Chapter 7 A Little Bit of Fire
A/N: First off, Happy New Year everyone. Hope you all had a happy holiday with family and friends. And this is the new post for the new year. Hope you guys like it and 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
Angel, Buffy and Wes continued to stand there before Michael. The tension was thick in the room. How does Michael know about Lorne when he's never met him let alone been to LA? Every since Glory showed up Angel has gotten this feeling that the young priest knew something, was hiding something.
"Look, Angel there isn't a lot of time to explain anything." Michael went on but that didn't convince the slayer at all. "We need to get Lorne before they extract anything from his mind."
"Well, we just can't prance into Wolfram and Hart without being noticed, they don't like us very much." Gunn explained to Michael. Gunn didn't like this guy. He just shows up and says do something. But if they have Lorne then they need to get him.
Lorne sat in a chair finally coming around. He remembers falling into his bed and that was it. Did he drink too much? Did something get slipped into his drink…while on the job? His vision went from blurry to semi blurry to a little clear. He could tell he wasn't in his room though. Just then he heard the clicking of heels and saw a woman approach him.
"Lilah," Loren managed to get out and she smiled.
"Lorne, the good demon," She started to pace around him. "We've been watching you well your bar at least." It meant they had an inside man.
"What do you want from me?" Lorne asked. "I'm just a humble demon running a karaoke bar."
"The slayer and Buffy are back," Lilah answered. "We were going in after them but noticed you read them, we want to know what you saw." She smiled.
"They had a break up, you want to see that? Just go see a chick flick then." Lorne was bluffing. He saw something but he had no idea what. But he knew what he saw was something that should not have been seen. It was like taping into the CIA database looking at classified documents. Lilah smiled at him.
"Then you don't mind if we poke around. Don't worry, after it's over you can go home." She then started to walk away when two men walked in wearing what looked like haz-mask suits and they carried in a tray of equipment. Lorne had no idea what they were going to do or how this was going to end.
The black Mustang pulled up a few blocks away from Wolfram and Hart. Angel got out and once more opened the door up for Buffy. Wes and Gunn climbed out from the back seat along with Michael. The four of them headed to the trunk for weapons but Michael looked to them.
"No weapons," The priest stated and they all looked up at him with a very confused look.
"So, what are we supposed to use? Harsh language?" Gunn asked because really what are they going to use?
"Distraction," Michael answered and that didn't make the situation any better or made any sense. But Michael himself seemed a little distracted as he looked around the place. Angel looked around too seeing what Michael was focused on. The priest then looked to the group. "Sneak in and out," He then started to walk away and that just made Angel mad as he caught up to the priest.
"Hey," Angel cut Michael off. "What the hell?"
"Just get Lorne out and head back to the hotel." Michael ordered and looked around. "I must go pray." He insisted and then continued to walk away. Angel walked back to the group as they all looked confused still.
"Where the hell is he going?" Gunn asked.
"To pray," Angel answered and stood there wondering how they were going to do this.
"Pray? Pray for what? World peace?" Buffy asked and Angel shrugged. Angel just stood off in the direction where Wolfram and Hart was.
"Distractions?" He asked and looked to his group. "They have vampire detectors," Then the slayer looked to Buffy.
"Oh, come on," She whined a little. "I'm not sitting this one out."
"Of course not, you're going to be the get away." Angel then went to the trunk started to rummage through some things. Angel then pulled out a set of headphones and Buffy smiled.
"I really did miss working with you." She was honest and the slayer smiled a little.
"Gunn, you're going to walk in a rant a little bit." Angel started to lay out the plan.
"I can rant about anything?" Gunn asked and the slayer nodded and the hunter's smile grew. "Bring down the man speech it is."
"Wes and I will sneak in through the sewers." Angel went on with the plan. "Lorne is most likely on the upper levels." Angel's been in Wolfram and Hart before. Just after you get passed the middle of the building there looks like they're bigger rooms, he's in one of those. Angel went on. "Gunn you're going to be escorted out." Gunn smiled meaning no he won't. "There's less people here at night but try to get as many to you. Wes and I will take the stair wells up."
"That should be a fun cardio run." Buffy added and Wes looked like he was dreading it. Gunn wasn't going to be able to rant a long time so it meant the former Watcher and the slayer were going be running up the stairs. He should have done more cardio back in the day.
"Once we have Lorne we're going to need to hurry, Buffy," Angel then looked to her.
"Don't worry, when you were in heaven Dawn and I would take the Mustang out and see how fast it would go, did doughnuts oh we even built an obstacle course once. That was fun." She was saying yes she could get there fast but the look on Angel's face was a little bit of shock. Buffy and Dawn did doughnuts in it. "What? It was training if we ever had to drive fast." Buffy justified. Angel didn't say anything and handed her a headphone set. "It was fun too." Buffy muttered as she put on her headphones. Gunn had to hide the earpieces so the stuck them under his hoodie and hid the actual walkie-talkie. He won't be able to response but everyone can hear him.
"Channel three." Angel added and they all made sure they were on the same station. Buffy walked to the car and held out her hand to Angel.
"Keys?" She asked.
"Please?" He asked and she scoffed a little.
"Please?" She repeated and he dropped the keys into her hand. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." He still couldn't believe Buffy and Dawn did all that to his Mustang. Well, when the cat is away the mice will play. Although he could see it in his head and he won't admit it, but it looked like fun. Buffy got into the car and she would have to wait but it was going to be an intense long wait. The three guys headed off to the law firm.
Angel and Wes stopped short of the building and headed down a manhole while Gunn continued on. In the last two years the place became a twenty-four hour law firm. It meant anyone who has a problem can walk in and see an after hours lawyer. Gunn walked in the front doors and looked around. There was a water fountain before him and he walked in a little further. The place was rather empty and it should be it was getting close to two in the morning. Gunn smiled looking around.
"Whoo! Whoo!" The hunter started. Angel, Buffy and Wes heard it through the headphones. "My God! They told me it was true, but I didn't believe 'em. Damn! Here it is! Evil white folks really do have a Mecca."
Buffy rolled her eyes to the rant but she knew it was working. Angel and Wes were passed the basement of the building and heading up.
"Keep going Gunn." Angel said because the longer he distracted them the more time they had to get Lorne out. Angel kept running up the stairs skipping every other step but then he noticed something. "Wes, come on," And he continued on. Wes was going as fast as he could but they were only two stories in and he was huffing and puffing.
"My heart hurts." Wes groaned as they continued on.
"Now, now, now girls, don't get riled up." Gunn was now about to be confronted by some security guards. He needed to keep them busy so he was going to make the walk for a bit.
Finally Angel made it to the floor he was looking for but Wes was way behind him. Angel looked around the dark halls and then looked back into the stairwell. Wes was almost where Angel was stepping through the pain. He made it.
"You alright?" Angel asked as Wes looked winded and the former Watcher nodded taking in deep breaths.
"Yeah, yeah…just fine…I just need a moment to…to die," Wes was still huffing and puffing. Angel smiled and little and patted Wes on the shoulder. They had to work fast now in finding Lorne. There was one thing to do so and Angel started to kick all the doors down. Wes tried it but flinched in pain and Angel caught that. That moment didn't happen as Wes just opened the door like a normal human.
Down in the lobby Gunn was finally caught but he still wasn't going to go down not yet.
"Did you just step on my foot? Was that my foot you just step on? Are you assaulting me up in the haven of justice? Somebody get me a lawyer! 'Cause my civil rights have been seriously been violated!" Gunn was now being escorted out by force. "Oh, I get it, I get it. Ya'll can cater to the demon, cater to the dead man, but what about the black man?" Then Gunn was tossed out. Once the guards were gone Gunn knew they had a limited amount of time. "Angel, I've been tossed out, better hurry your ass up."
Angel got the message and not a moment too soon. They found Lorne tied to a chair. Angel took the knife he always kept on him and Lorne loose. Wes helped the half asleep demon.
"No, no, I can't tap dance," Lorne muttered as Angel hoisted the demon up. Wes walked into the hallway and it was clear at the moment. The stairwell was just down the hall and then the former Watcher saw that the slayer had Lorne around his shoulders. Angel ran as fast as he could while holding the demon and Wes led them.
"Hey!" A voice yelled out. Angel and Wes turned around seeing a security guard and then ran as fast as they could to the stairwell. They were now on a huge time crunch and raced downstairs.
"Buffy, we are leaving!" Angel said and Buffy heard it and turned on the car and roared. She was off to the law firm.
Angel and Wes were about halfway down the stairwell when something caught their attention, flashlights both coming from the top and bottom. They were trapped so they picked a door to go through and ran down the hall.
"Elevator!" Wes pointed and they ran too it. Wes pushed the down button several times and it seemed to be the slowest elevator of all time. "Come on!" Just then the doors opened and they ran in. Wes pushed the button for the lobby and then frantically pushed the button to close the doors. The doors closed and they were on their way down. But this felt awkward. They just stood there as the elevator music played while Angel and Wes were sweating and Lorne was still half out across Angel's shoulders. This is what they have been reduced to.
The doors opened and they ran through the lobby but the timing couldn't be more perfect as they heard the familiar engine and saw two headlights pull up. Gunn saw them rush out with Lorne and Buffy saw it too. Right through the front doors, that's a way to stick it to the enemy. Gunn opened the passenger door and Angel and Wes literally stuffed Lorne in the back. Wes crawled in followed by Gunn and then Angel pushed the seat back and got in. Once in Buffy sped off into the night.
Wes knew some basic defense spells but if Wolfram and Hart wanted to get Lorne back they would have been here by now. But that didn't make anyone feel better because it also meant that whatever they wanted from Lorne has already been taken. Lorne was up in a spare room asleep while the others where down in the lobby.
"Not much more we can do." Wes started and he sipped some tea.
"What about that priest where did he go?" Gunn asked and Angel and Buffy were looking at each other.
"He said he had to pray, look for a catholic church." Angel answered but there was something else.
"He was looking at something," Buffy jumped in. "He saw something as he walked away." And everyone realized it, yes he was. Either he was crazy and schizophrenic or he can see things. It was proving even more that Michael was just not your average priest. "Maybe he's a psychic or has ESPN or something," Angel smiled and yes he did miss Buffy's mispronouncing of things but yet he still understood what she was talking about.
"He can channel the sports network?" Angel asked and Buffy looked at him with that disapproving look. "You mean ESP." Angel corrected her. Buffy rolled her eyes and Angel continued to smile a little. But maybe it's true maybe Michael is a psychic and is in touch with other dimensions. "Wouldn't be something new, maybe he thinks he's a freak and doesn't want to admit it." And that could very well be the case.
"Even though we're all freaks, I mean half the stuff we do is crazy." Gunn started. "Freaks do tend to find each other."
"You make us sound like the Island of Misfit Toys." Angel added and Buffy started to giggle. Buffy's giggle then made Angel laugh a little and laughing and smiling are very contagious. Wes and Gunn chuckled with them. But the small happy moment ended.
"We'll need to stay on guard tonight," Wes could always be counted on ruining the moment even though it wasn't intentional.
"I'll go first," Angel volunteered. "Bit wired anyways." The others nodded and got up to get some sleep. But sleep probably won't happen for them.
The sun was out and the hotel was awake at the moment. Only Lorne slept last night everyone else either stood guard or tossed and turned. Gunn was grabbing an axe from the weapons cabinet because in the demon world the day starts early. So far no word from Michael.
"No," Angel answered again as he came down the stairs followed by Lorne.
"You aren't the least bit curious what they sucked out of my head?" The green demon asked. Of course Angel wanted to know but Wolfram and Hart was on high alert, they can't go back right now. "Chime in anytime," Lorne looked to Wes, Gunn and Buffy.
"Love to," Wes seemed distracted.
"Really, but got an urgent case." Gunn added.
"This early?" Angel asked and Wes nodded.
"Some woman out in Hancock Park is hearing spookies in her pipes. Not sure if I should bring an axe or a plunger." Gunn started out.
"Haunted toilets, great," Buffy headed to the sitting. Yes they all wanted to know what was taken from Lorne. They've asked if he could remember anything but he can't. He can't remember what they took because it was gone. He remembers reading Buffy and Angel. He could see their break up but then there was this black hole. That was the empty vision he saw from them and it was gone.
Buffy sat down and the TV was on. Angel made his way in seeing the old black and white move as some lady screamed in horror.
"Research?" Angel asked and she looked up. "The Pod People?" And she nodded.
"Found some old movie station." Buffy started as Angel sat down next to her but kept a small space between them. "Thought maybe watching it I could fall asleep."
"You didn't sleep last night?" He more or less stated. No one really did though.
"Sleep, too tired to sleep, can't even keep normal hours. Haven't been able to since coming back." Buffy looked to Angel. "I close my eyes and its just darkness." She hasn't had a dream since she and Angel broke up. She use to dream of nothing until she met Angel. But it's been years of seeing nothing but blackness. If there wasn't just the black she would see a girl die or something else...nightmares. A vampire can stay awake for days without showing any side effects. But soon just like people the sleep depravation sets in. Buffy hasn't hit that wall yet. Buffy turned back to the TV screen watching the bad Sci-Fi movie.
Buffy was barefoot feeling the warm grass under feet. She was walking as the sun was out. It was such a beautiful day. She looked down seeing the beautiful white dress. But over the horizon she saw the high school. Buffy walked closer to it seeing the teens go about their day smiling and laughing. Just then she saw Dawn with some friends and not far from Dawn she saw Angel and Xander talking. On the other side she saw Willow, Cordelia and Doyle. And coming from the entrance of the school was Giles. Everything seemed ok.
But as Buffy stood there the comfortable grass started to get hot. She looked down and the grass was burnt and then she looked up at the school. She started to scream for Angel and Dawn to her friends to run. She wanted everyone to run. The day started to get bright and hotter and it blinded her for a moment. But in that moment the school was on fire. Everything around her was on fire. It was hot it appeared to be melting everything. Buffy looked around to the orange skies to the hell around her. Just then she saw a shadow coming from behind her and she turned around as something reached out to her.
Buffy's eyes flashed wide open and she was still at the hotel. She looked around she wasn't in the sitting room anymore. She was in the room she was staying in and in the bed. How did she get here? She was watching a movie with Angel. Buffy then looked at the time and two hours had just gone by. Did she fall asleep for that long? Buffy slowly sat up in the bed and didn't move. It was that same nightmare again, one she tries to avoid. Just then door opened and it was Angel.
"Are you ok Buffy?" Angel walked in and she looked up at him but was still a little disoriented. Angel sat down on the side of the bed. "I was just passing by and…" He could hear her. Buffy just looked at him. He must have carried her up here to sleep because she did need it. "Buffy?" He asked again and she did something unexpected, she reached out and hugged him. Angel just sat there for a second but he didn't know that she keeps seeing him dying in her dreams and she can't stop it. Finally Angel wrapped his arms around her. This was their first hug in months.
Down in the lobby Lorne wanted to put himself to good use especially after everyone saved him. So he was manning the phones.
"Snakes?" He asked as he talked over the phone and Angel came down the stairs. Angel wanted to talk to Lorne about what just happened to Buffy. Obviously her dreams were bothering her and the last time this happened she almost killed herself. "Uh huh…and they came out of your what?" Angel was picking up Lorne's side. "Ok, ok, did they get up there themselves or is this part of you know…a thing?" Lorne got an answer and his face twisted a little. ""No, I'm, I'm not judging," Lorne pulled the phone away and the covered the mouth piece of the phone. "Do you know if we fight snakes?" Lorne asked Angel.
The slayer wasn't sure. He knows this place investigates the supernatural. That includes demons, vampires, spirits, ghost, werewolves, anything paranormal. So the slayer shrugged.
"Only if they're giant," That would be something supernatural, not your typical black racer that gets into the house sometimes. "Or demons…or giant demons. Are they giant demon snakes?" Angel has fought one before.
"Unless this guy is thirty feet tall then I'm thinking they are of the garden variety." Lorne answered.
"They could be demonic, they making any weird demon sounds?" Angel wanted to be sure. But Lorne shook his head no meaning the guy might just want to call animal control.
Meanwhile Gunn and Wes made it to the house with the talking pipes. The woman led them down a hallway and the house was huge.
"I can't stand it with all the bumping and noises it makes at night." The woman explained. "It's impossible to sleep at night."
"How long has this been going?" Gunn asked.
"Uh, a week maybe." The lady answered.
"Well, if this is a haunting then we're ok, it hasn't manifest to other parts of the house yet." Wes assured the woman. "The longer the spirit is here the harder it is for it to leave."
"Yup, but Casper is dealing with the big boys now." Gunn was ready to get this started.
"Anything to make it stop." The woman looked so tried. She walked away and the two went in very carefully. They opened the door and it was a bathroom, a giant, marble, stunning bathroom.
"Wow," Gunn commented and Wes looked around. "Is this necessary?" Meaning do you really need a crystal chandelier in the bathroom? Just then they heard the noises.
"Sounds like a haunting." Wes confirmed it.
"Where is it coming from?" Gunn looked around because it sounded like it was coming from everywhere. Gunn walked over to the double sink as the sound sounded louder there.
"Maybe we should have brought that priest from last night." Wes looked to the sink and counter top.
"Or brought holy Drain-O," Gunn added and then the noise stopped. Just then the mirror burst and both Wes and Gunn screamed as rats were everywhere. Rats started to come out from the toilet and drains. Just then some came from the ceiling. It made Gunn and Wes scream louder and one rat fell on Gunn. "Get it off! Get it off!" Gunn yelled as rats were everywhere. They got out of the bathroom and slammed the door shut. "Any on me! Any on me!" Wes did a quick check but nothing. Then the woman came running up to them.
"You might want to look into an exterminator." Wes suggested to the woman as they left quickly.
"Or just burn the place down." Gunn gave another option as they left. "Won't say anything about the screams if you don't."
"What screams?" Wes asked.
Back at the hotel Lorne was on the phone still. He hasn't been able to really hang up. He'll hang up and then the phone would ring again.
"No, no that certainly doesn't sound normal for a boy his age." Lorne continued on the phone. "Look, we'll send someone out as soon as we can just don't…poke it." Lorne hung up and wrote something down as Gunn and Wes returned. Just then before Lorne could pick up the ringing phone Gunn grabbed it and took the notepad.
"Pryce Investigations how can I help you?" Gunn asked as Lorne got up stretching his legs.
"Business is booming for you guys." Lorne said to Wes while he put away the weapons. "How was the haunting?"
"Turns out it was just a rat infestation." Wes answered and then Angel came in. He left with the phones ringing and they were still ringing. "Maybe everyone knows the slayer's in town that's why we're so busy."
"Angel cake…you ok?" Lorne asked seeing that the slayer was rather…down. He was tired, they all were but it was something else. Then Lorne put his hand on Angel's shoulder and somewhat yank him away from everyone. "Last night when you two were singing that awful number which you two ruined a good song." They stopped and were slightly away from the others. "I can picked up real fast you're still in love and she is too. So, why aren't you two up there you know…" He then clapped a few times.
"It's a little more complicated than that." Angel protested.
"What is? I got a look into your soul, you're sober, you're Angel again. You two have been a part for months and now the world is about to end and you two aren't," He clapped again. "Look, she is feeling the same thing you are on this and just the way she feels towards you. You two are sharing something about this whole end deal so share. And it would hurt if," He clapped again. "That happened." Angel just stood there looking a little frustrated about that. Lorne clapped again but Angel stopped him. "You want to rebuild that trust? Talk." And then the green demon walked away.
Buffy was outside up on the roof sitting there. It was a nice day out. She then felt that Angel was there behind here.
"You ok?" Angel asked her and she signed still looking out. "I know we're all tired,"
"Is that the royal we or the populous we?" Buffy asked and Angel nodded and got closer.
"Always wanted to be a prince but I think you need to be born into it." Angel then leaned up against the ledge and Buffy looked over to him.
"How do you do that?" He asked as they looked at each other. "When everything is going wrong you make seem ok."
"What's wrong Buffy?" He asked her and she looked away slightly.
"One year before you died we all shared a dream about the First Slayer," Buffy started as she looked off into the bright day. "I was told I could not save you. I wanted to prove everyone wrong and you died anyways. I felt like I failed. Then you came back and…" She paused for a moment. "I thought it's a second chance, that I had a second chance. But I still couldn't save you, I tried and I failed." Angel continued to listen. She then turned to him again. "And now I'm dreaming of you dying again." He then saw some tears threatening to form. "I don't want you to die again."
Without hesitation and Angel took her hand into his and then pulled her in for a gently hug. "You know I do love you Angel." He closed his eyes listening. "I always have and I always will." She then pulled away looking at him. "I wish I could stop there. Seeing you again, it was like a wave, everything came back." They continued to look at each other. "All the good and bad came back. These dreams they're getting worse."
"I know," Angel acknowledged and agreed. "Lately I see more than just girls dying. I see the school burning." Buffy nodded because she saw it too. "I see all of our friends dying, I see you and I can't save you." So they are sharing the same dream well something similar. "What's going on?"
"I, I don't know…but, I feel something in me like it's Elizabeth." Buffy went on. "We have to pick sides and I feel Elizabeth picking hers and I don't want her to pick it for me."
"Buffy," Angel started. "You're not her," He still hasn't let go of her hands. "You've faced the monster inside of you and you've fought back. And you won." Angel reminded her. "You're a better person than most. I know whose side you're on and it's mine. I can't get through this without you." Buffy nodded. "We might not ever be together again but that's not what's important. I love you not because I want you Buffy. I love who you are, how you try and how much you care. I love you for that. That's not going to change." She smiled a little. "Whatever is happening, I know we don't have a lot of time,"
"So…let's kill as many vampires and demons as we can." Buffy finished and he nodded. It felt good to get their feelings out there. It felt good to know that they still love each other but first and foremost they are still best friends. That they both need each other for this upcoming battle. "But first, we need to know what was taken from Lorne."
"You busy this afternoon?" Angel and she smiled.
Angel and Buffy returned to the main lobby and phones continued to ring like crazy.
"I know but we're pretty swamped right now." Gunn sounded a little frustrated over the phone. "Well, if Snowball hasn't tried to eat your spine yet hit her with the catnip until we get there." Gunn then hung up while Lorne was on the phone and Wes was trying to sort out which cases was priority over the other.
"I don't think that much mucus is ever a good sign." Lorne was on the phone as Angel and Buffy stood there. "No, please love to hear in detail." Angel and Buffy looked at each other as the phones kept ringing. Just then there was a noise that startled everyone. They all gathered to the door because that's where it came from. Then there was another one but this time they saw a bird hit the window and it died on impact. Just then a whole flood of birds flew at the doors ramming into them.
"What in hell?" Gunn asked as they looked around. It stopped just as fast as it started. "What the hell is going on?" But no one knew. One thing's for sure they needed to know what was taken from Lorne that would be their best start. Angel and Buffy headed off to go straight to Wolfram and Hart while the phones still rung.
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." Lilah 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 it 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.
A few hours have gone and for Buffy these random symbols were starting to dance on paper. Angel sat quietly and looked through his pile but on occasion looked up at Michael. The priest just sat there staring at the papers like everyone else. Michael then looked up to Angel as the slayer stared at him. The priest then went back to work.
"We're never going to figure this out." Gunn sounded frustrated and like he was going to just a little bit crazy.
"Keep trying." Angel insisted they had to find something.
"Angel this is just a jumble of garbage. Nothing makes any sense there's no…clear structure." Wes held up one of his piece of papers. Buffy however held up two pieces of paper and continued to look back and forth at them. "If it's a language we can't read let alone if we did and our heads explode we got nothing."
"It's not about the words." Buffy muttered and everyone looked up at her. She didn't mean to say that out loud. "The words repeat, there's five words repeating over and over." She continued to look at her two papers but then her eyes lit up. Buffy stood up and flipped the papers around. "It's not about words it's what they make." Buffy said but the rest of them looked confused. "Look," Buffy got up to find a bigger place on the floor and then placed the papers down and together. The random words formed up into something. Everyone ran and got the rest of the papers and started to try and find the matching pieces.
It took about an hour to do but once done they all stepped back looking at the picture. It was a giant box looking thing. Inside the box was an X.
"Ok, what it is?" Gunn asked as they all stared at it but then Michael took a step back and they noticed.
"It's the Eye of Fire." Michael answered and they looked to him. "I must go." He looked to the group.
"No," Angel stepped forwards. "You know something about this, tell us what is the Eye of Fire?" Angel demanded.
"How, how was Lorne able to see this?" Michael sounded perplexed at this.
"What does it mean?" Angel asked again. He needed to know; if Michael really is on his side then he will tell them.
"It's an ancient symbol for Hell." Michael answered honestly. "A symbol that died out with the ancient Mesopotamians." He went on. "Now I must go." He sounded urgent but he still hasn't said anything.
"What happens with it?" Angel chased after the priest but Michael said nothing. Angel had enough and grabbed Michael by the arm. But Michael did something rather surprising. He shoved Angel back and hard, hard enough that the slayer went to the ground. Angel looked up to the man. "What are you?" That's the only thing Angel could think of if Michael had the strength to knock the slayer down. Maybe he had super human strength. Angel then stood up staring at the priest. He trusted Michael when they first met three years ago. He was like a councilor even a mentor at times. Hell, Michael even gave his mom a proper burial, fought along side him with Glory, gave him his last rites and gave him a proper burial too. So what as going on? Why now?
Angel hates being lied to, having secrets being kept from him especially if they can make a difference in an outcome. He knew Michael was hiding something about the supernatural realm. Angel just played it off that maybe he was effective by it like Gunn or Willow and instead cowering they stood up to fight. He wasn't out hunting but fighting in a different way. Angel accepted it but now to all of sudden to become distance and push away.
"You have been lying to me!" Angel yelled to Michael, he was going to call him out. Angel needed all the information he can get if the end was coming. "You have been lying to me and Buffy!" That caused the rest of the group to see what was happening.
"I have not lied," Michael said in a rather calm voice. Angel stood there and he had to know. Something was off about the young priest.
"What are you?" Angel asked, because enough was enough.
"The information about me is irrelevant." Michael insisted as everyone was now gathered behind Angel. Buffy was confused. She too like Angel knew something was different about Michael but this, this was unforeseen.
"You have been manipulating us." Angel said getting ready if needed. "How do I know you are not evil?" That seemed to anger the priest.
"I don't have to explain anything to you." Michael said giving his back to Angel as he walked away.
"I am the slayer." Angel reminded the priest and Michael stopped dead in his tracks. "I think I am entitled."
In a flash before Angel's eyes Michael disappeared. The priest was soon in front of Angel with fury in his eyes. Michael's hand shot up and grabbed Angel by the throat lifting him up. Buffy went to fight but Michael held out his hand and Buffy flung back and hit the wall. Wes, Gun and Lorne knew they couldn't do anything. Angel was still in the air as Michael held him.
"Entitled?" Michael asked. "You maybe the slayer, but you're still mortal." Michael reminded Angel and squeezed harder on the slayer's throat causing Angel to grunt. The slayer had never felt this weak since battling Glory. Michael smashed Angel's body against the wall still holding him there. Buffy sat up seeing the site before her. Was this real?
"We live in a world surrounded by demons, vampires and forces of darkness." Michael said as he continued to hold Angel against the wall. "You have been chosen to hold the line. I have been chosen to make sure YOU DO YOUR JOB! I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. You have one luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That me being here in this mortal form while disturbing and confusing, saves thousands, probably millions of human lives." Michael dropped Angel to the floor so he could breathe and wouldn't pass out
Just then Buffy charged to Michael but he held out his hand causing her to fly back. Michael then turned back to Angel as the slayer slightly looked up at him. "I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very protection that I provide." Michael spat out. "And then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to." Michael finished and walked out and was gone within in the darkness.
Angel coughed trying the regain his breathing as Buffy continued to sit there. She saw Michael disappear and everything was shaken. For months before Angel came back she confided in the priest, he even brought her back from not believing in anything to believing into something. Now was that all a lie?
"What the hell just happened!" Gunn shouted but no one could answer that as Angel got up and headed over to Buffy and helped her up to a standing position. The two headed to back to the papers and looked at it. Whatever this was it scared Michael and made his lose his mind and it asked more questions then they got answered. Buffy looked to Angel and he looked to her. Something was very clear, for once they were in way over their heads. The rest of the group headed back to the papers and Lorne went to the map where they have been tracking the calls.
"Well, this can't get any worse." Lorne held up the map to everyone and the same symbol on the ground was on the map.
"X marks the spot." Wes muttered.
"Whatever is going to rise it's going to rise at…South Rampart Boulevard and West 7th street." Lorne added and it meant they should visit that area.
They got there but there was nothing there well not now. On the way back to the hotel it was decided whenever the end does come something will rise from the Hell Mouth and from that spot. That's how LA and Sunnydale are connected.
"Ok, so the end has started, can't reverse that," Gunn started as they were jammed into the Mustang. "But we can't just can't sit on our hands."
"What does the book say?" Angel asked referring to Revelations.
"Uh…see witnesses…the Seven Seals," Buffy stated and looked to Wes in the back seat and he nodded.
"Seven Seals of what?" Lorne asked.
"They hold the end from coming." Wes started to explain what he knew off the top of his head. "Once they start to break it's when the world ends."
"The first seal opens the white horse." Buffy started and Wes nodded. "Second is the red and third is the black horse."
"Fourth is the pale horse. Once the those have been open the Four Horses will join together and ride in." Wes finished.
"White, red, black and pale horses?" Gunn asked.
"White is pestilent," Buffy explained trying to remember her Sunday school days. "Red is war,"
"Black is famine and pale is death." Wes finished as everyone was listening. "They ride in together. The fifth seal is of martyrs. They are the ones who will rise up against the beast. The sixth is the great earthquake it means the fall of the Roman Empire."
"Yeah but that happened a very long time ago." Gunn reminded them.
"But it's also been translated into the fall of a great society." Buffy added. "The American economy, all the great first world nations."
"The seventh seal is then leading into the seven trumpets. There's a great silence and then the beast arrives and so does Hell as the seven trumpets usher all that in." Wes and Buffy just gave a quick load down on the end of the world.
"Damn," Lorne was silent. "Can we stop the seals from breaking?"
"I don't know." Wes was honest because that would be one way to stop it. "We don't even know when they will break." That made it worse.
After some more talk about the Seven Seals it was decided that Angel and Buffy should go back to Sunnydale. If the end was happening it was going to start there. They needed the line to hold there. Michael even mentioned that Angel needed to stay at his post and that was Sunnydale.
As Gunn, Lorne and Wes escorted Buffy and Angel they all looked at each other.
"It's going to get real bad real soon," Angel started. "I want you guys to pack a few things and be ready to leave." It meant whatever was coming was going happen quickly and they needed to get out before chaos happened. "Get to Sunnydale, we're going to need more people." The three nodded and all five shared a good-bye hug. Angel and Buffy got to the Mustang and opened the trunk putting their bags away. Angel took a moment looking around knowing this place was going to fall apart real soon. He then looked to Buffy and she looked to him.
"Back to where it all began." She said to him and he nodded and reached for the trunk door and slammed it shut. They both got into the car and Angel started her up and was off as Gunn, Lorne and Wes watched them leave. The clouds were starting to gather, the storm was starting to form and Angel and his people were going to be in the eye of it all.
Alright, so what do you think? Got any ideas what's to come? I have a sneak peek for you guys here and in the forum. No chapter reviews as of yet. But you guys can always discuss anything on the forum from predictions, questions, comments and talk to one another. And doesn't even have to be this story. That's all for now. I will post again soon. Thanks once again for reading and commenting. You readers are so awesome.
Chapter 8 Radioactive
Angel rolled over and felt himself waking up and opened his eyes. Something wasn't right though and he sat up. The room was grey with cobwebs, dust and the sunlight was barely there. Angel scrambled to his feet and looked around and ran to the balcony and looked out. The sky was so over cast and the air seemed to have a hint of fog in it. Angel stepped back inside looking around the room looked different and not just the obvious.
Just then he turned around and Michael was standing there.
"What the hell?" Angel asked.
"Just listen, I've been trying to get you to listen since you came back from the dead." Michael cut the slayer off. "It's been a year now since then but I wanted to show you something." Angel stood there confused. But it was also obvious and Angel felt a little stupid for not noticing it sooner.
"You're one of them," Angel started looking at Michael. "You work for the Powers That Be." Angel stated.