Stepping into Darkness

Part 4


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The four made their way along the Los Angeles side streets. Every now and again, a strong glance was cast between the two females, their hatred almost dripping from their eyes. The two males glanced at each other, both prepared to step in should it be called for.

Suddenly the taller male stopped and turned around. The shadows preyed on the light from flickering lamps on the nearby streets. The sounds of cars dulled as the man reached out his senses. Moments later, he watched as two figures emerged from a side alley and began to close the gap between them.

The smaller man turned, rather nervously to face him, "Uh, George...I think maybe we should go." But the taller male simply smiled and walked towards the approaching figures.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the fallen angel and his midget sidekick." The words were barely out of his mouth before the "midget sidekick" had a stake in the man's chest. The other three vampires had little time to watch their master turn to dust before they, too, had joined him.


~~~~~*****~~~~~


Cordelia grunted in frustration as the screen in front of her beeped its annoyance, "Yeah, well, I don't like you either but you don't hear me beeping about it!"

Wesley entered the room from his office, his nose in a book, "The words I've been hearing prove otherwise."

"Wesley, quit it with the smart remarks and help me fix this damn thing!"

"Cordelia, computers and I just don't mix well together."

"Yeah, well, neither do your shirt and pants but that didn't stop you."

"She got you there, English," Gunn snickered as he turned the page to the large book he was flicking through and Wesley shook his head, turning back to his own book. It had been a week since 'Fliq' had joined them and they were no closer to figuring out what had happened. It was no secret to Fliq that they found her difficult to be around, no matter how different she was to Buffy, it was still Buffy's body that she was occupying.

They had yet to make the phone call to Sunnydale, wanting first to find something to go on, but Wesley was growing doubtful and they could only stall for so long. They needed help with this, no matter how hard it would be. There had to be a reason why Fliq had clawed her way out of a grave in Buffy's body, which was, without doubt, alive.

There was a bang at the door as Fliq entered the hotel. Cordelia glared at the girl, who simply ignored her and walked right past, continuing her path to the Angel's office.

"Well, look who decided to show up," Cordelia said, sarcastically, "Angel got back ages ago." Fliq closed the door behind her, not even gracing Cordelia's comment with a reply, "I see Psycho Bitch took her pills this evening."

"You do realize that she can probably hear you, Cordelia."

"Damn Slayer hearing." Cordelia mumbled.

Gunn shook his head, "Man, that girl has a serious attitude."

"And coming from you that's saying something." Cordelia said, turning back to the computer, only to growl as it beeped at her. "Bite me!"

"Maybe someone should, might make you easier to put up with."

Wesley stood and entered Angel's office, closing the door behind him, still shaking his head at his bickering colleagues. He turned to face Fliq, who was tapping furiously at her computer. He studied her for a moment then walked towards her and sat on the desk next to her. It still bothered him that he was looking at Fliq and yet seeing Buffy. It unnerved him to be faced with the vibrant young girl who's funeral he had attended only a few weeks before, and yet it wasn't her.

"So, you and Angel have been making a name for yourselves."

"Yeah." Fliq replied in her usual detached voice, "I get to be the midget sidekick."

He still had to try not to shudder at the familiarity of Fliq's voice, even though she was speaking with a different accent, a different tone, it was still Buffy's voice. He inwardly shook himself and leaned closer to her, "Have you told him yet?"

"Smooth, Wes. Love the artistic way you changed the subject there."

"Well," he switched the screen off, receiving a small growl and a nasty stare, "have you?"

"No."

"Well don't you think you should?"

"Wes," she stood to face him, "this is my life we're talking about."

"Fliq, you can't lie to him forever."

"And I don't intend to. I'll tell Angel tonight, but you have to promise me that whatever happens you let me do it. That was our deal."

"I know." Wesley sighed as the girl walked towards the door. "Fliq."

She didn't turn, "What?"

"Angel thinks a great deal of you. Please realize that he won't take this lightly. You've been lying to him for over two months now, and you've grown quite close...he will be hurt."

"I know."


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END OF PART 4