TITLE: ESCAPING FROM THE DARKNESS 6/?
AUTHOR: SARGE
E-MAIL: SARGE2525@HOTMAIL.COM
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, OR ANGEL. JOSS WHEDON,
DAVID GREENWALT, THE WB, AND FOX DO. I CLAIM NO OWNERSHIP AND AM MAKING
NO MONEY OFF OF THIS WRITING.
SUMMARY: BUFFY AND THE OTHERS MUST COME UP WITH A PLAN TO SLAY DARLA
AND DRUSILLA BEFORE THEY CAN GET ANGEL TO TURN INTO ANGELUS, AND
DESTROY LA.
RATING: PG-13
AUTHORS NOTE: THIS JUST GOT A BETA READER SO BEAR WITH THE FIRST THREE
PARTS AND THERE MISTAKES. IT SHOULD BE PRETTY CLEAN NOW.
Lindsey walked into his office and was surprised to find Morgan his secretary right on
his heels holding a file folder. She had a very tense look on her face and was fidgeting nervously.
"What is it Morgan?" Lindsey asked her as he took the folder and set it on his desk. It
was the only object on his desk right now. He had closed all his other cases earlier this week, and
Holland had yet to give him the next step to complete with Darla and Drusilla.
"Sir, that's your new case." Morgan said gesturing toward the file folder. "Then the
higher ups would like to see you in the conference room now sir."
"Tell them I'll be there shortly." Lindsey told her as he picked up the phone and opened
his phone book. Then he found the number for Darla and Drusilla.
"Sir." Morgan said shock apparent in her voice. "They said right away."
"I know." Lindsey answered amused by the slight sign of panic on her face. "I have to
make an important call."
"Yes sir." Morgan said turning to leave. She was shaking her head as if knowing that
he might have signed his own death wish. Lindsey knew that they might have killed him, but only
if someone else had lived. They needed someone to blame for what had happened but at the
same time needed someone to take over for Holland. They wouldn't have that person if they killed
him.
Lindsey dialed the number for Darla's cell phone and waited for her to pick it up. To his
surprise it was Drusilla who answered.
"What do you want?" Drusilla asked her voice light and airy. "Did you get the girl?"
"Drusilla let me talk to Darla." Lindsey ordered. He knew that Darla didn't like him. He
had come to terms with that easily enough, but Darla might be able to remember what he said
unlike Drusilla who wasn't all there.
"Yes Lindsey what do you want?" Darla's voice came from the other end of the line. It
was unamused. "Bring the Slayer to the south pier. We'll take her from there."
"I don't have her." Lindsey answered. He stood stock still as he listened to the scream
of pain from some poor soul at the mercy of Darla, who was clearly very upset.
"What do you mean you don't have her?" Darla demanded as the screaming
continued in the background. "I told you not to fail Lindsey. When I get my hands on you you'll
scream ten times more then this guy, and you'll live to feel the pain."
"How nice." Lindsey answered dully. "Cordelia Chase and the rest of her gang went
and brought her back. She did leave you a message though."
"What did the soon to be dead Slayer have to say?" Darla questioned.
"She hopes that you enjoyed hell, and this time around Drusilla can come with you so
you'll have someone to talk to." Lindsey answered. "She seems to be very cocky."
"She's one of the longest living Slayers in history." Darla answered as the screams
became whimpers of pain. "They tend to think of themselves highly."
"I'll find a way to get her to you." Lindsey promised Darla. "The bosses' assistant wants
to meet with me. I'll contact you when I have her."
"Drusilla will know when she's within our grasp." Darla answered. "I know I've said this
before Lindsey, but I meant it. Don't fail us."
"I wouldn't dream of it." Lindsey answered as he hung up the phone. He then turned to
find Morgan standing and looking at him apprehensively from the doorway. "Yes, I know the
senior partner's representative wants to speak with me."
"Right down the hall sir." Morgan answered as she sat down at her desk and began to
type. She was convinced that the world was right again.
When Lindsey entered the conference room he was not surprised to find security
guards as well as the representative waiting for him.
"What can I do for you Sir?" Lindsey asked as he sat down.
"A great many things." the man answered. "However, that is not the purpose of this
meeting. We need to discuss the future of special projects as a unit."
"I'm the only employee of that unit left." Lindsey reminded. "I suggest that we find new
lawyers to take up the positions, or bring some in from our other offices."
"We want one special member for our team." the man answered. "We believe you may
have heard of one similar to her. We want the Slayer."
"Faith?" Lindsey asked hopefully. It wasn't so hopeful that it sounded desperate, but if
you knew him the hope was there.
"The other one. From Sunnydale. She's sane. At least as far as research shows, and
she's intelligent." the man answered. "We've been informed that she makes visits to LA to see
Angel."
"Sir, that's a conflicting interest." Lindsey answered. "Darla and Drusilla
would also like this Slayer. They have a history."
"Wolfram and Hart do not want to disturb our alliance with the vampires." The man
answered. "However, the Slayer goes beyond our duty to them. Get her Lindsey, and give her to
us."
"Do we have plans for her?" Lindsey questioned thinking of the chance to work with the
beautiful blonde every day. "Killer for hire?"
"We have plans." the man answered. "They are ours for now. You will be given them in
time. In the mean time we want you to talk to this vampire for us."
Lindsey looked down at the picture that had been handed to him on top of folder. It
showed a blonde vampire in both game face, and regular face. He seemed to be a normal looking
vampire as far as vampires went. Lindsey didn't see anything remarkable about him.
"Why is this one important?" Lindsey asked after awhile losing his patience with what
was going on. Now that he had been told by two different parties to get the Slayer he was
interested in getting started.
"This one is the most important one." the man answered as he stood. "He is your link to
the Slayer. Read the file. Contact the vampire. Contact the Slayer. Don't play the vampire unless
you have to."
"Then why give me the information?" Lindsey asked. "Why not wait until we know we
have to push?"
"Be familiar with the case." The man suggested. "The vampire is harmless. The details
are enclosed, but he will get you the Slayer. However, the Slayer is another matter. I'll send you
her file tomorrow. Should you get lucky and they come looking for us don't meet with them until
you've read both files."
"What should I tell Darla and Drusilla?" Lindsey questioned. "They want the Slayer
badly. She's a part of their objective with Angel."
"The objective can be completed in other ways. The Slayer is ours. Think of a plausible
lie Lindsey. We have limited assets in this situation, don't allow us to lose them."
"I won't sir." Lindsey answered as he watched the door close. He flipped through the
file for a brief amount of time before standing and heading back to his office. Once there he sat
down and pondered the fact that he had once more been informed of something without knowing
about it first. He hated surprises.
Lindsey read over the file and by the end of page one a satisfied smile was on his face
as a plan began to form. Vampires really were so easy to play. It was shame that this one had
been chipped. The relationship issues might be
problematic though. The entire line was cursed in Lindsey's opinion. Figures that Drusilla was this
one's sire. Meant that he was Angel's grand childe. He really hated this line. They caused so
many problems. Angel couldn't decide if he was good or evil, but either way he seemed to have it
in for Lindsey. Darla and Drusilla were definitely not walking the path of good, and they seemed
to have it in for everything.
"Sir," Morgan said walking in with another file, judging by the thickness and the fact
that it was well-worn Lindsey guessed that it was Angel's file. He was right. It was a good thing
the vampire never found out exactly how much they had on him. They had a lot. It had gained
considerably in thickness sense Darla had shown up. She had given them delightful insight into
Angel, and Angelus. "Here's Angel's file. I thought you might need it."
"What would I do without you?" Lindsey asked as he took the file. He hadn't recalled
any mention of Spike, only of Drusilla. Odd that Darla wouldn't mention that one.
"Will there be anything else today?" Morgan asked as she set the file down. "It's lunch
sir. Would you like anything?"
"Just bring me a coffee when you're done with your break." Lindsey answered. "I'll
have a list of names for you after lunch. See what you can do about getting phone numbers for
the names would you?"
"Of course." Morgan answered as she turned and left closing the door with a soft click.
She was a good person, 26, but with absolutely no idea what really went on in Wolfram and Hart.
Sure she knew that they served odd customers, and that the high security really was needed, but
Lindsey doubted she really knew anything. Morgan did what she was told though, and without
question. That made her a very good secretary.
Lindsey went back to looking at the file's although on a piece of paper the first number
he wrote down was Cordelia Chase. He suspected that was where he would find the Slayer. Then
after a moment of thought he added Wesley, and the new guy Gunn's name to the list. The
Slayer was in LA and she would be with one of the three.
*******
Buffy and the rest of the gang which at the moment only consisted of Dawn, Cordelia, and
Wesley were eating lunch. It was nearly silent. Gunn had returned home claiming that he would
be back two hours before sundown to go over the plan of attack. Buffy found this to be interesting
considering that she had no plan other then slay the evil vampires. She didn't think that plan was
going to get the job done without more details. Sadly Wesley and Cordelia didn't know anything
about where Darla and Drusilla could be, or what they might be up too next. Other then killing
which most of the vampire population of LA was
interested in.
"Well why don't you just ask?" Dawn said after getting sick of the silence. "I mean lets
think about this here. They have to want minions. Why don't you just pose as vampires and trick
the other dumber vampires into telling you where they are."
"It would be sort of hard to make them think we're undead when we all have
heartbeats." Wesley pointed out patently to Dawn.
"Oh." Dawn said as she sat back. She didn't want Buffy to be here, but as long as she
was here Dawn wanted to be able to help her. Dawn was trapped in this building by Buffy who
clearly wasn't planning to leave her alone for longer then two seconds. Apparently they had taken
whatever danger she was into hart. Either that or Buffy was just really mad at her and Joyce knew
it and therefore if Dawn turned up dead Buffy would be grounded.
"So basically we have no plan, and we can't seem to find a way to think of a plan."
Cordelia said extremely frustrated. "We are so dead."
"Ok, we could blow up the building." Buffy suggested. When she received numerous
looks of shock from everyone else at the table she felt the need to go on. "It would kill them. At
least I think it would."
"Yes, it would blow up everyone inside." Wesley answered. "Everyone. How many
innocent people do you think they have in there?"
"Good point." Buffy acknowledged. "Well we could go back to using the Rocket
launcher technique. I just think that might be overboard for two vampires."
"Not to mention all the pieces that have to be picked up." Cordelia said disgust clear on
both her face and in her voice. "I don't think that's a good idea."
"Being hunted by vampires is bad enough." Wesley added. " I think the military would
be overdoing it."
"Yeah, haven't you ever seen Dark Angel?" Dawn asked after a moment. "She's
always having to hide out because the military is after her."
"Dawn, our lives are not a TV show." Buffy reminded her. "It's life, now if you have
anything helpful to contribute please do so, if not I don't want to know."
"What's wrong with finding their hideout and then dusting them?" Wesley asked.
"Drusilla." Buffy answered. "Her visions. I can't be sure what she will know, and what
she won't know. Cordelia gets them to, but from the powers that be. Is there any way we can
pension them to tell us where Darla and Drusilla are?"
"Sorry they tend to tell me whatever they feel like, when they feel like it." Cordelia
answered. "Usually accompanied by splitting headaches."
"Sounds like fun." Buffy said sarcastically. "Well, I guess we could try to dust them. It's
just there's two of them, and with their age and power I think two on one is a bad idea in this
instance."
"Yes," Wesley agreed after a moment realizing that Darla and Drusilla weren't going to
stand there and take turns being dusted. "I see. Well, we could fight one of them. All three of us.
It would at least be a distraction."
"No. Absolutely not." Buffy answered firmly. "I won't put you guys in danger. You want
to help with the research and the slaying of minions, that's fine. I can't let you go against Darla
and Dru though. That's asking to much of you."
"Listen, you're not asking." Cordelia told her. "We are. Let us help you please."
"Ok." Buffy said as she took a deep breath. "Tonight. We have to find them tonight.
We'll go and patrol. We'll take the city in the block system Gunn was talking about earlier."
"That's going to take more then one night." Cordelia answered. "WE don't stand a
chance of finding them tonight."
"It has to be tonight." Buffy said frustrated. "The longer Darla is a vampire the stronger
she'll get. Plus the more idea's she'll get. Not to mention the amount of time she'll have to work on
Angel."
"We could go to the bar." Wesley suggested hesitantly after a moment. "He might be
able to tell us something useful."
"What?" Buffy asked in confusion. "You have a guy like Willy that can give you tips?
That would be sooo great."
Cordelia and Wesley shifted uneasily in their seats. They didn't really know how to
explain this to Buffy, and they weren't sure that she would go for it. They were however in
agreement that it would be some sort of help, any kind of help at this point was welcomed.
"You don't really get to pummel this one." Wesley started. "He's sort of like Cordelia,
but different."
"No visions." Cordelia answered. "Just a connection with the powers that be. I guess
you could say he reads people. Tells them things."
"About themselves, about where they're going in life. He could tell you if your ready for
battle, something about what's standing in your way." Wesley said trying to explain further. He
could tell that Buffy was unsure about this new idea.
"I know what's in my way." Buffy objected. "The fact that they're strong, and I don't
know where they are."
"That might not be all." Dawn broke in. "There's always other things that could come
up. Think about it. You need the help. Plus you'll meet a new demon to tell Giles about. He'll be
thrilled."
"The only thing is," Cordelia started before pausing and going on. "In order for him to
read you, you have to sing."
"Sing? As in with my voice? As in a song?" Buffy questioned a look of slight panic
coming over her face. "No I don't think that's a good idea."
"Don't worry about it." Cordelia told her as she stood. "You can't be any worse then
Angel."
"Angel did this?" Buffy asked in surprise. "We are talking about the same Angel right?
Dark, soulful, or at least he used to be, but brooding. I don't picture him singing."
"That's because he doesn't." Wesley answered wincing as he remembered Angel's last
performance. "It's really very bad."
"Alright." Buffy said after a moment. "However, he better have something useful. If he
tells me that I'm going up against a harmful adversary I'm going to be upset."
AUTHOR: SARGE
E-MAIL: SARGE2525@HOTMAIL.COM
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, OR ANGEL. JOSS WHEDON,
DAVID GREENWALT, THE WB, AND FOX DO. I CLAIM NO OWNERSHIP AND AM MAKING
NO MONEY OFF OF THIS WRITING.
SUMMARY: BUFFY AND THE OTHERS MUST COME UP WITH A PLAN TO SLAY DARLA
AND DRUSILLA BEFORE THEY CAN GET ANGEL TO TURN INTO ANGELUS, AND
DESTROY LA.
RATING: PG-13
AUTHORS NOTE: THIS JUST GOT A BETA READER SO BEAR WITH THE FIRST THREE
PARTS AND THERE MISTAKES. IT SHOULD BE PRETTY CLEAN NOW.
Lindsey walked into his office and was surprised to find Morgan his secretary right on
his heels holding a file folder. She had a very tense look on her face and was fidgeting nervously.
"What is it Morgan?" Lindsey asked her as he took the folder and set it on his desk. It
was the only object on his desk right now. He had closed all his other cases earlier this week, and
Holland had yet to give him the next step to complete with Darla and Drusilla.
"Sir, that's your new case." Morgan said gesturing toward the file folder. "Then the
higher ups would like to see you in the conference room now sir."
"Tell them I'll be there shortly." Lindsey told her as he picked up the phone and opened
his phone book. Then he found the number for Darla and Drusilla.
"Sir." Morgan said shock apparent in her voice. "They said right away."
"I know." Lindsey answered amused by the slight sign of panic on her face. "I have to
make an important call."
"Yes sir." Morgan said turning to leave. She was shaking her head as if knowing that
he might have signed his own death wish. Lindsey knew that they might have killed him, but only
if someone else had lived. They needed someone to blame for what had happened but at the
same time needed someone to take over for Holland. They wouldn't have that person if they killed
him.
Lindsey dialed the number for Darla's cell phone and waited for her to pick it up. To his
surprise it was Drusilla who answered.
"What do you want?" Drusilla asked her voice light and airy. "Did you get the girl?"
"Drusilla let me talk to Darla." Lindsey ordered. He knew that Darla didn't like him. He
had come to terms with that easily enough, but Darla might be able to remember what he said
unlike Drusilla who wasn't all there.
"Yes Lindsey what do you want?" Darla's voice came from the other end of the line. It
was unamused. "Bring the Slayer to the south pier. We'll take her from there."
"I don't have her." Lindsey answered. He stood stock still as he listened to the scream
of pain from some poor soul at the mercy of Darla, who was clearly very upset.
"What do you mean you don't have her?" Darla demanded as the screaming
continued in the background. "I told you not to fail Lindsey. When I get my hands on you you'll
scream ten times more then this guy, and you'll live to feel the pain."
"How nice." Lindsey answered dully. "Cordelia Chase and the rest of her gang went
and brought her back. She did leave you a message though."
"What did the soon to be dead Slayer have to say?" Darla questioned.
"She hopes that you enjoyed hell, and this time around Drusilla can come with you so
you'll have someone to talk to." Lindsey answered. "She seems to be very cocky."
"She's one of the longest living Slayers in history." Darla answered as the screams
became whimpers of pain. "They tend to think of themselves highly."
"I'll find a way to get her to you." Lindsey promised Darla. "The bosses' assistant wants
to meet with me. I'll contact you when I have her."
"Drusilla will know when she's within our grasp." Darla answered. "I know I've said this
before Lindsey, but I meant it. Don't fail us."
"I wouldn't dream of it." Lindsey answered as he hung up the phone. He then turned to
find Morgan standing and looking at him apprehensively from the doorway. "Yes, I know the
senior partner's representative wants to speak with me."
"Right down the hall sir." Morgan answered as she sat down at her desk and began to
type. She was convinced that the world was right again.
When Lindsey entered the conference room he was not surprised to find security
guards as well as the representative waiting for him.
"What can I do for you Sir?" Lindsey asked as he sat down.
"A great many things." the man answered. "However, that is not the purpose of this
meeting. We need to discuss the future of special projects as a unit."
"I'm the only employee of that unit left." Lindsey reminded. "I suggest that we find new
lawyers to take up the positions, or bring some in from our other offices."
"We want one special member for our team." the man answered. "We believe you may
have heard of one similar to her. We want the Slayer."
"Faith?" Lindsey asked hopefully. It wasn't so hopeful that it sounded desperate, but if
you knew him the hope was there.
"The other one. From Sunnydale. She's sane. At least as far as research shows, and
she's intelligent." the man answered. "We've been informed that she makes visits to LA to see
Angel."
"Sir, that's a conflicting interest." Lindsey answered. "Darla and Drusilla
would also like this Slayer. They have a history."
"Wolfram and Hart do not want to disturb our alliance with the vampires." The man
answered. "However, the Slayer goes beyond our duty to them. Get her Lindsey, and give her to
us."
"Do we have plans for her?" Lindsey questioned thinking of the chance to work with the
beautiful blonde every day. "Killer for hire?"
"We have plans." the man answered. "They are ours for now. You will be given them in
time. In the mean time we want you to talk to this vampire for us."
Lindsey looked down at the picture that had been handed to him on top of folder. It
showed a blonde vampire in both game face, and regular face. He seemed to be a normal looking
vampire as far as vampires went. Lindsey didn't see anything remarkable about him.
"Why is this one important?" Lindsey asked after awhile losing his patience with what
was going on. Now that he had been told by two different parties to get the Slayer he was
interested in getting started.
"This one is the most important one." the man answered as he stood. "He is your link to
the Slayer. Read the file. Contact the vampire. Contact the Slayer. Don't play the vampire unless
you have to."
"Then why give me the information?" Lindsey asked. "Why not wait until we know we
have to push?"
"Be familiar with the case." The man suggested. "The vampire is harmless. The details
are enclosed, but he will get you the Slayer. However, the Slayer is another matter. I'll send you
her file tomorrow. Should you get lucky and they come looking for us don't meet with them until
you've read both files."
"What should I tell Darla and Drusilla?" Lindsey questioned. "They want the Slayer
badly. She's a part of their objective with Angel."
"The objective can be completed in other ways. The Slayer is ours. Think of a plausible
lie Lindsey. We have limited assets in this situation, don't allow us to lose them."
"I won't sir." Lindsey answered as he watched the door close. He flipped through the
file for a brief amount of time before standing and heading back to his office. Once there he sat
down and pondered the fact that he had once more been informed of something without knowing
about it first. He hated surprises.
Lindsey read over the file and by the end of page one a satisfied smile was on his face
as a plan began to form. Vampires really were so easy to play. It was shame that this one had
been chipped. The relationship issues might be
problematic though. The entire line was cursed in Lindsey's opinion. Figures that Drusilla was this
one's sire. Meant that he was Angel's grand childe. He really hated this line. They caused so
many problems. Angel couldn't decide if he was good or evil, but either way he seemed to have it
in for Lindsey. Darla and Drusilla were definitely not walking the path of good, and they seemed
to have it in for everything.
"Sir," Morgan said walking in with another file, judging by the thickness and the fact
that it was well-worn Lindsey guessed that it was Angel's file. He was right. It was a good thing
the vampire never found out exactly how much they had on him. They had a lot. It had gained
considerably in thickness sense Darla had shown up. She had given them delightful insight into
Angel, and Angelus. "Here's Angel's file. I thought you might need it."
"What would I do without you?" Lindsey asked as he took the file. He hadn't recalled
any mention of Spike, only of Drusilla. Odd that Darla wouldn't mention that one.
"Will there be anything else today?" Morgan asked as she set the file down. "It's lunch
sir. Would you like anything?"
"Just bring me a coffee when you're done with your break." Lindsey answered. "I'll
have a list of names for you after lunch. See what you can do about getting phone numbers for
the names would you?"
"Of course." Morgan answered as she turned and left closing the door with a soft click.
She was a good person, 26, but with absolutely no idea what really went on in Wolfram and Hart.
Sure she knew that they served odd customers, and that the high security really was needed, but
Lindsey doubted she really knew anything. Morgan did what she was told though, and without
question. That made her a very good secretary.
Lindsey went back to looking at the file's although on a piece of paper the first number
he wrote down was Cordelia Chase. He suspected that was where he would find the Slayer. Then
after a moment of thought he added Wesley, and the new guy Gunn's name to the list. The
Slayer was in LA and she would be with one of the three.
*******
Buffy and the rest of the gang which at the moment only consisted of Dawn, Cordelia, and
Wesley were eating lunch. It was nearly silent. Gunn had returned home claiming that he would
be back two hours before sundown to go over the plan of attack. Buffy found this to be interesting
considering that she had no plan other then slay the evil vampires. She didn't think that plan was
going to get the job done without more details. Sadly Wesley and Cordelia didn't know anything
about where Darla and Drusilla could be, or what they might be up too next. Other then killing
which most of the vampire population of LA was
interested in.
"Well why don't you just ask?" Dawn said after getting sick of the silence. "I mean lets
think about this here. They have to want minions. Why don't you just pose as vampires and trick
the other dumber vampires into telling you where they are."
"It would be sort of hard to make them think we're undead when we all have
heartbeats." Wesley pointed out patently to Dawn.
"Oh." Dawn said as she sat back. She didn't want Buffy to be here, but as long as she
was here Dawn wanted to be able to help her. Dawn was trapped in this building by Buffy who
clearly wasn't planning to leave her alone for longer then two seconds. Apparently they had taken
whatever danger she was into hart. Either that or Buffy was just really mad at her and Joyce knew
it and therefore if Dawn turned up dead Buffy would be grounded.
"So basically we have no plan, and we can't seem to find a way to think of a plan."
Cordelia said extremely frustrated. "We are so dead."
"Ok, we could blow up the building." Buffy suggested. When she received numerous
looks of shock from everyone else at the table she felt the need to go on. "It would kill them. At
least I think it would."
"Yes, it would blow up everyone inside." Wesley answered. "Everyone. How many
innocent people do you think they have in there?"
"Good point." Buffy acknowledged. "Well we could go back to using the Rocket
launcher technique. I just think that might be overboard for two vampires."
"Not to mention all the pieces that have to be picked up." Cordelia said disgust clear on
both her face and in her voice. "I don't think that's a good idea."
"Being hunted by vampires is bad enough." Wesley added. " I think the military would
be overdoing it."
"Yeah, haven't you ever seen Dark Angel?" Dawn asked after a moment. "She's
always having to hide out because the military is after her."
"Dawn, our lives are not a TV show." Buffy reminded her. "It's life, now if you have
anything helpful to contribute please do so, if not I don't want to know."
"What's wrong with finding their hideout and then dusting them?" Wesley asked.
"Drusilla." Buffy answered. "Her visions. I can't be sure what she will know, and what
she won't know. Cordelia gets them to, but from the powers that be. Is there any way we can
pension them to tell us where Darla and Drusilla are?"
"Sorry they tend to tell me whatever they feel like, when they feel like it." Cordelia
answered. "Usually accompanied by splitting headaches."
"Sounds like fun." Buffy said sarcastically. "Well, I guess we could try to dust them. It's
just there's two of them, and with their age and power I think two on one is a bad idea in this
instance."
"Yes," Wesley agreed after a moment realizing that Darla and Drusilla weren't going to
stand there and take turns being dusted. "I see. Well, we could fight one of them. All three of us.
It would at least be a distraction."
"No. Absolutely not." Buffy answered firmly. "I won't put you guys in danger. You want
to help with the research and the slaying of minions, that's fine. I can't let you go against Darla
and Dru though. That's asking to much of you."
"Listen, you're not asking." Cordelia told her. "We are. Let us help you please."
"Ok." Buffy said as she took a deep breath. "Tonight. We have to find them tonight.
We'll go and patrol. We'll take the city in the block system Gunn was talking about earlier."
"That's going to take more then one night." Cordelia answered. "WE don't stand a
chance of finding them tonight."
"It has to be tonight." Buffy said frustrated. "The longer Darla is a vampire the stronger
she'll get. Plus the more idea's she'll get. Not to mention the amount of time she'll have to work on
Angel."
"We could go to the bar." Wesley suggested hesitantly after a moment. "He might be
able to tell us something useful."
"What?" Buffy asked in confusion. "You have a guy like Willy that can give you tips?
That would be sooo great."
Cordelia and Wesley shifted uneasily in their seats. They didn't really know how to
explain this to Buffy, and they weren't sure that she would go for it. They were however in
agreement that it would be some sort of help, any kind of help at this point was welcomed.
"You don't really get to pummel this one." Wesley started. "He's sort of like Cordelia,
but different."
"No visions." Cordelia answered. "Just a connection with the powers that be. I guess
you could say he reads people. Tells them things."
"About themselves, about where they're going in life. He could tell you if your ready for
battle, something about what's standing in your way." Wesley said trying to explain further. He
could tell that Buffy was unsure about this new idea.
"I know what's in my way." Buffy objected. "The fact that they're strong, and I don't
know where they are."
"That might not be all." Dawn broke in. "There's always other things that could come
up. Think about it. You need the help. Plus you'll meet a new demon to tell Giles about. He'll be
thrilled."
"The only thing is," Cordelia started before pausing and going on. "In order for him to
read you, you have to sing."
"Sing? As in with my voice? As in a song?" Buffy questioned a look of slight panic
coming over her face. "No I don't think that's a good idea."
"Don't worry about it." Cordelia told her as she stood. "You can't be any worse then
Angel."
"Angel did this?" Buffy asked in surprise. "We are talking about the same Angel right?
Dark, soulful, or at least he used to be, but brooding. I don't picture him singing."
"That's because he doesn't." Wesley answered wincing as he remembered Angel's last
performance. "It's really very bad."
"Alright." Buffy said after a moment. "However, he better have something useful. If he
tells me that I'm going up against a harmful adversary I'm going to be upset."