Chapter 15 – Soulful Slayers

Wolfram and Hart – main floor

"Wow I'm flattered that you are joining me for kicking some demon ass, Ange, but I'm a big girl now and I think I can handle this stuffy lawyer-demon crowd. I don't need any hand holding unless you have something else in mind," Faith teased, wrapping her arm casually around Angel's shoulders.

"I'm here so you don't get yourself into trouble. Wolfram and Hart isn't a playground, Faith. This isn't Sunnydale. This is Los Angeles. You're on a whole different turf where there are no rules and you could easily kill a demon that may be on our side," Angel replied, uncomfortably eyeing Faith's arm around his shoulders. Angel shrugged her arm off his shoulders. It was one thing to be friendly, but it was another thing to be a little too friendly and Faith was definitely hitting that mark.

"Now what side would that be? 'Cuz I sure as hell don't think it's a good side. Demons are demons no matter where or how you look at it. They're here to cause chaos and kill those around them for entertainment. That's their nature. I never heard of a demon that actually helps or turns its ugly head away from killing. Unless it's actually cursed with a soul and lurks through the shadows boohooing what it has done for all eternity," Faith grinned.

"Thanks for the recap, Faith. Always knew you had a soft side for me. Listen lets just save the small talk and search for demons that seem like they look guilty. Also quit scaring my team, Faith. It's enough that I have to reassure them that I'm not evil," Angel replied with a sigh.

"Ah…you're not any fun! Can I at least scare Harmony?"

"Yeah, go right ahead. She needs to be kept on her toes once in awhile anyway."

Faith grinned darkly as they walked slowly past the front desk. She stared down at Harmony who seemed to be shaking every time she laid eyes on Faith. Good to see she knows her place, Faith thought with pleasure.

Faith relished the thought that she was feared. It made her feel more superior.

"So how come you haven't visited Buffy in Italy? And why is it that all of a sudden you say that there is actually good demons in this world? You are kind of strange, Dead Boy," Faith commented as they walked down a darker corridor of the building.

Angel sighed heavily to let out the stress that he was feeling. Looks like it may take more than a mussel to shut her up.

"Listen Buffy is up in Italy enjoying her new life and she doesn't need me barging back into it making it complicated again. We're not meant to be together, so just leave the scenario alone." Angel frowned, feeling uncomfortable. Has Faith changed after starting a relationship with Wood? Angel shook his head. Angel lost faith in miracles a long time ago. If Faith had feelings then he was human and that was just about impossible.

"Demons can be good. I've seen it. I used to work with a half Brachen demon who had a lot of heart." Angel paused to turn away from Faith. She wouldn't understand him and how he felt.

Faith concentrated on Angel's face. He definitely caught her attention.

"The floor is yours, Ange. Tell me a little more about this Brachen demon."

"His name was Doyle and he helped me start the Angel Investigations and taught me how to become more accustomed with the people I was helping. He had visions that would lead me to help the innocent. Doyle was a brave soul." Angel nodded. For a moment there was pure silence.

"What happened to him?" Angel looked at Faith's face. There was no sign of teasing on her features. She actually seemed seriously interested.

"He saved a bunch of half demons, Cordelia and me from laser rays that were placed on a ship by the Scourge Demons who killed helpless innocent half demons. Doyle sacrificed himself that day and died for the greater good. I couldn't stop him and he wouldn't even let me take the chance to save the others." Angel turned his face and wiped a lonely tear away from his eye. He couldn't show Faith his emotions. He thought she may tease him or worse look down on him for showing a weakness.

"You wish you could have saved him, don't you? It's like you feel guilty that he died instead of you." Angel looked up, startled by Faith's gentle tone.

"Yes, I do. If I could I would have stopped it all myself. I blame myself for it everyday. Anyway we shouldn't be too far from the Senior Partner's office."

"You seem worried. I thought you always handled this kind of work. What's so different this time?" Faith asked, giving him a questioning look and sensing the vampire's tenseness.

"I think the Senior Partners might have done something to Buffy. I gave Buffy a call and caught Willow on the phone instead. Willow told me that Buffy was alright, but I could tell she was lying. As soon as Willow was about to tell me what was really going on, the phone call was terminated and I couldn't get a hold of them. The operator or what seemed like an operator came on the line saying that the line no longer existed."

"So what? You think they cut the lines into your conversation or something?" Faith made a cutting gesture with her hands through the air.

"You could say that. I'm not really sure how to take it, but they do have connections to Europe, so anything could happen." Angel added as they traveled further down the dark hall. The Senior Partners had their offices separated from their employees and clients.

"Geeze, this seems like the Twilight Zone or somethin'," Faith added, looking around at the dimly lit, flashing white hallway.

"It has its moments." Angel shrugged as they came to the mahogany double doors. Faith stepped in front of Angel to get ready to break open the double doors. Angel took her arm and shook his head.

"I think it would be best if we knocked first. To show that we have manners."

"Fine. Do whatever. You knock while I kick the door open." Angel knocked on the door. No answer. He banged again and then suddenly a bolt of light struck both Angel and Faith against the wall.

"That's it! Screw manners. I think their time is up." Faith went up to the door and gave it a hard forceful kick, which sent her on her back.

"Looks like they put up a force field. Let me try." Angel whispered and chanted in Latin and the artificial light rays disappeared from the door.

"What the hell did you just say?"

"I said we were room service and that their orders were ready."

"Do I look like a lunch lady to you, Dead boy?" Faith gestured to her tight black top and leather pants.

Angel glanced at her and then waved his hand indifferently.

"It was our only way to get through the force field and into the room unharmed. It's better than acting like we're a threat."

"I want some action. Lets get to work now."

"I'm ready when you are, Faith. You take the door on the right and I'll take the door on the left." Angel gestured, nodding at her as they both smacked open the doors at the same time.

The office had no furniture and was covered all in white like a tent cover. There was no one in the room except for Faith and Angel and it seemed really quiet.

"Some place. Great! It looks like they left without leaving us a note. How rude!" Faith huffed.

"Everyone's a critic. Appearances can be deceiving here, Faith. Nothing is what it seems. Some of your wildest fears can come to life in this place," Angel whispered.

"How charming. I'll try to remember that." Faith laughed, looking around the room for signs of some sort of existence. Angel's eyes roamed the room too until he froze in place.

"Is your vampire senses tingling, Angel? Have you actually found something?"

A young dark haired, tanned girl came through the walls towards Angel and Faith.

"Kennedy? Is that you? You look pale. Like gray pale." Faith came up to Kennedy and felt as if she were in a trance or under a spell of some kind.

"It's nice to see you again too, Faith. I like your outfit. Turn around, let me see it."

Faith turned mindlessly around, unaware of Kennedy's glowing green eyes as the young slayer jerked her hand over Faith's heart. A glowing light radiated from Faith's chest as she fell to her knees in panic. Angel rushed over there in a flash and jerked Kennedy off, kicking her across the room to get to Faith.

"Faith are you alright? Speak to me!" Angel gently smacked Faith's face.

Faith shook herself out of her frozen state and breathed heavily for a second.

"What the hell was that? It felt like I was getting the life almost sucked right out of me. I can't believe I'm actually saying this, but thank you for saving my life."

"Yeah, don't mention it. I don't know what that was, but it doesn't seem like it is your pal, Kennedy anymore. It had green eyes and I think it will come back." Angel looked at the spot where he kicked the creature. The creature appeared to be gone.

The bright white surroundings disappeared turning from red into pitch black as odd sounds rang from the distance.

"Looks like we have company." Angel grabbed Faith's arm gently and lifted her to her feet.

"How lovely. Visitors!" Faith replied, laughing softly. Angel turned towards the sound as Faith's eyes turned from brown to a glowing green.

Back in Italy

Buffy's shoulder hissed with smoke as the scar shrank into her skin. Doyle wasn't sure whether that was a good sign or a bad sign, but he had to give the healing one more try.

"Um…Doyle is that a yay or an uh-oh? The scar didn't really look like it was healed to me. More like it was a sinker," Xander pointed out. "What do you think, Will? Paige?"

"Well she doesn't appear to be harmed, which is a plus." Paige nodded in approval.

"Definite plus," Willow agreed, nodding her head. Xander sighed with relief.

"Bloody hell, it's like the blind leading the blind! Just because Glinda and Storm decide it's okay, doesn't mean it's going to be as right as rain, Patches," Spike rolled his eyes at Xander. The room became silent as everyone looked over at Buffy.

All the commotion between Xander and Spike got Doyle into thinking harder about Buffy's condition. I can't believe I'm agreeing with him, but I think Spike is right fer a change. Maybe there is more ta the spell that meets the eye. Maybe we're missin' something, Doyle thought silently as he balanced the pros and cons in his head.

Doyle frowned studying the spot above Buffy's shoulder and then looked at his hand. They both seemed and felt like they were on fire. Nothin' much more I can do, but ta pray fer a miracle. Pray that this healin' works and that Buffy will be awake and safe. I wonder if the Higher Power listens ta a demon's prayers, Doyle thought. It was worth a try. He leaned over the bed and whispered a few words of help to the Higher Power.

The room remained silent as Doyle once again placed his hands over Buffy. This time the glowing power poured through him with more ease. Although his hand still tingled with pain, he continued to pour his power into Buffy. A blue glow encircled Buffy, giving her an almost angelic glow. Doyle could almost feel her spirit awakening from the dark shadow it was trapped behind. 'Well at least she hasn't turned into the green-eyed monster yet,' Doyle thought as an arm swam up and grabbed him tightly and Buffy rose from her pillow, breathing unevenly as she eyed everyone around the room with wide eyes. Doyle forcefully jerked his arm and jumped back away from Buffy's steel-tight grip. The gang was overjoyed to see Buffy and stood around the bed to comfort her. Even Paige smiled brightly as she came over to talk to Buffy.

Even though Buffy's eyes were blue and her face finally showed a tint of rosy color, Doyle still did not feel convinced about her recovery. There was something more in her eyes that showed an unusual hint of green near the pupil that glowed unnaturally like a cloaked moon hiding in the depths of a cloud.

Doyle stepped back to let the gang through and folded his arms in a thoughtful way. He wanted to feel happy for the gang, but something was bothering him.

"Thank you, Doyle. It means a lot to everyone, especially me. I wouldn't know what I would do if I lost my sister again," Dawn exclaimed as she stepped away from the gang to give Doyle a bear hug.

"What do ye mean again? Did she die 'fore ya moved to Italy?" Doyle asked, as he broke the hug to look at Dawn.

"Well sort of died. Willow brought her back and then everything went all crazy. It's a long story."

"I see. Top secret, I assume." Doyle smiled lightly. Dawn looked at the bed and then gestured Doyle to come closer.

"You see Willow was addicted to evil magic after she resurrected Buffy from the grave. Willow was close to ending the world until Xander stepped in and stopped her. Buffy on the other hand had come back less human than she was before she died," Dawn whispered, looking around the room to make sure no one heard what she was saying to Doyle.

"Uh-huh." Doyle eyed Willow fearfully and then looked back at Dawn. "That is a very interesting story, darlin.'" Doyle murmured awkwardly.

'Thank heavens I did not tangle with the likes 'o Willow or have been resurrected by her either,' Doyle thought, shivering.

"What's the matter, Irishman?" Xander asked, as he sobered up at Doyle's serious face. "You saved the Buffster and I think we should all be celebrating!" Dawn bit her lip uncomfortably. Doyle nodded slightly over to Dawn, her secret was safe with him.

"'I was 'jus wondering 'bout the spell that Paige made and its consequences. Are ye feelin' okay, Buffy?" Doyle turned towards Buffy and she gave him a weak smile.

"I'm managing fine. Thanks, Doyle. So how's Angel doing?"

"I'm 'fraid not so good right now. At least not until I find him. He and Faith are walkin' into a trap full of Hoygle demons."

"Hoygle demons?" Buffy looked at him questioningly.

"We'll fill you in on all of that later, Buff. Right now I think it is best that you rest. You've been through a lot today." Willow replied gently.

"No, I think we're going to save him. Where is he right now?" Buffy commanded, looking at Doyle.

"He's in the Wolfram and Hart building payin' a visit to the Senior Partners," Doyle replied tensely.

"Then I propose we get there as soon as we can.We'll book a flight to L.A. and get directions to Wolfram and Hart as soon as possible."

"You're talking crazy now, Buff. I mean you just got up from what seemed like a long –"

"Coma…" Dawn cut in.

"Right…coma. You need to rest or er… at least keep a low profile."

"That is very sweet of you Xander, but Angel and Faith are in trouble and I'm not going to sit on my behind and have both of them get hurt. You are either with me or against me and you are best to stick with me and not get in my way. We have some demons to kill!" Buffy leaped out of bed and grabbed her leather jacket and a fresh set of clothing and rushed out of the room in a split second.

"She's ba-ack!" Xander said with a goofy smile.

"I'm not sure that is a good thing," Doyle remarked with a sigh.

"Why's that?" Willow frowned, feeling confused.

"'Cause I'm afraid that the person that 'jus walked out is not entirely Buffy."

"Come again? What was that, Irishman?" Xander frowned as he tilted his head closer to hear.

"That isn't completely Buffy, man. I'm 'fraid that I couldn't entirely heal her. I can see it in her eyes. There is still a part 'o her that is infected by the Hoygle demon."

"What should we do?" Paige asked, looking down embarrassed.

"There's nothin' we can do 'cept fer wait and see if the demon fully takes o'er her body." Doyle shrugged, looking past the gang to where Buffy ran off to change.

"Wait? Wait for her to kill all of us? Good plan, Irishman, but I think you can leave me out. I really don't feel like killing off any of my friends today. Do you have anymore bright ideas?"

"We're not goin' ta kill Buffy. We're 'jus going to be on our toes until the monster decides to take charge and when he does we're gonna give 'em a run fer its money," Doyle concluded, as he forced a smile on his face.

'It will take a miracle and a half. But maybe I could contact the Oracles to help us out after we get ta Angel. Lets hope they're in the mood to see an old friend,' Doyle thought as he helped everyone pack their weapons.