Chapter 22 Abandon All Hope

A/N: I'm not going to say much, not until the end. Enjoy.

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...

Oh Death by Jen Titus

She wanted to rest as she ran but every time she looked behind her those hooded men with no eyes were on her heels. She did see the 'Welcome to Sunnydale' sign a while back but then these guys ambushed her. Now she had no idea what path she was on or even how close she was to the town. But she knew she had to get to the slayer. Just then she saw a truck and ran right out in front.

"Stop! Please! Help me!" She begged and ran to the passenger side looking into the old pick up truck.

"What's going on?" A young man asked. The young woman was covered in dirt and sweat and panting.

"Get me out of here!" She then opened the door to climb in.

"Is some one hurt? What is it?" The man continued to ask.

"Drive!" The girl yelled and the man did. She looked in the side mirror seeing the three hooded men with no eyes chasing them but they started to fade into the night. The young woman was trying to relax and the man next to her looked back at the road. Now that she could focus he was a priest. He had the black suit and the white collar. He was young, sandy blonde hair, brown eyes and was even kind of cute.

"You alright?" The young priest asked and the girl nodded still trying to slow her breathing down.

"Thank you," She was truly thankful. "Thank god you were there."

"Well, let's not give him credit for everything." The young priest added and the girl smiled. "Not funny right? I don't believe in coincidences though. Also I don't believe young girls should be out in the woods at night." The girl nodded to that. "You should be home safe."

"Wish I was." The girl muttered.

"Well, I don't mean to pry but those boys back there they looked like…" The man trailed off and the girl looked to him. "You…you didn't fall into devil worshipers?" The girl turned away looking out into the night. "I'm sorry," The priest admitted. "You look like you've been traveling awhile." The silence then kicked in for a moment. "Are you headed some place? Like do you want me to drop you off?" The girl then looked to the priest and nodded.

"Sunnydale," She answered.

"What's in Sunnydale?" The priest asked. "Family?"

"A man." The girl answered and the priest smiled and she saw the smile. "Not like that though."

"Well, you're in luck I'm passing through there myself. I reckon I can drop you off the police station," But the girl cut him off.

"I just need to get to a mansion there…it's right outside the city." The girl stated. She then looked to the priest. "Thanks though father…?"

"Call me Caleb." The priest insisted and she nodded.

"Shannon," The girl introduced herself.

"Well, Shannon you want to tell me why those freaky Joes were after you?" Caleb asked and Shannon shrugged.

"Not sure." She answered because as soon as she said the word mansion the priest eyes widen. She was taught to read body language and the eyes can say something the voice won't.

"Well, you ever think they were chasing you because you're a whore?" Caleb asked and the situation just escalated quickly. Caleb then looked over to Shannon. "You were being chased by men and you're going to see one…I don't see a ring so by my accounts you're a whore, dirty."

"You can drop me off now." Shannon stated.

"You're going to see Angel?" Caleb asked and Shannon felt her heart racing, her stomach was turned upside down.

"I never gave his name." Shannon barely got out and Caleb smiled. Shannon went to open the door but it wouldn't open.

"That door gets stuck once in a while besides wouldn't want to jump out at this speed, my boys don't like too much of a mark." Caleb went on.

"Your boys?" Shannon asked and Caleb smiled.

"Not my blue eyes boys but they are mine and they don't work for Satan, I just like to joke." Caleb was smiling. "Satan is just a little man compared to the real one." Shannon knew she had to get out of her so she leaned forwards to try and swerve them off the road. Caleb forced her back into her seat holding her down. "Don't do that."

"Please don't hurt me." Shannon begged and Caleb smiled as he reached for the car's cigarette lighter and put on his ring.

"Is this the part where you offer me something?" Caleb asked. "You women don't have anything, you just take from what's good and make it dirty." He then put the cigarette lighter away, reached out placed the ring on Shannon's neck and she felt it burning her and she screamed. "I know who Angel is," Caleb drove with one hand while keeping the burning ring on Shannon's neck. "I know who you are." Caleb pulled away. "Now, there's a car following me, the headlights went out. And if the legends serve me well I can hear the faint engine that apparently is supposed to make me piss myself."

Shannon held her throbbing neck. "You're going to deliver a message for me and a good one." Caleb looked to Shannon. "It's to him, the one and only, the original, the no substitute, no exception slayer," Caleb looked to Shannon. "To your boy Angel. Tell him I'm here, tell him the war has started." Shannon nodded and Caleb smiled "Tell him I have something of his." And it happened so quickly. He pulled out a knife and stabbed Shannon. He then pressed a button unlocking the doors and shoved Shannon out and tossed the knife with her. She might not live long enough but the slayer will get the message nonetheless. Caleb smiled as he closed the door and continued to drive.

"And He walks with me and He talks with me, and he tells me I am his own." Caleb sung to himself.

The headlights of the Mustang turned on and the sports car pulled up next to the girl's body. Angel got out of the Mustang with Buffy and he ran to the girl turning her over slowly.

"We need to get her to the hospital." Buffy stated and Angel looked up seeing the truck drive off into the distance with bumper sticker reading 'Honk if you Love Jesus.' Angel scooped up the girl in his arms cradling her back to his car. Buffy grabbed the knife that was on the road as well knowing it will come in handy later on.

At the mansion the place was quiet. Most of the people there were asleep. Wes and crew had gone back to LA and the festivities of the wedding were now a memory. However Xander was up laying in bed as a potential was sitting on the side of the bed with him.

"I just can't sleep." The young girl explained and Xander nodded.

"Angel knows what he's doing and we'll figure this out." Xander comforted the young to be slayer. "He'll send you into battle when he knows you're ready for action."

"How will I know I'm ready for action?" The potential asked with her Spanish accent and Xander smiled.

"You have to trust us." Xander stated.

"I'm so scared Xander and so young." She trailed off.

"Believe it or not I was younger than you when I started all this." Xander wanted to help.

"There's just so much I haven't done." She admitted and Xander nodded. "There's so much I need to do. Like I never had a real boyfriend you know."

"Yeah?" Xander asked and she nodded.

"I've never been with a man and I could die tomorrow." She added and Xander felt his heart racing. She then leaned forwards. "I don't want to die like that."

"Well," Xander smiled just then another potential showed up.

"I've never been with a man either." The second potential slayer added.

"Colleen?" He asked still smiling.

"I've been with a man in front of her before." Colleen looked to her sister slayer.

"And I've been with a man in front of her before either." The first potential added and Xander in his head was thanking the higher powers.

"Guys, we can't the others might hear us." Xander tried to act with good intentions but both slayers shook their heads no and continued to lean in.

"Xander!" A voice yelled and Xander opened his eyes seeing Dawn standing there.

"What?" Xander asked.

"Just got a call from Angel and Buffy, we need to go the hospital. They found a hurt potential." Dawn explained.

"Oh, ok, just give me a minute." Xander insisted but he didn't get up and Dawn still stood there.

"You ok?" Dawn asked and Xander nodded. "So let's go."

"Uh, uh, I need just a minute." Xander still didn't move and Dawn's eyes widen and her face turned into disgust.

"Oh, gross," She then left and Xander let out a sigh of embarrassment yet a little bit of relief.

Angel sat on a bench at the hospital with Buffy next to him. They have been married for three days and Buffy still would look at her wedding ring in some awe. She would look at Angel's to just to confirm it happened. The two then looked up seeing the A-Team strolling in and they stood up.

"One of us?" Dawn asked and Angel nodded.

"We'll know more when she wakes up." Angel went on.

"Hopefully she will." Buffy added. "She was stabbed and thrown from a moving truck."

"Someone hates you." Doyle looked to Angel.

"Getting use to it." Angel added.

"So, what do we do?" Giles asked.

"She's alive meaning whatever did it wants her alive, she'll be safe here. We'll return in the morning see if she's awake." Angel stated and Faith was among the group.

"When this started," Faith began. "Why not say hey, something's killing the slayer line, heads up?" Because while Angel explained everything to Faith on her way here he forgot to mention that. Not because it wasn't important but he was trying to get the timeline and events down for her.

"You were in prison Faith, I thought you were safe." Angel answered and Faith nodded.

"Yeah because a maximum security facility full of murderers is safe. The day you got me out some one came at me with a knife." Faith explained.

"I'm sorry Faith, I really am." That's all Angel could say. "But right now I just want to find the fucker who tried to kill one of my own and you should too." Meaning Faith's run in wasn't important right now. They could lose another girl. "The hospital will call when she wakes up, we got a long night ahead of us."

Out in one of the many cemeteries in town in a crypt the priest named Caleb poured himself a glass if red wine.

"Drink of this cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting coven. It will be shed for you and for many so that the sins will be forgiven. Do this in memory of me." Caleb recited and looked at the cup and drank some of the wine. "I've always loved the story of the Last Supper. The body and blood of Christ, the red wine. Although I always asked myself what if you were at the Last Supper and you ordered the white wine?" Caleb appeared to be talking to himself. "Never asked, that's why I've jumped from parish to parish looking for the Lord in all the wrong damn places." He then looked to the shadows. "Then you showed me the light."

Out of the shadows walked Angel well it looked like Angel.

"You think I'm god?" The Angel form asked.

"Oh no," Caleb answered. "I'm beyond that. After what you showed me, heaven and hell yes but no god."

"Yet you still wear the outfit." The form of Angel pointed out.

"I can't deny my roots." Caleb was honest. "Besides black is slimming everyone knows that."

"True," The form of Angel couldn't deny that. Then the form noticed something. "You see something?"

"Angel died?" Caleb asked and the form smiled.

"Twice actually," The form added.

"He's strong," Caleb added and the form nodded.

"He is but I'm stronger." The form insisted. "You'll met him soon."

"I have done your will so far. I blew up the Council, hunting down the potentials." Caleb went on.

"And he will come because he's so righteous." The form went on. "He will come to see you and very soon I will walk and you will be my vessel." Caleb smiled a big smile.

Faith made her way into the basement mostly to get away from the girls. They were potentials but also most were teenagers. Angel wasn't home yet from work so she decided to hide in the basement but then smelt cigarette smoke.

"Yeah, one can only handle so much of the girls." It was Spike and Faith walked over to the vampire. Faith saw that the vampire was smoking she could use one herself. Spike was sitting in his bed under the sheets.

"Could I bum one from you?" Faith asked and Spike reached over to the pack and took one out as Faith sat down. He handed her the cigarette and his lighter and she lit one up feeling relaxed. She then saw the handcuffs.

"It's not what it looks like." Spike defended.

"Hey, to each is his own besides chains and whips excite me as well." Faith somewhat teased as they shared a cigarette. Just then the two heard something from upstairs like something broke. "Ok, no more Starbucks for the wannibes they been spazing for hours."

"You get use to it." Spike added. "They're good girls though which is why aren't you up there?"

"That's Angel's thing, all Jedi Master with the younglings." Faith took in a drag. "Besides I've already been locked away with the female types so I'm good."

"Until we needed you." Spike added. "You had the power to get away with nothing to stop you so why wait?"

"I stopped me and…" Faith sat there. "I did what I knew had to be done. I did it on my own."

"You're over it?" Spike asked.

"More or less." Faith answered. "I fight for the good side now."

"The less?" Spike was interested.

"The usual. Like the chains and whips I said." Faith answered and Spike gave a smirk. "We've met before Spike although I was wearing a different body that you seemed to like." Then it hit Spike and she nodded.

"You could ride me at a gallop until my legs buckled and my eyes rolled up. You've got muscles I've never even dreamed of. You could squeeze me until I popped like warm champagne." Spike finished and Faith felt a little embarrassed but a little proud. "A man never forgets."

"You should have known it wasn't little miss muffet. She's too good." Faith added.

"You don't know my Sire. And what she and the slayer do behind closed doors." Spike hinted and Faith smiled.

"I always imagined what Angel could do and mmm," Faith smiled. "Put those two together." Then the silence grew as they sat next to each other. "Look at us, pining for someone we could never have." Spike nodded in agreement. Angel and Buffy were married now and whatever chances they had with either one of them was completely gone. Then again there was never a chance. Faith then looked over to Spike. "So what do you do for fun?" And again Spike smirked.

Angel walked into the hospital room where the potential slayer was. He had Dawn with him and Angel sat on the edge of the bed and took the girl's hand into his. Her eyes opened a little as she could barely move because of the pain.

"Shan…Shannon, my," She whispered and Angel knew what she was trying to say.

"Hi Shannon," Angel greeted her. "Who did this to you?"

"He's a minister or something," Shannon started. "At least he dresses like one. I thought he was trying to save me at first." Angel nodded as Dawn continued to stand there. "Bringers were chasing me. He said that they were his boys. Right before he burned me." Shannon went to remove the bandage on her neck but Angel saw she was struggling so he went to gently pull it away. Angel saw the mark; it was a ram's head with horns. He then gently placed the bandage back on her neck. "He wants me to give you a message before he stabbed me. He said he has something of yours. He says he's here and the war has started."

Angel nodded to the message and looked at Dawn. They needed to get moving but before Angel got up he felt Shannon squeeze his hand and she tried to pull him back. "I don't want to be alone. What if they come back?" She asked and Angel looked to the scared and beat up girl.

Angel was back at the mansion and he called in a favor from Officer Grimes and Brookes to guard the girl. At the mansion though it was time for the meeting. All the potentials and the A-Team were gathered.

"We got a new player in town, dresses like a priest." Angel looked to Michael. "He seems like a man of god at first. He's working for the First and he's taunting us. Apparently he has something of mine, possibly another potential. Hell, it could be something else but honestly I don't care. I don't know what it is so as of now it holds no value to me." Angel went on. "It's a trap, I've been in this business for a long time and unless they wave it in front of me, name it, they have nothing. The man's name is Caleb and he wants to meet me. I say we give him a warm Sunnydale welcome with streamers and all."

The group looked around wondering what Angel was going to do. "This Caleb is something else I can feel it. You girls are staying behind." There was an uproar of chatter and it was disapproving chatter. "Hey!" Angel yelled. "Shut-up!" The voices got quiet. "It's a trap set for me and right now I'm not losing you guys…not yet. I want to know who the hell this man thinks he is. He wants a one on one with the slayer, I'll give it to him."

"What if he's trying to lure you out to get to us?" Kennedy asked which is a valid question but Angel has already thought about that.

"We're all going to leave the mansion together except you guys are driving five miles out and waiting for our signal to come back." Angel answered.

Everyone was together at the mansion. The potentail slayers sort of crowd together but this mission they weren't going on. They weren't ready for it so it was just the A-Team.

In the study however was Angel and Giles going over some notes.

"This is a trap but why? Why make it that obvious?" Giles spoke up and Angel looked to his Watcher.

"I don't know." Angel sighed and rubbed his tired eyes. Angel looked around. "This Caleb wants something though."

"Yeah, you," Giles answered and stood up. "We better get moving." Angel nodded as he continued to sit at the desk and then looked to the wall. The pictures at the magic that survived the burning were now here. Basically it was the class photos and a new one was now on the wall. Angel got up and looked to the pictures and damn his people grew up.

The A-Team has changed since the start. In the beginning it was just Angel, Buffy, Giles, Xander and Willow. Cordelia didn't really join until Junior year. Then it became Angel, Buffy, Giles, Xander, Willow, Oz and Cordelia. Then Senior year it was Angel, Buffy, Giles, Xander, Willow, Cordelia, Faith, Doyle and Oz. First year of college they lost Faith but gained Tara so it became Angel, Buffy, Giles, Xander, Willow, Oz, Tara, Doyle, and Cordelia. Then the second year of college happened and that's when Dawn was officially alive and Tara died. Before Tara passed they got a quick pick. There were only six pictures because the year Angel returned and Oz died there was no time for a photo shoot. But now hung a new one. It was the wedding picture and Faith had returned with Spike and Michael in it. But Angel knew the people of the picture were going to change once more.

The A-Team squeezed upstairs to discuss what the next move was.

"So, where the hell are we going?" Doyle asked because that was the first step of finding this guy.

"Recon first." Angel started. "Apparently the Bringers are his boys, let's see if we can find the nest, they're coming from somewhere."

"Yeah like an ant hive." Spike added and Faith looked to him.

"You mean bees." Faith reminded and Spike shrugged it off. "But yeah that's good.

"Angel this is a trap, he may have something that is yours or just a stapler." Giles didn't like this one bit.

"I know but," Angel turned to Michael. "When I described him, Michael a light went off." And the form PTB member couldn't hide it. "Do you know him?"

"I'm hoping not." Michael answered which gave Angel all the more reason to go.

"Just," Xander spoke up. "An unknown man breezes into town saying he has something of yours," Angel looked to his friend. "We know it's a trap but I got a feeling it's a bad one."

"Whoever this man is…" Angel looked around. "He wants a score with the slayer."

"It could be me." Faith added because she too is an active slayer.

"No," Michael jumped in. "It's Angel he wants. He knows you won't come alone either."

"So who is the bugger?" Spike asked and all eyes were on Michael.

"If it's who I think it is," Michael looked around was going to be honest. "We're in for one hell of an uphill battle."

"Eh, done it before." Cordelia commented and Anya just stood there in silence but wide-eyed.

"Then I can go alone." Angel stated looking around but everyone didn't give agreeing looks. "It's me he wants, he's expecting all of us, how about I just go alone. Give him a good surprise."

"You, we know nothing about this man," Giles was saying Angel wasn't going in alone.

"Ok so, am I going alone, are we all going?" Angel asked. "We're getting into the two minute warning. We can't keep waiting." Angel looked around. "Someone is calling us out, let's call back and do something."

Downstairs the potentials waited for the final agreement. One potential however had enough.

"This is crazy," The potential spoke up. "And Angel's the craziest of them all. I mean they're going right into the bad guy's layer."

"Well, that's where you go to find the bad guy." Andrew commented.

"Yeah except this is a trap and he's walking right into it. How about he wears a sign that says 'shoot me.'" Just then the A-Team appeared. Xander knew what was happening he couldn't agree more but he knew Angel and it was time to defend his friend. The girls needed to understand and be on the same page.

"Let me tell you something about Angel," Xander started. "I've been in many battles with him, seen more things than most could ever dream of. He's stopped anything that's ever come up against him. He's laid down his life literally for this sorry world. He died twice and guess what he's still standing." Angel looked to the potentials because they didn't understand everything. "You're scared that's smart, you've got questions you should but if you doubt his motives, think he's all about the kill you're wrong. He cares about all of you and he doesn't even know you. You've got to trust him because that's what I've done and I'm still here." Xander finished and the potentials looked around.

"Damn Xander," Faith spoke up. "You better write that one down." Buffy smiled. It was a good speech and true.

"Alright people, sattle up it's game time." Angel declared and they all headed out.

They found the Bringers quite easily knowing it's what this Caleb person wanted. The group followed the Bringers by foot and came to a factory a very familiar factory that has still stood after all that's happened in the last seven years.

"God, I hate this place." Doyle muttered and they all did. All of them at one time or another could have died here.

"They're blind but damn, they move good, sonar?" Faith asked but Angel didn't care.

"Alright, let's go." Angel stated and they headed to the factory. The group stayed tight as they walked into the night. But then there was a whistle and they all turned around quickly seeing a man in a suit.

"Cruciate." Buffy stated in an almost trembling voice.

"Who else?" Cruciate smiled. "Oh my, he's here now and wow I'm excited." The group got closer together. "Smart sending the potentials away good on you Angel. However it's just you he wants."

"I hate to not include everyone, they're just as excited as you are." Angel said to Cruciate.

"Not your choice slayer and what you thought it was going to be easy to meet him?" Cruciate asked and then everyone heard what sounded like wings and looked up. The demon ravens were back. "Brought a few of them here for you guys. This is between the true vessel and Angel, the rest of you can sit this one out." Cruciate explained as the team continued to look up seeing the five ravens with their huge wings, blacken and charred bodies circling them. "Had you come alone Angel none of this would be needed."

"Run!" Angel yelled as Cruciate whistled and the ravens dove for the attack. They had to get inside and fast. Angel stopped for a moment and fired his crossbow at one raven and it went down. Just then Cordelia screamed as one raven caught her. Doyle turned into his demon self and attacked the raven snapping it's neck and went to get Cordelia up.

"Doyle!" Cordelia screamed as another raven gabbed him tossing him to an outer wall of the factory and with it's huge talons raked it down Doyle's side. "No!" Cordelia grabbed her sword and slashed at the raven cutting it in half.

"Doyle!" Angel yelled and fired at another raven as Cordelia grabbed Doyle trying to get him up. Angel helped her as Willow muttered a spell, held out her hand and light came from her. It was just enough for the team to get inside the factory and Willow cast a spell to keep them locked inside but not for long.

Doyle whimpering in pain as Angel set him down and the others could see the damage.

"I know it hurts baby, but breathe," Cordelia encouraged Doyle. She could see the long gash and the raven had ripped him open. He was going to bleed out before anything. Cordelia went to put pressure on the wound and looked up to Angel trying not to cry but Angel knew what was going to happen. Spike and Faith looked outside and saw the ravens were gone but some other big demons where coming.

"We need to bolt." Spike stated and the group was regrouping.

"Go out the back way." Xander stated knowing that was one way out.

"Can't, can't," Doyle said and everyone looked to him as he sat there. "The demons will know, won't get far." He was trying to talk through the pain.

"We can't wait them out." Buffy said looking around but Doyle looked to Cordelia as she sat next to him.

"No, you can't but I can." Doyle looked to the group. Everyone looked around at each other.

"What?" Cordelia asked but she knew what he meant.

"I can stay, hold them off, you guys get out find Caleb." Doyle explained. "My demon form can help."

"Doyle no." Cordelia begged a bit.

"Just listen!" Doyle yelled as much as he could but doing that the pain was almost too much. "There's too many of them and I'm dead weight." He looked around to the group and Willow already had tears forming. "I can hold them, they're already breaking in. You guys get to Caleb and see what the hype is about." Angel looked to his best friend and nodded but only in understanding. Doyle then looked to Cordelia as she was crying her cheeks had tears streaming down.

"I'll be ok Cordy," Doyle had a whisper and Buffy turned away knowing she couldn't see or hear this. Spike punched a wall as they heard the pounding from the outside. Giles took his glasses off and threw them not caring what happened. Xander reached for Willow to hug her.

"Doyle, you don't have to do this." Cordelia begged. "We can get you out." She wasn't going to leave him behind.

"Cordy," His voice was soft to her. "I'm dying, I won't make it." Cordelia then let out a loud cry, she had no control over it. "Hey," He reached out placing his hand on her cheek trying to wipe the tears away. "I want to die knowing you got out." She didn't say anything to him, she couldn't even form words if she tried. "This is what we do. If I can get you closer to defeating the First then this is my exit."

"Doyle," Cordelia didn't want to leave him not like this.

"We all have job to do, let me do mine." Doyle asked and Cordelia didn't say anything but the tears. "You guys head to the back, find Caleb, I'll hold them off." Angel nodded to the most unlikeable plan but that's all they have now. Doyle then looked to Cordelia. "You never know how strong you are until you've been tested…I get that now." Cordelia broke down and she felt Doyle pull her closer. Everyone in the group started to cry. Cordelia pulled away to look at Doyle one last time because after this she will never see him again ever. "I guess you did learn to love this face."

"I love you Francis Doyle." Cordelia got out. "I love you."

"I love you too, Cordelia Chase, my princess." He said and Cordelia leaned in for a kiss, the last kiss they will ever share. Buffy knew what that last kiss was like and it hurt more than a thousand knives cutting at you. Angel saw them share the last kiss but maybe his mind was playing tricks on him, he swore he saw a little flash of something between them. Cordelia pulled away as the banging was getting louder. "Hurry," Doyle whispered and Xander walked over to a Cordelia who needed all the help she could to get up. Xander was going to be her support as she put all her weight on him. Angel knelt down before Doyle to say his last good bye.

The slayer and the half demon who became best friends had to say the hardest good bye. They had to say goodbye as friends and as soldiers. Angel took the sword Doyle came in with and gave it to his friend to make his last stand.

"Doyle," Angel didn't know what to say.

"I'll be alright, just look after my baby." Doyle asked and Angel nodded. "And kick this Caleb's and the First's ass right back to hell." Angel nodded again and they rested their foreheads to one another for one last moment. Angel held out his hand and Doyle took it and the slayer lifted him to his feet. Doyle then saw Buffy and smiled. "We all got something to atone for." She nodded and it was time to go. Doyle stood there watching his friends no his family leave. They didn't need words to say what they meant and they were all going to miss each other. Doyle saw Cordelia last and it was perfect, he wanted to remember her and she'd be the last thing he sees when it all goes dark.

The demons the broke in as Doyle stood there with a sword.

"Alright, who wants to go back to Hell first?" Doyle asked and he turned into his demon form as the demons charged at him.

The group ran down the halls and then up some stairs to the roof. The factory was the trap as they saw the shed across the way seeing the Bringers were heading there. Just then Cordelia fell to one knee crying and Angel knew what happened. He went to Cordelia and pulled her in an embraced. She felt him pass, she felt him leave. Angel held her tight and he let a few tears slip. Angel pulled away looking at Cordelia. No one could give up right now, not yet.

"I need you." He stated and she nodded understanding, there will be a time to cry but there was a score to settle. Angel pulled her up and Cordelia wiped some of the tears away seeing Doyle's blood on her hands. The tears were still going to come but she needed to channel it into anger for Doyle. Everyone wanted to cry right but there will be a time for that. Just then a raven swooped in but Angel fired another shot right between the eyes. The demon bird fell and Angel grabbed the arrow and reloaded his crossbow.

The team got to the shed just a few meters back and Angel turned to his group.

"I'll go first." The slayer declared and he faced the shed and headed towards it.

Inside the small shed that was lit with some horrible lighting waited Caleb. He smiled and turned around to the shadows.

"I know you're there slayer," Caleb waited a few moments and Angel appeared from the shadows and Caleb continued to smile. Angel kept his composure because he knows this man. This was the same in his dream that killed him and his friends. "Well now," Angel then stood still for a moment. "You think you and your team are just burning with righteousness, the only problem is you think you're blazing like suns but really you're burning like matchsticks."

"Caleb," Angel stated and the man smiled. Just then the rest of the team came from the shadows and then Michael and Caleb's eyes met.

"Father Michael, it's been a long time." Caleb added.

"A few thousands years I'd say." Michael commented. "He was one of us once, then he got cast out." Michael quickly explained.

"Much like you except I left because their holy duties were not the right ones. Freewill I guess, look at that." Caleb then turned to the slayer as his team formed up. "Eleven of you…I was excepting 12." He then saw Cordelia as she was cover in blood and Caleb smiled. "Going out in a blaze of glory."

"Yeah, and that's on you, you'll pay for it before this is over." Angel looked at Caleb. "I'm here to collect what's mine that's if you even have it."

"I do now," Caleb smiled. "Did you like my little message?" Angel didn't answer. "You know I wasted a perfectly good knife on that girl. Soiled my seats might have to get a new truck."

"Cry me a river." Angel didn't care.

"So you're the slayer," Caleb smiled at Angel. "The slayer, the fastest, the strongest of them all," Caleb took a step closer. "The first male slayer, the one who had died twice and has risen. The definition of goodness." He then looked to Buffy. "And his pet vampire…Elizabeth. He tamed the most wild of beasts. Oh and look, another vampire as a pet." Caleb continued to smile. "You must be powerful." There was then a palpable silence as the two enemies sized each other up for a moment. Then out of nowhere Caleb threw a punch sending Angel flying back. "So, what else you got?" Buffy then vamped out to attack Caleb as Bringers came from the shadows and the rest of the A-Team started to fight.

Buffy got a swing on Caleb but he grabbed her by the throat and tossed her away and then took a step back watching the fight unfold. Just then Faith came charging in.

"Ah, the other slayer," Caleb smiled. "His Cane to your Able?" Caleb threw a punch and Faith ducked.

"Not much for bible stories." Faith managed a good punch but Caleb kicked her back and sent her flying. But then Caleb went to the ground as Angel came up from behind and kicked him. Caleb got up.

"Attacking a man behind his back." Caleb sounded angry.

"I fight dirty…and you're not a man." Angel threw a few more punches and Caleb got up. They fought for a moment and then Caleb grabbed Angel by the neck.

"Some slayer," Caleb didn't seem impressed but then Xander came in and jumped onto Caleb's back allowing him to drop Angel. Caleb reached behind him pulling Xander off of him and then held him there. "You're the one who can see everything right Doyle?" Xander then was confused; he's not Doyle. "The Seer? Well let's change that." Caleb then shoved his thumb into Xander's left eye gouging it out. Angel got up and rammed both his feet into Caleb's knees knocking him down. Angel grabbed Xander and then Spike came in and took Xander from Angel. Michael then joined up with Angel as Caleb got back up.

"Live today, fight tomorrow," Michael stated and the two took off in a retreat.

Caleb was back at the cemetery sitting there and the First in the form of Angel came in.

"Got the team shaken." Caleb stated. "Although I thought the Seer would have been stronger."

"He was, the one you took the eye from…that wasn't the Seer, the Seer died in the factory." The First stated and Caleb smiled, there was no lose there.

"I'll kill them all one by one, for you." Caleb declared and the First smiled.

Xander was released from the hospital and knocked out from the pain medications. But he was now completely blind in one eye. The entire eye or at least what was left was removed and now it was just a cavity. The mission wasn't a complete failure in the fact Angel knew who he was up against. But it failed because he lost Doyle and as the slayer walked down the hallway it hit him. He lost Doyle…Doyle was gone. But then he heard something and followed the voice and it led to Cordelia and Doyle's room. The door was crack and Angel looked in.

Cordelia was sitting on the bed watching something on the TV. Angel opened the door up and Cordelia looked up at him. What was playing on the TV was the Christmas before Joyce died, before Tara died, before Angel died. It was the best Christmas they ever had, everyone was there. In the shot was Cordelia and Doyle talking to the camera that Xander had trying to capture the moments. The couple was laughing and holding hands.

"Cordy," Angel didn't know what to say, what could he say? Cordelia just sat there on the bed with silent tears. "I'm sorry," Cordelia looked up seeing Angel wiped some tears away and she stood up facing him.

"He always told me he would die for me, for us," Cordelia looked back to the TV as the home video played. "Did I tell him that I loved him enough? Did he know?" Angel then pulled Cordelia into a tight embrace and she started to sob. "I don't know what to do…I…I,"

"He knew, he always knew." Angel assured her. He felt Cordelia trembling in his embrace. There was a great loss to the team not just because he was a Seer, he was a soldier, a friend, a brother and a lover. And now he was gone. "I'm so sorry Cordy…I," He didn't know what to say. Cordelia pulled away looking at Angel and the tears only continued.

"Just promise me, promise him…you'll win." Cordelia stated and Angel nodded and then there was another knock at the door and it was Michael.

"I would like for you to give Doyle his Last Rites, he deserves it and with your permission I'd like to pray with you." Michael asked Cordelia and she nodded. Prayer won't bring him back but it could bring some peace. Michael walked into the room and Angel gave Cordelia another hug and kissed her head.

"If you need anything I'm right down the hall." Angel reminded her and Cordelia nodded.

"Does it get better?" Cordelia asked and Angel was going to be honest just as Buffy was honest with him.

"No, but you learn to make peace with the past." Angel answered and Cordelia managed a little smile as in a thank you for not lying. Angel left the room as Michael started. Angel went to check on Dawn and swore he heard a male's voice and poked his head inside and saw RJ sitting with Dawn as she talked about Doyle. Angel wasn't going to say anything and continued to his room where Buffy sat on the bed. She was in tears as well. No one was going to sleep tonight just cry as they should. Giles was downstairs with Spike and Faith and they were sharing a drink, a few drinks. Anya sat with Xander and Willow was with them. No one should be alone tonight. Angel climbing into the bed embraced Buffy as they sat there in silence…in the loudest silence. Doyle was gone.

Again, not going to say much because I need a head start from an angry mob. Yes, Doyle is gone and I'm so sorry. But it should make you want Angel to kill Cruciate and Caleb right…right…? Have a sneak peek of the next chapter for you guys. Hope you are liking everything and thanks for reading and commenting you guys are the best.

Chapter 23 Stronger Than You

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not parish, but have ever lasting life." Michael went on and thinking about he has buried too many of the A-Team. He buried Joyce, he buried Tara, he buried Angel, he's buried Oz and now Doyle. That's five too many. "We ask now that Doyle be taken into the light, be granted salvation and eternal happiness." Cordelia was literally propped up by Xander and if he wasn't there then she would be on the ground. "Amen." Michael finished and everyone was quiet. This was the final goodbye.

A small headstone was placed to mark a spot for Doyle.

"May the road rise to meet you," Buffy started. This was a classic Irish hymn and perfect for Doyle. "May the wind be ever at your back," She continued. She sung at Joyce's funeral and everyone deserves a song.

"May the sun shine warm upon your face," Michael joined in along with Giles. Cordelia listened knowing this was it. "And the rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again." Everyone was saying their last good bye silently to a beloved friend. "May God hold you, may God hold you ever in the palm of His hand." Buffy, Michael and Giles finished. It was the prefect goodbye as one day they will all see Doyle again. They will see Joyce, Jenny, Oz and Tara again someday. And just like their deaths the comfort they had is that they were no longer in pain or suffering. Doyle was free.