The next few weeks passed in a blur for Buffy. Between the training classes she conducted during the days and the nights she was out on patrol, she lost track of time and before she knew it, her birthday was only a few days away. She would be turning 148 this year. It was strange. When she looked in the mirror, she still looked like she was 28. Her hair was longer, but other than that she was the same Buffy she had been when she closed the hellmouth in Sunnydale. One of the last times she had seen him.
Him again! She was beginning to wonder if there really was something more to these dreams. But she wasn't about to talk to any of the watchers about it. If his name was even whispered around here the council seemed to know within a moments time. She couldn't even talk to Cassie about him. The one time the junior watcher had hesitantly asked about him, Buffy had only replied that all she needed to know, she could learn in Giles' diaries.
'Great Buffy. You're obsessed with your long dead ex-boyfriend and now you're talking to yourself. Just great.'
She turned as the next class began to enter the room. She determinedly put Angel out of her mind and brought the class to order.
The council was convened in the conference room, discussing the recently translated prophecy. Tension was thick in the room as different courses of action were proposed.
"I think that Buffy has beaten enough prophecies on her own. There is no need to bring that monster here and have him stirring things up. Besides that, she has the help of all the slayers in training."
A balding 50ish man spoke up, "I agree. Them being together can only cause grievous problems."
"This is silly! The curse still stands and they know this. Furthermore, it has been 120 years. If they still loved each other, they would have been together far before this. Their childish love could not have lasted this many years," a sour faced woman uttered.
"If I may interrupt, Agnes," Walker, a handsome, well-kept man in his late 40's stood up and all eyes turned to him. "Buffy does not realize that Angelus is still alive. Wait please. Let me explain. Most of you believe that we are restricted from mentioning the name of Angelus because he is a vampire with an unsavory past with Buffy. This is not entirely true. My grandfather, Frederick, and his council members had come to the conclusion that, for the good of all concerned, Buffy must believe that Angelus had perished. So, she was told that he died in a battle. That was almost 120 years ago and Buffy still knows no better. I think she is over the pain of her mistakes with him, and can act professionally. After all, we trust her with the the training of the other slayers, and she did help restore the council and its watchers after our destruction years ago. Maybe we can keep them apart for the time being. But just in case we can't, they should never be left unsupervised. She is still reckless and he is and always will be a vampire, and that means he cannot be trusted. In conclusion, this will be an extremely trying time, but I believe that we must obey the prophecy and send for Angelus." Walker finished and sat down again.
"What if he won't come?" Agnes asked. "His dealings with us have not been satisfactory, I'm sure. Nor have ours with him."
"He will come," Walker replied, "when he is told that the world depends on him. It is his mission to avert the apocalypse and attain his elusive redemption. Also, the vampire does not know of Buffy's immortality. He believes that she too died many years ago after living a normal life. Another reason why we should try to keep them apart."
Murmurs of approval and heads being nodded all around the table showed their mutual assent. Another council member spoke up, "Send for the vampire then. We must take immediate action."
'L.A. sure seems lonely lately,' Angel thought. 'That's not surprising since all my friends and family are long gone. Immortality sure has its drawbacks.'
Angel suddenly stilled. He sensed someone approaching. He quickly merged with the shadows and waited for the person following him to appear. He sensed that there were more than one and quietly unsheathed his broadsword. When they came into view, he immediately noticed the suits and the very distinctive smell of fear. 'Suits and they are afraid of me,' he smirked to himself, 'they gotta be watchers.'
He spoke from the shadows, mocking them, "You boys look a little lost."
The three men whirled toward the sound and one cried, "Vampire! We are trained in self defense and will slay you if we must!"
Angel let out a bark of laughter at that statement. "The council hasn't sent assassins after me in years, but last time they at least came armed," he drawled.
"Angelus? We are sent to summon you to England to appear before the council immediately. There is a dire situation that must be attended to promptly."
"Since when does the council want anything from me but to kill me?" he retorted with a growl.
Angel stepped out of the shadows and let them see his sword. He could literally taste their fear it became so thick when they saw the blade. "What does this have to do with me?"
"There is a prophecy. Maybe the apocalypse. We believe that it concerns you. The fate of the world may very well depend on your coming with us," one of the others spoke up.
"Well, when you put it that way, let's go! We better get there promptly or there will be trouble!" he replied the sarcasm practically dripping out of his mouth. "And by the way, its Angel, not Angelus. He hasn't been around for a very long time."
"Yes sir, A-Angel sir. Will you be returning with us then?"
"I want a little more information about this prophecy slash impending apocalypse before I agree. And by the way, how do you plan to guard me against the sunlight? I'm not gonna stay in a trunk the whole way there."
"Yes sir. We have made special accommodations for your, um, unusual circumstances. Shall we be off then?"
Angel gestured them in front of him to lead. 'This had better be good,' he thought slipping his sword into the scabbard strapped to his back and adjusting his black, wool duster over it. 'Oh well, I could use a change of pace. And even if they attack me, I still get some good fighting in.' A crooked smile graced his lips. The three watchers swallowed convulsively, turned, and quickened their steps. His smile deepened and his deep chocolate eyes twinkled mischievously. 'Oh yeah. Still got the vamp intimidation thing down.'
