Chapter 35 Into the Woods
Angel walked into his room and found Buffy going through her makeup bag and he looked at her. Buffy looked smiling holding a kit, it was all different shades of eye shadows. Buffy also had different makeup brushes a well.
"Going out?" Angel asked.
"Oh no me no helping Dawn get ready." Buffy replied and walked pass him.
"Ready for what?" Angel asked looking at her as she headed out into the hallway.
"She has a date tonight." Buffy answered and walked down the hall and Angel stood there. A date he thought a young man was going to take Dawn on a date. It was time to step into his big brother role. Dawn reminded him so much of his little sister Kathy so he naturally took the big brother nature. If a guy ever broke her heart he'd snap his neck without a second thought. He loved Dawn like she was his own. Actually one day Dawn would be sister after he and Buffy married and yes they would get married. Angel made his way downstairs to find Spike walking across the mansion.
"What the hell you doing here?" Angel asked as Spike tossed himself on the couch crushing up something and sticking into his cup of blood. "And is that my blood?" Angel asked as Spike turned the TV on and sipped his blood.
"We're out of Wheat-a-Bits." Spike said as Giles walked pass the living room with his notes.
"We're out of Wheat-a-Bits because you ate them all." Giles explained and Angel crossed his arms. Spike was eating his food, drinking his blood what does he live here now? Next Spike will open Angel's alcohol which he was saving for special occasions like his thirty year old scotch.
"Well get some more." Spike said and Giles sighed.
"I thought vampires were supposed to eat blood." Giles said even though he knew vampires could eat normal food it wouldn't sustain them though.
"We drink blood," Spike corrected the Watcher. "And yes we do but sometimes I like to crumble up the Wheat-a-Bits in the blood gives it a little texture." Giles then felt sick hearing that. Angel sometimes would mix booze with blood but not food. Cordelia once mixed cinnamon in his blood to be different and try something knew but Angel just liked his blood plain and simple.
"Since the picture you just painted me, means I will never touch food of any kind again." Giles stated and then left to the kitchen.
"Why are you here?" Angel asked again as Xander came down the stairs.
"Why he's here?" Xander asked and Angel sighed, this was ridiculous. Spike sat up and Angel didn't see the peanut butter jar he had taken. Spike was dipping a butter knife in the jar and scooping the peanut butter out. Angel walked over to the vampire and took the jar away from him.
"Hey I was eating that." Spike said as he reached for it but Angel pulled the jar further away.
"Answer my question." Angel demanded.
"Look the hell bitch's minions might be looking for me and know where I live just shacking up here for a few days." Spike answered and Angel tossed the jar back to him. "Thanks." Spike sat back down as Doyle came in looking at Spike.
"What's he,"
"Don't ask." Angel said to Doyle and Doyle shrugged.
"You ok man?"
"Yeah I got Spike here eating our food and drinking my blood and Dawn is going on a date." Angel answered.
"Nibblet is going on a date?" Spike asked.
"Doesn't concern you." Angel said and Doyle smiled, it's been sometime since Doyle smiled like that. He then looked to Angel and the smile became a grin.
"We can have some fun with this." Doyle said.
Angel heard the door knocked and he got up to see who it was, he already knew. He opened the door and there stood a boy. Angel studied the young man as he was dressed nice and held his composure. Buffy told him that Dawn's date was on the swim team which explains why he looked rather lanky. Angel could take this kid out in a heartbeat. Doyle was down the hall with a bottle of beer.
"Who the hell are you?" Angel asked crossing his arms.
"I'm John and I'm here to pick up Dawn." The boy replied and Angel nodded.
"What are you two planning on doing tonight?" Angel asked.
"A movie." John replied and Angel nodded.
"You know Dawn is a young vibrant, attractive teen you look like a strapping young man so just a movie?" Angel asked and the boy nodded quickly. "If I hear you treat my little Dawnie like anything less than a lady or behave anything less than a gentleman I'll find you." Angel stated and he gave a growl which startled John.
"Angel?" Doyle asked, it was time to have some fun. Doyle wasn't drunk but he could act like it. "Angel man what's going on?" Doyle walked to the front door where John was. "He what's up dude." Doyle nodded and sipped his beer. "Kind of skinny to me can you fight?" And John shrugged. "Hey if you're taking my niece out you better know how to fight." Doyle burped.
"This is Dawn's number one uncle and he just back on probation." Angel explained, Angel kept a serious face but on the inside he was having so much fun.
"Looks like you got all scared there Johnny boy." Doyle said acting like he was tipsy. Angel pushed Doyle back a little.
"Listen you have here home by midnight one minute late I got a room full of weapons and I've been itching to use them plus we have a lot of land behind here wouldn't be hard to find a nice resting place." Angel threaten.
"Yeah we'll be hunting you down." Doyle then sipped his beer.
"John," Buffy said walking with Dawn who looked completely embarrassed. "Don't listen to Angel or Doyle." Buffy said as she stood at the front door. "Love the shirt anyways have a good time." Angel flashed John a look to keep in mind what he said.
"Yeah have a good time Dawnie." Angel said bending down kissing the top of Dawn's head. She gave Angel an evil looked but couldn't help but smile a little. She liked the over protectiveness. She walked out with John and then Buffy crossed her arms looking up at Angel. "What?" He asked. "Hey just telling the kid to bring her home on time." Buffy gave a slight grin and walked away. She knew what he was doing and while she knew it embarrassed Dawn it was nice to know Angel was ready to protect her and Dawn. Doyle then turned to Angel with a smile.
"That was cool." Doyle said and the two walked to the kitchen.
Glory tossed her wine glass against the wall and it shattered.
"Most beautiful and mighty holy Glory." A minion said and Glory glared at him.
"The blood I want my blood and I want it NOW!" Glory screamed and she sat down on the couch crossing her arms. "Damn slayer." She huffed.
"Well oh great one," One minion said as he knelt before her. "It has to be among her she wouldn't keep it too far away and it has to be human." Glory then sat up like something hit her.
"Of course," Glory then smiled. "Right under my nose." She then stood up. "The monks did a good job but not good enough." She then walked over to her closet and pulled out a coat. "Time to collect my blood and it's about time to." She then left.
Buffy was sitting down at the dinner table with Angel as Giles handed them notes and explaining them and Lorne sat down.
"This is all very informing Giles but it's not getting us anywhere." Riley stated, he was back at the mansion. "Let's go over it again, Glory comes here hoping to destroy earth because she feels we've torn ourselves a part. In order for her do that she needs a particular kind of blood which happens to be Angel's."
"Woo soldier boy wins the five hundred dollar question." Gunn added sarcastically. "Now here comes the hundred thousand dollar question." Gunn paused waiting for Giles to ask.
"So nothing on Angel's past?" Giles asked and Lorne shook his head no.
"No if there's something about his past it's buried deep." Lorne said and picked up a piece of paper and began to read it.
"Aw so sorry viewers but we'll try again tomorrow night." Gunn said then was quiet. He wasn't the only one frustrated, they all were. There was nothing in the notes about Angel's past or how to defeat the god.
"That or the monks covered it so Glory couldn't find it." Buffy added as Willow came in and set a cup of tea before her friend.
"Maybe I could find spell," Willow began. "I mean something where we can go into his mind." Wes nodded, it wasn't a bad idea. Then Doyle stumbled in and he looked pale. Angel got up and caught him before he fell. Buffy got up and everyone squatted down.
"Doyle? Doyle what happened?" Buffy asked as Angel was able to get him to sit up. Doyle refocused and then looked to Buffy.
"I, I don't know but something's wrong. I got this feeling once before Cordy's…I had it before." Doyle explained.
"Glory's blocking his visions." Lorne stated which wasn't good she didn't want them to see something. But the feeling of a vision wasn't blocked just the images.
"Buffy she's going to do something I don't know what though." Doyle explained. Everyone looked at each other but then Buffy knew.
"Dawn." Buffy said and stood up. Angel looked up to her and everyone looked pale.
"She's stupid to go after Dawn." Xander explained.
"He's right." Spike added. "She should be working her way up the latter which would put Xander next."
"Hey," Xander protested.
"Where did they go?" Angel asked.
Dawn was dancing with John as he took her to the Bronze after this they would go to the movies. They had just had dinner here and now they would dance. The movie theater was just two blocks down so they could leave later.
"You want a coke or something?" John asked and she nodded. He took her hand and led her to a table and she sat down. "Be right back." He said and she smiled as he walked over to the bar. Dawn looked around the place, she was having fun it was her first date. Glory walked into the Bronze and looked disgusted as it was full of teens. She scanned the place and then saw her. Glory walked over to Dawn and then sat down right next to her. Dawn thought it was John but almost screamed as Glory smiled. Glory put her finger up to her lips and she shook her head no. She then ran her fingers through Dawn's long brown hair.
"Now aren't you the most darling little thing I ever did see." Glory said and then grabbed Dawn's hand and squeezed it tight. Dawn wanted to scream. "Ah, ah, ah don't make a peep." Glory warned her and squeezed her hand tighter. Dawn took in a deep breath closing her eyes hoping someone would come to help. "This is nice you know hanging out just us girls." Glory said and squeezed Dawn's hand tighter. "Don't make a sound or I'll these people." Glory warned and then squeezed Dawn's hand so tight she could feel her bones breaking and blood started to drip. "Oh look at this mess I'm making." Glory looked down at the blood that started to drip to the floor. Dawn had tears running down her cheeks in pain. "Oh sweetie it'll get better soon." Glory squeezed her hand once more. "Finally found you." Glory then brought her hand up and licked Dawn's blood but then spit it out. "You aren't the carrier of the blood." Glory stated and stood up. She then tossed Dawn away and the crowd of people looked up. Dawn then got up and started to run and Glory smiled and took off after her. Dawn ran outside the Bronze and down the street where she saw Buffy, Angel, Willow, Oz, Xander all of them running. She ran to them as fast as possible and Angel scooped her up.
"She's in there." Dawn said pointing with her none broken hand. Buffy held onto her sister as the group started to back away.
"Where to?" Spike asked.
"Anywhere but here." Angel said and then he positioned Dawn so he could cradle her and they all took off running down the street. Glory came out from the Bronze and saw the gang's shadows and smiled. Dawn wasn't the carrier but one among the group was she just had to go down the line.
Dawn sat on the hospital bed with a new cast as everyone was jammed into the small room. Buffy looked at the x-ray all her fingers were broken and she would need some pins in them. Then the doctor came into the room with his chart.
"We can perform the surgery tomorrow." He said and Buffy nodded. "Well then the sake for convenience we'll keep her over night."
"No I don't want to stay overnight." Dawn said as the doctor left and Buffy sat next to her sister and put an arm around her.
"We're all staying don't worry." Buffy assured her sister. Buffy kissed Dawn's temple and ran her fingers through her little sister's hair. Angel took a seat next to her and Dawn leaned up against him. This was getting to be too much for all of them, they couldn't lose one another not again but that feeling that Glory was closing in was getting stronger.
"No one should go alone." Riley stated and they all agreed.
"You want something?" Angel asked to Buffy and she nodded.
"Something sweet." She said and Angel leaned in and kissed her and got up. Doyle followed his friend out and Xander and Spike followed too. They headed to the nearest vending machine to get snacks and drinks for everyone. Willow and Oz decided to take a walk around the place, it would be along night. The couple walked around and could see the front doors when Glory walked in. The two slowly backed away and then took off running down the hall. Glory was here and they had to get everyone out right now. They turned a few more corners and saw the guys still at the vending machines. Angel looked up and saw Willow and Oz running and he knew that couldn't be good. They all dropped their stuffy and made their way to Dawn's room. Willow caught her breath for a moment.
"She's here." Willow said and Buffy looked around and then got Dawn off the bed and they all got into the hallway looking around. "She's coming in from that direction." Willow pointed and so they went the opposite way. Of course they all would make a scene if they stuck together.
"Willow, Oz, and Xander you go down that way." Buffy said taking charge, "Lorne, Wes, Giles take that hall." Buffy pointed. "Riley, Spike and Gunn take that hall. Angel, Dawn, Doyle and myself we'll go this way. We meet right out on Bakers Way."
"Then where do we go?" Lorne asked.
"We'll cross that bridge when we get there let's move." Riley said and they all broke down the halls. This wasn't good they had no weapons of any kind so they hoped sneaking out would work. They couldn't run because it would stir up too much so they all walked normal for the kind of situation they were in. Buffy held Dawn's good hand and on the other side of her she held Angel's. Doyle walked behind them looking around checking. The four could see the exit sign and then Dawn whimpered not in pain but Buffy from the corner of her eye saw a woman in a red dress and she knew who it was.
"Keep moving," Buffy said and she squeezed Angel's hand and they continued to walk seeing the sliding doors only a few feet from them. They couldn't walk briskly because Glory might pick up on it. The hospital was busy so they did somewhat blend in. Just as they were about to leave someone one shouted.
"It's you!" A man said and everyone looked up. The man pointed to Angel as his wife was trying to bring him back. "You! You have it! It pours out it's the clean blood!" Buffy looked across the way and saw Glory standing there smiling.
"Run as fast as you can." Buffy said and they took off out into the night. Dawn couldn't keep up with a slayer, vampire and a half demon so Doyle scooped her up and they ran. As they round the corner they saw Willow, Oz and Xander and they joined in knowing Glory was after them. Once they made it to the street they were joined by the two Watchers and Lorne which they also joined the marathon and then finally Gunn, Spike and Riley joined.
"Why we running?" Spike asked.
"She knows it's Angel!" Buffy shouted as she had Angel's hand in a death grip pulling him along. Then there was something that hit a tree causing it to catch fire and break. Glory's minions were after them and they knew a little magic. But behind them was Glory. "Run!" Buffy screamed and they all did. They ran through the woods on the outer parts of town. Glory then shot some kind of energy bomb cracking more trees trying to create a barrier but Angel and Buffy managed to dodge it, jump over the falling trees or go around before they fell. Buffy pulled Angel along as he trailed behind her. Her heart was pounding, Glory knew, she knew it was over. All she could think about was getting Angel out of here. No one stood a chance against the hell god. Buffy looked behind here as the group was lagging a little bit but she couldn't slow down Glory wouldn't hurt them now knowing Angel had the blood. Buffy could feel Angel getting tired as all they did was sprint from the hospital until now. She wrapped her one arm around his arm and grabbed the fold of his jacket hoping that would help.
"Run faster Angel!" She yelled as she pulled him through the woods and trees were falling behind them. Buffy wasn't sure how she long could keep up her endurance either but she had to Angel depended on it. Glory could see the group ahead of her as she skipped knowing they couldn't get away with her minions behind them. She was taking her time enjoying a night walk in the woods. Not only that they would all wear themselves out and she could take Angel. Buffy was crying as she and Angel ran. But this wouldn't get them anywhere just deeper into the woods. Buffy slowed down as Riley got closer to them. Buffy stopped running but pushed Angel and Riley took him.
"Take him," She said panting. "Get him,"
"Buffy no!" Angel yelled and he fought Riley off. "No!"
"Get him out of here!" Buffy ordered.
"No! No! We stay together!" Angel yelled but Buffy pushed him away but he fought back to stay with her. He didn't want to leave her Glory for one would kill her because she knew now that Angel was the carrier. Also he only truly trusted Buffy to protect him and keep him safe.
"You have to go you have to get out of here you're all that matters!" Buffy yelled and Angel pulled her closer and she placed her hands on his cheeks. "I will find you." She said panting from the run and in fear as their foreheads rested on one another and she gave him a quick kiss on the lips and then pushed him away. "Go! Now! Run!" She pushed him away and Riley grabbed hold of Angel's arm and kept running. Doyle handed Dawn off to Oz and the rest of the group ran off into the woods. Spike and Doyle however ran after Buffy. Buffy stood there as she saw the minions running and getting closer. "Come on bitch." She said and then Doyle and Spike stood next to her and she looked at them.
The minions stopped as Doyle and Spike stood there and Glory used her lightening fast speed and stood just a few feet from them.
"The lover is here to avenge his loss." Glory said with a smile. "What you think you can take me on?" She asked and Spike shook his head no just then Buffy jumped down from a tree landing on Glory and swung a big branch causing her to fly back.
"No but she can." Spike said and then he and Doyle took on the minions. This was all buying the rest of the group time to get Angel some distance from Glory. Glory got up as Buffy swung her make shift weapon at her but after this last swing it split into two. Glory smiled and went to attack Buffy but then something blocked her. Willow was behind Buffy floating and her eyes blacken.
"Corripite off impium dictitans uno quoquam exaudi nos defendit et clypeus!" Willow shouted and held out her hand. Glory ran to Buffy but then fell back. "It won't hold forever!" Willow shouted and they ran as fast as they could away. Glory started to bang on the shield same with the minions. They spread out and Willow made sure it was a long barrier to get around. Doyle grabbed Buffy's hand as they ran and Spike picked up Willow because she was getting tired. They had no idea where the rest of them went but that didn't matter Angel was safe at the moment. The four of them made it out to the street and looked round.
"This way." Buffy pointed and they ran. It would lead them back to the outer parts of town.
Meanwhile the rest of the group ran together through the streets of Sunnydale all panting and down to a slow jog. Angel held Dawn knowing Oz was getting very tired. They looked around as they all slowly jogged. Angel just hoped Buffy was ok. The mansion wasn't far and they all headed in that direction until Wes stopped them.
"Wait, wait she knows we'll go there." He said and took in some air.
"The college lets head there." Xander suggested then coughed and threw up he had never ran that much before in his life. Lorne walked over to him patting his back helping him if he could.
"Right," Riley began. "You guys take Angel to the library Oz and Gunn come with me we'll get some weapons from the mansion." Riley said and they took off in different directions.
Buffy was both running and slightly being carried by Doyle or at least the two both held each other up. The three of them were panting while Spike was just getting tired. The four headed to the mansion to get supplies then they would find Angel.
Buffy came through the front door when Gunn held up the crossbow ready but once he saw Buffy he lowered it. Oz and Riley came out of the training room with a few bags. Willow then ran to Oz hugging him and he hugged her back. Buffy quickly ran upstairs to grab her ID and other cards for money. Once she grabbed them she quickly headed downstairs not knowing how much time they had before Glory would get here.
"Let's get the hell out of dodge." Gunn said as they piled into the entry way and out the door.
"I second that movement." Doyle added grabbing Buffy's hand and led her outside shutting the door behind him. The night air was cold as they ran to the van. Glory was truly sucking the energy away from the place Buffy looked back at the mansion and had feeling they weren't coming back not for a long time then they piled into Oz's van.
"Step on it Oz." Buffy ordered and Oz did what he was told and drove to the college. Once he pulled up to the library or as close as possible they all got out. Buffy with what energy she had left ran up the stairs and then opened the doors.
"Angel! Dawn!" She screamed. Angel sat up and ran to her voice he jumped over the railing and she turned around. "Angel oh thank god." She ran into his arms and he held her as she fought back the tears, she couldn't cry not now she had to stay strong.
"I'm ok." He assured her and she pulled away to look at him and then hugged him again. The rest of the group that had gone to the library came down the stairs and Dawn hugged her sister. Buffy indicated for them to all leave. They walked outside to Oz's van and all crammed in. This wasn't going to work.
"Oz do you know where Hank's Auto is?" She asked and he nodded and started to drive there.
Angel sat on a bench with everyone surround him as Buffy was gone getting a bigger vehicle.
"Anyone feel that?" Xander asked and they all looked at him. "The draft of fear it's everywhere."
"We just need to stay calm." Giles informed them and they all nodded. It felt like Glory was just around the corner, right behind them breathing down their backs. But before Giles could start another sentence a huge Winnebago pulled up and they all looked at it. The door opened with Riley there to greet them and they all piled in with Angel going first. Buffy sat at the table with a map opened. Dawn crawled over the seat and sat next to Buffy and everyone piled in. Giles looked around and at the wheel was Spike. The front windows were covered with tin foil and on the dash board were some shaded goggles for Spike when it what day time hours. "What's he going here?"
"Just out for a jaunt thought I'd swing by and saw howdy." Spike said sarcastically but Giles was less than amused.
"Out." Giles said but Buffy interrupted.
"He's here because we need him." She protested.
"The hell we do." Xander said backing up Giles.
"If Glory finds us he's the only besides me and Doyle that has any chance of protecting Angel." Buffy finished and looked back at her maps.
"Buffy come on," Xander started but was interrupted, Buffy stood up got in his face.
"Look this isn't a discussion deal with it, Spike drive." She ordered and then headed to the back bedroom and shut the door. Spike smiled slightly at the little event that played out, he was important for once.
"Buckle up kids daddy's putting the hammer down." Spike shift the big camper into drive and took off. Angel took a seat quickly as everyone did. But he looked back to the room where Buffy was. He slowly got up and steady himself with the moving camper and headed back to be with Buffy. He opened the door and she was sitting on the bed about to break down in tears. He shut the door and crawled into bed with her.
"Hey what is it?" He asked and he pulled her closer and she sobbed in his chest. "Hey it's ok I'm ok we're all ok." She shook her head and looked up at him.
"No we're not she knows now." She sobbed and he pushed some stray back from her face and wiped a tear away.
"We're all still alive and that's all that matters right now." Angel said and kissed her forehead and pulled her closer settling down in the bed. They both needed to rest it has been a long night.
Ok so there's your update short but an update nonetheless because I'm awesome like that and I really wanted to post it. Were you huffing and puffing with them as they ran through the woods? Made me kind of tired reading it, anyways now there won't be an update for a little while so leaving you with slight cliffhanger oh but don't worry it all gets worse from here. What did you think? Hope you're liking it, more on the way thanks for reading. Reviews and comments are welcomed.
What Willow said: Warn off this unholy one hear my plea and defend us with the shield