Disclaimer: Apparently, three dollars is enough to go after. At least,
that's what the lawyers for Mr. Whedon, Mutant Enemy, the UPN etc., told
me.
Rating: R
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Dawn ran as fast as she could down the street, toward other Dawn's call. She was stunned when she fell flat on her face. She slowly got to her feet and looked back to see what had caused her fall. An old man had passed out on the ground. The town drunk great, Dawn thought. She stood back up but the sizzling sounds she heard made her turn around. There was smoke coming from the old man.
Slowly, Dawn bent down to look at him. She saw his face and gasped. Who would turn an old man, she thought sadly. Something else about him struck her.
"Who's there?" the voice asked. It sounded so familiar to Dawn.
"Who's asking?" she said in the bravest voice she could muster.
"I can barley see. Dawn is that you? Ow," he said as the smoke turned to flame. Dawn squealed and ran back to the Magic Box.
"Guys, help!" she yelled. Her voice woke Faith and she sprang up. William stirred slightly and a sleepy Willow glanced at Dawn.
"What is it kiddo?" Faith asked.
"I'm not sure really. I was just, was just out for a walk, and I found this old vampire. He says he knows me." Dawn was embarrassed and frantic at the same time.
Faith stopped. "Dawn, it's got to be a trap."
"The sun is rising. If we don't save him he'll burn. He's old and weak. You can take him if he's trouble. I just don't think he is," she said, trying desperately to convey her gut feeling.
Faith had to make a decision quickly. She bolted out the door and found the old vampire.
"The sun's coming up so you have about three seconds to tell me who you are," Faith demanded.
"Angel," he breathed out the word and passed out again. Within a second Faith leaned down and scooped Angel up to bring him into the store.
"Faith?" William asked as he helped her lower Angel to the floor.
"He says he's Angel. He isn't in any condition to do any damage," she explained.
"I see we're going to get a great night's worth of rest," Xander muttered as he and Buffy joined the others.
"He claims to be Angel," William relayed.
"But, he's old," Xander stated.
"I'm aware of that," William shot Xander a patient look. "But, well, look at his face."
Buffy and Xander did just that. He seemed to be aging by the second. Still, there was little doubt to Buffy that it was Angel.
"How?" Buffy asked concerned. She may have put her romantic feelings for Angel away, but he was still a good friend and a needed allay.
"O'Leary," Angel said dazed. He seemed to be going in and out of consciousness.
"O'Leary?" Xander wondered.
"Father O'Leary?" William asked. Angel could only manage a slight head movement.
"Who is Father O'Leary? Fill me in," Faith demanded.
"Father O'Leary," Giles said, stepping in from the training room, "is a world renowned priest know for his ability to exorcise demons. To my knowledge, he has never failed."
"So," Dawn wondered, "why is Angel getting old? What did O'Leary do to him and why?"
"My guess little one," William offered, "is that O'Leary somehow took the demon out of Angel. But, it takes a special type of magic to reverse a vampire physically. Without the symbiotic relationship between the demon and the body, Angel stays a vampire, but his body goes through an aging process."
"How do you know all that?" Giles questioned. This was all too strange for him.
"I didn't get to be a watcher for my good looks," he joked. When they all shot him incredulous looks he retorted. "Hey, I was Europe's most feared vampire before I came to this place," he insisted. "You aren't a big bad in Europe without hearing the tales of Father O'Leary. I heard he once gave a chaos demon a soul and it went insane and destroyed an entire village."
"Comforting as always," Buffy snipped.
"Don't blame me, I'm just telling you," he replied defensively. Faith gave him a comforting peck on the cheek.
"I know dear. But you have to admit that isn't what we need on our hands now. So, how do we reverse it?"
"What did O'Leary do with Angelus?" William bent down and asked Angel.
"What's all the noise?" Cordelia demanded.
"Shussh!" Buffy hushed her.
"Xander knows," Angel replied, beginning to slip out of reality.
"What did he say?" Willow asked.
William turned to Xander. "That Xander knows."
"Don't look at me," he said. "I was with Buffy all night. Ask her."
"Relax honey," Buffy soothed. "No one's accusing you. We just want to find out what happened to Angel."
"That's Angel!" Cordy exclaimed and knelt beside her boss. "Angel?"
Willow placed a hand on her shoulder. "He needs to save his strength. Whatever is causing him to age, we'll stop it."
The little that was left of Angel remembered the bottle. He turned to Cordelia. "The bottle. Let me drink from it."
"You want alcohol at a time like this," she replied hysterically.
"No, in my pocket."
"I hope that isn't some really bad metaphor," she mumbled and reached into his pocket. She recovered a small vile of liquid. She looked at William and Giles, both of whom just shrugged. She uncorked it, brought it to Angel's lips, and let him drink.
Angel coughed a little bit, but relaxed. They all watched him for a while. Nothing happened.
"I think that's a good sign," Willow ventured. "I mean, before he was getting older by the minute."
"Hmm," Giles hmmed. "I think I know what that was. It's a very rare potion that can temporarily slow the aging process. Its effects will wear off, but it may buy us some time. How he got his hands on something like that or why he would even have it in the first place baffles me."
"Isn't the important thing," Buffy interrupted. "We have to figure out if we can reverse it. And if we can't do it by this afternoon," she swallowed, "then we have to make our attack plans without Angel."
Giles nodded. "I hate to admit it, but Buffy is right. We must see what we can do, but if we can't, then we must stop Amy."
"Hey, we came here to help you and this is the thanks we get!" Cordelia yelled.
"If we spend all our time trying to save Angel, and Amy wins, what will it matter?" Faith asked. Cordelia backed down, but was obviously unhappy.
"Okay, here's the plan. Giles, William, Willow, Oz, and Cordelia you're on research. See what you can find out about O'Leary, why he would do this, what he did, and if we can reverse it. Xander, Faith and I are going to pick up your training."
"Hey," Xander spoke out, "I hurt bad enough when I had the two British guys beating on me. Now, I have the two slayers?"
"Amy is going to be like ten slayers," Faith shot back. "You want my help or not?"
Xander sighed. "Well, if this is my last day alive, at least I know it'll be a long one." Buffy tousled his hair and kissed him.
"That's my man."
"Don't make me hurl," Faith teased. She looked longingly at her own love and followed Buffy and Xander into the training room.
SEWERS
"And that's for taking what belongs to me," Angelus cried as he tore his talon like fingernails across Xander's arm.
"I keep telling you, I didn't take anything from you. All I wanted was Dawn," he cried. He could barely think as pained coursed through him.
"Oh you know DAMN well what you took from me!" Angelus screamed and kicked Xander's already battered ribs.
Xander coughed, even though it hurt more than he thought possible, and spat out blood. Dawn, he thought, as Tara slashed his face with her nails. I failed you. Angelus kicked the side of Xander's head. The darkness claimed his mind. His last thoughts were to Buffy. I'm sorry Buff. I know I promised I'd take care of her, but I couldn't do it. I tried. Honest, I really did. Guess I'll see you soon. I just hope you can forgive me.
Dawn lay unconscious next to Amy. Dawn was powerful, but Amy had easily overwhelmed her once she got her away from Xander. Amy had considered taking advantage of Dawn, as punishment for the trouble she had caused, but she decided against it. Amy realized that Dawn needed to be kept unconscious until the ritual tonight. Everything was too close to allow a wildcard to mess up her plans. And plus it's just no fun if the victims aren't awake to know they're being violated, she thought.
Dawn twitched a bit. Amy smashed her fist against the side of the young girl's head. The twitching stopped. Amy smiled at her prisoner. She had to hand it to Dawn. She certainly had a lot of spunk. And apparently she made enough of an impression to bring Xander Harris, the next dimension, to help her.
Amy chuckled at the thought of Xander. Tara had wanted to turn him and set him loose on the slayers. But Amy just wanted him dead. She did, however, promise Tara they could send his head to the Magic Box's doorstop.
THE BASEMENT
"I still don't understand this!" Warren complained. "We are still the bad guys right? I mean we still want to take over Sunnydale, right? Why not just team up with her?"
"You've seen her in action," Jonathan whispered. "She doesn't seem like the team up kinda gal."
"Plus, if she wins, there isn't a Sunnydale to rule over," Andrew replied. "Heck even Spiderman and Venom had to work together for the greater once in a while."
"Yes but when did Superman work with Lex Luther? Or Batman with the Joker?" Warren grumbled.
"Just finish it so we can give it to them," Jonathan commanded. He paced, rather uselessly, back and forth.
"Well, since I AM the one doing all the work," Warren snapped, "It'd go a lot faster if you two shut up or did something useful."
"I bought the box," Jonathan whined.
"And I," Andrew thought for a moment.
"SHUT UP!" Warren screamed. "This is your IDIOT plan so just shut UP!"
Warren went back to work. About an hour later he stuck his head up, and smiled satisfied at his two compatriots. "It's finished."
"Good, let's get it in the box. Andrew and I will take it over to the Magic Box and drop it off before it's too late. Remember, Warren said they can't see us." Jonathan said.
"That's the part I don't understand," Andrew. "Why can't we tell the slayer what we've done?"
"Yeah, I want to tell her," Jonathan perked up.
"Absolutely not!" Warren responded. "It's bad enough we did this. I don't want her to know. When this whole thing with Amy is over, we go back to our plan to take over Sunnydale. I don't want the slayer to know that we have an ear to the underworld."
The other two grudgingly nodded in agreement. "Now go take the slayer her prize."
MAGIC BOX
Xander slammed against the back wall. His eyes watered in pain, but he blinked them away just in time to see Buffy come at him again. He ducked, barely escaping her grasp, only to have his legs taken out from under him by Faith. Faith kicked him in the chest, hard, and he collapsed.
"Damn it!" she cried frustrated. "Why can't we just have you shoot her with a cross bow? Cause you don't stand a fucking chance in hand to hand!"
"Ease off Faith," Buffy told her.
"Why, you've been doing that enough for both of us," Faith snapped back. Shit, I didn't mean that so harsh, she thought. Well, I did, just wish I hadn't said it.
"What does that mean?" Buffy demanded.
"I believe she means that you are holding back on hurting Xander because you harbor an emotional attachment to him," Anya said, sitting up slightly from her position on the couch. "Don't worry Buffy, I too have had those feelings about Xander. I understand."
Anya's commentary broke the moment of tension between the slayers and Faith cracked a smile.
"Sorry B, just, end of the world kinda makes me tense."
"I'm good," Xander muttered from the floor when his breathe returned to him.
"You okay?" Buffy asked concerned. She knew the lengths Xander would go to save the world. And it scared her. She had some of the same doubts that Faith had. Xander had certainly improved as a fighter since she had first met him in tenth grade, but he still routinely got his ass kicked on patrol. He stood no chance against the two slayers. So what chance did he have against Amy? At least, what chance does he have to walk away alive, she wondered.
Xander brushed her hand off him. "Yeah, I'm fine. Let's go again." He stood up and crouched into a fighting stance.
"Xander," Faith said, much softer this time. "I know you want to help. And the desire and effort is there, but the skill just isn't."
"Let me keep working."
"Xan," Buffy said and touched him gently. "A few more hours of this isn't going to make you a better fighter. Rest, save your strength, and hope Faith and I can stop Amy before she completes the ritual."
Xander glared from one slayer to the other then stormed out of the room.
"Well that certainly wasn't the right approach to take with him," Anya chuckled, then recoiled at the pain it caused. "You may be his true love," she continued when the pain subsided, "but you don't fully understand him yet."
"Explain," Buffy demanded.
"He needs," Anya started, then changed her mind. "No, you love him so much, figure it out yourself."
Buffy glared at the former demon. After a few seconds she left to follow Xander.
"How long you been waiting to do that?" Faith asked, raising her eyebrow at Anya.
Anya started to smile but if fell before it reached her lips fully. "I wasn't. I used to do vengeance, but not anymore. It just sort of, came out of my mouth. I guess I do that a lot."
Faith shrugged. "Saying what you actually feel can be an asset. Just have to learn to balance it. I'm still working on that one."
"Go. Help stop the end of the world. I need to rest anyway," she dismissed Faith with a wave of her hand. When the second slayer was gone, Anya curled herself into a ball on the couch and let free a month's worth of buried tears.
"Xan, wait a sec," Buffy reached Xander just before he entered the front room.
"What Buffy?" Xander demanded angrily. He had always thought Buffy was his last supporter, now even she didn't believe he'd come through. And if she didn't believe in him, how could he believe in himself, he wondered.
"Xander," Buffy's voice quivered with emotion. "Please," she turned his shoulder gently and he let himself turn to face her.
"I need you to believe in me," Xander spoke bluntly before she said anything more. "I need you to be my rock. Because if you think I'm going to fail," he trailed off, shaking his head.
"God Xander," Buffy choked back the tears that threatened to break across her face. "I don't think you'll fail. I know you'll stop Amy no matter what. And that's what scares me." Xander gave her a questioning look and she took a deep breath to steady herself. "I know what you'll do it you have to. I know what you'll sacrifice to do this. I know you'll die for us." Xander was about to speak up but she pushed her finger to his lips. "I know you well enough by now. Xander, if it comes to down to killing Amy and losing your own life, I know what you'll do. I just," she looked into his deep brown eyes. "I don't know what'll happen to me if you die. When I thought I'd lost you before, I," she couldn't go on.
She released her tears. She felt Xander slip his arms around her. He held her like that until time slipped away from them.
STREETS
The black van peeled out and sped off towards the Magic Box.
At the same time Tara and Angelus set off towards the surface.
MAGIC BOX
After an eternity, Xander and Buffy rejoined the others in the front room.
"Anything on Angel?" Buffy asked.
"What," Giles looked up from a book he buried his nose in. "Um, no. I'm afraid we haven't found anything. At least nothing that will help us to restore Angel."
"But this guy O'Leary," Oz said, "Real nut job. He travels all around Europe looking for trouble. Then when he finds it, he usually makes it worse. He expels the demons from the possessed, but he usually puts into something else. There are all these stories of inanimate objects attacking their owners all over Europe."
"Sounds like a fun guy to have at parties," Xander joked.
"Yes, I imagine he would be," Giles sighed patiently. "The problem is that there's no record of anything he's done being reversed."
"Why would he do this?" Cordelia demanded. "It doesn't make sense. I mean, okay, so he likes to play with demons and stuff, but why Angel?"
"To do just what it's done," Giles offered. "It has distracted us from fully preparing to stop Amy."
"But why would O'Leary want to do that?" Oz asked. "I mean, he's a kook don't get me wrong, but he doesn't seem like a 'let's end the world' kook."
"No, but Amy is," Willow replied sadly. "She probably made him do it. Took control of his mind or turned him. She called you here," she said, pointing at Oz, "I'm sure she could call O'Leary."
"Now what?" Faith asked.
After a long silence, Cordelia said, "We make battle plans. It's what Angel would have wanted. And when this is over, I'm so going to kick that Priest's ass." The gang just looked at her. "What, he's not a good priest or anything."
Buffy just shook her head. Then she noticed Dawn madly reading a book.
"What ya doing Dawnie," she tried in her best big-sister voice.
"It's okay, I'm doing better today," Dawn smiled at her sister. She crinkled her head in thought. Should I tell Buffy the truth? Or will she just get all slayer on me? Truth. "I had a dream last night. I think it was prophetic."
Buffy sat next to her sister and cajoled Dawn to tell her more. "I felt the other Dawn. I was with her. She was in trouble. When I woke up I just ran towards her. I tripped over Angel and came back to my senses."
Buffy moved and hugged Dawn. "That was really brave of you. Really stupid," she chastised, but then looked her sister dead in the eyes and added, "but very brave."
"Thanks Buffy, that means a lot coming from you," Dawn said humbly. Then she sheepishly turned to the book she was reading. "I was trying to see if there was a way I could contact her. You know, see if she's okay."
"That's a good idea Dawn," Buffy said, shocking her sister. "If we can find other Dawn we can track Amy and find out when the ritual is supposed to start so we can save her."
Their moment of sisterly affection was broken when a large, wooden box slammed against the outside doors. William and Xander ran outside, but neither could see the black van speeding away.
"Nothing good ever comes in large wooden packages," Xander said. He and William dragged it inside the shop.
"There's a note on top of it," William stated.
"I have eyes," Xander snapped a little. He regretted it instantly. "Sorry, long day."
"And it's only going to get longer," Giles interjected. "So I suggest we try and keep our tempers in check. What does t-the note say?"
"Dear Scoobies," William began, "this is a special treat for Xander. We know what is about to happen and what Xander has to do, so we made this to help even the score out a little. "
"Well, I think that they could have saved some space by writing TRAP in big letters across the top," Faith muttered.
"Willow, can you do a seeing spell to recognize any magical presences?" Buffy asked.
The red head nodded. "It'll just take a second," she said. Buffy looked at her friend sympathetically. She was going through such a tough time, and she was still on the road to recovery from her trip to the dark side of magic. Buffy wished she could help, but there was nothing she could do now. When this is over we'll have all the time we need, she thought.
Willow did her spell and looked at her friends. "It's clean guys. No magical energy at all."
"Could it be something more mundane, like p-poison?" Giles asked.
"Not Amy's style mate," William replied.
"Well, let me open my present," Xander said. He reached down, unhooked the latch, and looked inside. When he saw what the box contained he gasped.
"What is it Xan?" Buffy asked concerned.
"It's some kind of body armor," he said and pulled out said armor.
It was a combination of high tech looking bulletproof fabric and protective metal plates across the chest, arms and shins. It was lightweight and had sharp metal spikes on the arms and fists. There were also several places that held hidden weapons, and a slot in each wrist that could shoot out stakes.
"Damn," Faith admired, "nice handy work."
"All I need is my lightsaber back and the bitch is toast," Xander smiled as he played with his armor.
"Who could do this, and would?" Buffy wondered
They all thought for a minute, then realization dawned on William. "Oh, it must be from the trio of terror, better know as Warren, Andrew and Jonathan," he chuckled. That makes sense, he thought. Never did have the guts for the big time blood and gore.
"Huh?" Buffy and Willow asked at the same time.
"Yeah, the three bloody idiots teamed up to try and take over Sunnydale." Probably should have kept our mouth shut, Spike told William.
"And you never told me this because?" Buffy demanded.
"Well," William shuffled his feet. Better tell um the truth mate. "I, uh, if I ever went all big bad again, I was going to have them remove the chip."
"SPIKE!"
"Hey, to be fair, that was Spike's idea and not mine," William reminded them. Blame me you big wanker. Well, it was your thought and you told me to tell them!
"Could we do this another time?" Giles interrupted before Buffy could say anything more. "We need to make sure this is form the, ah, trio of terror I believe you called them. If so, we must test it out."
They were interrupted by another collision at the door.
"What, they forget the directions?" Xander joked.
Buffy and Faith went to the get the door. Nothing was there except a rock.
"Strange," Faith mused. Her muse was greeted with another object being launched into the open Magic Box door. It hit the floor and rolled to the center of the shop. The groups stood and stared at the object, shock washing over them.
Laying on the center of the floor was—Xander's head.
They all stood quietly for about five minutes, staring at the bloody, beaten, and scarred head. No one moved. Except for Dawn, who ran to the bathroom to throw up. The scent of blood wafted over to Angel, who perked his head up, saw Xander, and sighed.
"I should have stayed with him, helped him. Buffy, I'm sorry," he mumbled hazily.
Buffy was beyond shock. The last time she had felt this low was when Glory had taken Dawn from her. If it wasn't for the fact that she knew HER Xander was safely standing a few feet from her, she would have returned to that catatonic state.
Faith knew that the sight before her shouldn't phase her. It was what they were after. Still, seeing Xander's head was a brutal reminder of what they were up against.
"How?" Xander finally asked after another five minutes. His mind was a fog and haze. He was looking at his head, but it wasn't HIS. How it came to them, or who it was, he didn't know. But it managed to burst his bubble. He had actually convinced himself, with Buffy's assurances, that if it came down to him, he could stop Amy. He knew now he was wrong.
"Here for Dawn," Angel whispered, the mere effort of speaking draining his energy. Cordelia patted his now white hair and whispered he should rest.
"He came to save other Dawn," Willow gasped, as Angel's words burned into her skull. Willow had to continually look to her Xander to assure herself that he was still alive. She couldn't lose another loved one, not again. Not Xander.
Not even realizing they were doing it, Buffy and Xander gravitated to each other. Buffy held him as tight as she could, and even though she was crushing every bone in his body, he would never have broken the embrace. Both felt the tears creeping down their faces and just held each other tighter.
"Isn't this a touching sight," a voice called as the bell chimed. Buffy's eyes flew towards the new figure. Just by the tone of his voice she knew who it was.
"Angelus."
"Good to see you still remember me Buff," he chuckled. "Thought maybe the hot luving of Xander Harris could make you forget your first."
Angelus stepped down into the center of the shop, tossed off his protective blanket, and picked up Xander's head. They all examined his new, monstrous look. He smiled back at them and licked at some of the still wet blood where Xander's neck should have been. Dawn cringed and dry heaved. Angelus looked at her and flicked out his tongue.
"It's really quite tasty. Just gotta give it a chance, right roller boy?" He looked to William.
William glared at Angelus. "You were stupid to come here Angelus. You won't walk out of here alive."
"That's what you say. How's that human thing working out for ya? I hear Angel over here's supposed to get that someday, but, not looking too much like that's going to happen anytime soon," he laughed again.
Faith moved first, launching herself at the creature. Angelus was too fast and strong, however, and she flew into the counter. "And my precious Faith. Trying the goody two shoes act with Spikey over here. Not the Faith I knew and loved."
"I'll kill you," Xander growled.
"Kid, I've already killed you once today. I'm sure a second time wouldn't take too much out of me. By the way Willow, Tara, nice choice." Willow glared at Angelus. "What do you think, she tastes either like honey or strawberries, I haven't decided. Wha-"
That was as far as Angelus got before Willow sent a fury of magical blasts at him. Before she knew what had happened, they slammed back into her. She was thrown against the wall and knocked unconscious.
"I'm sorry, did I forget to mention that your lovely ex blessed me with magical resistance. At least for a while," he smiled.
"A prevention spell," Giles muttered. "Should have known."
"Ripper, looking good. Better than the last time I saw you. Course then I was torturing you endlessly. How I miss the good old days. But I reminisce. I'm here for," Angelus paused for a moment, then leapt for Dawn.
He was met midair by were Oz. The two demons fell to the floor. They growled at each other and stared off. Buffy ran to Dawn. Giles ushered Xander into the training room and pulled a crossbow from the shelf. Slowly he paced towards Angelus. For Jenny, he thought, I never avenged you before but I get the chance now.
"Rupert," William whispered. "You can't kill him. We need to put him back in Angel."
Giles stared at William for a few moments. He was right, of course, and Giles knew it. But he didn't want to let Angelus come in here, taunt them, and then walk away.
"I know mate," William whispered again. "I want the bloke dead too. But Angel has work to do in this world."
Giles sighed and nodded. He put the crossbow down and watched as Oz and Angelus squared off. Angelus slashed out across Oz's throat. Oz grabbed at it and backed away. The beast examined his bloodied paw, roared, and then charged at Angelus again.
Dawn watched all this in horror. Buffy stood by her side, ready to stop any further attack. Xander, Dawn cried inside. If he came here to help her they were really close, she thought. Closer than I am with Xander and I know how horrible I would feel if that were my Xander. Dawn stretched her mind out, like it said to do in the book, and tried to find other Dawn.
HIGH SCHOOL RUINS
It had been a long time since he had heard from Xander. He was scared. Very scared. He had lost his connection with Dawn as well. He searched and searched but could find nothing. This meant that something very bad had befallen his friends. He stretched out again, searching for Dawn.
Suddenly, a new presence came to him. It felt like a reflection. It bounced around inside his own mind before he could recognize it. Dawn.
DAWN.
WHO IS THIS?
YOU DON'T RECOGNIZE ME?
NO.
OH GOD. YOU'RE THIS WORLD'S DAWN.
YES. I WAS TRYING TO FIND HER.
WHY?
(long pause) JUST TO FIND HER.
SOMETHING'S HAPPENED.
(another long pause) XANDER.
NO!
The stress of it broke their connection. "Xander," he sobbed to himself. She didn't need to tell him more, he knew. He was gone. He had sensed it long ago, but he had refused to recognize what was wrong. Now, he was truly alone. And Dawn, his Dawn, would be devastated.
He sighed deeply. And now, this Dawn, knew him. Or at least, she knew of him. He prayed that somehow, someway, she wouldn't recognize his presence when they met in this world. If they even meet in this world. Everything had gone to hell. Xander was dead, Dawn was probably next, and this Dawn had met him in his mind. I'm failing.
He fell to the ground and began to sob.
MAGIC BOX
It all happened for Dawn in a matter of seconds. She felt for her other, something intercepted her, and the strain of it was too much for her. She fainted. Only Buffy's slayer reflexes prevented her from tumbling to the floor.
"Dawn?" Buffy called concerned.
"Think she's broken Buff," Angelus called as he flung Oz away. He turned his attention and charged at the watchers.
"He's after Xander," William cried.
"You think?" Angelus asked as his fist collided with the side of the former vampire's head. Giles swung wildly at Angelus, who grabbed his wrist. Giles heard as well as felt the bones snap. Angelus then delivered a backhand to Giles face and he fell to the floor.
Angelus turned to get Xander, but felt an arrow embed itself into his shoulder.
"I was just waiting for a chance to play with my new toys," Faith quipped. "Thanks."
"Anything I can do to help," he replied and pulled the arrow from his shoulder. "But you missed." He pointed at his heart.
"I didn't miss," Faith laughed. "I don't want you dead. That's the whole point, isn't it? You get to have all the fun, but Angel dies."
"Pretty much was the idea."
"I have other plans," Faith pointed to the arrow. "Poison."
"Thought you wanted me alive," Angelus asked, though his concern came out.
"Yeah, I do. Never said it'd kill ya. Nighty night," she waved and Angelus fell to his knees. He struggled to get to his feet. He never saw or heard Xander creep up from behind him and deliver the sledgehammer to the head.
"That was for other me!" He screamed. He dropped the hammer and began to cry silently.
"Did I help?" Oz, now human, called wearily from the doorway.
"Yeah. You did," Buffy said softly, holding dawn but never taking her eyes off Xander.
SEWERS
"HE DID WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?" Amy screamed at Tara.
"I tried to stop him. I cast the prevention spell before we tossed the head in. Then, he just ran, through the sun, and into the shop," Tara said shyly. "They took him prisoner."
"Are the troops in place?" Amy growled. This was not her day.
"They await sunset to leave the train station."
"And the scout team?"
"T-they n-never returned," Tara stuttered.
Breathe, Amy told herself. Wait, I don't have to breathe. Kill something that will help. She grabbed the nearest vamp and ripped his head off. He exploded into dust and Amy sighed.
"B-b-better Mistress?" Tara asked cautiously.
"It's not your fault love," Amy soothed. To prove her point she walked over to her and kissed her deeply. Tara's cold tongue responded to Amy's. She moaned into her mouth. Other parts of Tara responded to Amy's sweet caress.
Amy broke the embrace. "Await me in my chamber pet," she stroked Tara's face and she smiled at her. Tara left.
Amy's mind went a mile a minute. Angelus was out of the picture. But, he probably caused enough damage to distract them. Maybe he even took a couple of them with him, she consoled herself. Still, he was supposed to lead the vampire army and his presence was supposed to have distracted the slayer.
Oh well, Tara was alive, and Dawn was secure, that was the important thing. Her army would arrive at sunset to secure the high school. Once they received the word that the area was safe, she, Tara, and the key would arrive. Amy needed about two hours to prepare the spell. Then, she would be a goddess.
If the slayer hasn't already taken the school, she lamented. She had to admit that she was quite distressed by the missing scout team. Maybe they were hit on the way back, she thought. It will all be over soon, she thought. Very soon.
MAGIC BOX
They had Angelus tied to a chair. Dawn recovered from her spell soon after the confrontation ended, but she couldn't remember anything. Willow then preformed a small healing spell on Giles' wrist. It still hurt him, but it was enough for now. Willow herself could have used a healing spell, Faith had mentioned. Nevertheless, they were running out of time. The sun would set in a few hours, and then it would be show time.
The mood of the group had changed. And not for the better. Buffy knew that this was exactly the message Amy had wanted to send. To remind them just how vulnerable they were. Especially Xander.
Angelus stirred slightly. Before anyone could speak, Xander grabbed the hammer and slammed it into his skull.
"Xander?" Buffy asked concerned.
Xander met her eyes with a new determination. "They want to play rough, we'll play rough. I'm going to make that bitch sorry she ever tried this ritual. Now, it's time to see what this puppy can do," he said, tugging on the armor he had slipped on. "Jonathan left me some instructions after all."
He walked at a quick clip into the training room. Buffy followed behind, calling behind her, "Give us an hour to test the armor out. Look for anything else on Angel. Think about battle plans, but I think I have some ideas." She vanished into the training room.
"This just gets better and better," William sighed from the table. Xander with confidence was good, he thought, but crazed Xander would get sliced and diced.
"He can take care of himself," Faith reminded her lover and wrapped her arms around him. "William, I love you. I want you to remember that, just in case."
"Always, pet. Always," he smiled at her and leaned up to kiss her.
Cordelia was knelt next to Angel and stroked his hair. He looked so old and haggard. It really scared Cordy. She was used to strong, powerful, and occasionally crazy Angel. Old, weak and frail Angel was not something she was prepared to deal with.
"Buffy," Angel murmured.
"No Angel," she said sadly, "it's Cordelia. Cordy, you remember?"
"I love you Buffy. Always."
"I know," Cordelia sighed. "I know."
"You look so lovely in this light Buffy."
"Thanks."
"Buffy?"
"It's Cordy, but what?"
"You really do look lovely. I love you. Always."
"Me too Angel, me too," she sighed again and continued to brush his hair.
Buffy caught up to Xander. "Honey," she started.
"I'll be okay. I don't want to end up like, well like me. I just feel bad for other Dawn. I, me, he, whatever, obviously cared a lot about her to break dimensional portals. I just want to make sure he didn't die in vain. But, I'm happy to be alive, and I want to be alive with you for a long time. So no crazy heroics, just planning my dance on Amy's dust party."
"Glad to hear it," she smiled at her love. She kissed him. She wished she had time to do so much more. Well, just another reason to kill Amy. Then Xander pulled their bodies as close as he could with the armor on, and Buffy stopped thinking.
Anya watched this. She still loved Xander. But now she understood. She knew he had loved her. But he had never LIVED for her. He LIVED for Buffy. Buffy was the reason Xander got up in the morning, hell he was the reason he did anything. Anya had never had that with him. They cared about each other, but it wasn't the same. He opened my life up to love, help make me human, and for that I'm grateful, she thought. I just hope that I get a chance to have that love someday.
She wiped the tearstains from her eyes and sat up. She was slowly beginning to heal and if they lived through this she was going to have a whole new lease on life. If they lived through this, she reminded herself. They haven't failed me yet better not start now.
Back in the front room Willow paged distractedly at her book. A few moments after Buffy and Xander went to the training room, William and Faith did the same in the back room. She smiled sadly at the rest of her friends. They had done their best to make her feel better. They all made sure she knew how much they loved her. But they still couldn't fill the void that Tara's "death" had left.
Willow was so tempted to try and curse her with a soul, but she knew better. It wouldn't be what Tara would want. Plus, it was a curse for a reason, she told herself. I'll do it for her, I'll set her free.
"Hey Wil," Oz said quietly and sat down next to her.
"Hey yourself," she smiled weakly at Oz. She hadn't had much time to dwell on his return. Except feel guilty. If he hadn't been with her, Amy would never have dragged him into this.
"We haven't really had a chance to talk much. I mean with the end of the world and all," he smiled genuinely at her.
"No, we haven't," she whispered. She was afraid of what was coming. The tongue-lashing. The anger. The pain.
"I know I left on tough terms last time," he began. Here we go, Willow sighed inwardly. But he has the right to let me know. "But, I wanted you to know that I'm really sorry about Tara." Huh?
"You are?"
"Of course. I know how much she meant to you. And, I mean I may not be the best judge on the account of my insane jealousy, but she seemed really nice."
"Oh, Oz," she whimpered. "How can you say these things to me?"
"Uh, I, what, I don't think I understand," he said.
"God Oz, how can you be so nice," she sobbed.
"I could try to be meaner," he said confused.
"I almost got you killed. And now, you're here, fighting, during an end of the world battle. It's not your fight. It's all my fault, if I'd never loved you."
"Willow," Oz interrupted her ramble. "Nothing would make me trade in what we had. It was the best time of my life, even through all the not so nice times. And, if you hadn't noticed, I've been free to go for a couple days now. I'm staying cause I want to help. You know, even if it's only just to hold a flame thrower, which may I add is very stylish, I just want to do something."
"Oh, Oz," Willow said, amazed at Oz's understand and coolness. Why does that surprise me, she asked herself.
She gave Oz a hug. It lingered for a while. A little too long. Willow finally broke their embrace and smiled awkwardly at him. "Thanks for that Oz."
"Sure," he got up to return to his stack of book, then paused. "Wil."
"Yeah."
"I'm here if you want to talk. There will always be a place for my Willow in here," he pointed at his heart. He hurried over to his books before Willow had a chance to respond.
SEWERS
Amy gently stroked Tara' hair. Tara nuzzled even closer to her vampire mistress. Amy had grown quite attached to her. She almost regretted having to sacrifice her to achieve her ascension. Almost.
"Mistress," Tara said contentedly.
"Yes pet," Amy purred in return.
"Will you replace me when I'm gone?"
Amy stared at her for a few moments. "No," she said softly. "Once you have helped me to become the vessel, I will no longer partake in manners of this sort. I will only be after ruling this world."
"Won't you be lonely my mistress?" Tara asked again.
"Tara, look at me," Amy commanded. Tara did as she was told. Amy looked her in the eyes and entered her mind. "Hear my words. I will miss you, but I am going to ascend to a great new height. Only you can help me achieve this. It is the greatest gift you could ever give to me. And I know you want me to be happy. Do you understand?"
"Yes mistress," Tara said slowly.
"Good," Amy smiled and broke their trance. She kissed Tara deeply again, running her fingers through her hair. "Now my pet," she said when the kiss was over. "Once the troops are in place at the high school, I want you to go to the Magic Box and check on Angelus. Then return and report to me."
"Your wish is my command my mistress," Tara said obediently. She got up out of the bed, dressed, and disappeared through the shadows.
Amy sighed. A shame she must die. I will miss her she is a wonderful sidekick. Then she smiled wickedly. But soon, no sidekick will be necessary. She chuckled to herself. Amy snapped her fingers and she was clothed again. She climbed out of bed and walked over to Dawn, who was still unconscious. Amy gently kissed her check, then pounded her fist on top of Dawn's head.
"Wouldn't want you playing possum would we?" she asked the unconscious girl.
Amy picked up her spell book and re-read the ritual and prophecy once more. She tingled with excitement. She could almost feel the power of the hellmouth now. It called to her. Soon, it would course through her.
And the secret all lied in the girl. Tara would draw her blood inside of her to weed out the humanity. Then Amy would drink from Tara and the pure energy would be delivered to her, untainted with humanity. This would all follow a little run of the mill chanting and emblem drawing, nothing too elaborate. But it would be enough.
More than enough to rule this world. No longer would she be burdened with the limitations of her race or fearful of the slayers. She would be able to make an army so quickly that soon they would outnumber the humans. And no demon would be able to oppose her. They would belong to her. Amy would rule everything on this earth. Then, perhaps, she would move to other dimensions. One thing at a time though, she reminded herself.
She knew they would try and stop her. They would fail. Xander Harris was the only chance humanity had to stop her. Once he was dealt with, and by the time the forces of light could muster another pure human champion, it would far too late. Far, far too late.
MAGIC BOX (1 HOUR LATER)
"Well, I have to say, hot damn!" Xander exclaimed as he and Buffy left the training room.
"I take it the armor works well than?" Giles asked from the war table.
"Xander here is now a certified lean, mean vampire killing machine," Buffy beamed at him.
"Xander, your humor is beginning to rub off on her," Willow teased him.
"Sorry all," Xander waved to the group.
"Anything new?" Buffy asked and looked over to where Angelus was tied up, still out from the last blow Xander had delivered.
"Yes actually. It seems," Giles said, "that only O'Leary can reverse a depossesion of this manner."
"Which means we have to get him alive," Cordelia demanded, slightly annoyed at that concept.
"We will," Buffy assured her. She looked around the room and asked, "William and Faith?"
"Making out in the back room," Oz chimed in helpfully as he flipped through another book.
"Those two are worse than you," Dawn said with some humor. It was all she could muster. Between the seriousness of the situation, her spell, and Xander's head, Dawn was reeling inside. The fact that she couldn't remember any of her spell also unnerved her greatly.
"We'll give um a little longer, then we need to finalize battle strategies and move out," Buffy said determined. She then grabbed Xander and dragged him back into the training room. A few moments later Anya scuttled out.
"I think the expression is Eww," she muttered and plopped down into a chair beside Giles. Giles looked her over. She was beginning to look a little stronger, but she wasn't there yet. I wish I could do something more for you, he thought. I wish.
Faith and William kissed deeply. He sat in a chair while she straddled his legs. They were getting intense and close. "Pet," William said between kisses. "We," kiss, "should," kiss, "really," kiss, "get back," kiss, kiss, kiss, "to the others." Kiss, kiss, kiss.
"Why?" Faith whined.
"To stop the apocalypse luv. Remember, waiting until this is over to have sex?"
"Yeah," she sighed. "I remember," she hopped off his legs. That wasn't the only thing she remembered.
FLASHBACK
Faith kicked at the cell floor. She sat back against the cold, stone wall. Prison had been a tough time for Faith. Not that prison wasn't a tough time for most of the people there, but it was different for her. She struggled everyday with the peace that came from knowing she couldn't hurt anyone anymore, and the nightmare of her mind replaying her actions over and over again. She had no distraction or reprieves from the show her mind played over everyday.
Some days she woke up and just hoped it would all end. Let the slayer burden pass on and let my miserable life be over, she thought. This gift has been wasted on me.
"Faith," a voice called tentatively from the shadows. The voice sounded familiar, but she couldn't place it.
"Who wants to know?" she demanded. Maybe a demon here to grant my wish, wouldn't be so bad.
"A friend. Looks like you could use one."
"I don't have any friends. And the time for me to need them has passed. I missed my chance."
"So, you're just content to sit and waste away?"
"What's it to you?"
"I have something to offer you."
"If it's your dick, not interested."
The visitor in the shadows coughed. "NO, definitely not my, ah, manhood."
Faith had to laugh at his choice of words. "Manhood? Where do you come from?"
"I've been everywhere. I've done a lot. Lived life like you. But, I have something you don't."
"Besides your manhood?" Faith asked, trying to provoke him.
"Yes," he said snippily. "I can offer you a second chance."
"What, a chance to do it all over again? Relive life?"
"No, a chance to make amends."
"I don't do amends," Faith shot back. "That's why I'm here. I can't control the urges."
"Why not?"
"I don't know," she replied angrily.
"Have you ever wondered?"
"What is this all about?"
"I told you what this is all about. I'm here to offer you a chance at redemption. It can come to anyone who wants it and will work for it. Even for those without a soul."
"Okay cryptic boy, time to step up and reveal yourself," she demanded.
"All right," he replied and stepped into the light.
"You look familiar," Faith said.
"You might know my name better. Spike ring any bells?"
"Wait," she said incredulously, "Spike, the former big bad vampire that got neutered?"
"Yes, that's the one. I earned my humanity back, I go by William now," he smiled at her. He was wearing tweed pants with a sweater on. He looked like a watcher.
"What's with the outfit?"
"The PTB gave me my humanity back because I earned redemption. But they didn't do it for fun. There is work I need to do. And I need your help to do it."
"Oh," Faith said, "I get it. I'm your charity case. Thanks, but I'll pass. Been there, done that, got the scars to prove it. I'm no one's charity chase. Not anymore."
"Is a watcher/slayer relationship a charity case? Hardly."
"Excuse me, but did you say watcher?"
William smiled at her. "Yes, I did. The PTB told me I needed your help to do my work in this world, and I was to be your watcher in return for your help. Not charity, but a trade. You help me do my work and I be your watcher and help you earn some redemption. Help you control those urges."
Faith looked him over carefully. "If I agree to this, what will I have to do?"
"Be a slayer. Like I know you can be. Face your inner demons, like I know you can. Do what you wish you had done the first time you had a chance."
"And how do you know I can do that?"
William looked her over kindly. There was something in his eye Faith could identify, possibly because she had never seen a look of such kindness before. "I see your heart. It may be scarred, but it's not broken beyond repair. Let me help you, and help me. We can be good for each other."
Faith looked into his eyes for a long time. Looking for a trick of some sort, or deception on his part. She saw nothing. "You meant all that stuff you said?"
"With all my soul. And I do have one now," he smiled at her. She looked at him for another long time period.
Finally, she smiled slightly and said, "So, you gotta plan to get out of this joint?"
MAGIC BOX
Faith stopped William just before he left the room. "I just wanted to say, I never doubted you for a second. Not from the moment you stepped into my prison cell to the day at bar to the hotel. I knew you were right about me. I just needed your help to prove it to us both."
William looked lovingly at her for a long time. "Faith, I will not let you die. Your work on this world has just begun."
He kissed her deeply. They held each other for a few moments before finally going to the others.
"Hey mates," William called. About that time Buffy and Xander emerged from the training room, both tucking their shirts back in and trying to look respectable.
"You guys are just as bad as us," Faith cast them a look and they all took their seats at the war table.
"We've been dating longer," Buffy retorted, sticking her tongue out at the other slayer. She took a breath when everyone had gathered and began to lay out the plan.
"Okay, here's the battle plan. Amy will have her vampire army protecting her. Now, from what William has said, the demons are going to do their part?"
William nodded.
She nodded in return and continued. "Okay, so we're going to have pretty much utter chaos. That's where we come in. Faith and I will take the front line, but our main goal is to get to Amy. William, Oz, Giles, and," she looked to Cordelia, "sure you're up for this?" she nodded. "And Cordy will be armed with the flame throwers and automatic crossbows. Your only job is to toast the vampire army, and if you get the chance take a stray shot at Amy. But not hand to hand, leave that to Faith and I. Hopefully the chaos will let us get to Amy and stop the ritual. If we fail, Xander, who will be hiding safely in the ruins," he pouted at this and Buffy shot him a look, "They'll be on full alert for you Xan, armor or no armor.
"Anyway, if she becomes the vessel, we'll do our best to distract her and give you a chance to stake her. Willow, I want you to stay back with Dawn. Any magic you can come up with to help out will be great. The whole idea is let the vamps and demons duke it out and we'll do the quick strike. Especially since we're a little short handed. Dawn, you are to stay out of sight and be safe. Understand?" Her sister nodded.
"Good," Buffy finished. "The sun sets in a half hour. Then we set out for recon. We'll set up shop a few blocks away and run some quick glance and back missions. Then we strike. Everyone ready?" They nodded. Buffy walked over to Angelus, picked up the hammer and slammed it against his head and said, "Let's roll."
{Insert title music here} :-)
They processed out of the Magic Box, lead by Buffy who was flanked by Xander and Faith. William, Giles and Oz filled in the next layer with Willow, Cordy and Dawn following in the rear.
"Let's see if the bitch wants a piece of this!" Xander yelled the battle cry as they left to met their fate.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Feedback is a must. It's like fuel to my fire. Help me, please. Even if it's just a quick word, anything will do.
Rating: R
You want a piece of this?
Dawn ran as fast as she could down the street, toward other Dawn's call. She was stunned when she fell flat on her face. She slowly got to her feet and looked back to see what had caused her fall. An old man had passed out on the ground. The town drunk great, Dawn thought. She stood back up but the sizzling sounds she heard made her turn around. There was smoke coming from the old man.
Slowly, Dawn bent down to look at him. She saw his face and gasped. Who would turn an old man, she thought sadly. Something else about him struck her.
"Who's there?" the voice asked. It sounded so familiar to Dawn.
"Who's asking?" she said in the bravest voice she could muster.
"I can barley see. Dawn is that you? Ow," he said as the smoke turned to flame. Dawn squealed and ran back to the Magic Box.
"Guys, help!" she yelled. Her voice woke Faith and she sprang up. William stirred slightly and a sleepy Willow glanced at Dawn.
"What is it kiddo?" Faith asked.
"I'm not sure really. I was just, was just out for a walk, and I found this old vampire. He says he knows me." Dawn was embarrassed and frantic at the same time.
Faith stopped. "Dawn, it's got to be a trap."
"The sun is rising. If we don't save him he'll burn. He's old and weak. You can take him if he's trouble. I just don't think he is," she said, trying desperately to convey her gut feeling.
Faith had to make a decision quickly. She bolted out the door and found the old vampire.
"The sun's coming up so you have about three seconds to tell me who you are," Faith demanded.
"Angel," he breathed out the word and passed out again. Within a second Faith leaned down and scooped Angel up to bring him into the store.
"Faith?" William asked as he helped her lower Angel to the floor.
"He says he's Angel. He isn't in any condition to do any damage," she explained.
"I see we're going to get a great night's worth of rest," Xander muttered as he and Buffy joined the others.
"He claims to be Angel," William relayed.
"But, he's old," Xander stated.
"I'm aware of that," William shot Xander a patient look. "But, well, look at his face."
Buffy and Xander did just that. He seemed to be aging by the second. Still, there was little doubt to Buffy that it was Angel.
"How?" Buffy asked concerned. She may have put her romantic feelings for Angel away, but he was still a good friend and a needed allay.
"O'Leary," Angel said dazed. He seemed to be going in and out of consciousness.
"O'Leary?" Xander wondered.
"Father O'Leary?" William asked. Angel could only manage a slight head movement.
"Who is Father O'Leary? Fill me in," Faith demanded.
"Father O'Leary," Giles said, stepping in from the training room, "is a world renowned priest know for his ability to exorcise demons. To my knowledge, he has never failed."
"So," Dawn wondered, "why is Angel getting old? What did O'Leary do to him and why?"
"My guess little one," William offered, "is that O'Leary somehow took the demon out of Angel. But, it takes a special type of magic to reverse a vampire physically. Without the symbiotic relationship between the demon and the body, Angel stays a vampire, but his body goes through an aging process."
"How do you know all that?" Giles questioned. This was all too strange for him.
"I didn't get to be a watcher for my good looks," he joked. When they all shot him incredulous looks he retorted. "Hey, I was Europe's most feared vampire before I came to this place," he insisted. "You aren't a big bad in Europe without hearing the tales of Father O'Leary. I heard he once gave a chaos demon a soul and it went insane and destroyed an entire village."
"Comforting as always," Buffy snipped.
"Don't blame me, I'm just telling you," he replied defensively. Faith gave him a comforting peck on the cheek.
"I know dear. But you have to admit that isn't what we need on our hands now. So, how do we reverse it?"
"What did O'Leary do with Angelus?" William bent down and asked Angel.
"What's all the noise?" Cordelia demanded.
"Shussh!" Buffy hushed her.
"Xander knows," Angel replied, beginning to slip out of reality.
"What did he say?" Willow asked.
William turned to Xander. "That Xander knows."
"Don't look at me," he said. "I was with Buffy all night. Ask her."
"Relax honey," Buffy soothed. "No one's accusing you. We just want to find out what happened to Angel."
"That's Angel!" Cordy exclaimed and knelt beside her boss. "Angel?"
Willow placed a hand on her shoulder. "He needs to save his strength. Whatever is causing him to age, we'll stop it."
The little that was left of Angel remembered the bottle. He turned to Cordelia. "The bottle. Let me drink from it."
"You want alcohol at a time like this," she replied hysterically.
"No, in my pocket."
"I hope that isn't some really bad metaphor," she mumbled and reached into his pocket. She recovered a small vile of liquid. She looked at William and Giles, both of whom just shrugged. She uncorked it, brought it to Angel's lips, and let him drink.
Angel coughed a little bit, but relaxed. They all watched him for a while. Nothing happened.
"I think that's a good sign," Willow ventured. "I mean, before he was getting older by the minute."
"Hmm," Giles hmmed. "I think I know what that was. It's a very rare potion that can temporarily slow the aging process. Its effects will wear off, but it may buy us some time. How he got his hands on something like that or why he would even have it in the first place baffles me."
"Isn't the important thing," Buffy interrupted. "We have to figure out if we can reverse it. And if we can't do it by this afternoon," she swallowed, "then we have to make our attack plans without Angel."
Giles nodded. "I hate to admit it, but Buffy is right. We must see what we can do, but if we can't, then we must stop Amy."
"Hey, we came here to help you and this is the thanks we get!" Cordelia yelled.
"If we spend all our time trying to save Angel, and Amy wins, what will it matter?" Faith asked. Cordelia backed down, but was obviously unhappy.
"Okay, here's the plan. Giles, William, Willow, Oz, and Cordelia you're on research. See what you can find out about O'Leary, why he would do this, what he did, and if we can reverse it. Xander, Faith and I are going to pick up your training."
"Hey," Xander spoke out, "I hurt bad enough when I had the two British guys beating on me. Now, I have the two slayers?"
"Amy is going to be like ten slayers," Faith shot back. "You want my help or not?"
Xander sighed. "Well, if this is my last day alive, at least I know it'll be a long one." Buffy tousled his hair and kissed him.
"That's my man."
"Don't make me hurl," Faith teased. She looked longingly at her own love and followed Buffy and Xander into the training room.
SEWERS
"And that's for taking what belongs to me," Angelus cried as he tore his talon like fingernails across Xander's arm.
"I keep telling you, I didn't take anything from you. All I wanted was Dawn," he cried. He could barely think as pained coursed through him.
"Oh you know DAMN well what you took from me!" Angelus screamed and kicked Xander's already battered ribs.
Xander coughed, even though it hurt more than he thought possible, and spat out blood. Dawn, he thought, as Tara slashed his face with her nails. I failed you. Angelus kicked the side of Xander's head. The darkness claimed his mind. His last thoughts were to Buffy. I'm sorry Buff. I know I promised I'd take care of her, but I couldn't do it. I tried. Honest, I really did. Guess I'll see you soon. I just hope you can forgive me.
Dawn lay unconscious next to Amy. Dawn was powerful, but Amy had easily overwhelmed her once she got her away from Xander. Amy had considered taking advantage of Dawn, as punishment for the trouble she had caused, but she decided against it. Amy realized that Dawn needed to be kept unconscious until the ritual tonight. Everything was too close to allow a wildcard to mess up her plans. And plus it's just no fun if the victims aren't awake to know they're being violated, she thought.
Dawn twitched a bit. Amy smashed her fist against the side of the young girl's head. The twitching stopped. Amy smiled at her prisoner. She had to hand it to Dawn. She certainly had a lot of spunk. And apparently she made enough of an impression to bring Xander Harris, the next dimension, to help her.
Amy chuckled at the thought of Xander. Tara had wanted to turn him and set him loose on the slayers. But Amy just wanted him dead. She did, however, promise Tara they could send his head to the Magic Box's doorstop.
THE BASEMENT
"I still don't understand this!" Warren complained. "We are still the bad guys right? I mean we still want to take over Sunnydale, right? Why not just team up with her?"
"You've seen her in action," Jonathan whispered. "She doesn't seem like the team up kinda gal."
"Plus, if she wins, there isn't a Sunnydale to rule over," Andrew replied. "Heck even Spiderman and Venom had to work together for the greater once in a while."
"Yes but when did Superman work with Lex Luther? Or Batman with the Joker?" Warren grumbled.
"Just finish it so we can give it to them," Jonathan commanded. He paced, rather uselessly, back and forth.
"Well, since I AM the one doing all the work," Warren snapped, "It'd go a lot faster if you two shut up or did something useful."
"I bought the box," Jonathan whined.
"And I," Andrew thought for a moment.
"SHUT UP!" Warren screamed. "This is your IDIOT plan so just shut UP!"
Warren went back to work. About an hour later he stuck his head up, and smiled satisfied at his two compatriots. "It's finished."
"Good, let's get it in the box. Andrew and I will take it over to the Magic Box and drop it off before it's too late. Remember, Warren said they can't see us." Jonathan said.
"That's the part I don't understand," Andrew. "Why can't we tell the slayer what we've done?"
"Yeah, I want to tell her," Jonathan perked up.
"Absolutely not!" Warren responded. "It's bad enough we did this. I don't want her to know. When this whole thing with Amy is over, we go back to our plan to take over Sunnydale. I don't want the slayer to know that we have an ear to the underworld."
The other two grudgingly nodded in agreement. "Now go take the slayer her prize."
MAGIC BOX
Xander slammed against the back wall. His eyes watered in pain, but he blinked them away just in time to see Buffy come at him again. He ducked, barely escaping her grasp, only to have his legs taken out from under him by Faith. Faith kicked him in the chest, hard, and he collapsed.
"Damn it!" she cried frustrated. "Why can't we just have you shoot her with a cross bow? Cause you don't stand a fucking chance in hand to hand!"
"Ease off Faith," Buffy told her.
"Why, you've been doing that enough for both of us," Faith snapped back. Shit, I didn't mean that so harsh, she thought. Well, I did, just wish I hadn't said it.
"What does that mean?" Buffy demanded.
"I believe she means that you are holding back on hurting Xander because you harbor an emotional attachment to him," Anya said, sitting up slightly from her position on the couch. "Don't worry Buffy, I too have had those feelings about Xander. I understand."
Anya's commentary broke the moment of tension between the slayers and Faith cracked a smile.
"Sorry B, just, end of the world kinda makes me tense."
"I'm good," Xander muttered from the floor when his breathe returned to him.
"You okay?" Buffy asked concerned. She knew the lengths Xander would go to save the world. And it scared her. She had some of the same doubts that Faith had. Xander had certainly improved as a fighter since she had first met him in tenth grade, but he still routinely got his ass kicked on patrol. He stood no chance against the two slayers. So what chance did he have against Amy? At least, what chance does he have to walk away alive, she wondered.
Xander brushed her hand off him. "Yeah, I'm fine. Let's go again." He stood up and crouched into a fighting stance.
"Xander," Faith said, much softer this time. "I know you want to help. And the desire and effort is there, but the skill just isn't."
"Let me keep working."
"Xan," Buffy said and touched him gently. "A few more hours of this isn't going to make you a better fighter. Rest, save your strength, and hope Faith and I can stop Amy before she completes the ritual."
Xander glared from one slayer to the other then stormed out of the room.
"Well that certainly wasn't the right approach to take with him," Anya chuckled, then recoiled at the pain it caused. "You may be his true love," she continued when the pain subsided, "but you don't fully understand him yet."
"Explain," Buffy demanded.
"He needs," Anya started, then changed her mind. "No, you love him so much, figure it out yourself."
Buffy glared at the former demon. After a few seconds she left to follow Xander.
"How long you been waiting to do that?" Faith asked, raising her eyebrow at Anya.
Anya started to smile but if fell before it reached her lips fully. "I wasn't. I used to do vengeance, but not anymore. It just sort of, came out of my mouth. I guess I do that a lot."
Faith shrugged. "Saying what you actually feel can be an asset. Just have to learn to balance it. I'm still working on that one."
"Go. Help stop the end of the world. I need to rest anyway," she dismissed Faith with a wave of her hand. When the second slayer was gone, Anya curled herself into a ball on the couch and let free a month's worth of buried tears.
"Xan, wait a sec," Buffy reached Xander just before he entered the front room.
"What Buffy?" Xander demanded angrily. He had always thought Buffy was his last supporter, now even she didn't believe he'd come through. And if she didn't believe in him, how could he believe in himself, he wondered.
"Xander," Buffy's voice quivered with emotion. "Please," she turned his shoulder gently and he let himself turn to face her.
"I need you to believe in me," Xander spoke bluntly before she said anything more. "I need you to be my rock. Because if you think I'm going to fail," he trailed off, shaking his head.
"God Xander," Buffy choked back the tears that threatened to break across her face. "I don't think you'll fail. I know you'll stop Amy no matter what. And that's what scares me." Xander gave her a questioning look and she took a deep breath to steady herself. "I know what you'll do it you have to. I know what you'll sacrifice to do this. I know you'll die for us." Xander was about to speak up but she pushed her finger to his lips. "I know you well enough by now. Xander, if it comes to down to killing Amy and losing your own life, I know what you'll do. I just," she looked into his deep brown eyes. "I don't know what'll happen to me if you die. When I thought I'd lost you before, I," she couldn't go on.
She released her tears. She felt Xander slip his arms around her. He held her like that until time slipped away from them.
STREETS
The black van peeled out and sped off towards the Magic Box.
At the same time Tara and Angelus set off towards the surface.
MAGIC BOX
After an eternity, Xander and Buffy rejoined the others in the front room.
"Anything on Angel?" Buffy asked.
"What," Giles looked up from a book he buried his nose in. "Um, no. I'm afraid we haven't found anything. At least nothing that will help us to restore Angel."
"But this guy O'Leary," Oz said, "Real nut job. He travels all around Europe looking for trouble. Then when he finds it, he usually makes it worse. He expels the demons from the possessed, but he usually puts into something else. There are all these stories of inanimate objects attacking their owners all over Europe."
"Sounds like a fun guy to have at parties," Xander joked.
"Yes, I imagine he would be," Giles sighed patiently. "The problem is that there's no record of anything he's done being reversed."
"Why would he do this?" Cordelia demanded. "It doesn't make sense. I mean, okay, so he likes to play with demons and stuff, but why Angel?"
"To do just what it's done," Giles offered. "It has distracted us from fully preparing to stop Amy."
"But why would O'Leary want to do that?" Oz asked. "I mean, he's a kook don't get me wrong, but he doesn't seem like a 'let's end the world' kook."
"No, but Amy is," Willow replied sadly. "She probably made him do it. Took control of his mind or turned him. She called you here," she said, pointing at Oz, "I'm sure she could call O'Leary."
"Now what?" Faith asked.
After a long silence, Cordelia said, "We make battle plans. It's what Angel would have wanted. And when this is over, I'm so going to kick that Priest's ass." The gang just looked at her. "What, he's not a good priest or anything."
Buffy just shook her head. Then she noticed Dawn madly reading a book.
"What ya doing Dawnie," she tried in her best big-sister voice.
"It's okay, I'm doing better today," Dawn smiled at her sister. She crinkled her head in thought. Should I tell Buffy the truth? Or will she just get all slayer on me? Truth. "I had a dream last night. I think it was prophetic."
Buffy sat next to her sister and cajoled Dawn to tell her more. "I felt the other Dawn. I was with her. She was in trouble. When I woke up I just ran towards her. I tripped over Angel and came back to my senses."
Buffy moved and hugged Dawn. "That was really brave of you. Really stupid," she chastised, but then looked her sister dead in the eyes and added, "but very brave."
"Thanks Buffy, that means a lot coming from you," Dawn said humbly. Then she sheepishly turned to the book she was reading. "I was trying to see if there was a way I could contact her. You know, see if she's okay."
"That's a good idea Dawn," Buffy said, shocking her sister. "If we can find other Dawn we can track Amy and find out when the ritual is supposed to start so we can save her."
Their moment of sisterly affection was broken when a large, wooden box slammed against the outside doors. William and Xander ran outside, but neither could see the black van speeding away.
"Nothing good ever comes in large wooden packages," Xander said. He and William dragged it inside the shop.
"There's a note on top of it," William stated.
"I have eyes," Xander snapped a little. He regretted it instantly. "Sorry, long day."
"And it's only going to get longer," Giles interjected. "So I suggest we try and keep our tempers in check. What does t-the note say?"
"Dear Scoobies," William began, "this is a special treat for Xander. We know what is about to happen and what Xander has to do, so we made this to help even the score out a little. "
"Well, I think that they could have saved some space by writing TRAP in big letters across the top," Faith muttered.
"Willow, can you do a seeing spell to recognize any magical presences?" Buffy asked.
The red head nodded. "It'll just take a second," she said. Buffy looked at her friend sympathetically. She was going through such a tough time, and she was still on the road to recovery from her trip to the dark side of magic. Buffy wished she could help, but there was nothing she could do now. When this is over we'll have all the time we need, she thought.
Willow did her spell and looked at her friends. "It's clean guys. No magical energy at all."
"Could it be something more mundane, like p-poison?" Giles asked.
"Not Amy's style mate," William replied.
"Well, let me open my present," Xander said. He reached down, unhooked the latch, and looked inside. When he saw what the box contained he gasped.
"What is it Xan?" Buffy asked concerned.
"It's some kind of body armor," he said and pulled out said armor.
It was a combination of high tech looking bulletproof fabric and protective metal plates across the chest, arms and shins. It was lightweight and had sharp metal spikes on the arms and fists. There were also several places that held hidden weapons, and a slot in each wrist that could shoot out stakes.
"Damn," Faith admired, "nice handy work."
"All I need is my lightsaber back and the bitch is toast," Xander smiled as he played with his armor.
"Who could do this, and would?" Buffy wondered
They all thought for a minute, then realization dawned on William. "Oh, it must be from the trio of terror, better know as Warren, Andrew and Jonathan," he chuckled. That makes sense, he thought. Never did have the guts for the big time blood and gore.
"Huh?" Buffy and Willow asked at the same time.
"Yeah, the three bloody idiots teamed up to try and take over Sunnydale." Probably should have kept our mouth shut, Spike told William.
"And you never told me this because?" Buffy demanded.
"Well," William shuffled his feet. Better tell um the truth mate. "I, uh, if I ever went all big bad again, I was going to have them remove the chip."
"SPIKE!"
"Hey, to be fair, that was Spike's idea and not mine," William reminded them. Blame me you big wanker. Well, it was your thought and you told me to tell them!
"Could we do this another time?" Giles interrupted before Buffy could say anything more. "We need to make sure this is form the, ah, trio of terror I believe you called them. If so, we must test it out."
They were interrupted by another collision at the door.
"What, they forget the directions?" Xander joked.
Buffy and Faith went to the get the door. Nothing was there except a rock.
"Strange," Faith mused. Her muse was greeted with another object being launched into the open Magic Box door. It hit the floor and rolled to the center of the shop. The groups stood and stared at the object, shock washing over them.
Laying on the center of the floor was—Xander's head.
They all stood quietly for about five minutes, staring at the bloody, beaten, and scarred head. No one moved. Except for Dawn, who ran to the bathroom to throw up. The scent of blood wafted over to Angel, who perked his head up, saw Xander, and sighed.
"I should have stayed with him, helped him. Buffy, I'm sorry," he mumbled hazily.
Buffy was beyond shock. The last time she had felt this low was when Glory had taken Dawn from her. If it wasn't for the fact that she knew HER Xander was safely standing a few feet from her, she would have returned to that catatonic state.
Faith knew that the sight before her shouldn't phase her. It was what they were after. Still, seeing Xander's head was a brutal reminder of what they were up against.
"How?" Xander finally asked after another five minutes. His mind was a fog and haze. He was looking at his head, but it wasn't HIS. How it came to them, or who it was, he didn't know. But it managed to burst his bubble. He had actually convinced himself, with Buffy's assurances, that if it came down to him, he could stop Amy. He knew now he was wrong.
"Here for Dawn," Angel whispered, the mere effort of speaking draining his energy. Cordelia patted his now white hair and whispered he should rest.
"He came to save other Dawn," Willow gasped, as Angel's words burned into her skull. Willow had to continually look to her Xander to assure herself that he was still alive. She couldn't lose another loved one, not again. Not Xander.
Not even realizing they were doing it, Buffy and Xander gravitated to each other. Buffy held him as tight as she could, and even though she was crushing every bone in his body, he would never have broken the embrace. Both felt the tears creeping down their faces and just held each other tighter.
"Isn't this a touching sight," a voice called as the bell chimed. Buffy's eyes flew towards the new figure. Just by the tone of his voice she knew who it was.
"Angelus."
"Good to see you still remember me Buff," he chuckled. "Thought maybe the hot luving of Xander Harris could make you forget your first."
Angelus stepped down into the center of the shop, tossed off his protective blanket, and picked up Xander's head. They all examined his new, monstrous look. He smiled back at them and licked at some of the still wet blood where Xander's neck should have been. Dawn cringed and dry heaved. Angelus looked at her and flicked out his tongue.
"It's really quite tasty. Just gotta give it a chance, right roller boy?" He looked to William.
William glared at Angelus. "You were stupid to come here Angelus. You won't walk out of here alive."
"That's what you say. How's that human thing working out for ya? I hear Angel over here's supposed to get that someday, but, not looking too much like that's going to happen anytime soon," he laughed again.
Faith moved first, launching herself at the creature. Angelus was too fast and strong, however, and she flew into the counter. "And my precious Faith. Trying the goody two shoes act with Spikey over here. Not the Faith I knew and loved."
"I'll kill you," Xander growled.
"Kid, I've already killed you once today. I'm sure a second time wouldn't take too much out of me. By the way Willow, Tara, nice choice." Willow glared at Angelus. "What do you think, she tastes either like honey or strawberries, I haven't decided. Wha-"
That was as far as Angelus got before Willow sent a fury of magical blasts at him. Before she knew what had happened, they slammed back into her. She was thrown against the wall and knocked unconscious.
"I'm sorry, did I forget to mention that your lovely ex blessed me with magical resistance. At least for a while," he smiled.
"A prevention spell," Giles muttered. "Should have known."
"Ripper, looking good. Better than the last time I saw you. Course then I was torturing you endlessly. How I miss the good old days. But I reminisce. I'm here for," Angelus paused for a moment, then leapt for Dawn.
He was met midair by were Oz. The two demons fell to the floor. They growled at each other and stared off. Buffy ran to Dawn. Giles ushered Xander into the training room and pulled a crossbow from the shelf. Slowly he paced towards Angelus. For Jenny, he thought, I never avenged you before but I get the chance now.
"Rupert," William whispered. "You can't kill him. We need to put him back in Angel."
Giles stared at William for a few moments. He was right, of course, and Giles knew it. But he didn't want to let Angelus come in here, taunt them, and then walk away.
"I know mate," William whispered again. "I want the bloke dead too. But Angel has work to do in this world."
Giles sighed and nodded. He put the crossbow down and watched as Oz and Angelus squared off. Angelus slashed out across Oz's throat. Oz grabbed at it and backed away. The beast examined his bloodied paw, roared, and then charged at Angelus again.
Dawn watched all this in horror. Buffy stood by her side, ready to stop any further attack. Xander, Dawn cried inside. If he came here to help her they were really close, she thought. Closer than I am with Xander and I know how horrible I would feel if that were my Xander. Dawn stretched her mind out, like it said to do in the book, and tried to find other Dawn.
HIGH SCHOOL RUINS
It had been a long time since he had heard from Xander. He was scared. Very scared. He had lost his connection with Dawn as well. He searched and searched but could find nothing. This meant that something very bad had befallen his friends. He stretched out again, searching for Dawn.
Suddenly, a new presence came to him. It felt like a reflection. It bounced around inside his own mind before he could recognize it. Dawn.
DAWN.
WHO IS THIS?
YOU DON'T RECOGNIZE ME?
NO.
OH GOD. YOU'RE THIS WORLD'S DAWN.
YES. I WAS TRYING TO FIND HER.
WHY?
(long pause) JUST TO FIND HER.
SOMETHING'S HAPPENED.
(another long pause) XANDER.
NO!
The stress of it broke their connection. "Xander," he sobbed to himself. She didn't need to tell him more, he knew. He was gone. He had sensed it long ago, but he had refused to recognize what was wrong. Now, he was truly alone. And Dawn, his Dawn, would be devastated.
He sighed deeply. And now, this Dawn, knew him. Or at least, she knew of him. He prayed that somehow, someway, she wouldn't recognize his presence when they met in this world. If they even meet in this world. Everything had gone to hell. Xander was dead, Dawn was probably next, and this Dawn had met him in his mind. I'm failing.
He fell to the ground and began to sob.
MAGIC BOX
It all happened for Dawn in a matter of seconds. She felt for her other, something intercepted her, and the strain of it was too much for her. She fainted. Only Buffy's slayer reflexes prevented her from tumbling to the floor.
"Dawn?" Buffy called concerned.
"Think she's broken Buff," Angelus called as he flung Oz away. He turned his attention and charged at the watchers.
"He's after Xander," William cried.
"You think?" Angelus asked as his fist collided with the side of the former vampire's head. Giles swung wildly at Angelus, who grabbed his wrist. Giles heard as well as felt the bones snap. Angelus then delivered a backhand to Giles face and he fell to the floor.
Angelus turned to get Xander, but felt an arrow embed itself into his shoulder.
"I was just waiting for a chance to play with my new toys," Faith quipped. "Thanks."
"Anything I can do to help," he replied and pulled the arrow from his shoulder. "But you missed." He pointed at his heart.
"I didn't miss," Faith laughed. "I don't want you dead. That's the whole point, isn't it? You get to have all the fun, but Angel dies."
"Pretty much was the idea."
"I have other plans," Faith pointed to the arrow. "Poison."
"Thought you wanted me alive," Angelus asked, though his concern came out.
"Yeah, I do. Never said it'd kill ya. Nighty night," she waved and Angelus fell to his knees. He struggled to get to his feet. He never saw or heard Xander creep up from behind him and deliver the sledgehammer to the head.
"That was for other me!" He screamed. He dropped the hammer and began to cry silently.
"Did I help?" Oz, now human, called wearily from the doorway.
"Yeah. You did," Buffy said softly, holding dawn but never taking her eyes off Xander.
SEWERS
"HE DID WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?" Amy screamed at Tara.
"I tried to stop him. I cast the prevention spell before we tossed the head in. Then, he just ran, through the sun, and into the shop," Tara said shyly. "They took him prisoner."
"Are the troops in place?" Amy growled. This was not her day.
"They await sunset to leave the train station."
"And the scout team?"
"T-they n-never returned," Tara stuttered.
Breathe, Amy told herself. Wait, I don't have to breathe. Kill something that will help. She grabbed the nearest vamp and ripped his head off. He exploded into dust and Amy sighed.
"B-b-better Mistress?" Tara asked cautiously.
"It's not your fault love," Amy soothed. To prove her point she walked over to her and kissed her deeply. Tara's cold tongue responded to Amy's. She moaned into her mouth. Other parts of Tara responded to Amy's sweet caress.
Amy broke the embrace. "Await me in my chamber pet," she stroked Tara's face and she smiled at her. Tara left.
Amy's mind went a mile a minute. Angelus was out of the picture. But, he probably caused enough damage to distract them. Maybe he even took a couple of them with him, she consoled herself. Still, he was supposed to lead the vampire army and his presence was supposed to have distracted the slayer.
Oh well, Tara was alive, and Dawn was secure, that was the important thing. Her army would arrive at sunset to secure the high school. Once they received the word that the area was safe, she, Tara, and the key would arrive. Amy needed about two hours to prepare the spell. Then, she would be a goddess.
If the slayer hasn't already taken the school, she lamented. She had to admit that she was quite distressed by the missing scout team. Maybe they were hit on the way back, she thought. It will all be over soon, she thought. Very soon.
MAGIC BOX
They had Angelus tied to a chair. Dawn recovered from her spell soon after the confrontation ended, but she couldn't remember anything. Willow then preformed a small healing spell on Giles' wrist. It still hurt him, but it was enough for now. Willow herself could have used a healing spell, Faith had mentioned. Nevertheless, they were running out of time. The sun would set in a few hours, and then it would be show time.
The mood of the group had changed. And not for the better. Buffy knew that this was exactly the message Amy had wanted to send. To remind them just how vulnerable they were. Especially Xander.
Angelus stirred slightly. Before anyone could speak, Xander grabbed the hammer and slammed it into his skull.
"Xander?" Buffy asked concerned.
Xander met her eyes with a new determination. "They want to play rough, we'll play rough. I'm going to make that bitch sorry she ever tried this ritual. Now, it's time to see what this puppy can do," he said, tugging on the armor he had slipped on. "Jonathan left me some instructions after all."
He walked at a quick clip into the training room. Buffy followed behind, calling behind her, "Give us an hour to test the armor out. Look for anything else on Angel. Think about battle plans, but I think I have some ideas." She vanished into the training room.
"This just gets better and better," William sighed from the table. Xander with confidence was good, he thought, but crazed Xander would get sliced and diced.
"He can take care of himself," Faith reminded her lover and wrapped her arms around him. "William, I love you. I want you to remember that, just in case."
"Always, pet. Always," he smiled at her and leaned up to kiss her.
Cordelia was knelt next to Angel and stroked his hair. He looked so old and haggard. It really scared Cordy. She was used to strong, powerful, and occasionally crazy Angel. Old, weak and frail Angel was not something she was prepared to deal with.
"Buffy," Angel murmured.
"No Angel," she said sadly, "it's Cordelia. Cordy, you remember?"
"I love you Buffy. Always."
"I know," Cordelia sighed. "I know."
"You look so lovely in this light Buffy."
"Thanks."
"Buffy?"
"It's Cordy, but what?"
"You really do look lovely. I love you. Always."
"Me too Angel, me too," she sighed again and continued to brush his hair.
Buffy caught up to Xander. "Honey," she started.
"I'll be okay. I don't want to end up like, well like me. I just feel bad for other Dawn. I, me, he, whatever, obviously cared a lot about her to break dimensional portals. I just want to make sure he didn't die in vain. But, I'm happy to be alive, and I want to be alive with you for a long time. So no crazy heroics, just planning my dance on Amy's dust party."
"Glad to hear it," she smiled at her love. She kissed him. She wished she had time to do so much more. Well, just another reason to kill Amy. Then Xander pulled their bodies as close as he could with the armor on, and Buffy stopped thinking.
Anya watched this. She still loved Xander. But now she understood. She knew he had loved her. But he had never LIVED for her. He LIVED for Buffy. Buffy was the reason Xander got up in the morning, hell he was the reason he did anything. Anya had never had that with him. They cared about each other, but it wasn't the same. He opened my life up to love, help make me human, and for that I'm grateful, she thought. I just hope that I get a chance to have that love someday.
She wiped the tearstains from her eyes and sat up. She was slowly beginning to heal and if they lived through this she was going to have a whole new lease on life. If they lived through this, she reminded herself. They haven't failed me yet better not start now.
Back in the front room Willow paged distractedly at her book. A few moments after Buffy and Xander went to the training room, William and Faith did the same in the back room. She smiled sadly at the rest of her friends. They had done their best to make her feel better. They all made sure she knew how much they loved her. But they still couldn't fill the void that Tara's "death" had left.
Willow was so tempted to try and curse her with a soul, but she knew better. It wouldn't be what Tara would want. Plus, it was a curse for a reason, she told herself. I'll do it for her, I'll set her free.
"Hey Wil," Oz said quietly and sat down next to her.
"Hey yourself," she smiled weakly at Oz. She hadn't had much time to dwell on his return. Except feel guilty. If he hadn't been with her, Amy would never have dragged him into this.
"We haven't really had a chance to talk much. I mean with the end of the world and all," he smiled genuinely at her.
"No, we haven't," she whispered. She was afraid of what was coming. The tongue-lashing. The anger. The pain.
"I know I left on tough terms last time," he began. Here we go, Willow sighed inwardly. But he has the right to let me know. "But, I wanted you to know that I'm really sorry about Tara." Huh?
"You are?"
"Of course. I know how much she meant to you. And, I mean I may not be the best judge on the account of my insane jealousy, but she seemed really nice."
"Oh, Oz," she whimpered. "How can you say these things to me?"
"Uh, I, what, I don't think I understand," he said.
"God Oz, how can you be so nice," she sobbed.
"I could try to be meaner," he said confused.
"I almost got you killed. And now, you're here, fighting, during an end of the world battle. It's not your fight. It's all my fault, if I'd never loved you."
"Willow," Oz interrupted her ramble. "Nothing would make me trade in what we had. It was the best time of my life, even through all the not so nice times. And, if you hadn't noticed, I've been free to go for a couple days now. I'm staying cause I want to help. You know, even if it's only just to hold a flame thrower, which may I add is very stylish, I just want to do something."
"Oh, Oz," Willow said, amazed at Oz's understand and coolness. Why does that surprise me, she asked herself.
She gave Oz a hug. It lingered for a while. A little too long. Willow finally broke their embrace and smiled awkwardly at him. "Thanks for that Oz."
"Sure," he got up to return to his stack of book, then paused. "Wil."
"Yeah."
"I'm here if you want to talk. There will always be a place for my Willow in here," he pointed at his heart. He hurried over to his books before Willow had a chance to respond.
SEWERS
Amy gently stroked Tara' hair. Tara nuzzled even closer to her vampire mistress. Amy had grown quite attached to her. She almost regretted having to sacrifice her to achieve her ascension. Almost.
"Mistress," Tara said contentedly.
"Yes pet," Amy purred in return.
"Will you replace me when I'm gone?"
Amy stared at her for a few moments. "No," she said softly. "Once you have helped me to become the vessel, I will no longer partake in manners of this sort. I will only be after ruling this world."
"Won't you be lonely my mistress?" Tara asked again.
"Tara, look at me," Amy commanded. Tara did as she was told. Amy looked her in the eyes and entered her mind. "Hear my words. I will miss you, but I am going to ascend to a great new height. Only you can help me achieve this. It is the greatest gift you could ever give to me. And I know you want me to be happy. Do you understand?"
"Yes mistress," Tara said slowly.
"Good," Amy smiled and broke their trance. She kissed Tara deeply again, running her fingers through her hair. "Now my pet," she said when the kiss was over. "Once the troops are in place at the high school, I want you to go to the Magic Box and check on Angelus. Then return and report to me."
"Your wish is my command my mistress," Tara said obediently. She got up out of the bed, dressed, and disappeared through the shadows.
Amy sighed. A shame she must die. I will miss her she is a wonderful sidekick. Then she smiled wickedly. But soon, no sidekick will be necessary. She chuckled to herself. Amy snapped her fingers and she was clothed again. She climbed out of bed and walked over to Dawn, who was still unconscious. Amy gently kissed her check, then pounded her fist on top of Dawn's head.
"Wouldn't want you playing possum would we?" she asked the unconscious girl.
Amy picked up her spell book and re-read the ritual and prophecy once more. She tingled with excitement. She could almost feel the power of the hellmouth now. It called to her. Soon, it would course through her.
And the secret all lied in the girl. Tara would draw her blood inside of her to weed out the humanity. Then Amy would drink from Tara and the pure energy would be delivered to her, untainted with humanity. This would all follow a little run of the mill chanting and emblem drawing, nothing too elaborate. But it would be enough.
More than enough to rule this world. No longer would she be burdened with the limitations of her race or fearful of the slayers. She would be able to make an army so quickly that soon they would outnumber the humans. And no demon would be able to oppose her. They would belong to her. Amy would rule everything on this earth. Then, perhaps, she would move to other dimensions. One thing at a time though, she reminded herself.
She knew they would try and stop her. They would fail. Xander Harris was the only chance humanity had to stop her. Once he was dealt with, and by the time the forces of light could muster another pure human champion, it would far too late. Far, far too late.
MAGIC BOX (1 HOUR LATER)
"Well, I have to say, hot damn!" Xander exclaimed as he and Buffy left the training room.
"I take it the armor works well than?" Giles asked from the war table.
"Xander here is now a certified lean, mean vampire killing machine," Buffy beamed at him.
"Xander, your humor is beginning to rub off on her," Willow teased him.
"Sorry all," Xander waved to the group.
"Anything new?" Buffy asked and looked over to where Angelus was tied up, still out from the last blow Xander had delivered.
"Yes actually. It seems," Giles said, "that only O'Leary can reverse a depossesion of this manner."
"Which means we have to get him alive," Cordelia demanded, slightly annoyed at that concept.
"We will," Buffy assured her. She looked around the room and asked, "William and Faith?"
"Making out in the back room," Oz chimed in helpfully as he flipped through another book.
"Those two are worse than you," Dawn said with some humor. It was all she could muster. Between the seriousness of the situation, her spell, and Xander's head, Dawn was reeling inside. The fact that she couldn't remember any of her spell also unnerved her greatly.
"We'll give um a little longer, then we need to finalize battle strategies and move out," Buffy said determined. She then grabbed Xander and dragged him back into the training room. A few moments later Anya scuttled out.
"I think the expression is Eww," she muttered and plopped down into a chair beside Giles. Giles looked her over. She was beginning to look a little stronger, but she wasn't there yet. I wish I could do something more for you, he thought. I wish.
Faith and William kissed deeply. He sat in a chair while she straddled his legs. They were getting intense and close. "Pet," William said between kisses. "We," kiss, "should," kiss, "really," kiss, "get back," kiss, kiss, kiss, "to the others." Kiss, kiss, kiss.
"Why?" Faith whined.
"To stop the apocalypse luv. Remember, waiting until this is over to have sex?"
"Yeah," she sighed. "I remember," she hopped off his legs. That wasn't the only thing she remembered.
FLASHBACK
Faith kicked at the cell floor. She sat back against the cold, stone wall. Prison had been a tough time for Faith. Not that prison wasn't a tough time for most of the people there, but it was different for her. She struggled everyday with the peace that came from knowing she couldn't hurt anyone anymore, and the nightmare of her mind replaying her actions over and over again. She had no distraction or reprieves from the show her mind played over everyday.
Some days she woke up and just hoped it would all end. Let the slayer burden pass on and let my miserable life be over, she thought. This gift has been wasted on me.
"Faith," a voice called tentatively from the shadows. The voice sounded familiar, but she couldn't place it.
"Who wants to know?" she demanded. Maybe a demon here to grant my wish, wouldn't be so bad.
"A friend. Looks like you could use one."
"I don't have any friends. And the time for me to need them has passed. I missed my chance."
"So, you're just content to sit and waste away?"
"What's it to you?"
"I have something to offer you."
"If it's your dick, not interested."
The visitor in the shadows coughed. "NO, definitely not my, ah, manhood."
Faith had to laugh at his choice of words. "Manhood? Where do you come from?"
"I've been everywhere. I've done a lot. Lived life like you. But, I have something you don't."
"Besides your manhood?" Faith asked, trying to provoke him.
"Yes," he said snippily. "I can offer you a second chance."
"What, a chance to do it all over again? Relive life?"
"No, a chance to make amends."
"I don't do amends," Faith shot back. "That's why I'm here. I can't control the urges."
"Why not?"
"I don't know," she replied angrily.
"Have you ever wondered?"
"What is this all about?"
"I told you what this is all about. I'm here to offer you a chance at redemption. It can come to anyone who wants it and will work for it. Even for those without a soul."
"Okay cryptic boy, time to step up and reveal yourself," she demanded.
"All right," he replied and stepped into the light.
"You look familiar," Faith said.
"You might know my name better. Spike ring any bells?"
"Wait," she said incredulously, "Spike, the former big bad vampire that got neutered?"
"Yes, that's the one. I earned my humanity back, I go by William now," he smiled at her. He was wearing tweed pants with a sweater on. He looked like a watcher.
"What's with the outfit?"
"The PTB gave me my humanity back because I earned redemption. But they didn't do it for fun. There is work I need to do. And I need your help to do it."
"Oh," Faith said, "I get it. I'm your charity case. Thanks, but I'll pass. Been there, done that, got the scars to prove it. I'm no one's charity chase. Not anymore."
"Is a watcher/slayer relationship a charity case? Hardly."
"Excuse me, but did you say watcher?"
William smiled at her. "Yes, I did. The PTB told me I needed your help to do my work in this world, and I was to be your watcher in return for your help. Not charity, but a trade. You help me do my work and I be your watcher and help you earn some redemption. Help you control those urges."
Faith looked him over carefully. "If I agree to this, what will I have to do?"
"Be a slayer. Like I know you can be. Face your inner demons, like I know you can. Do what you wish you had done the first time you had a chance."
"And how do you know I can do that?"
William looked her over kindly. There was something in his eye Faith could identify, possibly because she had never seen a look of such kindness before. "I see your heart. It may be scarred, but it's not broken beyond repair. Let me help you, and help me. We can be good for each other."
Faith looked into his eyes for a long time. Looking for a trick of some sort, or deception on his part. She saw nothing. "You meant all that stuff you said?"
"With all my soul. And I do have one now," he smiled at her. She looked at him for another long time period.
Finally, she smiled slightly and said, "So, you gotta plan to get out of this joint?"
MAGIC BOX
Faith stopped William just before he left the room. "I just wanted to say, I never doubted you for a second. Not from the moment you stepped into my prison cell to the day at bar to the hotel. I knew you were right about me. I just needed your help to prove it to us both."
William looked lovingly at her for a long time. "Faith, I will not let you die. Your work on this world has just begun."
He kissed her deeply. They held each other for a few moments before finally going to the others.
"Hey mates," William called. About that time Buffy and Xander emerged from the training room, both tucking their shirts back in and trying to look respectable.
"You guys are just as bad as us," Faith cast them a look and they all took their seats at the war table.
"We've been dating longer," Buffy retorted, sticking her tongue out at the other slayer. She took a breath when everyone had gathered and began to lay out the plan.
"Okay, here's the battle plan. Amy will have her vampire army protecting her. Now, from what William has said, the demons are going to do their part?"
William nodded.
She nodded in return and continued. "Okay, so we're going to have pretty much utter chaos. That's where we come in. Faith and I will take the front line, but our main goal is to get to Amy. William, Oz, Giles, and," she looked to Cordelia, "sure you're up for this?" she nodded. "And Cordy will be armed with the flame throwers and automatic crossbows. Your only job is to toast the vampire army, and if you get the chance take a stray shot at Amy. But not hand to hand, leave that to Faith and I. Hopefully the chaos will let us get to Amy and stop the ritual. If we fail, Xander, who will be hiding safely in the ruins," he pouted at this and Buffy shot him a look, "They'll be on full alert for you Xan, armor or no armor.
"Anyway, if she becomes the vessel, we'll do our best to distract her and give you a chance to stake her. Willow, I want you to stay back with Dawn. Any magic you can come up with to help out will be great. The whole idea is let the vamps and demons duke it out and we'll do the quick strike. Especially since we're a little short handed. Dawn, you are to stay out of sight and be safe. Understand?" Her sister nodded.
"Good," Buffy finished. "The sun sets in a half hour. Then we set out for recon. We'll set up shop a few blocks away and run some quick glance and back missions. Then we strike. Everyone ready?" They nodded. Buffy walked over to Angelus, picked up the hammer and slammed it against his head and said, "Let's roll."
{Insert title music here} :-)
They processed out of the Magic Box, lead by Buffy who was flanked by Xander and Faith. William, Giles and Oz filled in the next layer with Willow, Cordy and Dawn following in the rear.
"Let's see if the bitch wants a piece of this!" Xander yelled the battle cry as they left to met their fate.
TO BE CONTINUED…
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