The Chronicles of Angel Book 7 Chapter 18: Temptations, a buffy: the vampire slayer fanfic

Chapter 18 Temptations

This is a small chapter compared to the last few chapters. But even though it's small a lot is jammed into it and it's in a good way. 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.

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.

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 sat outside in the back of the mansion on the steps leading down to the earth. He woke up before the sunrise and continued to sit there. The gang got back in around midnight last night and of course everyone else was told of the engagement of him and Buffy. It was a wonderful and happy moment. Everyone was smiling even the potentials were crushing on Angel were happy. And as always they wanted to throw a party but they knew deep down a party shouldn't be on top of the list.

Angel continued to sit there on the steps watching the sunrise to show that the world was here for one more day. What the slayer would give for a cigarette right now in the building tension. He still gets those cravings but he's come so far since then. The sun's colors pink and orange peaked over the trees and the birds started to sing in the new day but something was wrong. The days were growing colder and the town was quieter.

At the beginning of the school year Angel and Dawn noticed that the vegetation wasn't holding on the school property. Now it seemed to slowly spread. It hadn't made this far out to the mansion mostly because the mansion was on the outside of town. It will reach out here soon. Angel felt as if the town was dying slowly. Just then he heard someone and he looked up seeing Buffy was about to sit with him. She handed him a cup of coffee and he gladly took it. He took a sip and saw how Buffy continued to look at her new ring.

"Take it you like it." Angel commented and Buffy smiled looking up at him.

"Makes my hand look pretty," She then waved her hand in front of him and he smiled. Buffy then leaned in closer for a kiss and then scooted closer next to him wrapping her arms around his one arm and rested her head on his shoulder.

Dawn was at her locker grabbing what she will need for the next few periods and shut the door and someone was standing there she wasn't expecting.

"R.J.?" She asked and he stood there.

"You got a minute?" He asked and she nodded meaning yes and they started to walk together. "I just…I just want to say I'm sorry." R.J. started to apologize to Dawn. "I'm sorry for the way I reacted, you saved my life back there."

"It's ok," Dawn understood what was happening and the two stood in the hallway. "It's hard to understand what's really out there and you shouldn't have seen it." R.J. nodded as he continued to look at her.

"So…what are you?" He asked and Dawn smiled a little.

"The little sister of the vampire slayer." Dawn answered.

"So…a badass?" He asked with a smile and Dawn smiled back.

"I can kill demons." She felt proud to say it. R.J. then reached out and took her hand into his and that shocked Dawn. "You shouldn't get involved, you're safer that way. Things are getting crazy." R.J. nodded knowing what she meant but part of him didn't want to walk away. How can you walk away once you know? And how could you walk away when someone you feel for is still out there? R.J. didn't let go of Dawn's hand and instead he looked around and found the perfect place and led her to the janitor's closet and Dawn smiled. She felt her heart racing as they slipped inside. R.J. reached for the light switch. "What if we get caught?" Dawn asked.

"Not worried about the orderlies, your brother yes but not a teacher." R.J. answered and Dawn continued to smile. "Besides…carpe diem right?" He asked and Dawn knew that phrase and she nodded. R.J. leaned in for a kiss and Dawn dropped her books. She can see why Angel and Buffy are always kissing. If feels wonderful, exciting, it makes your heart beat so fast and it makes your stomach feel like it's full of butterflies. And this was the most teenage-ish thing to do, make out in a closet but it was exciting knowing you could get caught.

Buffy walked into the church standing in the back as the choir was rehearsing. Michael was still here; it was still his church. He was one of the team and she had to find him and ask him a few questions. Buffy sat down in a pew to listen to the choir as they practice. They were singing 'I Saw the Light' and they seemed to have fun doing so. Buffy never got a chance to see the light well not until she came here to Sunnydale. Just then someone sat down next to her.

"Can I help you Buffy?" Michael asked as Buffy continued to listen to the music. Buffy smiled a little and looked over to Michael. He could see that she was glowing. She should be, Angel and her were finally engaged. They should have been engaged so long ago but it's better late than never.

"Yes you can," Buffy answered. "We need someone to officiate the wedding." She said and he smiled a little as he watched the choir sing.

"I'd be honored." Michael answered proudly. The two then sat back in the pew to enjoy the free music.

Angel sat by his car waiting for Dawn since school was over. He then looked up seeing Dawn walking towards him but she wasn't alone. She was walking with R.J. and she was wearing his letterman jacket. She was all smiles as they walked hand in hand he even carried her books. It kind of made Angel sick but then again he just got engaged last night. He was once love sick like Dawn is now but it wasn't that bad? Right? Just then Dawn and R.J. faced each other and shared a kiss and the big brother slayer saw enough.

The honk of a horn startled Dawn and R.J. out of their kiss and Dawn looked over seeing Angel leaning up against his car, arms folded across his chest trying show off. He had reached in and honked the horn. Dawn felt her face getting hot with embarrassment and she looked back to R.J. meaning it was time for her to go. R.J. watched Dawn leave. Dawn however glared at Angel as he smirked at her knowing he was being a jerk and it didn't bother him. It's what big brother's do, they are pain in the ass to their little sisters it keeps the world in check. Dawn got in the as did Angel while he still smirked.

"How are we related?" Dawn asked as Angel turned the car on.

"See, these monks made you out of pure energy, and then took my blood to give you life," Angel was just being mean as Dawn just sat there and let out an annoyed sigh.

"I hate you sometimes." Dawn was having a romantic moment until Angel ruined it.

"Yeah, I love you too Dawnie," Angel smiled as they drove away. Dawn then looked out the window seeing R.J. and smiled as they drove away. Once he was out of side Dawn sat back in the chair and the loving brother/sister moment went away. "He knows right?" Angel asked and Dawn nodded. "Dawn,"

"I know; the big bad doesn't just go after you." Dawn understood what it means to fall in love and involve that person. She might lose him and not just in death, something could use him to get to her. "There's more to talk about but right now he seems to understand." Angel has been there before…and it's still with him. At anytime evil could take Buffy and use her against him. It's already happened before. It's one way to destroy you, destroy what you love and care about the most.

Night was here and it was time for patrol. Michael was at the mansion and everyone was going to split up. The potentials needed to practice so Spike was going to take them with Michael to a smaller cemetery while the others were going to walk the streets. But by this time in the year as they were in the beginnings of March the spring weather should be here. It wasn't, it was still cold. Everywhere else though it was the normal weather pattern; warm and sunny.

The team did a few sweeps but they picked up a trail of vampires heading to the Bronze. It would be nice if they finally shut that place down but then again where would the parties go? But going to Bronze meant little to no weapons, just knives and stakes. Angel opened the doors to the Bronze walking in looking around. After seven years of war and practice he could tell who was a vampire and who wasn't. The team started to break away to find the pack of vampires. There were about seven of them. Most likely they'll prey upon young girls and lead them out.

Dawn started to scan the area but someone caught her attention. R.J. was here with a few of his friends. He was at a pool table playing a game. Dawn longed to go over there to be with him. But nothing said she couldn't say hi so she made her way over to him. R.J. looked up smiling seeing Dawn walking to him and his friends snickered but in a good way.

"Come here often?" R.J. asked.

"That was cheesy," Dawn said and he knew it was. She was here for business but god she wished she was just here to be here with him. Just then in the shadows Angel appeared and the guys looked up at him.

"Hey R.J.," Angel greeted the teen. Angel looked to Dawn and he was telling her work now play later. Just then Dawn spotted a vampire she did a nod and Angel looked to her direction very discretely. The boys didn't pick up on it but R.J. did. "Come on Dawn," Dawn started to leave and the two went to round up the rest of the group.

"R.J. she's cute like…wow," One of R.J.'s friends commented. "But her brother? Heard he killed a man once, never could convict him though." R.J. smiled and watched as Dawn and Angel left. The girls that Angel passed would look at him but R.J. was fixed on Dawn until she disappeared and he decided to see what Dawn was about to do. So he left his friends and they smiled and whistle. "Either he's brave or stupid."

"Stupid is as stupid does." Another friend commented. R.J. went out through the back and saw the group walking together and ahead of that group was another. R.J. walked behind them staying out of site as best as he could. Just then Angel's team stopped walking when the other group noticed they were being followed. Their faces were different from what R.J. could see.

The vampires charged at Angel's team hoping for the best and R.J. watched Dawn take out a stake and she blocked a vampire and kicked him back. R.J. felt like he should jump in to rescue her but something told him that wouldn't be needed. Dawn punched the vampire and ducked a punch from it and then grabbed his arm and threw him over her body and to the ground. She then threw the stake down at him and the vampire was dust. The whole team seemed to move quickly taking out the vampires easily. R.J. was impressed because that was his girlfriend.

R.J. stood outside the mansion waiting for someone to answer the door and he prayed to god it wasn't going to be Angel. He prayed over and over again but god didn't seem to answer as Angel was at the door.

"Uh…hi," R.J. stuttered a little.

"It's late." Angel stated.

"Yeah, I know I just…I don't know." R.J. had no idea why he came all the way out here at this time of night. Angel then stepped outside and R.J. felt the need to step back but he was frozen.

"Look you like Dawn I can see that." Angel started. "I'm going to let her tell you everything. I can't tell her what to do mostly because if she really wanted to she can kick my ass. But if you want to date my sister you need to prove yourself." Angel stated and R.J. wasn't sure what that meant.

"Do I need to kill a vampire?" R.J. asked and Angel smiled. That might be a test later on come to think about it.

"No, want to date Dawn? Stay out of trouble." Angel answered and started to head back inside and R.J. wasn't sure what that meant.

"Stay out of trouble?" He asked to be sure.

"Yes," Angel answered.

"So didn't I just do that? Not to try and kill evil?" R.J. asked again.

"No," Angel answered.

"No?" R.J. asked and now Angel was getting frustrated but R.J. was confused right now.

"No." Angel then closed the door leaving R.J. standing there. What just happened? R.J. backed away ready to head back home until he heard something and looked up. It was Dawn at the balcony. She waved for him to come over and he walked over to the mansion looking around to see how to get up and used the rose fence and climbed up. He climbed over the balcony smiling.

"Only have a little bit of time." R.J. said because he felt Angel had like a sixth sense and Dawn smiled and she leaned in for a hug. "I'm dating a superhero." Dawn smiled and then she pulled away quickly and they saw that her bedroom door was opened and it was clear shot to the small balcony. It was Buffy so Dawn wasn't too worried.

"I have great hearing you know and as cute and Disney romantic this is, he needs to go unless he wants a short life. So kiss him good night, I'll make sure Willow puts a locator on him so he gets home safe." Buffy was on Dawn's side because she was helpless romantic herself. "Ten seconds, Angel will be done with his rounds." She then closed the door. The young couple kissed good night and R.J. climbed back down and Dawn watched him run to his car and drive away.

Most people sleep in on a Saturday morning but when you're the slayer and the end of days is coming, you don't sleep much. Angel was up even before Giles this time and was sitting in the study reading. He kept up with the news seeing any signs of the seals being broken. Vail was gone but it didn't mean anything, the end can still come. Not only that but a wedding needed to happen. It was going to be a quick one, here at the mansion and viewed by the closest family and friends. But to be planning one on top of what was happening made things a little bit more complicated. Luckily Buffy was taking over those plans and for Angel as long as he could say I do it didn't matter what flowers she would get.

But someone else woke up early as well and Angel woke up seeing Dawn there. If she's up early it means she did not sleep last night.

"You ok Dawn?" He asked and she shrugged and sat down.

"Thinking about R.J." Dawn answered and by her tone she wanted to talk to Angel about it but not in a happy way. "At first when he walked away I was upset but then again I was happy." She started and Angel knew where this was going.

"Now he's back and you feel like he's been put in danger." Angel finished and Dawn nodded. "Dawn," This was a talk he knew he would be having with her. He knew one day she should fall in love and feel conflicted between her work and the lucky man. "Buffy's always in danger as you already know. She means the world to me and that can be used against me. She's my weakness and once I almost let the world burn because of her." Angel explained. "She was willing to give up her soul to keep me here." Angel then leaned back in his seat. "You're risking yourself in this. Everyone here has lost someone close to them because of this. You risk losing the person you are."

"So I should end it?" Dawn asked but Angel shook his head no.

"You need something to fight for, something worth fighting for. You know how hard it gets, how hopeless things can feel." Angel surprised Dawn with his answer. "R.J. could be something to fight for, he could give you more reason than what you already have. But you have to know that he can be used against you." She nodded understanding. "The question you need to ask yourself is he worth it. I can't answer that for you. When the fires start is he worth it?" Dawn smiled and she stood up and went to hug her brother. He can act tough, he can be tough but under that he was the kindest and loving person she knows. He was her best friend. He knows what to say somehow. Angel kissed Dawn's head hoping he gave her what she needed to hear. Dawn pulled away and decided to get a little bit more sleep before everyone wakes up.

Angel was still in the study when he heard a loud scream. The slayer jumped up and ran to the direction he heard it and it came from the training room. The entire mansion heard it and they all came running. Angel saw what the scream was about and then he saw Dawn running and she scream. Buffy, Willow and Cordelia gasped and the guys were silent in shock. The rest of the girls were along the wall as Chloe hung from the ceiling.

"Cut her down now." Angel demanded someone and Spike rushed into the run followed Xander while Angel pulled Dawn close to him. "Get out guys," He said to the potentials and Giles and Andrew ushered them to the living room. Angel handed off Dawn to Buffy and the two left. The slayer then walked into the training room as Spike held onto the dead body and Xander made the last cut.

Angel went to Spike's side and helped ease down the body and he held his sister slayer. Angel looked to the body. She had done this some time in the night. Her lips were blue, skin pale and she was cold. He knew what did this as he held her. Angel reached to the eyes as they were still opened and closed them so Chloe could finally sleep. And without any true reason Angel brought her closer to him and kissed her forehead. He lost a sister and a solider. Xander sat on the ground with defeat look much like Spike.

Angel filled in the hole as everyone was gathered around. Everyone waited for sunset so Spike could join. In the ground was Chloe. Not far from here was Angel's gravesite that still stood and not far from there was Joyce, Oz and Tara's. Chloe was going to be buried because you bury your people; you bury your dead. Father Michael stood there at the makeshift cross to mark the resting spot.

"We look at not what can be seen," Michael continued as everyone stood there. "But we look at what cannot be seen. For what can be seen is temporary. What cannot be seen is eternal. For we know the earthly tent we live in is destroyed we have a building from God. A house not made with hands but eternal in the heavens." Michael concluded and the small ceremony was done. Another solider down.

Everyone was gathered in the mansion waiting for something to be said. Angel stood there with his arms folded across his chest at a lost for what he could say. He knew what did this and why. And it hurt, he felt like a small part of him was gone and he just lost someone that he should have protected. So what can he say?

"It was the First," Angel finally spoke up looking around. "Some how it influenced her enough." That was a scary thought and that seemed to be the way the First was going to go. Pick them off one by one in words. "It's not happening again." Angel's voice was stern. "I'm not digging anymore graves. I've buried enough of my people for once." Jessie, Jenny, Buffy once, Joyce, Tara, Oz and now Chloe. It's too many right now for him, far too many. "You guys bury the next person." That caught everyone off guard well most of everyone. "I can only do so much. I can't protect all of you and I can only train for so long. We're on time limit and it seems to be speeding up. Training wheels are coming off."

The potential slayers looked around the room at each other wondering what that meant.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Kennedy asked.

"It means if you want to live, you fight, they have." Angel held out his hand showing the A-Team to the potentials.

"They've been here longer." Kennedy spoke up. "Plus two are vampires."

"No," Angel was going to correct her. "Each of them had a chance more than once to give up, to not fight and here they stand. We've all lost someone here; we've fought for our right to live. They can do this. The First knows that and that's why it's moving onto you guys. It knows it can pick you all off one by one. So fucking stand up for yourselves."

All the girls' eyes widen. The girls looked around for support from the A-Team but they all just stood along side the walls. They knew what Angel was saying. "I've said this to you guys before, you're part of a great and ancient line but you're not acting like it. I could die in this fight, so what do you do?" That was a good question. "Stand up to it otherwise it'll have you begging, on your knees begging. I'm not much for begging. I know we're all going to die. It's how you're going to meet it that makes the difference, you want it on your feet or fucking knees?" And with that Angel turned around and left to leave the potentials to think.

The A-Team with Spike and Father Michael were in the dining room sitting around the table or standing against the wall as Angel sat at the head of the table. The potentials should be asleep right now but there's no way they could sleep after what's happened.

"So, got the potentials scared and us too I could imagine," Doyle broke the silence. "What's the next move?"

"I have to go to the desert." Angel answered and everyone looked up at him. "The first slayer gave me insight out there once, cryptic but it worked. I need to speak to her."

"Right now might not be the best time to leave." Cordelia reminded Angel. A potential was killed.

"No, Angel has a point," Giles jumped in. "He needs to talk to the first slayer. She might have some sort of advice or an idea. I'll take you out there." Angel nodded.

"When?" Dawn asked and Angel stood up and Dawn looked around a little confused. "Now?"

Angel drove the Mustang out on the highway and all he could see in front of him was what his headlights allowed. He was pushing nearly a hundred out on the road and then turned off the main road and into the sand. Giles wasn't sure how this was going to work but the first slayer seemed to like to talk to Angel more than any other slayer. Once Angel drove another few more miles out the slayer and the Watcher got out and Giles opened the trunk and took out the book and supplies he would need.

"Alright," Angel turned on a flashlight and grabbed his leather jacket and put it on fixing the collar. "Do the Hokey Pokey, I'll be back soon." Giles glared at Angel and rolled his eyes as the slayer took off into the night.

Angel found the spot he last saw the primitive two years ago and he stood there looking around.

"I'm here!" Angel declared out loud looking around. "I'm not going to play games!" Just then a fire appeared before him and then he saw the primitive walk through the fire and faced him.

"You call for answers," The primitive started. "Are you prepared to see the answers?"

"Yes," Angel stated.

"You will only go with what you have, what you take with you." The primitive explained. "No one can or will help you, you are alone in this."

"Fine." Angel just wanted answers to save this world. "Show me what I need to see." And the primitive nodded and the fire grew as Angel looked away as the fire consumed him.

Angel looked around and he was still in the desert only it was daylight now. He looked around and knew where he was but it felt different to him like he was out of his own time and place. Angel started to walk for a bit looking around and then heard something. He followed what sounded like drums. Angel started up a small hill and stood on top of it and looked down. There were three men surrounding a girl and he recognized her, it was the primitive and then a dark looking cloud formed and it drove itself into the girl and she fell to the ground while the men walked away.

"We come from dark magic." A voice said and Angel looked to his right and saw the primitive next to him. "I was taken from my parents and forced to fight." She then looked to Angel. "You are the only one who did not leave his life behind and for that you are stronger than the rest."

"What is this supposed to show me?" Angel asked. "I know the story."

"You do and that is why you are here, you are continuing the story." The primitive went on as Angel stood there. "I faced a test, all slayers face a test and if you are going to lead our bloodline into the final battle you must pass the true test."

"And if I don't pass?" Angel asked wanting to know.

"Then you are not worthy." The primitive answered and disappeared. Angel looked around and he was alone but only for a moment. 'Angel!' a sharp whispered was heard and he looked around. 'Angel!' Angel turned around. 'Angel!' A face then appeared in a flash and it was gone. Angel looked around again.

"Show yourself!" Angel demanded and then a little sand tornado formed and a man stood before him. It was the man from his dream that killed his team. "You're the First?" Angel asked.

"A part, you could not bare to see me in my true form." The man had that slight southern accent. "This is easier, you've seen me before." The man smiled. "Alone at last. Why?"

"I chose to be." Angel answered.

"Choice is an illusion boy, you have no choice." The First stated and then started to circle Angel. "You won't stop me, we will have our war, and I will kill you and everyone you love." The First then stood before Angel. Angel then got closer to the First to show it how unafraid he was.

"We've been at war since the beginning, since everything was desert." Angel started. "I'm not afraid of you, I've died twice already so death doesn't scare me." The First smiled.

"If you stop now I will save your family." The First offered. "I will destroy this world but I can keep your own safe." The First then waved his hand and in a cloud of smoke Angel saw his friends. He saw them laughing , saw them happy, he even saw Buffy holding a small baby, his baby. "This I can give." Angel saw what he always wanted and then looked back to First. "Just say the word." Angel could keep who he loves the most. He could keep them safe even when the walls come crashing down. The First smiled at him ready to give the offer.

"No." Angel wasn't going to take it. It was lie, evil will always lie. Angel threw a punch and the First blocked him bringing him closer.

"You think you can win this? You think you can defeat me?" The First asked. "I gave you a chance, you will be the end of this world." The First threatened and Angel nodded.

"And I'll take you straight to hell with me." Angel then grabbed the First's head and snapped it's neck and the body fell to the ground. Angel stood there for a moment. He might have given up something that could save his family, save his future family. There is no short cut out of this. The primitive could have found a way to get out of this. Rick and Victoria could have found a way out but they didn't. And Angel wasn't going to break that tradition.

"We will follow you." Angel heard a voice and looked to the primitive. "I will follow." Then a light started to form and it got brighter and brighter.

Angel looked around and he was back where he started in the desert at night. There was no fire, no shadow men, no First. He felt like he got punched in the chest though and he looked up to the night sky. The stars were so big and bright and air was clear.

Angel slowly opened the door to his room and saw that Buffy was asleep. He quietly shut the door behind him and walked to the bathroom. Once he closed that door he turned on the light looking into the mirror. Every time he looks into the mirror it's like he sees himself aging faster.

After a shower and getting rid the five o'clock shadow Angel crawled into bed next to Buffy. Instinctively Buffy rolled over and went to hold Angel. He'll tell her what happened out in the desert that he might have thrown out the only chance to live. But since when does he take the easy way out? He's always chosen the hard path because it gave him the greatest reward. Angel closed his eyes to sleep.

'There were droves of them, demons, the army of Hell. They were smoldering embers of the ash and fires of the underworld. And with them walked a huge beast, the Beast with its ram like horns and it's red and yellow eyes. It walked with its army towards the earth, thousands of them. The heat could be felt, the fires of the final damnation was coming.'

Angel shot up in bed looking around the dark room. He was in a sweat as he sat there. Hell's army was starting their march.

A lot happened in such a small chapter. Time is ticking alright. But did we just see Caleb for a second time? You tell me. This chapter was a change from the episode but I kept a few things. I wanted Angel to be offered a way out but we all know if a short cut is taken, it's short lived. This is one thing Angel can't take short cuts on. No review in the forum but I actually have a sneak peek of the next chapter. One will be here and the other in the forum. Remember you can post anything you want in the forum as well. So let me know what you think and what your thoughts are. You readers are awesome, thanks for reading and commenting. And don't forget to wish your mother a Happy Mother's Day.

Chapter 19 The Real Ghostbusters

Huh!
Bad boys!
What'cha want? What'cha want?
What'cha gonna do
When Sheriff John Brown come for you?

Tell me, what'cha ya wanna do, what'cha gonna do?
Yeah!