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A Momentary Grace (part 2) |
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Disclaimer: Characters and Premise are borrowed from the show "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer." |
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The vampire wasn't acting... well vampiry, Willow thought. Normally when Buffy or any of the Slayerettes encountered one of Sunnydale's more exotic varieties of night life it would attack them, or it would be in the middle of doing something evil. This vampire was simply standing in the center of the cemetery, completely alone, apparently unaware of Willow or Buffy's presence and in full vamp mode. Which was also weird. In willow's experience with vampires, which had become extensive in the three years since she had met Buffy Summers, vampires rarely ran around town looking like vampires. That was unless the vampire was feeding, fighting, or just really, really irate. Still, that pretty much covered the bases for normal vampiric activities, Willow thought, excepting Angel, of course. Which was precisely what made this vamp so unique, he wasn't doing any of those things, he didn't seem to be doing much of anything at all. That made it all the weirder that he hadn't noticed either Willow or Buffy, both of whom were standing only a few yards away from him. As Willow pondered upon the vampire's oddities, Buffy stepped firmly into the clearing. "Hi ugly!" she said brightly, waving to the vampire. Distractedly the vamp glanced up at her, "Flee mortal," he growled baring his fangs at her. Buffy removed a stake from her jacket and tapped it thoughtfully against her chin, "Hmm," she said, "You must new in town. Let me introduce myself... I'm Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, and I don't do fleeing." The vampire stepped forward examining Buffy carefully. "I expected someone more formidable," he said. "Sorry to disappoint," Buffy replied shifting to a fighting stance. Slowly the vampire began circling her. Buffy's eyes followed him, her body tensed, waiting for the vampire to attack. "Will, don't let him get between us," Buffy warned glancing over at her friend. As she did so the vampire stepped back, fading silently into the night. "I hate when they do that," Buffy announced running toward the spot where the vampire had disappeared. "It's so inconsiderate to leave without saying good-bye," Willow seconded. "I wonder what he was doing." Both girls examined the spot where the vampire had been standing. A circle of black rope had been lain out in the grass, inside the circle were two small metal plates, one with a pile of white dust, the other piled with red dust. A small unlit candle stood exactly between the two plates. "Ooh, these look like spell components," Willow said, her face lighting up, as it always did at an opportunity to put her newly acquired skills as a witch to use. "What kind of spell?" Buffy asked. Willow stepped into the circle to examine the dust piles more closely. Hesitantly she reached out to touch the dust, rubbing a pinch between her fingers then smelling it . "They aren't herbs," she said. "More like some kind of metal, I'll have to test them to find out what kind, then I'll know more about the spell." Okay we have a plan," Buffy announced. "We collect Shy Vamp's magic stuff, take it back to school, you and Giles figure out what he was doing, then we stop him." "A plan," Willow agreed digging in her backpack. "A good plan, even." Smiling Willow produced a pair of zip-loc baggies. "Ooh, preparedness girl!" Buffy exclaimed. ================================================================ After school the following day Buffy and Willow met with Giles, Xander and Oz in the library to discuss the previous night's occurrences and Willow's findings. "Wow Buff, you're getting quite the reputation," Xander said. "The vampires are running away from you." "Most unusual," Giles commented. "Willow, were you able to learn anything about the spell the vampire was attempting to cast?" "Well... um the powders were Magnesium and Iron oxide," Willow paused. "I think he might have been casting some sort of seeking spell, 'cause Magnesium is usually used to bring illumination, either figuratively or literally, and Iron oxide's mostly for direction. So direction and illumination, mix them together and poof, you get a spell to find something that's hidden." "Cool," Oz said. "Yes, a most excellent job," Giles added, "Now if we could determine what he was looking for." "Well, this is just a guess," Xander said. "But would it possibly be some kind of world ending magical type thing?" "Yeah," Buffy added. "We've got so many of those kind of things just lying around Sunnydale. Someone ought to open a shop or something." "They would call it `Apocalypse Now'" Xander continued. "Yes, Yes," Giles interrupted. "Undoubtedly it is something unpleasant, but we need to determine specifically what he was after. Buffy, was there anything distinctive about this particular vampire?" "Not really, just your average tasteless suit wearing, adult, blood sucker," Buffy replied. "I could ask Angel, he might have heard something." Giles was unhappily aware of the eagerness in Buffy's voice. Since Spike's last, thankfully brief, visit to Sunnydale, Buffy had been avoiding Angel, and given last year's disastrous events, Giles couldn't help but thing that her decision was really for the best. Still it was all too clear that Buffy missed him and welcomed any opportunity to see Angel. Just as it was clear that, despite the impossibility of their relationship, Buffy still loved Angel. "I'll come with," Xander offered. "I don't need a chaperon," Buffy snapped. "Of course not," Xander replied. "I just wanted to do a little catching up with Dead Boy." Buffy glared at Xander, "Since when?" "I just like reassuring myself of which side he's on," Xander said. "Enough," Giles stated. "Xander, Buffy go check with Angel. Willow could you see if you could learn anything more about the spell. Perhaps you could see if Amy or Michael know anything about it? I'll check the Watchers' diaries for any vampires known to be especially proficient with magic. Oz could you assist me?" Buffy's lips pursed angrily, but she didn't argue. Things could never go back to the way they had been with Angel, and she couldn't really blame Xander or Giles, especially not Giles, for not welcoming him back with open arms. she was just thankful that Willow had accepted him. Still it was annoying that they didn't seem to trust her with him. Willow looked over at Giles, "I'll check with Michael. We haven't managed to de-rat Amy yet." Giles looked pained. ================================================================ "Buffy," Angel greeted her with a sleepy smile as she walked into the mansion's living room. "Sorry to wake you Angel," Buffy said. "But there was a new vamp in town. He was looking for something with magic. We were just wondering if you knew anything about him?" "I don't think your vampire came alone," Angel said. "I've run into several representatives from a new coven in the last few nights. They did seem to be looking for something. Your guy is probably with them. I didn't recognize any of the ones I saw, but they knew me." Xander standing just inside the door, demanded, "What do you mean they knew you?" Angel shrugged, "I talked to a few of them, suggested that Sunnydale was my territory and I wasn't in a mood to share. They told me that their lord went where he pleased and that it would be in my best interest to join him or stand aside. One of them went on to say that Angelus had done an impressive amount of damage in Europe, but that I `lacked the vision of their lord'. They want me to meet with their leader tonight. I was going to tell you about them after I knew more." "Sure, right," Xander interrupted. "Xander..." Angel didn't know what to say. How could he ask for Xander's trust or forgiveness. He'd tried to kill Xander and his friends, he'd tortured Giles, he'd tried to destroy the world... He had killed Jenny Calendar. Willow had returned his soul but nothing could undue the evil he had done. "So, tonight you find out who the new chief creepy in town is," Buffy interjected brightly. "Tonight," Angel repeated gratefully. "You should stop by tomorrow, while the sun's still up, so I can let you know what I find out." "Hmm, that way the vamps won't know and you can collect more info another night, if need be." Buffy said. "Well if Angel doesn't want to be seen with us we'd better be going, huh Buffy?" Xander said. "We should go," she agreed regretfully, "I'll see you later Angel." Angel walked them to the door, Buffy stopped just short of the pool of sunlight in the doorway and turned back to Angel. She reached up to touch his shoulder, staring into his dark, soulful eyes and said, "Be careful tonight." A half smile touched Angel's lips. "Thank you," he whispered brushing a strand of honey blond hair back from Buffy's face. "Uh-huh," Xander cleared his throat loudly. "Time to go Buffy." Angel watched them leave, then went to prepare for the night, sunset was less than an hour away. He was meeting the town's new vampire element at Weatherly Park. Pulling on a dark maroon silk shirt Angel wondered how much the new coven actually knew about him. Obviously then knew about his early life as a vampire, but did they know about the gypsies and their cursing him with a soul? If so tonight could be a trap. On the other hand, his sire Darla had known but she had still continued believing that until he had been forced to kill her in order to protect Buffy. In any case, he would still go tonight. What he was gave Angel a unique ability to help Buffy, to make some small reparations for last year. A chance to show he was on Buffy's side , to her, to Giles and to the others. In a way, things were like they had been when Buffy had first come to Sunnydale. Then he'd been an outsider, the `Cryptic Guy' who'd shown up to give Buffy brief warnings, then vanish back into the shadows. He'd maintained a distance from Buffy despite his attraction to her. He'd wanted to protect her, she was so young and being the Chosen One was a heavy burden. He'd loved her from the first time he'd seen her, back in LA, but he'd kept his distance. He was a vampire, one of the monsters. Back then he'd know he had no place in her life beyond the information he could give her. Then he'd forgotten, had let himself become involved with Buffy. He had come to consider Willow, Xander, Giles and even Cordelia friends. And look what it lead to. Now he and Buffy knew the dangers of being too close, so they kept their distance. Knowing what they did it should have been easy, but every time he saw her, he could only think of how much he loved her. Angel had been alive for two hundred and forty odd years before meeting Buffy Summers, and until then he had never been in love. Until he began helping Buffy he had never done anything in which he could take pride. She was the only thing that gave his life meaning, he would have gladly died for her. But for Buffy's sake he had to stay away from her. ================================================================ Angel left the mansion at sunset, reaching Weatherly Park only moments before two of Sunnydale's latest additions to the after dark crowd. Angel tried to pick-up on anything distinctive enough about the newcomers to allow Giles to identify them. In his earlier encounters all he could come up with was their restraint, both in dress and behavior. Most vampires he'd met tended toward displays of power, especially when dealing with a potential new ally. And while very few vampires dressed like Hollywood thought they should, they usually didn't dress like conservative business people either. It just wasn't a look that blended well with the late night crowds that provided most vampires with their basic nutritional needs. These two were no more distinctive then those he'd met earlier. "Angelus," the taller of the pair greeted him. "And you are?" Angel asked, deciding to match their civility rather than maintaining the aggressive demeanor he had assumed in his earlier discussions with this group. "Cletus, this in Nev," the designated spokes-vamp replied. "Have you considered joining us, as we asked." "I've considered it," Angel replied, "but truthfully I've never been much of a joiner, besides which you guys haven't been real forward about what I'd be joining." "True, however our lord prefers to explain our purpose to newcomers himself. It cuts down on miscommunications. Furthermore it offers him a chance to screen applicants himself. Our lord has always felt too many vampires lack selectivity in both their choice of followers and progeny," Cletus said. "They accept any followers they can dominate and choose their off-spring on a whim. Quite frankly, your handling of Drucillia reflects poorly on you. Her unique talents made her a promising candidate, but your games spoiled her potential. You are only being considered because of your reputation as a formidable warrior and your relative youthfulness during the whole Drucillia incident." "What I did to Dru was a mistake," Angel commented. Nev nodded in approving agreement. "Please come with us," Nev said, gesturing to a rental car parked outside of the park. "Where?" Angel asked. "Don't concern yourself with that," Cletus said, "In fact until some things have been decided I'm afraid we must insist the you be blindfolded." "I think you're forgetting yourself," Angel stated, "You're visitors, uninvited ones I might add, in my town." "Angelus, you don't control the vampire community in Sunnydale, Trick does and that is open to change. You are being offered a rare opportunity, show a little grace," Cletus replied. "I'm not overwhelmed with enthusiasm," Angel said. "Then just humor us," Nev said. Angel shrugged, he would have liked to tell Buffy where the new vampire stronghold was located, but he was hardly surprised at their precautions. He got in the car and allowed Nev to blindfold him without further protest. The drive was quiet, and longer than Angel felt a town like Sunnydale could justify, unless they were taking a round about route to throw off his sense of direction. They needn't have bothered, Angel thought, he didn't drive often enough to recognize even a simple trip in a car. When they stopped Angel reached up to remove the blindfold, an iron grip restrained him. One of his escorts made an amused tsking sound. Angel guessed it was Nev, it seemed more in character for the quieter vampire. Cletus seemed a little too fond of pompous pronouncements. The pair guided him for a few dozen paces, and inside what seemed to be a relatively small building, before removing the blindfold. Angel found himself inside a small nondescript room, the furniture was cheap and the single window was boarded up. An older looking vampire sat before him on a straight backed kitchen chair. The vampire was dressed like his followers, in gray slacks, a white dress shirt and a navy blue sports jacket, but his shoulder length white hair and the heavy bronze torc around his neck hinted that his origins were more exotic and ancient than his clothing would suggest. "Be welcome Angelus," he said, gracefully gesturing for Angel to seat himself in another chair. "I am Kelvasus, lord of the Toramon." "Never heard of them," Angel said dismissivily. "Our days of glory were ended long before your birth, but our time will return, and soon." Angel leaned back in his chair faking a bored yawn. "Well, lets hear it, how do you plan to conquer, or destroy the world?" "I don't," Kelvasus replied, "I merely wish a small kingdom, defensible by those loyal to me. As a human I was the leader of a Celtic tribe during the Roman invasion of our land, despite the fact that Rome was already in decline my people lacked both the numbers and the technology to halt the Roman advance. Then I was granted a great boon, vampirism. I shared my gift with my people, for years we defended our valley against the invaders, but the Romans eventually learned our weaknesses. They came in the day, seeking our sanctuaries, burning us out of our homes. In the end I was forced to call a retreat, taking the remainder of my people into hiding. We have remained hidden since that time. We came to `your' charming little town because it possesses the last two things we need to create the kingdom I desire." "And those are?" Angel asked. "You aren't one of my people yet," Kelvasus said. "You must excuse me if I keep some secrets." "Of course," Angel said with a grimace that tried to disguise itself as a smile. "What *can* you tell me about this secure kingdom of yours?" "In Britain we weren't defeated by the Romans, we were defeated by the sun," Kelvasus said. "Great, how do plan to protect your kingdom from the sun?" Angel asked fighting to hide his dread behind skepticism. "The earth already possesses a suitable shield, all that remains is to properly position it." ================================================================ Buffy had spent a quiet evening with her mathematics text. Giles decided that it would be best to cancel patrols for a night rather than risk her blowing Angel's cover prematurely by bumping into him that night. Which meant no Bronzing either. So Buffy had spent the evening at home, performing what was for her an unusual ritual, commonly know to students across the country as homework. Buffy had tried to pretend she was just a normal high school senior, spending a normal school night at home hitting the books with nothing more pressing on her mind than next week's math test. Which given another night or so of enforced quiet and a little of Willow's miracle tutoring, Buffy might reasonably hope for a grade that went beyond merely passing. Which was a good thing, since seeing her SAT scores Buffy's mother had been less enthused about Buffy's barely passing grades. Joyce had taken to giving her daughter speeches about living up to one's potential and leaving more of the slaying to Faith, who was AWOL at the moment. She'd left Giles a note about checking on some vampire activity in a neighboring town and that she'd be back in a week or so. Joyce knew about the slaying now, which, Buffy was learning, was an entirely different issue from accepting it. ================================================================ The next morning Buffy prepared hurriedly for school, she wanted to stop by the mansion before hand to find out what Angel had learned, and to see that he was all right. Buffy quickly put on jeans and a blue sleeveless top then turned to her mirror to put up her hair. Staring at her reflection Buffy realized that it had been a long time since she had truly concerned herself with just what the in thing to wear was. She couldn't even blame being the Chosen One for this change. It was too recent, dating back only to Angel's return. It was tough to find the energy to care about having the look, when you'd found the one for you; your soul-mate, Buffy thought with a bitterly ironic smile. Then you learn that it's impossible to be with him despite the fact he's waiting for you just across town. When Buffy had believed Angel was lost forever she had grieved. Guilt over what had happened had driven her from her responsibilities as the Slayer and from Sunnydale itself for a time, but she had started to deal with that. Then Angel had returned, in an inexplicable miracle which Buffy was grateful for to the bottom of her soul. But she didn't know how to cope with it, Angel was back but neither Giles nor Xander could accept him, and try as she might Buffy couldn't seem to change her feelings toward him. Not loving him was as unthinkable to her as loving him was. Buffy would never do anything to risk his soul again but when they were together accidents, like the kiss Xander had witnessed, just seemed to happen. When she avoided Angel finding a reason to see him was all she could think about. Even this morning's visit, brief as it would have to be for her to get to school on time, left Buffy excited and vitalized in a way that very little else could. ================================================================ "A sun shield for a whole kingdom?" Buffy asked. Angel nodded, "That was the most straight forward answer I received about his plans all night." He smiled slightly, "Now I understand how annoying cryptic messages can be." Buffy laughed softly moving closer to Angel, "When I first met you there were nights when all I wanted to do was shake a simple yes/no answer out of you... Then you'd smile and by the time I'd gotten back on track you'd have disappeared." Tentatively Angel put his arms around her and rested his cheek against the top of her head. Buffy sighed, resting contentedly in his embrace, "I've missed this," she whispered. Angel jerked back as if stung, "I'm sorry," he said. Buffy looked at him sadly. "I better go to school huh?" she said. Angel nodded, "I'll try to learn more about Kelvasus tonight." "Maybe we'll get lucky," Buffy said. "Giles might had the low down on this Kelvasus already." ================================================================ Xander waited for Buffy and Willow on the front steps of Sunnydale high, instead he saw Cordelia walking toward him. As always Cordy's clothes were the height of fashion, this morning she wore black slacks and a low necked, wrap around, red, top. Xander waved to her hopefully. Since Willow and Oz had patched things up' he'd entertained hopes that his relationship with Cordy might also be mendable. Cordelia gave him a brief look generally reserved for slugs and certain kinds of spider, the big, hairy, ugly ones to be precise, then breezed past him without a word. She just needs more time, Xander reassured himself. She'll come around. About the same time as the next ice age, the more cynical, less self-deluded part of his mind added. A few minutes later Willow appeared. "Will, how goes the pooling of witchly knowledge?" Xander asked. "Michael agreed that it's a seeking spell. Probably a weakly directional one, not really anything I didn't know last night," Willow replied discouraged. "Did Angel know anything?" "Dead Boy said there was a new group of vamps in town and he was planning on sounding them out last night," Xander said grimacing. "Buffy's supposed to be getting an update after sunrise." "She probably went to talk with him before school," Willow surmised. Then paused cocking her head to one side, "Buffy hasn't seen Angel for a couple of weeks and sunrise was only fifteen minutes ago." The ringing of the five minute warning bell interrupted Willow. "Unless Angel's news was really urgent, which it probably wasn't if he didn't contact her last night," Willow continued. "I wouldn't bet on seeing Buffy till second period, at the earliest." "Come on Will, Buffy's not going to upset both her mother and Giles, not to mention getting in trouble with Snyder by missing school just to chat with Dead Boy." Willow just looked at Xander for a few moments. "All right," he sighed "Buffy even noticing she's late would be like Sylvester and Tweety getting together for a friendly cup of coffee." ================================================================ Buffy sat in the cafeteria, delicately using her fork to dissect the unidentified lump on her tray. "The fearless Slayer ventures into danger once again, bravely facing down a horrendous foe who had been the terror of untold legions of hapless students throughout the years." Xander intoned sitting down across from her. "What is it?" Buffy asked with a final poke at the lump. "The menu called it lasagna," Xander said. "but don't believe everything you read, it's truly the end product of a fiendish plot to destroy all sense of good taste in the student body of Sunnydale High." "And that sets it apart from every other meal served here how?" Buffy replied. "Ah, therein lies the fiendishness of the plot," Xander responded. "It doesn't. Bon Appetite!" Willow and Oz approached the table already deep in conversation. "I can bring the hangers," Willow said as they sat down. In what Buffy considered a non sequitur Oz replied, "I think a welding mask would be better." Buffy looked to Xander, hoping she wasn't the only one mystified by this exchange. She needn't have worried, "Okay, hangers and welding masks, what do they have in common?" Xander asked. "And if this has anything to do with sex tell me more, 'cause it sounds kinda kinky." Oz glanced at Xander and grinned conspiratorially, "It's too public to go into the details here." Willow blushed. "It's for the eclipse," she blurted out. "Oh yeah," Buffy exclaimed as lightbulbs illuminated in her mind. "So you can look at one without hurting your eyes." "What eclipse? When?" Xander asked. "Man, you're missing in the current events category," Oz remarked. "It's been all over the news," Willow said. "Full solar eclipses are very rare and we're having one Saturday." "A full eclipse, Saturday," Buffy murmured thoughts linking up into ugly patterns. "A new vamp organization in town that wants to blot out the sun, coincidence? I think not." "We'd better tell Giles," Willow said. As the group trooped out of the cafeteria, abandoning mostly full trays to the dishwasher Xander commented, "A major victory for taste buds everywhere." ================================================================ In the library Giles was making only moderate progress in following up the clues Buffy had passed on to him earlier that day. He was still uncertain as to what a vampire could do about the sun and the Watcher's Diaries contained only a brief mention of Kelvasus. Kelvasus had killed a very young Slayer named Nicolet in Russia seven hundred years ago. Nicolet hadn't been the Chosen One for even a month at the time of her death. Her watcher had died a few weeks later in a suicidal attempt to avenge Nicolet. The watcher's journal entries chronicling his doomed attempt gave very little useful information on Kelvasus, focusing instead on the author's guilt over having failed to properly prepare his Slayer for her destiny. Rupert could sympathize with the man's feelings but with his self-indulgent ramblings, he had failed in his duty yet again. "Giles! News flash," Buffy exclaimed bursting into the library with her typical exuberance. Willow, Xander and Oz flanked her. Giles looked up from his studies, automatically readjusting his glasses as he did so. "There's an eclipse Saturday," Willow added. "Could Kelvasus' plans involve that?" Buffy asked. "It provides another line of inquiry." Giles replied. "In fact I have a vague recollection of an artifact which was said to have the power to alter the courses of the planets. If that artifact does in fact exist it could very well be what he's seeking." "Good, now all we have to do is find the magical thingy before he does," Buffy said. "Yes, that would be advisable," Giles concurred. "Angel can continue monitoring Kelvasus' progress while we search for the artifact. I'll review my records on it, I believe it was called the Shadwen." "Whoa, unnecessary complication," Xander objected, "How about Angel leads us to the vampires then we stake them, end of problem." "Except Angel doesn't know where they are," Buffy said. "Or how many on them are around." "Furthermore, your solution only postpones the problem until the next time a Master vampire learns of the Shadwen's existence and decides to put it to use," Giles said. "Yeah, but it takes away the race element of this adventure," Xander argued. "With the competition out of the running we can look for the whatchamacallit without worrying about them getting to it first." "He's got a point," Oz said. "Our priority must be the artifact," Giles said. "Should we find Kelvasus or his followers while searching for the Shadwen, then we will certainly deal with them. However, vampires tend to be much more mobile than artifacts. Hopefully my research will offer some insight into the Shadwen's whereabouts." ================================================================ |
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