AN: So, the few of you that know me, know that I'm also a musician. That is the reason why I haven't posted in a while! I've got the most amazing guitarist and it's been nothing but practice, practice, practice for me! We played our first show on Saturday and it was just....AMAZING.
Also the next part is going to be loaded full of B/Aus goodness. I tried to make this part a little less chatty, but it's needed for the plot. Bear with me, please!!
Buffy smiled to herself as she closed the front door. Ethan and Parker had just left and though their workout had been the hardest one so far, she couldn't wait for their next visit.
"Are those googly eyes I see?"
She turned away from the door quickly, to see her mom leaning against the wall across from her. "It's not polite to sneak up on people. Ask Dad."
Joyce smiled, recalling the story Hank told her once she had returned home. She wrapped a loose arm around her daughter and they began to walk toward the living room, "You know, it's not going to kill you to go out without your parents around. That is the point of having a Watcher, you know."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," The Awakener lied smoothly. She kept a perfectly straight face and sat down on the couch next to her mother. Because they pretended to carry normal human lives, that meant that her parents couldn't protect her all the time. That's where her Watcher, Rupert Giles, stepped in.
Joyce saw the stubborn look on her daughters face and sighed, "Buffy, you don't have to stay cooped up in this house all day long and only leave to go to school."
"Mom, I'm just fine!" She quickly found a distraction and grabbed the television's remote control, "I get out more than enough. Giles can attest to that."
"You've never even been on a date!"
"Mother!" Unused to her mother talking about her romantic life in any way, her head snapped in her mother's direction, "Look, I appreciate your concern, but I just don't have time for any of that. Besides, it's not like anyone is beating down the door."
Joyce grinned again at the slight blush on her daughters face, "I wouldn't be so sure of that. That Parker seems like a nice young man."
The 19 year old quickly clicked on the television, "We are so not talking about this."
"All I'm saying is that you should give him a chance! He doesn't exactly have the greatest mentor," The blondes shared a matching grin, "But, he's a good Azilot. I see it in him and I know you do, too."
Buffy finally turned her gaze completely away from the flickering screen and faced her mother, "I suppose…"
"Great! Then be ready at 6. That's when he's coming to pick you up!"
"What?!" The teenage girl screeched, but her mother was already making her way up the stairs. She collapsed against the couch pitifully, "Not only have I never been on a date, my mother is my match maker. Epic Loser 2009 Award goes to Buffy Summers."
She grumpily looked over to her clock and continued her mumbling, "Great, and it's already 4:30. Fighting all afternoon and now I have to great ready in…" She gasped, "An hour?!"
For the second time that day she got up and raced toward her closet. Despite her bitterness that her mother made the plans, she was more excited that she wanted to let on. Tonight would be perfect.
*
*
*
"Tonight is going to be perfect, Angelus."
The vampire in question cocked an eyebrow at the woman in front of him, "Is that so?"
Darla smiled seductively; her lips were painted bright red with nails to match, "Of course, my darling. This is your first function as our Master. Not only that, but I get to wear this fabulous dress."
Angelus watched as she spun around showing off said dress. It was red as well, but with deep almost unnoticeable sparkles in it. It was strapless and tight all the way down, until the knee where it fanned out in a mermaid style. Her curvy body filled out every space exactly right.
"Lorena does fine work, doesn't she?" He moved closer to her and wound an arm around her waist.
She rubbed her hands along his red velvet covered chest, "I'm sure you look divine in your tuxedo. Go on. Try it on."
He rolled his eyes at her domestic request, his mood instantly changing, "I have no desire to be in that thing any longer than I have to. And, Darla dear, you know how I don't like taking orders."
A devious look entered her eyes and she moved closer to him once again, "Maybe you should punish me…"
The anger in his eyes didn't lesson, but was joined by mischief. He grabbed her hands and pulled them tightly behind her back. His demon came to the forefront and she moaned lightly in response. Their spell was broken by the door opening.
"Angelus?"
His golden eyes glanced up to look at the male visitor standing at the door. "What is it?"
Alexander Harris, known as Xander, cocked an eyebrow at the scene before him. It was very well known that neither he nor Willow had any good feelings toward Darla, "You asked me to meet with you. Well, here I am."
Their leader nodded, only slightly put off. "Leave us Darla. Be ready at ten. Not a minute later."
Darla stiffened at being brushed off so easily, but collected her belongs and ignoring Xander, walked out the door.
The brunette took a step back and called out after her, "Don't forget to shave your back!"
When he reentered the room Angelus was leaning against his desk, with a small smile on his face. "Why can't you kids play nice?"
"Because there is only so much evil bitch I can handle in one eternity. Cordy is more than enough." He stepped further into Angelus' office and closed the door behind him, "So, what's the deal, big guy?"
His smile lessened then, "The Gathering is tonight."
"Oh yeah. I'm just combusting with excitement." Xander's tone gave way to exactly how not excited he was.
"Everyone is expecting me to mimic Nests actions. It's not going to happen. I've already informed Willow of this, but I am announcing the new Elder line at the Gathering tonight."
Xander blanched a bit, "Woah. Um, are you sure you really wanna be doing that? I don't think people are going to take too kindly to being embarrassed in public."
"Exactly. The lack of power makes vampires do crazy things. I want to know who's loyal to Aurelius. The Azilots may have killed our Elders, but it was one of us who allowed it to happen."
His associate took a seat in front of the still standing Angelus, "Of course. It's the only way that could have happened. But, they would have known that you would have taken over in place of Nest."
Angelus gave a short chuckle, "Spike and I were supposed to be there. We aren't exactly the timeliest vampires."
"So, who would be Master after you and Spike…?" Xander's eyes darkened as he realized who that person would be. "Do you really think so?"
"Maybe. Maybe not. But, we are definitely going to find out if everything goes properly tonight." The taller vampire moved from his desk to the tuxedo hanging off a jacket rack.
Xander contemplated the situation for a moment, before looking up to Angelus, "You're an evil genius, you know that?"
He moved his gaze back to him, "I've been told once or twice. Now, this is where you come in. I need you to make sure there is extra security at this ball. Tell no one and make sure the guards do the same. I don't want anyone to know of my plans."
He looked confused, "Uh, sure. But, why don't you get Willow to do all this?"
"Because you, my horribly obnoxious friend, are an Elder as of tonight and my latest advisor."
Xander blinked rapidly, "Seriously?"
"There are very, very few people in this hell hole of a world that I trust, and you are one of them. Don't make me regret it." He turned back to his tuxedo and finished wiping the dust off of it, "Go. Do as you're ordered, Advisor."
Xander took Angelus warning seriously and stood quickly. He'd seen many a person that had gone against Angelus' wishes and did not want to be on that list. "Will do, big guy. I'll see you tonight."
*
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*
"Tonight was… amazing, Parker. Thank you for taking me out." She smiled prettily at the handsome boy. The date had been…nice. Not exactly what she had expected, but it had been enjoyable.
His eyes widened slightly, "Oh, no, Buffy. Thank you. I had so much fun being with you tonight."
It had taken what felt like a million times of correction for him to stop addressing her as "My Awakener".
"Well then, we're just going to have to do this again, aren't we?" While the movie and walk through the park was not as exciting as she'd wanted, it felt nice. It was almost as if she was a normal girl for once.
His smile waned and he slowed the car down a bit, "Buffy…"
Oblivious to his discomfort she smiled again. Maybe he would ask her out this time and not her mother, "Yes, Parker?"
"Maybe we should drive around some more. Maybe go to the Bronze?" His worried face was quickly replaced by a slightly nervous smile.
Buffy's brow furrowed in confusion, "You know that I can't do that. I haven't told my parents. And I highly doubt that Giles would enjoy being toted around to a night club." Her eyes glanced in the rear view mirror at the car trailing behind them.
He blinked and cleared his throat, "You're right. I'm sorry, my Awakener."
Suddenly, she had an uneasy feeling as they slowly pulled onto their block. A scent hit her nose, "What is that?"
Parker blinked again, this time heavier, "Maybe we should go for some coffee, My Awakener."
Her eyes focused down the road when a flash of yellow caught her eye. Fire.
Memories of her recent dream hit her hard and fast, "No! There's a fire! Drive faster!"
Begrudgingly, Parker did as he was ordered. Suddenly Giles was on their side urging them pull over.
"Parker, if you stop this car-" She stopped short as she saw that it was not only one fire, but many of them. All of them were Azilot households…
Including hers.
"No." A small mutter fell from her lips as her mind replayed her dream again.
"Help me open the door! I can't do it by myself!"
"No. You can, Buffy."
"Pa, I can't!"
Parker now being forcibly pushed to the side by Giles' car pulled the vehicle over to the curb.
She didn't waste another moment. Fast than she had ever moved she shot out of the still moving car and raced toward her home.
"Mom! Dad!" Her home was engulfed with the fire. In another second she was tackled to the ground.
Giles.
"Buffy, you mustn't go any further. Go back to the car!"
"Giles, no!" She screamed again, "They're in there. You don't understand! I dreamed it! You have to let me go!"
Motion caught Giles' eye. The ones who set the fire were still there. He lifted them up quickly and stared his charge in the eyes, "Listen to me. You have to run now, Buffy."
She blinked heavily as her dream flashed before her again.
"Now, you have to run, Buffy."
"What? No! I have to open this door! Help me!"
"Buffy, now you have to run."
"…what?"
"Buffy, you have to run now. I don't want you to stop. I want you to run and I don't want you to stop. Do you understand me? The Aurelius are here and I refuse to let harm come to you."
And suddenly it wasn't Giles voice that she was hearing. It was her fathers. She understood what her dream was telling her to do.
She nodded through blurry tears and quickly hugged Giles. Within a flash, she was gone.
"Buffy! Buffy, wait!" Parker tried his best to keep up with her, but she was extremely fast. He grabbed a hold of her shoulder and she spun around, tears streaming down her face.
"I can't stop, Parker!"
"If you keep going they'll see you. I'll take you away from here. Let me help you."
She glanced over to her burning home and saw Giles and now Ethan fighting the ones who set fire to her home. They hadn't spotted her yet.
She looked at him, "Let's go."
They got back into his car and as quietly as possible drove away from the small community.
"I'm so sorry, My Awakener. This shouldn't have happened. It wasn't supposed to be this way." He drove as fast as he could, ignoring stop signs in his rush.
Buffy was zoned out; her face was showing no emotion. She turned to her still babbling driver, "There's some place I have to be."
He turned to her in confusion, "My Awakener?"
In a second she had reached her foot over and slammed down on the brake pedal, in the next she was out of the car. With the sudden stop Parker knocked his head on the dash board and by the time he looked up, Buffy was gone.
She ran hard and fast. There was only one place she knew where to go. It was one place that she had sworn away from.
The Aurelius.
With no weapons, no hope, and now no family she had only one mission in mind. She was going to kill Angelus.
*
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*
The new master of Aurelius was locked inside of his mind once again. Once Xander had left he made his way into his bedroom and then his shower. He was fresh out, a towel still wrapped loosely around his damp body. He was staring at his reflection in the mirror. It cost him thousands of dollars to have it made, and it only worked for him, but it was well worth it to see himself again.
A frown marred his handsome face as he realized what was going to happen in a matter of hours. The Gathering was tonight and high ranking members of Aurelius from all over the world were going to be there.
He was definitely not looking forward to it.
His choices for the Elders were going to come as a complete shock to everyone in attendance. Unlike Nest, Angelus didn't give a rat's ass about owed debts and politics. No. He cared about loyalty and dedication. Even if it was his most hated enemy, as long as he was loyal to Aurelius, he would be ahead of an ally.
He began fixing his still water slicked hair. Suddenly a slight movement caught his eye from the corner of the mirror. Whatever it was had to be human in order to be reflected in the mirror.
"Who's there?" He tightened his towel and waited for an answer, a breath… an attack.
He got exactly what he was looking for.
A tiny figure rushed at him with a series of punches and kicks. Several of them landed solidly, as he was so caught off guard. He quickly got his bearings and fought back.
There was nothing but fury in the young girls' eyes, which Angelus immediately used as a disadvantage.
Angelus quickly gained the upper hand and tossed her back into his armoire. The priceless mirror shattered with her weight and sliced several cuts into her arms and face.
Angelus growled loudly at the destruction of his property and decided it was time to end the fight. When she regained her footing, she once again rushed to him. She gave two crushing blows to his face and moved for another, when his fist rammed into her jaw. She stumbled, stunned from his powerful punch.
Angelus was in awe. That should have taken her down instantly. He followed quickly with another jab, this one to her temple, and finally she was out.
He was panting, unnecessarily so, but she had put up a hell of a fight. He crouched down to the unconscious girl and brushed her hair away from her face.
While she was most certainly beautiful, he didn't recognize her face. Undaunted, he quickly changed into regular clothes. He didn't want to kill her before finding out why she was sent for him. It was obvious that she was something other than human, but the warmth of her body said otherwise.
She wouldn't be out for long and he would make sure she was restrained when she woke.
*
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*
Giles and Ethan tore through several of the Aurelius members before the police and firefighters came. Not wanting too much attention and realizing they would lose the rest of the Aurelius fled.
Spotting Ethan trying to flee, he stomped up to him, "What has happened here? Where are the Awakeners parents?"
Ethan ignored him and saw Parker heading toward them. He grabbed the younger vampire roughly by the arm, "Where is the Awakener?"
Parkers eyes widened, "I-I-I don't know. She ran away from me."
"In what direction did she go?" He bit out. He saw the small bruise on Parkers forehead and his grip became tighter.
Parker began to squawk out another lie, but Giles cut him off.
"The only questions that need to be answered are mine, Ethan. Now what the hell happened here?" Rupert Giles was in no mood for Ethan's lies, which were what usually spilled from his mouth. He had seen Buffy get into the car with Parker and knew that the boy had done the right thing.
Ethan's eyes narrowed at the slightly older Watcher. With a low voice, he rumbled, "I do not know. I was returning to see to Parker and this was what I found. Chaos. You could tell I tried my best to keep it from happening. I was fighting next to you, wasn't I?"
"Keep what from happening?" Giles questioned harshly.
"Many Azilots have died tonight. Some escaped, but… the Awakeners parents have perished." Ethan snarled out the last bit, not seeming a bit phased by his long time friend's death.
Something was horribly wrong with this picture and Giles wisely kept quiet about it. He caught Parkers eye and the young vampire immediately looked away. Whatever was the truth, he knew that the boy was the key to finding it out.
I really wanted to just get this part out there, so hopefully there aren't too many mistakes. Thanks for reading guys and I promise the next part will not take so long!
Chyna Fox