Disclaimer: All Buffy or Angel characters were created by Joss Whedon. Not me.
Author's Note: Yeah, so things get interesting. Longest chap ever. Downside is, I am really not sure when will be the next one. Like it or not, real life is demanding my time. And I have to obey.
Chapter Eighteen: God Is A Girl
''How much longer do you think you can hold on?''
Faith circled the captured demon. This one at least resembled a human. Two hours earlier she came across another group of them. One remained. He was currently tied to a chair in a post office. Though, she doubted he'd even try to run if she let him sit freely. Instead of simply battering his face she opted for another way of getting information. Searching through desks she found few needles. Slayer got to the demon and grabbed his hand, forcing his fingers to straighten. She held onto the middle one.
''Come on, be a good little demon and just tell your aunt.'' She looked him in the eye. There was a unmistakable shadow of fear there, but also a strong will. He really did not want to tell her anything. ''Be it your way then.'' Faith licked her lips in anticipation. Tip of the needle broke the demon's skin, making him hiss at the contact. Then, in one slow but firm move, she pushed it through his finger, all the way to the palm. He screamed in agony. Yeah, just like humans. Faith let him cry for few more seconds and, when he drew a deep breath, broke his finger. That was even more painful. She took a step back, admiring her work.
''How 'bout now? No?'' Slayer sighed in disappointment, but really she was thrilled to work with someone who could hold on a little longer.
''N-never...'' He let out a pained answer.
Faith rolled her eyes. ''Be a realist, buddy. Never is such a big word. Nothing lasts forever. You won't.'' She picked up another needle. ''I mean, really. Think about it for a sec. You've got nine other fingers. I've got all the time in the world. What is the point? You're either gonna die fast, or after few very long hours. Your choice.'' She grabbed the next finger and looked him in the eye. ''Yes? No? Yes?''
No answer came and the silence was broken by an agonized scream.
***B***B***
Gunn carefully watched the area. Nothing. No movement at all. Slowly, he walked down the stairs and into the darkness.
''I'm back.'' He called softly into the space. There. There it was. Danar came onto the view.
''How was your trip?''
''Enlightening. How's everything here?'' Vampire walked closer. Yeah, now he could see various demons spread throughout their temporary shelter. ''I didn't see any of them on my way in.''
''That's good. Very good.'' Demon nodded. ''There is a couple of them on the surface. Although, three of the groups I've sent didn't yet make it back.''
''Three? That doesn't sound too good.''
Danar looked sideways. ''Come with me. Let's discuss things in private.'' They went down and after few moments hopped onto the train. ''So, did you find out anything?''
''Yeah, actually.'' Gunn sat down. ''I believe most of my team is still alive, somewhere.''
''Your team?'' Danar raised an eyebrow. ''You still consider yourself a part of them?''
Vampire stared him in the eye. ''We have the same agenda. Anyway, found a little demon on my way back. We had a chat. Adrian's been beaten. He's quite possibly dead. Things are falling apart up there. His army went every demon for himself, from what I can tell.''
Hoofed demon leaned against the window. ''That is... good news. But... he's either not dead or the spell that was supposed to bring the barrier down was never put on him in the first place.''
Gunn thought about that. ''Huh. Guess you're right. Told you somethin' was off about this whole story.''
''How did that happen? Who defeated him?'' Danar asked.
''Faith, apparently.''
''Who?''
Vampire scowled. ''The slayer.''
''Oh... right.'' He licked his lips. ''But how? I've heard that the slayer is powerful...''
''This is where things get confusing. Supposedly Adrian set a trap for them, guess he needed her specifically for something. They played right into his hands and when the moment of truth came, he dropped the ball.'' Gunn explained. ''Don't know how she came out on top.''
''That is disturbing. Very, very disturbing.'' Danar murmured. He looked at the black man. ''What do we do now? The immediate threat is gone.''
''Yeah, maybe.'' Gunn stood up. ''Is there someone here who can do a locator spell or something? I need to get in contact with the group. They must know the details. In the meantime we need to control this area. And be ready for a fight. Something can still find it's way to us.''
***B***B***
''Is everything alright?'' Anthis asked when she finally left her brother's room. Everyone was gathered around the unconscious vampire.
''He woke up.'' Lorne informed her.
''Told you it would work.'' Connor said to Spike. ''Now all we need to do is to give him just a little bit mo-''
''No.'' Vampire interrupted. ''That's enough. He came to, good. What we need to do now, is to get him some normal blood. You wouldn't happen to have some here?'' He turned to Anthis.
''No.''
''Great. Okay, a supply run.'' Spike groaned. ''Again. Me, Illyr-''
He was cut off by the goddess. ''I'm going after the source. We need to know what is here.''
''I'm going with her.'' Anthis said.
Amy narrowed her eyes. ''Yeah. I'll tag along too.''
Spike opened his mouth, then closed it. ''Bloody hell.''
''We'll go.'' Katie said, after confirming with Rain.
''What? No.'' Vampire objected.
''We need more things than just blood.'' Rain noticed. ''Normal food. Clothes. Judging on how fast we're going through all of the medical stuff, we'll need more of this too. You can't take care of that all by yourself.''
''I'm with you.'' Connor said. Spike knew he was fighting a losing battle.
''So that leaves me to watch over our champion here.'' Lorne observed. ''Could be worse.''
''We leave in half an hour.'' Illyria decided.
Amy approached Spike. ''I'll keep an eye on them.''
''Yeah.'' He nodded. ''Good call, actually.''
She glanced at Angel. ''You fed him Connor's blood?''
''His call.''
Slayer wanted to say something more, but decided against it.
In another room, Katie grabbed the camera and turned it off, after briefly laying the situation onto the tape. ''I have a bad feeling about this.'' Rain said from behind her.
''Nothing new.'' Blonde shrugged.
''I know. It's just... I feel like we shouldn't be going out there. Much less split into groups.''
''That's the only way it's gonna work. Well, fastest anyway.'' Katie walked to Rain and encircled her with her arms. ''It's all gonna turn out just fine.'' She said, laying a comforting kiss on her forehead.
Lorne sighed as he watched the lovers embrace, before shaking his head and exiting the room. He turned, only to find himself face to face with Illyria.
''Something is wrong.'' She stated.
''Oh, what do you mean, sugar?'' He took a step back.
''With you.'' She clarified. ''I can feel it. You've changed. You're still changing.''
Lorne looked around, alarmed. He took her by the hand and led to an unoccupied room. ''I know. Ever since Lindsey... it's getting worse with each day. I don't know what is happening. My...'' He sighed. ''My powers are failing me.''
Illyria cocked her head. ''Interesting. Any physical changes?''
''Eh, I'm not sure whether its all of this catching up with me, but sometimes I feel really drained. Dizzy.'' He voiced his problems. ''Why? Can you do something about it?''
''Not currently. I... I will think about this. Find a way.'' She said.
Green demon breathed in relieve. ''You can't tell anyone.'' He warned her. Illyria nodded.
Twenty minutes later they all met at the door.
''Is that even Angel?'' Connor suddenly asked. Everyone turned to him, then looked at Angel's form with concern. Finally, settled at Lorne for answers.
''That's Angel.'' Illyria rushed with the anwer. She caught Lorne's grateful stare. ''I can feel the soul.''
''Okay then.'' Spike opened the door and they walked to the street. ''So, when do we meet back here?''
''Once everything will be done.'' Anthis said. ''Let's go. We mustn't waste time.''
She and Illyria took off to the left, Amy following after exchanging looks with Spike.
''Where do we go first?'' Connor asked, watching the three retreating figures.
***B***B***
''Can you turn blue?'' Amy asked Illyria, nearly an hour later. Goddess stopped and looked at her instensively. Few moments later, her hair straightened and turned the color, covering most of her skin in the shade of it. ''Is that better?'' The voice was too, different.
Slayer blinked. ''Yeah.''
Illyria resumed her walk. Amy turned to Anthis. ''Where'd you get them?'' She pointed to the quiver full of arrows. She was fairly certain that during their last big fight, huntress left without them, leaving them buried in enemy's corpses.
''I have a considerable amount of them.''
Amy rolled her eyes. This is what she signed up for? ''So what's your deal?''
Anthis sent her a questioning look.
''I mean you're done. Your brother is dead. You can just hole up somewhere and wait for the barrier to fade away.'' She noticed. ''No need to help us.''
''I am in your debt.'' Was the short reply. ''I have to at least try to make up for Adrian's sins. I need to get back to my world as soon as I can. In order to do that I have to actively help the cause.''
''Oh.''
''Quiet.'' Illyria suddenly snapped. Instantly, Anthis prepared to shoot something.
''What?'' Amy whispered.
Illyria turned in a circle. ''Nothing.''
They relaxed and moved forward.
''What happens with Adrian's army?'' Slayer asked few streets later.
''That depends.'' Demon said. She crouched and examined something on the ground. ''Whether or not his generals are still here.'' She got up and walked after Amy. ''I noticed three of them when we fought. They're dead now. If we're lucky that's it and there was no one to pick up the chain of command.''
''Five.'' Illyria spoke. ''There were five of them.''
''How do you know?''
''I've seen them. Adrian gathered them when I was still his prisoner.'' She stopped at a crossroads.
They came to her side. ''So two of them might still be out there. Okay, what will they do now that the boss is gone?''
''I imagine they are in a bit of disarray.'' Anthis said. Illyria decided to keep going forward. ''With Faith slaughtering everything in her path, us and lack of anything even resembling a back-up plan, it might take them few moments to find their feet.''
''Uh-huh.''
''But they are not, by any means, stupid.'' Huntress said. ''If I were them, I would go into hiding. Wait this whole thing out. They must know that with Adrian gone, the hold he had over the resistance back home will melt away.''
''So what? From now on they'll sit on the sidelines?'' Amy asked.
''That's what I would do.'' Anthis shrugged.
''Are you sure? I mean even with your brother out of the question, there is quite a bit of demons here.'' Slayer said.
''I'm not sure. I don't know. They must know that they can't fight Faith. That seems like a reasonable move.'' Taller female responded.
''We're getting closer.'' Illyria announced.
***B***B***
Spike picked up two duffel bags and threw one to Connor. They'll have a lot of stuff to carry. Connor looked around the mall, trying to localize the women.
''Come on.'' He said to Spike, after finding them.
''Open up.'' Rain said when they got close enough. Connor did as he was told and a bunch of clothes landed in his bag. He saw shirts, pants and quickly raised his head up after seeing a pair of underwear that was definitely not for him. He just held it open as Katie and Rain took turns to throw it what was necessary. Soon his bag was full. He watched as Spike's began to get heavier and went for the next one.
Spike glances at his bag, full of towels, soaps, toothpaste... ''Really?''
''Shut up.'' Katie warned him. Vampire smirked, but complied. Fifteen minutes later they seemed to have everything they needed.
''Okay, now let's go find something to eat.'' Rain said.
They went through the mall, going into various stores, picking up whatever was edible. Cans, chips, dry food...
''We good for a couple of days?'' Spike asked when the bag was full.
''Yeah.'' Connor nodded. ''Where's the closest hospital?''
''Uhhh, should be about four blocks over.''
Connor hauled one of the bags over his shoulder, the second one in his hand. ''Let's go. The faster we get back, the better.''
''Right there with ya.'' Rain said under her breath.
***B***B***
''Seriously? I mean who do you think you're doing a favor? Obviously not yourself.'' Faith watched the mutilated demon. She ran out of needles.
''You've got be thinking 'I held on, my god I am sooo brave'.'' She mocked him in a high-pitched voice. ''Newsflash for you, ya ain't. Unless it turns you on. Huh? You like to be tortured? That it? You won't talk 'cuz you don't want the fun to end?'' She noticed he was slowly drifting away, so slayer quickly got to him and slapped him across the face. Hard. Faith grabbed, what she considered was hair and forced the demon's head back. ''C'mon lover.''
Demon said nothing.
She let his head drop. Faith sighed and examined the room she was in. ''You know, we should mix hot and sharp... and I can only imagine it's gonna get loud.'' She walked to a desk and smashed it into pieces, before grabbing the biggest wooden one she could find. Brunette searched her pockets for a lighter and after getting it, she ignited it and set the wood over the flame, waiting for it to catch the heat. When it did, Faith picked up The Scythe. ''You probably don't even feel your hands anymore, right?'' She noticed the panicked look in the demon's eyes. ''Lemme help you with that.''
She held the weapon in one hand, the burning wood in the other. ''One word and I won't do it.'' No answer. Just as she was hoping. Slayer really wanted the demon to talk, but this one thing she had to do. To see.
With a gleam in her eye, Faith aimed the axe and cut through the demon's arm, right in the middle of his forearm. She gasped when he started to scream. As she put the wood just under the cut, to let the flame cautorize the wound and stop the blood flow, she noticed her hand was shaking in excitement. After few moments she set both things down, putting out the flames for now.
As small spasms ran through her body, Faith let herself sit on the desk, trying to contain them.
''Now tell me that wasn't wicked hot.'' She said as a laugh escaped her throat. Faith gave the demon and herself a little time to recover. Let him embrace to pain. Expect another dose. Fear of pain is almost as much, or even stronger, than the pain itself.
''Ready for round two?'' She eventually asked. ''From what I can see...'' She started, almost casually. ''This is a four round battle. Everything is a fair game.'' She glanced at his feet, while playing with the wood over the lighter. When she was satisfied with the instensity of the flame, Faith took a hold of The Scythe. ''You know, there won't be any history books for little kids to read that it was you that spilled the beams and betrayed your... whatever the hell they are to you.'' She raised it up. ''They're all gonna die anyway. C'mon, be it our little secret, what d'ya say?'' Receiving no answer, Faith blew some hair out of her eyes.
''W-wait.''
***B***B***
''There is electricity back there, right?'' Connor asked after Spike put a considerable amount of blood in the bag.
''Uhhh... bloody hope so.'' Spike shrugged. ''Haven't really looked.''
''We got eveything?'' Rain jogged to them. Katie appeared few seconds later.
''Yeah, I guess.'' Vampire said. ''So, who's taking what?'' He looked at the bags. Five of them.
Everyone took a quick look at another and rushed for them, grabbing one. Spike looked at the two remaining. ''Cute.''
They left the hospital.
''Okay, so how do we get back?'' Blonde asked. ''Same way we came?''
''I don't think so.'' Spike shook his head. ''All that scavenging made us go in a pretty twisted way. We're not that far from Venice Boulevard, we should be able to take it all the way down to the-''
''Shhh.'' Connor suddenly hissed. Vampire froze and listened.
''What?'' Rain turned in a circle, alarmed.
''Oh shit.'' Spike exchanged looks with Connor. ''Get off the street! Now! Off!'' He broke into a run to the nearest building. The three of them followed.
''What the hell?'' Katie asked in a hushed, urgent whisper. She clung to Rain, almost if to protect her, or be to protected herself.
''There's a fight coming towards us. Big.'' Connor whispered.
''So let's get the fuck outta here.'' Rain said.
''I reckon we won't be able to leave undetected.'' Spike remarked. ''Gotta wait for them to pass us by. Or slaughter each other.''
''Quiet.'' Connor held up his hand.
Both Rain and Katie could hear it now too. Dozens of footsteps coming towards them. Along with screams, grunts, roars and moans of pain. Looked like a full blown battle.
After three or four minutes that felt like eternity, the brawl seemed to die down little by little. Katie took a look behind her at Spike and her eyes widened. There was a pair of glowing, yellowish eyes just few feet from him. She pushed the vampire to the side and the hand that would've pierced right through Spike's back, left three long gashes on her arm. Connor charged, but the enemy kicked him in the chest, hard enough for the boy to crash through the door and onto the street, into the middle of the fight. He then went for Rain. A second later he fell down dead with a broken neck. Spike looked from the demon at his feet to Connor, whose appearance haven't gone unnoticed.
''Bollocks. Looks like we've got to fight our way out.'' He said and with a roar, he threw himself into the battle.
''You okay?'' Rain asked the blonde, glancing at Connor, beating someone down.
''I'm fine. Just a scratch.'' Katie shrugged it off. She too, was looking at the street. The fight was dying, literally. It was between the group of demons and demons disguised at humans. Human ones seemed to be winning.
An old guy noticed them.
''Uh-huh. Yeah, we gotta join the fight.'' Rain said as the man moved to them. She and Katie met him halfway. Brunette made the first move, striking at him. Man ducked and shoved her away, strong enough for her to fall down and hit the ground. Katie attacked, but her punches were either blocked or completely missed. Rain got to her feet just as her partner got three quick jabs in the ribs and a right hook that knocked her down. She raised her head to see Rain's snap back after a punch. They were clearly outmatched.
''Spike!'' She yelled to the vampire. And regretted it as her lungs caught fire. He had his hands full, as did Connor. They were each up against three other. However, he caught a glimpse of what was going on. ''Coming pet!'' He shouted back and took out one of them.
Rain spit out some blood and attacked with her left, going for a combination Faith taught her, but the man caught her fist in an iron grip. He smirked at her amazed face. She fell down to her knees as the bones in her hand began to shatter at the force. She reached to the back of her pants and grabbed the knife. Brunette aimed for the heart. She jumped from her knees and thrust forward. Inches before the mark, her wrist was caught and, using Rain's momentum, the man spun her around. Rain's back hit his front, hard enough for air to leave her lungs. She had a second of realization, during which she locked eyes with Katie, who was getting to her feet painfully. Blonde's heart stopped.
Rain's hand came towards her. She gasped as her own knife pierced her chest.
''NOOOO!'' A primal scream tore from Katie's throat.
Spike had his opponent in a headlock, a moment from ending his life when he froze. He raised his head to see a knife surface from Rain's chest and her body being shoved to the side by an old man. Behind him, Connor was on the ground, with his last foe standing over him, seeing the same thing. Man met Spike's gaze, shocked with a first bit of anger, of rage. He took off just as vampire got to his feet, just as Katie reached Rain's body and just as Connor stood up.
Spike raced with a determination, the same fire he previously had while going up that tower to save Dawn. He ran past Katie, who was shouting at Rain. It just fueled him more.
''Look at me. Look at me!'' Blonde yelled at her lover. She was still alive, choking on her own blood, not being able to draw a breath, much less say anything. Her disoriented, panicked eyes seeked Katie. ''Y-you're gonna be fine. You hear me, it's alright. Just a scratch.'' She tried to stop the bleeding, but the wound was too big, the blood flow too intense. ''Stay with me! Please! Rain, please! I love you, you can't go. You CAN'T!'' Her screams mixed with sobs, she choked back on the tears and couldn't force anything more past her lips as Rain stopped moving altogether, her eyes frozen on Katie, seemingly saying I'm sorry.
Connor, who had more troubles with the guy than he imagined, had enough and sent a powerful right hook at him. He tried to block it, but it was a wasted effort. Connor's fist went right through man's arm, pushing it out of the way and hit his lower jaw on the left, making his head spin. Connor heard a sickening crack as the man fell to the ground without any ounce of grace. He immediately saw Katie and ran to her.
She was now covering Rain with her own body, sprawled over her as if to protect her from any further harm. ''N-no... oh my God, Rain... p-please don-don't, y-you can't...'' The sobs wrecked her entire frame. Connor stopped over her with an absent look in his eyes, but she paid him absolutely no attention. She didn't even know he was there. He didn't matter. Nothing mattered to her anymore.
Rain was dead.
Connor looked down the way Spike disappeared in his pursuit. Without any hesitation, he sprinted.
Blond vampire almost caught up with the man nearly three streets later. Just a little more, he told himself. He almost had him. Just a little... He jumped on the man's back, bringing them both to the ground, right into some alley. Man rolled them over and hit Spike in the face, his other hand forcing the knife, covered in Rain's fresh blood, down on him. Spike caught his wrist and they wrestled for a second, before Spike knocked it away, headbutted the man and kicked in the chest. He stood up as the man scrambled to his feet.
''You're gonna die.'' Spike growled and morphed into his vampire visage, rushing at the man. His first blow was blocked, the second one ducked and Spike stumbled back after a knee to his stomach. He snarled fiercely and went for it again, this time catching man's arm and punching him in the face with his other. He tried again, but his fist was caught just as Rain's before. Spike let go of man's left arm and hit him just below his ribs. Immediately in return he was slugged across the face. Before he could turn his head back, vampire was punched again and kicked in the ribs. That fucker is strong, flew through Spike's mind as he collided with a wall. Without missing a beat, he was up again and tackled the man to the ground. Though the guy had moves, Spike managed to get in one clean shot. He felt pain in his hand as after hitting the man, it stopped on the pavement, but the satisfaction won this round, because blood sputtered from his nose. Spike was shoved back, getting three hits in the face, followed by a high kick that took him off his feet. He was dimly aware of blood coming from his own mouth, a bruise that was surely to form on his cheek and the cut there. The man grabbed him, forced him up and pushed against the wall.
Just as he reared his fist back, he was slammed to the ground by Connor. Spike slid down the wall, groaning in pain and gritting his teeth, trying to get back to the fight.
He used the wall for support and got up. Connor was not handling the fight any better than he himself moments ago. As he caught up to them, Spike noticed that while Connor's punches seemed to have more effect on the man, more strength behind them, boy let himself be overcome by rage and that cost him, because for each hit that he gave, he received three. He joined the fray in time to grab the guy's hand and let Connor hit him in the ribs. Spike was fairly certain that he heard a crack, but that seemed to have no impact, as he shook Spike away and sent Connor ten feet away with a kick. Vampire got a good shot with his left, but was punched back and then backhanded, then finally he was hit in the back. He fell down to his knees.
''You sure you wanna keep this up?'' Man wheezed out as Connor reached him and Spike stood up. Neither of them listened, just attacked. He parred Spike's fist and struck him back, getting punched by Connor in result, hitting him and doubling over after vampire's kick. He rammed his head into Spike's stomach and kneed him in his face. His head snapped back after Connor hit him, yet he managed to block the boy's next punch and hit his side, before striking him with a right hook, that sent him stumbling into Spike, both of them falling to the ground.
''You... left them there...'' He got out as vampire and boy picked themselves up. ''All... alone... vulnerable...'' Man had to give them credit. They were both incredibly resistant and stubborn. And he was tiring very quickly, maybe even quickier than them. He had one last chance to get away. They ran at him simultaneously, and even though he did manage to avoid most of their hits, some still got through. After a really mean punch he hit the wall. Connor went for him and he was ready. He ducked the boy's punch and grabbed the back of his head, slamming his face into the bricks. Somehow, he managed to stay on his feet. Spike was two seconds after him and was forced to take a step back when he got kicked in the stomach. Another punch made Connor go down, just as a spinning kick sent Spike into some trash. The man regained his balance with difficulty. He let out a pained breath and his eyes widened in ridiculousness as they began to slowly raise up. Fuck this, he needed to get away. Heavily, he got out of there.
''Get back here!'' Spike shouted at his back, but was physically incapable of running after him. ''You alive kid?''
''What the fuck was that thing?'' Connor asked and spit out some blood. He stood up and groaned in pain.
''His moves were a bit like that violet thing we offed few days ago.'' Spike also got to his feet and looked the way the man escaped. A low growl escaped his throat. He looked at his left, undamaged hand and sniffed the blood on it. The man's blood.
Connor walked to him just as he licked it. Vampire closed his eyes and focused on the taste, the scent. Boy himself had a lot of it on himself and, after realizing what Spike was doing, did the same.
''We're gonna find him.'' He said and morphed back to his human face. ''Here. Anywhere. Anytime. I'll track him to the edge of the world if I have to.''
''We gotta get back.'' Connor took few steps in that direction.
''He... he said we left them... I mean, is-is she...'' Spike looked at him with hope, yet he knew it was impossible. He saw way too many wounds that were fatal and that one most certainly was.
''No.'' Connor shook his head. Vampire fell in step with the boy as they left the alley.
''This wasn't supposed to happen.'' He muttered. ''We all knew it was coming, but it wasn't supposed to happen.''
''It's bad.'' Connor said. ''Katie's... I don't know. What are we going to do now?''
They turned left.
''Go back. Think of something then.'' Spike answered. ''This... this is-'' He thought it over. ''Who the hell was that guy, anyway? I mean the bloody moves, the strength, you'd think he was the one we have to deal with. Bloody... fuck!''
The next minutes passed in silence, until they reached the street. They took a look at one another and went over the corner. No one, only Katie. As they neared her, Connor noticed that except for breathing, she was totally still, her eyes burning holes in Rain's face, in a way you'd think she was able to bring her back just by doing it. But she couldn't.
And presented a pathetic mess.
''Katie?'' Spike carefully approached her. ''Luv, you with us?'' Blonde paid him no attention. ''Listen we have to get out of here. We can't stay.'' Spike turned to Connor and took one of the bags, slinging it over his shoulder. ''Grab the rest and put them somewhere. We'll go back for them later.''
''Huh?''
''We ain't gonna leave her here. I'll carry the body, you take her. I don't think she's with us right now.''
***B***B***
Gunn surveyed the area. They've pretty much met a dead end. While Danar was searching for anyone capable of performing a locator spell, vampire signed up for duty. As he walked in circles, occasionally stopping for some time, he thought that something was off. He just couldn't believe that someone so sensitive to magic wasn't capable of wielding it. Something didn't fit in this picture. Yet so far, Danar gave him absolutely no reason not to trust him.
He sensed something. Taking the axe into his hands, he moved silently to a corner. Something definitely hid there. It wasn't smart to just jump from his position onto an open street and wait for whatever was there. He looked around, trying to think of some approach. Something clattered to the ground. Gunn risked a peek and saw a half-full can of paint roll down the pavement. Wind? No, was his immediate counter thought. It was to heavy to just hit the ground on it's own. Either someone just gave up his position or...
He froze. And whirled around, his axe ready to cut down whatever foe was behind him. But the weapon was stopped, torn away from his hand and he was sent to the ground by a left hook. A pair of hands grabbed him by his back and threw deeper into the street and out of any possible eyes. Vampire groaned and looked up.
''Illyria?'' He was shocked, seeing her standing over him with his axe in her possesion.
''Sup?'' A voice from his left called and Amy stepped into the view.
''What are you two-'' He stopped, noticing a third figure coming. ''Three doing here? And since when does she hang around?'' Gunn stood up.
Anthis glared at him.
''You did get in contact with Wolfram & Hart.'' Illyria stated, passing him his axe.
''Yeah. Listen, there's a whole army here. We can use them to-''
''We can't trust them.'' Amy interrupted. Illyria watched him curiously.
''What?'' Gunn exclaimed. ''Why?''
''We'll explain everything, but for now we gotta get back.'' Slayer said.
''Huh? Go where... No.'' He disagreed. ''They're just tryin' to survive. If we join forces...''
''No.'' Illyria said strongly. ''We can't risk that. Recently we've come to know a lot of informations, concerning our stay here.''
''That's my whole point. Together we might have a chance at killing Adrian. Win our freedom back.'' Gunn told them.
''What do you mean... win our freedom?'' Anthis slowly asked.
''I ain't sure, but it's very possible that if we kill him, the barrier will disappear.'' He explained.
''It's a lie.'' Amy said with a sigh.
''How do you know that?''
''Adrian is dead.'' Huntress revealed.
''What? But...'' Gunn stopped.
''They told you that, didn't they?'' Illyria watched him. ''Wolfram & Hart's concern was never for us to get out. Their primary target was to eliminate Adrian. With him gone, their business here is done.'' She concluded. ''Of course, this situation here will be taken care of, in time. But first they have to set up a base somewhere near, gather forces. By that time, if we don't act... We're dead.''
Gunn weighed his options. ''Where are we going?'' He chose.
''What about...'' Amy turned to Illyria, but she shook her head.
''We are going back.'' She ordered.
''Seems that I missed a great deal of things going down, huh?'' Gunn asked as they moved.
''You have no idea.'' Amy said under her breath.
***B***B***
Lorne hummed a tune to himself absently. The group was gone for pretty much the whole day. That worried him, as they should be back by now. Spike's at least. During all that time he watched over Angel, but the vampire stayed unconscious, though few times he muttered some words that Lorne couldn't make out. He also had time to look around the place. It was big, bigger than he expected. There were three rooms that, with a little work, could've been turned into bedrooms. Of course, between the nine of them, they'd have to share. Well, after all this time in Los Angeles, demon didn't think that anyone would mind. He also saw Adrian's body, still laying in the same place. He had no idea what Anthis wanted to do with him.
He felt tightness in his stomach. What... Lorne fell down to his knees, coughing in pain. Something was wrong. Blood, he realized. He was coughing up blood. When the sensation stopped, he took a moment to gather his bearings. He went to the kitchen and opened the cupboards, looking for some paper towels. After finding them, Lorne walked back and began to wipe off the stains from the carpet. On the other hand, Spike and Connor, maybe even Anthis, still will be able to smell it. What was he supposed to say if they questioned him? He had no answers. Demon looked at his left arm. True, it healed considerably since, but it still hurt. More than it should've. His movements were limited and he did everything to keep up the appearances.
Lorne looked down at the carpet. Clean enough. With bad light no one would even be able to say something was here. He regarded the bloody towels in his hand. Green demon searched the place again, this time for a lighter and once finding it, set them ablaze in the sink. He turned on the water and disposed of any evidence, setting the lighter back to it's former place.
Soon he found himself back on the couch, watching Angel. At least his appearance improved. The cracks that previously marked his skin seemed to heal, now they resembled faded scars. As for the skin itself, it acquired some, if very little, color. He sat like that for about ten minutes, deep in thought, when he heard the front door open. He got up.
Connor was the first to walk in, followed by Katie. About halfway through their journey, she demanded to be put back on her feet. Boy complied and only watched helplessly as the blonde walked, staring at Rain's form in Spike's arms. None of them said anything else the entire trip.
Spike just crossed the threshold when Lorne appeared, the smile starting to form on his mouth before registering the situation. Their eyes met and demon's smile died down before it had time to fully develop. Vampire walked past him without a word and set Rain down in the room next to Angel's. He stepped back as Katie sat down next to her and took the brunette's hand, gently carresing it. She shuddered at the contact and Spike could only quess why. The body was getting colder.
He retreated to Connor and Lorne, neither of them saying anything, Lorne too shocked to ask and Connor too tired to say. Spike took off the bag and searched through it, getting one of the blood bags out. He went to the kitchen and they followed. Vampire tore the bag apart, pouring the blood to one of the mugs. Connor suddenly realized that he was covered in blood. He quickly got to the sink and began cleaning it off frantically. He had no idea why it hit him so much and he suspected that Spike hadn't either. He had his share of blood and death and he was certain that Spike had way more than that. Maybe it was that despite all their time here, they managed to stay alive. A part of him might have even thought they will stay that way. What a foolish thing to do. Have hope.
There was a soft noise to his right and Connor jumped, startled. Spike got the mug from the microwave. So the place had electricity. It seemed so trivial.
''What happened?'' Lorne asked quietly, finally finding his voice after watching Spike drain the whole thing at once.
''I don't know.'' Connor cleared his throat. ''We had the supplies, we were just heading back. We came across a fight and had to... had to fight. Then it was too late.''
''We were winning'' Spike said. ''And some demon, some disgusting piece of filth from Adrian's army stabbed her. Right in the chest, with her own knife. Nothing we could've done.''
Lorne let his gaze fall onto the floor, before eventually making his decision and turning around to comfort Katie, only to be met by the sight of her in the doorway.
''Where is the gun?'' She asked, her voice hollow, empty.
The three of them exchanged looks. ''The-the what now?'' Spike came closer.
''The gun. She always had a gun. Instead of a knife, it should've been a gun. Where is the gun, what happened to the gun?'' She looked at them all. None of them had the answer.
''It probably got left back in Hyperion.'' Connor offered after few seconds. ''Maybe she lost it during our retreat.''
''Oh.'' She nodded her head absently and went back to Rain.
Spike reached for his cigarettes. He fished one out and put in his mouth. ''You might want to take a blood bag to your dad.'' He hesitated for a second and lit it up. He took a long drag and left the room.
***B***B***
Faith let another body hit the ground. She was at the location. Guard duty, must've been. She looked around, trying to determine whether there were more of them. After the demon told her everything she wanted to know, she did as promised. Granted him a quick death. But not before she cut off his other arm and set it on fire. Not like he didn't deserve it. Okay, she squinted her eyes. One entrance, probably tight quarters down there. But how tight? Also, she didn't how many of them really resided there. Ten? Fifty, hundred?
She heard slow, soft footsteps approaching. More than one pair. Slayer jumped from her place, quickly jammed the wooden part of The Scythe into one's chest and cut down the other. Dead.
Faith looked up. The sun was going down, already partially hidden by the buildings. No time like the present, she mused. She trotted silently to the stairs, making her way down. The darkness didn't bother her at all. She wondered if it was the same to them. Although, she had to give them credit. This was a one fine place to stay. For demons, anyway. She stuck to the wall and hid behind a cola machine. Three demons were coming. She reached for a dagger. They were going in another direction, she realized. Faith whistled. Immediately she could hear soft murmurs or growls, as they neared her hiding place. Slayer let out a deep, audible breath and sprung into action. She stuck the knife in the one, Scythe in the other and the third one had a second before she reached and broke his neck. Now they made a noise that was pretty much impossible to ignore. She quickly grabbed her weapons back and, with her jaw clenched shut, went to meet the other demons.
It was good that they seemed to be spread across quite a big space, as it took them various time to get to her. It resulted with her cutting down one, before he was replaced by another. But even when Faith found herself taking care of one after another, she soon was being pummeled more than she wanted to. Currently she had three demons on her. Slayer stuck a dagger in one's stomach, but received a blow to her back, bringing her to her knees. Luckily, the demon that delivered it, was earlier dispatched of his weapon, otherwise it could be over. She raised her head to see a knife coming towards her. She had absolutely no time to dodge. She did the only thing she could think of. She intercepted the blade, taking hold of the white steel midway.
Everything froze for a second, including the group of demons that just now arrived on scene. Faith, taking advantage of the situation, tore it away from demon's grip and stabbed the one behind her. Not breaking the momentum, she completed the whirl and cut off the front one's head. Slayer stared down the remaining demons dangerously. Five seconds later she felt a weird sensation. Brunette looked down and turned her hand around. Her palm was cut, the blood flowing away.
Demons took it as a sign to attack.
Faith went deeper into the lair, slaying the demons. Eventually she got into the station. This was their last stand. Must've been, for there was a tall, bluish demon with a wicked looking mace waiting for her.
''Hello.'' He offered her.
''What?'' She breathed heavily. ''You wanna talk me out of it?''
''No.'' Danar shook his head. ''Just simply want to understand your reason for doing what you've done. You killed your way through many of my people.'' She was covered in various kinds of blood and goo.
''How 'bout the fact they weren't people?'' She offered.
''But you won't stop here, will you?'' He said, looking at The Scythe in her hand. ''I can feel it. Adrian's influence on you. Stop now or you will completely lose yourself.''
Faith snorted. ''I've been once sponsored by a vampire. Demon is not quite cut out for the job.''
''You look tired, slayer.'' He reached for his weapon. She was too far gone. ''You sure you up for it?''
''Never backed down from a challenge.'' She remarked.
''Why are you even after us?'' He said when Faith took the first step. ''This all happened because of you. Well, maybe not you precisely, but you were a part of it.''
''Everything that went down here is because Angel had enough.'' Slayer was getting closer. ''And so have I.'' She ran at him, bringing the axe down. Danar blocked it with his mace and punched Faith, immediately backing away.
''I'm not talking about that.'' He said as she recovered. ''I mean, whatever you can do here, it won't matter in the long run. No matter how many of us you kill.''
''Huh?'' She wiped some blood from her lips.
''You upset the balance. More and more demons will come.''
''There's always more.'' Faith charged again, this time faking a swing and kicking Danar in the stomach. She followed it with an uppercut and shoved the demon into the wall.
''Not that many.'' He gasped and sidestepped Faith's swing, pushing her away. ''You chose the wrong enemy.''
''Really? Slayer...'' She pointed at herself. ''Demon.''
Danar watched her finger, pointing at him. ''Yes. But how about other slayers?''
Faith looked at him questioningly.
''One slayer, okay. Two... the number of demons is up.'' He explained. ''A hundred slayers means there will be a hundred more demons. Times more.'' He was exaggerating, but not by much. And she didn't know that. ''Their numbers will be too much for you. Many more people will die because slayers won't be able to get to them in time.''
''You're lyin'.'' Faith said, walking to him.
''Maybe.'' He backed away. ''But don't be mistaken. Los Angeles will repeat itself one day. And you'll remember this warning.''
Slayer attacked and he surprised her, by jabbing at her side with his tail. That gave him enough time to swing his mace powerfully, sending Faith crashing to the wall.
''Uhhh... didn't see that comin'.'' She groaned in pain as she picked herself up.
Danar charged at her, bringing his mace down. Faith blocked it with The Scythe, while her other hand took a dagger and slid it just below demon's ribs. Slayer took it out, kicked the mace away from Danar and stabbed him in the shoulder. He got a hold of her and threw away, giving himself time to get the blade out. He threw it at Faith, who deflected it with the axe. She ran at him and they both fell of the station and down the rails. Demon's head hit it, hard. He had trouble focusing for a second and slayer used it well.
Danar's eyes widened as Faith brought The Scythe down, splitting his head in two.
***B***B***
''Come on, wake up.'' Connor shook Angel, the blood ready. He really did not want to force it past vampire's lips. ''Dad, you hear me? Come on.''
After a particularly hard shove, Angel's eyes opened heavily.
''Hey, hey, look at me, look at me.'' He quickly grabbed his chin and turned to face him. ''Focus. It's me. You get it?''
Angel stared at Connor and blinked. ''Wha-''
''Whoa, it's alright.'' Connor put his hand on Angel's chest as the vampire tried to get up. ''Lay down and drink.'' He put the mug next to his lips and vampire swallowed greedily.
Few seconds later he put it away, empty.
''Connor... oh my God, I-'' Angel shot up and hugged him close. ''I mean, I never thought that we-''
''That we'd survive this?'' Lorne spoke from doorway. Angel released Connor and turned to him. ''Hey, Angelcakes.''
''Lorne? I thought you left.'' He said in confusion.
''Well, I tried.''
''Wait. How much do you remember?'' Connor asked.
Angel scrunched his face ''Ughh... Bits and pieces, I suppose.'' Vampire looked at the wall, remembering. ''I saw Faith.'' He said slowly. ''What happened? Is she okay?''
Connor glanced at Lorne. ''No. She's not.''
''But she isn't...'' Angel left out a part.
''No. She's out there. Just not friendly anymore.'' Lorne answered.
''What about the rest? I think I saw...'' Another figure stood in the doorway. ''Spike.''
Blond vampire stepped closer. ''Well, if this isn't a big happy family reunion.''
''Of all the people.'' Angel sighed.
''All the people aren't here. And they're not all alright.'' Spike said. ''There's a birdie two rooms over that ain't gonna fly no more. Gunn's a vamp. Thousands of people are dead. Hell of a battleground we made.''
''We knew what we signed up for.'' Other vampire eventually said.
''I ain't lookin' for someone to blame.'' Spike shrugged. ''Just laying it down.''
''You look terrible.'' Angel gave them a once-over.
''Welcome to L.A.'' Lorne murmured.
''Where is that son of a bitch?''
Connor looked at Angel's sudden dark glare. ''Dead.''
''What? Was it Faith?''
''No. She threw him around a bit, though. Adrian's sister did the deed.'' Spike said. ''We're at her place, actually.''
''You killed him before I could talk to him?'' Angel asked ridiculously.
''We got his plan on a tape. Learned a few things from it too.'' Green demon explained.
''And according to him, we're gonna have to-''
''Kill Faith.'' Angel interrupted quietly. ''She asked me to.''
''When?'' Connor asked.
''Just before she threw him out.'' He confessed. Angel looked up, taking a deep breath.
''I know what you want to say.'' Spike beat him to the punch. ''I don't want to do this either. Trust me, I don't. But we don't have a whole lot of options here.''
''We will find a way. We always do.'' Angel said firmly. ''Can I see the tape?''
Connor went to get it. On his way back, the door opened and Anthis walked in.
''Nice place you got here.'' Gunn said, stepping in.
''What happened?'' Amy asked, once Spike appeared and she saw their state.
They told her.
Ten minutes later Gunn, Connor, Lorne and Anthis were in a room with Angel. Spike and Illyria lingered just outside Rain's, where Amy tried to comfort Katie, who was more or less numb.
''Did you find your bloody power source?''
Illyria nodded. ''It's somewhere on Gunn.''
''He wouldn't tell?''
''I didn't ask.''
''Hey guys, did you bring the medical supplies?'' Amy poked her head out. ''She's hurt.''
Spike shook his head. ''Let me see.'' They walked in and Amy lifted Katie's left arm, showing them three long gashes on her right arm. She got them pushing him out of the way, vampire realized.
''They don't bleed anymore, but still, she could get some sort of infection.'' Slayer said.
Suddenly Illyria grabbed the arm and studied it intensively. ''What did this to her?''
''Didn't get a good look. Why?'' Spike called after her, as she walked out.
''Connor.'' She called to the boy. ''Come with me.''
He obeyed, confused. ''What's going on?'' He asked, walking to them.
Illyria pointed to Katie's arm. ''What did that thing look like?''
''Uhh, kinda normal. Human, more or less. Except he had claws, his eyes were yellow. Other than that nothing really stood ou...'' He trailed off, his head snapping back to the blonde. ''Oh, no.''
''What the hell is going on?'' Amy asked, obviously having enough of not knowing.
''She will die.'' Goddess said.
Katie blinked, her head turning slowly to Illyria in question.
''What?'' Spike stepped closer.
''The demon that left this.'' Illyria pointed to Katie's arm. ''Is carrying a poison that is lethal to nearly every kind of demon out there. No cure exists.''
''Bullshit.'' Amy snapped.
Illyria looked Katie in the eyes. ''I'm sorry.'' And she really did sound like she meant it.
***B***B***
Faith opened her eyes. After dealing with all these demons, she holed up in the nearest apartment, cleaned up and hit the bed, tired. She must've fallen asleep. But then, what the hell woke her up?
''Hi, Faith.''
Brunette chuckled. ''B. Long time no see.''
Buffy walked closer. ''Yeah. Look, something bad happened. Me and Willow felt it. The Scythe is-''
''No worries.'' Faith brushed her off. ''I already have it.''
Older slayer froze. ''You what?''
''It's right there.'' She pointed to the corner. ''No big deal, really. I did it B. I saved us. All you gotta do is get Red to destroy that thing out there.''
Buffy glanced out the window. ''Faith, listen to me very carefully. Leave it. Don't touch it. Walk away.''
''Huh? What are you talkin' about?'' Faith stood up. ''You wanted me to find it. It's done B. I destroyed what was left from Wolfram & Hart. I even got Angel out unharmed. This is all over.'' She said passionately.
''No. No it's not.'' Blonde shook her head. ''The Scythe... it's a poison. It's cursed, I don't know. You need to leave it and let us handle it.''
''Us?'' She said, taken aback. ''You mean you. You and the mighty witch Willow.''
Buffy missed the slightly darker tone in Faith's words. ''Yes.''
''You don't want me to have it.'' Faith stepped closer, her posture suddenly tense. ''You're scared. You're scared that with it I'm better than you.''
''I'm scared for you.'' Buffy corrected her. ''This isn't you talking, its that thing.'' She pointed at The Scythe. ''You have to trust me.''
Slayer snorted. ''Trust you? Everytime I trusted you, you screwed me over. You trusted me, I screwed you over. There's no trust between us B. Just rivalry.'' Faith licked her lips. ''Tell me something. You're gonna march in here, like you own the place, take the axe away from me, pretend you did all the savin' this world could ever need and sent me to some cell, rehabilitate me, like the council tried to?''
''If I have to. That depends entirely on you.'' Buffy said, her jaw set hard. ''Just believe me when I say I'm trying to help you.''
''Help me? The same kind of help you offered in case I ever apologized to you?'' Faith walked in circles around her blonde counterpart. ''How you gonna do that? With all those little slayers stationed just outside the city?''
''They're not. Not anymore.'' Buffy answered. ''We had to pull back. World is in need of them, I couldn't let them all stay here when terrible things happen all around the globe.''
Faith stopped. ''And how's the demonic activity these days?'' She asked quietly. ''Big, right?''
Buffy thought she saw a piece of clarity in Faith's eyes. ''Increased. God help me, there are so many demons out there that I don't know where they were before. We need you out there Faith.''
''Is it possible for Red to mojo them back into normal girls?''
''What? I have no idea.'' Buffy scrunched her face. ''And even if, we can't afford that. There are too many demons now.''
''So I take it you went back to Rome. To your... Immortal.'' Faith took few steps back, watching her.
''No, we're in Cleveland now. What does that have to do with anything?''
''You realize that he's evil, right?''
''No, he's not.'' Buffy denied. ''Can we get back on track? More important things to do here than talk about my love life!''
''He doesn't have a soul.'' She pointed out. ''Not like Angel. Not like Spike. Not like... me.''
''Well, Angel's no longer in the picture. Spike is dead. And what does it have to do with you?''
''You don't know?'' Not about Spike. Not about her. Faith watched Buffy's confused face. She was now worthy, she told herself. She saved the world. In a flash, Faith lunged forward, grabbed Buffy and brought their lips together. Buffy remained completely still for two seconds, during which Faith forced her tongue down Buffy's throat, before she fought back. She shook the brunette off and punched hard enough to sent her down to the floor.
''What the hell are you doing?'' She raised her voice, wiping her lips.
''Come on, B. Don't tell me you never wanted it.'' Faith said from her position. ''Be it our little secret.''
''Stop it.'' Blonde replied as Faith got to her feet.
''Why? 'Cuz you know you'll give in?'' Taller slayer stalked closer.
''Shut up.''
''Don't pretend you're so much better than me.'' Faith was now in her face.
''I am.''
They stared in each other's eyes, neither of them backing down. ''So what now B? Gonna stick another knife in my gut if I don't give you my Scythe?''
''It's not yours, Faith.'' Buffy said hardly. ''It's mine. You can just hand me a knife.''
Faith smirked and looked down. ''I guess it had to come to this. Can't say I'm sorry B.'' She landed an uppercut to an unsuspecting Buffy, who crashed into the wall.
''I can't let you take it away from me.''
Buffy picked herself up. ''Why can't you just listen to me for once?'' She attacked, but Faith managed to dodge her blows. Faith struck and Buffy caught her fist, punching with the other. ''Sometimes I really know better than you. But then again you always were stupid.'' She was now angry.
''You don't get one thing B.'' Faith kicked Buffy in the stomach and followed with a knee to the face. Blonde hit her in the ribs, yet the other slayer shrugged it off, sending a right hook. Buffy hit the ground, hard. ''Now, I am a God. I practically wiped the floor with an Old One. I can take out you, Ken and a dozen other slayers at the same time. And believe me when I say it. I will come for them. It's the only way to make it right again.''
Buffy spit blood in her face. ''You're a psycho.'' She grabbed Faith and forced her down, bringing their heads together. Blood poured from her nose, as Buffy pushed her back and hit again. Faith swung her arm and Buffy blocked it, but her own hurt like hell afterwards. Faith never packed so much strength before. She managed to punch Faith three more times before brunette caught her wrist and began her own offensive. Soon the blonde landed in a corner, as Faith wiped the blood from her face. ''Nice.'' She commented. Buffy stood up, leaning against the wall.
''Faith, The Scythe... it's going to kill you.'' Slayer whispered. ''If you kill everyone in here, how do you plan to get out? You know I can't let Willow... you'll rot here for the rest of your life.''
Faith cocked her head, considering. ''What happens to a person when they're killed in their sleep?'' She took out her dagger. ''Think it's like Nightmare on Elm Street?''
''I'd rather not find out.'' Buffy breathed out.
Dark slayer smirked and rushed at Buffy, who wrestled the blade from Faith's grip and stuck it in the girl's stomach. Brunette crumbled to the ground.
''No matter how strong you get, Faith...'' Buffy looked down sadly. ''I can still take you.''
''Maybe...'' Faith grasped the handle. ''Maybe not.'' She slid it out of her own flesh and into Buffy's, before the older girl could react. ''Eye for an eye, princess. Or in this case...''
Buffy looked into Faith's eyes. ''I can't let you win Faith.''
''See ya 'round B.'' With that she grabbed Buffy's face and twisted.
***B***B***
Spike moved through the silence. Ever since the big revelation and the ensuing argument, no one spoke. That was hours ago. Now Angel fell back asleep, with Connor watching him, but the vampire suspected that the boy didn't pay much attention to his surroundings. The rest of them stayed in one room, simply looking, or not, at one another. He passed Rain's room and stopped. After a minute, he walked in, staying close to the doorway. He was surprised to see Amy there, though he really shouldn't. He met slayer's look and she left, leaving them alone.
''She looks so peaceful.'' She said some time later. ''Like she's just asleep.''
Spike noticed that Rain's body was clean of blood. Amy must've done that. He had nothing to say, so he simply stood there.
''Did you get him?'' She asked, her voice hollow.
Vampire looked sideways. ''No. He got away.''
Katie nodded, carresing Rain's face with her thumb. She couldn't go on like that for much longer. Soon the body will start to smell.
''Can you promise me something?''
''Anything, pet.'' Spike stepped closer.
''Don't let him get away with it. Just don't.'' Woman said.
''Oh, you didn't even have to say that.'' He sat down on the other side of the body. ''I promise. I'll take him down with me if I have to.''
Katie looked at her arm. ''I think I'm starting to feel it.''
''And you're not freaking out?'' Spike asked. ''I'll be blunt. You just found out that you're gonna die in less than a day. In a very painful way, I might add. You're not scared?''
''What am I supposed to be scared of?'' She looked him in the eye. ''There is no pain worse for me than what I'm feeling right now. I want to be angry and I can't even do that properly. I want to scream, yell and hit things... but why? What good will it do? It all means nothing to me. Not anymore. All I care about is here, laying still.'' Katie's voice broke, a lone tear escaping her eye. ''I thought I cried them all out already.'' She mused. ''It all doesn't matter because she's gone.''
''I'm sorry.'' Spike offered. ''I'm sorry about Rain... and I'm sorry you'll suffer for saving my life.''
''Don't be.'' She said strongly. ''It's a relief in a way. I'm not sure I could live without her and now...'' She shrugged. ''I won't have to.''
Vampire nodded his head absently. It was a solution. In a way.
''I need one more thing from you.''
''Name it.'' He said, but the tone of her voice worried him.
''Kill me.'' She whispered.
Spike leaned back. ''What?''
''Do it.''
''You can't be bloody serious.'' He stood up.
''I am. Will you really let me suffer from a very long, painful death?'' She matched him, her height towering over him a little.
''It's blackmail. You just said-''
''I know.'' She walked to him. ''I hate myself for doing this but I can't stay like this. I'm not afraid of pain, I just can't handle it anymore!'' She raised her voice, her hand subconsciously pointing at Rain.
''Why are you asking me that? Why not Illyria? Anthis? They sure as hell wouldn't hesitate.'' Spike rounded her and went for the door.
''Because you're the one who failed.'' She spit through her teeth. Spike froze. ''You said you would protect her and you didn't. Now I'm asking you to protect me.''
Vampire turned to her.
''It's a mercy kill. You know that.''
''And what do you suggest I'll them 'em?''
''The truth. I begged you for it.'' Katie stepped closer.
''If that is what you really want, I'll do it.'' He said quietly. He made his decision. If he had hours to live, the love of his life killed in front of him and nothing but pain to look forward to... he'd want it. An escape.
Katie sat back next to Rain. ''I realize that there is no time or means for a funeral. Just... burn us together. She'd want it. And I think that's the only way now.''
Spike remained silent.
Katie hovered over Rain. She smiled sadly and planted one last kiss on her lips. ''I'm coming.'' She whispered and rested her forehead against the brunette's.
''What's out there?'' she asked, standing up. ''Is there a God?''
''Don't know. Maybe.'' Spike answered. ''I've heard there is a heaven, though.''
''If He exist, I imagine he'll have a hell of a conversation with me.'' Katie breathed out.
''I expect nothing less.''
''I'm ready.'' She said and stood in front of Spike. ''Just... make it out alive.''
''Do my best pet.'' He gently grasped Katie's face. ''It shouldn't hurt.''
''Thank you, Spike.''
He left the room an hour later, after laying Katie next to Rain on the bed. Like a happy couple sleeping. Now what the fuck was he supposed to do tomorrow?
''They're all sleep.'' A soft voice called out. ''Even Illyria, I think.''
Spike turned to see Connor coming out of Angel's room. ''Did you...''
''I've heard.'' He confirmed.
''Great.'' Vampire muttered and went to the living room, looking for something to drink. ''And why didn't you do anything? Talk me out of it?'' He grabbed a bottle and a glass.
''I wanted to... but it's what she wanted. I didn't want to see her suffer for the next day.'' Connor explained. ''I'm not sure I would've been able to do it myself. I was there too, you know.''
Spike considered this and got a second glass. He sat at the table and poured the liquor.
***B***B***
Darkness.
''Bloody hell...'' Suddenly everything lit up and Spike's face was in the view. ''Good God, I feel like Andrew.'' He sighed. ''Today... I don't even know what day is today, how pathetic is that? I'm fairly certain that this thing shows a wrong one.'' He pointed at the screen. ''Anyway. Rain and Katie are dead. This now will be the last of this recording. Only doin' this 'cuz that's what they'd want. Gonna keep it on me, which I'm not sure is a good idea, since if I go dust, it will go with me.'' He moved it further away from himself. ''But if it somehow survives and I don't... This is it. The mission is clear now and we're at the home run. What pains me to admit, if I had a choice to do it all over again I would. Because this, all of this is important. More important than us, Buffy.'' He shrugged and reached for a cigarette. ''Feels like you ought to know that.'' He smoked in silence for a while. Spike started to open his mouth, add something more, but stopped. He reached for the camera.
Darkness.
***B***B****
So can I get a review? Been a good boy recently ;P