A/N: Just to let you guys know Liam is Angelus now, so no confusion, OK? Enjoy!
CHAPTER 8
"Hey, guys," Buffy greeted the following Monday, dropping down next to Wesley, where he and Gunn sat at a booth in the arcade. She wore her dance squad uniform; royal blue joggers and a white top with the blue heron mascot of the school printed on the front of it. Her blonde hair was in a tight ponytail. "What's going on?"
"Druanne Dunn pulled a vanish," Gunn said.
"OK…" Buffy glanced towards the plate that sat in front of Wesley. "You gonna finish those fries?"
"For real, though," Gunn said as Wesley pushed his plate in front of Buffy. "This girl disappeared the same way Liam O'Connor did. Her parents were even killed the same way his was."
"Stab wounds to the neck," Wesley added. "Although, it is a bit odd that Liam O'Connor's parents and Druanne's were both killed with what looked the news called barbeque forks."
"You guys are way too focused on this stuff," Buffy said as she finished off a couple of Wesley's French fries. "Meanwhile, would it kill you guys to care? I do have a have a game today."
"No, you have to dance in between time-outs today," Gunn pointed out.
"You ever not bring up the obvious?" Buffy sighed.
"Gotta help out your blonde brain," Gunn said, reaching over the table to pat her head belittlingly.
Buffy stuck out her bottom lip in a pout. "Anyway, I have to practice the dance for what'll be, hmm… the zillionth time today."
Gunn glanced over as someone entered the arcade. "Oh, hey, Frail Pale Winifred Burkle just walked in." The mentioned girl went to sit at a single table in an isolated corner of the arcade. She had a large book with her reading it, her thin-framed glasses propped up on her nose.
"Gunn, don't," Buffy said immediately.
"Hey, she was the one that walked in to one of my territories." The black teenager got up from where he sat to head over to Fred.
Buffy groaned in aggravation.
Gunn tapped a finger on Fred's shoulder and immediately startled her. "Oh… Charles Gunn," the girl recognized shyly. "Hi."
"Hey, Frail Fred," Gunn smirked. "Damn, you look good, girl."
"Really?" Fred smiled at him.
"Yeah. Looks like what my little sister used to dress her dolls in. The thrift store Barbie." Fred's face fell but she didn't say anything. "So, anyway, see you at the basketball game today, Fred. They've been looking for a new pole to hang the banner up with. You'd be perfect for the job." Gunn couldn't help but release a chuckle on that one. He turned and walked away, still chuckling.
"Oh, yeah?" Fred called after him. "Well, I-I… I don't even like basketball." She immediately sunk back into her seat, covering her face with the book she was reading.
"You are pure evil," Buffy said to Gunn as he returned to the booth.
"This is true," Gunn smiled proudly. "Anyway, I gotta get home. Promised Dad I'd make dinner for Alonna."
"Guess I'll head out with you," Buffy said, rising up from the booth. "See you later, Wes."
"Bye," Wesley waved to them. "I'll just stay here and work on my mach." Cordelia walked in then, clad in her blue and white cheerleading uniform. "Oh, hello, Cordy. How are you?"
Cordelia glanced at him at scoffed. "As if, Wesley Wyndam-Geek." She walked off.
"Wonderful talking to you," Wesley called after her.
Darla and Angelus sat next to each other in a mansion Darla had claimed as her own. The rich were foolish enough to invite anyone into their home, even Darla, darkest of her master's vampire line. Sadly, though, the people who owned the mansion lost their lives and their blood, yet Darla had gained their home.
The two watched Dru sleep on the couch of the parlor, a calm and tranquil expression on her beautiful face.
"She has power," Darla said to Angelus.
"That's what I told you," the male vampire said.
"She's so young, though. You should have waited."
"The younger, the better," said Angelus. "Can't exactly see a one hundred year old woman applying wrinkle cream while slaughtering innocents."
Darla glanced into his chocolate eyes. "What about four hundred year old women?"
"Some things do get better with age." Angelus leaned in and they kissed lightly.
"Ooh, my sweet boy, learning so quickly." She stroke his cheek lightly.
"Shush," Angelus hushed. "Druanne is waking."
The girl twisted in her sleep a little before opening her eyes. She still wore her clothes from Saturday, jeans and her red sweater. Dru glanced around at the lovely decorated mansion, which released a glow of dim lighting.
"It's all right, my dear." Darla went to sit by Dru. "Everything will be all right… now."
Angelus approached Dru as well and knelt down before her. "Hello, Druanne."
"You? A-are you my angel?" she whispered, her voice filled with pure innocence.
A light smile escaped from Angelus's lips. "You could say that."
Darla stroked Dru's hair as she said, "Do not worry, Druanne. The pain of birth doesn't last long but you're special." Dru looked at her. Darla seemed so gentle. "You'll be weak momentarily."
Angelus asked, "How do you feel?"
Dru looked at him and, for a moment, only stared. Finally she said, "I feel…" her face deformed to the bumped out expression and large fangs of a vampire. "Hungry."
A/N: I live for the weekend. Oh, I live for the weekend, baby. Yeah! Please review and keep me in this good mood!