A.N.: Back for more...second chapter here we come!
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, just playing with them for a bit.
Angel paced the floor, half mad with worry, trying not to flinch every time a monstrous roar would sound from just outside the hotel. He bunched his fists at his sides, released them and then bunched them again...tension rolling off of him in waves. Willow placed a hand on his shoulder softly. "She'll be okay Angel. Try and relax."
He ignored her words, choosing to concentrate on what he could control. "The barrier?" he questioned tightly. "Oh yeah! No worries, it's up and running, fully functional and honky dory." he cracked a small grin at her enthusiasm. "Sorry Willow, it's just been..." he broke off, lowering himself to the nearest chair, running a hand over his weary face. "Apocalypses can make you cranky. Specially when there is always more than the one." she pulled her hair back into a ponytail. "I'm worried." he whispered. As Willow punched his arm lightly. "You have a whole army of Slayers, an uber witch working her mojo, a blue demony thing..what's her story anyway?" "It's a long one." "Anyway what do you have to worry about?" Angel sighed, meeting her eyes, staring past her to the vampire tending to his Slayer. "Just little things I guess."
"Did I fall asleep?" Buffy groaned, stretching out her body on the couch. Spike chuckled slightly "Yeah, just for a bit." She fingered the black knot on her shoulder, meeting his gaze. "Is this your handiwork?" "Everyone else was a bit preoccupied. Had to make due." She smiled at him widely. "You ruined your shirt for me?" She traced the cuts on his arms soothingly, other hand mapping out the bruises across his torso. " Do you need someone to patch you up?" he smirked at her. "These?Nah...barely even feel them." She leaned in, kissing one of his particularly deep cuts. "Um...Buffy," He was flustered , almost embarrassed at the affection. "Anything else I can kiss and make better?" he smiled knowingly at her. "Oh I can think of a few things." A loud cough to their side made both of them jump.
Dawn was standing with her arms crossed, glaring disapprovingly at the couple. "You guys SO need to get a room." "Dawn, remember the conversation about how my personal relationships are just that...personal?" "Well if they are your personal relationships you don't need to be getting it on on the couch of a hotel with about seventy people watching." "They could stand to learn a thing or two." Spike interjected as Dawn fixed her gaze on him. "And you...we need to have words." Spike looked bewildered at Buffy who shrugged her shoulders. "Your on your own with that one." Suddenly Spike looked terrified.
Illryia was standing in the shadows, rotating her shoulders in slow circles until it popped back into it's rightful place. "That sounded like it hurt." a male said from beside her. "The pain was miniscule and brief." she replied, taking in his features. "You are missing an eye." she stated, tilting her head at him in speculation. "What? Shit! I wonder where I put it." he laughed softly. "You jest." "Yeah, I jest." "I do not find you humorous." the male shook his head. "Well it was worth a shot." he stated, walking out of the shadows and into the fray.
Giles exited out from the room, rolling his sleeves back down as Angel crossed to him. "How is she?" "Resting. She's lost a lot of blood and she is not out of the woods yet." "But she's going to," "Make it yes. We will need to ensure that she can have a recovery period." "Willow said the barrier will hold." "I should hope so, our very lives depend on it." Buffy came bounding up at that moment. "Geez Giles, your always so doom and gloom." Giles sighed heavily. "Buffy in case you have failed to notice our predicament, we are surrounded by gloom and doom." "Yeah but we have to stay positive for the troops." Angel cut into the conversation. "Can I see her?" Giles opened his mouth to speak, stopped at he watched Buffy lay an hand on Angels' arm. "Actually guys, I was wondering if I could see her," she paused, looking up into Angel's eyes. "Just for a minute." Angel nodded. "Yeah. That's fine with me." "Me as well. But when you are done we will need to convene. Talk battle strategy, regroup," Buffy rolled her eyes lovingly at her aged Watcher. "Yeah okay Giles, I'll try to contain my excitement until we can do that." she retorted sarcastically, pushing past him and into the room. Xander ran up to Angel and Giles. "Whoa! Did you guys see the dragon outside?" The stoic vampire and elder man exchanged annoyed looks, choosing to ignore Xander.
Faith was taking in shuddering breaths, looking wan and pasty against the burgundy sheet that covered the lower half of her body. Buffy felt a sob catch in her throat, taking the brunette Slayers hand in her own. "You saved my life Faith..." she laughed quietly, thinking about a lifetime ago when the girl had saving her from Trick. She sighed, tears leaking out and down her face. "Your getting good at that." Faith coughed once, a violent sound accompanying the blondes tears. "Damn B, is this a lifetime movie, or what?" she laughed. "You're awake?" "A little hard to get good rest when you have an assload of people outside stomping around..." she pushed herself up to a sitting position. "Not to mention the noise going on outside of the hotel." Buffy looked up at her. "Yeah it's getting pretty grumbly out there." "Just lets me know what's coming." she let out a breathe as she said this, shifting with a wince of pain. "Are you okay?" "Just a gaping stomach wound..." she hissed. "I'll be fine." Buffy rose from the side of her bed. "Well I should let you get some rest." "There's no rest for the wicked." she muttered, trying to get up. "Faith! You have to give yourself some time heal." Buffy stated, placing her hand on her shoulder, putting the slightest bit of pressure on it. "There is no time B! That was just round one...round two is right around the corner," she met Buffys' wide worried eyes. "Are you ready for it?" Buffy's replied caught in her throat as a thunderous crash and the tinkling of glass sounded from the opposing room.
Afterword: Dun Dun DUN! Stay tuned :)