Chapter 12
"What is it Wesley? Willow took Cordelia?" Angel had to practically shout over the chaos. It was the old gang plus all the new members and no Giles to organize everyone. The chaos calmed though dispelling the entropy. "Yeah…I understand." He closed the phone and turned to the others. "Well it looks like Cordelia had that vision for a reason. Willow has her. And she's going to use her to get The Powers That Be. Both sides. I guess that's why it's so crucial that we all were here. They're both going to use her and we have to help the good guys.
All the eyes burned into him. The eyes were tired eyes. Sad eyes.
"Here's what we are going to do." Buffy cleared her throat. "We are going to split up. We are going to look for Willow's home base. My bet is that she only hits home when she needs something and is somewhere else. By no means will you approach her. She's dangerous. Come back here and inform the people left here who will tell the others."
"Can I stay?" Fred raised her hand.
"Ok. Why don't you stay with Dawn."
"I never have any fun."
"Maybe when you are more responsible we'll talk. Angel does she know how to research. You said there was something we needed to know before we can help Willow."
"I'll stay. I know magic. I can protect people if they need it." Anya spoke up.
"Good. Okay Angel, Gunn, Xander I want you guys to go on the outskirts of town. Check The docks, Willy's The Fish Tank and Weatherly. Spike and I will spread out from the center and pick up Wesley when he gets here. We only have another day." They all looked at each other. The next night was Christmas Eve. If they didn't find Willow by then…
"Buffy, Faith is going to be with Wesley." Angel spoke up. "It was part of Cordelia's vision."
"The more help, the better." She motioned to Spike. Night had come so quickly with all the chaos of the day.
"I'm surprised you didn't choose Angel." Spike said. Buffy paused, wondering why he hadn't given Angel a dirty nickname.
"It's you I trust now. And he needed to go with Gunn." They walked away from the Magic Box, their footsteps falling in unison.
"Weird to see him?"
"Totally. He's like pre mortem. And you're post…I mean you have the potential to be."
"I do?"
"Yeah." She shut up and walked faster. He let her. The cold night held the air of snow, though it was yet to be seen. Christmas never held much for Spike, but this year it was different. This year he bought presents and this year he had someone to celebrate it with. The thought brought happiness to him.
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"This Willow chick, is she for real?"
"Very. She's my best friend."
"Sorry man." Xander stared at Gunn. Angel walked ahead. He stopped and sniffed at the air.
"What are you doing? Don't tell me you can smell her. That's sick."
"Shut up." Angel hushed Xander.
"The man is like a bloodhound." Gunn shook his head.
"Let's go this way." Angel cut short his step and turned down another street.
"Why do I have a bad feeling about this." Xander shook his head and followed.