Chapter 17 The Dead…Again

Oh, Death,

Oh Death,

Oh Death,

Won't you spare me over 'til another year?

But what is this, that I can't see
with ice cold hands taking hold of me.

When God is gone and the Devil takes hold,
who will have mercy on your soul?

Oh, Death,

Oh Death,

Oh Death,

Oh Death,

No wealth, no ruin, no silver, no gold
Nothing satisfies me but your soul.

Oh, Death,

Well I am Death, none can excel,
I'll open the door to heaven or hell.

Oh, Death,

Oh Death,

My name is Death and the end is here...

O' Death by Jen Titus

Buffy couldn't see the damage done from Elizabeth and in relative respect herself. It did feel good to punch Elizabeth though. As Buffy sat at her little vanity she felt a pair of arms wrap around her shoulders and she smiled. Angel kissed her cheek and then just rested his forehead on her shoulder. And just as the thought of how nice and peaceful this was ran through Angel's mind there was a knock at the door. Angel gave that low annoyed groan and Buffy smiled.

"We can't catch a break can we?" Angel asked.

"That would be too normal I think." Buffy meant no, it was always go, go at this point. The knock happened again so Angel went to answer it and found Xander standing there.

"Why is it always you?" Angel asked and Xander smiled.

"Sorry…was I interrupting anything?" Xander's tone was covered in sarcasm but Angel was not even amused. "You're decently dressed which is good, Michael is here." And the annoyed looked on Angel's face was showing even more. The time was barely eight in the morning but the days seemed to be starting earlier now with the end coming. "Might want to put a shirt on though," Angel just shut the door on Xander. This was their relationship since day one and somehow Xander never wanted it to change. "I'll get him a cup of coffee and have him wait." Xander said through the door. "Whatever, at least some one is getting the happy around here." Xander muttered as he walked away.

Downstairs Willow went to greet the newest member to the group. Michael was just standing at the entrance and was a little bit timid on going further. Yes after last night with Elizabeth he has proven himself to Angel that he is on the good side but he still felt a little out of place.

"Welcome…even though you've been here…before," Willow seemed happy today. "Well, Angel should be down in a minute and the potentials are out back with Dawn warming up and hopefully Angel gives them a lesson today." Willow rambled a little. "So…let's go," Michael started to follow Willow and then Andrew came out from the kitchen wearing an apron and oven mitts. He looked frustrated at the moment.

"Where the hell is Buffy?" Andrew demanded crossing his arms over his chest. "This funnel cake is kicking my ass." Again these were people on the front lines ready to fight the ultimate end.

"Yeah…I hear those can be difficult." Michael greeted Andrew. "Why is he still here?" And that was a good question. He was somewhat allowed to leave but he never did.

"I like to see myself as…hospitality with all the potentials showing up they need food and well, takes more people to help make the food and clean," Andrew went on.

"So a maid." Willow smiled but Andrew didn't smile back.

"Well, glad Michael is here to help but how many people is Angel going to bring in?" Andrew started. "I mean this need to be a secret and then they will see the big board." Willow then looked confused.

"Andrew," Willow wasn't sure if she wanted to know about it. "We don't have a big board." But then Andrew ran to the table pulling something off of it and held up a huge white board with drawings on.

"Made it myself." Andrew sounded proud.

"Couldn't tell," Michael added.

"See…there's us," Andrew pointed to his interpretation of the mansion and it said HQ. "Here's the Hell Mouth," He put a lot of thought into this. Willow then just walked passed him with Michael following. "When a pattern emerges I'll be the first to know." But the two just kept walking to the back and went outside. The potentials were all in a block formation with Dawn and Giles at the front. Giles was giving the commands while Dawn watched their forms.

"Punch block combo," Giles called out and they all did the move as one. "Cross block kick." And once again they all moved at the same pace. "Attention!" Giles called out as Angel was now outside with Buffy right behind. Angel walked up next to Michael and they looked on to the small but ever growing army.

"It's not enough," Angel stated.

"It'll never be enough but it's a start." Michael added and Angel nodded. Angel then headed to the front of the block followed by Buffy. There were too many potentials now that they could no longer train in the training room. Also it was harder for Angel and Giles to train the girls because there were so many of them now. Training Dawn was easy, it was one to one for Angel. Training Angel was easy because it one to one with Giles. But not anymore.

Willow ushered Michael to take a seat anywhere on the back porch to watch. Right now Angel was going to have the girls take a long jog around the perimeter that made a rather huge backyard. This run would take some time to do but rule number one cardio. After the jog then breakfast should be ready and then a full day of training will commence. Angel started the jog and Buffy, Dawn and the rest of the potentials were behind them. This for some of the girls was the worst of the training but it was essential.

Everyone was around the mansion eating and in the study was the core of the group with Michael.

"Got a feeling this will all blow over in May," Xander was speaking at the moment. "Ever notice that? Everything ends in May?" And it seemed to do so.

"Well we're off to something of a start now." Cordelia added.

"Yeah, but the First is coming, Willow can't go into dark magic because of the First, there's an army but nothing to actually hit and then according Andrew who's the 'brains' of this wears oven mitts." Doyle summed up how much trouble they are in.

"You guys are redefining the whole job." Michael spoke up. "You have been since day one. No one but the Watcher helped the slayer and now you have an army and on top of that two vampires with a soul. Changing what has gone on for thousands of years is not easy." Michael was trying to encourage them because despite the set backs they were driving this forwards and that's why he was here. These people who the Powers That Be see so small and insignificant are driving the war. Maybe that's what was upsetting the PTB, they were losing control to these people. "You guys are doing just fine."

"Well trying to beat off the First is hard." Spike added and everyone looked up at him. "Fight or repeal might have been better." Dawn tried to hold back her giggles and looked up to Angel. He didn't seem amused though.

"It was kind of funny." Dawn told Angel and the slayer had to let a small smile pull. But yesterday was still in his head. Up until yesterday he hadn't seen Elizabeth face to face in five years but it seemed more like 50. The fight with her last night was much different than the one they had at the end of Junior year. That was a battle lost this was a battle won. Buffy had no ill feelings to the punches she was now wearing. What affected one affected the other and Elizabeth took a hit from both Angel and Buffy.

While the group conversed with each other trying to talk about something normal other than the Hell Mouth, demons, vampires, the end of the world Angel had his head resting in his hand while he continued to stare at Buffy. He has through out these last seven years gazed at her like this time and time again. And even though it has been seven years and Buffy should be completely used to this, she still wasn't used to someone eyes just adoring her no matter what she looked like. She would try to ignore it because it made her nervous, he can still make her nervous.

Angel was in his car and was reaching under his seat for something. He knows he keeps it here because surprisingly the car is the safest place to hide it. He then felt the velvet and pulled out a little black box.

"Hey," A voice greeted the slayer but you should never sneak up on the slayer and it did startle him because he was so focused on the black box.

"Xander! What the fu,"

"Sorry," Xander raised his hands saying he didn't mean to sneak up on him but he did thinking Angel knew he was coming. But then Xander looked to the ground seeing a little black box sitting there so he knelt down to get it.

"I got it," Angel held out his hand wanting Xander to give it back but Xander being well Xander opened the little box up and inside relieved a ring and not just any kind of ring. "Buffy likes diamonds," Angel was trying to justify some kind of answer and then Xander held up the box to Angel.

"This is an engagement ring." Xander meant to say this was not just some pretty ring it had meaning. But then the two felt someone watching them and it was Giles. From Giles perspective he sees Xander on one knee holding a little black box with a ring in to Angel and Giles after being with the group for seven years knows not ask what was happening…no one judges around here anyways. Giles nodded and decided to leave whatever moment was happening.

Once the two saw Giles was out of earshot Xander got up still holding the box knowing who this was for.

"You really going to ask?" Xander's voice sounded very happy as Angel took the little box from him looking at the ring.

"I don't want to do it if it seems like the world is ending. Feels rushed." Angel explained and Xander knew Angel meant. Maybe Buffy would get the wrong impression like the world is going to end lets do this to have no regrets.

"But you know Buffy," Xander knew what it means to propose. It's scary and exciting. "I don't think it matters if you two get married or not because she knows how you feel and for her it's enough. Now, would she like to wear that? Hell yeah," That last part made Angel smile a little. "Besides we can all use a little happy moment right?" And what Xander meant was a small wedding between Angel and Buffy was something the entire group has been waiting for since day one. "It's whenever you're ready." Angel looked at the small diamond. It wasn't this huge diamond; he's a high school coach. But when he saw the ring it just seemed to call to him. The price was within range and he just had to buy it. And every day or so he checks to make sure it's there. And he keeps wondering when the perfect time will be. Just when there could be one something happens. But he knows Xander is right, the time will happen. Angel placed the little ring back under the seat for now.

Buffy was sitting at the study reading the bible for more clues as Angel entered the room watching her. Buffy then looked up with a smile and the bruises and cuts were continuing to fade. But then she noticed something about Angel, he looked nervous.

"You ok?" She asked.

"Uh, yeah, yeah I'm good. How are you?" Angel asked and Buffy knew something was on his mind but if he wanted to talk then he will. Buffy shrugged which meant she wasn't sure so Angel continued to walk into the study and decided to take a seat. He reached for the reading material Buffy had and it only took him two seconds to give it back. "There's not much more we're going to get out of that." Angel was tired of looking at it.

"It's all we have." Buffy stated and she continued to read.

"We need to start thinking outside the box." Angel was basically saying he had an idea well maybe. And after all that has happened Buffy was willing to listen. So she marked the page and closed the book to listen. "Let's start from the beginning. Let's start by what we know and what has happened. Forget about the possible future, we've changed it, it no longer implies. Let's map this thing out to the day if we can." Buffy understood what he was saying and agreed but she could also tell there was something else on his mind.

"Are you sure you're ok?" She asked once more and he nodded. She not to push the matter further but when he is ready to talk she'll be here. "I'll get the team in here." Buffy stated and stood up but before she left Angel took her hand into his and she looked down at him. He wasn't going to say anything but once in a while actions will speak louder than words so Buffy leaned in and gave him a much needed hug.

The group along with the potentials, Michael, Spike and Andrew were all jammed into the study. They do have a whiteboard they use to write out thoughts, events even possible plans that tend to fail. Giles was putting together a timeline from the start of this, the mentioning of the Beast and the seals. He also put in what the next seals were so they had more to line up with and at the end of the line was a giant X indicating the end of some kind.

To see the timeline actually plotted out was something different. They were not going over the fact the First could not actually be fought. This was showing the events such as the Rise of the Witnesses, the Eye of Fire, the first seal being broken and so on.

"Next is sickness then." Giles continued on and he nodded. They know who is breaking the seals and who should be breaking them. But the question is how is Cruciate doing it? "Cruciate is working the second one and the goal would be for us to stop him."

"But how?" Anya asked. "The only way to do so would be to send him back to Hell."

"Even then he could come back." Michael added. "We would have to kill him."

"We kill demons all the time so…"Xander trailed off.

"In actual form, Cruciate has no true form. He possesses a person. In Hell yes he does have a form but he cannot walk this earth like that. The demons here on earth take a physical form. Now over time Cruciate may be able to develop an earthly form but he's not here for that." Michael stepped in meaning right now they cannot kill him.

"Maybe we can just trap him you know, they do have demon traps?" Dawn asked and looked to Angel and he shrugged.

"Ok, Cruciate is working on seal number two," Spike jumped into the conversion. "Sickness, we need to start looking around for that."

"Like Ebola?" Cordelia asked?

"That, small pox, something we might not have seen." Giles added on to the list. "The thing is we won't see this right away. It'll be an outbreak but it won't happen right away."

"Zombies," Angel spoke up and the whole room looked to him. "This has happened already two years ago in LA." Angel reminded his team and Giles took off his glasses realizing what Angel was saying. "Bet you it's going to happen there again."

"What kind of zombies did you guys deal with?" Xander asked. "The super fast ones or the old school shambling ones?"

"The point is, this sickness will infect and kill at least half the population then the dead will rise." Giles can see where this was going if they can't find away to stop it.

"There is one thing we can do though." Angel had a possible but insane answer. "There's a sorcerer we can talk to."

"He nearly killed you the last time." Buffy reminded Angel.

"Yeah, but I got very powerful witch now." Angel looked to Willow and her eyes widen.

"Angel's that dark magic I can't," Willow went to defend herself.

"That's all we're going to be dealing with, dark magic from here until the end." Angel stated. "I don't like it I promise you that Willow. But we have to fight this and dark magic will be needed and I need you. I trust you." Angel was honest. Willow gave that sigh meaning she'll see what she can do but she wasn't going to like it.

"So what's on today's insane suicidal agenda?" Doyle asked knowing that's what it was.

"The potentials are sitting this one out, it's going to get ugly." Angel started off as he stood up. "Andrew you're not coming either." Andrew looked a little relieved and then Angel looked to Spike. "I need you here with the girls just in case." Spike nodded to his tasks. "Michael," Angel knew he could use him but they still needed some fire power here. "Stay with Spike and continue to research, we'll need a constant line open." Michael understood his duty to the group now. "The rest of you we're going to LA."

"Yes!" Xander sounded excited but no one else looked excited. "What? I kind of like zombies." Xander justified his weird happiness to this. "They're easy to kill and it's like the game Resident Evil." Willow smiled a little bit. But it was time to pack and head out to LA.

It was a stretch to be going to LA with no information but Angel wasn't going there for the possibility of zombies, its was for someone who worked for Wolfram and Hart, Cyvus Vail and something else he had mention but once Angel's team gets there he'll debrief everyone. They didn't know how long they would be gone but they were preparing for a week just in case. Angel had something in his gut about LA and the fact that Sunnydale and LA were tied together but he never understood how. He started as a slayer in LA though come to think of it.

Angel was driving as he thought about where all this began and it was in LA. He was called out on those steps of Hemery High School by Merrick. That's when his journey began and boy what he didn't know then. What if he never came to Sunnydale? How would have all this played out? But for some reason that nagging feeling about LA has never truly gone away. Now that he knows about Wolfram and Hart he thinks maybe that's some of the reason. He was called as a slayer there and maybe that's where the tie lies.

In LA Wes was in the books with Victoria while Gunn and Lorne were due back from a haunting maybe. They were called earlier about Elizabeth and that event and were glad that it was managed with minimal causalities. But the Pryce Investigations team were the second eyes to the upcoming end. And just like the A-Team they also felt stopping the seals from breaking was the way but also like the A-Team how can it be done?

"Maybe we can trap Cruciate," Gunn announced as he walked in. He was thinking while out on the mission to stop the demon. "Can we do that?"

"Yeah, devil's trap is what it is called." Victoria looked up to Gunn and Lorne as they walked in. "But making one is very detailed and if anything in the circle is broken then the demon can get out."

"Plus I don't want to paint the floor and have it there if there's a possibility of it not being able to be removed." Wes was saying making a trap was dangerous. He then looked to Victoria.

"They can be removed but if you trap a demon it can still call for help and yeah," Victoria was saying it's something that shouldn't be done unless it's needed.

"So, that option is out." A voice stated and Wes, Victoria, Gunn and Lorne looked up seeing Angel standing there and the four smiled. Victoria jumped up to greet her brother and they hugged. There was defiantly a connection between them and it was that slayer connection that they come from the same place, the same bloodline. They pulled away and she was happy to see him. Angel had similar qualities that Rick once had and the big one he has was compassion and unconditional love. Angel had those and it shows. Then Buffy walked in and both the vampires smiled and they shared a hug. Then Dawn came in and Victoria and Dawn share a bond as well and they hugged.

Angel walked over to Wes and the former Watcher and slayer shared a hug. Wes was always happy to see Angel but there was a dread because Angel doesn't just come here for a weekend getaway. Angel then went to Gunn and they shook hand and shared a brief hug.

"Angel cake, you keep getting taller." Lorne stated and the two shared a quick hug. Then behind Buffy and Dawn came in the rest of the A-Team. It was time for a reunion and a rather happy greeting to all. But one thing that had to be done was dinner.

The pizza had arrived, quite a few boxes in fact and everyone was eating. It was nice to talk about normal things like jobs and school. The family was together and at the moment it was just peaceful with pizza, wings, beer and soda. The little moments like these make everything worth it in the end. But the moment had to come to an end and the real work needs to start like why is Angel here.

"Well, a toast to us before we get down to business and a toast to Angel for without whom none of this would be necessary." Xander stated and there was a little chuckle around the table and Xander held up his beer bottle and everyone held up whatever they were drinking and gave their toast and took a sip. But it was time to talk.

"You guys aren't here for a nice weekend trip." Gunn got that out.

"Maybe one day we'll visit," Buffy started. "Like when it's not a vampire, demon, end of the world thing and it'll be funny. Like not funny ha, ha," Buffy trailed off Angel began to stare at her again but he had to snap out of it. "Anyways, no it's end of the world type business."

"End of the world ploy, the best." Wes sipped his beer. "So, what's going to happen?"

"Well, from the conversion I walked in you guys are on the same page as us, stop the breaking of the seals." Angel started as he looked around. "War has been broken and right now there is one already happening."

"Middle East and us." Doyle reminded them.

"But there are many other threats and one wrong step or hostage situation gone bad we can be in an all out nuclear holocaust." Dawn stepped in.

"We have sickness next and that's why we're here." Angel started back up. "The sickness will be something we have eradicated or something new like a super flu. With war going on and a super flu going around,"

"Paranoia ensues," Victoria looked around. "I was there when the plague happened."

"Wars get worse, sickness spreads faster, supplies become short we get famine, then death." Wes finished the time line.

"Then the dead rise, the sickness will be I don't know but we'll call it the zombie virus." Giles continued with the timeline.

"Great, but why does that bring you guys here?" Gunn asked because really why.

"Because this almost happened two years ago." Angel was going to answer the question and all the questions everyone had. "When the dead started to rise here it was the sign of the end, it was just jump started. And I found the guy who did it. Got a feeling he has something to do with the outbreak, he's just waiting for Cruciate to open the seal." Angel finished. "I never told you guys what happened that night." So he was going to tell them now.

'Angel had to break in and so like at Wolfram and Hart he took out his knife and stuck in between the door and doorway. He slid it up and down and it worked. Angel put his knife away and slowly opened the door and looked in. The place was huge and clean. Angel closed the door behind him as he held up his crossbow and started to walk slowly taking in everything. As he walked around he heard classical music play and the song on was the famous Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by Mozart.

This was creepy Angel thought as he slowly walked around. When a bad guy enjoys classical music it makes Angel nervous. He continued to focus and needed to take this guy out. As he continued to walk he rounded the corner and had feeling wherever the source of the music was coming from he'll find Vail, bad guys can be tough, cunning, resourceful but half the time they are predictable.

Angel rounded another corner and then found what looked like a dinning hall with a long table. The music was coming from here and low and behold there sat…something. Whatever this thing was sitting there it was attacked to an IV line and from what Angel could tell it looked like blood in the bag. The slayer also saw the back of the head of this person and he was red, the skin was red and he was mostly bald with very thin white hair on his head. He could see that his ears were pointed and he wore a black robe and his cane was resting against the table next to him.

Angel slowly held up his crossbow and wanted to get closer, shoot him at point blank just to be sure the thing dies. Angel inched closer and had his finger on the trigger but in a flash his crossbow was ripped from his hands and it flew to the table and the thing didn't move.

"I am not stupid boy." A harsh and raspy voice spoke up coming from the thing as it has yet to turn its back. Angel stayed still and he knew he was in trouble. "I, I could kill you where you stand boy." He coughed and it sounded like he could cough up a lung. "Sit down," And the thing pointed to a few chairs as one pulled out on its own. Angel stood there still not sure what to do. "Are you deaf or stupid I said sit." The thing ordered Angel.

Angel walked with extreme caution and sat down slowly in the seat. Angel now has a better look at the demon. He was old, yellow yes and red-hot skin. "The boy slayer," The thing held up his spoon as it shook in his hand. He sipped whatever soup he was eating and Angel didn't want to know what he was eating.

"Cyvus Vail?" Angel asked and the demon looked up at him.

"You broke into my home, I should kill you." Cyvus said as he went to scoop up more of his soup.

"You have two of my friends." Angel gave his reason and Cyvus started to cough.

"The witch wanted to track me." Cyvus argued and took another sip of his soup. "You and your team," He took in a deep breath and coughed and reached over taking something, it was an oxygen mask and he took in some deep breaths. "I have my orders and you,"

"Whose orders?" Angel asked and Cyvus stared him down.

"Do not interrupt me boy!" The demon demanded. "I should take your life away right now." Angel has already this threat before from Glory and yet she did nothing. "I am a part of, of the Circle of the Black Thorn."

"Never heard of it." Angel just wanted his friends.

"We, we are a group that worships evil that you have never seen." Cyvus was explaining.

"The First,"

"I know the First." Angel stated as he was getting impatient.

"No, boy no you don't." Cyvus sat there. "You don't know what real power is, the First is to rise." Cyvus coughed again. "And this begins it."

"And I will stop it." Angel declared and Cyvus laughed and it turned into a cough.

"There are older and more powerful things at work boy, the First will walk and it ends." Cyvus seemed happy.

"You're too late, you want to start the apocalypse you're too late." Angel can see the pride in the demon. "Someone else will start it and you can't kill her." Cyvus coughed and the look he has was telling Angel he didn't believe him. "She's a god and she'll kill you." That seemed to make Cyvus very upset. "She's going to skip the formalities that you want to do and just end it."

"And you think you can kill stop a god?" Cyvus asked and Angel didn't answer and Cyvus smiled. "You think the apocalypse is supposed to happen within a day? You and your kind are stupid." Angel looked confused about the Circle of the Black Thorn. They worshiped the First Evil, they worship evil itself and are waiting for the day the end comes. They do not know of this Glory yet and are working to make the end still stand. Glory is what you can all a glitch, she has stumbled here and hates what she sees so she'll end it. If the Circle finds out about her they will try and destroy her for they believe the First should be the one to end it all. "If what you say is true about this god then we have a common enemy." Cyvus is realizing the problem.

"If you think I will work with something like you," Angel wasn't going to stand for this.

"I am not the sort of man you want as an enemy." Cyvus spat out which meant Angel just needs to listen. "The Circle and the First have worked too hard to get this far. You and the vampire have, have proven your worth to us. And we will have our fight." Angel sat there wondering what he was talking about. "The First fears you and the vampire with a soul. We had her in Hell." The demon the coughed and Angel sat up a little.

"Who took her out?" Angel asked and Cyvus smiled. He has leverage now over the slayer. That smile meant Cyvus knew or at least appear to know.

"Kill the god and we'll tell you." Cyvus laid out the provisions.

"How do I know you're not lying?" Angel asked because he was a demon.

"I maybe a demon but I was a man once," Cyvus started. "We are to start the end and we might not be able to kill a god but we can contain her." Angel was sort of interested but to be inline with a demon goes against all that he stands for. "You find a way to get her into our Hell we can, can proceed with the agenda." Angel was now standing on a double edge sword. He has a way but by doing this it allows other demons to take over.

"No," Angel stated. He won't do this for a demon or a group of demons. "I won't help you."

"Oh, you're not helping me, you're helping yourself." Cyvus was doing something and Angel knew it. "Get rid of the god and help yourself I'm only telling you how." Angel was being told how to do it. "Open the Hell Mouth, push her in and close it." That's what Angel had to do. It sounds simple enough but opening the Hell Mouth and closing it takes a lot of work and it might not work.

"And then this starts over?" Angel asked meaning the zombies and the end of the world.

"I can buy a little time before we start again. But you won't be around. You're fight is almost over." Cyvus then went back to eating. Angel sat there thinking about his choices that have been laid out before him and they're weren't much.'

"I think it's time to pay Vail a second visit." Angel finished.

"Wait, Circle of the Black Thorn?" Doyle asked and Victoria nodded because she knew what Angel was talking about.

"Sounds like a little sewing club for pirates." Lorne added as he took a bite of his pizza crust.

"It's a secret society." Victoria reminded them.

"Never heard of it." Xander added

"That's because they're a secret." Victoria deadpan.

"Yeah and there's tons of these and they usually spend a lot of time in basements paddling one another butts to prove their manhood." Dawn jumped in and Anya smiled a little.

"These aren't frat boys," Victoria had to educate everyone on this. If Angel was talking about up again the Circle of the Black Thorn then they needed all the information she could give them because this is a suicide mission. "The circle is small and elite."

"Take it evil?" Anya asked

"Yes and very powerful." Victoria answered truthfully.

"Ok so they're badass what do they do?" Gunn asked.

"They're going to try and end the world." Victoria went on.

"Same thing they do every night, try to end the world. That theme is just getting redundant." Xander added trying to lighten the mood but it wasn't working.

"This circle is nothing like what we've come up against they make the Hell Mouth seem like a cake walk." Victoria was trying to paint the picture for them. "This circle keeps man's inhumanity going. It's like the First's eyes on the ground; they take their orders from it. It's like the PTB for us, the circle are the driving forces of evil in this world."

"And you want to go head to head with one of the members?" Gunn asked directing his attention to Angel.

"I like to test the waters." The slayer answered and Gunn shrugged. Angel then looked to Victoria knowing she had the most information. "Vail's one of the members, who else is there?"

"Well, they're all demons." Victoria went on.

"Good, demons are the best." Willow didn't sound like she was up for this mission.

"You've met Vail. Then there's Helen Brucker, she's the state senator and not only is she a bitch but she's a demon too." Victoria went to name the demons.

"And we wonder why we hate politicians and don't vote." Cordelia muttered.

"Then you have Izzerial, there's a brotherhood known as Fell Brethen, the Sahrvin Clan and the leader is called Leader and then you have Archduke Sebessis. On the totem poll it's the First, Lucifer, the Beast and Sebessis." Victoria finished.

"It's a party now." Xander didn't like where this was going. "What, are we going to take them all out?"

"Not at once." Angel answered.

"That doesn't help." Dawn looked to her brother.

"Together, they're powerful, alone they're just demons." Angel boiled that down and Victoria looked to her slayer brother and was either shocked or confused at his thought process. She then looked to Buffy.

"Is he always this mental?" Victoria asked Buffy and Buffy shrugged because she had no answer.

"He's…cute right?" Buffy asked and Victoria looked back to Angel.

"We go after one for now unless the others start to pose a threat." Angel had to lay out the plan because he could tell his team wasn't on board with this yet. Victoria cleared her throat.

"Angel," Victoria looked to the slayer. "If you somehow kill a member, you get a target on your back, the rest of the team will hunt you for it." She was trying to get Angel to understand how dangerous this can get. "That's a target you do not want."

"I got a PTB member on my side, I know he can call on some help." Angel added because the night the PTB left Michael there was one that stayed behind just a little longer and that was Rafael. Angel got that feeling that Rafael was the inside man and if Michael needed something Rafael will be there. Victoria still wasn't sold on this idea.

"Ok, say we go with this, why Vail?" Victoria needed to know why and the cause for this.

"He can awaken the dead, let's not give the First a head start." Angel answered and Victoria slightly threw her hands in the air meaning Angel was set on this. "I got a witch too."

"What? Me?" Willow didn't want to be brought into this.

"You've tapped into the dark side," Angel was going to explain himself but Willow jumped back in.

"I read just a snipped on Vail, I can't compete with that. And Angel if I go down that path…" She trailed off. "What if I don't come back?" Because that was a very real outcome.

"Then I'll wave the yellow crayon around." Xander answered Willow's question and the red head smiled a little.

"You can control it, I trust you." Angel's tone was genuine and sympathetic to Willow. He does trust her otherwise he wouldn't ask. "It's going to take all of us to do this."

"Sweet," Gunn didn't like this but what if this was a seal or part of the seal and they could hold it back? It would be a victory for them and possibility the human race. It is worth a shot. Angel looked around the table and could see this wasn't going to be easy and he might lose one of them even though he can't bare the thought of losing anyone anymore.

"So we all agree to do this?" Angel asked one last time it was fight or get out. No one moved of course they were all in.

"Yeah we're all one big happy family." Giles commented meaning they were in but if

"So when do we make our move?" Willow asked.

"Please don't say tonight." Xander begged.

"Soon like tomorrow night." Angel answered and Xander shrugged.

"Ok still not alot of time but ok." Anya took the answered and sighed.

"God I think I'm going to throw up." Lorne blurted out and everyone looked up at him and he shrugged. He knew this was a mission that could end them all. "Ok then if I can't do that I'll just drink myself to an oblivion."

"We can do this right?" Buffy asked because they have taken up some big tasks but this one until the First comes will top them all.

"Yeah but the question is we don't know if we'll all make it out alive." Wes spoke up. "If we manage to kill Vail, possibly delay the First's agenda then great but the circle and most likely the First will try and make an example of us."

"Thanks Wes." Xander deadpanned because that didn't help.

"I'm just stating what can really happen alright we're going up against an evil powerhouse and we have a slim to no chance at this. We have no one to turn and I don't know Angel if this was a good idea," Wes turned back to Angel's direction as he sat at the head of the table.

"Then does anyone have a better idea, a different idea?" Angel asked and no one spoke up. "We all want to stop the seals from breaking, what if this is one? What if we win?" Angel was trying to get them to see what this can do. It won't stop the end completely but it can help.

"I'm in." Victoria raised her hand and one by one the rest of the table did as well. This will be huge and if they pull it off then the First should start to worry.

Wolfram and Hart might be a law firm, a very evil one at that but like most law firms they are open from nine to five. Sometimes you get lawyers staying over to work a case like typical lawyers. But tonight no lawyer was at the building. The building for the most part was shut down completely. Only one room was open and the table was being set for what appeared to be a meeting. It was going to be one of the most diabolic meetings. In the room waited Lindsey and Lilha. These two are on probation because Angel and Buffy keep getting into this place along with Pryce Investigations.

But tonight was one way they could redeem themselves as they waited for their guests to arrive.

First a cherry red Mustang rode up to the curb and Izzerial the Demon came out of the driver's side. Another Mustang came pulling up, it's was a pretty green as Vail and Helen Brucker exited the vehicle. A flat black Mustang pulled up and from that vehicle came a demon name Ed the leader of the Fell Brethen and Sahvin Clan the leader of the Sahvin Clan. And the last mustang to pull was an off white in color. The driver came out and opened up the backseat door and out came Archduke Sebassis. This was the Circle of the Black Thorn and it was time to come together for a meeting.

The small yet elite group of demons walked into the building together. They headed up to a huge conference room where Lihla and Lindsey waited for them. These two lawyers were nervous about this meeting. It's rare for the Circle to come together and when they do it means something is happening and it's big. The double doors opened up with the leaders walking and began to take their seats.

"Welcome," Lindsey greeted them but he got no response back as they sat down.

"I should take your tongue." Izzerial said to Lindsey and the man was silent. "We are here for one thing and one thing only and it's causing us enough problems as is and you two should have snuffed it a while ago." Lindsey and Lilha looked at each other knowing who the demon was referring to.

"Angel yes, he's proven a costly liability." Lindsey started and that name seemed to make the table of demons cringe. But then Lilha interceded.

"I am deeply sorry," She started and Lindsey looked to her. "I have tried but he seems to remain one step ahead of us and now I hear he has a PTB member fighting with him." Lilha just threw Lindsey under the bus. "Angel, I knew he would not be easy, he can't be bought, and apparently he can't be killed." Lilha wanted to be on the Circle's good side even if it meant letting Lindsey take the fall. It's a dog eat dog world out there especially with the end of days coming.

"Let's not talk about the slayer," The Archduke started looking around. The slayer was the problem and unless he dies…again he will keep interfering. But they have a problem and it's the timing of events. Things were not progressing, as they should. "Where's Cruciate?" The demon asked and everyone was looking around. "Hmm, guess he can't attend an important meeting." Sebassis looked to the two hosts of the gathering.

"We've been trying to make contact," Lindsey was digging himself a hole each time he spoke.

"He might be able to deliver a good torture and no one likes a good torture as us but he seems to be focused more on that than taking out Angel and Buffy." The Clan leader voiced his concerns. "The seals should have all been broken by now and we should be moving on. Instead only one seal has been broken."

"Are you suggesting I call upon the master?" Sebassis looked around the table and no one spoke up. "The master is on his way in the flesh and if he sees the progress we haven't made because of a little boy and his pet vampire we're all in trouble. Heads will roll so we need to get this together now." Sebassis was angry. He will not take the blame for this not by the First. "It's time we step up because the slayer has."

"The slayer is here in town as we speak." Helen spoke up. "He's here with some of his team now and they are plotting something." The table of demons looked around. The name slayer always whispered fear into the ears of any demon but Angel's term of slayer was that worse than the boogyman for demons. And if the best of the best, the elite of demons seemed worried that the First was facing something big.

"Anyone followed here?" Lindsey asked as he walked over to a window looking around. The group looked around wondering why the slayer was here.

"How do we kill the slayer?" Helen asked.

"The witch will just raise him again." Cyvus answered. "We can turn him into a vampire but then the witch will give him a soul like Elizabeth. If we do either or we will have one pissed off slayer as is let alone Elizabeth. I'm more worried about her than the slayer."

"Take out Buffy then?" The Clan leader asked.

"That will only amp the slayer." Lindsey reminded them. "Taking out anyone in his group won't work."

"Not one by one at least." Sebassis added in. "All together though," That was an interesting idea.

"How?" Helen asked.

"Start with the witch," Sebassis started. "Without her there will be no way to raise anyone. After that get them all together which will be easy, they'll come after us as one for revenge." That seemed like a good plan. But they had to take in consideration that Angel was thinking something along those lines as well. It's classic think like your enemy battle tactics.

Angel was reading by himself in one of the many rooms of the hotel. Everyone was tossing and turning the night before, he could see it in their faces. They were taking up a huge mission and it could be the end for them. Angel was trying to read up on the Circle and the members. Even with the ancient books Buffy has collected over the years, what her company had sent over a year ago, what Rick and Victoria meant to salvage, there's not much. It was truly a secret society.

As the slayer sat there trying to read about his enemy knowing his enemy knew all about him he felt someone was watching and he looked up. It was Victoria standing there at the doorway.

"About to start packing the weapons." Victoria stated and he nodded closing the book and stood up. "I've only read up on the Circle but you've met one of them."

"I knew he could kill me." Angel knew what question she was leading into. "At that point I...I knew something was happening me to that I was going to die. Part of me wanted it but another part told me I needed to stay a little longer." Angel thought back to that night. "I only made it out because I made a deal, I don't have a deal to make anymore." Victoria nodded understanding what he meant.

"But you don't want to die anymore either." She added but when Angel didn't speak up right away she felt her own face get long with dread. "Angel?"

"Am I suicidal like I was last year?" Angel asked her. Last year he would drink heavily before going out to kill the dead hoping the dead would take him back. "No," Angel answered. "I see what I have here but as a slayer I'll always want a way out. I know Faith wants it, if Dawn ever became a slayer she'll always feel it, Buffy will. You and Rick did at once." Victoria couldn't say no to that statement. She and Rick were slayers. It's there, the want to die. It's not raging or even barely felt on the surface but it's there. It's in the back of every slayer's mind just sitting there waiting for that sweet sleep. "If I die it'll because I need to for my family."

Victoria smiled at that. Family never just ends with blood and the A-Team is an example of that. Angel followed Victoria to where the group was gathering for the big mission. Angel tossed the book to the table and walked over to Buffy and gave her a quick kiss on the temple as he grabbed his crossbow to make sure it was in working order for this mission. Anything and everything that can go wrong in this mission will. So expected the unexpected.

"We're going after the core of the Hart and one of the First's frontlines," Giles was giving a talk to the team to prep them for what they can be fighting. They were just going to take out one of the members, the one with the magic because that is a huge card in this war. Angel needs Willow in this war regardless what the outcome was going to be. And as always Willow underestimates her abilities and Angel was one that believes that she could very well rival some of the big shot witches and wizards but she still tends to be that mouse from high school.

"We need to assume that Wolfram and Hart knows we're here," Wes started and then Lorne came in.

"Oh cupcakes they know you brought the slayer to town." Lorne stood there. "They want to welcome him, confetti and all."

"So no surprise attack?" Gunn asked as he put a gun in holster that had silver bullets. Angel made sure he had enough arrows but he was always loading smaller knives on himself.

"They just know you're here." Lorne answered which was good. It meant they still had a chance.

"We park about three blocks away from Wolfram and Hart." Angel began. "Thanks to Willow we know Vail is there tonight," Willow smiled at that comment.

"Why is the witch doctor here tonight?" Xander asked.

"End of the world business." A voice answered and the team looked up seeing Lindsey standing there. Buffy knew who this man was and without any hesitation she charged after him. "Whoa! Whoa!" Gunn grabbed Buffy and the entire A-Team looked around confused. "I'm on your side!" Lindsey then looked to Victoria.

"Right, might have forgotten to mention that." Victoria looked to Angel and he looked confused and angry.

"Forgot?" Angel had to be sure he heard that correctly.

"Lindsey came to us just after Victoria arrived." Wes stepped in. "He wanted out."

"And you sure he won't screw us over?" Buffy asked in a violent tone looking to Lindsey.

"Not with a child on the way." Gunn answered and everyone looked to him.

"My son deserves to grow up without evil in this world. I've seen what the First wants. I was told those who follow him will live but it's a lie, humans are going to be exterminated." Lindsey finished. "I have a girlfriend and a kid on the way, they don't deserve that." Lindsey then walked in further. "The Hart needs to burn."

"And how are you going to help?" Angel asked while walking over to Lindsey and to do a show of force.

"I got all the explosives." Lindsey answered. "And Willow is right Vail is at Hart. He's there communicating with the dead as we speak." Angel's eyes then widen. "He's waiting for Cruciate to open seal two."

"So only one has broken?" Buffy asked and Lindsey nodded.

"Your buddy Cruciate isn't working fast enough they really wanted Elizabeth on this one." Lindsey added in and then looked to Angel. "You know Vail will be one of the ones to raise the dead, he's waiting on seal two."

"If we take him out?" Angel asked.

"The dead can be raised in other ways but for the First to lose it's primary source of magic," Lindsey answered the question. This will be a hard blow to the First. "You need magic and I see you got your witch."

"I prefer Wicca," Willow corrected Lindsey and he understood.

"Angel you got an army brewing under you. The Circle knows this and they're afraid, they know what this group can do. You got an army of potential slayers not to mention all the hunters have been uniting across the country and the world. This is not what they want and if this works you'll have them running with their tails between their legs." Lindsey finished. Angel however needed to know the angle.

"What do you get out of this?" Angel asked.

"If somehow I make it out, I want to be left alone." Lindsey answered. "I want to take Eve and my unborn son far from here and live." That wasn't much to ask.

"If you betray us, screw up, if anyone of them gets hurt, if you hurt my family I'll kill you myself." Angel laid out the terms and Lindsey nodded knowing what's at stake. Angel then turned to the team. "Ready to go to the jungle?"

"Hell yeah, let's do it." Gunn sounded like he was having a little too much fun. The team then started to leave as Buffy walked next to Angel and she tracked Lindsey out.

"I don't trust him." Buffy stated and Angel nodded.

"If we do this, we cut him loose," Angel explained. "I see him come back I'll take care of it." Buffy understood and the two walked side by side heading out to the cars. Lindsey saw them and it was a vampire slayer and a vampire fighting side by side. And now there were two more vampires fighting side by side with Angel. Buffy, the strongest of them, Victoria, the oldest and Spike an up and coming champion. All in all Angel and his team could actually be unstoppable, they could win this, they could start a whole new world with this. And to think how it all started with a few teenagers, fear and a dream. But they have a long way to go and a long way down.

The Mustang pulled up to an alley where they would park and hopefully where they will end up together. Angel exited the car and headed to the trunk opening it where the weapons were stored and Buffy and Dawn grabbed what they needed. Everyone else did likewise and even Lorne joined them on this. When this is over the Circle will be mad and there will be even a higher price on the teams' head. Angel headed up the group and they followed him in the night.

Lindsey then came to a manhole and Angel helped him lift it up and the two shone flashlights down into the dark.

"I'll get into the building and turn off the sensors. They will reboot so make it quick once we're inside. I'll meet you at the front." Lindsey explained.

"Walk right up to the front?" Gunn asked.

"Yeah, we go big and sometimes we even go home too." Xander added in as Lindsey jumped in and Angel covered it while looking around. They were always on a time crunch and the team headed down the alley to the law firm.

Lindsey ran to the end of the tunnel, put the flashlight in his mouth and started to climb up a set of rails and opened the top looking around. He was in the basement of the firm and looked around. The security would be small but very tight tonight so they would have to move quickly. Lindsey looked around with his gun pointing out in one hand and the flashlight in the other. He moved quickly to a box and opened it. He knew what lever to pull and did.

Angel and his team made it to the firm in a near flanking formation and each of them would do their check of the circle. Eyes, ears in every direction. Angel had his crossbow out ready to fire as he got closer to the front door. Lindsey was there and opened the door and no alarms went off as the team piled in. The place was huge as they looked around. Only a few of the members have been inside and in the pit of everyone's stomach they felt it. This place felt very much like the Hell Mouth, it made you sick. This was almost too easy and they had to prepare for the worst to happen.

"Vail is on the sixth floor in room sixty six." Lindsey informed the group.

"Six, six, six?" Dawn asked and Lindsey nodded and she shrugged seeing the metaphor for that one.

"We got a limit amount of time," Lindsey continued on. "The security is a lethal one and it won't take long for them to figure out we're here." Just then Angel fired at a guard already charging to them.

"Let's go," Angel stated and they started for the stairwell. They all crammed into the stairwell and started to go up. "Check your corners." He reminded them as they went up. They only had to make it to the sixth floor so it wasn't going to be a hard climb. But what's going to happen when they meet Vail.

Angel opened the door to the sixth floor and looked around to the quiet hall. But in the faint distance he heard something familiar. It was that same tune that played the first time he met Vail. But unlike two years ago he has nothing to bargain or barter for. Angel slowly moved down the hall knowing they were going to face something. And he was right Angel stopped in his tracks with his crossbow up and ready. The team formed up and some doors opened and the security stumbled out, zombies came out. Zombies weren't hard to fight but in large numbers they can overwhelm you.

Right now the team can handle the few that were coming. But they had to prepare for more. Vail did always say he would raise the dead in order for the end to start. The team cleared out the zombies for the moment and quickly made it down the hall looking for room sixty six. Angel found it and in order to defeat Vail it would have to be done with one swift motion. Angel kicked down the door and ran inside. The team followed in and looked around.

And just like that the room became cold like ice. The entire team turned around seeing the sorcerer standing there. Angel held up the crossbow to fire but the weapon was forced from his hands. Then all at once the group was shoved to the wall and they were stuck there. Vail had his hand out using the magic to keep them there.

"I told you once boy if you came back for me I would kill you." Vail walked closer to the group. "Although, you've felt death before, doubt it scares you." And death didn't scare Angel not anymore. He was mostly afraid of his friends dying. "The end had started and once the second seal has broken then I can begin to raise the army of the dead." Vail smiled.

"It starts with sickness right?" Angel asked. "A sickness that kills and brings the dead back."

"Yes," Vail sounded pleased with it and himself. Then Vail looked to Lindsey. "I knew you were good for nothing. I'm not going to kill you, I'll let the Circle deal with you Lindsey you twit." Then Lindsey went flying across the room. Then Vail looked to Willow. "The powerful Wicca, oh what dark magic you have seen." He then got closer. "If you allow it I can show you so much more. You can rule with it." Vail tempted the witch but Willow said nothing. "Or you can die with them." Willow was then forced to the ground.

"Let them go!" Angel spat out and Vail turned his attention back to the slayer. "Just you and me," That was the offer the slayer had. "It's what you want, take my dead body to Circle and the First."

"It is," Vail admitted and he smiled as he and the slayer were now face to face. "Dead or alive would be a great prize." Just then Vail was sent flying across the room and the entire team fell down. Angel then saw his crossbow fly to him and he caught it and fired it at Vail. Willow stood up and she allowed some of the darkness take over. Vail took the arrow out and began to wheeze. Willow then looked up knowing what she had to do.

"Spirit," She started and Vail automatically knew the spell but before he could dispel what Willow started Lindsey charged at the demon and threw a punch. Lorne, Gunn and Victoria charged to help. "Heart, mind, the hand," Willow then held up her arm and a bolt of lightening went down her arm and to Angel, Giles, Xander, Cordelia and Buffy. Willow then collapsed along with Buffy, Giles, Cordelia and Xander but Angel remained. He stood there but his eyes gave off a different color indicating something changed.

Vail forced everyone to fly off of them but Angel held out his hand allowing everyone to ease to the floor and now Vail saw the spell was completed.

"Nice trick witch but it will not last." Vail boasted to Angel knowing what Willow did. She combined the best of his team into one and Angel was the vessel that held them together. Angel dropped his crossbow and charged towards Vail and the demon held up his hand to try and block him. With Willow's pure power Angel waved off the spell. With Giles' mind, Buffy's strength and Cordelia and Xander's heart and grabbed Vail by the neck.

"This isn't over." Angel spoke but it was a mix of everyone's voice. Angel then slammed his fist into Vail's chest and pulled out his heart.

"No, it's not over." Vail smiled and laughed. He laughed until he fell to the floor in death. His body then caught on fire as Angel squeezed the heart smushing it and let it drip to the floor. Just then Angel went to one knee and the rest of the group regained themselves.

"That felt weird." Xander commented as Dawn sat next to him. Buffy made her way to Angel feeling a little weak but it worked. Angel looked to Willow and she had a little nose bleed as Lorne made his way to her.

"Didn't think that would work." Willow admitted but it did. Just then Lindsey came racing back into the room.

"More zombies." He stated and everyone helped each other up knowing they had to get out. They piled into the hallway and started to fight their way out. Angel felt so exhausted and he was dizzy but he had to fight. His strength will return but it wasn't returning fast enough. Luckily Dawn was helping him and Victoria was helping Buffy. Just as they cleared the hallway they heard more grunting and turned around seeing even more zombies.

"It's just one of those nights huh?" Doyle asked as he had Cordelia around him.

"Blow the place." Lindsey stated and they all agreed as they made their way down the hall to the stairwell again. Once they were in Lindsey, Gunn and Wes started to rope the door shut. They weren't sure if zombies could open doors but they weren't going to take the chance. The group started down the stairs and made it to the first level only to be greeted by more zombies. Angel felt his strength returning a little and kicked as zombie back. They would have to go the way Lindsey came in from as the front door wasn't an option.

Lindsey had a backpack and opened it showing Angel what was inside. It was full small explosives but enough to level the place. Lindsey took the remote and then tossed the bag and the team ran. They killed some oncoming zombies and made it to the basement. They shut the door and found the manhole and they all started to literally dive in. Lindsey was the last one and continued to follow them.

One zombie spotted the team and walked right into the manhole but was alone as it looked around. It went down another tunnel into the dark.

Angel and team continued to run and then Lindsey pushed the button and they felt the ground shake. They all took a moment and huddled together for a moment and looked around. It was time to keep moving and they did.

The group made it to the cars and they were ready to leave as the place would be swarming with cops soon.

"Guys better go, word will travel fast." Lindsey said to the slayer.

"You too." Angel meant Lindsey will have a price on his head.

"Hope this makes a difference." Lindsey added and Angel nodded.

"If I see you again," Angel was going to make sure Lindsey understood what had to happen even though he did help.

"I understand, you keep your people safe." Lindsey acknowledge the slayer and Angel nodded.

"Keep yours too." Angel was honest with that statement and it was time for them to part ways. Angel looked to the night sky seeing a smoke rising and a little bit of red and orange under it. His friends started to pile into the cars and left the alley. The caravan turned right except for Lindsey as he turned left going a different direction.

They made it back to the hotel and pile out of the cars. The A-Team would leave in the morning but the group didn't want to leave Wes, Gunn and Victoria here. they needed a second front though and to keep Wolfram and Hart at bay. What just happen will anger the Circle and the First and it will rear it's ugly head in Sunnydale and if it gets passed Sunnydale the Pryce Investigations will need to step in. Angel and Buffy were walking behind the group hand in hand also they were filthy and tired.

"Well, not too shabby," Buffy commented on the evening. "I mean it's not every day you take out a high dark, evil, almost unstoppable, very old demon sorcerer." Looking as Angel and he nodded. "It's a small victory."

"I'll take it for now." Angel will take any little victory at this point and it hit him. There can be one more victory he can achieve so he stopped walking and faced Buffy while the rest of the team continued to the hotel. Angel set down his crossbow and took both of Buffy's hands into his.

"Angel?" She asked because he looked nervous again.

"This isn't the best time but every time I think about it, taking you out to some fancy dinner or something like that it doesn't work," Angel went on Buffy continued to listen. "Fighting zombies isn't the most romantic thing but it's us and I want us." Buffy smiled thinking that was sweet but Angel let out sigh meaning there was more and she could feel him starting to tremble. Angel then reached for his back pocket pulling out the small black box and Buffy's eyes widen. "It's not much but," So he did it the old fashion way and dropped to one knee. Buffy started to panic and thank god she didn't have to breathe because she wouldn't be able to. "I love you, it doesn't matter if the world is ending or not, I want us,"

The group however noticed Angel and Buffy were not behind them and they all turned around and Doyle decided to take it upon himself to get the two to hurry up so they can call it a night.

"Hey Angel!" Doyle called out "You two hurry up!" But there was no response and the team went to see where the leaders were when the group saw them and they were processing what might be happening. Angel was annoyed at being called out in the middle of this and looked to the team.

"Can I please propose!" Angel asked and in a nano second Dawn, Anya, Cordelia and Willow screamed. Buffy had to smile as the moment wasn't ruined it just had the A-Team flare added to it. Giles grabbed the team with the help of Wes and Lorne and were trying to usher them away meaning this needs to be a private moment.

"Yeah Angel!" Gunn cheered Angel on and then was yanked away by Victoria.

Angel turned his direction back to Buffy seeing her smiling. This wasn't what he had in mind but somehow he wouldn't change it for anything.

"I doesn't matter what happens from here on out, it just took me seven years to figure this out." Angel went on and Buffy smiled but she was trying to hold back the tears that started coming. Angel opened the box and Buffy's smile could only got bigger if that was even possible. "Buffy," Angel took the ring out of the box and slide it on her finger. "Will you marry me?" And you didn't have to ask Buffy twice and she nodded because she was speechless but she did manage a whisper of a yes. Angel stood up and embraced her and she started to sob. Never once in her entire two hundred years of existence did she think someone would love her and let alone want to marry her. Angel pulled away and they kissed to seal the deal.

Inside the hotel lobby everyone waited anxiously for the results. They all knew what the answer had to be but they still waited. Giles kept replaying the first moment he meant Angel as a sixteen-year-old kid and now he could be getting married; he was all grown up. Just then the lobby doors opened with Angel carrying the crossbow in one hand, Buffy's hand in another. They both had a smile and they raised their hands up and Dawn ran to them also in tears always hoping for this day to come. Everyone cheered and clapped for them and the team started to crowd around the newly engaged couple. Giles went to hug Angel and the Watcher had a small tear out of happiness for them.

It was just a small victorious moment, almost micro to compare what's happened thus far and what's to come. But it was a moment and one thing Buffy and Angel have learned, what they all have learned is no matter what love can pull through. Sometimes that's all you will have in the end. And there was love among this team, there was trust and in that will give hope no matter the end.

A man slept in his makeshift bed in the sewers. He was half asleep but heard something and rolled over. The man screamed as the zombie went to bite him. The homeless man tried to fight off the zombie but it took a chunk out of the homeless man's neck. The homeless man took out a small knife and stabbed the zombie in the skull and it fell on him. But the man was bleeding out and then he saw another man walk up to him. The homeless man was trying to say help me but the man smiled and with his feet pushed the zombie and the dying homeless man into the sewer water and watched them float off.

"Hmm, Cruciate doesn't work…right, the second seal is here." The man smiled and walked away.

There we go, second seal is opened and things are getting worse. Wait, that's not what you guys are focused on, you just saw Angel propose to Buffy. How is that going to work out? The end of days and a wedding? Yup, it's getting crazy. Hope you guys liked it. No sneak peek of the next chapter but I got the title and see if you have an idea what can happen? Nothing good that much is true. Also if you haven't seen it I have a few songs planned for the Elizabeth. It'll be posted here too. Again thanks for reading and commenting, you readers are awesome and rock stars.

Chapter 18 Temptations

Elizabeth story update:

Title song I'm So Sorry by Imagine Dragons

Chapter song SAIL by Awolnation

Chapter song Somewhat Damage by NIN

Chapter song Yellow Flicker Beat by Lorde

Chapter song Jungle by Jamie N. Commons feat. X Ambassadors

Chapter song Muddy Waters by Gospel Whiskey Runners

Chapter song Blank Space by Taylor Swift

Enjoy the music. Let me know what you think so far.