Once upon a time,

A classic way to begin a story to one's life, almost a key to unlocking the mystery to what lies beyond: the beginning of the end. Though when does it begin? When does the story actually take place, or even have its start?

Here stands before you three lost souls, a man whose life was changed over the fear of losing control of his power, and harming the ones around him including the two siblings; one whom he came to love deeply. A young woman simple minded: chosen to save and protect innocent lives around her with the help from her brother. Each brought up in two different courses of life, only to be brought back to one another in a time of need.

But who are they? Is this where our story begins, or is it but a chapter to a long tale that's yet to be told, or has been?

Here stands before you a young woman with a power stronger than most; a chosen one, one of so many before her. Where has her life taken her? Seeming to be nothing more than a shadow to one chosen before her, yet through so many tests and trials, she stands here fighting for the future that's ahead, for her own redemption. Who is she?

Connection is what these people have, but connection to what? As the sun sets, so our heroes rise. They fight for what's right, for justice, freedom; but above all, a gift of life they've been longing for. Vampires they are known as and their stories exceed longer than the ones told above.

You may ask yourselves, is this where the story begins, are they the ones who begin and end this long journey? Or are they like the others around them? Nothing more than an additional chapter to what seems to be an endless story.

"Where've you been all night?" Erika questions Faith, who tried her best to sneak in. It's something the young mix has taken up as a habit to notice every change when it came to the people around her. She almost has their life styles down to a tee, but Faith on the other hand still has a shadow blocking her from one's eyes and it's driving Erika a little insane.

"Out!" Faith snapped back, clearly indicating it's none of her business and that she should drop it, and not bring it up in conversation ever again.

Though, Erika was not the kind to back down. She wasn't that sort of type when she was an actual human so why should anything be different since she became immortal?

"I can see that." She walks over, blocking Faith from the stairwell, "Look, it's dangerous to go out patrolling alone. Believe me, I know."

"Get out of my way wolf girl, unless you want to meet the end of my stake." Faith warned. She was tired, out all night doing god knows what and wanted nothing more than to go to her room, take a long hot shower and sleep until her body felt ready for the upcoming stars.

"That won't kill me."

"No. But it'll hurt like hell."

Beaten from the choice of words, Erika gave in to the threat and moved aside.

"That smart mouth of yours won't work so well out there, as it does in here." Erika shouted towards her, watching as Faith continued up the stairs, pretending to ignore every word said. "Slayers."

Angel

Angel, Spike, G, Faith, Alex, and Kate

There's no "eye" in Team

"My God, could it be any hotter in this hell hole!" Kate rushed in the Hyperion, throwing down a few weapons at hand.

"I can see someone didn't have a good time on patrol."

"Shut-up Alex, and take off that stupid sweater, you're making me itch all over."

He was right; her night out on patrol was one of the worst. An experience, she looks forward to forgetting. First Angel has a vision and rushes off in a hurray before explaining to either Spike or her about what it was exactly, then Spike ditched after getting a call from G about God knows what; and just as the night could get any worse Vampires decide to stay hidden for the rest of her patrol.

As she headed towards the bathroom to splash some cool water onto her face two voices were heard shouting as they came storming in from the basement entrance.

"Look Angel I was just doing my job. Is it my fault you're losing your touch in fighting?"

"Don't start with me Erika. You know the rules, a week before the full moon you are to stay inside!"

Both Angel and Erika stormed in from below looking completely beat up as if both just came back from a hard wrestle in the muddiest pile of dirt.

"Don't talk with me about rules Angel. I'm not the one with a mystical chick floating inside me and taking control of my body when I'm mad as hell." Angel was surprised to hear Erika speak about Cordelia, he was sure she had no idea about what happened between she and him just a few months ago. "Yeah I know. Alex told me." Alex quickly ducked behind the counter once Angel glared in his direction. "Don't blame this on him, you and your little mystic being friend are the ones who blew it that night you tried to stop me from leaving."

"Watch it Erika, you have no idea what you're talking about."

"I know it's all I hear about! Cordy this, Cordelia that. We have to find a way to help both you and Cordelia. Don't you think we have bigger things to deal with like, why they came, where they've been, why they're keeping all these secrets from everyone?"

"That's enough Erika!" A shout echoed from the front entrance with Spike standing there sizzling slightly from the sunlight outside.

"Spike, are you okay?" Kate asked trying her best to hide the smile over the sight she was seeing. He threw down the thick blanket as steam continued to rise up from it before glaring towards the others then back towards Angel and Erika.

"Decide to bolt the bloody door this time?" The silence was the only answer given as he rolled his eyes and flopped onto the couch.

"Where's G?" Alex asked after walking out from the office with a pile of books in hand.

"Cleaning up the mess these cacks left behind."

The vision Angel witnessed that night was of G caught near what appeared to be another portal opening, rushing off with another thought to help him Angel got there just in the nick of time, just a second before Erika showed up. It wasn't too long after that Spike got the call from G for assistance. It was a fight each found to be long and dreary.

"Blood?" Erika offered, but Spike refused after sitting up straight.

"Where's Faith?"

"Still sleeping I guess."

A little irritated over the sudden sarcastic tone about Faith, Angel glared once again towards Erika releasing a small growl as well.

"She's had a long night."

"Ha, I bet she has." Erika snapped back towards Angel. "Look I'm heading out, I'll be at Lorne's."

After Erika left both Spike and Angel waved to their team before heading up the stairs.

"Any news about Faiths contact?" Angel asked with his arms crossed.

"Couldn't get a decent scent, who ever Faith has been sneaking off too have found a way to keep you and I from finding them." Spike replied softly so the other two wouldn't hear.

"You still trust Faith?"

"Do you?"

"How about a number from Bach Denis; something soothing would suffice."

Denis began to play a melody on the piano as Lorne sat next to a table with a glass of wine next to him. Not far in the distance Erika stood in the shadows quietly listening to the music being played in the empty bar.

"You could sing a number if you want me to read your thoughts." Lorne said out loud with his head still in the direction of Denis on stage, Erika wasn't sure if he were talking to her or to him that is until Lorne glanced back in her direction. "If you want Mooneyes." It took a few months until Lorne finally came up with the best nickname for Erika, and seeing she is the first vampire he has ever seen where her eyes blaze white when she's in her form he figured it clicked well.

Continuing to cross her arms in a settle form Erika walked over with her head faced down and a smile crept across her lips. "I'm not really in the mood for singing Lorne."

"You never are." He offered her a seat and she took it. "When are you ever?" She could only shrug in response as she took a sip of Lorne's wine. "Angel again?"

"I just get so irritated that I'm the only one who's seeing something wrong with Faith. She's in and out all the time, usually sneaking out I might add. Plus when I heard the story from Alex about what happened this summer and Faith showing up during that whole portal opening—"

"Yeah, heavy magic, glad I wasn't there."

"Well, does anybody even wonder where she has been these last few months? I mean who's been taking care of her? Cause I'm a mix and I still had someone myself to look after." She gulped down the rest of the wine to pour herself another glass.

"Bill?"

"Yep."

"That's a story you're still going to have to tell me about Mooneyes." He replied after sliding the bottle of wine towards him so Erika wouldn't have anymore.

"What's there to tell? He's an owner of a carnival and is like a father to me."

"Is?"

"Lorne. I know what you're doing, you're changing the subject. Don't!"

"Look sweetie, I only knew Faith for a week before she went off to save the world with Spike in Sunnydale. So personally I can't tell you much, but from what I've heard, Angel and she are pretty close." Erika rolled her eyes over the answer given. "If Angel were to choose the trust between you and Faith, well let's just say you're scoring low on this round."

"I still think something's wrong."

"Sweetie, take some advice from an old Pylean: if you want to get on Angel's good side then stop trying so hard to do so. He's the kind of person you just have to ease yourself on into. Trust me, with time and patience you both may come to see eye to eye."

"Thanks Lorne. But I think I have a better shot at living in a fairy tale world then that happening."

"To the rest of the world we are the fairy tale realm sweetheart." Lorne replied with a reassuring point.

"I'll be seeing you Lorne; I think I'll try something out." Erika stood from the table and began to walk towards the exit.

"Just don't do anything you'll soon regret." Lorne whispered to himself.

It wasn't that long ago did the team leave G to clean up the mess they left behind. Before what happened with him and the warlocks last year, it was something he was capable of doing, a little magic here, a little magic there, and a finished task; but since that Warlock's challenge -- the fear of endangering the ones he loves he couldn't dare put them in harm's way. From the spell sending them all in separate hospitals G promised to use only so much magic for good and to help those in need with small dosages, but even small dosages can lead to urges of wanting more.

The cost was clear, not a soul to be seen, heard, smelled, he was completely alone. G began to whisper words of spells as he knelt slowly to the ground placing his finger tips ever so slightly against the rich soil, an orange glow began to amidst from his hands against the ground, sending small lights glowing throughout the area and clearing away any damage set.

"I can see you're magic has improved." Startled by the sudden entrance G jumped to his feet to face the man behind, "How are you Francis?"

"Amyl."

"Don't look so surprised Francis," Amyl took a step forward, his smile still narrow and sleek as usual, "I told you, you were special."

"What are you doing here?"

"We want you back."

"No."

"You haven't finished your training."

"No."

"You can still fight and take control."

"No."

"You've been chosen for a greater purpose."

"NO!"

Amyl stepped back as G's fist fixed with blue fire, he took control of his anger as the fire disappeared from his hand.

"I'm just trying to help you Francis."

"I know," G lowered his head almost ashamed with what he was about to say, "but I know if I learn more from the Warlocks community there's no doubt in my mind I will lose control. I'm sorry but I can't go back."

With that said G left Amyl alone before he disappeared off into the mist.

"Alex, open the door!" Kate shouted as she continued to knock forcefully onto the bathroom door, "you've been in there for almost an hour. What are you doing?"

"I'll be out in a minute!" He snapped. Kate rolled her eyes and headed back towards the office where she was doing some research about past slayers and what became of them; it was a hobby she rather enjoyed and Buffy was always her favorite story to read about. She could still fondly remember the night she met Buffy, it was 2046, a year before her death, and Kate could still smell the sweet salt air coming from the ocean.

"Hello," Katherine at the age of eight was startled by the sudden stranger approaching her from behind, her face was bleeding from scratches, and bruising was hard to ignore from her arms and neck. This was a frightened young girl, someone who's had it rough, and wanted nothing more than to end it. "Don't be scared, I'm not going to hurt you." The stranger knelt to Katherine's level, her blonde hair blowing softly with the breeze, her eyes glistening with the stars from above, and a smile that calmed Katherine's deep dark hidden hatred she has stored away. "What's your name?"

"Katherine. Katherine Anderson."

"It's nice to meet you. My name's Buffy, Buffy Summers, and you are one special little girl."

"Yeah, so I've heard." She began to rub her bruised arm as she took a step back from Buffy, "What do you want?"

Buffy could see the stress and how much Katherine came to terms of easily not trusting her, but this was an important part in history and a piece to saving the world, "Kathy-"

"Don't call me that!" She winced back as if she were struck with a brad sword. "I don't like being called that."

"Okay, I just want you to know that I'm your friend," Buffy pulled out two pictures from her wallet and held them close, still keeping her gaze upon Katherine. "It's going to be a few years, but you're going to get away from all this danger and hate, to someplace safe." Hope was what Katherine was hearing and she couldn't help but grasp it with her attention. "And when the time comes, you are going to meet two very special men, who will protect and save you in many ways-"

"Who are they?"

"Champions," Buffy held out her hand with the pictures of both Angel and Spike, reaching out to Katherine who took them willingly. "You'll find out more about them later on, and of who I am, but always know, they are the ones to trust no matter what danger or lies may fall upon you."

"But how will they know to trust me?" At that moment Buffy pulled out a small camera and took a picture of the two, it was admittedly developed and she placed it into Katherine's hands.

"They'll know. Everything is going to get better now, you'll see." Buffy walked off just after she said her goodbye, "I'll see you around…Kate."

It was so long ago, but memorable. She took out the picture of Buffy and she standing side by side; she had to have looked at that picture a hundred times and it wasn't until now did she realize something, "Why does she look so old in this picture?" Her thoughts were interrupted when a sudden small explosion came from the bathroom; she rushed towards the door as Alex walked out coughing from all the smoke. "What the Hell!"

"Lu's free." He coughed once more as he walked past his speechless sister.

"What the hell did you do to the bathroom?" She shouted back, rushing in to clear out the smoke, Alex only continued on towards the office, as he pulled up his sleeve to glance at the mark Erika once left upon him months ago, the infection was finally starting to subside, and his hope for the spell he had just cast may have cleared this irritation for good.

Later that evening Erika waited patiently outside of the Hyperion just waiting for movement of some kind. Especially an always going slayer she would like to learn a thing or two more about. Hiding in the shadows from sight she could see in the distance the back gate open and shut quietly, with Faith walking out glancing over her shoulder every now and then to make sure no one was following her.

This was a normal night to others, sneaking out, doubling back, and keeping the slayer sensing fully functioning. This was a normal night, and Erika knew exactly what to do to stay hidden. High above she would leap from roof to roof while keeping an eye of Faith below; following in the hush tone of the city night.

For weeks she's been curious about where the slayer escapes to, and if it's any of her business she knows it's been on Angel's and Spike's minds as well, even if they won't admit it. Tonight was going to be the night to uncover all the secrets, or at least get a few unanswered questions answered.

Glancing back once more Faith took a turn around a corner into a dark alley where Erika lost sight. She hovered patiently above waiting for Faith to walk out from either side of the alley, or show herself in some way, but it began to hit her, what if that alley was the secret, and Faith was long gone already, an entrance of some kind…her curiosity was far too great to ignore as Erika jumped down from the building landing on both feet without a wince of pain to follow.

She began to scan the area, making sure there would be nothing to jump out and take her off guard, she was ready for anything but nothing came. Taking a step forward her senses began to tingle as she felt something, or someone approach from behind, but just before she could turn to face the subject she was nailed up against the alley wall.

"Why are you following me Erika?" Faith spat, it wasn't too hard for her to hide in the shadows, unseen, unheard, even her scent was tough to grasp.

"I'm just looking after the safety of our crew." Erika flinched back to push Faith off, but Faith knew better and bashed her against the wall once again.

"Our crew," Faith pulled back giving Erika space, "what makes you so sure you're part of the team?"

Her small snigger was bitterly irritating to Faith, but she remained quiet to the response, "What makes me so sure I'm part of the team?" she mocked, "What makes you so sure you're part of the team Faith? Cause if I remember correctly there's no I in team."

"What the hell is that suppose to mean?"

"You're always leaving, you keep secrets, there's allot you're not telling Angel or Spike, things they should hear," Faith's patience was winding down and Erika could see the anger building up inside, "I'm sorry if this is making you feel uncomfortable but although I haven't known Angel or Spike as long as you have I at least know when someone is being taken advantage of."

"You're right I have known Angel and Spike longer, so I know when things should be kept from them until the time is right, if what I am doing now has any significance to them whatsoever then in time they will know about it, but till then I'd keep your nose out of my business, literally."

"I'm warning you Faith, it may not be tonight or tomorrow night, but I will find out what it is you are doing, and I will tell Angel and Spike. I'm keeping my eye on you." Erika turned to walk away only to be hit from behind with a large chunk of wood. Her body fell to the ground dizzy from what had just happened.

"I respect your loyalty to Angel and Spike, but I guarantee you won't remember any of this, from the first day you began to question my whereabouts to now, it'll be nothing more than distant dream." Faith pulled out a syringe and jabs it into Erika's arm pushing the plunger down, "He said you were getting to close." Erika's eyes began to fade shut, "See you later."

Back at the Hyperion both Angel and Spike were up and ready for the night ahead, but they had no idea of the predicament they'd wake up to downstairs. The whole bathroom was destroyed, black with smoke and covered with the most bombarded smell you could ever think of, and it didn't help with the fighting interrogation going on between the two siblings. Thank goodness during those hours of cleaning Angel didn't once have a vision.

"Angel please tell him that's he's being precarious." Kate asked, as Alex followed from behind.

"I'm being precarious; you're the one going out patrolling without me, your watcher."

Stunned from his response Kate remained agape as she turned to Angel then towards Spike and back to Alex, "Don't even go there. We're talking about playing with magic in a bathroom. Hello!"

At that moment G walked in tired from the night he had just encountered, he was ready to head home and hit the bed, but for some reason he wanted to check up on the gang, walking into this catastrophe he couldn't help but question his own reasons.

"Francis! You will not believe what Alex just did to the bathroom, or what he was doing in the bathroom."

G glanced towards the bathroom entrance where he saw Spike exiting with a mask over his face, "Your right I probably won't believe it." He snickered over the different ideas he was coming up with.

Spike walked past Angel irritated with the whole issues going on, "I'm clapped out, catch you later." He headed up the stairs leaving the yammering gang and a quiet Angel below.

"I think it's time we all head home," Angel recommended, the three began to grab their gear and head out just as Erika walked in the back doors, "Erika," Angel shouted drawing her attention from the stairwell back to him, "about this morning." Erika waited patiently as Angel headed slowly in her direction, "I want you to know that Faith and I have been through so much together, fighting for redemption is our main goals, and to hear you speak about her the way you do," Erika slowly walked towards Angel down the steps, "I was wrong for arguing with you about the matter, but she means allot to me and I don't want her to think no one here trusts her. Do you understand?"

"No…not really," Frustrated Angel lowered his head, it was clear to him she was testing just how far she could go before he blew his top again, "what do you mean about this morning?"

A bit surprised by the comment Angel stared towards Erika a bit confused, he could see she was serious about not understanding what he was talking about, and it was something he found to be a bit concerning, "Never mind." It was the only thing left to say as he watched her shrug her shoulders and head back up the stairwell having no idea of the entire circumstance going on with Faith.

Life being what it may seem a journey is no more than a spectrum through ones eye, an unending trial to live through each passing day and a start to another's. The fact is no one is special, no one has a destiny to fulfill, everyday is just the new beginning of the rest of your life and an additional chapter to someone else's story. We're connected, and we all strive to survive.

Yes this is the story of a team who somehow, someway were marked in the meeting of each other, to embark on their greatest adventure yet to be told, and as of now their stories are what embark our own interest as our own stories is nothing more than a fantasy of theirs, to be upmost normal—but like I said before, there are no people like us.

Shifting his body into position Angel laid his head upon his pillow. The day was nearly over as the night sky was full and quiet, his eyes began to drift shut as he felt his body shut down for rest. It wasn't too long after did his body begin to glow and a ghostly creature flew from his body to lie next to him in bed. His smile grew as his eyes remained shut while the creature lying next to him fell to sleep, "Good night Cordelia." He whispered, startling her a bit as she opened her eyes staring back in wonder how he could possibly feel her presence there. Her gaze never left his, hoping and worrying whether he'd wake and see her lying there, to talk with her and laugh about everything that's happened before or worse to lose control once again and free Angelus from his being. She continued to wait until there was nothing more to do except one thing, "Good night Angel."


Wow...I honestly didn't think there were that many who read this story. Someone asked me a while back on youtube to please continue with this story, so months later I finally got a chapter finished. Why it took so long? Well I lost track of my characters and finally figured I'm going to have to write an entire chapter based off on only the characters to catch myself up and that's what this is...so I hope you enjoyed it. :)