Infirmary, SGC, 2105 hours.
Tara and Buffy were still amazed that travelling through the Stargate was just like stepping from one room to another. Riley had accompanied them to a planet that he called P7Y-098, one of many buffer planets that needed to be dialled so that enemies wouldn't know the location of Earth, and then set them on their way to Earth after dialling the Stargate on that world. Once the Iris and the Gate shield were lowered, Riley then said goodbye to Buffy and Tara after giving the two of them a hug… and soon the both of them were met at the bottom of the ram by General Landry. Once through, Buffy turned and saw the wormhole disengage before she turned around again and smiled at Tara.
"Neat" said Buffy as the both of them walked down the ramp and nodded at the General who then welcomed them back to Earth. He then asked the both of them to follow him so that they could have a quick debrief before they went on to their next issue of importance. Buffy was wondering what that issue was but she decided to wait until after the General had debriefed them on the situation on New Kobol. Once the debriefing was over, the General leaned back on his seat and talked to them about the little girl who had come through the Stargate that morning.
"She's still not talking?" asked Tara while Buffy looked on confused.
It was then that General Landry told Buffy that they received reports back from two teams that went to the planet she dialled in from and found that everything was destroyed. He said that the radiation sensors on the MALP were off the scale and that Dr. Lam only recommended that a team be there for an hour at any one time. He told the shocked with and slayer that the ground in many areas were still smoking, with other places still burning.
"The girl saw who did it" said Buffy as she closed her eyes and shook her head.
"We don't know if it's the Goa'uld, or the Lucien Alliance… although the M.O. doesn't fit them, we're still looking at them" said the General, "and we're also afraid it could be the Cylons."
"I thought they're on Eden?" asked Buffy as she leaned forward and rested her hands on the table in front of her.
"The ones on Eden told us about their homeworld" said General Landry, "it's a massive, mobile, space station… it's got enough weapons and ships to destroy a planet. The truth is that we're hoping that it's not the Cylons because… well, the once on Eden lost all contact with their homeworld; the Colony."
"Goddess" said Tara as she leaned back on her seat and shook her head.
"There's nothing you can do?" asked Buffy as the General sighed and told her that all they've been able to do is warn their allies; everyone from the Asgard, to the Tollan were on the lookout for the Colony.
"But, like I said" replied the General as he looked at the two young women, "we need to make sure who did this."
The two women nodded their heads before the General got off his chair and then led them down hallways to one of the infirmaries where he knew that Camille, the girl who had come through the gate earlier was sitting on the infirmary bed. The General knocked on the glass pane room get the attention of Dr. Lam, who was checking on the girl's vitals while a tray of untouched food sat on the side table next to the bed.
Dr. Lam looked back at the General through the Panel of glass and nodded her head. She then looked at Camille who still had one hand wrapped around the crystal that was hanging around her neck while she continued to look down at the bed sheets.
"I'll be right back" said Dr. Lam gently, "if you need anything, anything at all... Then just press the red button."
Dr. Lam then gently placed a call button next to Camille, telling the girl that all she had to do was press the button to call for her.
"I'll come right back once you call" said Dr. Lam.
The doctor frowned when the girl didn't look at her, or acknowledge her. She then patted the girl on the back before she headed to the door, opened it and then stepped out into the hallway where General Landry told her that he asked Tara to help break through to Camille. Dr. Lam told Tara, while Buffy looked at the despondent girl through the glass pane as she sat in complete silence while occasionally wiping her eyes while looking at the bed sheets, that she hadn't eaten anything since coming through the Stargate; that she hadn't talked to anyone following her being brought to the infirmary, and that she hadn't drank anything. She also told them that she hadn't even given them her name, at least not yet.
"I have an IV going through her to keep her hydrated" said Dr. Lam, "but if this continues then I'll have to put in a..."
"I'll talk to her" said Tara as she looked at the little girl through the glass panel at the top half of the door. Tara knew what the doctor was going to say, that if Camille didn't eat anything… then she'd have to give her some thing intravenously. Taking a deep breath, Tara gently opened the door and then walked into the room before closing the door behind her. As she was walking towards the bed with a smile on her face, Buffy turned to General Landry and Dr. Lam telling them that Tara wasn't just a powerful witch, she also had an ability to make people feel calm and safe around her. The blonde Slayer then looked through the panel, with the General and Dr. Lam while Tara grabbed a seat and placed it near Camille's bed.
"Hi" said Tara as she sat dawn and looked at the young girl, "my name's Tara. I… I'm just here to talk to you. I mean if you want to… actually, I don't know if you can hear me and…"
Tara stood up again with a smile and then sat in front of Camille, and lowered her head slightly until she was meeting the young girl's eyes. The blonde could see intense pain in Camille's eyes, and Tara immediately knew that the General was right…. Camille had seen things that no young child should see. Tara could sense, and see, the girl's sorrow mixed with anger, just flowing around her. Not wanting the colours of Camille's aura to distract her, the blonde witch then reached towards Camille's left ear.
"You know" said Tara as Camille just looked into Tara's eyes, "maybe you couldn't hear because you had this in your ear."
Tara smiled when Camille shifted her eyes in surprise as the blonde witch held a quarter coin between two fingers. She then placed the coin on the palm of her own hand, and then reached for Camille's other free hand and took it gently into hers. Tara then brushed Camille's fingers against the surface of the coin before the witch smiled.
"How about I make a deal with you" said Tara smirking at the little girl before she looked at the coin that was in the palm of her hand, "if I can make this vanish into thin air, you at least have the…."
Tara looked at the tray on the bedside table before looking at Camille once again; who was looking at the witch with her eyebrows narrowed… but still didn't make a sound.
"You have the pie" said Tara with an eyebrow raised, "just the pie. Then if you like how sweet it is, we'll get you another?"
Camille looked at Tara and then looked at the coin, before looking at Tara again.
"Follow the coin" said Tara as she looked at the quarter in the palm her hand. Tara then flipped the coin into the air, as Camille raised her head and followed the trajectory of the coin as it was coming down. Camille then saw Tara grab it out of mid-air before the blonde witch slammed the hand that she had grabbed the coin with onto the top of her other hand before holding out both her hands, which were now made into fists towards the young girl, "so, which hand has the coin?"
Camille just looked at Tara, and then looked at the two closed fists, before looking at Tara again. The blonde witch nodded at both of her hands, and then smiled at Camille. The young girl then reached out with one hand, while the other one was still holding on to that crystal that her brother had given her, and tapped the top of Tara's left fist; the one that Camille saw Tara use to catch the coin.
However, Camille's eyes widened when the coin wasn't on that hand. She the tapped on Tara's other hand, and gasped when the coin wasn't there either. Camille then looked at Tara with her eyes wide open as Tara reached towards the little girl's right ear, before she pulled back her hand with the quarter coin between two of her fingers.
"H…. How?" asked Camille as she looked at the coin, and then at Tara, and then checked both of her ears for anymore coins before she looked at the coin again, "that is… that is a trick? But.. but how have you…"
"Uh uh" said Tara shaking her head with a smile, "number one rule is that one never reveals the trick, on this world.. we call it magic."
"I… I…" said Camille as she looked at Tara, "what is magic?"
"They're tricks that are done to amaze children" smiled Tara as she got up off the bed with Camille eyeing her at all times before she returned with a small plate that had the slice of apple pie, "how about I show you more? But only after you eat."
Camille gave a wide smile as she nodded her head at Tara who took the plastic wrap off the pie before handing the little girl the slice. Tara then looked at the crystal that the little girl had finally let go off as she ate the pie with small bites. The witch looked over her shoulder and nodded at the three people watching her through the glass pane while Buffy asked though motioning her fingers if they could come into the infirmary. Tara shook her head before looking at Camille once again, and then at Buffy and the others. Tara signed to them that she needed some time alone with the girl, and that it would be better if they waited for a little while longer.
The blonde Slayer then nodded her head before she turned and told General Landry and Dr. Lam that Tara needed a little more time.
"At least she's eating something" said Dr. Lam as she looked at the girl through the glass pane again.
"Told you that Tara would be able to get through to her" said Buffy as she watched the blonde witch who was sitting across from Camille who had just finished eating the pie, and placed the plate on the bed.
"Dr. Lam said that you haven't spoken since you came here" said Tara gently while Camille looked at her, "you have a beautiful voice."
Camille just looked back down at the bed and fiddled with her crystal again.
"Can you tell me you name?" asked Tara gently, "you're safe here. The people here are worried about you, since you haven't eaten or drank anything. But at least you've eaten the pie. Did you know that this pie is the favourite on this planet?"
Camille then looked up at Tara and shook her head slowly.
"Did you like it?" asked Tara as Camille looked away again before nodding her head.
Tara then looked at Buffy and the others while pointing her fingers at the plate, and with her other hand telling them that Camille wanted two more plates. After Dr. Lam nodded her head, Tara looked back at Camille and told the young girl that they were bringing two more plates for her.
Camille then looked back up at Tara and gave a small smiled while holding on to the crystal while once of her hands.
"That's a beautiful crystal" said Tara as she recalled talking a look at it while Camille was eating. Camille then looked at the crystal in her hand before looking at Tara again and nodding her head, "was it a present?"
"Bro…. brother" said Camille as she wiped her eyes before she looked at the crystal again.
Tara could see anguish in Camille's aura as she sat closer to her. She remembered what teh General had said about there being no survivors on the planet that the girl had come from, and Tara suspected that teh General was right in saying that the girl had witnessed something; probably the nuclear bombs that dropped on her world.
"In my world" said Tara as she gently reached out and held onto Camille's hands, "there are stories about how crystals can hold the souls of those we love. It holds that souls of those who passed so that they could continue to watch over us."
She saw a teardrop fall from Camille's closed eyes onto the bed sheet before the blonde witch gently rubbed the little girl's hair with her other hand..
"If your brother gave you that crystal" said Tara as she looked at Camille, "then… then he's with you now. He's watching over you and keeping you safe. That's why you came here and…"
"Woman" said Camille softly, "woman send… me… here."
"Can you tell me about her?" asked Tara gently as she got a juice pack and then stabbed a straw through it and handed it to the little girl, "this woman?"
Camille just looked at the pack and then at Tara who quickly took a sip and smiled at her before handing it back to the child.
"It's good" said Tara as Camille reached out with one hand and took the pack before taking a sip, it's good, right?"
Camille just nodded her head as she took another sip and looked at a smiling Tara before she looked away again. Every time she looked up at the witch, Camille could see the ghosts of her brother, her baby sister, and her parents looking back at her with sorrow on their faces standing behind the blonde witch.
"How about you tell me about your family?" asked Tara gently as Camille looked up at her, "I know… I know it's hard. I lost my mother when I was young, and.. and my father, brother, and cousin didn't care about me. MY mother was my whole world, she kept me safe so after she died… I was all alone in the world."
"They… they took my parents away" said Camille as she put the box on the bed and dropped both her hands on her knees while she sat down cross-legged on the bed, "my… my brother Co.. Coren, he… he… tried… tried…"
"Come here" said Tara as she got closer to the little girl and put her arms around the little girl before picking her up and then putting her small frame on her own lap. Tara could feel that the little girl was trembling as she lay her head on the blonde witch's chest and she started to cry. Tara could hear Camille's gasps as she lay her head on top of the little girl's while still holding on to her. She saw General Landry and Buffy looking through the glass pane while she shook her head at them, silently telling them that she wasn't ready to talk. Tara looked back down and lay her cheek on the little girl's head while her body trembled as she continued to cry; and it was that that made Tara wonder is she was doing the right thing, that maybe there was something that she could have done differently. However, it was then that the girl started to speak again, albeit between gasps of air while laying her head on Tara's chest.
"He… he told me to hide" said Camille, "he took… took me away from the metal men… men who… who started shooting at… at everyone… and…"
"Metal men?" asked Tara who felt Camille nod her head. The witch then looked up at the pane and saw that there wasn't anyone standing there, 'they probably want to give us some privacy… but… but the Cylons did this… goddess all those people.'
"They… they came" said Camille as she shuddered and Tara tightened her grip slightly, ensuring that the little girl felt safe, "the metal men, and.. and some people… Coren put.. put his hands over my eyes and I heard thunder… I smelled something burning. Then.. then he lifted me up and ran but… but I saw… I saw…"
Tara kissed the top of the little girl's head as she swayed to and fro with Camille in her arms whole she sobbed again. It was a few seconds later that Camille wiped her tears and told Tara that she saw people get shot, and then fall onto the ground which was already red.
"Coren hid me" said the girl softly, "he… he then ran to distract the metal men away from me. And… and he never came back. I…. I.. wait… waited… and, and he never came back."
"I'm so sorry, sweetie" said Tara as Camille took is a deep breath and wiped her eyes again.
"He.. he gave me this before he ran" said Camille who had the crystal in the palm of her hand as she looked up at Tara, "he said he will come back and…. and I waited. I… I heard a shout. I heard Coren shout for me and…. and I came out of hiding."
Tara wiped the girl's tears before she looked away and told Tara that Coren's voice led her back to the village. That the first thing she saw were the bodies of her mother and her baby sister. It was then that Camille looked back at Tara again with eyes red and tears flowing again before the witch pulled the little girl in again. While Camille was crying once more, Tara heard a soft knock from the door. She then looked up and saw Dr. Lam outside, shaking her head… Tara indicated to the doctor that she'd like to talk to Camille by herself for a little while longer.
Dr. Lam nodded her head before she stepped back and waited with Buffy and General Landry, while Tara rubbed Camille's back gently.
"They.. they were bloody and pale" said Camille after a few minutes while she looked up at Tara again, "I… I ran through the village and… and everybody was dead. My father was dead, my friends, my… my cousins and… and then I saw a flashing light. It.. it was coming from the… the site of the Great Ring and… and I ran. I.. I thought maybe Coren was there but… but he was not. I screamed fro Coren… I screamed for him but…. but… I turned and I saw an explosion. I saw something fall from the sky. I… I felt a wind and I looked at the lights on the… the... I… I pressed the bottoms and… and the blue pool appeared. I heard my brother's voice and.. and I turn and saw him. He was there… but he glowed and became a woman, and she told me to run. Before…. Before I went through the pool… I… I saw a bright light and… and then I found myself here."
Camille wiped her eyes as she lay her head on Tara's chest while the witch held her close.
"I am so sorry" said Tara as she looked down at Camille, "everything that happened…. I…"
"Camille"
"Huh?" asked Tara.
"M… my name is Camille"
Tara smiled at the little girl before telling her that it was a lovely name.
"My… my village" said Camille as she wiped her nose before she coughed, "it.. it is gone? The nearby villages? I have uncles and…"
"My friends here have been to your world, Camille" said Tara as she shook her head, "your family and friends have gone to a better place."
"I…" said Camille as tears formed in her eyes again as she looked down.
"Your brother saved you, Camille" said Tara as she pointed at the crystal before her eyes widened as she had an idea, an idea that she hoped would make the young girl on her lap smile… even just a little bit. Tara leaned down and looked at Camille in the eyes before telling the little girl her plan, "I told you that crystals can contain the souls of those you love, remember?"
"Yes" said Camille as she looked at Tara.
"This universe is full of magic" said Tara gently as she looked at Camille who looked back at her in surprise, "there is no way to bring back someone who's passed with magic, but there is a way to hold their memories in a crystal. Camille, your brother saved you out of love… you love your parents, and your sister; they'll always be with you."
Tara then gently took Camille's hand and placed the crystal that was attached to the necklace on the palm of the little girl's left hand. The witch then placed her right hand over the crystal while she looked at Camille.
"I want you to think of your parents" said Tara, "what was your sister's name?"
"Satien" said Camille softly.
"I want you to remember your parents, Coren, Satien" said Tara as she looked at Camille and smiled, "remember how they were, remember how much they loved you and how much you love them. Remember the happy times you've had together."
"I… I do" said Camille as she wiped a tear.
"Now I want you to close your eyes" said Tara, "close your eyes and just think of them. Put everything you remember and imagine it going into the crystal."
Camille didn't know what was going on, but she nodded her head and closed her eyes. She imagined herself fishing with Coren, she imagined carrying Satien to and from the house to the village market with her mother next to her. She remembered her father travelling to the nearby villages to conduct business. Camille remembered their happy times together. It wasn't long before she felt a wind brush past her cheeks, and then through her hair; she then felt the crystal warm up as she opened one eye slightly and saw Tara with her eyes closed as she was mumbling in a strange language. She then closed her eyes again, certain that he woman in front of her was just trying to make her feel better… not that she wasn't thankful for the effort, but Camille knew that her family was long gone.
She could feel it in her heart.
Camille, after a few minutes, then felt that the wind was not blowing anymore and the crystal in her hand had cooled down. She then heard Tara ask her to open her eyes.
"You opened one eye, didn't you?" smirked Tara as Camille looked at her with both eyes wide open in surprise before the witch leaned down, and whispered, "so did I."
Camille couldn't help but smile at the blonde who then took her hand away from the top of Camille's hand that was holding the crystal. The little girl looked at the crystal but didn't notice anything different about it, even though just a little while ago it was warm in her hand.
"I want you to concentrate on the crystal with all your heart" said Tara as Camille looked at the crystal, "and then whisper, 'manifest'."
"Manifest" said Camille as the crystal started to glow light blue. The glow latest for a few seconds before it faded, and then, to Camille's surprise, there was an image of Coren that was standing on top of the crystal. Camille's eyes started to tear up as the young man crouched down as an image of herself carrying Satien in her arms walked towards Coren. Camille wiped the tears falling from her eyes as the image shifted to show her parents with their arms across each other's shoulders as they were waving at her before the image shifted again to a laughing Satien.
Tara saw Camille give a wide smile while tears fell from her eyes when Satien threw up on her father while her mother had to rush to get something to clear up the mess. The witch then wiped the eyes away from the young girl's cheeks before Camille looked up at her as the images vanished.
"I…. I…."
"I have one too" said Tara, "it has my memories of my mother. Sometimes, when I'm down or… or lonely, and I don't want to imagine… I put the crystal in my hand and I see my mother. I see her when she was carrying me, or when we go to the lake… there is one time that.. that we were at a lake, and I was picking a flower. I was smelling the flower and my mother took a picture. That picture my father threw away but… but it's in my memory. And when I miss my mother so much that… that it hurts in my chest? I pick up the crystal and I see that day. You have the memories of your family in your heart, Camille. What happened to me is nothing like what happened to you… and… and I just wanted to give you a way to… to…"
"Thank you" said Camille as she wiped her eyes again, "thank you."
"If you want to see them" said Tara, "put the crystal in your hand, and say those words. The crystal is tuned to your voice… and… and it will always come back to you. In the meantime, your family will always be right by your heart."
"You… you know… know magic?" asked Camille as she wiped her eyes and looked at Tara.
"I don't like using it" said Tara gently, "I saw how much you were hurting, and… and I wanted to help you."
"Thank you" said Camille softly as she looked at the crystal again before she gently placed it on her chest.
"Camille" said Tara, "some friends of mine would like to talk to you, they just want to know if you're ok. Can they come in?"
"Will you stay?" asked Camille as she looked at Tara who was holding onto her.
"If you want me to stay" said Tara.
"Yes" replied Camille, "stay."
"Then I'll stay, Camille" said Tara as she smiled at the young girl.
New Kobol, 2105 hours.
Willow and Faith were at the entrance of the tent where President Hayes, Woolsey and General O'Neill were still talking to Roslin, Commander Adama, and the others. As she and Faith walked in, she noticed Commander Adama looking at her again.
Smiling, Willow nodded her head at the Commander before she looked at the delegation from Earth and nodded her head at them. She then leaned forward and told the President, Dr. Burke, General O'Neill and Woolsey that she did a quick scan of the area and so far everyone was still going about their way calmly.
"As calm as you could get from what happened" said Willow.
"I'm guessing that they're still in shock" said Faith.
"And this Triana person?" asked Woolsey.
"Carried to the Beta site" said Faith nodding her head.
"We're almost done here" said the President, "we've heard what that Talia person had to say, especially about this Admiral Cain person getting advanced technology from the Ori, including possible energy weapons."
While the President continued to talk, Faith noticed that Roslin, Commander Adama, the Vice-President were talking amongst themselves whole Helo was listening in. She then glanced at Baltar who was smug faced and looking at her and Willow. However, when he found that Faith was looking back at him, Balter smirked before looking away… and then listened in to what Roslin was saying.
An Faith didn't need Willow's empathic abilities to know that Roslin and the others despised him. She could just tell from their looks at him when he tried to interject himself into the conversation they were having. Faith then looked at President Hayes again who had just finished talking before General O'Neill told them that they were waiting on news from the recon being carried out on Caprica as they spoke.
"They should be done in another few hours" said General O'Neill.
"If it's true that the Ori helped them to advance their energy weapons?" asked Faith, "I mean from what you said about that Talia chick saying that they were doing some experiments before the Cylons attacked… what if the Ori helped them finish that experiment?"
"Then we'll have to consider giving them the Ancient weapons system" said Woolsey.
"But…." said Willow when General O'Neill interrupted her.
"Tomorrow, I want you and Carter to lead the teams that'll be looking at their power generation, engineering schematics… everything to do with the technical details of the ship" said General O'Neill, "at the same time, I want you to figure out a way to hand them the Ancient weapons system that would be… how would I say it…. Scaled back."
"We're working on the Mark Two version of the weapons for greater efficiency, sir" said Willow scratching her head, "but that's gonna be another six months before it's ready. And in the meantime, the Colonials will…"
"Have the same weapons as us" said the President, "I agree. But like you said Major, we've nearly completed development of the Mark Two version. They'll have the older version of Ancient technology, which is still more powerful than what the Goa'uld, or the Lucien Alliance have. It'll also give them a shot in joining the fight against the Ori, particularly against Admiral Cain."
"Didn't the Asgard give us their old Hyperdrive technology?" asked Dr. Burke, "I mean the first model that went into the Prometheus after her refit… I mean I've heard about the one from the Al'Kesh that caused problems… and then the Asgard installed one of their own. But wasn't it an older model?"
"It was still faster than the Goa'uld" said General O'Neill.
"Just saying, sirs.. and ma'am" said Willow, "what we could be offering them can't be scaled back. The Mark One is already scaled back and… I mean the Avalon and Excalibur could hold its own, and once the Odyssey and the Daedalus sees action with the weapons then I'm sure they'd do better against the Ori ships since their Naquadria reactors are bigger.."
"You're off track, Red" said Faith.
"Sorry" said Willow shaking her head before looking at the General, "what I'm saying, sir, is that they'll have the same tech as ours."
"Nothing's set in stone, yet" said the President, "I say we find out what the reconnaissance is on Caprica in regards to Admiral Cain's capabilities. And then we make a decision. In the meantime Major, we'll have to imagine the worst scenario."
"I have another idea, sirs" said Willow, "but I'll need some time to think if it could work."
"Alright" said the President, "talk over it with Colonel Carter when she gets back. In the meantime, we wait for the report from our reconnaissance."
Willow and Faith nodded their head before the President and the others started talk with Roslin and the Colonials again. The talks would last another two hour before they had something basic down, with Woolsey and his team of diplomats taking care of the finer details. In the meantime, the rest of SG-1 returned; which was when Willow and Colonel Carter had gotten together once the President was being kept safe in one of the floors of the tower, which was kept vacated and protected by the Secret Service agents and Colonel Davis' team, which included Jon, Hailey and a few others. The plan was that SG-13 would guard the President while SG-1 took a break and rested while the other teams provided security for the camp along with the Colonial Marines, at least until the Colonials had some kind of a civilian police set up; which was one of the issues tackled during the meeting. The Vice-President suggested that a proper force, with training, could be set up in a year and Helo, along with Commander Adama, said that the military could train these new officers.
In the meantime, SG-1 had gotten together and sat around a fire that Willow had started. The night's on New Kobol were cool, so they appreciated the warmth as the team sat on the grass around the fire, and prepared mentally for their shift in four hours to protect the President while SG-13 then takes a break.
The Bronze, Warehouse District, Sunnydale, 2300 hours.
Kathy had been to many cities in Europe, and then to China, which was the last place that she had seen Angel before losing his tracks during the Boxer Rebellion. After losing his tracks, she then moved around the country learning what she could, including martial arts… after which she'd feed on her teachers, killing them. It had been many years later that she heard a rumour from someone in Hong Kong that someone like her had threatened him, that he would feed on him if he didn't help the man board the ship that was heading to the new world, to the United States. It was then that she made the same deal with the man to smuggle her on the ship, however… unlike Angel, Kathy then pulled the man in and drank hi dry before throwing him into the waters below before skulking back into the cargo area. She then made her way to the decks of the passenger ship where she used her abilities to share rooms with several of the passengers. Many of whom would disappear over the voyage to the United States. Kathy remembered standing on the deck of the ship, feeling the sea breeze going through her hair after the death of her latest target as she looked out at the lights of the United States in the distance.
"I'm coming, Liam" said Kathy to herself, "I'm coming brother."
Back in the present, she sat in the corner at a small table just looking at the crowds of people around her… she was reminded how she missed the smaller gatherings in Paris, London, Prague. She missed the experience of having a stimulating conversation with either men or women before she'd taken them out and the bite into them, and killed them.
She had seen the news reports of her handiwork earlier that day after she entered a bar, and it was being billed as the work of ritualistic serial killers; that the Sunnydale Police Department had made it a priority to find who was responsible and bring them to justice. Kathy had seen the female detective identified as Kate Lockley speak to the gathered press outside the Rearwood residence after she had walked away; and Kathy smiled when she saw her brother standing in the doorway, and looking at the detective before he looked away and went back into the house.
Back in the Bronze, Kathy listened to the thumping music all around her and then closed her eyes and imagined a quieter time. She was back at home in a blue dress running to her brother who had just come back drunk. Kathy looked up at Liam who looked down at her and smiled before she pulled the young man's hand and brought him to a chair to take a seat. At that time, her mother walked into the room while Kathy was giving him a cup of water, the older woman sighing at seeing her son the way he was at that time.
"Liam" said the younger Kathy as she smiled at her brother while giving him the cup, "drink."
"I'll have you something to eat" said their mother as she stopped something form a large pot before telling Kathy to get Liam a piece of bread.
Kathy remembered Liam ruffling her hair before she laughed and then ran to a spot near the brick oven. She was about to grab a piece of bread when she heard her father's booming voice. She turned and saw her father stride in while pointing at Liam and telling him that he was a disgrace to them all. That he heard what Liam had done in town and he was bringing shame on all of them.
That memory faded as soon as a couple who was drunk hit Kathy's table and she snapped her head at the young man, and woman, and glared at them.
"Jimmy" said the brunette young woman as the young man started to kiss her neck, completely oblivious to the glare that the two of them were getting from Kathy. The girl, however, saw Kathy and she quickly apologized to the blonde before gently pushing Jimmy off of her. She then grabbed his hand and laughed before pulling him back to the dance floor where many others were dancing.
Kathy looked at them running back towards the dance floor and then took a sip of the drink she bought with the money that she had stolen from the Rearwood residence. She was still wearing the clothes she took from the Rearwood home, only this lime she had the hood back while she looked around.
'The things that these people call music' thought Kathy to herself.
She then closed her eyes and tried to drown out the noise, before having another memory flash.
Kathy remembered being groggy, and was able to see only shapes through her open eyes. Dark shapes that were moving around, and points of light in various places… but she couldn't tell what was what. All she remembered was her brother had bitten her. And then she felt cold.
"You are awake" said a deep, threatening, and angry voice. Kathy could see the dark shape coming towards her, and she could also see another shape right behind the man the voice belonged to. She recognized that voice, but she felt as if she couldn't think… she felt as if her brain wasn't working.
She then felt a slap across her face that made her cry out in pain.
Kathy then felt another slap, along with what seemed like an object hitting her on the other side of her face that made her cry out even more.
"Please" shouted Kathy as she cried, tears falling from her eyes.. eyes which still hadn't cleared up as she was giving another slap, "please… stop."
"You… your brother…. You killed them all!" shouted the man again as she slapped Kathy once more.
"Please.. stop" said Kathy while she sobbed, "please…"
"A spell made it clear that it started in your household" said the Man as Kathy felt a hand grip her young face tightly and then forcefully lift it up while Kathy whined in pain, "the demon came from your home! It was your brother… your no good brother, was it not?"
"It wasn't his fault" said Kathy as she cried as she man released her face and she was slapped again.
"Please" cried the twelve year old girl as she looked at the fuzzy shape in front of her, "please help him… please.."
"He mutilated your family" said the man, rage evident n his voice, "then he murdered the village. He murdered my family!"
Kathy felt another slap from the man, along with the feeling of blood flowing down her cheeks. All she could do was cry, that's all she wanted to do as she remembered her brother.
"My son" said the man as he slapped Kathy again, "his wife, his two boys, his daughter, my… my wife… all of them are dead because of your cursed family!"
Kathy cried while he continued to slap her when she heard a female voice near them telling the man to stop.
"I sold my soul to bring back yours" hissed the man as he grabbed Kathy's face tightly, however the little girl still couldn't see clearly, "now you will pay for all time. You will pay!"
Kathy opened her eyes and found herself back at the Bronze and shook her head. She drank what little remained of the drink before she looked at the dance floor. She pushed the rest of that memory back into her mind as she stood up after making eye contact with that young man, Jimmy, who was dancing with that same brunette girl. Kathy watched the young man just looking back at her while the girl was grinding up against him. Smiling, the vampire walked towards the young man just as the girl noticed that Jimmy was just standing there transfixed. Turning around, the girl told the dark haired man in the jeans and red shirt what he was looking at.
"At me" said Kathy who had to speak loudly due to the loud music that was booming out from the speakers. The girl then turned around and glared at Kathy before she pushed the vampire away.
"Get away from him" said the young woman as Kathy smiled and walked towards her again.
"I like feisty" said Kathy as the young woman raised her eyebrows at the blonde, "you are important to him?"
"That's my boyfriend" said the woman, "so get the hell away."
"Anger" said Kathy with a smile as she walked towards the woman, "it makes the blood spicy."
"Nut job" said the Young woman who had already turned around and was about to pull away Jimmy when Kathy grabbed the young woman's arm, turned her around and then pulled her in closer before whispering into her ear.
"You scream, I will kill you right now" said Kathy as she looked back at Jimmy who was just standing there, unmoving. Kathy held on to the side of the young woman's head before she whispered once again, "what the hell, I'm hungry. I'll kill you anyway."
Before the young woman could make a sound, Kathy's closed her eyes and extended her fangs before biting down on her neck. The young woman grabbed the back of Kathy's head trying pull her away, but she was unsuccessful. The other people dancing around them thought that the young woman was just enjoying being kissed in the neck by Kathy while Jimmy watched. In fact, a few of them patted the young man on the shoulder telling him that he was going to have fun with two girls.
None of them noticed Jimmy's eyes filling with tears.
Retracting her fangs so as not to attract any unnecessary attention, and making her eyes go back to their normal colour before opening them again, Kathy licked the two bite marks and then swallowed the remaining drops of blood. She then looked at Jimmy and ordered him to take his girlfriend to the back alley.
"Whoa, lucky dude" said a drunk young man who patted Jimmy on the shoulder while he put his dead girlfriend's arm around his shoulder, with Kathy draping the young woman's other arm over her shoulder. The both of them then walked towards the back door, with everyone else being none the wiser. Once outside in the empty alleyway, Kathy looked up at the lights and mentally blew all their fuses before disconnecting the security camera's. Kathy then ordered Jimmy to walk with her to the large metal trash dump, where they dropped the girl's body next to it. She then looked down at the body, smiled and then turned around towards Jimmy.
"Now" said Kathy as she licked her lips and released her mental hold on Jimmy just as she extended her fangs, her eyes yellowed, and her finger nails sharpened, "run, baby. Give me some sport."
"Help" shouted Jimmy as he ran while Kathy just stood there with a smile. Jimmy ran through the alleyway shouting, but no one could hear him thanks to the noise that was wafting out from inside the building. He knew that he'd have a chance once he went to the front entrance where he could ask the bouncer to call for help. Almost at the end of the alleyway, Jimmy made the mistake of looking behind him.
Everything then happened in slow motion as he saw the girl run after him at inhuman speed. He ran even faster but he could hear a growl behind him like a lion chasing it's prey. But he could already see the lit walkway near the parking lot. Jimmy continued to run, but just before he got out of the alleyway, he felt Kathy grab his arm before she threw him back into the alleyway with unbelievable ease. He fell to the ground with a thud before he rolled to his front and then stumbled back up. His heart jumped when he saw the back door open and a group of four girls walked out into the alleyway.
"Help!" shouted Jimmy as the girls looked at him in shock.
They then screamed as Kathy threw him to one side before she slammed the door shut and then rammed her hand, with nails extended, through the chest of one of the girl's. Kathy then pulled her hand out as the girls screamed and ran before she turned around, and then used her speed to jump over them and block their way.
"I'm hungry" grinned Kathy as she bared her fangs.
The screams of the girls and Jimmy couldn't be heard by the bouncer who was bobbing his head to the loud music coming from inside the Bronze. With the alleyway darkened, it wouldn't be until the next morning that garbage men would find two drained bodies, that of Jimmy and his girlfriend, positioned side by side against a wall; and three other mutilated bodies. Police would later find the naked body of a fourth young woman who was lying on the roof of the bronze with a smile on her face, along with some bloody clothes that were left discarded next to her.
The news would call it the Bronze MAssacre. And it would be at the BPRI where Angel would receive the news about what happened from Detective Lockley, as well as the contents of the message left at the side of the metal trash dump… a message that was written in blood.
Angel, and Cordelia, saw the pictures of the crime scene in their office.
And it was the message that left Angel's face ashen.
"Oh Liam, where art thou."
TBC.