Chapter 20 Seals of Faith
A/N: The next chapter is one that a lot of you will be looking forwards to but we can't skip 20 and go into 21 that would look bad, 19, 21…it's just not good writing. But I know a lot of you guys will like this one once you get about half way through. So enjoy.
I am the last man stand survivor
I am the last man home.
I'll be the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
I am the last man stand survivor
I am the last man home.
I'll be the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
You're all alone sitting in the corner,
You've got a killer stare.
Who's messing round with you in the corner?
He better say his prayers.
You found yourself a new sensation
But baby it's a jungle out there
The one's you counted on are all but gone
Baby it's a jungle out there.
I am the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
I am the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
I wish you would try and look
a little more excited,
Let me stay, let me cause I'm coming anyway
I am the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
I am the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
I am the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
I am the last man stand survivor
I'll be the last man home.
You found yourself a new sensation
But baby it's a jungle out there
The one's you counted on are all but gone
Baby it's a jungle out there.
Last Man Standing by People in Plane
Buffy, Cordelia, Dawn, Willow and Anya were at the dining table as Dawn punched some numbers into the calculator.
"You're under budget." Dawn stated and Buffy nodded.
"Why are you even putting a budget on this?" Cordelia asked. "You're like a zillionaire."
"I like to be practical." Buffy answered and Willow agreed with the vampire.
"Angel just needs to pick the colors of the boutonnieres." Buffy named the last thing that needed to be done. It wasn't going to be a big wedding because everyone who was attending was already here. Wes and the team in LA will come that day to see it.
"Oh, the wedding party." Anya added and Buffy look to her list and saw that wasn't checked off. But she couldn't help but look at her little diamond engagement ring. The diamond wasn't big but it seemed to sparkle so much it made her smile. Of course it was more beautiful than the Gem of Amarra. And something about the size spoke in great volumes on how much Angel did care. He bought it with his own money, with the little money he has. That meant a lot to Buffy.
"Dawn is the Maid of Honor," Buffy stated and Dawn smiled. The wedding dress was bought and it was second dress Buffy picked out. She had tried on five but the second one just called to her. "You guys are my bride's maids. Angel picked Xander to be the Best Man. Doyle, Giles and Wes are the groom's men."
"Wait who's going to walk you down the…room since we're doing it here at the mansion?" Willow asked.
"I asked Giles to, he's like the father for all of us." Buffy answered and that seemed to work. It was going to be a quick ceremony because really Angel and Buffy wanted to just say 'I do' but everyone wanted to see the process. It looked like everything was pretty much done. Usually it takes a few months to plan a wedding but when the end of the world is approaching you got to hunker down.
"So it all comes down to Angel and the color of the boutonnieres." Dawn sounded a little worried.
"Well, purple and green are the colors." Buffy said meaning the color he picks isn't going to affect the wedding.
"Mardi Gras colors?" Spike walked in and the girls looked up. "Interesting,"
"No it's not Mardi Gras colors. Purple is soft and it's one of my favorites and green is another favorite and it happens to be Angel's favorite color…which is ironic since he's Irish…that was pure luck though…but not Irish luck." Buffy added and Spike nodded and continued into the kitchen for some food. "The colors are nice right?"
"Yeah," All the girls muttered agreeing with the bride to be. You always agree with the bride or they might face something worse than the end of days.
Angel was up in his room writing his vows or that's the intention. The paper was blank right now. He knows he loves Buffy but to write it down is hard. There was so much to say and he could write enough to fill up an entire day. As romantic as that might sound the people might get bored hearing Angel gushing over Buffy like a teen crush. He tapped the pencil against the desk thinking. He knows once he starts it'll just flow. The thing they agreed on how both should end is in 'I love you' so he had three words already. Angel decided to write what he felt because that's what it was about. 'Buffy, you are the love of my entire life.'
Xander was in the study while outside Giles and Dawn headed up the training session with the potentials well once Dawn finishes with Buffy and the wedding details. Xander had bought a TV for the study much against Giles' disapproval though. As Xander was reading and listening to the latest headlines Michael walked into the study to help. The team was working around the clock at the moment on everything. Michael however took noticed to the candy wrappers. He's noticed that the team eats a lot of candy. Xander then caught the look of the man.
"What?" Xander asked as Michael sat down and opened up to the book and page he was last on. "It's how you get through an apocalypse," Xander then held up a coffee mug. "Caffeine and sugar." And that does hold true. When it gets to be crunch time the team all of sudden eats a lot of candy, pizza, doughnuts and drink coffee well except Giles he drinks a lot of tea. But the junk food comes out probably for comfort measures. "So we have the key to winning this but not really." As he saw Michael was reading the bible.
"Actually I'm reading a Proverbs for some serenity and peace." Michael answered and Xander nodded.
"Which one?" Xander asked but Michael seemed annoyed.
"God, give me grace to accept with the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things that can and the wisdom to know the difference." Michael answered and then Xander leaned in seeing that Michael seemed to say without reading anything.
"Which is one is that?" Xander asked.
"One that I recite to myself daily here on this plain because there is a lot I cannot change." Michael sounded frustrated and Xander moved over a little.
"Ok, I'll be quiet." Xander got the message as Michael went to read. But then something on TV caught Xander's attention so he got up to turn up the volume.
"An outbreak has occurred here in LA. It seems to resemble that of the Hantavirus." The reporter on the TV stated and both Xander and Michael looked at each other knowing this wasn't good.
Everyone was brought inside as Angel made a phone call to LA. Wes was aware of it and Lorne put up a protection spell to keep the team there safe. Right now nothing was for sure but an outbreak was sending red flags. Once the talk was done Angel looked around at everyone.
"Seal two is broken, it has to be." Angel stated and sat down. Killing Vail was just a hope but the fact that they took out the First's magic source was still a win. "We need to move our thoughts to finding seal three."
"Alright," Buffy agreed and had an idea. "This is probably one of the craziest ideas I've ever had," So this should be good. "We catch Cruciate." Xander spat his water out while everyone looked around in fear.
"Buffy," Doyle stepped in. "I'm all for crazy ideas because we're about to start running on fumes here soon. But that isn't a crazy idea it's…"
"Suicide," Anya jumped in. "It's one thing to catch a demon it's another to catch a demon like him."
"But it can be done." Buffy needed to know looking around. Anya shrugged meaning it was something that wasn't entirely impossible but on the realm of crazy and stupid ideas it could be the worst.
"He's the key in this, we some how stop him we at least postpone the end." Buffy gave her reasons.
"On paper it looks great but to pull it off…" Giles was thinking out loud.
"See, even the Watcher says it's crazy." Xander pointed out.
"Well, you have a better idea?" Buffy's tone was a little bit harsh.
"Buffy, relax ok. You're planning your wedding and you need some rest." Cordelia tried to help Buffy. "Let's talk this idea through to make sure it's not a good one." Everyone then look to Angel and he shrugged.
"I say what the hell, what do we have to lose." Angel gave his opinion on it. "Wes and the others were talking about when we went to kill Vail. They mentioned something of a demon trap."
"Fact or myth?" Willow looked to Giles and he looked confused.
"Why do you all ask me for the answers?" Giles asked because really why.
"You know everything." Anya looked at Giles answering his question and the Watcher took off his glasses to clean them in frustration.
"There is rumor about being able to trap a demon in non-corporal form. It's risky to do so and by inviting a demon in like that you open up the doorway to others." Giles stated from what he has read.
"It's not like we haven't been haunted before." Spike added. "Cruciate has been here more than once so I'm sure he'd loved to be welcomed back."
"We won't do it here." Angel spoke up because while Cruciate would like it here Angel wasn't going to risk more doorways for other demons to come through not with the potentials here.
"So where then?" Michael asked and Angel looked around and Doyle gave a disapproving huff.
"Oh shit the school basement." Doyle answered the question.
"Why not fight on our turf or somewhere less…evil?" Xander asked.
"If we keep him in the basement and accidentally open a doorway it's at the school where it's already cursed." Angel answered and Dawn's eyes widen.
"Which I go there remember." She reminded her brother.
"I'll home school you." Angel added and Dawn rolled her eyes. "Like Buffy said, anyone got a better idea?" And no one did but this wasn't the best idea either but what else can you do?
Once the school day was over the team headed to the basement. It might be better to do this at night when spirits seemed more active. But Angel wanted daylight to be on his side for once. The team stood around the Seal of Danzalthar as it sat there. They wouldn't be using it though at least hopefully not tonight. Plus it was surround by dirt and they needed solid ground to paint on.
Willow held up a piece of paper while Doyle, Xander and Spike were on the ground painting the markings as Willow directed. Everyone else had to wait. The painting would be at the end of the stairs hoping that's where Cruciate would come from. The team would leave either threw the sewers or the basement window. They would have to release Cruciate at some point though or maybe the demon will release itself. The painting looked like a giant pentagram but other markings were in being placed.
As Angel stood there waiting for the finishing touches Michael walked up to the slayer standing next to him.
"We're opening up a doorway we might not be able to close." Michael warned the slayer and Angel nodded in agreement. "We're putting ourselves at a risk, one we might not need."
"Have a better idea let me know because I can't think of anything else." Angel sounded tired and frustrated. This was drawing way too far out and it was time to do something. This was not what he had in mind but what else could they do. Besides they have bigger problems than opening another doorway. Michael said nothing as Doyle, Spike and Xander stepped away from the new painting.
"Looks all hell-like and evil to me." Spike commented on his work.
"Alright, bring on the demon." Doyle looked to Willow and she nodded. It was time to light a few candles and Anya came over with an Ouija Board.
"Still can't believe Parker Brothers makes this as a toy you can buy at Toys R' Us." Xander added in as Willow sat down on the ground with the planchette.
"Start them young with speaking to the dead." Cordelia sounded nervous. This team has never actually used an Ouija Board. It opens doorways and unless you know how to use one it's best to leave it alone. And even then you're safer to not use it all together. But since when does the A-Team follow the rules.
Willow closed her eyes as she held the planchette on the board. Everyone else stayed within a certain distance of each other. Angel and Buffy looked to each other for a moment as it was time to begin.
"They way is now open," Willow started. "I am calling upon one and if that one is here answer me." Willow looked to the board. "I am calling upon Cruciate, if you are here answer me." Just then everyone saw the small planchette slowly move to the word yes. "And how do I know you are him?" Willow had to be sure and then the planchette started move over letters and Spike would write them down.
"Because who else would I be." Spike read what he saw.
"Then if you are so bold show yourself." Willow decided to skip to the good part but Cruciate always liked to make an entranced and all the candles lit up violently, the room blacken and good cold. The candles then went out and even though it was the afternoon outside the basement was so dark. Then everyone in the dark looked around hearing what sounded like flies and then they started to cough as a foul stench was released like rotting bodies. The lights then turned back on and at the bottom of the stairs was a man standing and he was smiling. Everyone knew who it was and Willow stood up as Angel walked up to the man.
"It's been awhile," Cruciate greeted them. "But then again we've both been very busy." Angel stood there and Cruciate looked down to the circle he was in. "Nice touch but if the circle is broken I am free."
"Someone from the outside needs to break it." Angel stated and the man in the suit smiled.
"So you kids did your homework," Cruciate began to do the slow clap and was still smiling. "You summoned me here for a reason I believe, so ask." Angel knew the demon will lie so he had to ask his questions carefully and try to pick up on any cues he could. "The seals right? Yeah two is open, a nice little sickness is now in LA."
The team looked around to each other and Cruciate smiled at them. "I should thank you for helping me." Angel stood there but in his mind he was asking how was that possible. "You see everyone thinks I'm taking my sweet time but I wouldn't have been picked for this job if the big guy didn't trust me." Cruciate walked in his little circle. "Killing Vail was a ballsy move Angel and I gotta hand it to you. We didn't see that one coming at all and you have pissed the First off on that one."
"Good," Angel was happy to hear that one.
"Careful slayer, an eye for an eye." Cruciate warned him. "You took out his sorcerer, but you got one of your own." Cruciate then looked to Willow and winked. "The First won't let that go unnoticed. As you left Wolfram and Hart you thought you kept all the zombies at bay…looks like you've missed one. Way to go." Cruciate smiled. "So war, sickness, starvation is next but how?"
"I don't know," Angel folded his arms across his chest. "How about you enlighten me."
"It's all representation, poetry if you will," Cruciate was willing to tell all. "I'm breaking the seals but it's not like a bank vault. One leads to another with a simple chain." The demon looked to the group. "By setting up that little meeting and giving your friend Lindsey the hints you let just one because it only takes one, a zombie got out. So in a simple way you opened seal two." Angel couldn't dwell on that idea. "Starvation is not just in hunger…" Cruciate was now going into riddles. "Death finds us all. And your riders…there's more to just a horse…of course."
"I'm going take you out of the body have taken and then my witch will send you to Hell," Angel started and Cruciate laughed.
"She's a powerful witch but I have been released from Hell and nothing can send me back until my tasks are done. And why would I want to go back with you guys here?" Cruciate was having his fun. "You guys are just too easy."
"The seals can't be stopped?" Giles asked and Cruciate looked to the Watcher.
"Steps, one step leading to another, a chain reaction." Cruciate looked back to Angel. "I'm here to push it along. It's destiny."
"But I'm a part of it that even the First didn't see." Angel reminded the demon.
"You died," Cruciate started. "Oh and let me tell ya, we had a party downstairs. The First set in motion on what was to come. And then the party stopped, you crawled out of the ground."
"Well, I was unplanned from the beginning." Angel had idea what Cruciate was alluding too. "The First has no clue what's supposed to happen. The Powers That fucking Be have no clue since I crawled back out right? You're just going through the motions hoping." Cruciate stood there and Angel knew he had something now. "It's been afraid all along and it even offered me a quick way out. You don't even know how this will end."
"I do, it ends in chaos," Cruciate got to the edge of the inner circle. "It ends in blood and screams. It ends with you watching your friends be ripped apart. You will bow before the Beast and the First. They will have a leash around your neck as you become their pet. You will watch your world burn and suffer that thought until we decide when you die." The demon threatened. "The end is here slayer and you will not stop it no matter what you think. It's our time." Angel then stepped to the outside of the circle so the two were now face to face.
Angel has never been this close to the demon that tortured his now finance, who's been slowly opening the gates of Hell onto his world. It was taking a lot of will power to not throw a punch at the demon.
"I'm going to kill you some how before this over." Angel declared and Cruciate smiled at him. "And I'm going to enjoy every moment of it."
"I'd like to see you try." Cruciate accepted the challenge with open arms, literally. "I want to fight you the most anyways more than the other male slayer, more than Buffy." The demon was still smiling at Angel as they remained face to face. "Our army is bigger and more vast. You will not win this one. I'll be seeing you before the Beast walks."
"I'll be waiting." Angel then took a step back. There is no stopping the seals from breaking as he can't predicted what Cruciate will do. He's influencing outcomes somehow and even a psychic can't read a demon.
"TTFN." Cruciate waved and then violently snapped the neck of his hostage. Dawn gasped as the innocent man fell to the floor and then the basement began to rattle. There was then a crack in the ground breaking the circle meaning Cruciate was gone.
"TTFN?" Michael asked not understanding what that meant.
"Tata for now." Dawn answered. "Tigger from Winnie the Pooh would say that."
"Yeah, and this demon is sick and twisted to quote a children's TV show." Xander added but Angel knew why the demon said that. Angel grew up watching that show and when he was little he had his own Tigger stuffed animal because Tigger was his favorite then.
"Alright…now what?" Doyle asked looking around.
The team was back at the mansion and talked about the information. They weren't sure how much they could trust from the demon. It could be a diversion to distract them. But as the group talked Angel was thinking ahead. Something told him to forget the seals and Cruciate right now. Something about the word army is what was going through his mind. The First was building his so Angel needs one of his own. He has his team and the potentials but one person was missing. There was one person that can help and she was just as strong as him.
"I need help," Angel stated looking to his team. Angel stood up and looked around the study. "We have an army of potentials, ourselves, Wes in LA and any demon hunter that wants to join." He looked back to his team. "But I need another slayer." Everyone looked around knowing who he was talking about.
"And how are you planning to do that?" Buffy asked.
"You all stay here, I'll be back in a few hours." Angel started to leave and Buffy got up and followed him.
"I completely agree," Buffy caught up to him and pulled on his arm and they faced each other. "We need more people but she's in a maximum facility. You'll be able to get in but getting out."
"Buffy," Angel's tone was softer towards her. "My back's against the wall. It doesn't matter if Cruciate was right or telling us half the truth. I'm passed the seals now. And when I think about the dream and what the First Slayer said…I need an army and she's part of this. I gotta get her out of there. She'll die in there and I'm not losing another slayer." Buffy nodded understanding.
"How are you going to do it?" Buffy asked and Angel shrugged.
"I'll improvise." He answered and Buffy gave him that disapproving look. "Isn't that what we've been doing since the start?" And that was half true. "I'll be back soon." Buffy nodded and they leaned in for a kiss and when they pulled away they rested their foreheads together for a moment. Angel then started to leave as Buffy continued to stand there. She didn't want to believe it but they were all getting desperate now.
The day was rather bright and beautiful. There were a few clouds in the blue sky and the weather was a warm spring day. Out there beyond the barbed wired fence that was also high voltage and fifteen feet tall laid green fields. Inside this fence though kept some of the insane and dangerous people safe from the world. She won't get to see those rolling hills anymore at least not for the next 25 years.
Faith stepped outside from the corrections facility into the courtyard with her fellow women inmates. They all wore the same colors, navy blue jumpsuits with the words D.O.C in white on the back to always remind them where they were. This prison held the women killers and Faith was one. She walked around in the yard seeing women talking and paying cards on the nearby benches. She headed to the small gym area to keep up her physique. Faith jumped to the pull up bars and started.
As Faith started to pull herself up and then let herself ease back down she felt something. She might not fight the demons and vampires anymore but she can tell when she's being stalked. Faith swung around kicking down an inmate. The woman inmate took out a blade and went to slash at Faith as the prison guards began to run to the scene while the rest of the inmates started to cheer for the fight.
The woman inmate slashed at Faith again but her slayer skills were still within her and she grabbed the woman's hand and in a swift move broke her wrist causing the knife to drop. Faith then kneed the woman in the stomach and pushed her away. The other inmates started to cheer Faith on but it was the blade that caught Faith's attention as it sat on the ground. It wasn't your typical makeshift blade to shank someone with. This was a real blade, sharp and polished. This was something that doesn't get passed security. Faith then held up her hands to the guards.
"Self defense she attacked me first Eddy." Faith justified.
"Yeah we saw, get her to infirmary." Eddy the guard said as he picked up the blade wondering how any of the inmates could get a hold of this.
"Wait you saw?" Faith asked and the guard nodded.
"Hey, it caught us by surprise, no one around here is crazy enough to attack you." Eddy justified and that's what caught Faith's attention. When she first got here everyone picked on her but it didn't last and she spent a lot of time in solitude for it. It's three years now since she's been here and everyone knows you can't take Faith on. So, why all of sudden would some attack her and with a blade like that? Eddy took the blade and everyone started to go back to their activities as Faith continued to stand there.
Angel was out on the highway now and there was just land, no buildings, neighborhoods, shopping centers. He was out driving the countryside. He would see houses in the far distance with cows out in the fields. It was very peaceful to say the least. But Angel knew if the end was coming these roads will be jammed pack with people trying to flee the danger. LA was becoming a hot zone and while a few of his friends would be able to get out for the wedding and then they would go back.
Angel thought about that as he drove. If they go back to LA and the outbreak gets worse and the city is quarantine then what? They might work in LA but Wes, Gunn, Lorne and now Victoria are his people. He was thinking about asking them to stay in Sunnydale not where it's necessarily safer but if they get trapped in LA he might never see them again. But also the slayer knew that they would want to go back. It's their town and they were going to defend it. It tugged at Angel to think of that, to know that the one chance for them to stay close and out of danger for a bit they will decline for the greater good. That's what makes them soldiers and Angel would do the same thing. Angel put a little extra on the gas pedal knowing he needed to get to Faith as soon as possible.
Faith sat in her bunker. Usually she would be playing a game of solitary or reading a book to pass the time. But all she thought about was that knife the other inmate was going to stab her with. One question was looming over her and that was why was Barbra going to kill her? She had no reason to. But the shape, the look of the knife is what made Faith think.
"Faith Lehane, report to the visitor's station." The overhead pager stated. Faith thought about that for a moment. She hasn't had a visitor in a long time either. Today was just a day of surprises. Curiosity however got the best of her so she got up to see who it could be. She walked to the visitor's station where there's a glass wall between the inmates and the people with a phone to talk to each other. Faith walked into the room and sat down at a station and her eyes widen as Angel sat before her on the other side of the glass. Faith picked up the phone as did Angel and she wasn't sure what to say. They haven't spoken since her incarnation.
"Long time no talk," Faith began and Angel nodded. He felt guilty not coming to visit. Buffy did for a bit but it stopped once Glory was around.
"Hello Faith." Angel greeted her and they both saw how much the last three years have aged them. Faith could see the scars of war and Angel could see the hardness of prison. "I'm sorry I haven't been around, been busy." Faith nodded with a small smile understanding. She knows what's out there and it can keep anyone busy.
"How are things?" She asked but the look on Angel's face suggested nothing good. "Who died?" And that wasn't meant to be funny.
"Tara, Oz, my mother, me," Angel answered and Faith's eyes widen.
"Oh my god," It was a whisper but Angel didn't have time to explain that.
"It's not important right now," Angel shrugged it off. Faith thought it was pretty important though.
"Really?" Faith asked. "You always had that edgy rugged look, it's what turned me on in the first place. But damn Angel, the A-Team and you must be taking a beating in Sunnydale." Angel managed a smile and a chuckle.
"If only you knew." Angel went back to being serious again.
"So, you going to tell me the story?" Faith asked and Angel nodded.
"We need you." Angel was blunt about it and Faith smiled with a laugh.
"If you haven't noticed I'm behind bars with wired fences and I'm 25 to life right now. Now I'm up for an appeal in three years so maybe then we can talk." Faith explained.
"The First evil is here," Angel cut her off. "It's back and it wants a war. The four horsemen are coming," Angel summed it up as Faith sat there. "I have my team but I need a second slayer." Faith nodded understanding what Angel had said and what he was asking.
"Get back." She said in the phone and stood up. Angel backed away knowing what she was about to do. Faith ran to the wall and then ran to the glass and jumped through. Angel helped her up off the ground knowing it's a little disorientating for a moment.
"Good?" Angel asked and she nodded and the alarms went off. "Now run." Angel ordered and they did and ran down the hall. Two guards then came running at them with their battering sticks. Angel took one and Faith took another and it didn't take much to get them down and they kept running. Faith figured Angel had plan getting in but maybe not so much getting out. But slayers do tend to think alike and they noticed a window. There was a screen on the window but if two strong bodies went through them the thin screen won't hold. They had to hurry though. Angel grabbed Faith by the arm and she did likewise to Angel and they ran to the window at full speed, tucked their heads in, pulled each other close and plunged through the glass window breaking the screen. They both tucked and rolled to the ground looking around.
"You ok?" Faith asked and Angel nodded.
"Five by five." Angel answered and she smiled but they needed to keep running as the place was about to go in full lock down and the guards will be in the towers to shoot at them any second. Faith knew Angel had no weapons on him so it was time rely on speed. They headed to the gates as the bullets started to be fired. The gate started to close but with their quick speed they squeezed through and were out but the couldn't stop running not until they got the car. Angel used a rental to get in and his car was parked further away.
The two had to run about a mile and a half to his car and once there they climbed in and Angel took off. So far the road behind him was clear but he needed to put some miles between them and the prison. Faith sat in the passenger's seat letting everything replay for a moment and then looked to Angel as he would glance into the rearview mirror once in a while.
"Alright big guy," Faith continued to look at Angel. "We got two hours before we hit Sunnydale…what's happening?" She asked and Angel looked to her.
"There's clothes in the back seat," He stated and Faith crawled into the back to change. It was just jeans and a t-shirt but to be able to wear jeans again was going to feel so good. "Where do you want me to start?" Angel asked and Faith sat there for a moment thinking.
The sun was on the horizon now; it was showing it's first hints of setting for the day. Angel pulled into a gas station and it was familiar one. It was the one the RV the team took to get out of Sunnydale and away from Glory. Angel needed to gas up the car and he was a little bit hungry and there was a hamburger stand here. Angel parked next to a pump and reached into his back pocket and took out his wallet and pulled cash.
"Get some food," Angel stated and Faith nodded taking the money. "Double cheese with everything." Angel added and Faith nodded as the two slayers stepped out of the car to stretch their legs in the process. Faith was watching everyone's move closely as she headed to the burger stand and Angel went to put gas in the car.
The two slayers were now parked off to the side of the gas station sitting on the hood of the car eating. Faith has been eating prison food and this gas station hamburger was one of the best things to eat in the entire world. She missed food real food. She missed French fries and soda.
"Jesus," Faith commented on the update she was getting. "You were really in Heaven?" And Angel nodded. "Last year seemed very messed up." And Angel couldn't agree more. "Poor Oz though," Faith felt sadness hearing about his death and the fact that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Oz was a cool guy and he didn't deserve something like that. Faith looked around seeing the sun will be gone here soon and the cool night air was settling in. "They're going to be looking for me." Faith reminded Angel and he nodded.
"With the rate this thing is going you won't be on the radar too much longer." Angel added and the two took their last sips of their drinks and gathered their trash and got ready to leave.
"So the First," Faith needed to get the rest of the details. The slayers tossed their garbage and got back into the car. "Why now? What does it want?" Angel started up the car and took off for the last hour of the trip.
"It started once the high school was completely finished," Angel was going to tell the story.
The Mustang was getting closer to Sunnydale now because both slayers could feel the town's energy, the negative and dark energy.
"Ok, so Cruciate has hold of the seals, there's no stopping that." Faith was laying out a plan after Angel finished explaining the last few months' events. " I totally agree with you, let's go after the First itself." Angel nodded and the awkward silence hit for a few moments.
"You ready to do this?" Angel asked looking to Faith. "Our backs are against the wall and the flames are coming in."
"I rather not die in prison where I'm trapped and can't do anything." Faith answered and Angel nodded. "I've had three years to think about the mistakes I made and if this could be a way to redeem them, I'll take it." Faith was saying she was in this final battle.
"Good," Angel then stopped the car and Faith looked around. "Hope prison didn't take you off your game."
"Maybe we should find out." Faith tempted and Angel nodded as a vampire reached in and pulled Faith out from the passenger's open window. Another vampire came charging to the driver's side and Angel just forced the door open knocking it down. He took out a stake and slammed it into the vampire. Faith got up and kicked the vampire she was fighting away. It threw a punch and she ducked and punched it again. Angel did a quick whistle and Faith looked up as he tossed the stake to her and she dusted the vampire.
"God, that felt good." Faith smiled and she looked back to Angel.
"Glad you haven't lost your skills." Angel headed back to the driver's seat.
"It's like riding a biker." She commented and she was still Faith. Then a third vampire came running up but stopped as he saw the two people and looked back and forth. He knew what Angel was but he got the same vibe from Faith.
"Slayers!" The vampires hissed and started to run.
"You want to do the honors?" Faith asked and Angel shrugged as she tossed Angel the stake and he threw it at the vampire and it went through its back, through the heart and came out of the front of its chest. The vampire was dust and Faith smiled as they went to get back into the car. But before she got into the Mustang she noticed a familiar sign. It read 'Welcome to Sunnydale.' "It feels strange…but right to be back." Angel nodded.
"Home sweet home right." Angel got in and started the Mustang up as Faith buckled in and they were at the last leg of the trip.
The team sat in the living room Buffy was the first to look seeing Angel walking in and Faith right behind. Everyone looked up as Faith looked around.
"Still looks the same." Faith commented and she looked to the team. They were all here almost the way she left them. Buffy stood up and walked closer to who used to be a true and sworn enemy. "Hey B." Faith greeted the vampire.
"Hey Faith," Buffy greeted back and they both formed a small smile.
"Well, let's get this party started then." Faith announced smiling.
Angel sat outside on the swinging chair. Faith was inside with the others getting more details about the last three years. The door opened and Giles came out and took a seat in front of the slayer.
"Seal two and three has been broken." Angel stated as he continued swing ever so slightly and Giles nodded.
"Willow made contact with the coven and they see Cruciate is now at the fourth seal." Giles added.
"Let's forget the seals, focus on the First itself." Angel had run out of options and Giles nodded. It was time to embrace the fact that the First will win as far as rising but maybe they can stop the actual end.
"It's still gathering it's forces and putting even the tightest of binding spells on the school won't do anything. I'm afraid war will not be stopped." Giles confirmed Angel's worst fear about this but then again to not be looking for the seals and focus on the fight was a good feeling. "I don't think it's random that Faith is now here at this present time either. Two active slayers, three vampires with a soul, a member of the PTB." Giles summed up what Angel has right now. "I don't think any of this is random." Angel leaned back in the seat thinking about it. "Want to train for a bit?"
"No, I don't need it right now." Angel answered.
"You'll always need it despite how far you've come. And I'll always be your teacher despite how…old I'm getting." Giles continued the conversation and Angel smiled a little. "But it's crucial to still listen to your calling." Angel nodded understanding. "We're on the verge of war."
"And everyone is scared. I brought Faith into the fold but I know it's not enough. I can try another speech," Angel was running out of options to keep the moral up.
"Takes more than a rousing speech to lead. If you're going to be a general then you're going to need to be able to make difficult decisions regardless the cost." Giles stated and Angel nodded. Giles knows the route Angel was taking in this. He was now going for the formation of an army but that was a big leadership role to take on.
"I already have." Angel made his point and sighed. "And I hope no one has to make those choices either. That's all I feel like I do. Sacrifice for the greater good."
"It goes without being unnoticed Angel and in time some how we'll all see it even before it's too late." Giles knew he needed to keep encouraging his slayer. "And I know the choices you will be faced with and I hope I can help." Angel nodded.
"Well, there's one you can help with." Angel began and Giles nodded. "I have a choice in colors for our boutonnieres, green or purple. The wedding is about to happen." Angel wanted to know the answer to that difficult choice.
"Ah, now that's worse than the apocalypse." Giles tried to make a funny hoping to help these troubling days ahead. Giles then looked to Angel. "Those are the choices Buffy gave you?" Angel nodded and Giles thought about it. "Well, you are of Irish decent I say green and I think green is a more manly color." Angel smiled and nodded.
The silence the settled in and all that can be heard was the slight creaking of the swing and the soft music of the wind chimes. Giles however continued to stare at Angel and then smiled. "Where did the time go?" He asked and Angel continued to sit there. "Taking an oath to the Council meant giving up my own future. I never thought I would be a father to anyone ever and…" Giles smiled a little. "You've taught me Angel that family doesn't end with blood and I've had the privilege to know what it's like to be a father to you and to them." Giles paused for a moment.
Angel continued to look at his Watcher a man he considers to be his father more than his own. Giles was a better man than his own dad. And in these last seven years Angel has come to realize with Giles that anyone could be a father but it takes a real man to be dad. "I'd like to think I've raised a few kids of my own here."
"And I think they turned out just fine." Angel added and Giles smiled.
"I can't believe you're getting married it's like…" Giles paused and Angel saw a small tear wanting to form. "My son is all gown up and I'm proud of you." Angel smiled knowing Giles wanted to say that for a long time before the end came. Angel felt choked up right now as they shared a moment, a father son moment that can never be taken away. And when the fires do come they will have this moment to remember.
So we're getting there, 7 chapters left, what's going to happen in 7 chapters? We got a wedding, we got the end of the world, the First is coming. Guess we'll find out how it ends soon. Have a sneak peek to the next chapter. As always comments and reviews are most welcomed. Thanks for reading you guys are awesome.
Chapter 21 Until Death
"It's not too tight?" Cordelia asked as she stepped back and Buffy looked down to her sides. She didn't have to breathe so that was good.
"What do you think?" Buffy asked and Cordelia smiled.
"It's perfect." Cordelia commented on the white dress. Buffy smiled as the last bit of the dress was hemmed and sown to perfection.
"Angel will like it?" Buffy asked and Cordelia smiled again.
"Buffy you could be in rags and he'll still like it." Cordelia reminded Buffy but the vampire looked sad. "What is it?"
"Wish I could see it." Buffy meant her dress. Of course she has seen it but not on her. The dress was a pearl white with a ball gown style. It wasn't too poufy of a ball gown as Buffy was small. The bottom was all lace and the bodice showed off her shoulders but the dress had sleeves. When she got the dress the sleeves were the same material as the bodice but Buffy didn't like that. So she cut the sleeves off and made her own out of lace. Sometimes the people of the mansion forget she is a seamstress.
"Well, you look like a princess." That's the only way Cordelia could describe it. "And honestly, I like this dress better than Anya's." Cordelia tried not to look guilty or smile about it but the two chuckled a little. "Ok, so, dress meets the standards?"
"Yes," Buffy answered meaning it was time to remove it and put it away for safe keeping until tomorrow. "I'm getting married tomorrow." Cordelia grinned even more. "Hopefully we see another wedding," Buffy looked over to Cordelia hinting.
"Maybe," Cordelia didn't want to imply anything but she had a feeling that after tomorrow Doyle might have some thoughts. Well he's had thoughts already but this might speed up the thought process.