Back again, had some writer's block - thanks for all the feedback & suggestions. For the twist/conflict many of you have suggested - here it is. I'm excited to say that I know where these characters are headed and I hope you'll like it. This is going to be FUN! Hang with me while I get them there!

Chapter 23

Somewhere Else

Angel is sitting on a white sofa. He looks as enticing as ever to Buffy. The cream colored sweater is something she doubts he'd be caught dead in anywhere else - but in limbo, purgatory or wherever they are - she guesses you don't have much choice.

As best, she can figure they are in some kind of corporeal form of their souls. No need to eat or drink or anything. It's like an eternal now. Angel has explained that time really didn't have the same relevance here, his soul having spent a hundred or so years here before - he's the expert for sure.

Last time, he was by himself, this time; she's with him. They figure that's because he has turned her or rather Angelus has.

The soul part of Buffy seems infinitely more patient than Slayer Buffy to her. She is starting to think of her multiple selves as different forms of Barbies - like Doctor Barbie and Sweet 16 Barbie. There is Soul Buffy complete with a Matching Soul Angel (look out Ken)! There is a Slayer Buffy with her own little stake and there is Vamp Buffy adorned in an appropriately trashy outfit.

So, she sits in her coordinated gray slacks and cream colored silk blouse. She lays her head on Angel's lap and sighs. She guesses Slayer Buffy and Broody Angel would be making out by now but the Soul versions seem satisfied with long meaningful looks. If only it had been enough before she muses ---

Time seems to ebb and flow like blinks of an eye. You feel these ripples once in a while like you're on a ride. Angel explains that he thinks this is kind of a metaphysical waiting room while things play out. As long as they are on this plane, they might have a chance to get back in the game.

She is getting used to the time blinking thing. When she looks out at the mists again, she can barely make out three figures walking towards them. She stands as does Angel, as the forms come closer. When she sees who they are, she runs to them. It's Giles and Willow and Xander. While she is happy, she can already sense Angel's trepidation.

Giles is in his usual tweed, looking as circumspect as ever and Willow is in a long white sweater and pants. Xander is wearing a cream colored turtleneck and softly faded jeans. Wherever they are - it seems like Calvin Klein is dressing everybody's soul - go figure.

Angel walks past Buffy and speaks directly to Giles.

"Did he, turn you, I mean?"

"No, I should hope not. Angelus killed me the morning after he turned Buffy, it would seem."

Buffy stands behind Angel, interrupting "And Willow and Xander, he killed them too?"

"No, he turned them or more specially, Buffy and Angelus turned them together."

Upon this admission, Willow shifts uncomfortably from foot to foot as Xander inspects the misty ground at his own feet.

Giles takes in the stricken look on Buffy's face. Angel, on the other hand, looks anything but surprised. "I assumed as much. I'm sorry about the whole mess, I had no idea about the curse."

"Yes, well. No need to dwell on it now, there are more pressing matters at hand."

Xander who has been uncharacteristically quiet until now, speaks up for the first time, "Hello? More pressing than being dead?"

Giles answers a bit indignantly, "Yes, as a matter of fact".

Her curiosity peaked, Willow chimes in. "What, I mean, what trouble could reach us here?"

Giles turns to her before sweeping his eyes past each of them; "The problem is you - all of you it seems."

Giles meets blank faces all. He remembers that while retaining essentially all segments of his being - personality, memory, and soul - the four have all been splintered. Their souls - here, with much of their earthly traits now entwined with their vampiric selves.

He shakes his head as if to clear it, "Let me start again. It's you - your earthly selves - what's left of them that is - they have the potential to wreck havoc below. Of course, Angel's situation is obvious. And the combination of slayer and vampire and under the tutelage of Angelus, where I shall hesitate to go further".

Willow speaks up again, tentatively raising her hand as if she's in class. "But, but --- where does that leave me and Xander? I would guess somebody'd be sucking us up in a dust buster about now."

Breaking eye contact, Giles looks down for a second. "Much to the contrary, you and Xander pose just as great a threat as Angelus and Buffy."

With this statement, all four draw closer to Giles, eager to hear what he has to say.

With a cough, Giles walks to the sofa that now has two big cushy chairs flanking it on either side. Giles takes a seat in the far chair and Buffy sits on the sofa in the seat closest to Giles. Willow plops down beside her and Xander beside of her. Angel takes the other chair facing Giles.

Quite the center of attention, Giles speaks again. "I have been appointed by the Powers that Be, shall we say, to attempt to address this imbalance caused by --- due to your --- your indiscretion " giving a slight nod to Buffy. In this form, she is much more accepting of criticism he notices. Maybe this isn't so bad after all.

Drawing himself back to attention, Giles continues to articulate his mission to the group. "The combination of all of you including Willow and Xander is of great concern and must be addressed most haste. I have always sensed a great deal of power in Willow and it is manifesting itself greatly below and not for the better. And Xander, well, let's just say, from all indications Xander is embracing his circumstances with - how shall I say this - with a certain degree of relish. You - they - must be stopped."

"Can't the new Slayer just dust them?" Buffy asks.

"It's a bit more complicated than that, it seems the new Slayer is otherwise engaged elsewhere. It also seems that the Powers the Be deem all of you of sufficient importance to try to redeem you in some form or fashion. Hence, I am here to expedite the process."

Willow's mind is already turning on the problem at hand. "How about another curse?"

Her question is closely followed by Xander's negation. "I'll skip the whole sex equals damnation thing, if you don't mind."

Giles raises his hands before they all begin to brainstorm. "The decision has already been made, we simply have to execute the plan. The plan will involve you first, Willow."

A smile bursts out on Willow's face. "Oh goody, I get to go first!" she exclaims.

Giles quickly tries to quell her excitement, "Contrary to your um, excitement, this will not be an easy task by any means."

Angel, who has been listening quietly through the last half of the conversation, finally speaks up. "Get to it, Giles. What do we have to do?"

TBC