Two of A Kind
Chapter 10: Never Quite Like This
By: Rogue-Slayer13
Disclaimer: The characters of Btvs and Ats belong to Joss Whedon, not myself. People wonder where I get some of the straight from the show dialogue, and just so everyone knows, anytime I have any, it comes from Buffy-vs-Angel. com.
Summary: See previous chapter
All italics are thoughts, while only partial italics or emphasized.
A/N: I've decided to change this fic up a bit and have it go more along the lines of the show. This could be for the better or it could be for the worse, not really sure yet.
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"How's it possible for it to be raining fire and water at the same time?" asked Gunn as he looked out the window.
"I don't know," said Dawn. "How are they going to explain this on the news? I mean an earthquake in California is somewhat believable. Raining fire from the sky? That's a bit much."
"The Senior Partners are trying to intimidate us," said Angel.
"Well they're certainly doing a good job of it," said Willow.
"It's been four days since we took out their minions and all they've done is tampered with the weather," said Lindsey. "Whatever they've got up their sleeve is big. They want it to be just us against them."
"Everyone's packing up and leaving, so I'd say they're the type that gets what they want," said Andrew.
"We're screwed," said Xander. "And I mean royally."
"This will be the end," said Illyria to no one in particular.
"Huh?" asked Lorne.
"Only one side will survive this, and the side that does, will vanquish the loser forever."
"Let's hope it's us that comes out on top then," said Faith.
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"It's nice to get a vocation," said Buffy contentedly from her spot in the beach chair.
"You deserve one," said the Immortal.
"I just hope Willow and everyone is okay." Buffy looked out at the ocean.
"I'm sure there doing just fine." The Immortal rested his hand on Buffy's knee.
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"Having Buffy around would be nice," said Xander as he pushed a very large vampire off of himself.
"Well, unfortunately, there's no way to get a hold of her for a couple of more days," said Willow as she sent a little ball of fire from her hand that went over and caught Xander's vamp on fire.
"Why are we out here again?" asked Xander as he brushed himself off.
"Because we need to eat and the slayers eat twice as much food as a normal human being would," said Faith as staked the last of the vamps.
"Right, that pesky human need for food," said Xander.
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"How'd it go?" asked Lorne as Faith, Willow, and Xander came back with the groceries.
"We got jumped twice on the way to the store and once on the way back," said Willow.
"It's just like when the Beast was running loose, "said Faith.
"That bad, huh?" said Lorne as he went to help put up the groceries.
"Yep, it's like a free for all out there. The only things ballsy enough to stay in this city are the demons and even some of them are leaving," said Xander.
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Buffy walked into the apartment to find it empty.
"Willow? Dawnie?" called Buffy as she looked around the empty living room.
"Maybe they went out to lunch?" offered the Immortal.
Buffy was about to consider the possibility when she saw a note lying next to the phone. Buffy picked up the note and quickly read it.
-Buffy-
I know you're just getting back from vocation, but the world's ending . . . again. We're in LA with Angel and believe it or not, Spike. We need you to come over as soon as you can. This isn't your usual apocalypse. This is the big one.
Love,
Dawn, Willow, and Andrew.
"We need to go," said Buffy as she set down the note.
"Go where?" asked the Immortal.
"LA," replied Buffy. "Willow and everyone else are already over there."
"I'll call the airport."
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"I wish something would just happen already!" exclaimed a frustrated Dawn. "This waiting is killing me!"
"I think we all feel that way," said Giles.
"Waiting's the worst part of a battle," said Angel.
"Buffy got home yesterday, she should be here any . . ." Willow was cut off by a knock on the door. "Moment." Willow walked over and opened the door.
Angel and Spike both made disgusted looks at the Immortal as he came inside behind Buffy.
"Angelus, William. It's so nice to see you both again. I'm sorry I didn't get to meet with you last time you were in Rome," said the Immortal.
"Wish you weren't meeting with us now," said Spike under his breath.
Angel just ignored the Immortal and addressed the rest of the group.
"The Senior Partners are going to make their move any day now," said Angel. "We need to start doubling up on our defenses and going out less."
"There are a couple a boxes of weapons left over at Spike's place," said Gunn.
"I'll go get 'em," offered Faith
"I'll go with you," said Spike.
"I can handle it."
"I don't want you going alone."
Spike and Faith shared a quiet exchange of glances that didn't go unnoticed by Buffy.
"Fine, we'll go together," said Faith.
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"What was up with Spike and Faith?" asked Buffy after the two left. "Y'know, they seemed awful close."
Everyone looked at each other and then at Willow.
"Well, uh, Spike and Faith, are a . . ." Willow was Cut off by Dawn.
"They're dating."
Buffy got a stunned expression on her face.
"What?"
"They're a couple," said Willow.
"But, I thought Faith was dating Robin." Buffy sat down in a nearby chair.
"They broke up," said Angel.
"Why? I thought they were happy."
"Robin wanted her to settle down," said Willow.
"So she gets into another relation right off the bat?"
"They seem happy enough," said Wesley.
"Why do you care anyway?" asked Dawn.
"I, I don't," replied Buffy. "I was just shocked is all."
Dawn eyed her sister, but decided to drop the conversation.
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"You know you don't have to take care of me," said Faith as she followed Spike into the apartment.
"Do you not want me to?" Spike walked into the bedroom to get one of the boxes.
"Well nobody's really looked out for me before, y'know? I've always been on my own," said Faith as she followed Spike into the bedroom.
"I can pretend not to give a shit if you want me to." Spike picked up the box and handed it to Faith. "But it won't change how I feel."
Faith followed Spike into the living room.
"You're sweet."
"I am not," replied Spike. "I'm a bad ass villain."
"Well you're my bad ass then," said Faith with a grin. "And you can take care of me whenever you want."
"Damn straight."
"Just don't be suffocating."
"I wouldn't dream of it."
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Buffy woke up to feel the entire Hyperion shaking, followed by deafening claps of thunder and blindly bolts of lightening. Buffy quickly got out of bed, threw on some clothes and hurried out into the hallway.
"What in the hell is going on?" asked Buffy as she hurried down stairs.
"We don't have to worry about waiting for the Senior Partners to make a move anymore," said Lindsey.
"What's happening outside?" asked Buffy as she began gathering up weapons.
"Fire from the sky, earthquakes, thunder, lightening, crazy portals letting demons into down town LA," said Gunn. "You name it. We've got."
"Don't we need a plan?" asked Willow.
"We fight until we can't fight anymore, and then some. I want all the injured taken down into the sewers, we can't guarantee that Caritas or the Hyperion will be left standing," said Angel.
"Don't ya love how specific he is?" asked Xander sarcastically.
"We've never had anything quite like this before," said Giles.
"Great," said Buffy.
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To Be Continued . . .
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