Chapter 43: New places.
Title: Reunion time.
Author: Nikka
Author notes: Hi everyone, If you need to know about summary, rate and all the rest it's all in chapter 1 I'll just remind you that *English is not my native tongue* so you may find some spelling & grammar mistakes, you're more than welcome to let me know about them but remember you may find them while you read the story. Have fun.
Disclaimer: Angel & Buffy's characters are not my creation (wish they were) they belong to Joss Whedon and David Greenwalt. Other characters that are not familiar from the show do belong to me.
Author's remark: My chapters as of ch 12 will no longer be reproof by Sigma due to the fact that I have no internet and I'm asking someone else to post the remaining chapters for me. I want to take this opportunity and thank sigma for all the help. And I hope you will continue reading my story even without the excellent work sigma has done. Thank you again sigma for all your great work.
"The truth is we just don't know." Giles sighed.
"Well I'm sorry I can't accept that. There are too many coincidences at work." Cordy refused to let it go.
"What coincidence?" Angel asked.
"Like me feeling a connection to the Dorkanious. Like I have the same gift/power the priestesses had..."
"Only one of their powers, they had many more." Giles corrected.
"Still. I'm telling you there's more to it."
"And say there is, do you think it'll help us?" Fred asked.
"Yeah I do. If those priestesses could control this thing and I'm connected to them in some way, maybe... maybe I can control it too." Cordy explained. Now the pieces were coming together; what she saw in her vision, what she saw in the other Cordelia's mind, the rule she was meant to play in the coming events, and the end to it all. But she needed more information. Although she saw plenty inside Cordelia's head, she hasn't seen enough. She needed to fill in the blanks.
"Okay, then I guess we research." Angel declared and could see Gunn frowning in the corner. "Although we might need someone to go to the local demon pub and see if he can getting something out of them." As Angel finished off he could see Gunn's eyes lit up and a big smile spread around his face. "Gunn?"
"Yeah." Gunn jumped up ready for action.
"Why don't you and Fred check it out?"
"Sure thing." He replied. And before you knew it he was in the doorway calling to Fred to hurry up.
"What about breakfast?" Fred asked.
"We'll get some on the way." he said and dragged her out.
"Maybe you should have concluded Buffy before handing out assignments." Giles said.
"Why? He's more than qualified to ordered people around. He's actually improved through the years at being Mr. boss-who knows all." Cordy teased Angel.
"Fine, but we better inform her of what we learned." Giles didn't like the idea of leaving Buffy out of the loop.
"Fine, you do that while I'll go out for awhile." Cordy said as she headed for the door.
"Wait a minute." Angel grabbed her arm. "Where are you going?"
"Out." Cordy replied.
"I got that, but for what reason?"
"I need some air, I've been cooped up in this house for days." She explained.
"Fine, I'll go with you." Angel insisted.
"Sure, just tell me which one you prefer: the heavy black blanket or a nice umbrella." She smiled at him as he realized it was still daytime. "Don't worry I'll be fine." She gave him a kiss on the cheek and walked out.
He could hear Wesley and Giles giggling in the back. "I'll go tell Buffy what's up." He said and walked up the satires without looking at them.
***
Willow turned her head. "Someone's knocking." She said.
"Come in." Buffy cried out. The door opened and Angel came in. "Angel?" She smiled. It was more a smile of relief than of happy-to-see-you-smile.
"Hi. Am I interrupting?" He asked when he noticed Willow was in the room.
"No we were actually just finishing up." Willow said as she got up. "Anything new?" she asked Angel."
"Actually, that's why I'm here." Angel said. "Wesley and Giles found some stuff about the white priestesses."
"The who? Willow and Buffy asked simultaneously. Angel sat on the bad as he began to explain everything. By the time he was done Willow rushed down stairs leaving the two alone.
"So, was is just me or there was something going on here just as I came in?" Angel felt a bit of tension in the air.
"It's not just you." Buffy replied. "Willow found out about me and Spike..."
"And I'm guessing she's not a big fan?" He knew Willow and Xander wouldn't approve of Spike.
"Well she's not starting a fan club, that's for sure. But she did say she supported my every decision, cause she's my friend and she loves me."
"I feel a 'but' coming..."
"But I think that mostly, she said it out of guilt and also when the shoe was on the other foot I wear it perfectly." Buffy looked at Angel and Knew he didn't understand a thing. "Guilt; Cause of the whole pull-you-out-of-heaven-thing. And the shoe metaphor is about me accepting with welcome arms her and Tara relationship. You do know they're... together?"
"I may be out of the loop Buffy, but I'm not an idiot. I knew about it for a while. Actually Cordy told me about it awhile back."
"Uh." Buffy felt stupid.
"Does is matter what her reasons are? Did you ask her about that?"
"I did and she said it's mainly cause I'm her friend, but she also made it perfectly clear that she doesn't think this relationship are good for me."
"And she's wrong, where exactly?" Angel thought the same thing.
"Angel!" Buffy snapped at him. "You can be a little more supportive here, I did support you and Cordelia's thing."
"First of all don't even try to compare Spike to Cordy, There's no comparison." Angel was ticked off. "Secondly, Me and Cordy are not a thing we're a couple and as I recall you had a hard time cooping with that at first." Buffy knew he was right. **The way he said couple, the way he defends her, uhhh**
"I know, I know, but this is what it is, and Spike is here, and no one has the right to judge me."
"And no one is. But ask yourself this: Why didn't you tell your friends till now. Actually why are you still not telling them, I'm thinking Willow finding out about Spike was by mistake, it's not like you told her on your own?"
**God, does he always have to be so right and to the point. Sometimes I feel he can read me like an open book, think of which** "Do they need some help downstairs, they're a bit short handed with Xander and Anya at work, Tara on campus and Fred & Gunn off." Buffy wanted to change the subject. "And where's Cordy again?"
"Out. She needed some air."
"God knows there's not enough here." Buffy mocked her.
"Hey, you try been in a coma for two days and spending the rest of your time here having mind splitting visions." Angel snapped at her.
"Okay, okay I'm sorry." Buffy apologized. "Don't get all snappy with me."
"I'm sorry." He calmed down. "We better go downstairs and give them a hand." He got up And Buffy followed.
"Angel?" she stopped him in the doorway. "Xander and the rest don't know yet, lets keep like that." Angel nodded at that was good enough for her.
***
"Okay this must be the place." Cordy looked at the mausoleum. "It looks like the one I saw in her mind. Here goes." She reached out and open the gate. It wasn't locked. She got inside and took out a flashlight. "God it's dark in here." She looked around; the walls had cracks and the place looked old and deserted. It was damp and smelly and full of dust.
"I don't think god had anything to do with that. It's more of a man thing." She turned around to see who it was. She pointed the flashlight. "Wow luv, point it elsewhere."
"Spike?" Cordy couldn't believe he was here. **What in the world is he doing here?** "What are you doing here? Don't tell me you live here?" Cordy smiled thinking even Spike couldn't sink that low.
"Nice to see you too." He lit up a cigarette. "And no I don't live here. My crypt is not far from here."
"So what? You were board so you decided to take a stroll in broad day light?"
"I used the tunnels." He replied.
"That answers the how, but what about the why?"
"Maybe you should go first pompon girl. What are you doing here?" Cordy stopped smiling thinking what she'll say to him.
"Just checking some things out. Giles had an idea."
"I thought watcher-boy usually sends Buffy. How come he sent you?" Spike was surprised.
"She was busy, I volunteered." Cordy replied hoping he'll go away.
"Well what are you looking for maybe I can help?" A part of him was glad that it was her and not Buffy. He wasn't really sure if he was up for another round of arguing.
"Its okay I got it." Cordy just wanted him to go away.
"Come on, I'm not as useless as I seem. I know this mausoleums pretty well."
"I bet you do. But as I said no thanks." She thought if been nice isn't working, maybe been nasty will.
"You know if I didn't know better I'd say you're trying to get rid of me." He knew there's more here then she's letting on.
"I don't like you, okay. I don't want to be around you. And I don't care if Buffy trusts you enough to sleep with you, I don't. So go away."
"I bet that crap works on Angel, right?" Spike smirked.
"What is it with you? Are you a sucker for humiliation?" Cordy sighed and set on the tomb that stood in the middle of the mausoleum.
"No, but I can read people pretty well, and right now you're trying your best to get rid of me and I want to know why?" Spike sat beside her.
"Why? Since when did you grow a conscience?"
"What can I say, the Scoobies good deeds robbed off on me?" He smiled so did she.
"If I tell do you promise not to ask question and keep it a secret, even from Buffy?"
"The secret part no worries, as for the question... well you already know I'm a curious fellow."
"Take it or leave it."
"Wow you're one though cookie." He liked her. "Fine, no question, spill."
***
"So why are we doing this again?" Fred asked as they reached the pub.
"Cause I can't stand another moment in that house." Gunn replied. "Did you know that today is exactly one week since we arrived to this hell-hole. Gunn grunted.
"I know, and I had enough too. And to be honest a part of me wanted to go home with Lorne." She sympathized with Gunn.
"So why did you argue with me?" He didn't get it.
"Cause of this, and I don't mean the pub." She said before Gunn had a chance to reply. "The mission, saving the world, it's not just for L.A., or just when it's comfortable and easy. Its everyday and everywhere."
"I know, but I had enough of Sunnydale, so far nothing good happened to me here. At least Wes, Cordy and Angel have some nice memories of this place. But I don't, I hate it."
"Come on lets do this and hopefully in a couple of days we'll be on our way home." She smiled as he opened the door.
"Hello, what can I get you?" The bartender asked.
"Information. Where can we get that?" Gunn got into his rule. He knew the best way is the direct way. Show no fear.
"Sorry, only serves beverages." The bartender smiled and turned away.
"Angel sends his regards." Fred said to him and he stopped and turned around.
"Angel sent you? He's back in town?" The bartender looked spooked.
"Yeah, and the slayer also sends her love." Fred kept on, with a big smile.
"Okay I don't want any trouble, so tell me what you need." He leaned towards Gunn and Fred.
"We're looking for information about the Dorkanious." Fred said.
"The who?" The bartender didn't seem to have a clue.
"How about the white priestesses? Does that ring a bell?" Gunn tried a different angle.
"No, not a thing." This time Gunn could tell he was lying. Gunn leaned even closer and whispered in his ear something. "Okay, okay I'll tell you." The frightened bartender said. Gunn smiled pleased. "All I know is a couple of demons were talking about how they're back or something."
"Back here? I thought they were a myth?" Fred asked confused.
"Look lady, I don't do all the mythology crap okay? I listen and pass on."
"Okay so what else did you happen to hear?" Gunn asked.
"I heard something about a gathering place, a mausoleum of some sort." The bartender said.
"Which one, this town have a lot of those." Gunn asked.
"Heard something about the Rishlon, who ever that is. And that's it I swear." He stood up straight. "Well I'm sorry we don't serve milk in this establishment." He turned around and approached another client.
"Come on." Gunn took Fred's hand and they walked out.
"Where too Charles?" Fred knew they would never find that mausoleum on their own.
"Back to the crappy house to tell Angel and Buffy. We'll need them if we want to find this mausoleum."
"My thought exactly." Fred replied.
***
"Spill." Spike was waiting for her to tell it all.
"You heard about my little trip?" Cordy asked not really in the mode to repeat it.
"Yeah, what of it?"
"Well, I didn't tell them everything."
Spike smiled, he had a feeling she didn't. "What did you leave out?" he asked and Cordy told him about her idea to enter the other Cordelia's concessions, and about how it worked. "So what did you see once you were there?" Spike was curious.
"Remember, not a word." Spike did the whole- zip-up-his-mouth-and-throw-away-the key-thing. "I saw how it would end. I saw that I was the key to it all, I have the power to stop it."
"You?" Spike sniffed. "Are you sure, cause you don't really look like..."
"I know what I saw. I saw myself in battle and then I was holding something bright, I think it was the book." She said.
"Then what?" Spike was on the edge of his seat.
"Then I saw myself here in this place looking for something... maybe a weapon."
"Go on." Spike said.
"And then it was over. I saw the Dorkanious disappear, so did the book. And I have no idea how I did it."
"Are you sure it was you?"
"Spike I felt it, I saw myself there, I did it, and I also..."
"You also what?"
"I also died. I didn't make it." Her words shocked him.
"Now I know your don't know what you're talking about. Angel will die first before letting you..."
"I know, that's why he doesn't know, can't know. I saw the end of the fight I saw Sunnydale been freed and I saw all who survived. I wasn't one of them."
"Maybe things will go differently this time, I mean you're here? Right, and Angelus haven't awakened yet, and The Dorkanious isn't here. Maybe when you saw your vision you changed things. Maybe now you won't..."
"I will. If there's one thing I learned in this world is that everything has a price. If I want to save Sunnydale, save the world, save the people I love, I have to do this."
"But you don't have to die, maybe if we tell the others they can find a way..."
"No Spike! You promised." She reminded him. "Besides since when do you care if I live or die?"
"You're a nice person and you don't put up with anyone's crap, including my own. And I know Angel loves you and although I act like I hate the guy, I really don't. A long time ago he was what I considered my family. And I may not have a soul but I have a heart and so does he, and I know that if you'll die it will kill him."
"Think of the alternative. If I won't do this he'll end up killing his family. Even if he gets his soul back he'll never be able to come out of it." Cordy explained.
"He did once before." Spike reminded her.
"Still, I can't let them die."
So you'll sacrifice your own life to save them. That's either very courageous or extremely stupid. You pick." Cordy couldn't help but laugh. Spike joined her. They both sat there on the tomb laughing when suddenly they heard a sound they looked up and 3 flashlights were aimed at their direction.
"What's so funny guys?" They heard Buffy's voice.
***
TBC
Hi ppl,
Thanks for your great reviews. I see that most people aren't in favor of a happy-ending.
I'm going to do a little self-promotion, but that's my fic so I'm allowed. I posted a new fic, also a crossover, also with A/C & B/S & F/G. It sets on the beginning of Angel S4 & Buffy S7. So please check it out and let me know what you really think of it. It's called "A new beginning", Here it's location: http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=1372084, thank you in advance.
As usual can't wait to hear what you have to say about this ch, and I think I deserve some good feedbacks for the quick posting... lol.
Thanks Nikka.
Title: Reunion time.
Author: Nikka
Author notes: Hi everyone, If you need to know about summary, rate and all the rest it's all in chapter 1 I'll just remind you that *English is not my native tongue* so you may find some spelling & grammar mistakes, you're more than welcome to let me know about them but remember you may find them while you read the story. Have fun.
Disclaimer: Angel & Buffy's characters are not my creation (wish they were) they belong to Joss Whedon and David Greenwalt. Other characters that are not familiar from the show do belong to me.
Author's remark: My chapters as of ch 12 will no longer be reproof by Sigma due to the fact that I have no internet and I'm asking someone else to post the remaining chapters for me. I want to take this opportunity and thank sigma for all the help. And I hope you will continue reading my story even without the excellent work sigma has done. Thank you again sigma for all your great work.
"The truth is we just don't know." Giles sighed.
"Well I'm sorry I can't accept that. There are too many coincidences at work." Cordy refused to let it go.
"What coincidence?" Angel asked.
"Like me feeling a connection to the Dorkanious. Like I have the same gift/power the priestesses had..."
"Only one of their powers, they had many more." Giles corrected.
"Still. I'm telling you there's more to it."
"And say there is, do you think it'll help us?" Fred asked.
"Yeah I do. If those priestesses could control this thing and I'm connected to them in some way, maybe... maybe I can control it too." Cordy explained. Now the pieces were coming together; what she saw in her vision, what she saw in the other Cordelia's mind, the rule she was meant to play in the coming events, and the end to it all. But she needed more information. Although she saw plenty inside Cordelia's head, she hasn't seen enough. She needed to fill in the blanks.
"Okay, then I guess we research." Angel declared and could see Gunn frowning in the corner. "Although we might need someone to go to the local demon pub and see if he can getting something out of them." As Angel finished off he could see Gunn's eyes lit up and a big smile spread around his face. "Gunn?"
"Yeah." Gunn jumped up ready for action.
"Why don't you and Fred check it out?"
"Sure thing." He replied. And before you knew it he was in the doorway calling to Fred to hurry up.
"What about breakfast?" Fred asked.
"We'll get some on the way." he said and dragged her out.
"Maybe you should have concluded Buffy before handing out assignments." Giles said.
"Why? He's more than qualified to ordered people around. He's actually improved through the years at being Mr. boss-who knows all." Cordy teased Angel.
"Fine, but we better inform her of what we learned." Giles didn't like the idea of leaving Buffy out of the loop.
"Fine, you do that while I'll go out for awhile." Cordy said as she headed for the door.
"Wait a minute." Angel grabbed her arm. "Where are you going?"
"Out." Cordy replied.
"I got that, but for what reason?"
"I need some air, I've been cooped up in this house for days." She explained.
"Fine, I'll go with you." Angel insisted.
"Sure, just tell me which one you prefer: the heavy black blanket or a nice umbrella." She smiled at him as he realized it was still daytime. "Don't worry I'll be fine." She gave him a kiss on the cheek and walked out.
He could hear Wesley and Giles giggling in the back. "I'll go tell Buffy what's up." He said and walked up the satires without looking at them.
***
Willow turned her head. "Someone's knocking." She said.
"Come in." Buffy cried out. The door opened and Angel came in. "Angel?" She smiled. It was more a smile of relief than of happy-to-see-you-smile.
"Hi. Am I interrupting?" He asked when he noticed Willow was in the room.
"No we were actually just finishing up." Willow said as she got up. "Anything new?" she asked Angel."
"Actually, that's why I'm here." Angel said. "Wesley and Giles found some stuff about the white priestesses."
"The who? Willow and Buffy asked simultaneously. Angel sat on the bad as he began to explain everything. By the time he was done Willow rushed down stairs leaving the two alone.
"So, was is just me or there was something going on here just as I came in?" Angel felt a bit of tension in the air.
"It's not just you." Buffy replied. "Willow found out about me and Spike..."
"And I'm guessing she's not a big fan?" He knew Willow and Xander wouldn't approve of Spike.
"Well she's not starting a fan club, that's for sure. But she did say she supported my every decision, cause she's my friend and she loves me."
"I feel a 'but' coming..."
"But I think that mostly, she said it out of guilt and also when the shoe was on the other foot I wear it perfectly." Buffy looked at Angel and Knew he didn't understand a thing. "Guilt; Cause of the whole pull-you-out-of-heaven-thing. And the shoe metaphor is about me accepting with welcome arms her and Tara relationship. You do know they're... together?"
"I may be out of the loop Buffy, but I'm not an idiot. I knew about it for a while. Actually Cordy told me about it awhile back."
"Uh." Buffy felt stupid.
"Does is matter what her reasons are? Did you ask her about that?"
"I did and she said it's mainly cause I'm her friend, but she also made it perfectly clear that she doesn't think this relationship are good for me."
"And she's wrong, where exactly?" Angel thought the same thing.
"Angel!" Buffy snapped at him. "You can be a little more supportive here, I did support you and Cordelia's thing."
"First of all don't even try to compare Spike to Cordy, There's no comparison." Angel was ticked off. "Secondly, Me and Cordy are not a thing we're a couple and as I recall you had a hard time cooping with that at first." Buffy knew he was right. **The way he said couple, the way he defends her, uhhh**
"I know, I know, but this is what it is, and Spike is here, and no one has the right to judge me."
"And no one is. But ask yourself this: Why didn't you tell your friends till now. Actually why are you still not telling them, I'm thinking Willow finding out about Spike was by mistake, it's not like you told her on your own?"
**God, does he always have to be so right and to the point. Sometimes I feel he can read me like an open book, think of which** "Do they need some help downstairs, they're a bit short handed with Xander and Anya at work, Tara on campus and Fred & Gunn off." Buffy wanted to change the subject. "And where's Cordy again?"
"Out. She needed some air."
"God knows there's not enough here." Buffy mocked her.
"Hey, you try been in a coma for two days and spending the rest of your time here having mind splitting visions." Angel snapped at her.
"Okay, okay I'm sorry." Buffy apologized. "Don't get all snappy with me."
"I'm sorry." He calmed down. "We better go downstairs and give them a hand." He got up And Buffy followed.
"Angel?" she stopped him in the doorway. "Xander and the rest don't know yet, lets keep like that." Angel nodded at that was good enough for her.
***
"Okay this must be the place." Cordy looked at the mausoleum. "It looks like the one I saw in her mind. Here goes." She reached out and open the gate. It wasn't locked. She got inside and took out a flashlight. "God it's dark in here." She looked around; the walls had cracks and the place looked old and deserted. It was damp and smelly and full of dust.
"I don't think god had anything to do with that. It's more of a man thing." She turned around to see who it was. She pointed the flashlight. "Wow luv, point it elsewhere."
"Spike?" Cordy couldn't believe he was here. **What in the world is he doing here?** "What are you doing here? Don't tell me you live here?" Cordy smiled thinking even Spike couldn't sink that low.
"Nice to see you too." He lit up a cigarette. "And no I don't live here. My crypt is not far from here."
"So what? You were board so you decided to take a stroll in broad day light?"
"I used the tunnels." He replied.
"That answers the how, but what about the why?"
"Maybe you should go first pompon girl. What are you doing here?" Cordy stopped smiling thinking what she'll say to him.
"Just checking some things out. Giles had an idea."
"I thought watcher-boy usually sends Buffy. How come he sent you?" Spike was surprised.
"She was busy, I volunteered." Cordy replied hoping he'll go away.
"Well what are you looking for maybe I can help?" A part of him was glad that it was her and not Buffy. He wasn't really sure if he was up for another round of arguing.
"Its okay I got it." Cordy just wanted him to go away.
"Come on, I'm not as useless as I seem. I know this mausoleums pretty well."
"I bet you do. But as I said no thanks." She thought if been nice isn't working, maybe been nasty will.
"You know if I didn't know better I'd say you're trying to get rid of me." He knew there's more here then she's letting on.
"I don't like you, okay. I don't want to be around you. And I don't care if Buffy trusts you enough to sleep with you, I don't. So go away."
"I bet that crap works on Angel, right?" Spike smirked.
"What is it with you? Are you a sucker for humiliation?" Cordy sighed and set on the tomb that stood in the middle of the mausoleum.
"No, but I can read people pretty well, and right now you're trying your best to get rid of me and I want to know why?" Spike sat beside her.
"Why? Since when did you grow a conscience?"
"What can I say, the Scoobies good deeds robbed off on me?" He smiled so did she.
"If I tell do you promise not to ask question and keep it a secret, even from Buffy?"
"The secret part no worries, as for the question... well you already know I'm a curious fellow."
"Take it or leave it."
"Wow you're one though cookie." He liked her. "Fine, no question, spill."
***
"So why are we doing this again?" Fred asked as they reached the pub.
"Cause I can't stand another moment in that house." Gunn replied. "Did you know that today is exactly one week since we arrived to this hell-hole. Gunn grunted.
"I know, and I had enough too. And to be honest a part of me wanted to go home with Lorne." She sympathized with Gunn.
"So why did you argue with me?" He didn't get it.
"Cause of this, and I don't mean the pub." She said before Gunn had a chance to reply. "The mission, saving the world, it's not just for L.A., or just when it's comfortable and easy. Its everyday and everywhere."
"I know, but I had enough of Sunnydale, so far nothing good happened to me here. At least Wes, Cordy and Angel have some nice memories of this place. But I don't, I hate it."
"Come on lets do this and hopefully in a couple of days we'll be on our way home." She smiled as he opened the door.
"Hello, what can I get you?" The bartender asked.
"Information. Where can we get that?" Gunn got into his rule. He knew the best way is the direct way. Show no fear.
"Sorry, only serves beverages." The bartender smiled and turned away.
"Angel sends his regards." Fred said to him and he stopped and turned around.
"Angel sent you? He's back in town?" The bartender looked spooked.
"Yeah, and the slayer also sends her love." Fred kept on, with a big smile.
"Okay I don't want any trouble, so tell me what you need." He leaned towards Gunn and Fred.
"We're looking for information about the Dorkanious." Fred said.
"The who?" The bartender didn't seem to have a clue.
"How about the white priestesses? Does that ring a bell?" Gunn tried a different angle.
"No, not a thing." This time Gunn could tell he was lying. Gunn leaned even closer and whispered in his ear something. "Okay, okay I'll tell you." The frightened bartender said. Gunn smiled pleased. "All I know is a couple of demons were talking about how they're back or something."
"Back here? I thought they were a myth?" Fred asked confused.
"Look lady, I don't do all the mythology crap okay? I listen and pass on."
"Okay so what else did you happen to hear?" Gunn asked.
"I heard something about a gathering place, a mausoleum of some sort." The bartender said.
"Which one, this town have a lot of those." Gunn asked.
"Heard something about the Rishlon, who ever that is. And that's it I swear." He stood up straight. "Well I'm sorry we don't serve milk in this establishment." He turned around and approached another client.
"Come on." Gunn took Fred's hand and they walked out.
"Where too Charles?" Fred knew they would never find that mausoleum on their own.
"Back to the crappy house to tell Angel and Buffy. We'll need them if we want to find this mausoleum."
"My thought exactly." Fred replied.
***
"Spill." Spike was waiting for her to tell it all.
"You heard about my little trip?" Cordy asked not really in the mode to repeat it.
"Yeah, what of it?"
"Well, I didn't tell them everything."
Spike smiled, he had a feeling she didn't. "What did you leave out?" he asked and Cordy told him about her idea to enter the other Cordelia's concessions, and about how it worked. "So what did you see once you were there?" Spike was curious.
"Remember, not a word." Spike did the whole- zip-up-his-mouth-and-throw-away-the key-thing. "I saw how it would end. I saw that I was the key to it all, I have the power to stop it."
"You?" Spike sniffed. "Are you sure, cause you don't really look like..."
"I know what I saw. I saw myself in battle and then I was holding something bright, I think it was the book." She said.
"Then what?" Spike was on the edge of his seat.
"Then I saw myself here in this place looking for something... maybe a weapon."
"Go on." Spike said.
"And then it was over. I saw the Dorkanious disappear, so did the book. And I have no idea how I did it."
"Are you sure it was you?"
"Spike I felt it, I saw myself there, I did it, and I also..."
"You also what?"
"I also died. I didn't make it." Her words shocked him.
"Now I know your don't know what you're talking about. Angel will die first before letting you..."
"I know, that's why he doesn't know, can't know. I saw the end of the fight I saw Sunnydale been freed and I saw all who survived. I wasn't one of them."
"Maybe things will go differently this time, I mean you're here? Right, and Angelus haven't awakened yet, and The Dorkanious isn't here. Maybe when you saw your vision you changed things. Maybe now you won't..."
"I will. If there's one thing I learned in this world is that everything has a price. If I want to save Sunnydale, save the world, save the people I love, I have to do this."
"But you don't have to die, maybe if we tell the others they can find a way..."
"No Spike! You promised." She reminded him. "Besides since when do you care if I live or die?"
"You're a nice person and you don't put up with anyone's crap, including my own. And I know Angel loves you and although I act like I hate the guy, I really don't. A long time ago he was what I considered my family. And I may not have a soul but I have a heart and so does he, and I know that if you'll die it will kill him."
"Think of the alternative. If I won't do this he'll end up killing his family. Even if he gets his soul back he'll never be able to come out of it." Cordy explained.
"He did once before." Spike reminded her.
"Still, I can't let them die."
So you'll sacrifice your own life to save them. That's either very courageous or extremely stupid. You pick." Cordy couldn't help but laugh. Spike joined her. They both sat there on the tomb laughing when suddenly they heard a sound they looked up and 3 flashlights were aimed at their direction.
"What's so funny guys?" They heard Buffy's voice.
***
TBC
Hi ppl,
Thanks for your great reviews. I see that most people aren't in favor of a happy-ending.
I'm going to do a little self-promotion, but that's my fic so I'm allowed. I posted a new fic, also a crossover, also with A/C & B/S & F/G. It sets on the beginning of Angel S4 & Buffy S7. So please check it out and let me know what you really think of it. It's called "A new beginning", Here it's location: http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=1372084, thank you in advance.
As usual can't wait to hear what you have to say about this ch, and I think I deserve some good feedbacks for the quick posting... lol.
Thanks Nikka.