Heroic Deeds

By Ayisha

Disclaimer: I don't own anything in the story. Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel characters belong to Joss Whedon. Smallville doesn't belong to me, either.

Author's Notes: Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this fic. I am also sorry for not updating sooner.

Chapter 12:

Sunnydale, California

"What do you want?" Spike demanded.

The shadow behind him squeaked. "I just wanted to remind you that your time is almost up."

Spike gritted his teeth. "Don't you think I know that, Ajax?"

"Shhh…" Ajax said. "Not so loud."

Spike sighed. "Here's a better idea. Ever thought about getting lost?"

"But…you have to give me an answer. Boss was telling me I had to find someone else, but I knew you were perfect so I convinced him that if…"

Spike glared at him. "If you want to live longer, shut up."

He did. "I'm coming back." Ajax disappeared into the shadows.

"I'd prefer if you don't." Spike muttered. He continued his walk down Revello Drive. When he reached the Summers' home, he paused outside for awhile.

"You're not coming in?" It was Faith.

"I doubt if I'm welcome."

"You and me both." Faith shrugged. "But unlike you, I try not to make a big deal out of it."

Spike frowned. "If you're strong enough to handle a bunch of people who hate your guts, I don't see any reason why I can't."

"Nice to hear but harder to do." Faith said cheerfully. "And, Spike?"

"Yeah?"

"I hope you decide otherwise."

Spike stared at her. "How did you-"

Faith smiled. "In case you forgot, I'm the Slayer. I see and hear things. Especially when it came to the vampire population."

There was silence. "Are you planning on ratting on me?"

"Wouldn't dream of it."

"Let's keep it at that."

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Everyone was present that night at the Summers' old home. Willow, Xander, Anya, Tara, Dawn, Spike, Faith, Cordelia, Gunn, Fred, Wesley and Angel (who brought Conner with him) all gathered around for the first time in what seemed like, well, forever.

"What was the purpose of this meeting, Willow?" Xander asked. "And why did we have to invite Dead Boy and Chiphead here?"

"Watch your tongue, boy." Spike warned. "Or else you'll never see the light of day."

"I'm scared." Xander said sarcastically. "This coming from someone who couldn't even hurt a fly."

Gunn watched the interaction with amusement. "Are they always like this?"

"Just wait until they team up against Angel," Cordelia replied. "That would be more fun."

Angel, on the other hand, was busy guarding Conner to talk to anyone.

"Angel?"

"What is it?"

Fred hesitated. "Conner's asleep. You don't have to worry about anything."

Angel smiled. "Right."

"Can we start now?" Anya demanded. "Cause I really want to do something with Xander after this."

"That is so gross." Faith remarked.

"I was suppose to say that," Cordelia protested.

"Tough luck."

Tara felt Willow's hand squeezed hers and they both turned to Dawn.

Dawn was biting her lip. "I think Buffy's alive!" She finally blurted out.

And the room fell into a deep silence.

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Bids of sweat started to form on Wesley's temple. Oh good lord, he thought dreadfully. Please help me now.

Dawn's announcement took everyone by surprise. It never occurred to Wesley that Dawn, of all people, would be the one to voice out her opinion that Buffy was still alive. He had expected it of Angel because he was her soulmate…but, apprarently, he should have known blood was always thicker than water.

"As all of you may know, I've been staying in Los Angeles with my Aunt Clarissa ever since…" Dawn trailed off. She started again. "She has a daughter named Becky who hasn't come back home in the last few months."

"I have reason to believe Becky was the one Angel saw being eaten by the vampires."

"Why is that?" Wesley asked, afraid of the answer.

Dawn stared at him straight in the eye. "Because my cousin looked a lot like Buffy; people often mistake them to be twins."

"And also because of this." Dawn produced a brown envelope, opened the contents and placed it on the table for everyone to see. "I found it at my doorstep the other day."

"This is a sample of the DNA found at the area where we presumed the vampires killed Buffy. Apparently, the girl was raped first before the vampires found her."

"The DNA didn't match my sister's."