Chapter Twelve

"What are you doing?" Buffy asked meekly, her brightening eyes interlocking with Angel's amazed orbs, her face stern. "Oh, you mean this?" He remarked, taking his time to caress her flushed cheek a second time, sending probing shivers throughout her body.

"This is wrong. We shouldn't be doing this." She burrowed her hands against his chest, pushing him off of her body to further her response.

Flicking away Styrofoam cups and containers aside, she pushed herself to her feet, smoothing her hair, backing away from him, his expression one of wonder, confusion and a trace of anger intermixed together.

"Are you denying me?" he questioned, his lips tight, his eyes blazing. "You bet your ass I am. Feelings aside, I have to save those girls. It's my duty, and you're not gonna stop me. I'll kill you if I have to."

"Not if I tell you where they are, which I will not," he grimly smirked, circling her as if he was predator and she was the prey. She didn't take her eyes off of him.

She copied his movements exactly, never missing a stride or a beat. "You think I will fight you? I would never hurt my future queen," he bowed elegantly.

"Can you please stop calling me that? I'm not the queen. I'm the Slayer, and I have no problems in beating you to the ground even if you weirdly don't condone violence," she scowled.

Taking his hesitation as confirmation, she crouched to her knees, hitting close to the alleyway as she tackled his body against the chain link fence using his legs, her head pressing against his abdomen, then against his ribcage, her hold almost strong enough to bruise the lower stomach area as she mustered her strength to force him onto the concrete pathway.

In seconds, she was holding air, then her body slammed itself against the fence, and she let out a loud 'oof' in the process, realizing that he had vanished.

"Where did you go now?" She muttered irritably, obtaining a sense of humiliation as she released her hold on the fence, her eyes scanning the alley for any sign of him. She was alone, the only sounds remaining were the cackling of dead leaves.

"Someplace where I will be waiting for you, my love. Near the mansion, with the girls, if you can find them. But you must hurry, as you only have less than two hours to rescue them, otherwise they will all become my minions for eternity." His voice etched close to her right ear, raising goose bumps down the back of her neck before vanishing, her eyes widening.

She knew immediately that the search for the missing girls had to begin. She spun back towards the entrance of The Bronze, shoving patrons and other attendants aside carelessly, scanning for Clarice. She walked up towards the coffee attendant, her panic rising as there were no signs of her new acquaintance anywhere within the precinct of the smoke induced club.

"Excuse me, have you seen a girl, somewhat tall, skinny, with long dark brown hair? She was with me earlier tonight." The coffee attendant nodded, shaking maroon bangs off her slim face. "Yeah, she was just here as a matter of fact, but some tall, really hot looking guy came in and took her away, from the looks of it."

Buffy felt as if her chest was about to constrict, until she heard Angel's own voice one again, this time in her mind. "All alone now, aren't we Slayer? If you do not make it in time, perhaps your friend will become my queen instead. Hurry, timing is of the essence." His taunting voice disappeared, leaving Buffy to her devices. "Thank you," she mumbled quickly to the coffee attendant, before exiting through the front entrance, the early rays of dawn rising in the sky, signaling that the sun would soon be arriving.

"Damn, what to do?" Buffy queried, until she noticed in the corner of her eye three women huddled together near the entrance of the club, all dressed in party attire, which consisted of cocktail dresses in various colors and four inch heels.

Intuition told the Slayer to seek out information from the trio. She trotted towards them, the time limit weighing heavily in the back of her mind.

"Hey, did you hear about the girl that disappeared earlier tonight?" One of them asked the other, with an expression full of worry and apprehension. "I did. What's her name? Molly Sanders? I heard the cops said that she disappeared while she was shopping at the Galleria; that not one person saw who took her. Hell, the store was crowded and no one even noticed the guy in the leather jacket who was talking to her. Can you believe that crap? People these days." A tall partier in a red cocktail dress complete with a Jersey accent shook her head in sympathy and horror.

"Not hard to believe Angela. The cops haven't done a thing since all this started happening. It's weird how it all started when those two weird guys moved here. One of them is a complete hunk, but he creeps me out," a much shorter partier in a velvet cocktail dress cajoled, then shuddered, shaking her blonde curls furiously.

"Excuse me, guys, I couldn't help but overhear what you were talking about. A friend of mine disappeared earlier tonight and I'm trying to look for her. Do you mind helping me out with where I might be able to find her and the rest of the girls?" Buffy questioned, keeping her voice calm and sociable.

The three women peered at each other, before the Jersey woman nodded reluctantly. "Sure. What do you need to know?"

"Did any one of you guys see a tall man, dark hair, handsome, with a friend of his with bleach blond hair and leather jacket earlier tonight, inside The Bronze?"

"I did," the woman with the blonde curls responded with a trace of fear in her voice, approaching the Slayer. "The other two girls, they were in the bar across the street over there and I was standing here outside, waiting for them to arrive. I saw the two men going inside; they looked like they were trying to score, if you know what I mean. They were looking at all the girls like they were pieces of meat or something. I wasn't completely sure why, I sensed something was off about them, but I couldn't tell if it was because they were giving off creepy vibes or the fact that they looked like they had fangs coming out of their mouth. I thought I was seeing things."

"Anyways, next thing you know I saw the bleached one leaving the club with one of the girls who was dancing at the time; she didn't look like she was against leaving The Bronze from the way she was looking at him. Then the tall, cute man went outside with one of the others. I think it was a friend of yours; I remember seeing her with you earlier, but I was too scared to do anything because of that expression on his face as soon as he walked out of the club. It scared the hell outta me. I'm really sorry."

Buffy sighed, then nodded her head, encouraging her to continue. "So what happened next, do you know?" The three women each took glances at one another, before the woman in average height wearing a black cocktail dress spoke up. "I'm sure the employees inside must've told you already: the girls pretty much disappeared, they haven't been back since, but I hear a few rumors going around that they're being holed up near a mansion somewhere in the outskirts of the city; I think right next to, what's that cemetery's name? Rosedale or something along those lines. You might be able to find them there. The police aren't helping a damn bit, so it's good to see someone out there actually caring and is doing something about it. We were this close to being nabbed ourselves, but we managed to stay out of trouble just in the nick of time."

"Do us a favor: get the bastards, will you? We don't need them scaring this town anymore than usual," the Jersey woman muted, clutching Buffy's slim arm for a moment before letting it drop.

"No problem. And thanks for your help guys. Stay safe." At this, Buffy flashed a genuine, reassuring smile, turning to head past the alleyway and into a mostly undiscovered tunnel that lead to Rosedale cemetery as the rays of light finally surfaced to the sky.

~~~~/

The fowl scent of disposable garbage and various other materials assaulted the Slayer's nose, her stomach close to reeling over. She let it slide as droplets of rain from the sewers fell into puddles of thick mud and water. She reached the slick ladder that lead to the center of the cemetery, climbing up as she reached the lid, opening it and tossing it aside as she reached the surface.

A decomposed body of a racoon welcomed the Slayer into the middle of a row of desolated crypts. "So disgusting," she miffed in revulsion, wrapping a hand against her abdomen. A slight tingle developed in the back of her mind. She wasn't alone. She pulled a stake from her back pocket, eyes scanning for any opposable presence that might be lurking.

"Who's there?" She called.

"Me, my love. I'm quite surprised you have made it here so quickly," Angel announced, but his presence was nowhere to be seen. He remained in what little shadow was left in the obsolete cemetery. A breeze wafted in the air, branches cackling loudly in the distance.

"Tell me where the girls are," the Slayer demanded, her body tense with alert and readiness. "Why would I do such a thing? Don't you think we should get to know each other a bit better first?" Angel replied coyly. Buffy snorted. "Show yourself, will you? I have no time for games."

"My, aren't we feisty? Of course, I obey, my queen." With those words, he appeared directly in front of the Slayer, looking more dashing and handsome than ever in a velvet tuxedo suit as he was close enough to take her breath away. She forced herself to keep her composure, balling her fists. Now was not the time to falter when innocent lives were at stake.

"Look at me. Look into my eyes," he purred seductively, placing a finger gently underneath her chin, tilting her head. "No." Buffy shook her head, lowering her eyes to avoid his gaze, her eyes looking anywhere but into his own mesmerizing orbs.

"Why fight it? I can give you anything you want, anything that you desire, including a life of normality. It is what you want, correct? I can give you that, and much more."

In spite of her strengthening resolve, she was tempted by his offer. "You can…give me a normal life? Impossible. I could never have one." She lowered her head, shutting her eyes.

"Nothing is impossible, my love, including my ability to walk into the sunlight. Nothing is out of reach as long as you and I are together. And with our child." He pressed his hand against her seemingly growing belly. In the blink of an eye, the Slayer had almost forgotten about the growing fetus inside of her. Or so she had wanted him to believe. "Kids? Get real. Kids are not in my future, buddy. Not as long as I'm here battling the forces of evil," Buffy mimicked Giles' voice.

All traces of coyness were now swept off of Angel's newly scowled face. "How dare you," he seethed, his teeth clenching, his fangs now drawing to his chin.

"Release the girls, or I will kill you. All your dreams of us being together will never happen. Or better yet, I will stake your child."

She pointed the weapon towards her stomach. "You would not do such a thing," Angel's voice was laced with a edge that sent Buffy's heart pacing with trepidation.

"Watch me," she bluffed. Within a matter of minutes and silent contemplation, a decision was made. "Very well," Angel's expression was still one of scowl and contempt, his eyes never leaving Buffy's.

With a snap of his fingers, each crypt that were aligned in single rows transformed into a spikeless Iron Maiden; each of them holding a missing girl in strict confinement.

At the very end was Clarice, gawking at Buffy with surprise, tears and relief pooling in the corners of her eyes. Buffy nodded towards her, assuring her that she was here.

"Happy, now?" Angel bristled. "Almost. But there's another thing: I'm not pregnant," Buffy announced coolly, tugging her hand underneath her light t-shirt to reveal a pillow filled with small cushions and under linings.

"What is this? A trick? Have you fooled me into believing you were carrying my heir?" Angel was taken back, his eyes startled by her revelation, his lips setting into a dangerous line. "Technically. Do you honestly believe that I would let myself get knocked up, even if I couldn't remember at first? You can thank birth control for that. I've been using it for a few months now. I knew that talking about the kid would be your biggest weakness. And second-"

She sprinted towards him, clenching her fist tightly to throw a punch underneath his chin, connecting with his teeth and fangs, his head lolling to the side. "That's for terrorizing these girls and manipulating them. And third, well, your friend William there, he's pretty much dead. Ashes to ashes; not a pretty sight I must say."

The Slayer pointed to a pile of ashes and a leather jacket that was matted over a grassy knoll near the first crypt, signaling his remains. "How did you?-" Angel demanded, his chin now coated with a thin line of blood.

"I'm surprised by how naïve you are when it comes to the power of the Slayer, Angelus. Thankfully, I'm familiar with the mansion, which is abandoned by the way, and Rosedale, so I knew my way around, I just pretended to not know about it. I've set a trap for your hobgoblin that no one knew about; it was a sad thing, really. He didn't notice that I had it laid out only for him until possibly last night. I knew he wasn't gonna get away that easily as soon as he was caught. I was sure of it, which is why I hadn't bothered returning to check on him. I knew he was gonna be dusted. And now, you're next."

With her hand raised high, Buffy plunged the stake thoroughly through Angel's heart, making sure that it penetrated all the way through the seams and back, trails of blood exploding and pouring from underneath the heart valve.

Angel glanced down, a deepening frown setting in his features, with a faint trace of sadness and loss intertwined as he collapsed to the floor. "You'll…regret this," he whispered, his voice faltering completely. His body, once beautiful and stealthy, was now no more than a pile of bones, or so that was what Buffy had believed at first.

"The End of Days is not gonna happen now, not to mention that Queen thing. Ugh. Can't these vamps come up with something more original?" She mumbled indifferently. "Are you guys alright?"

All twenty four girls nodded their heads in a resolute yes. Ripping the straps of metal that were constricting their ribcage, the Slayer pulled them free, each girl expressing their gratitude and relief, throwing their arms around the Slayer in fierce hugs before turning to leave. "Guys, you can take the path down there through the cemetery's entrance. You'll be safe there," Buffy pointed out, before she turn her attentions to Clarice. "Are you alright?"

She nodded hurriedly. "I'm alright, thanks to you. You came just in the nick of time too." Ripping the last shred of cast iron metal aside, Buffy pulled her friend to her feet. "I'm glad to hear that. You sure you're alright?" She questioned, her voice filled with worry. "Don't worry about me. No bite marks or anything. I'm okay," Clarice offered, until she noticed something far ahead in what appeared to be a live body strewn across the grass in between two dilapidated crypts.

"But what about him?" She thrusted her head forward, catching Buffy's attention. "What do you mean? Someone's alive?" "Yeah. I swear it looks like Angel, only he's, well, breathing, and not a vampire. How the hell did that happen?"

Buffy spun qickly towards the bare body, who was breathing soundly against the dry, wheat colored glass. "You gotta be kidding me," Buffy whispered in awe, dropping to her knees to assess whether the person was free of any injuries. "He seems to be alright. What do you think happened?" Clarice offered, eyes widened.

"Not sure, but I think I can figure it out. Hey you, are you alright?" Buffy queried, placing a gentle hand to the man's shoulder. The man pulled himself to his elbows, his eyes squinting against the harsh sun rays. Everything about his movements, his appearance, screamed Angel, but this time, they were inconspicuous.

"Buffy?" He muttered in confusion. "Angel? How do you know my name?" Her mouth was agape.

This resulted in a smile that emanated from him. "How could I forget? I fell in love with you the first moment I saw you, but my demon half was controlling me. You saved me from him. You set me free from his evil."

Both girls stood as still as stones. "By staking him. Were you cursed?"

"For a very long time. I was a vampire, but I wasn't like my counterpart. I had a conscience. Until my mother and father, who were royalty, decided that I needed to be like they were: absolute evil, so they cursed me. I've been this way ever since, with no end in sight. I wasn't like the other vampires; since I was a vampire prince, I had the ability to walk into the sunlight anytime I wanted, enter a church, touch crosses, everything.

"The more older I got, the more evil I became, until I succeeded the throne, and by then, I was in desperate need to have a Queen, in order to bear a child. By then I knew about the End of Days, and that was also the time where I met William. Either way, I was unsuccessful throughout the centuries to find a bride, until one day I came here and found you. I had no idea you were the Slayer. I shouldn't had underestimated you like that. I only heard a few tales about the Chosen One throughout the years I was Angelus. I'm so sorry. For everything." He collapsed to the ground, his eyes closed against the sun's brightness.

Buffy cradled his head into her lap, caressing his pale cheek, which felt warm underneath her fingers. "Don't be. This wasn't your fault. It was his, and your parents. But I think now you were given a second chance, am I right?" Buffy's amazement still resonated.

"Yes, well, that's true, it seems. I don't feel the evil in me anymore, but I do want to be with you. I feel like with you, I can be the righteous man that I want to become. Not all this."

"And you will. I'll make sure of that," Buffy conceded. Basking under the sun, with Clarice in tow looking on at the two former enemies in awe, the Slayer and her former nemesis united themselves with a chaste kiss, for another chance at love, and most importantly for him, redemption.

A/N: This is definitely the final chapter for Pyre's Song. I'm pleased with how it turned out as it was a great story to write, and a lot of fun I must say. Super ultra big thank you's to all those who reviewed, favorited, etc, etc. I hope you guys were pleased with this. I knew what I wanted to write for chapter twelve, except for the ending because I was contemplating at least three or four for this, but I've decided to settle for this one instead, as it's a bit unique. Angelus' seductive vampire powers may have been proven powerful at one point against the Slayer, but I had wanted to make sure that Buffy's resilience and intelligence would be shown, especially with the scene involving William's death.

Not only is the Slayer intelligence, but she is also crafty and sneaky as well, which is why I decided not to write in the scene involving her planning and setting the trap for him, heh. Thank you for taking the time to read this story guys. As always, feedback is greatly appreciated.