Disclaimer: If I owned the shows, this wouldn't be a fanfic, now would it?

Author's Note: My Muses are crazy, I tell ya! CRAZY!

Author's Note 2: This part is made possible by Evanescence's CD Fallen, as well as some of Meatloaf's works, and Metallica's latest CD St. Anger. All wonderful artists in their own right is all I gotta say.

Twilight Unicorn: The Vampiric Unicorn (who wishes her Muses hadn't suddenly gone on hyper-drive on giving her storylines! And in the middle of the night of all times. I've been up until 3am some nights! (sighs, then gazes heavenward in resignation) I guess my Musses took my name seriously.)

Part 12

LA: Hyperion Hotel, Buffy and Angel's Office, 5:30pm, Day 4

Angel wearily rubbed his face before answering the phone on the special line they had set up for their friends and the Watchers Council.

"Hello? This is Angel speaking."

There was a long silence, then a voice Angel had hoped to not here for some time said, "Yes... This is Quinton Travers. May I speak to you and your wife, together? It is a matter of some importance."

"How important? Our hands are kinda full right now, Quinton."

"So I've been told... A new Slayer has been called, and we would like your input on what to do with her."

Angel closed his eyes for a second, then said, "I'll be back in a moment."

Sighing heavily, the souled vampire put the call on hold, and went into the hotel lobby calling for his wife. Not long after, Buffy and Angel were in the office along with Cordelia.

"Alright, Quinton, I'm here," said Buffy over the speakerphone. "What's this about a new Slayer?"

"Apparently – due to your daughter's death – a new Slayer has been called. I have spoken with Rupert, and he says that he and those in Sunnydale are willing to take her, but that the final decision must come from you."

"I'm sure that's not all he said," Buffy commented dryly to herself, then said, "We can't take her, Quinton. There's too much going on here for us to train a new Slayer. With the Taraka Order and Wolfram & Hart watching our every move, she'd most likely end up dead in just a few days. Also, when Dawn returns, three Slayers in one place will be a bit too much."

"Understood. Then we shall send her to Sunnydale. Most likely she'll receive better training there with all the demons traveling to the Hellmouth."

"So it's more than local demons arriving there," asked Cordelia curiously.

"That is correct. They are coming from all over the world...some from other dimensions even."

"Do you have any clue why," Angel asked with concern in his voice.

"The only thing we've been able to gather is that a demon lord is calling them there for some purpose. What that purpose is, we have not been able to find out yet."

"Knowing my friends," Buffy supplied, "they're half-way to the answer already... But you should probably tell them this anyway."

"I think we've discussed all we can here," Angel said. "Quinton, why don't you contact Giles again and make the arrangements for the new Slayer, as well as tell him what you just told us?"

"As you wish. Contact us if you should need our services," Quinton said, then hung up.

There was a thoughtful silence for a moment while Angel hung up the phone, then Cordelia said, "They still don't get it, do they?"

Dropping wearily into a chair, Buffy answered, "They still think of the Slayer as a possession, Cordy. Until they figure out that isn't right, we're not going to get through to them."

"Isn't their probationary time almost up with the Powers," Angel inquired, as he leaned against his desk.

"Next year," the Immortal Slayer answered.

"They better get their asses in gear then," Cordelia commented, then said, "How's the wild goose chase going?"

"Better than expected... Which worries me," Angel supplied.

"Yeah," Buffy added, "it's like they're just following us around to humor us...until we slip up and give away who we know the others are."

"That's not good. Have you guys tried talking with Lorne again?"

"Already did that," Buffy yawned. "Seems we gotta do this one on our own."

Cordelia's brow furrowed, as she said, "Weird."

"Yeah," Angel agreed, as he stood and extended a hand out for his wife to take. She took it and stood, as he then said, "It's been a long day. I think a quick rest is in order for us before we patrol tonight."

"K. You two do that, and I'll keep an eye on things down here, and wait for Wes to show up again."

"He still hasn't come in for work," Buffy asked.

"Not today," the half-demon Seer answered. "I've called his home, but only got the answering machine."

LA: Chinese Restaurant, 6:30pm, Day 4

"So, Gavin, how are you enjoying working at the head of the Angel division of Special Projects," Lindsey McDonald asked, before taking the last bit of chow mien from his plate and eating it.

Gavin finished his tea, and replied, "It is a difficult assignment, but I enjoy the challenge."

Nodding, Lindsey commented, "Good to hear that." He put down his chopsticks, then looked directly into Gavin's eyes as he said next, "Even though I am Head of Special Projects, you know I have a keen interest in your division above all others."

"Yes," Gavin agreed, with a touch of trepidation forming in his eyes.

Lindsey smiled faintly, then said, "As such, I have kept in contact with the one remaining childe of Angel's that is still on our side. I believe you know of whom I speak?"

"Drusilla."

"Correct," the Head of Special Projects said, before a pulling small digital recorder from his jacket pocket, and placing it on the table between them. "She contacted me about three hours ago. This is what was said," Lindsey concluded as he pressed the play button.

As the conversation between Lindsey and Drusilla played, Gavin listened with intense concentration. When it ended, he stayed silent a moment longer, before saying, "Riddle, indeed... I suppose you want me to solve it?"

Without a word, Lindsey placed a plain manila folder on the table, and pushed it to Gavin, while saying, "Of course, but some of the work's been done already... At least the technical side of it. Your job will be figuring out the magical part of this puzzle."

Making a faint sound in the back of his throat, Gavin picked up the folder, and quickly scanned through it. Looking up a few minutes later, he said, "This shouldn't be possible. Magic or not."

"I know. If I hadn't seen the blood tests myself, I would think this was some kind of joke," Lindsey admitted. "But, nonetheless, the proof's there. The Slayer and her sister are in truth mother and daughter...and what's more, Angel is the girl's father. I want to know how this is possible. And I want it as of yesterday."

Gavin nodded his understanding as he closed the folder, then said, "I suppose you want me to figure out what that last comment was about as well. When she said "key," it was most definitely capitalized."

"Yes, I do," Lindsey said as he signed to the waiter for the check. "I have a hunch that it is connected to whatever it was that made Angel go to Sunnydale – stay for nearly two months – and return with the Slayer and their daughter, about four years ago."

The check arrived, and Lindsey paid for it. As both stood to leave, he said, "Gavin, I have spoken with the Senior Partners, and they say that we are to use every resource we have to get the information we need. I don't think I need to tell you what failure to give them what they want means."

Eyes widening somewhat in sudden fear, Gavin shuddered slightly as Lindsey walked away.

LA: Somewhere In The City, 11pm, Day 4

Buffy and Angel ran into an alleyway and dived behind a large dumpster. Moments later, running feet were heard, then followed by two human looking men. They paused at the entrance of the alleyway, looked at each other, then one ran down said alleyway while the other ran on down the street. Once both were gone, the Immortal Slayer and souled vampire slipped out of their hiding place. Moving with silent stealth, the two Champions made their way down the alleyway. Neither noticed the figures crouched above them on the roofs to either side of the way they were taking.

Silent bullets tore through the air and pierced flesh.

Buffy fell to the ground dead as Angel staggered as bullet shells continued to strike him. He drew in breath sharply as he collapsed on top of Buffy...a shell lodging into his spine too much for his body to take.

The bullets stopped. Angel remained still for several minutes – breathing heavily – until he no longer felt like he was being watched. With effort he lifted himself off of his mate, and looked at her.

She was pale, with some blood pooling out of her mouth. Moaning faintly, the souled vampire rolled Buffy onto her side, and held her there against his chest. Agonizing moments passed as Angel waited for Buffy to awaken. He watched as small blue electrical arcs covered the wounds as they healed and disappeared on his wife's skin.

With a gasping-coughing breath, Buffy shuddered and came back to life. Clinging to Angel, she drew in ragged breath after ragged breath until she was once again aware of her surroundings and what had just happened. Sitting up, she looked down at Angel...and frowned.

"Those weren't normal bullets, were they," the Slayer asked.

Angel nodded – his eyes starting to glaze with pain and sudden fever – and said, "Poison, but stronger than it was last time. I can't move my legs either. One of them got me in the back."

"Damn!" Buffy cursed, then said, "I know I can fix one of them, but the other's gonna need more knowledge than I have to patch up."

"Call Cordelia, and have her bring the car," Angel suggested. "She can call the doctor that takes care of me when I'm hurt too bad for her or Wesley to handle."

"Right," the Slayer answered as she pulled out her cell phone. "While we wait for her, we can get you poison-free. And don't be afraid to drain me dry, either. You know it won't take me long to replenish what you take."

Next Part: Seacouver, what a lovely place! What's up with Oz, and what other surprises should we expect from my Muses! (snort!) It's more like what shouldn't you expect at the rate they're going!

To Harry: An overwhelmed and delighted "Thank You!" for the near part-for-part feedbacking of Immortality's Gift. Sorry about Faith, but it was necessary (even if I argued with the Muses like crazy against it). Although...I've thought of making an alternate version of that story, where Faith didn't die. I eventually plan to do it, just not sure when I'll be able to get to it, or how it should go ('cause I don't want the same plot in that 'verse (It would be a little redundant, and not feel original, ya know?)).

To Any Who Want Personal Update Notices: Give me an email at twilightunicorn4 yahoo. com, with the subject heading -- Emailed Updates. I'll gladly add you to my growing list. I might even make a group listing at the rate this is going.