Part Seven--Angel Can't Possibly Be Back
Xander goes home. His heart aches for Rachel. He can't sleep. He grabs some tea and sits out on his porch. It is a bad night for him. He thinks about his life. Personally, he is very privileged. Despite the problems he has had in his life Xander has the undying love of one of the best people this world has ever produced. When he thinks of that it takes his breath away. He loves everything about Buffy. She has shown him her love in so many ways now. He can feel it everywhere. She wears it on her sleeve and doesn't care who knows it or who sees it.
If it wasn't for the goddamn Hellmouth they could live happily ever after. He would still have friends but they wouldn't be in life and death situations all the time. He knows Buffy gets upset at the intensity of his friendships. He would never in all the world put her through this if it weren't for the unbelievable danger they all face every minute of every night. Every thing is always so on edge and emotional
So, here he sits. Instead of being able to glow in the light of his love for his wonderful Buffy he is miserable thinking of the many tortures his friend Rachel is undergoing.
It's not fair but it is the way it is. He takes a sip of tea and allows the warm liquid to push back some of the cold.
He isn't there long before he hears a noise in the bushes behind his house. He hears a moan as he approaches. He sees the form of someone lying in the bushes. It's Rachel. As he goes to her he gets a foot squarely to the face. The attacker then pursues him.
Xander snaps to his feet. Whoever this is doesn't stand a chance. If they are hurting Rachel they are going down. Ignoring a punch to his face Xander flies at the assailant. The son of a bitch is dust before he can say his prayers.
Another attacker is right on him, however. The boy wonder takes a nasty whack to the head with something heavy. He barely manages to roll away from a second shot.
Rachel is moaning Xander's name. This is enough for his rage to stay at boiling point. This second attacker knows it too. When it looks into Xander's eyes it decides to run for help.
He goes to Rachel. "Rachel, honey, what did they do to you?"
"The…the holy…water.."
That is all she can get out. He knows that drill. They don't splash it on. They inject it into the veins. It isn't lethal but the pain is excruciating.
"Those bastards!" Xander would like nothing else better than to wait for whoever will come. If they don't have an army they are in serious trouble! He's got to get Rachel out of danger, however.
"Rachel, I have to get you out of here. I know you're weak but you have to get up, honey."
He picks her up. He can't take it. They had the guts to fuck up this sweet, gentle flower.
He can't go to his house. They know Rachel was probably headed there. The only place he can think of is Monica's house. He knows she will be pissed off, however. He has to chance it, though.
Monica answers her door. She sees the boy holding up Rachel.
"Oh, Xander."
"Monica, I have to ask you a big favor. A really dangerous favor."
The girl closes her eyes.
"Monica, please, I have nowhere else to go. I've got to get her out of sight."
Monica can't refuse him. "Bring her in. My father is not going to be here."
"Oh, God, thank you."
"We can bring her into the basement." She helps Xander to carry her. There is a bed. They place Rachel on it.
Xander talks to the vampire. "Rachel."
She struggles to open her eyes. When she sees Xander she tries to jump into his arms.
"Xander….Xander…I knew you would…find me."
"Honey, you are okay. The holy water will wear off. I'll guard you until then."
Monica and Xander go upstairs as Rachel passes out from the pain.
"Monica, I had no where else to take her."
"You have a very complicated life, Xander."
"Please don't be mad, Monica."
Monica notices that Xander has a nasty cut on his head. The left side of his head is all bloody as well as his sideburns and ear.
"You're bleeding all over your head. I'll…"
He holds up his hand to stop her. "If you could just put her up until she can move we'll leave."
"Is this the hard Xander, again? You can't help her if you bleed to death."
"What you said to me really hurt, Monica. I was weak and you threw it back in my face."
"Did you mean what you said about Cindy and I, Xander?"
"Of course not, Monica."
"Then why would you think I did? I know that hurt you. If I could take that back, Xander, I would."
"Me, too."
"Okay, then sit down and let me patch you up."
She stops the bleeding. Her heart aches for him.
"Xander your life is impossible. I've only known you a short time but it seems like forever. You're always getting stabbed or beaten or…."
Xander reaches out grabbing her hand. "I know it upsets you, Monica. I swear I never wanted it this way. All I ever wanted to do was help Buffy."
"Where does Rachel fit in?"
"She was with Angel…"
"Xander, the only one she was with is you."
"I know but, Angel took care of her for some reason."
"And you killed Angelus so you feel responsible for her?"
"She also saved my life, Monica."
Monica shakes her head. "No wonder you scare Buffy to death. You scare me to death. I'm afraid to be your friend. You're so intense and you demand that in your friends."
"Monica, you're not a light weight either. I can see a depth in you that rivals Rebecca. You scare me, too. You scare me like no other woman I've ever met."
"You can double that for me. I can't even be alone with you, Xander. It's too intense. It reaches inside of me to whatever I am."
"I…I think whatever you are I am, too. Listen, Monica, whatever you are or, we are, "One Of Them" I'll be here for you. I've figured out what I'm suppose to be doing."
Monica starts crying. She thinks she has found out what she is suppose to be doing also but it involves Xander.
The boy hugs her. "It will be alright somehow, Monica. Rebecca keeps telling me we have time."
"I know, Xander, she tells me the same thing."
"Monica, please dry your tears. I have to ask you to do something else just as hard as putting Rachel up."
The poor girl can almost guess what it is.
"Xander, please don't ask me to do anything that is going to put me against Buffy or, Willow or…"
"Nobody is going to understand."
"No, Xander."
"Rachel is not like other vampires. She has never hunted humans. She has never plundered. In fact she has never tasted human blood. The only reason she lasted this long is because she was with Angel."
Monica is getting the drift. She gets up, pacing. Xander continues.
"Now, they're all, after her. She…'
"Stop! Stop right there, Xander! I know the rest. You can't do this."
"I have no choice."
"Yes, you do." She goes to him, grabbing his shoulders.
"What do you think this is going to do to Buffy?"
"When those assassins were after me Rachel saved my life. Not for herself, for Buffy!"
"You have all the answers, don't you. How many things are going to be after her, Xander? Are you going to take them all on? How long are you going to stay with her?"
"As long as it takes."
"Buffy needs you, too." She starts to cry. "I need you too, Xander."
"Monica…"
"How am I suppose to tell Buffy? There are some things she won't take from anybody. This is going to set her off. It's not fair for her or me. I feel guilty enough. This is the type of thing she fears the most."
"Look, Monica, I'm not talking about some childish thing here to get her jealous…or you jealous. I'm talking about saving someone's life."
"Yea, smart ass, but don't take that superior position with me. You have feelings for Rachel and don't try to say you don't! Buffy isn't making that up. It's very plain to see so drop the shit!"
"I'm sorry. Look, I have to go. Please tell Buffy I'll contact her. And, please try to understand yourself."
"I don't but, maybe some things can happen without me understanding them."
"Monica, one thing. I didn't go get Rachel. When I told you I wouldn't I meant it. She came to my house somehow."
This really means a lot to Monica. "Thank you, Xander. Go with Rachel. I'll wear my combat hat to tell your true love. Please come back to us in one piece. Or, at least, let me patch you up…or wipe a tear from your eye."
They hug. It is very intense. "Go in peace, my friend."
Xander gets Rachel up. She is still out of it but strong enough to walk with Xander's help. She is still quite groggy. Rebecca showed Xander a hidden cabin in the woods. He takes her there. From here he will plan a more permanent hide out for her.
Right after they leave Monica goes to Buffy's house. She doesn't want to bother her family so she looks for Buffy's room. Xander told her where it is located in the house. She climbs up the shrubs. Luckily her window is open. This is very nerve wracking. She calls to her.
"Buffy! Buffy!
The slayer hears her. She jumps up. When she sees Monica she knows it isn't something good.
"Monica, come in. Sit on the bed. I know this has to be about Xander and I know it's not good."
"Rachel escaped somehow. She came to Xander's house. They tortured her with holy water. He had to fight off somebody. He was afraid to stay at his house. He brought her to my house."
"So, is she there, now?"
"No, Buffy."
The slayer sighs. "He's not there, either, is he?" Monica shakes her head.
"I knew it. I knew we weren't going to keep him from this. You don't know what it's like to be in love with him."
Monica puts her head down.
"Maybe you do know…I'm sorry."
"It's okay, Buffy, there's more. He said Rachel can't make it on her own right now."
"What?"
"He said Angelus was her protection. He killed Angelus…"
"No!"
"He knows you need him, too. He said she needs him more right now."
"He went too far this time. I'm not going to accept it this time! Why didn't you try to stop him?"
"Buffy, please."
"Why didn't you get me?"
"Please, Buffy."
"You have blood on you. Xander was hurt, wasn't he?"
She nods.
"So you cleaned him up? I'll bet there was tears and hugs and secret arguments?"
"It's time for me to leave, Buffy. He said he'd contact you." "Tell him to forget it!… Do you know Rachel is in love with Xander? Oh, hell, I guess that doesn't make her any different, does it?"
"He feels as if he owes her."
"Right, and speak honestly. If you were her wouldn't you accept it, having someone like Xander concerned about you?"
"The very thing which makes him so damn appealing is the thing which scares the hell out of you when you're with him, right?"
"And, what do you feel like when you ask for his exclusive love?"
"I'm so sorry, Buffy."
"I know you are, Monica. I'm sorry to attack you. How can you stop loving him, though? I can't. I don't even want to. Maybe Cordelia was the most honest. She told him up front he was too much for her."
"But, he loves you with every fiber of his body, Buffy."
"You know, my mother and father are getting back together and it's because of him. He talked Giles into letting me tell them about being the slayer. They want to know if I got him from a gold mine."
"So long, Buffy. Count me in to patrol with you until he gets back. I've learned enough not to trip over my own feet, anyway."
"A couple of weeks with Rebecca is like months with anyone else."
Monica tries cracking a joke. "Is she in love with Xander, too?"
They both enjoy a laugh. Buffy actually hugs Monica before she leaves.
Xander and Rachel arrive at the cabin. Rachel is starting to recover. She has marks all over her body. They beat her too. Xander is heart broken.
After a short rest Rachel is able to talk. She calls for Xander. He comes to her.
"Xander…you're in big danger!"
"Oh, you mean more so than usual?"
"Angel's brother is here. He wants to kill you. He will kill you."
"I didn't even know Angel had a brother."
"He's a twin, very dangerous. He's just like Angel except he never had a soul. Most people use to get them mixed up. His name is Lem. It's short for Lemech."
"Okay."
"Pay attention, Xander, before I fade out again. He rescued me but only to try to get to you. He'll befriend Buffy or anybody else to try to get you." She falls back to sleep.
When she wakes she starts up where she left off.
"Xander, he's dangerous. You're in danger."
"Calm down, Rachel. Right now we have to get you out of danger. We'll worry about Angel's brother later."
"You don't get it, Xander."
"Yes, I do, Rachel. We're both safe here. Just relax for now."
"I'm a freak among the vampires and I'm a freak among the humans."
"You were never a freak to me, Rachel."
"In all the time I've been a vampire and, even before I never met anybody like you, Xander."
"I have to tell you this, Rachel. I'm not real popular with anybody right now."
"I know you wanted to drop everything and come rescue me. I was hoping everybody would talk you out of it. I'm sure they reminded you that last time we saw each other I was standing with the evil ones."
Rachel starts crying. "Xander, did…did Buffy tell you. I knew…I knew they were torturing you but…but…I didn't do anything."
Xander hugs her. "Rachel, honey, it's okay, it's okay. I don't expect you to stand up to them."
Rachel is still in tears. "Xander, I know what they did to you. I was a coward."
"Rachel, you are not a coward. Please, honey, do you realize what you mean to me. I am not mad at you. I know why you were standing with my mother and father. I know you have to pay dues. I know you couldn't stop them."
"Xander, they wanted me to help lure you into a trap. I wouldn't do it. That was not my voice you heard calling you. I refused to help."
"Thank you, Rachel. You know you have risked your life many times for me. I would have died when that assassin got me. You patched me up when the monster attacked me. That was the first time we met. Do you remember?"
Rachel nods. "You have done nothing but save me and care for me and love me even though we can't be together. I know how hard that must be for you. But, you still do it."
"Rachel, you have nothing to be ashamed of with me."
He fondles her face. "Look, let's be sad we live on Hellmouth. Let's cry because of our circumstances. But, never think you're letting me down. The fact that you are my friend is one of the things that lets me wake up in the morning. The fact that you're beautiful and loving and sweet means the evil didn't win out."
Rachel knew Xander would take away her burden. She knew he would make her feel better. She knew it.
"Oh, Xander, thank you. I love you so much." They hug for a long time.
The fact that Rachel is all right causes Xander's heart to soar. He thought for sure he was going to find her dead or, not find her at all.
"Rachel, there is a discussion we have to have. And, I want you to take it very seriously."
"Yes, Xander, I will."
"You know how I feel about you so this is said in love. I doubt your ability to survive in your world or mine right now."
Rachel closes her eyes as he continues. "We have to get you somewhere you can function without having to pay vampire dues."
"I see and, I guess you have decided to stay with me until we do that, right?"
"Something like that."
"Oh, and what does your heart throb think of that idea?"
"Didn't I give you the flowers and candy she sent?"
Rachel actually manages to laugh at that. But, then she gets serious.
"Xander, lets look at the price you are paying for this save. Your mother and father and spike and Drusilla are after you because you help the slayer and because you have now officially helped me. Angel's brother is after you because you killed Angel. And, your own people now think you went off the deep end. Whose in worse shape, Xander?"
"Look, woman, you're stuck with me right now. I have a few ideas."
"This isn't a done deal yet, Xander. I can't let you…"
"What, you can't let me save your life the way you saved mine?"
"I think we're even, Xander."
This actually hurts him. "Rachel, this isn't about being even."
The vampire sighs. "Xander, I almost forgot the depth of your heart. In fact, I try not to think about it at all. It's a little too much for me."
Xander tries to lighten up the mood. "What's the matter Queenie? A little attention from a broken down daemon hunter is too much for you? If you get to feeling too good we'll call up Buffy and I'll let her give you her opinion of what I'm doing. I'm sure that will pull us both down to earth."
"You are still always crazy, aren't you?"
"In the world we live in going crazy is actually a healthy reaction."
"Seriously, Xander, the slayer needs you more than you think. You have to be really careful of her feelings."
"I know, Rachel, I don't take this lightly. Deep down Buffy knows I love her. Sometimes I have to rely on that to pull her through. I know she loves me. It carries me through everything."
"Xander, that is true but, she is still very young. She is still struggling with her destiny. It drives her crazy that she can't just love you. You're so dangerous. She is so afraid of losing you."
"Are you suddenly the expert on Buffy Summers?"
"Don't get upset, Xander. I just want to make sure you don't blow the one thing which keeps your heart beating."
"Okay, Rachel, let's talk business. If we change your appearance around a little bit we can probably find a good place for you to hide out for a few decades or so."
"Xander, how did you get so many contacts?"
"I don't know it just seemed to happen."
"So, we're taking off to the hills?"
"I guess you could say that. Listen, did we jump the gun here? Do you need to talk about what they did to you?"
"No, I would rather not."
"Why, don't you feel comfortable enough…"
"No, Xander, that's not the reason. I just…I would rather not."
"Okay. Did they find out about the Malcolm business?"
"No, this was strictly to get you."
"But then Lem rescued you?"
"Yea, that was weird but, that was to get you, too."
"Things just seem to go down hill for me sometimes."
"Did you ever sit down to figure out just how many daemons want you dead?"
"I can't think about it. The only thing I know right now is that I'm not prepared to live my life without you in it as my friend."
"Xander, you are a great man and having you as a friend is the most important thing in my life. The problem is keeping it on a friendship level. I'm sure you know that if it wasn't for your precious slayer we would be between the sheets all the time."
Xander is shocked. Rachel just came out with it. Rachel notices it.
"What's the matter, oh mighty daemon slayer, cat got your tongue?"
"You're pretty outspoken for a vampire."
"I can't help it."
"I think we better come up with a plan, Rachel. This is getting just a little too…something."
Rachel gathers her control. "Yes, I'm sorry."
They stare at each other for a moment. But, Xander is not going to make Buffy's worst nightmare come true. He has to learn that these emotional situations don't always have to end with him between the sheets with someone. He is spoken for. If he wants to have these intense friendships and wants the woman he loves to support him then he better grow up and not play around.
If he is telling Buffy that it is possible to have loyalty to friends without it being a danger to their relationship then he has to make sure it's not bullshit.
After a good night's sleep in separate rooms Xander and Rachel begin to make plans for her getaway. Xander gets in touch with Linda. She arranges for a note to be sent to Oz. Xander wants him to help.
In the meantime some of the gang meets in the library to discuss the latest event.
Giles addresses Monica. "He didn't say how long he would be away?"
"No, he just said as long as it took to get her safe."
Oz knows he has to tell everyone of the note.
"Ah…Xander got in touch with me."
Buffy immediately jumps up. "He came to you?"
"No, Buff, it was a messenger."
Buffy closes her eyes.
Oz continues. He hands the note to Buffy. It has a personal message for her. She gives it back to Oz without comment.
"He'd like me to help him. I've decided to do it."
He doesn't even look at Willow. He leaves. Buffy and Willow just look at each other. Willow excuses herself. She runs after Oz.
"Oz!"
He stops. He lets out with a sigh. She catches up to him.
"Oz, weren't you even going to say so long."
"I…I didn't think you would…"
The redhead stops him with a kiss. Oz is shocked.
"Just make sure you come back to me, Oz."
"I will, honey."
Willow watches him leave. She goes back to the meeting.
After awhile Cordelia comes in, late as always. This time, however she comes in almost breathless. Buffy sees her first.
"What's the matter, Cordelia, you look like you've seen a ghost?"
The brunette points behind her.
In through the library door comes a person (sic) who is the spitting image of our favorite deceased vampire, Angel.
Buffy can't believe it. She stands up "Angel?"
"You must be Buffy. I can tell by the way you said my brother's name."
The slayer recovers shaking a stake down from her sleeve. She gets between the visitor and the Scooby gang.
Everyone is stunned. Giles speaks.
"Brother, you're Angel's brother?"
"Yes, and we're the same except I didn't lose my soul when Angel did."
He looks directly at Buffy. "But, I don't blame him in the least for what he did to lose it now that I've had a chance to meet the slayer."
Giles continues. "Whatever…but, you were part of the original curse?"
"Or cure, which ever way you prefer to look at it. I personally prefer this life to the other one but I don't have quite as much to feel guilty about."
Buffy is transfixed. Is he Angel without the guilt? Lem can see her reaction and plans to take full advantage of it.
Rebecca joins the questioning. "Why are you here, Lem?"
"I know this is very weird for all of you, especially you, Buffy. I'd like to know the story of what happened to my brother." He goes to Buffy. He puts his hand on her shoulder.
"I don't mean to stir up any painful memories for you, Buffy."
"No, no, you have a right to know I guess. I could give you the short version right now. I met Angel when I was very young. We had a thing together. But, when we got intimate it changed him back to Angelus. Neither of us knew it would happen."
"As Angelus he terrorized us. He killed my boyfriend's parents and turned them into vampires. He killed Giles love, Jenny Calendar. We tried a spell to get him back but it backfired. Finally, Xander, my boyfriend, killed him."
"I'm sorry for the pain he caused you."
"We're sorry for your loss, too. We tried to bring him back, we really did."
Lem has to sit down. Buffy can't believe it. This is almost too much for her. He looks so much like Angel it's eerie.
Lem speaks. "I know he was very evil as Angelus but…it still hurts."
Buffy chimes right in. "I know, Lem. It does. But, Xander tried to bring him back."
"Is Xander here?"
"No, but he'll be back."
Rebecca is skeptical. "Lem, why haven't we ever seen you before."
"Well, I always meant to come around but Angel and I weren't exactly on friendly terms. Then, once he turned back I really didn't want to be near him."
He looks at Buffy. "I don't mean I blame you or anything like that, Buffy."
"No…no…it was my fault, Lem. I admit it."
Lem shakes his head. "I think my brother may have had some thing to do with it, also."
Lem is too much. He is charming and witty and very easy going. He really has Buffy's attention. He starts telling stories of Angel when he was human. Buffy is finding out more about her ex from Lem than she ever learned from the brooding one himself.
Lem has real charisma. He is Angel with a personality. Even though he's a vampire he laughs, even changes facial expressions.
When the meeting breaks up Buffy and Willow stay with Lem. Giles and Rebecca go into Giles office.
"What do you think, Rebecca?"
"I wouldn't tell him the family secrets."
"I'll have to hit the books. It seems to me I have heard of a double of Angel somewhere. Or, at least, an incidence where he appeared to be in two places at once."
"I suppose this means I'll be sleeping alone for a couple of nights?"
"I'll be with you in spirit, Rebecca."
"I don't think that works in this particular case, Rupert. It's your physical presence which I crave."
"Well, perhaps Lem can wait until tomorrow."
"Ooh, Rupert, live on the edge!" They embrace in a very passionate kiss.
"This is very exciting, Rupert, I have always wanted to be able to tear you away from all that stuffy reading."
"Well, Becky, I trust my break from tradition will prove to be worth the sacrifice?"
"On that you can depend my good man. By all means!"
"Well then, perhaps I shall allow you to lead the way."
The older people retire for the evening.
In the mean time Willow, Devon, Buffy and Lem head for the Bronze. On the way two vampires jump out at them. Buffy dusts one then focuses on the other. As she is dispatching him to the wind a third vamp attacks her. Lem saves her. Buffy looks at him.
"Thank you for saving me. You only have about one hundred more times to equal your brother."
"Well, it is very tempting to stay around to try to catch up to him….Oh, I'm sorry I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable."
Buffy holds up her hand. "That's okay, no offense taken."
Willow asks Lem a question. "You don't dance by any chance, do you?"
"Sure, even people with two left feet like me learn after a hundred years or so."
Willow looks at Buffy. "Angel with humor."
He's not half bad on the dance floor. Buffy dances with him. He is charming and witty. Buffy can use that right now. Xander has her all stressed out. Because of his likeness to Angel Buffy gets comfortable with him quickly.
Monica and Cordelia don't share Buffy and Willow's affection for him. The two walk home together. Monica speaks first.
"I don't know what it is but the guy really gives me the creeps. And, I never even met Angel."
"Don't you get the idea that if Xander were here there would be a fight."
"The first time he casually touched her."
"This has to be particularly freaky for Buffy."
"She had a very weird look on her face. Let's keep comparing notes, Cordelia."
Xander and Rachel sit by the fireplace in the cabin. Xander looks at the vampire.
"Here we sit. One vampire who is almost not a vampire and one, whatever I am, who has half the daemon world after him. More things want us dead than want us alive."
"Yea, and all we are is sweet, too!"
"Innocent, peace loving."
"Good looking!"
Xander adds. "Muscular.
"Sexy!"
"Ah oh, the two vibrant, alive, sort of, lithe, winowy freedom fighters sitting in front of a beautiful, warm, romantic fire…afraid to look at each other. He, hopelessly in love with a mean and nasty slayer princess and she, a super experienced vampire goddess, not wanting to corrupt the morals of the innocent boy sitting beside her."
Rachel is laughing very heartily. The vampire is feeling much better. Xander gets serious.
"Rachel, will Lem hurt any of my friends?"
"Only if they stand in his way of getting to you. But, Xander, he has very haunting ways about him. He knows you have very reliable contacts in the underground. He has probably decided not to try to track you down."
"Which means he is concentrating on Buffy?"
"Yes, and he is very persuasive. And he really gets off on being charming and romantic. He never just kills."
"Shit, they're all like that. They all like to think they have this romantic Dracula thing going. They all like to think the girl really wants to have the blood sucked from her veins."
"Yea, Xander, but some are better at it than others."
"Is he as tough as Angel?"
"He's even stronger than Angel if you can imagine that."
"Truthfully, do you think I'll be able to take him?"
"Not if Buffy weakens you."
"What?"
"Honey, I'm sorry. He's very good at exploiting any situation."
Xander puts two and two together. His resemblance to Angel, Buffy's guilt in changing him into Angelus, her anger at him for leaving, her loneliness with him gone.
"Oh, shit!"
It's like having the whole Angel thing back again.
Xander shakes himself out of those thoughts. First things first.
"Rachel, first we have to get you safe. I have to go meet Oz. He's going to help.
Xander goes to his rendezvous place to wait for Oz. When he is sure he is not being followed he greets him.
"Thanks for coming Oz."
"No problem."
"How did Willow take it?"
"Surprisingly very well."
"Could I ask you how Buffy is?"
"Angry."
"Did you meet Angel's brother, yet?"
"Angel's brother?"
"Yea, his twin brother. He's after me. He's the one who rescued Rachel. We think he's going to try to go to Buffy."
"Sounds like fun." Xander runs down the whole scene to Oz.
They go back to the cabin. Rachel greets Oz. The wolf is very supportive.
"I'm glad you're still in one piece, Rachel."
"Thanks for volunteering to help, Oz."
"You're really one of the good guys, Rachel. I just hope we can keep you away from your friends."
Oz hugs the vampire tightly. She can feel his strength.
"Well, I get the idea that as long as I have the two of you on my side nobody would ever get to me."
They exchange a warm smile.
Xander leaves to visit Whistler. Oz waits with Rachel. They are going to be picked up by someone who will take them to have Rachel's appearance changed.
A young woman arrives in a van. They get Rachel in the back. Oz jumps in the front seat.
As they ride the woman looks at Oz. "Are we allowed to talk to each other?"
"I thought it was your call."
"I already know who you are. You're Oz."
"Well, then I should at least get to know your name."
"I'm Shelia."
Shelia fits the mold of Xander's other contacts in the underground although Xander has never met her. She has jet-black hair like Rachel but her build is much more athletic. She definitely works out and it's not to firm up her body parts. Everything about this girl screams serious. She has that pain in her eyes, which bespeaks tragedy. Oz can tell Hellmouth has marked her in some way. She has that blank stare.
"Are you a friend of Xander?"
"I'm a friend in spirit but I've never met him."
"Do you just help people because it's the right thing to do?"
"You mean like you guys do?"
Oz nods. "Angelus wiped out my whole family, mother, father, my brothers and sisters. He even got my aunts and uncles."
"Oh, Shelia, I'm very sorry."
"Thanks, Oz."
"Where do you live?"
"By myself."
Oz gets a cold chill down his spine. This young woman can't be more than seventeen years old. She's all alone already. Oz can't help it. He stares at her. She begins to feel uncomfortable. Oz catches himself.
"I'm sorry, Shelia, I don't mean to stare at you. It just hit me how some people have a lot to deal with."
Shelia senses a compassion and warmth in Oz that she could really use. She just met him but already she feels as if he can sense her pain. Just in that act of caring Oz has made her feel better than she has since her family was slaughtered.
The duo drops Rachel off at the predetermined place then stop to get something to drink. Shelia has had no relief for months. She has even been afraid to let her guard down. She can feel herself relax in his presence.
They talk about Hellmouth and the underground and the constant danger. Oz even tells her about his wolfiness.
"Listen, Shelia, we have a night club called the Bronze. We dance and chill out there."
"You mean you actually do some normal things?" "Well, it's never quite normal but, we do have some fun. If I pick you up some time you think you might want to spend some time there. The one good thing is that everybody in the crowd is pathetic just like us."
Shelia laughs for the first time in a long while.
"Well, now you sold me on it."
"You don't have to worry about the danger. We have plenty of firepower available. We usually dance, run outside and kill a vampire or two, then dance some more. All in a night's play."
Oz is actually talking sharing more with Shelia than he usually shares in a week at home. She really needs it, too.
They talk about everything. Oz practically shares his whole life story with her. He does leave out one part. He doesn't mention Willow. Shelia knows he has a girl friend but she doesn't mention her either.
Go on to Part Eight
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