The Night Remembers - Part 32
"It's my dreams come true," Anya muttered under her breath while she and
Xander were following Faith, Spike and Kate through the sewer tunnels of
Sunnydale. She sighed loudly, "Well, at least I got to hold hands with you."
She smiled at her fiancée who shot her a quick grin.
"Would you just shut up," Faith hissed and turned her head slightly.
"Who died and made you the boss?" the former demon narrowed her eyes at the
slayer.
"Oh, well, why don't you go first and shout out we're coming and then I get
the fun watching them killing you first," the brunette glared at Anya.
"Hey, I didn't insult you," she cried. "There's no need to threaten my life.
Isn't that right, Xander?" she looked at her boyfriend daring him to
disagree.
"Uh... honey. Maybe we should really be quiet now," he said, his eyes
quickly darting to Faith. He ignored Spike's amused snigger.
"Fine," Anya sighed again. "I'll be quiet. But it's boring here. And the
sewers smell. It'll be days until this is out of my hair."
"Did I miss something or weren't you the one who wanted to leave because she
was sure she was going to die?" Faith exchanged a grin with Spike.
Anya raised a haughty brow, "Even more reason to pay attention to details. I
don't want someone to find me smelling like a sewer. It will be the last
impression of me. Just think about it, in two hundred years they'll still
remember the girl with the bad smell."
"Uh-huh," the slayer's grin widened. "If they remember you."
"I'll have you to know," the former demon's second brow rose as well, "that
I have a certain reputation in the demon community. I'm well known and once
was well feared. I'm not going to be forgotten like," she let her gaze sweep
over the brunette, "some other more unfortunate creatures on this planet.
Right, Xander?" She speared him a glance as raised her chin and bushed past
the others to lead the group into the direction of the hell mouth.
"And you really want to marry her?" Faith asked Xander with an amused
expression in her eyes.
He shrugged, "What can I say. Love is blind," then he followed his
girlfriend.
Faith waited until the others walked on as well. Her eyes were on Spike's
back. Yes, she thought, blind indeed.
***
"I really hope this isn't a bad sign," Buffy murmured and avoided a puddle
of mud the last possible second. Sure she was in her slaying outfit, but
that didn't mean she cared for having her shoes soaked wet.
"What do you mean?" Angel asked walking beside her.
"Well, we're in a sewer. Together. And given our history I don't know if I
should like it or not." She saw Willow looking at her very oddly and
amended, "At least as far I remember the history, that is."
"There was only one sewer talk we had," the vampire said staring ahead of
him. He was sniffling the air for any unfamiliar smell.
"Two," she replied, and stopped. She tilted her head and looked at a stain
on the wall. It was strangely green and was reminding her of something.
Almost absentmindedly she continued, "First you dumped me in a sewer and the
second time," she frowned slightly but he had no way of seeing if it was
because of the stain or what she was thinking right now. "The second time,"
she continued, "We had this heart wrenching talk that although we missed
each other and about how it couldn't work. I can't believe you forgot either
of them."
She turned to look at Tara and Willow. They were whispering with each other,
checking and re-checking spells no doubt or desperately trying *not* to
listen. Checking the stain on the wall one last time she suddenly realized
that Angel wasn't standing beside her anymore. Gazing around she saw him
standing at a short distance, his expression somehow guarded. He was staring
at her. "Angel?" she asked cautiously, "Are you alright? What is it?"
Stepping closer she touched his arm, "Angel?"
He flinched visibly at her touch but forced himself to focus on her again.
Why he was so shocked by her words, he didn't know. She'd dropped a hint
before when they'd been talking in the cemetery, but to hear her mentioning
the Forgotten Day again, it threw him. He just couldn't help it. He was
almost sure she didn't remember him being human. She would have mentioned
it, wouldn't she? But maybe like the rest of her memories it was just
somewhere buried, ready to pop out at the wrong moment.
"I'm fine," his voice sounded strange even to him, but he managed to give
her a smile. "Really," he added, seeing her doubtful gaze. He leaned forward
and kissed her quickly, "Let's go. We don't have time to lose." With this he
started walking again.
"Wait," she held him back. "Look at that first," she pointed at the stain on
the wall. "I'm not quite sure, but I think I've seen something like that
before. What is it?"
"It's blood," he replied and saw that the two witches were now looking at
him as well. "The blood of a Morah Demon," he explained. "They are strong
demons, really ugly though."
"They always are," Willow muttered and Angel gave her a quick smile.
"Most of them, yes," he confirmed. "You can't kill them the usual way, you
need to smash the jewel on their forehead."
"Uh-huh," I know," Buffy, replied nodding. "I killed one, remember."
If his heart had been beating it would have stopped. Angel had to force him
self to stay calm. Another part of the Forgotten Day. And during that part
he had been human. Did she remember it? Did she remember him too weak to
fight? "Yes, I remember," he choked out, expecting her to throw the rest at
him too.
But she didn't. She simply nodded again. "At least now I know what I brought
the sword for." She shifted the heavy weapon on her shoulder. She and Faith
had chosen identical swords and created some sort of halter for it, so they
could sling it over their shoulders.
"How strong exactly are they?" Tara wanted to know.
"Angel and I both fought it," Buffy explained as she started to walk again,
reminding her self of the schedule they were working on. "And together we
were stronger."
"Uh-oh," Willow gulped. "That strong, huh?" she added weakly.
"Yeah, that strong," Angel confirmed. Master vampires. Morah demons. What
would be waiting for them at the end of the tunnel? And what was Buffy going
to remember as the night went on?
***
Giles couldn't help but wonder about the changes in Wesley while he followed
him and Gunn's bunch through the Sunnydale sewers. Not only were the fancy
clothes gone, although Cordelia had told him that he was still wearing
suits from time to time, but it was his whole attitude. He hadn't questioned
once when Angel and Buffy had taken charge of the situation, he was
comfortable around the vampire, even more comfortable than Giles himself.
Which was, Giles decided, not really a surprise regarding that they'd been
working together for almost two years. Life really was full of surprises.
Who would've thought that stiff Wesley Windham-Pryce would have befriended a
vampire, protected Faith against the watcher's Council and seemed to be
content with it. He had also grown as a person, was more sure of himself and
instead of running away he was boldly facing the danger.
Giles thought about Faith, the things Kate had told him, about Cordelia, so
improved and more mature and he thought about Buffy who had found a purpose
again after her memory loss and it all came back to one person who had made
a difference to every one of them. A man he'd for a long time hoped never to
meet again, he believed it was for the best when he left Sunnydale. Buffy
once had told him that Angel was an extraordinary man and Giles had to admit
she was right.
He was so deep in thought that he started when the group before him suddenly
stopped. "What?" he whispered.
"There's someone in front of us," Gunn said quietly.
"Or something," Wesley murmured.
Giles listened carefully and true, he soon heard footsteps.
"Whoever is stomping around down here," Dawn said, "they don't try to avoid
being heard."
"Yeah," one of Gunn's friends called Buster agreed. "And usually that says
it's the predator."
Dawn paled, "Uh... And if it comes towards us, the noise will get louder,
right?"
"Yeah," Gunn nodded. He was standing nearest to the approaching noise and
suddenly rolled his eyes. "Buster, didn't you say something about the
predator not caring for noises?"
"Yeah," he friend replied.
"Well either that," the African American said on a sigh, "or some really
stupid prey."
***
"How long?" Buffy asked walking on tiptoe to avoid any unnecessary noise.
Willow stopped behind her, turned on her flashlight to illuminate the map
she had tucked inside the pocket of her trousers. They were deep in the sewers
now, near the hellmouth, and it was almost completely dark. "We're around here,"
she pointed the light on a point near Sunnydale high. "I think we'll be there
around the next corner."
"Alright," Angel nodded. "Are you ready for the spell?" he asked the
witches.
"Yes," Tara answered with a small smile.
"We need to wait for Faith and Spike to start the game," Buffy whispered.
***
"Stop," Faith hissed suddenly. "I think we're there." She turned towards the
vampire, "Can you smell anything?"
"Not really," Spike replied, narrowing his eyes. It was dark down in the
sewers but with his preternatural sight he was seeing just fine. "And I
can't see anything either. Or rather, I see, but there isn't anybody
around."
"Good," the slayer. She took a deep breath and reached out to touch the
others who were gathered around her. "Then let's start this thing. What time
is it?"
Xander checked his watch. It was one of those sport watches that lit up if
you press the right button. "One minute before twelve. Another five minutes
I'd- What the hell..." he suddenly said out loud.
There was a noise that sounded like the whole Sunnydale sewer system was
about to collapse. It started as a distant thunder that was rolling closer
and closer sounding more threatening with each passing second.
"Oh God, I was right, we should've left," Anya cried, clutching Xander's
arm.
"Shut up," Faith hissed angrily. "What the hell is going on?"
"I have no idea, but I'd say it's near by. East," Spike nodded more to
himself, "yes, definitely coming from the East."
"What is it?" the slayer asked, when the noise suddenly erupted to an ear
splitting roar and then in front of them the sewer exploded into light.
... to be continued
"It's my dreams come true," Anya muttered under her breath while she and
Xander were following Faith, Spike and Kate through the sewer tunnels of
Sunnydale. She sighed loudly, "Well, at least I got to hold hands with you."
She smiled at her fiancée who shot her a quick grin.
"Would you just shut up," Faith hissed and turned her head slightly.
"Who died and made you the boss?" the former demon narrowed her eyes at the
slayer.
"Oh, well, why don't you go first and shout out we're coming and then I get
the fun watching them killing you first," the brunette glared at Anya.
"Hey, I didn't insult you," she cried. "There's no need to threaten my life.
Isn't that right, Xander?" she looked at her boyfriend daring him to
disagree.
"Uh... honey. Maybe we should really be quiet now," he said, his eyes
quickly darting to Faith. He ignored Spike's amused snigger.
"Fine," Anya sighed again. "I'll be quiet. But it's boring here. And the
sewers smell. It'll be days until this is out of my hair."
"Did I miss something or weren't you the one who wanted to leave because she
was sure she was going to die?" Faith exchanged a grin with Spike.
Anya raised a haughty brow, "Even more reason to pay attention to details. I
don't want someone to find me smelling like a sewer. It will be the last
impression of me. Just think about it, in two hundred years they'll still
remember the girl with the bad smell."
"Uh-huh," the slayer's grin widened. "If they remember you."
"I'll have you to know," the former demon's second brow rose as well, "that
I have a certain reputation in the demon community. I'm well known and once
was well feared. I'm not going to be forgotten like," she let her gaze sweep
over the brunette, "some other more unfortunate creatures on this planet.
Right, Xander?" She speared him a glance as raised her chin and bushed past
the others to lead the group into the direction of the hell mouth.
"And you really want to marry her?" Faith asked Xander with an amused
expression in her eyes.
He shrugged, "What can I say. Love is blind," then he followed his
girlfriend.
Faith waited until the others walked on as well. Her eyes were on Spike's
back. Yes, she thought, blind indeed.
***
"I really hope this isn't a bad sign," Buffy murmured and avoided a puddle
of mud the last possible second. Sure she was in her slaying outfit, but
that didn't mean she cared for having her shoes soaked wet.
"What do you mean?" Angel asked walking beside her.
"Well, we're in a sewer. Together. And given our history I don't know if I
should like it or not." She saw Willow looking at her very oddly and
amended, "At least as far I remember the history, that is."
"There was only one sewer talk we had," the vampire said staring ahead of
him. He was sniffling the air for any unfamiliar smell.
"Two," she replied, and stopped. She tilted her head and looked at a stain
on the wall. It was strangely green and was reminding her of something.
Almost absentmindedly she continued, "First you dumped me in a sewer and the
second time," she frowned slightly but he had no way of seeing if it was
because of the stain or what she was thinking right now. "The second time,"
she continued, "We had this heart wrenching talk that although we missed
each other and about how it couldn't work. I can't believe you forgot either
of them."
She turned to look at Tara and Willow. They were whispering with each other,
checking and re-checking spells no doubt or desperately trying *not* to
listen. Checking the stain on the wall one last time she suddenly realized
that Angel wasn't standing beside her anymore. Gazing around she saw him
standing at a short distance, his expression somehow guarded. He was staring
at her. "Angel?" she asked cautiously, "Are you alright? What is it?"
Stepping closer she touched his arm, "Angel?"
He flinched visibly at her touch but forced himself to focus on her again.
Why he was so shocked by her words, he didn't know. She'd dropped a hint
before when they'd been talking in the cemetery, but to hear her mentioning
the Forgotten Day again, it threw him. He just couldn't help it. He was
almost sure she didn't remember him being human. She would have mentioned
it, wouldn't she? But maybe like the rest of her memories it was just
somewhere buried, ready to pop out at the wrong moment.
"I'm fine," his voice sounded strange even to him, but he managed to give
her a smile. "Really," he added, seeing her doubtful gaze. He leaned forward
and kissed her quickly, "Let's go. We don't have time to lose." With this he
started walking again.
"Wait," she held him back. "Look at that first," she pointed at the stain on
the wall. "I'm not quite sure, but I think I've seen something like that
before. What is it?"
"It's blood," he replied and saw that the two witches were now looking at
him as well. "The blood of a Morah Demon," he explained. "They are strong
demons, really ugly though."
"They always are," Willow muttered and Angel gave her a quick smile.
"Most of them, yes," he confirmed. "You can't kill them the usual way, you
need to smash the jewel on their forehead."
"Uh-huh," I know," Buffy, replied nodding. "I killed one, remember."
If his heart had been beating it would have stopped. Angel had to force him
self to stay calm. Another part of the Forgotten Day. And during that part
he had been human. Did she remember it? Did she remember him too weak to
fight? "Yes, I remember," he choked out, expecting her to throw the rest at
him too.
But she didn't. She simply nodded again. "At least now I know what I brought
the sword for." She shifted the heavy weapon on her shoulder. She and Faith
had chosen identical swords and created some sort of halter for it, so they
could sling it over their shoulders.
"How strong exactly are they?" Tara wanted to know.
"Angel and I both fought it," Buffy explained as she started to walk again,
reminding her self of the schedule they were working on. "And together we
were stronger."
"Uh-oh," Willow gulped. "That strong, huh?" she added weakly.
"Yeah, that strong," Angel confirmed. Master vampires. Morah demons. What
would be waiting for them at the end of the tunnel? And what was Buffy going
to remember as the night went on?
***
Giles couldn't help but wonder about the changes in Wesley while he followed
him and Gunn's bunch through the Sunnydale sewers. Not only were the fancy
clothes gone, although Cordelia had told him that he was still wearing
suits from time to time, but it was his whole attitude. He hadn't questioned
once when Angel and Buffy had taken charge of the situation, he was
comfortable around the vampire, even more comfortable than Giles himself.
Which was, Giles decided, not really a surprise regarding that they'd been
working together for almost two years. Life really was full of surprises.
Who would've thought that stiff Wesley Windham-Pryce would have befriended a
vampire, protected Faith against the watcher's Council and seemed to be
content with it. He had also grown as a person, was more sure of himself and
instead of running away he was boldly facing the danger.
Giles thought about Faith, the things Kate had told him, about Cordelia, so
improved and more mature and he thought about Buffy who had found a purpose
again after her memory loss and it all came back to one person who had made
a difference to every one of them. A man he'd for a long time hoped never to
meet again, he believed it was for the best when he left Sunnydale. Buffy
once had told him that Angel was an extraordinary man and Giles had to admit
she was right.
He was so deep in thought that he started when the group before him suddenly
stopped. "What?" he whispered.
"There's someone in front of us," Gunn said quietly.
"Or something," Wesley murmured.
Giles listened carefully and true, he soon heard footsteps.
"Whoever is stomping around down here," Dawn said, "they don't try to avoid
being heard."
"Yeah," one of Gunn's friends called Buster agreed. "And usually that says
it's the predator."
Dawn paled, "Uh... And if it comes towards us, the noise will get louder,
right?"
"Yeah," Gunn nodded. He was standing nearest to the approaching noise and
suddenly rolled his eyes. "Buster, didn't you say something about the
predator not caring for noises?"
"Yeah," he friend replied.
"Well either that," the African American said on a sigh, "or some really
stupid prey."
***
"How long?" Buffy asked walking on tiptoe to avoid any unnecessary noise.
Willow stopped behind her, turned on her flashlight to illuminate the map
she had tucked inside the pocket of her trousers. They were deep in the sewers
now, near the hellmouth, and it was almost completely dark. "We're around here,"
she pointed the light on a point near Sunnydale high. "I think we'll be there
around the next corner."
"Alright," Angel nodded. "Are you ready for the spell?" he asked the
witches.
"Yes," Tara answered with a small smile.
"We need to wait for Faith and Spike to start the game," Buffy whispered.
***
"Stop," Faith hissed suddenly. "I think we're there." She turned towards the
vampire, "Can you smell anything?"
"Not really," Spike replied, narrowing his eyes. It was dark down in the
sewers but with his preternatural sight he was seeing just fine. "And I
can't see anything either. Or rather, I see, but there isn't anybody
around."
"Good," the slayer. She took a deep breath and reached out to touch the
others who were gathered around her. "Then let's start this thing. What time
is it?"
Xander checked his watch. It was one of those sport watches that lit up if
you press the right button. "One minute before twelve. Another five minutes
I'd- What the hell..." he suddenly said out loud.
There was a noise that sounded like the whole Sunnydale sewer system was
about to collapse. It started as a distant thunder that was rolling closer
and closer sounding more threatening with each passing second.
"Oh God, I was right, we should've left," Anya cried, clutching Xander's
arm.
"Shut up," Faith hissed angrily. "What the hell is going on?"
"I have no idea, but I'd say it's near by. East," Spike nodded more to
himself, "yes, definitely coming from the East."
"What is it?" the slayer asked, when the noise suddenly erupted to an ear
splitting roar and then in front of them the sewer exploded into light.
... to be continued