REPRECUSSIONS
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters except for the ones that I created.
CHAPTER 2-A RUDE WELCOMING
He rubbed his tired eyes with one hand while turning the old frail page of the journal with the other. Ever since Angel had told him about what some of his informants had heard about the happenings in Sunnydale Wesley had been scouring the books that he had become owner of for any reference to the First. But now as the orange sun was beginning to slip ever so close to the horizon he was getting fed up after finding nary an entry. Fred had offered to help but he had reassured her that he had everything well in hand and asked if she and Knox didn't have something to work on down in the lab. Even though he couldn't exactly put his finger on it there was something about Knox that really ate at Wesley. He tried to play it off as that Knox being evil along with the rest of the employees at Wolfram and Hart. But a little squeaking voice in the back of his head was saying that it was because he still had feelings for Fred.
As he tried to scan through another page Wesley had to admit that the little squeaking voice was probably right. But then again every great once in a while he would still have dreams about Cordelia, ones that he had never told anyone about. He had chalked them up to the feeling of an opportunity passed up, and hoped that his feelings for Fred were similar to those. But from his more radical side lately he had been having dreams, well simple dreams these were most definitely not. These new dreams all contained a mystery woman that for some reason he felt like he knew or should know. He'd always see her walking along the beach, holding a pair of sandals in one hand while wading through the shallows. The identity of the woman had, so far anyway, been a secret as in all of the dreams she had been walking away from him. All he could see of her was a view from behind, and at first that had been enough for him as in the dream the mystery woman was wearing next to nothing. The only characteristic that gave him any indication as to who the mystery woman could be was a mane of chocolate tresses that stretched down to her waist. The only other clue that he had was the scent of roses that that he picked up when he stood downwind.
As minutes stretched into hours Wesley tried his best to keep his attention focused entirely on the task at hand, helping Angel make sense of what was happening in Sunnydale. But it didn't take long before his thoughts turned back to the mystery woman. He was still thinking about her when Gunn walked in a half an hour later, still dressed in his fanciest suit.
"Wesley…what are you still doing here," Gunn asked with a surprised and somewhat worried smile on his face as he walked into Wesley's office and leaned forward on the back of one of the chairs.
"Helping Angel try to figure out exactly what is currently happening in Sunnydale…you," Wesley replied with a nervous and tired yawn before he leaned back in his chair and looked up at Gunn.
"Just finished setting up my new office…you've really got to come and see it sometime," Gunn answered with a proud and excited smile on his face as he began to loosen his tie.
"I will Gunn, but I can't right now, I'm close to deciphering something that could be vitally important…or an ancient recipe for chicken soup…I'm not quite sure which," Wesley started to say with a very serious frown on his face before he sighed as he finished.
"Well if it's the latter give me a call…I think I'm coming down with something," Gunn said back with a joking laugh as he patted the back of the chair that he was leaning against.
"Will do," Wesley replied with a nervous smile on his face before Gunn nodded his head and walked out of the room. Wesley continued to search through the ancient and frail journal until he came across a passage of particular interest. "The scythe…," Wesley mumbled softly to himself before he placed a bookmark on the page and slammed the ancient book shut. Without minding to push his chair back in Wesley tore out of his office and headed towards the armory.
* * * * * *
"So you're sure that they're gone Wil," Faith asked meekly, barely having the strength to keep an eye open, as she tried to come to grips with what Willow was trying to tell her. The sun had only risen a few minutes earlier and she had barely woken up when Willow, Giles, Robin, and Xander had rushed into her room, or rather Buffy's room, with looks of complete fear and uncertainty plastered across their faces. For a moment Faith didn't think that the witch was going to answer, but then she picked her chin up and did just that.
"Y…yeah, I've done…almost ten locator spells now, all with the same outcome, Buffy and Spike…aren't in Sunnydale anymore," Willow stammered out with an ashamed look on her face before she dropped her head again and looked at the tops of her shoes.
"And from the looks of things someone's been through Buffy's things…fairly recently, if I had to hazard a guess I'd say that Spike slipped in here sometime last night, swiped a few things for Buffy and the two then…," Giles started to say with a very watcher like scowl on his face before as he continued it was easy to see his aura of confidence shattering and he suddenly looked very old and like someone that was about to cry.
"They got the hell out of town…maybe we should join them," Xander said with an almost bitter tone to his voice before he looked around and almost whispered the last part.
"Well I say good riddance…they want to act cowardly and run away from the problem then fine, we can do this without them," Robin said with a very stern and mocking scowl on his face as he crossed his arms and looked over at Xander and Willow.
"Buffy is not a coward…," Xander declared with an angry frown on his face as he glared over at Robin.
"And neither is Spike, they're two of the bravest people that I've ever known," Willow said with a sad look on her face as she also looked to be on the verge of tears.
"That…thing, is not a person, it's a monster that I should have staked when I had the chance," Robin muttered with a very angry and vengeful frown on his face as he looked down to Faith.
"So now what do we do," Faith asked softly as she tried to keep from falling back to sleep while Giles stared out of the window at the special tree in the backyard.
"For probably the first time in my life…I haven't a bloody clue," Giles replied softly with almost a totally defeated frown on his face as he shook his head.
* * * * * *
He had flown past the welcome to Sunnydale sign only a few hours earlier but since the sun was already in its customary ascent across the sky Angel had to find a place to hide out for the day. He had reluctantly chosen the Bronze, having to kick the doors in, thus rendering them useless in being anything but an impediment. He had called over to Buffy's house a few times but every time that he had someone new had answered the phone. That fact alone only made his wait for the sun to slip back beneath the horizon even more aggravating. To pass the time he tried to catch up with a few old friends that lived in Sunnydale via the tunnels beneath the city, but his level of concern and alarm only grew as he discovered that they were all gone.
* * * * * *
At first Spike had simply taken the first road out of town, not really caring where they were going. He had done as Buffy had asked and snuck back into her room and collected some of her clothes before getting back out, all without anyone noticing. While he had been gone Buffy had gone from house to house, trying to find as much money as she could find. She hated the thought of what she was doing but she kept telling herself that she and Spike needed the money more than the people that had left it. She had ended her trek through the city at the bank, being lucky to find the vault open and taking all that she could fine before returning to Spike's crypt where he had been waiting for her. She had let him hold the door open for her as she took one last look at the town that she had died twice in defense of before she slipped into his car.
They hadn't talked much until Sunnydale was behind them by at least three hours. They had finally stopped in a small town out in the middle of nowhere when the sun had started to come up and Buffy was in no mood to drive. Without a word of complaint Spike had pulled his DeSoto into the only motel in town and paid for a room for the two before returning to the car. With the two carrying the bags the car was unpacked with little fanfare and taking even less time. When they entered the room Buffy had hidden the scythe underneath the bed. Buffy had tried to lie down and fall asleep the moment that they got in the room while Spike pulled all of the blinds closed and checked the room over. But no matter how hard she tried she found that she couldn't get to sleep.
"Spike…," Buffy asked with a nervous and somewhat scared look on her face as she looked up from her spot on the bed as Spike stepped out of the bathroom.
"Yes pet," Spike replied with a kind and somewhat tired smile on his face as he stood in the bathroom doorway admiring the woman that he loved.
"I…I can't get to sleep…could…could you," Buffy stammered out softly as she found it hard to ask for Spike's aid.
"Prostitute myself off as a pillow again…," Spike said with a daring smirk on his face as he smiled down at Buffy before her brows furrowed in confusion. "Move over," Spike added with a nervous sigh as he shrugged his shoulders and sat down on the bed beside Buffy, who did move over enough to allow him room.
"Do you think they're okay," Buffy asked softly with a poorly hidden touch of sadness in her voice as she snuggled in tight up to Spike, who wrapped his arms around her and brushed a lock of hair back behind her ear.
"Of course pet…ole Rupert might have a few cross words…hell that wanker Wood's probably overjoyed that I'm gone," Spike answered with a soft and calm smile on his face as Buffy looked up into his eyes and admired how much love that she saw in them. The two shared a short laugh before Buffy laid her head down on Spike's chest and almost instantly went to sleep. Spike stayed up for a couple of hours more, watching his loves every move, before finally slipping into sleep himself.
* * * * * *
Wesley's day had been hectic to say the least. After rushing out of his office and into the armory he had strapped on as many weapons as he could carry, everything from stakes and holy water to assault rifles and enough ammo for a siege. It had taken him almost an hour to transport everything that he thought that he would need down to his SUV. Along the way he had received several odd looks from some of the staffers that had stayed late and came in early. Not in the mood to talk Wesley had passed by without a word and went about his work. When he had finished packing up his SUV he left a message with Harmony about where he was going. He pulled out of Wolfram and Hart's parking lot just as the sun was rising. He filled up his tank on the way out of Los Angeles before flying off in the direction of Sunnydale, silently praying that he wasn't to late.
* * * * * *
Buffy awoke first, not having any clue as to what time it was, and for possibly the first time in her life not really caring. She cast a quick glance around the room and saw that nothing had changed since she had gone to sleep. Spike's arms were still around her and for only the second time in the last few months she felt completely safe. She tried her best to slip out of Spike's grasp and head to the bathroom. Spike almost woke up when she shut the door but he was still fast asleep, or so she thought, when she softly opened the door back up and stepped out of the bathroom.
"All rested up luv," Spike asked with a soft snicker and smirk on his face as Buffy jumped in fright before spinning around on her heels and glaring down at Spike, who returned her glare with a sly smile of his own.
"Stop it…," Buffy said with an angry frown on her face as she took a step closer to the bed and glared at Spike.
"Stop what…I don't have the foggiest idea what you're talking about pet," Spike said softly, looking completely innocent as he slid off the edge of the bed and stood up in front of Buffy.
"Stop playing around Spike, don't try that again…," Buffy replied with a quickly lessening scowl of anger on her face as she inched closer to Spike, who leaned forward and smiled so broadly that Buffy thought for a second about decking him.
"Make me…," Spike dared with a daring smile on his face as he inched closer to Buffy and looked her in the eye, despite the growling in his stomach telling him that he hadn't had any blood for awhile.
"Fine…," Buffy said with a sly smirk of her own on her face before she reared back and threw a punch that Spike easily dodged before she the followed her first punch up with another. Soon the two were doing their usual dance of fists and feet as they fought all throughout the room. The fighting would probably have gone on much longer if Spike hadn't slipped on one of the pillows that Buffy had thrown off of the bed. No matter how hard he tried Spike couldn't keep himself from falling backwards onto the bed. Buffy took the advantage then and leapt from her spot near the door and landed squarely on top of him, pinning his arms down at his side, even though in truth Spike was happy where he was.
"Do your worst…," Spike said with a fake look of anger on his face as he half glared up at Buffy, who glared right back at him.
"Oh trust me Spike…I will," Buffy whispered softly with a very serious frown on her face as she stared deeply into Spike's eyes before she leaned down and softly brushed her lips against his. But rather than sit back up and wait for his reaction she stayed near enough for Spike to sit up as best he could and return the kiss. The last thought that went through her head before she returned his kiss, while her hands slid underneath his shirt and his under hers, was that she hoped that she knew what she was doing.
* * * * * *
Wesley pulled into the first hotel in Sunnydale that he could see, barely being able to keep his eyes open from lack of sleep. Much to his dismay he discovered that even though the doors were unlocked no one was around. Rather than worry about what that meant he grabbed the first key that he came to and trudged up the stairs to his room. He fell asleep almost the instant that he got into his room. Luckily he had gotten into his room far enough and collapsed onto the bed. When he awoke it was night out again and after a quick trip to the restroom he carried his bag back downstairs and searched around for something to eat. He finally came across what had once been a nice buffet but now consisted mostly of rotting and spoiled food. With a sickly frown on his face Wesley picked through the buffet and the kitchen beyond before finding enough food to satisfy his hunger. He was about to walk back out to his SUV when he caught a flash of motion out of the corner of his eye. He barely had time to duck out of the way before the blade of a knife went flashing by. He instantly dropped the bag that he had been carrying and rolled away from where he guessed the attacker had come from, pulling out one of his guns as he did so.
When he rose to a kneeling position he had to act fast as the knife that had earlier almost slit his throat was now coming towards him with its aim directly at his heart. Almost without a second thought Wesley aimed and fired, dropping his attacker almost instantly. He stayed on his knees for several seconds more, half expecting another attack to be close at hand. But as the seconds turned into minutes he stood back up and looked down at his attacker, one that he recognized almost instantly. "Bloody hell…they're here already, it's worse than I thought," Wesley said with a quickly growing feeling of dread and worry in the pit of his stomach. Slowly and carefully Wesley began to back out of the kitchen after picking up his bag. He had gotten back out into the lobby before he was caught by surprise as he shifted his bag from one shoulder to another. He cried out in pain as a clawed hand raked first across his side and then his shoulder.
* * * * * *
As night fell Angel slipped out of the Bronze armed with only his fists. He intended to do a quick sweep around the city before rushing over to Buffy's house to make sure that everything was already and offer her his aid in the fight. However he hadn't gone to far when he heard a noise and hugged the corner of the nearest building, peeking his head out to get a look. He silently cursed himself for being so jumpy as all that he saw were a few fledgling vampires wandering down the street. He was about to turn back into the alley when he saw what, or probably more importantly who, was coming up behind the vampires. Several feet behind the vampires were a number of harbingers of the First. With nary a second thought Angel leapt out from his corner and landed his fist on the first fledgling's chin, knocking the vampire to the ground and morphing into his game face at the same time.
The remaining vampires used the time honored strategy of bull rushing Angel, receiving in return a stake through the heart as Angel had hidden a few under his coat in case he'd need them. The harbingers however came at him one at a time. Even though he easily outweighed them and was much more experienced he still had a hard time against them. As he snapped the neck of the last bringer Angel started to turn around but stopped when a bolt from a crossbow slammed into his back, barely missing his heart. With a growl that combined pain and anger he spun around to face his attacker. He almost laughed out loud when he saw in front of him about half a dozen young girls, all clutching weapons, glaring at him while a bald African American man stood amongst them, loading another bolt onto his crossbow while having a sword clasped at his waist.
"This is a joke right…," Angel asked with a hearty chuckle that made more than one of the young girls change the look on their faces from confidence to fear.
"No joke monster…," A very defiant brunette growled angrily at Angel as she raised her sword and rushed towards him.
"Come on…this is just pathetic…leave before someone gets hurt," Angel said with a nervous smile on his face as he easily blocked the brunette's sword thrust and with a quick kick he knocked the sword out of her hands.
"You're the only one that's going to get hurt around here," The African American man shouted with an angry and frustrated scowl on his face as he finished loading the bolt onto his crossbow and aimed it directly at Angel's heart.
"I don't think so," Angel said with a growing scowl of frustration on his face as he grabbed the brunette and spun her around, putting her in between himself and the crossbow aimed at his heart.
"L…let her go," Another of the young girls shouted at him, her voice full of fear, as she glared at him.
"Or what, you'll stare me to death…sorry but I'm busy," Angel started to say with a bored frown on his face before the man dropped his crossbow and took up his sword. The brunette that Angel had been using as a shield jammed her heel down onto Angel's toes, momentarily making Angel release his grip on her. Taking the opportunity provided her the brunette rolled away and scurried off to find her weapon. By the time that she turned around the African American man and the rest of the girls were charging at Angel. She watched in part awe and part horror as Angel easily danced through his attackers, making them all look like little children. Even though he pulled his punches Angel knew that several of the times that his fists or elbows connected the young girl would have a nasty bruise soon enough. He chuckled a bit as he easily dodged the first strike by the sword and spun around, kicking the man square in the chest with his foot, sending him flying back into a pile of old packing boxes. Angel deftly picked up the man's dropped sword and turned back to the girls. "Okay…who's next," Angel said with a daring growl before he almost laughed as the girls picked themselves up and ran away, with the two that had yelled at him earlier going to the man's aid. When that trio looked back into the roadway Angel was gone, leaving only the sword and the crossbow bolt behind.
END OF CHAPTER 2