(The cold air wind blew rustled papers and trash at the innocents pacing the streets with curiosity or in search of a warm bench to sleep on, fires were lit in old oil bins to keep huttles of people warm through the cold dead nights, mothers with no food or money held their children close. Music could be heard in a nearby dance club, the song that was played was instantly recognized. Above all on a balcony stood a tall man wearing a trench coat, consuming himself with every beat and note the song had given. Opening the French style doors he walked in to greet his friends.)

Wesley: Angel, there you are. Were have you been?

(Walking toward them he stopped hearing the music echo inside the building.)

Angel: I was listening to the music outside. Can you hear it?

(Looking at the rest of his friends, they grew quiet immediately. Charles began swaying to the beat.)

Charles: Yeah, yeah that is the band Death I would recognize their sound anywhere. Half because they have a hot guitarist, and the other half because their songs kill.

Angel: (Giving Charles a stern look) That�s what I thought.

(Walking out of the building a tiny smile creeps across Angels face. Opening the door to the rave, Angel entered heading straight to the front of the crowd with Charles right behind him.)

Charles: (Yelling above the crowd) What are you doing?

(Angel couldn�t hear him because he kept moving closer and closer to the stage. Catching a glimpse of the hot guitarist Charles had spoken about earlier. Dancing around on stage while she played the electric guitar. She was a tall girl with dark ebony hair in dreadlocks obviously put there by hair gel, her skin was slightly pale which brought out her dazzling brown eyes, she wore a black cut off T-shirt wearing a fishnet shirt underneath, her pants were a shiny black plastic with a fishnet stripe down the sides. She continued playing her instrument as if playing it was the only means of staying alive. Charles caught up with Angel while the other people jumped and danced. The two men just stood starring at the beauty. Watching her at the front of the crowd was all the both of them wanted to do.)

(After the show Angel and Charles crept backstage to greet her. Angel was looking around for her when Charles patted his shoulder and pointed at the girl putting her guitar away. Walking over, they stopped in front of her at lose of words. Looking at Charles and then Angel her eyes grew wide with excitement.)

Girl: Angel? (Smile growing wider) Oh, Angel!

(She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. Putting his hands around her waist and hugging her just as tight, he closed his eyes savoring every moment. Breaking the hug she looked him in his eyes and moved forward for a kiss closing her eyes thinking it was a dream. Placing her hand on his cheek and she stepped back.)

Charles: (Confused) Old girlfriend?

(She hugged him again and then pulled back)

Angel:(Looking at Charles) Shasta and I were best friends. Then, she left Sunnydale to become a guitarist and I stayed.

Shasta: I never thought you would be in L.A.. God, Angel I missed you so much. it�s so good to see you again. All I remember when I left Sunnydale was �how am I going to survive without my bestfriend.�

(Walking away hand in hand Charles felt like a tag-a-long.)

Charles: I am going to go back home. I am tired and Cordy said she needed some info. on something.

Angel: Alright, will you tell them that I am hanging out with her for a while?

Charles: Yeah

(Walking away Shasta and Angel sat on the edge of the stage still holding hands.)

Shasta: So, why did you leave Sunnydale?

Angel: I guess I wanted to help people rather than eat them. Shasta: (giggling) Angel, we�re vampires we�re supposed to eat people. I mean if you don�t feed off humans what do you eat.

Angel: I drink pig�s blood. It�s not the greatest but it�s better than killing off people that don�t deserve it.

Shasta: (Growing sadder she looked at him and then off to the floor) I never knew other wise. I thought, ya know, that could never happen to me, until it does, while it�s happening all you can think about is how much you want to die.

(A couple of tears trickled to the ground. Angel saw them and gave her a hug.)

Angel: It wasn�t your fault. You didn�t ask for it

(Pulling away she wiped the tears from her cheeks)

Shasta: (forcing small laughs) Look at this. The first night I see you in over four years and I�m whining about my problems. (a small giggle) How pathetic can I get.

(Lifting her chin with his index finger)

Angel: You will never be pathetic, not to me.

Shasta: (With a small smile and then looking out into the empty area) I just wish I knew who had done this to me. That�s half the reason I joined this group you know, (looking at him) I was hoping for a sliver of a chance that I would find and kill the vampire that bit me. That�s what my life has been since I was bit. A revenge thing that�s all. After that I won�t know what to do.

Angel: Do you still have that sword of yours?

(Getting up she ran to her guitar case and lifted the lid where her guitar laid. Then she lifted up a second lid exposing a beautiful sword laying in velvet surroundings. The top of the sword had a perfect sphere shaped sapphire, underneath the first gold ring separated a small area where four rubies where embedded around the shaft, farther down was a gripping area, where the blade connected with the sword were four gold claws sticking up protecting the gripping area, and four gold claws guarding the base of the blade. Angel looked at the sword not a scratch or a crack, nothing the sword had never been used before.)

Shasta: Yep, The Sword Of Alavar is still mine. It�s the only thing I�ve kept with me since I left Sunnydale, except my clothes. I made a promise to myself not to use this sword on anything but the vamp. that turned me into this...this..thing. I hope they feel the same pain as I did.

Angel: I think you need to get your mind off of all this stress. Wanna walk through the park, it�s not the park we used to walk through in Sunnydale but it�s beautiful at night.

(Nodding she grabbed his hand again and they began to walk out of the warehouse. Opening the door she look over at him)

Shasta: Just like old times accept this time I�m a vampire. (Door closing behind them)

(They walked together hand in hand as if they were the worlds cutest couple, the 1920 era street lights lead the way.)

Shasta: (glancing at Angel then looking out into the distance) So, have you heard from Spike?

Angel: (letting out a laugh) You still have a crush on him huh?

Shasta: (blushing) I can�t help it. There is something about him that is unbelievably attractive and sexy. He is mysterious, evil, he has the body and looks that could turn a person into a vampire just by looking at him. I could name a hundred things that I love about him but I know you and him don�t (giggle) particularly get along.

Angel: (sarcastically) Why? Because the last time we met he stuck hot pokers in my side and let sunlight almost kill me off.

Shasta: I�m sorry Angel, I didn�t mean to offend you.

Angel: You didn�t. I just wish you liked another person, someone that could actually treat you right.

Shasta: Well I could have had you but your more like my brother than anything else. And besides, your heart belongs to Buffy, remember?

(That night the two friends sat up until day break talking. They saw the dawn peak over the tall buildings in the distance)

Shasta: Well, we should probably get off to a darker place and get some rest huh?

Angel: (yawning) yeah we probably should.

Shasta: (looking enthusiastic) Hey, I know what we should do.

Angel: (looking interested) What?

Shasta: We should sleep together.

Angel: (Looking blown away) What!?

Shasta: (laughing) I�m sorry I shouldn�t have said it like that. No, we should have a sleep over like you could crash at the hotel with me or I could crash with you. Like we used to do in Sunnydale, where you would sneak over after I had stayed up all night partying and you would like, spend the night. Or in this particular case spend the day.

Angel: Well, I don�t really like hotels especially with roomies so, why don�t you crash with me.

Shasta: Sounds great but we better go before we are nothing more than two big piles of dust.

(Walking off they finally reached Angel�s home. Crawling into bed together they began to slip away.)

Shasta: Angel, if this is uncomfortable to you I can sleep on your couch.

Angel: This is no different than Sunnydale. And besides I enjoy having you next to me.

(Shasta graced his forehead with her fingers as Angel drifted to a pleasant sleep. Smiling at him she closed her eyes and did the same.)

(The next cold and dark night Shasta opened her eyes slightly to greet her sleeping prince.)

Shasta: Wake up, your going to sleep the whole night. (His eyes prying open) Then we won�t be able to have any fun.

Angel:(Yawning) That was the best sleep I�ve had in months.

Shasta: Why, because you had a beautiful girl next to you.

Angel: (laughing) No, I mean yes. But, I slept good because I had someone next to me that I really cared for. As.. Friends I mean.

Shasta: I have never slept in my performance clothes before. (Laugh) Well, I�m ready for another night. What about you?

Angel: Yeah, I want you to meet my friends. Besides Cordy, you already know her, and you�ve kind of met Charles, but Wesley is someone that you�ll like.

Shasta: Ok.

(Getting out of the bed they walked to a taller building where a dim light could be seen. Stepping in she looked around in awe, not believing what was in front of her.)

Shasta: (Seeing Cordelia in the distance) CORY! (Running and hugging her)

Cordy: Oh my god, SHASTA!

Shasta: Yeah! (A huge grin on her face) You look great, it has been a long time hasn�t it. AH! Cordy I missed you. Well while I�m here, shopping is a definite plus. (giggling as she turned to Charles) You are Charles. I met you last night I�m sorry we kept rambling off about ourselves and I didn�t even say hello to you. I�m sorry. (walking closer to him she shook his hand. Astounded he sat down as she turned to meet Wesley) I presume your Wesley? (he nodded. She walked closer and shook his hand as well) You and I will have to talk about Angel�s behavior and I�ll have to get to know you and Charles better. Since you have been taking care of Angel for a while.

(She sat comfortably in a chair, looking over at Angel he gave her a confessing look. She knew what he wanted her to say.)

Angel: you can�t keep it from them forever.

Cordy: (Smiling she looking at Angel) Keep what from us? (turning to Shasta)

Shasta: Um. I�m a vampire. BUT defiantly a good vampire.

Charles: (Sighing with a roll of his eyes) I knew it was too good to be true.

Cordy: Shasta I love you and all but last time I had a friend who was a vampire she tried to kill me numerous times in two days.

Shasta: Well while I�m in LA, I am on a strict pigs blood diet. Angel talked me into it. So you have nothing to worry about ok?

Cordy: (giving an unsure look) ok.

Shasta: Well we can�t all stay around here all night can we?

Cordy: Well, we. (Letting out screams of pain she was having a vision. Two vampires where attacking a group of girls)

Shasta: (Looking at Angel scared) What�s happening to her?!

Angel: She is having a vision (Cordy�s vision is done) What happened? What did you see?

Cordy: (Breathing heavily) We have to get to the park, NOW!

(Grabbing their jackets and weapons, the group of musketeers fled the building in a hurry)

Cordy: (spotting the two vampires attacking the girls) THERE!

(Running over, Shasta stood face to face with one of the ugliest vampire she had ever seen. Angel was kicking and punching the other.)

Shasta: (to the vampire) So, (pulling her sword out from behind her back) You think you can come to such a beautiful place and take innocent people and turn them into creatures as ugly as you. (turning into her vampire self)

Vampire: Your one to talk.

Shasta: (Jumping up into the air she quickly spun around. Angel and his friends watching, spinning around with one quick blow took his head causing him to become a pile of dust quickly.) I may be a vampire (turning human again) But I�m not ugly. (Putting her sword back)

Angel: (Amazed) I thought you were only going to use that sword on the vampire that bit you?

Shasta: Well, I kind of told you a lie. I had planed on using it on the vamp. but for the past four years, aside from being in the band. I have sort of been training and killing demons and vampires in my spar time. So, I am kind of a heartless vampire bitch (giggle) Besides I never go anywhere without my sword.

(Walking away the rest of them stood stunned. Then they ran to catch up with her.)

Shasta: DAMN!

Angel: What?

Shasta: (Looking at a clock on a nearby building) I had a show tonight. We�re on in like, five minutes!

(Running they soon reached the club.)

Shasta: Wait here, I�ll get you passes to the show. (Running into the building she came back out with four tickets and backstage passes) Here, see you there.(closing the door)

(Inside the group was just starting the show, Angel, Cordy, Wesley, and Charles all made their way to the front of the stage. Angel was amazed at what she was wearing. She had a black dress that came to a point on both sleeves, with mosquito net under sleeves, the end of the dress came to a point as well, she was wearing black boots with a three-inch heel, her nails were painted black, her make up made her skin pale white, her lips were black. She was like a gothic queen.)

(At the end of their last song their lead singer, Rob came forward)

Rob: We have one more song but it is Shasta in her own solo. So here she goes!

(She began to strum her guitar with force as someone began slamming the drums, and another person was pounding on the keyboard.)

Charles: Man, she can really play that thing can�t she?

Wesley: Yes, she can. She is beautiful up there isn�t she.

Angel: (Smiling)You guys are gone.

Wesley: What do you mean Angel?

Angel: Once you fall for her you�re in a trap, their is no way out. She�s just like that.

(Turning to look at the rest of the crowd who was obviously enjoying themselves. He spotted what looked like a man with nearly albino hair, trying to get a better look at the man, another person had stepped in front of him on their way to the bar. When the person had passed the man was gone. Glancing around for the stranger whom he could not see, Angel returned listening to the song which was half way done Shasta stopped playing her guitar. Indicating the song was over.)

(Going back stage they saw Shasta rapidly drinking out of a coffee mug. Walking over she took a larger drink and swallowed.)

Shasta: Did you guys like the show? (wipping the excess pig blood from her lips)

Wesley: You were beautiful up there, really remarkable.

Shasta: (Smiling at him sweetly.) Thank you. (Looking at the rest of them) Can we go somewhere and dance? I have tons of energy. In fact I know where there holding an after-party for us at the local �Boom Boom Room�. Do you guys wanna go?

(They looked at each other, nodding back at Shasta they all walked down the street a few blocks and entered a large room. Music was blasting out of the speakers, strobe lights and fog surrounded the large crowd dancing.)

Shasta: (Turning to Angel and yelling) Come with me I want you to meet my friends.

(Grabbing his hands they paced toward a table in the back lounges. She spotted her band mates.)

Shasta: (yelling) Robbie!

(A man with spiked bleach blonde hair and a lip piercing began to walk toward them. Stopping Shasta let go of Angel�s hand and gave her friend a hug.)

Shasta: I want to introduce you to my friends. (Turning to Angel and company) This is Angel, he has been my bestfriend since I was like thirteen, this beautiful girl is my shopping buddy and also a good friend of mine, Cordelia. This one here (pointing at Wesley) is Wesley, and this is Charles, they�re both cuties.

Rob: Nice to meet all of you, wanna come back and have a drink with us?

Shasta: Do you guys want to?

Together: Sure

(Walking over they sat down in the booth. Angel next to Shasta, Cordy next to Rob, Charles next to Wesley.)

Shasta: Guys, these are my other band mates. The tall one here in Sean, he�s got drums, this is Tobey, he�s on keyboard, and this is Binks, he is on base guitar.

Together: (Nodding their heads with greetings) Hi.

Rob: So, what will our guests be having?

Angel: Nothing for me.

Shasta: me either.

Cordy: Just bottled water.

Wesley: I�ll have tea.

Charles: Just a coke.

Rob: Waiter. Two rounds for me and these two and one bottled water, one tea, and one coke.

Angel: (looking at Rob then Shasta) He is kind of in charge of everything isn�t he?

Shasta: (looking at Rob) Yeah he is, but he is really good at heart. He has always been nice to me. Never loosing his temper, great guy if you ask me. (Looking around she began to fan out her shirt) Man, I�m hot!

Angel: Do you want to leave. All these people make me kind of claustrophobic.

Shasta: Is it all right with your friends? I mean it would be kind of rude to ditch them with people they don�t even know.

Angel: (Looking at them all laughing and having fun. Then he laughed to Shasta) I don�t think they�ll miss us much.

Angel: (to Wesley) Wesley! (yelling over the crowd) We�re gonna head out is that ok?

Wesley: (Smiling) Fine with me!

(Shasta scooted out of the booth with Angel�s hand in her own. Bending she hugged Rob and waved goodbye to the rest of her friends as they walked out of the party.)

Cordy: (To Rob) She doesn�t like to stay in one place long does she?

Rob: No, she does her own thing, we respect that. She doesn�t like to hang out, she likes to be left alone. I don�t know she is really independent in my opinion, it�s almost like being alone is the only way she feels normal. That�s how it�s been since she joined the group, but now that she has Angel with her it�s kind of like she is happier. I guess.

Cordy: Oh, has she always acted like that?

Rob: Ya, she used to be really happy and then she just grew distant like she was afraid of people. She liked it when she could be alone. She told me that her total relaxation was when she could be in dark places and listen to the silence. Said it was the best and her favorite music.

Cordy: Well, at least now she has Angel.

Rob: Ya.

(Back in the park Angel and Shasta walked hand in hand again down the same trail, under the same beautiful lights.)

Shasta: Angel?

Angel: What?

Shasta: Do you hear that music?

(Listening they could hear very faint slow dance music)

Angel: Ya.

Shasta: Dance with me.(Angel giving her a confused look) (giggle) Come on, I don�t think we�ve ever danced before. And we left the party before we had a chance.

Angel:(Smiling at her) Ok.

(Walking in front of him she put her arms around his neck. He gently placed his hands around her waist. They began to dance to the music, slowly, romantically. Shasta was listening to the music more carefully and a few tears began to leave her eyes, snuffling Angel looked at her.)

Angel: What�s wrong.

Shasta: Nothing (whipping the tears from her cheek) I was just listing to the music. It�s so sad and happy at the same time that it made me cry.

Angel: Why would it make you cry?