Darkened



Author: KiMnUs
Email: [email protected]
RATING: This here's a nice PG-13. Yupyup. 
DISCLAIMER: I won't deny Joss and Mutant Enemy and you Kuzui folks own them, and I won't deny 
how bitca-y Fox (Freedom of speech, neener, neener, neener! Can't touch this, mwa!) is but�I will deny
Joss the right to claim this story line as his! 'Cause it's me an' Shasti's. We both wrote it; yes we 
have lots of time on our hands. We're darned proud of it. 
DISTRIBUTION: (Me and lurker Puppiecat's site.) But if you want it on yours, aaaask! Yeah, I copied
that offa my 'Eternity' distribution thing. Shush, I'm allowed to. It's only plagarism if it's not yours.
SPOILERS: Still Earshot, kinda hard to allow any eps to come afterwards when Buff's a vampire. Hehe.
But it's post-Eternity 'cause yeah, series. 
SIDE NOTE: Prologue's done by Puppiecat, and again I say, it's buenisima! 



The small boy delighted in the curious smooshing sound that was made as he flattened the damp pile of
snow-covered leaves on the forest floor. He made a game of it, peeking from behind darkened tree-
trunks, pouncing on imaginary enemies, spinning until the trees spun too. Anything to distract him from
the complete Silence of the forest today. 

There! A sound so slight he wouldn't have heard it if he hadn't been...

A shape, dark and black, melting across the shadows of the tree-trunks. More. He would turn to look 
at one directly, and it would disappear to be replaced by another somewhere else. So he began to 
nervously hum the song his mother had sang that morning and took to walking head forward looking out
of the corners of his eyes at the things with their silent paws and long snouts. Not that he was 
frightened, oh no of course not, he just wanted to see so he could tell his brothers about the monsters
he'd bravely defied. Of course. 

That thought made him choke back his scream as one stepped in front of him, this one fleshed out and
real, too real. The others slunk from the shadows as if following some silent command and there they 
stood, great enormous dogs with bony ribs and hungry fangs and eyes that glittered yellow. 

There was something he was supposed to remember about eyes that burned yellow...

After they'd stared at him forever, they showed their white teeth and turned to melt into the shadows
again, taking with them their soulless eyes. 

And then something above him screamed.

He lifted dark eyes to the tree canopy, and there hovered the whitest owl in perfect flight, silhouetted
against the darkened leaves. Feathers whiter even than the snow at his feet. Silent wings as sheltering 
as an angel's. 

Then she was gone, screaming along the treetops faster than the eye could follow. Chased by ragged 
shadows. Ravens now, cutting the air with sharp wings and harsh voices. 

The boy was stock-still, wide-eyed, frozen with fear for the gentle screaming owl. When he couldn't 
see either white flash or ragged feather, the spell was broken and he ran. Faster, harder, get there, 
help her... 

It took an eternity to find them, the birds diving at their downed quarry, the dogs circling restlessly 
for a chance at her. He couldn't see her, covered with shadows and blackness and the idea filled him 
with such loving rage that he pulled a damp branch from the ground and jumped, flailing and shouting 
and kicking into the mess of shadows until they fled, blinking with those eyes. 

There she lay crumpled and wheezing on her white snow, the brightest of blood flowing onto her 
feathers. 

Then there was a woman standing, brightening the forest, lighting the wood of the trees silver-toned...
Her dress, white as the owl's feathers and her fair golden hair whipped around her in the rising wind...
her eyes caught something unseen..."No�"

The boy shook his head and blinked, unseeing, at the forest, dark again, waiting for his sight to adjust
after the bright vision. His owl faded into view again and he rushed through snow and sodden leaves to
her side, staring at the blood that spilled to the ground... 

Eyes the color of summer sky returned to his face and her beauteous features flooded with emotion as
she called to him� "Angel--"

He blinked down at the stilling form of the owl, telling himself that it must be warm enough to be 
raining now, because the drops that fell to cleanse her feathers were certainly not tears. 

She reached out both hands, held away by something, an invisible barrier--or was it he who was held 
from her? Perfect tears clung to her pale skin, and sobs rocked her tiny frame..."Angel, please..." 

The blood stopped flowing and the owl drew in her ragged final breath as the boy bowed his head in 
grief and loss...her light dimmed and she became flat and dull as the snow...

She screamed as the wind howled like dogs and swept her away, no matter how fast he ran, she flew 
high away... Her shining beauty was replaced by another, also light of hair, but this one had a slow 
ugly glittering of yellow in her eyes and sharpness in her mouth. Her mouth opened and began to ooze 
dark, dead blood down her chin, her jaw, the still veins in her neck...and the shadows danced in glee 
around her... 

Sickened with horror, the boy turned away, towards where his owl had been, where now there was only
a dark stain marring the snow�he had to look down, something was happening to his hands�

Her blood bit acidly, accusingly, until his hands were wounded and gushed with her blood and he 
screamed...

�and screamed... 

And Angel screamed until he awoke. 

Part One

Drusilla drifted down the stairwell to the basement of the old factory. Her fingers were in her mouth,
lapping up any leftover blood from the teen she'd just snatched for a midnight snack. A wee little girl
was directly behind Drusilla, carefully crawling her way down the stairs. 

Buffy looked away from Spike and to Drusilla. "What's this?" 

"Food," Drusilla simply said and turned to sweep the little girl into her arms. "For my Spiky."

Spike perked up. "Really? Let's have a look at her." 

Drusilla added a jittery bounce to her step while moving towards Spike. She held the poor girl 
outstretched from her because of vileness of children, she couldn't contaminate herself you see.

Spike gratefully took the child and examined her neck. "She's so tiny," he commented while vamping 
out.

"Such a shame," Buffy said sullenly and stood up. She was still sulking, intensely disappointed in
herself.  She had her mother right there and she starts to have a conscious. She'd do it now if
she had another chance, but by now the gang probably put barriers up in all their houses�it
wasn't fair� 

"Eh, stop whining already. It's dampening my hunger here," Spike retorted and then viciously tore into 
the girl's throat.

Drusilla smiled happily at Spike and looked to Buffy, growing as concerned as she'd ever allow herself
to be. "Mum?"

"Mum?" Spike repeated while dropping the dead girl's body next to him. He was spitting blood as he 
yelled. "First daddy and -- oh bloody hell! That's sick!" 

Buffy glanced back to Spike, arching a brow. "Chill out, Spike. I'm okay, Dru. Just thinking, I need 
something to spend my time on. Tormenting Angel only has so many kicks."

"Oh quit moping already, I swear you two�obsessing over each other, it's annoying. He had the same 
thoughts about you, " Spike mocked Angel's voice -- "Oh I can't kill her, no, no that'd be bloody 
immoral, it's gotta rhyme!" He shook his head in disgust. "Get over it and slam a damn stake into him 
and be over with it."

"You really have no appreciation for time well spent, do you?" Buffy scowled at him. "I should slam a 
damn stake into you right now, Dru you wouldn't mind�would you?"

"Now, now�" Drusilla went over to Spike, kicking the little body on the floor out of her way so she 
could sit by Spike and hang her arms around him. "You mustn't be so terse, dearest. She only wants to
'ave a time with my Angel�" 

"Fine, fine. If she needs something to occupy her time why doesn't she take someone and have a grand
ol' time about it? Maybe they'll send Angel for a rescue mission and then she can keep 'im for
herself."

Drusilla suddenly brightened with the coming of an idea. "The girl�" 

"What girl?" Spike asked. "Come on, tell me."

Drusilla slid her arms away from Spike and slowly -- at an eerie rate -- ascended the stairwell. Buffy
watched perplexed at what just happened. 

"She's weird."

"Hey!" Spike snapped. 

"What? At least I don't say something that's way out there and leave to go do it!"

"She's only doin' this for you," Spike sulked. "Never would do things to cheer me up."

"Because you're a softy," Buffy grinned.

Spike narrowed his eyes at her. "You best keep your mouth shut *Slayer*." 

"Don't call me that!" Buffy hissed, adding the effect of pretending to lunge at him. 

"You're the embodiment of her, I don't see much of a difference in the personality or face. Maybe 
you�tweaked your appearance but most do, but you never lose what you were."

"Ooh, Spike gets all philosophical, wanna give me a Rorschach test now? See if I'm feeling myself?"

"Very funny, have you even killed anything?" 

"No�that night I took Dru hunting she just killed something for herself." Buffy shrugged and slumped 
down in a nearby chair. "I lost my appetite."

"You even hungry for blood?" 

"At the moment?"

"No, in general."

"Yeah, little bits here and there�what's the point?" 

"Jus' curious," Spike shrugged. "I'm out then," he went over to the table and picked up his duster. 
"Don't wait up."

Buffy rolled her eyes and got up to go sit on the bed. She glanced up, seeing Spike waiting for her to 
say something and got irritated. "Are you leaving, or what?"

"Yeah, later." He shook his head at her and left.

Buffy stared after him in a daze. "I really am screwed up." 

*~*~*~*

"Come here pretty girl�" Drusilla said while entering the library. Willow, Oz, Xander and Giles were 
there (oh yeah, and Wesley too�but we don't care about him). She naturally drew all their attention.

"Why is she here?" Xander asked worriedly. 

"Hello dears," Dru came to a stop by Oz's seat. Oz scooted back, yet retained his placid expression.

"You are?" Oz asked. 

Xander's eyes went wide. "Don't talk to her!"

Oz looked at Xander confusedly. "Why?" 

"She's evil!" He replied getting, for the most part, panicked. 

"Calm down, Xander." Giles said and looked nervously at Drusilla. "You've made a remarkably poor 
choice in coming here, Drusilla, so why?"

"Her," Dru pointed out Willow. "She needs 'er." 

"Who needs me?" Willow questioned with wide eyes. "Nobody needs me, nope�I should stay right here 
being�unneeded. Giles, can't you kill her or something?"

"Ah, calm down." Wesley confidently said. "I believe she's come here on her own accord and has a 
proposal to make."

"No way," Oz spoke, his voice dripping with dry sarcasm.

Drusilla growled to Oz and focused on Willow. "Come 'ere," she lifted her hand up and curled a finger 
back in a "get over here" type gesture, only more subtle. Willow found herself being propelled over to 
Drusilla, not by choice, but by hypnotism.

"Hey!" Xander shouted, jumping out of his chair. 

Now Oz made an expression, an angry bitter one. "What are you doing?" 

Drusilla glanced at Oz who was getting up out of his seat. She shoved him back down and looked to 
where Giles had stood. She found him to be behind her with a cross outstretched, so Drusilla waited 
for Willow to near her. She grabbed hold of Willow's neck and held her still in place, facing Giles. 

"Stay away, she's mine." Drusilla tightened her grip around Willow's throat and forced her forward 
towards the door. Giles stepped aside though never let his cross waver.

"You're just letting her leave!?" Xander boosted himself over the table and chased after Drusilla. As 
he reached her by the door, she whipped back around in vampire face and the intimidation sent him 
tumbling to the floor. 

"Settle down, we won't keep 'er long." Drusilla smiled sweetly and departed with an almost unconscious 
Willow.

Part Two 

"Look what Princess found!" Drusilla squealed as she shoved Willow down the stairs. "She didn't want 
t'come...I 'ad to force 'er..."

Buffy raised her head and locked her gaze on Willow, immediately a smirk warmed to her lips. "How
very thoughtful of you."

Willow by now had tears in her eyes from fright -- she looked around her surroundings, panicked as to
what was going to happen to her. "What do you want with me?"

"Oh come now," Spike's voice boomed as he started down the stairs. "Dru, you didn't bring this just 
for her did you? I want a taste."

Drusilla held him back, shaking her head. "All for her." 

"Can't I have just a li'l bite?" Spike pouted.

Dru hit his wrist, glowering. "We mustn't tamper with Mum's toys. It's hers alone."

"All right, fine. I don't want some now anyway." He raised his head and settled himself down on the 
chair Buffy had been on. "Already had an old bugger few minutes ago, he was just sittin' there 
counting his bills at that cash machine�didn't know what hit him."

"What, he had nothing left in his account?" Buffy said while circling around Willow. "Or was it the 
sudden fright of seeing you when he turned around?" 

Spike faked a laugh. "You'll come around, won't she Dru?" He held his arms out for Drusilla to slip 
around, which she wasted no time in doing so. Though she did berate him.

"Don't taunt the mistress, she keeps it safe�" 

"Keeps what safe, pet?"

"Him," Drusilla replied in a raspy voice as she leaned in to purr in Spike's ear. "Love."

Buffy suppressed a laugh and glided over to Willow who was watching, petrified. "Poor little Willow�" 
She circled behind Willow, running her fingers through her red hair. "Don't you wish this was just a 
dream? That you could wake up tomorrow�sure of seeing another regular Hellmouthian day with me 
abnormal as usual?"

Willow stayed silent as she stared fearfully at Buffy. 

"Oh come on, say something. First we're going to talk, and I'd make it long and tedious. Because when
I'm tired with talking, I get with the chains and daggers and it's not going to be pretty." She broke 
into the sweetest smile. "I get to torture you, and throw you back to your boyfriend broken and 
battered. What a way to end the school year, huh?" 

"Why?" Willow finally blurted out. 

"Could it be the mere fact I have a demon in me that likes pain?" Buffy canted her head to the side 
curiously awaiting a response. 

"No�" She said shakily. "Why are you doing this to me?" 

"Oh that kind of why," Buffy shrugged. "You took the time to be friends with me, I didn't deserve 
that. Not from you anyway�Now Cordelia, she has to go. I mean god, she was horrible to everyone." 

Willow shook her head vigorously. "They'll find me." 

"That would be the plan, mate." Spike said while going over to Willow. "Our girl Buffy here seems to
be clamoring for Angel so she'll do anything to get him here."

Buffy pouted. "Can't you let my plans actually unfold?" 

"No," he replied flatly. "My purpose is to drive you bloody nuts." 

"No, dears�" Drusilla slipped up behind Spike and draped her arms over his shoulders and to his chest. 
"That's my Angel's job�" 

"Your Angel?" Spike questioned. "Still stuck on 'im, I can't win�" 

"Oh that's so sad," Buffy said sarcastically and turned back to Willow. "So, how is everyone coping?
Called any Slayers here yet?" 

"I'm not telling you anything," Willow defiantly replied. 

Buffy gave a slow nod that made Willow uneasy. "Then there's the other rule of our conversing�
Drusilla?"

Drusilla danced away from Spike, seemingly have read Buffy's mind and went to her little treasure
chest.  From it, she took a small little dagger and tossed it at Buffy who, of course, caught it
easily. 

Buffy looked over the dagger then to Willow. "The other rule is, don't talk and�" She lashed out with
her free hand at Willow's neck and pulled her closer -- bringing the knife to barely scrape her chin. 
"And you get hurt." 

Willow yelped and tried to get away. Drusilla watched gleefully, giving a clap or two to aid Buffy on. 
Spike rolled his eyes, muttered a few choice words and dropped down on the bed.

Buffy backed up and motioned for Willow to sit down. "Do we have an understanding?"

Willow shakily got the chair and lowered herself upon it. "Y-yes." 

Buffy's pleasant smile flew back on her face and she took a seat in front of Willow. "Good. So let's 
talk."

Part Three

Spike paced around impatiently in front of Willow who had fallen asleep from sheer overwhelming pain. 
Torture was a new experience for someone who was barely eighteen. Drusilla and Buffy had gone out
for another kill -- said they'd be bringing him back something and said that if he wanted to mess 
around with Willow when she woke�he should feel free. That was all he really paid attention to.

Finally her eyes fluttered open, meeting Spike's gaze right away. She hung her head, curling up against
the wall like she was trying to hide within the woodwork.

"Good night, pet." Spike greeted and removed her chains. "We're going to have a li'l spot of fun, now." 

She was silent.

"Come now, it won't hurt a bit. Unless you have a sore throat." 

Willow gradually lifted her head, looking relieved. "Not�not going to hurt me?"

"If you don't get up I may start with the choking and what-all but if you can get over to the chair�
you won't be harmed. Cross my heart and hope to combust."

Willow painfully got to her feet and stumbled over the chair. She fell into it as soon as she reached it
and laid her head down on the table. Spike chuckled and sat in front of her. "So talk," he said curtly. 

"About what?"

"Anything, I'm bored." 

"Well�I um�should be researching the Ascension, so if I could just l--" 

"Leave? Not bloody likely. And what of this Ascension thing, I've been hearing bits and pieces of it 
everywhere." 

"Well," Willow started to say. "The Mayor�he�he ascends to something -- a demon and feasts on the
town." 

"So? When it's time we skip town, big deal." 

"Then it moves on�it's probably not an ordinary demon, you know�hence the name 'Ascension'."

"Don't get cocky with me dear, I don't see you in the position for that." 

Willow grumbled. "I've been here for over a week, I'm allowed to be cocky." She was at that point
where she didn't care if they killed her, so it was fearless here on out.

Spike laughed again. "All right, I suppose so. I'm surprised they haven't sent anyone for you, you were
particularly prized by Buffy's old mates weren't you?"

"They wouldn't come by themselves, not without a Slayer." 

"So they have gained some brains, must be the graduation bit. Say--" He was cut off by Drusilla and 
Buffy making their chatty entrance. Buffy was carrying a little baby, probably a month old max�and 
she delivered it over to Spike.

"Here's dinner, appreciation for watching my--why is she out of her bonds?" Buffy snapped and jerked
Willow to her feet. "I never said you could take her out of the bonds."

"You didn't? Oh well, no harm done. We were just chit chatting, not much to say. Thank god you came
in or else I would have eaten her by now." He was being sarcastic with the last part; Buffy picked up 
on that much. "I'll go take a walk and eat this on the way."

He got up and left calming the baby for its last night alive. One of these days he would have to make
a baby a vampire -- which would totally put a spin on the demonic baby saying.

Buffy rolled her eyes and sat down in front of Willow. "Hungry?" 

"Starving," Willow replied bitterly.

"Dru?" Buffy glanced over to Drusilla who dropped a bag of groceries on the tabletop. "Thank you."

Drusilla smiled slightly and gave a firm nod. "Must keep her well�" She leaned over a tad, reaching her
hand out to cup Willow's face. "Mum never kept me well�" Sadly, Drusilla turned away sulking. 

"That's why you have Spike, Dru." Buffy replied simply and focused on Willow. "When they send Angel
in, you're leaving." 

"Well, that makes it easier for me then I guess." Angel suddenly said while descending the rickety 
staircase. 

"Angel," Buffy stated with a wicked grin. "I missed you most at daylight, darling."

"I did too," he shot back. "Just let Willow go." 

Buffy thought this over. "Wait, never mind. I'm not giving her to you, she's trash."

"You said you would. What's she done wrong?" 

Drusilla got tired of listening to them and left to go find Spike. Maybe he didn't finish off that 
toddler.

Buffy boosted herself up to sit on the tabletop, bristling with anger. "Wrong? Oh there's a lot of 
things, Angel dearest. Seven deadly sins." 

"She's not a glutton for punishment," Angel retorted flatly. 

"Isn't she? She asked for trouble staying by my side as the Slayer. So there's one."

"What are the others, then?"

"You tell me, old guy. You probably were alive when they were published." 

"You don't publish the seven deadly sins!" 

"Someone's straying off topic, I'm feeling inclined to stab Willow through the face right now." Buffy 
swiped up the blade setting on the table. "Come on, Angel, name some more. I have a lifetime to 
answer -- though I can't vouch for Willow. Yet."

Angel grumbled irritably. "All right�greed." 

"Exactly, she takes what she gets and she doesn't share. I would think someone of her bizarre 
character would have watched Barney and�and taken notes about the qualities of life like sharing. But 
no, she's just like everyone else. Nothing special there. Next sin, please." 

Angel thought for a minute. "Sloth. Now, looking at Willow now she doesn't seem�fat�at all, in fact 
she looks kind of--"

"Anorexic?" Buffy finished off his phrase pertly. "She is a sloth, only she has such a low metabolism 
she's never physically affected. Then of course you could always use it as a cut down. What's next, 
envy?" She gave this one some thought and then suddenly realized what it meant. "Right! Envy. Envious
of me, always have been."

"I have not!" Willow sputtered out. "Why would I be jealous of you?" 

"Why wouldn't you be? I was Xander's object of affection, I got the star-crossed true love deal -- I
have everything but what you can have. But you don't want that, do you? You're so used to the 
supernatural you become it. You try to become me, but then you can't so you take the book wormy way
and outdo me there. Envy."

This silenced Willow; Angel only grew aggravated.

"Pride," Angel began. 

"Too much of it, pride in the potential of having a regular Joe for a boyfriend in Oz. At least she can
see him all the time, big deal if they lose three nights out of the year. I never got to be with you 
outdoors in the light Angel," Buffy's eyes grew watery. "But I stood by you, it's all I could do. I was
hopelessly in love, and it was your fault." She struggled with her words trying to regain composure. 
"Wrath is it?" 

Angel took a minute to gather his thoughts so he could deliver an agreeing nod.

Buffy hopped off the table and meandered over to the bed to lay upon, still toying with the knife. 
"Everyone's susceptible to that sin, it's not really of importance. Then it all brings us down to lust. 
Her excursion with Xander was proof enough that she's evil. Put her to shame, kill -- maim�whatever.
I don't care, take her."

Angel made his way over to Willow and helped her stand. Buffy cleared her throat. "No really, take 
her."

"What?" Angel asked wide-eyed. As did Willow. 

"I'm kidding, geez. Let her walk out on her own, I wanna talk." 

"I don't." He turned his back to her, guiding Willow to the stairs. 

"Don't you walk away from me!" Buffy's anger flared and she chucked the knife into Angel's back. He
went flailing to the ground, Willow turned and shrieked. Buffy narrowed her eyes at the redhead. 
"Leave." 

Willow left as fast as she could. Angel groaned while getting back to his feet. He tried to find where
the dagger hit but he couldn't exactly reach it and pull it out without making a bigger hole than there
was already. Buffy stood up and stomped over to him. She simply yanked the knife from his back and
 -- feeling cruel -- slammed it in again. She had him writhing in pain now. 

"How's it feel to be stabbed in the back, lover?" Buffy asked smugly and turned him around. Don't 
worry, she took the knife out. Angel bit back another yelp of pain; he just let himself fall back against
the steps. "It's painful. I know." 

"I'm sorry�" He choked out. "I never meant--"

"Oh you're sorry, you're sorry�" Buffy twirled around, repeating his phrase a couple of times in a 
mockery of his voice. "It's too late for apologies, dear. You never intentionally meant to hurt me, but 
you did. Your sorry's don't cut it."

"I am�if I could take it back, I wouldn't have�I just don't remember ever letting you drink from
me�"

"It was euphoria, Angel. I mean when I got back to earth it was like�a blur�almost as intense as when
we boinked the first time. Of course, I wasn't so hot myself."

"And it all leads up to when I was evil�" 

"Uh huh," Buffy smiled grimly. "JennyJennyJenny!" 

"I'm not listening to this�" He crawled up to his feet and stumbled up the stairs.

"Angel," Buffy chided. "Do I have to throw the knife at you again? Wait! Let's go back to your place!"
She tossed the dagger aside and scampered over to him, helping him stand. "I want to go to sleep with
you again, I miss it." 

Angel really wasn't in the position to argue but he had to keep his head�literally. "What do you mean?" 

Buffy sidled up closer to him, clinging to his arm. "You know, when the sun rises we can fall asleep. 
Hey, if you want some extra play in it too that's fine with me."

Angel was too much in pain at the moment to argue. He let himself be taken off to the mansion.

Part Four

Buffy woke up an hour before sunset, a habit for vampires. She sat up, rubbing her eyes to clear her
vision only to see the room in a wispy white blur. Confused, she groped around for anything tangible to
hold on to and discovered that no one was next to her in bed. She felt her heart catch in her throat,
memories of that night racing through her mind as she stumbled out of bed.

"Angel?" Buffy called out and continually turned in circles in search of anything clear. "Angel!" Her 
cries grew more frantic. "I can't leave me�" 

She paused, unsure of what to make of her last words. She choked back a sob, clutching a gray 
blanket tighter around her frail body. She suddenly felt jerked back, as the blanket seemed to tighten
itself around her, then dampen itself into blood. In a blind panic she ripped the material from her and
threw it aside. The blood soaked blanket soared past her eyes and stopped before it hit the ground. It
expanded and started to wrap around the room, making a perfect dome above Buffy, yet the flooring 
beneath her stayed in tact.

Then it started to rain. It fell hard on her, blotching her skin with red and burned into her skin. It 
was blood, blood of the Slayer that poisoned her. The downpour washed away the gory shield, showing
the regular ceiling of the mansion. Buffy lifted her head, trying desperately to wipe the blood in her 
eyes away so she could see clearly, but her hands were a bloody mess. 

As the downpour stopped, the room was left as it had always been without a trace of any defilement. 
Buffy felt around for the bed and grabbed hold of a pillow. She brought it up to wipe her eyes with 
and blinked the rest away. She breathed relief and began lowering the pillow away when she noticed her
face imprinted in the folds.

Then it started forming into a different face�one she kept hidden in the back of her mind, and as she
came to the realization of who it was something latched on to her from behind. She let out a startled
yelp and dropped the pillow, spinning around in a defensive position to see who had disturbed her.  It 
was Angel. She was so excited to see him she threw her arms around him, not at all caring if she got 
blood on him and held him close to her. Then she backed away noticing not a stain was on him. 

"Everything explains itself," Angel whispered to her. Buffy backed away from him, scared of what else
he might say. His expression remained calm and stoic as usual.

She wasn't sure about this last part, but he moved closer to her and reached to cup her cheek. The 
still-wet blood vanished from her body, as did their surroundings. Buffy felt fairly dizzy, having to 
regain her footing before taking a glimpse around. Angel was gone and she felt empty inside. 

It was Angel's apartment, just like she remembered it. Even the smell of it, that old musty 
indescribable scent she always felt welcomed to. Buffy tentatively started walking towards the
bedroom but stopped midway as a red rose that was growing in a peach colored flowerpot on the
desk caught her eye. It wilted under her gaze.

Panic rose within her again and she hurried to the back, finding the only comfort there was Angel's 
bed. A girl stopped her midway, which she inadvertently bumped into. She had to back up a step so she
could see who it was.

"I'm not sorry," Buffy found herself saying. "Where are you?" 

"In there, everywhere." The familiar voice said. Her face was blurred whenever Buffy looked at her, it
was disheartening -- she wanted to know who it was. "I'll be around." Then the girl was gone. 

Buffy felt like screaming now, this was all so confusing�and then out of nowhere Willow was standing 
before her. She looked like a zombie with her plain indirect stare. She was clad solely in a black 
sleeveless dress -- like she was at a funeral. Buffy watched her curiously as she approached, and when
Willow got nearer she walked right through Buffy. Dumbfounded, Buffy whirled around and saw Willow
go to Oz who also looked like he was in a trance. Simultaneously, they turned to look angrily at Buffy 
and pointed at her. 

"Evil!" They both shouted in unison, and a chorus of screams rang up from the ground and down from 
the ceiling, claiming Buffy's eardrums and made them pound until it felt like her head would burst.

Buffy's cry for help was more than enough to bring her out of her sleep. 

*~*~*~*

Angel sat upright, looking down at Buffy writhing under her bed sheets. She let out a piercing, shrill 
scream and sat up hoping to be held. He pulled her close, whispering soothing words to calm her down.

"What happened?" 

Buffy came to her senses and tugged away from Angel. "Nothing," she snapped and crawled out of bed.
"Sun set yet?"

"Not for an hour."

She felt a chill run down the length of her spine, but she kept it well hidden. "Well, I'm awake so until
it's darker we're going to have to talk."

"Oh the horror," Angel muttered.

Buffy smiled at that. "At least you're making jokes now."

Angel cast his gaze down. "Someone has to carry the torch." 

She frowned. "This is going to be a hell of hour."

Part Five

Buffy sauntered down the stairs of the factory, immediately directing herself over to the table to sit 
upon. Drusilla looked up from playing with Miss Edith, to Buffy. "Where did you run off to?"

"I was messing around with Angel," Buffy replied simply. 

"Oh," Drusilla said. "Miss Edith dreamt a dream this morning�" 

"Did she?" Buffy started to ask. "What was it?"

Drusilla tossed Edith aside, hitting the dozing Spike on the bum. He didn't wake up. Dru spun around, 
squealing. "She saw red�" She burst into a fit of giggles and fell to the ground, pushing along the floor
with her heels. "Then it went away�into the clouds�"

"What went away?" Buffy pried. 

"The red river�" Drusilla rolled over onto her stomach and sat up on her hands and knees. She giggled 
again, looking over to Buffy. "It decayed into someone new�" She hissed lowly, clawing at the air. "He
wasn't at fault�" 

Buffy's brow arched in confusion. "Who wasn't?"

"Ssh my dear�" Drusilla held her arms out, putting her hands together at the thumbs and spread her 
fingers apart from each other, beginning to wiggle them in a fluttery type motion. "Everything explains
itself�"

"Can you clear that up at all?" Buffy decided to ignore the familiarity of Drusilla's last line.

"Never can, pet," Spike said groggily and sat up from the bed. "It'll make sense when it happens, trust
me."

"That's an oxymoron," Buffy snapped. "Whatever, fine. I'll wait�but not for long. By the way, did you
get Willow on her escape?"

"Yeah, she's in the back," Spike replied. 

"Great," Buffy smiled happily and went to seek her out. "They'd have to be stupid to think I'd give her
up that easily."

Epilogue

Buffy grew tired of torturing Willow over a few days, so Saturday night she was going to let her go. 
Not to Angel, however. She would take her personally to the library, sure it was a stupid thing to do 
but the Gang wasn't brave enough to attack her anymore. 

Buffy shoved Willow through the doors, checking to make sure there was somewhat of an audience. 
Which were Xander, Oz and Giles discussing a new rescue mission. Buffy caught their attention easily 
and she moved on past Willow.

Oz stood up, looking right at Willow. He mouthed "are you okay?" and she shook her head. He clenched
a fist and glared right at Buffy who pretended to shudder at his expression.

"I like this fear, it's great. I just came to drop her off; she's looking a lot better than yesterday. 
Around the face anyway, you might want to check other areas Oz�I mean it could get infected for all
we know!"

Willow clumsily went for Oz and fell into his arms, sobbing pitifully. Buffy couldn't help but to laugh
in delight at this.

"You're all such wimps." Buffy shifted her gaze to Giles, looking more serious. "Anything new on the 
Ascension?"

Giles was caught off guard by this and started to fiddle with his glasses. "No, actually. It's all a bit 
vague�"

"I'll see what I can do for you, just keep sending Angel to inform me." 

Xander spoke up. "We've been sending him to kill you, but apparently he's not getting it done. You're 
not Buffy, we have to realize that now. You've got to die."

"Boo hoo," Buffy retorted. "Watch it Harris, or I'll see to it that you get the same hand dealt that 
Willow did. Anyway --" She broke off, looking around. "Someone else is here."

A girl stepped out from Giles' office, looking no older than fifteen or sixteen. She had a crossbow in 
her hands and an uncaring glint in her pale blue eyes. The girl had jet-black hair, however, which was 
dyed of course -- and she was dressed in dark green khakis and a matching colored loose shirt. Only 
the easiest to fight in for Slayers.

Buffy smiled grimly. "So you did get one over here. What's your name?" 

"Marie," the girl said in a French accent.

"Oh look, a foreign Slayer. Well come on, let's give her a test drive. Let me have it."

"Marie, be absolutely cautious--" Wesley warned. "She's dangerous." 

Marie focused on Buffy and shot the crossbow bolt. Buffy rolled her eyes, caught it and tossed it 
aside. "Is that the best you can do? Giles, train her before you send a weakling to me. Have some 
decency here."

Buffy spun on her heel and started for the door. Marie reloaded the crossbow quickly and clumsily
fired it at Buffy, hitting her in the shin. Buffy went falling forward, but she recovered swiftly
and got the bolt out in a jiffy. Slowly, she rose to her feet and chucked the bolt right back at
Marie. It hit her in the same spot as it had Buffy.

"Eye for an eye," Buffy said with a shrug and limped out. "Amateur�" 

The End


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