Chapter 10- In the Neighbourhood

Wolfman and Hart

They had searched the entire building; Dawn was nowhere to be found. Their fear was confirmed when security footage showed Dawn leaving the building alone.

"We have to find her. It's not safe for her out there. She might not believe it, but Buffy is dangerous." Angel said grabbing a stake and his coat getting ready to leave. "Xander, tell the others about what's going on, and help them, we need to make the spell work as fast as possible! We'll go out and see if we can find Dawn and bring her back." Angel said looking over at Spike and Gunn to see if they were ready.

They were.

"I'll go with you, I can't just stay here, I will only be in the way of the brains working, and I have to help Dawn." Xander said grabbing his coat, but Angel stopped him.

"You can't. You will only be in the way out there, Buffy is dangerous, besides, the more helping Willow and the others, the better." "Seeing that Xander was about to argue, Angelo cut him off. "This is no time for arguments, please just do what I say, and trust me, I won't let anything happen to Dawn, or Buffy. We'll bring them both back, safe."

Xander realising that there was no use arguing, put down his coat and made his way to Wesley's office.

"Do you know where to go?" Gunn asked as they made their way to the car park.

"She's gone looking for Buffy so probably somewhere Buffy use to go when they lived here." Spike said.

"Any idea where that could be?" Spike shook his head. "Angel? Any clues?"

"Yeah, a few. We should split up, that way we can cover more ground. Gunn, you go to 'Alecto', it's a bar where demons often go, maybe she is there or someone might know something. Spike, try 'Heavenly Coffee' near Buffy's old school, they used to hang out there, it was one of Buffy's favourite places to be. I'll try their old house; hopefully one of us will get lucky." They all agreed, driving out of Wolfram & Hart to search their area. They had agreed to update each other if they found anything, no matter how small. Time was of the essence, if Dawn found Buffy before they could get to her, she could be in serious trouble.

Angel thought back to when he'd first turned and what he'd done to his family. He had brutally killed them. Every single one. He couldn't let Buffy do the same. He was going to save Buffy.

Somewhere in LA

"Wake up sleepyhead-" Dawn was woken by a hard slap across the face, "the sun is down and the moon wants to play."

Disoriented, it took Dawn a few seconds to remember what had happened. She was even more puzzled by waking up and finding herself tied to a chair. The last thing she could remember was going through a park and then seeing...Drusilla. Oh god!

There she was, she was standing a few feet away looking out a small window, looking as beautiful, and insane, as always. Whenever Drusilla was involved things always turned bad. She had to get away, and fast. But where was she? She looked around trying to recognise anything, but with no luck.

The room they were in was large and empty. It looked like abandoned. The only things in the room were some old boxes and trash on the floor, as well as some broken chairs and tables, and large metal chains hanging from the ceiling. The only light source was the artificial light coming in through the small windows and cracks ceiling, as well as the lit candles scattered around the room.

"What do you want from me?" Dawn asked warily, trying to buy time until she could think of something that would help her escape. "Where have you taken me?"

"Hush little girl, I'm not going to kill you ... we are just going to play a little..."

Not encouraged at all, she was starting to panic.

"Mmm, I love the smell of fear, it smells sweet like strawberries, I use to like strawberries, but the seeds always get stuck between my teeth." Drusilla was slowly making her way towards her, not easing the rising panic at all.

"I'm not afraid of you!" Dawn blurted out. She could have slapped herself, had she not been tied up, angering a mental vampire, not the smartest of moves.

"Tut tut my pet, lying is a sin you know? And do you know what they do with sinners?" Drusilla was now circling her, standing behind her. "Let them go?" Dawn retorted hopefully, only to be rewarded with a sharp pull of her hair. Drusilla was pulling so hard Dawns head was forced backwards, exposing her neck to the vampire.

Drusilla leaned in close, smelling Dawns neck from the base to her ear.

"Punish them", she whispered.

The Old Summers Residence

Angel speedily made his way the Buffy's old house, having been there only once, and a long time ago, finding the house had been harder than he'd hoped.

He wasn't sure what he expected to find. He hoped that Dawn would be there, reminiscing of her time there with her family. Or maybe a clue to where she'd gone.

He killed the car engine as he pulled up by the house. It looked empty. Whoever lived there now seemed not to be home. No car in the driveway, and no lights on.

The neighbourhood seemed quite, peaceful even, maybe even too quite. He got out of the car, and made his way to the porch, if Dawn had been there she might've left a clue, hopefully her scent too, that way he could track her.

As he got closer he could smell her, Dawn had definitely been there, but she wasn't there anymore. He pulled out his cell phone and phoned Spike first. "She's been here, but it's been awhile, I can still smell her scent though, I'm gonna try and follow it, have you found anything?"

"Nothing, but the coffee boy seems to remember a girl matching Dawns description, but she is long gone too. No scent. I am at a dead end."

"Okay, help Gunn and try some of the local demon bars and hang outs, maybe they have seen or heard anything."

"Sure thing Peaches." Spike said hanging up.

Angel then called Gunn to update him on his progress and to hear if he had any news.

"I've been asking about Dawn, and no one has seen her, but I also asked about Buffy, and well, I have some interesting news. Apparently she isn't alone, she has been spotted with another vamp chick, no name yet, and whatever they are up too, it doesn't bode well. Rumour has it, that whatever they are planning, it will turn this town upside down, we need to stop them and soon."

Damnit, what is it you are up to Buffy? And who is your mystery guest?

"Let's hope Willow and the others manage the spell before anything happens, and that we'll find Dawn soon! Keep looking."

They said their goodbyes and hung up.

Angel decided to follow Dawn on foot, as it made it easier to follow her scent. However, he didn't make it far before felt her. "Buffy."

In an Apartment in LA

Buffy was bored. She'd promised to lay low for now, as they couldn't afford any mistakes. If their plan was to succeed they'd have to keep clear of Angel and his band of merry helpers.

But Buffy was never good at following directions. Besides, what gave Dru the right to wander off just 'cause the moon, or something equally weird, talked to her?

So Buffy decided to go out too, she was getting hungry, a small snack wouldn't hurt anyone. Well except for her snack of course.

She got into the Viper and drove off. Where to go? Maybe the movies, there's always some teenagers running around. Yes, I'm in the mood for a little teenage angst and it's only a few blocks away.

She arrived in no time, and spotted her prey; a lovey-dovey couple sneaking into the alley behind the theatre for a little make-out session. Too easy.

The meal was quick. Boring. What to do now? She decided not to go home yet, to explore the city a bit. Deciding that the Viper would draw too much attention to her she let it stay by the theatre.

She set off with no particular destination in mind. She walked aimlessly for what seemed like ages. Shocked to see where she'd ended up. She definitely hadn't intended to end up here.

Her house. Her home. Or what used to be her home. When they'd still been a family.

She'd imagined how it'd be like, being back. She had imagined the joy she would feel seeing her old home. How all the good memories would rush back, warming her.

She felt numb.

The house looked the same, not much had changed, except for the odd rose bush which had been planted. It still looked like her home. But it wasn't. It felt wrong. It smelt wrong. It wasn't their scent anymore.

She could smell the people living there now. She automatically hated them. She approached the porch, there was no car in the driveway, and she didn't hear anyone inside the house. Lucky. Had they been there she might've killed them.

Why? She didn't know. For living there. For being a family there, for living the life she never would. As she turned to leave a scent caught the attention. It was familiar.

Dawn.

She'd been there. Why? What had she been doing there? Why was she in LA? Angel, he must have told them about her. Brought her here. Damn him! How dare he involve her?

She was brought out of the thoughts by the sound of a car approaching. She decided to withdraw into the shadows to observe. She ran across the street to and hide behind a large bush located in a front yard a few houses down.

The car slowed and stopped. She was surprised to see Angel get out of the car and make his way across the street towards her house. Angel. What is he doing here? He made his way to the porch, he must have noticed the house was empty too as he turned around and descended the porch. He pulled out his phone and talked briefly. He was tracking Dawn. Why? Lost in thought she hadn't heard the rest of his conversation.

She was torn; she could either run so he wouldn't notice her, avoiding confrontation and what might follow. Or make her presence know and get some answers, and maybe a bit of fun.

She wouldn't have to make that choice. She had been too occupied to notice that Angel had started walking and was now just a few feet away. She had been careless. Damnit. It was too late now, and she wouldn't make her mistake known.

"Buffy."

"Hello Angel, fancy meeting you here." She walked out from behind the bush being careful not to let him get the upper hand. From what she could see he hadn't come armed to the teeth. But she didn't relax, she didn't want to end up in that cage again.

"What are you doing in my neighbourhood?" Buffy asked, while walking slowly around him, circling him like he was prey. "Buffy, I'm here to help you." Angel said taking a step forwards. He was coming too close for comfort, even though she had to urge to embrace him, to feel his body against hers; she wasn't going to let her feelings take over.

"Help me? Help me with what Angel? I'm perfectly fine, it seems like it's you who need help, not me."

"Buffy please, listen to me, it's not too late-"

"Oh but I think it is. I have accepted who I am, what I am, it's time you do the same."

Angel kept taking steps forward, but Buffy wouldn't have it, for each step he took forwards, she would take one back.

"Buffy, just let her go, she is innocent, we'll help you, please just let her go." Now Buffy was confused. Let who go?

"You must remember who you used to be, you loved her, she's your sister, please-"

"Dawn? What about Dawn?" Buffy interrupted Angel. She tried to keep up her mask of indifference but when she heard him mention her sister, the slayer in her awoke. Something was wrong with her sister. And even though she loathed it admit it, she felt worried. She wasn't supposed to feel anything, and yet she did.

"Please just let her go, she has done nothing wrong-"Angel continued before he realised that Buffy was genuinely confused. She doesn't have Dawn? Where is she then? "Wait, you don't know where she is? You don't have her?"

"Have her? Why would I have her? Why is she here?" Buffy had remembered how angry she was at Angel for involving her sister in this. "How dare you get her involved!" Buffy stopped going backwards and now started moving forwards until she was right in front of Angel.

"You have no right!" She yelled before she slapped him hard across the cheek.

Angel hadn't been prepared for her sudden change, so he didn't block slap.

She managed another slap before he grabbed her hand stopping the blows. "I have every right! She is your sister, she deserves to be involved, and she loves you!" Still holding on to her hand, Buffy yank her hand back. So that's why she is here. To manipulate me. Does he really think that'll work. Does he really think he can use her against me? Buffy didn't want to listen to him, the worry she had felt moments ago now turned to anger. She was too angry, too emotional to listen to his 'we-just-want-to-help-you, it's-not-too-late' speech. It was too late, she was what she was, and nothing in the world could change that. No matter how much she wished it. And not even Dawn could change that.

She kicked out, coming in contact with Angel's stomach, sending him flying onto the ground. He quickly rolled off the ground ready for her next move. "You have to realise something Angel. The Buffy you know is dead, and she is not coming back. I have embraced the new me. I am a vampire, I kill, and I like it."

"It doesn't have to be that way Buffy, there are ways to make you stop, to get you back."

"You think I want to be like you? Pathetic, like you? I don't want to spend eternity regretting my existence, I'd rather die. Don't you want to be free? To enjoy life?"

He didn't have time to respond, as Buffy attacked him. As a slayer Buffy had been strong and fast, as a vampire she was stronger, faster. Angel had a hard time keeping up and received several hits. One particular forceful one sent him sprawling on his back. Buffy jumped on top of him, reaching into his jacket pocket retrieving a stake and pressing it hard into his chest, digging the pointy piece of wood into his flesh.

"Enjoying life? By killing innocent people? How can you enjoy that? Knowing all the pain you've caused. That's not being free."

"You used to enjoy it. You used to love it; it was your whole reason for existing!"

"I've changed, I was helped, just like you can be-" Buffy ignored him, pressing the stake further into his body.

"No matter, you soon will again. We shall be together." She leaned down, not removing the stake which was now only a few inches away from his heart, and kissed him. "We'll be a family. You'll see." With that she quickly withdrew the stake only to drill it into his stomach. "I will be seeing you, lover." With that she was gone.

Angel's POV

He was now alone, he pulled out the stake. Man that hurts. He didn't get up just yet. She didn't have Dawn. He wasn't sure if that was good or bad. When he could feel that the wound had healed itself he slowly stood. He looked around and spotted his car. At least she hadn't taken this one. He made his way to it and got in. As he closed the door his cell phone rang.

"Yes?" Angel asked tiredly. "Angel? It's Wesley, come back to Wolfram and Hart, we have news."

"Good or bad?" Angel asked as he turned the key, starting the car, getting ready to drive back.

"Bad. The mystery vampire Buffy has been seen with has been identified."

"Well who is it?" Angel asked anxiously. Not prepared for what he was about to hear.

"It's Drusilla. And what's worse, we think she has Dawn."

My longest chapter yet, I received a review saying my chapters could be longer, so I have tried to incorporate that. I'll try to make the chapters longer from now on, but that'll mean longer waiting time between each chapter. I hope that's ok?

I hope you've enjoyed this chappie, and as always please review, let me know your likes or dislikes. Any ideas, opinions or comments are welcomed! If no one reviews it means no one cares, so please review and let me know! It's you guys reviews that keep me motivated to keep this story going! So please review!

Xx

Kithic