Previously: Lorne showered and dressed, then making sure Angelina wasn't around the corner, headed towards the motel that he knew Angel was staying in.

'Hope he's home' Lorne muttered. 'My head still hurts'

That and he realised that when he stood still, he swayed. His balance and coordination hadn't fully returned, but this was important, so he pushed on.

Chapter 39

We were all sitting in Willow's apartment, when Angelina knocked on the door.

We decided against the store because it was a public place. Angelus could walk in when he pleased. Buffy's apartment was out because of the whole 'vampire warding' spells and charms and my place was out, coz hey! Vampire here. Angelus could also walk in there.

'Sorry I'm late. Lorne fainted' Angelina explained.

'Oh my god! Is he alright?' Willow cried.

'Well, he was shaken at first, but he should be ok… I hope' Angelina said.

It was plain to see that the bird was a close friend of Lorne's. She would probably die trying to save him form something. It was just in the way she sounded so concerned about him. It was like how I would die trying to save Buffy. Nearly did.

'Well love, we were just discussing what to do now' I informed her as she took a seat next to me. I had taken up the couch so no one could sit there, but I felt comfortable enough to let her sit. She sat with a grateful smile and then asked 'What's happened?'

'Angelus is back' Buffy had been staring out the window, which she now turned from and faced the rest of the gang.

'Seriously? This isn't some cruel joke someone's playing?' Angelina wasn't sure.

'Saw it with my own eyes pet. Red too'

Willow nodded and grimaced as she recalled the recent event.

'Oh. Ok then. What do we do?' Angelina asked Buffy.

'We're not entirely sure yet' Giles stated. He pulled his glasses off and began cleaning them.

'All I know is we're all gooey goodness and without a plan Angelus is gonna eat us' Xander exclaimed.

'Xander's right. We need a plan Buffy. I don't wanna be first' Willow complained.

It was funny to watch Red get upset over an empty threat. Angelus couldn't touch her, unless she invited him in, or she went somewhere public after dark.

'I say we negotiate, if that doesn't work, we stake him' Faith suggested from the sofa in the corner. Her and Robin, along with Anya, were one of the first to arrive.

There was another knock at the door. I was confused; wasn't everyone here already?

Willow opened the door and there stood Dawn.

'Hi guys. Gotta plan yet?' she asked as she strode into the room.

She beamed when she realised Angelina was here too. She shot across the room and sat at her feet, Angelina not minding at all. She began to absentmindedly play with Dawn's hair. Some habit she'd formed when she was nervous?

'Dawn, what are you doing walking around alone?' Buffy began to scold.

Dawn brushed it off 'Relax Buffy. Angel cant walk around in the sun remember? Besides I had to come home. Candice's parents wrote you a note though' She fished through her pocket and handed her sister the note.

'They thought it might be better if I didn't stay with them this week. Carly would have taken me, but her mum's just as bad as Candice apparently. And her dad likes milkshakes' Dawn shrugged.

Buffy read the note and then nodded. 'Ok, though you cant stay at our place. Neither can I, it's not safe as you already know'

Dawn nodded 'So where are you staying?'

'Well, Buffy can stay with me if she wishes' Giles informed the group. 'There is a spare room, you are welcome to' Buffy nodded her thanks, then turned to Dawn. 'I'm staying with Giles'

'And Spike can stay with me' Willow chirped.

It was obvious to me that she just wanted me around, in case Angelus showed up. She'd feel safer. I understood that.

'Faith shall stay with me, and Robin with Xander' Anya stated.

'And that just leaves me' Dawn sounded hurt.

Angelina, who had begun braiding Dawn's hair stopped. 'Dawn, if you like you can sleep at my place. I can shove Lorne off the couch' she grinned.

Dawn perked up at once and turned to face her hairdresser 'You sure it's alright Ange?'

'Sure as anything. I don't mind another girl in the house'

'What about Lorne?' Dawn asked.

Angelina shrugged. 'He likes you, it'll be fine'

'Awesome!' Dawn exclaimed.

'Looks like you get your movie night after all' Angelina sighed.

She looked like shit. When was the last time she had slept properly?

'What are we going to watch?' Dawn asked.

'Anything you want' Angelina answered as she closed her eyes for a few minutes.

~**~

Angelus was spending some 'quality time' with Drusilla. It was enough to make Ally sick. She had always thought Dru was hers; now she wasn't so sure.

Ally was sitting in the bathroom of the motel room. She had positioned herself in the bathtub and it had proved to be quite comfortable. She figured she would try to sleep through whatever Angelus and her Dru were doing. Though try as she might, sleep refused to cloud her mind.

She ended up lying in the bath, staring at the ceiling, thinking of ways to get Dru away from Angelus after the face off. Or ways to kill Angelus. Either option would do.

Angelus had agreed to their little plan of pretending to be Angel, but after the Scoobies had somehow found out, they had the need to think of something else.

Angelus had revealed that Buffy thought an attack would be launched on Halloween, he had tried to sway her, but she firmly believed it.

Together, they had formed the plan of attacking the gang the day before hand, then picking off whoever remained the next night. Only trouble with that was there were three of them and about twelve of them.

Angelus had left Ally in charge of turning humans, offering slayer blood as a reward. It would be a good deal, if they weren't going to be dust afterwards. Angelus wanted the blood for himself and 'his' girls.

'What a caring wanker' Ally breathed.

There was a knock at the door.

'What?' Ally asked the door.

It opened and a half dressed Drusilla walked in. 'We have to hide here. Someone's at the door' she giggled.

'Whoopdy friggin do' Ally sighed.

'Lorne?' Angelus seemed surprised to see the demon.

Quickly remembering to portray Angel, he pulled the broody act and asked if there was anything wrong.

Lorne walked in and started talking at once.

'Its… It's Angelina'

'What about her?' Angelus asked.

'Angel, sh-she dies… She dies on All Hallows Eve' Lorne stammered.

'Halloween?' Angel rubbed his chin. So she was going to be one of the remaining was she?

'You gotta help me. Keep her safe. Please' Lorne was almost begging.

It was too good to pass up. 'As safe as I can. Have you told her about this yet?'

'Don't want to worry her. If she worries too much, she'll be off her game. You should know something about that' Lorne said.

'Ah. Fair enough.' Angelus stated. 'I'll help you'

Lorne grinned 'Angel Cakes, I could kiss you about now'

'Please don't' Angelus held up his hands and Lorne laughed and thanked him again. He was about to turn and leave, much to Angelus' delight, when he remembered something and turned back.

'And hey! I have a gig on Halloween at the club 'The Hub'. You went there with Spike. I'll see you in the crowd around eight-ish ok?'

'You got it' Angelus gave him the thumbs up.

Lorne said his goodbyes and left the motel room. Angelus relaxed and then walked towards the bathroom door.

'Ladies' he called as he opened it. 'We have a change of pla- oh'

Ally and Dru were both naked in the bath, which was now full of water.

'We're bathing. Get out.' Ally snarled.

'Why don't you make me?' Angelus teased, leaning against the wall.

'Daddy, please.' Dru gave him puppy eyes.

'Alright, alright!' Angelus cried and stomped away, slamming the door behind him.

'Arrogant prick' Ally breathed.

'I like him' Drusilla breathed.

'Of course you do' Ally grumbled.

What did he mean by 'Change of plans'?

~**~

'It's not much, but it's a start' Angelina admitted as she carried some blankets over to the couch, which was now folded out.

Dawn sat on it, adjusting the pillows and cushions that she had placed there. Both of them were ready for movies.

Lorne hadn't come home yet, but he had left a note saying he may possibly be late home. That normally meant around one in the morning, so Angelina didn't worry too much.

Dawn had picked out two movies: Titanic and Charlie's Angels. Angelina had told Dawn she would kill her if she forced her to sit through Titanic. Lorne had done it once; she hadn't forgiven him for that yet. Dawn had sat there debating with herself whether it was worth the risk. She decided it wasn't and so put it back in the cupboard. She picked up another however.

'Hey what's this like?'

Angelina looked at the cover. 'Repo! The Genetic Opera?'

'Yeah. What's it like?' Dawn asked again.

'It's one of the most awesome movies I've seen. How's that?' Angelina stated.

'Blood and gore?' Dawn quirked an eyebrow.

'And singing. All my favourite things rolled into one' Angelina grinned.

'You're twisted' Dawn joked.

'You know it' was the response.

Both women sat on the makeshift bed, popcorn and cans of soft drink in between them. They had watched Repo! first, as Dawn wanted it over and done with. She had wanted to end the night on a happy note, being the Angels kicking butt. Angelina was fine with this, but had told Dawn she didn't know what she was missing.

Angelina had gone to the bathroom after Repo! and as a joke, began to make retching sounds. Dawn was seriously worried, but that faded as Angelina began to laugh.

'You bitch!' Dawn slapped her arm when she came back from the bathroom.

Angelina gasped while grabbing the mail that was lying on a nearby table. Lorne must have grabbed it before he had gone out.

'What would your sister say about your filthy mouth Dawn Summers?'

Dawn shrugged. 'Dunno'

'Eh. What happens in my house stays in my house. That fair?' Angelina plopped herself back down next to the girl.

'And I thought you couldn't get any cooler' Dawn hugged the slayer.

'Hey, hey, hey. Now are we gonna watch the Angels kick butt or are you gonna sit there the whole night hugging me?'

Dawn laughed. 'Butt kicking time'

Angelina placed the DVD into the DVD player and pressed play.

'And. Here. We. Go' She settled herself back into position.