"Ah, Faith," one of the Watcher goons says as we walk in, me still in Spike's arms.
"And…Angelus," the other says, turning to us.
All three of us ignore them and head for the table. Spike sits me down gently. Sloan rushes over. "Are you okay?" he asks.
I nod. "Yeah, got a little zapped. But I'm starting to feel better. Just a little tingly from the kneecaps down."
"One of the Grognal's touched you?" Giles asks, coming to my side.
I nod again. "Not the most pleasant experience. Angel got the other one."
The Council creeps both clear their throats at the same time. "We need to speak with Angelus."
"It's Angel," said vampire growls. "And you can save it. I know about the invitation," he spits out the word, "and you can tell the Kahimi thanks but no thanks."
They look absolutely shocked. "You—you would refuse the Kahimi?"
"Yes, I would."
We're all staring at them. Angel's taken a defensive stance, legs spread, fists clenched, like he's holding himself back. Spike's standing next to him, arms crossed over his chest. Sloan and Giles are almost smiling, watching the two newbies flitter about.
"Then tell her yourself," a voice comes from the back of the shop. We turn to see this gorgeous woman practically float through the doorway. She's dressed in all white…glittery…and she's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. White-blond hair that flows to the floor, pale as all hell, though I guess that goes with the territory, her being a vampire and all.
Angel's shocked. He quickly bends to one knee and bows reverently. "Sire, forgive me, but I cannot accept your invitation."
She raises an eyebrow. "No?" she says lightly.
"I'm sorry," he says, his eyes still on the ground.
She touches his head. "Rise, Angelus."
"It's Angel," I hear Dawn mutter.
"What do you have that is so important, you would refuse such an offer?" the Kahimi asks.
"I—I have a life here," Angel says.
She smiles and then I notice glistening fangs, much longer and sharper than your ordinary vamp. They make her smile look positively evil.
"The Powers That Be…they have told you of your destiny," she says.
He nods.
"You feel love for the fallen Slayer," she continues. "Even now, after such a long separation."
He doesn't respond.
"And now, you have discovered a way to bring her back to you. This is why you do not wish to join my court."
He hesitates. "I also have a duty here. The Powers…they told me I have to fulfill my obligation."
She considers this, then turns to Giles. "You, as well, feel love for the fallen Slayer. You all do," she says, her icy blue eyes falling on each of us. They rest on Dawn. "Ah…the Key. It's been quite a while since I've seen the Key."
Dawn steps behind Xander, who covers her protectively. Spike's at the ready as well. But the Kahimi laughs, a soft chuckle. "Do not be afraid. I have no use for the Key, other than for today's purpose."
"And that would be?" Spike says, just this side of growling.
She turns to him, ignoring his question. "You protect the Key, and you also loved the fallen Slayer." This seems to come as a surprise to Angel, and not in a good way. "But you have no soul."
Spike raises an eyebrow. "We have a winner."
She looks at me. "And now you have feelings for another. Things are beginning…seeds are growing."
Spike glances at me, my heart slams in my chest. The Kahimi turns back to Angel.
"You wish for the Slayer to be resurrected. It shall be done," she says.
We stand in stunned silence. Willow reaches for Tara's hand, not taking her eyes of the Kahimi. Xander clutches Dawn so she doesn't fall to the floor.
Angel speaks. "Thank you," he says softly.
"Her life does not come without a price," the Kahimi says.
"What's the price?" Dawn asks pitifully.
The Kahimi glances at Angel.
"My servitude," Angel realizes. The Kahimi nods.
"You are needed, Angelus" she says.
"That's not fair!" Willow bursts out, then looks sheepish. "I mean, I'm sorry, but that's so…mean! I thought this 100 years was supposed to be great, a real joy-ride."
The Kahimi smiles at Willow. "Ah, little Wiccan. You have power running through your blood. The line is strong in your family, no?" Willow looks confused, but the Kahimi continues anyway. "Angelus is needed. It is that simple. I am sorry that this will cause pain for him, I will try to make it less."
"Why is Angel needed in your court?" Giles asks.
"That is of no concern to you," she tells Giles gently.
"I want to know," Angel growls.
She turns back to him. "Do you, really? Will the reason matter?"
Angel thinks, knows he's trapped. "No. If I don't, Buffy's gone forever."
"And if you do, she's still gone forever," I say angrily. "You'll return the only girl he's ever loved and then take him away."
"I beg you to reconsider," Angel says. "I will be no good to you. I'm not like the others. I have friends, family. I have a purpose. The Powers have made that much clear."
She smiles gently at him. "I'm sorry."
We fall into silence again. After a moment, Angel says softly, "When?"
"Tonight. After the ritual."
"Ritual?" I ask.
"Tonight your Slayer will be reborn."
The entire room is silent.
**
Things happen in a rush after that. I expected it to be the longest night of my life, waiting to see what we're supposed to do, but it was simple. After her announcement, we left and went to the construction site. Dawn was instructed to go up to the tower first. She glanced nervously at me.
"Don't worry, kiddo, I'm right behind you," I told her, trying to be brave. Why was this, something that should be so exciting, scaring me more than slaying demons every night?
She nods, and begins the walk up. Angel is instructed to stand directly beneath the hole in the tower's floor. The rest are asked to form a circle around him. The Kahimi nods at me a moment later and I start up the metal staircase, my nerves jumping like frogs in my belly. My feet are heavy, unsure, as I make my way up. I glance down at the rest; they're all staring at me. Finally I'm at the top. Dawn's at the end of the catwalk, smiling at me.
"Dawn?" I say.
She smiles more broadly. "Faith, it's time."
"I know…you seem…relaxed."
She nods. "Come here…you'll feel it too." I step towards her and whoosh…it rushes over me. This…peace…a warm, calm.
Dawn takes my hand and produces the knife, just like I saw in my dream. "Your blood," she says, and slices my hand. I wince a bit at the pain, then watch as my blood starts to gently flow. It drips down to the ground. Then she takes her hand and does the same. "My blood."
A voice suddenly begins to speak all around us. It's the Kahimi, I can hear her, chanting, even though she's on the ground leading the ritual. Dawn grabs my hand and locks them together. "Our blood," she says, and, just as in my dream, a shock goes through our bodies. This time, though, I hang on for dear life. The white light begins to form beneath us as our blood drips, drips, drips. We turn and look down to the ground. I can barely make out Angel and the others standing down there, the light's getting so bright.
And then I see her. She's floating in the air, face down…falling. Dawn's eyes get huge; her grip on my hand tightens. We both have to grab onto the sides of the catwalk now; the power coming from us is shaking everything. With a burst of light, Buffy's body drops and Angel catches her easily. Dawn and I watch from above as everyone below stands, unsure of what to do. Wasting no time Dawn and I rush down the stairs and run to the them, skidding to a halt just a few feet from where Angel's holding Buffy, gazing tenderly at her face.
"Buffy?" Dawn whispers, taking a step forward.
Buffy's eyes flitter a bit, then open. She blinks, confused. Then her eyes seem to focus and it's Angel she sees, tears welling in his eyes. "Angel?" she asks softly.
He nods, then leans in and kisses her, softly, gently. And I feel tears in my eyes, because this is the saddest moment I think I've ever witnessed.
A second later, Buffy pulls back a bit. "What are you doing? Where are we?"
He rests his forehead on hers. "Buffy…just…let me, please."
She stares at him for a moment, then nods ever so slightly. He leans in again and kisses her, and I see tears sliding down his face. When they break away, he whispers, "I love you…you're still my girl."
She looks even more confused when he walks to Giles and hands her over to him. "Take care of her," Angel tells him. Giles nods, sadly, then smiles at Buffy.
Turning, Angel walks away, the Kahimi and her stooges following.