ct2a

�Here�s to three years of isolation.� Cordelia raised her glass to touch Willow�s. Both girls quickly drowned their first shot. One of many until they passed out cold.

�Here�s to keeping Dawn safe.� Willow refilled the glasses and they consumed more.

�To the slayerettes. May we not be forgotten.�

�Here�s to Joyce. A mother to us all.�

�May Ms. Callender, Kendra, Faith, Doyle, Jesse, Oz, Tara, Riley, and Kate all rest in peace.� Willow and Cordelia wiped the tears from their eyes.

�Here�s to the Master, Darla, Angelus, and Dru. May they all roast in hell.� Willow added trying to cheer things up a little.

�How do you think everyone is?� Cordelia needed to get that out. They had decided long ago that talking about their friends everyday was just making things worse. They left this night, the anniversary for that.

�I don�t know. I hope they�re all happy. I mean Angel and Buffy are finally together. They *have* to be happy. Xander and Anya probably hump like bunnies, so they�re fine. Lindsey, Gunn, and Wesley probably bug the crap out of each other, so maybe they�re only okay. Gile�s, Buffy, Angel and Dawn are probably one big happy family.�

Cordelia nodded absently. �I like to make up stuff like that too. Makes me feel better.�

An hour later two very drunken girls picked up their last shots. �Here�s to Angel and Lindsey. May they always know how loved they are.� Drinking the last of the golden liquor, both girls fell into silence, both lost in their own thoughts.

*******************

�Xander, what do you think the others are doing tonight? I mean, they miss us right? That�s what humans do, miss the ones they love.� They were lying in the middle of the local park staring up at the stars.

�I hope they remember us.� Xander pulled his wife to his side. �It hurts too much to think that they wouldn�t. I know I think about all of them, even Deadboy, everyday. The need to go home hurts so much some times.�

Anya wiped away one of his tears. This was too much for both of them. She had just started getting used to being human, dealing with the fact that; she was going to die someday. Then there was that horrible battle with Glory, if you could call it that. It had been more like a slaughter. Tara and Oz had been wiped out within seconds; no one had even seen it coming. Kate was attacked next. At least the three of them died quickly. Angel, Buffy, Faith and Spike attacked together. Glory brushed them off without batting an eye. Faith�s neck was easily snapped. The young slayer finally found her redemption.

She and Willow had tried casting protection spells, but it did no good. It became apparent that they had to retreat. That�s when the big plan came into place.

They all knew Glory was unstoppable. So they needed to get Dawn out of there. They had split up into four groups. All heading out together. In Salt Lake they split up into two groups, each traveling in separate and unknown directions. Only to split up again. They were all to keep on the move, not to allow Glory to be able to find them. If they couldn�t kill the Bitch, then they�d keep what she wanted from her.

************************

Giles watched the two young women staring at the TV. Didn�t they know what day this was? It seemed like a horribly twisted national holiday to him, like D-day. One this day three years ago their friends literally gave up everything to keep Dawn and the world safe.

Willow one of the most intelligent young woman he had ever known had given up any chance on finishing her education. Cordelia had finally gotten the break she needed to become the actress she had always dreamt of. An engaged Anya and Xander could never start the family any young couple had the right to dream of. The constant moving around wouldn�t have been fair to growing children. Wesley had just started proving himself useful in the fight against evil. Making up for the mistakes he had made with Faith. Gunn had to break his promise to keep his neighborhood safe. Lindsey had just started down his path of good. Not that is wasn�t hard enough under normal circumstances. Worse of all Angel. He gave up the most precious chance, to be human.

He had tried to bring up the subject several times that night, only to have the subject change, or have one of them shrug their shoulders. These were not the girls he once knew. The two females glued to the TV were empty shells of their former selves. Had he failed them some how? He had truly tried to be there for them, giving them the shoulder to cry on. But none of that mattered.

Sighing the Watcher went back to his room, at least he would remember.

******************

�Cordelia and Willow.� Wesley asked.

�Some where the sun shines all the time.� Gunn answered.

�Florida or some hot spot in Mexico.� Lindsey answered.

�Yeah I bet they sit around all day soaking up the rays.� Gunn finished off his beer. �Angel, Buffy, Giles and Dawn.�

�Some where near a university.� Wesley answered first.

�You always say that.�

�Well I can�t see Giles in some backward small town.� Wesley defended himself.

�Whatever...Xander and Anya.�

�.........................�

�They could be anywhere.�

It was a game they played once in awhile, and that night seemed like a perfect night to play. They tried to think where the others would go. What kind of jobs they�d work. How they were doing. The game usually lasted as long as they stayed sober, that or when the beer ran out.

****************

Angel stood on the empty pier again. He could here their voices in his head this time. Some of their words brought a smile to his face. Others only made him sad.

�You were checking out my neck! I saw that.� Happy

�I invited you into my home, and you attacked my family.� Sad.

�When I kiss you I want to die...� Sad.

�She couldn�t dress up like Xena?� Happy.

�It�s a rock. I can�t wait to tell my friends.� Mad, sad.

�If I tell you something do you promise not to bite me?� Funny, and a little sad.

�Yeah? I hope evil takes MasterCard.� Sad.

�I�m not allowed to have boys in my room.� Happy.

He wanted them all back desperately; he needed them, more than they ever needed him.

**************************

Willow could feel the pounding in her head before she fully reached consciousness. Her mouth felt like she had been eating cotton balls all night. Her stomach getting ready to revolt.

Cordelia was in the same terrible shape. Laying on her stomach, trying to force herself back to sleep. She was almost successful until a brain shattering vision made her scream out. She hadn�t had one in three years, and she had forgotten how horrible they were.

Willow was at her side when the pain ebbed away. She looked a little green, but also concerned.

�What happened? Are you okay?�

�Vision...Angel.�