Between Worlds

By Nick_The_Freak

Disclaimers: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel belong to J.Whedon and ME along with all the great characters. These are used for fun and entertainment.

Spoilers: *Gone* for BtVS and *Birthday* for A:ts

Summary: The Nyazian Prophecies have foretold another apocalypse and everyone is needed. What does fate have in store for all of them?

Rating: PG-13

Distribution: Please do not take without my permission... like that would happen anyway! Just ask nicely :P

Feedback: What do you think you stupid git! :P swordzmasterz@hotmail.com

Author's notes: First ever fan fiction, hope you enjoy it. It's a bit A:ts in the beginning, but don't worry, I am only setting the stage. After all, I am a B/S shipper.

Special thanks to all those who are taking the time to help me go trough the process of writing this piece of my imagination, and making it bearable. Martine Lewis, Brown Palace, DS Dragon and Tiffany Harrison.

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The two blondes eyed each other, standing inches apart from the other's desired touch. Separating them was a mere piece of wood, a bridge of morality and beliefs. One could see the electricity between them, but still they were unflinching like two ruthless predators waiting for their prey to make the first move, to show weakness.

"So luv, going to press harder?" challenged Spike, clinching both fists, holding back the urge to lose control.

Buffy maintained her ground a few seconds before backing away a step from the blond vampire.

"That's more like it, Slayer," he said, staring at her, trying to read the green eyes looking at him.

"It was a big mistake to come here anyway," she sighed. "It's late and I have to be home before Dawn goes to bed," said Buffy, while putting her stake away, watching the vampire before her.

"So, how is Nibblet doin'?" he asked while taking the last cigarette out of his pack and lighting it, concealing the smile teasing the side of his mouth when he saw the longing look on Buffy's face.

"Good. Her arm has healed, mostly. She..." replied the blonde slayer, stopping when Spike inched closer, closing the gap between them. He was now toe to toe with her, and once more she realized they were about the same strength, a matching pair.

Spike roughly snaked an arm around her waist, pulling her toward him, pressing his torso firmly against her breasts. Smiling he tried to lean forward to kiss the pissed off girl in front of him, but stopped a breath away from her, staring into her eyes. He could feel her breath gently caressing his cold face, smelling her sweet scent of vanilla.

Both blondes were again oblivious to their surrounding, absorbed in each other. They couldn't really tell who broke the trance first and started kissing the other, not that it mattered to them right now. What started as a soft, tender kiss quickly became one of passion and need.

What am I doing? This is not good. I was suppose to wrapped up the patrol and go home. Dawn is waiting for me. But GOD he *is* a good kisser. No. This is not right, it can't be right. It's SPIKE for god sake.

Buffy mustered enough conviction to break their passionate embrace and push him away. Looking up into his eyes she could see how her rejection hurt him, but it had to stop.

"This is not right..." she said aloud trying to convince herself more than him.

"Bloody hell!" yelled an infuriated Spike, throwing both arms in the air in frustration. "You're freaking impossible, Slayer! This bloke is fed up with your hot and cold tango."

"What did you expect, Spike? You're a soulless vampire. This was a big mistake from the beginning. Maybe it's time you understand: this will never be anything. That's why we should stop it, NOW. No more kissing!" said Buffy trying to put on her resolve face.

"Fine, if that's what you want," replied Spike slowly sauntering toward her again, stopping when the determined Slayer pushed him a few feet away.

"Yes, that's what I want!" she replied with her resolution failing her. Hearing herself, she realized she wasn't very convincing, not even to herself.

"Fine, be my guest and leave, Slayer! But don't come crawling back to my crypt anytime soon. If you aren't honest with yourself to admit that we have something, then sod off!" warned Spike, putting both hands in his duster pockets.

"And maybe one night you'll realize that this can't be wrong, not when it feels so right," he added. Not wanting to believe him she broke eye contact staring intently at her shoes.

Spike stomped past her, glancing one last time toward her. When she made every effort to avoid his eyes, he understood there would be no more reasoning with her stubbornness tonight.

"Uh, Spike," called Buffy before he opened the door to his crypt.

"What?" he barked turning around. He quickly understood why she had called him.

Standing about thirty feet away from the Slayer was a small group of five vampires, all in game face. He could see Buffy, poised with stake in hand, ready to jump in the middle of them and wreak havoc.

"Bloody hell! You, fucking nits! Couldn't you just go home and give us some peace?" cried Spike angrily.

"You and your whore were making so much noise we couldn't resist the free meal," sneered the one in the front, eyeing Buffy. "And since you don't seem to have any appetite."

'Probably the leader', guessed a now amused Buffy.

She could tell they had absolutely no idea who she was, since they were all ignoring her, focusing on Spike. But before she could interject anything, a dark shadow flew past her.

With vampiric speed Spike greeted the leader with a powerful left and ducking the vampire's clumsy punch, he violently knocked the back of his attacker's neck with his elbow.

With the blonde vampire occupied by their leader, two of the vampires attempted to attack what they thought would be an easy target, Buffy. She welcomed the interruption. This was easy for her, no need to think, only follow her instinct.

Dodging a punch from her first opponent and jumping above the second one who was trying to tackle her, she used the momentum of the charging vampire to send him crashing into the first one. She then dusted them both before they could even get up. They simply never had a chance.

Attempting to rescue their leader from Spike, the remaining two vampires tried to jump him. The first never saw what hit him and became dust before he could even register the movement from Spike. The second one had the chance to see it coming but it didn't do him any good. He was no match for the master vampire, and a second before his unlife ended, he realized they had just messed up with the wrong people.

Smiling in triumph, Buffy turned around to see a very pissed off peroxide blonde vampire beating the crap out of the leader who had insulted her. She knew Spike was in no danger so she stayed a couple of feet away witnessing the fight.

"That was a fucking bloody mistake, mate!" taunted Spike while kicking the badly beaten vampire in the stomach.

The vampire dropped to his knees and looked up at the infuriated bleached vampire in front of him.

"What was a mistake? And you're a vampire! Why are you helping a fucking human whore? Fucking traitor," gasped the vampire who managed to get back on his feet and face Spike once again.

With his remaining strength he launched himself forward trying to crash into Spike and overpower him.

Spike easily sidestepped the effort and kicked the vampire in the backside sending him flying a couple of feet in the air before crashing down face first into a nearby tombstone.

"Well your first mistake was to interrupt our conversation," said Spike stalking toward the stunned vampire. "The second one: well, you're bloody stupid! You lead your small group to face none other then the Slayer and *me*, and don't even have the courtesy to show us the bloody respect we deserve!" continued the blonde vampire leering at his opponent.

Spike violently yanked the vampire to his feet by his hair so he could look him in the eye.

"And your last one was to call *her* a whore! You stupid git!" Spike added before driving a stake into the unbeating heart of his victim. Before the cloud of dust had settled, he turned around to face Buffy.

"Do you believe this? Fucking posse of vampires dressed like nancy boys from the Gap thinking they can take us on!" he said in disbelief. "I should be insulted! They bring shame to my kind!" he said digging through his pockets for a cigarette.

"And on top of everything, I am out of fags!" he added, noticing Buffy had started walking away.

Yeah no problem, pet. Thanks to you, too! Bloody hell, this woman is going to be the death of me. This is killing me, feeling so close and being so far at the same time. What am I doing? I don't belong with my kind anymore, and she made it perfectly clear that I don't belong in her precious little world either. And way to go, mate! Telling her to sod off will surely help your cause...'

Spike entered his crypt moments later, feeling more apart from the rest of the world than ever before.

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Meanwhile in Los Angeles

"This is ridiculous! You recruited me to dust vampires, to form me into an instrument of vengeance, not to be a fucking babysitter!" cried an exasperated Justine, holding Connor in her arms.

Holtz was busy trying to find out any information about Angel's friend with the help of 21st Century technology. Sahjhan helped the warrior from the past navigate the hospitals records online.

"They were both taken to the same hospital about an hour ago. They will both live, unfortunately. But still, I think you made your message clear to Angelus," said the smiling demon.

But Holtz didn't look happy about the situation. He never wanted to go through humans to get to Angelus. This matter was between the vampire and him. He didn't want to hurt anyone, but that would certainly not stop him from reaching his goal.

Holtz turned around and watched the red head holding the baby in her arms. He was surprised to catch a small smile on her face. Kidnapping the baby hadn't been his original plan. Angry he had missed Angelus, taking his son had suddenly seemed like a good motivation to force the vampire into his game. But he didn't want any harm to come to the boy. He knew too well the pain of losing a child. He wanted revenge, but not like this. He wasn't a monster. And now, he had other problems to deal with. He turned his attention back to the machine in front of him and looked at the demon beside him.

"Go out and get some supplies for the boy. He will be staying here for a while," said the vampire hunter with authority in his voice.

"Hey! I am not yours to command," replied Shajhan, but it didn't really matter since he had a place to be soon.

He had other plans for the kid. For now he didn't mind playing along with the vengeful Brit, but eventually...

"Ok! Fine! I will get some baby supplies," relented the demon, putting on his human guise.

Leaving both vampire hunters to their occupations, Sahjhan walked out of the room and closed the door behind him. Returning to his true form, which allowed him to navigate through dimensions, Shajhan disappeared to attend a very important meeting.

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And at Wolfram & Hart...

Lilah was drinking her fifth cup of coffee that night, or maybe her sixth she wasn't sure anymore. She was in a room with about a dozen seers, all doing their mojo, and she knew Gavin was probably very busy himself, supervising the numerous demon bounty hunters they had summoned from other dimensions, or simply hired here in LA.

"So, how is it going?" Linwood asked, glad that he was able to startle his most promising employee. He loved keeping his employees on their toes; it made them immensely more efficient.

"None of them have made progress so far, sir," replied Lilah, rising from her chair to face her superior. Adjusting her suit, she looked around, spotting her new assistant Nadine. When Lilah got her attention, she made a slight nod, the question clear on her face. But Nadine simply shook her head negatively.

Well this is great! Fucking fantastic! We have a man from the past holding something very important from the senior partners and the Firm, and we're totally unable to locate him. We need results and answers FAST.

"I figured that out myself Lilah. I hope you understand I didn't ask for a report but rather reminded you that we *are* on a very tight schedule," said Linwood with a somewhat menacing tone of voice, indicating his loss of patience and tolerance.

"Sir, I understand. But we can only assume that whatever or whoever brought Daniel Holtz from the past is protecting or cloaking him," voiced a visibly nervous Lilah.

"I don't need excuses, I need results! And if we need..." He was interrupted by one of the guards handing him a piece of paper.

Linwood unfolded the paper to read the note. Lilah was eyeing him trying to read his expression, trying to figure out if this was good or bad news. The smile that appeared on her superior's face spoke for itself. Maybe they had finally found Holtz's hideout.

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Meanwhile at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center...

Angel was pacing in the hallway. He hated this place more than anything: the antiseptic smell, the fluorescent lighting, the white halls. Being here only reminded him more of his missing son, remembering him on the previous week when he was in that same hospital for test on Connor.

Wesley returned from the restroom just in time to see Angel violently punch a nearby wall, out of sheer frustration. The nurses at the front desk exchanged frightened looks. Wesley knew he had to calm Angel before they called security. He slowly approached the despondent vampire, resting a friendly and concerned hand on his shoulder. Angel's head snapped back with anger visible in his eyes and features, but relaxed when he saw his friend.

"I understand your anger Angel, but hitting the wall and frightening the nurses will not help you or the girls," said Wes. "Nor your son," he added quietly.

Angel could sense the pain in the ex-watcher's voice. He, too, was greatly affected by what had happened tonight, he felt responsible, too.

"Cordelia had to have another vision while we were gone If only we had come back sooner, then maybe we would have been there when she had that warning from the Powers That Be. Maybe she didn't have enough time to run when they warned her," Angel said in anguish, sitting down in one of the chairs in the waiting room.

Wesley followed him, sitting down beside him, leaning his head back against the wall.

"The doctor said she should wake up soon, that her injuries weren't too bad," stated Wes gratefully, running both hands through his hair out of frustration.

"And the doctors still haven't told us anything about Fred," trailed off Angel with noticeable worry and concern in his voice.

"Are you family or relatives of Ms. Cordelia Chase?" inquired a man they recognized immediately as one of Cordelia's doctors.

"Yes, we are!" they replied in unison, rising to their feet and standing in front of the doctor.

"She has lost a lot of blood, but she was lucky. The projectile didn't do too much damage. She will have to take it easy for awhile, to give her leg a chance to heal. Other than that, she's sustained a few cuts and bruises. She was conscious a little while ago and was asking for you," he said, closing the medical file he was reviewing while talking to them.

Angel quickly walked past the doctor toward the hospital rooms.

"Room 102, on the right," called the doctor to Angel, who didn't loose anytime.

"And what about the other girl, Doctor? Winifred Burkle?" asked Wesley with obvious concerns in his voice.

"Another doctor is treating her. I will check on Ms. Burkle condition and let you know," said the doctor, smiling reassuringly to comfort the distressed Wesley. "Now, go pay a visit to Miss Chase. She's waiting for you."

"Thanks, doctor."

When Wesley turned the corner to enter the room, he was surprised that he didn't hear Cordelia's or Angel's voice. He stood in the doorway and saw Angel standing by the seer's bed. She was asleep.

"I don't have the heart to wake her, Wes," whispered Angel, not turning his attention away from Cordy, even when he spoke to Wesley.

Wesley entered the room, stepping to the other side of the bed, looking down at Cordelia. He smiled softly. She was safe. But they still had so much to do.

"I know Angel, but we have to find out" started Wesley.

"I know!" interrupted Angel, visibly angry. When he raised his voice, Cordy shifted in her bed and slowly opened her eyes.

First she smiled when she saw them both, but when the memories came flooding back into her mind, she started crying.

Both men could feel her pain, since they all shared it. Tonight someone terribly evil had stolen something more precious than their own lives.

Angel kneeled beside the bed and took one of Cordelia's hands in his, gently kissing it to calm her down.

"Cordy, we have to know. Who took Connor, who attacked you and Fred? Did you see them?" asked Angel who tried to remain calm but was quickly loosing it. He needed to know, now.

Cordelia tried to speak, but no sound came out. She was still crying. Both of the men followed her gaze when she looked toward the door, Gunn was standing there, holding a bag. He was sharing the same look they all had: anger, pain and guilt.

"I don't know who did it, but they left this behind," he said taking out the crossbow the vampire hunters had left behind at the hotel.

Angel quickly recognized it.

"It was Holtz," Cordelia finally managed to say.

They all turned to look at Angel who was now peering out the window, looking out into the city. They could see the anger radiating from his tense body, as his fists clenched and unclenched.

"I am so sorry, Angel. I failed you and Connor and Fred," she choked out between sobs. She was trying hard to remain strong.

"C'mon girl, it wasn't your fault," said Gunn.

The tension was palpable in the room. They were all so frustrated but they knew they couldn't unleash on each other. They had to remain strong for each other.

"It happened so fast. You were gone for less than five minutes when the door opened. Holtz and this girl attacked us. Before Fred could get away with Connor, she was knock down by the girl. Holtz was mad and angry. He wanted to find you badly, Angel," Cordelia explained, tears still streaming down her cheeks.

Then it hit her, through all the confusion she never really thought about it until right now. She had a vision about the school and the scaly demons, but she was never warned about the attack.

"We never had a chance, Angel. The Powers never warned me of Holtz's actions," added Cordelia with apparent guilt in her voice, like it was all her fault.

Emotions ranging from sadness, guilt, and anger flashed across their faces as they digested the news. The Powers hadn't warned her. Why didn't they?

A loud *thud* broke their thoughts as Angel rammed his fist into the thick window. Luckily, it didn't shatter under the vampire's assault.

"Holtz!" Angel spit the name like poison through his clenched teeth with all the hatred he could muster.

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At the same time...

"Holtz!" screamed Justine as she jumped to shield him from an incoming magical blast.

Daniel Holtz turned around to see the red head at his feet with smoke coming from her back. The veteran and seasoned warrior didn't loose any time ducking to the side as another blast came from Sahjhan and made the laptop explode in a ball of fire.

It all happened so quickly, Justine was taking care of the baby when Sahjhan came in and asked for him. Holtz knew something was afoot and interposed himself. The argument didn't continue for long. The intents of the demon were clear: he wanted to take the boy somewhere and both vampire hunters would have nothing of it. Then, all hell broke loose.

Sahjhan was smiling, he hadn't used that much magic since he made Holtz impervious to the passage of time. He was holding Connor up in the air by magic, and was now fighting Holtz. Justine was down and he didn't care at all, she wasn't anything to him. Holtz, on the other hand, still had a role to play in the prophecy. But with him fighting relentlessly, Sahjhan wasn't able to summon the necessary energy to create a portal to another dimension and bring the kid with him.

Meanwhile, little Connor was screaming and crying. His cries of fright were heart wrenching. The powerful sobs were making his body shakes, and his little arms and legs jerk in all direction.

"Leave the child alone!" commanded Holtz as he reached for is katana that leaned against the wall.

Holding the blade straight between him and Sahjan, he eyed the demon, waiting for it's next move. He briefly looked down and saw Justine starting to move, but turned his attention back to the demon. He quickly figured the demon had become physical in this dimension in order to use any kind of magic.

"Come on now, don't forget who gave you this chance. The boy will bring us the tool we need to complete the prophecy. Don't you understand!" screamed the demon, exasperated by the precious time this ingrate human was costing him.

By now the room was chaotic, the demon was enraged. Holtz was standing still, weapon ready to strike at any movement the demon would do. Connor was screaming and wailing at the top of his lungs.

Suddenly a bright flash of light appeared in the room, blinding them both. Sahjhan recovered more quickly than Holtz and looked up, his eyes big with surprise as he recognized the intruders. Sahjhan could see them, but apparently, Holtz was totally obvious to them.

"You! But this wasn't the deal, I was going..." started Sahjhan stopping when he realized he had been betrayed and was now in his physical form.

The demon threw his arms toward Holtz, sending a powerful wave of force that sent the human flying in the air and crashing into the wall with a loud *thud*.

The shock knocked the wind out of Holtz, but he used all his remaining strength and managed to get back on his feet. Slowly he faced Sahjhan, raising his sword. Blood was running down his face from a nasty cut on his forehead, but his face didn't show any emotions, except a cold mask of resolution.

They were both distracted when another flash of light illuminated the room for an instant. When the bright light subsided, Connor was gone.

"This is all your fault! If you had done your job in the first place..." accused the demon shaking his fist violently at Holtz, becoming ethereal again and thus impervious to Holtz metallic blade.

Holtz saw, from the corner of his eye, Justine rose from her position behind Sahjhan. She took out the dagger she had stolen from the Hyperion Hotel and with her remaining strength threw it at the demon's back.

Holtz was surprised that Justine's blade hurt Sahjhan. 'A magic blade?'

He looked back at the demon just in time to see the look of shock on its face. A scream of pain escaped the its mouth.

Sahjhan spun around to look at Justine who smiled viciously and weakly at him before falling unconscious.

"Fucking bitch ! You'll .... ugh..." hissed the demon through clenched teeth.

Sahjhan felt a powerful surge of pain shoot through his entire body. He had never felt this before. Looking down at his torso, he saw the tip of the blade protruding from it. Then it became clear to him: he was dying. How was this possible? He was immortal. He was bringing forward an apocalypse.

As his vision started to fade and everything became cold, he heard Holtz say, "I told you I wouldn't show any mercy, demon."

To be continued...