Chapter Two

Once dusk fell Angel led the way to his car and they began where he left off tracking Darla and Dru. The silence remained between Buffy and Angel, but comfortably so as each was focused on hunting down and dusting Darla and Dru.

The direction they found themselves heading in near midnight reminded Angel of the old warehouse Spike had held him captive in when Spike had been after the Gem. Angel shared his thoughts with Buffy on how it would still be a great place for vamps to hang out.

"Buffy, when we find them I don't want this to be a long or bloody fight. I just want them turned to dust. I need for you to concentrate on taking out Dru and I'll handle Darla. If…if it looks like I'm taking too long and you have an opening to stake Darla after Dru is dust then please take it, but never before Dru is dust. You always, always keep your eyes on her until you finish her off for good."

Angel sounded so worried as he spoke. Buffy knew it was out of concern for her and his own uncertainty in his ability to back her up at the exact moment she needed it. As he spoke Buffy also reminded herself of Dru's ability to sometimes see the future and the fact that Dru had killed Kendra. Of course, that memory only served to piss Buffy off anew and sharpen her focus on the task at hand.

Slowly, Buffy reached her hand out and placed it on Angel's saying, "I won't take my eyes off her until she's dust and only then will I help you, IF I need to."

Angel had frozen when she touched him…all he managed was a nod toward her in response.

Buffy realized they both needed to be focused and removed her hand. Touching him, it was just like the rest of the world didn't exist at that moment and she wasn't able to think of anything but Angel. Buffy silently promised herself no more touching Angel until AFTER Darla and Dru had been reduced to ash.

The warehouse was eerily quiet as Buffy followed Angel inside. In a far corner a fire burned in an old barrel giving off little light, but they could see well enough. Rows of forgotten crates lined one wall but the majority of floor space was empty. Angel headed in the direction of where the offices once were.

Halfway there Darla's voice sang out, "So you brought us a snack to play with."

"Yeah, something like that," Angel replied.

Buffy only heard one set of footsteps approaching from the direction of Darla's voice, but sensed a presence off to the right side and turned in that direction. Dru didn't disappoint, "Here Slayer, Slayer, Slayer…it's been too long since I've killed a slayer."

Saying nothing, spotting Drusilla, and keeping out of Dru's line of sight Buffy continued advancing. She wanted to take Dru out with one blow if at all possible; she could already hear Angel and Darla trading blows.

Weaving through the crates to come up behind Dru Buffy kept her eyes and her entire being locked onto Dru and any possible movement. Faster than Buffy knew she was capable of, she swung Angel's broadsword into a graceful arch that came down to slice through Dru's neck like it was warm butter just as Dru turned around to face her opponent. Dru didn't even have time to open her eyes wider in shock. "Well, I guess that's one thing she didn't see coming," Buffy quipped as Dru burst into dust.

Buffy then turned around to check on Angel and Darla. Angel had his stake in hand, but both were already fairly bruised and cut up all over their faces. Then Angel landed a fierce right hook, caught Darla's right shoulder in his left hand keeping her torso upright as he pulled his right hand back, flipped the stake toward her and aimed for the heart. As usual, his aim was true and his left hand suddenly held nothing.

Angel stood looking down at the pile of dust for a minute before turning to face Buffy as she approached him. He sighed deeply and silently thanked the Powers that Be for the woman walking towards him.

Buffy saw the mental and emotional exhaustion, of what she guessed to be the past couple weeks, on Angel's face as she closed the distance between them. She put an arm around his waist as he placed his arm around her shoulders. It was a comfort they both needed and it reassured them the other was physically fine after the fight.

Finally reaching the car, Angel climbed behind the wheel, cranked the engine, and as they started driving away remarked, "I have some of my own questions for you and I am sure you have some for me. First, though, I would like to shower and sleep. Do you mind waiting?"

"No, of course not, I wouldn't mind the same for myself," Buffy answered while silently adding 'and some food for the both of us'.

Back at the hotel Angel directed Buffy to the rooms across from his and they went their own ways. Angel showered and fell asleep in less than 5 minutes. Buffy showered at a slower pace than usual knowing Angel would sleep for a while. After her shower she found the kitchen and fixed a sandwich before making a mug of blood for Angel that she took back up to the kitchenette in his room.

Buffy then crossed his room to the foot of his bed and watched him sleep (she'd always wanted to do that). She also knew that she'd be just as comfy in the chair here as she would be anywhere else…especially with Angel so near. Settling down after moving the chair to the foot of the bed where she could watch his face she was asleep 20 minutes later.