The Chronicles of Angel Book 6
By Jen
It's been three months since the death of Angel the first male slayer. Our ragtag team is still out there hunting what haunts our nightmares. They've been keeping Sunnydale safe, Sunnydale going. But what happens when the very codes you've lived by, the things you've sworn to protect are in jeopardy? How do you over come loss, grief, and self-doubt? What happens when the very thing you've fought to keep out just found it's way in?
The continuation of the Chronicles of Angel series.
AU/ role reversal.
Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Whedonverse although I wish I did. This is all merely for entertainment.
Rated M.
A/N: First off Happy St. Patrick's Day! Book 6 wow here we are in Book 6 and let me tell you this book was a tough one to write. I came to all kinds of problems and set backs but I think I got it. This book is much darker than the last five that have been written. Right away you'll see a difference between Book 6 and season 6 and it's not all good. There might be some things you guys don't like at all which I completely understand. I just hope you can bear with me until the end.
Our characters are going to change and not always for the better. This book is more about the stability and the emotions of the A-Team while the vampires, demons and the Hell Mouth is just an obstacle. Although I introduce a baddie to you guys one that I made up completely on my own. You'll see foreshadowings; things that have happened in the past and even back then in the older books I foreshadow things for this in this book. One thing is for sure Buffy, she steps her game up and I think out of all that's going to happen Buffy will have the most growth as a character and I hope you like it.
Ok, enough of me rambling let's get to the action shall we? Happy reading everyone.
Chapter 1 Days Without…
Jimmy's in the back with a pocket of high
If you listen close
You can hear him cry
Oh, lord, heaven knows
We belong way down below
Sing it
Oh, lord, heaven knows
We belong way down below
Way down below, way down below
Judy's in the front seat picking up trash
Living on the dough
Gotta make that cash
Won't be pretty
Won't be sweet
She's just sittin' here on her feet
Sing it
Oh, lord, heaven knows
We belong way down below
Go
Oh, lord, heaven knows
We belong way down below
Sing
Oh, lord, tell us so
We belong way down below
Oh, Lord, tell us so
We belong way down below
Way down below, way down below
Way down below, way down below
I've had better days, man
I've seen better days
I've had better ways, man
I know better ways
One, two, three and four
The devil's knocking at your door
Caught in the eye of a dead man's lie
Show you life with your head held high
Now you're on your knees
With your head hung low
Big man tells you where to go
Tell 'em it's good
Tell 'em okay
Don't do a goddamn thing they say
Oh, lord, heaven knows
We belong way down below
Oh, lord, tell us so
We belong way down below
Way down below, way down below
Way down below, way down below
I've seen better ways, man
I know better ways
I've seen better days, man
I've had better days
Jenna's in the back with a pocket of high
If you listen close
You can hear the crying
Oh, lord, heaven knows
We belong way down below
Oh, lord, tell us so
We belong way down below
Oh, lord, heaven knows
We belong way down below
Oh, lord, tell us so
We belong way down below
Way down below, way down below
Way down below, way down below
Heaven Knows by The Pretty Reckless
Buffy stood before a grave that was covered in flowers. The place was under a tree to give him shade from the hot days. Something about his resting place under a tree was perfect. She never wanted to see that headstone not until he reached triple digits and had great grandchildren. But he died at the age of twenty much like her. Buffy then sat on the ground with her flowers a mix of different color roses. Red for love, white for reverence, pink for admiration, yellow for friendship and orange for passion. She always gave him these roses.
"Hi," She barely got out and already felt the tears. "It's been ninety days since you've died and I miss you. I hope you can hear me where ever you are," Buffy looked up to the headstone. "You made eternity not seem so long. I felt like the time I was with you was more than a life times worth of living."
Buffy took a moment regaining herself. She cried for days after he died nonstop. She felt alone and lost. The days going by started to make time distance from his death but not for her. One day those around her will die too but she won't.
"Time, there's just not enough yet so much of it. I thought there was going to be more time." Buffy spoke to the headstone. "I hope you knew how much I loved you. And I never said it enough; I can never say it enough. And I still love you; I can never love anyone else. In over two hundred years you taught more in five. No one ever loved me and I thought no one ever could. But you saw past the demon and all my flaws and thank you." Buffy paused for a moment and then smiled a little.
"Dawn's ok, stubborn but ok we just miss our guy. We're all ok, we're moving on I think. Giles has really helped he's done so much for Dawn and for me. I'll be back again soon and I don't know if you need anything, I'm not far." Buffy held up the dozen of roses and smelt them. They smelt so fresh and sweet. She reached over and placed them before the headstone and she rested her forehead on the headstone.
"I love you," She then kissed the headstone while holding her claddagh ring around the chain that was around her neck. She pulled away looking at his name and then stood up and walked away. Her heart may not beat but it ached for him, for him not being here. She was alone again. She was looking at those together in the night holding one another, keeping each other warm and she felt so cold once more.
The mansion was in full swing again and pretty soon Dawn will start back up in school again. Willow and Oz will be taking classes once more. Life goes on and the A-Team was proof of that. Angel was gone, not forgotten but life goes on, it finds a way. Buffy returned to the mansion and there was some commotion going on in the training room where Dawn, Giles, Cordelia and Doyle were. They were putting away weapons and Buffy caught the tail end of the conversion.
"We have to be a little obsessed with demons," Giles continued on. "We are hunters." And it's true the A-Team called themselves hunters now.
"But we're not sad right?" Cordelia looked worried if the demon life was taking over.
"No we're a happy and rambunctious lot if I ever saw one." Giles answered as he put his sword away. "Not even going to humor me a little?"
"Nope," Cordelia answered.
"I know we sacrifice a lot of our social lives but it's what we do." Giles reminded them.
"Yup, hunting things and saving the world." Dawn added.
"Besides who has time for being social when you're out there doing it with the demons?" Doyle asked and then realized something. "That came out sad and wrong." Dawn smiled a little and then looked up to the wall. Mounted on the wall now was the new crossbow Buffy bought for Angel a while ago. She wanted to use his Stryker bow because it was his the new one was never touched by him. So it was up there on the wall for symbolic purposes.
"Hunting this early?" Buffy asked as she walked into the training room.
"Yup," Dawn answered. "It was easy though." Dawn has become quite the hunter herself these days. She can hold her own. "So, can we train?" Dawn asked and Buffy nodded.
"Excited for school?" The vampire asked the teen and Dawn shrugged meaning she really didn't care anymore. She was mostly going so she can stay with Buffy. As of now Buffy was Dawn's legal guardian. Buffy had Angel's old house sold and the money collected from that went to a college fund for Dawn well hopefully it'll be used for college. Not only that Buffy had a trust fund set up for as well. All in all Dawn was well taken care of these days. "Ready?" Buffy asked and Dawn nodded.
Buffy keeps busy during the day with training. Giles trains her and Dawn. If Buffy isn't training then she's reading and studying and teaching Dawn everything she can. Then night comes around and the group goes out on patrol. But its after the day's chores are done, after the training is finished and the evil for the night is put to rest is when Buffy finally thinks. It's at this time at night when she feels the loneliest. Of course the mansion was full the A-Team lived here now all of them except Spike, Anya and Xander. Angel and Dawn's old house was sold and Dawn lived here with everyone.
Even though the place was packed Buffy still felt some loneliness. It has improved greatly as time moved but she'll always feel it the emptiness. She felt it the most when she climbed into bed and the other side was empty. Buffy crawled into her bed and shut the light off and the other side was empty and cold. She laid there on her back listening to nothing. She missed hearing him breathe or the sound of his heart. Buffy got up and walked to the closet and opened it and took out one of his coats and wrapped herself in it. His scent was still there but like everything else it was slowly fading away. She didn't want it to fade because she didn't want to forget.
Buffy walked back to the bed and got in wearing his coat. Some nights she felt more lonely than others. It's been three months but there were moments that were hard to get through. Everyday got better but it'll be awhile before Buffy could say she was really ok.
Buffy opened her eyes and felt it. She looked over and Angel was next to her. Buffy rolled to her side so they were looking at each other eye to eye.
"I miss you," She told him and he gave her his soft smile and reached out and put his hand on her cheek.
"I know me too." Angel and Buffy continued to look into each other's eyes and they both leaned in for a kiss.
"Stay," She begged meaning she didn't want to wake up.
"I can't you need to wake up." Angel then looked over her shoulder. "The sun is coming."
Buffy's eyes fluttered opened and she looked over and the space was empty.
Buffy was now in her little session with Father Michael.
"Bless me Father for I have sinned," Buffy started again.
"That seems to be a theme with you Buffy," Michael started and the vampire scoffed a little.
"I'm trying to be the good Catholic here." Buffy reminded the priest. "It's been two days since my last confession, I killed a man. He was turning himself,"
"Into a demon I know," Michael finished and Buffy rolled her eyes. Father Michael sent her on that mission. In fact if he hears or reads anything paranormal he calls up Buffy or Giles. He's actually and honorary member of the A-Team these days. He does contribute mostly when it comes to texts. During the battle with Glory he did managed to knock out several minions and people. But right now Michael didn't want to hear Buffy confess sins she needed to talk about something else that he needed to chisel away at.
"Why do I even bother?" Buffy asked more so to herself.
"Why are you really here?" Michael asked and Buffy didn't answer right away. "Thought so you've been counting. What day are we on now?" Buffy knew counting the days doesn't help her but what else can she do?
"It's been ninety one days now." Buffy answered and Michael nodded. "Counting is what I've always done, counted my steps so why not this?"
"What's it going to do for you? Just reminds you that he is gone?" Michael asked and Buffy finished.
"I don't know I just, it's something I have control over. Maybe after three hundred and sixty five days I'll stop counting. I should have counted better, remembered what was going to happen." Buffy meant she shouldn't have forgotten the fact that Angel had a time stamp.
"You think all this is your fault?" Michael asked trying to dig into her. So far he was the only one that knows that Buffy knew Angel was going to die. She confessed it as a sin because she never told anyone and maybe if she did then could still be alive.
"I don't know," Buffy continued with the session with Father Michael. He was her guide now, him and Giles, the two only men in this world she can trust at the moment. "You know sometimes I wake up and I feel like my chest is crushed." She explained and Michael nodded. "It's not getting worse but it's not getting better either."
"Well I am concerned but I well I can't say that I'm surprised." Michael started to talk while leaning back in his chair. Buffy needed counseling on all this. Giles does work with her but Michael was on a more spiritual note something that was still attached to Buffy. "I mean we're passing the three month marker and it holds a quite a bit of meaning, emotions and fear." He explained in a calm voice. Buffy nodded understanding, as she was still broken.
"Michael I know I'm slowly getting passed the grieving, going into anger and bargaining. I know the stages I've done this before." Buffy played it off; putting up that wall she has had all her life. The wall that allows her to move on, to carry on.
"Buffy," Working with Buffy on feelings is really like tearing down a real wall. Father Michael knows Buffy holds back because it feels like she has too. "Angel was a profound person in your life. He was your first love, the first person that you actually trusted, that you opened up to. He saw passed the demon, accepted you for who are not what you are. He accepted what you did in life and still loved you." And that was all true. "Finding another like him is impossible I know. It's not to be discouraging but it's reality."
Buffy knew that. She has loved one person and that person loved her back and now he is gone for good. "This grieving will not end soon. In your mind you have accepted the death of Angel but not in your heart. And that's ok you shouldn't I'd be worried if you did. These feelings of not moving on it's ok. The counting is ok just don't let it consume you."
"So," Buffy seemed a little withdrawn meaning something was ticking in that head of hers.
"So, because of the profound impact he had on you and you had on him this won't disappear tomorrow. You're going to have very difficult times and it may exceed a year maybe two." Michael went on. "Angel was the love of your life and you haven't lived a short life and when you become human you've got miles to go. This, his death, its going take more time, maybe more than usual." He finished.
Buffy nodded and let out a sigh and sat back in the chair. She was quiet now as Michael needed to continue on with the talk. "How's Dawn?" And Buffy shrugged thinking.
"Dawn?" Buffy asked and Michael nodded and Buffy still was thinking. "Well uh um some days are harder than others." Buffy sat back up and leaned forward and Michael sat up to listen. "I feel really bad saying this but Dawn…she's a constant reminder and," Buffy paused. "It would have taken her blood too and she could have stopped all this and I see her alive." Michael was finally hitting on something here. "Angel was the slayer and yet he gives it up. He allows something that wasn't even supposed to be here to live and now he's loss to the world."
Buffy hated herself thinking like this but how could she not? Angel or Dawn could have stopped this and somewhere deep down it felt like it should have been Dawn. She was the key and the key opens and closes the gates of hell. "I look at her sometimes and something inside wants to snap and just yell and," She stopped talking and forced herself not to go on. She can't think like this it was wrong to. Dawn was her last link to Angel.
Michael wanted her to keep going. Buffy has so much on her and they have only scratched the surface of it all. Buffy needs to finish her thought process and this was one of them or it'll just sit and fester.
"No finish the thought Buffy," Michael encouraged her and Buffy closed her eyes thinking. "No finish it; it's important you finish your thoughts." Michael insisted but Buffy shook her head no.
"No you'll just think I'm crazy." She stated sitting there quietly and Michael knew this healing process would take time.
"No one's going to think you're crazy ok Buffy." Michael assured her as the blonde vampire sat there quietly. "We're here to help you because you need it the most out of the group. You and Angel were the closest. He meant so much too you and yes I can understand the resentment to Dawn. Part of you wishes it was her that jumped and I'm sure so do the rest of the group. But you and I also know that Angel was already feeling death on him. He knew it was coming whether he truly wished it or not. He was always ready to self sacrifice for those he loved, fake or not."
That was true and that much Buffy knew. Had Dawn not be here and it came down to Angel and Buffy, he would sacrifice himself to save her. He would always choose himself to die over anyone he loved. "It's normal, it's natural and it will go away. You and Dawn are becoming close and you need her just as much as she needs you." Buffy nodded and she wanted to move on because dwelling on this for too long will make things worse. "For five years you stopped existing and starting living, continue it." Buffy nodded knowing what Michael meant. She promised Angel she would continue the fight and to live and what she was doing now wasn't living she was returning back to existing.
"Where is Buffy?" Willow came into the dining room with a plate of snacks.
"Talking to Michael." Giles answered as sipped on his afternoon tea.
"To what work out her grief more?" Xander asked and Dawn shrugged as she sat there.
"Work it out in a church when she's a vampire? Hmm whatever floats her boat. Besides An,"
"Don't say the A word." Cordelia reminded Xander.
"Really?" Dawn asked. Maybe three days after Angel died no one wanted to hear his name but now it's different.
"Fine whatever but working out her grief there? I mean…he was the love of her life not saying anything bad about the church." Doyle joined it.
"It can help with her grief because this it is on a spiritual note. It can help her navigate a little and because she was a Catholic once it may help even more." Giles added. "It's counseling and she needs it."
"Hmm, Buffy the ultimate vampire in church asking for forgiveness that's a sight." Doyle continued on. "She should have gone to Vegas and got hammered like I told her to." Doyle finished and Dawn smiled a little but Giles didn't look amused.
"Buffy doesn't need a lap dance or male strippers she needs peace and quiet." Giles defended Buffy's actions on seeing Father Michael and even though she was confession to the littlest things it's helping her grieve and we all grieve in our own way.
Buffy stepped out into the sun leaving the church and looked back to Michael.
"What?" He asked.
"I should have gone to Vegas." Buffy answered and Michael smiled.
"You're picking up the pieces remember in June you were in complete shambles now look at you." He reminded her on how far she was coming. Buffy nodded and left heading to a familiar black Mustang.
Later that afternoon Buffy came out to the living room where some of the mansion's inhabitants sat watching TV or just sat there. In Buffy's hands she had something.
"Ok, whose turn is it to set the traps?" Buffy asked. They had a small rat problem. At first being demon hunters and knowing all about the supernatural they made sure it wasn't a demon trying to get in. Turns out it is a rat problem but Buffy doesn't know where they're coming in from.
"His," Giles, Doyle, Xander and Spike said at the same time but never looking at each other.
"Wow," Buffy commented on that. "You guys amaze me sometimes. You'll fight demons and hell beasts but you're scared of rats."
"I hate rats." Doyle spoke up.
"Here, here," Giles agreed.
"They have those little beady eyes." Spike continued on.
"And the beady the teeth." Xander added as Buffy couldn't believe this.
"And their tales that go all whoosh, whoosh," Spike explained while swaying a little watching the TV. Buffy rolled her eyes because that moment just happened. She left and guess she'll set the trap herself, never send a man to do what a woman can. This was the normal days now.
Everyone sat around the dining table as the dinner was coming to end. As long as the group kept busy, kept moving, kept fighting, felt like they have purpose then everything was just fine. They can still laugh, they can still be happy because they are still alive. Dawn was laughing at some story Xander was sharing about high school. These days talking about Angel wasn't so bad. They remembered the good times they had with him, they remember the best times and boy were there stories to tell.
Buffy was at the sink washing dishes while Dawn was with her drying the dishes with some music playing while everyone did their chores. Everyone has a job that's what keeps them going, their jobs even Spike had a job. He took up a second job though that no one knows about and that's watching Buffy and Dawn. He took it upon himself to watch over them for Angel. Those were Angel's girls and he'll watch them and keep them safe.
Spike walked over to them as they were finishing up the dishes.
"You excited about school bite size?" Spike asked as he put a dishrag away.
"We still need to go school shopping." Dawn reminded Buffy.
"Your binders from last year are fine." Buffy added as she wiped her hands dry.
"I mean clothes, need some new outfits." Dawn smiled and Buffy figured that's what Dawn wanted. They'll go tomorrow.
"Vision!" Cordelia yelled out and everyone rushed to the living room as Doyle was on the couch and was in moment in pain and then it disappeared.
"Well that felt good." Doyle commented squeezing his eyes shut.
"Looks like we'll be busy tonight." Xander sounded giddy and Doyle looked up at him.
"Don't get to excited there cowboy." Oz added. "So what's happening?"
"The usual," Doyle started as he regained himself. "Vampires crashing a party on the UC Sunnydale campus." That was enough for the team.
"Let's go then." Buffy ordered as everyone started to make their way to the training room to get weapons. Buffy picked up the crossbow and a stake and started to leave. Dawn and Spike followed her as she went outside to the Mustang and opened the trunk where they kept more weapons as they packed up what they took from the mansion. Spike took one more drag on the cigarette and then tossed it away closing the trunk of the car.
"Can I drive?" Dawn asked.
"Not tonight Dawnie," Buffy answered as Spike crawled into the backseat and Dawn got into the passenger's side. Buffy got in and started up the car and yes she has been taking care of it, she did buy it. The radio came on and the song Smoke on the Water just started.
"Turn it up nibblet," Spike said and Dawn did. Angel's spirit was still alive because had he been here right now and the song was on he'd turn it up too. Plus to be driving to this song as the caravan made their way to kill some vampires it only made them feel cool and yes they do feel badass driving in this Mustang with rock music playing, who wouldn't. They knew why Angel did that's probably why he never let anyone drive it.
These days Buffy wears darker colors some of it was just in morning. Some of it was to honor her hero and it did hide her in the shadows better. It made her look more intimidating. In fact when the group goes hunting they all wear darker colors to hide a little better.
"Doyle said he saw about five vampires," Dawn started as it was time to get a plan together.
"Should be quick then." Spike jumped in and yes it should be but they always have to be ready for the worse. Doyle only saw five vampires but there can always be more. "Stang to van," Spike was on the walky talky. Stang was short for Mustang. Van was Oz, which usually had Oz, Willow, Anya and Xander. Muffler was Giles, Doyle and Cordelia. The group has code words now for certain things. If anyone is being followed and there was a way to communicate they just say that there's gum on their shoe. If they are captured and able to talk but can't say they are captured they just say it smells funny. It's little things but it means something. It keeps everyone safe and they all look out for each other these days.
"Van go ahead," Willow's voice was over the walky talky and they were listening to the same station.
"I say we park on the south side, that's the party side of the campus." Spike went on.
"Muffler copy that," It was Doyle. "Wait are we all listening to the same station?"
"I think so." Willow answered.
"We're awesome." And they knew Doyle was smiling. Buffy had to smile a little. "South side seems right I thought I saw the sign Wilson Hall." The half demon confirmed.
"We're getting good at this." Willow added and then Xander took the walky talky from Willow.
"You know a regular man spends his life avoiding intense situations. " Xander said and Spike smiled and Giles rolled his eyes hearing it over the walky talky.
"A real man spends his life getting into intense situations." Doyle added.
"Hey keep the chatter down guys." Buffy warned them. They were for the most part back to being that one unit, cohesion group again. It took some time at the beginning of the summer but they have found their footing again.
"You heard the boss lady." Spike said meaning no more talking unless it was important. But this was the new routine now and so far it was working, the group was taking a liking to it. They needed a routine to latch onto and so far it was working. Then Buffy slightly looked behind her as she heard Spike humming to the song. It felt like tonight would be a good old, walk in the park night for them. Buffy relaxed a little knowing she needed to enjoy herself once in while it'll help the healing process. Plus she was with Dawn her sister now.
The group pulled up to the college campus and parked. The fall semester hadn't started up yet so the campus was rather quiet for now. The plan was to infiltrate, hunt, kill, leave. Again they all have a job to do. Spike opened the trunk of the car and handed Buffy the crossbow and Dawn made sure she had her knife on her plus a stake. She also took the small vials of holy water and flask of holy water. Everyone gathered together ready to storm the Wilson hall and kill some vampires.
The group moved as one and Spike ran to the door and opened it as Buffy went in first followed by Doyle and they looked around the low-lit halls and so far nothing, it was clear. The rest of the group went in while Spike would bring up the rear. Buffy led the group holding the crossbow ready with her finger on the trigger. Everyone stayed in their tight formation as they moved down the hall and then both Buffy and Spike picked up on blood.
Buffy rounded a corner to the first set of stairs where the scent was coming from. The group headed up the stairs and the scent was getting stronger. Buffy halted meaning everyone needed to be on the look out and to stay alert. She looked around and the scent of blood was much stronger meaning they might be too late. Buffy advanced down the hall and put her hand on one door and slowly opened it while Doyle and Dawn went into the room.
"Call this in," Buffy ordered and Doyle raced for a phone as the rest of the group went into the room.
"This one is alive," Spike announced as he was checking the pulse. "Help is coming love," He assured the girl.
"Another one," Dawn added.
"They were just here, they couldn't have gotten far." Giles added and Buffy nodded and then heard something and race to the window and looked around.
"They're heading off campus," Buffy stated as she put the crossbow over her shoulder and started to open up the window. "You guys head to the student hall and cut them off there."
"What are you going to do?" Xander asked and Buffy looked to them and she was now vamped out. "Have fun." Buffy then jumped out the window landing perfectly on her feet and raced out. There were just five vampires and with the entire group out this shouldn't be too hard to do but again always be ready. Buffy started to sneak up on them. Four guy vampires and one girl but never underestimate anything. Buffy held up the crossbow and fired, one vamp down. And the same time the A-Team came out. Buffy ran towards the group of vampires as the female vampire ran after her.
Buffy held out her hand catching the vampire by her throat and lifted her up and took out a stake.
"Elizabeth?" The woman vampire asked and Buffy staked her while grabbing a gold heart locket around her neck. The woman was dead and Buffy held the locket in her hands recognizing it. The A-Team finished off the other three vampires with ease and spread out to make sure those were the only vampires on campus. Dawn walked over to Buffy as she continued to stare at the locket.
"Buffy?" Dawn asked which broke Buffy's train of thought and she looked up to Dawn.
"Here, hold this," Buffy handed Dawn the crossbow and the teen reloaded it just to be ready as Buffy brought the locket closer to her and opened it. Inside were two small black and white photos of the vampire woman she just killed although in the picture she wasn't a vampire just a young woman. Also there was another picture of man and Buffy's eyes widen. "Everyone back to the cars!" She yelled.
"What's going on Buffy?" Willow asked but Buffy took the crossbow from Dawn ready to fire it meaning don't ask just do.
At the mansion everyone was putting away the weapons and getting everything ready so they can turn in. Xander and Anya would leave to go home along with Spike well Spike will stay and patrol the grounds just before sunrise. Buffy sat in the study staring at the locket remembering everything.
1767 Marseille France
Elizabeth and Darla walked the streets together and they had some tagalong vampires, a couple vampire. For Elizabeth and Darla it kind of makes them gag a little seeing the lovey dovey couples. But vampire couples can be different. Most vampire couples mate for life if they are in love. Vampires themselves can have free reign and sex just look at Elizabeth and Darla but vampire soul mates can happen. It's rare to fine and the love is eternal and if one dies the other will live alone in torment. Elizabeth hoped she never found love ever.
This vampire couple has been around about ten years prior to Elizabeth's turning. But Elizabeth got out more this couple seemed to enjoy just being with each other and would feed when they want to. For them it was just about the want to eat never the lust for the kill. Right now the couple was swooning over each other.
"I would need a thousand words to describe the color of your eyes." The male vampire said to his lover.
"They're green," Elizabeth summed that up pretty quickly and Darla smiled.
"Baby sister it's young love humor them." Darla then wrapped her arm around Elizabeth's as they walked together. "I know what you need."
"What?" Elizabeth asked.
"A good warm meal." Darla answered and Elizabeth shrugged.
"Well we need to get out of town because these two love sick birds burned down the mayor's estate and that's a sign for the slayer to say come shoot me." Elizabeth was annoyed with them.
"Lizzy they were just having fun." Darla wanted to keep the couple and form a group.
"Fun my ass," Elizabeth stopped walking and looked to the couple as they danced in the streets smiling. "They'll get us killed."
"You think there's a slayer here?" Darla asked and Elizabeth nodded. "Live bait?" And Elizabeth smiled meaning yes. Elizabeth wasn't always kind to her own kind. "New plan Annabelle and James." Darla looked to the couple. "We need to head to the docks so Lizzy and I will meet you there." The couple nodded smiling and Elizabeth saw the gold locket around Annabelle's neck.
"Darla and I knew that's where the slayer would wait for us." Buffy finished the story. "Sent them to the slayer."
"So they're dead well sort of." Willow jumped in.
"If Annabelle was here then what about James?" Giles asked. "If she was still wearing that locket then they could still be in love and if he finds out who killed her." The Watcher didn't need to finish the rest. If vampires are in love and one lover is killed then the other vampire will find its mate's killer and kill them.
"Who said James is even alive?" Xander asked. "She could have just come here for fun?"
"We need to pretend that they are still in love and that James might be here." Giles stated.
"Hit the streets?" Oz asked and Giles nodded.
"Were those vampire lovers ever known for anything maybe we can track them through the books?" Doyle asked but Buffy shook her head no.
"They kept to themselves that's why Darla and I ditched them, they were boring." Buffy answered as she continued to look at the locket.
"What did Elizabeth do for fun?" Cordelia asked and Buffy looked up at her.
"You don't want to know." Buffy wasn't going to talk about that…ever. Elizabeth's idea of fun goes beyond what people would call insane.
"I'll hit Willy's," Spike spoke up which is a start.
The day light hours were now here as a lonely vampire sat in a rundown hotel room with the curtains blacked out. He was waiting but he was already crying he knew the news was bad. Then another vampire ran through the door closing it quickly before too much sun got in. James the vampire looked up and his friend shook his head meaning Annabelle was dead.
"Who did it? I want to know so I can rip their heart out personally." James demanded.
"Sources say…Elizabeth," His friend told him and James' eyes widen.
"Elizabeth? The Elizabeth?" James asked and his friend nodded. "And Darla?"
"Again sources say Elizabeth killed her nearly six years ago, she hunts our kind now and…" The vampire paused for a moment. "Rumor has it she not only hunts with the first male slayer but…that's her mate too." James sat there in silences. "It's sick killing your own kind and sleeping with the enemy."
"Well, then an eye for an eye then." James stood up from the bed. His mission was clear on what needs to be done. He won't kill Elizabeth but her lover so she can suffer all eternity as well.
Buffy kept staring at the locket while Dawn and Giles were at the table in the study researching. Buffy kept looking at the locket and the two pictures in it. But at the same time she heard ruffling of papers and the small sighs of Dawn and Giles.
"What?" Buffy asked not looking up but Dawn and Giles did.
"What?" They asked at the same time.
"You want to ask me something." Buffy answered still not looking up.
"What no," Dawn stammered.
"I know you both." Buffy knew they wanted to ask something.
"It's none of our business." Giles went on and Buffy nodded still looking at the locket.
"Because that always stops you." She then looked up at them meaning she'll answer.
"Look, I hate seeing you…sulk," Giles started and Buffy gave him a confused look. "You shouldn't blame yourself for her death."
"I…don't," Buffy answered and now Giles looked confused. "Until I saw the locket I didn't even know who she was." But then Giles realized what was really going on and what this…case so to speak was stirring.
"What about him?" Giles asked and Buffy shrugged.
"If James is alive and he finds me, we'll duke it out and may the best vampire win." Buffy made it simple but the look on Giles knew she was holding and hiding something.
"Not James." Giles corrected Buffy and now the vampire fell silent.
"Oh, you mean Angel," Buffy sounded a little annoyed about it. She knows she needs to talk about it, talk about her feelings because there is one feeling she hasn't talked about yet. "What's there to talk about?"
"Uh that my brother was the love of your life and he's gone." Dawn answered. "I miss him too and I still cry at night." Buffy shifted meaning she was putting up the walls again. "I know that you blame me,"
"Dawn," Buffy started.
"It's ok because I blame me too. I could have jumped but I didn't." Dawn was passed Buffy on the guilt trip. Dawn has accepted her guilt and is dealing with it but Buffy not so much she was holding onto it.
"Not now," Buffy answered meaning breaking this wall was going to take more than a wreaking ball. She got up and left and there was no point in going after her right now. Buffy headed up to her room and shut and locked the door. As long as she remains busy, keeps moving its ok. But when something reminds her of him in any way it's hard to stop the pain. She should have told him he was going to die and maybe they could have fixed it.
Buffy sat on the bed and looked at the locket and tossed it. She looked around the room and on one of the nightstands was a picture, a picture of him. Buffy laid down and reached for it and held it. She fought the stinging tears but lost. One tear dropped on the picture and she wiped it off. She couldn't save him and she failed at her mission. Buffy then rolled onto her back letting the silent tears fall. She was far from being done healing and she knew if James was alive she knew his pain too.
As an evil vampire she never wanted to find love because of this. It's pain when you lose the one you love. Angel was her soul mate and as a vampire finding her soul mate she will never be able to love again. She was now suffering the eternal torture of being truly alone. She got up and walked to the TV and put on a movie of her and Angel. One night they decided to try something and video taped themselves together. It was meant just for them like if one of them went away or they got separated for a while. It wasn't raunchy or erotic in anyway it was rather sweet. Mostly it was just them kissing and whispering things to each other just sweet nothings.
Buffy watched it with tears remembering when they made that tape. She was so happy during those days. She was happiest with him. Buffy watched the video as Angel was smiling at her and she was giggling. She'd give anything to have him for just one night, to feel again even for a moment. She was still numb and cold after three months. And now with Annabelle and James around it open up those wounds more than she'd like. Buffy broke down again as she buried her face in her hands sobbing. Days without crying…zero.
Spike and Dawn were back at Willy's old bar waiting on a demon to talk. Well the place was under new management now since poor Willy was killed. But demons and vampires still come here. Of course they sort of miss Willy the Snitch…sort of. Before when Angel was alive if he ever saw Dawn in this bar no matter who she was with he'd kill her. And being in the bar with Spike, Angel would kill her twice.
"Where's this demon?" Dawn asked as they sat at the booth. Willy the Snitch knows to not mess around with the A-Team so when it comes to telling the truth he actually does tell the truth. So far Willy doesn't know anything about a James but he was going to get a demon that might know. "Buffy's going to kill me if she finds out I'm here and here with you."
"Don't worry bit, we'll get our info and then leave." Spike assured her while they split a bowl of chips and dips while Spike drank a beer and Dawn had a coke. "How is Buffy?" Spike asked and Dawn looked up at him as she ate a chip and shrugged. "I mean with this whole forever love crap which that's all it is crap."
"She seems ok." Dawn answered but she was unsure, Buffy knows how to hide all her feelings.
"Heads up," Spike saw the demon informant as the green looking half lizard came over.
"Got the info, where's the money?" The demon demanded and Spike took out the cash and the held out his hand but Spike never gave it to him.
"You first." Spike stated and the demon sighed.
"James and Annabelle are well James is still here someone ganked Annabelle. But yes James is in town." The demon started and Spike took a few dollars and gave it to him meaning the more the demon talked the more money he got. "James knows it was Elizabeth who killed his sweetheart and he's out for blood." Spike then gave the demon more money. Spike then got up and so did Dawn.
Buffy and Dawn were at the mansion at the moment preparing to leave while the rest of the group was looking for James. But James was already at the mansion. He was in the basement and then came up to the first level where Buffy was. He snuck around as Buffy was about to grab the crossbow but she swiftly turned around and grabbed James.
"Hello James," She greeted him.
"Why did you do it Elizabeth?" He asked her.
"Because she was evil and killed a few people in my town that's why." Buffy answered and then James shoved her away.
"No, it's because I had something you could never have." James stated walking to her until something smashed across his head and he went down. Dawn hit the vampire with bottle of holy water and he screamed in pain.
"Dawn!" Buffy got up and Dawn backed away. Buffy got up and tackled James to the ground and he punched her back. Dawn went to the wooden box of stakes and took one out and tossed it to Buffy James caught it. He went to slam it down to Buffy but she caught it. Dawn ran to James and grabbed him by the back of his collar and kneed him in the back. Buffy managed to grab the stake away and staked him.
Buffy got up and grabbed Dawn pulling her away and they both looked relieved for about a second until James got up and pulled the stake out and his wound healed.
"Buffy?" Dawn asked and James came charging after them as Buffy took Dawn by the hand and they ran. Buffy then turned around and kept James at bay and then kicked him hard causing him to fly out the window. "Shouldn't he be on fire?" Dawn asked.
"Go, go," Buffy and Dawn ran out through the garden and kept running. They ran across the yard heading to the woods. Once they felt they got away or at least had some distance they stopped.
"Ok, I may not be the slayer but I know enough about this shouldn't the stake and sunlight have killed him?" Dawn asked.
"Yes," Buffy answered looking just as confused as Dawn sounded.
"Is there another Gem of Amara?" Dawn asked.
"No," Buffy answered.
"Then how is he doing this?" Dawn asked.
"I don't know." Buffy looked around meaning she picked up on something and meant they need to start running again.
Meanwhile Doyle, Cordelia, Giles and Willow were on the hunt. They found out that James went to see a doctor well a demon doctor that was a Snod demon. Once they got to the doctor and after some persuasion by Giles he told him what he did to James. He cut his heart out making unstoppable but it won't last it's just supposed to last long enough to kill Buffy without him dying but James hasn't done all his research.
Out in the woods before Dawn could run another step Buffy grabbed her as James appeared. Buffy pulled Dawn close and then pushed the teen slightly behind her.
"How can you be out in the day?" James asked and Buffy held up her hand showing him the Gem. "So this could be the whole fight for eternity right?"
"Maybe," Buffy answered.
"Look at you Elizabeth, you actually care about someone, this little human?" James asked and Buffy stood her ground. "So if I snap her little neck you'll feel something." Buffy tensed up. "I don't want her I want the slayer, the male slayer." Buffy's eyes widen. "He's your lover right?"
"Yes," Buffy answered and James smiled. "But you're too late, he's dead." Buffy stated.
"You killed him?" The vampire asked and Buffy almost said yes.
"He died saving the world." And that was the first time Buffy has said that. It's usually saying she killed him but what she just said now was true, he died saving the world. "Ninety three days ago."
"You loved the slayer? You loved someone with everything you had?" James asked and Buffy nodded. "With all your heart?"
"Yes." Buffy answered and James shook his head no.
"No, you didn't because if you did you wouldn't be standing here right now. You would die too." James explained and Buffy continued to stand there.
"Maybe but I have a soul, you don't, I know there's more out there to live for. Plus I made a promise to him to continue to live." Once more for Buffy this was profound for her to be talking like this. This is what she kept down; she wanted to feel guilty because that's all she's ever felt in life guilt. She didn't want to allow herself to be happy not without him. But for the first time she was admitting that Angel's death was not her fault he made the choice to die.
"You're lying, because when he died you wouldn't be able to live. When some bastard killed him you shouldn't have gone living!" James yelled.
"I'm not you James." Buffy stated. "Love it's not the whole it's not real unless it kills you."
"No," James then fell to the ground looking paler and paler. "You don't know what love is Elizabeth."
"I do." Buffy stated and James gave a small laugh.
"You didn't win this because you're alive, you never lived Elizabeth you just existed." Then in an instant James turned into ash. Buffy stood there for a moment and then turned to Dawn with tears in her eyes.
"Buffy," Dawn walked over to Buffy and hugged her. "It's ok, it's all ok." Dawn assured her big sister. They were sisters, they were each other had left of Angel.
Night was about to settle in as Buffy explained everything to Giles. She was letting some of the walls break a little.
"I am," Buffy started but Giles stopped her. Yes Buffy is strong but it's ok to admit to weakness and to cry. She needs to for Angel.
"Buffy don't say you're ok, not after all this." Giles insisted and Buffy just stood there for a moment thinking. She walked over to the stairs and sat on the first step as Giles followed and she looked up at him and shrugged. "Angel's dead and I'm not saying that in a diminishing way at all. I miss him too." Buffy nodded. "I know this James character opened up some wounds that weren't healed yet for you. But you'll be ok in the end." Buffy then looked up to the Watcher that Angel looked up to as a father.
"I am ok," She assured him.
"Then if you are ok then what's the problem?" Giles asked.
"That I am ok," She answered and she gave a small smile. Dawn heard what was going on from the living room and came over. "The problem is that I'm ok and that Angel's death didn't kill me. He was a loss to this world and I'm not. He had so much more live for." Buffy was finally opening up and Dawn took a spot next to her. Giles understood perfectly what she meant. "He was the one thing I truly loved and now he's gone forever."
"And you're still here." Giles finished and she nodded. That was the root of it all.
"I'd give anything to trade places. But I know no one can hurt him ever again." Buffy continued and fought hard to not cry but a small tear escaped. "It feels like I'm betraying him some how,"
"Buffy no," Giles came over and sat down and the three were somewhat squished together but it didn't bother them.
"If you were a loser," Dawn jumped in. "A sick obsessed vampire then you would have gone to a Snod demon or whatever and got your heart cut out but you're not Buffy." Dawn had a small smile as Buffy looked to her. "You're a living breathing," Dawn paused for a moment. "Well, living anyways but a good person who's still fighting for what he stood for."
"That's not betraying him Buffy," Giles started. "That's honoring him." Buffy nodded letting a tear fall but it was the first happy tear. In three months she cried so many tears of pain and loss but this one didn't burn. Buffy leaned forward and hugged Dawn and she hugged her back just then Anya, Oz, Willow and Xander coming in with Cordelia.
"What do you know about Nester demons?" Oz asked as he walked in and Dawn, Buffy and Giles stood up. Spike was the last one in after Doyle.
"Uh, you have to kill the queen first." Giles answered as they all walked into the training room for weapons. "If you don't kill the queen they come back and they're even worse." Giles added.
"Nasty buggers," Spike commented.
"We cleared a whole bunch last month." Dawn added.
"Didn't kill the queen then." Willow solved the problem.
"Well, then lets go find out." Buffy stated and turned around leaving the mansion with everyone following. "Let's do it." It was another night's mission with the A-Team hard at work.
We all came out to Montreux
On the Lake Geneva shoreline
To make records with a mobile
We didn't have much time
Frank Zappa and the Mothers
Were at the best place around
But some stupid with a flare gun
Burned the place to the ground
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky
They burned down the gambling house
It died with an awful sound
Funky Claude was running in and out
Pulling kids out the ground
When it all was over
We had to find another place
But Swiss time was running out
It seemed that we would lose the race
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky
Smoke on the water
We ended up at the Grand Hotel
It was empty cold and bare
But with the Rolling truck Stones thing just outside
Making our music there
With a few red lights and a few old beds
We make a place to sweat
No matter what we get out of this
I know we'll never forget
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky
Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple
Had to end the chapter with Smoke on the Water and just imagine it's playing as our group heads out in the night. It seems right as our team is back on their feet; Buffy is back on her feet. But a lot has happened in this chapter. And there is no Angel in the end unlike the actual season. Told you I was changing everything and it's going to keep changing. There's more in the forum why there is no Angel or even a discussion about him returning.
The next few chapters are rather like I drop you off and you guys hit the ground running. The first four of five chapters have some intense moments. Out of the entire book these next few chapters are my favorite. The forum will have more about this chapter and all it's meanings but from what you've read Buffy's still grieving. I'll also explain in the forum why Buffy isn't just in shambles and crying every five minutes. Also I'll explain why there is no Angel at all except in the dream.
Chapter 2 is a ride of a chapter. I introduce a new bad guy to this universe. I foreshadow all kinds of stuff. So buckle kids because we're going to take a sharp left here. As always there's more in the forum. Got a sneak peek there and here of chapter 2. Book 6 is in full swing. Comments and reviews are as always welcomed. Thank you for reading and have a great St. Patrick's Day.
Chapter 2 Highway to Hell
The Hell Mouth was opened about four months ago. Hell itself began to pour into the world. When Angel closed it most of the demons and the monsters went back in, most. One demon managed to hold on and stay on earth. But the problem is he's not going to be at his strongest yet, he needs to wait about two months before he has his full strength but it won't hurt going around now torturing poor and unfortunate souls.
The demon has taken a human body to walk in although he'll need a better body as this one will fall apart. The demon walked around the streets of Sunnydale and was drawn to a certain spot. The demon stood before the ruins of the old high school. The building was finally torn down and the construct workers have been slowly moving the debris away. The demon walked up to the yellow caution tapes and walked right through them. He then started to walk on the rubble looking around and continued to walk.
He was searching for something and would continue to look for it but it didn't take long. He felt it under his feet as he stood on the old high school's stone. The Hell Mouth was just under him. He had no intentions of going back to Hell he had every intention in opening it again. He was a higher up demon and can do it but he'll need some help and he needed to see if any more demons managed to stay on earth before the gates closed.