OF THINGS TO COME
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters except for the new ones that I created.
Chapter 11
The last few rays of daylight were just disappearing over the horizon as Billy and Dawn walked into the house, still arguing as to what excuse they would use this time. They had spent the past few hours in Spike and Willow's hotel room listening to Willow, Wesley, and Faith lay out the entire story albeit with Billy and Dawn having to almost constantly swear that they wouldn't say a peep about any of it to Buffy or anyone else. "Hey Buffy I'm.home," Dawn said as she entered the kitchen with Billy close behind.
"Hello Dawn," Giles said with a smile before Dawn hugged him tightly.
"Giles.I'm so glad you're back," Dawn said with a smile as she let go of Giles and then turned to Billy and said, "Giles.this is my boyfriend Billy, Billy Giles."
"Pleased to meet you," Giles said with a smile as he extended his hand towards Billy.
"You to," Billy said with a smile as he reached out his own hand and then shook hands with Giles.
"When did you get back.why are you.," Dawn said with her mind working faster than her mouth.
"One question at a time Dawn, there'll be plenty of time for me to answer all your questions later, but for now I could really use a rest," Giles said with a yawn.
"Of course.so where are you staying.," Buffy said with a thoughtful look on her face as she picked up an apple from the fruit bowl on the counter.
"I.I don't know.I came directly here from the airport," Giles said with a frown on his face. "You can stay here, right Buffy," Dawn said with a smile as she looked over at her sister.
"I don't know Dawn.all we have is Willow's.," Buffy started to say with a smile but then her smile turned into a frown at the mention of Willow's name. The feeling seemed to permeate the room as the other occupants were silent for the next few seconds as well before Billy spoke up.
"Hey there's that little hotel on the edge of town that just opened.it's nothing fancy but I've heard it's cheap," Billy said with a smile that grew bigger after he noticed that Dawn seemed to like the idea.
"Yes.I think that'll do quite nicely.I wouldn't want to intrude," Giles said shrugging his shoulders with a frown on his face.
"N-no you wouldn't be intruding.," Buffy said trying to reassure her former mentor.
"Thank you Buffy.but I do think that Billy here is right.but I need to discuss some things with Angel first.is he here," Giles said as he smiled and patted Billy on the shoulder, Dawn beside him beaming with pride.
"Not yet but you can wait in the living room and talk to Cordelia and the others until he gets here," Buffy said with a smile as she led Giles out of the kitchen. After they had gone Billy turned to Dawn with a smile on his face.
"That went well I think," Billy said putting his arm around Dawn, who shrank back a bit. "What's wrong.," Billy asked frowning.
"I still can't believe.that Spike.I saw him in front of the window.the sunlight.and then I.," Dawn said letting her voice trail off as she looked like she was about to cry.
"Hey now don't beat yourself up.you were in shock when you saw Spike standing in the sunlight.and then the others, you didn't have time to realize that something was different about him.," Billy said reassuringly as he pulled Dawn close before continuing, "And after you woke up he was the first thing you saw and you just acted.."
"What I did was wrong.I could have killed him," Dawn said as a tear slid down her cheek until Billy reached up and wiped it away as his hand brushed against her cheek.
"You were angry at him for what he tried to do to Buffy, it's understandable that you'd want to hurt him.just don't faint like that ever again.you scared me," Billy said with a worried look on his face before Dawn turned and kissed him lightly.
"Sorry.but," Dawn said frowning as she stared at the floor.
"Hey you have nothing to be sorry for, now why don't we go into the living room before Buffy comes back in here and grills you over where you've been all afternoon," Billy said picking Dawn's head up with a hand under her chin.
"Okay," Dawn said with a smile before she and Billy walked into the living room.
* * * * * * * *
"You sure you're ready for this Red.I mean it's only been a few months.we can always come back tomorrow," Spike said as he and Willow entered the cemetery.
"No.I have to do this.," Willow said with a meager smile before it seemed that her knees would give out from under her, but Spike quickly rushed to her side and looped his arm under hers.
"Whoa now don't go getting all weak kneed on me," Spike said with a concerned look on his face as Willow smiled back at him.
"Thanks," Willow said before she and Spike began walking through the cemetery, with Spike keeping a close eye on her condition. As they walked Willow's mind began to wonder as memories of Tara began to flood back into her mind, bringing tears to her eyes. "Sorry.I didn't know if I'd..," she said sadly as she noticed the look of worry on Spike's face.
"We should stop.go back you're not ready," Spike said sadly as he looked around to get his bearings as they continued to slowly walk through the cemetery.
"I'll be okay.I need to do this.for myself.and for.for.," Willow said before stopping so suddenly that Spike turned back to her in alarm.
"What's wrong.why'd.oh bloody hell.we're here," Spike said at first with a concerned look on his face but then with one of almost fear. For mere feet in front of him it stood, a small grey tombstone with the name of Willow's true love etched into its surface, with the rays of the setting sun seeming to set it ablaze with color.
"Tara.I.Tara," Willow said sadly before the flow of tears turned into a raging river and sobs wracked her body, forcing her to her knees in the damp grass.
"It's okay to cry luv.let it out.," Spike said as he fought back tears of his own as he pulled Willow close as she continued to sob.
* * * * * * * * *
"Finally.," the vampire growled angrily as the sun slipped beneath the horizon and out of view. The other assembled vampires smiled and nodded their heads in silent agreement. They had gathered at what they had been told was a holy site, the site where the witch had almost raised a temple that would have brought about the end of the world. But she had been stopped just in time by one of her friends.
"The whelp will be the first to die," a snarling demon said with murderous intent in its one bulbous eye as it traced its hand over the spot where the temple had been.
"Only when I command it.now that the sun is down we're free.free to hunt," came an at first angry voice which then softened to one of seemingly pure joy. The vampires and a few demons in attendance turned before bowing before their queen. "Yes my children.tonight it begins.the witch is here.bring her to me.and do not fail me.or else you'll suffer the same fate as your friends," the queen said with a smile before she turned away and walked into the night, her robes billowing behind her. For several seconds the vampires only stared after her before their gaze shifted to a large pile of dust nearby. Shivers ran through their bodies as they remembered the sight of their comrades slowly being burned into ash by the rising sun, a punishment doled out by their queen for their failure to bring in the witch and her friends.
"We will get that bitch tonight.or die trying," a vampire growled in anger before it stormed off down the hillside with several other vampires following closely behind.
* * * * * * * * * * *
While Spike and Willow were holding a vigil at Tara's grave Faith decided to go out on patrol, but only after arguing with Wesley for a time. In the end Wesley had relented and she was free to go on her patrol, with only one catch, that he be allowed to come with her. "I don't need any help," Faith said angrily as she picked two stakes up out of one of the bags.
"I know you don't.but these are special circumstances.and someone needs to keep a look out for Buffy," Wesley said putting his hand on Faith's shoulder and turning her to face him, her eyes still holding their anger.
"If I see B I'll walk the other way.you worry too much," Faith said before letting her anger slip away as a smile spread across Wesley's face. It was his special smile, the one that no matter how hard she tried Faith could never stay angry at him after seeing that smile. He didn't use it often but when he did it always worked. The first time he had used it was soon after they had started sleeping together. "You know I hate it when you do that.makes me feel like agreeing to anything," Faith said as she felt a smile spreading across her face. She had never liked to smile very much but for some odd reason she found herself smiling a great deal when Wesley was around.
"Why do you think I do it.now let's go," Wesley said with a sly grin before he kissed Faith and headed out the door, with her following close behind him. They decided to check out all of Faith's old haunts first. Unfortunately for them the first place they went was crawling with vampires. "You used to hang out here," Wesley said with a confused look on his face as he turned and looked back at Faith.
"Hey it was out of the way.you know," Faith said with a frown before she smiled and said, "And a good place to hide things.but I don't remember that being here." With an angry glare Wesley first looked at Faith before he turned his attention to what was in front of him. It seemed to be a rickety old tower that looked like it was cobbled together by idiots.
"I'm surprised that thing is still standing, those supports look like they're about ready to give way," Wesley thought as he scratched his chin and frowned. "I wonder why they've congregated here.this doesn't seem to be an important place," Wesley said as Faith handed him a stake with one of her energized smiles on her face.
"Who cares.just means we'll see some real action tonight," Faith said as she started to jump out from behind the stack of crates that she and Wesley were hiding behind.
"Wes...Faith.," came a voice from behind that froze Faith in her tracks and made Wesley almost leap out of his skin.
"Angel.what.," Wesley said searching for the right words as he brought up his stake and prepared to defend himself if necessary.
"Easy Wes.easy.I'm not going to kill you.," Angel said with his arms outstretched, palms towards Wesley. Faith meanwhile almost dropped her stake at the sudden appearance of Angel. But she regained her composure when another figure stepped out of the shadows and stood beside Angel.
"Who the fuck are you," Faith growled as she raised her stake up to heart level and looked about ready to attack when Angel stepped in front of her with a very serious look on his face.
"Faith no.this is Conner.he's.," Angel said as he hoped that Faith wouldn't follow through with her plan of attack and try and stake Conner. If Faith and Conner had fought Angel didn't know who to be more concerned about.
"Your son.yeah Wes told me about him," Faith said dropping her stake back down to her side and seeming to relax a bit.
"Uncle Wesley," Conner said slowly as he studied the man standing in front of him with a weary eye.
"Conner.good to see you.but what are you two.," Wesley said looking back and forth between father and son while Faith made sure that no vampires were about to attack them.
"To help Buffy with whatever hell is coming this way.but something tells me that you're here for much the same reason," Angel said frowning and slowly nodding his head as Conner turned to Faith.
"Can we trust them," Conner whispered as softly as he could to Angel as he forced a weak smile onto his face.
"You trust us.the better question is can we trust you," Faith said angrily glaring at Angel who mentally kicked himself for forgetting to tell Conner about a slayers increased hearing ability.
"Yes.we can.," Angel said casting Faith an embarrassed smile before he turned to Wesley. "Uh Wesley there's something I need to say to you.and uh.I wanted to wait till the right time but.sorry about the whole trying to suffocate you with your hospital pillow thing.," Angel said sheepishly as he tried to look Wesley in the eye but couldn't and ended up staring at the ground, which turned out to be a good thing because he was ready for Wesley's reaction, but not for Faith's.
"Apology accepted.," Wesley said solemnly nodding his head as he tried to force a smile to the surface but his face ended up just sticking in a frowning position.
"You didn't tell me he tried to kill you.you said you two had a falling out," Faith said very angrily as she glared first at Wesley and then she turned her death glare towards Angel, appearing as if she were about ready to drive the stake she was holding straight through his un-beating heart, but Conner pulled Angel back and stepped in front. "Get out of my way devil spawn," Faith growled as she lifted her stake.
"Get away from my father you bitch," Conner said angrily as he brought his hands up, ready to defend Angel and himself from any attack. Before the situation could get any farther out of hand Wesley quick grabbed Faith from behind and, against her very vocal objections, pulled her away as Angel much the same to Conner.
"Let me go Wes nobody calls me a bitch.," Faith growled angrily until Wesley whispered in her ear.
"Stop it you're acting like a spoiled brat.we need Angel and Conner on our side," Wesley whispered before Faith started to calm down and lowered her stake, although glaring angrily at Wesley as she did. A few feet away Conner cautiously lowered his hands and seemed to calm down.
"Good.see.we don't need anybody killing anybody here.we're all on the same side.right Wes," Angel said looking pleadingly at Wesley.
"Right.now I think," Wesley started to say before a loud roar erupted behind him as a group of demons and vampires came around the corner and spotted the quartet.
"Fuck," Faith said before leaping at the nearest vampire, turning it into a pile of dust before it could even put up a fight. Her attack was soon followed by Angel who tore into a particularly ugly looking demon that charged towards him. Conner meanwhile leapt over the first line of vampires before pulling a stake from his back pocket and dusting the first vampire that came near him. Wesley came in last as he started to run towards the others but was cut off from them by a new group of vampires that had heard the noise and decided to join the party. At first the quartet held their own, with many a vampire reduced to dust. But after a short time the sheer number of vampires forced them apart and they quickly became separated, with Angel and Faith being driven back away from the tower and towards a security fence. Conner however was able to at least hold his ground, although he knew that he couldn't hold that spot of ground for too long against the horde of enemies that stood before him. Wesley was driven back towards the base of the tower, where there were many high mounds of dirt and trash that could easily hide someone from view.
"This isn't going very well," Angel said as he slipped his game face on and snapped the neck of a nearby demon.
"What was your first clue," Faith said sarcastically as she crouched down and took the legs out from under a vampire with a spinning kick before spearing it through the heart.
"Where's Conner," Angel said desperately trying to search for his son while at the same time keep himself, and Faith, from getting killed.
"Still.by the crates," Faith said as her fist connected with the jaw of another vampire, knocking it out cold.
"And Wesley," Angel said as he dodged a demons claws and leapt onto its back.
"I don't.wait.on the tower," Faith yelled as she reduced another vampire to dust before she looked up and saw Wesley being driven up the tower by a group of snarling demons.
"Go.I'll try and hold the line here.," Angel said before having to hold on for dear life as the demon began to flail about wildly, its claws killing vampires before they could get out of the way.
"But you can't hold them all off.," Faith said as another vampire fell before her.
"Just go.it's almost dawn.we only have to make it till the sun's first rays," Angel said before losing his grip and being thrown from the back of the demon and into a large group of vampires, knocking them all off of their feet. Without another word or a look back Faith slammed her fist into the jaw of a vampire in her way before she broke into a run, directly towards the bottom few steps of the tower.
While Angel was riding the large demon Conner was having troubles of his own. His stake had been lost when he had driven it into a demons eye, hoping it would connect with the brain and kill it. Unfortunately for him the demon's brain was well encased in bone and the sliver of wood in its eye only seemed to further infuriate the demon. "This isn't working.there are just to many of them.," Conner yelled at the top of his lungs, hoping that one of the others was close enough by to give him aide. But unfortunately Faith was frantically climbing the tower at that moment, hoping to get to Wesley before he became overwhelmed by the forces that were following him.
"Wesley.wait," Faith yelled as she finally managed to get onto the same platform that Wesley and those intent on killing were on, albeit on the other end. She sprinted across the landing and launched herself onto the nearest vampires to Wesley, knocking them down and even sending one of them tumbling off of the tower and crashing to the ground.
"Took you long enough," Wesley said as he struggled to stay standing as a large vampire came up behind him.
"Wesley look out," Faith screamed as she stood up and leapt towards the vampire, stake aimed at its heart.
"Not today slayer," the vampire said with a sinister smile as it grabbed Wesley and pulled him in front of it, just in time for Faith's stake to plunge into his body and tear through his chest.
"Uhn.," Wesley gasped as his eyes grew wide and his jaw dropped open as blood began to slide out of his mouth. Faith instantly released her grip on the stake as the look of desperation and anger slipped from her face and was replaced by one of sheer terror and horror.
"W.W.," Faith choked out as Wesley slumped against her, knocking her off her feet and almost off of the tower. As she fought back the bile that she felt rising in her stomach she rolled Wesley's limp body off of her and sat up as the vampires around her began to laugh and cheer at the sight. "What have I.it wasn't supposed to.I didn't mean to.what is.," Faith stammered out before she glanced down and discovered that she was covered in blood. "His blood.," Faith's terror stricken mind shouted at her. Finally she could hold the bile back no longer and it came shooting out and mixed with the pool of blood that Faith found herself sitting in. Fighting back tears she tried to stand up but her foot came out from under her and she was thrust back down into the mixture of bile and blood, the stench pouring into her nose. Groaning in pain, as her shoulder felt like it was broken, Faith rolled over and got to her hands and knees before she crawled over to his lifeless body and pulled him close as the tears began to stream down her face. "Wes...no.please no.I.can't.no.," Faith choked out through the sobs that wracked her body as the vampire that she had been aiming for took a few steps in her direction before stopping and smiling.
"Good aim.thanks for helping us get rid of one of our problems," the vampire said before it broke out in a loud fit of laughter that sent chills down Faith's spine and alerted those below.
Angel had just snapped a nearby vampire's neck when he had looked up and saw Faith leap into the air and then drive the stake home. "Faith.no.Wes," Angel yelled at the top of his lungs as he saw Wesley slump over and fall on top of Faith. With tears welling in his eyes he let go of all his inhibitions and began tearing into the vampires surrounding him with a reckless abandon not seen since his days as Angelus.
Conner did not see Wesley fall but upon hearing Angel's cry he knew that something was wrong, very wrong. "Father what.," Conner said before he lifted his eyes up and saw the blood start to run over the side of the platform and drip off. "Damn," Conner growled as he vaulted over the nearest demon and tore off towards the platform.
As Angel was tearing into the vampires below Faith could only stare in horror at the sight of her hands bathed in Wesley's blood while his head lay haphazardly in her lap. Her tears began mixing with the blood and eerily maroon drops began to fall from her hands. "Oh God.no.Wes.no.my fault.all my fault," Faith whimpered before she was struck from behind and everything went black.
With a grunt of joy the vampire that had struck Faith prepared to drive its knife through her heart but was stopped by a loud growl from the vampire that had caused it all. "No.she is to remain alive.for now.causing the death of one she loved so dearly will cause our queen's desired effect.this is worse than killing her," the vampire said with a laugh before kneeling down beside Wesley's lifeless body. "It's almost dawn bring the body...," the vampire said with a smile before it turned as a robed figure materialized nearby.
"Is it done," the robed figure said as a forked tongue shot out from beneath the cowl. All the vampires, except for the head one, scowled at the sight.
"See for yourself," the vampire said with a broad smile as it stepped aside and waved its hand through the air as if it were showing off a prized steer.
"Good, now gather around me, it is time to leave," the robed figure said merrily with a small chuckle before the head demon grabbed Wesley's feet and dragged him near and the other vampires came and crowded around his body. "Farewell slayer.we will meet again.and you will not be so.lucky.again," the robed figure said before chanting a few words and disappearing along with Wesley's body and the assembled vampires.
Angel reached the platform just as the robed figure and the others disappeared. "No.Faith," Angel yelled as he slipped out of his game face and ran to the rogue slayer's side. With tears sliding down his cheeks he solemnly lifted Faith into his arms and after one final tearful glance back at the pool of blood began to walk back towards the stairs. "I swear this now.even if I lose my soul because of it.I will kill you all," Angel shouted angrily with the last bit at the top of his breathless lungs. And with that he sulked down the stairs with the bloody slayer in his arms before he and Conner took to the sewers and brought their solemn burden home to Revello drive.
END OF CHAPTER 11
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters except for the new ones that I created.
Chapter 11
The last few rays of daylight were just disappearing over the horizon as Billy and Dawn walked into the house, still arguing as to what excuse they would use this time. They had spent the past few hours in Spike and Willow's hotel room listening to Willow, Wesley, and Faith lay out the entire story albeit with Billy and Dawn having to almost constantly swear that they wouldn't say a peep about any of it to Buffy or anyone else. "Hey Buffy I'm.home," Dawn said as she entered the kitchen with Billy close behind.
"Hello Dawn," Giles said with a smile before Dawn hugged him tightly.
"Giles.I'm so glad you're back," Dawn said with a smile as she let go of Giles and then turned to Billy and said, "Giles.this is my boyfriend Billy, Billy Giles."
"Pleased to meet you," Giles said with a smile as he extended his hand towards Billy.
"You to," Billy said with a smile as he reached out his own hand and then shook hands with Giles.
"When did you get back.why are you.," Dawn said with her mind working faster than her mouth.
"One question at a time Dawn, there'll be plenty of time for me to answer all your questions later, but for now I could really use a rest," Giles said with a yawn.
"Of course.so where are you staying.," Buffy said with a thoughtful look on her face as she picked up an apple from the fruit bowl on the counter.
"I.I don't know.I came directly here from the airport," Giles said with a frown on his face. "You can stay here, right Buffy," Dawn said with a smile as she looked over at her sister.
"I don't know Dawn.all we have is Willow's.," Buffy started to say with a smile but then her smile turned into a frown at the mention of Willow's name. The feeling seemed to permeate the room as the other occupants were silent for the next few seconds as well before Billy spoke up.
"Hey there's that little hotel on the edge of town that just opened.it's nothing fancy but I've heard it's cheap," Billy said with a smile that grew bigger after he noticed that Dawn seemed to like the idea.
"Yes.I think that'll do quite nicely.I wouldn't want to intrude," Giles said shrugging his shoulders with a frown on his face.
"N-no you wouldn't be intruding.," Buffy said trying to reassure her former mentor.
"Thank you Buffy.but I do think that Billy here is right.but I need to discuss some things with Angel first.is he here," Giles said as he smiled and patted Billy on the shoulder, Dawn beside him beaming with pride.
"Not yet but you can wait in the living room and talk to Cordelia and the others until he gets here," Buffy said with a smile as she led Giles out of the kitchen. After they had gone Billy turned to Dawn with a smile on his face.
"That went well I think," Billy said putting his arm around Dawn, who shrank back a bit. "What's wrong.," Billy asked frowning.
"I still can't believe.that Spike.I saw him in front of the window.the sunlight.and then I.," Dawn said letting her voice trail off as she looked like she was about to cry.
"Hey now don't beat yourself up.you were in shock when you saw Spike standing in the sunlight.and then the others, you didn't have time to realize that something was different about him.," Billy said reassuringly as he pulled Dawn close before continuing, "And after you woke up he was the first thing you saw and you just acted.."
"What I did was wrong.I could have killed him," Dawn said as a tear slid down her cheek until Billy reached up and wiped it away as his hand brushed against her cheek.
"You were angry at him for what he tried to do to Buffy, it's understandable that you'd want to hurt him.just don't faint like that ever again.you scared me," Billy said with a worried look on his face before Dawn turned and kissed him lightly.
"Sorry.but," Dawn said frowning as she stared at the floor.
"Hey you have nothing to be sorry for, now why don't we go into the living room before Buffy comes back in here and grills you over where you've been all afternoon," Billy said picking Dawn's head up with a hand under her chin.
"Okay," Dawn said with a smile before she and Billy walked into the living room.
* * * * * * * *
"You sure you're ready for this Red.I mean it's only been a few months.we can always come back tomorrow," Spike said as he and Willow entered the cemetery.
"No.I have to do this.," Willow said with a meager smile before it seemed that her knees would give out from under her, but Spike quickly rushed to her side and looped his arm under hers.
"Whoa now don't go getting all weak kneed on me," Spike said with a concerned look on his face as Willow smiled back at him.
"Thanks," Willow said before she and Spike began walking through the cemetery, with Spike keeping a close eye on her condition. As they walked Willow's mind began to wonder as memories of Tara began to flood back into her mind, bringing tears to her eyes. "Sorry.I didn't know if I'd..," she said sadly as she noticed the look of worry on Spike's face.
"We should stop.go back you're not ready," Spike said sadly as he looked around to get his bearings as they continued to slowly walk through the cemetery.
"I'll be okay.I need to do this.for myself.and for.for.," Willow said before stopping so suddenly that Spike turned back to her in alarm.
"What's wrong.why'd.oh bloody hell.we're here," Spike said at first with a concerned look on his face but then with one of almost fear. For mere feet in front of him it stood, a small grey tombstone with the name of Willow's true love etched into its surface, with the rays of the setting sun seeming to set it ablaze with color.
"Tara.I.Tara," Willow said sadly before the flow of tears turned into a raging river and sobs wracked her body, forcing her to her knees in the damp grass.
"It's okay to cry luv.let it out.," Spike said as he fought back tears of his own as he pulled Willow close as she continued to sob.
* * * * * * * * *
"Finally.," the vampire growled angrily as the sun slipped beneath the horizon and out of view. The other assembled vampires smiled and nodded their heads in silent agreement. They had gathered at what they had been told was a holy site, the site where the witch had almost raised a temple that would have brought about the end of the world. But she had been stopped just in time by one of her friends.
"The whelp will be the first to die," a snarling demon said with murderous intent in its one bulbous eye as it traced its hand over the spot where the temple had been.
"Only when I command it.now that the sun is down we're free.free to hunt," came an at first angry voice which then softened to one of seemingly pure joy. The vampires and a few demons in attendance turned before bowing before their queen. "Yes my children.tonight it begins.the witch is here.bring her to me.and do not fail me.or else you'll suffer the same fate as your friends," the queen said with a smile before she turned away and walked into the night, her robes billowing behind her. For several seconds the vampires only stared after her before their gaze shifted to a large pile of dust nearby. Shivers ran through their bodies as they remembered the sight of their comrades slowly being burned into ash by the rising sun, a punishment doled out by their queen for their failure to bring in the witch and her friends.
"We will get that bitch tonight.or die trying," a vampire growled in anger before it stormed off down the hillside with several other vampires following closely behind.
* * * * * * * * * * *
While Spike and Willow were holding a vigil at Tara's grave Faith decided to go out on patrol, but only after arguing with Wesley for a time. In the end Wesley had relented and she was free to go on her patrol, with only one catch, that he be allowed to come with her. "I don't need any help," Faith said angrily as she picked two stakes up out of one of the bags.
"I know you don't.but these are special circumstances.and someone needs to keep a look out for Buffy," Wesley said putting his hand on Faith's shoulder and turning her to face him, her eyes still holding their anger.
"If I see B I'll walk the other way.you worry too much," Faith said before letting her anger slip away as a smile spread across Wesley's face. It was his special smile, the one that no matter how hard she tried Faith could never stay angry at him after seeing that smile. He didn't use it often but when he did it always worked. The first time he had used it was soon after they had started sleeping together. "You know I hate it when you do that.makes me feel like agreeing to anything," Faith said as she felt a smile spreading across her face. She had never liked to smile very much but for some odd reason she found herself smiling a great deal when Wesley was around.
"Why do you think I do it.now let's go," Wesley said with a sly grin before he kissed Faith and headed out the door, with her following close behind him. They decided to check out all of Faith's old haunts first. Unfortunately for them the first place they went was crawling with vampires. "You used to hang out here," Wesley said with a confused look on his face as he turned and looked back at Faith.
"Hey it was out of the way.you know," Faith said with a frown before she smiled and said, "And a good place to hide things.but I don't remember that being here." With an angry glare Wesley first looked at Faith before he turned his attention to what was in front of him. It seemed to be a rickety old tower that looked like it was cobbled together by idiots.
"I'm surprised that thing is still standing, those supports look like they're about ready to give way," Wesley thought as he scratched his chin and frowned. "I wonder why they've congregated here.this doesn't seem to be an important place," Wesley said as Faith handed him a stake with one of her energized smiles on her face.
"Who cares.just means we'll see some real action tonight," Faith said as she started to jump out from behind the stack of crates that she and Wesley were hiding behind.
"Wes...Faith.," came a voice from behind that froze Faith in her tracks and made Wesley almost leap out of his skin.
"Angel.what.," Wesley said searching for the right words as he brought up his stake and prepared to defend himself if necessary.
"Easy Wes.easy.I'm not going to kill you.," Angel said with his arms outstretched, palms towards Wesley. Faith meanwhile almost dropped her stake at the sudden appearance of Angel. But she regained her composure when another figure stepped out of the shadows and stood beside Angel.
"Who the fuck are you," Faith growled as she raised her stake up to heart level and looked about ready to attack when Angel stepped in front of her with a very serious look on his face.
"Faith no.this is Conner.he's.," Angel said as he hoped that Faith wouldn't follow through with her plan of attack and try and stake Conner. If Faith and Conner had fought Angel didn't know who to be more concerned about.
"Your son.yeah Wes told me about him," Faith said dropping her stake back down to her side and seeming to relax a bit.
"Uncle Wesley," Conner said slowly as he studied the man standing in front of him with a weary eye.
"Conner.good to see you.but what are you two.," Wesley said looking back and forth between father and son while Faith made sure that no vampires were about to attack them.
"To help Buffy with whatever hell is coming this way.but something tells me that you're here for much the same reason," Angel said frowning and slowly nodding his head as Conner turned to Faith.
"Can we trust them," Conner whispered as softly as he could to Angel as he forced a weak smile onto his face.
"You trust us.the better question is can we trust you," Faith said angrily glaring at Angel who mentally kicked himself for forgetting to tell Conner about a slayers increased hearing ability.
"Yes.we can.," Angel said casting Faith an embarrassed smile before he turned to Wesley. "Uh Wesley there's something I need to say to you.and uh.I wanted to wait till the right time but.sorry about the whole trying to suffocate you with your hospital pillow thing.," Angel said sheepishly as he tried to look Wesley in the eye but couldn't and ended up staring at the ground, which turned out to be a good thing because he was ready for Wesley's reaction, but not for Faith's.
"Apology accepted.," Wesley said solemnly nodding his head as he tried to force a smile to the surface but his face ended up just sticking in a frowning position.
"You didn't tell me he tried to kill you.you said you two had a falling out," Faith said very angrily as she glared first at Wesley and then she turned her death glare towards Angel, appearing as if she were about ready to drive the stake she was holding straight through his un-beating heart, but Conner pulled Angel back and stepped in front. "Get out of my way devil spawn," Faith growled as she lifted her stake.
"Get away from my father you bitch," Conner said angrily as he brought his hands up, ready to defend Angel and himself from any attack. Before the situation could get any farther out of hand Wesley quick grabbed Faith from behind and, against her very vocal objections, pulled her away as Angel much the same to Conner.
"Let me go Wes nobody calls me a bitch.," Faith growled angrily until Wesley whispered in her ear.
"Stop it you're acting like a spoiled brat.we need Angel and Conner on our side," Wesley whispered before Faith started to calm down and lowered her stake, although glaring angrily at Wesley as she did. A few feet away Conner cautiously lowered his hands and seemed to calm down.
"Good.see.we don't need anybody killing anybody here.we're all on the same side.right Wes," Angel said looking pleadingly at Wesley.
"Right.now I think," Wesley started to say before a loud roar erupted behind him as a group of demons and vampires came around the corner and spotted the quartet.
"Fuck," Faith said before leaping at the nearest vampire, turning it into a pile of dust before it could even put up a fight. Her attack was soon followed by Angel who tore into a particularly ugly looking demon that charged towards him. Conner meanwhile leapt over the first line of vampires before pulling a stake from his back pocket and dusting the first vampire that came near him. Wesley came in last as he started to run towards the others but was cut off from them by a new group of vampires that had heard the noise and decided to join the party. At first the quartet held their own, with many a vampire reduced to dust. But after a short time the sheer number of vampires forced them apart and they quickly became separated, with Angel and Faith being driven back away from the tower and towards a security fence. Conner however was able to at least hold his ground, although he knew that he couldn't hold that spot of ground for too long against the horde of enemies that stood before him. Wesley was driven back towards the base of the tower, where there were many high mounds of dirt and trash that could easily hide someone from view.
"This isn't going very well," Angel said as he slipped his game face on and snapped the neck of a nearby demon.
"What was your first clue," Faith said sarcastically as she crouched down and took the legs out from under a vampire with a spinning kick before spearing it through the heart.
"Where's Conner," Angel said desperately trying to search for his son while at the same time keep himself, and Faith, from getting killed.
"Still.by the crates," Faith said as her fist connected with the jaw of another vampire, knocking it out cold.
"And Wesley," Angel said as he dodged a demons claws and leapt onto its back.
"I don't.wait.on the tower," Faith yelled as she reduced another vampire to dust before she looked up and saw Wesley being driven up the tower by a group of snarling demons.
"Go.I'll try and hold the line here.," Angel said before having to hold on for dear life as the demon began to flail about wildly, its claws killing vampires before they could get out of the way.
"But you can't hold them all off.," Faith said as another vampire fell before her.
"Just go.it's almost dawn.we only have to make it till the sun's first rays," Angel said before losing his grip and being thrown from the back of the demon and into a large group of vampires, knocking them all off of their feet. Without another word or a look back Faith slammed her fist into the jaw of a vampire in her way before she broke into a run, directly towards the bottom few steps of the tower.
While Angel was riding the large demon Conner was having troubles of his own. His stake had been lost when he had driven it into a demons eye, hoping it would connect with the brain and kill it. Unfortunately for him the demon's brain was well encased in bone and the sliver of wood in its eye only seemed to further infuriate the demon. "This isn't working.there are just to many of them.," Conner yelled at the top of his lungs, hoping that one of the others was close enough by to give him aide. But unfortunately Faith was frantically climbing the tower at that moment, hoping to get to Wesley before he became overwhelmed by the forces that were following him.
"Wesley.wait," Faith yelled as she finally managed to get onto the same platform that Wesley and those intent on killing were on, albeit on the other end. She sprinted across the landing and launched herself onto the nearest vampires to Wesley, knocking them down and even sending one of them tumbling off of the tower and crashing to the ground.
"Took you long enough," Wesley said as he struggled to stay standing as a large vampire came up behind him.
"Wesley look out," Faith screamed as she stood up and leapt towards the vampire, stake aimed at its heart.
"Not today slayer," the vampire said with a sinister smile as it grabbed Wesley and pulled him in front of it, just in time for Faith's stake to plunge into his body and tear through his chest.
"Uhn.," Wesley gasped as his eyes grew wide and his jaw dropped open as blood began to slide out of his mouth. Faith instantly released her grip on the stake as the look of desperation and anger slipped from her face and was replaced by one of sheer terror and horror.
"W.W.," Faith choked out as Wesley slumped against her, knocking her off her feet and almost off of the tower. As she fought back the bile that she felt rising in her stomach she rolled Wesley's limp body off of her and sat up as the vampires around her began to laugh and cheer at the sight. "What have I.it wasn't supposed to.I didn't mean to.what is.," Faith stammered out before she glanced down and discovered that she was covered in blood. "His blood.," Faith's terror stricken mind shouted at her. Finally she could hold the bile back no longer and it came shooting out and mixed with the pool of blood that Faith found herself sitting in. Fighting back tears she tried to stand up but her foot came out from under her and she was thrust back down into the mixture of bile and blood, the stench pouring into her nose. Groaning in pain, as her shoulder felt like it was broken, Faith rolled over and got to her hands and knees before she crawled over to his lifeless body and pulled him close as the tears began to stream down her face. "Wes...no.please no.I.can't.no.," Faith choked out through the sobs that wracked her body as the vampire that she had been aiming for took a few steps in her direction before stopping and smiling.
"Good aim.thanks for helping us get rid of one of our problems," the vampire said before it broke out in a loud fit of laughter that sent chills down Faith's spine and alerted those below.
Angel had just snapped a nearby vampire's neck when he had looked up and saw Faith leap into the air and then drive the stake home. "Faith.no.Wes," Angel yelled at the top of his lungs as he saw Wesley slump over and fall on top of Faith. With tears welling in his eyes he let go of all his inhibitions and began tearing into the vampires surrounding him with a reckless abandon not seen since his days as Angelus.
Conner did not see Wesley fall but upon hearing Angel's cry he knew that something was wrong, very wrong. "Father what.," Conner said before he lifted his eyes up and saw the blood start to run over the side of the platform and drip off. "Damn," Conner growled as he vaulted over the nearest demon and tore off towards the platform.
As Angel was tearing into the vampires below Faith could only stare in horror at the sight of her hands bathed in Wesley's blood while his head lay haphazardly in her lap. Her tears began mixing with the blood and eerily maroon drops began to fall from her hands. "Oh God.no.Wes.no.my fault.all my fault," Faith whimpered before she was struck from behind and everything went black.
With a grunt of joy the vampire that had struck Faith prepared to drive its knife through her heart but was stopped by a loud growl from the vampire that had caused it all. "No.she is to remain alive.for now.causing the death of one she loved so dearly will cause our queen's desired effect.this is worse than killing her," the vampire said with a laugh before kneeling down beside Wesley's lifeless body. "It's almost dawn bring the body...," the vampire said with a smile before it turned as a robed figure materialized nearby.
"Is it done," the robed figure said as a forked tongue shot out from beneath the cowl. All the vampires, except for the head one, scowled at the sight.
"See for yourself," the vampire said with a broad smile as it stepped aside and waved its hand through the air as if it were showing off a prized steer.
"Good, now gather around me, it is time to leave," the robed figure said merrily with a small chuckle before the head demon grabbed Wesley's feet and dragged him near and the other vampires came and crowded around his body. "Farewell slayer.we will meet again.and you will not be so.lucky.again," the robed figure said before chanting a few words and disappearing along with Wesley's body and the assembled vampires.
Angel reached the platform just as the robed figure and the others disappeared. "No.Faith," Angel yelled as he slipped out of his game face and ran to the rogue slayer's side. With tears sliding down his cheeks he solemnly lifted Faith into his arms and after one final tearful glance back at the pool of blood began to walk back towards the stairs. "I swear this now.even if I lose my soul because of it.I will kill you all," Angel shouted angrily with the last bit at the top of his breathless lungs. And with that he sulked down the stairs with the bloody slayer in his arms before he and Conner took to the sewers and brought their solemn burden home to Revello drive.
END OF CHAPTER 11