Chapter 6 Old Times
A/N: It's here, the chapter you've all been waiting for since the end of Book 6. Enjoy.
Nothing here to see
Just a kid like me
Trying to cuss and see
Trying to figure it out
Nothing better to do
When I'm stuck on you
And still I'm here
Trying to figure it out
Getting hard to sleep
But it is in my dreams
But it's killing me
To try and figure it out
Nothing better to do
When I'm stuck on you
And still I'm here
Trying to figure it out
I'll let it go 'co I won't see you later and I'm not allowed to talk it out
I said I'll com, I'll promise I won't show but I see you trying to figure it out
I promise you, I'll take a bet on you but you didn't know I planned it out
I said I'll go, yeah, I won't see you later and I'm not allowed to figure it out
Nothing here to see
Just a kid like me
Trying to cuss and see
Trying to figure it out
Nothing better to do
When I'm stuck on you
And still I'm here
Trying to figure it out
I'll let it go 'co I won't see you later and I'm not allowed to talk it out
I said I'll com, I'll promise I won't show but I see you trying to figure it out
I promise you, I'll take a bet on you but you didn't know I planned it out
I said I'll go, yeah, I won't see you later and I'm not allowed to figure it out
Figure it Out by Royal Blood
Angel sat at the table with Dawn, Willow, Cordelia, Doyle and Xander at the mansion. Wes called last night but the slayer waited until the morning to speak with his team about this.
"I don't want to sound mean but doesn't this happen all the time in LA? Murder?" Cordelia asked as they all sat there.
"The only thing the three girls share is that they are fifteen." Angel didn't answer the question though. "One was a cheerleader, another a nerd and the third a Goth" Meaning it was just their age they shared. They weren't related nor did they go to the same school.
"Random killing then?" Xander asked because why is Wesley scared about this?
"I don't know," Angel didn't but he knew there was something Wes wasn't telling him. Angel didn't want to go to LA right now, not with the Hell Mouth acting the way it is. But something was telling him to go to LA. "He mentioned other girls around that same age have been killed all over the country."
"Yeah, it's random." Xander added because it's true. Murders of young teen girls is not uncommon or rare as sad as it is. The team couldn't see a reason for him to head to LA. Wes had to be hiding something though if Angel was campaigning to go. They needed the slayer here where the Hell Mouth is.
Angel was now in town gassing up the Mustang before he headed to LA tonight. The team can handle themselves for the weekend hopefully. But something was calling to him and it was something he couldn't ignore. As he sat there leaning against his car someone was watching him he could feel it. Angel looked over his shoulder and it was Michael sitting on the bench. Just then the pump indicated his car's gas tank was full. Angel put the nozzle away and headed over to Michael. It's not a random thing the priest was just here.
Angel sat down on the bench but kept his distance. Once he trusted the young priest but now he wasn't sure.
"Business trip?" Angel asked but not making eye contact.
"You're going to LA?" Michael asked and that got Angel's attention as he looked to the man dressed in the black suit with the white neck collar.
"How," But Angel couldn't finish asking.
"Lucky guess." Michael answered but once again Angel just knew that wasn't much of a lucky guess. "You didn't tell them did you?" Once again Angel was unsure what that meant…completely. "The three dead girls, you've seen them before." Ok, now Angel knew this man was hiding something.
"What do you know?" The slayer more or less demanded. Michael knew about the supernatural but how much of it?
"LA and Sunnydale share some strange connection with the Hell Mouth." Michael went on. "I think it's time you find out what it really is." Angel continued to stare at the priest as Michael never actually looked at Angel face to face. There was a moment silence then Michael finally looked at Angel directly in the face. Just then he handed the slayer three pictures and Angel took them. They were the three dead girls Wes had described let alone Angel had seen in his dream. "Something is happening in LA and it will affect Sunnydale also, I'd recommend if you have friends there to get them out soon."
Angel wanted to question the man further but knew he had a mission to go on. Angel didn't say anything as he stood up and headed to his car, got in, started it up and drove off. Michael continued to sit there on the bench and looked up to the bright and sunny day.
Angel was back at the mansion in his room packing. Also in his room was Dawn as she was trying to convince him that she should tag along.
"Please?" Dawn begged more than asked.
"No," Angel said for the tenth time. "Stop," He demanded before she could ask again. Dawn just huffed in protest, folded her arms across her chest and sat there about to pout. "Dawn, I don't know what's going on, I want you here."
"But there could be…monsters, robbers and, and drugs in LA." Dawn was trying to give a reason to join her brother. But the reasons she just listed were all below par.
"I think I can manage." Angel knew what she was trying to do but it wasn't going to work. Angel came over and sat down next to Dawn on the bed. "I want you here because of the Hell Mouth. I have no idea what's happening right now. The Hell Mouth is active again, Spike is in the basement of the school losing his mind, vampires are increasing in numbers and we just had the Witnesses. I want you here." Meaning she needed to guard and watch out for this place. Basically she will become the acting slayer for a bit.
"How long?" Dawn asked and Angel didn't know how long he was going to be in LA. He just sighed meaning…who knows. Dawn would just have to accept it. "You aren't just going to get away are you?"
Angel looked up at her. What did that mean? Did she think he was trying to run from his problems? He did that all last year and even a few years ago. But Dawn knows best that no one said this was going to be hard and no one ever said this was going to be easy either. Angel has overcome a lot but he still has that feeling to just run away. "You and Xander and the whole…Anya thing."
"How Xander didn't want Anya to die and he was willing to do anything to keep her even though she's killed so many people?" Angel reminded her and Dawn nodded. Angel wanted to keep Buffy but no one would let him. It was a huge question that when it comes to the slayer he must do certain things, black and white. But when it comes to other people, more or less his friends, it's grey. He and Xander were at some odds right now, and this isn't the first time.
"You're not just going to LA to get away right?" Dawn asked to be sure. Ever since Buffy left Dawn was the one that kept the slayer in line and in check.
"Maybe but…" That but meant something and Dawn picked up on it. "Just a funny feeling about LA." And Dawn nodded. Funny feelings can't be ignored.
Angel finished packing his trunk of the car and was sure to bring his crossbow and other weapons. His team was going to see him off. They knew something wasn't right if he was one leaving on very little information. Also to be going alone it meant something as well, he always takes a few of the team members. He said bye to everyone and Dawn was last so they could hug a little longer. Angel left the group and got into the car and headed off as the sun would be setting soon. He'll be in LA just after nightfall.
The drive from Sunnydale to LA is one Angel has made several times but not alone. The first time was in the passenger seat with his mom at the wheel. They were leaving LA for a better life…boy what they didn't know then. The second time he was with Buffy as they were going to see the Rock Honor's concert. That was one of the best nights of his life. He's always driven with someone to LA and back, never alone. This is the first time he has driven alone for this long. It was sometimes ok but most of the time he felt some emptiness. The only good thing about it is that he has been able to reflect on some of the past events.
The long stretch of highway was barren as he made the trip on Interstate 15 and will catch I-10, which will take him in pretty close to LA. After that he just has catch the city roads to get where he was going. The engine of the car is all he heard as he was driving and music that was low almost drowned out by the engine running. He was rather relaxed right now, he had one direction to go in, something he hasn't had in a while. He was by himself to actually think. This is what he needed a year ago, to be alone. But you can't change the past, just fight for the future.
Angel was coming up to LA after the hour and a half drive and the place was a light bulb in the night. His first stop would be the hotel to get a debriefing and actually have a better idea on what was happening. Also maybe get some food somewhere in there.
Angel found the hotel, parked his car and headed inside. The lobby was empty as he looked around. The place was still the same as it was the last time he was here. Angel headed for the main office where Wes should be and he knew it, the former Watcher was reading. Angel cleared his throat and Wes looked up and smiled.
"Angel," Wes got up and Angel smiled a little too as they shared a hug. They pulled away and Wes got a better look at him. He was completely different than the last time they were together. Angel looked like himself again he didn't look tired and sick. "Just got here?"
"Yeah," Angel followed Wes to the desk and took a seat while Wes went back to his chair. "Anything else on the Witnesses?" Angel asked.
"Nothing different than what I have researched. Two spirits will watch the end of the coming days. Basically they will document those days." Wes explained as he pulled out his notes. "And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire flows out of their mouth and devours their enemies; so if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this way. These have the power to shut up the sky, so that rain will not fall during the days of their prophesying; and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.
When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them."
Wes finished and Angel was still sitting there. Wes and the slayer were both silent for a moment. "It means two spirits will document the end of times and when they are done the beast will kill them."
"Who's the beast?" Angel asked.
"It could be the devil, a powerful demon, not sure." Wes answered. "I am going through the entire book and it's a tough one." Angel nodded and was unsure about this end of the world idea. He's come up against the end many times. "But if you say the two witnesses have been chosen then…" Wes started to do the math. "If it's correct from the day you've told me we have twelve hundred and thirty five days which is…three years and…three months give or take."
"So the end happens in three years?" Angel asked but Wes shook his head no.
"The end is happening now, the rise of the two witnesses marks the start. What this is saying is they will document the events for three years." Wes went on. "After three years they will be killed or taken away. It'll take the three years for the world to actually end and the earth fully succumbs to whatever demise it is." Angel understood but he didn't like it. "From what I can understand once certain events occur then it can't be stopped."
"If we stop the most important events then…?" Angel shrugged but Wes wasn't sure.
"I'm not sure," Wes couldn't say yes or no as he put his notes away and then grabbed three pictures and handed them to Angel. "These are the girls." Angel looked at the pictures they were the same ones Father Michael gave him and he hates it when things repeat or are way too similar. "These are the crime scene photos." Wes opened up the files. The pictures Angel had were school pictures. The crime photos were the ones he saw in his dreams.
"I saw them all die." Angel stated and he was very uncomfortable about this.
"I had Gunn basically do search using certain key words and there are more girls ranging from as young ten to as old as twenty being killed." Then Wes pointed to something the stab wounds. "All the wounds are same size and in the same spot."
"A lot of serial killers working together?" Angel just tossed that one out there. But he knew something else was at work. Something was going on for sure. "I'll drive around, maybe something will pop up." Angel stood up and it couldn't hurt. "Be back soon."
Angel headed down to the lower parts of LA, he knows these parts, he's spent three months here let alone went to a Hell dimension. These streets weren't just filled with homeless people; it was also filled with vampires and demons feeding off those homeless people. Angel parked the car a few blocks away and started to head in the direction of what is the underbelly of LA. You want answers this is one place to start.
The slayer put his hands in his overcoat pocket and started to walk. Maybe he'll pick up something around here like talk. He wasn't carrying any weapons on him though just a stake that was hidden and a knife in his shoe. He didn't want to scare off the people or the shadows. Angel continued to walk looking around the filthy streets and until he saw a familiar spot. It was the apartment complex he lived in four years ago. It looked the same. The complex across the way is where he would see Buffy's shadow staring at him.
Angel continued to walk and as he passed an alley he stopped. Something was drawing him to it. The slayer with caution walked down the dark and hot alley. He was ready for something to jump out at him. Then the slayer stopped dead in his tracks knowing something was right behind him. He had to be quick to subdue what ever it was.
Angel turned around quickly but before he could do anything he stopped with wide eyes.
"Get down." The person ordered and Angel faced the other way seeing something charging to them both. Angel then looked to Buffy as she held up a small crossbow and Angel ducked as she fired. Angel got back up taking out the knife from his shoe and threw it to another demon coming from behind Buffy. "You come down here to these streets with just a knife." She chided him.
"Wasn't looking for a fight." Angel answered while Buffy tossed him the small crossbow. It was much smaller than what he was use to. It felt like he could crush it with his hands but it'll get the job done. Buffy then pulled out a sword that was strapped to her back.
"You never do, do you?" She asked and Angel pointed to another oncoming being and fired. Buffy then joined back-to-back with Angel and they both fought off the strange looking demons.
It didn't take much time, the two got back in their old ways when fighting. They looked around killing seven of the demons. Then finally they both realized they were standing in front of each other. Buffy looked like Buffy, well she let her hair grow out more, if it was possible. Last time he saw her it went down to her mid back now it was down to her lower back. She still had those fiery green eyes and the pale beautiful skin.
"Hi," She finally greeted him.
"Hi," Angel barely got out. Buffy couldn't help but stare a little. Angel looked different he looked…healthy. Last year her looked sick and tired and the light was gone. But now he looked like the slayer he always was.
"You look…you look good." Buffy managed to say and she was honest.
"You look timely." Angel added and Buffy smiled a little. "And also good." They stared at each other for a little while longer. They haven't seen each other since the beginning of the summer. They've both changed but yet remained the same. Buffy looked liked she's aged but the age was due to war. She looked mature, wise and beautiful. She hasn't lost her touch from fighting.
Angel looked likes gained back his body strength, his color, his drive to live. All last year that was missing, he was withering away. But he looked like himself again. They couldn't deny that they've both missed each other but there was still this strange space between the two. They parted ways on not the greatest terms. Angel has taken full responsibility of that. But they weren't stupid; a trust was gone and if they were going to be back in this war they had to build everything back up together.
Just then they realized some time had passed as they stared at each. They had to get back to business as they looked around to the dead things they killed.
"What's happening?" Angel asked knowing that should kill off the awkwardness.
"I don't know, but these demons have been spotted all over town and are up to something." Buffy looked around. "But they aren't the same ones that killed three girls." That made Angel look to her. "You know about them?" Angel nodded.
"What do you know?" He asked and she shrugged.
"Not much." They then continued to look at each other. "Uh…well, we should,"
"Right, look into this more." Angel was keeping himself from stuttering.
"By the way," Buffy then pulled an arrow out from a dead demon. "You owe me one." Angel couldn't help but do a half smile as he started to follow her out of the alley.
"I like what you did with the hair." He started as they walked together leaving the streets.
"Thanks," She responded and followed him another block or so and they made it to his car. Angel opened the trunk of the car and they put what weapons they had into. "Just got here?" Buffy asked and Angel nodded. And as always, old habits die hard as Angel opened the passenger door for Buffy and she got in. He didn't think about it he just did it. As he went around the car he couldn't help but think 'damn she got hotter.' Angel got into the driver's side and turned the car on.
It was time to head to the hotel but the music was louder this time and at first the beat was pretty cool until the lyrics came on. 'You let me violate you. You let me desecrate you. You let me penetrate you. You let me complicate you.' Angel hadn't even put the car in first gear and it was getting very awkward in five seconds. 'Help me, I broke apart my insides. Help me; I've got no soul to sell. Help me, the only thing that works for me. Help me get away from myself. I want to fu...' Angel quickly changed the station not sure what button he pushed, but anything to stop that song. 'And girls they just want to have fun.' This was better and both Angel and Buffy just looked straight ahead. Angel put the car in first and was off. This was going to be a long ride.
Wes sat in his office reading and heard footsteps coming his way. But he heard more than one set of footsteps. He knew someone else was with Angel because the slayer does not wear heels, well not that he's aware of. Wes set his book down and went out to the main lobby and found Angel and Buffy walking in. Seeing them together made everything seem ok for now.
"Anything?" Wes asked and they both shrugged at the same time.
"Just some demons." Buffy answered and went to the weapons case and put what she took from it away. "Except the slayer comes to a fight with only a knife."
"What?" Angel asked and Wes smiled a little. "I wasn't looking for a fight."
"Really? Then what were you looking for?" Buffy asked facing him and Angel went to answer but nothing came out. "Thought so." Buffy then faced Wes as did Angel. "Anything?"
"Well, something, something strange is happening." Wes answered and Angel and Buffy just stood there. Angel nodded slowly, that's all the former Watcher had?
"Wow, and to think we're the world's last hope." Buffy's voice was dripping with sarcasm.
"I'll keep researching but I'm more interested in what's happening in Sunnydale." Wes was being honest.
"You don't think these girls are connected?" Angel asked but of course Wes wouldn't know until the slayer speaks up saying he saw all three in a dream.
"Well, look who rolled into town?" A voice rung out. Angel and Buffy turned around while Wes looked up as Gunn walked in. Angel and Gunn shook hands with a smile. "Take it you aren't here for the tourist attractions?"
"No, end of the world stuff." Angel answered and Wes nodded.
"Maybe one day you can actually have a vacation." Gunn was trying to lighten up the mood. But now that everyone was here it was time talk and find what direction to take this.
The four sat around as Wes tried to get his notes together to update everyone as they finished their Chinese take-out. Angel and Buffy about a year or so ago would be sitting next to each…and they were. Maybe it was just out of habit and they didn't seem to notice. They went over the Witnesses again to make sure they understood what is happening.
"Ok, step one is completed…what's step two?" Gunn asked as Wes continued to look through his note.
"The Seven Seals." Wes answered and it didn't sound promising.
"But why these girls?" Gunn asked and looked around. "How do they figure into all this?" And Wes shrugged because he didn't know.
"I've been dreaming about them, their deaths." Angel spoke up and Buffy felt like she should say something.
"Me too." And then Angel looked to her. "I've…I see it too." And that made this all take a hard left turn.
"Is it like a Doyle thing?" Gunn asked knowing if the slayer dreams about things and they happen that's a red flag. But to have Buffy dreaming the same thing, that's a red flag and a half.
"I don't think so," Wes had an idea. "Doyle sees a potential threat, something that can be avoided."
"The girls are already dead by the time I wake up." Angel added on. "If it is the PTB why show something I can't even do anything about? Why send them to Buffy?" That was a good question too bad no one had an answer. Something was wrong though with all this but really how do these girls figure into all this.
"This is all connected we just don't know how." Wes was going to stay rational because it is all connected. "The girls that we have found information on all have the same stab wounds, range from an age of ten to twenty, that's big but still random."
"But if the slayer sees these murders along with Buffy then it's not so random." Gunn added. "There has to be a reason why they are both seeing the girls."
"So, how do we figure out why I'm seeing this?" Buffy asked because she understands why Angel could be seeing it. Slayers do get premonitions.
"Well, there could be one way," Wes suggested. "Shouldn't be too busy at the bar."
"Lorne?" Angel asked and Wes nodded. Angel shrugged to it because if either one of them sing maybe Lorne can get something off of that. Angel then looked to Buffy and she nodded meaning she knows what to do next.
"No idea what to sing for the guy." Buffy stood up and Angel followed her. Wes and Gunn got up and followed them out as they headed to the weapons cabinet. They don't need the weapons going into the bar but maybe after they leave after they find what they are looking for.
The group headed outside following the slayer and the vampire. Angel packed the trunk of the Mustang while Wes and Gunn watched them get into the car.
"You think it's coincidence that those have found each other now at the start of all this?" Gunn asked and Wes sighed folding his arms across his chest as the Mustang pulled away.
"I believe in logic, I'm rational but those two they are anything but logical. I don't think it's coincidence." Wes looked over to Gunn. Something has begun and the slayer and the vampire with a soul have found each other is not random at all. It had to mean something.
Inside the Mustang the ride quiet at the moment. You could hear the hum of the engine and sometimes the gears shifting when Angel needed to change them. Once these two would be talking but right now it was quiet. The space was back between them. Buffy did her awkward body shift. It meant she wanted to say something.
"Yes, Buffy," Angel looked over her. They might have grown apart but they still know each other, the cues and the odd quarks they have. Buffy glanced to him and then forwards and then back to him again.
"So…" She started and looked to Angel again. "We're in this together again?" Buffy asked. Were they back? Were they a team again? Was the entire A-Team about to get back together soon? Angel then faced her.
"Mulder and Scully." Angel answered and Buffy nodded understanding what that meant. Yes, they are a team again and it will go beyond LA.
Angel pulled up to Lorne's bar and like the gentleman he was he opened up Buffy's door and she got out. They didn't want to advertise that they were the slayer and the vampire with soul. These two have made a huge name for themselves over the years. Monsters were afraid of these two. If you see one the other wasn't far away. And since the slayer has risen from the dead that has put more fear into vampires and demons alike.
Angel fixed the collar of his black leather jacket and started inside but Buffy stood there for a moment watching him walk away but mostly looked at his butt. 'No, bad Buffy, bad, you're on a mission, focus.' She started after him. Angel walked into the bar and it seemed rather busy. You can find demons, vampires and humans here. The underworld did not discriminate. Buffy looked around staying near the slayer. They wanted to find Lorne even though to be surrounded by so much evil was difficult to ignore. But this was a safe haven from the war outside. There was one thought though running through Angel's mind and that's if the world was about to come to its end who's side are these demons going to chose.
Just then Angel felt Buffy grab his arm gently and he looked to her. That was the first touch since she reached out and grabbed his shoulder before leaving town. But this touch was more or less to signal Angel she found Lorne. Angel looked to the direction she pointed to and there was the green demon behind the bar. The two made their way to the bar and Lorne was talking to a regular.
"Hey Lorne," Angel greeted the demon and Lorne looked at Angel. He hasn't seen Angel in a long time.
"Well, butter my biscuits and bite me, look at you Angel cake." Lorne was still himself. "Wow, you have grown into the slayer image haven't you?" Then he turned to Buffy. "And you're just beautiful as every, what can I get you two?"
"Business trip." Angel answered as Lorne nodded and reached around to the bar and grabbed some glasses and set them before Angel and Buffy. But before he could pour some sort of alcoholic drink and Angel stopped him. "No thanks," Lorne didn't think anything of it Buffy, however, smiled on the inside. He really was himself again. But that didn't mean she couldn't have a shot. Lorne poured her a drink and she put it down.
"So, how is business?" Lorne asked them.
"Booming," Buffy answered. "Lorne, Angel and I have been having the same dream of girls dying, the exact same dream. We don't know why."
"Yeah and the Hell Mouth is active again." Angel tossed in there.
"Well, you two have a number picked out?" Lorne asked knowing what needed to be done. Both Angel and Buffy nodded. "Good, then you two can go up together once the DJ takes his break. But the two looked confused.
"Together?" Angel wanted to be sure he heard right and Lorne shrugged.
"You both are dreaming the same thing?" The demon asked and they nodded. "It'll be easier to read you both at the same time." Lorne then saw the awkwardness. "It's just a duet it's easy." Just then Lorne went to take care of a costumer while Angel and Buffy sat there. A few seconds passed and they looked to each other. They have to sing together?
"They say our love won't pay the rent. Before it's earned, our money's all been spent." Buffy was singing and then it was Angel's turn.
"I guess that's so, we don't have a pot. But at least I'm sure of all the things we got. Babe." Angel response. Lorne sat there listening as the two stood on stage so stiff and tense it almost looked like it hurt.
"I got you babe I got you babe," They sung together. Angel and Buffy can sing halfway descent but right now they were nervous, off key with each other and they didn't sing the song too convincely.
"I got flowers in the spring I got you to wear my ring." Angel continued as torture went on.
"And when I'm sad, you're a clown. And if I get scared, you're always around. So let them say your hair's too long. 'Cause I don't care, with you I can't go wrong." Buffy somewhat forced it out.
"Then put your little hand in mine. There ain't no hill or mountain we can't climb. Babe." Angel was just trying to get through the song because at some point it does end.
"I got you babe I got you babe." The sung together again.
The song was over and Angel and Buffy couldn't get off the stage fast enough. Another demon got on stage to sing while Angel and Buffy just wanted to know their fortune and leave. That three minutes and seven seconds will never leave this bar and it never happened. They found Lorne as he sat there but he looked…mad.
"You two broke up?" He asked and they sat down. "It's one thing to be nervous but that, that was painful." Lorne paused for a moment looking at them. He picked up that the break up itself was painful, it was stressful, difficult and something they both did not want. He picked up that there was still something missing between them it's called trust and that's something that's never given it's earned. "I'm so sorry,"
"It's…it's ok," Buffy spoke up because if they really hated each other they wouldn't be at the same table let alone sing together. Lorne could feel that too.
"Well, ones things for sure you two having these dream I don't think it's a PTB thing it's something else." Lorne knew it was time to move away from the break up subject. "Listen," Angel paused for a moment as he looked to Angel. While they were up there singing he saw more than just a break up between them. "Evil's coming and it's planning on staying. Whatever the hell is going on you two are going to be right in the middle of it."
"How is LA apart of this?" Angel asked.
"We're all a part of it crumb cake. If the Witnesses have risen there is no going back. Pretty soon we're going to have to pick sides on this." Lorne then looked around his bar. He built this place. He looked around to the demons in it. They were all going to have to pick sides. Angel continued to look at Lorne and he knew the demon was hiding something. Lorne kept seeing the images race through his head like a video fast forwarding. He couldn't make it out those images though to tell what they were.
"Who's side are you going to be on?" Buffy asked and Lorne looked to her.
"I can tell you one thing, you guys have no army, what's coming does." And hearing that only made Angel and Buffy that much more unsettled. Was this going to be bigger than the Master? The Judge? Elizabeth? Glory? And it's true they have no army. There are hunters out there but not enough to take on Hell if that is what's coming. "I need to go lay down." Lorne stood up to leave as Angel and Buffy sat there.
Lorne stumbled to the back of the bar that was his living area. He felt dizzy, the room was spinning and the felt like it was coming out from under him. He found his bed and quickly laid down closing his eyes to stop the spinning.
Angel and Buffy continued to sit there at the table in some awkward silence. There wasn't much more to be done here. They sung, got no information, it was time to go. Angel signed and looked to Buffy and she looked to him. Without saying anything they got up and left the place heading to the car. As they made it to the car Buffy stopped dead in her tracks and Angel picked up on that.
Buffy looked around and stood still. She was facing down the road where the night lights either flickered or were off. Angel walked slowly to Buffy wondering what she was sensing and he knew it could be good.
"Buffy?" Angel whispered and she held up her hand meaning to stay quiet.
"Open the trunk, grab a weapon." Buffy spoke quickly and quietly. Angel did just that and handed Buffy a broadsword and he took out his crossbow and some arrows. Angel closed the truck as quietly as he could. He and Buffy started to run swiftly and now Angel could feel it, something was coming. It might have been easier to get in the car and go but whatever these things are would follow them back to the hotel.
Angel and Buffy ran down an alley and looked around and picked another alley to go down. They couldn't hide from this they would have to fight it out so the ran to an abandon building and literally climbed in. But before Angel ran any further he reached out and grabbed Buffy making her stop.
"It's a trap." Angel stated looking around as they heard footsteps.
"Are we really that rusty? I know we haven't fought in a few months but gesh." Buffy commented and just then the shadows started to move. The two stayed close together as they were now being surrounded. The shadows became formed beings as they gathered around the slayer and the vampire with a soul.
Angel and Buffy are now back-to-back counting how many demons were surrounding them. They've never seen demons like these. They had almost a humiod appearance but they were far from human. Maybe once they were human but the fires in the pit of Hell can deform you completely. Angel had his crossbow in hand, Buffy with a rational broadsword. Whatever was happening here in LA it was because of the Hell Mouth in Sunnydale and it will spread and there will be more of these things.
"Ok," Buffy nodded as they were surrounded. "Plan?" She asked the slayer. There's always a plan right?
"I'll take the ten on the left." Angel announced and Buffy nodded as the warrior demons were slowly closing in. That was the plan? Was he kidding? No, she knew he meant it; they were going to take them all on by themselves. "Just like the old days?"
"What?" Buffy couldn't help but smile just a little though. "Out numbered and out gunned?" Because that's how it's been for the last seven years. But they've taken on the world and for the most part they've won, together.
"Would you want it any other way?" Angel asked as he couldn't help but to have a small grin. Buffy didn't have to think about it at all.
"Not really." And the vampire was honest. These two have fought side by side for seven years, trained together for seven years, they don't need to speak, they just know. And it's always about creating that new line, staying one step ahead and when the slayer and the vampire with a soul team up they're already two steps ahead.
Just as the demons went to make the final closing Angel and Buffy quickly switched positions, confusing the demons and Angel pulled the trigger on the crossbow. Buffy sliced the head off another demon. It forced the demons to adjust but they couldn't adjust fast enough not with these two. Angel smashed the butt end of the crossbow to one demon's face, in a flash reloaded the crossbow and fired again.
Buffy kicked a demon back and stabbed another. Just then as the demons finally appeared to be adjusting Angel and Buffy redrew the line. Without words Angel tossed his crossbow to Buffy and she tossed the sword to Angel. Angel sliced the head off another demon and took out a knife and threw it with perfect aim as it landed between the eyes of another demon. Buffy had perfect aim taking down her own enemies. But once again it was time to adjust the line.
Without words Angel leaned forwards and Buffy rolled across his back kicking one demon and fired. Angel took out another and they switched weapons again. Maybe you should just send these two into Hell; they could take the place down. Angel kicked a demon back and fired the last arrow and he took out another knife and would fight fist to fist. Angel grabbed the wrist of the demon, elbowed it in the stomach and the slit it's throat. Buffy was just letting heads roll. But these two didn't get too far from each other. They fought back to back so they could see every angle.
The numbers of the demons were getting smaller and smaller. Angel took the tip of the knife between his hand and then threw it hard and it landed in the head of a demon. Buffy stabbed another while Angel grabbed his crossbow and collected a few arrows. He stuck one arrow in his mouth while holding up the crossbow and fired at another demon. Buffy sharply turned to Angel glaring at him as the arrow flew right passed her head. Angel shrugged and her look told him he'll get a beating later for that. Just then Buffy took out a knife of her own and threw it and just like Angel's arrow it nearly missed him and killed another demon. Angel then ended up glaring right back at Buffy and she just shrugged.
But both thought themselves how much they've missed fighting like this. They went back to back once more and took out the last of the demons. Five demons was a cakewalk with these two. It was a slaughter as they looked to the dead demons but something caught their attention a beeping noise. They tracked the sound and saw a small flashing read light half buried under a dead demon. They knew what was about to happen. Yes this was a trap. No one gets out alive.
Angel just through instinct grabbed Buffy's hand and they raced out of the place. Just as they reached the outside of the place the bomb went off. It happened rather quickly but Buffy was shielded with Angel's body as they were on the ground. It took a second realizing how close they were as they looked to each other.
"That was fun," Buffy was trying to distract herself as Angel still remained on top of her.
"Why can't we just spend a normal day together?" Angel asked as he got up and helped her up. That was a good question though. But then again this was always the normal.
Gunn and Wes waited for the duo to return wondering why it was taking so long. Maybe there was a lot to talk about. Just then the two came through the doors and they were dirty with dirt and blood.
"Some karaoke bar?" Gunn asked.
"We were ambushed." Buffy answered and Wes came over quickly. "It's ok, the…how many demons did we kill?"
"Uh…a lot," Angel answered.
"You went into the bar and went all Terminator on them?" Gunn asked.
"No, some weirdo looking demons attacked us in the alley near the bar." Buffy answered but the answer didn't make the situation better. "We're fine thank you for asking."
"What did Lorne say?" Wes asked.
"Uh, we're all screwed, it's the apocalypse the big one." Angel summed it up and started to walk away. He hasn't even been here a few hours and he's been attacked twice. But that statement meant that Wes needed to research more.
Buffy was in the room she was staying in toweling her hair dry. Once it felt dry enough she then combed it. She's thought about getting it cut as it was so long but come to think of it she barely cuts it. She's always had the long blonde hair. Once she finished she just sat there on the bed for a moment knowing Angel was just a few doors down. Being with him even though it's only been a few short hours was a roller coaster. There were so many thoughts and questions and of course feelings that needed to be addressed.
Angel was on the roof of the hotel sitting on the ledge. He could hear the faint sounds of sirens; the lights of the big city could be seen. LA never sleeps. He looked up and there were no stars out. Well, there were you just can't see them. He could see airplanes but no stars. It's not like the mansion where you can see them, count them.
"Pegasus should be over there." A voice stated and Angel turned around seeing Buffy standing there. She got closer to him but maintain a slight distance but still looked up. "Pegasus was always a favorite." Then the awkward silence fell again and lasted a few moments.
"Where did you go?" Angel asked wanting to know where she went off to.
"France," Buffy answered. "Was is in France. Went to Paris, Avignon," She said the second one with a little bit of an accent that made Angel smile a little. "Marseille and Strasbourg." Angel nodded.
"I forget you can speak French and Latin and Italian." Angel wanted to keep the conversation going. "Was France nice?" Buffy nodded as she leaned over the edge of the roof.
"Beautiful," Buffy answered. "Spent a lot of time there as a vampire…with no soul." Buffy looked around and then to Angel. "Always wanted to take you to Europe, you've been to London but there's more. Wanted to show you the countryside of Northern England. See the green hills of Ireland, Highlands of Scotland. Wanted to show you Rome."
"You wanted to take me to Rome?" Angel asked and Buffy nodded.
"There's nothing like it, show you the Vatican." Buffy still smiled a little. "Go on the little gondolas up and down the towns. That was the plan after Glory was defeated." Buffy paused for a moment. "Especially after your mom's death I had it in my head that we were going to defeat Glory and then I was going to take you traveling, see the world." Angel wished that happened. It never did, he died.
"Well, maybe after the world ends you can take me." Angel suggested and Buffy got up on the ledge and sat down. But there was still some space between them.
"I'm home again Angel," She looked over to him. "I'm not leaving. I was in Paris and a girl died in arms. I think she was one of the girls we've been seeing. I just knew I had to come home." Angel nodded slightly as he looked out to the city.
"I've missed you," Angel just got it out there. "I missed you and I'm sorry," He now looked at her and they looked at each other face to face. "I'm not the same person I was before Glory and I know I never will be. But I am sorry for what I did to. I never meant to push you away." She knew he was being true. He was sorry and it was different from all the past sorrys.
"The answer is still yes." Buffy stated and Angel looked at her but he was confused. "I'm still your girl and I forgive you." That was the first time he's heard her say she's forgiven him. "What happened last year we can't change but I got this feeling that if we don't work together it'll fall apart faster."
"I have no idea where to start on this." Angel felt lost. "There's so much happening and I don't know where to start."
"Well…we have it all written down." Buffy hoped that helped. "But it's really complicated and yeah, I don't even understand it half the time." That made Angel smile a little bit bigger even laugh a little. "What?" He shook his head and looked to her.
"I'm glad you're back." He meant it.
"I am too. I'd almost say we should just go back to Sunnydale now." Buffy wanted to go and see everyone, see Dawn, she wanted to go home. "But…can't shake the feeling something is happening here." Angel nodded in agreement and let out a sigh. "I feel it coming Angel," The slayer looked to her as she looked onwards. "When I came here," She then looked back to the slayer. "I felt it. I see it…something horrible." She's part demon even with the soul so she can feel things even quicker than he can. "Moving. Deep down trying to claw it's way up." Angel nodded because he felt something and the high school felt heavy. Something was on it's way and if does arrive then has no intention of leaving.
Angel wanted to say that they will stop it. That they will find a way. That they will end it. But he couldn't not this time. He felt lost on this one even with Buffy next to him. But at least she was back and that's all that matters. Angel couldn't help himself and reached out and took her hand into his. He forgot how small she really is. Her size deceives just how strong she is. Buffy didn't pull away; she took comfort in it and forgot how warm he was.
Angel laid there on the couch as Buffy was on the piano. Wes said the hotel came with it and he never had the urge to get rid of it. Also Angel's mom had a piano and Buffy took when she sold the house. After Angel's death you would find Dawn fiddling with it. She learned how to play chopsticks on it. Buffy would play it and sometimes hearing the piano' faint music from upstairs made Giles fall asleep at night.
Right now Buffy was playing a very pretty song she learned a long time ago. The song came after she was turned but even Elizabeth learned it. The tune she played was called Nearer to my God to Thee. Maybe even as Elizabeth death was still better than anything and she still had good in her. Angel's heard of the song mostly because it came from a hit movie known as Titanic. But Buffy played it beautifully and it seemed rather fitting to what is occurring.
Maybe Angel will just fall asleep to it as Buffy continued to play. She knew a lot of music by memory and could play all night. She was getting close to the end of the song as Angel just laid there. But someone else was listening and it was Wes. He was about to go in and say something but held back and from around the corner listened. Buffy finished the last few notes and chords and the song was done. She sat there for a moment trying to think of another one to play but then Wes came walking in. She played the chords from Beethoven's 5th Symphony. It made Angel laugh a little louder than he thought though. Wes however didn't look amused by it but Buffy was smiling.
"Yes, Wes?" Angel sat up on the couch.
"Uh, there's someone here to see you…" Wes sound confused and it made Angel and Buffy confused. "I was just in my office and well he's there now." Angel stood up and headed to the office with Buffy following but before they got there Father Michael was standing there.
"Oh, crap," Angel muttered. Buffy went wide eyed seeing the priest.
"Where have you've been Buffy?" Michael greeted her.
"Great, I'm fine thanks for asking how are you?" Buffy answered.
"Been better, but I'm here on business." Michael went on. "That law firm that's here Wolfram and Hart, they've taken Lorne."
"How do you know Lorne?" Angel asked because really how did he know?
"That's not important," But before Michael could say anything else Angel cut him off.
"I think it is, you know something," But then Angel was cut off.
"Look they have him and right now they are trying to extract something from his mind a vision." Michael finished.
"What kind of vision?" Buffy asked.
"Something important." Michael answered and it meant Buffy and Angel had to go save the day.
And that's all you people get. What? I end it right there? What, I'm mean? I know. You got Angel and Buffy together and there were some sweet moments then boom, I end it. So what's to come? Lots of cool stuff that's what. Nothing in the forum about this chapter because I will do a double review of this chapter and the next. But lots of questions are being asked I'm sure. Remember just because there's no review, you guys can go to the forum and ask and talk to me and each other there. That's why I have it.
But of course I have a sneak peak for you guys because why wouldn't I? It's a good sneak peek too. Any idea what's to come? We have a ways to go before this is all said and done. Hope you guys are excited. And yes, Buffy is back, she's officially back in the story. And everything gets crazier and cooler and…that's all I'll say for now. Enjoy the sneak peek. Thank you guys for reading and commenting and being awesome.
Chapter 7 A Little Bit of Fire
Lilah walked to her office while on the phone being told the increase in paranormal activity has risen greatly in the last few hours.
"Look, I know, listen you just tell him to slow it down a little bit." Lihal said over the phone. "Well, I don't care," She opened to the doors to he office and then saw two people in it. "I'm going to call you back." She hung up and saw Angel and Buffy there. "Well, what do I to this pleasure?" She shut the door. "Look, let's just skip the small talk and threats. You two aren't getting anything out of me.
"No didn't think so," Angel was slightly sitting on Lilah's desk. "But Gavin over there well Buffy was able to persuade him a little bit more." Lilah then looked to her couch seeing a beaten up lawyer and he was bounded and gagged. She then turned to Buffy and the blonde vampire was smiling. "She might have a soul but old habits die hard."
"So, you're right let's skip the small talk and get into the gooey center because we're on a time crunch." Buffy was going to take over. Lilah was a bitch and to talk to a bitch you had to be one yourself. Buffy knows how to play that game. So the vampire walked over to Lilah. "You ok? You look a little nervous?" Lilah knows Buffy has a soul but she is still capable of great violence. "Whatever it was you took from Lorne your people are trying to read it but they're heads are exploding…literally. You got any idea what it?"
"You heard it straight from the weasel's mouth. Anyone trying to unlock what Lorne saw from you two they die. That's all I know." Lilah answered and in a flash Buffy was before the woman, had her by the throat and forced her to the wall. "Angel!" Lilah begged. But Angel didn't do anything.
"Thought you weren't afraid," Buffy said to Lilah. "I know you guys have an agenda and I'm pretty sure you have your part to play in this. But also you're not completely in the loop. And whatever happens when Hell rises it's going to kill you because you're human." Buffy then dropped her.
"If you want me to switch sides," Lilah started.
"You know what, I don't care what you do with that ugly suit, bad perm and two ugly left shoes. You want to know what's going on or you wouldn't have gone through all this trouble to get it now would you?" Buffy nailed and Angel smiled a little. "Thought so," Buffy's good at this game.
"What makes you think you can find out?" Lilah asked.
"Because I'm prettier." Buffy answered. "Besides, Gavin gave us what we wanted we just wanted to see your face." Buffy smiled as Angel held up a stack of papers. But before Lilah could do anything Buffy grabbed her and kneed her in the stomach. "I know I'll see you again before I see you in Hell." Buffy then kneed her again as Angel got up with the papers and Buffy followed him.
At the hotel everyone was still on the phones.
"When in the hell are those two coming back?" Gunn asked as he hung up the phone again.
"Maybe those two were smart and ran after our feather friends went all kamikaze." Lorne answered while hanging up another phone writing something down. Just then the doors opened but it wasn't Angel or Buffy it was Michael.
"Well, the padre is ok." Gunn sounded a little annoyed.
"There has been an increase in paranormal activity." Michael came over to them.
"No shit," Gunn added as Wes came over.
"Yeah, birds, rats, blood the Ghostbuster's lines have been ringing off the hooks." Lorne stated.
"I've been trying to track them." Wes stated. "Sometimes the paranormal likes certain areas but this is happening all over town." Michael came closer to them.
"This might help," A voice stated and everyone saw Angel and Buffy walk in while she held the stack of papers.
"Take you stole it." Michael stated as Angel and Buffy got closer.
"Barrowed with no intension of returning it." Buffy explained. "Whatever was pulled from Lorne's head we have it."
Everyone sat around looking at the papers but it was just random symbols.
"I don't recognize this language at all." Wes stated as they sifted through the papers.
"It's all random." Lorne looked at the papers.
"So, if and ever we figure this out what's the plan?" Gunn asked and Buffy shrugged while looking at the writing.
"Something large and violent." Buffy answered and that seemed ok for now. "Be nice to know what I'm reading."
"You can't unless anyone can read ancient Mesopotamian." Michael spoke.
"I can read Latin…" Buffy trailed off knowing that won't help.
"It's barely been deciphered but if this is ancient Mesopotamian it's not meant to be read by us." Michael warned them and Angel sighed meaning they were back at square one. But every time Michael spoke it just made Angel want to know more about him.
Oh, it's getting good but I still think you guys can't guess what's to come. Love to hear your ideas.