Chapter Twelve

Buffy: Come on Sarah, pay attention! Everyone pick up the pace! Nice footwork Amy. Okay, that's enough for today, go for lunch

The girls left, panting and sweating, and Buffy checked her watch. 12. She had to go through the finances with Giles and Wood before she could pay Hurst a visit…better get started…

Giles: Well we should be fine for the next few months, thanks to the money some of the parents donated. But after that goes, we'll just be running on government support and that's not enough. Not to house, feed and train 102 girls.

Wood: We need outside help. We could apply for a grant, but they take months to be processed. Then they have to go through a board of governors. We need something else to keep us going

Buffy: Okay, okay (sighs and gets up) I've really got to go but we'll work this out later, I promise

Giles: Buffy, this is important

Buffy: I know, I know. There's just somewhere I have to be, okay? Anyway, we're not getting anywhere right now.

Giles: Okay, go. But we need to discuss this

Buffy: We will, I swear, later

With that she grabbed her coat and ran out the door, and Wood and Giles look at each other, worried.

Buffy stood on the top floor of Wolfram and Hart and closed her eyes, focusing. Spike's research showed that Hurst's office was hidden, shown only to those who had previously been allowed access. To others, only a strong focus and strength would reveal it. She slowly opened her eyes, finding herself stood in front of a door, which she tentatively opened. Sitting in front of her at a desk was an old man, about 70, who stood slowly and walked over to her.

Hurst: Hello Buffy. We've been expecting you

Angel sat in his office, watching the CCTV video of the last day and night. He had installed the camera outside his office last year, nobody else knew about it. He didn't trust the other employees. For a while everything was fine. Then he saw Spike. He produced a key and opened the door, disappearing into the office. He left about ten minutes later, carefully locking the door behind him. Angel stood up in fury and made his way to Spike's office down the hall. He entered without knocking and grabbed Spike, pushing him against the wall.

Angel: What's going on!

Spike: I don't know what you're talking about

Angel: You know exactly what I'm talking about! I know you went into my office last night. Now tell me, what were you looking for?

Spike: Say please (winces)

Angel: Now

Spike: Look, I don't know what it was. Buffy…

Angel: What's this got to do with Buffy (Spike doesn't answer and Angel grabs him tighter)

Spike: She asked me to get something from your files. Information

Angel: On what? (Spike doesn't answer) Spike!

Spike: Look I don't want to snitch on the lady okay? Fine fine! Okay, she wanted some information on someone called Hurst. I don't know why, she didn't tell me.

Angel let Spike go, his heart filling with dread. Hurst. He was his contact to the Powers…Buffy…He ran out of the office and to the elevator, desperately pressing the call button. He needed to get to Hurst, to tell him she was coming…Buffy…

Hurst had disappeared and now standing in front of Buffy was a hazy smoke which spoke with the voices of a hundred.

PTB: We knew you'd come. And we know what you're asking

Buffy: Can you change him?

PTB: In the coming battle, you will need him

Buffy: The coming battle?

PTB: The Great Warriors will all be needed, you will all be tested. Angel must stay as he is, a demon with a soul

Buffy: What battle? What test?

PTB: It is not our place to say

Buffy: Look –

Suddenly the door burst open and Angel stood there, panting.

Angel: Buffy, no!

PTB: Be gone, Slayer!

A strong force pushed Buffy into Angel, forcing them out the door and slamming in behind them. They smashed into the wall opposite the door and picked themselves up slowly, wincing. Angel grabbed Buffy's arm.

Angel: What the hell do you think you were doing! Do you realise what could have happened! (shaking her) They could have killed you!

Buffy: (pulling her arm away) They wouldn't have. We both know that. I just wanted to ask –

Angel: I know. I know, but that is not the way okay? The Powers are strong, stronger than anything in this world or any other. When I found out where you were…I was so scared Buffy. If anything had happened to you…

Buffy: I'm fine Angel, I'm fine.

She placed her hand on his chest, reassuringly.

Buffy: But I'm not sure we will be for much longer

Angel: What? Why?

Buffy: The Powers said a battle was coming

Angel: What battle?

Buffy: They didn't say. We need to get to Giles

Buffy, Angel, Giles, Spike, Wood, Willow and Xander are sitting round a table.

Giles: So they said something about Great Warriors, a battle and a test?

Buffy: Yeah, any idea what they mean?

Giles: Well I assume by the Great Warriors they mean you and Angel

Buffy: No

Xander: Of course it is Buffy

Buffy: What I mean is it's not just us. When they said the Great Warriors, I got the impression there were more than just two

Giles: Oh…(realising) Oh!

He disappears into the library behind the kitchen and the others look at each other, confused.

Willow: I wish he wouldn't do that

He returned soon after and placed an old, heavy book on the table in front of them all. He sat down and began to leaf through it, until he reached a desired page.

Giles: This is a book of prophecy. I remember reading it a few weeks ago and seeing something about the Great Warriors. I didn't really pay attention at the time…ah, here it is, it says:

Two reborn into evil – Angel, Spike, that'll be you

Two born of light – Buffy I think that's you and Faith

One of magic and power – Willow that's you

One of soul, strong and true – now that's the bit that stumps me, I can't think who that could be

Angel: It's you Giles

Giles: Me? No, I'm not a great warrior

Buffy: (smiling) Yes, you are

Wood: Okay, well we've worked that out, but what about the battle?

Willow: (turning to Giles) Looks like research mode for us

Giles: Wood, you should let Faith know what's going on

Buffy: I'll talk to Marcus, see what he knows

Giles: Angel, Spike, do you think you could use your contacts at Wolfram and Hart to find out anything else?

Spike: Sure thing

Angel: (standing up) No problem, I'll get right on it

Giles: Xander, I know you only got back a week ago, but how do you feel about making another trip?

Xander: Just point me in the direction

Giles: England

Xander: Sounds good to me

Buffy walked out with Angel and Spike. Spike, sensing they wanted to be alone, walked ahead as they paused at the school gates, where they had to part ways.

Buffy: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you by going to the Powers

Angel: I just wish you'd talked to me about it first

Buffy: (smiles wryly) I knew you wouldn't let me if I asked you. Besides, I think I was meant to go, if I hadn't then we might not have found out about the battle

Angel: I just…I just love you so much…I don't want to lose you

Buffy: (placing her hand on his cheek) I love you too. And you're not going to lose me. Never

She reached up and kissed him slowly and passionately. They held the kiss for a long moment before pulling away and looking at each other with desire-filled eyes. Buffy gulped and took her arms from around him; if she didn't move away from him she wasn't sure what she'd do.

Angel: Be careful, okay?

Buffy: You too

Buffy watched him walk away and sighed. This was harder than she thought it'd be.