~*-*~

Los Angeles 2002

I could sit here forever and he wouldn't wake up. The man sleeps like the dead.

He's still thin. Well, he could never be thin, but he's not the same as he was before. A little bit on the lean side maybe. I dunno. I'm used to a different sort of Angelus. He looks so vulnerable like this. It's not natural for him. It's not natural for me! I've never watched him sleep since he abandoned us last century, and during his cameo appearance where he tried to suck the world into hell he wasn't himself. Angelus would never try to destroy the world. He'd drive everyone insane and watch everyone destroy themselves. I think I'm helping. He seems to be calmer now. Not that it'll last much longer.

I wish we could stay like this forever, but that's ridiculous. I have to wake him up, and find out what to do. Find out who's been keeping him here. Find out who's been feeding him, because someone has.

"Angel? Angel! Angelus!"

That's when the voices start. Heavenly voices. Dear God, please don't let me turn in Drusilla...

"Leave him be." "Let him sleep." "Let him rest."

"What? Who is that?"

"He needs to rest." "Leave our Champion alone."

"Your champion? What the hell?"

The voices won't stop! Hands... oh God. Hands. They're pulling me up and away from him.

"Stop it! Leave off!"

"Don't disturb the Champion." "You were going to awaken him."

Something tells me struggling is useless here.

A flash of blue, and I'm out.

Again.

Bugger.

~*-*~


Author's Note: Now, I can explain, please let me explain... oh why won't you let me explain!!! See, it happened like this, and I can explain-remember! I had inspiration for a chapter. Except the chapter isn't for another 8 chapters (I have a chapter guide, which tells me in which direction the story should be heading). So I wrote the chapter. I was intending to fill the gap periodically, except then I read one of my reviews. "Why are you begging for feedback? ... the average author is lucky of they get 10 for any one story." Thanks jmchau, you opened my eyes. I went off on a Glory type rant for about a week after reading that - "I feel guilty now. But wait, I'm not supposed to feel guilty! I'm a god!" - and then I couldn't write any more for like a month. I felt so bad asking for reviews you know? You may laugh, but I'm serious. I felt awful. So I take this opportunity to take back what I said. Review only if you feel it's necessary. I was only able to write more once I forgave myself. Hope you guys can forgive me too! (But if it makes you feel better, I've been writing non-stop so far this weekend. Expect at least 2 more chapters by Sunday's end.)