Episode 6.14
Slayer
By Maddy
"What do you mean, 'they've been kidnapped'?" asked a frantic Sarah; she looked fleetingly around the room as though they might miraculously appear and it would have been some sick and twisted joke. She had been resting in her room and had missed all the action. And had no idea what was going on, or why.
"Gee," snapped Jade. "Like it means. They got themselves taken; I don't know completely what went down. Faith made me hide."
"Her horrible speaking habits are beginning to rub off on you," Sarah pointed out, facing off with the younger Slayer.
"Whoa, hold it you guys," jumped in Bri.
Alyson nodded in agreement. "We need to calm down and think of some way to help them. No need to worry." The look on the newcomer's face was telling them otherwise. There was something to worry about: Faith, Angel and Gunn were missing, feared kidnapped and Spike and Connor were missing, feared dead. Alyson was obviously trying to keep the others calm and unfortunately it wasn't working.
"Our leaders and most experienced warriors have all gotten themselves in dire trouble. I believe there is reason to worry…and panic," Sarah said as she walked over to the large cabinet that Angel loved. She pulled open the doors of the weapons cabinet and began assessing which weapons they would use to rescue the others.
Alyson stepped up next to Sarah. "I know you're worried about Connor, but I'm-"
"What is that supposed to mean?" Sarah asked, looking at the Slayer sharply.
"Nothing."
"Good." Sarah returned her attention to the weapons before her. "Good."
Alyson smiled slightly and forced the smile from becoming a grin. "Okay, then." She turned and left Sarah to her weapons and worrying. As soon as Alyson had left her side, Sarah let out a small sigh of relief, but she bit her lip upon realizing that her feelings for Connor may be more obvious then she would like. She hoped Connor hadn't noticed.
The weapons in the cabinet varied in size and durability, this was of little consequence to the Slayers as they were all, with the exception of Jade, well trained in the use of nearly all weapons. Sarah took charge as she did in most aspects of her life and the others didn't mind following. For the moment.
Minutes later armed to the teeth, the four young women walked out into Los Angeles to find their missing friends.
What do you do when the world is handed to you?
That morning
The happiness that Angel felt wasn't there when he woke up; Buffy was no longer by his side. Frowning, Angel moved to the dresser and changed into a new set of clothes, he needed to go shopping. God forbid anyone know I'm thinking about shopping, thought the vampire smiling to himself. With his heightened vampire hearing, Angel knew the majority of his crew were already downstairs, once dressed he joined his new family.
Buffy greeted him first, smiling ever so slightly as he walked up next to her. "Good morning."
"Good morning."
"I'm leaving today."
Angel nodded, saddened but not surprised. Now was not their time. She was needed elsewhere and he was needed here. The world owns us right now. "When?"
"Um…" She looked around for a clock and when she couldn't find one, scrunched up her face in concentration. He loved that face. "My flights at 12:35. So whenever that is that's when I'm leaving."
"Quick visit." He commented, taking a seat next to her on the circular lounge. "You know you're welcome to stay long-"
"I know I am." She rushed. "But I have to be getting back." They both knew she was lying and although they both wanted her to stay now wasn't the time.
"Okay, we'll have someone take you-"
"Oh, please. I'm the – I'm a Slayer. I can handle myself. Even with the mini war zone you're living in. How's that going by the way?"
Angel shrugged, but was happy that the conversation had drifted into more comfortable territory. "No one patrols alone. The girls have to have me, Spike, Gunn or Connor with them. Even Faith. I know she doesn't like the plan, but Slayers are the main target, right?"
"Right."
"Places are either rundown, destroyed or abandoned. Some suburbs are worse than others. The demons had a field day. Or several." He laughed bitterly. "And I'm responsible."
Buffy's eyes widened in alarm. "No, you're not."
"Yes, Buffy. I am. We are. Wesley, Gunn, Spike and I did this." He looked out towards the garden behind the hotel. "We started this war."
Buffy remained silent, Angel wanted her to keep on insisting that he wasn't responsible, that there was no way he could have known a war would have begun that night, but she didn't. Angel was glad; he didn't want to be lied to. Instead, she took his hand and squeezed it tightly.
What do you do when you know the happiness won't last?
"What are you two doing?" asked Sarah as she walked out of her room and discovered Briana and Jade hiding behind the banisters and looking down over the foyer. "Are you spying on Angel and Buffy?"
"No!" answered Briana much to quickly and loudly for it to be the actual truth.
"Sure." Answered Sarah. "I believe you."
"Quiet," Jade said, hushing them both. Sarah rolled her eyes and walked down the stairs to the lobby. The youngest Slayers watched her greet Buffy and Angel as she walked past. "What's Sarah doing down there anyway?" Jade continued, "I mean, it's not like we have food or anything interesting in the lobby."
"Except Angel and Buffy," pointed out Briana.
"Except that," agreed Jade. "They do provide some much needed distraction. Not much to do here except fight demons and be bored."
"And we haven't even been fighting demons. Just been bored."
"Right," Jade nodded, turning her attention back to the couple on the weird shaped sofa. They weren't talking anymore, just sitting there…being boring. "Yeah, where did Sarah go?"
"In the office," answered Briana, not missing a beat. She had only known Jade for a few weeks, but they had already developed a good relationship. Briana was sometimes jealous of the time Jade spent with Faith. Briana didn't want to spend time with Faith, but with Jade. She was closest to Briana's age and a complete opposite to Sarah, whom she spent a lot of time with.
"Didn't Connor go in there in few minutes ago?"
"Yeah…" replied Briana, drawing out the word. Her eyes lit up, "you don't think something is going on between him and Sarah, do you?"
"Be weird if there was," Jade answered, taking her eyes off Angel and Buffy, they still aren't doing anything worth spying on. "Sarah's all posh and uptight…and Connor's…" she fought for the right word. "Not," she finished lamely. "I don't see it." And I don't want to see it.
"Me neither," mumbled Briana, turning her back on the lobby and resting against the railing. She fidgeted with her hands, "but if it'll turn her into a real person, I say go for it."
"Who's going for what?"
Jade and Briana both jumped as they saw that Buffy and Angel had silently sneaked up on the younger Slayers and were standing by the top of the stairs looking very pleased with themselves.
"Nothing, nothing," said Jade, trying to keep her face free of any guilty looks.
"We were just talking," added Briana, scrambling to get to her feet. "I'll see you later."
Jade smiled and ran after Briana leaving Buffy and Angel to laugh quietly amongst themselves.
"They're quite a pair," commented Buffy, still smiling.
"I wouldn't really know about that."
"Why not?" she asked becoming serious.
Angel shrugged dismissively. "I don't socialize with the girls. My fault, I guess."
"You're going to have to change that."
Angel nodded and folded his arms across his chest. "I know. I know."
"Is there something going on between Sarah and Connor?" asked Buffy.
"I think Connor wants there to be. I don't know what's happening on Sarah's end though."
"Another attempt at non-socializing?"
"No, because it would be weird."
Buffy laughed and Angel's heart warmed at the act. At least I know she can still laugh and that I can be the cause of it. In a good way, not a bad way…
"You're still a guy so I shouldn't expect too much from you."
"On behalf of my gender, 'hey'."
She laughed again. Her eyes sparkled and for an instant she was the girl he used to know all those years ago. Sometimes he wished she would come back and other times he was glad Buffy had grown up into the woman she was: strong willed and independent.
"It's good to see you laugh."
"It's good to laugh," Buffy admitted. "Don't do it as much, I'm afraid."
"Why's that?" Angel asked, genuinely interested in her life. She shrugged and tried to smile reassuringly but failed. Angel frowned but didn't press the issue. As much as I would love to, I don't think I have the right anymore. I haven't had the right for a long time. So instead of talking about their feelings and their lives apart from each other, the vampire slayer and vampire stood in silence while the rest of the Hotel woke up around them.
--
Faith didn't like it when Spike woke up first, she was her most vulnerable when she was asleep, her guard was down and anyone could 'attack.' Call it old insecurities but Faith still didn't completely trust a living soul and the only non-living one she did trust was Angel. Spike hasn't gained my trust yet. Faith frowned as she watched her lover sleep soundly beside her, I wonder if he's thinking about her now? Quit it, Faith, she chided herself, she had finally thought herself free from the jealousy of Buffy that had…well let's say it wasn't pretty.
Faith quietly left the bed, taking a new set of clothes with her and changed in the bathroom. Once finished changing clothes she left the old ones in a pile on the bathroom floor and snuck out of their room and headed towards the lobby. Being the – a – Slayer has definitely helped me sneak out of a lot of rooms in the past and here I'd hoped things had changed.
"Morning, Faith," greeted Sarah as Faith reached the main floor of the Hyperion Hotel, the older slayer raised her eyebrows at Miss Goody Two Shoes. What's put her in such a lovely mood? But her question was answered almost immediately.
"Hi, Faith."
"Connor," She said in way of a reply, a small smile playing on her lips. "Morning, Sarah."
The British Slayer nodded slightly in response. "What would you like for breakfast? Connor and I were thinking about going and getting some real food instead of what rubbish we have here."
"Hey!" both Connor and Faith exclaimed.
"I helped buy that rubbish," continued Faith.
"So did I," added Connor.
Sarah sighed, "You didn't buy anything. You took it. Which is what I'm planning on doing-"
"Who's planning what?" asked Gunn, curious that they were already up to something this early in the day. The former lawyer walked next to Faith and dug his hands in his pockets. "So what are we doing?"
"Crime," deadpanned Connor.
"Oh. Okay." Gunn looked between Sarah and Faith. "What's the crime?"
"Food," answered Sarah before Faith could. "Connor and I are going to get us some food – better food – and I want to know what everyone would like for breakfast."
"Sweet. That food wasn't very good."
"Hey!" cried Connor and Faith again.
"You do something for a guy and look what happens," muttered Connor. Gunn found the whole thing quite amusing, but decided it was probably best to change the subject.
"Anyone seen the new girl today?" asked Gunn looking around the lobby. The others either shook their head or said no. "I'll get Bri or Jade to check on her."
"I'll do it," offered Faith, "I wanted to see how Jade's feeling anyway." The brunette slayer took their lack of response as the go-ahead and walked back up the stairs. "Maybe we should go to a doctor…" she said softly to herself as she neared the top of the stairs.
"Thinking out loud, F?"
"Whoa," Faith jumped slightly as Buffy and Angel stepped out of the shadows. "Stealthy."
"It happens," quipped the blonde Slayer.
Faith nodded slowly trying to assess what was going on in front of her. Buffy and Angel…alone in the dark…am I the only one that sees the bad there? "What are you guys doing?"
"Just talking. I'll be leaving soon," explained Buffy, Angel remained standing with his arms crossed over his chest. The vampire hadn't said a word.
"I thought you said that didn't need you for a while?" inquired Faith, taking the final steps to the second level, keeping her eyes on Angel as his faced filled with shock for just a moment. Maybe the broody one didn't remember his lady love saying that part.
"They don't. But I do have stuff there I have to do. It's not all about demons and apocalypses."
"I know that." I totally know that. Here I am worried about the welfare of some kid. We're living in crazy times. "I'm going to check on Jade and see what's happened to that Alyson chick."
"Sure," answered Buffy.
"When are you blowing this-?"
"My flight's at 12:35," answered Buffy, knowing what Faith was planning on asking. Faith just gave a slight nod and walked past the couple. No, don't think of them as that. That road leads to much confusion. For everyone involved.
Alyson's room wasn't adjoined to anyone else's and was nearest to the stairs so Faith stopped there first. The brunette slayer knocked hard on the other slayer's door, which opened almost instantly.
"Faith, right?" Alyson asked by way of greeting. Faith nodded, Alyson stepped aside and Faith was surprised that the newcomer had already added her homey touches to the otherwise bare room.
"Like what you've done with the place," commented Faith, checking out the pictures on the bedside table and the posters above the bed. "Got a thing for movies?"
"Yeah," answered Alyson stepping up next to Faith. "What's up?"
"Got nominated to check on you."
"Does that happen a lot? Checking on each other I mean."
"We live in a dangerous world right now."
"Haven't we always?"
Faith looked sideways at the newest Slayer to join their ranks. "More now than it used to be, for the L.A people anyway." Faith suddenly remembered why she came up here. It wasn't to chat, see how she is and leave. "You fitting in okay?"
"Sure. Why?"
"Being the new kid and all. Just came to see how you were doing."
"I'm good," Alyson replied moving to sit on her bed. "This should be fun."
"You have no idea how much fun it can be. Be careful what you wish for," advised Faith, knowing full well how bad and how quickly things can turn. "Sarah and Connor are getting everyone breakfast. Go down and tell them what you'd like," Faith said walking towards the door.
"Thanks, honey."
Faith stopped and turned slightly, looking Alyson in the eyes. "And don't call me 'honey.'"
What do you do when life looks too good to be true?
After breakfast, which the entire Gang attended, including Buffy, there wasn't much time left before Buffy's flight so she and Angel walked out into the garden to say their goodbyes.
"Goodbye Buffy," said Angel taking the Slayer into his arms. The small blonde let him and rested her head on his chest. The silence was welcome and so very familiar. "Don't be a stranger."
"You know I will," Buffy said smiling as she lifted her head to look into his eyes. "Doesn't mean I won't call, but…"
"I get it." It was just too hard to be around each other, Angel understood why she wanted and had to leave. It hurt too much to stay.
"Become friends with the girls, Angel. They're your link to the real world now. Don't push them away."
"I don't push people away," he replied defending himself. Buffy gave him a look as though to say 'whom do you think you're kidding?' They shared a small smile. "I'll miss you."
Her smiled widened. "I'll miss you too. Kiss for the road?"
Angel stiffened slightly; Cordelia had said pretty much the same thing before he found out she was dead. He nodded and even though Buffy noticed his strange behaviour gladly kissed Angel on the lips. The kiss quickly became more passionate; Buffy moved her fingers through his hair while Angel moved his hands over the small of her back.
"You guys finished?" asked Briana, causing the slayer and vampire to jump apart. Briana smiled and began laughing at the guilty looks on both their faces. "You two are priceless," she sniggered walking back into the lobby of the Hotel. The others were congregating in the lobby waiting for the legendary Slayer to depart.
Buffy hugged Spike tightly and told him to call her once in a while. He promised that he would. Faith told Buffy to not say anything to Robin about her and Spike, Buffy understood, sometimes it was just better to leave things alone.
Buffy said goodbye to the younger Slayers in Wesley's old office, the others were very curious as to what was being said but knew that no one was going to tell them. Gunn said that secrets were never good. Connor said that it wouldn't be anything major, maybe just a pep talk.
Buffy left only minutes later, she caught a cab to the airport and Angel walked up the stairs and locked himself in his room.
"What's wrong with Angel?" asked Alyson, curious to find out about her new family.
"What isn't?" answered Sarah, getting looks from everyone. She didn't back down, look away or leave. "Oh, please. I'm not the only one who thinks so."
It has been generally decided to ignore Sarah when she got snobby, but Connor couldn't help but smile.
What do you do when people surprise you?
By nightfall Angel had remerged from his room and began delegating tasks to his crew. He would patrol with Faith and Gunn while Spike and Connor would patrol with Jade, as she needed more field experience. The other Slayers would stay at the Hotel and train.
The objections began immediately.
"I don't see why I have to remain here," said Sarah.
"I don't want to go patrolling," said Jade.
Briana looked happy with her situation, she didn't really want to be put into any danger. But Alyson thought she needed to go patrolling to show them that she was capable.
Spike wanted to patrol with Faith, while Faith wanted to patrol with Jade. Gunn shared Bri's sentiments and couldn't care less about whom he patrolled with, just as long as he got to kill bad guys he was happy.
"Why can't we patrol as a group?" asked Connor.
"Too many of us," answered Angel, not amused at their reactions. "Jade you will be patrolling, you need the experience. End of story. Sarah…don't even get me started with you." Sarah opened her mouth to object but Angel continued talking. "Faith, Jade can come with us. Connor and Spike should be fine with just the two of them. You girls," he said directing his attention to the other young Slayers. "Will stay here and train. I'm not going to be responsible for Slayers getting themselves killed because they got sloppy." He looked around the room, settling his eyes on each of them. "Okay, everyone knows what they're got to do. Get to it."
"Is he always like this when Buffy leaves?" Briana asked Faith, who didn't reply. "So that's a 'yes' then?"
What do you do when goodbyes are hard to say?
Several hours later Briana was pacing the floor of the basement training room. "They should be back by now. They've been gone way too long. Sunrise is in-" she checked the time on her wrist watch. "-Six hours. Where are they?"
"Don't know, sweetie," answered Alyson as she returned the long sword to its place on a stand by the wall. It was her favourite weapon and used it to even kill vampires.
"Maybe we should go find them."
"And where would we start looking?" Alyson picked up the nearest towel and began wiping the sweat off her body. "I'm sure they can take care of themselves."
At the moment they heard yelling from the level above them.
"What the?" asked Briana, not thinking twice as she bound up the stairs. Alyson was quick to follow, fear gripping her heart. When they reached to lobby Jade came rushing towards them. She seemed fine so it was obvious the yelling wasn't about her.
"Oh, god. They've been taken," Jade cried, grabbing Alyson by the arms. "Angel, Gunn and Faith have been kidnapped."
"What?" asked a stunned Alyson, denying what Jade had just said. "Kidnapped?"
"What's going on?" asked Sarah running down the stairs, Jade let go of Alyson, who was happy to have her arms back, and ran towards Sarah.
"They've been taken and Spike and Connor could be seriously hurt," explained Jade.
"Wait. What?" asked Alyson. "Start from the beginning, honey."
"Okay," nodded Jade. "We were all together 'cause we were on our way back to the Hotel when we got jumped by a big group of demons and vampires. Faith made me hide, which I happily did and I watched the fight from behind some garbage cans. Well, Angel, Gunn and Faith were all badly hurt and knocked unconscious. Spike and Connor were still fighting them when Spike told me to run back here."
"They've been kidnapped?" asked Bri. "How do you know?"
"Because I saw them get dragged away," answered Jade, the young Slayer sighed and sat down on the lounge.
"What do you mean, 'they've been kidnapped'?" asked a frantic Sarah; she looked fleetingly around the room as though they might miraculously appear and it would have been some sick and twisted joke. She had been resting in her room and had missed all the action. And had no idea what was going on, or why.
"Gee," snapped Jade. "Like it means. They got themselves taken; that's what went down. Faith made me hide."
"Her horrible speaking habits are beginning to rub off on you," Sarah pointed out, facing off with the younger Slayer.
"Whoa, hold it you guys," Briana jumped in.
Alyson nodded in agreement. "We need to calm down and think of some way to help them. No need to worry." The look on the newcomer's face was telling them otherwise. There was something to worry about: Faith, Angel and Gunn were missing, feared kidnapped and Spike and Connor were missing, feared dead. Alyson was obviously trying to keep the others calm and unfortunately it wasn't working.
"Our leaders and most experienced warriors have all gotten themselves in dire trouble. I believe there is reason to worry…and panic," said Sarah as she walked over to the large cabinet that Angel loved. She pulled open the doors of the weapons cabinet and began assessing which weapons they would use to rescue the others.
Alyson stepped up next to Sarah. "I know you're worried about Connor, but I'm-"
"What is that supposed to mean?" Sarah asked, looking at the Slayer sharply.
"Nothing."
"Good." Sarah returned her attention to the weapons before her. "Good."
Alyson smiled slightly and forced the smile from becoming a grin. "Okay, then." She turned and left Sarah to her weapons and worrying. As soon as Alyson had left her side, Sarah let out a small sigh of relief, but she bit her lip upon realising that her feelings for Connor may be more obvious then she would like. She hoped Connor hadn't noticed.
The weapons in the cabinet varied in size and durability, this was of little consequence to the Slayers as they were all, with the exception of Jade, well trained in the use of nearly all weapons. Sarah took charge as she did in most aspects of her life and the others didn't mind following. For the moment.
Minutes later armed to the teeth, the four young women walked out into Los Angeles to find their missing friends.
What do you do when they need a leader?
------------
Slayer Part Two
"I only got here yesterday and look what's already happened," stated Alyson taking the lead with Sarah, Jade was sticking close to Briana just a few steps behind the older two. "You know, I didn't mean to say something I shouldn't have. Well, not many people say things they shouldn't, so let me re-word that-"
"It's okay. Really. I'm fine."
"You don't seem fine," Alyson said, noticing how tense and rigid Sarah was walking.
"No, honestly, I'm fine." She looked down at the broadsword in her hand. "I just want to find them."
Alyson nodded and decided it was best to change the subject. "Sure, sweetie." This girl is uptight, that's for damn sure. Maybe I should just be quiet. The nineteen year old turned her attention to the girls behind her. "You two okay back there?"
"Yep," answered Bri in her usual bubbly voice. Doesn't she ever get sad or depressed? She's a walking ad for Prozac.
"All's good from here. You seen anything?" asked Jade, stepping into her role as a slayer more and more each day.
"No. Not a thing," admitted Sarah, stopping suddenly. "I don't even know what I'm looking for."
"Well neither do we," added Bri. "We should stop walking around without a clue and come up with some sort of-" she stopped talking, the older Slayers, both perplexed by her sudden silence turned to face Briana.
"What's wrong, honey?" asked Alyson, taking a few small steps towards the Slayer who's eyes were wide with fear. Jade was sharing the same expression, the eldest Slayers shared a worried glance until Jade lifted her hand and pointed behind the older girls and across the street. Alyson and Sarah turned and followed where Jade was pointing. Alyson realized what it was first. Her eyes widened, her mouth fell open and she looked at Sarah, who's puzzled face suddenly and almost violently filled with recognition. Alyson attempted to stop Sarah, but she was too fast for Alyson to catch her.
"Sarah, no!" Alyson yelled running after the distraught Slayer. Briana and Jade shared a look before running after them. Bri muttering about how this was a very bad idea. Alyson agreed. "It could be a trap!"
"I don't care!" yelled back Sarah as she neared the footpath. She stopped at the base of the light pole, staring up at what had been haphazardly tied up with ropes. She couldn't believe what she was seeing, but she knew it was true. She reached out and had her hand pulled away by Alyson.
"Are you really that stupid?"
Sarah shook her hand away. "Are you? Do you seriously think they would d-do this-" she looked back up, took a deep breath then returned to yelling at the Slayer. "And leave him to be a trap, they would have no idea where we'd go. They did this just because they could. And I'm getting him down."
"Who's they?" asked a scared Jade. Briana looked sideways at Jade, not knowing how to comfort her. "Why would they do this?"
"I don't know who they are and I don't give a damn." Sarah once again reached up and once again had her hand pulled away Alyson.
"Well, I do give a damn. I give a damn about you, and Bri and Jade. I don't care if you do or not, but I will not let you risk our lives, Sarah, he might not even be alive-"
"S-Sarah…"
"Oh, god." Sarah pulled her hand free and Alyson was in too much shock to stop her from reaching up and touching Connor's jeans leg. "It'll be alright, we'll get you down. How are we going to get him down?" she asked Alyson and the others. It was dark in the street, this seemed to be one of the worse hit ones. It was nearly void of any light; even with their heightened senses it was hard to make out anything that would be of use to them. Connor groaned and Sarah paled even more. "We have to get him down."
"Okay…" replied Alyson, trying to think fast. "Okay. This is what we'll do. I'll go around to the other side and hoist Bri up to cut the ropes."
"With what?" asked Sarah. All three stared at her for a moment before Sarah realised how stupid that sounded.
"Bri," said Alyson moving behind the pole.
"Coming." Bri followed and took hold of her axe firmly in her grip. "This shouldn't be too difficult."
"Now, Sarah and Jade you get ready to catch him," instructed Alyson.
Neither looked too happy about that.
"Catch him!" cried Sarah. "He's badly hurt, we can't catch him." She forced herself to look at his extensive injuries. Blood was seeping from underneath his battered shirt and his face was covered in cuts and bruises.
"I don't think I can catch a person that's been tied to a pole," said Jade. "Doesn't sound easy and it doesn't sound right."
"Nothing about this is right," said Sarah softly, taking her eyes off Connor. "We'll ease him down instead."
"Whatever works, do it," said Alyson as she hoisted the small Briana to where the ropes were tying Connor to the pole. "You okay?"
"Sure. I'm dandy," quipped Bri, taking the axe and slowly began cutting away at the ropes. All the while Sarah was whispering to Connor that it was going to be okay and Jade stood motionless. She was staring death in the face. Connor could die, he most probably wouldn't because of his vampire parentage but he was still badly injured and slowly bleeding to death. Death. Her brother had died, he died alone and scared. She wondered if Connor had been scared before they showed up.
"Jade! I need your help now," called Sarah, snapping Jade out of her reverie. "You get the other side."
Slowly and carefully Sarah and Jade lowered Connor to the ground, as they laid him across the pavement, Alyson and Bri joined them.
"How is he?" asked Bri.
"I-I I'm not entirely sure," stammered Sarah as she got a better look at his wounds. They made her stomach turn, Alyson noticed and reached out to examine Connor's wounds instead. Sarah smiled gratefully and took hold of one of Connor's hands. "Connor, can you hear me?"
"Sure," he replied, his voice shaky and weak, his eyes were still closed. "Hear everybody."
"Okay, okay. That's good." She thought for a moment. "It is good right?" she said, asking Alyson while the younger Slayers looked on.
"Hearing is never a bad thing, unless of course you don't like what you hear. But hearing is good." Alyson lifted up Connor's shirt, she visibly flinched at the sight of the blood seeping from his skin and the dirt and grime that was stuck to his chest. There's too much blood. "We have to get him to a hospital. Now."
Sarah let go of Connor's hand and stood up. "If we go now, we can be back out looking for the others before the sun comes up."
"Yes, we could. But we're not. I mean you're not," Alyson said. "Honey, you're going to stay with him at the hospital. We can handle it."
"No. I can't do that."
"Aly's right," cut in Briana, "you're mind won't be on the job, it'll be on him. We can get them back."
"Okay," Sarah responded, not taking her eyes off Connor's still form.
"Come on, let's go," said Briana as she attempted to get Connor on his feet. "A little help here."
Jade hesitated before moving to help her fallen friend. Why does Sarah get to stay with him? Why can't I stay and she can go find the others? She shook herself slightly, realizing how selfish she was sounding. Now isn't the time, Jade. The young Slayer knelt down next to the others and together they got Connor to his feet.
What do you do when there is nothing left?
Not even an hour later Alyson, Briana and Jade walked out of the hospital and towards where they had hid their weapons. Sarah had told them to take her sword as she wouldn't need it and they might. Although none of them felt entirely comfortable with only three of them out looking and possibly rescuing the others, they knew there was no other way to go. Someone had to stay with him and no one had the guts to tell Sarah that someone wouldn't be her. Even though Jade didn't like it. She wanted to stay behind with Connor and even got into an argument with Alyson about it.
"Here you go." Jade knelt down and removed the tree branches that had been hiding their mini-arsenal. Jade handed Bri her axe and Alyson her long sword. Jade picked up the crossbow and handed Sarah's broadsword to Briana.
"Sweet, I'm loaded to the hilt," said Briana admiring her weapons. Jade and Alyson rolled their eyes at Briana's bad joke. "We sure about leaving Sarah with Connor?"
"Oh, yeah," answered Alyson. "We're sure, sweetie." That seemed to satisfy Briana who remained unnervingly quiet.
"We have to go," said Jade, taking the lead. The three Slayers began the search for their friends. I still don't see why Sarah got to be the one to stay with Connor. I should have stayed with him, not her! I care about him too. Ever since her brother died, she needed Connor and Faith more and more, she only trusted them. And she trusted Connor more than Faith because last Jade knew Connor hadn't killed people. Jade knew it was a little unfair to Faith, but that's not something that just goes away.
What do you do when the world is stripped away?
Sarah had to argue with the nurses to let her stay in the room with Connor. Stupid women! It wasn't until Connor told them that she had to stay was Sarah allowed.
Connor's skin was pale but free of blood and dirt. His chest had been bandaged, along with a large cut on his right leg. The doctor didn't say enough times how lucky Connor was that they found him.
Sarah wanted to punch something, or someone she wasn't feeling all together picky.
The machines beeped and hummed away while Connor slept, thanks to the drugs they gave him. She didn't blame him for not wanting to go to sleep. He was no help unconscious and Sarah could understand the helplessness.
She shifted uncomfortably in the chair by the bed. You would think they'd have better chairs suited to sitting in for hours and hours at a time. I've been here less than an hour and already-
"Sarah…"
"Connor," she replied, recovering from the shock. "Why aren't you asleep?"
"Must be my special-ness." He smiled at her. She didn't find it funny and frowned instead. "I'm okay."
"Are you in pain?" she asked, ignoring his last comment. "I could get a nurse to give you morphine-"
"I'm okay," he repeated. Sarah looked at him questionably. "Really. Healing already."
"You're positive? I could just go-" Sarah was nearly out of the chair before Connor stopped her.
"Stay. I don't need more drugs. I've been hurt before."
She nodded and sat down. Connor moved his hand closer to hers; she smiled and took his hands in her own. "I'm glad you're okay. I should have come-"
"No, if you had, God knows what would have happened to you."
Sarah nodded again and rested her head on the edge of the mattress still holding Connor's hand in hers.
What do you do when there is nothing left to say?
Alyson was the first to see Spike walking down the street towards them. But Briana was the first to start yelling his name. Both Jade and Alyson told her to be quiet; Briana quieted, but didn't look happy about being told to shut up.
"What are you doin' here?" asked the bleached vampire.
"What happened to your clothes?" asked Briana, ignoring his question. Spike glanced down at his tattered jacket and shirt. He looked back up and shrugged dismissively.
"We gotta get Connor," said Spike, turning to walk away.
"Already done," said Alyson. "We found him, he's at the hospital."
"Good," replied Spike, looking genuinely relieved. "Then we have to find the others."
"You know what's happened to them?" jumped in Jade, anxious to find them and get back to Connor. "Where are they?"
"Me and Connor were trying to find them when we got attacked. Bloody pack of demons, vamps too. They got me good, I didn't see what they did with Connor-"
"They tied him to a pole," said Jade.
"Fuck," muttered Spike.
"We have to find the others. Now would be better than later," said Alyson. Spike was impressed that she had already taken the lead of the other girls. But if Sarah had been there, the Brit wouldn't have let Alyson take over. Spike couldn't wait for the tension to begin between the oldest Slayers. "Where to?" she asked Spike.
"A few blocks from here," replied the vampire, pointing south of where they were standing.
"Okay," Alyson said to herself, the sudden weight and importance of what they were about to do fell squarely on her shoulders. "You take the lead," she said to Spike. Briana stepped forward and gave Spike the broadsword Sarah had brought along. Spike grinned appreciatively and took the sword with both hands, feeling the weight of it.
"Let's go save 'em," said Jade as she began walking in the general direction Spike had pointed to. The others quickly caught up with her.
What do you do when you feel alone?
Angel and Faith were conscious; Gunn was standing, but only because he was tied up to the nearest beam. But the former-lawyer was out cold.
"You know what's going on?" asked Faith, straining her eyes to see in the pitch-black room.
"Barely. Gunn, you okay?" asked Angel as he began wriggling his hands out of his constraints. "Gunn? You there?"
"I don't think he's all there," answered Faith. "Still sleeping by the lack of sounds. I can't see a damn thing, even with my Slayer eyes."
"I can see just fine."
Faith rolled her eyes. "Of course you can."
Suddenly a door opened and light flooded into the room. Which Faith could now see was a basement judging by the high windows and staircase in front of them.
"Hello," said a voice. "Are we awake?"
"Some of us are," snapped Faith. "Who the hell are you?"
The person climbed down the stairs and both Angel and Faith were surprised that it was an actual human being, dressed to the nines and smiling menacingly.
"I am Mister Allen. I feel that we know each other enough to be on a first name basis," The old man smile widened, giving Faith the creeps.
"I don't remember meeting you," said Angel. "Although I have forgotten meeting certain other individuals in the past, I'm pretty sure you weren't one of them."
"Ah, Mister Angel." The man stepped closer to his tied up prisoners, Faith resisted the urge to visibly flinch. "It is nice to finally meet the man who's will and resourcefulness created this lovely set of circumstances." He gestured around the room, apparently proud of the derelict surroundings. "I thank you."
"You have got to be kidding me," muttered Angel, "who are you?"
"I am Mister Allen. I have told you this already."
"Yeah, we know your name but who are you?" asked Faith, getting tired of his games.
"I am the Mayor of Los Angeles, of course."
"Of course." You're also crazy. "How silly of me."
"Quite understandable," he said, dismissing them with a wave of his aged hand. "You've been cooped up in that Hotel. You don't get out much."
Faith and Angel shared a lot of worry. Who the hell was this guy? Or who did he think he was?
"Wh-what's going on?" asked Gunn as he slowly woke up.
"Ah, Mister Charles, you are awake. This is most pleasing. How nice of you to join us."
Gunn looked confused and shared his views with his friends. "What's going on?"
"Got nabbed," Faith explained.
"Oh." That seemed to be enough information. Gunn shrugged and tried to free himself from the ropes. He was kind of relieved they were there because if he were standing without any 'assistance' he'd fall over.
"It is a honour meeting you all, the pleasure has been all mine. I would like to stay and speak with you some more but I have important business to attend to. Don't be strangers now." He turned and walked back towards the stairs as another man began descending into the basement. "Ah, Mister Christopher. Kill them."
Faith's eyes widened. Gunn began struggling against the ropes around his wrists. Angel however pulled his hands from behind his back and began moving towards Mister Christopher with lightning speed.
What do you do when you have no other choice?
"What's that sound?" asked Jade coming to a halt. Spike was already investigating the source of the noises. "Sounds like…fighting."
"Could be them," said Bri, hopefully. "I'd really like it to be them."
"We all would, honey." Alyson walked next to Spike. "You've got better hearing, is it them?"
"It's fighting and could be them. I say we check it out."
The girls nodded in agreement and began slowly walking towards an old apartment building when three people came tumbling out of the front door. Two of them were supporting the third on their shoulders.
"Faith!" cried Spike, he took off and was at his lover's side within seconds. She smiled at him gratefully. "You okay?"
"We're fine," she answered, and then glanced at Gunn. "Kinda. Angel saved us."
"We were coming to do that," said Jade, feeling lame for even saying it.
"Thanks," said Angel, grateful for the attempted rescue. "But we got out of it with sheer determination-"
"And crappy knots," finished Faith.
Gunn groaned, "Pain. I'm in pain. Can we stop talking and start walking?"
"Right," said Bri. "Hospital, here we come. Again," she said frowning for the first time tonight. She didn't like hospitals.
"What do you mean again?" asked Angel. He noticed that Sarah wasn't among their ranks. "Where's Sarah?"
"At the hospital with Connor," answered Briana, not thinking before opening her mouth. She got glares from Jade, Alyson and Spike. Faith shared a worried look with Gunn, while Angel's face slacked and if he had blood circulation he would have paled even further.
"He's okay, it's just that…he wasn't," explained Alyson.
"We have to get there," Angel said, he began moving, Faith had to move quickly to keep up.
What do you do when you begin to lose?
Sarah, Jade, Briana and Alyson sat in the waiting room of the intensive care unit. Faith, Spike, Gunn and Angel were all in Connor's room, getting all the information that the doctors were willing to disclose. Which being doctors was never much.
"How long have they been in there?" asked Jade, her head resting in her hands.
"Too long," answered Sarah, "the sun's come up. Spike and Angel will need to take the sewers back to the Hotel. I hope they don't want us to go with them."
"It's weird being around vampires all the time, isn't it?" asked Alyson, settling into the nearest uncomfortable chair. "I mean, feeling that they're close and not having to stake them."
"Yeah," replied Bri, nodding in agreement. Jade nodded also, her head still in her hands. "I know that they are vamps, I know I'm meant to kill the suckers and yet I feel safe and protected. I feel them and don't act on it. It's kinda strange."
Sarah didn't say a word.
What do you do when your fears are realized?
Connor was released later that day, against the doctor's wishes. Faith, Jade and Briana went to the hospital to help him home. Angel and Gunn set up his room so he could rest till his wounds healed. His room now had extra creature comforts such as a sofa and for some reasons a large bean bag chair. Gunn said it added class. Alyson wondered where they had gotten the new furnishings but decided she didn't want to know any details.
"Thanks guys," said Connor as he settled himself on his bed. He smiled at them, happy to be out of the hospital and back home. Or as close to home as he could get. His family was still out there and he was determined to find them, but for the moment, his place was here.
Angel, Gunn, Faith and Spike all still sported cuts and bruises from the attack and subsequent escape plan.
The girls, minus Alyson, were training downstairs with Spike. Jade and Briana had really taken to the bleached vampire. A fact that surprised Spike as much as it did the others.
After getting Connor's room ready and the young man settled in, Angel, Gunn and Alyson left him to mend. Connor was glad for one of the first times in his life that he would be healed within days.
The next day Sarah knocked on the door to Connor's room, calm at first but the knocks became more frantic as time went on. The door opened abruptly and Sarah didn't waste a moment and was in the room in an instant.
Connor sensed her panic and tried to get Sarah to stay still. "Hey, hey. What's wrong?"
"Me," she answered simply and plainly, the emotion raw on her face. "I-I don't…" she was falling apart. She never did that. She was strong and didn't let people know when she had a moment of weakness, but with Connor…he made her feel safe.
"Shh. It's okay." He placed his hands on her arms and led her to the chair that was in front of the small wooden desk. Sarah numbly allowed Connor to sit her down. "What happened?"
"I'm not a Slayer."
Connor grinned and nearly burst out laughing, he would have if not for the look on her face. She was serious. "I don't get it."
"I'm just not-" she took a deep shaky breath. "I'm just strong and fast, but I'm not…like them. I don't sense the vampires, I don't feel when they're near. Alyson said that it was strange being near vampires all the time, because she can feel them. Briana and Jade agreed…I had no idea what they were talking about. I don't feel them!"
"No. It doesn't mean anything bad."
"But I don't-"
"No," he said firmly, Sarah stopped talking and tried to calm herself down. But how could she stay calm? This was the only thing her mother was ever proud of. "That's nothing. It doesn't mean anything."
Sarah shoved him away, "This is something. I don't know who I am anymore. I don't know what I-"
"Stop!" Connor took her hands in his. He half expected Sarah to pull her hands away, his heart nearly leapt out of his chest when she didn't. "Okay? We'll talk to my dad; see what he thinks. We'll see what the others think too-"
"I don't want to bother anyone," Sarah interrupted, "it might be nothing like you think. I don't know what came over me."
"Whoa, whoa," said Connor, trying to figure out why Sarah was suddenly dropping the issue and acting as though she had a moment of insanity. "If you think this is important, we'll look into why you can't sense vampires. We'll find out."
Sarah shook her head vigorously. "It's okay. We don't-"
"What's wrong? Why do you want to not worry about this?"
"You think it's something to worry about?" the fear evident on her face. If he thinks something could be wrong, maybe he won't want to be around me. I don't think I can handle my only friend being Briana. I may kill her before too long.
"No. But you do."
Sarah growled deep in her chest and pushed Connor away. The young man would have fallen backward but caught himself with his hands. Sarah walked past him and headed towards the door.
"Wait." With Connor's speed and skill he was able to beat her to the door.
"Let me out."
"No."
"No?" Sarah placed her hands firmly on her hips, daring him to challenge her. "I'm leaving this room. I don't want to be here, listening to you go on about how it's nothing, but we should tell everyone about this nothing. Like it is a big deal and should be looked into like the next bloody apocalypse!"
"You're not making any sense," he commented, cringing inwardly when he realized how that could be taken the wrong way. "Just talk to me."
"I'm not the next apocalypse," she said, her eyes beginning to fill with tears. Connor swallowed hard, not sure how to handle this new situation. "I don't have these evil thoughts, I don't want to hurt anyone."
"I know that. Believe me."
She nodded slowly and wiped away the tears. Connor felt the urge to do it for her; he was surprised that she could make him feel so much.
"I'm not evil. I don't want them to think I am," she said, finally revealing what she was so afraid of, what was really making her so nervous. "I'm not evil," she repeated, trying to stay in control of the fear that was slowly consuming her. "I'm not evil."
"I know you're not." He took small steps towards her. "You're not evil."
"But I'm not a Slayer."
"We'll worry about that later." Connor took her into his arms; Sarah relaxed against his chest and put her arms around his waist. "We don't have to tell anyone," he said, caressing her back. His heart filled with warmth at the object of his affection being in his arms. And although she was distraught and sobbing silently into his shirt, he smiled because he was the one she chose to make it better. "It'll be alright." He wanted to kiss her; he wanted to take the pain away in any means possible, he wanted to take her away from all this and he finally, completely, understood why his dad had let him go, why he had let Buffy go, why the vampire took it upon himself to erase Connor's old life…it was what he thought was best. He could understand that now. "It'll be alright. It'll be alright."
What do you do when you are a Slayer?
Neither noticed Jade standing in the hallway, the door to Connor's door was ajar and she had heard every word. Sarah's not a Slayer! What the hell does that mean?
What do you do when the world is handed to you?
.END.