Well... I'll give you a moment to pinch your arm and assure yourself that this is real. I have truly updated "Creed". Now that you're back with me I thought I should give you a little explanation for my sudden disappearance from the face of earth. I've been struggling with being sick for a while now and about a month ago it became really bad. I'm fine now, though, so don't worry about never seeing the end of this fic. I was just kept from writing for a few weeks and by the time I was well enough I had to devote all my time to catching up on school work I'd missed. So if weeks go by and I haven't updated you know the reason for it. Anyway, thank you all for your supportive and amazing reviews! I've replied to them all separately, because you all deserve the recognition.
rma- I like your musings, but I'm not giving anything away. And as for the Faith being better off without Buffy part... Well... read on.
unseen-eyes- lol. Thanks.
ashley- Thank you, and hopefully updates will be faster now.
gij- First thing first... LOL. I find your views on Spike absolutely hilarious. And isn't he all the better for it? And maybe your image was stolen from my muse.
drumfreak- Thanks!
mythic-lionheart- It's always a pleasure reading your reviews! Thanks!
Buffy-CrazyaboutAngel- Thank you! Hopefully you'll like the rest of it too.
mysticamethyst87- So many questions and so many answers that are for me to know and you to find out. Lol. I know, I'm evil, right?
lorri- I hope this chapter was worth the wait, so thanks for reviewing!
Mira- Thank you for giving me a more in-depth review of my writing. I love hearing about what appeals to my readers, because after all, I'm not just writing for myself. Thanks!
BeenGoneLong- You read it all in one go! I think I should be commending YOU!
Nikki- I'm glad you like my Spike; I find his evil side a lot more attractive too.
Rosie- Three "really's"! Thank you!
Rosie W- Wow... thank you so much. To be 'magic' with words is what I've always wanted to achieve. You just made my day.
And now... finally... we have Chapter 17...
Creed
Chapter 17
Buffy arrived in Los Angeles two hours after she had set out, and was suddenly struck by the thought that she had no idea where Faith was. The brunette Slayer could be anywhere. Lost and with deflated hopes, Buffy continued to cruise through the streets, unsure of what to do next. The sun had set an hour ago and the L.A. night life was in full swing. Bright neon lights attracted crowds to the bars and clubs scattered around the town, and groups of exhilarated youths lined the streets.
Buffy circled the blocks and knew that, if she planned on finding Faith, her best bet would be a bar. She passed the nightspots where the line of partygoers disappeared around the block, and finally came to a small, secluded bar. She pulled her car towards the curb and killed the engine. The sign read Caritas. As she sat in her car a small, gaunt, scaly man walked onto the path and lit up a smoke. Buffy sighed. If she was going to search bars, she may as well start with the demon bars.
When she walked into Caritas, it wasn't at all what she expected. Instead of the 'doom and gloom' theme most bars of the underworld went for, this one was a welcoming myriad of colour and style. It was funky and modern and Buffy felt her spirits rise at the pleasant décor. She strolled towards the bar and ordered a sea breeze- a drink she'd just discovered while working at the Bronze. Remembering that she had to drive home, she asked the barman to keep it weak. The music was suddenly accompanied by a deep, soothing voice, and Buffy was startled to see that the singer was bright green. She shook her head with amusement and thanked the bartender when her drink arrived.
As she fiddled with the rim of the glass, Buffy took the time to study the demon bar she was in. There wasn't much activity, with most of the patrons sitting around tables and chatting quietly. If it wasn't for the unusual and unsightly appearance of the people, she'd be hard pressed to call this place a demon bar. There were a few harmless looking demons in the corner that reminded her of Clem, and a group of small but scaly creatures that looked like children. Five or six demons were scattered here and there, sitting alone and drinking, applauding as the green-skinned man wrapped up his song and bowed.
Buffy knew that Faith would not be here; the orderliness and lack of fighting would have sent the brunette running.
"Why would a pretty little thing like you be drinking alone?"
The glass was half-raised to her lips when the smooth voice interrupted her thoughts, causing her arm to freeze and the contents to slosh over the rim of the glass. She stared at the wet patch on her jeans in dismay, and then glanced up at the green-skinned, singing demon. He smiled sheepishly as he grabbed her a few napkins, and began to dab at her damp leg.
"Sorry about that, Blondie. I don't usually get many young women in here like you, and I forget that I tend to have that affect on people."
Buffy smiled at his friendly chatter and waved him away. "No, please don't worry about it. They're old jeans anyway."
"Ah," he said, returning the smile. "Vintage works so well on you." He held out his hand. "I'm Lorne, owner of this wonderfully retro club."
"I'm-" She stopped short, realizing it may not be the best idea to reveal her name in case she was known as the Slayer here in the L.A. underground as well. "I'm Anne," she said finally. She only hesitated a moment before placing her hand into his, and gaped in surprise when he lifted it to his lips and kissed the back of her palm.
"Lovely to meet you, Anne. So tell me, what's troubling you? Or would you prefer to sing?"
Buffy set the glass back onto the bar, wondering why on earth she was warming to this demon far better than she had been to her own friends lately. Still, she wasn't going to spill her life story to a strange green man who owned a scarily clean karaoke demon bar.
"Me? Sing?" Buffy snorted. "That's one sure way to bring about an apocalypse."
Lorne smiled, his white teeth almost blinding against the colour of his skin. "I can't believe such a pretty face could cause so much damage."
Buffy smiled ruefully at the irony of his statement. "That's pretty much all I do."
He frowned. "Is it problems of the heart?" Buffy glanced up in surprise and felt her face turn hot. He nodded. "Ah, a lover's tiff, perhaps? Or unrequited love? A broken heart?"
"Circle D. All of the above."
Another song started up, fractured by the drawling voice of one of the child-like scaly demons, and Buffy remembered it as one of her father's oldies. She hummed along with the tune, softly, tapping her fingernail against the barely touched glass in front of her. To think that once she had happily sung along to this song with her parents was worthy of laughter; those days did not feel a part of her life any more. Those memories belonged to someone else.
A sharp intake of breath startled her from her reverie, and she saw Lorne's eyes widen in fear and his hand grip the bar forcefully. He stared at her in terror and sadness, but there was confusion on his face. Buffy stared back, wondering what on earth had brought about this reaction. Maybe she had been recognised? But her face was not well known in this city, and she hadn't even used her real name.
Lorne's face softened and he released his grip on the counter to lay his hand over hers. "You're a… But that means you're… Well, isn't this just one colossal coincidence? You're Buffy. And by the way sugar, it's still there. She knew it, didn't she? And you pushed her away."
Buffy began to tremble, and she jerked her hand back as if burned. "I…I don't know what you're talking about. And I'm not Buffy."
"I think you do. And yes you are, Blondie. Now I understand why Angel-cakes mooned over you for so long."
Buffy's head shot up in stunned disbelief. "Angel? You know Angel?"
"Of course I know Angel. And Cordy and Wes and the rest of the gang. They're my regulars. My regular pain in the neck, that is. Every time they come in something gets broken or killed." He tried to sound genuinely annoyed but a shade of fondness had crept into his voice. "Anyway, my dear, there is a faint hint of something rising inside you. I don't know what the psycho Slayer and you have going on but I know that she has some role to play. That's why you're here, isn't it? To find her?"
Buffy opened and closed her mouth, trying to form words in reply. But her mind was spinning and she couldn't form any kind of coherent thought, let alone anything to say in return. She closed her eyes for a moment, and an unbidden image of Faith rose into the recesses of her mind.
Brown eyes ablaze. Does it burn?
"I need to find her," she whispered, unaware that she had spoken aloud. Buffy pushed her chair away from the bar and swung onto her feet. She only took one step before crashing into something that felt strangely like a familiar brick wall. Iron hands gripped her arms, stopping her from careening backwards.
"I'm so sorry-" Her apology was cut short when she looked up to see who she had run into. "Angel," she breathed.
"Buffy." No matter how many times she heard her name or who said it, nobody could compress so much history and meaning into one little word as Angel could. "I didn't know you were in L.A."
"I didn't know I was coming either," she replied. "I mean, it was a last-minute thing. I didn't really plan it."
He studied her carefully. "I see."
Lorne hopped down from his stool. "It's quite a coincidence that out of all the bars she could have she chosen from, our little Buffy chose Caritas. Funny how things work, don't you think?" He looked behind the brunette vampire. "Are the others here?"
Angel's gaze finally flickered from Buffy's down-turned face to Lorne. "Cordelia is here. Gunn and Wes are watching Fred."
"My God, does he actually think that is singing?" Buffy could have recognised that voice anywhere, and she waited for the surprise to register on Cordelia's face. "Buffy? What are you doing here?"
As tactful as ever, Buffy thought wryly. Angel turned back to look at her, intrigue written on his face.
"I'm… I'm actually looking for Faith."
"Why are you here then?" Angel asked in confusion. "Faith went back to Sunnydale this morning."
Buffy felt like hitting him. "What?"
"I tried to find her today to ask for help with a case but all my sources said she left L.A. I thought she would be heading back to Sunnydale."
Buffy groaned, and knew that it could only happen to her. She had to get back home. She had to get to Faith.
She turned to Lorne. "Thanks for the drink. And thanks guys, but I've gotta go." Pushing past Angel and Cordelia she hurried towards the exit.
"Buffy! Wait."
Buffy paused at the doorway and glanced over her shoulder. Angel had followed her.
"Is everything all right? "
She offered him a smile, not one of happiness but a smile of uncertainty. "I hope so."
To Be Continued…