I didn't have to wait the full fifteen minutes, but I was starting to wonder if the Slayer was coming after all when she finally stepped into the dim lighting in the mausoleum. I lifted an eyebrow at her as she entered, and stood up from my seat on the steps.

"Any problems, Slayer?" I asked her.

"Nothing I can't handle." She answered. "And…you can call me Buffy."

I nodded, then looked around at the dusty, crumbling interior. Even in very dim daylight, it felt so different from how it had felt last night. I frowned, remembering Willow's frightened face when I had whirled on her.

"Have you taken a look around yet?" Buffy asked.

"No. I thought I should wait for you." I answered. She nodded in appreciation. "Any ideas on where to begin our search?" She gave a shrug and started circling around the crypt. I followed her lead, and started in the opposite direction.

"Just look for whatever looks weird." She answered. She started to move towards the opposite end of the crypt, while I started an investigation of the statues. As I listened to her boots scuff in the dirt, a sudden chill ran up my spine, and every sense snapped to attention as I spun around.

"We're not alone." I said.

A shadow to my left moved into view, and I growled on instinct.

"Stop right there." I ordered. The shadow stopped moving, and it turned towards me, just as the scent of vampire wafted towards me. Now I was even more alert. I felt my muscles tense as I stepped towards him and Buffy.

"Step back." I snapped.

"It's cool, Marge." Buffy said, turning around slowly, looking not in the least bit perturbed.

"So," she addressed the vampire, "I don't suppose you've got a key on you?" she motioned to the locked doors at her side.

Then I noticed the vampire wasn't showing his true face. In fact…he wasn't acting much like a vampire at all…and the scent…it was off, somehow. Off in a way I didn't like. And Buffy was acting like she knew him.

Very confusing.

"They really don't like me dropping in." the vampire answered with a chuckle. He looked at me and his eyes narrowed as he sniffed in my direction. A strange, concerned look passed over his face and he frowned deeply at me. It occurred to me I was giving him the same, distrustful look.

Somehow…I didn't think he was here to hurt Buffy.

There was something very strange going on with this vampire. I tried to get a closer look at his eyes, but he turned back to Buffy.

"Why not?" she asked, making no effort to explain my presence to him. Why should she?

"They really don't like me." The vampire answered with a shrug and a half smile.

"How could that possibly be?" Buffy said sarcastically.

"I knew you'd figure out this entryway sooner or later," the vampire said, "actually, I figured it was going to be a little sooner."

He seemed to know what we were up to as well. Now I was really suspicious.

"I thought I told you to take a step back, young man." I said, coming forward. I didn't like him being this close to Buffy. He was acting too knowledgeable and mysterious for my taste. Not to mention he kept trying to bait the Slayer.

He finally took a step back, raising his hands defensively as I stood between him and Buffy.

"Sorry you had to wait." Buffy said. "Okay, look, if you're going to be popping up with this whole cryptic wise-man act on a regular basis…can you at least tell me your name?"

So they had met before.

"You know him?" I asked Buffy, keeping my eyes on the vampire.

"I saw him outside the Bronze." She replied. "I don't know him."

"Interesting." I murmured, lifting my chin a little. I saw look of warning in his eyes. He hadn't told Buffy he was a vampire. She didn't know what he was, anymore than she had known what I was. A part of me wanted to tell her, but…a part of me wanted to know what this man was up to. If I told Buffy, I wouldn't find out.

I know, I know, you're probably yelling at me right now but…being curious is a new sensation for me. I've been around knowledge for centuries, after all, not knowing something is novel for me.

Let an old woman have her petty amusements. Now that I knew what he was, I could tell Buffy anytime, or take care of the problem myself.

"Angel." The vampire replied.

"Angel." Buffy repeated.

I frowned. That name…it was familiar.

"Pretty name." Buffy said, then turned back towards the door.

The vampire, Angel, looked at me.

"Then who are you?" he asked.

"Not someone to be played with." I answered, crossing my arms. I looked pointedly at him when I said it, and he seemed to understand.

"However," I continued, "I do not wish to seem inhospitable, so…you may call me Margery."

He gave a nod of greeting.

"A pleasure." He said.

"We'll see." I answered.

He saw Buffy reach for the chain and he stepped toward her. I followed his movement, staying between him and the Slayer. The closer he got, the less I trusted him.

"Don't go down there." He said. He said it in an offhand manner, but his eyes were full of warning.

"Deal with our going." Buffy answered.

"You shouldn't be putting yourselves at risk, tonight is the Harvest. Unless you can prevent it, the Master walks."

"Then you know this Master?" I asked.

"Know of him." Angel answered, keeping his eyes on Buffy.

"Well, if this Harvest thing is such a suck-fest," Buffy answered, "why don't you stop it?"

'Because he might just want to partake.' I thought.

So would I.

'Silence.'

Angel chuckled.

"Because I'm afraid." He said. Well…that was honest.

Buffy stared at him for a beat, then turned and kicked the doors, breaking the chain like a string. I have to admit, even I was impressed by that.

She turned back to Angel expectantly.

"They'll be expecting you." He said, trying to dissuade her. I smiled and took a step towards the doors, so that I stood alongside Buffy.

"Will they be expecting me?" I asked. His smile flickered and faded. They wouldn't be. Good. At least we might have an element of surprise on our side.

"We've got a friend down there." Buffy explained.

'Please, stop telling him all of our plans.' I thought, my jaw clenching. This vampire already knew far too much for his own good.

"Or, at least a potential friend." She added. "Do you know what it's like to have a friend?"

To my surprise, the vampire didn't respond to that one. In fact…he actually looked….well, saddened. His gaze dropped to the floor and he shifted uncomfortably. Even if he was play-acting, vampires don't play-act that well.

Oh he was making my curiosity burn, curse him.

"That…wasn't supposed to be a stumper." Buffy said, trying to lighten the suddenly somber mood. He lifted his gaze back up to her, and held it there for a beat, before looking at me as well. He swallowed, and then motioned to the darkened entrance.

"When you hit the tunnels, head east towards the school." He said. "That's where you're likely to find them."

"How do you know all this?" I queried. He just shrugged.

"Going to wish us luck?" Buffy prompted him. He smirked at us, still staring.

I tugged at Buffy's arm and stepped into darkness. My eyes instantly adjust to the lack of light and I wrinkled my nose in disdain.

Definitely a vampire route. She hesitated, then followed me, and we entered the darkness.

Just before we turned the first corner, I heard a whisper come after us: "Good luck."