The Night Remembers - Part 23
"Sit down, Agent Finn," the important looking man behind the desk didn't
raise his head, while saying the words. He seemed more interested in the
papers covering his desk.
"General Markham," Riley said in a matter of greeting and did as his
superior had ordered.
With a sigh, the General put the papers aside, removed his reading glasses
and rubbed his eyes. "I wanted to see you to discuss the situation. I've
been through your record and it was quite interesting. It says you've been
in Sunnydale before."
"That's right, sir," the commando replied, not sure where this would be
leading to.
The General sighed again, "I suppose I've been down in Brazil for too long.
This dry, hot weather is something you have to get used to again." He
stifled a yawn, and then shook his head. "When I first went to Brazil, I
thought I'd never get used to the humidity down there, now I don't seem to
be able to live without it. But back to the matter at hand, Captain Miller
reported you've met with the slayer."
Riley hesitated for a moment. Then he said truthfully, "Yes, I did. I
thought it was the right thing to do. She's really good at what she does,
sir. From my point of view it would be fatal to ignore her presence,
especially in a situation like this."
General Markham nodded, "I also heard you and her were... involved?"
"I begging your pardon sir, but my private life is not up for discussion,"
the younger man said, his eyes serious. No way, he would discuss his
relationship to Buffy with his superiors. He'd done it once, and he could
still clearly remember what had happened. There would be no second Maggie
Walsh.
The General cleared his throat, "I'm sorry, Agent Finn. It wasn't meant that
way. I just wanted to know if you knew her well."
"I did once," Riley replied, "but we separated several months ago now and I
am also to understand that she recently suffered some kind of amnesia. She's
recovering as I was told, but there are still certain holes in her memory."
"I see," the older man nodded thoughtfully, "but you're sure her fighting
ability is unaffected?"
"I think so." The commando watched the other man for a moment, considering
his next words, but he knew his commanding officer needed to have all the
facts, "Sir, there is another thing."
"Yes?"
"There are two hostiles fighting with the slayer," Riley said slowly.
"There are what?" General Markham shot from his chair, glaring down at the
blond. The older man leaned forward, bracing his palms on the desk, "Could
you repeat that?"
"It's not what it sounds like," Riley said calmly, "One of the vampires has
one of our chips. It works perfectly, he can't attack humans, and so to rid
his frustration he decided to work with the slayer."
The General eyed the younger man closely then sat down again, "Go on."
"The other is a special case. He has a soul." He couldn't bring himself to
say the vampire's name. The picture of Buffy sitting in his lap was still
cutting deep. But he swore to himself that it was for the greater good he
would push his personal aversion aside. Besides he had the impression that
there was no way he could win a hand-to-hand combat with Angel.
General Markham raised a brow, "A soul?"
"Yes," Riley nodded. "He was cursed by gypsies about 100 years ago. Since
then he's never attacked humans again, from what I've been told," he
reported, deliberately leaving out the part Xander had told him about the
happiness clause or the night where he and vampire had met in a dark alley.
But if he was honest with himself Angel hadn't attacked him. No, it had been
the other way round.
And remembering what he'd said in his jealous rage, still brought a feeling
of embarrassment to the commando. His only excuse was that he was so blinded
by his love for Buffy, that he hadn't been able to see straight. If it had
been different, he would've realized much earlier that her heart still
belonged to Angel, and that he, Riley, had never been more than a
comfortable friend. With a little bit of sexual attraction thrown in. He had
admitted his love repeatedly, yet the words had never crossed her lips.
"You are a very trustworthy member of our organization." General Markham's
quiet words pulled him out of his thoughts.
"Thank you, sir."
The General made a dismissive gesture, "What I need to know is, do you trust
those hostiles, Agent Finn?"
Riley looked at his superior for a long moment. He could say he didn't, and
in Spike's case, it was probably true. He didn't trust the bleached blond
vampire, not even for a second. Angel, he didn't know well enough, but
obviously, Buffy had trusted him - even with her life. She trusted him now,
and if the way he saw them together at Giles' was any indication, she loved
him more than ever. He had a feeling that he and Angel would never be
friends, but this was business and he knew enough about the vampire to see
an important ally.
So he took a deep breath, threw all his personal feelings aside, when he
said, "I think we can trust the one with a soul. In Spike's case," he
shrugged, "he's still a hostile. But even although I don't like him, I think
he won't change sides." He remembered the way Spike had looked at Buffy
those last weeks before Riley had left, the way he'd taken care of Dawn. In
his own twisted way, the chipped vampire would stay true this time. And if
he didn't, well then Riley would take care of him himself.
For a moment, Riley thought he'd made the wrong decision, saying anything
about this in the first place, but then General Markham looked at him,
"Alright, Agent Finn. I'm going to put my trust in your judgment. And if
we're going to survive this, I'd be very interested to meet this ensouled
hostile and the slayer, of course." At Buffy's mention, his lips twitched
into something that resembled a smile. The first smile that morning.
Yes, Riley thought, this was a good man. Not the kind of loony scientist
like Maggie Walsh, so blinded by her ideas, that she couldn't see what she
was doing and almost destroying all the good things he believed in. "I
already took the liberty to inform the squads not to bother them."
"All right, Agent Finn," General Markham nodded again. "I think that's all.
Maybe you could meet up with the slayer again. And her watcher. They
probably have better sources than we do."
"I will do that," Riley promised and stood. Reaching for the door, the
General's voice stopped him again.
"And Agent Finn."
"Yes?"
The General suddenly shook his head, "Nothing, forget it. Go back to your
men."
"Yes, Sir." Riley saluted, then was gone.
General Markham's thoughtful eyes rested on the door for a moment. Riley
Finn was a good soldier and he believed in the right things. But he would
bet his stripes that separated or not his feelings for the slayer were far
from being over - not by a long shot. He just hoped this wouldn't cause
trouble the wrong moment. With a sigh, he shook his head. He was getting
old, if he survived the next few days he was thinking about taking his
leave. Somewhere nice and sunny, with long days and less darkness.
****
Faith felt her whole body tremble the moment Kate knocked on the door of the
old mansion. Images rushed through her mind. Trying to kill Angel, trying to
seduce him, fighting with Buffy... God, how was she going to get through
this? She felt sweat drip between her shoulder blades and on her palms and
quickly wiped them on her denims.
She heard a noise from the inside, then the door opened, "Kate," Cordelia
greeted the police officer with a smile that could've been friendlier. "And
psycho-slayer, I see," she added, then turned and left the two woman to
follow her.
Kate and Faith exchanged a short glance then stepped into the huge building.
The blond felt a shiver run over her back, she didn't feel comfortable in
this house, but as soon as she stepped into the great hall the feeling
dissolved. A fire was burning, and the familiar faces looking at her
direction lit up in a smile.
Wesley was on his feet in a flash, reaching out his hand, "Kate, how good of
you to come," he said. Then he turned his head, regarding Faith, "I'm glad
you're here," he said honestly and the brunette slayer was shock deeply.
There was no accusation in his eyes, no anger. He was actually glad to see
her. She had to blink hard for a moment.
"Yo, you two," greeted Gunn from the sofa without getting up, "Kate. And you
have to be Faith?"
"Uh... yeah."
"Angel told me about you," the African American said with a grin. "He said
you're tough. Good to have you on the team."
"Thanks," was all Faith managed to reply.
"Where is our favorite vampire?" Kate looked around, not seeing Angel
anywhere.
"He's in bed," Cordelia announced coming back from the kitchen, carrying a
tray with coffee. "Although I doubt he's sleeping," she added with a smirk.
"Cordelia," Wesley's voice was stern, "I think that's hardly our business.
Whatever Angel and..." feeling suddenly embarrassed, he had to clear his
throat, "Buffy do in their spare time is..."
"He's with Buffy?" Faith's eyes almost bulged out of her head. "Don't you
think that's a bit... uh... risky?"
"Unfortunately not," Cordelia replied, rolling her eyes when the others
stared at her. "Hey, I'm okay with it, he's earned all the happiness he can
get, but that doesn't mean I have to like the mental images it gives me. And
to answer your question, his soul is all glued in. So no worries, he can
scr-"
"Yes, thank you Cordelia, I think we all know what you're talking about,"
Wesley interrupted her sharply, sending her a chilling glare. "Er... as it
was indicated before, Willow found a way to fix Angel's soul for good."
"You mean he and Buffy are back together?" Faith's whole face broke into a
genuine smile, "Hey, that's... so..." then she suddenly frowned, "What
happened to that white bread boyfriend of hers? Riley."
"As far as I remember he left," came a voice from the doorway of Angel's
room. "I'm still not too clear about the whole part, but the point is he
isn't around anymore, or rather, he is, but..." Buffy shook her head then
grinned. Turning towards Angel who was coming up behind her, she added, "Now
it gets too complicated I think."
"Riley left," the vampire explained. "He's back in Sunnydale, but only
because of the hellmouth. Hello Faith," he said with a smile towards the
brunette slayer.
"Angel," her voice was warm. Then more uncertain, "Hi, B."
"Hi Faith," the blond replied. "I... uh... don't know how much they told
you, but I can't remember a lot of things. So, uh... I'm just glad you're
around. That vampire last night still gives me the wiggins. Having another
slayer around can only help."
Confused the brunette's eyes darted to Angel, who just nodded, signaling her
that it was all right. He understood perfectly well, that Faith wasn't quite
sure how to behave around Buffy. "Buffy suffered from amnesia a few weeks
ago," he explained, not sure how much Faith knew about the things that had
happened in Sunnydale. "She's regaining her memories bit by bit, but there's
still in the dark for her."
Buffy saw Faith gulp, and said, "Hey, don't look at me that way. I'm glad
I'm still here. I died, you know."
"Yes, Kate told me," the brunette slayer said, "But what I don't
understand," now she looked at Angel, "Why was no other slayer called? They
did it when she died the first time, why not now?"
"Because you're here," Wesley explained, "The Council didn't like the
concept of the two slayers. Kendra's calling just happened. I suppose
because Buffy's death was prophesied. Then when they heard about her having
survived, it was to late too to stop the calling of the new slayer. When
Kendra was killed, they called you because..." he suddenly stopped, his
heard turning towards Angel and Buffy, "Well, there was a lot happening at
that time and they weren't sure of the outcome," he said simply. Now was not
the time to reveal that the council had severely doubted Buffy's loyalty
after all they'd heard about her relationship with a vampire.
Angel glanced at the tray Cordelia had placed on the table and gestured
towards it, "Why don't we just sit down? I really need some coffee, even if
Cordelia's made it," he grinned seeing her sticking her tongue out and
added, "and my girlfriend isn't really useful without her daily load of
caffeine." Buffy playfully nudged him in his ribs, but his grin just widened
when he pulled her to one of the sofas.
Kate couldn't help but being amazed by the change of attitude in the
vampire. She couldn't remember ever having seen him so relaxed. The way he
wrapped an arm around Buffy's waist when she placed herself in his lap, the
way he whispered into her ear and made her giggle and then winked at
Cordelia when she rolled her eyes at their behavior.
This, she had to admit, was an Angel she'd never seen before. It wasn't that
he was carefree. The concern in his eyes was always there, the glances he
exchanged with Wesley told her that he hadn't lost his focus for a second,
but it seemed as if he'd lost the darkness around him. As if this little
girl in his arms had made the sun shine in his world again and with a pang
of envy she realized it was probably exactly what had happened.
It wasn't that she was in love with Angel, or still had a crush for him
although she had to admit that he was one of the most attractive men she'd
ever met. But like Faith she didn't go much for the undead. Still, to see
that a little blond chick could change his whole world made her take note
that there was nobody in her life she could do this for. The feeling of
loneliness was suddenly much sharper than usual and the longing more than
ever.
She realized she'd zoned out when she saw everyone looking expectantly at
her. Giving them an apologetic smile, she asked, "Sorry. What did you say? I
was just lost in thoughts."
"I was just wondering how you managed to get Faith out of jail," Wesley
repeated his question.
Kate shrugged, "I called some friends, it wasn't anything big." She didn't
like that sort of attention and she hated it even more if people felt
grateful for something. She'd done it for a friend, not to forget for the
sake of the world and she didn't need handshakes.
Yet, she felt a warm feeling enter her chest, when Angel's eyes focused on
her, and he quietly said, "Thanks." Telling her with that one word he
understood how difficult it had been and what her help meant to him. She was
about to reply something, when suddenly the phone rang.
A little bit confused Angel looked around, and then took his cell from
Cordelia who smirked at him. Sighing slightly, he answered the call, "Angel
here... Giles... yes... Of course, that's a very good idea. ... Yes, there's
room enough. Alright, I have Cordelia..." Kate saw him glance at his cup,
then grimace, "I'll make some coffee," he said finally. "Yes, see you then."
He shut the phone down and looked at his friends.
"Giles asked if it was possible to continue the search here. And because I'm
confined during the day and the urgency of the situation, I agreed. So
they're all going to be here in around an hour." Patting Buffy on the hip,
he added, "Xander's going to get Dawn from school, then he'll bring her
here."
The slayer nodded and hopped from her boyfriends lap, "I suppose that means
the honeymoon is over," she joked, and then sobered instantly. "How about
some sparring then until they arrive?" she asked, then turned her head
towards Faith, "Want to join?"
... to be continued