Chapter 4 One Returns, Two to Go
A/N: Chapter 4 is finally here. I hope you guys like this one as the band is slowly getting back together. Enjoy.
I am the last man stand survivor
I am the last man home.
I'll be the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
I am the last man stand survivor
I am the last man home.
I'll be the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
You're all alone sitting in the corner,
You've got a killer stare.
Who's messing round with you in the corner?
He better say his prayers.
You found yourself a new sensation
But baby it's a jungle out there
The one's you counted on are all but gone
Baby it's a jungle out there.
I am the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
I am the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
I wish you would try and look
a little more excited,
Let me stay, let me cause I'm coming anyway
I am the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
I am the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
I am the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
I am the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
You found yourself a new sensation
But baby it's a jungle out there
The one's you counted on are all but gone
Baby it's a jungle out there.
Last Man Standing by People in Planes
Airports were so crowded that's for sure. Angel, Dawn, Xander, Cordelia and Doyle were waiting by flight terminal. It was Willow's day to return home and the five of them were a little nervous. But then again the team was getting back together again…slowly. Another flight was unloaded as they waited seeing the people come out. The LA airport was really busy today. But so far no Willow.
"I'm nervous." Dawn stated as they all waited.
"What are we going to say to her?" Cordelia asked looking to them.
"Uh…hey Willow, welcome home?" Xander answered but he got a rather evil look. "Or not."
"It's still going to be awkward." Cordelia commented.
"Well, Giles wouldn't let her leave if she hadn't completed the twelve step program right?" Doyle was trying to offer some comfort. Angel just listened to them talk but he couldn't help shake a funny feeling off. He felt something…he felt some one but right now it should be impossible to feel her. So they sat and waited but four flights have come in and the flight Willow was on landed a long time ago.
Willow came off her flight looking around the airport for the group but she couldn't find anyone. She waited at the gate; she then went to the baggage claim and nothing. Were they late? It is a two-hour drive from Sunnydale to LA. Maybe they forgot. But to come home with no one around to greet you, it's a little bit lonely.
Willow took a cab back to Sunnydale hoping the team was just busy. The cab pulled up the mansion and the witch got out. She paid the driver and then walked up to the place. She reached for the door and walked in. The place was still the same. It was open with lots of space, your footsteps echoed especially if you wore shoes that made a click. The mansion seemed to always smell good like a spring meadow.
Willow walked into the empty place looking around and decided to head upstairs. It was still early in the evening but maybe everyone went to bed? Willow grabbed her things and went up stairs and the hallway was dark except for its little nightlight to guide you. Willow walked to her old room and went in. It was clean, the bed was made and it appeared to be ready for her. Willow looked around but when she got close to the window she had a flashback.
"Willow?" Oz asked and fell to the ground.
"Oz?" Willow ran to him. "Oz!" Willow cried out pulling him close to her and saw the wound as it went through his heart. "Oz! Oz! Wake up! Oz! No! No!" Willow sobbed as he wouldn't open his eyes. Willow felt her chest being crushed as she continued to try and wake Oz but he didn't move, he just laid there.
It happened right here in this room. That horrible day happened months ago but it was still fresh in Willow's mind. But she came out of the thought as she heard something. Willow headed downstairs getting excited knowing everyone was home. She raced down the stairs and looked around but there was no one here. The mansion was still empty. Willow let out a sigh and walked over to the couch and sat on it and decided to sleep. Maybe everyone was on patrol.
Angel, Dawn, Cordelia, Xander and Doyle were walking into the mansion together looking confused and worried.
"She did get onto the flight from Westbury that took her into New York." Angel stated because he was able to talk to the airport that she went in before coming to America.
"Yeah, but maybe she to get onto to the flight from New York." Cordelia suggested.
"Or she did and made it to Atlanta but you know how that airport is." Doyle added.
"She could have gone anywhere then." Dawn made it sound bad. "But why?"
"She didn't reach the twelfth step?" Xander suggested but that still didn't help the situation.
"Let's check the messages, maybe she missed one of her flights." Angel suggested but then at the same time everyone heard a noise and they all jumped a little. They looked around and they heard it from upstairs. It was dark up there as the sun was setting soon. The days were short as fall was here. Angel headed to the kitchen and Cordelia found the message recorder and pressed a button.
"You have three new messages." The voice said as Angel grabbed a glass of water and everyone listened. "New message,"
"Congratulations you are in the running," Cordelia pressed a button.
"Message deleted," The voice said. "New message," And everyone waited but there was silence and then a click. "To replay this message press," Cordelia pressed a button. "Message deleted, new message," And then it happened again nothing. "To replay this message," Cordelia deleted it. "There are no new messages, to," Cordelia then stopped the recorder and everyone looked at each other.
"Creepy." Xander admitted. "Maybe it was Willow…" They hoped it was.
"Anyone get the feeling she might not have been ready to come back?" Doyle asked and no one answered but they didn't have to.
"Like, we wouldn't forgive her?" Angel asked and that was something to think about. Last year Willow really screwed up a lot of things. She never took the blame for it either just kept trying to fix it with more magic that only made it worse.
"You think we can?" Cordelia asked.
"You all forgave me." Angel answered and it was true. Even Buffy forgave him in the end. "If she's skipping out then let her. She has to come back on her own time." And he was right. Angel had to hit rock bottom, fall on his ass before he came back. And he still wasn't a hundred percent back but he was well on his way.
Willow felt warmth on her face and a light waking her up. She opened her eyes and it was morning. She sat up on the couch and looked around. The mansion was light by the sunlight and the windows were open letting a light and cool breeze in. Willow stood up but she felt alone.
The witch headed to the near by phone and dialed a number. It was a long distance number and she waited.
"Hi, can I speak to Rupert Giles?" Willow asked and the lady explained something to her. "Council meeting, right, thanks." And she hung up. Willow looked around the big place and headed upstairs. Maybe they were home just asleep.
Willow was walking the town now seeing what might have changed since she left. So far nothing well there was one thing. Willow made it to the high school and looked upon it. It was a different design than the old one. But it felt like Sunnydale High School, that weird, creepy, someone's watching you feeling.
"Willow?" A voice asked and Willow looked over her shoulder.
"Anya?" She asked it felt good to see a familiar face. But as Willow took a step closer to Anya, the vengeance demon took a step back. "It's ok,"
"What are you doing here?" Anya demanded and Willow stood there.
"I'm back, I'm…better," Willow wasn't sure how to explain it.
"Last time you said that you were going to end the world." Anya was quick to remind her. Although Willow wished to forget about it at least for the time being.
"I'm sorry." Was all the witch could say. Anya looked only half convinced standing there. "Where is everyone?" Anya shrugged.
"Saturday so no school," Anya started. "Cordelia and Doyle are back in town from LA. Dawn is out probably. Angel…who knows he's the new school coach so he has nothing on the weekend." Willow's eyes widen.
"Angel's a coach?" Willow wanted be sure and Anya nodded.
"Xander is off on some construction project at the school." The vengeance demon went on.
"Buffy?" Willow wanted to know where the last key person of the group was.
"No one knows, she's gone haven't heard from her." Anya finished and Willow nodded. So everyone was pretty much in town but where?
Willow walked around the school grounds to see if Xander was around. It was quiet as she walked around. She couldn't help but notice something though. There was a whole row of bushes and they were all dead or dying. Just then she heard some crows up in the sky circling somewhere. Willow headed that way and there was still come construction going on near the science building. But as she got closer something smelt horrible. Willow followed it and when she saw it she lost her breath.
Angel and Xander looked at the dead skinless body on the ground. Angel looked up into the bright sky seeing the crows circling waiting to eat. He looked around the place and saw a whole row of bushes all dead or dying. They keep replanting but nothing seems to be taking. Angel then looked back to the dead body.
"Shit, right?" Xander asked looking up from the body to Angel. Angel stood there with his hands in the pockets of his leather jacket. "Well, found it first, called my crew before they came in, gave them the day off. This looks more supernatural than typical murder." Xander explained. "But I know what you're thinking," Angel nodded.
"Willow might be back." Angel answered but he hoped he was wrong. A demon could have done this easily but you have to take everything into consideration. Angel continued to look at the dead body and the first thing to do was to know who this person was. If it was Willow why would she go after this particular person? "Call it in, we'll start researching." Angel then started to walk away but something caught his attention like it sounded like someone was running away but he couldn't see anything.
Willow was about to round a corner when something caught her attention. She saw a small window, the basement window. Willow walked over to the window and looked in. She reached for the window and it actually opened. The school might be new but it's still easy to break into. Willow slipped in and looked around. The basement was still as creepy as ever. Willow started to walk around and then heard something.
"Hello?" She asked into the dark. "Someone there?" She heard it again walked to the direction. She rounded the corner and jumped.
"This is my place!" Spike yelled at her. "You need a special slip with a stamp," The vampire rambled on.
"Spike?" She was in disbelief seeing him here. Where did he go after that day he tried to hurt Buffy?
"You go off and try to wallop the odds and put your heart back in when it fell out." Again the vampire was making no sense as he walked away and leaned against the wall. "You call yourself finished but you're not. "You're worse than ever." He then looked to Willow. "You went away, been gone a while."
"Yeah," Willow nodded. "But I'm back now." She paused for a moment. "There's body,"
"Tragedy," Spike didn't seem interested at the moment just staring off into space. "Was there blood? There always has to be blood."
"Yeah," Again Willow was unsure about Spike. "And I can't find Angel or Xander or Dawn or anyone. And the man was…skinned." Spike nodded at her. "What can do that?"
"You can," Spike reminded her of something she wished to forget. "Heard about it." Spike then slid to the floor and started writing something on the dirty ground.
"Piece, pieces all fit." Spike rambled and it seemed like he forgot Willow was even there. "Things all come together."
"Why are you here Spike?" Willow asked as she got closer. Spike looked up to Willow and then looked away.
"Coming together…fear." Spike answered but it wasn't a good answer by any means. Willow watched Spike writing with his finger. It wasn't a language she recognized as he kept going. "The four are coming."
"Four what?" Willow asked and he looked up.
"The four." Spike answered and went back to writing. Willow watched as Spike went back to whatever he was doing. Willow looked around and realized there were no answers here. Willow started to walk away. "It's dark down here." Spike spoke up and Willow looked back to him. "It's all dark, it's going to stay all dark." Somehow Willow knew to keep that in mind. Spike then stood up. "I must go. There are things here without permission. I have to check their slips make sure they have authorization."
Willow nodded slowly but she was so confused at what just happened. Willow watched as Spike disappeared into the dark and she went back to the window she came in from.
Angel was in his car driving but he wasn't too sure where he was driving to at the moment. He should go to the mansion and begin researching. But instead he headed out to the outer parts of town to Kingsman Bluff. He drove as close to the top of the hill. It gets pretty dense with shrubs, bushes and trees before you reach the top. Angel parked his car and got out and went by foot.
Angel made it to the top and looked out to the town. This is where Buffy nearly ended her life four years ago. He couldn't believe it's been four years, feels like a lifetime. He could remember that early Christmas morning when it snowed so much so there was no sun. Buffy that morning realized she wanted to live because someone actually loved and cared for her. He still loved and cared for her as he stood there watching the town go about its day.
Angel decided to take a moment to just stand here alone. There are moments that he does wish he was still in heaven. It's not an every day feeling. It doesn't happen that often when he's alone like it use to. But he still wishes Buffy was around. Maybe when she's ready to come home she will. He just wakes up everyday hoping to see her coming home knowing she was safe. He would repeat in his mind the sorry speech to her. He wanted to get on his knees and beg for her forgiveness even if they weren't going to be together. He just wanted his best friend back.
Willow decided she needed to figure what did this to that man. Either it's the obvious, a demon or a really sick person. But where to start? There is one person she can ask so she headed to Anya's place. Willow waited for the reformed vengeance demon to answer her door and it only took a second.
"I need help." Willow greeted Anya and walked right in.
"Yes, you may come in." Anya shut the door and turned to Willow.
"I found a dead body at the high school…it was skinned." Willow finished and Anya stood there.
"Did you do it?" Anya asked.
"No!" Willow was frustrated. "I need your help in finding whatever did."
"How?" Anya was interested to know how.
The two set up candles on Anya's living room floor and made sure the room was dark. Also on the floor was a map of the entire town.
"So, we scatter the powder on the map and…" Anya started.
"Where ever there's a demon a little light will appear." Willow finished.
"Will it ruin the carpet?" Anya just had to be sure and Willow gave Anya that annoyed look.
"No," The witch assured her. The two then put the powder on the map and little lights twinkled. The location of the high school lit up like a light bulb. "Wow,"
"That's a lot of demons." Anya added. It meant the Hell Mouth was active again something the A-Team dreaded for a long time. Anya and Willow looked up at each other knowing deep down those demons, that cluster of light…it's going to get worse. Willow continued to look at the map and one light caught her attention.
"That one," She pointed to it. There was a glowing light near what appeared to be a wooded area. "Can you teleport me there?"
"No," Anya was pretty blunt about that. "This is your problem not mine." Which all that was true.
At the mansion in the study Dawn, Cordelia, Doyle and Xander were at the table with books out. Dawn was on a laptop looking to see if the internet had something. Angel came walking in after his moment on Kingsman Bluff to see how the research was going.
"Anything?" The slayer asked as he began to take his jacket off and went to sit down and join the group.
"Well, narrowing our search down to just demons or monsters eating flesh, skinning their victims or skinning their victims to eat the flesh." Dawn answered as she was typing away on the computer.
"So far…zip." Xander added closing a book but they just got started and the answer never comes up that quick.
"Maybe it's the flesh eating virus." Cordelia suggested.
"No honey I don't think so." Doyle kept reading and Cordelia shrugged.
"Ooo, got something," Dawn sounded a bit happy. Angel got up from his seat and walked over to Dawn standing behind her to look at the computer screen.
"You ever thought one day this is what we would be researching?" Angel asked and Dawn looked to him. "Most kids your age, even when I was in high school research the USA presidents."
"This is way cooler though." Dawn added and Angel wasn't going to lie.
"It is, so what did you find?" Angel wanted to know as he looked to the computer screen.
"A demon either named or called Gnarl," Dawn began while Xander, Doyle and Cordelia looked up to her. "He's a parasite and has nasty long fingernails. He secrets something out from them to paralyze his victims." Angel squatted down next to Dawn looking at a black and white drawling on the screen. "He then takes strips of their skin while they're still alive…it takes hours."
"We didn't see any skin." Xander added.
"Because he eats it." Dawn finished and Cordelia looked disgusted.
"I'm going vegetarian from now." The ex-cheerleader commented.
"How do we know it's not another demon?" Doyle asked to be sure.
"There was no blood right?" Dawn asked and Angel nodded. "He laps the blood up leaving almost nothing." She smiled.
"Gross," Xander muttered but he was a little more horrified that Dawn was giddy about it. She was only giddy for two reasons. One, she found the demon, she found the bad guy. Two, she was proving Willow's innocence.
"So, how do we gank it?" Angel asked because that was the next step.
"Stab it." Dawn shrugged, seemed like a good start.
"How do we find it to gank it?" Doyle made sure they didn't skip that step.
"It's got blood all over it," Angel was still squatting on the ground looking to the computer screen. "Blood leaves a trail."
"Get a bloodhound." Cordelia smiled but everyone else didn't look convinced.
"Be nice if Buffy was here." Dawn was going to be honest about that and Angel wasn't going to disagree with her.
"We…do have a vampire still…" Xander sounded a little hesitant but it was also true. Should they bring Spike into this? They know well sort of know why he's here. But could they trust him?
Spike was sitting in the back of the Mustang while Angel was driving and Dawn next to the slayer. Doyle, Cordelia and Xander were in another car following. The Mustang was quiet though. It was very uncomfortable to say the least. Angel wasn't sure about Spike, maybe the vampire would be better off dead and put out of his misery. Right now they did need him for this. Angel began to slow down and pulled off to the side of the road while the car behind him did likewise.
Everyone piled out of the cars and walked to the trunk of the Mustang to grab some weapons. Angel reached for the crossbow and checked it. He also grabbed a few small knives. It could just be one demon or more. It could be an easy demon to take out or very difficult. A shot between the eyes might kill it but maybe only silver or pure iron will do. Over the last seven years of slaying Angel and his team have learned no one weapon works. Angel has had iron, silver and gold blades made and keeps all three on his person when out. Many blades of the weapons have either been dipped in holy water, blessed or both. You can never be too ready.
Once everyone raided through the arsenal and got something it was time to find this thing. Angel closed the trunk of the Mustang. If there are demons lurking around and they see the black Mustang they know to run, they know the slayer is close. Spike started to lead them into the woods. It was going to be hard to trust Spike but they don't have much to go on right now.
"I'm a good boy," Spike started to ramble and it might just be best to say nothing to him s they all followed him. "Never carried a wallet, never carried a sin." The small group glanced at each other as they walked. "It's supposed to get easier but it doesn't, help the helpless. Still so heavy."
Angel figured it meant Spike wasn't liking the soul. It wasn't like Buffy got her soul and all was right. It took a hundred years to accept it.
"We should have put a leash on him." Xander was the first to break the silence.
"Shut up," Angel didn't want to hear it. If Spike poses a threat Angel will put him down.
"Just saying," Xander defended himself.
"Rather not tie myself to an insane vampire." Dawn added just then they caught up to Spike and he was just standing there looking to a huge…rock cliff.
"That's it," Spike stated as they looked to the rock cliff. "End of the line I'm off," Just then he put his hand on Doyle's shoulder pulling him closer. Doyle wasn't sure if he should be confused or not. "Keep your ticket you'll need that." Doyle nodded slowly.
"Spike, it's a rock cliff, there's nothing here." Angel looked to the vampire and then Spike pointed to a sign. The sign read Iabeled Wilkins' Grove.
"It's just on the other side. A cave, I must go, need to check the slips." And the vampire was gone.
Willow came to the entrance of the cave and looked around. It was a small entrance to the cave so she would have to crawl in. She did just that and was now looking around. There was a small fire going in the center but the rest was covered in shadows. Just then something in the shadows were moving.
"All alone," A voice was in the dark air. Willow realized this was a bad idea to be here.
Angel climbed though the small entrance and got into the cave. Dawn followed behind him and he helped her down. Cordelia came in followed by Doyle and Xander.
"Dark and dank, knew it. This is getting old." Xander commented as they looked around. But Angel felt something as he stood there. "Sense something master Jedi?"
"Yeah, hear it?" Angel asked and they all listened. "Something is moving around."
"Then we've hit the jacket pot." Doyle could hear something too.
Willow continued to walk further into the cave and then stopped hearing whatever it was getting closer.
"Poor little lamb, all lost and alone." The voice echoed in the cave. They all looked around and at the same time they saw the shadow and they formed up so they could see from side to side and front to back.
"It's poison paralyzes be careful." Dawn warned them. Then there was a laugh that echoed.
Willow then turned around and something slashed at her stomach. The group heard what sounded like a faint scream. Was someone trapped in here? Willow fell to the ground and felt the poison working as she saw the demon hover over her. It was skinny with grey green flesh, red eyes, a long nose and fingers and sharp teeth.
"Now, Gnarl will make pretty pictures." He then lifted up Willow shirt slightly and Willow wanted to scream but she couldn't as she felt Gnarl peel away a strip of skin. All she could do was scream for her friends in her head, scream for Angel and Xander's help. She wished they were here right now.
"Hey!" A voice yelled, one Willow hasn't heard in a few months. Gnarl looked up seeing Angel with the crossbow and pulled the trigger and let an arrow fly. Gnarl jumped away and disappeared into the shadows of the cave. "Don't let it leave," He stated as the group swarmed around Willow as she laid there. Angel then turned around quickly ducking a swipe from Gnarl. He then hit the demon with his crossbow and went to fire again but the demon was fast. Angel pulled out a knife and Doyle decided to distract the demon.
"Hey over here!" Doyle yelled and the demon looked to Doyle. "I'm half demon, want a taste?" Gnarl ran to Doyle and Angel threw the knife and it landed in the back of Gnarl's head and the demon went to the ground still moving well more like seizing. Angel walked over to the demon while it was convulsing and took the knife out, rolled it over with his foot and this time stabbed it in the neck, twisted the blade and beheaded the demon. "That wasn't that hard."
Angel got up and ran over to Willow as she was laying there still. She was hurt but Gnarl didn't do too much damage. Angel put the knife away, got to one knee and went to scoop the witch up. The paralysis will wear off in time.
"Welcome home Willow." Angel said as he stood up with her in his arms. Willow wanted to laugh but she couldn't move. But finally she saw her friends.
Willow sat on her bed in the mansion as the sun was up. She was sitting there quietly until there was a knock on the door. Angel poked his head in and Willow nodded for him to come in. Angel shut the door behind him and walked to the side of the bed and sat down.
"What happened?" Angel asked her.
"I guess…I guess I wasn't ready to see you guys and I wasn't ready for you to see me." Willow began. "Still using magic even though I'm physically not." It made sense. "In the cave I wanted to see you guys again, I was ready." Then the long pause happened. These two had a huge fallout a few months ago. "I'm sorry for everything." Angel looked up to her. "For pulling you out of heaven, for trying to destroy the world."
"It's ok…" Angel started because he had to apologize to. "You did what you thought was right. I'm so sorry about Oz." Then the pause happened again.
"Second soldier down." It was almost a whisper but Angel agreed. "The Hell Mouth…"
"Something is coming," Angel looked back to Willow. "Something big and I need my team, I need my witch." Willow nodded with a small smile. Angel got closer so Willow wouldn't have to move since she was still healing. Angel hugged her and she hugged him back. She felt the hot tears forming in her eyes as Angel held her.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry for everything." Willow sobbed in his embrace. Last year was rough for the both of them but their friendship was not at all lost. Angel squeezed her gently as to not hurt her but reassure her he accepted her apology.
"I'm sorry too." And he was and they pulled away. "I'm glad you're home." Willow nodded with a small smile and happy tears. Angel leaned in and kissed her forehead and they embraced again. Whatever happened between them last year it was all melting away. The past is just that the past and you can always make it better for the future. There were just two more people that needed to come home.
"So," Willow started as they pulled away again and she fixed herself up a little. "What's going on?" Angel nodded knowing that the group was slowly getting back together and it was time to start assembling the team.
There you have it, chapter 4. I know it's been awhile since I've posted and I am so sorry for that. With the holidays coming we're all going to be busy but I will do my best to post when I can.
So what do you think so far? We got a ways to go though. I have a sneak peek of chapter 5 here and in the forum. In the forum I will outline what has happened thus far and what we might expect for future chapters. Until next time, thanks for reading, commenting and everything in between you guys are awesome.
Chapter 5 We Never Change
"I don't trust what I see anymore." Spike sat there explaining himself to Angel. The slayer would like to know what was going on in Spike's head. Maybe the soul was driving him crazy as he feels for the past. Maybe he couldn't handle it. "Don't know how to explain it exactly, but I've been seeing things."
Angel knew what that feels like. Sometimes dreams felt real. Sometimes you wished those dreams were real or maybe wished this life was a dream. "Dru use to see things," Spike went on. "She'd always be starring up into the sky watch cherubs burn or the heavens bleed or some sort of nonsense." Spike smiled a little thinking about his dead ex-lover. "I would stare at her and thought she went completely sack of hammers." Spike paused for a moment and looked up to the basement ceiling. "But she would see the sky when we were inside. It would make her so happy. She would see stars." Spike then looked to the ground closing his eyes. "Now I see her." Then the vampire looked to Angel.
"You see Buffy?" He asked. "In your dreams, when you're awake? You see her?" Angel didn't know what to say. The slayer continued to dream about Buffy. He always dreamed of her. "I see Dru all the time." Angel wasn't sure if he should help Spike or not after what he tried to do, what he's done. But would that make him a hypocrite? Buffy did far worse as Elizabeth and yet he's helped her. Is Spike trying to do the same? Is he that monster that wants to be redeemed, to be saved? "I'm in trouble Angel."
"What kind?" Angel wanted to know.