Disclaimer: All Buffy or Angel characters were created by Joss Whedon. Not me.
Author's Note: We're getting closer and closer to the finish line. I think it's gonna be two more chapters, or I'm pretty sure of it. So, to get this one I had to go back through episodes of Angel to make it all work and that took some time, studied the map of the city and all the mentioned places are real. And Suki, since I couldn't reply to you, why would you think that Buffy is dead?
Chapter Twenty: Lost Souls
Spike stood up. He slowly moved to Gunn's ashes.
''How?'' Connor asked.
''I don't know. I don't know how could she find them.'' Illyria answered.
''You sure it was Faith?'' He pressed.
''Positive. I saw her leaving.''
''Where were you?'' Spike turned around to face them. When she didn't answer, he got to her in four steps, grabbed the front of her shirt and slammed her against the lockers. ''Where the bloody hell were you?'' He demanded, raising his voice. In an instant, Connor was on him, forcing him away. Spike's back hit the wall on the other side of the hallway.
''Calm down.'' Boy said.
A dangerous glint appeared in Spike's eye for a moment, but it quickly disappeared and he looked away. ''Right. Sorry, Blue.''
''Vampire asked an interesting question.'' Anthis spoke from her position on the sidelines. She watched the whole thing curiously. ''Why just the two of them here, Illyria?'' She looked her up and down.
''Please tell me you haven't lost your powers again?'' Spike whined. He finally noticed her appearance.
''No. They are intact.''
''So what's up with the uh,'' Connor stared at her uneasily. He thought he was used to it after the time she was, in fact, powerless. ''The look?''
''Something... influenced me to investigate a matter which I believed was an ambush.'' She started slowly.
''Yeah and they walked right into it.'' Spike noticed.
''I wanted to go even farther away, but I... I changed into Fred. The feeling left me. I decided to come back. I got here too late.''
''You walked through the streets for no apparent reason and that didn't seem suspicious to you?'' Connor asked.
''I did find a store with various clothes. I am convinced Faith was there recently.'' Illyria said.
''Faith used some mojo on you to get you out of the way?'' Spike wondered. ''But she doesn't know shit about that stuff.''
''Did the urge to part ways felt overwhelming?'' Anthis asked quietly. ''You believed you would find something helpful? That you could take care of the threat and your companions would be safe out of the harms way?''
They all stared at her.
''More or less.'' Illyria confirmed.
Anthis nodded her head absently. ''That is Nathaniel's doing.''
''And who the bloody hell is Nathaniel?'' Spike asked.
''You two met him.'' She said.
Connor and Spike exchanged looks. ''One of the leaders? Nathaniel, that's his name?''
''For you, yes.''
''He is the last one.'' Illyria spoke. ''Gunn said that he killed the other general earlier, along with Adrian's sorcerer.''
''Okay, how are you even sure that it's him?''
''What Illyria described, is one of his more... innovative solutions. I've lost many people to that curse.'' Huntress said. ''He lured them away and then...''
''But why isn't it working now?'' Vampire questioned.
''It's a bloodspell.'' Anthis explained. ''I believe that the moment Illyria changed, so did her blood. That is why it's not working.''
''Shouldn't he need some of her blood in the first place? How did he get it?'' Connor asked.
''It's easy to acquire blood in the middle of a battle.'' She shrugged. ''Or maybe it happened before, when she was held captive.''
''I have no memory of anyone drawing my blood.'' Illyria said.
''Were you conscious the whole time?''
''...No.'' Not when she was brought in.
''So-so what? She's stuck like, like that for how long?''
''Until she can overcome the spell. But you have to be powerful to do that.''
''Meaning she has to get her powers back. Great.'' Spike sighed. ''But why would that wanker want to off Illyria? Faith killed his master, shouldn't he be gunning after her?''
''He's betting on the fastest horse.'' Connor noticed. ''Like you said, she killed his master, so she must be powerful, maybe powerful enough to get out of here. He must be thinking that if he helps her and stays invisible, she'll get out of here and he'll have his chance too.''
''You said that you found a store where Faith's been. How did he know that? By getting you out of here, he handed Gunn and Amy to her on a silver platter. Are they working together?'' Spike asked.
''No.'' Illyria immediately shot down that suggestion. ''Slayer would not hear him out. If anything, Nathaniel might be assisting her without her knowledge.''
''I agree. He wouldn't approach her, he's not that stupid.'' Anthis said.
''Okay, he might know where Illyria is, he could pinpoint her 'cuz of the bloodspell right?'' They nodded. ''How did he know Faith was around? I thought The Scythe was protected and that's why Lorne couldn't do a locator spell.''
''Maybe he's got some of her blood too.'' Connor suggested.
''No. There's no way he could got his hands on it. There wouldn't be any time to do that. He wasn't there when we went after Adrian, there is a possibility he didn't even see her.'' Vampire rubbed his chin.
''Okay, but why didn't they use this trick when Adrian was still alive and we were hiding?''
Three pair of eyes looked at Anthis, waiting for an answer. ''I don't know.''
''Lots of questions, no answers.'' Spike shook his head. ''It's pretty much our motto by now.''
''We should get back.'' Anthis said suddenly. ''It's not safe here.''
''What about them?'' Illyria looked to the floor.
''We should go after Faith.'' Spike said. ''You seen her? Was she hurt?''
''We can't.'' Goddess said. ''If we succeeded in killing her, we would be left with nothing.''
''Why's that?''
''Because the things I need to get my power from her are back with Angel.'' She explained.
''We can knock her out.'' Connor shrugged.
''And if you fail?''
Vampire leaned against the wall. ''She's right.''
''So what do we do now?''
Spike looked down on the body.
***B***B***
''I'm going after them.'' Angel announced for the fourth time. Each time, however, Lorne managed to talk him down.
''I'm sure they're fine. Probably something just came up.'' He said, yet didn't really believe it.
''They should've been back hours ago!'' Vampire gestured to a window. It was getting dark.
''And how will you find them? We don't know where they went.'' Lorne thought over getting another drink.
''I can track them. I know I can.'' Angel stated, pacing back and forth.
''Maybe.'' Demon agreed. ''But you're in no condition to fight anything. And in case you've forgotten, neither am I.''
''Then I'll go alone. I can handle myself, Lorne.''
''Just how you handled Spike?'' He asked, finally deciding to grab a glass.
''Excuse me?'' Angel looked like he ate something bad.
''All I'm saying is,'' Lorne held his hand up in surrender. ''You've got to sit this one out champ. Nothing we can do. What, you think I'd rather stay here and do nothing while they're out there? The truth is that we can't do anything.'' He felt a wave of dizziness and quickly sat down, just to be safe.
''You alright?'' Angel asked, concerned.
''Yeah. Yeah, it's nothing.'' He tried to pass it off.
Angel wanted to press further, but he bit his tongue. Lorne wasn't alright because of him. With a sigh, he sat down and watched the door like a stubborn kid. ''My son's out there.'' He said quietly after few moments. ''Do you know how hard it is to just sit here?''
Lorne looked at him sympathetically. ''They're gonna be fine.'' He assured him. ''For what it's worth, he's been going out there quite frequently. Always came back.''
Angel nodded his head absently. ''Do you think we made the right choice?''
''You're gonna have to throw me something more. We made a lot of bad ones.''
''Going after The Circle.'' He clarified. ''We could've waited. Planned it better, I don't know. Think of some back up plan. You know, have a second line of fire, ready to contain the situation.'' He shook his head. ''Something.''
''We were on our own ever since we came to Wolfram & Hart.'' Lorne said. ''Besides, you said it yourself. They were already in on us. We either had to act or,'' He coughed and took a swing from his drink. ''Or wait to be picked off one by one.'' He finished.
''I was ready to go down fighting.'' Angel whispered. ''In the alley. Of course, I'd fight as hard as I could, but...'' He trailed off, gathering his thoughts. ''Seeing that-that mass of demons, just coming for us... I was ready. And instead I slaughtered an entire city.''
''None of us could see this coming.'' Lorne replied after a moment. ''We have to focus on what's gonna happen now. Because we still have a chance to... to make it right.'' He looked down darkly. How the hell were they supposed to make it right?
''I signed away the prophecy.'' Angel blurted out.
Lorne's head shot up, eyes wide. ''W-what? Are you insane? Why would you do that?''
''Because I had to. They were questioning me, us.'' He explained. ''I had to convince them I could be trusted.''
''But you passed on your destiny.'' Demon said slowly. ''This is not a spur of the moment decision Angel.''
''We don't know for sure it's mine. And I knew what I was doing.'' Angel defended himself. ''We all had to sacrifice something, didn't we?''
A thought came to Lorne's head. ''Did they file it?''
''Uhh, what?''
''The prophecy. Did they file it?''
''I don't even know what that means.'' Angel said, clueless.
''Think of it like a... like in a courtroom. If the document is not in the case file, it doesn't... count'' Lorne said patiently. ''You know, for all intents and purposes this is a legal document. And if no one can find it, who says it even exists? So I'm asking, do you know if they filed it?''
''I have no idea. But wait,'' Angel started eagerly. ''Does that mean it means... nothing? I'm still in the race?''
''If you wanna call it that. That is only if we killed them before they had a chance.'' Lorne finished his drink. ''Not all hope is lost, Angel.''
''After everything, it means nothing.'' Angel said after few minutes of silence.
''What?''
''All the good that we did.'' He explained. ''Every family, every person we've saved. They're dead now.''
Lorne thought about an answer, but couldn't form one.
The door opened and Angel sprung from his seat. Spike walked in first, followed by Illyria, Anthis and finally Connor. Angel leaned against the wall in relief. ''You're okay.''
''We're fine.'' His son said quietly.
''What the hell took you so long?''
Lorne carefully looked through them and opened his mouth, but Spike beat him to it.
''Gunn and Amy are dead. Faith killed them.'' He said, grabbed a bottle with glasses and set them on the table.
Angel and Lorne both stared at them, dumbfounded.
''Wh-... How?'' Angel finally croaked when Spike poured the liquor into six glasses.
''We believe it might have been an outside interference.'' Anthis said and sat on Spike's left, grabbing a glass. Soon everyone except Angel occupied the table. Illyria stared at her glass with a lost expression.
''That's not possible.'' Vampire shook his head. ''It's not true. It can't be.''
''I'm sorry. But it is.'' Anthis said and the tone of her voice suggested that she indeed, was.
''No. You see, that-that's not the way it works. You know?'' Angel rambled. ''I mean I... I didn't even get a chance to talk to him. I was supposed to sit down with him, tell him that I was sorry. I-I never wanted for him to turn. I mean, Fred died and I... I wasn't there. I wasn't there to tell her I would've go back. Before all of this... An-and Wesley, I wasn't there either. It was the worst time in his entire life and he stepped up, he really did. And he died fighting Vail. Alone. An-''
''He wasn't alone.'' Illyria interjected. She hung her head low. ''Fred was there for him.''
''And now Gunn?'' Angel looked at them in despair. ''They were my people. My crew. I was supposed to protect them. Die for them, not the other way around! And he turned into a vampire and he kept fighting for us, I mean what the hell? Why did he do it, he was supposed to be evil right? If he just kept out of this whole mess, waited instead of-of...'' He trailed off, fighting back tears that cumulated in him for a long time.
Silently and without looking at anyone in particular, Connor stood up and laid a hand on Angel's shoulder. ''Dad,'' He said, catching his father's attention. ''Sit.'' He finished quietly. Vampire complied and slowly reached out for the last glass.
Spike cleared his throat. ''Charlie fought for what he believed in. Good or evil, he stuck to it. That's more that can be said for some of us.'' He looked at Angel and raised his glass. Lorne, Connor, Anthis and even Illyria did the same.
''It's about the mission.'' Angel said under his breath and raised his own, before knocking it all back. ''Tell me what happened.''
''Yeah, I'm gonna need a little more.'' Spike murmured and grabbed another bottle. The last one, he noticed. When he got back, Illyria started.
''What did you do with the... uhm, the body?'' Lorne asked once they explained everything.
''Burned it.'' Connor said. ''That's why it took us so long. Took Gunn's ashes too. They're in the park with the, uh, Rain and... Katie.''
***B***B***
''Come on,'' Spike said the next day. ''You and I, we're gonna train.''
Connor just looked at him. ''What?''
''You saw the state in which Amy was, didn't you? She was a slayer. To leave this kind of bruises on a slayer is damn hard. Get up, your pops in there too.'' Vampire walked to one of the rooms. With a sigh, Connor followed. Inside, he saw that all the furniture has been moved against the walls. Angel sat on one of the chairs.
''See, I have this theory.'' Spike said nonchalantly and lunged at Connor. ''Noticed it during our brawl with Nathan.'' He traded blow with Connor and managed to smack him in the face.
''And what is that?'' Boy asked, licking his lips.
''Ever heard of an adrenaline rush?'' Vampire kicked him in the chest and Connor hit the wall. ''You know we, your old man and I, that is, are stronger than you.''
Irritated, Connor pushed Spike away. ''Yeah, and?''
''And we can overpower, let's say, a junior slayer.'' Spike ducked and hit Connor in the ribs. ''Not always though, 'cuz when a slayer gets pissed, she also gets strong.''
''Isn't that the case for everybody?''
''Uhm, no. Not really. Vampires are dead. Our bodies don't work all that well.'' He avoided the blow and slapped Connor across the face. Angel winced from his position. ''Think, if a normal human can supposedly lift a car...'' Fed up, Connor hit Spike hard enough for the vampire to collide with the wall on the other side of the room. ''What could you do?'' He finished with a satisfied smirk.
''What that moron is trying, and failing to say,'' Angel got up and walked to Connor while Spike picked himself up. ''You need to learn how to channel your emotions properly. When you get mad, you tend not to think and leave a lot of openings for your foe. And one is all that Faith needs.''
''We could've got him back there.'' Spike said. ''If we worked together. Point is, you really shook the guy up, 'cuz you wanted to hurt him.''
''You want to teach me how to fight?'' Connor asked with a raised eyebrow.
''No.'' Angel and Spike both said at the same time. ''We want to teach you how to fight mad.'' Spike finished.
***B***B***
''We should rob a bank.'' Spike said during their next training session. This time, it was Angel against Connor and Illyria. Vampires agreed that in order to learn how to hit strong and stay focused, boy also had to know how to hit weak. They concentrated more on the technique, instead of brute strength.
''What?'' Lorne asked. He and Anthis were on the other side of the room.
''Or just go through few streets. Stores, wallets, the cash is everywhere. Once we get out of here, we're gonna need it, right?'' Spike clarified.
''I already took care of that.'' Angel said and ducked the swing.
''Huh?''
''Just after the meeting with the circle,'' He pushed Connor back and faced Illyria. ''I took a moment to transfer all the money I could get my hands on to another account.'' She got through his defences and slapped him.
''Okay, but seeing as you didn't expect to make it out, you couldn't transfer it to your account.'' Spike slowly said. Meanwhile Angel fended off simultaneous assault from both Connor and Illyria. ''Who's the lucky one, then? Buffy?'' Vampire hit the ground, his enemies on him, but he still fought. ''Faith, maybe? You'd want to set her up.'' Spike wondered.
''Connor, actually.'' Angel winced as Illyria held his arm behind his back and sat on him, while Connor secured the other one.
''Really?'' Boy asked and released Angel. Illyria stood up.
''Yeah. I couldn't find Faith's account number on such short notice and Buffy she's... she's got resources.'' Angel picked himself up. ''I left everything to you... just in case, you know.''
''So I'm rich?'' Connor pressed.
''Yeah. Yeah, I guess you are.''
***B***B***
''They teamed up against Connor.'' Illyria noticed one day when she and Lorne took a break from the training. Well, Lorne took a break from watching.
''Angel and Spike? Doesn't that seem a little... unfairly balanced?''
''He insisted.'' She shrugged. Goddess looked him up and down. ''How are you feeling?''
Lorne sighed. ''Are we back to that?''
''Yes.''
''...Alright.''
''Lie.''
He sat down. ''It's not like you can do anything about it, right?'' He held a hand to his chest with an uncomfortable look on his face. ''We don't even know what it is.''
''I am confident I can help you. Even if not, there are ways out there that can. Demons. People.'' Illyria sat next to him.
''I know that pumpkin.'' Lorne stared at his hands with thoughtful expression. ''But we don't know where our favorite slayer is.''
''Yo, Sylvanas!'' Spike poked his head out from the training room. ''Get in here.''
Seconds later Anthis walked in, without closing the door, allowing Lorne and Illyria to slightly overhear.
''You want me to do what?'' She exclaimed.
''Are you kidding?'' It was Connor.
''Hey, don't look at me, it was his idea.'' Spike defended himself.
''Look, it's easy. And that is a very useful skill.'' Angel said.
''Yeah? Then do it yourself.''
''Okay, you know what, you're right. Come on, aim at me.'' Angel's voice took a commanding tone.
''Are you certain of this?'' Anthis was obviously doubtful.
Lorne and Illyria exchanged looks.
''Yeah, it's gonna be fun. Maybe then someone will take this a little more serious.'' Now it was laced with disapproval.
''As you wish.''
For the next few seconds nothing could be heard. And then... a whiz.
''OW!''
Spike roared with laughter.
''You know, I think I'll hold on for a while.'' Connor chuckled.
A sheepish ''I'm sorry.'' could be heard from Anthis, yet her tone suggested that she too, found this amusing.
***B***B***
''We're getting low on blood.'' Angel noticed when he and Spike drank from their respective mugs, while the others ate.
''And we've got no booze.'' Spike sighed. Connor snickered into his food. ''No cigs either.''
''I think Illyria should stay with Lorne.'' Angel said carefully. ''The four of us should be enough.''
Goddess stared at him darkly, but said nothing. Angel was slightly disturbed, seeing that look on Fred's face.
''Up for home duty, like always.'' Lorne mock-saluted.
''Shouldn't we concentrate our efforts at finding Faith?'' Anthis asked.
''Yes. We should.'' Angel agreed patiently, finishing his mug. ''Can you tell me how? Because if what you said was true, I don't want to go out there and be caught by surprise half-prepared.''
''Just a suggestion.'' She shrugged.
Angel set the mug on the table and left.
''Don't mind him, luv.'' Spike watched the retreating vampire's back. ''He's probably gonna sit on one of the sofas and brood for the next hour or so. Just what he does.''
''I heard that!'' An irritated voice called out. ''And I don't brood.'' This part was more or less grumbled under his breath.
''Yeah, keep telling that to yourself, dad.'' Connor said quietly.
''Like you're that much better.''
''What?'' Boy looked at Spike sharply.
***B***B***
''I'm not sure we should be doing this.''
''Quit whining, old man.'' Spike countered as he poured the shots. ''We need to bond. 'Sides, you know how bloody bored I've been for the last days? It's hell, I'm telling you. Get the rest of them in, would you?''
''I don't appreciate you drinking with my son.'' Angel said, furrowing his brow. ''I'm not sure how I feel about him drinking at all, much less with you. You're bad influence.''
''He ain't drinking with me. He's drinking with us. That's gonna be good for you both. You should thank me.'' Blond vampire prepared few for each one of them. ''Now, do I need to do it myself?''
''We're drinking too much.'' Angel shook his head, but nevertheless called everyone in.
''Whoa, what is this?'' Lorne was the first one to come in.
''This will make us drunk.'' Illyria observed the amount of the alcohol on the table. Everyone already sat down, she was the only one who stayed by the door.
''That's the idea, luv.''
''I'm not sure I understand the appeal.''
''Oh, that's right. Never been properly smashed, have you?'' Spike said with a smirk. ''Come on, we're gonna fix that.''
''What's the occasion?'' Connor asked when Illyria joined them and everyone grabbed their respective shots.
''What is this?'' Anthis asked before Spike could answer, eyeing hers suspiciously.
''Uhm... vodka for the shots, whiskey in the glasses.'' Angel said. Everyone looked at him. ''What? Blame him!'' He said defensively, pointing his finger at Spike.
''Okay, enough. We gonna sit and talk or do something?'' Spike asked and downed the first one. They all followed suit, each of them reacting differently, be it with a frown or a deep exhale.
Spike instantly took a hold on another one.
''Whoa, what the hell?'' Connor exclaimed.
''That's how you start. Scared?'' Spike threw the challenge, looking at everyone. Connor turned to Angel for help.
''Yeah, that's kind of how they drink it.'' He said, slowly reaching out for his own.
Half an hour later, the overall mood had somewhat improved.
''So, what are you gonna do when we, uhm, when we get out of here?'' Connor directed his question at Anthis.
She watched him for few moments, playing with her fourth shot.
''Find a...'' She licked her lips. ''A way to return to my world, I suppose.''
''You don't know how?'' Lorne frowned. ''But you arrived before Adrian, so you must've opened a, a portal of your own.''
''Well, yes, naturally. But I didn't as much as open it as... it was opened for me.'' She explained. ''I'm not overly experienced in magicks. So until I can find someone who can send me home, I'm stuck here anyway.'' She knocked back the shot. Shaking her head, she focused on Lorne. ''What about you?''
''I, uhh...'' He thought, twirling the liquor around in his glass. ''Open another club somewhere, I guess. Think I'm done with the... fighting.'' He took a sip. ''Illyria?''
She raised her head. For the last few minutes she was playing with her hair, only listening. ''I... don't know.''
Lorne nodded his head absently. He turned to Spike, who was in the middle of arguing with Angel, as Illyria grabbed the glass and emptied it at once. ''Nice.'' He commented, impressed. ''Spike?''
''...You can pretend all you want, but I saw it in your roo-'' He looked at Lorne. ''What?''
''What are you gonna do, when we're out?'' He asked.
''Buffy.'' Angel coughed. Spike looked at him darkly as the rest of them snickered. ''Even if, what are you gonna do 'bout that?''
Angel opened his mouth to talk back, but closed it after a second. He leaned back in his seat and grabbed a glass.
''What I thought.'' Younger vampire commented, before sighing. ''I wish. No, I've got someone to kill. Guess I'll be pretty busy.''
''Revenge is not a good companion.'' Angel said.
''I think I'll make a better one.'' Connor interrupted and he and Spike clanked their glasses together.
''What?'' Angel asked, clearly surprised.
''Huh? You didn't think I'd let it go?'' Connor asked back. ''No, I want a word with that guy too.'' He looked at the table with a criticizing eye. ''We're out.'' He exclaimed and stood up to get more alcohol. Angel quickly followed.
''You want to go back to this life?'' He asked when Connor was looking through the drawers.
''What else am I supposed to do?''
''But I-I thought that... You've got the, uh, the college, right? You need to finish that.'' Angel said, troubled. ''I mean you-you've got some distant... family that you can stay with? Don't you?''
Connor stopped his search. ''You mean some people that I haven't ever really seen?'' He turned to face Angel. ''My family is dead, dad. And finish college? Why? It doesn't matter what I do, I'll always be drawn back to this life, no matter what. You erased my memories and here I am. You told me to leave and look where we are. Sahjhan nearly killed me because I wasn't ready. It's never gonna happen again.'' He returned to his search.
''But you said it yourself. You don't want this life.'' Angel said quietly. ''And about your family... I-''
''Don't.'' Connor said sharply. ''Just don't. Let's just not talk about that, okay? It's better when I don't need to think about it. Please.''
''Okay.'' Angel nodded.
''Now, you're gonna help me?''
''Right.'' Angel joined his son in the searching.
Back at the table, Anthis was looking at Illyria with worry. ''You okay?''
Curiously, Illyria raised her hand to her cheeks. With astonishment, she discovered that they were wet. A barely audible gasp escaped her as she examined her hand.
''Are you... crying?'' Huntress asked.
''I don't know. Am I?'' Illyria turned to her.
Anthis grabbed her head with both hands and moved it right in front of hers, but miscalculated and their foreheads collided. ''Ow.'' She laughed as Illyria winced. ''I think you are. Crying.'' She let go.
Illyria straightened in her chair and found two pair of eyes glued to her. ''What?''
Spike and Lorne quickly looked a each other. ''That was uhm... it was uhh... why are you crying?'' Spike asked.
''It's her.'' Illyria said.
Vampire looked at Anthis questioningly.
''She means Fred.'' Lorne clarified. ''Right, pumpkin?''
''What about Fred?'' Spike leaned forward.
''Using her persona as my, uh... my... Strange, I can't remember the word.'' Illyria frowned. Spike stifled a laugh while Anthis and Lorne tactfully looked away.
''What she means, is that Fred's personality is affecting her.'' Lorne explained slowly. Illyria slumped in her chair and pouted. ''It's catching up to her and I... believe that she's just, you know, letting it out. I think.''
Her lower lip trembled and more silent tears fell from her eyes. ''So much destruction. Death. For what? They're dead.''
''Ohh... bloody hell. You're a depressed drunk. Not good.'' Spike took a swing from his drink, but it was dry. ''Huh? Hey! Where the hell is-'' Just now Angel and Connor re-emerged from another room and set two bottles of whiskey on the table.
''What'd we miss?''
***B***B***
''What happened to all those big-ass demon, huh?'' Spike wondered two days later. ''I mean, I definitely saw one that was like, half the size of a building.''
''Why are you asking me?'' Angel turned to him. Behind them, Anthis flipped Illyria over her back. Goddess refused another drink ever since she woke up literally under the table after their bonding time. After initial panicking about her power destroying her from within, she described the effects as unpleasant and denied any other alcohol.
''Well, Adrian rode you after he came here. Haven't seen any of this size since and I'm pretty sure we haven't been the ones to off them.'' Spike explained.
''Well, that answers your question.''
''How about the dragon?''
''No, I didn't get it.'' Angel answered, his tone somewhat longing. ''Probably flew away, out into the world. Doubt it's still in Los Angeles, so not our problem at the moment.''
''Think I saw a dragon once before.'' Spike said thoughtfully. ''In Sunnydale, when all that shit with Glory went down. Maybe ours went to make friends.''
''Uhh, let's hope not. The last thing we need is baby dragons.''
''Love the challenge, don't we?''
''Yeah, sure. Especially when that challenge breaths fire, that can, you know kill us.'' Angel rolled his eyes. ''Damn, she's fast.'' He commented, watching Anthis spar with Illyria.
They watched in silence for a while, before Spike peeked at Angel. ''...Eve?''
Vampire threw his hands in the air and turned to Spike, exasperated. He stopped and frowned. ''Do we even care?''
''Huh. Guess not.'' Spike shrugged. ''Harmony?''
Angel gave up and just leaned back in his chair. ''I don't know. Either she ran or she's dead.''
They heard a sudden coughing from another room. Quick footsteps that led to the kitchen and an unmistakable noise of liquid hitting the sink. Few moments later a faint scent of blood hit their nostrils.
''You should've had me kill Lindsey.'' Spike said quietly sometime later, once Anthis and Illyria resumed their fight. ''Or even do it yourself. Not green jeans.''
''Lorne was the only one Lindsey wouldn't suspect of foul play.'' Angel explained in a guilty tone. ''It wouldn't have worked any other way.''
''I can't believe I'm about to say this and we'll never speak of it again,'' Spike started slowly. ''But I'm glad I stayed here. In Wolfram & Hart.''
Angel looked at him questioningly. ''Why? So you could watch Senior Partners take away everyone around you? Watch them kill the people you love one by one?''
''No.'' He said, determined. ''Because I got a chance to show them not to fuck with us. They'll bloody think twice next time. And I'll be ready for them.''
''Lorne's laying down.'' Connor announced, standing in the doorway. Everyone turned to him. ''It's getting worse.''
''We need to find a way to end this. Fast.''
***B***B***
Faith stared darkly at the mirror. She was completely healed three days after the fight. Except for one damn thing. The cut on her face did not go away. It still ran down her face, it still seemed fresh and while it no longer hurt, it sure pissed her off. She was beating herself up for not picking up that knife. At first she tried to style her hair, as so to cover it, but gave up. Covering the scar meant covering her eye, which in turn meant limited view. She punched the mirror, effectively destroying it.
For the past week or so, she's been out on the streets, looking for someone to kill. A way to get out. The only thing she encountered were dead bodies from their earlier fights, or still moving dead bodies that soon stopped. She was getting restless. Well, she got restless after the first day. Now she was downright pissed and desperate for a fight. However, if the fight with Gunn and Amy taught her something, it was that she needed to stay on guard. Faith let herself fall back on the sheer strength and agility, forgetting that she was up against formidable opponents. And they actually possessed a brain to think with and adapt, unlike some demons. So she trained as much as she could, given the circumstances.
She even tried some of that fancy calming techniques Angel showed her, but quickly destroyed the room she was in. She needed to get out and save the world and she needed to do it now.
And so ten minutes later she was sitting on the curb, contemplating her next move. Maybe she should blow up a gas station, like Spike did? Worked in his case, demons came like moths to the flame. But would they now?
Faith sighed and played with The Scythe. Times like this, she went back to that stroke of luck. The brochure hitting her face. If all those years slaying taught her something, was that coincidence tended not to exist. Everything was part of a plan, of a bigger plan. Just who's plan was she currently in? Did that someone root for her? She liked to think that he did, otherwise she'd face the whole gang back there. Yet, nothing more came to her aid.
''You need to stop.''
Immediately, Faith shot to her her feet, turning around. Behind her stood a woman around her age. She was taller than her, held herself with certain authority and wore a leather jacket that reminded Faith of someone.
''And you are?'' Faith asked when the woman made no sudden move to attack.
''Doez it matter?'' A voice with an accent asked from behind. Faith whipped her head around to see another black woman standing there. This one was around her height, but she seemed bigger. Her hair was swept back in a braid, reaching just below her shoulder.
''Oh, I see. And who the fuck are you?'' Faith asked, backing away from her position between them.
''We're what you should be.'' Taller one said once they stood next to each other, facing Faith.
Brunette squinted her eyes. ''You're slayers.'' She deduced and looked around. ''How long has this been a dream? Seriously, can't a girl take a nap without some chicks haunting her dreams?'' Faith clacked her tongue. ''Okay, so- wait. So far only B's been frolicking in my head. Why the two of you?''
''You not only turned your back on your calling.'' Taller one stepped forward. ''You defiled it. Never before a slayer has raised a hand against another.''
''Really? I seem to recall a coma.'' Faith pretended to be thoughtful. ''You should've tried that intervention when I first came to Sunnyhell. Or y'know, when B met that slayer before me. Heard that they didn't like each other.''
''In the end, I did consider her an ally.'' Shorter one spoke.
Faith smirked. ''Really? No kidding, you're Kendra?''
Kendra nodded.
''I don't know whether to hug you or not.'' Faith chuckled. ''Seriously, thanks for dying.''
''Enough.'' Taller one said through gritted teeth. ''You need to stand down. What you're doing is wrong.''
''Oh, come on.'' Faith groaned. ''I don't need a lecture.''
''You have lost your mission. The mission is what matters.'' She said.
Faith bit back her reply and frowned. ''Where did I heard that one bef...'' She muttered and then it dawned on her. She snapped her fingers. ''You're Nikki. Robin's mother.''
''Yes.''
''Oh girl, gotta tell you, Spike's rocking that cape a lot better than you.'' Faith laughed. ''The Powers sent you two to me? My uh, slayer godmother and the mother of my ex? By the way, why the hell did you continue slaying after you had a kid? I mean really, most of us have some parental issues, but to add slayer ones to that is just an overkill. Maybe that's why we didn't click in the long run. Which is a shame really, 'cuz he's good in the sack.'' She mused.
''We're not here to discuss that.'' Nikki said, irritated.
''Yeah, why exactly are you here?'' Faith wondered.
''To help ya return to a right path dat ya strayed from.'' Kendra spoke.
''I didn't stray from anywhere. And I don't need no help.'' Faith shook her head. ''You can go now.''
''If you didn't, she would still be alive.'' Nikki said and looked to her right.
Faith followed her line of sight and saw a young girl standing at the far end of the street.
''Didn't I just kill her?'' She asked. ''Why bring her here? Think I'll feel remorse? Feel bad for ending her meaningless little life? She's better off now. I did her a favor.''
''Is that why you will tell yourself... killing all the other slayers, begging you not to?'' Nikki asked back.
''Dey are what we once were.'' Kendra continued. ''Young and inexperienced. Dey need guidance. Not a reaper.''
Faith looked at The Scythe in her hand. ''Is that what you guys call me now?'' She asked curiously, biting her lip shyly. ''This is getting ridiculous.'' She said in a bored tone, dropping the act. ''You got another minute before I send you back to wherever you came from.''
They began to walk around her.
''Do you think the world will thank you?'' Nikki began. ''People will remember you as the thing that tried to destroy the world. You will be hated. Damned. They will spit your name like a curse, if you continue down this path.''
''De slayer dat turned into de monster.'' Kendra finished.
''I am The Slayer!'' Faith roared, instantly turning to her. ''I am the last one! And this is my destiny! Sometimes you have to sacrifice someone for the greater good, that is what I've learned! Angel! Buffy! Spike! They all died so the world can go on. Now, if I have to kill them all over again, I'll do it! Because I finally know what I have to do! And fuck you if you don't get that!'' She breathed heavily.
Two slayers looked at each other sadly. ''It is in the end, your choice. But-''
''You know what?'' Faith interrupted loudly, staring at them hardly, jaw set. ''Time's up.''
***B***B***
''A locator spell?'' Connor asked.
''Went over that already.'' Spike answered. ''The damn axe is protecting Faith. Won't work.''
''No, not Faith. Nathan. Can we find him?'' He turned to Anthis.
She shook her head. ''I don't think so. He'd take precautions.''
''We can try luring her to us.'' Illyria suggested. ''Much as you did.'' She looked at Spike.
''Then we're not sure she'll be the only one to show up.'' Angel sighed.
''Isn't there some other spell that could at least narrow the search?'' Connor ran a hand through his hair.
''I thought you didn't like magic?'' Angel frowned.
''Desperate times.'' His son muttered.
''We could simply try to track her.'' Anthis offered. ''Hers would be the only recent scent.''
''That's not such a bad idea.'' Spike nodded.
''It could take days before we'd even catch it.'' Angel said. ''Lorne's still sleeping?''
Illyria opened the door and peeked out. ''Yes.''
''Sure as hell beats sitting here doin' nothing.'' Blond vampire shrugged.
''Ugh, how is it that people can find stuff that's been like, forgotten and lost for centuries and we can't figure out how to find one person we've last seen not even two weeks ago?'' Connor asked, frustrated. ''I mean really, it's not like she can run away from the city.''
''Suppose they have tons of books and other garbage to fall on.'' Spike said. ''Some crazy old hags with information or boring watchers ready to research. Where are they when you need one, huh?''
Angel's thoughts drifted to Wesley. Oh, he was far from boring. Always could come up with an answer. A ghost of a smile graced his lips. Somebody to fall back on. When he couldn't find something, of course he went to Wesley. And he almost always came through. Figured out where the Deeper Well was, how the orb that transferred him to another dimension worked, how to get into Wolfram & Hart... there were tons more. He remembered how he went to Wesley for help in finding Cordelia when she was lost and even then, with their differences he helped. And-
Angel leaned forward. ''I know how to find her.'' He announced.
''Huh?''
''Dinza. We need to go to her.''
''And who the bloody hell is Dinza?'' Spike asked, eyebrow raised.
''She's uh, she's some sort of a higher being. Goddess of lost or something like that.'' Angel explained. ''When Cordelia was missing, Dinza pointed me in the right direction.''
''Where is she?'' Connor asked.
''She's got a lair here, underneath the city.''
''How do we know she remains alive?'' lllyria hopped onto the desk near the wall.
''Only dead may enter her presence.'' Vampire said. ''And she's... fast. I'm not sure something could uh, kill her.''
''One thing though, you do realize that Faith is not truly lost, right?'' Spike rubbed his chin. ''She's still here.''
''She is, in a way, lost.'' Anthis voiced her thoughts. ''Inside her own mind. If you want to find her, you need to localize the one in control.''
''We'll use the loophole.'' Angel nodded. ''And if not, I'm sure we can uhm, convince her.''
''When do we leave?'' Illyria asked.
''We don't, not all of us.'' Angel said.
''Why not?'' Connor asked.
''Someone's gotta stay with Lorne.'' Vampire said. ''I don't see a reason why you should come, since only me and Spike can actually get in.''
''Yes, but there is a lot of distance between here and there, correct?'' Anthis asked. ''The two of you can't go alone.''
''Blue, would you mind...'' Spike started hesitantly.
''Staying here?'' Illyria grimaced. The thought did not lay good with her. ''I will.''
''Four of us, then?''
''Okay, gear up. We're leaving in five.'' Angel commanded. As everyone left the room, he caught up to Illyria. ''We should be back before sunset.''
''Stay on guard.'' She advised him. ''Don't die out there, vampire.''
''Do my best.''
***B***B***
''So, how far off her rocker is she?''
Angel stopped walking and turned to Spike. ''What?''
''Does she have some sort of nervous tick, like the whole 'tell you no lies' Drogyn had?'' He clarified.
''Pretty normal. For a higher being residing in sewers in Los Angeles, I guess.'' Angel shrugged.
''Looks like that's as far as we can go.'' Connor announced few minutes later. Vampires turned to see him and Anthis stand few feet back.
''Good luck.'' She called as they continued their journey.
Eventually, they reached a ladder. Angel descended first, with Spike following. The tunnel was dimly lit and they could hear a constant sound of water dripping. Purpose in his steps, Angel quickly entered the round chamber.
''And what are those?'' Spike asked, standing next to him. He could hear faint whispers, yet no source of them. Angel looked back and saw a wall. They were trapped.
''We're in. Those are the voices of people she decided to... keep.''
''You know, you failed to mention that this bloody hag can 'decide','' He quoted with his fingers, getting in Angel's face. ''To keep us. What the hell does that even mean?''
Spike felt a cold hand caress his neck, but when he instantly turned around, startled, nothing was there and only the sound of fluttering wings told him that something indeed, touched him.
''Bloody hell.''
''Are you two lost?'' A voice echoed through the chamber. The sound came again and this time Angel jumped up. ''No... I remember you, champion.''
Vampires turned and saw a thin grey figure crouching on a beam above them. With a veil in front of her face and bony wings. ''Many would say it is unwise to enter my lair... twice.'' Dinza said.
''Yeah well... whatever.'' Angel said hardly. ''I'm out of options.''
''Did you find your lost love?'' She asked and fluttered to another beam, touching both of their heads on her way.
''Can you stop doing that?'' Spike complained when they found her again. ''It's getting creepy.''
''Yes. I found her.'' Angel sighed. ''But then I lost her again.''
''I know. I know all the lost things.''
''Then you know what we're here for.'' Vampire stated.
Dinza looked somewhere past them as the whispers intensified. ''They don't think I should help you. They think you don't deserve it.''
''Cut the crap.'' Spike took a step towards her. ''If not him, then point me in the right direction. Looking for the same chick.''
''Yes William, you are.'' She stood up. ''Yet the girl you seek is not lost. She has a purpose, a clear path ahead of herself.'' Again, she managed to completely disappear from their line of sight, running her hands down each of their cheeks.
''Tell us where to look and we'll go.'' Angel said.
''Why would you assume as much?'' Dinza asked from somewhere above them.
''Oh, I am not going to be a bloody note on your bedpost.'' Spike snarled. The sound echoed off the walls and Angel felt a light push on his chest.
''Enough!'' Angel raised his voice.
''This is getting ridiculous.'' Spike muttered under his breath. On a hunch, he whirled around and his hand shot forward and yes, he got her, just as the sound started again. ''Now,'' He said, squeezing her neck. ''We're gonna play a game called 'Spike asks and you answer or I'm gonna tear your throat out.' Feeling helpful?''
Dinza looked at him with wide eyes, probably the first time someone ever touched her against her will.
''You heard him.'' Angel barked. ''Where is she?''
''The last place you would look champion.'' Dinza started. ''Yet the place that holds value to you. A place you liked to steal cookies from. And eat them right up.''
''What the bloody hell is she on about?'' Spike looked at Angel, who stared at the wall, deep in thought. Spike squeezed harder. ''Where-''
''Wait.'' Angel whispered. ''A place I like... eating cookies... where she would never go...''
''What, now you too?'' Spike asked and Dinza used the opportunity to escape his grip. ''Bloody hell.'' He cursed, looking for her. She was crouching on one of the beams.
Angel looked up to her. ''She's in a convent?'' He asked her. She didn't answer. ''Which one? There's dozens of them here.''
A door behind them appeared. ''We're not done! Which one?'' He yelled.
''The one closest to you.'' She said. ''Now go. While I still allow it.''
''Come on, mate.'' Spike took a step back. ''We're done here.''
Wordlessly, Angel climbed up the ladder.
''You said that old bitch was normal.'' Spike called after him. ''That was bloody far from normal!''
''And?'' Connor called out when they came into view.
''She's in some church.'' Spike answered.
''What would she do there?'' He asked, clearly surprised.
''No clue.''
''Let's go back. And start searching.'' Anthis said.
''No.'' Angel spoke up. ''We need to stop at one more place.''
***B***B***
''Why are we here?'' Connor asked, looking through destroyed hallways.
Angel stopped at the desk. Harmony's desk. ''I need to pick something up from my penthouse.'' He noticed that things seemed to be in bigger disarray than the last time he was here. Following his nose, he quickly found two decaying bodies.
''Ugh, no one called the room service?'' Spike wondered. ''Seriously, this is nasty.''
Silently, Angel led the group into his office. He got to the elevator and forced the door open.
''Are there actual stairs leading up?'' Anthis asked.
''Nope.'' Angel grunted and got into the elevator. He opened the emergency hatch in the ceiling and jumped up.
''Awesome.'' Connor sighed. ''Go with him, we'll hang back.'' He told Spike.
Rolling his eyes, he followed Angel.
''So what's so important?'' He asked, watching Angel go through numerous boxes. From inside one, Angel pulled out a smaller one and opened it. After few moments he set it aside and continued his search. Spike walked up to it and saw that it held a lot of cards. He picked one up.
Angel's Investigations
Winifred Burkle
He tore his eyes away, but still noticed the address and the phone number listed below. He looked at the rest of them. Cordelia, Wesley, Gunn, Angel.
''Had business cards, huh?'' He said quietly. ''Right and proper detective agency, no?'' A symbol on all of the cards caught his attention. ''What the bloody hell is this?'' He wondered. ''Why do you have some mutated lobster on your card?''
Angel chuckled. ''It's an angel. Cordelia designed it.''
''Oh. Ooh, an angel. Right. See it now.'' Spike squinted his eyes and moved the card upside down.
Angel pulled out a video tape and stared at it sadly.
''What's this?'' He asked.
''Something to remind me why I'm fighting. What I'm fighting for.'' Angel said. ''Why we found Angel's Investigations in the first place. Can't leave it here.''
Spike contemplated this and took out a pack of cigarettes. ''Got what you wanted?''
''Yeah. Let's go.''
''We're going back now?'' Connor asked once they were down.
''Not yet.'' Spike quickly said. ''One more pit stop.''
''What?'' Angel turned to him.
''Hey, you're not the only one who has something important stashed somewhere.'' He defended himself.
''It's getting dark.'' Anthis noticed, looking out of the window.
''It's not far.'' Vampire exhaled smoke.
He was right, it was not terribly far. In fact, Angel recognized the place. Spike's apartment.
''What are we here for?''
Instead of answering, Spike took off his cape and walked to the wardrobe. And pulled the exact same one out.
''We came here so you can get a new jacket?'' Angel asked ridiculously.
''Yup. That one was all messed up.''
''Are you joking?'' Anthis raised her eyebrows, while Connor remained silent.
''Not really. Now we're ready to head back. Unless one of you too, has something to pick up.'' Spike shrugged.
Angel shook his head and sighed. ''Idiot.'' He, Anthis and Connor left without another glance.
''What?'' Spike called after them. ''It's a part of me!''
***B***B***
''Have you found what you've been looking for?'' Illyria asked immediately after they entered the apartment.
''More or less.'' Connor said.
''How is he?'' Angel nodded his head towards the room Lorne was in.
''He awoke number of times. I'm afraid he does not have much time.'' She stated. ''He's weak.''
''Okay, here's what we have.'' Angel said twenty minutes later, when they all gathered in one room. He and Spike used the time to warm up some blood, the rest something to eat. ''According to Dinza, Faith is in a convent. Or a church. She said it's the 'closest one to me'. Any idea?''
''Do you have a favourite one?'' Spike asked, sipping from his mug.
''...No. Not really.''
''Do we even know how many of them are in Los Angeles? Where are they?'' Connor asked.
''Dozens, if not more.'' Illyria said. Everyone looked at her. ''Fred... used to go there. Before.''
''Closest one...'' Anthis muttered. ''As in the nearest one from here?''
''Doubt it. They never speak straight. Always riddles or half-truths.'' Angel responded. ''Do we have a map of the city here? It should probably include churches, right?''
''Maybe.''
So they searched. And came up with nothing.
''You know, we're in an apartment building.'' Spike noticed. ''No way you're gonna convince me that none of these people had a map.''
''Got it!'' Connor yelled triumphantly forty minutes later, from the place two floors up.
''Okay,'' Angel said when they met back and laid the map out on the table. ''Take one of these,'' He handed everyone a marker or a pen. ''Encircle every church, convent and monastery you can find. Everything that can pass as such. Then we'll see what we have.''
They all started in different parts, agreeing to meet in the middle.
''Do you realize how many of them are here?'' Spike groaned five minutes later. ''Why build so many of them, shouldn't one or two be enough?''
No one commented on that.
''Uhh, not to say anything, but I see a lot of circles.'' Connor let out a long breath. ''I mean come on, I'm looking at what, few city blocks and I've got a dozen of them. Like Miracle of Faith Mennonite Church – who's to say she won't be there 'cuz of the name? Or Shady Grove Baptist Church – no reason for her to be there, but the point is, we'll waste days like this.''
Angel sighed. ''You're right, it doesn't work. Let's just focus on the big ones, huh?''
''What, Faith lived by the rule that size really does matter?'' Spike smirked.
''Just... find some convents.'' Vampire looked at the map.
''St Thomas Convent?'' Illyria suggested.
''That would be awfully close.'' Anthis noticed.
''Convent of The Helpers of the Holy Souls?'' Connor read out. ''God, that's a mouthful.''
''How about this – Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels – rings close to home?'' Spike asked.
''You know, that's close too. Are we certain Dinza didn't mean that literally?'' Illyria looked to Angel.
''Convent of the Immaculate Heart...'' Angel kept on looking. Another one caught his eye. ''Monastery of the Angels – that's the one.'' He decided. ''Has to be.''
''Any particular reason?'' Anthis leaned over to see the place Angel pointed at.
''Farther away, okay.'' Connor said. ''What's so special about it?''
''I'm not sure.'' Angel said slowly. ''It's just... I don't know. It feels like the right one. After Buffy uhm, died, I... I went to a monastery. To reevaluate my life and... stuff. I told Faith about my time there. It's not much, nothing really, but... I don't know. I say that's the one.''
''We're supposed to go there on a hunch?'' Spike clarified.
Angel just looked at the map.
The rest of them traded looks.
Vampire stood up. ''Anyone want some coffee... or something?''
''Warm me some more, would you?'' Spike passed Angel his mug.
''I'd kill for a vision or something.'' Angel heard Spike groan as he left the room.
He rubbed his temples as he put Spike's blood in the microwave. Was she really in there? He didn't think Dinza lied to them, but what were the odds? He watched the clock counting down and absently began to hum a tune to himself.
Connor appeared in the doorway, frowning and looking for the sound. ''Oh.''
Angel turned to him. ''What?'' The clock stopped and he took out the mug.
''Nothing. It's just that song... it reminded me of someone.'' He said, clearly uncomfortable.
''Really? Who?'' Angel asked.
Connor opened his mouth, then closed it. Angel leaned against the counter. ''Your parents sang it to you?''
''You could say that...'' He muttered. He took a deep breath. ''Actually it was Holtz. Back in Quor'toth.''
''Oh.''
''Yeah.'' Connor dug his hands into his pockets. ''Do you really think Faith's in that church?''
''Oh, she's in there alright.'' A new voice said and they turned to see Lorne leaning against the door frame.
''You okay?'' Immediately they reached him and helped the demon sit down.
''Are you sure?'' Angel asked. ''Your mojo's been off lately.''
''Well, consider it being back on.'' Lorne breathed out heavily. ''Saw it very clear.''
''What else?''
''Nothing. Just that.'' He sighed and held a hand to his forehead. ''You should start gearing up. Faith will move before sunrise.''
Angel exchanged looks with Connor.
***B***B***
Yeah, the showdown is coming. I'm not 100% sure how it's gonna turn out. And a question - Does it feel like the story is coming to a conclusion?