Introduction/Author's Note:
Background timeline for getting into the story: BtVS S5 episode "Into the Woods" and AtS S2 episode "Reunion" originally aired on the same date. Since the Buffy episode covers more time than the Angel episode we're going to imagine that Angel spent the two nights following the wine tasting hunting for Darla and Drusilla and not getting back to the hotel until just before dawn. Angel sleeps for a couple hours after he gets back, but then just broods the rest of the day until it's dark and he can venture outdoors once more. Buffy, after leaving Dawn in Giles' care, heads to LA and will join Angel in the afternoon before he goes hunting for the third night in a row. And let's assume that the Scoobies and the Fang Gang know where each other live and work thanks to Giles and Wesley keeping in touch. Hopefully, any and all questions will be resolved as we work through the story. Enjoy!
Chapter One
Arriving at the Hyperion Buffy immediately feels that something is wrong and remains slayer quiet as she enters the building. The hotel seems to be in order except for Angel's office…which, of course, isn't like him and she knows that's where the problem lies. Angel isn't himself. Fearing Angelus she leaves the hotel quickly and goes straight to Cordy's apartment needing to know if the team is alive or not.
Just outside Cordy's door Buffy hears voices coming from inside and listens instead of knocking. She recognizes Cordy and Wes' voices and also hears a third unfamiliar voice. They're talking about Angel's recent behavior and how he fired them. Hearing that he just fired them Buffy knows Angel has his soul 'cause Angelus would have just killed them. Then she hears the problem…Darla and Drusilla are in town. Which leaves Buffy seriously wondering how Darla came back from a pile of dust. Knowing those two are the issue she heads back to the Hyperion to find Angel and help him.
Buffy finds the offices, kitchen, and training room all empty and then heads upstairs. She's not sure exactly which room is his but lets instinct and her "Angel sense" guide her. Once outside the door she feels is his she is uncertain whether or not he already knows she is there. Gently and slowly she opens his door, but only takes one cautious step inside.
Angel is sitting in his chair facing the windows that are draped with heavy black curtains. He makes no movement to show that he realizes Buffy is standing just inside his doorway.
Slowly, Buffy walks into the room toward the other chair which had been angled to accompany Angel's and as she crosses the room Angel remains unresponsive. Buffy takes a seat as she observes him starring continuously at nothing and she checks her watch -2:30pm. Now all there is left to do is wait.
.
.
.
.
Two hours later…
"This evil law firm, Wolfram and Hart, brought Darla back as a human. A dying human. Then they brought Dru to L.A. in order to change Darla back into a vampire when they realized I wouldn't do it. Dru succeeded three nights ago. That was also the night those two found out that one of WRH's top executives was having a wine tasting party. They wanted to join in the fun I guess, but when I got there everyone was still alive. I didn't join in the killing rampage, but I did lock the doors to the wine cellar from the outside with Dru and Darla inside…allowing them to do whatever they wished to the lawyers there with them," Angel informed Buffy.
Angel stopped there to test Buffy's reaction, but 15 minutes later when she was still sitting in her chair staring ahead like she had been since she first sat down Angel finally continued.
"I have tracked them the past two nights as best I could, but haven't found anything less than about 6 hours old. They're still ahead of me, getting lost in the L.A. underworld…blending in until they want to make another scene. I have to stop them, I have to kill both of them, and I need you to help with that. Physically, I can take them on, mentally/logically I know what has to be done, but emotionally I still feel close to them somehow. I am responsible for Dru, I made her into what she is today, and Darla…they brought her back as a human…she had a soul and I… I couldn't save her," Angel let himself pour out the grief and anger to Buffy.
Only, Buffy.
Always, Buffy.
During his explanation Angel had moved to prop his elbows on his knees and from that position now looked up to Buffy and held her gaze.
Buffy had closely followed all that he had told her and understood how he saw himself as a failure and a monster and, therefore, why he was questioning his worth and abilities right now. Turning to face him she told him, "Just tell me what you need me to do and it's done. I'm here with you 100%. No questions asked." She winked on the last part and saw a trace of a grin appear on his face if even for only a second.
Then they both sat back in their chairs and stared ahead. Buffy knew this time though that they were only waiting for sunset.