Chapter 11 Kingdom Come

Run, run, run away
Buy yourself another day
A cold wind's whispering secrets in your ear
So low only you can hear
Run, run, run and hide
Somewhere no one else can find
Tall trees bend their and lean pointing where to go
Where you will still be all alone
Don't you fret, my dear
It'll all be over soon
I'll be waiting here for you
Run fast as you can
No one has to understand

Fly high across the sky from here to kingdom come
Fall back down to where you're from
Don't you fret, my dear
It'll all be over soon
I'll be waiting here for you
For you, for you
Don't you fret, my dear
(Don't you fret, my dear)
It'll all be over soon
(It'll all be over soon)
I'll be waiting here
Don't you fret, my dear
It'll be over soon
I'll be waiting here for you

Angel woke and he could tell the sun wasn't up yet. He looked over and Buffy was still next to him. Everyone must have fallen asleep for a little while. Angel slowly sat up knowing he couldn't go back to sleep again but there was an empty space on the floor which meant someone was already up and he knew who it was. Angel got up and was careful not to wake Buffy and walked over to the dining area she tended to go where food was especially in times of stress. Angel was right Isabella was sitting at the table and he thought she could use some company.

Isabella knew her father was coming she knew the sound and pattern of his footsteps when he walked. Angel came in and sat in his seat and looked over to his daughter. She looked lost, confused, sad and scared.

"Sleep any?" Angel asked her and she shook her head no and took a sip of her water and set the cup down and sighed. Angel sort of slept it was like he wasn't sure if he was asleep or not or he'd be on the edge of sleep in between the wake and sleep state. He hated nights like that he felt partially rested but there was that feeling of impending doom lingering everywhere. "Talk to me," He said and Isabella looked up at him.

"What do you want me to say dad?" She asked looking at him. "This Caleb person is strong and that Turok-Han," She paused and Angel nodded. "We've been fighting for a long time dad. You've been at this for like twenty years now. It feels like we're out numbered and not just the usual outnumbered I mean like nearly impossibly out numbered. I thought I knew our enemy I've always known our enemy and knew how to defeat it. But this something has changed. This isn't the war you've warned me about, this isn't what I was ever trained for. And," She paused and looked at him and his eyes told her he wanted her complete honesty. "I don't think this is a war we can win." Angel nodded and felt similar but to hear it from her it made the idea and feeling real. Angel just looked at her she's grown up but somewhere inside she was still that little girl. A flashback came to him she sat where she was sitting now.

'Angel was getting patched up after a mission. It was rather successful if you want to call it that. Angel got a bit mangled in the fight though against the demon and Cordelia was fixing him up. But also Angel was in a bit of a bad mood probably because the fight didn't go so well. Cordelia came out with pliers because the demon he faced shot these little prickly things.

"Just want to get this done." Cordelia said she and Willow have become unofficial nurses to this group.

"Yeah well don't rip them out just because you want to get it done." Angel warned her as he took off his jacket and along his arm were some nasty needle looking things. They had to cut the sleeve of the jacket to get it off of him and he was upset that was nice jacket. His arm was a little bloody as Cordelia set down the plastic cup and put on some gloves. She gave him some pain medications hoping that would help. Giles and Spike came in to watch the makeshift procedure. Spike was patched up a bit but Angel took the brunt of the attack. "Why are we doing this at the kitchen table?" Angel asked and both Giles and Spike wondered the same question. "And why do I have an audience?" Angel asked looking to the former Watcher and his vampire counterpart.

"Quit the whining Sire," Spike said as Cordelia came in with some rubbing alcohol and paper towels.

"Hey you're not the one with thirty spikes in your arm." Angel spat back and Spike threw up his hands surrounding at the moment.

"We're doing it here because of the lighting and I don't know why people want to watch." Cordelia answered his questions as she set up for the procedure. She knew Angel was going to make a scene about this. "Ok this is going to sting," She warned as she dumped some of the rubbing alcohol on his arm and Angel winced and then she took the pliers and begun.

"Owe jab into my arm next time," Angel said as Cordelia took the needles out. These weren't little needles they were rather large. Giles and Spike couldn't but smile a little Angel maybe tough, could beat the crap out of things but when it came to these things he was the biggest baby. Cordelia ignored the comments knowing he was just in pain and uncomfortable. "Owe damnit Cordelia's…murdering me." Angel said through the pain and his teeth and that made Cordelia smirked a little as she took more out. As Cordelia finished up Isabella came into the dining room. She should be in bed but she probably heard Angel's shouting that or she couldn't sleep.

The ordeal was over as Cordelia cleaned up Angel's arm and began to wrap it. By morning he should be fully healed or close to it. Isabella climbed into her seat as Angel sat there and she looked at her dad smiling and he looked at her. She looked so cute in her Disney Princess nightgown and her hair in two ponytails.

"Oh daddy you're petty," Isabella said and Angel looked at her. Cordelia, Giles and Spike smiled at the comment the little girl made. "You look petty daddy," She said smiling. "Is your arm ok daddy?" She asked and not all the pain medications out there could make him feel better than the funny remarks Isabella made. Angel nodded to his daughter and she climbed up on the table and walked over to him and got into his lap and did her high pitched scream that could make some demons go deaf maybe that would be her super power someday the deaf defining scream. Isabella stood on Angel's lap smiling with both her hands on his cheeks and she leaned in and kissed him. "I kiss your boo boo and make it feel better." She said and gently took his arm that was wrapped up and kissed the bandage. "There all better." Angel smiled and pulled her close kissing her head as he held her she did make it all better. She just rested in her father's arms and if he sat there long enough she would fall asleep there.'

She won't kiss his boo boos anymore and he wouldn't kiss hers but they both made one another feel better when each was close together. Angel understood what she felt because he felt it too.

"I'm scared," Isabella admitted and Angel nodded.

"Me too," Angel said he didn't know what to do anymore they were truly flying blind now.

"I'm really scared I don't know what to do and seeing you and mom get thrown around like that I," She paused and Angel could see small tears swelling in her eyes. Her fear wasn't the world ending or dying it was losing her mother and father. If the world ended fine but if she was left without her parents that was her biggest fear. She always feared losing father every night he'd go out she would be up waiting. It wasn't until she started to tag along that she felt better. But now to see something that her father couldn't take on it was fear on a whole new level. Her father always took out his foes but the Turok-Han he struggled big time and if that thing was raised for him fear would start to eat at her. And her mother a god was beaten down both her parents could have died and that's what Caleb wanted. She didn't want to be alone in this world and she would be with her mom and dad. "I'm really scared and,"

Angel held out his hand grabbing hers and she got up and sat on his lap and leaned her head into his chest and the top of her head rested under his chin.

"I won't let anything happen to you I promise," He said to her and kissed the top of her head and wrapped his arms around her. He would never let anything happen to her ever and he kill anything that hurt her.

Buffy had woken up and headed to the kitchen but before getting there she saw two people at the dining table. Isabella was asleep peacefully in Angel's arms as he sat there holding her. Her head was resting partly on his shoulder and chest. She looked comfortable and Buffy could tell she was completely asleep. Angel was gently stroking her head and looked up seeing Buffy standing there smiling a little. It was a sweet moment and sweet moments were coming up short these days.

"She always fell asleep in my arms no matter what was going on," Angel explained as Buffy walked further in. It was true for so long she would sleep with him at night curled up in a little ball on his chest. Sometimes to get her to take a nap while he researched a demon when she was small enough she'd ball up and sleep on his lap. As long as he was close she could sleep no matter how wide awake or sleepy she was. Buffy came closer standing next to them and then sat down trying to be quiet not wanting to wake her daughter. "Don't worry," Angel assured her he could hear Isabella's heart beat and it was slow, steady and calm meaning she was out. "She won't wake up."

"What was it like?" She asked Angel and he didn't understand what she meant. "What was it like holding her when she slept? What was it like just being with her?" Angel had to think.

"For a while I thought I was going to break her she was so small," Angel started. "She felt like thin glass and I was afraid she'd shatter. I would wake up the same way I went to sleep and she'd be on my chest still asleep and for a tiny thing she kept me warm all night." Buffy smiled. "I've always wanted to see the sunrise with her that's been my goal for the longest time now if she would ever wake up at sunrise." Buffy giggled. "Buffy," He looked up at her. "Holding her it felt like the closes to heaven and peace I could and would ever feel."

"I wish I could have been there," Buffy said thinking trying to feel what Angel felt holding their daughter. She held Isabella for a few minutes when she was just born and Angel was right it was the most peaceful, blissful, most calming, warm, surreal feeling holding her even if it was just for a moment. "I wish I could have been here with you and her."

"You were," Angel assured her and she smiled. "You always were." Angel looked back down at his daughter sleeping.

"After all this time you waited, never found anyone." Buffy stated and Angel nodded he was that loyal to Buffy. Angel then stood up hold Isabella and she barely moved and he Buffy sat back as Angel placed her in Buffy's arms.

"I need to pee and I'm getting a leg cramp she's not small anymore," Angel said smiling as Isabella's head fell to Buffy's shoulder and she barely stirred. "Besides," Angel whispered to Buffy. "You'll keep her warmer than I ever could." And he kissed Buffy's cheek and he walked away. Buffy sat there holding Isabella and smiled. There was this connection like Isabella was a part of her. Buffy nuzzled against Isabella's head smelling her hair and Angel was right she's never felt peace like this. Buffy wrapped her arms around Isabella and closed her eyes too if she wasn't careful Buffy could probably fall asleep too.

The hotel was up and now an important meeting needed to happen. The potentials were sent away and the members of AI and Riley were sitting at the table. It was uncomfortable to say the least. No one said a word at first but they would have to and soon would be nice.

"What's happening?" Giles decided to break the ice.

"A little over a month now we've been seeing heighten demon activity everywhere. We were also given word that Wolfram and Hart was destroyed thanks to you." Riley finished turning his direction to Angel and a manner that said thank you. "Messages started to come through that a potential was killed here and there but then things started to get worse. More and more potentials along with their Watchers were being killed and then our lines of communications with other bases were going off the fritz."

"Other bases?" Gunn asked and Spike lit up yet another cigarette. Riley nodded to Gunn and looked around the table at everyone.

"We have ten bases ours here in America, Russia, South America, China, Australia, South Africa, India, Ireland, Spain and Greenland. Lately the messages and lines of communication have been well shotty. Then just this past week the Council sent out two messages that one declared war and the other confirmed it was the First breaking up lines of communication and taking out the slayer line." Riley paused for a moment letting everyone understand. "There were two messages that got through. The first one before everything went to hell and a garble message issuing Order Forty Six."

"What's Order Forty Six?" Isabella asked.

"It's an order to shut down all operations and rondevu to Sunnydale or LA depending on where you were Angel." Riley explained. "All command has been given to you."

"Which is wrong," One solider pointed out and everyone looked over to him as he stood off to the side. "He knows nothing about military tactics and they fight with swords."

"Well this whole operation is under Council jurisdiction and by that order all commands fall to you." Riley looked back at Angel but the solider in the corner scoffed, taking orders from a vampire the enemy wasn't what he had in mind. The solider was about to go on and as much as Riley didn't like Angel he was a soldier that obeyed commands. "He's survived longer than any of us without guns and military training," Riley pointed out.

"So you just put him in charge?" The soldier asked and now was not the time to discuss this.

"Better just deal with it." Riley said meaning that was the end of it. "The problem is because the lines were so far gone we don't know if any other bases received it."

"So they could just be sitting there waiting for orders?" Lorne asked and Riley nodded. "And if they don't?"

"After seventeen days they can declare overdue and come out here." Xander stated and Riley looked at him funny. "I was a soldier once long story." Riley accepted and moved on.

"However right before shit hit the fan the Russians got a message," Riley said and pulled out a recorder. "It's some weird language we've run it through all our known databases and nothing." Riley then played the message.

"Rebmemer eripmav eht raef tnavres elbmuh yht ma I uoy ot nema dne sdlrow htiw eb reve llash dna gninnigeb eht ni saw ti sa rewop eht yrolg lla." Was the message the two Watchers looked at one another and they had no clue what the language was.

"That came through and pretty much that was the last message we received from the Russian base." Riley finished and this was serious but Isabella wanted to hear that message again.

"Play that back," Isabella said to Riley and he looked to the girl. She looked so much like Angel and Buffy and a very small part of him wished she was his. Riley replayed the message and Isabella listen.

"Puddin you ain't getting anything out of it," Lorne stated.

"He's right it probably got grabbled when being sent." Wes stated listening.

"There's two voices," Isabella stated and got up on the table and walked across.

"You know I don't like it when you do that." Angel commented and Isabella squatted down taking the device from Riley and walked back to her seat and gave her dad that grin and he rolled his eyes. "Izzy it's a waste it's not a language more like gibberish."

"It's a language." Isabella stated like it was nothing and Buffy looked to her. Buffy was a god these days she knew all the languages of earth and that was not one.

"Explaining," Buffy said and Isabella looked up at her mom as she was messing around with the device.

"It's English," Isabella said and everyone looked at her thinking no way that was just gargle. "It's English just backwards." Isabella then pressed a button and the message was playing correctly. Angel smiled at her she was something else.

"All glory, the power, as it was in the beginning and shall ever be with worlds end amen. To you I am thy humble servant." One voice said and both and Angle and Buffy looked at one another.

"That's Caleb." Buffy said she knew that voice but the end of the message came up.

"Fear the vampire." An odd voice said and Isabella rewind it and played it again. "Fear the vampire." And everyone looked up to Angel.

"That has to mean you dad." Isabella said and Angel just sat there nodding it could be.

"Why him?" Spike asked. "I am vampire." But no one answered that and he scoffed and put his cigarette out.

"Sounds like there's more but it didn't go through," Isabella stated and she set the device down.

"Guess the First doesn't like you." Riley added looking to Angel.

"Not sure why I'm a nice guy once you get to know me. But then again I don't like the First." Angel added and Buffy smirked.

"Feelings mutual." Buffy added and under the table they both interlocked hands knowing that end part could be a good or a bad thing.

"Well we're cut off if another bases got the order we should be seeing them any day now." Riley added.

"What kind of heat are you guys packing?" Xander asked.

"Standard M16 rifles, M-4s, M-24s, all the sniper rifles, nukes all that." Riley answered and while that was good guns don't always have an effect on the demon underworld. "We know they don't work on everything but it slows some things down enough.

"Ok now that we know why you're here what's next?" Angel asked.

"This city is becoming a hot spot." Riley stated and Angel nodded. "We've intercepted some messages as well the National Guard will most likely be here tonight because the police of this city can no longer maintain order."

"Yeah at night this place is crawling with evil." Lorne added.

"Ok listen everyone I want everyone to start packing," Angel began. "Those files we have from the Council and the paper they gave us get those safe and out." He then looked around. "We're leaving night." They all looked at one another it's finally happening they were fleeing, leaving, running away. It was getting bad now the city of LA was getting overrun now. There were demons and vampires at every corner now. While the sun of the day kept them in the shadows at night it was overwhelming. In the past week curfews have been set after sun down people were told to stay indoors it was becoming Hell's playground.

The hotel was busy as people were packing to leave. But Isabella hadn't packed anything at all she was staring at something on the wall. It was a map of the city and on it were hot spots where demon activity was heavy. But Isabella could see hidden messages in things people couldn't see other than beyond the obvious. She could critical think and die in those hidden details and themes the average person couldn't. Angel walked pass her and saw her staring at the map. She was thinking he could tell so he walked over to her and stood next to her.

"Smelling something aren't you?" He asked crossing his arms looking too and Isabella nodded still looking as the gears in her mind were working. She figured out that the garble message in an unknown language was just English backwards so if there was something hidden in this map she could find it. Then Buffy came in and saw Angel's and Isabella's backs towards her. They had the same composure just standing there looking. Angel was looking to trying to see what she was seeing.

"Oh my god," Isabella said which meant she figured it out. She ran over to the front desk and pulled out a marker. Angel watched her and saw Buffy standing there and his indicated to find the rest of AI and she went to round everyone up. Isabella then started to draw as AI came in to see what was going on. Isabella traced on the map and when she was done Wes and Giles's eyes went wide seeing it. Isabella took a step back as the two Watchers came over looking at the new found information. Buffy saw it too and knew what it was.

"The Devil's hands have been busy," Buffy said and Angel took a step back.

"What is it?" Lorne asked looking at it. The drawing made a box with an X inside the box.

"Oh I know," Xander spoke up. "The Confederate flag the South will rise again," He said and everyone looked at him and he shrugged. "Ok maybe not."

"It's the Eye of Fire," Buffy said and Angel nodded.

"Not good right?" Gunn asked as everyone looked at it. Then Isabella took a step closer still looking.

"Well what happens with the Eye of Fire?" Fred asked looking around.

"The center something is going to come out of the center now or soon," Buffy explained and Isabella circled something.

"Yeah and guess what dad that center is Wolfram and Hart's old building." Isabella stated the ruins of Wolfram and Hart had been cleaned up and a skeleton of a new building was there now. "Well whatever it supposed to happen it's going to happen there."

"Ok we got a location but what about a time?" Angel asked and looked to Isabella and she shrugged.

"I don't know the map only gives so much information." She said and Angel smiled a little and brought her closer to him kissing the top of her head indicating job well done.

"Recon tonight?" Spike asked and Angel nodded.

"Not everyone is going though," Angel added and Spike sighed knowing he wasn't one. "Look Spike I need you to protect the potentials."

"What why?" Giles asked one Angel usually sticks the set plans and two if he was rushing into something it meant something bad was about to happen.

"Need someone to get everyone to safety." Angel answered.

"Ok so what are we going to do?" Buffy asked.

"We're going in and destroy the place ourselves. That might help level the playing the field" Angel answered. "Riley care to spare some bombs?" He asked Riley as he stood there and the solider nodded. "Buffy, Izzy, Brian and I will go the rest of you if you don't hear from us by midnight go to Sunnydale." The rest of the team nodded. Sunnydale especially tonight was getting turned upside down. Demons and vampires were everywhere. The poorer neighborhoods suffered even more and AI couldn't handle it and Gunn's people who fought demons and vampires as well were feeling overwhelmed. Pretty soon the military would show up so it was best to leave tonight anyways. If they were still here and the military showed up they could get trapped inside of town which wasn't good.

"Go team." Xander added as everyone broke off and to get ready to leave.

Once the sun had set Angel, Buffy, Isabella and Brian headed off to the ruins of Wolfram and Hart. Angel parked the Plymouth just a few blocks away and the four piled out of the car and headed to the trunk. Angel opened the trunk and there were some standard weapons but there were some Riley lended.

"Cool," Isabella said looking at the guns. "Can I take the Tompson?" Angel looked at her and she shrugged and everyone reached the usual stakes, knives and what not. The four started towards Wolfram and Hart. This place was guarded and not by humans. This place was like a holy ground for vampires and demons which made sense if the end was going to happen it would happen here. The four walked in the alley to the back door of the building. Inside of blowing the place up from the middle they would pack the basement full of explosives and the place would crumble from the ground up.

The four made it to the back doors of the new building which was meant to be an office building in the future. Angel grabbed the handle of the door and with his strength broke the dead bolt while twisting the handle and Buffy smiled that was another thing that made him hot and the four walked in the dark building. There was no alarm system set up well nothing that could alert a break in. They looked around the first floor which was so different from Wolfram and Hart. But even though there was no alarm sounding there were demons on watch half breeds.

Isabella made sure her crossbow was ready and she, Brian and Buffy moved quietly as Angel carried the big bag that would blow this place a mile high. The three took the half breed demons out one by one quietly. The first floor was good but Angel knew they would be making some loud noise in a bit and more would come.

"Barricade the doors." Angel ordered Isabella and Brian and they started to put random chairs under the door handles as Angel walked and Buffy followed. Isabella then fired her crossbow at two demons as Angel walked like it was nothing. Angel and Isabella have both been fighting together for a long time now and knew each other's patterns and moves.

"Ok where to?" Buffy asked and Angel had an idea and he headed for the bathrooms while Brian and Isabella looked around the dark place for anymore half breeds. Isabella couldn't sense anything else was above them plus on the first floor had anything completed the second and third were still unfinished. Buffy followed Angel as he set down the bag and took out a grenade launcher. It was about to get ugly and Buffy ran from him to get back. "Izzy, Brian fire in the hole!" Buffy warned them and she got behind a pillar and Brian took Isabella behind a pillar pressing her against it and used his body as a shield. Angel stood right outside the bathroom loaded the weapon and pulled the trigger and with his vampire speed got behind the corner and the bathroom floor exploded. Now someone somewhere had to have heard that so they had to work fast. The fire alarm was put in place so water started to fall and Buffy, Isabella and Brain came to the bathroom that Angel blew up.

They walked in and looked down seeing what looked like a basement.

"Alright let's go." Angel stated and jumped down and they all followed suit. It was a hallway and they broke out their flashlights and looked and found a door. Angel kicked it down and they walked in the basement. Angel set down the bag and opened it and the other three grabbed the explosives and started to set them through the basement.

Meanwhile Caleb was nearing the old Wolfram and Hart building as the First told him there was an attack about to happen. The vampire and his bitch of a god and his brat daughter were not going to ruin this he thought. In the basement as the team regrouped Angel sensed there were demons coming.

"Time to go now." He said and the three head up and out of the basement. As they crawled out they saw figures surrounding the building and the four held up their weapons. "Head around back." Angel ordered and they did but then as they went to round a corner Angel stopped them and peered over seeing the Turok-Han walking in.

"Oh shi," Isabella was about to say and Angel pushed them back and they ran another way as the barricades set up were being broken down.

"They got the place rigid with explosives." Connor informed his new master and Caleb looked furious and they started to walk into the building. Angel, Buffy, Isabella and Brian kept running heading to the back but Buffy could feel it Caleb was here. But then as they headed to the other side a huge truck came crashing through the glass window. Brian grabbed Isabella and pushed her to the floor and Angel did likewise with Buffy. The truck swerved and the back side opened. But they were relieved to see who was in the driver's seat.

"Spike?" Angel asked as they got up.

"Yeah out for a jaunt thought I would swing by." Spike said sarcastically but as Angel looked at the truck he looked dumbfound.

"A S.W.A.T truck?" Angel asked. "Really?"

"I thought it looked cool." Spike added.

"These things are bullet magnets you know," Angel added as he opened the back door and motioned for Isabella, Buffy and Brian to get in but as they went to crawl in the team saw Caleb and Connor coming their way. Buffy grabbed the kids pulling them in while Angel jumped into the driver's side.

"Hey what are you doing?" Spike asked as Angel shoved him to the passenger's seat.

"I'm driving buckle up daddy's putting down the hammer." Angel then shifted the truck into drive.

"Hey I found it." Spike said.

"We'll you drive like a woman." Angel said and the vampire looked offend and Angel slammed on the gas and was out. The streets had demons and vampires walking around and because it was a S.W.A.T car they began to chase after it. "You had to get this truck out of all the empty cars you picked this one." Angel said to Spike. In the back Buffy, Spike and Isabella sat against the walls trying to hold on as Angel turned sharply. Caleb saw the truck drive away and was very upset. "Here press this button." Angel said to Spike handing him a remote.

"Why what does it do?" Spike asked and Angel just looked at him. "Fine Peaches," Spike pressed it and from the side mirrors Angel and Spike saw a huge explosion and from the back of the truck Buffy, Isabella and Brian saw it.

"Cool," Isabella commented. Spike smiled and relaxed in his seat thinking it was over and they would head out to Sunnydale. Buffy felt something though and she got up.

"Mom?" She asked and she looked at Brian.

"How good of a shooter are you?" She asked to the guardian.

"Pretty good," Brian answered.

"Good cause here comes Caleb." Buffy said and the three looked out and saw another car coming after them a bigger truck more like a tanker. Buffy grabbed Isabella and got under the bench and Brian took down one of the rifles from the rack and closed one door of the S.W.A.T car and left the other one open and started to fire at the truck chasing them. In that truck Caleb drove with the angriest look and he saw they were shooting at him. But he smiled knowing there was more up his sleeves.

"Connor your boy Brian is shooting at you." Caleb said and Connor nodded and hung out the window and had a pop action crossbow and aimed. "Remember the heart or the head." Caleb said and Connor aimed. Brian kept firing and thought maybe aiming for the tires would be best. Brian took aim, Connor took aim and they both fired. One tire blew but Brian screamed in pain. Angel heard it and he slammed on the breaks.

"Brian!" Isabella yelled in horror but stopping at that high speed and Caleb not realizing it and didn't break fast enough he ran into the back o the S.W.A.T truck. Angel pressed on the gas and managed to break away from Caleb's truck and kept driving but he lost control and one of their tires blew and they flipped.

Angel looked around and Spike groaned and Angel crawled out he needed to check on Buffy and Isabella. Spike kicked the door open and crawled out and Angel hobbled to the back and Buffy and Isabella carried Brian out of the back of the truck and he yelped in pain. Connor managed a shot but caught his leg. When Brian shot out a tire it caused Connor to lose aim but he still got Brian. Buffy sat Brian down and Isabella broke the back of the arrow off.

"Ok on three," Isabella said to Brian and he nodded bracing himself. "One," And then Isabella ripped it out.

"I knew you were going to do that. Before we go Spike grab that shot gone." Brian said as Isabella tossed the other half of the arrow away. Spike grabbed the gun but then they all heard a faint crash and looked up. "He doesn't stop." Angel found a little old Bug on the side of the road and got in and quickly hotwired it while Buffy and Isabella got Brian up and as fast as they could get him to the Bug while Spike followed.

"Come on we've got to go." Isabella said panicking as they all went and tried to fit into the little Bug. Angel put the car into drive and sped off as a huge eighteen wheeler sped behind them. Angel put the pedal to the medal as they went. There were no cops to help the police station was spread so thin as more raids were happening all over town. Within a week's time the whole city was being taken over. It was like an epidemic, a virus, the plague spreading like wild fire.

"He's gaining," Buffy said and Spike looked out the small back window.

"Drive faster Peaches." Spike demanded as he looked out the side mirror.

"I'm at top speed." Angel said and Isabella looked over.

"What I can get out and run faster than this!" Isabella stated as Angel swerved through some of the cars but Caleb and the tanker just hit the cars. Angel then looked to Isabella and had an idea.

"Spike!" Angel called out and reached his hand out. "Gun please." Spike handed him the shoot gun that Brian told him to take before they left the S.W.A.T car and he handed it to Angel. "Izzy here drive!" Angel got up.

"Wait! What! Where the hell are you going?" Isabella asked but she got into the driver's seat as Angel hung out the side and held the gun out and shot at the tires. They were semi tires so they were thick so Angels had a few more rounds and the front tire blew. Angel crawled back into the car and took control and turned hard to the off ramp.

Angel pulled the Bug up to the hotel and they piled out. Buffy and Isabella helped Brian out and they saw the blood.

"He's bleeding bad." Buffy stated and they hobbled him inside. Inside everyone waited but when Angel, Buffy, Isabella, Brian and Spike came in they knew it was bad. Riley took over quickly not knowing how much time they had. Also word was put out that the National Guard was on their way and if they wanted to get out of the city they had to now.

"Everyone get the hell out!" Angel yelled and everyone scrambled around. Giles and Wes round up the potentials with Faith and started to get them down into the basement. "Willow can you get a defense spell up?" And she nodded.

"For how long?" The witch asked.

"As long as you can give me." Angel stated and Willow was already working on it. Isabelle then handed Brian off to Xander, Evan and Anya.

"Get him out." Isabella stated and with the look on her face it meant there was no time to ask questions.

"No Izzy," Brian said but she pushed him away as Xander, Evan and Anya took him. Riley and a few solders got their weapons together and were ready. Willow then came over indicating the spell was up and something was already trying to get in. She, Tara and Levy left as Cordelia came up to Angel.

"Go get to Sunnydale." Angel ordered and she nodded and ran. Lorne, Gunn and Fred waited with weapons too. "Go now!" Angel demanded and they did as they were told and ran. Just then the front doors blew wide open with Connor, Caleb, the Turok-Han and a few minions but they weren't going to be an easy take down. Caleb and Connor looked a little mad.

"Kill them." Caleb ordered and the Turok-Han roared and charged at not Angel but Isabella. Connor went after Spike, the minions went after Riley's men and Caleb went after Angel and Buffy. Isabella backed up as the Turok-Han advanced to her. She went to swing her sword but the Turok-Han smacked her to the ground. Isabella coughed as she hit the ground hard on her back. The Turok-Han bent over and picked her by the throat and then tossed her and roared. Buffy kicked Caleb down and went to help but Caleb shot another ball of energy to her and Buffy went down. Angel kicked Caleb again and the two went into a fist fight. Angel went to the ground and Buffy went to help as Angel got up but Caleb grabbed Angel and tossed him. Spike tried to break from Connor but the kid that always gave him the creeps was very strong. Isabella crawled on the ground reaching for her sword when the Turok-Han grabbed her by the foot and tossed her like a rag doll.

"Izzy!" Buffy cried, she had to save her daughter but Caleb was all over her. Facing a Turok-Han was nothing easy, only Angel at this point stood a chance and small one too but Isabella, she would die if she kept fighting it. The Turok-Han roared in delight as it was winning against the slayer. Isabella blocked a few moves and then was tossed again. This time she didn't get up right away. Buffy was punched hard to the ground and then realized what Caleb was as she turned to her side slowly. But right now she had to get to Isabella. Isabella turned over and saw her sword and then looked behind her and saw the Turok-Han walking towards her with a grin. Isabella had a tear fall as she dragged herself across the floor to her weapon. Buffy fought her way to Isabella but Caleb kept her at bay. The Turok-Han grabbed Isabella's foot and she kicked him away and rolled onto to her back and scooted across the floor in pain. The uber vampire hissed at her and was about to swipe at her when the Turok-Han was shoved away.

Angel had shoved the uber vampire away but it got back up and roared and lunged to Angel and Angel rolled to the ground, caught the uber vampire, and with his feet tossed it backwards to the wall. Isabella was on the floor, she could barely move, never has she been in so much pain. Angel ran to her and picked her up. Buffy was able to get a good swing at Caleb and then put a vale across the room that Caleb, Connor and the uber vampire couldn't cross.

"It won't hold forever!" Buffy yelled which meant it was time to run. Riley and his men followed Spike, Angel who held Isabella in his arms and Buffy as they headed to the basement and to the tunnel. The vale lifted after a few seconds and Connor went to go after them but Caleb pulled him back and shook his head.

"There will be a day of reckoning my boy, but not today, not yet." Caleb said meaning let them go just for now. The option of using Wolfram and Hart's old building wasn't going to work but the grounds around it would. AI might have cause small damage in his plan but it wasn't at a loss.

Out in the parking lot everyone got into the vehicles and wanted to wait for Angel, Buffy, Isabella and Spike and were as long as possible then Buffy came out of the sewer tunnel and there was a sense of relief. She reached down as Angel handed Isabella to her and Angel jumped out followed by Spike.

"Alpha one do you copy?" Riley asked into a radio as everyone scrambled to get going.

"This is Alpha one go ahead." A voice said.

"AI is on their way to Sunnydale, LA is too hostile, we'll be there E.T.A two hours." Riley said into the radio.

"Copy that attention all units all units AI and squad one will returning to Sunnydale in two hours all units be advised in the LA area situation is hostile and to abort any and all missions and return to base. Also be advised the US National Guard in en route E.T.A two minutes." The voice said.

"Copy that Riley over and out." Riley clicked the radio and everyone was loading into the cars and trucks when the ground shook. There was like shock wave that ran under them and heading to a direction. They looked east and could hear all sorts of alarms go off with screams. It couldn't be good. "Come let's hull ass." Riley said as he walked over to his humvee. Angel got into a truck as Buffy climbed in with Isabella and Spike and Brian were the back.

"Come on Peaches let's get the hell out of dodge." Spike said and Angel fired up the engine and led the caravan out as they headed to the back roads. No one knew what that shockwave was but they didn't want to stick around and find out but as they drove out of town Riley was told the U.S National Guard was on their way and were going to shut the place. They were coming in one the north side but Sunnydale was south of LA so they were good. Helicopters were coming but the National Guard had no idea what was going on and it was going to get bad. That shockwave meant something was taking over.

Angel didn't want to flee and as he drove out of down on the two lane highway he felt like a coward running. Buffy knew that feeling but they couldn't handle what Caleb was dishing out. He was trying to kill them now which meant he was afraid of them. The best thing to do was to leave and regroup and breathe. She reached out and grabbed Angel's hand squeezing it.

Meanwhile in town Caleb looked up at the sky seeing the military helicopters and the vehicles moving in. Connor was standing there. They were standing on a building and just down the way the ruins of Wolfram and Hart were still burning. But the signal was given the shockwave had the whole city in chaos. And because it was night and people ran to the streets thinking it was an earthquake demons and vampires took advantage of it. The military will try to get the survivors out but the military was never trained to fight demons and vampires.

"You want to hear a story?" Caleb asked and then the First in the form of Buffy came over standing there watching as chaos ensued. "Now it's a simple story so stop me if you've heard it. I have found and truly believe there is nothing so bad it cannot be made better with a story." Caleb paused smiling. "And this one's got a happy ending. There once was a woman and she was found like all women. For Adam's rib was dirty just like Adam himself for what was he but human. But this woman she was filled with darkness and despair and why? Because she did not know she could not see. She didn't know the good news the glory that was coming. That would be you." He turned to the First as it smiled. "For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever. You show up they'll get in line. All because of her and all they have to do is take one more step and I'll kill them all. See told you it had a happy ending."

Angel was driving although he eased up on the gas a bit. Isabella was doing ok but she wasn't feeling all that great. By morning her wounds and bruises should be healed or close to it. She sat in the back fighting sleep and looked at her dad through the rear view mirror she couldn't see him but she knew he was always checking up on her. Angel was riddled in fear never before did they have to run like this and throw their hands up. Buffy looked out to the black highway of the night she was running too something she has never done. AI and the Scoobies have never ran or backed down ever. They always held their ground, always fought back, stayed no matter how tough it got. But they had to in order to survive this if there was a chance. Buffy turned around and saw Isabella staring at the ground and she knew what she was feeling and it was called defeat. Spike looked up as he finished bandaging up Brian. Buffy knew they were all scared not just the ones in this truck but everyone else.

Buffy looked out to the side mirror back to the city wondering if she would see something. There were so many people they were leaving behind and that was hard to do. They all knew so many people were going to die. Angel looked to Buffy and she looked at him and he was scared. She's never seen so much fear in him because this could be the end. They were driven out.

"I can't believe I'm running." Angel said and Buffy reached over and took his hand. "I've never ran away from something."

"You're not running away," Buffy stated. "Just walking away at a brisk pace." She tried to make it better but she knew what he was feeling. "We just need a little time to catch our breath ok and we managed to hurt him just a little." Angel nodded as he drove and one of Riley's men got in front of him and sped up a little probably to check ahead and make sure all was clear. Angel looked to the rear view mirror and Isabella looked disappointed and defeated. She had a bruise forming on her right cheek, a split lip, a bruise on her head near her hair line, a cut on her left cheek and whatever bruises on the rest of her body. Angel reached behind his hand behind him and she took it squeezing it.

"Remember," Angel started and she looked to the mirror knowing he was looking too. "Stay alive," He stated and she nodded and touched her head.

"In here," She pointed and then put her hand on her heart. "And here." She finished and Angel nodded.

"Relax you heard?" Angel asked and she nodded.

"I heard." Buffy smiled a little she loved that it was perfect and she could sense it helped them both. Buffy leaned back in her seat and let out a sigh it wasn't a sigh of relief just a sigh that they made and were alive right now. There was nothing they could do except run. This was a battle lose but the war was far from over. Live today die tomorrow was what they were doing.

LA is going to the dogs and AI has fled so what's next? Hoped you liked the Isabella/Angel flashback moment. More to come soon comments and reviews are welcomed thanks for reading.

Kingdom Come by The Civil Wars