Disclaimer: All Buffy or Angel characters were created by Joss Whedon. Not me.
Author's Note: Like I said before, it's crazy now. I had a two-day-break recently and wrote this little piece. Hope it'll clear out things a little bit.
Chapter Seven: Even Angels Fall
Gunn watched the sleeping boy, lost in thought. He managed to convince Faith and Connor to let him stay. He was sincere, destroying the whole world wasn't really his idea of fun. He walked over to the weapon's cabinet, looking for an axe. He lost his old one sometime during the battle. He had a fair palette of choices, yet none seemed good enough. He could always make a new one for himself. Gunn smiled sadly at that, how simple things were back then. Faith came back from the kitchen, after fixing herself a sandwich.
''I don't think you got any blood here?'' he asked, somewhat hopefully. She just shot him a look.
Vampire moved behind the counter, reliving old memories. ''So, what's his story?'' he asked, nodding at Connor.
Faith sat down on one of the sofas. ''I honestly don't know.''
Gunn raised his eyebrows. ''You've been here for two weeks and you don't know anything 'bout him?''
Brunette took a bite and munched on it. ''Probably as much as you do. He found everyone and kept them safe here, he's a good fighter. Still no idea how he knew Angel, or this place.''
''That about sums it up, yeah.'' Gunn agreed. He heard some faint voices. ''You think they'll be glad to see me?''
Faith sighed and finished her sandwich. ''Nope. They'll need to get over it though, looks like we need ya.''
Few second later Rain, Katie and Lorne appeared on the stairs. ''Yo, guys! Don't freak out, 'kay? It's all good.'' she told them. They looked at each other quizzicaly before walking down.
''What's going on?'' Lorne asked. Faith looked at Gunn who walked to the view. She felt everyone tense after that.
''What is he doing here?''
''He's here to help.'' Faith said. ''I know, but turns out that we're all pretty much after the same thing.''
''Go on.'' Lorne looked at her expectantly.
''Remember this big demon that was supposed to come here?'' They nodded. ''Looks like only this Illyria chick can stop it, so we gotta find her. Chuck here thinks she's still around, ergo our little alliance.''
''Why would you want to stop it?'' Katie spoke up after a moment of silence. ''You're a vampire, you should be with them, not against.''
Gunn sighed in annoyance. ''Only because I've been turned, I immediately must be evil? Newsflash for you, doesn't work that way. I might not care about little puppies anymore, but I ain't gonna sit and do nothing while everything I ever loved goes to hell.''
''This spell thingy still works, right?'' Rain asked. Lorne nodded. She approached Gunn, who watched her warily. Close enough, Rain kneed him in the groin and punched in the face, leaving vampire on the floor. ''Don't ever threaten her again.'' she said pointing at the blonde. Then she smirked, looking at slowly pulling himself together Gunn. ''Welcome to the team.''
Faith laughed. ''That's my girl.''
***B***B***
''I need more blood.'' Spike said quietly.
They moved from building to building, from apartment to apartment. That was one of the upsides, they could squat in probably every apartment is this city. Girl was still unconscious, lying on the bed. Illyria stared at the wall and nodded her head. ''I'm aware.''
Vampire sighed. It was too much for him to handle. This responsibility. ''Is there any way to kill him?''
''Not that I know of.'' she answered. ''I don't even know what kind of demon is it. I am... useless.''
''Don't say that. You're the only reason I'm still kickin'. I owe my life to you.'' Spike said. ''I don't take it lightly, so...''
Illyria shrugged.
Spike leaned back. ''How 'bout this gun kinda thing we used on you? If we'd use it on him, then maybe the power would go somewhere again.''
''What would we accomplish by this?'' She raised her head. ''We'd only delay the inevitable. This power won't just disappear. It will always be there, in one way or another. Something would come across it again, matter of time. This is why only I can wield it. It's mine and there is no way known to me that could get us this thing.''
Vampire thought about it. ''You're right. Damn.'' Then he got an idea. ''We extracted the power from you because it was too great. Maybe all we have to do is wait, it'll eventually kill the guy.''
She shook her head. ''No. Not enough. Even if, the explosion would be powerful enough to wipe out half of this planet. How is that good?''
''Bugger.'' Spike searched his pockets for a cigarette, but he already smoked them all. ''You're way too miserable, you know that? C'mon live a little.''
''Why? What is worth a joy here?'' Illyria asked.
''Well...'' Spike raised his hand to count on his fingers, yet he had none. In the corner of his eye, he saw girl awaken and raising her hand to head, only to moan in pain. He quickly sat on the bed next to her. ''Hey, can you hear me? How many fingers am I holding up?'' he asked.
''Three.'' she said, focusing on his hand. ''What happened? Where am I? Who are you?''
''Whoa, not so fast. One at a time.'' Spike said before looking at Illyria. ''I, uhm... I knocked you out. Thought you were demon, so it was purely self defense. You're in L.A, somewhere. I'm Spike and this lovely lady over there is Illyria. And you?''
She fought to open her eyes, feeling every part of her body hurting. Last thing she remembered was... getting hit by a baseball bat. She realized she was on the floor, but her head hurt too much to stand, so she slowly tried to roll over. Only then, she jerked back when she almost hit a knife. There was a knife stuck in the floor, mere inches away from her head.
''Amy.'' She still had a little trouble seeing. She only saw a shape of person, probably this Illyria, before succumbing back to the dreamland.
***B***B***
''Why can't I go?''
Faith rolled her eyes, turning back to Rain. ''Because you can't handle yourself. Don't look at me like that, it's true.''
Rain folded her arms across her chest. ''Is that so?''
''Don't even try, I could take you with my eyes closed.'' Faith dismissed her.
''For fuck's sake, it's driving me crazy, sitting on my ass all day.'' she whined. Slayer smirked. ''Get over it. Gunn, ya ready?'' she called.
Few moments later vampire appeared, Lorne trailing behind him. They needed to talk. ''Yeah, I am. You gotta stay here, though.''
Brunette behind Faith snickered. ''How so?''
''We need to have someone who can fight inside the hotel. You're the obvious choice.'' Lorne said.
''Why's the big deal? You're safe here.'' Faith argued.
''We don't know that. Maybe something is able to overpower the sanctuary spell.'' He explained. It was Rain's turn to smirk. ''See? I can go.''
''No.'' both Faith and Katie, who just walked in, said.
''Why the hell not?'' she asked.
As they continued to argue, Gunn shook Connor awake. ''Come on, we got a mission.''
Boy looked at Gunn, then at the women. Sighing, he stood up and stretched. ''What's going on?''
''They all want to come with me. Can't say I'm surprised, who could resist little ole' me?'' Gunn smiled. Connor yawned. ''Women.'' he muttered.
''I heard that.'' all three of them said.
Connor shrugged. ''Where do we go?''
''Illyria search and I need some blood.'' Vampire said.
As they headed towards basement, Faith spoke. ''So what? I'm stuck here?''
''Looks like it, yeah.'' Lorne answered. Slayer sent Rain a murderous look. ''Get over it sister.''
Connor followed Gunn through the sewers. ''We gonna rob a hospital? Is that blood there still even... good?'' he asked.
''One way to find out.'' he threw over his shoulder. ''It's not exactly like you're gonna tap a vein now, will you?''
''No.''
''See my point.'' Gunn went up the ladder. Once they were both on the street, Connor looked at the sky. ''Why are you not burning?'' It was mostly clear, sunrays were freely roaming through the streets.
''I guess when the barrier went up, the UV rays can't get through. Like those windows in Wolfram & Hart.''
''Cool.''
Connor watched his reflection in the car window. ''Does air can?'' he suddenly asked.
Gunn stopped. ''I don't know. You shouldn't have anything to worry about. Not many things breathe around here.''
''Right. Like an army of demons.'' Boy said as they exited the street.
''Well, they do breathe, true, but they don't necessarily use oxygen.'' Gunn explained.
They walked in silence until vampire broke it. ''So, what's your story?''
''What do you mean?'' Connor asked carefully.
''You know.'' Gunn lowered his voice, checking out the street the were about to cross. ''You show up, obviously well trained, you know Angel, you've been to Hyperion before and you're not completely human.''
They bended over and ran through the street as fast and silently as they could. ''You know, I'm not really into sharing.''
''I can tell.''
Connor noticed a movement in the corner of his eye and grabbed Gunn, pointing to the left. Vampire followed his finger and saw a person. The gear looked familiar to Connor, but when the person turned, he knew. Color of skin was darker, almost the same cape over the shoulders. ''He almost looks like the girl who saved me.'' he whispered.
''That demon girl?'' Connor nodded. ''Wanna say hi?'' Gunn asked.
They left the shadows and the figure noticed them. He took off his hood and blazing red eyes stared at Connor. Now the differences were more clear. This was probably a demon from the species Anthis was. Only this one was full-blooded.
''Uhm... hey?'' he tried.
Demon cocked his head and reached for a sword. ''Shit. Don't think he's friendly.'' Gunn said.
''Any weapons?''
''Nope.''
Demon took off his cape, showing them his muscular body. His mouth opened, full of big and rock-hard teeth. One bite and you're out. Suddenly Gunn turned around, facing another demon. This one looked even meaner.
''We can take 'em.'' He said confidently.
Connor looked between the demons. ''I don't know about that.''
''Yeah, well...''
Gunn rushed at the first, leaving Connor the meaner looking one. He punched him, but the demon quickly retaliated and Connor stumbled back. Damn, he was strong. He began to lay quick punches on the demon and avoiding his. He looked over his shoulder to see how Gunn was doing, which turned out to be a mistake. He was roughly shoved away, landing on his ass. Demon kicked him in the face, then grabbed his leg when Connor tried to roll away. He was flying through the air and crashed into Gunn. Vampire had a cut lip and slashed clothing. ''We can take them, huh?'' Connor groaned. Gunn saw a sword flying to them and pushed Connor away. He doubled over when sword cut into his stomach. He took it out and faced the, now weaponless, demon. Boy saw the second one going after Gunn and body-slammed him. After few hits, he was thrown away. He raised his head, only to see demon's rolling on the ground next to him.
Gunn felt the sword being ripped away from him as the meaner demon grabbed him. He struggled, but the demon was stronger. He was thrown to the wall and the sword pinned him there, right through his chest. Gunn let out a pained cry. Demon looked at him before turning back to Connor. Gunn tried to take the sword out, but it stuck too hard. He only watched resignedly as demon beat on Connor.
Connor wasn't able to land a fatal blow. Sure, the demon was moving slower, his hits weren't as powerful as before, but so did he. Demon grabbed his throat and squeezed. Connor broke his hold and stumbled away, gasping for air. Demon punched him and he landed on the ground. Suddenly he stopped and growled. Connor saw Anthis behind him and compared those two. His muscular body to her lean. Pitch black hair to almost snowy white. That was how far he went before she spoke.
''Let them go.'' Her voice was deep and maybe with an echo. Or Connor just imagined it, probably his ears were ringing. Demon growled something back and ran at her. With almost lighting speed, she took the bow off her back with an arrow and shot. Demon fell down on the ground, an arrow now sticking out of it's head.
''This is the second time I've saved your life. Be more careful.'' She hissed and walked away. Connor got to his feet and ran after her. He put a hand on her shoulder and she whirled around, pushing him back and aiming her bow at him. Connor raised his hands in peace. ''Whoa, slow down.''
''Leave me alone.''
''We really could use your help.'' he said.
''I work alone.'' She lowered her bow. ''It's too late.'' with that she walked away, and this time he let her go. Connor went back to Gunn and grabbed the sword and tried to yank it back.
''She's a feisty one.'' Gunn spoke as he, too, tried to.
''She was right. We can't walk around with no weapons when half of these demons can take us on.'' Connor grunted and finally released Gunn. Vampire grabbed the wall for support. He cast a look on dead demons. ''They kinda look like orcs.'' he noticed. ''She was hot, though.''
Connor looked at him ridiculously.
''Oh, come on. You were thinkin' it too.''
Boy blushed. ''Let's go to the hospital already.''
***B***B***
''Are you a slayer?'' She heard Spike ask. She woke up properly few minutes ago. Her head didn't hurt that much anymore, but she was starving. Amy felt fairly safe, even though she knew he was a vampire.
''Yeah.''
Spike sent a smug look towards Illyria. ''So where are other birdies?''
''Most likely dead.'' she answered. Vampire blinked. ''Wait, what?''
''We were all supposed to meet in some house outside the city, but no one came.''
''Buffy?'' he asked, dreading the answer.
Amy remembered the rage she felt during her fight with Kennedy. It was all gone now. She just wanted to go home. ''She wasn't with us. Kennedy led the first group. I think she's okay, outside the city.''
Spike visibly relaxed. ''Why are you even here? I thought all the slayers would come in one big group, yunno? Buffy and all the big guns.''
Amy laughed quietly at the image. ''Kennedy is a bitch. She couldn't wait few more hours for Buffy to arrive, no she just had to go in.''
Vampire glanced at Illyria, but she seemed not to pay any attention to them. ''Let me get this straight. You walked into the city full of demons, without a good leader and without any bloody purpose? No wonder y'all got killed.''
''You got any food in here?'' Amy asked, suddenly changing the topic.
''There should be something in the kitchen. Help yourself.'' Spike shrugged.
Amy went through the fridge, the cupboards before finding something edible. ''What's her deal?'' she asked, nodding at Illyria.
''Ah, she's just pissed. Turns out it's kinda our fault. All of this.'' Spike joined her.
''Terrific.'' Amy sighed before shoving some food down her throat. ''Do you have any idea where the Hyperion Hotel is?''
Spike immediately focused on her. ''Why?''
''This is where we were supposed to go. I tried to find it, but couldn't.'' Amy said.
''Why there?''
''Faith was the first slayer in the city. She said she'll go there, look for Angel.'' Girl watched Spike's face. ''Then she went in and haven't heard from her since. We were supposed to find her.''
Vampire was visibly relieved. ''Blue, come on. We got a little trip ahead of us.'' he called.
''You know where it is?'' Amy asked.
''Sure I do, darlin'.''
***B***B***
''Do you really think we can trust him?'' Katie asked. Three women looked at Lorne. ''Why are you looking at me?''
''You knew him the longest.''
Lorne sighed and leaned back on the sofa. ''I wish I could say yes, but... I don't know. He is a vampire. He's no longer the same person.''
''So what? He comes back and we stake him?'' Rain asked.
''No.''
''What then?'' Faith joined the conversation.
''I say we let him be. He came to us.'' Lorne said. ''He obviously doesn't want to be stuck here. I doubt he wants to end the world. So... let's just be careful. Let him prove himself to us. What do you say?''
They all nodded their heads.
''What do we do in meantime?'' Slayer asked. She was just plain fucking bored.
''I suppose we can't really do anything before we find Illyria. Our best shot lies in her.''
''Who know where she is. It can take us weeks to find her, even if we do.'' Faith said. ''I think we realize we won't all last forever.''
''You just had to say that, didn't you?'' Blonde muttered.
''It's the truth.'' Faith shrugged. ''You guys want to train a little?''
Both women nodded.
***B***B***
Connor slowly walked through the bloody hallways of the hospital. It was everywhere.
''Something really had fun here.'' Gunn muttered. He saw a pair of legs sticking out of one of the rooms. He quickly walked over there. Inside laid a body of some girl. She had normal clothes on and a stake in her hand. ''Probably a slayer.''
Connor appeared next to him. ''What do you mean a slayer? What would a slayer do here?''
''There's really much blood in this place. I guess they came here to patch themselves up, instead they found something that really wasn't in the mood.'' Gunn backed out. Connor looked at the broken body for few more seconds before following Gunn. The more time they were here, the more bodies they found.
''There isn't a single dead demon here.'' Connor noticed. Vampire crossed the corner and stopped. The double doors in front of him were literally torn off the wall. He looked at Connor and they both slowly moved forward. Once inside, they found over ten bodies, all maimed. ''What could possibly kill over ten slayers in one room?'' he asked.
''I have no idea.'' Gunn answered, looking around. ''Let's just hope it won't come back anytime soon. Which reminds me, we gotta go.''
Connor nodded, absently. ''Why would so many slayers even be in one place? Sure they have better chances in group, but one strike and it all goes to hell. Like it did.''
Sometime later Gunn found bags of blood.
''It any good?'' Connor asked.
Vampire drank one of the bags dry. ''It'll do.''
''Pack as much as you can and let's go back. We wasted enough time.'' Boy said.
As Gunn finished the packing, footsteps sounded through hospital. They both froze. Someone was heading towards them. Vampire set the bag down and stood next to Connor. One of the dead slayers appeared near them.
''What the hell...'' Gunn whispered. Slayer slowly walked to them.
''She's a zombie.'' Connor said. He carefully neared her, wanting to break her neck. As he reached for her head, dead slayer smacked his hands away, punched in the gut and threw into the hallway behind her. She was now separating Connor and Gunn.
''She's definitely not a zombie.'' Gunn said to a stunned Connor. Slayer lunged for Gunn, who sidestepped her and pushed into the hospital machines. Connor got up and something grabbed his arm. He turned around and shoved the person away. He was dumbstruck. It was another dead girl. He saw few more coming his way. He ran back to Gunn and saw him struggling with the girl. When she turned her back to him, he snapped her neck. ''We have to run. Now.'' he said distinctly.
Gunn grabbed the bag and they both realized something. They were in a dead end. ''You were sayin'?''
***B***B***
Spike couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched as they made their way to the Hyperion. They were as stealthy as possible and stuck to the shadows, yet something had to follow them. ''We're not alone.'' he eventually said. They were slowly getting closer to the hotel and if something was tailing them, it was just dumb to lead it there. ''I know.'' Illyria responded.
''What?'' Amy asked.
''We have to lure it out and kill it.'' Spike said.
''No. It's not just any demon, its The Demon.'' She said. ''He's here, I know it.''
''Someone's coming.'' Slayer told them. They all turned to see a figure emerge from the shadows. It was familiar, but only when face was visible Spike breathed out in relief. ''Angel you bloody pounce, you scared the hell outta us. Where the fuck were you all this time?'' he began to walk towards him. Illyria grabbed the back of Spike's cape and forced him behind her. ''That's not Angel anymore.''
''What do you mean?'' Vampire asked, now backing away.
''You remember when I told you that demon needed a host? That's Angel. He's the container.'' Illyria watched as Angel was coming closer.
''Why him? How is that even possible?'' Spike panicked.
''I don't know. You need to leave. Now.'' Illyria said.
''What?'' he asked ridiculously.
''He has no interest in you. He just wants me.''
Spike turned to Amy, then back to Illyria. ''You're not strong enough to take him on. He'll kill you, you said it yourself.''
She shook her head. ''He won't.''
''What are you talking about?''
''He has my power at his disposal. Mine. If I perish, so will it.'' she explained, now inching towards Angel.
Spike didn't move from his spot. Illyria turned to face him. ''Go.''
Vampire shook his head before grabbing Amy's hand and sprinting off.
''Illyria.'' Angel, or rather the demon inside him, said.
''What are you?'' she asked.
Angel smirked, before running at her, both of them crashing through the wall of the nearest building. She kicked him off her, grabbed a chair and slammed him with it. He went to his knees and punched her. Illyria flew to the wall, leaving a hole in it. They changed powerful blows, effectively destroying the inside of a house they were in. Angel grabbed a TV and threw it at her.
''Come on, Old One. That all you got?'' he taunted her. His voice was normal, like the one she remembered. She shoved him back and Angel crashed through the door and back onto the street. She walked down the steps, just as he got up and picked up the door. He hit her with it, breaking it to pieces and bringing her down. Angel grabbed her hair and slammed Illyria's face into the ground. She grabbed his hand and ripped it off it's socket, then kicked Angel in the chest sending him sprawling to the ground across the street.
***B***B***
Gunn threw the stake he ripped off slayer's hand at another one. Though the girls were technically already dead, every normal way to kill a person worked so far. Stake pierced her neck and she fell down. He punched next slayer who came at him and threw the second one over his hip.
Connor grabbed the hand with a stake coming towards him and reared his own back to punch the girl. She ducked, so he jumped up, caught her head between his legs and brought her down. While doing this, he forced the stake out of her hand. On the ground, he stabbed the girl in the chest.
Vampire shoved one of the slayers into the two more. He kicked one of them in the head. Connor beat the second one. Slayers got up and one of them stabbed Gunn in the back, but missed the heart. He went down with a grunt. She raised her hand to stake him when Connor pushed her away. A pair of hands grabbed his back and he flew through already broken door. His head hit the ground, hard. Connor groaned, trying to stand up. He didn't succeed, instead he got hit across the face.
Slayer suddenly fell off him. Connor saw a too much familiar figure standing near. Few moments, two more dead slayers later, she walked to him and began to pull out arrows from the bodies.
''What are you doing here?'' he asked. Gunn rolled to his back.
''You are supposed to say thank you.'' Demon girl said.
''That's not what I asked.'' Connor got to his feet.
''What do I have to do, to make you finally understand?'' Anthis asked. ''I'm warning you over and over again, yet you still fight with those you cannot beat.''
''Are you stalking me?''
She put her hood on and left.
Connor watched her retreating figure, silently. He offered Gunn a hand. Vampire gladly took it. ''You should be glad. Pretty personal guardian angel.'' he said.
Connor took the bag with blood. ''Let's get out of here. They must be worried sick about us, back at the hotel. Probably thinking you killed me or something.''
Gunn actually laughed at that and, Connor supporting the vampire, walked out of the hospital.
''You know that since this whole mess, those were the worst days of my life. Doubt it'll get any better, too.'' Gunn said.
''Yeah, I know something about that.''
***B***B***
''Something is definitely wrong. They should be back hours ago.'' Faith said.
''Maybe they got caught up. God knows what's out there.'' Lorne shook his head. ''Let's not assume the worst.''
Rain raised her head from Katie's lap. ''Relax. It's gonna be fine.'' Their earlier training with Faith left both of them completely tired.
''How can you be so calm about this?'' Blonde asked, running her hand through Rain's curly hair.
''I'm not. There's just no point in worrying. It's not like we can do something about it.'' she shrugged.
''I guess you're right.'' Katie agreed.
They watched as Lorne and Faith argued. She wanted to go and search for them, while he wouldn't let her go.
''You know we could probably sneak away without them even noticing?'' Rain whispered and looked up to meet Katie's eyes. Taller woman laughed. ''What do you have in mind?''
''Oh, I think you know.'' Rain got up on her elbows, her mouth mere inches apart from Katie's.
''You think it's safe?'' Blonde whispered, her hot breath tickling Rain's face.
''It's not like I can get you pregnant, right?'' Brunette laid a quick kiss on her lover's lips.
''You're bad.'' Katie now hovered above Rain on the couch.
''And you love it.'' Rain's hand traveled down Katie's stomach.
''I do.'' She whispered and bit on Rain's earlobe, causing her to moan quietly. Not quiet enough to escape slayer's hearing, as it turned out.
''Seriously?'' Faith stared at them in disbelieve. ''Two of us are missing and you're making out?''
Rain sighed in annoyance when Katie moved away from her. ''Then what are we supposed to do?''
Faith opened her mouth to reply, when the door opened and a peroxide vampire walked in, followed by a girl.
''Hello fellas.''
***B***B***
So, what do you think? Now we know where Angel is, hopefully we'll dwell a little where he's been in next chapters. The gang's together now, so it kinda puts me in another position. I couldn't delay it forever though, could I? Review are more than welcome!