A/N: Once again thank you for all you're reviews. For all you who have asked, yes Spike is going to be interested in Buffy. I'm trying to update more then once a week but the chapters are very lengthy so it is quite difficult. I'll update as soon as I can. It would be nice to know what you think of the fic so far, if you've got any advice that will make it any better then that would be great.
Judgment
Gunn pressed down on the golden door handle taking a deep breath. It was an easy mission so why was he so nervous about it? Go in, get his toothbrush and get out before Cordelia even noticed. The warm water of the shower fell on Cordelia's naked body. Taking the bottle of shampoo from the shelf she squirted it in her hand until the liquid that smelt like fruit came out. She was so busy in her own little world she didn't notice Gunn coming in only it wasn't as easy as he thought it would be to sneak in. Especially when Cordelia didn't have the curtain on the shower closed. Gunn stood still unable to move, more like not wanting to move until Cordelia's scream brought him back to reality. Cordelia grabbed the towel on the radiator nearest to her and covered herself with it then she took the towel that was on the floor and whipped Gunn with it. Cordelia's shriek had been heard by the men downstairs, running up with a sword Angel got to the bathroom and blinked
"What...What happened?" Angel panted trying to regain his breath from rushing to the aid of what he thought was a damsel in distress
"This little perv by here!"
"Gunn?" Wesley had to take his glasses off to be sure it was him
"This is sexual harassment at the work place you know. I could have you done for this, they take it very serious these days" Cordelia pulled the towel tighter to herself making sure every inch from her chest to her thighs were covered
"Now hold up, I only wanted to get my tooth brush. There was no sexual harassment involved" Gunn waved his tooth brush in front of Cordelia's face unable to believe she could accuse him of such a thing
"Tell it to the judge!" Cordelia spat now feeling uncomfortable that all eyes were on her newly shaven legs
"I'm sure Gunn didn't mean too uh ... violate your space"
"Damn right I didn't" Gunn said under his breath still ticked off
"I can't cope, living with three men it's too traumatic. I've had it! I'm moving out" Cordelia looked up at the ceiling expecting some sort of argument "Well don't all beg me to stay at once" she said when she didn't get one
"We'll all be sorry to see you leave" Wesley said on behalf of the three men. There was a pause in the room, no one spoke only looked at one another. Cordelia looked up at the ceiling wanting them to force her to stay, Wesley's mind was working over drive on telekinesis, Gunn was looking at Cordelia's legs biting his lower lip and Angel was just thankful that he could get his bathroom back without waiting an hour for Cordelia to finish in there and then leave him to tidy up all her make up
"Where will you go?" Angel asked breaking the silence
"Like you even care"
"Cordy don't be like that, of course we care" Angel looked at Gunn and Wesley for back up, both of them said nothing until Angel's eyes hardened then they both nodded
"Oh yeah we care" Gunn patted his shiny head, he too was glad that he wouldn't have to wait an hour to use the bathroom
"Out of my way I'm going to get dressed" Wesley, Angel and Gunn watched Cordelia go to her room and slam the door after her
"That went well" Wesley sighed
"Could have gone better" Angel added
"At least I can get my toothbrush without anyone filing a sexual harassment case against me" Gunn smiled
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The spot light was turned on at the karaoke bar in Sunnydale and a demon with a face as green as grass held the mike to his mouth. The red horned on the top of his head matched his red eyes which looked from the screen to the audience
""First I was afraid. I was petrified. Kept thinking I could never live without you by my side. But then I spent so many nights thinking how you done me wrong and I grew strong. And I learned how to get along." The demon sang then looked away from the screen and started talking "Oh, you know what I'm talking about. In this town you better learn to get along. Because Sunnydale's got it all: The glamour and the grit, the big breaks and the heartaches, the sweet young lovers and the nasty, ugly, hairy fiends that suck out your brain through your face and lets not forget the mouth of hell. It's all part of the big wacky variety show we call - Sunnydale. You never know what's coming next. And let's admit it folks: Isn't that why we love it? I'll survive. I will survive! Hey, hey"
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An hour later everything calmed down at the Crawford mansion. Cordelia had forgotten all about Gunn walking in on her in the shower and was now looking for a nice apartment to rent. Cordelia held up her finger and scrunched her face. Wesley ran to her aid holding her tightly as she sneezed
"Just a sneeze" Cordelia told him
"Oh" Wesley said turning away
"Oh!?"
"I mean bless you"
Again Cordelia held up a finger and scrunched her face. Wesley looked at her ready to catch her at any moment "Sneeze. Followed by vision" Wesley ran to Cordelia as she fell back clutching her head trying to make out what she was seeing in her head
"Are you alright?" Angel asked kneeling in front of his friend
"I'll survive" Cordelia lifted herself from the floor still feeling the aftermath of her visions that brought so much pain to her head
"So what we got?" Gunn asked taking the whiteboard pen and making a grid
"Nasty looking demon didn't recognize it" Cordelia watched as Gunn wrote N. D. U. O on the white board. "N.D.U.O?"
"Nasty demon, unknown origin" Gunn confirmed
"There's an awful lot of that in this town. I'm sure he'll feel right at home here." Angel went into his office to get a sketch pad then started working on demon's image.
"The eyes are a little further apart" Cordelia looked over Angel's shoulder as he rubbed the neatly sketched eyes out to place them further apart from each other "They look right through you. I… I don't think this guy is afraid of much."
"Wes, I'm thinking northern Pakistan, Hindu Kush..."
"Right. Or maybe the Tien Shenin in Kazakhstan. Which means I need Suleman's Compendium." Wesley searched for another book on the massive wooden book shelf that had always been in the mansion even before Angelus moved. Finding the book he was looking for Wesley pulled it out and flipped through the pages until Cordelia stopped him
"There! That's him, that's the demon in my vision"
"Prio Motu demon. It's a killer."
"Ancient Ofga-beast, bred to maim and massacre." Angel read
"Oh, goody. A pit bull." Cordelia went back to apartment searching as Angel took t the white board pen of Gunn and began to write
"Okay. Now we know what we're dealing with."
"Prio Motu." Wesley confirmed
"Now we need to find it. Right now we got to narrow it down to somewhere." Gunn reached for a map of Sunnydale and laid it out in front of Angel
"I don't think that's going to help" Gunn shrugged and folded the map up again to put it back where he found it, he knew Angel was a neat freak and didn't like mess in his house
"I may be able to help us with that. I've been broadening our contact base. Reaching out to the underlife. I may have someone who can help." Wesley had been meaning to take Angel there since they moved back to Sunnydale but he wasn't sure how Gunn would react in a bar full of demons especially when the sanctuary spell only applied for demons
"Who?"
"A parasite demon named Merl."
"Demon?" Gunn asked but didn't wait for an answer "Since when do we work with demons"
Cordelia lifted her head and chuckled "Hello Mr. I'm-to-good-to-work-for-demons. Incase you haven't noticed but Angel's a demon" Angel gave Cordelia a hurt look, he didn't like being called a demon, even if it was the truth
"Yeah but he's got that soul thing going down"
"Not all demons are evil Gunn" Wesley told him but the thing about Gunn was he wasn't very open minded especially when it came to supernatural things
"Maybe it's time we pay your stoolie a little visit. Make with the chin-music until he canaries. I've been watching a little noir festival on Bravo."
"There is a place he hangs out. A safe haven for demons. I've been meaning to take you there. I think it may be of use to us but..."
"But what?"
"It's a little outside the box." Wesley decided he would leave the part about the owner being anagogic and that they had to sing for him to look into their souls
"Right, looking at this thing I think we might need some extra help. Give Buffy a call" Angel took one last glance at the picture of the demon before slamming the book shut
Cordelia rolled her eyes "Is that the only reason you want to call her?"
"Cordy" Angel sighed "Just call her"
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Buffy looked up at the neon sign that read Caritas. The sound of really bad singing leaked out of the bar as they met a large bouncer checking demons for weapons
"Now remember, Buffy, Gunn, this is a sanctuary. The bar has a protection spell on it that enable's demons to fight but it doesn't affect humans so what ever you do, do not turn violent" Buffy rolled her eyes. Wesley had told them the same thing a hundred times in the car
"Yeah I get it" Buffy moved forward with the queue, it was now her turn to be searched for weapons. The big bouncer patted the side her sides down to her ankles then checked her pockets. Once he was satisfied he made her go through the metal detector, when it didn't beep she was finally allowed to enter the bar. The same thing happened with Wesley, Angel and Cordelia, it would have happened with Gunn if he hadn't been carrying a small pocket knife
"I thought I told you not to bring any weapons?"
"Better to be safe then sorry" Gunn grunted watching the bouncer confiscate his small knife.
"I'm so excited. And I just can't hide it. I'm about to lose control and I think I like it. I like it. Tonight's the night we're going to make it happen." The demon that was on the stage sang
"Well you said it was outside the box" Angel looked at the demons that were sitting enjoying the music. Most of them were ruthless killers so it was strange seeing them in a no violence bar. The green demon with red eyes walked around the round tables with the microphone in his hand
""Tonight we put all other things aside. Give in this time and show me some affection. We're going for those pleasures in the night." The demon walked up the stairs to get onto the stage and took the mic off the other demon "Well, move over Pointer Sisters! That was cooking! I'm about to lose control and I think I like it. Well, I'm going to have a word with Liz here. Don't go anywhere! Coming right up, Mordar the Bentback will be calling' the tune with a personal favorite of mine. Make him feel welcome!" The green demon handed the mic over to a furry looking creature
Wesley scanned the entire room for his source until his eyes rested upon a gray bald demon sitting on a bar stool by the bar "Hello Merl" Wesley said taking a seat next to him. The rest of the group gathered around the demon. They all waited for Merl to say something but instead he just sipped his drink
"Cat got your tongue Merl?" Cordelia asked impatiently
"I don't have a tongue." Merl stated looking at each person that was gathered around him
"Oh."
"And, uh, keep the bloodsucker away from me." Merl pointed at Angel who was closer to him then any other person
"He can't hurt you in here." Wesley reminded him
"I know his rep, okay? He eats his own kind. Beating on demons wherever he finds them."
"Especially when they waste my time." Angel was about to step even closer to Merl when he felt Wesley's hand stopping him
"We're looking for the Prio Motu." Wesley slid an eveloped full of money to Merl who looked at it then shook his head
"Woah, woah, woah! You've obviously never seen one up close. I mean Prios are stone cold killers. They've got these teeth that'll, uhm... You got to sweeten this - a whole lot. And keep my name..." Wesley was about to hand him more money when Buffy stepped in slamming Merl's head down on the bar
"He can't hurt you but I can" Wesley shook his head, how many times did he tell them that they couldn't resort to violence and what do they do? Resort to violence, he might as well be talking to a wall he though
"This Prio you're looking for, he don't like it above ground. So he'll be traveling in one of those sub-tunnels of the Rodondo linePrios are nasty. Not some big mosquito like you, turns to dust whenever you stake it. Best of luck though." Merl rubbed the back of his head. The reason he came to Caritas instead of Willy's because it was a sanctuary so people couldn't beat information out of him, well now he might as well go back to Willy's. Angel smiled, he had gotten what he
wanted and didn't even have to pay extra. Just as he was about to leave he ran into the green demon with red eyes
"Love the coat. It's all about the coat. Welcome to Caritas. You know what that means?" He asked
"It's Latin for mercy." Angel replied
"Smart and cute. How about gracing us with a number?"
"I don't sing."
"Neither does Mordar the Bentback! That cat's a foghorn on two legs."
"Who is this guy?" Buffy whispered to Wesley but a loud enough whisper for Cordelia and Gunn to hear
"He's, uh, anagogic."
"Really? He looks like he's eating enough." Cordelia scanned the host for any signs of a eating disorder but found none. Wesley simply stared at her and wondered why he was the one that had to explain everything
"Psychic. He's connected to the mystic. When you sing you bare you soul. He sees into it."
"This isn't about your pipes, bro. It's about your spirit. I can't read you unless you sing!" The green demon nodded. Angel folded his hands and looked at his crew, they were all dying for him to get up on the stage but he would just have to let them die
"I don't sing."
"Come on, Angel. I want to hear you sing." Cordelia nagged
"Yeah me too" Buffy added giving him a slight nudge
"No." Angel didn't even turn to look at any of them
"It would be for a good cause. We might learn something." Wesley didn't really know if they were going to learn anything, he just wanted to see his boss sing
"Who's the boss here?" Angel turned to look at Wesley with his dark eyes, they were determined
"I know you're feeling smooth, in the groove. Isn't that the thing that comes before a fall?"
"There are three things I don't do: Tan, date - and sing in public!"
"We dated" Buffy shifted her eyes as she spoke wondering if she said the right thing as the five of them were silent. Angel turned to leave, his long black coat swaying as he moved
"See you around." The green demon said before turning to a random in the bar "How fabulous would I look in that coat?"
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"Angel, wait up" Buffy ran down the tunnel trying to catch up with the tall brooding vampire
"I thought I told you to go home"
"Look you called me for a reason, obviously you need my help so that's what I'm going to do, help so you either…" Angel stopped Buffy by pushing her into the tunnel wall covering her mouth with his hands. The sound of footsteps filled his ears. At the right moment he backed away from Buffy and stood where he had before to see a pregnant woman running down the tunnels
"Hey. It's okay. I won't hurt you. Are you alright?" Angel gently touched the woman's shoulder but the gentle touch was interrupted as the large demon from Cordelia's vision came charging around the corner. Buffy pulled the woman to stand by her as Angel took care of the demon. The Prio demon swung his large fist, punched Angel in the face. Angel felt the blow to his left cheek but didn't stumbled, he kept his balance and backhanded the demon, hard. The Prio demon was so surprised the impact of the hit that he was caught off guard when Angel held him in a chokehold. Buffy heard the clicking sound of a neck being broken. "It's all right. He's dead." Angel said turning to the pregnant woman. She slapped him across the face before running to the side of the demon sobbing
"What did you do? Oh my God! What have you done?"
"I didn't... I thought he was gonna hurt you!"
Woman: "He was my protector! Stay away from me!"
"I'm sorry. I was sent here to... I'm not exactly sure, but..." Angel mumbled still in shock that the demon was a good guy
"You were sent here?"
"By the Powers That… it's a long story. I help people."
"You're joking, right? God, I hate this town!" The woman gave a bitter laugh
"I'm really..."
"What was he protecting you from?" Buffy asked stepping in for Angel who was still trying to come to terms with killing the pregnant woman's protector
"Things you couldn't handle!"
"Like what?"
"Like the Tribunal. Look. I don't know who you are or what your deal is. And I don't care! He was my protector. I had one friend in this world and you killed him! Now, you stay the hell away from me."
Buffy watched the woman leave; they killed her protector now they had to protect her from the Tribunal, what ever that was
"What's the Tribunal?" She asked. Angel shrugged, they were going to have to do a lot of research "I think maybe you should come to the magic box" Angel was about to protest but Buffy cut him off by raising her hand "I know it's your case, mission, what ever it is but you called me so it makes it our mission, case, so ring your people and I'll ring mine"
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At the Magic Box Giles, Xander, Willow, Tara, Anya, Riley and even Spike sat waiting for the sound of the wind chimes when the door opened. When it did Angel, Buffy, Cordelia, Gunn and Wesley stepped through. Gunn looked at the shelf to his left reading the labels
"Eye of Newt? That's nasty" He frowned. Seeing Angel step through the door Riley, Spike and Xander eyed him carefully, they were so convinced he had ulterior motives for moving back to Sunnydale
"Hey guys" Buffy smiled, no one said anything. Awkward was a understatement in this situation "Uh you already know Wesley and Cordelia, this is Charles Gunn" She pointed to Gunn who nodded
"Just Gunn if you don't mind"
"Gunn this is Xander, Giles, Riley, Anya, Willow, Tara and Spike"
"Wait that's Xander" Gunn laughed pointing at the man with black hair sitting with his arms around the blond woman Buffy said was Anya "You dated that guy?" Gun asked Cordelia still chuckling. Cordelia blushed ruby red
"Hey, I'm not proud of it alright"
"Xander why are they laughing? Make them stop" Anya demanded shifting slightly in her seat. Was Xander really that bad? Xander got out from his chair standing face to face with Charles Gunn
"Yeah you can laugh, sitting there in a nice cozy office while the rest of us are doing the real work."
"Wesley, it's uh nice to see you again" Giles lied taking his glasses off to clean
"Yes, quite so" Wesley agreed, Buffy and Angel noticed how Wesley cleaned his glasses just like Giles; he was like a Giles junior. There observation was interrupted by raised voiced
"Cozy office? I'm out there slaying not hiding behind the slayer's skirt"
"Ever faced the Master? I have and a Frankenstein demon monster" Xander spat back. Gunn stepped forward so there faces were almost touched, that's when he felt Angel's hand on his shoulder tugging him softly away
"Wasn't it Buffy who faced the Master? And wasn't it Buffy who killed the Adam?" Angel asked although there was no need for him to as he already knew the answer but watching Xander back off a bit was enough to make him smile. Riley was still sitting on his chair not taking his eyes off Angel. Angel noticed him watching him but just shrugged it off
"Right as much as I love watching this battle of the males shit we have a pregnant lady to save" Buffy pulled Xander back and sat him down as if he was defiant five year old then she told them what happened in the sewers
"He was good?" Wesley asked looking at the picture of the Prio Motus in front of him
"Yeah." Angel nodded slowly still full of guilt. Buffy touched his arm gently telling him it wasn't his fault. As soon as he saw his girlfriend touching her ex Riley jumped up putting his arm around Buffy's waist grinning at Angel
"And you" Cordelia put her hands around her throat and made a choking noise
"Yeah."
Cordy: "Ooh. Well. That's bad. Which of course you already... Right."
"He was a demon. I just assumed..."
"Yeah carry on killing the good guys. Maybe you should go back to L.A because you're doing more bad then good" Xander barked. Angel stopped himself from growling, he also stopped Gunn from moving to smack the back haired.
"Well, why wouldn't you? Cordelia said he was a nasty demon." Wesley looked at Xander while he was speaking
"Well, he looked nasty!" Cordelia emphasized. Angel looked at her "I didn't say he was a killer, you did!"
"yes but not all demons are evil, we established that on graduation when that demon wanted to sell us the books of essention"
"Yes but that's what Prio Motus are! They hunt. They kill. What, we're supposed to think a creature like that can suddenly change its modus operandi overnight? Turn into some noble protector and... defender of... Oh, God."
"I didn't feel any fear when I saw him. Angel was probably supposed to help him not..." Cordelia sighed "Thanks for the obscure visions! We're doing great with that."
"Yeah well he didn't, he killed him. Can we all get over it now, I mean another demon dead, come on mistakes happen" Anya stated. Buffy wondered where was her tact
"Well at least I know Xander's got a type" Gunn smirked realizing that he went for women who spoke their minds
"I killed an innocent being. He was a soldier like me. Whatever his mission is it's mine now."
"Ours" Buffy reminded him
"Well, that's a start! You said he was protecting a pregnant woman." Giles walked over to his book case
"From something called the Tribunal. I need you to find out what that is
"We only take order's from Buffy" Xander crossed his arms, he was determined to be as difficult as he could
"Xander!" Willow scolded
"Xander I want you to help Giles" Buffy commanded
"Do you two need any help? Because I could be useful for say a new TV for my crypt?"
"Spike" Angel turned to look at him grabbing his coat "Go home"
"Be careful" Riley whispered letting go of his lover
"Angel" Wesley called after him "You didn't know."
"I'm thinking somebody did." Angel didn't even turn around as he spoke, he still felt guilty for what he had done even if he didn't know he still killed the good demon
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"Do you even know where you're going?" Buffy moaned. She was sure they had already been down this alley before
Angel: "You're not on protected ground tonight, Merl." Angel grabbed Merl from where he was hiding and pushed him against a fence answering Buffy's question
"What do you want?" Merl managed to ask through Angel's tight grip out his throat
"The truth."
"I told you where to find him!"
"Not a whole lot of time tonight! Why'd you lie about the Prio?"
"Uh I didn't…I…I don't know what you mean" Merl stuttered
"You know Merl? I don't like being lied to, neither does Angel" Buffy pulled out a small knife. She wasn't going to use it even Angel knew but she hoped that Merl
didn't. When Merl started to panic Angel pushed him back against the fence again
"There is a price on the… on the woman."
"The woman or the baby?"
"Yeah, the kid. A daughter. She's supposed to be some powerful, benevolent... I don't know! The dark ones they want her out of the picture. So it's two for one with the mom! The local brokers, they're offering hard cash. But no one can get close enough with that Prio around. You know, now that he is out of the picture you and I could..." Angel smashed Merl against the fence even harder this time before he could end his sentence but Angel had a pretty good idea what he was going to say
"Where is she?" He roared
"Look, if I knew, would I be hanging around here, getting strangled by you?"
"Put the word out. No one touches the woman."
"It's a too little late for that. You know how many beast are out there after her by now?"
"Where did the Prio live?" Buffy asked, they needed the information now if Merl was right
"I don't know. I don't know exactly. Boyle Heights. Somewhere underground, near the water and power. Kind of an iffy part of town, if you know what I'm saying?" Angel threw Merl like he was ball before jumping into his car with Buffy not far behind
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Four men with their hoods up roamed the street until they saw another man running
Man: "Just take the car!" One of the hooded men shouted
"Hey, look out!" Another one called as the man ran into a male vampire. Gunn ran around the corner stake in hand. Knocking the vampire of the man he quickly staked him, turning him to dust
"You probably should get home now" Gunn said helping the man up. Without another word the man ran off terrified leaving Gunn on his own "Uh your welcome" He shouted after him
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"How deep are these?" Buffy asked walking through the tunnels
"You're the original Sunnydale resident; I was hoping you could tell me"
"Well seeing as I don't come town here often I wouldn't know" Buffy sighed looked at her new shoes which were now ruined
"You don't come down here anymore? I remember when we were down here together"
"What when we were running from the judge or when you gave me that speech of wanting me to have a better life?"
"You're still mad about that?" Angel asked although straight after he wished he hadn't when Buffy came to a alarming stop
"Am I still mad about that!" She roared "You were the love of my life Angel! Being dumped in a sewer tunnel on the night before prom is something your going to be mad about for the rest of your life!"
"Ok, I get that your still pissed"
"Pissed doesn't even cover it, now can we just find the lady with the baby and I can go home to someone who actually loved me" Buffy walked in front of angel. Yup, he definitely shouldn't have said it.
"Wait, this wasn't here before" Angel noticed a vent in the wall. It had been a year since he had been in these tunnels but he defiantly knew that it wasn't there before
"Do you feel any air coming out of this vent? There's no air coming out?" Buffy's hand floated above the vent. Angel pulled on the latch at the side of it until it opened revealing a lair "Well he kept a neat home" Buffy noticed looking around, there was no mess at all
"Kamal" Angel read from the book
"What's that?" Buffy asked
"That was… it was his name" Guilt once again filled the ensouled vampire
"What are we supposed to be looking for?" Angel pulled open a hidden drawer taking something out "What is that?"
"Buffy I need you to take this back to the Magic Box" Angel gave Buffy the round metal disk
"I'm not leaving you"
"Buffy" Angel pleaded, he knew how stubborn she could be "This might have something to do with the Tribunal"
"What are you going to do" Buffy put the disk in her pocket
"Don't worry about me" Angel smiled
"But I do" Buffy whispered, she didn't know why she said that, it just came out. Oh well to late she couldn't take it back now
"Well you shouldn't, I'll see you later"
"Bye" Buffy turned and left through the vent that they entered
Hearing a noise Angel picked up a sword that was leaning against the wall. The woman starred straight at the sword that was being pointed at her. Upon realizing who it was Angel dropped the sword hoping he didn't scare her into giving early birth or anything
"Your safe, that's good"
"You shouldn't be here. You don't have the right." The woman was trying to keep herself from shouting, the man killed her champion and now he was raiding his home
"Oh, I know. It's - not really my choice, either. Kamal's mission is mine now."
"You sound just like him! You guys with your missions, and ancient laws, and medieval codes of honor! Well, I'm not interested. I'm just trying to protect my baby."
"I understand."
"How could you? I don't even understand it! I mean, six months ago I'm working the register at Costco. I did my time as a stock-girl and I was moving up. I was going to be able to provide for my baby. Now all I want to do is make sure she gets born."
"Well, I want that too."
"Right. Right. Because she is some seer, or leader or Joan of Arc. Well, you know what she is to me? My daughter. Not someone's holy mission." The woman was on the verge of tears now, why couldn't anyone understand that the only thing she wanted to do was raise her child, see her go to school, her first date now she was beginning to wonder if all that was possible
"It's not exactly that… it's sort of my job."
"Your job?" The woman raised her brow
"Yeah. Look! I got cards and…and an office. Well, the office kind of blew up, but I got a new one in the mansion on Crawford Street, funny story actually" The woman looked at him like she didn't want to hear the story so he decided to not tell her it "Let me help you. Let me help your daughter."
The woman sighed, realizing without anyone's help her child wasn't going to get born. "We need to find the coat of arms. Kamal said I needed to present it to the Tribunal and maybe if I do they call this whole thing... What?"
"It wouldn't be a round bronze talisman. Oh, say, about this big?" Angel strenched his arms out showing her the size
"Yes."
"Heh. I already found it."
The woman smiled, it was the best thing she had heard since the whole fiasco with people chasing her "Yeah? Where is it?" She looked at Angel and her smile faded "What?"
Angel: "Well, I don't exactly have it right here on my person. I though it was best to…I know where it is. I-I can take you there. The address on the back of the card..."
"Do me a favor? Stop helping!" The woman opened the door to leave when a demon swung his sword at her. Angel pushed her out of the way, the sword skimmed his gut
"get back" Angel punched the demon in the face "I can kill this thing, right?" He asked between punched
"Yes!" The woman shouted
"You're sure? You don't think he might be good?"
"Kill it!" She screamed. Angel threw the demon intot he wall but upon hearing more growls he grabbed the woman's wrist
"I think we should run." Taking her hand he led her out of the house, running as fast as he could with a pregnant lady
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"Buffy your back" Giles noticed
"Where's Angel?" Cordelia asked worried that something might have happened
"He's still at Kamal's place" The whole room looked at her, right they didn't know who Kamal was "The demon that Angel killed, it was his name, Kamal."
"So why are you back without him?" Cordelia asked
"He told me to go back and give you this" She handed Willow the disk "We think it might have something to do with the tribunal. Where's Gunn?"
"You left dead boy there on his own? Hmm… I don't trust him"
"Gunn went out, he does that a lot" Wesley said ignoring Xander "Well this could be an emblem, or some sort of protective amulet" He said looking at the disk Willow as holding
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"Where are we?" The woman asked. Angel had lead her down the sewers. She wondered if he realized that pregnant women shouldn't be on their feet much never mind running from demons
"Come on. What's the Tribunal?" Angel asked once they stopped
"Some kind of otherworldly court. Supposedly they can save me and my daughter. You… you go before them, you got to have that charm... I don't know how it works. Kamal said that he was going to be my champion. You know what? Screw this! I'm getting out of town!" The woman tried to leave but Angel grabbed her arm
"No!"
"Try and stop me." She tried to fight but Angel had a firm grip
"They'll find you wherever you go. You have to stay with me."
"You? You can't protect me!"
"Yes, I can. We're going to go to my friend's house. We're going to get that
charm and I'm gonna make this right, I promise. There is a gate back…" Angel stopped once he heard a noise, he let go of the woman "Go to the address I gave you. Go!" The woman ran just as Angel was attacked by two demons
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Angel stumbled into the mansion holding his ribs. Cordelia heard the door close and rushed into the hall
.
"Angel! Are you all right? What happened?" She asked seeing the state on him
"Is she here?"
"Buffy? No, she's at the Magic Box. She brought us the talisman but…"
"Not Buffy the pregnant woman" Angel tried not to snap but since they moved back here everyone thought that everything was about Buffy when it wasn't
"The pregnant woman? Oh no. Is she supposed to be here?"
"Damn" Angel cursed himself, he should never have left her on her own "The talisman?"
"Working on it." Wesley called from his office
"I told her to come here. She doesn't trust me. Why should she?" Angel punched the whiteboard making it snap in two
"You can't see everything. You're just a vampire like everyone else... That didn't come out right. Oh and your buying a new whiteboard"
"I thought I was out of the tunnel." Angel sighed slumping down on the sofa
"Sure you did... because the tunnel is …you know it's something we all... Are we talking real tunnel or symbolic? Just give me that much."
"I… I saw the light at the end of the tunnel, that some day I might become human. That light was so bright, I thought I was already out and that Buffy and I would, well you know."
"Would get groiny? Yeah. We all got a little cocky, didn't we? It's going to be a long while until you work your way out - but I know you well enough to know you will. And I'll be with you until you do." Cordelia smiled making him smile
"What about your inevitable stardom?"
"I'm not saying I won't have a day job." She laughed. Wesley rushed into the living area where they were
"I think we got something. It's medieval. A small badge or coat of arms, to be presented when going before the Cahair Binse. Roughly translated that's chair of judgement."
"The Tribunal."
"Right. An ancient court to settle grievances."
"You mean with like lawyers and stuff." Cordelia questioned
"This is a little more primitive. It's a fight to the death."
"That's why she needed a champion. Where would this Tribunal take place?"
"There is no way to tell. They're mystical events, they could rise up in our reality whenever they please."
"Look, we got to find her right awaywhatever it takes. There's only one way." Angel took a deep breath, he knew what he had to do
"Angel take Buffy with you, it might help her too" Wesley called after him
"What? Why" Cordelia couldn't help but feel a little jealous. She was the only woman of the group and now that they moved back to Sunnydale it was Buffy this, Buffy that. She was so sick of it
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Buffy sat at the table grinning, listening to the Angel sing Many on the stage.
"Oh, Mandy. Well you came and you gave without taking, but I sent you away, oh Mandy. Well, you kissed me and stopped me from shaking." he sang. The green horned demon took a seat next to Buffy "and I need you today, oh Mandy. Well, you came and you gave.."
"That man will do anything to save a life." Buffy told the green demon. Once the song ended Angel took a seat at the same table Buffy and the host were sitting at
"Hey, how 'bout that. A performer. Why don't we just call him Angel, the
vampire with soul. Well. You're just the hot ticket. One night only, two seats left, partially obstructed view."
"What can you tell me?"
"You really cant sing" Buffy giggled. Angel gave her a dark look which made her laugh even more
"I can tell you're all business."
"She's in danger."
"And you're feeling pretty guilty about that. Hey, you made an honest mistake. You killed her protector. A lot of guys would have done the same. Of course now she's going to have to face the judgment with no champion and that's looking grim for her and the baby."
"Tell me where they are."
Host: "Well. Who's a little curt? Who's a little curt Jurgens in 'The Enemy Below?' The Tribunal will be wherever she is. She can't escape it."
"Where is she?" Angel demanded
"My question first. And answer true, because you know I'll know. Why Mandy?"
Angel: "Well, I-I know the words. I kind of think it's pretty." Angel said quietly leaving the part about it reminded him of his and Buffy's relationship out
"And it is, you great, big sap! There is not a destroyer of worlds that can argue with Manilow and good for you for fessin' up. She'll be at Forth and Spring. The trial will be there."
"Trial? How does it work?"
Host: "I can only tell you what I tell you. The rest is up to you."
"Can I save her?" Angel asked getting up
"Try and find out."
"So I guess it's my turn to sing now?" Buffy smiled getting up
"No, you can sing another time right now he needs you"
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The pregnant woman hurried down the almost empty street that the moonlight lit up. Rubbing her belly with her hand she stumbled back as three stone red thrones appeared. Three dark robbed figures raised from the ground behind her. From the top of the street a knight in armor rode down towards her on a white horse. Once the knight was close enough he threw down a bronze disk
"Where is your champion?" He asked
"He's… he's dead" The woman cried
"You have no coat of arms and no champion?"
"I ask for asylum." The woman almost begged, tears filling up not for herself but for her unborn child
"Asylum is not ours to give. Two are chosen to meet in combat. One can save your life. One can take it. This is the ancient law. Your life is forfeit. You have no champion."
The knight pulled out his sword as the woman backs away.
Angel: "Yes, she does." Angel said throwing the bronze disk on top of the one that was on the floor
"The trial by combat will begin." One of the robbed men said
"I really appreciate you coming through for us like this. But you know how you're not really good at anything? You sure you can do this?"
"He grew up around horses" Buffy answered for him "You did right? Seventeenth sentury was big on horses right?"
"I grew up around horses." Angel confirmed
"How long has it been since you've ridden one?"
"It's been…a while. Don't worry. It's not something you forget. I can do this." Angel climbed onto the horse as Buffy took the woman to the side of the street
"Nice horse. Try not to make me look stupid out there, okay? Alright." Angel held his shield up and lance. The robbed figure dropped a red cloth, as soon as the blood red cloth hit the floor the knight charged on his white steed "I guess that means go." Angel muttered to himself. The knight and the vampire clashed. The demon got knocked back but managed to stay on his saddle. They turned to chare each other yet again only this time the knight knocked Angel off his horse. Angel's head hit the street hard, picking himself up he hurried back to his horse to get his sword and mace. The knight rode at him dropping his lance. Angel knocked him out of his saddle with a single blow and they continued to fight on foot. Hoping back the sword just sliced Angel's arm, blood dripped out of the small wound. Just as Angel thought he was winning the knight turned his own sword, stabbing Angel through the gut. He dropped to his knees in pain while the demon knight turned towards the Tribunal
"Angel! Buffy screamed
"The champion is defeated. She and all her issue are yours." The robbed man said. Buffy wanted so much to go and nurse Angel but she knew she couldn't leave the woman. Taking a fighting stance she stood in front of the pregnant woman ready to defend her
"I move to appeal that ruling." Angel got up, closing his eyes he pulled the sword out of himself. Buffy smiled nearly laughing. She felt so much joy in her body it was unbelievable. With one swift movement of his wrist he beheaded the demon then droped to the floor panting, clutching his stomach
"She's safe now, right?" Angel asked through the pain in his gut
"You have won. She is under our protection, as is her daughter until she comes of age."
With that the Tribunal vanished as if had never been. The woman ran over to Angel helping him up
"You okay?"
"Yeah." Angel straighten up wincing at the pain
"You sure seem to bleed a lot."
"It's part of the job."
"Thank you, the both of you" The woman said before leaving the two of them in the street on their own
"You sure you ok?" Buffy didn't believe for one minuet that he was
"Yup fine" Angel lied "Uh Buffy, I was thinking of going to see Faith, do you want to come?"
"The woman that tried to kill you? The tried to kill me and take over my body? No I'm alright" Buffy replied bitterly
"Sometime that's all a person needs is forgiveness to turn their life around".
"Sometimes people to things that are beyond forgiveness" Buffy knew that she had hurt Angel with her words, she knew when he spoke about forgiveness it was the one thing that he wanted for all the crimes he had committed when he didn't have a soul. The funny thing was that she could forgive Angel but she could never forgive Faith.
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Angel looked through the glass at the brunette slayer, she looked like hell but yet she looked so much better then the last time he saw her. He picked up the phone and the booth
"Hey."
"Hey." Faith said smiling
"How you doing?" He asked. Part of him felt bad that she was in there, behind
bars. It was his fault, he had told her to give herself up if he hadn't who knows what she would be now.
"Pretty good, I guess. I did sign up for this."
"Regretting the choice?"
"Bad day. One of the girls in the yard tried to build a rep by throwing down with me. She had low self esteem, and a home-made knife, so.."
"Oh… Is she… you know… alive?"
"She lives to tell the tale. Took the knife awayand I can't say much for the wrist it came in."
"So you didn't kill her."
"I really wanted to. Took a big beating from the guards, too."
"Sorry." Angel said in almost a whisper
"Earned worse. Guys like us kind of got it coming. So back in Sunny hell hey?"
"Yeah"
"How's B? Bet she wasn't happy when you showed up with her new boyfriend and all, bet he's got her on covalence and everything" Faith joked
"She's fine, I tried to get hr to come with me but…"
"She didn't want to see the bitch that almost took her life over? Are you surprised"
"I had to sing Barry Manilow." Angel said purposely changing the subject
"You're kidding." Faith laughed trying to imagine Angel singing
"In front of people."He added making her laugh even louder
"And here I am talking about my petty little problems."
"Just wanted to give you a little perspective."
"Copa cabana?"
"Mandy. I don't wanna dwell on it." Angel chuckled
"The road to redemption is a rocky path."
"That it is." Angel agreed
"You think we might make it?" Faith asked. She had stopped laughing and was very serious
"We might. Food getting any better?"
"You know, it's not that different from what I grew up on. It's a little one note. Eating the same thing every day."
"I wonder what that's like."
"Right.."