Freedom Fighter
Author's Note: I must admit I'm quite proud that I've been able to develop this story to Chapter 9-I've never gotten so far in a fic before, and the story is just beginning:) There is so much more to this story than what's there already-like Geia's connection with Angel. Another hint: it has to do with her past, when she first became a Tainted One. Angel did something....and that's all I'm telling. I don't want to give it away-it's a very important part of the plot, more than just their connection and it's significance to them, but also to the Evil forces. And get ready for some new, majorly important info in this chapter. Also, I've got a short character sketch/angst piece from Spike's point of view. It's up as just a side-track type project. It doesn't really go with this story. And a big thank-you to SlayerMoon who has been so kind to read this fic-I really appreciate it. You're an awesome reviewer.
Chapter 9: First Encounters
"Ok, now you've pissed me off." Geia stood up and brushed herself off as she warily eyed the lone Zalkana in front of her. "Don't you know how to have respect for your elders?" Not waiting for an answer, she drew her sword out, taking pleasure in the deadly melody it sang on the still night air. Seeing the Zalkana freeze mid-step, she smiled smugly. "Aw, poor Zalkana scared?"
"Well, he doesn't look too scared, but I sure as hell don't know what's going on."
Geia had felt his presence before he had even said anything, and she had disguised her sword as a baseball bat with a little bit of magik, so it didn't look so suspicious. Great, a civilian, she thought. We probably look like two cult kids, one really ugly, with a turf issue. "Don't come any farther, buddy. I would suggest leaving. This punk wants to pick a fight with me, and he'll get it." She heard the crunch of shoes on fallen leaves a few seconds later, like he had been hesitant in leaving her alone to fight such a big brute, but her eyes never left the Zalkana in front of her. After the footsteps faded, Geia relaxed. "You know, you never answered my question."
The Zalkana warrior balanced the weight of a large sledgehammer in his massive hands. "Why should I? I'm gonna kill you anyways."
Geia had to bite her lip from laughing. "And you're as full of--shit. Well, welcome to the party, boys." Her eyes scanned over the suddenly large group of warriors, all armed to the hilt, and very pissed off. And determined to kill her. "Don't you guys learn? I don't care how many of you there are, and I say this with MUCH confidence, that you can't kill me." Worthless bastards, she thought. With a smile, she plunged into the middle of the mass, battle rage controlling her every action.
Ten minutes later, there were fifty exterminated Zalkanas on the ground, and she only had a small cut on her arm. But the warrior who had slashed her favorite jacket had gone down hard, worse than the rest. Geia was careful not to step on any of the bodies. Disgusting creatures. She wiped her blade on the grass before passing under the gate to the cemetery. She had to get back to Giles and let him know what had happened. Zalkanas didn't increase in number until more were sent for, and she knew Myron was nearby, if not already in Sunnydale. That night she had patrolled with Angel, her senses had been on high gear, and now she wasn't sure if that was the cause her being able to feel Myron's presence.
And now she felt another presence very close to her-the civilian that had crashed her massacre party. Damn. "Is there a reason you're following me?" It was a good thing she still had her sword disguised.
The handsome stranger ran until he got into step with her. "I'm just trying to figure out how you got rid of the guy. He was huge. You are okay, right?"
This is where those acting classes I took once come in handy bigtime, she thought. "I told him he'd have to deal with my big brother if he messed me up. Jerk. He ran off cause he knows my brother, and how mad he'd be."
The stranger stopped and looked at her, studying her striking features. He knew he'd never seen this beautiful lady before, and he was looking for someone familiar. And then he saw the "Louisville slugger", her disguised sword, in her hands and stepped back a few paces. "Well, just as long as you're okay. I was waiting outside in case something happened and I had to call the police or something."
Geia gave him a genuine smile, and it made her feel good. She didn't smile like that often. His brown eyes were filled with concern, his hair was windswept, and his rugged yet debonair features broke into a smile like hers. "Thanks, but I'm okay. I'll be even better if I never see that guy again."
They came to a crosswalk, and he turned to go the other direction. "Maybe I'll see you around?" he asked hopefully.
"Yeah, maybe." Geia waved goodbye to him and walked in the opposite direction. Now she really had to get to Giles' place. That son-of-a-bitch actually thought he could disguise himself from her. But at least Myron didn't know who she was. That she was sure of. For all his power, he couldn't read minds very well on supernatural beings. She would look forward to their next meeting. She didn't want to make a move that would force Myron out in the open just yet. She had seen the confusion that was in his mind, him being so near the Hellmouth was obviously overwhelming, and he didn't know what it was that he needed to do his spell. But she wouldn't wait for him to make the first move. Maybe a stealthy attack on his base, when I find out where it is, she thought, strategies and plans running through her mind. She'd only tell Giles and the two vampires for now, outside of Jamal. No need to send the other mortals into a panic. She knew he'd hit the hot spot in town sometime. Looks like I'm joining everyone at the Bronze tomorrow night, now that I know what disguise he's using, she thought with a small smile.
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"Are vampires supposed to be such good dancers?"
Jamal gave Buffy a sideways glance. She was watching Spike and Willow dance in the middle of the Bronze crowd, who were attracted to the pair they made. A peroxide blonde and a fiery red-head. "Spike must have picked it up somewhere."
Buffy frowned, seeing how much fun Willow was having with a rambunctious Spike, in a good mood after killing a few vamps on patrol, though chaperoned by Geia. He was spinning her around like she was weightless, and also seemed to be enjoying himself, but that was partly because of the four beers he had downed before dancing. And Buffy couldn't help but feel jealous. She hated it. She felt a tap on her shoulder, and turned to see a gorgeous man with raven black hair looking hopefully at her.
"May I have this dance? I've sorta been watching you sit here alone at every song, and thought you might want to dance."
Buffy almost said no, but seeing Spike and Willow still dancing, though not directly with each other, changed her mind. "I'd love to." Gotta live sometime, she thought. I've been dead one too many times, and if I'm gonna die again in the next few years or so, might as well make them count.
She let the stranger led her out to the dance floor. Buffy didn't know the song, she didn't know this man's name, and she didn't even know exactly what she was doing, but she was tired of having to make every decisions with the fear of its consequences looming overhead. Screw it all, she thought. She smiled inwardly as the stranger gently placed his arms around her, almost like he was afraid to touch her. That was how it had first been with Riley. It was almost like he was scared he'd break her. "I'm Buffy."
His eyes bore into hers, and he grinned. "I'm Antonio, Tony for short. The only people who call me Antonio are my grandparents and my mom when she's really pissed. But that doesn't happen very often, cause I've long moved out. College and stuff."
"Yeah, I know a thing or two about that," she replied. They talked for the rest of the dance, and through the next few. He was an extremely good dancer, and he knew how to make her feel like she was the only one there, the only thing important to him. He left a little while later, and she understood cause finals were close. He was going to a college just twenty minutes from Sunnydale, and he had given her his phone number. She wasn't sure whether she'd call, but just the fact that he left the decision to call or not up to her was a nice change. She hoped he'd be here tomorrow night too, because the whole gang would be here and she'd definitely be looking for him.
Buffy sat down as the next song ended, and the crowd came together again, everyone dancing together, not caring with whom. It was that carefree, happy feeling that just didn't touch Buffy. She couldn't remember the last time she had been plagued by some problem, supernatural or not. She knew everyone has problems, and that you have to learn how to deal, but she'd faced countless demons, almost lost her mom to a brain tumor, had a sister who wasn't truly her sister, had gone through bad relationships, including one with a vampire, and had died twice. And now she had jealousy and fear to contend with. When would it be too much? Buffy hoped she'd never have to find out. So she patented a fake smile to cover the pain the numerous tears and holes that had been ripped in her soul and heart since she was fifteen. To hide the fear that would swell up in a tidalwave, and come crashing down on her battle-worn nerves. To keep that worn-down spirit and exhausted mind from everyone, so that they couldn't see her weakness. And to keep from choking on her vile-tasting emotions, so that no one could see them, could feel them, could force her to bring them out. She almost didn't feel human anymore. She lived in a world of darkness and light, mixing together so that there was no black and white, only hundreds of gray areas that just didn't make any sense. None of it did, and Buffy knew most of it ever would.
Buffy went home that night, walked upstairs without saying a word to her mom or sister, and went to bed. And she laid there, feeling overwhelmed yet extremely empty at the same time. There was so much going on, but she was so good at covering her emotions that she couldn't sort out what she was really feeling, and what she had made up in her mind. But she positively knew that happiness was not one of those emotions in the chaotic mass.
That night, she dreamt of a world where there were no such things as demons, vampires, or Evil-it was perfect. She was free to live the life of a normal young person, to enjoy time with her friends, to take her sister shopping, to wake up in the morning and actually hear the birds singing outside. But there was something still missing, something out of place, perhaps. She still didn't feel complete, but in the dream, she was dancing with Tony, who made her feel so at ease. A sense of peace overcame her as they danced, but her new world vanished when the phone woke her up.
She yawned, barely able to mumble a "Hello". It was three in the morning.
"Buffy, you must get over here."
Buffy picked up the urgent tone in Giles' voice, said a hurried goodbye, and was out of the house, dressed and armed in six minutes. She left a note for her mom on her bed unless she wasn't back by the time everyone woke up.
Buffy found the entire gang spread out in Giles' living room, including Spike, which didn't shock Buffy. What shocked her was that Spike actually appeared to be deep into a thick volume of the Black Chronicles. And then Buffy noticed that Geia wasn't present, still out patrolling. Damn, she thought. Hopefully she won't be here for a while.
Giles looked up from his book and gave a slight smile. "Sorry to wake you, Buffy, but this is urgent. We're looking for a charm or an amulet in these books. It would say something like the item is linked to the force of Parythl, the power Geia believes Myron is trying to encompass to discover the ingredients to his spell. Jamal told us that Myron would probably be looking for it because Geia came across a huge group of Zalkanas a few hours ago, and it means Myron is nearby.
Buffy caught the book Xander threw her and settled in the only open space, which was ironically beside Angel on the couch. "Do we know what this spell is?"
Giles looked to Angel and Spike quickly before turning his eyes to Jamal, who was seated on the other side of the desk. "Well, yes actually."
Her shoulders dropped. "And I wasn't told because why?"
Willow came to their defense. "Only Angel, Spike, Giles and Jamal know, Buffy. It was so that we didn't get scared, I'm assuming. You know, all great Evil thingy, most powerful one we've ever faced."
Buffy gave her a skeptical look. "Do we get to know, Giles, or is it classified information?"
Giles grimaced at the cynical tone in her voice. "Buffy, you must understand. Neither myself, Geia or Jamal wanted to risk you making a brash decision to go and find Myron after you found out the purpose of this spell."
Buffy threw the book on the floor. "Do you not trust me, Giles? Why would I do anything so stupid as to put everyone in danger. Oh yeah, wait, I forgot, we have angels on our side now and I'm not needed. Sorry to be such a damn inconvenience."
Jamal had heard enough of Buffy's complaining to understand her feelings, but he was tired of her blaming Geia for what was going on. If Buffy had just let Geia show them part of what could come in the future when they found out about their vampire characteristics, she probably wouldn't be acting this way. They would have seen what Myron was capable of, what he wanted to do with the spell, as frightening as it was. Hell on Earth. The world of demons, death and destruction would be expanded so that Myron could try to take over Heaven. It wouldn't happen, but it was a terrible visage.
Spike's voice broke Jamal's thoughts. "Uh, is supposed to happen?" Everyone turned to see Spike holding his dagonsphere, a glow emanating from the black glass.
Jamal casually glanced at the glowing sphere. "That's just Geia's way of warning us that Myron is in town now. No big deal, not yet. He doesn't even know what he's looking for. All of your dagonspheres should be glowing." Six other dagonspheres were pulled out, and all were glowing brilliantly. "If you guys put all seven on the coffee table, I can show you something with them."
Jamal arranged the spheres in a circle on the table, and the glow became one color. Pure light shone from the dagonspheres, the colors blending together. But as soon as the glow was there, it was gone.
"Sorry to cut the light show short, but we've got a problem." Geia threw Spike the Parthyl amulet. "We've got to destroy this now. Myron's got his goons looking for it and the Parthyl demon and when they don't find either, he'll raise an army to find who killed the demon and took the amulet." She checked the small clock on the wall, and motioned for Spike and Angel to come with her. "I'm going to need your help with this, you two.
Spike eyed her with suspicion and a bit of fear. "I'm just a vampire, pet. Nothing special here."
She grabbed his hand and turned it over, revealing a black streak on it. Her free hand grasped Angel's right hand, and she held his hand, palm up, revealing another black streak. "You sure about that?" Geia sighed, knowing she'd have to explain. "Neither one of you are true vampires. Angel has his soul, and Spike has a chip. Either way, neither one of you act on your vampire instincts to feed and kill. When a vampire goes for a long period of time without acting on those instincts, they begin to lose that demon will that controls them. For you, Angel, it's taken a while to show because your soul was slowly taking that demon in you away, a kind of stripping away process." She paused, not sure how to tell Spike how different he truly was. "When you were turned into a vampire, Spike, I was a young apprentice. I walked by the alley where you met up with Drusilla, and knowing she was a vampire and was about to turn you, I used what power I had and put a spell on you. If anything ever started to strip away your demon will, the spell would activate your soul, which is in Heaven."
Geia swore she heard everyone gasp at the same time. "Your soul is slowly being restored to you, William. Why do you think you've had so many times when your emotions were so mixed up and you were feeling things you hadn't felt since you were a mortal? I need two vampires with souls to help me perform this spell to destroy the amulet. I figured this was the best time to tell you, before Myron started sending his minions on regular rounds to find out who took the amulet." She waited for Spike to go into an outrage, to throw her against the wall...but anything would have been better than the look he gave her. Somewhere admist the confusion, relief, and sorrow, there was joy in those blue flames of his eyes. Geia didn't honestly know what he'd do next, but wasn't surprised when, without a word, he shook free of her grasp and started to go out the door, indicating he was ready to do the incantation.
The short walk to the cemetery was silent between the three, Spike in the lead with Geia and Angel nearly having to run to keep up with him. After entering the cemetery, Spike stopped and let Geia take them where the ritual was to take place.
Spike's mind was numb as they entered the largest crypt in the graveyard. He had his soul. The thought reverberated in his mind. Although it wasn't all there, it was his soul. But it explained everything, like Geia had brought out. All those emotions that were so painful and had felt so real were truly REAL. But he wondered one thing-what about the chip in his head?
"Spike, you have to stand here."
Spike shook out of his daze and stood where Geia directed. "Now what?"
She took a deep breath and knelt on the floor, placing her sword on the cold concrete beside the amulet. "Just stand there. The rest of this is up to me, but I need the two of you because of your souls." A moment later, her eyes became pure black, and a stream of incomprehensible words, a mix of Macedonian and Latin, along with her powers, were all that it took to destroy the amulet in a blast of light. Both vamps felt a surge of energy overtake their bodies as the magik coursed through them. The impact of the light on the two upright vampires knocked them across the crypt, crashing into opposite walls. But there was no pain.
Geia helped Angel up, who was closer to her, first and then tried to help Spike, but he got up on his own. "You lied, Geia."
"What?"
He smiled blithely. "You said all we had to do was stand there, and we get knocked into a bloody wall."
Geia shrugged, a playful look on her face. "I figured it was the least I could do, seeing as how I've already put you two through enough grief." And the grief yet to come, she thought grimly, especially for you, Angel.
The three immortals were too busy talking about Myron to notice a few of his minions enter the cemetery through another gate. After searching the cemetery and not finding the object their boss would kill for, they dreaded the thought of going back to him empty-handed. What they didn't know was that Myron was already concocting another plan to find what he needed.
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Geia knocked softly on Spike's door. After not receiving a reply, she quietly slipped in. He was still asleep, it being only nine in the morning, which was early for a vampire. Even in the dark, Geia could see the peaceful look on his face, matched with his rustled blonde hair, that made him look so innocent. But she desperately needed and wanted to talk to him, though hating the thought of waking him up.
Her warm hand came in contact with his cool skin, and she inwardly jumped at the feeling. Of all the time she had interacted with vampires, she had never gotten used to that sensation. Fire and ice.
"Did you want something?"
Her shocked charcoal blue eyes met his calm alabaster ones. "Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you, but if it's okay, I wanted to talk to you. Your soul...hell, I don't even know what to say."
Spike sat up slowly. "I know. I just laid here and thought about that up until I fell asleep a few hours ago. You've given me something I swore to myself was a curse on any vampire. Truth is, I've never felt so bloody human before, even when I was mortal I didn't feel whole. And now I do. But what about my chip?"
Geia smiled. "I deactivated it when I arrived here. It won't ever come back on. You don't need it. I knew that the chip, although inadvertently, was taking away your will to hunt and kill, and I got rid of it, knowing your soul would keep you out of trouble."
They sat in silence for a few minutes, and then Spike looked up at her. "So what happens now?"
Her reply came in a serious tone. "I wish I knew."
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(the next night)
"Eight ball, side pocket baby." Xander wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at Anya before sending the black pool ball into the very pocket he had called. "See, told you."
Anya leaned on the wood framing of the pool table in the middle of the Bronze. "I don't like this game. It's boring and very dull."
Willow snickered. "Boring and dull mean the same thing, Anya. And pool is a classic game of skill and strategy, but with wooden sticks."
All three looked up as the normally mellow music that was played at the Bronze changed to the heavy beat of Nelly's "Country Grammar". Jamal waved at them from the stage. He had taken over the DJ booth and was wanting to show off his skills.
Xander waved his hand at the stack of pool cues as Geia approached them. "Care to play, oh holy one?"
She grinned. "Sure, why not. It's been a long time since I've played, though." Her gaze ran across the crowd as she chalked her cue. She saw Giles and Angel conversing at a nearby table, probably about Myron. Spike was at the bar, drinking his fill of bourbon. But she didn't see Buffy, and she couldn't help but be concerned. "Have you guys seen Buffy lately?"
Xander looked up from the pool table to scan the crowd. His eyes caught a blonde in the middle of the crowd, dancing with some dark-haired guy, but he wasn't sure if it was her. He pointed the two out to Geia. "It looks like her. Why?"
"I just don't want her trying to run off and save the world in one night." Geia watched as Xander looked down at the pool table and stare as the ball he was going to hit was suddenly two feet back farther than it had been.
"Magik isn't allowed at the pool table, Geia. I wouldn't exactly call that fair." Although his face was serious, his tone was of a joking manner.
She gave an innocent look. "This little voice told me to do it."
"Right." Xander looked to ask Anya to get him something to drink, but she was looking out at the dance floor. "Anya, honey, whatcha lookin' at?"
Anya gestured toward Buffy and her dance partner. "That guy she's dancing with is really cute."
Willow joined her in staring at him, and nodded her head. "She's right. He's a cutie. Got a Latin-look going on."
Geia's acute senses went into overdrive at their words, and at the suddenly very strong Evil she felt. She didn't need to look. Myron. Wonderful. And he's dancing with the Slayer. Even better. Geia chanced a look at the couple, and didn't like what she saw. Damn him, she thought. How am I supposed to tell Buffy she's dancing with the devil? She's already territorial enough, but I don't need her pissed in the middle of this crowd.
Angel saw Geia approaching and the worried look on her face. Giles pulled a chair over for her, but she shook her head. "There's a slight problem."
Angel and Giles followed her gaze over to Buffy and Myron in the middle of the dance floor. Angel turned back, a look of confusion on his face. "What's wrong?"
Geia grabbed his hand and began to drag him out on the dance floor. "That's Myron the Slayer's dancing with, and I don't want to cause any commotion in the middle of all these people. We need to get them apart, but I don't know how-" Her words stopped when she saw a slightly drunk yet still very coherent Spike walk over to them, grinning.
"Best bloody bourbon I've had in years. Sets the blood on fire." Geia put herself in the middle of the two vampires and gave a quick look to Jamal, who was still on stage. He had seen Myron, and knew Geia would do something to get him or the Slayer out of there. It didn't matter which.
Both vampires tried to protest as Geia took them close to where Buffy and Myron were dancing, but Spike saw it as not just an opportunity to get rid of the bad guy, but to show off his footwork. Knowing just what to do, he grabbed Geia by the arm and spun her around, knocking her purposefully into Myron, who bumped into Buffy, who landed in Angel's arms. Myron gave Angel a 'don't touch my territory' look, not knowing who Angel was or that they knew who he was, and helped a slightly confused Buffy up.
Seeing his little plan didn't work, Spike motioned for Angel to come back over. DMX's "Party Up" started to play, and Spike pulled her close, though a little too hard. She smacked into him, nearly knocking a nearby couple over.
He smiled down at her. "Sorry, pet. I just want to make this look as real as possible. And hopefully make the Slayer so jealous she'll leave devil boy, maybe even the club." Geia's slightly terrified look made him chuckle. "No worries. I know what I'm doing. I would think you'd have some ability to do a simple thing like dance if you can restore my soul." His hands wrapped loosely around her waist, and he began to dance with the music. The sensation of having her so close was overwhelming, but the feelings weren't one-sided.
Geia knew what she was doing, but it had been a while since she had danced like this. Though there was very little contact, there was something very sexy about it. And though she wouldn't admit it, Geia enjoyed having such a good dance partner. Angel surprisingly proved to also be a very able dancer. Geia found this out after Spike had switched partners with Angel, who had brought Willow out to dance. Xander and Anya had also joined the growing crowd on the floor, and Giles had moved to a empty table near the edge of the dance floor, waiting to try to draw Buffy away as a last resort.
The plan finally worked. Myron had stepped away from Buffy for just a moment when Willow asked him a question, and Angel grabbed Buffy in an embrace, then danced his way over to where Giles was. The rest of the gang left the dance floor casually and met up with Giles, Angel, and a very angry Buffy near the entrance. Myron was left confused and disappointed in the middle of the dance floor. Too bad, he liked that girl. She was pretty and a good dancer. Damn that bloke who had taken her away.
"Why did you drag me off the dance floor?"
Angel met Buffy's accusing stare. "Because of the man you were dancing with."
"Tony's a sweet guy. You had no right-"
"I had every damn right. We were trying to protect you."
Buffy's hands were balled into fists, and she was pissed enough to hit her former lover. "Protect me from what? From having fun, from enjoying myself?"
"You were dancing with Myron."
Giles' words struck Buffy a blow. "Myron?" she choked out.
Geia sat down beside a shocked Buffy. "He's good at charming the ladies, Buffy. You didn't know."
Buffy silently pulled a piece of paper from her jacket. "He gave me this address. Do you think it's where his base is?"
Jamal nodded. "More than likely. He's known for luring women to an old warehouse or factory and then having some fun before killing them or making them slaves. He just didn't expect his enemies to get hold of it."
Geia stood up and went over to Willow's laptop. She turned to the group as the computer was booting up. "Looks like we've got an attack to plan."
Author's Note: I must admit I'm quite proud that I've been able to develop this story to Chapter 9-I've never gotten so far in a fic before, and the story is just beginning:) There is so much more to this story than what's there already-like Geia's connection with Angel. Another hint: it has to do with her past, when she first became a Tainted One. Angel did something....and that's all I'm telling. I don't want to give it away-it's a very important part of the plot, more than just their connection and it's significance to them, but also to the Evil forces. And get ready for some new, majorly important info in this chapter. Also, I've got a short character sketch/angst piece from Spike's point of view. It's up as just a side-track type project. It doesn't really go with this story. And a big thank-you to SlayerMoon who has been so kind to read this fic-I really appreciate it. You're an awesome reviewer.
Chapter 9: First Encounters
"Ok, now you've pissed me off." Geia stood up and brushed herself off as she warily eyed the lone Zalkana in front of her. "Don't you know how to have respect for your elders?" Not waiting for an answer, she drew her sword out, taking pleasure in the deadly melody it sang on the still night air. Seeing the Zalkana freeze mid-step, she smiled smugly. "Aw, poor Zalkana scared?"
"Well, he doesn't look too scared, but I sure as hell don't know what's going on."
Geia had felt his presence before he had even said anything, and she had disguised her sword as a baseball bat with a little bit of magik, so it didn't look so suspicious. Great, a civilian, she thought. We probably look like two cult kids, one really ugly, with a turf issue. "Don't come any farther, buddy. I would suggest leaving. This punk wants to pick a fight with me, and he'll get it." She heard the crunch of shoes on fallen leaves a few seconds later, like he had been hesitant in leaving her alone to fight such a big brute, but her eyes never left the Zalkana in front of her. After the footsteps faded, Geia relaxed. "You know, you never answered my question."
The Zalkana warrior balanced the weight of a large sledgehammer in his massive hands. "Why should I? I'm gonna kill you anyways."
Geia had to bite her lip from laughing. "And you're as full of--shit. Well, welcome to the party, boys." Her eyes scanned over the suddenly large group of warriors, all armed to the hilt, and very pissed off. And determined to kill her. "Don't you guys learn? I don't care how many of you there are, and I say this with MUCH confidence, that you can't kill me." Worthless bastards, she thought. With a smile, she plunged into the middle of the mass, battle rage controlling her every action.
Ten minutes later, there were fifty exterminated Zalkanas on the ground, and she only had a small cut on her arm. But the warrior who had slashed her favorite jacket had gone down hard, worse than the rest. Geia was careful not to step on any of the bodies. Disgusting creatures. She wiped her blade on the grass before passing under the gate to the cemetery. She had to get back to Giles and let him know what had happened. Zalkanas didn't increase in number until more were sent for, and she knew Myron was nearby, if not already in Sunnydale. That night she had patrolled with Angel, her senses had been on high gear, and now she wasn't sure if that was the cause her being able to feel Myron's presence.
And now she felt another presence very close to her-the civilian that had crashed her massacre party. Damn. "Is there a reason you're following me?" It was a good thing she still had her sword disguised.
The handsome stranger ran until he got into step with her. "I'm just trying to figure out how you got rid of the guy. He was huge. You are okay, right?"
This is where those acting classes I took once come in handy bigtime, she thought. "I told him he'd have to deal with my big brother if he messed me up. Jerk. He ran off cause he knows my brother, and how mad he'd be."
The stranger stopped and looked at her, studying her striking features. He knew he'd never seen this beautiful lady before, and he was looking for someone familiar. And then he saw the "Louisville slugger", her disguised sword, in her hands and stepped back a few paces. "Well, just as long as you're okay. I was waiting outside in case something happened and I had to call the police or something."
Geia gave him a genuine smile, and it made her feel good. She didn't smile like that often. His brown eyes were filled with concern, his hair was windswept, and his rugged yet debonair features broke into a smile like hers. "Thanks, but I'm okay. I'll be even better if I never see that guy again."
They came to a crosswalk, and he turned to go the other direction. "Maybe I'll see you around?" he asked hopefully.
"Yeah, maybe." Geia waved goodbye to him and walked in the opposite direction. Now she really had to get to Giles' place. That son-of-a-bitch actually thought he could disguise himself from her. But at least Myron didn't know who she was. That she was sure of. For all his power, he couldn't read minds very well on supernatural beings. She would look forward to their next meeting. She didn't want to make a move that would force Myron out in the open just yet. She had seen the confusion that was in his mind, him being so near the Hellmouth was obviously overwhelming, and he didn't know what it was that he needed to do his spell. But she wouldn't wait for him to make the first move. Maybe a stealthy attack on his base, when I find out where it is, she thought, strategies and plans running through her mind. She'd only tell Giles and the two vampires for now, outside of Jamal. No need to send the other mortals into a panic. She knew he'd hit the hot spot in town sometime. Looks like I'm joining everyone at the Bronze tomorrow night, now that I know what disguise he's using, she thought with a small smile.
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"Are vampires supposed to be such good dancers?"
Jamal gave Buffy a sideways glance. She was watching Spike and Willow dance in the middle of the Bronze crowd, who were attracted to the pair they made. A peroxide blonde and a fiery red-head. "Spike must have picked it up somewhere."
Buffy frowned, seeing how much fun Willow was having with a rambunctious Spike, in a good mood after killing a few vamps on patrol, though chaperoned by Geia. He was spinning her around like she was weightless, and also seemed to be enjoying himself, but that was partly because of the four beers he had downed before dancing. And Buffy couldn't help but feel jealous. She hated it. She felt a tap on her shoulder, and turned to see a gorgeous man with raven black hair looking hopefully at her.
"May I have this dance? I've sorta been watching you sit here alone at every song, and thought you might want to dance."
Buffy almost said no, but seeing Spike and Willow still dancing, though not directly with each other, changed her mind. "I'd love to." Gotta live sometime, she thought. I've been dead one too many times, and if I'm gonna die again in the next few years or so, might as well make them count.
She let the stranger led her out to the dance floor. Buffy didn't know the song, she didn't know this man's name, and she didn't even know exactly what she was doing, but she was tired of having to make every decisions with the fear of its consequences looming overhead. Screw it all, she thought. She smiled inwardly as the stranger gently placed his arms around her, almost like he was afraid to touch her. That was how it had first been with Riley. It was almost like he was scared he'd break her. "I'm Buffy."
His eyes bore into hers, and he grinned. "I'm Antonio, Tony for short. The only people who call me Antonio are my grandparents and my mom when she's really pissed. But that doesn't happen very often, cause I've long moved out. College and stuff."
"Yeah, I know a thing or two about that," she replied. They talked for the rest of the dance, and through the next few. He was an extremely good dancer, and he knew how to make her feel like she was the only one there, the only thing important to him. He left a little while later, and she understood cause finals were close. He was going to a college just twenty minutes from Sunnydale, and he had given her his phone number. She wasn't sure whether she'd call, but just the fact that he left the decision to call or not up to her was a nice change. She hoped he'd be here tomorrow night too, because the whole gang would be here and she'd definitely be looking for him.
Buffy sat down as the next song ended, and the crowd came together again, everyone dancing together, not caring with whom. It was that carefree, happy feeling that just didn't touch Buffy. She couldn't remember the last time she had been plagued by some problem, supernatural or not. She knew everyone has problems, and that you have to learn how to deal, but she'd faced countless demons, almost lost her mom to a brain tumor, had a sister who wasn't truly her sister, had gone through bad relationships, including one with a vampire, and had died twice. And now she had jealousy and fear to contend with. When would it be too much? Buffy hoped she'd never have to find out. So she patented a fake smile to cover the pain the numerous tears and holes that had been ripped in her soul and heart since she was fifteen. To hide the fear that would swell up in a tidalwave, and come crashing down on her battle-worn nerves. To keep that worn-down spirit and exhausted mind from everyone, so that they couldn't see her weakness. And to keep from choking on her vile-tasting emotions, so that no one could see them, could feel them, could force her to bring them out. She almost didn't feel human anymore. She lived in a world of darkness and light, mixing together so that there was no black and white, only hundreds of gray areas that just didn't make any sense. None of it did, and Buffy knew most of it ever would.
Buffy went home that night, walked upstairs without saying a word to her mom or sister, and went to bed. And she laid there, feeling overwhelmed yet extremely empty at the same time. There was so much going on, but she was so good at covering her emotions that she couldn't sort out what she was really feeling, and what she had made up in her mind. But she positively knew that happiness was not one of those emotions in the chaotic mass.
That night, she dreamt of a world where there were no such things as demons, vampires, or Evil-it was perfect. She was free to live the life of a normal young person, to enjoy time with her friends, to take her sister shopping, to wake up in the morning and actually hear the birds singing outside. But there was something still missing, something out of place, perhaps. She still didn't feel complete, but in the dream, she was dancing with Tony, who made her feel so at ease. A sense of peace overcame her as they danced, but her new world vanished when the phone woke her up.
She yawned, barely able to mumble a "Hello". It was three in the morning.
"Buffy, you must get over here."
Buffy picked up the urgent tone in Giles' voice, said a hurried goodbye, and was out of the house, dressed and armed in six minutes. She left a note for her mom on her bed unless she wasn't back by the time everyone woke up.
Buffy found the entire gang spread out in Giles' living room, including Spike, which didn't shock Buffy. What shocked her was that Spike actually appeared to be deep into a thick volume of the Black Chronicles. And then Buffy noticed that Geia wasn't present, still out patrolling. Damn, she thought. Hopefully she won't be here for a while.
Giles looked up from his book and gave a slight smile. "Sorry to wake you, Buffy, but this is urgent. We're looking for a charm or an amulet in these books. It would say something like the item is linked to the force of Parythl, the power Geia believes Myron is trying to encompass to discover the ingredients to his spell. Jamal told us that Myron would probably be looking for it because Geia came across a huge group of Zalkanas a few hours ago, and it means Myron is nearby.
Buffy caught the book Xander threw her and settled in the only open space, which was ironically beside Angel on the couch. "Do we know what this spell is?"
Giles looked to Angel and Spike quickly before turning his eyes to Jamal, who was seated on the other side of the desk. "Well, yes actually."
Her shoulders dropped. "And I wasn't told because why?"
Willow came to their defense. "Only Angel, Spike, Giles and Jamal know, Buffy. It was so that we didn't get scared, I'm assuming. You know, all great Evil thingy, most powerful one we've ever faced."
Buffy gave her a skeptical look. "Do we get to know, Giles, or is it classified information?"
Giles grimaced at the cynical tone in her voice. "Buffy, you must understand. Neither myself, Geia or Jamal wanted to risk you making a brash decision to go and find Myron after you found out the purpose of this spell."
Buffy threw the book on the floor. "Do you not trust me, Giles? Why would I do anything so stupid as to put everyone in danger. Oh yeah, wait, I forgot, we have angels on our side now and I'm not needed. Sorry to be such a damn inconvenience."
Jamal had heard enough of Buffy's complaining to understand her feelings, but he was tired of her blaming Geia for what was going on. If Buffy had just let Geia show them part of what could come in the future when they found out about their vampire characteristics, she probably wouldn't be acting this way. They would have seen what Myron was capable of, what he wanted to do with the spell, as frightening as it was. Hell on Earth. The world of demons, death and destruction would be expanded so that Myron could try to take over Heaven. It wouldn't happen, but it was a terrible visage.
Spike's voice broke Jamal's thoughts. "Uh, is supposed to happen?" Everyone turned to see Spike holding his dagonsphere, a glow emanating from the black glass.
Jamal casually glanced at the glowing sphere. "That's just Geia's way of warning us that Myron is in town now. No big deal, not yet. He doesn't even know what he's looking for. All of your dagonspheres should be glowing." Six other dagonspheres were pulled out, and all were glowing brilliantly. "If you guys put all seven on the coffee table, I can show you something with them."
Jamal arranged the spheres in a circle on the table, and the glow became one color. Pure light shone from the dagonspheres, the colors blending together. But as soon as the glow was there, it was gone.
"Sorry to cut the light show short, but we've got a problem." Geia threw Spike the Parthyl amulet. "We've got to destroy this now. Myron's got his goons looking for it and the Parthyl demon and when they don't find either, he'll raise an army to find who killed the demon and took the amulet." She checked the small clock on the wall, and motioned for Spike and Angel to come with her. "I'm going to need your help with this, you two.
Spike eyed her with suspicion and a bit of fear. "I'm just a vampire, pet. Nothing special here."
She grabbed his hand and turned it over, revealing a black streak on it. Her free hand grasped Angel's right hand, and she held his hand, palm up, revealing another black streak. "You sure about that?" Geia sighed, knowing she'd have to explain. "Neither one of you are true vampires. Angel has his soul, and Spike has a chip. Either way, neither one of you act on your vampire instincts to feed and kill. When a vampire goes for a long period of time without acting on those instincts, they begin to lose that demon will that controls them. For you, Angel, it's taken a while to show because your soul was slowly taking that demon in you away, a kind of stripping away process." She paused, not sure how to tell Spike how different he truly was. "When you were turned into a vampire, Spike, I was a young apprentice. I walked by the alley where you met up with Drusilla, and knowing she was a vampire and was about to turn you, I used what power I had and put a spell on you. If anything ever started to strip away your demon will, the spell would activate your soul, which is in Heaven."
Geia swore she heard everyone gasp at the same time. "Your soul is slowly being restored to you, William. Why do you think you've had so many times when your emotions were so mixed up and you were feeling things you hadn't felt since you were a mortal? I need two vampires with souls to help me perform this spell to destroy the amulet. I figured this was the best time to tell you, before Myron started sending his minions on regular rounds to find out who took the amulet." She waited for Spike to go into an outrage, to throw her against the wall...but anything would have been better than the look he gave her. Somewhere admist the confusion, relief, and sorrow, there was joy in those blue flames of his eyes. Geia didn't honestly know what he'd do next, but wasn't surprised when, without a word, he shook free of her grasp and started to go out the door, indicating he was ready to do the incantation.
The short walk to the cemetery was silent between the three, Spike in the lead with Geia and Angel nearly having to run to keep up with him. After entering the cemetery, Spike stopped and let Geia take them where the ritual was to take place.
Spike's mind was numb as they entered the largest crypt in the graveyard. He had his soul. The thought reverberated in his mind. Although it wasn't all there, it was his soul. But it explained everything, like Geia had brought out. All those emotions that were so painful and had felt so real were truly REAL. But he wondered one thing-what about the chip in his head?
"Spike, you have to stand here."
Spike shook out of his daze and stood where Geia directed. "Now what?"
She took a deep breath and knelt on the floor, placing her sword on the cold concrete beside the amulet. "Just stand there. The rest of this is up to me, but I need the two of you because of your souls." A moment later, her eyes became pure black, and a stream of incomprehensible words, a mix of Macedonian and Latin, along with her powers, were all that it took to destroy the amulet in a blast of light. Both vamps felt a surge of energy overtake their bodies as the magik coursed through them. The impact of the light on the two upright vampires knocked them across the crypt, crashing into opposite walls. But there was no pain.
Geia helped Angel up, who was closer to her, first and then tried to help Spike, but he got up on his own. "You lied, Geia."
"What?"
He smiled blithely. "You said all we had to do was stand there, and we get knocked into a bloody wall."
Geia shrugged, a playful look on her face. "I figured it was the least I could do, seeing as how I've already put you two through enough grief." And the grief yet to come, she thought grimly, especially for you, Angel.
The three immortals were too busy talking about Myron to notice a few of his minions enter the cemetery through another gate. After searching the cemetery and not finding the object their boss would kill for, they dreaded the thought of going back to him empty-handed. What they didn't know was that Myron was already concocting another plan to find what he needed.
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Geia knocked softly on Spike's door. After not receiving a reply, she quietly slipped in. He was still asleep, it being only nine in the morning, which was early for a vampire. Even in the dark, Geia could see the peaceful look on his face, matched with his rustled blonde hair, that made him look so innocent. But she desperately needed and wanted to talk to him, though hating the thought of waking him up.
Her warm hand came in contact with his cool skin, and she inwardly jumped at the feeling. Of all the time she had interacted with vampires, she had never gotten used to that sensation. Fire and ice.
"Did you want something?"
Her shocked charcoal blue eyes met his calm alabaster ones. "Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you, but if it's okay, I wanted to talk to you. Your soul...hell, I don't even know what to say."
Spike sat up slowly. "I know. I just laid here and thought about that up until I fell asleep a few hours ago. You've given me something I swore to myself was a curse on any vampire. Truth is, I've never felt so bloody human before, even when I was mortal I didn't feel whole. And now I do. But what about my chip?"
Geia smiled. "I deactivated it when I arrived here. It won't ever come back on. You don't need it. I knew that the chip, although inadvertently, was taking away your will to hunt and kill, and I got rid of it, knowing your soul would keep you out of trouble."
They sat in silence for a few minutes, and then Spike looked up at her. "So what happens now?"
Her reply came in a serious tone. "I wish I knew."
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(the next night)
"Eight ball, side pocket baby." Xander wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at Anya before sending the black pool ball into the very pocket he had called. "See, told you."
Anya leaned on the wood framing of the pool table in the middle of the Bronze. "I don't like this game. It's boring and very dull."
Willow snickered. "Boring and dull mean the same thing, Anya. And pool is a classic game of skill and strategy, but with wooden sticks."
All three looked up as the normally mellow music that was played at the Bronze changed to the heavy beat of Nelly's "Country Grammar". Jamal waved at them from the stage. He had taken over the DJ booth and was wanting to show off his skills.
Xander waved his hand at the stack of pool cues as Geia approached them. "Care to play, oh holy one?"
She grinned. "Sure, why not. It's been a long time since I've played, though." Her gaze ran across the crowd as she chalked her cue. She saw Giles and Angel conversing at a nearby table, probably about Myron. Spike was at the bar, drinking his fill of bourbon. But she didn't see Buffy, and she couldn't help but be concerned. "Have you guys seen Buffy lately?"
Xander looked up from the pool table to scan the crowd. His eyes caught a blonde in the middle of the crowd, dancing with some dark-haired guy, but he wasn't sure if it was her. He pointed the two out to Geia. "It looks like her. Why?"
"I just don't want her trying to run off and save the world in one night." Geia watched as Xander looked down at the pool table and stare as the ball he was going to hit was suddenly two feet back farther than it had been.
"Magik isn't allowed at the pool table, Geia. I wouldn't exactly call that fair." Although his face was serious, his tone was of a joking manner.
She gave an innocent look. "This little voice told me to do it."
"Right." Xander looked to ask Anya to get him something to drink, but she was looking out at the dance floor. "Anya, honey, whatcha lookin' at?"
Anya gestured toward Buffy and her dance partner. "That guy she's dancing with is really cute."
Willow joined her in staring at him, and nodded her head. "She's right. He's a cutie. Got a Latin-look going on."
Geia's acute senses went into overdrive at their words, and at the suddenly very strong Evil she felt. She didn't need to look. Myron. Wonderful. And he's dancing with the Slayer. Even better. Geia chanced a look at the couple, and didn't like what she saw. Damn him, she thought. How am I supposed to tell Buffy she's dancing with the devil? She's already territorial enough, but I don't need her pissed in the middle of this crowd.
Angel saw Geia approaching and the worried look on her face. Giles pulled a chair over for her, but she shook her head. "There's a slight problem."
Angel and Giles followed her gaze over to Buffy and Myron in the middle of the dance floor. Angel turned back, a look of confusion on his face. "What's wrong?"
Geia grabbed his hand and began to drag him out on the dance floor. "That's Myron the Slayer's dancing with, and I don't want to cause any commotion in the middle of all these people. We need to get them apart, but I don't know how-" Her words stopped when she saw a slightly drunk yet still very coherent Spike walk over to them, grinning.
"Best bloody bourbon I've had in years. Sets the blood on fire." Geia put herself in the middle of the two vampires and gave a quick look to Jamal, who was still on stage. He had seen Myron, and knew Geia would do something to get him or the Slayer out of there. It didn't matter which.
Both vampires tried to protest as Geia took them close to where Buffy and Myron were dancing, but Spike saw it as not just an opportunity to get rid of the bad guy, but to show off his footwork. Knowing just what to do, he grabbed Geia by the arm and spun her around, knocking her purposefully into Myron, who bumped into Buffy, who landed in Angel's arms. Myron gave Angel a 'don't touch my territory' look, not knowing who Angel was or that they knew who he was, and helped a slightly confused Buffy up.
Seeing his little plan didn't work, Spike motioned for Angel to come back over. DMX's "Party Up" started to play, and Spike pulled her close, though a little too hard. She smacked into him, nearly knocking a nearby couple over.
He smiled down at her. "Sorry, pet. I just want to make this look as real as possible. And hopefully make the Slayer so jealous she'll leave devil boy, maybe even the club." Geia's slightly terrified look made him chuckle. "No worries. I know what I'm doing. I would think you'd have some ability to do a simple thing like dance if you can restore my soul." His hands wrapped loosely around her waist, and he began to dance with the music. The sensation of having her so close was overwhelming, but the feelings weren't one-sided.
Geia knew what she was doing, but it had been a while since she had danced like this. Though there was very little contact, there was something very sexy about it. And though she wouldn't admit it, Geia enjoyed having such a good dance partner. Angel surprisingly proved to also be a very able dancer. Geia found this out after Spike had switched partners with Angel, who had brought Willow out to dance. Xander and Anya had also joined the growing crowd on the floor, and Giles had moved to a empty table near the edge of the dance floor, waiting to try to draw Buffy away as a last resort.
The plan finally worked. Myron had stepped away from Buffy for just a moment when Willow asked him a question, and Angel grabbed Buffy in an embrace, then danced his way over to where Giles was. The rest of the gang left the dance floor casually and met up with Giles, Angel, and a very angry Buffy near the entrance. Myron was left confused and disappointed in the middle of the dance floor. Too bad, he liked that girl. She was pretty and a good dancer. Damn that bloke who had taken her away.
"Why did you drag me off the dance floor?"
Angel met Buffy's accusing stare. "Because of the man you were dancing with."
"Tony's a sweet guy. You had no right-"
"I had every damn right. We were trying to protect you."
Buffy's hands were balled into fists, and she was pissed enough to hit her former lover. "Protect me from what? From having fun, from enjoying myself?"
"You were dancing with Myron."
Giles' words struck Buffy a blow. "Myron?" she choked out.
Geia sat down beside a shocked Buffy. "He's good at charming the ladies, Buffy. You didn't know."
Buffy silently pulled a piece of paper from her jacket. "He gave me this address. Do you think it's where his base is?"
Jamal nodded. "More than likely. He's known for luring women to an old warehouse or factory and then having some fun before killing them or making them slaves. He just didn't expect his enemies to get hold of it."
Geia stood up and went over to Willow's laptop. She turned to the group as the computer was booting up. "Looks like we've got an attack to plan."