Later that night as Meg and Angie walked into Jays Getaway, the latest demon bar, they noticed that it was a little more full tonight than it usually was; something better and worse for Angie. But she looked around and found a familiar face. Walking up to the bar the two girls sat down.
"Good afternoon Angie, what can I do for you?" The red headed bartender asked.
"I need some information," Angie answered, looking around her.
"About what?" Jay asked.
"There's a new vamp boss in town by the name of Max. Do you know anything about him?"
"Sorry, but I can't help you this time girlie," Jay said moving down the bar, and soon helping another customer.
Angie looked around, usually if someone in here knew something, she could tell by looking at their faces. And sure enough she spotted someone. She walked over to the table the demon was at and sat down.
"Hey babe, what's up?" The demon asked, eyeing her.
"I'm not you're babe," Angie stated. "I need some information, and you're gonna give it to me."
"Really," the demon laughed. "A scrawny little punk like you, huh?"
"You're new here aren't you?" Angie assumed.
"Yep, just got here yesterday."
"Well I'm going to let you in on a little secret." She leaned across the table, and the demon moved closer to her. "I'm the Slayer, so you'd better do what I say."
At this the demon laughed harder. "You're nothing but a little girl who wants to be the Slayer."
"You asked for it." Angie got up slowly, and walked over to the demon, grasping his neck she picked him up and threw him against the nearest wall, and pinned him there. "Now, are you going to give me what I want, or not?"
The demon shook. "Yeah sure, what do you want to know?"
"There's a new vampire boss in town by the name of Max, what do you know about him?"
"He's 120 years old, and has got a gang the size of this whole town."
"What is he doing here? What does he want?"
"I don't know."
"Don't lie to me." Angie backhanded the demon.
"Look, I'm not lying; I'm not here to cause any trouble. I only know that stuff because he's been around for a while and is a legend among vampires."
"He's here to get his revenge," someone said from behind her.
Angie let the demon go and turned around to face a tall blonde vampire. "For what?"
"The death of his vampire parents," the vampire informed the Slayer.
"What?" Angie asked.
"Max was only six when he was sired by a couple who wanted to have a child," the vampire explained. "They taught the boy everything he knows. But when he was 16 his parents got into a confrontation with the Slayer, and they died protecting the boy. Ever since then he has trained, and sought to take away the life of a Slayer."
"So this boy has sought revenge for 104 years?" Angie asked.
"And each of those years he has grown stronger, building his army, preparing for a time that he could kill the Slayer, and avenge his parents' death." The vampire walked closer to the Slayer. "Now is that time, he is here with all of his army, ready to kill."
"The one that is going to kill is me." Angie looked at the vampire that still walked closer to her, and reaching into her pocket she placed her hand around a stake. "Tell me vamp. What's your name?"
"Derrick," he answered. He stopped right in front of the Slayer. "Now what's my reward for giving you that information?"
"A nice peaceful sleep," she said thrusting the stake into his heart.
"You Bi..," he started but soon exploded into dust.
"I know a follower of Max when I see one," she said to the pile of dust as she brushed some off her clothes. "C'mon Meg, I've got what I wanted."
"Okay." Meg hopped off the chair and headed toward the Slayer just as a group of vampires stood up and walked over to her.
"You just killed our buddy," one vampire said.
"Oh, so you're followers of Max too aren't you?" Angie asked getting into a fighting stance.
"Yeah, what's it to ya?" Another vampire asked.
"Nothing' really, just that I'm going to have to kill you now," Angie said.
"Bring it on Slayer," the first vampire said.
"With pleasure," Angie said round-housing the first vampire, and punching another.
The first vampire flew across the room when he was hit but soon he came back and punched at the girl, who dodged it and embedded her stake into his heart. And as he exploded Angie kicked two more vampires and staked another.
Soon, all the vamps were dusted, and there were tables knocked over.
"Sorry for the mess Jay," Angie said picking up one of the tables and its chairs. "C'mon Meg, let's get out of here."
"Um, Angie, I can't," Meg answered.
Angie was exasperated. "Well why not?" She asked agitated as she turned around. And there she saw her friend surrounded by another gang of vampires. "Where did you come from?"
"You've really asked for it now Slayer," a short red headed vampire said.
"Let me guess, you're more followers of Max," Angie said even more agitated than before.
"Ding, ding, ding," the vampire said. "You're correct. Tell her what her prize is Chuck."
"A one way ticket to hell," Chuck, the tallest and buffest of the vampires said.
"Well, I don't think I want that prize; you can have it," Angie said kicking the vampire who had started advancing on her.
The vampire only stumbled a little and soon came on her full force. Seeing that he wasn't going to fall easy, Angie ran out of the building into the night, where she could have more space to fight. And, as she expected, the whole gang of vamps followed her, Meg still in between them. And at once Chuck attacked her and the two fought.
Max sat in his throne thinking. "This Slayer is unlike any other I've seen before."
"What do you mean, Max?" A woman vampire with long wavy blond hair asked.
"All the other Slayers had passion for what they were doing. But this one, she seems empty, like she doesn't really care," Max answered.
"She's empty inside?" The girl asked.
"Yes, that's what it seems." Max thought for another moment. "If we could find what has made her so bitter and empty inside then we can find her weakness."
"That's brilliant. But how do you plan to do it?"
"I don't plan to do it at all Charlotte; I'll have someone else do it for me."
"But who?"
"Someone who is good at acting."
Angie dusted her hands off and took a deep breath. "Okay, now let's go."
Meg nodded and ran to the side of her friend. "Thank you."
"That's my job," Angie said casually as she started walking off.
"You really do hate this job don't you?" Meg asked walking beside her friend.
"I used to not mind it. But yes, I hate it now," Angie answered. "But don't all Slayers hate their jobs?"
"Not really." Meg stopped her friend and faced her. "My grandma only disliked it sometimes. She never hated it; even after she died and came back she never hated what she did."
"Well, I don't know how she did it," Angie said.
"Why do you hate this so much?"
"Because I have nothing to fight for."
"What about me?"
"I'll fight for you, but that isn't enough. I don't have what it takes."
"That's not true." Meg looked into Angie's eyes. "You hate this job so much because it's the thing that took Zacharius away from you."
Angie looked away from the girl in front of her. "It doesn't matter anymore."
"Yes it does, Zacharius wouldn't want you to be this way. This job is what got you two together in the first place."
"I would've rather never met him, then to have fallen in love with him and then lost him."
"Do you really believe that? If he hadn't come into your life you would've been in that orphanage for five more years."
Angie began walking but then stopped. "That place was my home."
"So what, just because Zacharius isn't here anymore, you're just going to give up? He changed your whole life."
"I wish he hadn't."
"You can't mean that."
"Look, I do my job, but that doesn't mean I have to like it."
"You need to get over it."
"No, I don't."
"Angie, if you keep going on like this everything is going to turn out worse than they already are."
"Things are as bad as they can get."
"That's not true. If Max finds out that Zacharius is your weakness you can be assured that he's going to use it against you."
"I'm going to fight, and over time, just as long as he stays away, I'll get over him. But now I just have to go on fighting, regardless of whether I want to or not."
"You need to get more friends, then you'll have a reason to fight. You need to get a gang like my grandmother had."
"Buffy was lucky. She didn't fall in love with her Watcher, and she had a loving family that consisted of more that just a Watcher. She had support all her life. I didn't. I don't need that kind of support. I support others, they don't support me."
"You need support as much as anyone else in the world."
"No I don't. What I need is to slay demons and make sure the world survives."
"Fine, think whatever you want. Just always know that I'm here for you; your own little sidekick."
Angie laughed. "Some sidekick; you're always getting into trouble. You don't even slay vamps when you're with me half the time."
"That's true, I'm just afraid that I'm going to get in the way."
"Well when you're being attacked it's good to start fighting. You're just really useless sometimes."
Meg was hurt. "You know, you were a really sweet person before Zacharius was taken away, now you're a mean, stubborn brat who only cares about herself." Meg turned and stormed off.
Angie just stood and watched her friend walk away. Then she shook her head and continued her patrol. That night she got into three more fights with groups of vampires, almost all of which belonged to Max.
"Zach," Max called out.
"Yes sir?" A young looking vampire asked as he walked out onto the floor and knelled before the "boy".
"Have you ever had an encounter with the Slayer before?" Max inquired.
"No sir, never," Zach answered.
"Wonderful. It is now your duty to find out what the Slayers weakness is. You will find her tomorrow night and give her the impression that you are good. You must never attack a human when she is around. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir."
"Wonderful. Now go and get your fill of blood tonight. Just make sure you stay away from the Slayer."
"Yes sir."
Angie slammed the door, very aggravated.
"Angie?" Thomas asked poking his head into the living room.
"Hi," she said angrily.
"What happened?" Thomas asked.
"Nothing." Angie plopped down on the couch and sighed.
"That's not a 'nothing' sigh," Thomas said walking into the living room and sitting beside her. "So what happened?"
"Meg and I got into a fight," Angie explained.
"About what?"
"She said that ever since Zacharius left that I've been a mean selfish brat that doesn't care about anything."
"Oh I see."
"Do you think I've been acting that way?"
"Well I can't really say. I never knew you before he left. But I know that you're having a hard time with all this. It's going to take some time to get this all done with."
"I don't want to loose her, but I don't want her to keep pushing me to forget about Zacharius so much. She wants me to get new friends, but I don't want any more friends. I don't need to put anyone else in danger because of me."
"You're just going through a hard time, and she'll get over it. And you'll get over Zacharius. He loved you very much, and I know that he'd want you to keep fighting."
"I know, it's just really hard sometimes. I just want him here. I want him to tell me that he loves me; to hold me close, and to kiss my lips, and to cuddle with me when we're watching TV. That's all I want. But that's too much to ask." Tears began to fill her eyes.
"Don't start crying, Zacharius wouldn't want you to cry."
Angie wiped her tears. "I'm sorry. I just miss him so very much."
"That's understandable." He grabbed her chin and made her look at him. "But I can see why he fell in love with you. You're a very beautiful girl."
Angie blushed. "You really think so?"
"Yes I do."
"Thanks Thomas."
The two looked into each other's eyes for a moment, but then Thomas quickly jerked away. Clearing his throat he stood up. "Well, it's late so you'd better get to bed."
"I'm sorry," Angie said quietly.
"For what?" Thomas asked looking at her quizzically.
"For what just happened," she replied.
"Don't worry about it, just go to bed okay." Thomas smiled and walked up the stairs.
"I truly am useless," Angie said to herself. "If Thomas falls in love with me too I'll never have a Watcher again. I'll have fought for nothing." She sat there and soon she lay down and fell asleep.
"I love Fridays!" Angie exclaimed the next morning.
"Only three more weeks to go?" Thomas asked.
"Sure is." Angie was excited. "And graduation is nigh."
"That's right," Thomas recalled.
"I can't wait." Angie looked at the clock. "Well, I'll see you after school okay." And she bounded out of the kitchen to the out side.
Thomas smiled, at least she was in a better mood today.
Once at school Angie found Meg immediately and they worked things out.
Meg smiled. "I'm really glad we worked things out. It would be a big bummer to be fighting with you during graduation."
"Yeah I know." Angie smiled as the bell rang. "See you later."
"Bye Ang," Meg said walking away.
Later that night while on patrol Angie ran into three more gangs of Max's. Each of them fought hard, but eventually every one was dusted. But as she traveled to the Bronze she saw two vamps fighting each other. And as she watched she saw one vamp dust the other and then sigh. As he turned Angie put up a defense but the boy didn't attack her.
"I have no intention to attack you Slayer if that's what you're thinking," the vampire said.
"How do I know that?" Angie said still holding her position.
"I haven't killed a person in about 100 years, I don't think I'll start now," the vampire lied.
"Great, another soul filled vamp," Angie said exasperated.
"I'm Zach," the vampire said moving toward her and offering his hand.
Angie gasped at the sound of his name, but then she took his hand into hers and said, "I'm Angie."
"So you're the Chosen One eh?" He looked her over. "Not bad."
"Watch it buddy, good or not I can still dust your butt," Angie said defensively.
"Woah," Zach flung his hands into the air. "I'm not meaning anything. So Slayer what do you say we team up for a while, just until you defeat this Max guy."
"Why should I trust you?"
"Because I've had a bone to pick with this guy for a long time, and I figure that if I team up with you I'm bound to win."
"You sure have a positive attitude."
"Well you're the strongest chick in the world. I think I have pretty good chances."
Angie looked into the blondes, blue eyes, then said, "Alright but if you so much as tick me off a little, you're dust."
"Great." Zach bowed. "I owe you one Slayer,"
"Don't get too happy. We could still loose."
"Naw. He's still only a child."
"There's more to him than meet's the eye," Angie said, but then added. "I'm just not quite sure what it is yet."
Zach chuckled. "Well, what do you say me go get a drink at the Bronze to celebrate our new alliance."
"Sure why not," Angie agreed. And the two walked off.
And from then on the two patrolled every night together, talking about a lot of things.
Soon Graduation rolled around, and, to Angie's, Meg's, and Thomas' surprise, Max didn't do a thing.
"This is way too weird," Angie said after the ceremony. "He should've done something by now."
"Maybe he's not going to do anything. Because you expect him too," Meg suggested.
"Perhaps." Angie considered the possibility, but she still didn't like it. "I just don't know. This is the perfect opportunity to strike, so why doesn't he do it."
"Because you want him too," a voice said from behind her.
Angie turned around to see Zach standing there. "Oh, hey Zach."
"Hey, congrats," he said hugging her.
"Thanks," she said. "So are you sure he's not going to attack tonight?"
"Pretty sure," Zach assured her. "I heard some of his followers complaining about it earlier, so I don't think they're coming."
"That's a relief," Angie sighed.
"No kidding," Meg agreed.
"I'll be right back," Thomas said walking away.
"Okay." Angie smiled at her Watcher. "So I guess I still have to go on patrol tonight. They're still going to be hungry, regardless of whether they come here or not."
"Yep that's for sure," Meg said. "Are you going to come to the party afterward though?"
"Yeah, I've just got to go out and make sure all is as well as it can be," Angie said. "I'll finish as quickly as I can."
"Are you sure that's wise?" Angie heard Thomas say.
There was no reply, but Angie knew that he wasn't talking to himself.
"I wonder who Thomas is talking to," Angie pondered out loud.
"Angie," a familiar voice spoke behind her. Angie froze. That voice was one she knew all too well. She looked at Meg who also had a surprised look on her face, and she knew immediately that she was correct.
"Zacharius?" she asked, still facing away from the man.
"Yes Angie, it's me," Zacharius' strongly accented voice answered.
Angie's eyes filled with tears but she quickly blinked them back. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you graduate," he answered. "Are you going to turn and face me? Or do I have to stare at the back of your head all night?"
Angie slowly turned and looked into the face of the man she loved. "I can't believe you're actually here. I can't believe the council allowed you to come here."
"Well quite technically, according to the law, I am your father," Zacharius said. "And I have the right to come see you graduate. That's one thing the council can't take away from me."
Angie tried to fight back her tears but they soon got the best of her, and she flung her arms around the man in front of her and sobbed into his chest. "I've missed you so much. You have no idea what I've been through."
"Hush," Zacharius said quietly, as he pushed her body away from his. "There's no reason to be crying."
Angie nodded. "You're right." She wiped her eyes
"Hello Meg," Zacharius acknowledged the girl for the first time that night.
"Hey Zacharius," Meg said. "Angie I've got to go. Don't be too late okay."
"Okay, I'll see you later tonight." Angie smiled at her friend.
"Okay." Meg smiled at Angie but then scowled at Zacharius. Then she walked off.
"Hey Ang. are we going to patrol tonight or what?" Zach now spoke for the first time since the old Watcher showed up.
"Uh, yeah, just give me a sec," Angie replied.
"Who's this?" Zacharius asked.
"This is a friend of mine. His name is Zach. Zach this is my old Watcher and guardian Zacharius," Angie introduced.
"Nice to meet you," Zacharius said gripping the boy's hand.
"Same here," Zach replied. "Angie I'll wait for you outside okay?"
"Okay, I'll be out in a sec," Angie said. She turned to her Watcher. "I'm going to go on patrol then I'm going to the Graduation party okay," she told Thomas.
"Okay, but don't do anything you shouldn't," Thomas said.
"Don't worry Thomas." Angie smiled at him. She turned to walk away, but then she faced Zacharius, "It was nice to see you again." She forced a smile.
"You too," Zacharius said smiling at the girl and hiding his desire to kiss her.
"See you later Tom," Angie said walking off.
"She's still extraordinary," Zacharius said.
"You shouldn't have come back," Thomas admitted. "She's been having such a hard time cooping with you leaving that it's been hell for her and those around her. Zach is the first new friend she's gotten."
"He's a vampire isn't he?" Zacharius asked.
"Yes, but he has a soul. Or so he says. But Angie likes him, and I know she can take care of herself if he ever does anything," Thomas explained. "Where are you staying tonight?"
"At the hotel just down the street." Zacharius motioned his head in the direction.
"Well, I'll give you a ride."
"Sounds great."
That night was a quiet one. A little too quiet it seemed to Angie. But she wasn't going to complain. She was enjoying the nice cool air. After being in the filled auditorium, this was great.
"Who was that guy?" Zach asked.
"He's technically my father. But he's also an ex-lover, Watcher and friend," Angie explained.
"You loved him?" Zach asked.
"I still love him," Angie confided. "He was the one good thing in my life. But he was torn away from me when the council found out we were lovers."
"Why'd they do that?"
"I don't know. But I know that my world shattered when they took him away. Seeing him again is wonderful and awful at the same time." She stopped and looked at the stars. "I don't know what I would do with out him. If he were ever to be hurt, I would just die.
"But I've been getting over him." She smiled at the vampire next to her. "I guess things are a little better now that he's gone. But I really do miss him a lot from time to time."
"That's too bad."
"Yeah, but oh well." She looked around her. "Well there's not been too much action tonight so I guess we can go our separate ways now."
"Okay." Zach turned and started walking away.
"Hey Zach," Angie called.
"What?"
"Thanks for listening to me tonight."
"No prob. Anytime."
As Angie slowly walked to the designated area for the party she passed the hotel Zacharius was staying in.
"Angie!" Zacharius called from his balcony. The Slayer stopped and looked around. "Up here."
Angie looked up. "Oh, hey Zacharius."
"Hey stay there, I want to talk to you for a moment."
"Okay." Angie waited a few seconds and soon Zacharius stood in front of her. "So what did you..?" She began to talk but Zacharius had grabbed her and kissed her. Her once tense body loosened up and she felt herself almost fall into the man's arms. Her eyes closed and she cherished the kiss. But then realizing that this was wrong she pushed herself unwillingly away from the man she loved.
"What's wrong?" Zacharius asked.
"We can't do this," Angie said. "Although I want it with every inch of my heart and soul we can't do this."
Zacharius knew she was right and he let her body go. "You're right. I'm sorry."
"It's okay." She turned to walk away but then stopped for a moment, quietly thinking to herself, then quickly turned back to her love and kissed him passionately again, giving into her desires.
But soon Zacharius' hands cupped her face and pushed her away from him. "No," he said. "We mustn't do this."
"Please," Angie begged. "Just once more, once more."
"I fear that once more will lead to more than we want it to."
"Then let it. Please oh God, let it."
"No, Angie, we mustn't give into our desires."
"Make love to me." Angie pressed her lips against his neck and whispered. "Like you did before. Touch me, like you did before. Make me happy, make love to me."
Zacharius felt himself go hard, he wanted to give in more than anything in the world, but he knew that he couldn't. "Angie, no."
Angie kissed his lips again. "Don't tell me that you don't want to."
"I do want to," Zacharius admitted. "But we can't, we can't. It was wrong the first time. You were still just a child."
"But I'm a woman now," Angie chided the man. "Make love to me." She pressed her delicate body against his.
"No," Zacharius said sternly. "We can't Angie. Please stop."
Hearing the grief in her lover's voice Angie backed away, now realizing what she had done. "I'm sorry," she said as tears filled her eyes. And as one rolled down her cheek she turned and ran away.
"Angie wait," Zacharius called after her. But it was too late; she had already disappeared into the dark night.
Tears streamed down the Slayers face, as she ran into the nearby park. Stopping by a tree she slid down and sobbed.
"You know you really shouldn't let your guard down this late at night," Zach's voice said beside her.
"I thought you left," Angie said into her knees.
"I saw you with Zacharius and thought it best to stick around for a while," Zach explained.
"You saw us?" Angie asked looking up at the vampire with a tear-streaked face.
"Yeah, but don't worry I won't tell anyone." He held out his hand. "You really should stay away from him," he scolded.
"I know, I just can't help it," Angie said taking Zach's hand and standing up. "I love him so much."
"Well he's just a guy, nothing to cry over," Zach said.
Angie smiled, but still another tear fell down her cheek. Zach looked at it and kissed it off her cheek.
"You've got a party to go to," he said quietly. "You'd better get going."
"Come with me," Angie offered. "I don't want to be there alone."
"But I'm not a part of your class," the vampire protested.
"So? There's going to be a lot of people there that aren't in our class. C'mon, it'll be fun." She made a pouty lip. "Please."
"Fine, just stop with the lip thing."
Angie smiled. "Okay," She took his hand into hers and began walking. "Let's go."
Zach didn't do anything to resist, he just let himself be dragged to the party.
Once at the building, the two walked in and immediately found Meg.
"I was beginning to worry that you weren't going to come," Meg said handing her friend a glass of punch.
"Thanks," Angie said taking the punch. "Not a lot of action."
"Then what took you so long?" Meg asked sipping her drink.
"Uh, just things," Angie said casually.
"Hey Zach, how ya doin'?" Meg asked the vampire who was looking around.
"Huh, oh, just great," he said. Ahh, the smell of fresh human blood, he thought, it smells so good. He wanted so badly to have a taste, he hadn't eaten at all that night. And now that he had been dragged here there was no way that he would be able to.
"Zach are you okay?" Angie asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he half-lied. "I've just never been to a party like this before."
"Oh, well. You'll have fun," Angie said. "But I hope that you'll still dance with me."
"I'm not real good at it, but I'll do it," Zach warned. "I'll probably step on you."
"That's okay. It's not like it'll hurt."
"That's good."
Meg looked at the two for a moment and sighed, those two would make a good couple. But then again, I guess it probably wouldn't be wise.
Angie looked at her friend. "Hey Meg are you going to come dance?"
"Uh, yeah," Meg replied.
The three walked out to the dance floor and began to dance. And soon a slow song began to play.
Zach began to slowly walk away, but Angie grabbed his arm. "Where do you think you're going?" She asked.
"I was just leaving the floor," he answered.
"No you're not." She pulled him close to her. "Dance with me."
He looked around for a minute as if wanting to find an escape, then finally agreed, "Okay, but I'm not very good at this."
"That's okay, I'm not very good at it either," Angie said.
As the two danced Angie noticed a necklace around Zach's neck. He'd always worn the thing. But somehow, it looked like it was still brand new. It was a black castle with three red jewels on the bottom and a green one on the very top. And the bottom held a long crystal.
"Your necklace is beautiful," Angie said with a smile.
"You think so?" Zach asked looking down at it.
"It looks like its new, but I know that you always wear it. It must be very special for you to care for it so," Angie pointed out.
"I got this when I was 20. Two nights before..." He looked around then leaned closer to her and whispered, "before I was sired."
"Oh, so it's special because it's the last thing you ever bought." Angie understood.
"Not only that, but I was with my girlfriend at the time. She actually bought it for me. She said it would be a late birthday gift."
"That's sweet. Do you miss her?"
"A little sometimes, but only when I think about my past. Which to be honest isn't very often. I focus on the present more."
"Yeah I can understand that. So what happened to her?"
"She died. I didn't have the heart to sire her myself, so I let her live a normal life, and she died later from a sickness."
"That's got to be rough."
"Not really, I know that she's better off where she is now. I loved her too much to take away her life."
"That's sweet."
Zach looked at the pendant, then at the Slayer in front of him. "Do you like it?"
"What?"
"The pendant."
"It's remarkable I must admit."
Zach pushed away from the girl and put his hands behind his neck. Unhooking the clasp he said, "I want you to have it."
"What? No I couldn't," Angie protested.
"C'mon, something to remember me by." He took it off and held it toward the Slayer. "May I?"
"Sure." Angie lifted her hair and Zach soon clasped it. "Oh Zach." She looked up at the vampire. "I don't know what to say."
"Just consider it a graduation gift," Zach said.
Angie slid her pointer finger down the side of the crystal. "Thank you." She looked up at the vampire and their eyes met.
"You have the most amazing eyes," the vampire said slowly as his lips moved closer to Angie's.
"Thanks." Angie whispered just before their lips met. His lips were cold, but Angie could feel the passion that came through them.
She's so warm, Zach thought as he kissed her, and she tastes so good.
The two parted and looked at each other. Swallowing Angie stepped back.
"Angie, there's something I need to tell you," Zach said.
"No, don't say anything. Please don't say anything." Angie backed away into the crowd.
"Good job vamp man," Meg said quietly beside him.
"What did I do?" He asked, clearly confused.
"The girl is still in love with Zacharius. You've just made things a little more complicated," Meg explained.
"I didn't mean to," Zach said, still confused.
"Oh well, don't worry about it. She'll get over it. But in the mean time, no more smoochies okay?" Meg warned.
"Okay." The vampire repeated.
At a nearby table, Angie sat looking at the necklace Zach had given her. Did he actually just kiss me? She asked herself. He did! And I liked it! But no, I can't, he's a vampire, and I'm the Slayer, this kind of thing always turns out bad. But if we don't do anything... no, we can't have this relationship. I wonder what he was going to tell me. Was he going to tell me that he loved me? I hope he wasn't. But then again, what else could he tell me?
"Angie," Meg's voice brought Angie out of her thoughts.
"Hey," Angie said.
"You have a very confused vampire over there you know," Meg said looking at Zach who was leaning against the wall.
"I know. I just... I don't know what to do?"
"About what?"
"Him, and Zacharius."
"What was it like?"
"What?"
"Kissing a vampire?"
"Cold, but warm at the same time."
"Did you like it? Did you feel a spark?"
"I felt something."
"There you go then."
"What do you mean?"
"Go with Zach, and forget about Zacharius."
"That's easier said than done. I still love Zacharius."
"But you like Zach too, don't you?"
"He's a friend."
"Friends don't kiss like you two just did."
"He's a vampire."
"So?"
"I'm the Slayer. Hello? I'm supposed to kill vamps, not date them."
"My grandma did."
"Yeah and look where it got her."
"So? This is different."
"How?"
"He's not cursed is he?"
"I don't think so."
"Well then there you go." Meg took her friends hand into hers. "Just give it a chance. This could be something very good for the both of you."
"Yeah, but it could be very bad as well."
"Give it a chance. What's the worse that could happen?"
"He could kill me."
"Well, I don't think that's possible. Just give him a chance. Please, for me?"
"Fine. But if something happens, I blame everything on you." Angie stood up and walked over to Zach.
He stood straight. "Hey I'm sorry that I kissed you."
"Don't be sorry. It's okay." She stopped in front of him. "I'm the one who should be sorry. I shouldn't have run off like that."
"You didn't go very far," Zach pointed out, and the two laughed.
"Very true," Angie said. "But I still shouldn't have run off."
"It's okay." He moved closer to her. "Just promise me that you won't run away if I do it again."
"I promise." She said as her eyes closed and her warm lips once again met his cold ones. His hand came up and touched the side of her face as they kissed, and Angie had to admit that his cold skin felt good against her hot, sweaty skin.
"I love you," Zach said when they parted.
"Oh, Zach, I..," Angie started.
"I know that you don't love me yet, but I also know that you can grow to love me," Zach said.
"Yes I can." Angie took a deep breath.
Then the two walked back onto the dance floor and dance the rest of the night away.
Two months had now passed, and Angie became closer to Zach than she ever thought that she would in such a short time. The two continued to patrol nightly. And they often met during the day in dark places to spend time together.
"Zach," Max called out for the vampire.
"Yes my lord?" Zach asked kneeling before the boy.
"Have you found the weakness of the Slayer yet?" The vampire asked impatiently.
Zach hesitated, but finally answered. "Yes my lord I have."
"What is it?" Max asked obviously overjoyed. Zach didn't answer. "Well, what is it?"
Zach looked up at the boy in front of him with pleading eyes. "Sir, must we kill her?"
"What do you mean? Of course we must!" Max studied the vampire in front of him. "You have feelings for this girl?"
Zach hesitated once again, then answered, "Yes sir."
"You are her weakness then, are you not?"
"Yes sir."
"You will bring her to us."
"But.."
"Tonight. This will be the night that I have my revenge. If you do not do what you're told, I shall kill you, very, very, slowly. Is that clear?"
"Yes sir."
"Very well, be on your way. The sun is down; you'll bring her here as soon as you can."
Zach stood up. "Yes sir." He turned and walked out of the building.
Angie pushed the vampire away from her. "We're not going to get a lot done if we keep this up you know?"
"I know," Zach said kissing the girl again.
"We have to go," Angie said, not really making an effort to get away.
"I love you Angie," Zach whispered into her ear.
"I love you too, but we really have to get going." She turned to walk away but Zach turned her to face him.
"Angie, no matter what happens, I want you to know that I love you with all my heart," Zach said.
"I know that." Angie looked at him. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Zach lied. "I just don't want to loose you."
"You won't." Angie kissed him quickly. "C'mon now, we've got to go."
"That way," Zach said pointing to his left. "He went that way."
"Are you sure that you saw someone?" Angie asked. "I didn't see or hear a thing."
"I'm almost certain that I saw a couple of vamps run that way," Zach said heading in that direction. "C'mon, I know I saw them."
"You'd better not be fooling around," Angie said pursuing him. "Thomas would kill me if he knew we were screwing around."
"I swear I saw something. Now come on, they're going to get away." He broke into a run.
"You'd better be right," Angie said soon catching up to him and matching his every step.
"Here," he said stopping in front of a deserted building. "They're in here, I can smell blood."
"That doesn't mean that they're here," Angie pointed out.
"Yeah, but it means someone is." He stepped forward and slowly opened the door.
"Okay, lead the way." Angie flanked her love as they walked slowly into the pitch-dark building. "There's no light in here anywhere."
"Shh, if they hear us they'll run."
"I can't see a thing."
"It's okay, I can." He took her hand into his. "I'll lead you."
"Do you see anything?"
"No." Then he stopped.
"What? What is it?"
"Nothing, just thought I heard something."
"Don't do that then," she scolded him.
"Angie."
"What?"
"Kiss me."
"What?!"
"This darkness is turning me on," he admitted.
"Zach!"
Zach flung the Slayer in front of him and began kissing her.
"This isn't the time, or the place," Angie breathed.
"I don't care." Angie began backing up, but Zach followed her. "I want you."
"Zach." She invited his kisses.
Zach continued to back her into a metal table he knew was behind her. He kissed her neck and felt him self-change.
Angie moaned when his tongue traced up her neck. "Zach, we can't."
"Hush," he told her as he contorted back to his human face. Angie hit the table, and Zach continued to kiss her, forcing her body onto the table.
As Angie's body slid onto the cold metal table, Zach's followed hers, as if they were glued together. Finally Angie's whole body was on the table, and Zach straddled her body.
"Zach, we..," Angie began to protest, but was cut of when Zach's lips covered hers. "I love you."
Almost as if what she had said was a cue, her arms and legs were grabbed and chained down to the table. Torches were lit, and as the room lit up Angie saw hundreds of vampires standing around.
"Zach what's going on?" She asked, looking up at the vampire on top of her petrified.
"I'm sorry," he muttered as he tore himself away from her.
"Very good," Max's sharp voice said. "Very good indeed, Zach."
Zach fell to his knees as Max showed himself. "Thank you my lord."
"Zach, what's going on?" Angie asked as goose bumps covered her body. She struggled against her chains.
"I'm afraid you'll not be able to get out of those." Max acknowledged the girl on the table. "They're not normal chains."
Angie glared at the miniature vampire in front of her. "What do you want?"
"You know what I want." Max moved closer to the Slayer. "Your life." He now stood beside her. "Such a precious little thing." He turned to Zach. "Zach."
"Yes sir?" Zach asked looking at his master. Max beckoned him with a movement of his hand, and Zach approached.
"Are you hungry?" Max inquired.
Zach nodded, almost ashamed.
"Why don't you have a taste?" Max shoved Angie's head to the side, revealing her bare neck.
"Zach," Angie whispered as tears stung her eyes.
Zach's face transposed as he let his inner demon out, he growled and moved forward, but then stepped back again. "I can't."
"Don't tell me you don't want it." Max ran a finger up and then down the Slayers neck. "Fresh, warm, blood, from a Slayer." He pierced her neck with his fingernail and let a little blood seep out.
Angie cringed. But she didn't say, or do anything.
"Smell it," Max said. "Doesn't it smell wonderful? Don't you want to taste her?" Max licked the blood of Angie's neck with pleasure. "Delicious."
At this Zach stepped forward, placing his hand around Angie's chin he made her face him. He saw the tears that had escaped her eyes and he looked away. Then he looked back, leaned down, and kissed her. But she did not kiss him back. She lay there, numb, wishing she was dreaming, but knowing that she wasn't. That she would die at the hands, or rather fangs, of her loved one.
Zach once again pushed her head aside and he licked the little blood that seeped from the tiny wound. Max watched pleasurably as Zach straddled the girl's body and moved his fangs down to her neck.
"You'll never win," Angie said before Zach's fangs pierced her. "As soon as I die, another Slayer will be born. You'll never win." She gasped as her neck was pierced. Her tears flowed more freely now. "Why?" She asked. "I don't understand." She felt her body get weaker with every mouthful Zach extracted from her.
Well, that's all for now. What do you think? Please review.