Author Note: Apologies for the long wait. It's been stressful and needed a mental health break. I don't own anything but the parts of the plot and OC characters. Everything Else belongs to its owners. Here is the newest chapter of the story.
It was nighttime at the Bronze, and the Scooby gang was there enjoying Oz's band's last performance of the night. On stage, Oz stared into the audience and smiled at Willow as she sat at the table with Xander and Cordelia. They shared a table due to the busy crowd in the club. As the song ended, the crowd applauded and cheered. Devon took his bows and Oz took off his guitar before setting against the back wall and heading off stage to join the others.
"Oz! Hey! Have a seat..." a smiling Willow said before realizing there were no more seats. "Except, we don't have any seats."
"It's okay. I'll scrunch in," Oz replied as Willow nudged her over her chair while giving Oz some room to sit on the stool before she bumped into Xander and gave him a nervous look.
Xander hurriedly scooted over and nudged hard against Cordelia.
"Xander, why are you giving me a lap dance?" Cordelia questioned.
"What? I like you," Xander responded as he weakly smiled and stroked her arm.
Cordelia pulled her arm away from him before squirming a bit to get comfortable again.
"And that's very beautiful. I think it's great when two people like two people and want to be close to them instead of anyone else," Willow stammered as she nervously smiled.
Oz smiled while he enjoyed it whenever Willow did her cute rambling as Xander spoke up.
"Here, here!" Xander nervously exclaimed.
"Yeah. Well put," Oz voiced before pointing at Willow's cup and asking. "Hey, can I snag a sip?"
"Sure," Willow said as she reached for her cup.
"Yeah, you got it," Xander said as he reached for the cup before their hands touched.
They looked at each other in surprise before jerking their arms back and making a tray of drinks fall behind them. Xander slipped off his stool and tried to catch them, but he was too late and could only look down at the spilled drinks. Around him, the crowd began to applaud his graceful maneuver as he raised his hands in acknowledgement.
"Thank you!" Xander exclaimed as he turned around. "Thank you." He waved as he continued. " Uh, we're here through Saturday. Enjoy the veal." He smiled.
Willow was embarrassed by the movement as she tried to hide her face while Xander got back onto his stool.
"Why are you guys so hyper?" Cordelia asked as Oz reached for Willow's cup and took a sip.
"Hey! Speaking of people and things they do that aren't usual, did anyone notice Aurora and the others acting sort of different?" Willow questioned as Oz grimaced at the drink before setting it back on the table.
"Let's see, uh, killing zombies... uh, torching sewer monsters, and..." Xander listed off before adding. "No, that's pretty much the... their old selves."
"Well, I just mean, you know, they have been off by themselves a lot more except for Halloween and the..." a concerned Willow said before whispering. "Babies. Also, they seemed a little distracted."
"Think Buffy has a new honey and Aurora, Kate, Kyra and Jeremy found new soulmates?" Cordelia suggested as she smiled.
"A boyfriend? New Soulmates? Why wouldn't they tell us?" Willow questioned.
"Excuse me? When your last soulmate killed half the class, and then Buffy's first boyfriend sends you a dump-o-gram? It makes anyone shy," Cordelia responded.
Switch Point of View...
We had gotten to the Bronze and grabbed fall seasonal drinks before sitting down and chatted for a bit before we headed to find the others. Kate spotted them before we heard them talking about us.
"But we're the best of buds. They'd tell us," We heard Xander's voice as we.
"Tell you what?" Buffy and Kate questioned.
"About your new boyfriend or soulmate, who we made up. Unless we didn't?" Willow brought up while she gave us an inquiring look.
"This was a topic of discussion?" I responded as I raised my eyebrows.
"Well, raised, but never discussed," Oz pointed out.
"So, are you dating somebodies or not?" Cordelia questioned.
"I wouldn't use the word 'dating'," Kyra voiced as Andy and Cole walked over. "But we are going out with somebody while the boys have nursery duty stocking duty tonight."
"Really? Who?" Willow asked.
"Yo, what's up?" Faith said as she nudged in between Buffy and me. "Hey, time to motorvate."
"Really, we're just good friends," Buffy said as she put her arm around Faith's shoulders.
We left the club before kissing the boys goodnight and giving them their lists. We headed to the nearest cemetery.
When we got to the cemetery, the vampires rose. We got right into the fight. Buffy and Faith were on their backs with two vampires while Kate, Kyra and I fought from above with ours. I backhanded my attacker while ducking his attempts at an attack before following up with several punches. In the corner of my eye, both Faith and Buffy were able to get away from their attackers while we continued fighting our vampires. Minutes later, we plunged our stakes into our vampires before they exploded into ash.
"Synchronized slaying," Buffy voiced as we high-fived each other before we headed over to Giles.
"New Olympic category?" Fiath suggested.
"Whadaya think?" Kyra asked as Giles lowered his cup of coffee.
"Sloppy," We heard a voice say.
We turned to see a woman coming into view. Her hair was pulled up in a bad hairstyle, and she had a serious look, but I could tell something wasn't right with her.
"You telegraph punches, leave blind sides open, and uh, for school-night slaying, takes too much time," the woman said before asking. "Which one of you is Faith?"
"Depends. Who the hell are you?" Faith asked as Giles looked at us.
"Gwendolyn Post, Mrs. Your new Watcher," Post responded as he turned to Post Woman.
We looked at each other before looking at Giles. We got up and headed to the cars. We drove off to the library with dumbfounded looks on our faces.
When we got to the library, Giles leaned against the stair railing as he cleaned his glasses. Kate, Kyra and I were sitting on the chairs, Buffy sitting on the other side of us while Faith stood at the corner of the table addressing the Post Woman as she looked at Giles's books.
"I'm telling you, I don't need a new Watcher. No offence, lady," Faith voiced as the Post Woman looked at him. "I just have this problem with authority figures. They kinda end up dead." She nodded and took a seat next to Buffy.
"Duly noted, and fortunately, it's not up to you," Post responded as we exchanged looks before asking. "Mr. Giles, where do you keep the rest of your books?" She walked around the table to the upper-level railing and looked at the few stacks above, not aware of the other section of the library.
"I'm sorry," Giles voiced as he slipped his glasses on before asking. "The rest?"
"Yes, the actual library," Post responded as Giles gave her a confused look before she added. "Oh, I see." She thinly smiled.
"I assure you, Mrs. Post, this is the finest occult reference collection..." Giles returned.
"... this side of the Atlantic, I'm sure. Do you have Hume's Paranormal Encyclopedia?" Post interrupted.
We watched as Giles looked away. Kate, Kyra, and I knew his collection was superior, but it wasn't complete.
"The Labyrinth Maps of Malta?" Post questioned.
Kate, Kyra, Buffy and I gave him a hopeful look.
"It's on order," Giles answered.
"Well, I suppose you have Sir Robert Kane's Twilight Compendium?" Post asked.
"Oh! Uh..." Giles said as he looked around. "Yes, I..." He spotted the book. "Yes!" He pulled it out. "Yes, I do." He held it up.
"Of course you do," An unimpressed Post replied before pacing past him. "I have been sent by the council for an important reason. Faith needs a Watcher. I'm to act in that capacity and report back."
I could tell she was lying, and something wasn't right about her.
"Excuse me, Mary Poppins, you don't seem to be listening," Faith voiced as she leaned forward in her chair.
"Faith, if the council feels that you need closer observation, then... we will all, of course, corporate," Giles interrupted as an unhappy Faith leaned against the back of her chair.
"The council wishes me to report on the entire situation here..." Post responded as she turned to Giles and added. "Including you."
I could tell Giles was taken by surprise.
"Mm! Academic probabtion's not so funny today. Huh, Giles?" Buffy sarcastically said as she rolled her eyes.
Giles glared at her while she gave him one right back.
"The fact is... there is talk in the council that you have become a bit too..." Post said as she inhaled before she added. "American."
"Me?" a taken-back Giles replied.
"Him?" Kate, Kyra, Buffy and I voiced.
"A demon named Lagos is coming here to the Hellmouth," Post told us before condescendingly saying. "Mr. Giles, an illustration of Lagos, if you please."
"Oh, uh..." a flustered Giles said before looking at the books on the table. "Yes. Uh..." He sat at the table before he began to look through one of the books.
"Perhaps late," Post replied as I could tell Giles was seething from Post's response.
"Lagos seeks the Glove of Myhnegon. No record of this glove's full power exists, but we know it is dangerous and must not fall into the hands of a demon. Lagos must be stopped," Post added.
"What do you propose?" Giles asked as he folded his hands over his books and looked at her.
"Well, if it's not too radical a suggestion, I thought we might kill him," Post voiced as Giles turned his head and took off his glasses while she continued. "I suggest three Slayers at full strength for a coordinated hunt."
Buffy, Kate, Kyra and I gave Faith a look while Faith stared at Post.
"We believe the glove to be buried in a tomb somewhere, so Lagos will be headed for the cemetery," Post added.
"There is more than on in Sunnydale," Giles pointed out.
"I see. How many?" Post asked.
"Uh, twelve, within the city limits," Giles answered.
"Well, we'll just have to take them one at a time," Post voiced after she had taken a deep breath.
I saw Giles put his glasses back on and began to look through his books again.
"Anything in your books that might pinpoint the exact location of the tomb would be useful, but then, we cannot ask for miracles," Post woman harshly said.
I already didn't like this lady, as I could tell Giles was trying to keep cool.
"We will begin tomorrow at sunset. Faith..." Post stated as Faith was almost startled. "With me, please." She gave Faith a thin smile before walking out of the library.
Faith gave us a glance before following her out.
"That was bracing," Giles said as I watched him finally relax before slapping his glasses on.
"Interesting lady. Can we kill her?" Buffy asked.
"I think the council might frown upon that," Giles said as he lowered his fist, but I could tell he was considering it before he added as he stood up. "Well... How do you feel about a spot of training?"
"We can't tonight. We have to get home," Kate voiced.
"School in the morning. We'll see you tomorrow," Kyra told him.
We headed out the door to the cars before heading home.
When we got home, we separated and headed off to shower. I undressed and showered before getting into my Pjs and walked into the nursery to see Cole asleep in the chair with Persephone in his arms. I quietly took Persephone into my arms and laid her down in her crib before whispering goodnight. I wrote a note for Cole before heading to my room. When I got into my room, I turned on the light before getting into bed, turning it off for the night and going to sleep.
Time Skip
When I woke, I could feel the morning daylight coming through my window as I opened my eyes and pulled back the covers. I got up and got ready for school. I grabbed my bag before heading to the nursery to see Cole getting Persephone dressed for the day.
"Cole, after she's done and fed, take her to Mikaelson Manor," I told him.
"Why? What's wrong?" Cole asked.
"There this woman, I can't remember her name, but I call her Post in my head. Something doesn't feel right with her. I want Persephone safe from her," I responded.
"Okay, I'll take her to Mikaelson Manor before joining you at the university," Cole voiced.
I kissed Persephone's forehead and Cole's cheek before heading downstairs to the kitchen.
When I got downstairs, they were making one of our pre-made breakfasts we had made called Pumpkin French Toast Casserole.
"What do we have to drink today?" I asked.
"Hot chocolate for pregnant women and Coffee for everyone else," Jenna answered.
"Yummy," I said as I grabbed a breakfast plate with today's morning meal on it before being handed a tumbler full of Hot Coco.
I sat down and ate breakfast as the rest joined in, not including Aunt Joyce, who was home.
"Where are we today?" Kate asked.
"According to the schedule, instead of being at the high school. We are at the University for Classes until the late afternoon," Kyra answered.
"Persephone is going to Mikaelson Manor instead of school with Jenna and Giles," I told everyone as Cole fed Persephone.
"Good cause that Post woman doesn't feel right," Buffy reacted.
We went back to eating as someone else brought up a topic.
"So, when is Persephone going to daycare?" Jeremy asked.
"Well, we planned for her to go to daycare in the new year, and the new babies will join her after they've grown in months as they have a baby room," Cole stated.
"Which is good, so they're ready when we go to university," Kate returned.
We went back to eating before heading off to brush our teeth and grab our bags. After everything was ready, we were off to the university for classes.
Time Skip
After classes, Elijah and Persephone picked Cole and me up from the university, and we headed to Angel's. We did our homework, and now Angel and I were doing T'ai Chi in front of the large fireplace while the others watched. Angel was concentrating on the exercises while I mirrored him. I glanced at Angel's elegant movements before re-starting the workout. I could feel Angel behind me as his hands pulled my arms down and around me. I slowly turned around and faced him, but before long, our lips touched before Persephone started to cry.
"We gotta go. Big night for us Slayer types. Persephone, Elijah and Cole will stay here with you," I told him as Angel turned away in confusion on why I stopped the kiss. "People to see, demons to kill." I grabbed my college bag and started to leave. "Better hurry before someone finds out you're alive and what we're doing before you're ready."
"What are we doing?" Angel asked as he pulled on his shirt.
"Training and kissing," I said as I stopped and turned around.
Angel stepped towards me as he buttoned his top.
"Sorry. It's just... I'm worried about the others finding out before you're ready and their reactions because of what happened," I added.
"I know, it's hard," Angel voiced.
"It's not only hard, but it's worrying what they could do to you with another Slayer in town," I told him.
We looked at each other for a long moment.
"You have to go. I'm assuming," Angel responded.
"I really do," I returned before adding. "Well, I'm going out there and killing a Lagos, whatever that is."
"Lagos?" Angel questioned.
"Some demon that's looking for an all-powerful object," I answered as Angel sat down. "And we've gotta stop him before he unleashes unholy havoc." I saw a worried look on Elijah, Cole and Angel's faces. "And it's another night in Sunnydale."
"Be careful," Angel voiced.
"I will," I responded before kissing him goodbye.
I left the manor before heading home for a quick dinner and a change of clothes.
Switch point of view
Across town... In the school library, Giles sat at the large table reading through a book with a dozen other volumes surrounding him. Willow stood behind the railing with so many books while Xander stood at the end of the table.
"Oh, this is intolerable," Giles voiced as he looked up and slammed the book shut before continuing. "There's not a word here about Lagos or the glove." He stood up. "We don't have the time for this..." He dropped the book in frustration. "near-missing." He turned to Willow and Xander. "Just find out all you can about the demon, its-its-its strengths, i-its weaknesses," He began to pace. "Its paces of origins," He stopped and yanked off his glasses. "...and most importantly..." He pointed at Xander with his glasses. "What it plans to do with blasted glove."
"Hey, you're not the Watcher of me," Xander voiced as he gave Giles an annoyed smile.
"Then go home. But if you choose to stay, then work," Giles told him as he frustratedly tracked into his office.
Xander stared after him before starting up the stairs to the upper level for more research.
"Ugh... It's late. I'm tired. What does he want from us, anyway?" Willow complained as she met up with him.
"The number of a qualified surgeon to remove the British flag from his butt?" Xander sarcastically said as they headed into the stacks.
They stopped at a spot where a couple of books were lying open on the floor before sitting down.
"My eyes are all blurry," Willow muttered as Xander took one of them and started looking through it. She leaned forward and rested her head in her hands for a moment, then rubbed her temples with her fingers. "Ohh..." She moaned as she rubbed.
Xander looked at her in concern before he sat his book down and nudged closer to her as he reached to do the rubbing for her. Just as Willow felt his fingers on her temples, she dropped her hands into her lap before letting him continue rubbing her temples while moaning a few times.
"Oh, stop," Willow moaned.
"Right," Xander replied as he continued to rub. "Stop means no..." He continued the motion before realizing it. "And no means no, so, um..." He finally stopped. "Stop." He leaned back away from her as she sat up before he went back to researching.
A moment later, Willow reached for him, grabbed his face and kissed him right on the lips before he responded to the kiss, but not before long, they were interrupted.
"Willow, Xander..." Giles voiced as they stopped kissing and scrambled to their feet. "... you can stop your, uh, studying."
They covered their mouths guiltily, unsure if Giles caught them as he faced the bookcases.
"I've got what I need," Giles voiced as Willow nervously bit her nails.
"What have you got?" Xander asked as he tried to act cool.
"Uh, the probable location of the glove of Myhnegon," Giles stated as he faced them. "It's... uh, housed in the Von Hauptman family crypt."
"Yeah, that's the big one over at Restfield Cemetery," Xander returned.
"Yeah, well, that's great, Giles. Um, how'd you find it?" Willow questioned.
"I looked," Giles answered as he continued reading.
"Where are the girls and Jeremy?" Xander asked.
"Uh, I'm not sure," Giles responded.
"Well, I'll go check out this, uh, crypt," Xander said as he started to leave. "Um, tell them a heads up if they... uh, stop by." He left the library.
"Yes, by all means, go," Giles voiced.
"A-and I'll just keep studying. I think we're on the verge of a big Lagos breakthrough," Willow nervously replied.
"No, I'd say we're done," Giles said as he looked down at his book before leaving the stacks.
Willow sighed in guilt while worrying they were caught before she headed out of the stacks and grabbed her bag while saying goodbye to Giles and leaving the library.
Switch Point of View
Across town, we were patrolling with Faith as we walked along the street while she talked about her old hook-ups.
"Ronnie, deadbeat. Steve, klepto. Kenny... drummer. Eventually, I've had to face, my destiny as a loser magnet. Now, it's strictly get some, get gone. You can't trust guys," Faith voiced.
"You can trust some guys," I told her as Faith gave us a doubtful look.
"Really, we've read about them," Kate responded.
"Yeah. So, what about you?" Faith asked as she laughed.
"You mean like us and guys?" Buffy questioned.
"Mm-hm," Faith asserted.
"Not much to tell these days," Buffy answered.
"Yeah, just our soulmates as usual," Kyra responded.
"Yeah, but you gotta have stories. I mean... I've had my share of losers, but A, you... boinked the undead. What was that like?" Faith stated.
I hope Willow and Xander didn't tell her about Elijah, but I knew she meant Angel.
"Well, life with Angel's... was complicated. It's still kinda hard for me to talk about," I voiced as Angel was one of my soulmates I needed to protect from her and the others.
"Well, try," Faith replied as we stopped walking.
"Look, Faith, all the Angel stuff is still kind of with me, so if you don't mind, I'd rather not," I returned.
"Yeah... Yeah, whatever," Faith said as she shrugged while we looked away. "You know what? We're no for six tonight. Why don't we blow this off?" She suggested.
"Yeah. We're kinda beaten, and we've got college homework," I responded.
"Wait, what about Shady Hill's it's pretty close?" Kyra brought up.
"I'll swing through it. It's on my way anyway," Faith told us.
"Alone? I-I don't know we'd..." Buffy stuttered.
"I got Miss Priss on my back now. I don't need more babysitters. I'll holler if I'm having any fun," Faith replied.
"Okay," I said as I thinly smiled.
"Later," Faith replied as she nodded and started to leave.
"Thanks!" We exclaimed as we watched her go before turning, separating and heading off in our own directions.
Switch Point of view
After Faith separated from the others, she headed for Shady Hills cemetery. When she got there, Faith scanned the graveyard as she went before hearing the lid of a stone coffin slamming to the ground. She jumped back, startled but unhurt, when she saw a warrior demon rummaging through the coffin.
"Son of a bitch. It's my lucky day," Faith muttered before she ran towards him and started fighting.
He hardly budged as he turned to see who disturbed him. While Faith grabbed his arm and whipped him around to face her. She backhanded him in the face before following up with another swing to the face while punching him in the gut and again in the face. Faith pushed away while getting someplace before Roundhouse kicked him in his side. He was unfazed and tired of the interruption as he grabbed her by the neck and threw her high and far away from him. She slammed into the side of a mausoleum and fell to the ground before the demon turned his attention back to the open coffin. Faith scrambled to her feet before she ran at him again. He turned and faced her as he heard her coming before she tried to grab at his neck, but he blocked her arm and did an uppercut to Faith's diaphragm, which made her airborne again. Faith hit the ground while struggling to breathe as the demon ignored her and returned to rummaging through the stone coffin before he threw what was left of the coffin's contents to the ground in disgust. He stomped past Faith while not giving her a second glance. Faith couldn't pursue him, watching him leave before slowly walking away from the cemetery.
In a different cemetery across town, Xander was finding his way through the gravestones nearest to a family crypt. His breathing was heavy and nervous as he spotted the crypt while peaking from behind a bush. He looked around the cemetery while making sure no one was around, before stepping out from behind it. Xander nervously looked around him and made his way toward the crypt.
"Hey, Giles, here's a nifty idea: why don't I alleviate my guilt by going out and getting myself really, really killed?" Xander muttered with sarcasm.
He stopped in his tracks as he heard a noise before hearing the sound of stone grinding against stone from inside a crypt before hiding behind some bushes; a figure came out of the crypt as he pulled the door closed. The person was holding something wrapped in rags as the figure turned back and swung the iron gate closed. Xander rose up a bit as he tried to see the person better. The figure turned, and Xander couldn't believe his eyes as he saw Angel alive and back. Xander couldn't believe his eyes as Angel walked past and ahead of him. As soon as Angel was far enough away, Xander came out of the bushes, and he pulled his stake out before starting to follow.
An hour later, Xander was at the Manor. He snuck down the stairs into the main gallery before looking into a window. He spotted in his shock Aurora passionately kissing Angel. He shook his head as he headed to find Giles and tell him what he saw.
Switch Point of view...
It's been an hour since Angel returned from an errand. I did my pre-med/high school homework while he was gone as Elijah entertained Persephone. Cole and Sam did their homework as well. Angel pulled me into a passionate kiss before Persephone cried out as the attention wasn't on her anymore.
"Oh, god!" I exclaimed as I heard Persephone cry out.
"Aurora..." Angel said as we turned to Persephone.
"What time is it? I have to get her home for bed," I voiced as I looked at him while Persephone crawled over to Angel before he picked her up.
"I don't know," Angel said as he looked around the room in confusion for a clock.
"God..." I said as I saw the time on my phone before I got everything ready to go home. "I don't know why I came here tonight. I have to study for midterms." I grabbed my jacket as Angel handed Persephone to Elijah before stepping over to help me with my coat.
"It's good you did. I have missed you and Persephone and..." Angel replied as I turned around and looked at him before he continued. "I believe I have what you've been looking for."
He led me over to a pedestal where his errand took him.
"Great..." I said as I saw it was wrapped in rags. "Just, wherever this was gift-wrapped, remind me not to shop there."
He unwrapped the rags before revealing an ancient-looking glove made of leather, chain mail and plate mail. On the back of the hand and forearm were small spikes along the plates covering it. There were ten-hinged claws resembling crab legs made of steel and very sharp around the opening.
"The Glove of Myhnegon," Angel told me.
"The world's ugliest fashion accessory," I replied before I reached out to touch it.
"No, don't," Angel said as he quickly laid his hand on mine to stop me from touching it before telling me. "Once you put it on, the glove can never be removed."
"So... no touching," I responded as he wrapped the glove back up.
"You hold on to it. I'll tell Giles in the morning. At least he'll be happy," I added before getting a vision of the morning.
The others were not happy about something.
I shook my head as the vision disappeared.
"What is it?" Elijah asked.
"I think someone has seen us. I believe... They might know Angel's alive," I answered. "We have to go. Persephone needs some sleep and so do I."
I kissed Angel goodbye before kissing Elijah.
"See you hopefully tomorrow," I said as I grabbed the bags and took Persephone into my arms before Cole shimmered us away.
Switch Point of View...
Across town at Giles's apartment, Giles was researching through a book at his desk as Gwendolyn Post walked over and stood at his side.
"Ah! Yes. There it is," Giles said as he found the sketch of a battle scene with the glove in question before he added. "There's a wood engraving. See?" He sat the book down for her to see. "The Glove of Myhnegon."
"Yes, engraved by Father Theodore of Wolsham," Gwendolyn Post replied as she looked unimpressed.
"Yes," Giles muttered.
"Based, I believe, on very sketchy and unreliable folk legends. The pictures are fun to look at, Mr. Giles, but one really ought to read the nice words as well," Gwendolyn Post voiced.
Giles looked up from the books and stared ahead looking annoyed with Gwendolyn Post.
"Ah," Giles said as the tea kettle began to whistle. "Yes." He stood up and put his hands in his pockets. "Some tea, perhaps?" He strode into the kitchen.
Gwendolyn Post took a few steps to the bar where Giles had two cups set out for tea before sitting on one of the stools.
"I know that you must find me tiresome, but it's insidious, really," Gwendolyn Post voiced as Giles grabbed the kettle from the stove and poured hot water into one of the cups. "A person slips up on the little things, and soon everything has gone to hell in a handbasket." She looked down at her empty cup, took her teabag out of the cup and set it aside.
Giles doesn't say anything about her rejection of his tea as he spots a box filled with her own supply.
"For example... Buffy, one of your Slayers..." Gwendolyn Post started to say.
"Mrs. Post..." Giles interrupted as he struggled to control his voice while pouring her hot water. "I can assure you that Buffy and Aurora are both dedicated and industrious, and I have control of my Slayers."
Suddenly his apartment door whipped open as Xander hurried into the room.
"Giles! We have a big problem," Xander exclaimed before adding. "It's Aurora."
"Will you excuse us?" Giles voiced as he walked stiffly from the kitchen before nodding to Xander to follow him while Gwendolyn Post gave Giles a snooty look.
They went to the far side of the room away from her while talking in whispers as Gwendolyn Post grabbed her own teabag and placed it in her cup to steep.
"Would you like some assistance?" Gwendolyn Post asked as Giles and Xander stopped whispering and looked at her.
"Thank you. That won't be necessary," Giles responded as he thinly smiled at her.
They returned to their conversation while Gwendolyn Post looked at her cup to see how far along her tea was.
Across town at the Slayer House...
Aurora POV
After Cole shimmered us home, Cole did the evening routine while I showered before doing my nightly routine. After I had my nightly routine, I finished my pre-med homework and studied for my exam in one of the classes that I was taking to get ahead of my medical program for doctors. "Say night, night to mommy, Persephone," Cole said as he came into the room with Persephone all ready for bed.
"Night-night my love," I whispered before kissing her goodnight.
Cole left the room with Persephone as I opened my mini fridge and grabbed a prepared snack for some energy. So I could study some more.
I took a bite before going back to studying.
An hour later, I was done studying and went to bed. Cole joined me as I fell asleep.
Time Skip...
It was morning and a new day. I got ready for the day before grabbing my backpack to only get a vision of the gang. I got flashes of anger and disappointment faces before realizing they knew Angel was alive.
"Great," I muttered as I grabbed my backpack and headed downstairs.
When I got downstairs, I headed to the kitchen to see Cole feeding Persephone while Jenna and Kate got breakfast out and ready to eat.
"Morning, all," I said as I sat down.
"What smells so good?" Buffy asked as she came in behind me.
"It's Pumpkin French Toast Casserole," Kyra answered as she set the plates on the table.
"Let's eat," Jeremy voiced as he sat down.
We poured our drinks before getting down and eating. We ate and talked about the day and I told them about my vision and that I saw that they knew Angel was alive.
After we finished breakfast, we filled our travel mugs before heading to school. When we got to school, we walked into the library to see Giles pacing with the gang sitting at the table.
"Lagos is out of luck. We got the magic mitten thingy," Buffy voiced as we saw Giles turn to face us.
We stopped walking as we saw disappointment and glum on their faces.
"What's with all the tragedy masks?" Buffy asked.
"Better take a seat," Giles said as he indicated to the chairs.
Xander got up and nudged one of the chairs before walking over to Cordelia. Buffy walked towards one of the chairs while the rest of us stood. We knew they knew about Angel and I already knew what to say.
"What's going on?" I questioned even though I already knew.
"We know Angel is alive," Giles answered as I pretended to be shocked. "Xander saw you with him and Cole. It would appear that you all have been hiding him and lying to us."
Instead of looking away, we looked straight ahead at them.
"Nobody's here to blame you. But this is serious. You all need help," Willow voiced.
"It's not what you think," Kate stated.
"Hope not. Because I think you're harbouring a vicious killer," Xander responded.
Angel with a soul wasn't a vicious killer. They obviously don't know that Klaus and Kol have bigger kill counts than Angel.
"This isn't about attacking them. Remember, 'I' statements only. 'I feel angry.' 'I feel worried.'" Willow said as she tried to mediate.
"Fine. Here's one. I feel worried..." Cordelia started to say before adding. "About me! Last time around, Angel barely laid a hand on Aurora. He was way more interested in killing her friends."
"He's better now," Kyra told them.
"Better for how long? I mean, did you even think about that?" Xander questioned.
"What is this?" I voiced as Buffy stood before we started to leave. "None of us need an intervention."
"Oh, don't you?" Giles stated. "You must have known it was wrong to him or you wouldn't have hidden it."
"We were going to tell you but we were waiting until he was stronger and better," Elijah told him.
"For what? For Angel to go psycho again the next time you give a happy?" Xander suggested.
"That's not going to happen!" I snapped. "If you had just researched the spell that Ms. Calendar had fixed for Angel. You would have known that the spell had soul-bound Angel's soul to him. It can only be taken by an extremely strong spell..."
"You were seen kissing him," Oz interrupted.
I spotted Willow giving Oz a quick look before looking worried at us. It wasn't before long I realized it was Xander who had seen Angel and me and told on me.
"You were spying on her? What gives you the right?" Jeremy voiced.
"What gives you the right to suck face with your demon lover again?" Cordelia pointed out.
"It was a kiss the moment," I stated.
"What, you just tripped and fell on his lips?" Xander suggested.
"He is one of my soulmates and the new curse is bound to him," I responded.
"Plus, he can't hurt anyone anymore but if we thought the curse wouldn't hold. We would..." Klaus started to say.
"... you would stop him. Like you did last time with Ms. Calendar," Xander interrupted.
We were taken aback by what Xander said and didn't utter a response.
"Guys, I feel that when it comes to Angel, you all can't see straight. And it's why we are going help you face this," Willow nervously said.
"He's better now and he's one of Aurora's soulmates. You should understand this, Willow. You and Oz have the same soul mark and your third could be a vampire, witch or even demon," Finn stated.
"Plus, he, Cole and Elijah are the ones who found the Glove of Myhnegon," Jo told them.
"Right! Great plan. Leave tons of firepower with the Scary Guy, and leave us to clean up the mess," Xander said as he spread his arms before he tried to leave.
"It's also with Elijah who is much older than Angel," Kyra said before adding. "You would just love an excuse to hurt him, wouldn't you?"
"I don't need an excuse. I think lots of dead people actually constitute a reason," Xander replied as he continued to leave the library.
"You think because Angel is deadly without a soul but what about Klaus and Kol who are older and have a bigger kill count than Angel without a soul," Kate yelled at him as he left the library.
"Hello? Mister or Miss Not-Over-Yourselves-Yet?" Cordelia muttered.
"Don't start with us," Jeremy said as he shook his head with a warning look on us while Cordelia looked at Giles for support.
"Giles, no one's doing the 'I' statements!" an upset Willow stated.
"That's enough! Everybody. Now, they know our concerns, and their actions, however, ill-advised, can be understood," Giles announced as Cordelia shook her head. "Our... priority right now is to retrieve the Glove of Myghnegon and try to destroy it. Now, all of you, back to classes."
The rest of the gang gathered their things and left the library before Giles went into his office. We followed him. Buffy went into the office after him while the rest of us stood outside.
"Thanks for the bail in there," Buffy said as Giles unbuttoned his vest.
"I know this is a lot, but Angel, Cole and Elijah did find the glove and that was a good..." I voiced.
"Be quiet," Giles interrupted. "I won't remind you that the fate of the world often lies with the slayer. What would be the point? Nor shall I remind you that you all jeopardized the lives of all that you hold dear by harbouring a known murderer. I know Rebekah and her brothers are older than him and have a bigger count. But sadly, I must remind you that Angel tortured me... for hours... for pleasure. You all should have told me, he was alive. You didn't. You have no respect for me, or the job I perform."
We all averted our eyes in shame before leaving quietly and heading to where we needed to go.
Switch Point of view...
At Faith's motel room across town, there was a knock at the door. With a wooden stake raised and ready for action, Faith glanced over before opening it. She was surprised to see who was on the other side and quickly lowered the stake as Gwendolyn Post entered the room.
"A word of advice? Vampires rarely knock. Especially in daylight," Gwendolyn Post advised her as she closed the door.
"Oh, right," Faith muttered.
"So..." Gwendolyn Post said as she looked around. "This is your home."
"Yeah," Faith replied before adding. "The decorator actually just left."
"Faith, do you know who the Spartans were?" Gwendolyn Post asked her as she leaned against the dresser.
"Wild stab: a bunch of guys from Spart?" Faith responded as she sat on the bed.
"They were the fiercest warriors known to Ancient Greece. And they lived in quarters very much like these. Do you know why?" Gwendolyn Post told her. "Because a true fighter needs nothing else. I'm going to be very hard on you, Faith. I will not brook insolence or laziness. And I will not allow blunders like last night's attack. You will probably hate me a great deal of the time."
"You think?" Faith voiced as she sardonically smiled.
"But I will make you better Slayerr," Gwendolyn Post said as she stepped over to the bed and sat next to Faith. "And that will keep you alive. You have to trust that I am right. God only knows what Mr. Giles has been filling your head with.
"Giles is okay," Faith replied.
"His methods are unfathomable to me. I find him entirely confounding. But that is not important. Let him have his games and secret meetings." Gwendolyn Post voiced as she stood.
"What meetings?" Faith questioned.
"Oh, I don't know. Something with Buffy, Aurora and their friends,"
Gwendolyn Post answered.
"Oh, right. I guess that doesn't include me," Faith replied.
"And why does he let them socialize so much? It hardly seems... No matter. Would like to do some training?" Gwendolyn Post stated.
"Training?" Faith said as she perked up before standing. "As in kicking and punching and stabbing?"
"Yes, that's the idea," Gwendolyn Post replied with a smile.
"I'm your girl," Faith stated as they got up and headed out the door.
Time Skip...
Back across town at the high school...
Switch Point of View
It was the final bell at the school as we walked around the corner and spotted Willow at her locker. I took a breath to calm myself down before we headed over to her.
"Hey," Buffy and Kate said.
"Hey!" Willow replied as she continued gathering her things.
"So on a scale of one to a million, how much are you hating us right now?" I asked.
"Zero. You were scared, you kept a secret, you know?" a jumpy Willow voiced as I could tell her she was trying to hide her emotions. "That's-it-it's okay. I mean, secrets aren't bad. You know, they're normal." She zipped her bag closed before slipping her pack onto her shoulder. "They're better than normal. They're good. Secrets are good. Must be a reason why we keep them, right?" She closed her locker.
"Yeah, I guess," Kyra voiced as we started down the hall.
"So, are you going to the Bronze tonight, or, uh, are you gonna sneak away for a not-so-secret rendezvous with your soulmates?" Willow questioned.
"None of the above. We're gonna try and kill this Lagos guy," Buffy stated.
"Peace offering to Giles," I told her.
"Well, Angel, Cole and Elijah have the glove now, right?" Willow voiced.
"Yep. But Lagos doesn't know that. We figure sooner or later he's bound to show up at that crypt looking for it," Jeremy replied.
"Ah, but instead he finds you all in a not-so-good mood," Willow returned.
"That's our brilliant plan," Kate stated as we headed out of the school.