A.N.: And now for chapter 3!
Disclaimer: Same as Always: P
Buffy burst from the room, poised and ready for a fight. She circled the figure in the center of the room, noticing as Angel crossed to it. He looked angry as he pulled the figure to his face. "I told you to GO HOME." He growled as the person shook glass from his brown hair. "Yeah and you expected me to listen why?" "Dammit Connor!" the vampire shoved the other male harshly. "I don't want you in this fight." "I can help!" he cried as Buffy watched them perplexed. "No, you can go home! Like I told you to before." Angel and the young man were staring each other down, neither budging from their position. Buffy waved a hand in the air. "Um…hi. Care to tell the rest of us what is going on?" she questioned.
"So you," she paused pointing at Angel. "And Darla made him." She spun back around to point a finger at Connor. "Yeah. That's the cliff notes version." Angel replied."Bit of understatement." Spike scoffed as Buffy whirled on him. "And you knew!" he flinched momentarily. "Um…yeah. Peaches was feeling like sharing, let's not make a thing of it." "And you didn't think to, oh I don't know tell me!" Spike shrugged a shoulder. "Wasn't my tale to tell love." "And I didn't share anything with him, he wouldn't leave my office until I told him. " Spike smirked at Angel. "Right. So the drinks, and late night talks meant nothing to you then?" Buffy and Angel turned and bit out simultaneously. "Shut up Spike!" He lifted his mouth in a smirk leaning in towards them. "Well that's a rub init? I can think of a time when neither of you had any complaints about this mouth and it's various skills." Angel immediately dropped his gaze looking slightly embarrassed, but Buffy just made a sound that was a mix of a scoff and a chuckle as she grabbed her beloved vampires' hand. "You're a pig Spike." she replied, affectionately squeezing the digits coiled around her own.
Angel grabbed Connor by his arm moving off to the side so he could avoid having to watch Spike and Buffy. "I meant what I said," he warned as Connor shook him off. "So did I, I can help," "And how exactly do you think you can help?" Angel inquired. "Dad, things are bad right now...really bad. You have a dragon outside and a hell of a lot of demons or whatever the hell is outside. You look like you could use all the help you can get." Angel huffed in response, letting out a resigned sigh. "Fine. Stay. But you do what I say when I say it, got it." Connor gave a mock salute and added. "Aye aye captain." as his father tried to suppress a groan. "I mean it Connor," "Okay Dad, if it will stop you from having an aneurism, then rest easy, you're the boss." The older man gave a small grateful smile, giving his son a pat on the arm. "I'm glad you're here Connor." His gaze shifted momentarily to the broken skylight above. "But bursting in through the skylight...It's a bit dramatic, don't you think?" Connor rolled his eyes at the question. "Well your front door was kinda blocked by the army of hell."
Connor and Angel's banter was cut short by a petite hand thrust in between. "Sorry to interrupt the bonding moment, but I wanted to officially introduce myself, I'm Buffy. Nice to meet you." She coupled her introduction with a giant smile as Connor placed his hand in her own. "I'm Connor." his eyes traveled the length of her body as he smiled at her. "You have your fathers' smile." he blushed, his grin growing a little wider. "Well, I'm off to convene with Giles and talk battle strategies." Her eyes met Angels' for the briefest second before she turned and walked away.
He watched her with fascination, puzzled that he could see all of her teenager features and her adult features mixing together to make a new face. A face he knew that he both loved and didn't know at all. Life had a funny way of changing all the things he loved. His eyes scanned the warriors, dozens of Slayer he had never seen before, Xander giving battle instructions, Illyria, regarding the group with interest, Willow, looking spent, Giles, checking injuries, and Faith up and walking around. His gaze did a double take as he ran over to her side. "Faith, what the hell are you doing up?" his tone was a mixture of anger and concern as she waved him off. "Damn Angel, you sound like B. Im fine. Five by five." she moved one step, faltered, then fell. Angel caught her on his arm, pulling her into his side. "You don't look fine Faith." "Okay you caught me, but I don't have time to be hurt and you don't have time to play nursemaid." she grumbled, straightening. "Willow's barrier will hold for a little while. Give you time to catch your breath." He said, staring down at her. "Can't. Slayer. Miles to go Angel."
she smiled weakly at him, brushing back sweat soaked hair. Angels' hand replaced her own as she started at the sudden coolness on her skin. "Faith, you're hot." she chuckled under her breath. "Tell me something I don't know." "I mean it Faith..." "Look Angel if it will get you off my ass, I'll go talk to Willow, get her to patch me up. Not much for the magic mojo but," "It will." he nodded. "Fine, lead the way."
Spike watched as the brunette paced in front of him, he wanted to say something, but he knew better than to break into her concentration. Finally she turned and crossed her arms, leaning up against the marble counter. "I'm mad at you." she said softly. Spike nodded in agreement. "Well I didn't think you were very taken with me Nibblet, what with all the glaring." "I wasn't glaring!" she declared. "If looks could kill I would setting up shop in a dust buster right now." she laughed in spite of herself, giggling slightly before her face turned back to its solemn mask. "No making me laugh Spike! I'm upset." "Yeah I can see that." "You didn't tell me you were alive..." she broke off, hands falling to her sides. "Me...do you know how that makes me feel?" Spike opened his mouth to respond as Dawn plowed on. "Like crap! Like you didn't care about me at all, like we weren't friends at all," her eyes started to fill with tears as Spike shook his head. "We were friends Bit, we are," "Then why?" "We didn't exactly leave on the best of terms, wasn't sure if I should tell anyone, then Buffy came and found me, I'm sorry I didn't tell you. Sorry that I hurt your feelings." he tried to reach for her, as her eyes found his. "I'm glad you're back Spike. I missed you." she whispered before launching herself into his arms and gripping him in a bear hug. Spike let out a relieved sigh as his arms held her to him. "I missed you to Dawn."
"And you can't stand him...Him! The guy who is hugging my sister and helping save the world again, you hate him." Buffy stated as a exasperated Watcher swiped his glasses from his face. "Buffy for God's sake there are more important things going on than you needing my approval for Spike. People are dying, there are demons on the front porch, and there is still more calamity to come. The armies of hell are storming the gates and..." he sighed heavily, leaning into her. "I am absolutely confounded on your choice of a partner! I mean he smokes, he drinks, he is obnoxious. " he rubbed his eyes wearily as Buffy took his arm. "There is more to him than that. He's..." "I do apologize for going down that road Buffy. If we survive this apocalypse then we will have time to discuss your questionable choice of company. For now, can we please just," she leaned her head on his shoulder. "Don't worry Giles, everything is going to be okay." He looked down at her fondly, pushing a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. A loud growl wailed from the front of the hotel followed by the clash of steel and a chorus of panicked screams. Giles locked eyes with his Slayer "Perhaps we shouldn't say that phrase in the midst of an apocalypse." her only reply was a quickening of her feet as she raced out of the room.
A.W.: Geez these introductions are kicking my ass, I have so much I want to put in a chapter, but then half of it ends up going to the way side. Also...Should I have Gunn die or live? I need some feedback Asap. I have never had to write him so it would be a challenge. Let me know what you think. Stay tuned!...Please :)