Angel and Liz walked stealthily to the entrance of the abandoned warehouse Spike called home. Spike himself was no danger to them, but who knew if he had henchmen or booby traps set up. Better to be safe than sorry.
"Ready?" Angel asked as the stood outside the entrance.
"Let's go." Liz said.
"You go in first, and see what you can get out of him. Call if you have any trouble, I'll be your backup, and Plan B." Angel said as he loaded the crossbow.
"Deal. Watch yourself out here okay? Last thing I need is for my back up plan to bite the dust. So to speak." Liz said as she quietly entered Spike's lair. She didn't see the vampire but from all accounts that meant nothing. "Spike? You in here?" she called, as she walked about looking in all directions. She turned around when she heard something drop from above. "Nice entrance." she remarked.
"Thank you!" Spike said, proudly, "Been waiting for a chance to use it... practiced it for a while!"
"Now that we've gotten the pleasantries out of the way, let's get to the point of my little visit. Druscilla's in town. What do you know?"
"Dru is in town?" Spike exclaimed, getting excited for a moment.
"Yes. I take it by your reaction she didn't notify you of her impending arrival?"
"That would be a no," Spike snorted. "Not that I want to see her anyway," he covered.
"I'm sure. Look if you don't know what she's up to, would you happen to know someone who would?"
Spike sighed, "Why should I tell you?"
"Oh I don't know. I'd suggest doing it out of the goodness of your heart but since you don't have one that'd be a lost cause. How's this? You tell me and I'll tell Angel over there not to fire the crossbow at you." Liz pointed behind Spike.
"Yeah, like I am going to fall for that!" Spike scoffed.
"Wound him Angel." Liz said.
"Ow!" Spike said as he held his shoulder and turned around. "Well, well, Angel. How are you?"
"Do much better if you would just cooperate." Angel shrugged, "You would do much better if you cooperated for that matter."
"And throw Dru to the lions? I don't think so mate." Spike said.
"Didn't she dump you twice? Not to mention flaunt her lover over there in front of you when Angel was Angelus?"
Spike deflated, "Yeah, you know she did."
"So here's a chance for payback." Liz said with a smile. "Not to mention we'll let you live if you tell us."
"Oh alright!" Spike gave in, "You might want to check Vinnie's."
"Vinnie's? Is that anything like Willie's in Sunnydale?" Angel asked.
"Vinnie is actually Willie's brother, if that tells you anything." Spike laughed.
"Demon bar?" Liz asked.
"Demon bar." Angel confirmed.
"Let's go." Liz reached into her bag. "Thanks Spike." She handed him a bag of blood. "I hope you like pig's blood."
Spike grimaced. "Love it," he said sarcastically.
"Good. Buh-bye." Liz and Angel left the warehouse.
hr
"Maybe I should go in alone." Liz said as they neared the bar.
"No, it looks pretty full right now. I don't want you to be outnumbered," Angel replied.
"Angel demons far and wide pretty much know who you are right?"
"Yeah."
"So I go in there with a vampire who fights the forces of darkness instead of helping them I'm going to get no where."
"And you being the slayer is going to be a point in your favor!" Angel said sarcastically.
"Yeah you're right." Liz mulled it over. "Let's go. If we don't have any luck we'll send Doyle in tomorrow with Michael."
"Sounds like a plan." Angel said, opening the door and ushering her in.
"Think that's Vinnie behind the bar?" Liz asked.
"Only one way to find out!" Angel said.
Liz and Angel took stools. "What can I get for you?" the greasy looking man asked.
"You Vinnie?" Liz said.
"Who's askin'?" he replied warily.
"We just wanted to meet the owner of this fine establishment." Liz said.
"Consider us the welcome wagon." Angel was getting impatient, "So does that mean you are Vinnie?"
"Maybe."
"You're gonna make me hit you aren't you?" Liz asked.
The man laughed, "Oh, the little girl's gonna hit me!"
"Angel?" Liz looked at him.
"Do it. Hard."
Liz drew back her fist and popped the older man in the nose. He went from laughing to whining. "Damn! What the hell are you?"
"Damn Angel! My reputation sure hasn't spread very far!" Liz complained.
"You're new at this. Give it time." Angel advised. "Now, Vinnie, is it? We're looking for some information."
Vinnie held his nose, and said reluctantly, "What kind of information?"
"A vampire by the name of Druscilla's in town. What's she doing here and where can we find her?" Liz asked.
"A blonde came in about a week ago. Wanted to know where she could find a vampire with a little brain and a lot of violence."
"A blonde?"
"Yeah, tall, soft voice, beautiful, but really evil," He shuddered.
"Well the tall lets out Tess." Liz said. "What else? Did she have a name?"
"Started with a D. Dana? Diana?" The man replied. He shook his head, "Can't remember exactly."
"Thanks you've been a big help. Let us know if she comes in again." Angel said.
"Yeah, sure!" The guy nodded rapidly.
"C'mon Liz." Angel said as he got up.
Vampire and slayer left the bar. As soon as they got clear Liz stopped Angel. "What do you know?"
"It sounds like it might be Darla." Angel said with a worried expression.
"Darla? She's dust in the wind remember?" Liz was incredulous.
"Yeah, well, Doyle came back from the dead, *I* came back from the dead, dead isn't so final anymore." Angel said, shaking his head.
"But how? I don't see the Oracles resurrecting Darla for the good of mankind."
"There are other ways... Let's go talk to Wesley and see if he knows anything on how she might have come back." Angel said.
Liz looked at her watch. "Okay but I can't stay long."
"That's fine I am sure, he'll probably be in research mode for a while before he is ready to tell us anything."
"Let's go." Liz said.
hr
Liz slid in through her window at about 1 am and stretched. Wesley had been in major research mode and it had been all she could do to escape. She jumped, noticing a shape in the corner, she got into attack mode.
"Liz?" a soft voice came.
"Max?" She let out her breath, relieved, "What are you doing there?"
"I said I'd wait for you didn't I?" Max came out of the shadows.
"Yeah, well I figured you would have given up by now! Its 1 in the morning!" she softened the statement with a smile, kissing him on the cheek.
"I had to make sure you got home safely didn't I?" He slid his arms around her. "How'd it go?"
"Well, we found out some information, but if Angel is right, its gonna be ugly," Liz said, "But I don't wanna talk shop now." She said giving him a passionate kiss and plopping herself in his lap.
"You're gonna have to for at least a few more minutes." Max handed Liz the phone. She gave him a look. "Michael."
"Michael." Liz sighed and dialed Michael's apartment.
"Hewwo?" a sleepy voice answered.
"Michael? It's Liz. Did I wake you?"
"No. Liz, it's 1 AM. Did you just get home?!"
"Yeah. Look we all need to talk tomorrow. It's important. Did everyone get home alright?"
"Yeah, Alex walked Isabel home, and I walked Maria home." Michael replied.
"Anything happen?"
"No, nothing."
"At all?" Liz said, frowning.
"Well I'm sorry we didn't get attacked. We'll work on it for next time."
"You know what I mean Michael."
Michael sighed, "Yeah, I know. But just be glad for the small reprieve."
"Get some sleep. I'll see you later." Liz said.
"Okay. Say goodnight to Max for me."
"I will." Liz smiled, Michael knew Max to well.
"Night Lizzie."
"G'nite." Liz hung up the phone and looked at Max. "How much trouble would you get in if you didn't come home tonight?"
"Lots... if they noticed. Izzy would probably cover for me though." Max replied with a gleam in his eye.
"Good. You can go home at sun up. By the way Michael says goodnight."
"So where do I sleep?"
Liz smiled as she got off Max's lap and pulled back her bed covers. Before she got into bed she locked her bedroom door. "Take your shoes off."
Max rushed to do as she asked, nearly falling out of the chair in his haste.
Liz giggled. "Shh. You wake my parents and we're dead."
Max looked at her sheepishly, "Sorry!"
"It's okay. C'mere." She reached out her hand.
He slowly walked over to her and took her hand.
She gently tugged him into her bed and laid him down. She switched off her lamp and lay down next to him. "Comfortable?"
He pulled her into his arms, her head resting on his chest, he chin resting on her head, "Now I am!"
"Good. Night Max." Liz yawned.
"Night." he said softly.
hr
"Liz?"
Liz jumped at Michael's voice in her ear. She turned around and started slapping his arm. "Don't do that!"
"Sorry! Sheesh!" he said, though he couldn't resist grinning at her reaction.
Liz took a deep breath to calm herself. "Next time you do that I will make what I did to Riley look like a walk in the park."
Michael immediately wiped the grin off his face, "Yes ma'am."
"Good." Liz looked around him. "Looks like you're the only one who understands the meaning of the words 'important news'."
"No, I'm just the quickest to do your bidding!" Michael winked at her.
"Cause you know I can mortally wound you?" Liz teased.
"Well, that's one reason!"
"One reason for what?" Alex asked as he appeared. "Private Whitman reporting for duty."
"Reason we grovel at Ms. Liz's feet."
"Oh. Cause she can kill us?"
"Slowly and painfully." Liz said. "Oh by the way I need to know everything on record about Vinnie's Bar."
"Can do!" Alex said, "Have to go somewhere with a computer with Internet access, of course..."
"After school at the house."
"What's Vinnie's Bar?" Michael asked.
"Hangout for demons."
"Ah!" he said, then crinkled his brow, "Demons drink?"
"Well sometimes. I mean I think saw blood on tap there."
"Okay Liz? TMI."
"TMI?"
"Too Much Information." Alex translated for his friend. "So are you gonna tell us why we've been summoned?"
"Looks like things might be worse than we thought," Liz said hesitantly, "but I want to tell everyone at once. You DID tell everyone, didn't you Michael?"
"I told Maria and Alex. I figured Max told Is."
"Alright," Liz sighed impatiently, pacing back and forth.
"Liz what's going on?" Michael asked.
Liz stopped pacing. "Remember that picture you found the first day you were at the house?"
"The vampire that looked like Topolsky?"
"Yes. Angel thinks she's been resurrected."
"Didn't Giles say that she's particularly evil?" Michael asked.
"Yes. And the fact that she looks like Topolsky is even more dangerous."
"She probably doesn't know she looks like Topolsky," Alex said helpfully.
"True, but it won't take her long to figure it out. Somebody is bound to approach her if she shows in public," Liz said unhappily.
"Like Valenti." Alex said.
"Oh God he's right." Liz said.
"We need to warn him, Liz." Michael said.
"Warn who?" Max asked as he and Isabel walked in.
"Where's Maria?" Liz said.
"She was just pulling up as we were walking in. She should be here soon. Liz what's the matter? You look like you've seen a ghost." Isabel said.
"We have a problem guys. A big one." Liz answered seriously.
"Oh good. I like problems first thing in the morning." Maria said as she walked up. "Especially big ones. What's the deal?"
"Okay, good, you're all here now," Liz said, relieved, "Have any of you guys seen a woman who looks like Topolsky around town in the last few days?"
"No not really." Max said.
"Me neither. But then again I haven't been going out much." Maria said.
"That's a no for me too." Isabel said.
"Okay, well if you do, stay clear of her. She is a vampire named Darla. Really bad news."
"Wait a second. Darla? As in the vamp who made Angel? Isn't she dust?" Max asked.
"She's Baaaccckkk!!!" Michael said in his interpretation of the little girl in the movie 'Poltergeist'.
"How?" The warning bell for homeroom rang. "Damn."
"I think the more appropriate question is WHO?" Liz answered, "and that is yet to be determined, though Angel has some suspicions."
"Like that whacked out law firm in LA you were telling me about?" Alex asked.
"They are first on the short list!" Liz affirmed as they gathered up their bookbags and headed out the door.
"Lunch. Where are we?" Maria asked. "Bandroom's booked today."
"Um.... Football field? We'll bypass sparring for strategizing I think."
"Too easy to be eavesdropped on. Library?" Michael suggested.
"Same story." Liz answered, "Eraser room?"
"Can you imagine the talk if all 6 of us went in there together!" Maria started laughing hysterically.
"The pool." Isabel said. "No one goes in there and we can lock the doors."
"Perfect!" Liz yelled over her shoulder as she started running down the hall. "C'mon, we're gonna be late!"
"See you guys at lunch." Michael said running in the opposite direction.
hr
Liz leaned tiredly against her locker after the lunch bell rang. She was waiting for Max.
Max came around the corner and saw Liz. She looked exhausted. He walked up to her, "Hey. You okay?"
"Long morning." She smiled tiredly. Then she tilted her head to the side when she caught sight of someone who wasn't supposed to be there. "Doyle? What are you doing here?"
"Hey Liz. Max." Doyle nodded to both, "Wesley had an epiphany in his research and wants you to come as soon as possible."
"School, Doyle remember? I start cutting and my parents will kill me." Liz said.
"Yeah, right. As a former schoolteacher I frown upon that myself," he agreed, "just make sure you come right after school. Or during a study hall if you have one."
"I'll be there moments after the final bell rings." Liz promised.
"Alright, can't ask for more then that, now can I?" Doyle responded with a grin.
"No." Liz smiled.
"Hi Max. Liz." Tess said.
"Tess," Liz said, inwardly groaning.
"Who's your friend?" She said giving Doyle the once over slowly.
"I'm Doyle," Doyle introduced himself in his usual friendly manner. This girl gave him a strange vibe though, "Well, I'd love to stay an' chat, but I am sure you guys need to get to class, and I have some more errands to run! See ya later!"
"Bye Doyle." Liz waved.
"Later man." Max said. "You ready to go?" He murmured in Liz's ear.
"Couldn't be more so!" she answered cheerily with clinched teeth
"You know Liz your friend's kinda cute. He available?"
"Uh no Tess. That man is definitely spoken for!" Liz warned, though the idea of Cordelia laying into Tess had its appeals.
"Too bad." Tess said thoughtfully.
"Besides you're really not his type." Liz said.
"His type?" Tess asked snottily.
"He's not big on sleaze." Liz said sweetly and then took Max's hand and walked away leaving an open mouthed Tess in the middle of the hallway.
Tess's eyes narrowed as Max and Liz entered the classroom. "Ooh, Liz you are definitely going to pay. Just haven't figured out what exactly I am going to do yet."
hr
"I can't believe you just said that to her."
"I can't either!" Liz giggled, "But it was FUN!"
"What was fun?" Michael asked as they all sat down in the stands by the pool.
"Making snide comments about Tess to her face!" Liz replied with a grin.
"What did you say to her?"
"She, in effect, called her a skank," Max answered for her, trying to sound disapproving, but he was fighting off a smile.
"Good for you Liz." Michael said heartily.
"Why thank you!" Liz said, bowing slightly.
"What exactly did you say to her? Cause I just saw her and she looked pissed." Alex said.
"She called her a whore!" Michael said happily.
"I did not!" Liz protested. "She was giving Doyle the eye so I told her that Doyle wasn't big on sleaze."
Alex laughed heartily, "I bet she loved that!"
"I didn't stick around for the retaliation." Liz said.
"I would've loved to have seen her face." Maria said.
"Yeah!" Michael and Alex agreed.
"I just saw Tess." Isabel said as she came in. "She was muttering something about revenge under her breath. Which one of you ticked her off?"
"Liz!" Michael, Max and Alex answered, pointing at her as they did.
"What did you say?" Isabel asked as she sat down.
"She called her a skank!" Max said.
"Called her a whore!" Michael replied.
"Said she was a slut!" Alex answered.
"Liz! Kiss your mother with that mouth?"
"No. I kiss your brother."
Isabel rolled her eyes. "Hadn't noticed," she said sarcastically.
"Uh-huh." Liz muttered. "Anyway all I told Tess was that Doyle wasn't big on sleaze. Now can we get to the point of this meeting?"
There was overall groaning from the group, though they all nodded in assent.
"First order of business was a point brought up by Michael this morning. Do we tell Valenti?"
"As we mentioned before, he is a good ally to have, and when he doesn't have the whole picture he is dangerous." Alex stated.
"Yeah but would he believe us? Michael didn't believe me till I shoved him out of the way to kill a vampire."
"So we take him on a field trip." Isabel said sensibly.
"Might work. What about Kyle?" Liz said. "You know Valenti's been in full disclosure mode since Kyle was shot."
Everyone glanced at each other. "Even if Valenti would keep it from him, he would start getting all suspicious of us again. We should tell him." Michael said, surprising everyone.
"This is getting out of hand. Angel's right. I should just take out a billboard." Liz said lying back on the bench.
"Well the only people left that we won't have told are your parents. No one else cares what you are up to," Alex said, trying to be reassuring.
"I feel much better now. Thanks Alex." Liz said sarcastically. "Damn forces of darkness."
"So are we all in agreement? We tell Valenti and Kyle?" Max asked.
"Aye." Liz said.
"I agree," Isabel answered.
"Me too," Alex affirmed.
Michael nodded, having already stated his case on both subjects.
Maria nodded slowly, deciding to trust Michael's instincts, "Yes."
"When?" Max asked as he lifted Liz's head and then laid it back down on his lap.
"I say right after Liz is finished with Wesley this afternoon!" Maria said. "The sooner the better, preferably before sunset."
"Yeah that brings up another good point." Michael said. "Liz I think we should teach everyone how to fight. And no one goes anywhere without someone else."
"Woah! This is getting intense here!" Maria exclaimed, she had known there was danger, but her learning to fight?
"It's just to arm yourself." Michael said.
"Can aliens be turned into vampires?" Alex asked.
"Don't plan to find out." Michael said, simply.
"Good plan." Isabel said quietly. "Do wooden stakes really work?
"My weapon of choice in most situations!" Liz answered
"Then there's the crossbow which Michael insists on using mainly to puncture the tires of Angel's car." Max said.
"I only did that once, thank you very much!" Michael protested.
"Holy water's good too. Crosses and for some reason bells irritate the undead and all demons really." Liz said. She got looks. "What?"
"Bells?" Isabel asked incredulously.
"Yeah. I don't know why. I mean they irritated the hell out of Angel when I tested out the theory. I thought he was gonna bite me."
Max made a face upon hearing that.
"Did it annoy Doyle?" Alex asked.
"Doyle?" Maria and Isabel echoed.
"Oh that's right. We didn't tell them did we?" Liz tilted her head to look Max in the eye.
Max shook his head, "Guess not!"
"Doyle's a demon?" Maria asked.
"Half demon."
"And he is good?" Isabel asked.
"Yes." Michael said. "He's a half Braechen demon. They get really wicked visions."
"Visions of what?" Maria asked curiously.
"Well Doyle doesn't get visions anymore but he used to get visions of people in trouble."
"Why doesn't he get them anymore?" Alex asked, he had never heard the whole story.
"Maria you have your oils?" Liz asked as she sat up.
"What?" Maria asked, "Yeah, I do." She hurried to get them out, knowing this was going to be a doozy.
"Doyle sort of died a while ago and was brought back." Liz said.
"Died?!" Maria gasped, her reaction was about what Liz had expected.
"Explain please?" Isabel said.
"Doyle gave his life to save Angel, Cordy and a whole bunch of half demons from a group of Demons called the Scourge. The PTB saw that Cordy and Angel still needed him in their fight against evil, so they decided to give him a second chance at life, because his sacrifice made him a true hero," Liz explained.
Isabel and Maria listened with dreamy expressions on their faces.
"That's so cool." Maria said. "Are Doyle and Cordy ya know?"
"Cordy and Doyle are working on it," was all Liz would say.
"Cool."
The bell ran signaling the end of the lunch period.
"So house after school?" Michael asked. "We all need to know what we're up against Liz."
"Yes, that sounds like a plan," Liz agreed, "Man! Lunch is over already! Back to class guys!"
"Wait a sec." Alex said suddenly. "Maria what about your mom?"
"What about her?" Maria asked with a crinkled brow.
"She's out a lot after dark in places that don't always have a lot of people."
"Which are perfect feeding spots." Liz said groaning.
"Guys, as much as I want to protect my mom, do you think she could handle this kind of information?" Maria asked, worried.
"Amy's open minded but she's not that open minded." Liz said. "I'll talk to Angel. Maybe he or Doyle can keep an eye on her. I wonder if Spike owes us any favors."
"Well, you have been supplying him with blood periodically for weeks," Alex pointed out.
"True." Liz said thoughtfully. "We better go. Whose locker after school?"
"Mine," Isabel said, "It's the furthest from Tess's, and the last thing we need is a confrontation with her due to your previous insult."
"Okay. C'mon Maria. English class calls. Bye guys." Liz said grabbing her friend's arm.
"Bye!" they all chorused running off in various directions.
Hr
"So whose car are we taking?" Liz asked as the six approached the exit to school.
"Well, we won't all fit in one, so we'll take the jeep and Maria's mom's car," Isabel said logically.
"Alright. I'm riding in the jeep. Alex?" Liz said.
"Jeep, Izzy too," Alex replied for both of them.
Maria inwardly groaned realizing she had been neatly cornered into being alone in a car with Michael.
"See you guys at the house." Max waved cheerfully as he got into the driver's seat of the jeep. Isabel was in the back with Alex and Liz had taken the passenger's side.
"Bye guys." Liz called.
"Bye," Michael and Maria called, and then fell into an uncomfortable silence.
"If she wasn't the slayer I'd kick her ass." Maria said as she started to her car. "You coming?"
"Yeah," Michael mumbled, quickly getting into the car.
"So you and Liz get along pretty well now." Maria commented as she pulled her car out of its space.
"Yeah, she is the sister I always wanted," Michael said sincerely.
"I guess when you fight side by side a lot you get to trusting each other and stuff." Maria said.
"Yeah, that's part of it," Michael agreed. "But is was also about accepting each other as we are, no expectations," he mused. "Plus we supported each other through our broken hearts." he immediately wished he could take that last statement back.
"Yeah but Lizzie's heart isn't broken anymore." Maria said. "Did you ever sleep in the same room with her?"
"What?" Michael asked.
"I mean how far does the comfortable thing go? Did you and she ever fall asleep together?"
"Maria, I already told you, that I consider her my sister, I am not going to justify these crazy questions with answers," Michael said, exasperated.
"I'm not asking if you had sex I'm asking if you and she ever fell asleep together. I mean I've fallen asleep with Alex tons of times."
"Fine then, yes. A few times. We've been keeping the rather odd hours of late," he said, practically daring her to make something of it.
"Thank you. Would that change if I said I've been thinking that maybe Liz is right and life is too short to waste time?"
"What do you mean, 'would that change'?" Michael asked, confused. "And Liz is definitely right about life being to short," he added.
"I mean would you continue to fall asleep with her or would you fall asleep with me?"
"Maria pull over."
Maria glanced at him, he looked real serious, she pulled into the nearest parking lot.
Michael took a deep breath. "I love you but I think you know that, right?"
Maria nodded, though there was a little doubt in her eyes.
"I am sorry for the way I reacted to what I did to Pierce. Pushing you away was probably the stupidest thing I could've done at that point but I am willing to start over again if you are."
Maria gave a deep sigh, tears in her eyes, "I think I'd like that," she replied softly.
"Oh thank God." Michael pulled Maria to him and hugged her.
Maria's answer was to start sobbing into his arms, Michael pulled back in alarm, "What's wrong?"
"I almost lost you and I didn't even know it."
"Oh Maria!" Michael said sadly, he pulled her back into his arms. "I'm fine, just fine," he reassured her in a soft voice.
"I know. I just worry that's all. The other night when I got home I kept staring up at the ceiling imagining all sorts of things that could attack you."
"Liz has taught me to defend myself fairly well, and I am really careful," Michael assured her.
"You better be." Maria sniffled. "We better go. They're gonna start worrying about us."
"Yeah... You want me to drive?" He asked, she still appeared a bit upset.
"Okay." She nodded and they quickly switched seats.
hr
"Wesley would you calm down?" Liz said.
"Calm down? You expect me to calm down when you just told me you plan to tell two more people about being a slayer? Too many people know already!" Wesley yelled.
"Look the sheriff has dealt with a lot of stuff this past year. He might be able to help us." Max tried to reason.
"He saved our lives, a few times, even though he was scared and suspicious of us. And he has protected us ever since," Michael added.
"Scared and suspicious of you? Why would he be that?" Wesley asked, looking at him strangely.
All six of them exchanged a look.
"Well?" Liz said waiting for an answer.
They all nodded, knowing they wouldn't get anywhere with Wesley until they told him the whole story.
"Max, Michael, and Isabel are aliens, Wesley." Liz said flat out.
Wesley just looked at her blankly, as if waiting for the punchline.
"I think he's in shock." Alex said.
Cordelia spoke up, "Wesley! Snap out of it!"
"There are no such things as aliens." Wesley said.
"Yeah and there are no such things as vampires either yet I seem to spend an inordinate amount of time fighting them." Liz said.
"Wes man, they're telling the truth," Doyle said.
"Aliens?" Wesley said.
Michael sighed. "Liz break his nose."
"What?' Wesley shrieked.
"Why doesn't Isabel display her talent? Doyle what's in your cup?" Liz asked.
"Um.... water?" he answered, looking at Cordelia with a slightly scared look.
"Spill it." Isabel said. "Preferably on yourself."
"Can't you pick somebody else for this experiment?" he whined.
Cordelia looked at him suspiciously, "It isn't water, is it buster?"
"No it's not." Doyle admitted.
Cordelia growled at him, she then grabbed the cup from his hand, "Whiskey!" She then poured it over his head.
"Okay Is do your thing." Liz said.
Isabel walked up to Doyle and quickly ran her hand over his shirt and head, the whiskey disappearing wherever her hand hovered.
"Oh wow!" Cordelia exclaimed. "That is so cool. I so could've used that power when I was dating Xander."
Doyle quickly covered his hurt look at her mention of Xander; he knew it was payback for drinking whiskey.
"So Wes do you believe us now or does Liz have to break your nose?" Michael asked.
"No. No! I believe you!" he said, in awe, he was going into his research mode as they watched him, "How do you do that? Will you let me test some theories on you?"
"No tests Wes." Liz said quickly. "Back to the subject at hand, can I tell Valenti or not?"
Wesley looked at her considering, he turned to Angel. "Angel? You've been awfully quiet about all this. What's your opinion?"
Angel raised an eyebrow. "I don't like it but if Darla looks as much like Topolsky as you say then he deserves a warning. Come back here after you're done. I wanna know how it went."
"No can do. Maria, Michael, and I have work. Come to the Crashdown for dinner." Liz said.
Angel glanced up in surprise, show his face in public? Do the social thing? He sighed, and said reluctantly, "I guess that will have to do."
"I'll slip you a rare burger okay?" Maria teased.
"Ha ha!" Angel said, though he couldn't hold back his smile, he liked that girl, she had gumption, a lot like Cordy, but with more tact.
"Maria if I'm late cover for me okay? Max and I are gonna go talk to Valenti."
"Alright! I'll hold down the alien-obsessed masses!" Maria said, rolling her eyes. She gathered her stuff, and then looked at Michael. "You coming?" she asked with a smile. The others looked at her in surprise.
"Absolutely. Bye guys."
"Bye." they all called.
Those remaining looked at each other and grinned, it had worked!
"Finally." Isabel said with a grin.
Even Angel lost his morose expression for a moment.
"I knew he would win her over," Doyle said.
"We better get going Max." Liz said with a silly grin. She was happy for her friends.
"Okay. Izzy? Alex? Can we drive you somewhere?" he asked
"No we'll hang out here and then take Cordy, Wes, and Angel to the Crashdown." Alex said after a quick glance at Isabel.
"Alright," he nodded and quickly followed Liz out the door.
hr
"Um hi. Is Sheriff Valenti in?"
"Yeah, let me see if he's free. Your names?" the deputy asked, looking at them with curiosity.
"Liz Parker and Max Evans." Liz said.
"Just a moment," he said hurrying down the hall.
Liz started fidgeting and Max put his hands on her shoulders.
Liz immediately calmed a little, Max's presence had always been able to do that for her. He made her feel safe.
"It'll be okay." He whispered.
"I'm so afraid he's gonna tell my parents I need psychiatric help."
"We'll convince him, just like you convinced all of us," he reassured, "it just may take a trip to graveyard is all."
Liz started to giggle and then she started to laugh outright.
Max grinned at her, relieved to see her relax a bit.
Just then Valenti walked into the front lobby, "Mr. Evans, Ms. Parker, what can I do for you today?"
Liz quickly sobered up. "We kinda need to have a word with you Sheriff. In private." Liz spared a glance at the deputy.
Valenti gave them a worried look, but didn't question it, he led them into his office telling the deputy to go on break and get some dinner as he passed.
Liz and Max took seats in his office while Valenti closed the door.
"Sheriff Valenti..." Liz started, then stopped, unsure of how to continue. When she had told the others, they had already had suspicions.
"Call me Jim," Valenti said, in an attempt to make her feel more at ease.
"Right." Liz said. "Uh see the thing is that I'm a vampire slayer."
Jim closed his eyes, and rubbed his forehead, "Why is it always the weird stuff?" he muttered to himself. He opened his eyes and looked at Liz. "Okay, so what do you need me to do?"
"You believe me?" Liz asked in shock.
Jim gave her a half-smile and shrugged, "I have learned that nothing is normal with you kids, and I should just trust you and go with the flow."
"Thank you so much. Uh the reason we're telling you is because there's a vampire hanging around that looks like Kathleen Topolsky."
"So what do I need to be aware of?" Jim asked, all business. "Are the things you hear about vampires true? Crosses, stakes, holy water?"
"All of that. Holy water's available in the magic shop on Fifth. That cross you're wearing should be fine. Stakes are a must. Shooting a vampire will just piss them off."
"Okay... So what do you want me to do?" he asked. "You do realize I'll need to tell Kyle, right?"
"Yeah we know." Liz sighed. "Tell him to keep it quiet okay? It's important."
"I understand the need for secrecy." Jim said seriously, "Kyle will honor that too."
"Thank you so much Sheriff. Here." Liz handed him an extra stake. "Might wanna keep that handy. Remember aim for the heart."
"Yes ma'am!" he answered in his southern drawl.
"Thank you Jim." Liz said seriously.
hr
"Hey Michael? Could you give me a hand?" Liz called from the back room of the Crashdown.
Michael's head popped up over the counter, "What's up?"
"I can't reach something. Curse of being short."
Michael chuckled, "I'll be right back."
"Thanks." Liz sat down on the couch and waited.
"Okay Liz where is it?" Michael said as he entered the backroom.
"Where's what?"
"What you wanted me to get down for you!" Michael said exasperated.
"Oh that. I lied." Liz informed him.
Michael looked at her questioningly, "Why?"
"Cause I wanted to say I'm happy for you and Maria. I haven't gotten to tell you that I'm glad for the two of you."
Michael smiled, "Thanks. I am glad you were right!"
"Me too. One more thing. If you ever hurt her again I will beat you to death with a shovel, k?"
Michael gulped, "No worries, no intention of ever hurting her."
"Good." Liz smiled brightly. "Get that can of tomatoes okay? I think Jose said he was running low."
"Alright," Michael said agreeably, grabbing the can before walking back out front.
"Everything okay?" Maria asked as she leaned against the counter.
"Just fine!" Michael and Liz chorused to her.
"K. The crew's here Liz. They're sitting with Max over there. I hope Agnes doesn't notice Angel isn't reflected in the window."
"Agnes had missed everything else unusual, so I don't think we have any worries," Liz replied.
"Famous last words." Michael muttered. "Go serve the masses."
"Aye Aye Capitan," Maria saluted. Liz giggled and followed her, pad and pen in hand, ready to take orders.
"Hey guys." Liz greeted. "What can I get for you?"
Angel looked at the menu and grimaced, "Just get me a coffee, please."
"Ok. Wesley? Cordy? Doyle?"
"Um, what do you suggest?" Doyle asked, eyeing the odd food names.
"The special's good." Liz said with a grin. "Guys relax. It's regular food with some weird names."
Everyone laughed a little. "I'll have an alien blast," Wesley decided.
"Okay. Cordy?"
"Do you have just a plain salad?" she asked, perplexed.
"I think we can find something. Doyle?"
"I'll try the special."
"Okay. Is? Alex? Max? Are you guys eating?"
"Just bring us some fries and the Tabasco sauce," Max replied for him and Isabel.
"Ok. Alex?"
"Usual." Alex said.
"Alright. Angel? Sure you don't want anything else? I can have Michael make you a bloody burger."
"I think that would stand out a bit too much," Angel said was a small smile, "I'll just stick with the coffee, thanks."
"Alright. Drinks?"
"Pepsi!" They chorused.
"Okay. Be right back with those." Liz said walking away.
"So you spend a lot of time here?" Cordelia asked, trying to keep judgment out of her tone.
"It's basically the only place to hang out in Roswell." Isabel said. "Unless you count the museum."
Max shuddered, "I spend too much time there as it is."
"Why?" Wesley said. "Is it that interesting?"
"No, I work there," Max replied, "I learned a little bit that was helpful at first, but now it's just mundane stuff."
"You should have seen him during the convention." Isabel rolled her eyes. "He was dressed as a little green man."
Max shuddered at the memory, "Don't remind me."
"I'd like to take a look around." Angel said. "Thanks Liz." He said as she set his coffee down in front of him.
"You're welcome. I'll come back when I am on break in about ten," she said as she walked away again.
"Okay." Wesley called. "Max how did Sheriff Valenti react?"
"He was very calm about it. Didn't even question it," he said in wonder.
"Really? How surprising." Angel said. "I wonder if he's like the mayor was in Sunnydale."
"The mayor?" Alex asked.
"Oh God that'd be all we needed." Cordelia said. "Ahh!" her hand came down on the table knocking her glass to the floor.
"Cordy!" Doyle said, grabbing her and pulling her back into his arms. Angel signaled to Liz to get some painkillers. Alex and Isabel started to fake a small fight to distract anyone who might be watching Cordelia.
"You were too looking at her. I saw you!" Isabel said loudly.
"So what if I was!" Alex said back, just as loudly, "That's not a crime!"
"Tell me do red-headed hussies turn you on?"
"No, only you do!" Alex said sincerely, noticing that Cordelia's vision was over.
"Good answer." Isabel grinned. "Is she okay?"
"Feel like a steamroller went over me, but I'll be fine!" Cordelia answered for herself. She gave Doyle a reassuring kiss, knowing he was feeling guilty all over again.
"Uh-oh. Tramp at two o'clock." Alex said.
"Great!" Isabel groaned, "You'll have to tell us what you saw a little later Cordelia," she said, disappointed.
"Who is she?" Cordelia asked.
"Oh, that's Tess, isn't it?" Doyle asked, vaguely remembering her from earlier in the day.
"Tess?" Cordelia raised an eyebrow. Liz had told her about that girl. She was trouble with a capital 'T'.
"Yeah, she came up when I went by the school to talk to Liz," Doyle explained.
"Relax Cordelia. You have nothing to worry about. From what I know of Doyle he's not big on sleaze and I made that point very clear to Tess." Liz said handing the brunette some painkillers.
"You mean she *eyed* him?" Cordelia asked not liking the sound of that at all, whether Doyle would go for her or not.
"Just kinda checked him out. Chill Cordy." Liz told her.
Cordelia just narrowed her eyes, taking a good look at Tess. That girl will definitely require some watching, she thought
"So Cordelia, what did you see?" Angel asked, bringing her back down to earth.
Cordy got pale thinking back to her vision, "I saw Darla... and another woman... couldn't get a good look at her... then I saw us dying," she shuddered.
"All of us?" Isabelle looked disturbed.
"What color was the other woman's hair?" Angel asked.
"It was dark, I couldn't see her hair color," Cordelia answered, she didn't want to answer any more details about the deaths if she could get away with it.
"Angel do you think it was Dru?" Liz asked.
"Could have been," Angel mused.
Doyle meanwhile was looking at Cordelia; she looked really upset, "Tell us the rest Princess."
"Can we talk about it later? I just sorta wanna eat and think about other things. Not a fun topic you know?"
"Cordelia..." Wesley started, getting highly frustrated.
Doyle interrupted him, "Princess, it will be better just to get it all out now. The details are fresh in your mind, plus you won't have to deal with it alone."
"We were in some sort of house but it wasn't ours. It was big and dark and there were weird paintings hanging around."
"That sounds like the old Marlowe place." Alex said. "It's this house on the edge of town. It's sort of a landmark but it's been closed off for years. There are paintings hanging in it."
"Was it Darla and the woman, who killed us? And who is included in 'us'?" Wesley asked.
"Us included you, me, Doyle, Angel, and Liz and Michael."
"So Alex, Maria, Isabel and Max are okay?" Liz asked, not knowing what emotion to be feeling, fear and worry for herself and the others, or relief that at least THEY would be okay.
"From what I can see. It's not written in stone Liz. Buffy's kept the world from ending at least four times and she even kept it from being sucked into hell once. Nothing's written in stone."
Liz nodded and let Max pull her to him. She draped an arm around his shoulders and then looked in Michael's direction. He had Maria wrapped around him.
Michael eyes met Liz's. They spoke silently. They would do whatever they could to stay alive, if just to save Max and Maria pain.
Max tugged Liz into his lap silently and buried his face in her neck. He didn't want to lose her. He couldn't even comprehend it.
Maria was trying her hardest not to cry, as she held onto to Michael with everything in her. She could not let anything happen to him. "So what do we do to prevent this?" she asked the table.
"Angel maybe we should call in the reserves."
"No way I am not going to Buffy for help." Angel said firmly.
"But if it could turn the tides in our favor..." Wesley started.
"Angel said No, Wesley," Cordelia stopped him, "Buffy would be a distraction for him. If we don't find another way, we'll consider it then." She stood up, signaling the end of that discussion, "I am headed to the ladies room. Don't make any decisions without me," she said over her shoulder.
"Is this about Riley?" Michael asked bluntly. "Cause if it is get over it. We need all the help we can get right now."
Angel glared at him, "There is more to this than you know," he said shortly.
"Angel, look I know it hurts but Michael's right. We need all the help we can get right now." Liz said.
Angel looked at her, and gave a deep sigh, "I'll think about it, but that is as for as I am willing to go right now."
"Think fast. I'm pretty sure we don't have much time." Liz said.
hr
Liz sat in her room looking out the window when someone knocked on her door. "Who is it?"
"It's the brother you always wanted!"
Liz smiled in spite of herself and turned away from the window. "C'mon in Michael."
Michael entered with a smile. "Hey Lizzie."
"Hey," Liz responded, trying to be cheerful.
"I come bearing ice cream." He held up a pint of vanilla.
"Oh! You are a prince!" Liz exclaimed, "Any hot fudge to go with it?"
"Yeah and Tabasco sauce for me." He held up his own pint of ice cream as he sat on Liz's bed.
Liz crossed the room and sat next to him. He handed her a spoon, ice cream, and the hot fudge.
"So how you doing?" He asked.
Liz shrugged, "About the same as you I would imagine."
"Scared to death?"
"And then some." Liz paused. "Michael you know I'll understand if you want out. I won't even blame you."
"Liz, you couldn't get rid of me if you tried," Michael assured her. "I am in this for the long haul. I knew there would be danger from the start."
Liz smiled even though she was tearing up. "I love you, you know that right? I'm proud to call you my friend Michael Guerin."
"And I am proud to be your friend," Michael agreed, giving her a quick hug. "Oops!" he laughed, looked at the fudge and Tabasco sauce they had managed to spill on each other.
Liz laughed. "Do you wanna stay? Wes said I could stay in tonight. We could watch some cornball movie and laugh ourselves silly."
"That sounds like a plan," Michael agreed, glad not to have to go home to his empty, lonely apartment.
"Good." Liz nodded. The phone rang. "Think I'll let the machine get it. I'll go find a movie. There's a sleeping bag in back of my closet."
"Okay," Michael agreed, he got up and got the sleeping bag out of the closet and was spreading it out on the floor when he heard the voice on the machine, he stopped to listen.
"Hey Liz, it's Buffy. Just thought I'd check in. Give me a ring. Say hi to Michael for me. Bye."
"So who was it?" Liz asked as she walked back into the room carrying a videotape.
"Believe it or not it was Buffy."
"That's spooky. I wonder if Angel's made up his mind yet."
"You know..." Michael started.
"Even Wes said we should let Angel decide Michael. I think she needs to be here too but I know the pain of seeing the one you love with someone else."
"But Liz..." Michael started again.
"No Michael. Angel was telling you the truth when he said there was more to this then you know." Liz said, remembering the story of Angel's day as a human. If Angel couldn't handle being around Buffy, then he couldn't, and that was all there was to it.
"Alright. So what are we watching?"
"I hope you like Tim Curry cause I brought CLUE." Liz said as she put the movie in and lay down on her bed. She handed Michael a pillow and he got comfortable in the sleeping bag.
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