Disclaimer: Why am I bothering with this? You all know that anything recognizable from the shows Highlander: the Series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Angel: the Series isn't mine! Although, anything not recognizable from the aforementioned shows is mine.

Author's Note: (TU stands in the middle of what was once a vacant office, glaring at her Muses (who are all standing in a row before their Writer, staring at her in fear, contrition, and some disgruntlement)) "You will repeat after me: We will not go on strike and leave our Writer in the middle of a story ever again." (Muses mumble the words, looking everywhere but at the Writer "I can't hear you!" (Muses say it louder, some looking at TU "Look at me and say it with conviction!" (All look up fearfully, and with some weeping and others falling to their knees, the Muses shout the words. The vampiric unicorn nods in satisfaction "Good. Now…GET BACK TO YOUR WORKSTATIONS AND HELP ME FINISH THIS DAMNED STORY!" (Muses stare in abject terror at their Writer (who looks like she'd possibly skewer them on her horn at any moment), then quickly run off to do as they are told

(TU composes herself, and turns to readers Sorry about the extremely long wait, everyone, but when your entire crew of Muses goes on strike and leaves you, you don't have much choice. Thankfully (just as you saw above), I was able to convince them to work with me again. (hears Muses squabbling in background, and winces Although, for how long, I'm not sure.

Part Dedication: This one's for you El Chacal (for your dedicated emails reminding me I still have fans out there), as well as William Fakespeare (my newest reviewer!).

Twilight Unicorn: The Vampiric Unicorn (who is now a little over a quarter of a century old, and wondering how time flew so fast…gah!)

Part 15

LA: Hyperion Hotel (Lobby), 2:30pmish, Day 5

"WESLEY WYNDAM-PRICE! WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN!"

Cordelia's words reverberated angrily through the lobby as Wesley gazed calmly at the Seer, hands in the front pockets of his jeans. With nonchalance, the Watcher walked over to the reception desk, leaned against the counter, and said mildly, "I've been gathering information."

"Information," came the incredulous cry, "for three freakin' days?"

"HEY!"

Both half-demon and Watcher jumped and looked up to the balcony to see Buffy glaring at them.

"Keep it down, will you! I just got Angel to sleep."

Cordelia immediately looked contrite while mumbling, "Sorry."

"You will need to wake him, Buffy," Wesley said. "I have some news that he will no doubt wish to hear."

The Slayer crossed her arms, and said irritably, "No. You will tell me, and then I'll see if he needs to know. He's in no condition to be worrying over anything other than healing himself. Got it?"

Wesley looked concerned, as he asked, "He's injured?"

Buffy gave a rough nod, her eyes clouding with old and new memory, as she gripped the banister before her, and said quietly, "Yeah."

Taking his hands out of his pockets, the Watcher inquired with worry in his voice, "How badly?"

Scowling at nothing in particular, the Slayer answered, "Bad enough," before looking at Wesley, and saying "I'll fill you in later. What I want to know is what was so important that you haven't been here for the past few days?"

Looking directly at Buffy, Wesley answered straightforwardly, "I've been investigating those men that attacked you and Dawn on the bus."

There was a noticeable pause, then Buffy jumped the railing and landed in front of the Watcher. "Tell me," was all the Slayer said, her voice brokering no disagreement.

Wesley nodded before saying, "They were Watchers."

"What kind," Buffy asked, frowning.

Sighing tiredly, Wesley replied, "Immortal. They are a renegade group calling themselves the Awakeners... They're goal is to 'awaken' pre-Immortals to their immortality once they've turned eighteen."

Frowning in great displeasure, the Slayer said, "And Dawn fit the bill perfectly."

"Correct."

Buffy paced away from the Watcher and Seer for a moment, then turned around to face them, asking, "How many?"

"Come again?" Wesley asked, his expression showing his confusion.

"How many have they made Immortal," the Slayer clarified with some impatience as she stepped closer to the two.

"Dawn was their fourth," he answered, then explained, "They make an attempt once every three months, from what I've gathered…and have succeeded in each one. 'Though, they did not expect the losses they had with Dawn. All their other attempts have been without casualties on their part."

"So they've been doing this for a year now," Cordelia asked.

"Basically," Wesley answered.

"What I'm wondering," the Seer then said as she leaned against the other side of the counter beside the Watcher, "is how you know all this, Wes. This is more than passing knowledge."

Nodding his head in agreement, Wesley replied, "You are correct. I have been slowly infiltrating their organization for the past month... In truth: Fred is in on this as well, and is doing more than visiting her parents while she is in Texas."

"What do you mean," Buffy asked, worriedly.

"She is gathering what information she can so that I may in turn give it to Joe, who will then give it to the head of his organization so that they may deal with the matter... As it is, we're about ready to do so."

The Slayer asked in shock, "Why didn't you tell us sooner?"

"It was not your concern, Buffy," Wesley said bluntly.

"Oh really?" the Slayer said in sudden tight fury, as she swiftly stood nose-to-nose with the Watcher. "It's not my concern when you knew Dawn fit the bill for their Pre-Immortal targets! I don't think so!"

Ire flashed through Wesley's eyes as he suddenly snapped out, "I did not know! If I had, I would've told you. I am not high enough in their hierarchy to know who their next victim will be until after it has happened. As it is, I'm still too new to even be in their killing groups that go after the Pre-Immortals. Do not tell me how to do my job, as you are not a part of it!"

"Whoa, whoa! Take a minute before you throw another insult, people," Cordelia exclaimed harshly as she shoved Buffy back, and placed herself between the Slayer and Watcher. "This isn't getting us anywhere!"

For long moments the Watcher and Slayer glared at each other, only stopping when they heard the lobby doors opening. As one, all three turned to see who was there and stared, tension thick in the air about them.

Nervously, the unassuming man at the door spoke, "Umm, is this a bad time, guys? I could come back later."

Quickly shaking her head, Cordelia stepped forward, saying, "No, you came at a good time. What can we do for you, David?"

Hesitating for a moment, the multi-billionaire gazed at them, then with a determined nod he said, "Actually, it's more like what can I do for you. I heard about what happened with the bus, and came as soon as I could. I wanted to make sure you were all alright."

Wesley immediately looked away at those words, swallowing, a faint grimace on his face. Cordelia opened her mouth, then after a second, closed it with an audible click of her teeth; unable to find words to speak. Buffy merely gazed at David, a wan smile on her face; her eyes shimmering with too many emotions to be properly expressed. After a minute, David fidgeted uneasily, but before he could make up an excuse to leave, Buffy admitted – her voice filled with weariness –, "We've been better."

Speaking with concern, David asked – as he stepped further into the hotel-turned-private-supernatural-investigative-business to come stand with the others –, "What can I do to help?"

The Slayer shook her head, saying as she sighed, "Not much. It's too dangerous to be around here right now with everything that's going on."

"Actually," Cordelia said thoughtfully as she butted into the conversation, "there might be something you could do for us after all, David."

A hopeful and relieved expression flitted across his face as the man asked, "What would that be?"

Having everyone's undivided attention, the Seer asked, "What's your wife up to right now?"

Confusion evident, David answered, "Gwen? She's at one of my new storage warehouses with a friend of hers making sure it can't be broken into. Why?"

Looking at Buffy, Cordelia said, "I think it's time to call in the reserves."

Looking down at the ground in deep thought, the Slayer slowly nodded her agreement, before saying with some reluctance, "You're right. Too much crap's already happened to not call in some extra help."

LA: Wolfram & Hart, Lindsey's Office, 6:15pm, Day 5

"You're late, Mr. Parks," Lindsey McDonald said reprovingly, as Gavin hurriedly walked into the office while fumbling with several folders as he closed the door.

"I am sorry, but I had an informant arrive just as I was leaving my office," Gavin replied as he sat down in front of Lindsey's desk.

The Head of Special Projects leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk while interlacing his fingers together, and asked warningly, "And what information did this person have that you felt was important enough to be late?"

Gavin froze upon hearing Lindsey's tone of voice. Carefully placing the folders he was holding onto the desk, he said, "My informant had knowledge of recent and old happenings from Sunnydale, Sir."

Nodding his head in understanding, Lindsey said, as he gazed through slitted eyes at the other man, "Go on."

As he took the top folder from the stack in front of him, the head of the Angel Special Projects division said, "My informant was a time-traveler. I had asked this person to go to the time we had discussed earlier, and find out what he could."

Gavin handed the folder he held to Lindsey – the other taking it –, and continued, "He found out some of what we needed to know, and confirmed and clarified a few things that we had only guessed at."

"Such as?"

"Glorificus was killed by one Rupert Giles, not the Slayer in residence there at that time. I also now have the answer to Drusilla's riddle…as well as the identity of the Key. Interestingly enough: they are one and the same."

Lindsey looked down at the folder that sat before him, opened it, then asked, "And what is this twofold answer?"

Sitting back in a self-satisfied manner, the lower-ranking lawyer said, "The Key is one Dawn Summers, and – in truth – she did not exist as she is now until almost five years ago."

Lindsey paused in his perusal of the folder and slowly looked up. His eyes shimmered with the intensity of his focus as he demanded quietly, "Explain."

Reiterating, Gavin said, "Dawn Summers, daughter of the Slayer Buffy Summers and the vampire Angelus, did not exist in physical form until five years ago. Before taking physical shape, she was an entity known as the Key. The Key was – and is – pure magical energy…an energy that can open the doorway to all dimensions, and bleed them into our own."

"How did this Key take on a human appearance, or do you know?"

"No. My informant couldn't find that out in the time he could do this in."

Lindsey frowned, then said, "Considering what the Key is made of, let's assume it happened by magic. Thus, it is through magic that she is related by blood to the Slayer and vampire." He waited for a moment, then said with a gleam in his eye, "A most interesting situation, don't you think, Gavin?"

Gazing quizzically at the other man, Gavin inquired, "In what way, sir?"

Leaning back in his seat, the Head of Special Projects commented thoughtfully, "Such power was never meant to be held within a physical object…even a living one. It's just too great. Young Miss Summers will bear watching."

"Sir?"

Lindsey stood, walked over to the windowpanes that gave a view of the city, and said as he looked out, "Such power will need an outlet. It has lain dormant for five years. Something is going to have to happen…and soon." He turned. "The question, Mr. Parks, is who will be in control of Miss Summers when that happens."

Gavin's eyes widened in sudden understanding, but before he could speak, the other continued, saying, "We will have to inform the Taraka Order that they have unwittingly found and marked one of their targets. That still leaves Death and this Archangel character."

"We still don't know their identities?"

Shaking his head, the higher ranking lawyer said, "No, much to our firm's frustration."

"There is no way to draw it out of the vampiric seer?"

Lindsey chuckled in disbelief. "You don't know much about true Seers, do you?" He walked around his desk and leaned back against it as he crossed his arms. "One does not simply command a true Seer to tell you what you want to know. They will only give you exactly what information you need to reach the outcome that is desired."

Both lawyers fell silent while contemplating those words. The silence was then broken by the telephone ringing. Reaching over, Lindsey answered the phone.

"Lindsey McDonald. (pause) That's interesting, I was just talking about her. (another pause) Yes, send her on up."

"An interesting fact about Seers," Lindsey commented casually as he put down the phone, "is that they also have the uncanny ability to suddenly show up if you talk about them."

Startled, Gavin asked, "Drusilla's here?"

"Yes. I would recommend that you let me do the talking. She tends to ignore those she considers as food. She would consider you food and beneath her notice…unless she is hungry. Me: for some reason, I've gone from food to favorite toy."

A contemplative stillness fell in the office for several minutes, until the opening of the door.

Both looked up to see a woman of classic beauty with long, dark, slightly curled hair that trailed to her waist. Tight black slacks showed off long lean legs, as a blood-red peasant blouse formed to her upper-body. She walked soundlessly into the room in dark brown mid-calf boots until she stood before Lindsey.

"The stars whisper that you have found the Key, Plaything," Drusilla murmured absently as she idly tugged a lock of the lawyer's hair.

His expression bland, Lindsey replied, "So we have, Drusilla, even though we have yet to figure out who Death and the Archangel are."

The vampiress smiled coyly as she looked playfully up at the man before her through her eyelashes. A child-like giggle escaped Dru before she said, "My sister-seer goes to met out death, while I play with my sister in the sea-covered city!"

Lifting an eyebrow and smiling faintly, Lindsey asked, "Are you giving me more riddles, Drusilla?"

Stepping away from the lawyer as she frowned, the Seer slowly closed her eyes. When she opened them, they were completely black, not a trace of color could be seen. Her voice was filled with dark power as she spoke, her face expressionless.

"Four Dark Warriors were there.
Three destroyed, one lost.
One from the Dark four brought to the Light.
One from warriors true Called, bound to the night hunting.
One from the night-made-Light.
One from the ether Formed.
These are they the Light would choose."

Drusilla stopped, clenching her eyes shut. She moaned as she raised her hands to grip tightly at her head. In pain she said, "It's bright. Too bright! They shine like the sun!"

She panted for unneeded air, then threw back her head, her eyes wide open and unseeing as she screamed in agony. As the scream ended, the vampiress' arms slowly fell to her sides as her expression went from unimaginable torment to wonder-filled awe.

Reaching out a hand to something she alone could see, the Seer murmured with child-like joy, "So pretty," before collapsing unconscious to the floor.

Next Part: Seacouver, here we come!

Author's Note 2: Dun, dun, dun…hehehe! How's that for a returning piece? Also, sorry about all the exposition, guys. But it's necessary for continuation, as well as beginning to set the stage for the third part of what's become a trilogy (whenever I get around to the third part).

Concerning Author's Responses to Reviewers: I have heard both yea and nay on if we are allowed to post them, nor have I seen an official notice saying you can't. Posting them as a separate chapter in a story: yes; but posted at the beginning or end of a new story part: no. Until I am specifically told otherwise by the leaders of this site, I will continue replying to my reviewers. I just don't have the time to send individual emailed replies to all you guys…and I refuse to do a LiveJournal. Having my own listgroup and website is enough responsibility—thankyouverymuch! Speaking of that, if anyone wants to join my group, and give me reviews that way, I wouldn't mind. The list can be found on my bio.

Now Onto the Responses (I know, I know: these're very old replies to the last time I posted, but I don't care

To Harry2: Harry, if you want a new Faith fix, read A Challenge Fic Answered 2 & 3. She's in those. Hee! D'Hoffryn: my, what chaos he shall bring! (wink)

To Anna: Thanks!

To Doc4: I know, I know. I just hate doing that to people, especially when it happens to me!

To LovesBitch2: Glad you're liking it!

To El Chacal: Hope that answered your questions about Fred, my dear. Also, I'm not going to use Merrick, but maybe in the next one. Email me your idea, and I'll see, k? I'm in desperate need of a plot for the third story of what's become a trilogy. Concerning the three other Horsemen: they're dead, dead I say (as if you couldn't tell that from the nice little ditty Dru just did)!

To William Fakespeare: Welcome to the insanity, William Fakespeare (great name, by the way)! Nope, not even close on your guess, and (as you can see) I have continued. I was having some medical and legal problems that were keeping me from writing. But now those things have been taken care of, and I am able to write once again.

To ALL My Readers: Please, please, please review! Let me know you're all still reading this. It helps me keep up the determination to continue writing this behemoth of a story (I'm already at 77 pages, and am only now starting to get to the main plot...plots? Gah!). Thank you.

TU