Chapter Four

When they woke up it was dark and they were both hungry. Together they walked to the kitchen and enjoyed fixing their own meals in the presence of the other. After they ate Angel asked, "Would you help me explain to Cordy, Wes, and Gunn why I had to fire them and concentrate solely on Darla and Drusilla?"

"Sure, let's go talk to them now because then we can also talk to Wes about Glory and see if he has any better ideas than Giles on how to get rid of her."

Buffy and Angel arrived at Cordy's apartment about 20 minutes later where a surprised Cordelia stepped aside after answering the door to allow them both to enter. "Hey guys we need to talk," Buffy got to the point.

"Oh, hiding behind the big bad slayer now are you?" Cordy glared at Angel.

"Shut up Cordelia," Wesley interrupted before Angel or Buffy could say anything. "I assume since you are both here that Darla and Drusilla have been dealt with?"

"Yes. They're both dust as of last night, and that is only partly what we came to talk about," Buffy stated.

"Guys, I know you think that I shouldn't have let them have their way with WRH's lawyers, but it's over and done with now. I really only fired you all to get you out of the way. I didn't want any of you being targeted and getting hurt by them," Angel explained.

"All of you are great at helping Angel, I am sure. But please realize that this whole situation went a lot deeper than just killing another two vamps," Buffy added and then looked at Wes. "This was the second time, Wes, that he had to stake his sire. How many other times have you ever heard of that happening?"

"Well, um, none actually."

Knowing that they really had no reason to stay mad at Angel Cordy sighed and finally invited them to take a seat in the living room. Having remained quiet up until this point Gunn introduced himself to Buffy as they sat down.

"So, besides the fact that Darla and Drusilla are gone what else was it that you wanted to talk about?" Wesley inquired.

"That's my story and part of the reason I came to L.A. to see Angel. There is a hell god, Glory, in Sunnydale right now and I don't know how to get rid of her. She's from another dimension…any way we could send her back there?" Buffy asked acerbically.

"Actually, there should be, yes, but right now I don't know what it would be. Why is she here?"

Taking a deep breath Buffy explained about Dawn being the Key.

"A portal to send her back, perhaps…but portals are very tricky to work with," Wesley announced as he got up and threw on his jacket. "I have some books at home that could be useful, I assume I will meet you guys later at the hotel since there will be no reason to continue holding our meetings at Cordy's apartment?"

"Sure, Wes, that's fine. We'll see you later," Angel confirmed.

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An hour later they were all gathered at the hotel with no lingering resentment among them.

Wesley had brought several books with him and then had also pulled a few books from Angel's collection as well. Currently, everyone had their nose in a book.

"Nothing here," Buffy announced as she tossed the book on the table and reached for another.

Two more times she did this and each time Angel heard the desperation growing in her voice and saw the sadness weigh more heavily on her shoulders.

After the third time Angel placed his open book on the table, stood, walked over to where Buffy was sitting, and took her hand.

Angel taking her hand in his drew Buffy out of the haze of misery that was settling over her and she looked up at him as he began pulling her out of her chair and towards the staircase.

As they headed off silently upstairs the others watched them go. Cordy and Wes looked at each other and Cordy just shrugged her shoulders before looking back down at the book in front of her.

Once they were back in his room Angel hugged Buffy to him and felt the tears begin to soak through his shirt.

"I can't let her die…Glory can't win," Buffy sobbed brokenly.

Knowing that Buffy needed the release only crying would allow Angel simply held her securely in his arms as she cried.

"Buffy, I think it's time that we take the information we have found and go back to Sunnydale. Wesley and Giles working together will prove more resourceful than working apart, especially on this case."

Her tears subsiding as she drew comfort and strength from Angel's embrace Buffy nodded her head in agreement adding, "I'll also feel better being able to actually see Dawn, but there's nothing I can do about Mom's tumor."

Angel didn't have an answer for that one so he just continued to hold her for another minute then left her to rest while he told his team about the travel plans.

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At dusk the next evening Buffy, Angel, Cordy, Wes, and Gunn set out for Sunnydale.

Angel wanted as much alone time with Buffy as possible since he wasn't expecting to have any with her once they reached Sunnydale. So, with Buffy next to him, Angel drove his convertible while the other three followed in the SUV Angel had rented for them.

Buffy greatly appreciated the gesture and thanked him once they were on the road.

Most of the drive was made in a comfortable silence where the glances they shared said more about their love and support of each other than words ever could. Not far outside the city limits Buffy, lost in thought, broke the silence.

"You know, ever since Willow did that spell to give your soul back to you she has been steadily building in power and desire to know more about the magics of the world. Maybe together with Giles and Wes they can find a way to bind Glory's powers and send her back where she came from."

Angel had known that Willow was getting deeper into magic her senior year of high school and imagined that she had grown from there. He had never really given any thought as to who would have done the spell for his soul though. Since Buffy's statement didn't really require a response Angel slipped into brood mode wondering if this knowledge made any difference. He came up with a few questions, but would have to ask Willow before he created any hope in himself or Buffy.

Before leaving L.A., Wes and Giles had arranged for the Scoobies and AI to meet at Giles' place since they didn't want to disturb Joyce. Angel could hear people talking inside as they approached Giles' door and guessed that all the Scoobies were already present.