Chapter 3
On the way home from the Bronze

No matter how often she did it, she could never get used to the sheer exhilaration of flying. Whenever she had the chance of not being seen, you would find her looping and rolling and doing other acrobatic tricks. Xander followed close behind her, but although he loved it just as much, he would tell you he was only doing it to look up her dress.

So when Cordelia stopped so suddenly that he ran into her, they were both surprised.

"I heard a scream," Cordelia whispered.

"Where from?" Xander asked.

"Follow me."

He followed her closely, though watching her even more closely.

The brunette Vampyre slowed, then dropped to the ground near the body of a young woman. They didn't bother to check if she was alive - they could hear no heartbeat, and whoever had drained her was not trying to turn her.

Xander observed the scene for a moment and frowned.

"What's up, Xan?" Cordy asked.

"Something about her is familiar, but I can't think what it is," he answered quietly.

Cordelia concentrated for a moment, then turned to her sire and lover.

"She smells of Angel, there's the scent of him is barely there, under the cheap cologne."

"Crap!" Was his reply. "Either Angelus is back, or she was some kind of demon, and I don't think she was."

"Yeah, well we better get out of here. I don't feel like being around a body if either Buffy or Sunnydale's finest show up," Cordelia suggested.

The young couple flew back to Xander's place, silently pondering the night's events.

-----~~~~~-----

Angel approached the Magic Box and noted that Buffy and the rest had returned from the night's Slaying already.

Although Buffy still had romantic feelings for Angel, she wouldn't allow herself to give in to anything more than friendship. So Angel just nodded to her and then addressed the group.

"Did any of you know that Xander was back in Sunnydale?" Angel asked.

The others looked at each other and shook their heads.

"No, I don't think anyone knows anything about Xander being back," Giles replied for the group.

"Well he is," Angel explained. "He was at the Bronze with Cordelia. And something happened to him while he was gone; I think he was possessed by a demon."

Willow gasped and put her hands up to her mouth in shock.

"What makes you say that, Angel?" Giles asked.

"I tried to stop him as he was leaving the Bronze, but he just vanished out of my reach. Then I saw him a second later, when he opened the door, and he turned to stare at me. His eyes changed to a kind of gold, like a cat's eye color and shape. By the time I rushed to the door, they were both gone."

"Why wouldn't he call me?" Willow asked no one in particular.

"Well, we'll have to try to find out where he lives. Willow, can you see what you can dig up on the computer?" Buffy asked. "Giles, can you think of anything that would possess a human that would give them the ability to stop time or teleport?"

Giles pulled his glasses off and started to clean them, a habit he had always had.

"Nothing comes to mind, Buffy. I'm afraid we will have to research it," Giles answered the slayer.

"And why would Cordelia come back? She swore that she would never return until she was famous," Willow added.

"I don't know," Buffy replied, deeply worried that her best friend had been turned into some 'thing'.

If they hadn't have been so worried for their friend, they might have noticed the sneer that appeared on Angels face.

-----~~~~~-----

The Next Evening
4875 Sunset Blvd.
Sunnydale Ca.

Xander woke just a short time before sundown and got up. He pulled a pair of jeans on and headed downstairs, leaving Cordelia to sleep a little more. He poured a mug of uncut blood and warmed it in the microwave, then headed for the phone.

He sipped it as the phone rang on the other end.

\\ "Hello," said a soft feminine voice. //

"Hi Natalie, it's Xander. Is Nick up yet?"

\\ "Yes, he is, let me get him," she said, setting the phone down. //

\\ "Alexander, good to hear from you. How are things going?" Nick asked. //

"Pretty good Nick, considering what happened last night."

\\ "That sounds ominous, Alexander. Care to let me in on what happened?" //

"We were at the Bronze, the local club here and ran into Angel. I told you about him," Xander started.

\\ "Yes, you did; the soulless breed of vampire, but this one has a soul." // Nick agreed.

"Yeah, well, it looks like Angelus is back. We found a fresh kill this morning and the victim had Angelus' scent all over her. Either he lost his soul, or he found a way to get around it."

\\ "That is not good, Alexander. Angelus was a particularly brutal vampire that caused a lot of trouble in Europe over fifteen decades. The community sent many hunters after him, but they were never successful. Angelus is bad news, Alexander. You should stay away from him." //

"Well yeah, maybe, Nick. But knowing him, he's got some plan to hurt Buffy and the Gang, so I can't stay out of it," Xander argued. "But don't worry. I am just keeping an eye on things now, and I'll be careful with anything I do."

\\ "You do that, Alexander. Natalie and I will be there to visit after the first of the year, so we'll see you then." //

Xander hung up the phone and turned to see Cordelia wearing only one of his dress shirts, coming down the stairs. He poured a mug of blood for her and warmed it.

"Thanks," she said, as he handed her the mug.

"You're welcome, Cor," he answered as he kissed her cheek.

"What's the plan for tonight?" she asked.

"Well, I thought we could shadow the Gang tonight; see if we can get a hint of what Angelus was up to," he suggested.

"I can live with that," she agreed and flashed him a bright smile.

Setting her mug down, she headed back up to dress. Xander stood and watched her very shapely form as she walked away.

Early Morning
The Club Raven
Toronto Canada

Nick Knight knocked on Lucien LaCroix's office door. He received a gruff "Come in," and entered the luxurious office.

The pale blonde man looked up and surprise showed on his face.

"Nicholas, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" He asked.

"I have some news to pass on to you, Father," started Nick. "Alexander called today."

"And how is your childé?" Lucien asked, wondering about the powerful Vampyre his Childé had sired.

"Alexander is just fine, right now, but he did give me some disturbing news. It appears that the Souled vampire is no more. It seems that Angelus has returned."

Lucien LaCroix sat up straight and looked at Nick.

"That is not good, Nicholas. Angelus has always been one of the most vicious of all the soulless vampires. Together with Spike, Darla and Drusilla, they made a formidable group. If he is back, then things could get bloody."

"That is what I told Alexander as well, but he said that there was no problem, and he would handle it. Father, in the world of Vampyres, Alexander is but a babe. But yet he does not fear Angelus, and he has sired a childé of his own, when not yet a year old. I want to help him, but I don't think he would appreciate it if I did," Nick said obviously disturbed by the situation under discussion.

"That is true, my son. Your childé is a very special and unique individual. But he does seem to have a level of power that would belie his age. When I first met him, I was sure you were introducing someone else, another master close to your age; he felt that much like you. His presence was very strong for one so young."

"I noticed that too, but could not explain it. Unless it somehow has something to do with the Hellmouth influences in his life," Nick suggested.

"Well if nothing else, my experiences with you have taught me that interfering when not asked, no matter how good the intentions are, will only cause further problems. It is best you leave him to his own devices, unless you want him angry with you," Lucien suggested. "Unless…"

"Do you have an idea, Father?"

"Has Xander found a job yet? I know he was worried about what kind of job he would be able to maintain, once he returned to Sunnydale," LaCroix asked.

"None that I know of, and I'm sure he would have told me." Nick replied.

"Well, then, I have a suggestion. A few years ago, I obtained ownership of a club in Sunnydale called 'The Bronze'. Isabella suggested it might be a good location to set up another 'Raven' but the vampires in the area were all of the soulless breed, so I just left it to run by itself. It makes a very small profit, and I was only reminded of it by my attorney yesterday, who suggests I sell it."

"So what does that have to do with anything, Father?" Nick asked.

"What if I should have it remodeled and have Alexander run it for me? I have checked it out, and it might make a good profit if it was upgraded a bit. And, we would have a justifiable reason to send someone to help out at the beginning," Lucien suggested, a smug grin on his face.

Nick thought for a few minutes.

"Quite subtle, Father. It might work, it just might work. Are you going to suggest it?" Nick asked.

"No, I figured that I would just call him and tell him of my plans to expand our operations, " Lucien said softly. "And then, in a few years, I will just sign the deed over to him."

The two talked a bit more and then Nick headed home to wait for Natalie to finish her shift.

Lucien LaCroix stood on the balcony and called down to the bartender, Miklos. "Miklos. Will you put the word out that I need to get in touch with Simon Reign."

"Yes, sir," replied the bartender as he reached for a phone.

-----~~~~~-----

Just Before Midnight
Crestwood Cemetery
Sunnydale Ca.

Xander and Cordelia stood on the roof of a crypt about a quarter of a mile from the gang, watching them.

Cordelia looked carefully at Xander and then turned back to watch the others.

"It's a good thing that I know how much you love me, or I would be really jealous right now," she said softly, in a voice only he could hear.

"I do love Buffy and Willow, Cordy. You know that. But not anywhere near the way I love you. Willow has always been the sister I never had, and Buffy is just a very good friend. I thought I felt that way about her once, but finally realized that it could never be," he replied.

"Now that we're together, there's nothing more in the world I could ever want," he continued as he put his arm around her waist and pulled her close.

The Gang was just about to leave the cemetery, when they were jumped by a group of vamps. Xander and Cordy watched as the Scoobies dusted one bloodsucker after another. Just as they finished the last one off, another group of about twenty appeared out of the darkness, Spike and Drusilla at the lead.

With a quick signal from Spike, the entire group rushed to attack. Buffy and the others fought a determined battle, all but Angel, who only seemed to be feigning his attacks and was actually just pushing his foes around, noted a grim Xander. Giles went down and the others surrounded him, and tried to protect him. The small group of Slayerettes was outnumbered and it was obvious that it was just a matter of time until they were overwhelmed. It was then that Xander and Cordelia joined in.

Xander came up behind one of the soulless vamps and plunged the stake he was holding deep into his heart. As that vamp dusted, Cordy moved smoothly through his ashes and staked one of his companions in the back. The two Vampyres moved blindingly fast, staking several foes, while the soulless bloodsuckers were still wondering what was going on.

Buffy staked several more as their attention was diverted, as did Oz with his crossbow and Willow with her magic. Xander and Cordy moved smoothly, working well together as a team. They were two fast moving dark wraiths who staked and beheaded, leaving clouds of dust in their wake. Soon, it was just Spike and Drusilla left, and as Spike's infamous past would indicate, he had his escape well planned.

He pulled out a smoke bomb, pulled the pin and tossed it to the ground in front of Willow as they turned to run. It popped, fizzed for a second, but then did nothing. Oz got off a final shot that hit Spike in the ass, but it didn't even slow him down.

Too exhausted to pursue, Buffy turned to Xander, her vampire sense going crazy.

"I'm sorry Xander, I'm so sorry," she said softly, as she pulled a stake from behind her back and drove it in his heart.

Willow gasped and started to cry as her life long friend started a slow slide to the ground.

Buffy stood there with tears in her eyes as he started to fall, blood pouring out around the stake. She was about to make a comment when a pair of hands shoved her away. Buffy was pushed hard enough that she was knocked down and slid across the ground nearly twenty feet.

Her breath knocked out of her, she only gasped when she realized it was Cordelia who had done it. Oz brought up his crossbow and fired a bolt at her, and they all gaped, open-mouthed, when Cordelia snatched it out of the air.

"What is with you people? We come and save your sorry asses and this is how you repay us?" She said as she reached down and grabbed the stake imbedded in Xander's chest. Gripping it tightly, she yanked it out, the stake making a horrible sucking sound as it slid free.

She tossed the crossbow bolt back to Oz, and hearing the groan from Xander, helped him stand. She reached into his jacket and pulled out a flask, opened it and held it to his lips. As he drank, the others could see the wound heal.

"What is going on here?" Buffy asked, still on the ground and clearly confused.

"You staked me," Xander said flatly.

"But, you are a vampire, aren't' you?" She asked.

"Well duh," said Cordelia. "But so is Angel, and you didn't try to stake him."

"But, Angel has a soul," Willow said.

"Does he?" asked Xander. "Then ask him why he fed off a young girl last night, and then find out why he didn't stake a single vamp tonight, just pushed them around."

Buffy stood and walked over to Giles, helping him to his feet. She was confused and needed his input on this.

"That is true, Buffy, the vampire that knocked me down somehow survived his battle with Angel," the watcher confirmed.

The entire group looked over at Angel. He stood quietly for a moment, watching the group, and then his face broke out with a very evil grin.

"Hey, you can't say I didn't try," he said before he turned and started to run off.

Cordelia started to go after him, but Xander put his arm out to hold her back.

"There'll be another time, Cor," he said, putting his arms around her.

"Ummm, I know this is a most awkward question, but exactly what are you, Xander?" Giles asked.

"Well, this is kinda hard to explain, guys, but both Cordelia and I are Vampyres. Not like you are used to dealing with, but an older, ancient breed," Xander explained. "Look, can we meet you somewhere? I'd like to change, and then I'll explain everything to you."

Buffy looked at Giles, to see his opinion, and when he nodded, she turned back to the Vampyre couple.

"Giles now owns the Magic Box, it's the magic shop in town, and we usually meet there. Can you be there in, say, half an hour?"

"Not a problem, Buff. We'll see you then," Xander agreed, and then, holding Cordelia's hand, rose into the air and flew off, leaving a stunned Scooby Gang behind them.

"Whoa," said Oz.

Buffy turned and looked at Giles, the question unasked.

"I don't know, Buffy. But he did say that he would explain everything to us," Giles said quietly. "But we'd best get back to the shop, if we are going to meet them there."

The gang made their way to the parking lot and piled in Oz's old van.

-----~~~~~-----

Nick and Natalie's Home
Toronto Canada

After staring at the phone for almost an hour, Nick finally picked it up and dialed a familiar number.

"Hello Javier?" he asked.

\\ "Yes, Nick, what can I do for you?" //

"I was wondering if you would do a favor for me?"

\\ "Of course, Nick. What is it that you need?"//

"Well it involves traveling to Sunnydale California," Nick started.

\\ "What do you need that involves me visiting the Boca Del Inferno?" Javier Vashon asked.

-----~~~~~-----

The Magic Box
Sunnydale Ca.

Giles unlocked the back door and turned on the lights as he entered. Buffy did a quick scout through the store, then joined the others already seated at the big table. They heard a knock at the front door and Buffy went with her Watcher to let the pair of Vampyres in.

Once inside, Giles relocked the door and they rejoined the others back at the table where they normally researched.

Xander pulled out one of the chairs for Cordelia, then sat down next to her and looked at Buffy and the rest of the gang.

"There is one thing you guys have to know right away. Cordy and I are Vampyres, but not the kind you are used to dealing with. We did NOT lose our souls when we were brought across, and the community that we belong to has very strict rules about feeding," he looked right at Buffy as he spoke.

"We do not kill for food, and if by some chance we must feed from a human, we only take a little blood, and make the victim forget that it every happened. Most of us obtain our blood from various sources that receive expired blood from blood banks. I get ours from a place in Los Angeles, which is supplied through my grandfather's organization."

"Are there many of your kind?" Asked Giles.

"I suppose so, never really thought about it. There were about thirty or forty in Toronto, where I was brought across, and I guess there are more in LA, but the community frowns on bringing others across."

"You mean they don't want to expand their ranks?" Willow asked.

"Not really. They want to keep a low profile and stay out of the limelight. When I brought Cordy across, I kept wondering if they were going to destroy me. I found out that they were watching closely, and would have destroyed both of us if I had failed in training her or tried to bring more across."

"Why!" Demanded Buffy. "Why did you turn Cordelia?"

"I brought Cordy across because a soulless vamp had already ripped her throat out and I loved her too much to let her die like that, or be turned into a soulless vamp…." he answered, reaching out for his lover's hand.

"What happened, Xander?" Willow asked.

"When I went on my road trip this past summer, I went up the coast and then into Canada. I got as far as Toronto when it happened. Coming out of a diner, I heard a woman scream. I went to help, and found her being attacked by a couple of vamps. I tried to drive them off with a cross, and managed to stake one of them, but I got nailed by another who ripped my throat out with his claws.

"The woman's fiancé, who was a Vampyre, showed up in time to prevent her from being turned, and after either destroying them or driving them away, brought both of us across."

"What exactly is so different about your type of Vampyre?" Buffy asked.

"Well, Buff, the most important thing is that when we are 'brought across', we do not lose our soul, and there is no demonic possession."

"That's what you say," Oz challenged him.

"Yes, that is what I say. Buffy, look at Cordelia's Necklace," Xander said.

The Gang as a whole looked, and noticed the very beautiful gold cross she was wearing.

"Crosses, Holy water and other religious icons really don't have any effect on us. I have been told that it bothers some of the older ones, but not very much," Cordelia added.

"You mentioned older Vampyres several times, Xander. Exactly how old are you talking about?" Giles inquired.

"Well, I don't know all that many, but my 'father" was brought across in 1228. His father was brought across in 79 AD, just before the eruption of Pompeii. Urs is something like a 140 and Vashon was brought across in the 1600's. There may be some older, but I don't know for sure," Xander explained.

"My God, that's incredible! A vampire who is almost two thousand years old?" Giles exclaimed.

"Look, guys," Xander started. "I didn't know how to tell you this, and after that vamp attacked Cordy, I was pretty busy helping her adjust, but I am still the same guy you knew, more or less. I want to be part of your lives, but if you can't accept me, just say the words and I will leave."

Willow rushed to him and enveloped him in a hug that would have been crushing to him before. Oz offered his hand as did Giles, and Buffy hugged him as well.

"So, where are you guys staying?" Buffy Asked.

"I bought a place over on Sunset Blvd. when I got back here. Cordy and I are living there."

"Bought? How could you afford that, Xander?" Asked Giles.

"My father gave me five million dollars as seed money to get started," Xander replied. "When you are like seven hundred years old, you tend to amass a large amount of money without trying too hard."

"Also, about that flying thing?," Buffy asked.

"Yes, that is another difference," he smiled as he slipped into his 'game face'. "The change in us is way more subtle. Our eyes change and our fangs drop. We can fly, and move really fast," he said as he zoomed to the front of the store and then back much to the stunned amazement of the Scoobies..

"Amazing. I am surprised that your kind could remain undiscovered for so long," Giles pondered.

"Like I said Giles, there are very strict rules on how the community behaves. Most of the time, humans are not allowed to even know about us. An exception was made for you guys, but the Council had better not learn about us," Xander stated flatly.

"Your secret is safe with me, Xander. I won't tell the Council anything." Giles promised.

"Uh, Guys? It's going to be light soon, and we need to be home before that happens, so, if we could pick this up again later?" Cordelia suggested.

"Good idea, Cordy," Xander agreed.

They said their goodbyes all around, and promised to meet the next night at the Magic Box.

The gang all watched as the young Vampyre couple walked out the back door, rose into the sky and vanished into the dark.

-----~~~~~-----

Sunnydale General Hospital

The young brunette who has been lying in a coma for the last several months starts to stir, and her eyes open suddenly.

TBC