Chapter 8

Buffy sat on the bed with Willow; hands clenched tightly together. Buffy knew that Willow had begun to speak of the prophecy but as she looked at her lips moving the sound that should have accompanied it never reached her ears.

Could it really be true? Would they finally be able to be together without the possibility of unleashing Angelus? It felt too good to be true. Then she remembered one of her teachers told her once that if you hear something that sounds too good to be true than it usually is.

The thought of being in Angel's arms and loving him consequence free was a dream she thought she would never see happen. Not that she ever let go of that dream as far off as it seemed to be.

It took all her inner strength not to jump up from the bed right then and call Angel to say she needed him, wanted him, and cookie dough be damned.

All of these thoughts were swirling around in her head. Should she call him or go to him? Would he want her too? How can they just start up again after so much time has passed? Would he still want her?

Willow was trying her best to relay the story of the prophecy and impending apocalypse but as she looked into Buffy's eyes trying to determine if anything was being understood; she noticed the far away look.

"Buffy you haven't heard a word I said." Willow gave her a frown that turned quickly into a pout.

Buffy knew Willow had asked her something but she was so caught up in her own mind that she didn't hear. One look on the witches face and she knew she had been caught.

"Sorry Will. My thoughts have a mind of their own."

Willow's eyes saddened and she knew what she meant. "I understand. I think maybe I crammed too much info in at one time. Something like that could cause a serious mind explosion."

"We should take a breather; just to let you think about…….things. I need to call Giles and check in anyway."

The sound of Giles' name being said out loud made Buffy shudder and her eyes became dark and dangerous looking.

Willow knew that look. She had seen it before and although she didn't blame her for feeling that way she knew they would need to get past this in order to face the new battle that lay ahead. She put all that meaning into one simple word, "Buffy".

"Your news isn't the first I've gotten this week Will. Angel and Spike were here a few days ago and thanks to Andrew I learned a few new facts that well………….pissed me off. Spike being alive for one and Giles' not bothering to tell me. Can you believe he told Angel I didn't trust him that we didn't fight on the same side anymore? How could he do that without telling me….oh I don't know….anything?" Buffy sprang up from the bed and began to pace.

"I know your upset with Giles….hell I'm kind of upset with him. He has made some bad choices Buffy but don't forget that he also thought he was doing the right thing. He loves you, and all he wants is your happiness. That's why I'm here. He wanted me to tell you what we found. Not just parts….but all of it. He said no more lying, no more waiting until later, and he truly meant it. He has a lot of things to make up Buffy and not just to you."

Willow slowly walked to Buffy and held her hand. "As much as I want you to have time to take this all in and try to deal we just…..don't have it. Angel needs our help, you need to know everything and that means you have to come with me back to the council."

"Fine, I'll go but not for Giles. I just don't know if I can forgive him yet. I'll do it for Angel." Buffy let go of Willows' hand and pulled a bag from her closet.

Willow let out a sigh of relief. Maybe they could do something before it was too late.

It only took a few brief hours for Buffy to settle things in Rome before leaving with Willow. She called Mort not only to thank him for helping her but also to say goodbye-for good.

She could tell by the tone of his voice that he was angry but he never said anything to the fact. She wanted nothing more to do with him, her mind was settled the minute she learned of Angel's soul, and she tried in her nicest way to let him know that even if she did come back to Rome she would not be calling him anymore.

It was spring break for the students, and a very excited Dawn and Andrew were going with them to London. Dawn was more than excited she was on cloud nine. She couldn't wait to get to the council and dive into a few books that were not available in Rome, plus seeing Giles was a bonus.

On the plane ride over Dawn began to wonder when it was she became such a nerd. At that thought she began to giggle and when she looked up and saw the puzzled faces staring at her she broke out into hysterics.

Willow and Buffy moved to the rear of the plane and began to talk quietly. Willow again started to tell Buffy of the prophecy and she was pleased to have Buffy's full attention this time.

It was very late when they arrived in London and Willow had informed Giles as to when he should pick them up. They retrieved their bags and headed for the exit.

Dawn and Andrew were in the lead with Willow slowly behind them. Buffy was in no hurry to get to the council she was still trying to get all the questions together that she planned to ask her Watcher.

Just as she made it outside the sliding doors of the airport she was jumped from behind. Two large men grabbed her arms and tried to pull her off the sidewalk to a waiting van.

Buffy quickly spun her body around hard effectively knocking the two men to the ground. She dropped her bags and yelled for the others to get into the car.

She quickly kicked out with her left leg connecting with the chest of the man to her right spinning him back to the ground as she turned and took a fighting stance.

"Don't I know you?" Buffy blurted out but the men ignored her.

They got up and advanced on her. This time she was ready and as they rushed up to her she waited until they had almost reached her, sprinted up in the air using her legs as a spring board, and flipped to the side of them.

They couldn't stop in time and brutally crashed into one another sending them both to the ground hard effectively knocking the wind out of them. They were human, Buffy could tell but they were after her so they must also be evil. It was then she heard the sound of laughter coming from beside her.

Buffy turned to see a tall girl with long curly hair standing right next to her. Buffy was shocked away from the distraction as a fist came in contact with her jaw sending her staggering back a few steps.

"Now that was rude!" She heard the girl yell as she punched Buffy's attacker hard then followed it with a roundhouse kick that sent the man flying into the wall behind him. He crumbled to the ground, out cold. Both women turned to the other attacker who looked first at one then to the other before he took off running as fast as his legs would carry him.

"So, you're a Slayer. Hi, I'm Buffy." Buffy extended her hand to the girl who had just aided her.

"Yeah, I know who you are. I'm Marina, and it's a real pleasure to meet you finally. One question though, how did you know I was a slayer?" Marina took Buffy's hand and shook it with a large grin appearing on her face.

"Well there was the kick that sent that guy to the moon and also…..the move you did….classic Giles style. I know his work."

Buffy walked to the car and got in. As she sat in the seat she turned to Willow with a grim look on her face.

"I think we may have a problem Will. Those two guys back there…..I seen them before, they work for the Immortal."