Disclaimer: With the exception of Aurora Halley, all characters in this story belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.

This takes place sometime between Season 3's "Tomorrow" and Season 4's "Deep Down."

Feedback sent to slayerbelle@go.com would be much appreciated.

CHAPTER 4

The Expansive Ocean

Before Angel followed the call of Whistler and headed to California, Aurora had never been there. Seeing the ocean from this coastline was different.

The expanse of water bothered her.

She turned to Wesley. "Angel's in there."

"Where?"

"In the water."

"What are you talking about?"

Aurora shook her head. "The only thing Rebecca can tell me is that he's somewhere there. In this part of the ocean. Under water. She can't pinpoint where though."

"You're saying... Angel is trapped under water. Somewhere in the Pacific Ocean."

"No, just this particular beach. I know how crazy it sounds. But you know our deal: if Angel had been dusted or de-souled, Rebecca would have lost her protector powers immediately. But she still has them. And she senses him here."

"Since when has he... been here?"

"Several days. Or weeks. I think he's been trapped, enclosed in something."

There was always a big battle. Every day, even, and Wesley began to take for granted the mortality that he played with each day. Each time he cheated death he forgot how easy it was for even Angel to fall.

"This is what you need me for," he said. And he wondered just how difficult it would be to extricate himself from Angel's mission. Or to find his own. Aurora was free to choose her own, and yet she was still here.

She didn't know whether to play to his insecurity. Make him feel needed. Make him feel called. But she went into this knowing she wouldn't -- couldn't -- deceive him. People who are "called" believe in the nobility of what they were doing. Making Wesley believe that saving the man who almost murdered him was noble would undermine his own suffering.

If there was another way, she'd take it and serve it to him. She loved him that much. But she had nothing.

"Yes, that's what I need you for."

They sat silent for a while. And then he stirred.

"Only because you asked me, Aurora."

She let out her breath, so relieved that she wanted to weep. "Thank you, Wesley."

"How am I supposed to go about this?"

"There's a way. And from here you'll understand why I can't do this myself, or even with Rebecca's help."

Aurora started the car and drove east.

To be continued...