Back to life
Angie awoke the next morning in her own bed, although it took her a while to figure that out. Willow had sent them back to their time as close as she could to the time that they had disappeared, so according to Stephanie and Thomas they had only been gone a month, though they had really been gone over a year.
She opened her eyes and rolled over reaching for Xander, but when he wasn't there she sat up. "Xander?" But as she looked around more she realized that she wasn't in Xander's house, she smiled a little as she realized that she was in her own bedroom.
She stretched and looked down beside her, there on her pillow lay a medium sized brown bear, and a letter with her name on it. She picked it up and opened it; it was a letter from Xander.
Dearest Angie,
When Willow told me that you'd be able to go home, I have to admit that I was rather disappointed, but I wanted you to be happy, so I knew that I'd have to let you go. I hope that you'll be able to get back to your normal life, and forget about me, though I have to admit that I'll never forget about you.
I want you to know that I love you, and though I know I told you that, I could never say it enough, not even if I said it every second of every day. Take care of yourself, and don't do anything that I wouldn't okay?
I hope you don't mind, but I told Spike to take care of you. And I know that he will.
Anyway, on to other matters. The bear that was with this letter is Xander-bear I want you to take care of him. Give him a big hug when you need to, and cry on his shoulder if you want. But know that he loves you as much as I do. And he'll be there for you since I can't.
Well, I guess that's all for now, I love you forever. And smile just for me okay? I love you with all my heart.
Love,
Xander
Angie picked up the bear and gave it a big hug. "Thank you Xander," she whispered into the air, as tears began filling her eyes. Her tears flowed over her eye lids and hit the bear in her arms, "Xander," she cried. She had wanted to come home, but she didn't realize just how much she'd miss her loved one. As she began to sob harder there was a knock on the door, and Spike walked in.
"You're awake," Spike said, but then noticing her tears he walked up to her and held her in his arms. "You're home now, there's no need to cry."
"But Spike, I left Xander," she sobbed into his shoulder.
"It's all for the better, you'll get better soon," Spike said rubbing her back. "I promise I'll help you."
"Oh Spike," Angie cried.
There was another knock on the door and Thomas soon walked in. He had a smile on his face when he entered, but when he saw his Slayer crying, his smile soon turned into a frown. "Angie?" He walked over to the bed and sat down beside her.
"Thomas?" Angie wiped her eyes, and looked over at him. "Thomas!" She smiled and threw her arms around him.
"I'm so glad that you're back," Thomas said.
"It's so good to see you." She was smiling, and she truly was happy, but her heart was filled with sorrow.
"Angie?" Stephanie's voice came from the door. "Are you okay?"
The Slayer let go of her Watcher, and looked at her sister standing in the doorway. "Hey Steph."
Stephanie walked over to her sister with tear filled eyes, and throwing her arms around her said, "I was so worried about you."
"I'm okay," Angie half-lied.
"I'm glad that you're back," Stephanie said letting go of her sister.
"Well now that we've all got our hug's out, why don't we let Angie get up and dress?" Spike said.
"Sound's good to me," Stephanie said. And she and Thomas left the room.
"How long have we been gone?" Angie asked the vampire who was still sitting in front of her.
"A month," he answered.
"So you were able to get us back sooner than it could've been," Angie answered.
"Willow thought it best to give us a little time," Spike said. "Well love, get up." He stood and walked out of the room.
Angie did as she was told and got dressed, soon walking down stairs to be greeted by her grinning Watcher and sister once again.
Time went on, and Angie never told Stephanie or Thomas about what had happened while they were gone. And Spike had agreed not to tell as well. So the only thing Stephanie and Thomas knew, was that they had been sent back to Buffy's time.
Spike took care of Angie as he had promised he would, but that didn't help the pain that Angie felt at loosing Xander. She was often depressed, and not just because of Xander, but also because of loosing her child. And no matter what anyone did, she continued to be depressed. She often revisited that night in her dreams, once again having her baby taken from her, once again failing to be a good mother.
"No," Angie breathed in her sleep. "No, please."
Stephanie awoke beside her and looked at her sister, who was now tossing and turning.
"No, no please, no," Angie whispered louder than before. "No." Her breathing was rapid now.
"Angie?" Stephanie asked concerned.
"No," she whispered again, then shooting up in her bed she screamed, "Not my baby!" Angie was still breathing hard as tears formed in her eyes. "Not my baby," she whispered to herself, as the tears hit her hands.
"Angie, are you okay?" Stephanie asked.
Angie jumped; she had forgotten that her sister slept in the same room as her. She had been used to Xander, but he was a heavy sleeper, and she never awoke like this with him.
"I'm okay," Angie lied.
"Are you sure?" Stephanie asked.
Angie took a deep breath and said, "Yeah."
The two sat silent for a moment, until Stephanie asked, "What did you mean?"
"Huh?" Angie was confused.
"What did you mean by 'not my baby'?"
The tears that had gone away only moments before came back.
"What did you mean?" Stephanie asked again.
"Nothing. It was nothing," Angie answered.
"Angie please tell me."
"No, just leave me alone."
"Angie I only want to help."
"Then leave me alone." Angie got out of the bed and walked out of the room, "Just leave me alone," she said again, although her sister couldn't hear her. She walked to the kitchen and got herself a glass of milk.
Stephanie soon sat next to her. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to upset you."
"It's not your fault," Angie said taking a sip of her milk.
"It's just, you've been acting so strange lately. I've been worried about you. All you ever do anymore is mope around, and lock yourself in the basement," Stephanie explained. "I just want to help you."
"There's nothing you can do," Angie said, "believe me."
"There has to be something I can do. Please tell me what's wrong," Stephanie pleaded.
"Just leave me alone."
"You're over twenty years old, you should be over this. I only want to help." Her eyes were filled with sadness, and as Angie looked at her she felt as if she were looking into a mirror.
"If I tell you something you must promise not to tell Thomas."
"I promise."
Angie moved closer to her sister and grabbed her hand. Stephanie looked puzzled but she didn't say anything. Angie took a deep breath, lifted up her shirt just enough so her stomach showed, and placed her twin's hand on her scar.
Stephanie gasped, "What is this?"
"It's a scar."
"I know that, but what is it from?"
Angie took a deep breath, and told Stephanie the whole story.
"Oh, Angie. I wish you'd have told me earlier."
"I didn't want anyone to know. I just felt so alone. My entire life has been full of nothing but heartache, I've never known true happiness, I just didn't think you'd understand."
"What do you mean your entire life has been full of nothing but heartache?"
It was then that Angie realized she had never told her sister about her past life. Nothing about Zach, or Zacharius, or anything else. She had left her sister in the dark, and now was the time-it seemed, to shine some light on the matter.
"Do you remember when you asked me what happened to make Zacharius go away?" Angie asked, recalling the time in the basement.
"Yeah," Stephanie said.
"Well." Angie took a deep breath. "You know that he was the one who adopted me, but what you don't know is that we loved each other, and not just family love, we were intimately in love with each other."
Stephanie gasped. "You loved each other?"
"Yes, we did. Since he was my Watcher this was considered a big no-no and when the council found out they took him away as soon as they found me a new Watcher, which was Thomas." Tears filled the girl's eyes. "I had just defeated my first big bad guy, when they took him away. It's strange, but even though it happened years ago, I can still remember it like it had just happened. It was raining, and he planned to leave before I got there, but I'd finished off the vampire long before we both anticipated, so I came back just as they were packing the last bit of his things. He was so surprised that I had come back so soon, and we ended up talking, well he was talking, I was crying and begging him to stay. But in the long run he left, and I've only seen him once since then, and that was my graduation day."
"Oh Angie, I never knew."
"That's not the end of it." Angie continued to tell her sister the story of her life after becoming the Slayer, and the girls stayed up all night talking about it.
"I never knew that you've had it so hard. I really wish that you had told me this earlier," Stephanie said.
"I just always felt that it was my own problem." Angie told her.
"What would you have done if you'd had the child?"
"I would've stayed there with Xander, and grown old with him. Then I s'pose I would've been old like the Xander here." Angie was suddenly hit, I'll never forget you, Xander had said those things in his letter. Did the Xander now know what was going to happen, or had he forgotten about her?
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I was just wondering if the old Xander remembered me."
"I don't think he could ever forget about you," Spike's voice rang through the kitchen. "Slayers are the hardest to forget."
"Oh, hey Spike," Angie said.
Stephanie smiled at the sight of him. "Hi, Spike."
"Hey, love." He winked at her. "You two have been here the whole night, don't you think you should go to bed?"
"Sleeping in the day is a vampire thing," Angie said. "Besides, how do you know how long we've been up?"
"I've been watching you the entire night," Spike admitted. "It's not like I didn't know anything you said."
Angie was now relived that she hadn't told her sister about her feelings for Spike. "It would've been nice for you to tell me that you were there."
"Sorry, pet," Spike said.
Angie yawned. "But I guess I should get some sleep, that way I can be ready for Slayage tonight."
"Well, I'm going to make some breakfast for Thomas, it's been a while since we've had a decent meal," Stephanie said.
"Okay, well I'll see you in a little while."
As Angie walked up to her room Stephanie pulled out some pans and got to cooking some bacon. "Did you know everything that she said?"
"Yes," Spike answered sitting down at the table. "I know everything I want to know about her."
"Do you know anything about her before she was a Slayer?" Stephanie asked putting some ingredients in a bowl for French Toast.
"Just that she was an orphan," Spike answered. "Slayers aren't very interesting before they're Slayers. They're just like normal girls."
"I resent that remark."
"Well you shouldn't. Slayer sisters aren't very normal ether."
Stephanie stopped what she was doing for a moment. "I don't know whether that's a good thing or not."
"Oh it's good," Spike said. "Man, my stomach is growlin'."
"We've got some leftovers in the fridge, or you can wait till this is finished," Stephanie said without thinking. "Oh, but we haven't got any blood."
"An' you don't have any animals either."
"EW." She flipped some of her toast and then turned around. "But I've got blood."
"Oh, no love," Spike said. "I've got a soul now, there'll be none of that."
"But isn't it different if I offer it to you?" Stephanie asked placing new pieces of egged toast on the pan.
"Who told you that?"
"I've done my homework. Once you begin to like a vampire you start researching them."
"Where did you... wait, you like me?"
"C'mon Spike, you're not as dumb as you make yourself out to be. You've known that I like you, and I know that you like me."
"What makes you think that?"
"That wink you gave me this morning."
"Ah, right then."
"Let's be honest here." She flipped her toast, and changed her bacon. "I've been dreaming about you, and I've been longing to feel your lips on my body."
Spike didn't say anything he just sat at the table.
"So come on Spike, come have a little snack. I'm all done with the French Toast, and the bacon will take a while to finish."
Spike didn't move.
"Or do I have to come to you." She began walking toward him.
Spike's stomach growled. "You know love, you could just run to my crypt real quick and get me a bag."
"Or you could have fresh, warm blood."
"You won't heal like your sister."
"I don't expect you to drink that much." She now stood right in front of Spike. "So what do you say?" She tilted her neck.
Spike transformed. "This is going to hurt a bit." He sunk his teeth into her neck and she gave a little squeal. But as he fed, she got weaker, and he still didn't stop.
"Spike, stop," Stephanie whispered weakly. But the vampire didn't stop. "Spike you're going to kill me."
"Stephanie," Thomas' voice came through the door. "Breakfast smells... Spike what're you doing?" He ran toward the vampire and the girl and pulled Spike away.
Stephanie fainted immediately, and Spike turned quickly and ran down to the basement.
"Stephanie are you okay?" Thomas asked the fainted girl, who didn't reply. "ANGIE!"
Angie appeared at the door way seconds later. "What's wrong?"
"Spike, he attacked your sister," Thomas said. "Take her to your room quickly."
The Slayer did as she was told and took her sister to their room.
Thomas in the mean time took the bacon out of the pan and removed it from the heat.
Angie laid her sister down on the bed. "I'm going to kill you Spike." And she turned to walk out of the room.
"Angie wait," Stephanie said quietly. Angie turned. "It wasn't Spike's fault, I told him to. He was hungry and I told him to have a little of my blood to hold him over."
"Why didn't you just run and get him some?"
"Because I wanted to know what it was like, please don't hurt Spike."
"I won't hurt him, but I'm not very happy with you. If Thomas hadn't shown up Spike could've killed you." Angie sighed. "Just go to sleep and get your strength back."
Stephanie nodded and closed her eyes.
Thomas was beginning to walk down the stairs to the basement as Angie walked in. "Don't blame him."
"Why not?" Thomas asked angrily.
"Because she told him to do it," Angie explained. "Just leave him alone, and eat some breakfast. I'm going to change and run to Spike's crypt to get him some food."
"Okay." Thomas reluctantly shut the door and walked into the kitchen. And Angie did just as she said she would.
"Spike?" Angie called as she walked down to the basement.
"I'm sorry," Spike's quiet voice said.
"It's not your fault, she was wrong to ask you to do that," Angie said. "I brought you some of your blood from home."
Spike appeared from the shadows. "Thanks, pet."
Angie handed him the blood then sat down on the floor and sighed. "I wish she would understand."
"What?" Spike asked, sitting down beside her.
"That it's not as easy as she makes it out to be."
"What do you mean by that?"
"She pretends that everything is normal. She makes Slaying seem as if it were just a game, and vampires as a thing that, even if it gets her, isn't going to kill her. She just doesn't understand."
"Ah."
There was a small growling, and Angie laughed. "You can eat you know. I don't mind it."
Spike nodded and happily sank his teeth into the bag. Angie watched as he gulped down the blood, and as some of it trickled down his neck.
"Well, I'd best get going. You, leave Stephanie alone for a while." She stood up and walked up the stairs and joined Thomas at the table.
Stephanie was in bed for the next three days, and Angie slept on the couch, not wanting to bother her sister. They had begun cleaning out the spare bedroom enough so they could get a bed in there, but the process had been slow, and it still wasn't done yet.
On the fourth day Stephanie walked down stairs and joined her friends at the table.
"I'm glad to see that you're doing better," Thomas said.
"Just don't do it again," Angie warned.
"I won't, I promise," Steph said.
"Anyway, Thomas I don't like this. Even Buffy told me once, that when things are quiet it's bad. Even the vamps are staying away. I don't like this," Angie explained.
"I don't know what to tell you." Thomas sipped his coffee. "There's no sign of anything happening, nothing too out of the ordinary has happened lately."
"Vamps, no show, hello? I don't like it Thomas." Angie sighed and put her face in her hands.
"Don't worry, what ever it is you'll be able to take care of it. I know you will," Stephanie said.
"I'm glad you think so." She stood up. "I'm going out to see what I can find."
"Okay, I'll see you later then," Thomas said into his coffee.
Angie had gone everywhere she could think of, and still nothing. Either all the vamps and demons were getting good at lying, or they really didn't know what was going on. She went to work later that night, and then on patrol, where she had very little action. Then tired and frustrated she headed home.
The house was quiet, and Angie walked quietly up to her bedroom. She yawned, and opened the door. But she stopped dead in her tracks. There on the bed was Stephanie and Spike, making out. Spike was shirtless, and Stephanie was almost shirtless. She stood and watched, too alarmed, and hurt to say or do anything. Her breathing grew more rapid as tears began to swell in her eyes as she began to think of Xander.
"Spike," Stephanie breathed as he kissed her neck once again.
Angie looked around the room, desperately trying to locate Xander-bear. And she saw him lying on the floor. She quickly ran into the room and snatched up the stuffed animal, alarming both her sister and Spike.
"Angie! What're you doing here?" Stephanie asked, trying to hide her now naked bosom.
"I hate you," Angie said trough tears, "I hate you both."
"You weren't supposed to see this," Stephanie said.
"Well I did." She swallowed hard and stormed out of the house.
Once outside she ran to the park and sat down under a tree. Holding Xander-bear tight she sobbed, "Oh Xander, What am I supposed to do. I miss you so much. I wish I'd never come back. Oh, Xander." She held the bear tight and continued to sob.
"Angie?" a quiet male voice said.
Angie looked up and saw the elderly Xander starring at her. "What are you doing out here?"
"You know me, I like to take walks at night," Xander said.
"With a stake?" Angie noticed the piece of wood in his hand.
"I have to protect myself some how," the old man answered.
"That's my job," Angie said.
"Why are you crying?" He asked, though he already knew.
Angie wiped a few of her tears away. "I... I... Oh Xander." She walked forward and hugged the man.
"It's alright Angie. Why don't I walk you home?" He offered.
"No," Angie said immediately. "I don't wanna go home."
"Well then why don't you walk me home, and stay the night?"
Angie smiled a little. "That would be nice."
"Willow," Xander called when they entered the house, "we have a visitor."
"Who would be here so late?" Willow asked agitated, but when she saw Angie she smiled. "Oh hi dear."
"Hey Willow," Angie said.
"She's going to stay the night," Xander explained. "She'll stay in my room, and I'll sleep on the couch."
"I can sleep on the couch," Angie offered.
"No dear, you're a guest. Now come with me and I'll show you..."
"I know where it is."
"Oh, yes."
"I really appreciate all this."
"It's no problem. Now go to sleep, a Slayer needs her rest."
"Thank you." Angie smiled at the two and walked to the bedroom.
"She had Xander-bear," Xander pointed out to his friend.
"You think that she just barely got back from the past?" Willow asked. "She was only gone a month."
"Yes, but don't you remember that you sent them back as close to the time they had disappeared?"
"I'm growing senile in my old age."
"She was crying when I found her."
"What for?"
"For me, she wanted to see me. Well, the young me."
"You poor old fool, you don't still love her do you?"
"I s'pose I do. She was the only one who truly gave herself to me."
"It's strange."
"What is?"
"We always wondered how she was doing after she left, and now we know."
They stopped talking and heard sobs from the other room. "I'm going to go talk to her." Xander walked to the room. "Angie?"
Angie gasped and sat up. "I'm sorry, did I wake you?"
"We weren't asleep." Xander sat on the bed next to her.
"Xander, do you remember me?" Angie asked.
"Of course I remember you, you're the Slayer," Xander answered.
"No, I mean, do you remember me from when you were young?" Angie asked.
"I do."
"Did you mean everything that you said in that letter?"
"What I can remember of it, yes."
Tears streamed down the girls face. "I never wanted to leave you. Right now I'm wishing I'd never left."
"It'll get better. You'll find someone else," Xander assured her.
"No I won't. I'm the Slayer, I'm not meant to have a normal life."
"That's not true, Buffy had a normal life."
"But that's Buffy."
"That's true."
"Xander, do you still love me? Even after Anya and all the other girlfriends you had?"
"I told you that I'd love you forever didn't I?"
"Yeah."
"I don't lie about things like that."
"Oh Xander," she sobbed leaning into his arms.
"Hush now." Xander stroked her hair. "Lie down and go to sleep, I'll stay here till you do."
Angie did as she was told and lay down. "Still smells the same." Tears rolled down her cheeks.
"SHHH, close your eyes now and go to sleep."
Angie took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "Thank you Xander."
"Hush, go to sleep," Xander said. Angie closed her eyes, knowing that Xander, old or not, was going to be right beside her, watching over her, as he had once done before. And with that in mind, she fell asleep quickly.
But she revisited the abandon building in which she lost all her hope. She lay on the table tied once again, and the demons chanted their usual chant, but something was different, someone was at the door.
"Angie!" The young Xander ran through the door but was intercepted by the demons.
"Xander! No, Xander run away get out of here!" Angie demanded the best she could.
"I won't leave you to be slaughtered by these demons, I can fight them," Xander said.
"No Xander they'll kill you too. Run, go get everyone else."
"No, I can't leave you."
"Xander go!"
Alexander (as we'll call elderly Xander for now) watched as the Slayer tossed and turned in her bed. "I can't take this much longer, she's having nightmares."
"There's nothing you can do," Willow said from the door. "You're old; you need to get to bed."
"I can't, not when she's not sleeping," Alexander said.
"There's nothing you can do." Willow persisted. "I'm going to bed."
"Wait, Willow, can you cast a spell on me to make me look young again?"
"I could, but I don't think it's a very good idea."
"Just for a little while, just so I can comfort her, and tell her that everything will be okay."
"You already told her that."
"I know, but she doesn't love me, she loves the younger me. It'd mean more if she heard it from the young me. I just don't want her to suffer."
Willow sighed. "Come out here and hurry."
"Xander no, give up and go now!" Angie yelled.
"We need to get on with the ritual," the lead demon said. "Tie him up; he can be prey for our master. Kill him if you have too."
"Xander, no, leave now," Angie cried. "Go please."
"I'm not leaving you," Xander said, but right as he looked up at her, the demon to his right stabbed him right in the chest. "Angie, I love you."
"XANDER! NO," Angie screamed.
"Tie him up and let's finish," the head demon growled, the others did as they were told and the ritual continued.
Angie's tears were more now, and the pain was just as intense, but as her stomach was cut, and her baby was pulled out of her stomach, Xander's head fell, and his breathing stopped. "Xander!" she whispered his name, and she heard the faint cry of her child.
"Angie, Angie wake up," Alexander said, in youthful form.
"Xander," Angie cried in her sleep.
"I'm right here," Xander said. He shook her slightly.
Angie's eyes shot open, and she found herself shaking and breathing hard. She looked up and recognizing her lover said, "Xander, is that you?"
"Yes, it's me," Xander said.
"Am I dreaming?" Angie asked.
"Yes and no. Willow put a spell on me so that I could talk to you one last time from the past. It won't last long," Xander said.
"Oh Xander, I've missed you so much," Angie exclaimed sitting up and flinging her arms around him.
"I know you do, and I miss you more that you'll ever know." He pushed her back. "I came here to tell you something."
"Right," Angie said nodding.
"I want you to be strong."
"But it's so hard."
"I know it is, but I know you, and I know that you'll get through this, you're strong, stronger than you think."
"But Xander I..."
"Hush." He placed his finger to her lips. "Listen, don't fret. The time that you spend crying over me is time that you can use becoming stronger and forgetting about me. I'll always love you, but I want you to stay strong. I know it's only been a couple days, but stop crying okay. Pay more attention to those around you, they may need some help too."
"I promise to try."
"Good, now I've got to go, but always know that I love you. Now lay down and close your eyes."
"Xander." Angie put her hand on his cheek and pulled him close. "I love you, and I always will." Their lips met, and Angie felt a surge of happiness go through her.
Xander pulled away. "I have to go now."
"Just one more." Angie placed her lips once more on his, and deepened the kiss.
"Xander," Willows voice rang through the room in a mystical sort of way.
Xander pulled away. "I've got to go, Willow is getting weak. Stay strong, and sleep well my princess."
"Good night, and good bye my prince." She laid down and closed her eyes, while Alexander walked out of the room.
The next morning Angie awoke happy. She stretched and put her shoes on, being as how she'd slept in her clothes. She yawned as she walked out of the room.
Willow and Xander were already awake, and talking quietly in the kitchen.
"Good morning," Willow said as the Slayer walked into the room.
"Good morning!" Angie sang.
"You seem awfully happy, sleep well?" Xander asked.
"Better than I have for a while," Angie admitted.
"Would you like some pancakes?" Willow asked.
"MM, sure," Angie said sitting down next to Xander. "I dreamed about you last night."
"Really now?" Xander asked.
"Well, the young you," she said. "It seemed so real, but it made me feel so much better."
"I'm glad to hear that," Xander said.
"Here you go," Willow said, placing a plate full of steaming pancakes in front of Angie.
"Thank you." Angie smiled while pouring syrup on them and eating. They all sat silently as she ate. When she was finished Angie took the plate to the sink. "I wanted to thank you both for everything that you've done, especially at the last minute."
"It was no problem, really," Xander said. "We enjoy the company."
"Yeah, it's nice to have a youthful body around sometimes," Willow agreed.
"Is there anything I can do for you?" Angie asked.
"No, anything we can't normally do, Willow just finds a spell for," Xander joked.
"Well, if there ever is anything I can do, just give me a call," Angie told them. "Anyway, I've got to open the flower shop today."
"Oh, so you didn't get fired," Xander said.
"No, she understood that I had no control over disappearing," Angie explained. "She's a really sweet person."
"She doesn't know that you went to the past, does she?" Willow asked.
"No, as far as she's concerned, I was kidnapped." Angie giggled at the thought. "It's best for her."
"Yes, I s'pose it is. Well, you'd best be going. Stop by more often," Willow said.
"I will thank you." Angie walked out of the house and to her work.
"Don't worry about it too much, love," Spike told Stephanie the next morning at breakfast.
"But Spike, she said she hated us," Stephanie said.
"And how many times has she said that before?" Spike asked.
"Never like this." Stephanie sighed. "Did you see the look in her eyes?"
"Don't worry about it pet," Spike said again. "She'll deal. I don't see what her big problem is anyway."
"Don't you get it?" Stephanie asked incredulously.
"Get what?" Spike asked.
"She likes you Spike, she has for a long time, ever since she stayed with you when she was fighting with me," the girl pointed out.
Spike sighed and looked at the fridge. "I don't suppose you have any blood in there?"
"Actually yes," Stephanie said. "Ever since you've been staying here for long periods of time, and our incident last time, Angie decided to put a little extra here for you."
"Great, cause I'm starving." Spike walked to the fridge.
"Do either of you know where Angie is?" Thomas asked walking into the kitchen.
"No, she didn't come back last night," Stephanie lied.
"Right." He said sitting down and putting his cup of tea on the table. "Well I think I might've found out what's going on."
"Which is?" Stephanie asked.
"Well, by the looks of this, vampires and demons start to get dormant, or less active, if you like, around the time of the Thelestial," Thomas said, looking at the book he had brought in to the room.
"What is the Thelestial?" Spike asked.
"Well essentially it's the birth of a vampire from a vampire. A female is chosen and she bears a child," Thomas explained.
"Isn't that virtually impossible?" Stephanie asked.
"Well yes, except for this once. It happens about every thousand years, and according to the Watcher files it happened a thousand years ago this month." Thomas looked at them.
"So Angie's in trouble?" Stephanie sounded concerned.
"What does this little vampire do?" Spike asked.
"Well, technically, any vampire that looks upon it is given more strength," Thomas read.
"How much strength?" Steph asked.
"Generally ten times their normal. Not to mention that as soon as the child grows it will be the most powerful in the world," Thomas pointed out.
"Can you kill this thing while it's a baby?" Spike asked.
"It'll be hard," Thomas said. "The mother herself will be rather weak, but once followers have been found, it'll be hard to get to it."
"Do the vampires know where the child is?" Steph asked hopeful.
"They're drawn to it. According to this," the Watcher read the book. "The vampires loose their power, and then walk to it unknowingly, then they receive their power back, and then some."
"This is bad," Steph said.
"Very bad indeed," Thomas agreed.
"We need to go tell Angie," Steph said.
"She's working, there'll be no use bugging her now. We can wait till she gets home. In the mean time, I'm going to see what else I can find about this child." Thomas stood up taking his book and cup with him.
"And what about us?" Steph asked.
"Well, if you're going to continue having make-out sessions in your room, I suggest that you get to work on clearing out more of the spare bedroom," the Watcher said as he left the room.
Stephanie blushed, but she knew that he was right. "Well, Spike shall we?"
When Angie got home that afternoon she was told immediately what was going on.
"So how do I stop this from happening?" Angie asked.
"It says here that vampires and demons mellow out, a month before the child is born, and start migrating to it a day before. So, according to our time, the child should be born in about a week," Thomas told her.
"Which doesn't give us much time. So how do I stop it?" Angie asked.
"If we can find the mother and kill her before giving birth, then it'll stop everything." Thomas looked up at Angie. "Problem is that we don't know where the mother will be hiding."
"Somewhere not to shoddy," Spike said. "Even vampires like comfortable places to stay. And I expect a pregnant one would want one too."
"Right, so, where do you find one of those?" Angie asked.
"I heard that a house was abandoned not too long ago," Stephanie chimed. "According to some people it's haunted or something, so nobody will buy it."
"Great, we'll check there first, and if it's not there we keep trying." The Slayer stood up, looking determined. "Spike, we leave at sun down."
"Can I come?" Stephanie asked standing up and looking at her sister wide-eyed.
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because you don't have the proper training, and if we find her you can be assured that she'll have body guards."
"You always leave me behind."
"And for good reason."
"You just want to be alone with Spike. You think you can make a pass at him, when I'm not around."
"This has nothing to do with that."
"Take me with you and I'll believe you. Or is it that you know I'll foil your plans."
"I don't want you to get in the way."
"Ha! You just admitted it."
"Stephanie knock it off. Grow up and act the age you really are."
"I could say the same to you. You're just jealous that I got there first."
"Stop it, this has nothing to do with Spike."
"You're just saying that, you whore."
Angie had a look of utter anger on her face, she raised her had and almost slapped her sister, but Spike stopped her.
"Stop it pet," Spike said.
"You, I can't believe you. Fine I'll go by myself, and I won't come back. You two can make out all you want in that bed cause I'm not coming back." She walked to the doorway of the living room. "The world doesn't revolve around you, ya know."
"And it doesn't revolve around you," Stephanie retorted.
"You have a lot of nerve, coming here and acting like you own the place. Well I have news for you, this is my house, and if I wanted you to, you would be long gone. Just keep that in mind next time you want to call me a whore." She wheeled around and stormed once again, out of the house.
The three still in the kitchen looked at each other. And finally Thomas walked out of the house to follow his Slayer.
"Angie wait," he called.
"Where does she get off calling me that? Huh, where?" Angie half-yelled. "I just, I want to kill her sometimes."
"She had no place to say that. And you're right," Thomas said. "She does have a lot of nerve, but I think she's more afraid than anything."
Angie stopped and turned to look at her Watcher. "Why would she be afraid?"
"Angie, look at you, and look at her. She knows as well as the rest of us that Spike should be more attracted to you, you're strong, and that's something that Spike likes. She's afraid of loosing him, and most of all she's afraid of loosing him to you, her sister."
"I don't care if she's afraid or not, you know, I told her to stay for her own safety, but after that, I should let her come with me, just so she can get killed."
"You don't mean that."
"Oh, don't I?"
"You need to go back and talk to her."
"Thomas, no offense, but you're my Watcher, you tell me about all the creepy mojo, not my father."
"You're right." Thomas looked at her for a while. "Where will you go?"
Angie thought for a moment, then with an evil smirk said. "Nowhere, she can be the one to leave this time." And she ran as fast as she could back to her house. "Stephanie!" Angie yelled once inside the house.
"What?" Stephanie asked, sounding thoroughly annoyed. "I thought you left already."
"I did, but I came back." She walked up to her twin and stared at her menacingly, "I want you out, gone, away, anywhere but here. This is my house, and there's no reason I should leave it. You've overstayed your welcome, so now it's time to leave."
"I'm not going anywhere," Stephanie protested.
"Really? Well, you can go of your own will, or I can force you to go. Take your pick, but I'm sure the second one won't be nearly as pretty as the first."
Stephanie glared at the Slayer for a couple of seconds then said, "Just let me get a couple things, then I'll leave."
"No, you go now. You take nothing with you, out." She pointed toward the door. "You have five seconds before I explode."
"You know what? I wish I had never come here."
"Good, now GO."
Stephanie glared again at her sister and stormed out of the house.
Angie stood in the front room, still angry at the world, and soon decided that she would let out her built up energy in the basement. So she walked down.
"Steph, love, is that you?" Spike asked from the basement.
"She's gone," Angie said, stopping at the last stair.
"When will she be back?" Spike asked.
"She's not coming back," Angie said walking up to her punching bag and punching it uncontrollably.
"What do you mean she's not coming back?" Spike asked walking up to the Slayer and grabbing her arm.
"Let go of me Spike," Angie demanded.
"Where did she go?" The vampire asked angrily.
"I made her leave."
"You what?"
"I made her leave, this is my house. Now let go of me."
"Not until you agree to let her back."
"What's the matter Spike, you don't think your girl can take care of herself? Oh, wait, she can't, can she? What a shame. Now let go."
"Let her back."
"Let me go."
"Not until..."
Angie grew impatient and punched Spike in the face sending him to the floor. "I let her back, I know."
"She didn't mean what she said," Spike said getting to his feet.
"She seemed to mean it to me." She punched her bag again.
Spike grabbed her arm again. "She's hot-headed."
"A lot like you huh?" She punched at the vampire again, who ducked and grabbed her other arm. Angie glared. "What's the matter Spike, afraid that I might hurt you?"
"You can't hurt me," Spike retorted.
"Care to bet on that?" Angie smiled and kneed him right in the chest, causing him to release her. She then kicked him and sent him into the wall. Spike smiled.
"That didn't hurt," he said attacking her.
"Well perhaps a stake to the heart will." Angie flipped over the vamp and grabbed an extra stake off the bench. "C'mon Spike, or are you too scared?"
The two fought for at least an hour, and they only stopped when Angie had finally brought Spike to the ground, the stake inches from his heart.
"You loose," she said.
"Go ahead Slayer, kill me," Spike offered.
"You're too much of an asset to me. I need your help." Angie sighed and attempted to get up, but much to her surprise, Spike pulled her down into a kiss.
She was much to surprised to say anything at first, but once she realized what was going on, she pulled away.
"Is that all you've got love?" Spike asked looking up at her.
"You perv," Angie said jumping to her feet. "You're just out to see who you get first. You're disgusting. Yesterday you were making out with my sister, and now you're after me. Well guess what Spike, I don't play that way."
"Sorry, love. But you know I like it rough," Spike said sitting up.
"Then find yourself another girl." She stormed up the stairs, and slammed the door shut behind her. "Thomas?" The Slayer called out, trying to locate her Watcher.
"I'm outside," came Thomas' voice.
Angie walked outside, and on the steps sat Thomas, and Stephanie. She gave an exasperated sigh, and rolling her eyes turned to walk back inside.
"Angie wait!" Stephanie's soft voice said.
"I'm not in much of a mood to talk to you at the moment," Angie said, still facing the door.
"I know, and you have every right not to. But I wanted to let you know that I'm sorry. I really didn't mean what I said. It's just," she let out a deep breath. "When I'm not allowed to come with you, I feel so obsolete, like it doesn't really matter if I'm here or not. You have every reason to kick me out, but I've no where to go. I don't know anyone outside of this house."
The Slayer turned and looked at her sibling once again. "You can come back, but you're not staying in my room anymore, so you need to get your bed set up in the other room, as soon as possible."
"I understand that." Stephanie stood up. "Thank you, and I'm sorry." She hugged her sister.
"I'm sorry too. But please don't do that again," Angie said.
"I promise."
Angie looked at her sister. "Just try to stay away from Spike for a while."
"Okay."
Later that night, Spike and Angie inspected the designated house, but the mother wasn't there. However, they found another band of vamps that were easily dusted. And as they continued to search, they had no luck locating the mother.
This continued for the next five days, and had no luck.
"Where could they be?" Angie asked frustrated, the night of the fifth day. "We have two more days, and if we don't find her before then, the child will be born."
"Take a deep breath," Thomas said. "Where haven't you looked?"
"We haven't taken a gander at the old warehouses," Spike pointed out.
"But those aren't very comfortable," Angie said.
"You can make them to be," Spike said.
"Okay, we'll look there tonight, but I sure hope we find her. This is crazy." Angie got up and walked to the fridge. And seeing the blood in the fridge she turned and looked at Spike. "How come Spike isn't affected by this?"
"Yeah, that's something I would like to know," Spike said.
"I suppose it's because Spike has a soul," Thomas answered. "The demons don't get the power you see, but their power is drained to give to the child. Therefore, because Spike is no longer inhabited by a demon, he isn't affected."
"Makes sense," Angie said pouring her some milk. "I guess."
"You'd best get to bed." Thomas noticed the time. "If you do manage to find the mother tomorrow, you'll need all your strength."
Angie yawned. "Yeah, I s'pose you're right." She put her glass in the sink, and walked up the stairs. "Good night."
"Night," Spike answered.
"Good night Angie," Thomas called. "I'm off to bed as well."
"Night," Spike told him.
"See you in the morning Spike," Thomas said walking out of the kitchen.
The next night was a dud, neither Angie nor Spike found anything. But the next night, the night of the birth, was a hit.
Angie and Spike stood in front of a large abandoned building.
"This had to be it, we've looked everywhere else," Angie sighed.
"Let's go," Spike said.
Angie nodded and walked slowly into the building. And there, sure enough, was a congregation of vampires, all huddled around one woman. She was blonde, and she seemed rather tall, but as she was lying on the floor, the Slayer couldn't tell.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the Slayer and her pet vamp to spoil our fun," A female voice said from behind them.
Angie whirled around, and faced an average height, black haired vampire. "Darn, and I was hopping to get in on the fun." She kicked at the girl and sent her flying to the ground. "Oh, but this is fun."
At this, all the other vampires came rushing at Angie. Most of them forgetting, Angie supposed, that they were weaker than her and no longer equal in strength.
"Love, we've got to finish this fast," Spike said somewhere in a mass of vampires. "I think the dame just went into labor."
"Crap." Angie turned and looked at the female lying on the ground, and sure enough, she looked as though she were about to give birth. "Finish them quick."
They all kept fighting, Angie trying desperately to get to the mother before she gave birth. But there was no such luck. Within half an hour, nearly half the vampires were gone, but now the baby was born. Every vamp that got the chance went to gaze upon the child, and were now coming back, pumped up to get at Angie and Spike.
"Spike cover me, I'm going after her." Angie flipped over the vampire attempting to hit her and went after the baby, but was intercepted by a pumped vampire.
"Get the child out of here," the vampire demanded. "I'll take care of the Slayer."
"Sorry, but you're not on my agenda." Angie kicked the vamp, which grabbed her foot and flipped her to the floor.
"But you're on mine," he said with a toothy grin.
"I guess I have no choice." Angie flipped upward and punched the vamp in the face. He just smiled at her and fought back. Soon other pumped up vamps joined the fight, and Angie was overpowered. "Spike, we need to get out of here," she yelled.
"I agree." His voice traveled through the commotion.
"Sorry, but I've gotta jet," Angie told the vampires around her, she jumped over them and ran for the door, Spike soon joining her. "See you around."
They didn't stop when they got outside, but rather ran the entire length back to the house.
"This...is...not...good," Angie panted once they got back to the house.
"You didn't get the child then?" Thomas asked.
"No, we were attacked before we even got a foot from mommy," Spike said. "They took off with the little bugger."
"They won't go far though," Angie said after a deep breath. "They know that they can over power us."
"What're you going to do?" Steph asked.
"I guess were just going to have to go after the mother and child, and hope that they don't have too many henchmen," Angie said.
"But that's a likely, not. Isn't it?" asked Stephanie.
"Yeah, that's the problem," Angie said. "And I really don't think that I can take on more than one at a time. They almost got me today."
"Same here," Spike said.
"Well, you're going to have an opportunity to take on one at a time occasionally," Thomas pointed out. "Now that they've got their strength back they're going to go hunting. In their previous state, even the tiniest of girls could've gotten away."
"So that means that I'm going to need to go out again, doesn't it?" Angie asked.
"This would be the night," Thomas admitted.
"Okay, then." She walked to the sink and got herself a glass of water. "Look's like I'm on overtime."
"I'll come with you, love." Spike said. "I don't want you to get into too much trouble without me."
Angie put the glass down and took a deep breath. "Well, let's go then." She walked out the back door, Spike trailing her.
That night they ran into three super pumped vamps, and they only dusted one of them, although it took both of them to dust it. And by the end of the night, both were exhausted.
"I don't think I've ever been this tired in my life," she told Spike as they walked home.
"I've had some long ones, but this is one of the worst," Spike said.
"We're never gonna get all those guys," Angie complained. "I'm afraid that they'll get me first."
"Don't say that, love," Spike said. "You're a great fighter, and if you just believe in yourself, you can do anything."
Angie smiled as they reached the door of the house. "Thank you Spike, that means a lot to me." Spike smiled back and they both walked into the house quietly.
Almost unconsciously, Spike followed Angie up to her room, and they both collapsed on the bed, not even changing, but just flinging off their shoes, and they both fell asleep within minutes.
They slept nearly half the day away, only waking when Thomas walked in. "Angie, Angie wake up."
Angie stirred and opened her eyes. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I just need to talk to you, tell you something," Thomas said.
Angie sat up, and looked at the sleeping vampire beside her. She smiled, he always looked most peaceful when he slept, and then walked out of the room with Thomas. "So what's up?"
Thomas looked down, and then met his Slayers eyes, he took a deep breath, then said, "Xander passed away last night."
"What?" Angie asked, not sure she heard him right.
"He died last night, in his sleep, like Buffy did," Thomas told her.
Tears filled Angie's eyes, and her body shook. She didn't say anything, she simply fell to the floor and started sobbing.
"I'm sorry Angie, he was old, he's had a full life," Thomas said kneeling down beside her and rubbing her back.
"I know," Angie sobbed quietly through her tears.
"What's all the commotion about?" Spike asked appearing at the doorway, then seeing Angie asked. "What happened?"
Thomas looked up and told Spike the same thing he had just told the now crying Slayer. Spike looked shocked, but no tears escaped his eyes.
"Never liked the bloke much," Spike admitted. "But he always made things interesting."
Angie looked up at Thomas with stained cheeks. "Is Willow okay?"
Thomas looked even more worried. "She died last night too."
More tears spilled over the girl's eye lids. "Both of them?"
"They were found lying next to each other holding hands. I guess they both knew that it was their time. But it was natural, and they were ready, no regrets." Thomas hugged the girl.
"They died at the same time?" Spike asked, almost amazed.
"Well, they said that Xander probably died first, and when Willow went in to talk to him, or something, last night and found him dead, that she laid down beside him, grabbed his hand, and passed away," Thomas explained.
"At least they were together." Angie forced a smile.
"That's looking at the bright side," Spike said, he crouched down and placed his hand on the Slayer's back. "Are you going to be okay?"
Angie looked at him, tears streaming down her face. "Oh, Spike." She flung her arms around his neck and buried her face in his chest.
"It's alright love." Spike tried to comfort her.
"I'm going to miss them so much," she sobbed into his chest.
"So am I, love, so am I." He ran his fingers through her hair, and continued to do so.
"I have some things I have to do," Thomas said getting to his feet. "I'll be back in a little while."
Spike nodded and continued to comfort the Slayer. They sat in the hall for the next twenty minutes, until Angie finally fell asleep. The vampire picked her up and placed her on the bed in her room.
He sat next to her and watched her sleep. He'd done this before, but this time there was something more in his gaze, concern, curiosity, and caring. There was a slight knock on the door and Stephanie walked in.
"Is she going to be okay?" She asked walking over to the bed.
"She's strong," Spike said, not taking his eyes of the Slayer.
Stephanie looked from her sister to the vampire. "She's been through so much," she whispered. "I wonder how she does it. I know I wouldn't be able to handle it if I were her."
"She's a Slayer," Spike simply answered. "She's made to be strong."
"But that's only physically, not mentally, or emotionally," Stephanie disagreed.
"That's true, but every Slayer that I've known has had their own problems, and each one has overcome them." Spike brushed some hair out of Angie's face. "I think it is part of the package."
Stephanie didn't say anything; she simply stared at the vampire in front of her. "You really do love her, don't you?"
Spike was taken aback by the question, but a smile came across his face, and the look in his eyes answered the question.
"I should've figured that you were only with me because I looked like her. You were afraid to be in love with her, so you made yourself think you liked me instead." Stephanie smiled. "Thing is, I knew it, and I still let you do it."
Spike looked up at the girl. "Sorry, pet."
"It's alright, it takes two to tango," Stephanie said. "I always knew that you liked her. I can pick up on those kinds of things."
"Then why haven't you picked up on the fact that Thomas has the hots for you?" Spike asked.
"Thomas?"
Spike nodded.
Stephanie blushed. "He likes me?"
"And you like him."
"Well, I kinda do."
Spike stared at her, as if to say, then-what-are-you-waiting-for?
Stephanie giggled and stood up. "I'll see you later Spike." She walked out of the room.
Two days later the funeral was held, and they were both placed in the ground next to Buffy. Angie watched, tears streaming down her face, as they were lowered into the ground, and dirt began to cover their coffins. She walked home extremely slow after that, contemplating everything they had ever told her. She remembered the good times she'd had with them, and to her it seemed like she had just buried her family.
When she got home, she found a small box full of things that she had gotten from the two. She walked over to it and sat on the bed, pulling out the contents one by one. A picture of Xander, Willow, and Buffy their freshman year, a necklace, a picture of her (Angie) and Xander, a picture of the whole Scooby gang, and most peculiar of all, a wooden stake. She picked this up, just as there was a knock on her door.
Spike tentatively opened the door and stuck his head in. "Are you alright, love?"
Angie didn't answer; she just continued to look at the stake in her hand.
"What you got there?" He walked into the room, shutting the door behind him. He stopped in front of her and his eyes got wide as he saw the object in his hands.
"Why would he give me a stake?" Angie asked more to herself, than Spike.
"Examine it closely," Spike said, sitting down next to her.
Angie examined the piece of wood carefully, and found, on the top, that it had a cut down the middle, but it didn't go all the way down the stick. She fingered the line, and soon pushed down on both the sides. She gasped, and more tears fell down her face, her right hand held on to it, while her left traveled up to her lips, a pressed against them.
There, starring back at her, was a beautiful diamond ring. She continued to cry silently as she stared at the object.
"He was going to propose after you had the baby," Spike said quietly. "I can't believe he kept it so long."
Angie said nothing, but continued to cry. Spike took the stake from her, and removed the ring. When he took her left hand away from her face, and placed the ring on it, Angie began crying even harder. She leaned over and laid her head on Spike's shoulder.
"He really loved me, didn't he?" She asked.
"He did," Spike answered.
"And I hurt him really bad," Angie said. "I left him."
"He understood that you needed to come home," Spike said. "He knew that it was best for you to come back to your own time."
"It's not fair Spike," Angie sobbed. "He loved me, and I left him."
Spike laid his head against the Slayers. "But I love you too."
Angie lifted her head and stared at the vampire. "You love me?"
Spike nodded slightly. "I have for a long time. It hurts me to see you like this, all I want is for you to be happy. I want the strong you back, the one that was willing to fight for mankind. The one that would smile, and laugh. I want the Angie that isn't afraid to fall in love. Because I promise, I won't hurt you."
Angie smiled though tears still streamed down her face. "I'm sorry Spike." She wiped away her tears. "I promise I'll try."
Spike smiled. "I love you."
"Oh, Spike, I ca." But she was cut off as Spike kissed her.
And so Angie brightened up, and she and Spike became an item, as did Thomas and Stephanie. But regardless of the happiness that filled the house, concern still lurked nearby. Angie and Spike had not been able to get to the miracle vampire child, and the mortality rate in Sunnydale was increasing.
Angie had become so concerned, she had even quit her job, and started looking for, finding, and occasionally killing, vampires during the day. The thing was, they still couldn't get to the child. They knew exactly where he was, but there were so many guards around, that they knew if they went into the building, they'd surely be killed. So they continued to fight the super-vamps, killing as many as they could.
"This is getting tedious," Angie said one night, as she and Spike were patrolling.
"I know what you mean, love," Spike said with a yawn. "Even the tough guys aren't that tough anymore."
"No kidding," Angie agreed.
"There, there, little one, don't cry," A woman's voice said quietly. "I know that those mean men scare you."
"Did you hear that?" Angie asked.
"Sure did." Spike smiled.
"With those nasty old guards, and reckless vampires, we never get any time alone. 'If you go out the Slayer will get you' they say 'you should stay inside'," she mimicked, rocking her baby.
"You should've listened to them," Angie said coming out from behind the tree she was hiding behind.
The mother jumped. "Slayer," she hissed.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, you really shouldn't take your baby out at night," Angie said walking toward her. "It's dangerous."
"Stay away," she warned. "Or I'll kill you."
"And how are you going to do that with a baby in your arms?" Spike asked from the opposite side of Angie.
The woman hissed and showed her true form. "I'll protect my baby even if I have to die."
"If you die how are you going to protect him?" Angie asked.
The mother lashed out and Angie, growling she kicked the Slayer in the stomach and sent her to the ground. Angie jumped back up, and assaulted the woman. They only fought for a few minutes and soon Angie was towering over the shaking mother.
"Say good-bye to your baby," Angie said raising the stake, but before it penetrated, Angie was tackled. Another vampire had shown up.
"Run, you stupid girl," the new vampire told the mother.
"Spike, get her!" Angie yelled as she pushed the vampire off her.
Spike went after the mother and baby, as Angie fought the vampire who had interrupted. He soon over came the mother, and grabbed the baby out of her hands.
"NO!" the mother screamed.
"Don't move," Spike yelled as he pulled out a stake.
"Don't hurt him," the mother pleaded.
"Get away from the Slayer," Spike said to the vampire in front of Angie.
The vampire did as he was told, and took a couple steps away from Angie.
"Please, don't hurt him," the mother begged.
"Tia, you stupid woman," barked the vampire.
"Shut up," Tia yelled back.
"Both of you shut up," Spike shouted. "Say good bye to your babe." He plunged the stake into the child's heart, and it exploded into dust.
"DAREN!" Tia screamed as she rushed at Spike. The other vampire also headed for Spike.
Angie let the vampire she had previously been fighting take a few steps, then threw a stake, and hit him square in the back. He cussed, and turned to dust.
Tia fought with Spike for a few moments, but was crying so hard that Spike soon dusted her too.
"It's really kind of sad that we had to kill her baby." Angie said when Spike walked up to her.
"Yeah, but what can you do, when it'd grow up to destroy the world?" Spike asked, as he slid his hand into Angie's.
"Let's go home Spike," Angie said. Spike nodded and they walked home.
When they got there, they told Thomas and Stephanie the whole story.
"So that means that the vamps should go back to normal strength, right?" Stephanie asked.
"Well, according to the book, after the child is killed, it will take a week for the effects to wear off," Thomas recalled.
"Okay, so I can finally get revenge, and storm that building in a week?" Angie asked anxiously.
"That's correct," Thomas said.
"YES!" Angie cheered.
"In the meantime, love, what do you say we go to bed?" Spike asked, yawning.
"You're not tired, you've just been bored for too long," Angie told Spike. "But I am going to go to bed. Good-night everyone."
The week passed and Angie was reckless the whole time. Always down in the basement attacking the bag, or outside running around, never stopping, excitement pumping through her veins.
"Darkness," Angie said excitedly. "Finally I can get my revenge."
"It's only 7:00," Thomas said.
"Yeah, but the sun is down," Angie pointed out.
"Where's Spike?" Stephanie asked.
"He went to get some blood from the butcher," Angie said.
"Don't you think you should wait for him?" Thomas asked.
"No, I think I can handle it myself." Angie grabbed her coat and some extra stakes. "It's time for revenge."
"Angie, I think you ought to wait for Spike," Thomas called to her.
"I'm the Slayer, have a little faith, will ya," Angie said opening the front door. "Tell Spike I've gone, and to meet me there. I'm gonna patrol for an hour, then I'm going."
"Angie wait..." Thomas called, but the door was closed.
Spike walked through the door with a large paper bag in his hand. "I'm back," he said.
"Spike, you've got to hurry and get to Angie," Thomas said taking the bag from him.
"Why, what's wrong?" Spike asked, worry flooding his face.
"She took off," Thomas said.
"It's the seventh day since we killed the kid though," Spike commented.
"Yeah, but I just found something I think is really important," Thomas replied. "The curse lifts at 9:00 on the seventh day, not at midnight, like we originally thought."
"She went to the building on the outskirts of town right?" Spike asked quickly.
"Yes, now go," Thomas said urgently.
Spike grabbed some extra stakes from Angie's room, and ran out the door. It was 7:55.
Angie walked to the outskirts of town reaching the building at exactly eight. She opened the door and walked into the building. And she was soon engaged in battle.
Spike arrived at the building ten minutes after Angie, and found her deep in battle. There were about twenty vampires there, when Spike arrived. And he too was soon deep in battle.
The numbers of the vampires diminished as they fought, and for a while Spike had thought that Thomas was wrong. And soon only about five vampires were left. But before they were all killed more vampires showed up, almost like someone had called for reinforcements.
"This is crazy," Angie said when the others entered the room. There was only about ten of them, but they were all Super-pumped, and Angie was starting to get tired. "I thought they were supposed to be back to normal."
"They don't loose their powers till nine," Spike told the Slayer.
"Then we only have." She looked at her watch. "Twenty minutes left."
"Keep fighting," Spike called.
"I'm getting tired Spike, I don't know how long I can take this," Angie said.
"Stay strong," Spike called, as he dusted a vampire.
They fought for another 15 minutes, and all, but two, vampires were gone. They fought hard, but somehow one of them got a hold of a knife. He and Angie were even, she with her stake and he with his knife. But he was still stronger than her, and he was very experienced.
Angie was really tired now, though she still fought as hard as she could. But with one hard kick she was thrown into the wall and she couldn't get up. He walked up to her, laughed, and plunged his knife right into her heart, then her stomach. She cried out in pain, and he threw her to the ground.
"Bye-bye, Slayer," he said stabbing her again, but in the back this time.
"Angie!" Spike yelled as the vampire in front of him exploded into dust. He lunged forward, and quickly stabbed the unaware vampire in the back, causing him to explode too.
Spike ran to Angie, and turned her onto her back carefully. "Angie, you're going to be okay, I'm gonna run you to the hospital, just hold on a while." He started to pick her up.
"Spike, don't," Angie said. "I'm so tired Spike."
"No, don't give up, love. Just hold on, we can get you better," Spike said.
Angie shook her head. "I'm sorry Spike."
"For what?"
"That I wasn't strong enough."
"Just let me take you to the hospital."
"No." She cringed in pain. "Tell Thomas thank you for me," Angie said weakly.
"No, don't say your good byes," Spike said, almost-angry.
Angie cringed again. "Tell Stephanie I love her, and Meg too." She coughed up some blood. "And tell the lady's at the orphanage that I'm sorry I never visited them, okay." Tears were rolling down her face, mixing with the blood that was all around her.
Spike thought frantically. "Here, drink my blood," he said offering her his wounded and bleeding hand. "I'll suck the rest of yours and you can rise again."
"No, Spike," Angie protested even more weakly than before.
"I don't want to loose you," Spike said, tears now streaming down his face.
"I love you Spike," Angie whispered, and she cringed again, and coughed more blood.
"I love you too." The vampire leaned down and kissed the dying Slayer tenderly. When he parted she smiled faintly, and her head fell.
"No!" Spike screamed. "Angie wake up! Wake up damn it, you can't die on me." He leaned over her body, and through the corner of his eye, saw Angie's watch, which now said, 9:00.
END
Okay, not a very happy ending, but this is it. I hope you liked it. Please review.