Disclaimer: All Buffy or Angel characters were created by Joss Whedon. Not me.
Author's Note: So my attempt at uploading this a long time ago failed gloriously. Hope that you don't hate me. The next part however, will be uploaded a week from now, that I guarantee.
Chapter Six: Those Who Rend Asunder
''I don't want to die.'' She said weakly.
Angel drank some blood from a mug. ''You're already dead.''
Julia allowed the corners of her mouth to lift up. ''Then I-I don't want to... cease to exist. Stop being.'' She looked Angel in the eye. ''I want to keep on going.''
He shook his head. ''You know we can't let you do that. It's just a matter of how and when. How and when you die, turn to dust. That is the choice in your hands.''
Julia grimaced. ''Still. Never thought I'd care that much.''
''Why?'' Angel asked, curiously. ''What even keeps you here? Clinging to this poor excuse of what you call life. No one cares that you are here. You have no friends, trust me, I'd know. Vampires are incapable of that.''
''You're the one who's over two hundred. What kept you here?''
''Death. Destruction. Pain.'' He said without missing a beat.
''And now? You no longer live for that.'' Julia said. ''Although, judging by what are we doing here, I'd beg to differ.''
''I have a soul now.'' Angel set the mug down and walked closer to her.
''That makes you special, huh? Makes you feel all superior? In the end, you're just like the rest of us.'' She raised her head and let her demon face come through. ''A monster.''
''You're right.'' He spoke softly. Julia's head snapped to the side after a blow that he delivered. ''Now tell me what you know. About Nathaniel and his plans.''
''I can't.''
''You may not realize that, but it's not a mistake that we went after you.'' Angel hit her again, this time in the stomach. ''I remember you. Listening to Benjamin. Taking in all the promises, eager to hear more. It's been too long for you not to join him. Tell me and you will spare yourself a great deal of pain.''
She shook her head.
''What did he do, to ensure such loyalty?'' He asked after few minutes, during which he continued to beat her. ''Tell me.''
''I can't.'' Julia stressed out the word as much as she could.
Angel paused. ''You mean you can't-'' He started slowly. ''You're not physically able to tell me? To betray his secrets?''
She gave him half a nod.
''Clever.'' He bent down to retrieve his blood. ''So you do know something after all. Don't worry. There is always a loophole to those kind of spells and charms. We just have to find it.''
Julia groaned. ''There's nothing to tell.''
''If that was the case, why did he put a spell on you?''
''He didn't. Think it was some... some kind of a fail-safe. After we met. No one could say anything about what he heard. None of us.'' She explained.
''Where was the meeting?'' Angel sat down on the stairs.
''Don't know. Don't remember.''
''How convenient.'' He said slowly. ''How many of you were there? Just vampires?''
She shrugged. ''I wouldn't know.''
''When is the next meeting?''
''No idea. We were told to wait for information.''
''From whom?'' Angel finished the blood.
Julia shook her head helplessly.
''So, you don't know where, who and how. Why were you even there?'' He summed it up.
''Foot soldier. Even if by some miracle I'd know something, I can't tell you.''
''You're useless.''
''Told you that from the beginning.'' She said tiredly. ''Can I die now?''
***B***B***
Tyler sat on a couch, staring at the newspaper in his hands. Breakfast lay forgotten on a table in front of him.
''Hey.'' Fingers snapped just before his face. He blinked.
''You've been burning holes in this for ten minutes now. What is it?'' His sister asked.
He set it down and looked at the watch. ''Nothing. Just a case.''
''Well, just a case wouldn't have you all bothered.'' She shrugged and walked to another room. ''If it's eating you up, gotta let it go, kid.'' She called. ''Or share. Sharing is good.''
''I'll nevet get you to stop calling me that, will I?''
''Nope.'' She appeared in the doorway with two shirts. ''Which one?''
''Green. Brings out your eyes.'' He decided. She set down the red one and proceeded to put on the other.
''Tell you what, if you feel down after work, we'll go and hit some bar. You can tell me all about it then. Sounds good?''
''You know I can't.'' Tyler sighed.
''Bullshit.'' She dismissed him and grabbed her purse. ''Okay, gotta go. Last thing I need is my boss declaring World War III on my ass for being late. Again.'' She trotted over to Tyler and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
''Love you, shortie.''
She snorted. ''Really? You're like an inch taller, all I need is to wear heels. We'll see who's the little sibling. Now, what do you say?''
He smiled. ''Love you, Jaime. Now go, before I'll need to join the army.''
''Love you too.''
Tyler sighed when she left. He too, needed to get to work in the next thirty minutes. Scratching his chin, he wolfed down what was left of his breakfast.
***B***B***
''We should call someone. Hell, we should've done that the second we got back yesterday.'' Clare said and plopped down on a armchair, looking at Jean expectantly.
The pale blonde just shook her head. ''No. There's no reason.''
''What? Slayers have been looking for them for the past months. Now that we stumbled upon them you want to do nothing?'' She leaned forward. ''We have a friend to avenge.''
''I don't think they meant to hurt anyone.''
Clare stared at her darkly. ''Meant, didn't – who cares. They killed one of us and now they have to pay. There is a reason why we've got orders to watch out for them.''
''And what would that reason be?'' Jean reached for a mirror and tried to do something with her chin-length hair. She was met with silence. ''Exactly. We don't even know for sure.''
Clare stood up and looked out the window. ''So what now? Just sit on our asses?''
''Of course not. We need to find out just why are they here. And why they wanted that vamp.''
''How do you propose we do that?'' Taller slayer asked, bringing her hand up to her mouth and biting her nails.
''The easiest way would be to simply ask.'' Jean said. ''They did after all, gave us their card.''
''Don't think that'll work.'' Clare shot the idea down.
''Yeah, me neither. Tailing them is not even an option. They're too old not to sense us and well, I don't need to remind you that we're not the stealthiest of the bunch.'' Jean chuckled.
''Hey, that one was so not my fault.'' Clare glared at her, but the effect was destroyed by a smile that crept up her lips.
''Anyway, that leaves only one option. We need to get to the bottom of this ourselves.''
''We can't really go back to that bar now, can we?'' Clare wondered.
''I wouldn't risk it.'' Jean put the mirror down and scratched her nose. ''We'll do it the old fashioned slayer way. Patrols.''
Clare groaned.
***B***B***
Grace was leaning against the wall, inside of Talya's room in the hospital. The girl was still unconscious. Or kept asleep, she wasn't sure. Her face was bruised, so much that Grace wasn't comfortable even looking at it. Which, as she was told, was only a part of her injuries.
She sensed, rather than saw, the presence in the doorway.
''How is she?''
Doctor sighed as he entered the room. He was a rather handsome man in his early forties, with glassess perched upon his nose. ''Healing. She has a mild concussion, result of the blow to the back of her head.''
''Is that why she's not waking up?'' She asked.
''Partially.'' He nodded. ''We're keeping her under. We expect she should make a full recovery.''
''And the uh,'' Grace cleared her throat. ''What about the sexual abuse?''
The man grimaced. ''Yes, that... The girl was a virgin and the,'' He paused, clearly searching for a word, before settling on one even though it was obvious he wanted to say something different. ''Assailant was very forceful. There was an internal bleeding that we stopped and...'' The doctor looked at Talya's sleeping form. ''We have a psychologist waiting for her to wake. That must've been a very traumatizing experience. Does she have any family?''
Grace blinked. ''If she does, we haven't been able to find them yet. No one's been to visit?''
Doctor shook his head.
''And did he... I mean is she, uh,'' Grace scratched her cheek. This was so much harder than she thought. Luckily for her, he seemed to understand.
''Pregnant? No. I don't believe that he ejaculated.'' She could never hear that word again. ''You guys got there in time.''
''Thank you.'' She said and left the room. Grace nodded as the officer that sat on the chair outside. She and Tyler decided to have someone stand guard. Not in case someone wanted to hurt the girl, no. But maybe there was someone who wanted to make sure she was fine.
Grace left the hospital and nearly twenty minutes later she parked her car just outside the precinct.
''Any news?'' Tyler asked as he jogged up to her.
''No.''
''Great.''
''Yeah.''
Together, they went inside.
***B***B***
''I don't think she knows anything, even without the spell.'' Angel said to Spike.
Younger vampire sat on the couch next to Connor, who was watching something on the television. ''Guess that's it, then. Which one of us gets to do it?'' He narrowed his eyes at the screen. ''What in the bloody hell is this?''
Connor chuckled. ''I honestly have no idea. Some kind of a talk show, I think. They're arguing whether what happened in Los Angeles is God's work, The Devil's, a government experiment gone wrong or aliens. There's even a survey, you can vote.''
''That's idiotic.'' Angel said in wonder. ''But what is more important, we have absolutely no leads.''
''Yeah, bugger. Come nightfall, me and the kid want to swing by and see Cole the friendly ghost.'' Spike supplied.
''Okay then. I'll kill the vamp. Find out which hospital the girl's in. Have a quick look.''
''Sure about that?'' Connor asked. ''They might recognize you.''
''They'll see Captain Peroxide coming from a mile away.'' Angel smirked at the look on Spike's face. ''And I'd rather not have you there. And I'm a better liar.''
''Can't argue about that.'' Connor said under his breath. ''Coffee anyone?''
They both declined. Connor shrugged and left the room.
''Am I the only one who thinks that something bad is coming?'' Spike asked after a long silence.
Angel exhaled. ''No.'' He walked over to his desk and pulled out a stake from a drawer. ''But we'll deal with it. One thing at a time.'' With that, the vampire went to the basement.
Spike looked back to the screen. According to the survey, it was aliens. Well, some demons might be considered aliens, he supposed. He'd give them that.
Downstairs, Angel stared at Julia. She raised her head to look him in the eyes, the result of his prolonged silence. She breathed in relief. ''Finally.''
''That's one way to welcome death.'' He mused.
''Just do it already,'' She said quietly. ''Angelus.''
He walked closer to her. ''It's still Angel.''
Julia smirked. ''Whatever you say vampire. Now, are we gonna chat till I die of boredom or wi-'' She never got to finish the sentence.
Angel stared at the pile of dust on the ground. He should've had her stand in a trash bag. He didn't feel like sweeping it up now. Slowly, he ascended the stairs. He walked back into the living room as Connor joined Spike on the couch, setting his mug on the table.
Spike sniffed the air. ''Thought you said you were gonna get coffee.''
''Changed my mind.''
The scent reached Angels nostrils. Mint.
***B***B***
Grace let her head fall down and rest upon her desk. Whole day has passed and they got absolutely nothing to show for it.
''Even looking at you makes me feel depressed.'' Tylers voice reached her.
Not bothering to raise her head, she sighed. ''Anything new?''
''The hospital called.'' He said and sat down on a chair. ''They'll wake her up tomorrow morning. Which one of us goes to talk to her?''
Grace straightened in her seat. ''I think I should.'' She said after a moment. ''You're a... guy.''
Tyler nodded his head as he spun around in his chair. ''Makes sense. Last thing she needs is more men getting in her space.''
''Still nothing on his computer?''
''No. Yeah, I don't get it either.'' He quickly added as Grace threw her hands up in frustration. ''But we found something else.''
''What?''
Tyler hesitated. ''Some kind of a bright yellow slime... or something. All over the foundations of the house. So far no one has any idea what this stuff is. See what you make of that.''
Grace blinked. ''Yes, that sounds completely normal.''
''In other news, I convinced the big man to lay off the manhunt for our guys for a little while.'' Tyler said. ''Gave the description to all patrols and told them to be on the lookout, but no press conference as of yet.''
''So I guess that's it for today, huh?''
''It would certainly seem so.'' Tyler stood up. ''Listen... me and Jaime are going out for a few drinks. Want to join?''
Grace smiled. ''Can't. Made a promise to someone and I want to keep it. Some other time.''
''Alright then.'' He reached for his jacket. ''Bye.''
She waved at him. Grace left the station about fifteen minutes after Tyler. Instead of going home, she drove to what she knew was a less pleasant neighborhood. The sun had already set, the night making her surroundings much more unwelcoming.
Once she reached her destination, Grace got out of the car and took out a pair of combat boots and a warm jacket. With that in her hands, she trotted to the other side of the street and went in between the old, abandoned buildings. On paper, at least. During her assignment undercover she discovered that many homeless people shared them as an alternative to sleeping on the sidewalks. It wasn't a secret or anything – she just never paid attention.
She could already see some of them, moving through the backyards, setting up their coats inside the walls. Grace looked for one particular person.
She found her ten agonizing minutes later, sitting on the side of a fire they must've started inside of a barrel. Her already red hair reflected the light, shining in the darkness.
Grace approached her and dumped the boots in front of her. The girl looked up, startled. Her face broke out in a grin.
''I know you said you'd be back, but I didn't want to believe you.'' She said, standing up.
Grace shrugged. Redhead laughed and hugged the smaller woman. Grace rolled her eyes at the thought. She was always smaller.
''So what's this?'' The girl asked, nodding at the boots and the jacket still in Grace's arms.
''Well... they're for you, Em.''
Emily took a step back. ''Huh?''
''Days are getting colder. Nights even more. I can see you shivering.'' Grace explained. ''I owe you at least that much. That's what the boots are for. Next time you need to kick someone, now they'll really feel it.''
''Hey!'' She laughed and playfully punched Grace on the arm. ''I totally gave you the distraction you needed.''
''You really did.'' Grace smiled at the memory. ''So, you gonna put it on?'' She looked at the worn sneakers that Emily wore and the entirely too thin jacket.
''You didn't have to do that.'' Emily said quietly once she changed her jacket and finished putting on the boots.
''I wanted to. I don't understand why exactly you prefer to live on the streets rather than coming in, but you're an adult. Barely, but still.'' Grace chuckled as Emily rolled her eyes. ''This is the next best thing.''
''Thank you.'' Emily said softly. She grabbed her hand and led Grace to the fire, sitting down on a blanket.
''So where's Dennis?''
''No idea.'' Emily reached out with her hands toward the fire, taking in the heat. ''Somewhere with the guys. He's supposed to meet me here in an hour or something.''
Grace looked around and leaned her head closer to Emily. ''You haven't had any troubles, did you? For helping me?'' She asked quietly.
''Nah. It's all good. Don't you worry girl.''
Grace nodded her head. ''You remember where I live, right? Anything bad happens, you come to me, straight away.''
Emily looked at her funnily. ''Yes, sir.'' She mock saluted. ''There's one thing though. Dennis and the others? They went to check out the old factories, where we used to hang out... Don't know what is going on, but there is less of us here.''
''What do you mean?''
She licked her lips. ''I'm not even sure myself. It's been a few days since we've last seen Carlos. Ryan, Lily... They're just gone. I know you're probably busy and all, but could you please look if any of them checked anywhere? Us homeless people stick together and it is a bit worrying for that many folks to just disappear.''
Grace listened to this with a growing concern on her face. ''Sure. I'll check. But now I've got to go... Will you be around here for the next few days?''
Emily ran a hand through her long hair. ''Yeah. There's quite a few of people here and I figure I'll stick with the numbers for now. I'll be around.''
Grace squeezed her shoulder and stood up. With a small smile, she began her walk back.
She rounded the corner and focused on her car. Grace narrowed her eyes as she got closer. There was a man almost leaning on the driver's door of her car. Son of a bitch tried to hijack it.
''Hey!'' She shouted and broke into a run. The man looked up, clearly not expecting to be interrupted. It took him a second, but he started to run.
She was surprisingly fast, given her short legs. In no time, she was gaining on the man. True, she could've just chased him off, but something in her wanted to bring him in. Just to have someone behind the bars.
He ducked in between the buildings and Grace lost sight of him. Cursing under her breath, she ran in at full speed. A rookie mistake.
The second she appeared from around the corner, the man jumped at her, shoving her into the opposite wall. The impact took her breath away and she gasped for air. The man grabbed her by her jacket and threw her to the ground. Grace used her right hand to cushion the fall and in effect, scraped her palm. She hissed in pain, kicking out as he advanced. Luckily for her, she hit him just below the belt. That gave her a moment to stand up and reach for her gun. He got to her before she could actually aim it at him, taking hold of her wrist and trying to tear it away from her. She latched onto the handle and gritted her teeth even as they wrestled for it. Grace knew she was losing. He was bigger and stronger than her.
Jumping up, she headbutted him. Only that did not work in her favor, because instead of letting go of the gun, he had a firm grip on it and when he inevatibly tumbled backwards, he took her with him. Grace was not prepared for the sudden pull and still coming back from her jump, she lost her footing. Taking advatage of her confusion, he twisted the gun out of her grip.
There was a cracking sound, a sudden pain shot from her wrist and Grace screamed out in pain, while her legs tumbled under her. Her left wrist was broken. The man had a firm hold on her weapon now and quickly struck her across the face with it. Grace fell to the ground, clutching her left hand to her chest.
The man aimed at her. For a second they stared at each other, Grace too afraid to even breathe.
He pulled the trigger. Grace blinked. Nothing happened. She scrambled to her feet, but before either of them could do anything, a hand appeared and knocked the gun out of the man's hands. He was pushed away into another person, who delivered a sickening punch to his face. The strength of it sent him into a wall and he slid down it, out cold.
During this, Grace got to her weapon, unlocked the safety and aimed at the two newcomers.
Two young women stared back at her. ''Police.'' Grace said, panicked. Last thing she needed was one of them hitting her. Tenderly, she pulled her jacket to the side to show them her badge, sitting on her belt.
''Whoa, hold on. We're here to help.'' Shorter one said.
Grace breathed heavily, uncertain.
''We heard the scream. I'm Clare, this is Jean.'' Explained the dark haired one.
She looked between the two. They seemed harmless enough, but if that punch was that strong, they were anything but. She didn't feel comfortable holding the gun in her right hand, it felt surprisingly heavy, but the left – her dominant, was out of question.
''You should get to a hospital. You're hurt. One of us can go with you.'' Jean offered.
Grace considered her options. She slumped, put away her weapon and reached for the handcuffs. ''Thanks.''
''What'd he do?'' Clare asked.
''Tried to steal my car, kill me. The usual.'' She said dryly. ''Great,'' She groaned. ''How the hell am I supposed to get him into my car?''
Clare and Jean exchanged looks. As one, they hoisted him up between them. ''Lead the way.''
Grace raised her eyebrows, but chose to say nothing.
''Why won't you call for back up?''
''I'm fine.'' Grace dismissed the concern.
''Yes, that nasty bruise forming on your face says all about it.'' Jean shook her head, but there was a hidden affection in her voice.
Once they got to her car, she opened up the trunk. ''Put him in there.'' She ordered.
A short laugh escaped Clare's lips. ''Really?'' She asked, amused.
Grace looked at her reflection in the window of her car. ''I won't have him behind my back while I'm driving. Shove this bastard into the fucking trunk.'' She said darkly.
''As you say, lady.''
She closed it when they put him inside. ''Grace. My name is Grace.'' She said wearily.
''Nice to meet you.'' Jean nodded. ''Anyway, want me to drive you? That wrist won't be doing you any favors behind the wheel.''
Grace realized that she was right. ''Yeah. Yes, thank you.''
''You got this?'' Jean turned to Clare.
''Sure. Go ahead. See you later.'' Tallest woman waved her bye at them and trotted down the street.
''Come on.'' Jean opened the passengers door. Grace looked down at herself. Her clothes were ruined. Miserably, she got in.
***B***B***
''We're here.'' Connor announced.
Spike looked at the building with a criticising eye. ''You know, as a former ghost, this got to be the last bloody place I'd want to haunt. Even Wolfram & Hart was better.''
''Come on.'' Together, they entered.
''So where is he?'' Spike asked once they got to the second floor.
''You brought a friend, huh?'' A new voice spoke. Cole was slowly coming up the very stairs they just ascended.
''Figured I'd get a fresh view on things.'' Connor said.
''Not sure how that is going to help.'' Cole shrugged.
''Okay, let's get to the point. You've been haunting this ever since you died, right?'' Spike looked out the window.
''No.''
''What?'' Connor turned to him sharply. ''But you said-''
''I never said I was here for that long.'' The ghost said. ''And I'm not alone. The first night you and that guy showed up here? By then I've been here a month, tops. That blood well, that belonged to a woman who came here for an inspection or something, I'm not sure. They killed her, took the body.''
''Who?''
''Other ghosts.''
''Then why haven't I sensed her? If a human was here, she left no smell, how do you explain that?'' Connor looked to Spike, who was just as lost.
''Let me get this straight. You just showed up here suddenly, with no idea why,'' Spike started. ''There was a bunch of other spooks around who could touch things. But you didn't and now you do.''
''Pretty much.''
''So where are they now?''
''Not here obviously. Not anymore.'' Cole said explained. ''Now that we have that covered, how about you guys put me to rest or something? Not that this isn't fun but... it really is not fun. I never asked for this.''
''Can you leave this building?'' Connor asked.
''Not yet. But I think it's pretty likely that I will one day too soon.'' He held out his arms, as if to demonstrate something. ''I won't be nice when I do.''
''So why are you telling us this?''
''Look guys, I wasn't the best person to ever live, okay? Lately I've been feeling more and more murderous and I know that that's not me. I don't want to go out there and be a threat to people that I care about, because they're all that I can think of. Making them pay for things they haven't even done, things they don't deserve to be punished for.'' Cole said quietly.
''Call me crazy, but this can't be a coincidence. A bunch of ghosts showing up in Seattle at this exact time for no bloody reason?'' Spike looked at Connor.
''No, it really isn't.'' A new person walked to stand near Cole.
''Who the hell are you?'' The ghost stared at him suspiciously.
''It's you.'' Connor spat through gritted teeth. ''You told me to come here. Why?''
''Well, my name is Matt.'' The stranger introduced himself with a small smile on his face. ''Because you're going to need this building. Cole here is going to help you at some point.''
''Why should we trust a vampire, eh? From what I gather, you weren't exactly friendly.'' Spike took a step forward.
Matt held up his hands. ''Whoa, I'm not here to fight. Just to... well, tell you some things that you need to know.''
''Tell me what the hell is happening to me.'' Cole demanded. ''Why am I here?''
''That's simple. Nathaniel raised you. All of the ghosts. Okay, not quite all, but many.'' Matt said, pacing back and forth. ''It's a spell, something he's quite adept at. And not just here, all over the city. He's not powerful enough yet, to bind you to his will and unleash you on the world, but he's getting there.''
''Where is he?'' Spike growled.
''That, not even I know.''
''How do you know all of this?'' Connor asked slowly.
''Easily. I've the sight.''
Spike snorted. ''That's crap. I haven't heard of a vampire with that gift since Dru. And she's not all there.''
''I've been here long before Drusilla. Why would you have heard of me, when I can avoid any attention as I please.'' Matt explained. ''I was never interested in your measly power plays.''
''Then why show up now?''
''Because it doesn't matter. Not anymore. The world as we know it is about to change and there is nothing we can do to stop it. What I'm doing now, is the best possible course of action.''
Spike licked his lips. ''What exactly are you saying mate?''
''The future we're facing right now,'' Matt said slowly. ''That's no future. Trust me. I came to you because you will play a role in all of this. Till the bitter end.''
''What do you mean end?'' Connor questioned.
''Everything has to end someday and the choices you make in the coming days will shape that end. Whether you will lose everything,'' The vampire chuckled. ''Or well, almost everything. As for you,'' He turned to Cole, who just listened to this with an unreadable expression on his face. ''The spell will break when Nathaniel is put down.''
''Will he?'' Spike stared Matt in the eye.
He shrugged. ''That depends on the path you take. The first step... I'd advise you to stop by the Space Needle, on your way back.'' Matt took a few steps back. ''Just a thought.'' With that, he left the room and went down the stairs.
''That was interesting.'' Cole murmured.
''That's one word for it.'' Connor nodded his head. ''What now?''
Vampire sighed. ''Now we go and see what the mad vampire was talking about.''
''That could be a trap.''
''Then we better be ready for one.'' Spike decided. ''Let's go.''
***B***B***
The major arc is about to begin, starting with the next chapter. Or it kind of already did. A quick review would make my day. Love you guys ;)