Chapter Two

The brunette lowered her eyes, sadness crossing her face. Her hands started to shake nervously and she slipped them under her legs, warming them up. "What if Xander was right. Maybe we shouldn't have let Buffy go."

Dawn had a bad feeling about letting her sister go, and the feeling was getting worse, by each minute. Something bad was going to happen.

The Slayer smiled sadly, her hand reaching for the younger girl's face. "They will be alright. B's strong and she's got Angel, Spike and a few others…" Faith's eyes softened and she pulled Dawn into a hug, rubbing her back, trying to reassure her.

Dawn swallowed, her head turning towards the witch beside her. Her brown eyes pleading with Willow.

"Dawn, I believe this fight isn't for us…it never was. B and Angel they have been waiting for this moment forever-especially Angel. They are strong. Stronger than anyone of us," A large smile formed the slayers lips and she laughed. "They really are soul mates. Dark versus light, mortal and immortal. Slayer and Vampire-You get the drift," "Faith mumbled, Dawn could see the fear and sadness in Faith's eyes and she shifted nervously beside her.

"Prisoned by love, and passion, yet never able to taste it." Dawn whispered and Faith nodded, her long fingers combing through Dawn's hair.

"I agree with Faith, Dawn. This prophecy is for Angel. From what I gathered from Giles, is this fight is for Angel's humanity. It could be a chance for Buffy and Angel to be together. Don't you want that for them? Don't you think he deserves it? I think they both do."

Willow's voice was an almost a whisper but Dawn could sense the anger and frustration in the Willow's voice. Since Dawn could remember, Willow had been the quiet one, the good one. The tension that radiated off her lately was almost eerie- her recent visits to the outer plains and her relationship with Kennedy had changed the Willow she once knew. She was now somewhat afraid of her.

"You heard what Giles said, Willow. Wolfram and Hart isn't to be trusted. I know, it's Angel and I love Angel just as much as any of you, but he isn't the same Angel that we knew. You heard the rumours, we all have." The anger started to fester inside Dawn and she stood up off the couch, and started pacing back and fourth, a scowl upon her face.

"Dawn please." Willow whispered, lifting herself of the couch. "Buffy doesn't need us. She can take care of herself."

A loud snort interrupted Willow and the Witch noticed her lover walking into the room. An angry glare was shot at Kennedy before Willow turned back towards Dawn. "Angel won't let anything happen to her. Neither would Spike. They love her too much to let anything happen."

"I know." Dawn sighed, her hand slipping through her hair before letting it fall back to her side. "That's what I'm afraid of. I think they both love her to much, and I don't like what could happen."

After getting off the phone with Gunn and realizing that the whole top floor had been barricaded off. Angel decided to head towards the elevator to be ready for an attack from whatever was on the other side. As they walked down the long narrow hallway, Angel tensed; his dark eyes stared everywhere but at her. He had to keep his attention on the disturbance at Wolfram and Hart, not the Slayer-anything but Buffy at that moment. A low growl erupted deep in his throat and he remembered how, only a few minutes ago, they had both been half-naked, kissing.

Buffy tensed at the awkward silence. She hated feeling this helpless when Angel was around. She laughed, even after so long he could still make her feel like a shy, frigid girl. Angel glanced at Buffy strangely and she whispered, "sorry," before laughing again, only louder this time,

"What?" He asked, a small smile playing on his lips.

A sparkle flickered through her eyes and she smiled,"I just don't remember it being this uncomfortable before!" Her saddened eyes couldn't meet his and she glanced down at her feet, nervously. Angel laughed and it warmed Buffy's heart and she stopped, waiting for him to catch up.

"How is everyone?" He asked, walking in sync with the Slayer, his eyes shot towards the elevator then back to her.

"They a…are good." She paused, her vision catching Angel's. "I…I don't talk to them much. I don't have much to do with slaying anymore."

Angel tilted his head, staring deeper into her eyes. He could sense the pain and betrayal she was feeling.

"I'm sorry." He whispered, reaching for her hand.

"It's okay, it was my decision. Thought I might check out how a normal girl lives and since there are thousands of Slayers now, I finally can."

"That's good!"

"Yeah it is. So… how are you?" Her tongue clicked against her teeth and she breathed loudly. "I…heard about Cordy. I'm really sorry. I…I know we weren't the best of friends, not really friends at all." She paused, glancing up, noticing the pain in his deep brown eyes. Buffy coughed. The large lump forming in her throat irritated her and she coughed again, turning away shyly.

"She didn't deserve to die. She was a good person. She saved the world a lot…She deserved love, happiness, life….not death." Angel choked on his last word and Buffy's body stiffened.

"I know. Did…you love her?"

The question she asked frightened Angel and he backed away, giving himself some space. Could he really do this? Could he really look at her straight in the eye and tell her he loved Cordy? Did he really love her though? They had become close, very intimate in fact. He wasn't going to lie. He had enjoyed her company and friendship. Cordelia Chase had turned into a wonderful, beautiful, caring woman and she loved him.

"It was different than what you and I had. I don't know what we had. It could have been love, I…it could not have been, but there was something. I felt it." He paused moving closer to the petite blonde. Pain appeared across her pale face and the Vampire felt helpless.

"I…I know that this is none of my business but did Angelus come out because of….of you two?" She choked, turning her head away from him, and opening the door to the stairway.

"I loved her yes-" His dark eyes narrowed and his arm reached around her neck to slam the door shut.

Buffy turned, taking in a deep breath, her blonde hair brushing against his cheek. The fire burning in his eyes, made her a little aroused and she squirmed under his erotic stare.

"She could never be you Buffy. You're who I dream about." His fingers grazed lightly over her cheek and she shivered, goose bumps covering her body.

"Without you, I'd be nothing. I live because of you." His animalistic growl caused the Slayer to moan and she arched toward him, her body touching against his.

The door to the elevator opened, interrupting the Slayer and Vampire. They both turned immediately, their gazes catching six men, in full black suits with masks over their faces.

" What the…"

The hallway became dark and smoke filled the room, knocking both of them unconscious.