A/N: Well, I usually spend Wednesday mornings reading Buffy post-eps, but I'm still so freaking pissed about Xander's eye, I decided to update this earlier than planned. Thanks to everyone for all the feedback; I really appreciate it. Reclusive watermelon…, this chapter's for you.
Redemption, Part 3
The battered group silently entered the front door of the Hyperion Hotel. They awkwardly, momentarily gathered into a circle, and then the members of Angel Investigations quickly broke away with hurried excuses, leaving Drew and Anne alone in the lobby.
Drew broke the silence first. "What? I don't…"
"I'm a vampire," Anne quietly stated.
"But how can you be so…aware?"
Anne sighed and sat on the circular couch in the center of the lobby. "The only explanation I've ever been able to think of is, it's because I'm the Slayer. I mean, there's that whole primal mentality that I'm the good guy, you know? That personality was so strong, it was able to defeat the demons, even inside of me."
"Why didn't—" Drew sat by her. "Why didn't you ever come to me? Why did you disappear? I never knew…"
"I'm sorry. I guess I thought it would be easier. It wasn't, though, not for me. There were so many times when I would just watch you, check up on you from a distance."
"I died, too, that day."
"I know.
In the back office of the Hyperion, the other five sat talking about their latest encounter.
"So this Drew guy was Anne's Watcher, and they were in love?" Gunn recapped.
"Yes, so it appears," replied Wesley.
"I don't get it though; how could he not know?" Gunn pressed.
Angel spoke up. "She never told him. I imagine she didn't feel that he could ever see her the same."
"Man, it still makes no sense. They obviously love each other a great deal. I can't believe she wouldn't have at least tried. I mean, he might have loved her still."
"Gunn, it's not that she was afraid he couldn't feel the same way. She couldn't feel the same way about herself. Aware of her human traces as she was, she still knew there was a demon inside of her. I imagine she was…ashamed to face him. She probably felt like she had failed both her lover and Watcher. He could love her to the end of his days, but that didn't mean she could feel she was offering him what he deserved." Angel broke off and looked down at the desk.
Wesley added, "Not to mention the fact that Watchers train for the inevitable, even if it means ridding the world of the woman you swore to guide and protect. She knew that, and I imagine she still had enough of the Slayer's will to live to be afraid of that threat. She obviously wants to live, even if it means survival as something she despises."
The conversation ended abruptly as Anne and Drew joined the others in the office. There was less visible awkwardness, as if they had come to some understanding, but a barrier still remained between the two. Before she had a chance to greet them, Anne was distracted by the orb resting on the desk.
Angel cleared his throat. "You were going to explain the Orb to us?"
Anne turned to face the others. "Yes. From as near as I can tell, the Orb has many different abilities and powers, but the Torflakk demons had a specific purpose for it. In my research, I discovered that the clan is not a pure breed. They have human traces in them, which, of course, they hate. The orb is able to separate out demon and human elements. The demon clan wanted to remove the taint of humans and rise again to the pure level they once had. Of course, this would also increase their power, strength, and destructive tendencies."
"Good thing we beat them to it."
Wesley looked thoughtfully at the two vampires. "You're missing the point, Angel. The Powers led us to this orb for a reason. I think your quest is done. Unless I'm misunderstanding Anne, the orb can also be used to separate the demon aspect from the two of you. You could become fully human again."
Anne faced the younger Watcher. "You're absolutely correct."
To Be Continued. Please review!