Chapter Nine
Something seemed abnormal to Kendra as she opened her eyes. The floor seemed oddly soft. As she ran her hand over the surface she was lying on, she realized that she no longer was on the floor that she had fallen asleep upon the night before. She rose from the cot in search of some answers. Rounding the corner, she found Angel asleep in his bed.
Deciding not to wake him, Kendra walked back towards the cot and looking closely, she found a note. Picking it up, her lips curved into a smile as she read it: "You shouldn't have to sleep on the floor. I thought that you might be more comfortable here. Angel."
Kendra nearly laughed out loud. She had had a feeling that Angel wouldn't settle for her decision to sleep on the floor. After their discussion about her staying with him, she had declared to him that she no longer would sleep in his bed, considering that she was almost fully recovered. He had offered her his bed but she had refused, arguing that she wouldn't deprive him of his own bed, and that she would sleep on the floor. Finally, she had said that the situation was not up for discussion. He had shrugged and had gone to bed. Or so she had thought.
Angel woke up a few minutes before dusk, just as Kendra was starting the supper she had prepared for herself. He gave Kendra a slight smile as he proceeded to the fridge. He removed a blood packet and turned away from her before ingesting the contents and throwing the empty pack away. Angel then sat down at the table.
Kendra eyed him carefully as she ate. She had begun to feel restless throughout the day. She had gone outside for a walk, thinking that it might help, but to her dismay, it hadn't. She needed to do something, anything. At least when she was back in her own reality, she had patrolling, training, and studying of appropriate Slayer knowledge to keep her busy throughout the days.
"Word on the street is that strange things are happening at the Bronze," announced Angel, just to get a conversation started.
"The Bronze?"
"It's a sort of night club/lounge that many of the teenagers around here like to attend."
Kendra's curiosity was immediately piqued. "Vampires?"
"I think so," replied Angel. "No one's really saying. It's all sort of hush hush. It would appear that a few people seem to disappear each week. Not that people disappearing in Sunnydale is strange, but in each instance, someone who claimed to be a part of the staff usually asked the person to stay behind after hours. No one ever saw them leave the building."
Kendra thought about this information for a few seconds before eagerly blurting out, "Let's go check it out!"
Angel looked at her carefully in silence for a few seconds before sighing. "I don't know if I want to chance interfering with vampires-"
Kendra cut him off, not even waiting to hear the end of his sentence. "I can't believe that you would just sit by when you know that something's up!"
"I just don't want trouble," stated Angel softly.
Kendra was nearly beside herself and the volume of her voice began to rise. "Well, I'm sorry, but the moment you started to care about what happens to mortals and decided to do something about the Harvest, you became involved. And the moment you saved my life, you knew you were asking for trouble. Now, the Master is going to know that things aren't the same in Sunnydale if he finds out that eight vampires have been killed in three nights and someone or something is probably going to come looking for me. And if they think that you were involved in any way, they're going to come looking for you too!"
Angel looked away from her, not wanting to meet her accusing gaze.
Kendra took a breath and calmed down slightly, realizing that she had gone overboard. After all, this was the individual who had saved her life and had risked his own to help millions of people by trying to thwart the Harvest. When she spoke again, her tone was softer. "You said that you were waiting for someone... the Slayer you said..." Kendra hesitated. "I don't know how and I don't know exactly why, but I was brought here for a reason; maybe it is to help this world like Ms. Calendar said, maybe not. All I do know is that I am here, now, and I plan to do something about what's going on. With or without your help."
And with those last words, Kendra stood up and stalked towards the door. But before she could place her hand on the knob, the heel of the boot on her left foot broke from underneath her and she fell to the floor. The sound of her rear end coming in contact with the floor echoed throughout the apartment.
Amused, Angel looked at Kendra for a few seconds before bursting out into laughter. Kendra was shocked by the sound she heard coming from Angel. He was laughing! Genuinely laughing! At her, nonetheless!
Placing an annoyed look on her face, she looked back and her eyes shot daggers at him.
Realizing that Kendra was less that pleased with his reaction, he calmed down. Wow!, he thought. I can't remember the last time I laughed that hard. Maybe having her around won't be so bad after all.
Rising from his chair, Angel walked over to the teenager on the floor and offered her his hand. She grasped his arm and let him pull her up. When she was standing he said, "You were right about what you said. I am involved and there's nothing I can do to change what I've done." Kendra smiled slightly at him. "We'll check out the Bronze." Then, he looked Kendra up and down. She wondered what he was looking for before smiling sheepishly at his next comment: "But first, we need to get you some clothes."
Kendra paid the bouncer and walked into the club, followed by Angel. She entered wearing a somewhat tight, red, shimmering dress with black, leather boots that went to the knee. Kendra walked past a man dressed as Superman with a lady wearing a skintight devil costume. In fact, many of the customers were wearing costumes due to the fact that it was Friday the 13th and one got a discount if one were dressed up. However, even though there was a somewhat festive appearance, the ambiance of her environment made Kendra feel slightly uneasy. She could sense the evil that lurked in the shadows of this nightclub. Surveying her surroundings, Kendra remarked on how everyone was apparently completely oblivious to their present danger.
The plan was that they would scour the Bronze, in search of potential victims that the alleged vampires could possibly prey on.
Turning to face Angel, Kendra said in a sort of shout-whisper, "Maybe we should split up."
Angel nodded in agreement.
Kendra walked through the crowd of teenagers towards the bar, thinking that it would be a good place to view the rest of the club. As she crossed the room, Kendra noticed how some of the male patrons of the club were staring at her. She found this quite interesting, being not used to such attention. However, Kendra began to blush slightly when she noticed that some of the men were checking out her back. She realized now that the dress Angel had bought barely covered her rear end. She sighed internally. It looked longer on the mannequin, thought Kendra. Maybe it would have helped if I had tried it on first. Angel had insisted that they purchase anything that she liked, without trying it on first so that they could make it to the Bronze before it closed.
Kendra was paying so much attention to the guys looking at her that she didn't even realize it before it was too late that she had just run into someone. Immediately after the collision, Kendra blurted out an apology. The girl that she had run into turned her head to Kendra, her long, brown hair swaying around her shoulders.
The brunette exclaimed, "Just who do you think you-" But her words were cut short when she took in Kendra's appearance.
Kendra suddenly recognized the brunette. "Cordelia, right?" she asked tentatively.
Cordelia smiled warmly at her. "Right." Grabbing Kendra by the arm, she guided her to a small table. "I don't believe that we've met."
"Um, my name is Kendra," offered Kendra. She then added, "I'm new in town."
"New or not, you certainly know how to dress," complimented Cordelia, apparently still impressed with Kendra's outfit. Cordelia had an eye for expensive clothing. "What make is that dress? Dior? And those boots... Are they Versace?"
"Well... um... I'm not exactly sure," replied Kendra, a little nervous.
"Oh, whatever," stated Cordelia. "We definitely need to trade fashion tips."
"Uh, sure?" replied Kendra, trying to come up with something to say.
"Great," replied Cordelia. "We'll talk at school." And she turned away from Kendra to head back to her group of sheep that were considered her friends.
Kendra let out a breath and relaxed, slumping slightly against the table. But then a notion struck her: What did I just do? I just told Cordelia that I would trade fashion tips with her at school? What was I thinking? Oh yeah... I wasn't. Kendra sighed and inwardly smiled. Now that I think about it, it wouldn't be such a bad idea. Going to school that is (not trading fashion tips with her). It would certainly give me something to do other than waste my time day in and day out at Angel's. I do not have to perform the duties of the Slayer anymore because I will never be the Slayer in this reality. Thus, I could focus on my studies and perhaps every now and then make the vampires in this town think twice about feeding.
As Kendra's attention focused back upon her current mission, she suddenly felt like she was being watched. It felt like someone's eyes were roaming over her body, trying to pierce her skin in order to seek out her depths. She shivered as she felt a presence behind her. She heard soft moaning as the song #1 Crush by Garbage started playing.
I would die for you
I would die for you
I've been dying just to feel you by my side
To know that you're mine
Someone grabbed Kendra by her arm, spun her around and pulled her into a dance. Kendra contemplated kneeing this guy in the groin, until he pulled her insistently to him, pressing his body against hers. All of a sudden, she was reminded of her dream. Looking up at the man who held her body so firmly, she realized that the individual wore a mask.
I will cry for you
I will cry for you
I will wash away your pain with all my tears
And drown your fears
As they continued to dance, Kendra was aware of the fact that the person she was dancing with was radiating an evil energy. She could feel this energy washing over her. Looking more closely at his face, Kendra noticed his eyes; that's when she figured out whom it was she was dancing with. This insight caused Kendra to let out a soft gasp. But then, she felt something else; something she wasn't quite sure of. She could sense that it had something to do with the energy that was emanating from him.
I will pray for you
I will pray for you
I will sell my soul for something pure and true
Someone like you
The masked individual lowered his head and whispered slowly into her ear, "Alone at last."
See your face every place that I walk in
Hear your voice every time that I'm talking
You will believe in me
And I will never be ignored
"I had wondered whether you were ever going to show up again," stated the masked man.
Kendra swallowed hard.
I will burn for you
Feel pain for you
I will twist a knife and bleed my aching heart
And tear it apart
Kendra could feel his hands travelling the length of her back, only to rest them very closely to the part that most of the men in the Bronze had been focusing upon earlier. The desire to hit him squarely in the jaw rose up inside of her. Yet, something was holding her back.
I will lie for you
Beg and steal for you
I will crawl on hands and knees until you see
You're just like me
It was like his presence and his gaze riveted her to where she was. She had somewhat felt the same way when she had first lain eyes upon him after arriving in this universe. But now, what she was experiencing was much more intense. What's happening to me?
Violate all the love that I'm missing
Throw away all the pain that I'm living
You will believe in me
And I can never be ignored
Her breathing became shallow.
I would die for you
I would kill for you
"What's your name?" he asked softly.
I will steal for you
I'd do time for you
Before even thinking about it, she closed her eyes and whispered, "Kendra."
I will wait for you
I'd make room for you
She could sense him smile beneath his mask.
I'd sink ships for you
"Kendra," he reiterated slowly.
To be close to you
Her name just seemed to roll off his tongue.
To be part of you
He spoke her name again, but this time, it seemed to her as if his tongue itself was caressing the name when he spoke it.
Cause I believe in you
"Kendra..."
I believe in you
She couldn't think straight; her mind was clouded. She was falling...
I would die for you
Angel, in the meanwhile, had been checking out the crowd for people that would most likely be chosen by the suspected vampires. He had seen one girl that looked especially like she was just asking to be bit. Angel knew her name to be Cordelia Chase. She was, from what he knew, the most popular girl at Sunnydale High School. He believed her to be a potential victim because she always wore bright, shiny clothing, which vampires are attracted to.
Angel had been a little surprised to see Kendra talking to Cordelia at one point. What could she possibly have to talk about with Cordelia Chase? he had asked himself. But, he had just shrugged the thought off, not even considering the possible reasons and had headed upstairs.
Once upstairs, Angel again checked out the crowd and his eyes fell upon a petite, redheaded adolescent. She wasn't wearing the most fashionable attire, but there was an innocence and purity that he could sense from her. He would keep an eye on this one because he could practically smell her naïveté. To Angel, she seemed like a somewhat weak, yet tantalizing prey. Making a note of this, he turned away from her.
Angel rested his hands upon the railing and looked down at the dance floor in an attempt to locate Kendra. Unfortunately, he was not able to spot her.
Angel was about to remove his gaze from the dance floor when he noticed that there was a masked guy dancing with some girl who wore the exact same dress that Kendra had been wearing. Hmph, thought Angel. And that saleslady said the dress was a one-of-a-kind. I should ask for my money back.
He was about to look away from the couple, not wanting to intrude on their privacy, when something about the guy in the mask seemed familiar. Something about his build and the way he moved. His gut was telling him something. Bingo! realized Angel. He's a vampire. Angel looked harder at the dancing couple. Getting a better look, Angel was somewhat startled when he was able to discern that the girl actually was Kendra! But as he observed her, he noticed the glazed over look upon her face. Angel frowned when he noticed how tightly the vampire seemed to be holding her against his body. And he most certainly did not like the way the vampire was moving its hands over her body.
Different thoughts were rushing through Angel's mind. Who was this vampire that she was dancing with? It was one thing to make yourself look like susceptible prey, but it was another to throw yourself into the arms of a vampire. There was something wrong about this picture. Angel knew that he had come into contact with this vampire before, but he couldn't remember his identity. Besides, to him, after spending so much time with her, Kendra did not look like herself at all. Maybe the vampire has cast some sort of spell on her, he contemplated. Still, it does seem like a lot of work for just a meal. Angel figured that he should go down there, just to get a better look. He knew very well that Kendra could take care of herself, but if she was under some sort of spell, she might not be aware of it.
Walking down the winding stairs with slight urgency, Angel walked onto the dance floor, trying to look over the sea of swaying bodies in order to find Kendra and her dance partner. When he came upon them, Angel felt the desire to throw the vampire across the room, for there was Kendra leaning against the vampire as if in a trance, with the vampire's left hand on her thigh, inching his way up, beneath her dress. Angel felt the demon within him stir as his anger rose.
Walking up to the couple, Angel yanked Kendra away from the vampire gently, but insistently. As soon as he pulled her away, Kendra seemed to somewhat snap out of her trance. The vampire immediately reacted to being separated from Kendra and reached out for her, only to be shoved back slightly by Angel.
A low growl originated from beneath the mask. Then it seemed to Angel that the masked vampire sneered. "So Angel, you finally have decided to come out from whatever rock you had crawled under."
Angel then realized the identity of this masked vampire. "Xander," he said venomously and with disgust.
"In the flesh," retorted Xander while bowing slightly, a hint of humor in his voice. "So, do you have a good reason for interrupting our dance, or do you always go around interfering in other people's business?"
Coming out of her stupor, Kendra realized that there was an obvious history between the two vampires and perhaps Xander's words held more significance to them especially. Huh, she thought to herself. Even in this reality, Xander isn't particularly fond of Angel. But before she could consider this new possibility any further, Angel tightly clamped his left hand on her right wrist.
Giving Xander a malicious look, Angel stated to the other vampire, "The girl's with me."
"Really?" retorted Xander slowly while tilting his head in a thoughtful manner. "Are you sure that you have the right girl? 'Cause she's been alone since she got here." Xander snickered a bit. "That is, before I came along, of course." He then looked Kendra up and down with a hunger that had nothing to do with his desire for blood.
"Like I said," began Angel, while pulling Kendra behind him and staring fiercely at Xander, "the girl's with me."
Xander then stepped up to Angel and looking him straight in the eye, whispered slowly and menacingly, "Do you really think that you could keep her from me?"
Angel stepped closer to Xander until they were just millimeters apart from each other and whispered threateningly, "Try me."
By this time, many of the dancing couples were staring at the trio. Kendra became aware of this fact and looked at the two vampires with slight distress. The last thing she wanted to do was cause a scene and draw attention to Angel and herself.
Removing her wrist from his grip, she said, "Let's just go, Angel."
Angel ripped his gaze away from Xander and looked at Kendra. He could see that her eyes were pleading with him. He conceded to Kendra's wish and nodded his head, but before turning away, Angel snarled at Xander.
Xander did not look the least bit intimidated and actually ignored him. Instead of paying attention to Angel, Xander winked at Kendra and said, "See you soon," before disappearing into the crowd.
Kendra let out a sigh and headed out of the club. Once outside, Kendra was glad for the cool night air that hit her face. Taking a deep breath, she turned around to face Angel, unsure of what his reaction would be. She looked at his face carefully, but saw no sign of what he could possibly be thinking. Actually, in truth, she could not even imagine what he was thinking. What would she be thinking if she were in his place? The way she had acted had not exactly been stellar and even she did not know what to think of it. She had expected him to say something, but he merely walked past her.
Distress crossed Kendra's face as the thought crossed her mind that he was leaving her there, wanting nothing to do with her. However, he stopped after a few paces, turned around and said, "You coming?" Slightly relieved, Kendra strode in step beside him and they walked in silence until they reached Angel's apartment.
She had hoped that the walking and the night air would clear her head, but when she entered the apartment, her thoughts were not any more clear. She still was not sure about what had transpired at the Bronze. Kendra had appreciated Angel's interference because who knows how far Xander would have taken things? There was something about his mere presence that made her feel strange. She did not feel like herself when she was with him. But, she could not let Angel know that. There was a weakness that she experienced when around Xander and she did not want Angel to know any of her weaknesses.
Looking at him carefully, Kendra was startled when he actually spoke, "So I assume that you had a plan?"
His tone held no inflection in it. To Kendra, it sounded like he was completely apathetic. She smiled meekly. "Um, right. I was trying to make him believe that I was easy prey," she offered quietly, not wanting to meet his gaze. I wonder if he believes me.
Angel merely nodded his head before walking away from her and into his bedroom, signifying the end of the discussion.
Kendra slipped out of her new dress and boots and put on her new silk pajamas, their softness comforting her. She was now glad that Angel had insisted on nothing but the best. And as she lay down on her cot and closed her eyes, Kendra's thoughts turned to Angel. His response to her actions had surprised her. She had half expected him to get mad at her... or something... I'm not sure. Maybe he simply didn't care. But that doesn't make any sense. If he didn't care, he wouldn't have interfered, her thoughts argued. The possibility that Angel could care less about her made Kendra feel slightly uneasy. With that last thought, Kendra's world tumbled into disturbing dreams.
Angel undressed and crawled into bed, his mind going over the events of the night again and again. The way that he had reacted to Kendra's dancing with Xander perplexed him. As Angel nestled into his bed, he could not understand why he had gotten so upset. Granted, he had absolutely no love for Xander, but he knew that it was more than that. He had felt extremely protective of this girl who's scent was all over his apartment; the girl who refused to sleep in his bed. I couldn't even begin to explain in words what I'm feeling because... I'm not even sure that I understand myself. His feelings, to some extent, reminded him of how he felt when he had first laid eyes upon the Vampire Slayer, Buffy. Yet, it's not quite the same, is it? his thoughts rationalized. Something seemed to be nagging at Angel. There's something I'm missing, he thought before plunging forth into guilt-racked dreams that were painted with blood.
* * *
Xander entered the back room of the Bronze and threw his mask into a corner, irritated. Catching a glimpse of the Master in the shadows, Xander approached his sire.
"She was here, tonight," stated Xander.
"Who was here?" asked the Master as he sat down upon his chair.
"The girl I told you about."
The Master looked at Xander. "The one you saw after you killed Ms. Calendar?"
Xander nodded. "She was wearing this amazing red dress..." and he paused, remembering the curves of her body, her scent, and the way her skin had felt under his fingertips. But then, he recalled the events that had followed. Xander sneered. "And you wouldn't believe who decided to interrupt our dance!" The Master cocked his eyebrow. "That pathetic excuse for a vampire, Angel."
The Master now sat upright in his chair, his curiosity obviously piqued.
"He wrenched her away from me and blazingly declared that she was with him!" continued Xander, somewhat infuriated. He began to pace the room in front of the Master. "I mean, who did he think he was, taking her away from me?"
"Now that is interesting," stated the Master pensively.
Xander did not seem to hear him and continued his pacing. "Just because he was Angelus and had been big and bad back in his day doesn't mean that he can just waltz into the Bronze and steal her away from me!"
The Master gave Xander a calculating look. "You speak as is if this girl belongs to you," commented the Master.
Xander's pacing ceased. He appeared to be reflecting on something. For a few seconds, he was deathly still until he spoke softly, "Yes. That's it."
The Master looked upon Xander carefully before declaring, "Enough with this! I don't know why you are getting so incensed over this girl, but that's quite enough. If this girl was somehow affiliated with Ms. Calendar and is now with Angel, it is possible that there may be a link between the two. Perhaps Angel did have a hand in the destruction of the vessel and the closing of the Hellmouth."
Xander forgot about Kendra for an instant and considered what the Master had said. The idea that Angel might have played a hand in the resealing of the Hellmouth had been a theory that Xander had had ever since he had become a vampire. He had never liked the way that Angel seemed to lurk around Sunnydale. Xander had always felt that he had been up to something, plotting against his own kind, under the influence of his "soul."
"The thing is, we don't know anything about this girl, thus we shouldn't leap to any conclusions," stated the Master. "She could be perfectly harmless." But, then he thought about how only a few days ago, eight vampires had disappeared in three nights. "But then again, she could be as dangerous as a Slayer. If something should arise, we will have to deal with this girl and Angel if he is involved."
"Would you like me to assess her potential as a threat?" volunteered Xander, eagerly.
"No," replied the Master. "I need you to run a couple of errands for me out of the country." And the Master laid out the plan for Xander.
Just before Xander was about to leave for his new mission, the Master asked, "Did you happen to come across this girl's name?"
"Kendra," replied Xander before leaving the room in a hurry to reach the outgoing boat that would commence his journey.
The Master languidly leaned back in his chair. Something about Xander's sudden infatuation with this girl intrigued the Master. Yet, there was something more to all of this. He could feel it. It was as if he had a very small piece from a large puzzle. Hopefully the task that he had sent Xander on would prove to be fruitful and then he could deal with the potential threat of Angel and this girl, "Kendra."
Something seemed abnormal to Kendra as she opened her eyes. The floor seemed oddly soft. As she ran her hand over the surface she was lying on, she realized that she no longer was on the floor that she had fallen asleep upon the night before. She rose from the cot in search of some answers. Rounding the corner, she found Angel asleep in his bed.
Deciding not to wake him, Kendra walked back towards the cot and looking closely, she found a note. Picking it up, her lips curved into a smile as she read it: "You shouldn't have to sleep on the floor. I thought that you might be more comfortable here. Angel."
Kendra nearly laughed out loud. She had had a feeling that Angel wouldn't settle for her decision to sleep on the floor. After their discussion about her staying with him, she had declared to him that she no longer would sleep in his bed, considering that she was almost fully recovered. He had offered her his bed but she had refused, arguing that she wouldn't deprive him of his own bed, and that she would sleep on the floor. Finally, she had said that the situation was not up for discussion. He had shrugged and had gone to bed. Or so she had thought.
Angel woke up a few minutes before dusk, just as Kendra was starting the supper she had prepared for herself. He gave Kendra a slight smile as he proceeded to the fridge. He removed a blood packet and turned away from her before ingesting the contents and throwing the empty pack away. Angel then sat down at the table.
Kendra eyed him carefully as she ate. She had begun to feel restless throughout the day. She had gone outside for a walk, thinking that it might help, but to her dismay, it hadn't. She needed to do something, anything. At least when she was back in her own reality, she had patrolling, training, and studying of appropriate Slayer knowledge to keep her busy throughout the days.
"Word on the street is that strange things are happening at the Bronze," announced Angel, just to get a conversation started.
"The Bronze?"
"It's a sort of night club/lounge that many of the teenagers around here like to attend."
Kendra's curiosity was immediately piqued. "Vampires?"
"I think so," replied Angel. "No one's really saying. It's all sort of hush hush. It would appear that a few people seem to disappear each week. Not that people disappearing in Sunnydale is strange, but in each instance, someone who claimed to be a part of the staff usually asked the person to stay behind after hours. No one ever saw them leave the building."
Kendra thought about this information for a few seconds before eagerly blurting out, "Let's go check it out!"
Angel looked at her carefully in silence for a few seconds before sighing. "I don't know if I want to chance interfering with vampires-"
Kendra cut him off, not even waiting to hear the end of his sentence. "I can't believe that you would just sit by when you know that something's up!"
"I just don't want trouble," stated Angel softly.
Kendra was nearly beside herself and the volume of her voice began to rise. "Well, I'm sorry, but the moment you started to care about what happens to mortals and decided to do something about the Harvest, you became involved. And the moment you saved my life, you knew you were asking for trouble. Now, the Master is going to know that things aren't the same in Sunnydale if he finds out that eight vampires have been killed in three nights and someone or something is probably going to come looking for me. And if they think that you were involved in any way, they're going to come looking for you too!"
Angel looked away from her, not wanting to meet her accusing gaze.
Kendra took a breath and calmed down slightly, realizing that she had gone overboard. After all, this was the individual who had saved her life and had risked his own to help millions of people by trying to thwart the Harvest. When she spoke again, her tone was softer. "You said that you were waiting for someone... the Slayer you said..." Kendra hesitated. "I don't know how and I don't know exactly why, but I was brought here for a reason; maybe it is to help this world like Ms. Calendar said, maybe not. All I do know is that I am here, now, and I plan to do something about what's going on. With or without your help."
And with those last words, Kendra stood up and stalked towards the door. But before she could place her hand on the knob, the heel of the boot on her left foot broke from underneath her and she fell to the floor. The sound of her rear end coming in contact with the floor echoed throughout the apartment.
Amused, Angel looked at Kendra for a few seconds before bursting out into laughter. Kendra was shocked by the sound she heard coming from Angel. He was laughing! Genuinely laughing! At her, nonetheless!
Placing an annoyed look on her face, she looked back and her eyes shot daggers at him.
Realizing that Kendra was less that pleased with his reaction, he calmed down. Wow!, he thought. I can't remember the last time I laughed that hard. Maybe having her around won't be so bad after all.
Rising from his chair, Angel walked over to the teenager on the floor and offered her his hand. She grasped his arm and let him pull her up. When she was standing he said, "You were right about what you said. I am involved and there's nothing I can do to change what I've done." Kendra smiled slightly at him. "We'll check out the Bronze." Then, he looked Kendra up and down. She wondered what he was looking for before smiling sheepishly at his next comment: "But first, we need to get you some clothes."
Kendra paid the bouncer and walked into the club, followed by Angel. She entered wearing a somewhat tight, red, shimmering dress with black, leather boots that went to the knee. Kendra walked past a man dressed as Superman with a lady wearing a skintight devil costume. In fact, many of the customers were wearing costumes due to the fact that it was Friday the 13th and one got a discount if one were dressed up. However, even though there was a somewhat festive appearance, the ambiance of her environment made Kendra feel slightly uneasy. She could sense the evil that lurked in the shadows of this nightclub. Surveying her surroundings, Kendra remarked on how everyone was apparently completely oblivious to their present danger.
The plan was that they would scour the Bronze, in search of potential victims that the alleged vampires could possibly prey on.
Turning to face Angel, Kendra said in a sort of shout-whisper, "Maybe we should split up."
Angel nodded in agreement.
Kendra walked through the crowd of teenagers towards the bar, thinking that it would be a good place to view the rest of the club. As she crossed the room, Kendra noticed how some of the male patrons of the club were staring at her. She found this quite interesting, being not used to such attention. However, Kendra began to blush slightly when she noticed that some of the men were checking out her back. She realized now that the dress Angel had bought barely covered her rear end. She sighed internally. It looked longer on the mannequin, thought Kendra. Maybe it would have helped if I had tried it on first. Angel had insisted that they purchase anything that she liked, without trying it on first so that they could make it to the Bronze before it closed.
Kendra was paying so much attention to the guys looking at her that she didn't even realize it before it was too late that she had just run into someone. Immediately after the collision, Kendra blurted out an apology. The girl that she had run into turned her head to Kendra, her long, brown hair swaying around her shoulders.
The brunette exclaimed, "Just who do you think you-" But her words were cut short when she took in Kendra's appearance.
Kendra suddenly recognized the brunette. "Cordelia, right?" she asked tentatively.
Cordelia smiled warmly at her. "Right." Grabbing Kendra by the arm, she guided her to a small table. "I don't believe that we've met."
"Um, my name is Kendra," offered Kendra. She then added, "I'm new in town."
"New or not, you certainly know how to dress," complimented Cordelia, apparently still impressed with Kendra's outfit. Cordelia had an eye for expensive clothing. "What make is that dress? Dior? And those boots... Are they Versace?"
"Well... um... I'm not exactly sure," replied Kendra, a little nervous.
"Oh, whatever," stated Cordelia. "We definitely need to trade fashion tips."
"Uh, sure?" replied Kendra, trying to come up with something to say.
"Great," replied Cordelia. "We'll talk at school." And she turned away from Kendra to head back to her group of sheep that were considered her friends.
Kendra let out a breath and relaxed, slumping slightly against the table. But then a notion struck her: What did I just do? I just told Cordelia that I would trade fashion tips with her at school? What was I thinking? Oh yeah... I wasn't. Kendra sighed and inwardly smiled. Now that I think about it, it wouldn't be such a bad idea. Going to school that is (not trading fashion tips with her). It would certainly give me something to do other than waste my time day in and day out at Angel's. I do not have to perform the duties of the Slayer anymore because I will never be the Slayer in this reality. Thus, I could focus on my studies and perhaps every now and then make the vampires in this town think twice about feeding.
As Kendra's attention focused back upon her current mission, she suddenly felt like she was being watched. It felt like someone's eyes were roaming over her body, trying to pierce her skin in order to seek out her depths. She shivered as she felt a presence behind her. She heard soft moaning as the song #1 Crush by Garbage started playing.
I would die for you
I would die for you
I've been dying just to feel you by my side
To know that you're mine
Someone grabbed Kendra by her arm, spun her around and pulled her into a dance. Kendra contemplated kneeing this guy in the groin, until he pulled her insistently to him, pressing his body against hers. All of a sudden, she was reminded of her dream. Looking up at the man who held her body so firmly, she realized that the individual wore a mask.
I will cry for you
I will cry for you
I will wash away your pain with all my tears
And drown your fears
As they continued to dance, Kendra was aware of the fact that the person she was dancing with was radiating an evil energy. She could feel this energy washing over her. Looking more closely at his face, Kendra noticed his eyes; that's when she figured out whom it was she was dancing with. This insight caused Kendra to let out a soft gasp. But then, she felt something else; something she wasn't quite sure of. She could sense that it had something to do with the energy that was emanating from him.
I will pray for you
I will pray for you
I will sell my soul for something pure and true
Someone like you
The masked individual lowered his head and whispered slowly into her ear, "Alone at last."
See your face every place that I walk in
Hear your voice every time that I'm talking
You will believe in me
And I will never be ignored
"I had wondered whether you were ever going to show up again," stated the masked man.
Kendra swallowed hard.
I will burn for you
Feel pain for you
I will twist a knife and bleed my aching heart
And tear it apart
Kendra could feel his hands travelling the length of her back, only to rest them very closely to the part that most of the men in the Bronze had been focusing upon earlier. The desire to hit him squarely in the jaw rose up inside of her. Yet, something was holding her back.
I will lie for you
Beg and steal for you
I will crawl on hands and knees until you see
You're just like me
It was like his presence and his gaze riveted her to where she was. She had somewhat felt the same way when she had first lain eyes upon him after arriving in this universe. But now, what she was experiencing was much more intense. What's happening to me?
Violate all the love that I'm missing
Throw away all the pain that I'm living
You will believe in me
And I can never be ignored
Her breathing became shallow.
I would die for you
I would kill for you
"What's your name?" he asked softly.
I will steal for you
I'd do time for you
Before even thinking about it, she closed her eyes and whispered, "Kendra."
I will wait for you
I'd make room for you
She could sense him smile beneath his mask.
I'd sink ships for you
"Kendra," he reiterated slowly.
To be close to you
Her name just seemed to roll off his tongue.
To be part of you
He spoke her name again, but this time, it seemed to her as if his tongue itself was caressing the name when he spoke it.
Cause I believe in you
"Kendra..."
I believe in you
She couldn't think straight; her mind was clouded. She was falling...
I would die for you
Angel, in the meanwhile, had been checking out the crowd for people that would most likely be chosen by the suspected vampires. He had seen one girl that looked especially like she was just asking to be bit. Angel knew her name to be Cordelia Chase. She was, from what he knew, the most popular girl at Sunnydale High School. He believed her to be a potential victim because she always wore bright, shiny clothing, which vampires are attracted to.
Angel had been a little surprised to see Kendra talking to Cordelia at one point. What could she possibly have to talk about with Cordelia Chase? he had asked himself. But, he had just shrugged the thought off, not even considering the possible reasons and had headed upstairs.
Once upstairs, Angel again checked out the crowd and his eyes fell upon a petite, redheaded adolescent. She wasn't wearing the most fashionable attire, but there was an innocence and purity that he could sense from her. He would keep an eye on this one because he could practically smell her naïveté. To Angel, she seemed like a somewhat weak, yet tantalizing prey. Making a note of this, he turned away from her.
Angel rested his hands upon the railing and looked down at the dance floor in an attempt to locate Kendra. Unfortunately, he was not able to spot her.
Angel was about to remove his gaze from the dance floor when he noticed that there was a masked guy dancing with some girl who wore the exact same dress that Kendra had been wearing. Hmph, thought Angel. And that saleslady said the dress was a one-of-a-kind. I should ask for my money back.
He was about to look away from the couple, not wanting to intrude on their privacy, when something about the guy in the mask seemed familiar. Something about his build and the way he moved. His gut was telling him something. Bingo! realized Angel. He's a vampire. Angel looked harder at the dancing couple. Getting a better look, Angel was somewhat startled when he was able to discern that the girl actually was Kendra! But as he observed her, he noticed the glazed over look upon her face. Angel frowned when he noticed how tightly the vampire seemed to be holding her against his body. And he most certainly did not like the way the vampire was moving its hands over her body.
Different thoughts were rushing through Angel's mind. Who was this vampire that she was dancing with? It was one thing to make yourself look like susceptible prey, but it was another to throw yourself into the arms of a vampire. There was something wrong about this picture. Angel knew that he had come into contact with this vampire before, but he couldn't remember his identity. Besides, to him, after spending so much time with her, Kendra did not look like herself at all. Maybe the vampire has cast some sort of spell on her, he contemplated. Still, it does seem like a lot of work for just a meal. Angel figured that he should go down there, just to get a better look. He knew very well that Kendra could take care of herself, but if she was under some sort of spell, she might not be aware of it.
Walking down the winding stairs with slight urgency, Angel walked onto the dance floor, trying to look over the sea of swaying bodies in order to find Kendra and her dance partner. When he came upon them, Angel felt the desire to throw the vampire across the room, for there was Kendra leaning against the vampire as if in a trance, with the vampire's left hand on her thigh, inching his way up, beneath her dress. Angel felt the demon within him stir as his anger rose.
Walking up to the couple, Angel yanked Kendra away from the vampire gently, but insistently. As soon as he pulled her away, Kendra seemed to somewhat snap out of her trance. The vampire immediately reacted to being separated from Kendra and reached out for her, only to be shoved back slightly by Angel.
A low growl originated from beneath the mask. Then it seemed to Angel that the masked vampire sneered. "So Angel, you finally have decided to come out from whatever rock you had crawled under."
Angel then realized the identity of this masked vampire. "Xander," he said venomously and with disgust.
"In the flesh," retorted Xander while bowing slightly, a hint of humor in his voice. "So, do you have a good reason for interrupting our dance, or do you always go around interfering in other people's business?"
Coming out of her stupor, Kendra realized that there was an obvious history between the two vampires and perhaps Xander's words held more significance to them especially. Huh, she thought to herself. Even in this reality, Xander isn't particularly fond of Angel. But before she could consider this new possibility any further, Angel tightly clamped his left hand on her right wrist.
Giving Xander a malicious look, Angel stated to the other vampire, "The girl's with me."
"Really?" retorted Xander slowly while tilting his head in a thoughtful manner. "Are you sure that you have the right girl? 'Cause she's been alone since she got here." Xander snickered a bit. "That is, before I came along, of course." He then looked Kendra up and down with a hunger that had nothing to do with his desire for blood.
"Like I said," began Angel, while pulling Kendra behind him and staring fiercely at Xander, "the girl's with me."
Xander then stepped up to Angel and looking him straight in the eye, whispered slowly and menacingly, "Do you really think that you could keep her from me?"
Angel stepped closer to Xander until they were just millimeters apart from each other and whispered threateningly, "Try me."
By this time, many of the dancing couples were staring at the trio. Kendra became aware of this fact and looked at the two vampires with slight distress. The last thing she wanted to do was cause a scene and draw attention to Angel and herself.
Removing her wrist from his grip, she said, "Let's just go, Angel."
Angel ripped his gaze away from Xander and looked at Kendra. He could see that her eyes were pleading with him. He conceded to Kendra's wish and nodded his head, but before turning away, Angel snarled at Xander.
Xander did not look the least bit intimidated and actually ignored him. Instead of paying attention to Angel, Xander winked at Kendra and said, "See you soon," before disappearing into the crowd.
Kendra let out a sigh and headed out of the club. Once outside, Kendra was glad for the cool night air that hit her face. Taking a deep breath, she turned around to face Angel, unsure of what his reaction would be. She looked at his face carefully, but saw no sign of what he could possibly be thinking. Actually, in truth, she could not even imagine what he was thinking. What would she be thinking if she were in his place? The way she had acted had not exactly been stellar and even she did not know what to think of it. She had expected him to say something, but he merely walked past her.
Distress crossed Kendra's face as the thought crossed her mind that he was leaving her there, wanting nothing to do with her. However, he stopped after a few paces, turned around and said, "You coming?" Slightly relieved, Kendra strode in step beside him and they walked in silence until they reached Angel's apartment.
She had hoped that the walking and the night air would clear her head, but when she entered the apartment, her thoughts were not any more clear. She still was not sure about what had transpired at the Bronze. Kendra had appreciated Angel's interference because who knows how far Xander would have taken things? There was something about his mere presence that made her feel strange. She did not feel like herself when she was with him. But, she could not let Angel know that. There was a weakness that she experienced when around Xander and she did not want Angel to know any of her weaknesses.
Looking at him carefully, Kendra was startled when he actually spoke, "So I assume that you had a plan?"
His tone held no inflection in it. To Kendra, it sounded like he was completely apathetic. She smiled meekly. "Um, right. I was trying to make him believe that I was easy prey," she offered quietly, not wanting to meet his gaze. I wonder if he believes me.
Angel merely nodded his head before walking away from her and into his bedroom, signifying the end of the discussion.
Kendra slipped out of her new dress and boots and put on her new silk pajamas, their softness comforting her. She was now glad that Angel had insisted on nothing but the best. And as she lay down on her cot and closed her eyes, Kendra's thoughts turned to Angel. His response to her actions had surprised her. She had half expected him to get mad at her... or something... I'm not sure. Maybe he simply didn't care. But that doesn't make any sense. If he didn't care, he wouldn't have interfered, her thoughts argued. The possibility that Angel could care less about her made Kendra feel slightly uneasy. With that last thought, Kendra's world tumbled into disturbing dreams.
Angel undressed and crawled into bed, his mind going over the events of the night again and again. The way that he had reacted to Kendra's dancing with Xander perplexed him. As Angel nestled into his bed, he could not understand why he had gotten so upset. Granted, he had absolutely no love for Xander, but he knew that it was more than that. He had felt extremely protective of this girl who's scent was all over his apartment; the girl who refused to sleep in his bed. I couldn't even begin to explain in words what I'm feeling because... I'm not even sure that I understand myself. His feelings, to some extent, reminded him of how he felt when he had first laid eyes upon the Vampire Slayer, Buffy. Yet, it's not quite the same, is it? his thoughts rationalized. Something seemed to be nagging at Angel. There's something I'm missing, he thought before plunging forth into guilt-racked dreams that were painted with blood.
* * *
Xander entered the back room of the Bronze and threw his mask into a corner, irritated. Catching a glimpse of the Master in the shadows, Xander approached his sire.
"She was here, tonight," stated Xander.
"Who was here?" asked the Master as he sat down upon his chair.
"The girl I told you about."
The Master looked at Xander. "The one you saw after you killed Ms. Calendar?"
Xander nodded. "She was wearing this amazing red dress..." and he paused, remembering the curves of her body, her scent, and the way her skin had felt under his fingertips. But then, he recalled the events that had followed. Xander sneered. "And you wouldn't believe who decided to interrupt our dance!" The Master cocked his eyebrow. "That pathetic excuse for a vampire, Angel."
The Master now sat upright in his chair, his curiosity obviously piqued.
"He wrenched her away from me and blazingly declared that she was with him!" continued Xander, somewhat infuriated. He began to pace the room in front of the Master. "I mean, who did he think he was, taking her away from me?"
"Now that is interesting," stated the Master pensively.
Xander did not seem to hear him and continued his pacing. "Just because he was Angelus and had been big and bad back in his day doesn't mean that he can just waltz into the Bronze and steal her away from me!"
The Master gave Xander a calculating look. "You speak as is if this girl belongs to you," commented the Master.
Xander's pacing ceased. He appeared to be reflecting on something. For a few seconds, he was deathly still until he spoke softly, "Yes. That's it."
The Master looked upon Xander carefully before declaring, "Enough with this! I don't know why you are getting so incensed over this girl, but that's quite enough. If this girl was somehow affiliated with Ms. Calendar and is now with Angel, it is possible that there may be a link between the two. Perhaps Angel did have a hand in the destruction of the vessel and the closing of the Hellmouth."
Xander forgot about Kendra for an instant and considered what the Master had said. The idea that Angel might have played a hand in the resealing of the Hellmouth had been a theory that Xander had had ever since he had become a vampire. He had never liked the way that Angel seemed to lurk around Sunnydale. Xander had always felt that he had been up to something, plotting against his own kind, under the influence of his "soul."
"The thing is, we don't know anything about this girl, thus we shouldn't leap to any conclusions," stated the Master. "She could be perfectly harmless." But, then he thought about how only a few days ago, eight vampires had disappeared in three nights. "But then again, she could be as dangerous as a Slayer. If something should arise, we will have to deal with this girl and Angel if he is involved."
"Would you like me to assess her potential as a threat?" volunteered Xander, eagerly.
"No," replied the Master. "I need you to run a couple of errands for me out of the country." And the Master laid out the plan for Xander.
Just before Xander was about to leave for his new mission, the Master asked, "Did you happen to come across this girl's name?"
"Kendra," replied Xander before leaving the room in a hurry to reach the outgoing boat that would commence his journey.
The Master languidly leaned back in his chair. Something about Xander's sudden infatuation with this girl intrigued the Master. Yet, there was something more to all of this. He could feel it. It was as if he had a very small piece from a large puzzle. Hopefully the task that he had sent Xander on would prove to be fruitful and then he could deal with the potential threat of Angel and this girl, "Kendra."