Chapter 17: Spreading out.
Title: A new beginning.
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** I want to thank Kelly for all the great works she's done, and to welcome aboard Nisus who from now on will be reproofing my fic. As it is you may still 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.
A special thank you to Nisus for reproofing my story. As of that the upload of the chapters may take longer. And to Kelly get well soon.
Feedback: I love love love reviews and I'll be sure to mention it at the end of every chapter.
***
She descended the stairs, and as she reached the bottom of the staircase, the once faded whispers turned into full sentences. "Should I say something?"
"No Gunn, she doesn't want us fussing over her." Cordy recognized Fred's voice.
"Not worry!" Gunn raised his voice and was quickly shushed by Fred. "I'm just saying, we can't help but worry." He said in a whispery tone.
"We have to respect Cordelia's wishes and focus on finding a solution." Giles stepped in.
"Not to be a nag, but isn't that what Spike and Angel are supposed to be doing right now?" Dawn remarked.
"We can't relay on them alone, what if they fail?" everyone looked at Wesley with terrified expression. He noticed that and quickly explained. "I meant what if they come back empty handed." That was more like it.
"That's a possibility." Buffy concurred. "I think Giles is right, we should do what we came here to do."
"And what's that exactly?" Xander asked. "It's been pretty slow around here since we showed up. Hey maybe we chased them away, maybe we're known and feared around the demon world." Xander smiled enjoying the thought.
"No dumb ass." Cordy walked towards the awkward group. "Buffy is known and feared around the demon world. You're not known outside of Sunnydale, and even there..." Cordy smiled. Xander did too. He missed Cordy and him bantering. He liked seeing the Cordy he remembered, the carefree Cordy who just loved life.
"How much did you hear?" Lorne asked.
"You're psychic. You tell me!" Cordy teased.
"We didn't mean to talk behind your back." Fred tried to explain and apologize at the same time.
"Yes you did, but that's okay. I understand."
"You look...." Willow was searching for the right word.
"Calm." Buffy completed the sentence.
"Yeah, calm." Willow agreed.
"And I should be what? Panicking, crying like a baby?" Willow didn't know what to say. "Done that already." Cordy smiled. "Now I'm in the kick-ass-phase. I'm sick and tried waiting for something or someone to crashing through the door and kill us. I want to beat it to the punch."
"Should we all raise our swords and say hail to the leader?" Xander finally said his comeback.
"Took you long enough." Cordy smiled.
"What can I say? Didn't practice enough."
***
"As lovely as it all may be, we still have a lot of work." Giles snapped them back to reality.
"You're right." Cordy put on her serious-lets-get-to-business-face. "What can I do?"
"Nothing. You should be in bed." Fred said before Giles had a chance to respond.
"Fred I'm not a porcelain doll, so stop treating me like one." Cordy loved Fred, and she knew Fred only had her best interest at heart, but her constant nagging and fussing drove her mad. "Just a few seconds ago you told Gunn not to fuss over me."
"I know, but that was different." Fred tried to rationalize it. "I'm caring, not annoying, and I think..." Fred stopped when she noticed that Cordy and everyone else were smiling, actually trying to hold back a huge laughter. "What?" She asked in anger. What's so funny?"
"You sweetie." Cordy held back the laughter. "You preach but you don't follow. Get the drift?"
"You want me to back off?" Fred asked embarrassed.
"Not completely. I can always use a caring friend. That's never too much." She walked towards her and gave her a hug. "But stop mothering me. I have a mom. True she's in Florida right now, oblivious to everything that's being going here, but still I do have one. Okay?" Fred just nodded and Cordy knew she was okay with that.
"I took the liberty to make a chart of chores." Wesley said as he took from behind the counter a blackboard. On it was a chart with everyone's name on it. Next to each name was a list of tasks. "That way we'll be organized. And when you finish one of the tasks you just mark a little plus sign next to it." Wesley smiled his goofy smile he had whenever he felt proud of his achievements, minor as they were. For a moment it seemed like nothing had ever happened to their close tight family. As if Angel never tried killing him, and Wesley never betrayed his trust. For a moment it all seemed like old times. When everything still made sense.
"You need a hobby." Xander mocked him. Wesley just turned his head and ignored Xander.
"Okay then." Willow took a closer look at the chart. "I see I'm on book duty."
"Better you than ..." Xander was interrupted by Willow who discovered she wasn't alone.
"Hi, we're both on research duty." She announced.
"Great." Xander frowned.
"What's my task?" Cordy walked to the board eager to see what Wesley assigned her to do.
"Maybe you should let others see their tasks first." Wesley stood before the board preventing Cordy from seeing it.
"I don't think they'll mind, Wes. Now move!" She ordered and Wesley reluctantly moved to revel her name wasn't on the chart. "I'm not on it?" She said surprised. "Why am I not on it?" She looked at Wesley awaiting her answer.
Wesley didn't really know what to say. Especially after the little lecture she gave Fred. "Well you see when I made this I really didn't know what... well I wasn't sure you would want... I imagine I should have..."
"Oh stop it already." Cordy snapped. "You're giving me a headache." She looked at everyone; they all had this look, a look of pity. "So do you all think I should just lie down and do nothing? Ha?"
"That would make my job a lot easier." Cordy turned around to see the Sheryon standing in the entrance to the hotel. His sword rose up.
"Oh god." She walked backwards as Buffy Gunn and all the rest stood before her.
"Dawn go upstairs! Now!" Buffy ordered.
"I'm not leaving you here." Dawn refused.
"Dawn this is no time for debating. Do as I say." Buffy pulled her arm.
"No." Dawn brushed her off. "I'm staying right here."
***
"Give me the woman and I'll spare you all." The Sheryon voice interrupted Buffy and Dawn's argument.
"That's not going to happen." Xander replied while he took an axe from behind the counter.
"Then you shall all die." The Sheryon started to walk towards them.
"Willow?" Buffy turned to her friend in help.
"I'm not ready yet." Willow was still afraid using her powers after what happened last time.
"I trust you and your abilities. You should too." Buffy said to her.
"Willow, it's alright. We're all here beside you." Giles placed his hand on her shoulder. But Willow still hesitated.
"Will? If you're gonna to do something, Do it now." Xander said as the Sheryon was at hands reach.
"Amero!" Willow yelled and raised her hand. A wall of bright light appeared forming a buffer between them and the Sheryon. "It won't hold much longer." She said while panting heavily.
"Quickly, through the basement." Cordy said and they all ran towards the basement door. "You can use the sewers to escape." Cordy held the door opened.
What about you?" Buffy said when she realized Cordelia had no intention on going with them.
"I can't go down the sewers. Not like this." She looked down at her swollen belly. I'll just hold you back."
"Either we all go or we all stay." Fred said in a determined tone.
"Fred please. Once this barrier caves we don't stand a chance." Cordy begged her.
"No." Fred insisted. "I won't abandon you."
"Maybe we don't have to." Wesley said. "I have an idea, but it's risky."
"Let's hear it." Buffy said.
***
The Sheryon kept hitting the barrier till finally it collapsed. He ran to the basement. The door was locked. He kicked the door down and ran down the stairs. The Sheryon looked around to find the basement empty. Then he stood still and closed his eyes. His head moved from side to side as if it was searching for something with his mind or his sense of smell. Suddenly he opened his eyes and walked towards the entrance to the sewers. He opened the hatch and went down to the sewers closing the hatch behind him.
***
"Come on." Buffy yelled to Gunn and Wesley. "We have to create a distance between us and him, before he realizes she's not here."
"How did you know he'd follow us?" Gunn asked Wesley.
"After we discovered who the Sheryon was, I used every source I had to gather information on his species. Apparently they're well trained warriors. Chosen from birth." Wesley panted. He was running and talking at the same time. "The ones chosen are bestowed powers, such as strength, stamina, speed and other special abilities."
"Like the ability to pick up someone or something's scent from distance?" Gunn asked.
"Yes. Very much like what Angel does when it comes to blood. Only they're capable of homing their sense to one individual."
"So when we took Cordy's jacket, that had her scent..." Gunn was starting to understand.
"We made the doggy chase us." Buffy said with a smile. "But if we don't hurry up the doggy will catch up."
"Do you think it'll be enough time for them to escape?" Gunn asked concerned. The people he loved the most were back there in the hotel hiding, waiting for the right time to ran for they're lives.
"I hope so." Buffy said as she picked up the pace.
***
"Okay, I think we're safe." Giles said and patted Willow's shoulder. Willow who was mumbling something rapidly stopped. What they didn't see was that now they we're all visible to the eye.
"That was so cool." Xander said excitedly.
"That was very dangerous." Willow, who really didn't feel secure about using her powers again, said. She knew she had to and knew she could. It was always a question of control. She agreed because the situation called for it and also, Giles was there beside her, which made her feel safe, as if he had the power to stop her, in case she span out of control.
"Come on people, time is running out." Lorne said nervously. You could see on his face how much the entire ordeal took its toll. They all quickly ran up the stairs and into the lobby.
"To be on the safe side, I think we should take the backdoor." Fred said and showed the way. Everyone followed quickly, knowing that every second counted. They walked thought the garden doors and started descending the stairs. They were almost all at the bottom of the staircase, when suddenly; they heard a noise coming from inside the hotel. Cordy, who was still on the staircase, turned her head to see what it was. Suddenly she felt her head spin. At first she thought it was from turning her head to fast, but as images started playing before her eyes, she knew it was a vision. She saw a man, or was it a demon, grabbing her arm and pulling her back into the hotel.
"Cor?" Fred asked worriedly. "What do you see?" She asked, knowing by now that it was a vision.
"Someone's coming." Cordy said her head still looking backwards. "He's coming for me, right now."
***
The vision ended. She turned her head back, fear in her eyes. "We have to run." Cordy said. "Now."
Fred who appeared stunned shook her slightly, realizing what's happening. She turned and looked at Lorne who was still standing on the stairs. "Quickly run!" Fred yelled. Lorne began to run, yelling to everyone that were already at the bottom to run. Followed by Fred, they ran the stairs quickly. Giles took Dawn and started running away into the street, Willow waited to make sure the rest followed. Cordy, who looked like she was 7 months pregnant, couldn't move that fast. Xander was right there beside her, helping her, not running off. She tried picking up the pace, but she knew it would be too late. "Hurry up." Fred, who reached the bottom along with Lorne, rushed them, when all of the sudden a demon appeared from behind them. Cordy stopped and turned around, it was the demon she saw in her vision. She and Xander started running down the stairs, but they weren't fast enough. As they reached the bottom the demon leaped forward and landed on the bottom of the stairs just in front of them.
"Cordy." Xander whispered to her. "When I leap forward, you use all the strength you can muster and run away, okay?"
"Xander I..." But before she had a chance to respond Xander leaped forward raising his axe in the air. The demon raised his arm and grabbed Xander by the throat, then he grabbed Xander's arm that held the axe and twisted it all the way around. The noise of bone cracking was mixed with the Xander's cry. "Xander?" Cordy cried out in fear for his life.
"R..u..nnn. "Xander said in a chocked up voice. Cordy froze up unable to take her eyes off Xander, who despite the pain he was in, didn't stop fighting. He held onto the demon and didn't let go. The demon tried to shake him off, but as if, all of the sudden, he had super strength, Xander fought on, thinking if only he can stall him long enough, Cordy could get away.
"Cordy move!" Fred grabbed her arm and pulled her away. Cordy kept looking back as she saw the demon, who was finally able to grab Xander, throwing him hard onto the concrete.
Xander landed on the ground he was knocked out. Willow ran to him, while Lorne, who showed more bravery than usual, ran towards the demon in an attempt to stop him. Cordy and Fred ran out to the street where Giles was waiting with Dawn.
"Take them both and run." Fred ordered as she ran back into the garden to help Lorne.
"Let's go." Giles said. Dawn got up, but Cordy stood still. "Cordelia?" Giles said to her. "We must hurry, they won't be able to stop him for much longer. Cordy didn't respond she just gazed into thin air. "Corde..." Giles stopped realizing she was having a vision.
"No, they won't be able to stop him." She said still looking dazed. "It will kill them all and then come after us." Cordy turned to face at Giles. The vision was over. "I'm sorry, Giles, but I have to go back." She said and headed back into the garden.
"No! Cordelia?" Giles ran to intercept. "You can't go back in there, it will kill you."
"I won't leave them to die." Cordelia said in anger.
"You won't, they'll make it out." Giles said, when he realized she just saw what was about to happen. "Uh." He said a bit embarrassed.
"I have to." She said and took a step forward before Giles reached out and grabbed her arm.
"What about your baby, doesn't he count?"
"Of course he does, Giles." Cordy chuckled slightly.
"Then why?"
"Cause I know." She said with such confidence, one Giles use to see in Buffy, but not Cordelia, never Cordelia. "I know that if I go back in there, everything will be allright. Somehow...they'll be saved and I'll be..."
"Dead." Giles completed the sentence.
"No, I don't think so, not yet anyway." She looked into his concurred and worrying eyes. "You'll still have time to come back for me, with all of the gang, at full strength." She said with a tiny smile.
"Did you see it in your vision?" Giles asked.
"Yes." She smiled, knowing lying was the only way for to go back and help her friends. "Take Dawn and run. Go somewhere safe, somewhere Buffy will know where to find you."
"Leave?" Giles never thought of the opinion of abandoning the group. Cordy didn't say anything she just glanced over to Dawn who luckily wasn't looking at the time. Giles nodded his head, realizing he had a kid of his own to take care of.
"I know just the place." Dawn, who suddenly decided to join the conversation, said with a spark in her eyes.
"What place?" Giles didn't follow.
"For Buffy to meet us. I know where she'd look first." Dawn said proud she knew her sister that well.
"Good. Now go" As the two turned around and started to run, Cordy walked back into the garden.
***
Fred and Lorne both lunged at the demon, with different weapons. Fred fired an arrow towards him, which broke on impact; it had no affect on him. He didn't look like the Sheryon but he was obviously strong like him. Lorne tried a more direct approach and swung a sword at it. The demon turned to face him. Now that Cordy was nowhere to be seen, the demon turned its focus on the others. He advanced towards them as the two backed away to where Willow and Xander were. "This can't be good." Lorne said in a shaky voice. And I just bought this Jacket." Lorne whined.
"At least Cordy got away." Barely the words came out of her mouth and Cordy walked into the garden.
"You were saying." Lorne said.
It didn't take long for the demon to notice, the reason he came here in the first place, his bounty, has returned. He turned to face her, ready to make his move, turning his back on her friends, thinking they can't really harm him.
"Cordelia!" Fred cried out in fear.
Willow realized she had to do something or else all is lost. She wasn't sure why Cordy came back, but had a pretty good idea, and if she was right she also knew that Cordelia was not about to run away again. "Sentulio." Willow yelled while raising her arm and the demon was flown across the garden landing on the staircase.
"Wow. You knocked him out." Lorne said amazed. "I didn't know you had that much power."
"He won't stay like this much longer. It's not that powerful, what I did." Willow said almost ashamed she even used her powers to begin with.
"I thought I told you to leave." Fred said to Cordelia, angrily.
"And I thought I told you, that no one tells me what to do." Cordelia replied.
"Stop it!" Willow said firmly, still in her lap laid Xander unconscious, with a broken arm and probably more. "We need to get Xander out of here." Willow said fearing for his life.
"Giles can take him." Fred said, assuming that if Cordelia is still here so is Giles.
"No he can't." Cordelia said. I told him to take Dawn and run."
"Never mind, I'll take him." Willow said.
"You can't." Fred said in panic. "You can't leave, we need you here."
"Fred, I'm not about to let him die here." Willow said in anger.
"Look." Lorne steeped in before the situation escalated. "You can't carry the big fellow anyway, and I'm far less useful than you are. So why don't me and Cordy take Xander to the hospital?"
"I told you." Cordelia raised her voice. "I am not lea..."Suddenly they heard a noise coming from where the demon was laying. It was awake and it looked pretty pissed off. It growled as it tried to get back on his feet. He was still groggy; apparently even a small dose of Willow's power is too much.
"Argument time's is over." Willow declared as she stood up handing Xander over to Lorne. "You two, take Xander to the hospital" She said to Lorne and Cordelia.
"I am..."
"And we'll..." Willow cut Cordelia off, "meet you there." Lorne was already holding on to Xander who was heavy. "You can use Xander's car. It's park out front." The demon finally managed to get it together it moved quickly and was almost at hands reach. "Amero!" Willow yelled and a buffer between them and the demon rose. "Quickly move." Willow ordered.
"You come too." Cordy said no wanting to leave her friends behind.
"I can't, I have to stay here and stall him till you get away." Willow explained.
"Won't the barrier hold him?" Lorne asked.
"I don't know, I can't be sure, he seems to be more powerful than the Sheryon, I can't risk it. Go!"
Lorne grabbed onto Xander and turned to walk away. "Cordy?" He looked back at her.
"Go! Help Xander, he needs you, more than us." Willow knew that would do the trick. Reluctantly Cordy did as Willow asked and left with Lorne and Xander.
"Now it's just us." Willow looked at Fred. "Are you ready for this?"
"Ready as I'll ever be..."
***
"Fill out this form." The nurse handed Cordy a paper and pan.
"Will he be alright?" Cordy asked.
"The doctor is with him right now, he'll see you when he can." The nurse replied and walked away.
"Hi." Cordy looked around but didn't see who was calling her. "Cordy over here." She looked to her left, and in the corner behind a big plant, Lorne stood, with a goofy hat and a jacket. Cordy walked up to him. "What's with the outfit?" She giggled.
"I stole it from the hospital's lost and found." Lorne explained. "How is he?"
"They don't know yet. I think not so well. The doctor really freaked when I brought him in." Cordy explained. "They rushed him away, while the doctor was shooting instruction like crazy."
"Don't worry princess he'll be fine." Lorne noticed Cordy's belly was really big, and she looked like she was carrying an elephant, not a baby. "Did you see a doctor as well?"
"No, I thought, what's the point? Its not like he can do anything real to help me." Cordy sighed as she supported her blower back with her arm. "I need to lie down."
"Want me to talk tom the nurse?" Lorne offered.
"No I'll do that. You go and call Wesley and Gunn." Cordy said.
"Again Cor, I tried five times already."
"Than try another five." Cordy said in an edgy tone. "We have to make sure they're safe and let them know where everyone are. They need to help Willow and Fred."
"Honey, I don't think the red really needs our help, did you see what she did to that demon?" Lorne obviously had a lot of admiration towards Willow.
"I saw." Cordy seemed less impressed. "And that's what worries me."
"What do you mean princess?" Lorne wasn't following.
"Never mind, just reach them already." She said and walked away.
***
The barrier was showing signs that it was about to collapse. "Do you think they're far enough?" Willow said nervously.
"I think so." Fred said. "But what about us, this thing is not going to last much longer."
"We'll have to run for it." Willow replied.
"We'll never be able to out run him." Fred was skeptic about Willow's plan.
"It's our only chance." Willow looked at the barrier and saw the demon already punched a hole. "When I say go, you run as fast as you can and don't look back. We'll meet up at the hospital. Okay?" Fred wasn't sure about this. "Fred. Are you with me?" Fred hesitated for a moment and finally nodded her head. "Good." Willow smiled. Now... go!" She yelled at the two-started running. As they reached the street, they could hear the barrier collapses.
"Oh no." Fred said, looking at Willow.
"Keep moving." Willow ordered and Fred continued to run down the street knowing the demon was right behind them.
Suddenly a van pulled up in front of them. "Get in." Wesley, who sat next to the driver's seat, who was occupied by Gunn, ordered. They opened the van door to find it empty. They all quickly hopped in and just as the demon caught up with them, they drove away.
"That was close." Fred exhaled heavily
"Where's Buffy?" Willow asked after she noticed Buffy wasn't with them.
"She ran off, diverting the Sheryon's attention, giving us the chance to get away and come back for you, apparently just in time." Gunn explained.
"So she's out there, at night, alone, running from this invincible demon?" Willow asked in an angry tone.
"Hey, wait a minute!" Gunn didn't like the accusatorial tone. "We did what she told us to."
"Besides," Wesley continued. "Buffy is more than capable of taking care of herself.
"That's beside the point." Willow was getting testy.
"Guys..." Fred tried calming things down.
"To leave her like that was reckless and...." Willow kept on
"People..." Fred tried again.
"Don't blame Gunn and me." Wesley said in anger. "Buffy is a big girl and she can certainly take care of herself. Not like Cordelia, who's also no with you. Where is she?"
"In the hospital...." Before Fred could finish her sentence Gunn cut her off.
"In the hospital? What happen to her? Is she okay? Was it the baby? God is she in labor...?"
"Charles!" Fred yelled to stop his barrage. "She took Xander to the hospital. He was the one hurt in the attack."
"What attack? What was it that chased you down the street?" Wesley asked.
"We're not sure. It showed up a few minutes after the Sheryon went after you. We've been holding him off since than." Fred explained.
"He seems to be as strong as the Sheryon, if not more." Willow continued. "Giles took Dawn and they went somewhere safe, I think to Buffy's dad apartment. Cordy said something about somewhere safe where Buffy can find Dawn, so it has to be the place."
"And Lorne?" Wesley asked.
"With Cordy." Fred replied as she saw Wesley sigh in relief.
"So where to, the hospital or the apartment?" Gunn asked not knowing which way to go.
"The apartment. Cordelia and the rest are safe there, for awhile." Willow said. "We'll pick Giles and Dawn up and then go find Buffy before we head back to the hospital."
"And Angel?" Fred asked.
"What about him?" Willow didn't understand.
"How will he know where to find us?" Fred explained.
"Let that be our problem." Willow smiled.
"Do you know where it is?" Gunn asked.
"I think so," Willow tried to remember the place. Buffy showed it to her on their day out.
***
"Poor Angel left all alone to die." A voice echoed in the room. "Isn't it ironic that the man you hated so, the man you saved, deserted you here to die."
"Who are you, show yourself." Angel looked al around the room, but so no one.
"Time is almost up, any last words?" The voice asked. "Any last thoughts? Things you regret? Uh but there's so many..." The voice laughed. "People you hurt, life you destroyed, hearts broken."
"Can you just let the sun come up and stop with this bullshit?" Angel said in a mocking tone.
"Alright if that's what you want..." there was a moment of silence, "Or do you prefer a choice?" The voice asked.
"A choice between what?" Angel asked curiously.
"What choices are usually about; life & death... Love or hate..."
"And what's mine?" Angel asked.
"We like you Angel, we really do. Why else would we help you, would we spare you?" The voice kept on. "She's going to die. Not someday, not even tomorrow." Angel flinched knowing whom the voice spoke of. "She's going to die in just a few minutes, unless that is, you help her. Would you like to do that?"
"What's the price?" Angel asked, knowing there had to be one.
"Does it matter? Will you refuse if it's too high?" Angel didn't say anything. "We didn't think you would. But since you asked we'll reply." The voice quitted down. Suddenly in front of him a window reappeared. Angel looked as he saw Cordy lying on a bed, in what seemed to be a hospital room." He looked concerned. "Don't worry she's just sleeping, she's not the one hurt." Angel smiled in relief. "You're smiling?" The voice said. "Well your joy is premature." As the image moved away, Angel saw two demons advancing towards her. "They're about to kill her, just as soon as they get close enough." Angel's expression changed.
"I see you're nervous and afraid. Good." The voice said.
"Get me out of here, let me save her. She's important to you, isn't she?" Angel yelled.
"She is, but she's not the only one." The image shifted and now it showed Buffy. She was running in the street alone. As the image moved away Angel saw the Sheryon on her trail, almost about to catch up with her. "You see Angel, her friends are coming but they'll be too late, just like they'll be too late to save the other one." The voice chuckled.
"What's so funny?" Angel asked angrily.
"Irony I guess. You faced the same choice not long ago, but decided not to choose. Then it was love, now its life. Always connected, always entwined."
"I have to choose who to save, is that it? Is that your sick game you're playing? Powers my a..."
"Ha, ha, ha, Angel." The voice interrupted him. "Don't say anything you might regret. You asked for a choice, you knew there'd be a price."
"That's people's lives you're messing with, people I love." Angel said in despair. "Why?"
"Balance, Angel. We have to maintain the balance. We give one thing and take something else in return. You know that, remember?" Angel knew what the voice was talking about. He remembered the last time he came to the powers for a favor, a plea. They gave him his demon side back and took away the day he wished for, ever since he saw her, outside her high school, that day. So young so innocent..."Angel?" the voice interrupted his reverie. "Time is almost up." Angel looked at the hourglass; oddly enough it was just as it was when Spike went through the door. Only a few seconds remained. "What will it be? The new love or the old one? The vision girl or the slayer?"
***
TBC
**Author's remark: this chapter was written based on an idea by Nisus. Thank you.
Hi ppl,
I promised you a chapter filled in action, and I believe I delivered. You probably have, after reading this ch, an idea of your own about whom Angel should save and why. Or maybe you think he shouldn't save anyone. So here's your chance to make a difference (concerning the fic of course). Send me a review and tell me who you think Angel should save and why. And I'll take it into consideration. Mind you this is not one of my majority rules things. This is only fishing for ideas, just kidding. Lol
This is only for you guys to say your opinion and maybe influence the story. Maybe. So if you want to, you're more than welcome. If not you're always welcomed and encouraged to review this chapter and let me know what you thought of it.
Now, on a different note, to you wonderful readers who urge me to update soon, I wish I could, but trust me when I say that I update as soon as I can, so bear with me.
Thank you for all your great reviews, kept them coming.
Enjoy. Nikka.
Title: A new beginning.
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** I want to thank Kelly for all the great works she's done, and to welcome aboard Nisus who from now on will be reproofing my fic. As it is you may still 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.
A special thank you to Nisus for reproofing my story. As of that the upload of the chapters may take longer. And to Kelly get well soon.
Feedback: I love love love reviews and I'll be sure to mention it at the end of every chapter.
***
She descended the stairs, and as she reached the bottom of the staircase, the once faded whispers turned into full sentences. "Should I say something?"
"No Gunn, she doesn't want us fussing over her." Cordy recognized Fred's voice.
"Not worry!" Gunn raised his voice and was quickly shushed by Fred. "I'm just saying, we can't help but worry." He said in a whispery tone.
"We have to respect Cordelia's wishes and focus on finding a solution." Giles stepped in.
"Not to be a nag, but isn't that what Spike and Angel are supposed to be doing right now?" Dawn remarked.
"We can't relay on them alone, what if they fail?" everyone looked at Wesley with terrified expression. He noticed that and quickly explained. "I meant what if they come back empty handed." That was more like it.
"That's a possibility." Buffy concurred. "I think Giles is right, we should do what we came here to do."
"And what's that exactly?" Xander asked. "It's been pretty slow around here since we showed up. Hey maybe we chased them away, maybe we're known and feared around the demon world." Xander smiled enjoying the thought.
"No dumb ass." Cordy walked towards the awkward group. "Buffy is known and feared around the demon world. You're not known outside of Sunnydale, and even there..." Cordy smiled. Xander did too. He missed Cordy and him bantering. He liked seeing the Cordy he remembered, the carefree Cordy who just loved life.
"How much did you hear?" Lorne asked.
"You're psychic. You tell me!" Cordy teased.
"We didn't mean to talk behind your back." Fred tried to explain and apologize at the same time.
"Yes you did, but that's okay. I understand."
"You look...." Willow was searching for the right word.
"Calm." Buffy completed the sentence.
"Yeah, calm." Willow agreed.
"And I should be what? Panicking, crying like a baby?" Willow didn't know what to say. "Done that already." Cordy smiled. "Now I'm in the kick-ass-phase. I'm sick and tried waiting for something or someone to crashing through the door and kill us. I want to beat it to the punch."
"Should we all raise our swords and say hail to the leader?" Xander finally said his comeback.
"Took you long enough." Cordy smiled.
"What can I say? Didn't practice enough."
***
"As lovely as it all may be, we still have a lot of work." Giles snapped them back to reality.
"You're right." Cordy put on her serious-lets-get-to-business-face. "What can I do?"
"Nothing. You should be in bed." Fred said before Giles had a chance to respond.
"Fred I'm not a porcelain doll, so stop treating me like one." Cordy loved Fred, and she knew Fred only had her best interest at heart, but her constant nagging and fussing drove her mad. "Just a few seconds ago you told Gunn not to fuss over me."
"I know, but that was different." Fred tried to rationalize it. "I'm caring, not annoying, and I think..." Fred stopped when she noticed that Cordy and everyone else were smiling, actually trying to hold back a huge laughter. "What?" She asked in anger. What's so funny?"
"You sweetie." Cordy held back the laughter. "You preach but you don't follow. Get the drift?"
"You want me to back off?" Fred asked embarrassed.
"Not completely. I can always use a caring friend. That's never too much." She walked towards her and gave her a hug. "But stop mothering me. I have a mom. True she's in Florida right now, oblivious to everything that's being going here, but still I do have one. Okay?" Fred just nodded and Cordy knew she was okay with that.
"I took the liberty to make a chart of chores." Wesley said as he took from behind the counter a blackboard. On it was a chart with everyone's name on it. Next to each name was a list of tasks. "That way we'll be organized. And when you finish one of the tasks you just mark a little plus sign next to it." Wesley smiled his goofy smile he had whenever he felt proud of his achievements, minor as they were. For a moment it seemed like nothing had ever happened to their close tight family. As if Angel never tried killing him, and Wesley never betrayed his trust. For a moment it all seemed like old times. When everything still made sense.
"You need a hobby." Xander mocked him. Wesley just turned his head and ignored Xander.
"Okay then." Willow took a closer look at the chart. "I see I'm on book duty."
"Better you than ..." Xander was interrupted by Willow who discovered she wasn't alone.
"Hi, we're both on research duty." She announced.
"Great." Xander frowned.
"What's my task?" Cordy walked to the board eager to see what Wesley assigned her to do.
"Maybe you should let others see their tasks first." Wesley stood before the board preventing Cordy from seeing it.
"I don't think they'll mind, Wes. Now move!" She ordered and Wesley reluctantly moved to revel her name wasn't on the chart. "I'm not on it?" She said surprised. "Why am I not on it?" She looked at Wesley awaiting her answer.
Wesley didn't really know what to say. Especially after the little lecture she gave Fred. "Well you see when I made this I really didn't know what... well I wasn't sure you would want... I imagine I should have..."
"Oh stop it already." Cordy snapped. "You're giving me a headache." She looked at everyone; they all had this look, a look of pity. "So do you all think I should just lie down and do nothing? Ha?"
"That would make my job a lot easier." Cordy turned around to see the Sheryon standing in the entrance to the hotel. His sword rose up.
"Oh god." She walked backwards as Buffy Gunn and all the rest stood before her.
"Dawn go upstairs! Now!" Buffy ordered.
"I'm not leaving you here." Dawn refused.
"Dawn this is no time for debating. Do as I say." Buffy pulled her arm.
"No." Dawn brushed her off. "I'm staying right here."
***
"Give me the woman and I'll spare you all." The Sheryon voice interrupted Buffy and Dawn's argument.
"That's not going to happen." Xander replied while he took an axe from behind the counter.
"Then you shall all die." The Sheryon started to walk towards them.
"Willow?" Buffy turned to her friend in help.
"I'm not ready yet." Willow was still afraid using her powers after what happened last time.
"I trust you and your abilities. You should too." Buffy said to her.
"Willow, it's alright. We're all here beside you." Giles placed his hand on her shoulder. But Willow still hesitated.
"Will? If you're gonna to do something, Do it now." Xander said as the Sheryon was at hands reach.
"Amero!" Willow yelled and raised her hand. A wall of bright light appeared forming a buffer between them and the Sheryon. "It won't hold much longer." She said while panting heavily.
"Quickly, through the basement." Cordy said and they all ran towards the basement door. "You can use the sewers to escape." Cordy held the door opened.
What about you?" Buffy said when she realized Cordelia had no intention on going with them.
"I can't go down the sewers. Not like this." She looked down at her swollen belly. I'll just hold you back."
"Either we all go or we all stay." Fred said in a determined tone.
"Fred please. Once this barrier caves we don't stand a chance." Cordy begged her.
"No." Fred insisted. "I won't abandon you."
"Maybe we don't have to." Wesley said. "I have an idea, but it's risky."
"Let's hear it." Buffy said.
***
The Sheryon kept hitting the barrier till finally it collapsed. He ran to the basement. The door was locked. He kicked the door down and ran down the stairs. The Sheryon looked around to find the basement empty. Then he stood still and closed his eyes. His head moved from side to side as if it was searching for something with his mind or his sense of smell. Suddenly he opened his eyes and walked towards the entrance to the sewers. He opened the hatch and went down to the sewers closing the hatch behind him.
***
"Come on." Buffy yelled to Gunn and Wesley. "We have to create a distance between us and him, before he realizes she's not here."
"How did you know he'd follow us?" Gunn asked Wesley.
"After we discovered who the Sheryon was, I used every source I had to gather information on his species. Apparently they're well trained warriors. Chosen from birth." Wesley panted. He was running and talking at the same time. "The ones chosen are bestowed powers, such as strength, stamina, speed and other special abilities."
"Like the ability to pick up someone or something's scent from distance?" Gunn asked.
"Yes. Very much like what Angel does when it comes to blood. Only they're capable of homing their sense to one individual."
"So when we took Cordy's jacket, that had her scent..." Gunn was starting to understand.
"We made the doggy chase us." Buffy said with a smile. "But if we don't hurry up the doggy will catch up."
"Do you think it'll be enough time for them to escape?" Gunn asked concerned. The people he loved the most were back there in the hotel hiding, waiting for the right time to ran for they're lives.
"I hope so." Buffy said as she picked up the pace.
***
"Okay, I think we're safe." Giles said and patted Willow's shoulder. Willow who was mumbling something rapidly stopped. What they didn't see was that now they we're all visible to the eye.
"That was so cool." Xander said excitedly.
"That was very dangerous." Willow, who really didn't feel secure about using her powers again, said. She knew she had to and knew she could. It was always a question of control. She agreed because the situation called for it and also, Giles was there beside her, which made her feel safe, as if he had the power to stop her, in case she span out of control.
"Come on people, time is running out." Lorne said nervously. You could see on his face how much the entire ordeal took its toll. They all quickly ran up the stairs and into the lobby.
"To be on the safe side, I think we should take the backdoor." Fred said and showed the way. Everyone followed quickly, knowing that every second counted. They walked thought the garden doors and started descending the stairs. They were almost all at the bottom of the staircase, when suddenly; they heard a noise coming from inside the hotel. Cordy, who was still on the staircase, turned her head to see what it was. Suddenly she felt her head spin. At first she thought it was from turning her head to fast, but as images started playing before her eyes, she knew it was a vision. She saw a man, or was it a demon, grabbing her arm and pulling her back into the hotel.
"Cor?" Fred asked worriedly. "What do you see?" She asked, knowing by now that it was a vision.
"Someone's coming." Cordy said her head still looking backwards. "He's coming for me, right now."
***
The vision ended. She turned her head back, fear in her eyes. "We have to run." Cordy said. "Now."
Fred who appeared stunned shook her slightly, realizing what's happening. She turned and looked at Lorne who was still standing on the stairs. "Quickly run!" Fred yelled. Lorne began to run, yelling to everyone that were already at the bottom to run. Followed by Fred, they ran the stairs quickly. Giles took Dawn and started running away into the street, Willow waited to make sure the rest followed. Cordy, who looked like she was 7 months pregnant, couldn't move that fast. Xander was right there beside her, helping her, not running off. She tried picking up the pace, but she knew it would be too late. "Hurry up." Fred, who reached the bottom along with Lorne, rushed them, when all of the sudden a demon appeared from behind them. Cordy stopped and turned around, it was the demon she saw in her vision. She and Xander started running down the stairs, but they weren't fast enough. As they reached the bottom the demon leaped forward and landed on the bottom of the stairs just in front of them.
"Cordy." Xander whispered to her. "When I leap forward, you use all the strength you can muster and run away, okay?"
"Xander I..." But before she had a chance to respond Xander leaped forward raising his axe in the air. The demon raised his arm and grabbed Xander by the throat, then he grabbed Xander's arm that held the axe and twisted it all the way around. The noise of bone cracking was mixed with the Xander's cry. "Xander?" Cordy cried out in fear for his life.
"R..u..nnn. "Xander said in a chocked up voice. Cordy froze up unable to take her eyes off Xander, who despite the pain he was in, didn't stop fighting. He held onto the demon and didn't let go. The demon tried to shake him off, but as if, all of the sudden, he had super strength, Xander fought on, thinking if only he can stall him long enough, Cordy could get away.
"Cordy move!" Fred grabbed her arm and pulled her away. Cordy kept looking back as she saw the demon, who was finally able to grab Xander, throwing him hard onto the concrete.
Xander landed on the ground he was knocked out. Willow ran to him, while Lorne, who showed more bravery than usual, ran towards the demon in an attempt to stop him. Cordy and Fred ran out to the street where Giles was waiting with Dawn.
"Take them both and run." Fred ordered as she ran back into the garden to help Lorne.
"Let's go." Giles said. Dawn got up, but Cordy stood still. "Cordelia?" Giles said to her. "We must hurry, they won't be able to stop him for much longer. Cordy didn't respond she just gazed into thin air. "Corde..." Giles stopped realizing she was having a vision.
"No, they won't be able to stop him." She said still looking dazed. "It will kill them all and then come after us." Cordy turned to face at Giles. The vision was over. "I'm sorry, Giles, but I have to go back." She said and headed back into the garden.
"No! Cordelia?" Giles ran to intercept. "You can't go back in there, it will kill you."
"I won't leave them to die." Cordelia said in anger.
"You won't, they'll make it out." Giles said, when he realized she just saw what was about to happen. "Uh." He said a bit embarrassed.
"I have to." She said and took a step forward before Giles reached out and grabbed her arm.
"What about your baby, doesn't he count?"
"Of course he does, Giles." Cordy chuckled slightly.
"Then why?"
"Cause I know." She said with such confidence, one Giles use to see in Buffy, but not Cordelia, never Cordelia. "I know that if I go back in there, everything will be allright. Somehow...they'll be saved and I'll be..."
"Dead." Giles completed the sentence.
"No, I don't think so, not yet anyway." She looked into his concurred and worrying eyes. "You'll still have time to come back for me, with all of the gang, at full strength." She said with a tiny smile.
"Did you see it in your vision?" Giles asked.
"Yes." She smiled, knowing lying was the only way for to go back and help her friends. "Take Dawn and run. Go somewhere safe, somewhere Buffy will know where to find you."
"Leave?" Giles never thought of the opinion of abandoning the group. Cordy didn't say anything she just glanced over to Dawn who luckily wasn't looking at the time. Giles nodded his head, realizing he had a kid of his own to take care of.
"I know just the place." Dawn, who suddenly decided to join the conversation, said with a spark in her eyes.
"What place?" Giles didn't follow.
"For Buffy to meet us. I know where she'd look first." Dawn said proud she knew her sister that well.
"Good. Now go" As the two turned around and started to run, Cordy walked back into the garden.
***
Fred and Lorne both lunged at the demon, with different weapons. Fred fired an arrow towards him, which broke on impact; it had no affect on him. He didn't look like the Sheryon but he was obviously strong like him. Lorne tried a more direct approach and swung a sword at it. The demon turned to face him. Now that Cordy was nowhere to be seen, the demon turned its focus on the others. He advanced towards them as the two backed away to where Willow and Xander were. "This can't be good." Lorne said in a shaky voice. And I just bought this Jacket." Lorne whined.
"At least Cordy got away." Barely the words came out of her mouth and Cordy walked into the garden.
"You were saying." Lorne said.
It didn't take long for the demon to notice, the reason he came here in the first place, his bounty, has returned. He turned to face her, ready to make his move, turning his back on her friends, thinking they can't really harm him.
"Cordelia!" Fred cried out in fear.
Willow realized she had to do something or else all is lost. She wasn't sure why Cordy came back, but had a pretty good idea, and if she was right she also knew that Cordelia was not about to run away again. "Sentulio." Willow yelled while raising her arm and the demon was flown across the garden landing on the staircase.
"Wow. You knocked him out." Lorne said amazed. "I didn't know you had that much power."
"He won't stay like this much longer. It's not that powerful, what I did." Willow said almost ashamed she even used her powers to begin with.
"I thought I told you to leave." Fred said to Cordelia, angrily.
"And I thought I told you, that no one tells me what to do." Cordelia replied.
"Stop it!" Willow said firmly, still in her lap laid Xander unconscious, with a broken arm and probably more. "We need to get Xander out of here." Willow said fearing for his life.
"Giles can take him." Fred said, assuming that if Cordelia is still here so is Giles.
"No he can't." Cordelia said. I told him to take Dawn and run."
"Never mind, I'll take him." Willow said.
"You can't." Fred said in panic. "You can't leave, we need you here."
"Fred, I'm not about to let him die here." Willow said in anger.
"Look." Lorne steeped in before the situation escalated. "You can't carry the big fellow anyway, and I'm far less useful than you are. So why don't me and Cordy take Xander to the hospital?"
"I told you." Cordelia raised her voice. "I am not lea..."Suddenly they heard a noise coming from where the demon was laying. It was awake and it looked pretty pissed off. It growled as it tried to get back on his feet. He was still groggy; apparently even a small dose of Willow's power is too much.
"Argument time's is over." Willow declared as she stood up handing Xander over to Lorne. "You two, take Xander to the hospital" She said to Lorne and Cordelia.
"I am..."
"And we'll..." Willow cut Cordelia off, "meet you there." Lorne was already holding on to Xander who was heavy. "You can use Xander's car. It's park out front." The demon finally managed to get it together it moved quickly and was almost at hands reach. "Amero!" Willow yelled and a buffer between them and the demon rose. "Quickly move." Willow ordered.
"You come too." Cordy said no wanting to leave her friends behind.
"I can't, I have to stay here and stall him till you get away." Willow explained.
"Won't the barrier hold him?" Lorne asked.
"I don't know, I can't be sure, he seems to be more powerful than the Sheryon, I can't risk it. Go!"
Lorne grabbed onto Xander and turned to walk away. "Cordy?" He looked back at her.
"Go! Help Xander, he needs you, more than us." Willow knew that would do the trick. Reluctantly Cordy did as Willow asked and left with Lorne and Xander.
"Now it's just us." Willow looked at Fred. "Are you ready for this?"
"Ready as I'll ever be..."
***
"Fill out this form." The nurse handed Cordy a paper and pan.
"Will he be alright?" Cordy asked.
"The doctor is with him right now, he'll see you when he can." The nurse replied and walked away.
"Hi." Cordy looked around but didn't see who was calling her. "Cordy over here." She looked to her left, and in the corner behind a big plant, Lorne stood, with a goofy hat and a jacket. Cordy walked up to him. "What's with the outfit?" She giggled.
"I stole it from the hospital's lost and found." Lorne explained. "How is he?"
"They don't know yet. I think not so well. The doctor really freaked when I brought him in." Cordy explained. "They rushed him away, while the doctor was shooting instruction like crazy."
"Don't worry princess he'll be fine." Lorne noticed Cordy's belly was really big, and she looked like she was carrying an elephant, not a baby. "Did you see a doctor as well?"
"No, I thought, what's the point? Its not like he can do anything real to help me." Cordy sighed as she supported her blower back with her arm. "I need to lie down."
"Want me to talk tom the nurse?" Lorne offered.
"No I'll do that. You go and call Wesley and Gunn." Cordy said.
"Again Cor, I tried five times already."
"Than try another five." Cordy said in an edgy tone. "We have to make sure they're safe and let them know where everyone are. They need to help Willow and Fred."
"Honey, I don't think the red really needs our help, did you see what she did to that demon?" Lorne obviously had a lot of admiration towards Willow.
"I saw." Cordy seemed less impressed. "And that's what worries me."
"What do you mean princess?" Lorne wasn't following.
"Never mind, just reach them already." She said and walked away.
***
The barrier was showing signs that it was about to collapse. "Do you think they're far enough?" Willow said nervously.
"I think so." Fred said. "But what about us, this thing is not going to last much longer."
"We'll have to run for it." Willow replied.
"We'll never be able to out run him." Fred was skeptic about Willow's plan.
"It's our only chance." Willow looked at the barrier and saw the demon already punched a hole. "When I say go, you run as fast as you can and don't look back. We'll meet up at the hospital. Okay?" Fred wasn't sure about this. "Fred. Are you with me?" Fred hesitated for a moment and finally nodded her head. "Good." Willow smiled. Now... go!" She yelled at the two-started running. As they reached the street, they could hear the barrier collapses.
"Oh no." Fred said, looking at Willow.
"Keep moving." Willow ordered and Fred continued to run down the street knowing the demon was right behind them.
Suddenly a van pulled up in front of them. "Get in." Wesley, who sat next to the driver's seat, who was occupied by Gunn, ordered. They opened the van door to find it empty. They all quickly hopped in and just as the demon caught up with them, they drove away.
"That was close." Fred exhaled heavily
"Where's Buffy?" Willow asked after she noticed Buffy wasn't with them.
"She ran off, diverting the Sheryon's attention, giving us the chance to get away and come back for you, apparently just in time." Gunn explained.
"So she's out there, at night, alone, running from this invincible demon?" Willow asked in an angry tone.
"Hey, wait a minute!" Gunn didn't like the accusatorial tone. "We did what she told us to."
"Besides," Wesley continued. "Buffy is more than capable of taking care of herself.
"That's beside the point." Willow was getting testy.
"Guys..." Fred tried calming things down.
"To leave her like that was reckless and...." Willow kept on
"People..." Fred tried again.
"Don't blame Gunn and me." Wesley said in anger. "Buffy is a big girl and she can certainly take care of herself. Not like Cordelia, who's also no with you. Where is she?"
"In the hospital...." Before Fred could finish her sentence Gunn cut her off.
"In the hospital? What happen to her? Is she okay? Was it the baby? God is she in labor...?"
"Charles!" Fred yelled to stop his barrage. "She took Xander to the hospital. He was the one hurt in the attack."
"What attack? What was it that chased you down the street?" Wesley asked.
"We're not sure. It showed up a few minutes after the Sheryon went after you. We've been holding him off since than." Fred explained.
"He seems to be as strong as the Sheryon, if not more." Willow continued. "Giles took Dawn and they went somewhere safe, I think to Buffy's dad apartment. Cordy said something about somewhere safe where Buffy can find Dawn, so it has to be the place."
"And Lorne?" Wesley asked.
"With Cordy." Fred replied as she saw Wesley sigh in relief.
"So where to, the hospital or the apartment?" Gunn asked not knowing which way to go.
"The apartment. Cordelia and the rest are safe there, for awhile." Willow said. "We'll pick Giles and Dawn up and then go find Buffy before we head back to the hospital."
"And Angel?" Fred asked.
"What about him?" Willow didn't understand.
"How will he know where to find us?" Fred explained.
"Let that be our problem." Willow smiled.
"Do you know where it is?" Gunn asked.
"I think so," Willow tried to remember the place. Buffy showed it to her on their day out.
***
"Poor Angel left all alone to die." A voice echoed in the room. "Isn't it ironic that the man you hated so, the man you saved, deserted you here to die."
"Who are you, show yourself." Angel looked al around the room, but so no one.
"Time is almost up, any last words?" The voice asked. "Any last thoughts? Things you regret? Uh but there's so many..." The voice laughed. "People you hurt, life you destroyed, hearts broken."
"Can you just let the sun come up and stop with this bullshit?" Angel said in a mocking tone.
"Alright if that's what you want..." there was a moment of silence, "Or do you prefer a choice?" The voice asked.
"A choice between what?" Angel asked curiously.
"What choices are usually about; life & death... Love or hate..."
"And what's mine?" Angel asked.
"We like you Angel, we really do. Why else would we help you, would we spare you?" The voice kept on. "She's going to die. Not someday, not even tomorrow." Angel flinched knowing whom the voice spoke of. "She's going to die in just a few minutes, unless that is, you help her. Would you like to do that?"
"What's the price?" Angel asked, knowing there had to be one.
"Does it matter? Will you refuse if it's too high?" Angel didn't say anything. "We didn't think you would. But since you asked we'll reply." The voice quitted down. Suddenly in front of him a window reappeared. Angel looked as he saw Cordy lying on a bed, in what seemed to be a hospital room." He looked concerned. "Don't worry she's just sleeping, she's not the one hurt." Angel smiled in relief. "You're smiling?" The voice said. "Well your joy is premature." As the image moved away, Angel saw two demons advancing towards her. "They're about to kill her, just as soon as they get close enough." Angel's expression changed.
"I see you're nervous and afraid. Good." The voice said.
"Get me out of here, let me save her. She's important to you, isn't she?" Angel yelled.
"She is, but she's not the only one." The image shifted and now it showed Buffy. She was running in the street alone. As the image moved away Angel saw the Sheryon on her trail, almost about to catch up with her. "You see Angel, her friends are coming but they'll be too late, just like they'll be too late to save the other one." The voice chuckled.
"What's so funny?" Angel asked angrily.
"Irony I guess. You faced the same choice not long ago, but decided not to choose. Then it was love, now its life. Always connected, always entwined."
"I have to choose who to save, is that it? Is that your sick game you're playing? Powers my a..."
"Ha, ha, ha, Angel." The voice interrupted him. "Don't say anything you might regret. You asked for a choice, you knew there'd be a price."
"That's people's lives you're messing with, people I love." Angel said in despair. "Why?"
"Balance, Angel. We have to maintain the balance. We give one thing and take something else in return. You know that, remember?" Angel knew what the voice was talking about. He remembered the last time he came to the powers for a favor, a plea. They gave him his demon side back and took away the day he wished for, ever since he saw her, outside her high school, that day. So young so innocent..."Angel?" the voice interrupted his reverie. "Time is almost up." Angel looked at the hourglass; oddly enough it was just as it was when Spike went through the door. Only a few seconds remained. "What will it be? The new love or the old one? The vision girl or the slayer?"
***
TBC
**Author's remark: this chapter was written based on an idea by Nisus. Thank you.
Hi ppl,
I promised you a chapter filled in action, and I believe I delivered. You probably have, after reading this ch, an idea of your own about whom Angel should save and why. Or maybe you think he shouldn't save anyone. So here's your chance to make a difference (concerning the fic of course). Send me a review and tell me who you think Angel should save and why. And I'll take it into consideration. Mind you this is not one of my majority rules things. This is only fishing for ideas, just kidding. Lol
This is only for you guys to say your opinion and maybe influence the story. Maybe. So if you want to, you're more than welcome. If not you're always welcomed and encouraged to review this chapter and let me know what you thought of it.
Now, on a different note, to you wonderful readers who urge me to update soon, I wish I could, but trust me when I say that I update as soon as I can, so bear with me.
Thank you for all your great reviews, kept them coming.
Enjoy. Nikka.