The Night Remembers - Part 31
"And you think this might actually work?" Xander raised an eyebrow at Willow
who had just explained the nature of the spell she and Tara would be casting
to the group.
"Well it should," the blond witch replied in her lover's place. "W-we worked
long enough on it."
"We hope," Willow amended on a sigh. Granted, she and Tara had worked like
slaves on this spell, even fell asleep over it, but truth to be told, she
had no way of knowing if it would work or not.
"You hope?" Xander yelped shaking his head.
"He's just scared about his precious hide," came a voice from the door.
"Lecturing me about friends and responsibilities and then scared sh-
spit-less in the face of danger, that's my Xander."
"Anya?" her fiancé stared at her while she was walking through the hall to
join the group. At her heels were Riley and Graham and their presence caused
Xander to raise a brow. What the hell were they doing with Anya?
"Yes, it's me. Don't stare. I just checked in the mirror, I haven't grown a
horn or two," she rolled her eyes at him then found a free spot beside
Willow and sat down as if she'd only left for the toilet five minutes ago.
Taking note that everyone was looking at her, she threw her hands in the
air, "What? I'm back. It's not as if something important has happened."
"You can join Xander's group," Giles continued talking business. "Riley,
good to see you. We are just talking about the final plans. Where will your
squad be positioned?"
"You said the most probable center would be around the old high school. So
we'll be there. And as we've agreed we'll approach the object through the
sewers. Which reminds me, I need some of your maps." He checked his watch,
and then quickly smiled at Cordelia who handed him a couple of sheets. "I
will meet my men at exactly 2300, so I need to leave again in 15 minutes."
"Alright," Giles nodded. "Then let's go over this one last time and hope
it'll work as planned."
While listening to his story for what seemed like the tenth time, Faith got
bored. She hadn't been able to prevent a small snicker hearing Riley talk
like a true soldier. It seemed so ridiculous. She didn't know the commando
very well - if you didn't count the fact that she'd had sex with him. And
although she hadn't been in her own body she could still remember every
detail about him. **Beats me what B. ever found in that white bread.**
Spike on the other hand... She shot the vampire a sidelong glance and saw
him leaning against the wall, his eyes closed, drawing from a cigarette he'd
just lit. He looked completely relaxed as if there was nothing in this world
that bothered him and it probably didn't. There wasn't a conscience making
him feeling guilty about the sins of the past and Faith wasn't even sure if
he really cared what would happen tonight. He was a vampire after all and
would most likely survive, one way or the other.
Sex with him had been fun and it had been great. Faith honestly couldn't
remember ever having had such great sex before. But then Spike was about 200
years old and should've picked up one or two things about pleasing a woman.
She always wondered about Angel during her time in Sunnydale. Considering
that Spike had learned a lot from his grand-sire, Faith wasn't surprised
Buffy was so taken by the dark-haired vampire.
Only a few years ago, the brunette slayer had tried everything to find out
exactly what it was, but things had changed. She wasn't that Faith anymore.
The one who was eaten up by jealousy, which hated each and every one of
them. No, this Faith had learned that friendship was a valuable thing, that
friends could be counted on, that they wouldn't let you down, no matter
what, that they would fight for you and the most important point, that she
was worth having them.
Her eyes darted to Angel who was listening intently to Giles, with Buffy's
hand firmly clasped in his, and felt another wave of gratitude sweeping
through her. He hadn't given up on her. He had understood what she was going
through because he'd been there before. He experienced that someone who
believed in you could make all the difference. For him the salvation had
come in person of a tiny, blond slayer who had shown him that he was more
than just a vampire.
Yes, Faith decided, they made a striking couple and there was an air around
them, whenever they were close, that just told you they were right for each
other. She wasn't jealous of them, but she felt herself wishing that she
could find something like that as well.
Her head jerked around when she heard her name, "Yes?"
"I just wanted to know what weapon you want?" Angel asked from the desk
where he'd displayed all his swords, axes and stuff.
"Uh... I think I stick to the stake," she replied, not feeling comfortable
with the mostly ancient weaponry.
Buffy grinned at her, then looked at Angel, "There you see. We slayers stick
with the traditional." She was busy tucking stakes into the waistband of her
jeans and into the pockets of her oversized leather-jacket. The one Angel
had given her all those years ago.
"We might have to fight demons as well," the dark-haired vampire reminded
them. "They can't be killed with a stake."
"But I know how to use it," the slayers replied unison.
Angel couldn't help but grin at them, "I remember you're quite good with the
sword too," he said to Buffy.
She shrugged, "Oh well, I'll take a sword as well, if it pleases you." She
stood on tiptoe and breathed a kiss over his cheek, giving him a quick grin.
Walking over to the desk where the weapons were displayed she gave Faith a
sign to follow her. Soon the two slayers were completely engrossed in a
conversation about which was the handiest weapon. Besides a stake of course.
Smiling at the back of the two women Gunn came to stand beside Angel, "She's
really something," he said with a nod towards the slayers.
"Which one?" the vampire raised a brow, but a smile played around his lips.
"If you ask me like that..." Gunn grinned and scratched his jaw. "No, but I
was talking about your little blond girl. Seeing her you'd think she was
tiny, almost delicate, but man she's got the power of ten of us."
"Speak for yourself," Angel replied dryly, but he was still smiling. Maybe
he was finally losing it. He was smiling in the face of a deadly danger. He
slightly shook his head, then remembered his friend still standing at his
side, "Be careful, Gunn. I know you've got experience in fighting demons and
somehow you managed to stay alive so far, but you've never faced something
like this before."
"No worries," the other man said putting a hand on the vampire's shoulder.
"We'll be careful. And besides, we're not as close to the hellmouth than
you. So I should probably be saying it to you."
"True words," Cordelia joined them, looking at both men. "I really want to
see both of you again," she said and there was a little catch in her voice.
"Gunn, could you have a look at this?" someone shouted from the other end of
the hall. The African American shot the former cheerleader a quick grin,
squeezed her hand and was gone.
"He'll be careful," Angel assured Cordelia, putting an arm around her
shoulders.
"Oh, I know," she made a dismissive gesture with one of her hands. "Gunn's
the kind of guy who knows how to pull through. He had it rough, but that
taught him a lot. So I'm not really concerned about him. You on the other
hand..." she sighed loudly and leaned a head against his shoulder, her voice
suddenly small, "You'll take care of yourself, won't you?"
He smiled warmly, "I will," he said, squeezing her shoulders, and then
turned towards his axe that had been deposited on the small table in the
middle of the hall.
"Promise," she demanded, still standing behind him.
With a sigh, he straightened and turned back to her, "Cordelia-"
"No, don't soothe me with that brotherly attitude, I want you to promise,"
her voice was rising slightly. "The world needs you," her eyes quickly
darted to Buffy then back to him, "both of you."
"We'll do our best, that I can promise," he replied, taking her hand. "And
it's incredibly sweet of you."
She grunted, and then frowned, "I've never been accused of sweetness before
and I'm not quite sure if I like it, but I'll think about it later. Angel,"
she said urgently, "please don't make any stupid sacrifices. There's always
another way, you just have to find it. So no rash decisions, okay?"
He looked at her for a long moment, and then lowered his head and kissed her
forehead, "Okay," he smiled.
"Hey, what's this?" Buffy came to stand beside them. "Already hitting on my
boyfriend?" she said joking.
"Huh? As if," Cordelia scoffed, quickly blinking threatening tears away.
"Angel might have grown on me in a certain way, but I still prefer my
boyfriends to have a pulse and be actually alive."
"I'll take care of him," the slayer said giving the brunette a look of
understanding.
"We'll take care of each other," Angel amended her statement, taking his
girlfriend's hand. Then he remembered something, "You're coming with us
later," he told Cordelia, "we need to get you to Buffy's house safely."
"Good. I really wasn't looking forward to go with psycho-slayer and the odd
couple."
"Odd couple?" Buffy raised a brow.
"Xander and Anya," Cordelia replied, nodding into their direction. "I wonder
what's going on with them," she framed her chin with thumb and index finger.
"They haven't spoken one private word since she came in." She suddenly
laughed and shook her head, "Just shoot me. I'm actually interested in the
relationship of a loser and former demon. Shoot me right now."
*
Xander felt ready to scream. Really loud.
He'd been standing beside Anya for about ten minutes and she hadn't even so
much as glanced at him. She was busying herself with reading the text of the
spells Willow and Tara had worked out for tonight. Granted, the two witches
had asked her to have a look at it, but did that mean she had to ignore him?
Ever since she strolled into the mansion, head held high like a queen,
attitude all but casual, Xander felt himself rolling towards the edge. He
wasn't sure why. Maybe he'd expected her to crawl and beg for forgiveness,
or to look up to him with teary eyes and tell him she loved him. But nothing
along those lines had happened. On the contrary she behaved as if she never
left. And everyone in the room seemed to accept it without a question.
What the hell was wrong with them? Anya had deserted them in the face of
danger and there hadn't been one accusing gaze, nobody had pointed at her
with their finger - nothing. "Why did you come back?" The question was out
before he had been able to stop it.
And again her reaction was nothing he expected. Not bothering to look up she
finished reading the spell in her hands, then slowly put the sheets down and
finally turned her gaze towards him. "I was wondering when you'd ask," she
said, raising a brow.
"Oh really?" Xander crossed his arms in front of his chest and stared at
her. "And may I be honored with an answer then?" he asked, feeling the anger
rising against his will. Her casual attitude almost drove him nuts.
"Well, duh," she replied and shrugged. "Although I thought it was obvious."
He heard her sigh loudly, "It seems I was wrong." Turning back to the
printed spells, she added, "Because I love you. I can't just leave you and
let you die without me. I told you that before."
And that, Xander decided, put things right into perspective. Whatever he had
wanted to say, whatever he'd thought before, her words made it dissolve into
thin air. Still keeping his arms crossed he said, "I love you too, you know.
And I missed you."
She laughed slightly, but her eyes were on the spells, "Of course you do. I
know that. And I missed you too. And just so you know, whether your mother
likes it or not, but I've decided to buy that blue dress as my wedding gown.
I really do look fat in white."
Xander felt laughter bubbling up in his throat. And then without caring that
they had an audience, that she was holding important spells in her hands and
that they might not survive the night, he whirled her around and kissed her.
*
Across the room Giles raised a brow and slightly shook his head, "It seems
to spread like a disease," he muttered under his breath, then laughed when
he caught Kate's grin. "Must be the danger," he said aloud.
"Possible," she replied, "but it seems more like love to me." Her gaze swept
to Buffy and Angel who were standing in a corner, arms around each other
whispering, while Tara and Willow had occupied the sofa again and were
staring into each other's eyes.
"You could be right," Giles sighed and shook his head again.
"I admire them," Kate said. "Even now they find time to express their
feelings. And Angel truly surprises me. I've seen him smile... oh... twice
or three times during the time we know each other," she laughed, "well,
probably a little bit more often, but still it was rare, and now he doesn't
seem to be able to stop it. Plus it's much more genuine. Danger and all, but
his attitude is so positive all of a sudden, it's almost infectious. Somehow
I find myself believing that we'll live through whatever comes our way."
"It's the only way to go into a fight," the watcher said honestly. "You need
to believe that you're going to win. If not... Well, if you didn't believe
in it, where would be the reason in fighting at all? But you're right Angel
has changed. I don't think any of us ever realized how much Buffy really
meant to him or maybe we didn't want to see it."
"You're talking about yourself." She smiled when she saw him raising a brow,
"I'm a police officer, Mr. Giles. My job is to read people and it's easy to
see how much you feel like she's a daughter. And although you're much more
experienced in this demon-thing, it couldn't have been easy to see her with
a vampire."
"No, it's not that," Giles replied, then amended, "well, part of it is. To
tell you the truth, I was shocked in the beginning but as soon as I got to
know him better and saw how valuable he was for us... for her... but then he
reversed into his evil self and from there on I was blinded by hatred." He
turned and looked at the couple again, who was sharing a sweet kiss at the
moment, "I'm glad I'm over it now. And I'm really glad Angelus will never
pay us a visit again."
With a regretful sigh he looked at his watch. He liked talking to Kate but
duty was calling. Riley and Graham had left a while ago and it was time to
leave for the others as well. "It's almost eleven," he said out loud. "We
need to go. Take care everyone. Please." His eyes searched Buffy and he saw
her smiling at him, then she took her lover's hand and with Willow, Tara and
Cordelia in tow they left.
Faith nodded at him, then gave him a short grin before she motioned for
Spike, Xander, Anya and Kate to follow her. Giles' eyes were on the police
officer's retreating back when they left the mansion and something long
forgotten fluttered in his chest. There was no time to explore it now, but
he made a mental note not to forget about it.
Nodding to himself he turned and looked at Wesley, Gunn and his friends.
"Let's go then. And let's hope we'll live to see the next sunrise."
"And with us the world," Wesley muttered under his breath when he followed
the others into the night.
... to be continued
"And you think this might actually work?" Xander raised an eyebrow at Willow
who had just explained the nature of the spell she and Tara would be casting
to the group.
"Well it should," the blond witch replied in her lover's place. "W-we worked
long enough on it."
"We hope," Willow amended on a sigh. Granted, she and Tara had worked like
slaves on this spell, even fell asleep over it, but truth to be told, she
had no way of knowing if it would work or not.
"You hope?" Xander yelped shaking his head.
"He's just scared about his precious hide," came a voice from the door.
"Lecturing me about friends and responsibilities and then scared sh-
spit-less in the face of danger, that's my Xander."
"Anya?" her fiancé stared at her while she was walking through the hall to
join the group. At her heels were Riley and Graham and their presence caused
Xander to raise a brow. What the hell were they doing with Anya?
"Yes, it's me. Don't stare. I just checked in the mirror, I haven't grown a
horn or two," she rolled her eyes at him then found a free spot beside
Willow and sat down as if she'd only left for the toilet five minutes ago.
Taking note that everyone was looking at her, she threw her hands in the
air, "What? I'm back. It's not as if something important has happened."
"You can join Xander's group," Giles continued talking business. "Riley,
good to see you. We are just talking about the final plans. Where will your
squad be positioned?"
"You said the most probable center would be around the old high school. So
we'll be there. And as we've agreed we'll approach the object through the
sewers. Which reminds me, I need some of your maps." He checked his watch,
and then quickly smiled at Cordelia who handed him a couple of sheets. "I
will meet my men at exactly 2300, so I need to leave again in 15 minutes."
"Alright," Giles nodded. "Then let's go over this one last time and hope
it'll work as planned."
While listening to his story for what seemed like the tenth time, Faith got
bored. She hadn't been able to prevent a small snicker hearing Riley talk
like a true soldier. It seemed so ridiculous. She didn't know the commando
very well - if you didn't count the fact that she'd had sex with him. And
although she hadn't been in her own body she could still remember every
detail about him. **Beats me what B. ever found in that white bread.**
Spike on the other hand... She shot the vampire a sidelong glance and saw
him leaning against the wall, his eyes closed, drawing from a cigarette he'd
just lit. He looked completely relaxed as if there was nothing in this world
that bothered him and it probably didn't. There wasn't a conscience making
him feeling guilty about the sins of the past and Faith wasn't even sure if
he really cared what would happen tonight. He was a vampire after all and
would most likely survive, one way or the other.
Sex with him had been fun and it had been great. Faith honestly couldn't
remember ever having had such great sex before. But then Spike was about 200
years old and should've picked up one or two things about pleasing a woman.
She always wondered about Angel during her time in Sunnydale. Considering
that Spike had learned a lot from his grand-sire, Faith wasn't surprised
Buffy was so taken by the dark-haired vampire.
Only a few years ago, the brunette slayer had tried everything to find out
exactly what it was, but things had changed. She wasn't that Faith anymore.
The one who was eaten up by jealousy, which hated each and every one of
them. No, this Faith had learned that friendship was a valuable thing, that
friends could be counted on, that they wouldn't let you down, no matter
what, that they would fight for you and the most important point, that she
was worth having them.
Her eyes darted to Angel who was listening intently to Giles, with Buffy's
hand firmly clasped in his, and felt another wave of gratitude sweeping
through her. He hadn't given up on her. He had understood what she was going
through because he'd been there before. He experienced that someone who
believed in you could make all the difference. For him the salvation had
come in person of a tiny, blond slayer who had shown him that he was more
than just a vampire.
Yes, Faith decided, they made a striking couple and there was an air around
them, whenever they were close, that just told you they were right for each
other. She wasn't jealous of them, but she felt herself wishing that she
could find something like that as well.
Her head jerked around when she heard her name, "Yes?"
"I just wanted to know what weapon you want?" Angel asked from the desk
where he'd displayed all his swords, axes and stuff.
"Uh... I think I stick to the stake," she replied, not feeling comfortable
with the mostly ancient weaponry.
Buffy grinned at her, then looked at Angel, "There you see. We slayers stick
with the traditional." She was busy tucking stakes into the waistband of her
jeans and into the pockets of her oversized leather-jacket. The one Angel
had given her all those years ago.
"We might have to fight demons as well," the dark-haired vampire reminded
them. "They can't be killed with a stake."
"But I know how to use it," the slayers replied unison.
Angel couldn't help but grin at them, "I remember you're quite good with the
sword too," he said to Buffy.
She shrugged, "Oh well, I'll take a sword as well, if it pleases you." She
stood on tiptoe and breathed a kiss over his cheek, giving him a quick grin.
Walking over to the desk where the weapons were displayed she gave Faith a
sign to follow her. Soon the two slayers were completely engrossed in a
conversation about which was the handiest weapon. Besides a stake of course.
Smiling at the back of the two women Gunn came to stand beside Angel, "She's
really something," he said with a nod towards the slayers.
"Which one?" the vampire raised a brow, but a smile played around his lips.
"If you ask me like that..." Gunn grinned and scratched his jaw. "No, but I
was talking about your little blond girl. Seeing her you'd think she was
tiny, almost delicate, but man she's got the power of ten of us."
"Speak for yourself," Angel replied dryly, but he was still smiling. Maybe
he was finally losing it. He was smiling in the face of a deadly danger. He
slightly shook his head, then remembered his friend still standing at his
side, "Be careful, Gunn. I know you've got experience in fighting demons and
somehow you managed to stay alive so far, but you've never faced something
like this before."
"No worries," the other man said putting a hand on the vampire's shoulder.
"We'll be careful. And besides, we're not as close to the hellmouth than
you. So I should probably be saying it to you."
"True words," Cordelia joined them, looking at both men. "I really want to
see both of you again," she said and there was a little catch in her voice.
"Gunn, could you have a look at this?" someone shouted from the other end of
the hall. The African American shot the former cheerleader a quick grin,
squeezed her hand and was gone.
"He'll be careful," Angel assured Cordelia, putting an arm around her
shoulders.
"Oh, I know," she made a dismissive gesture with one of her hands. "Gunn's
the kind of guy who knows how to pull through. He had it rough, but that
taught him a lot. So I'm not really concerned about him. You on the other
hand..." she sighed loudly and leaned a head against his shoulder, her voice
suddenly small, "You'll take care of yourself, won't you?"
He smiled warmly, "I will," he said, squeezing her shoulders, and then
turned towards his axe that had been deposited on the small table in the
middle of the hall.
"Promise," she demanded, still standing behind him.
With a sigh, he straightened and turned back to her, "Cordelia-"
"No, don't soothe me with that brotherly attitude, I want you to promise,"
her voice was rising slightly. "The world needs you," her eyes quickly
darted to Buffy then back to him, "both of you."
"We'll do our best, that I can promise," he replied, taking her hand. "And
it's incredibly sweet of you."
She grunted, and then frowned, "I've never been accused of sweetness before
and I'm not quite sure if I like it, but I'll think about it later. Angel,"
she said urgently, "please don't make any stupid sacrifices. There's always
another way, you just have to find it. So no rash decisions, okay?"
He looked at her for a long moment, and then lowered his head and kissed her
forehead, "Okay," he smiled.
"Hey, what's this?" Buffy came to stand beside them. "Already hitting on my
boyfriend?" she said joking.
"Huh? As if," Cordelia scoffed, quickly blinking threatening tears away.
"Angel might have grown on me in a certain way, but I still prefer my
boyfriends to have a pulse and be actually alive."
"I'll take care of him," the slayer said giving the brunette a look of
understanding.
"We'll take care of each other," Angel amended her statement, taking his
girlfriend's hand. Then he remembered something, "You're coming with us
later," he told Cordelia, "we need to get you to Buffy's house safely."
"Good. I really wasn't looking forward to go with psycho-slayer and the odd
couple."
"Odd couple?" Buffy raised a brow.
"Xander and Anya," Cordelia replied, nodding into their direction. "I wonder
what's going on with them," she framed her chin with thumb and index finger.
"They haven't spoken one private word since she came in." She suddenly
laughed and shook her head, "Just shoot me. I'm actually interested in the
relationship of a loser and former demon. Shoot me right now."
*
Xander felt ready to scream. Really loud.
He'd been standing beside Anya for about ten minutes and she hadn't even so
much as glanced at him. She was busying herself with reading the text of the
spells Willow and Tara had worked out for tonight. Granted, the two witches
had asked her to have a look at it, but did that mean she had to ignore him?
Ever since she strolled into the mansion, head held high like a queen,
attitude all but casual, Xander felt himself rolling towards the edge. He
wasn't sure why. Maybe he'd expected her to crawl and beg for forgiveness,
or to look up to him with teary eyes and tell him she loved him. But nothing
along those lines had happened. On the contrary she behaved as if she never
left. And everyone in the room seemed to accept it without a question.
What the hell was wrong with them? Anya had deserted them in the face of
danger and there hadn't been one accusing gaze, nobody had pointed at her
with their finger - nothing. "Why did you come back?" The question was out
before he had been able to stop it.
And again her reaction was nothing he expected. Not bothering to look up she
finished reading the spell in her hands, then slowly put the sheets down and
finally turned her gaze towards him. "I was wondering when you'd ask," she
said, raising a brow.
"Oh really?" Xander crossed his arms in front of his chest and stared at
her. "And may I be honored with an answer then?" he asked, feeling the anger
rising against his will. Her casual attitude almost drove him nuts.
"Well, duh," she replied and shrugged. "Although I thought it was obvious."
He heard her sigh loudly, "It seems I was wrong." Turning back to the
printed spells, she added, "Because I love you. I can't just leave you and
let you die without me. I told you that before."
And that, Xander decided, put things right into perspective. Whatever he had
wanted to say, whatever he'd thought before, her words made it dissolve into
thin air. Still keeping his arms crossed he said, "I love you too, you know.
And I missed you."
She laughed slightly, but her eyes were on the spells, "Of course you do. I
know that. And I missed you too. And just so you know, whether your mother
likes it or not, but I've decided to buy that blue dress as my wedding gown.
I really do look fat in white."
Xander felt laughter bubbling up in his throat. And then without caring that
they had an audience, that she was holding important spells in her hands and
that they might not survive the night, he whirled her around and kissed her.
*
Across the room Giles raised a brow and slightly shook his head, "It seems
to spread like a disease," he muttered under his breath, then laughed when
he caught Kate's grin. "Must be the danger," he said aloud.
"Possible," she replied, "but it seems more like love to me." Her gaze swept
to Buffy and Angel who were standing in a corner, arms around each other
whispering, while Tara and Willow had occupied the sofa again and were
staring into each other's eyes.
"You could be right," Giles sighed and shook his head again.
"I admire them," Kate said. "Even now they find time to express their
feelings. And Angel truly surprises me. I've seen him smile... oh... twice
or three times during the time we know each other," she laughed, "well,
probably a little bit more often, but still it was rare, and now he doesn't
seem to be able to stop it. Plus it's much more genuine. Danger and all, but
his attitude is so positive all of a sudden, it's almost infectious. Somehow
I find myself believing that we'll live through whatever comes our way."
"It's the only way to go into a fight," the watcher said honestly. "You need
to believe that you're going to win. If not... Well, if you didn't believe
in it, where would be the reason in fighting at all? But you're right Angel
has changed. I don't think any of us ever realized how much Buffy really
meant to him or maybe we didn't want to see it."
"You're talking about yourself." She smiled when she saw him raising a brow,
"I'm a police officer, Mr. Giles. My job is to read people and it's easy to
see how much you feel like she's a daughter. And although you're much more
experienced in this demon-thing, it couldn't have been easy to see her with
a vampire."
"No, it's not that," Giles replied, then amended, "well, part of it is. To
tell you the truth, I was shocked in the beginning but as soon as I got to
know him better and saw how valuable he was for us... for her... but then he
reversed into his evil self and from there on I was blinded by hatred." He
turned and looked at the couple again, who was sharing a sweet kiss at the
moment, "I'm glad I'm over it now. And I'm really glad Angelus will never
pay us a visit again."
With a regretful sigh he looked at his watch. He liked talking to Kate but
duty was calling. Riley and Graham had left a while ago and it was time to
leave for the others as well. "It's almost eleven," he said out loud. "We
need to go. Take care everyone. Please." His eyes searched Buffy and he saw
her smiling at him, then she took her lover's hand and with Willow, Tara and
Cordelia in tow they left.
Faith nodded at him, then gave him a short grin before she motioned for
Spike, Xander, Anya and Kate to follow her. Giles' eyes were on the police
officer's retreating back when they left the mansion and something long
forgotten fluttered in his chest. There was no time to explore it now, but
he made a mental note not to forget about it.
Nodding to himself he turned and looked at Wesley, Gunn and his friends.
"Let's go then. And let's hope we'll live to see the next sunrise."
"And with us the world," Wesley muttered under his breath when he followed
the others into the night.
... to be continued