Buffy drove toward downtown LA with a determined gleam in her eyes. The chaos mage was about to learn a few lessons in chaos - Slayer style. Parking her car in front of an elegant shop, Buffy hid the chalice in her coat before getting out and walking inside. When she pushed open the door, bells chimed in greeting.
A smooth British voice called from the back, "Take a look around, and I'll be with you momentarily."
Pitching her voice low to disguise it from the sleazy wizard, she responded, "Take your time." She wandered around the shop, noticing more than a few occult items mixed in with the regular antiques.
Ethan Rayne stepped from the storeroom, ready to convince another sucker, err, customer that she couldn't live without some treasure that only he could provide. He plastered a smile on his face, walked forward, and extended his hand in greeting. "Hello, I'm Ethan Rayne, the proprietor of this humble establishment." The blood rushed from his face when the woman turned around to reveal none other than Ripper's Slayer. Stepping back, his eyes darted toward the door as his hand automatically came up to protect his face.
"What's the matter, Ethan? You don't look happy to see me." Buffy pouted, advancing on the shaking man. "Imagine my surprise when a close friend showed me your card and told me about your business arrangement."
Ethan's mind riffled through the legal and illegal contacts he used to stock the shop. For the life of him, he didn't know to whom the Slayer referred to; that's the problem. He had a sinking feeling it might come down to just that, except that the Slayer didn't kill humans. The Slayer was a force to be reckoned with when anyone threatened her friends or family. Looking at the hard, cold eyes staring at him, Ethan knew that this creature made the Slayer he knew look like a kitten. This Slayer didn't appear as if she would have any qualms killing him that was if she even considered him human. Based on the way she was glaring at him, he wasn't certain that he registered that highly.
"Ah, can't keep track of the people you've ripped off? Poor Ethan." Buffy shook her head, shaking a finger at him as she advanced on him. Her hand snapped out, grabbed him by the throat, and lifted him up over her head. "I think we should have a little chat, don't you?"
"Slayer, Buffy," he choked out as his hands tried needlessly to pull her hand away from his throat. "Anyone could come in…see you…Sunday…busy day," he gasped. Ethan's face continued turning red until it reached a nice scarlet shade.
Buffy giggled before announcing, "Nah, I put up the closed sign and locked the door. After all friends shouldn't be interrupted while they catch up on old times." She gave him a feral smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Let's take this to your office. We can get nice and cozy while we chat." Buffy held the much larger man up as she carried him toward the back. She carefully maneuvered around the cluttered shop ensuring that Ethan bumped into every object along the way. "Oops, so sorry. Oh, did I do that? Hope that wasn't too terrible expensive," Buffy said after each crash or bump.
Ethan closed his eyes, not wanting to witness the damage or see what he'd be smashing into next. His only prayer was that he would survive this meeting with no permanent damage, but most importantly, that he would survive it.
Kicking the office door open, Buffy knocked it off its hinges. "Guess they don't make 'em like they used to. No one does quality work anymore." She noticed a large desk, walked around it, and sat in the large chair as she dropped her cargo on the floor.
The chaos mage scrambled back, trying to put distance between them. Ethan thought she acted like she didn't have any feelings. Yes, the Slayer sitting calmly staring at him, about to decide his fate, was an altogether different creature from the bright, golden girl he met years ago. He saw Buffy pull a golden cup from somewhere inside her jacket. Recalling where he last saw the cursed thing, Buffy's previous words finally made sense to him.
Watching Ethan closely, Buffy knew he was trying to figure out what she planned to do with him. At least he realized that he wasn't dealing with the same girl he knew from Sunnydale. Funny how people other than her friends got that right off, mentally shrugging that fact aside; she knew the exact moment when Ethan realized the connection to Dom. Leaning back in the chair, she touched her fingertips together and demanded, "Tell me how you knew about the shipments. Who's the customer and what do you know about this?" With the last question, she tossed the chalice at him.
Ethan leapt forward, heaving a sigh when he caught the fragile cup. Bringing the intricately engraved cup close, he immediately wanted to hand it back. The reason he let Dom keep the chalice was twofold. It gave off strong white magics, which even a chaos mage knew not to mess with, and if memory served, there was a prophecy or curse associated with it. Either way, he wasn't fool enough to mess with the magics bound within the chalice.
"Ooh, is wittle Ethan scared, of the big, bad cup?" Buffy taunted, standing up from the chair. She didn't advance on the man sitting on the ground, although her presence seemed to fill the small office space.
"B-Buffy, white magics created it, powerful magics. I wouldn't mess with anything this powerful. It's bound to their magics. Chaos is my way of life, and I worship it, but staying alive comes first, always. Every few decades, rumors about a chalice like this resurface. It's said to be a vampire's holy grail of sorts. Ripper should know about it. Most think if it's real, it's cursed. Just knew that they didn't want anything to do with the bloody thing."
She heard the fear in his voice and decided that she'd gotten everything he knew on the matter. "How'd you know about the shipments and who's your customer?"
He felt sweat popping out on his brow. He also knew if he didn't tell her what she wanted that she wouldn't bat an eye at hurting him. On the other hand, if he talked the customer didn't handle double crosses well. Sometimes it didn't pay to get out of bed.
"I'm waiting." Her small foot tapped faster, as the silence continued, showing her growing irritation. Buffy started forward when Ethan put his hands out, halting her.
"Wait! I'll talk, but you can't tell anyone where you got the information." A pale blonde eyebrow arched at his tone. "Please, they'll kill me if they find out."
"Talk and if it I believe you, then they won't find out anything from me."
Running fingers through his normally well-groomed hair, he said, "Big power struggle going on at W&H. A new boss took over, which has people vying for better jobs. Let's just say that a young executive wants one of those jobs. She found out that the big man's right hand girl is the one in charge of the shipments and wants to see that they don't get through. Gave me carte blanche to do what I had to as long as they never get to W&H."
Buffy mulled over the information, trying to connect the dots. She had heard that name before, but couldn't recall the conversation. It came to her with blinding clarity - Angel. At the meeting after coming back from heaven, he told her about his life and the evil law firm determined to turn him back into Angelus. The pieces fell in place as Buffy considered the truck's contents. She turned back to Ethan with a devilish gleam in her eyes.
"What did you do with the cargo you bought from Dom?" Buffy crossed her arms waiting for confirmation on an answer she already knew.
"My informant bought everything. I delivered it to a warehouse down on the docks," Ethan answered, noticing her nod. He shivered at the smile that bloomed across her face. It wasn't malicious, or cruel. No, it was full of pure happiness, and it scared him more than anything he'd ever seen in his life. Ethan couldn't believe that this mercurial creature before him was Ripper's Slayer. Smiling as bright and sunnily as she was, she downright glowed; whereas, moments before her eyes blazed with the fires of Hell. The Chaos Mage didn't know what happened to the Slayer, but he knew that she was now a force of nature and pitied anyone that tried to stand in her way.
Buffy felt shocked at the happiness surging through her body. She knew what to do, her alone without aide or guidance, just Buffy. It was a liberating feeling that she hadn't known she'd missed until coming to LA. This trip was bringing her back to life in more ways than she thought possible. Buffy planned to utilize her resources when she needed them for information. How much information, she would have to wait and see. It was liberating to know that she was the one making the decisions. Returning to matters at hand, namely Ethan, how best to use the slimy wizard? Buffy knew she couldn't trust him. There had to be a way to ensure that he didn't double-cross her with W&H. She didn't know that Ethan was too scared even to think about crossing her. Buffy might only be starting to feel anything except pain. She didn't know that she inspired a myriad of emotions when she walked into a room, not to mention when the Slayer spirit had free reign.
Her eyes wandered over a surprisingly neat office. Buffy didn't notice anything interesting or usual, just cabinets, supplies, books, candles, and statues. Her head whipped back around so fast the colored tips slapped her cheeks. Ignoring the man at her feet, Buffy stalked over to a marble bust. The front portrayed a man's handsome features. Turning the bust backward showed the same features horribly distorted, yet somehow still mesmerizing. Ethan worshipped Janus, the god of chaos. Wiccans, mages, wizards, witches, and magic wielders alike believed that the instruments contained pieces of their power, and guarded them carefully. Buffy picked up the statue and heard a painful whimper from Ethan.
Turning with the Janus bust in her small hands, she announced, "I'll just take this for safekeeping. As long as you keep your word, you'll get it back."
Ethan's hands reached out in supplication. "Please," his voice was a hoarse whisper, "I won't betray you. Don't take my lord. You don't understand; you can't."
Buffy's eyes softened for the barest moments, feeling pity for the bereft mage before stiffening her spine. "Oh, but I do, Ethan. I've lived with a powerful witch for quite a while. Not to mention the stuff Giles' been pounding into my head over the years. Hate to disappoint, not such a dumb blonde after all. You'll just have to play with the real boys and girls for a while."
He slowly stood before collapsing back down into his chair. "What do you want me to do?"
Buffy walked over to the desk and carefully placed the statue on it. "Say your good byes. I'll be in touch. Call me if you hear from your friend at W&H or any rumors that I should know about. Ethan, you're officially my new Willy." She turned her back, allowing him some privacy as he whispered brokenly. Waiting patiently until she felt the mage had enough time to pull himself together, Buffy turned around to witness him lovingly caress Janus' melted face. She picked up the statue, wrapping an arm securely around it before turning back to Ethan. "Me and ole half-head will get along fine don't worry. We'll be the best of buds. You do your part and he'll come home to tell you all about it." She twirled around walking out the door without a care in the world.
She went back to the condo, armed with enough information to ask the right questions of the right people. Buffy called Willow, unsurprised when she confirmed that W&H was the law firm after Angel. Willow gave her the Hyperion's address, explaining what had happened to Angel's previous office. Buffy took the information telling Willow that she'd keep in touch. She didn't ask about the Hellmouth and ended the call without sharing the details about the happening in LA. Buffy wasn't sure why she didn't enlist Willow's help in researching the chalice, but her instincts led her and she followed. The next call was harder. She didn't want to call Giles, but this was for Dom and Mia, so she sucked it up.
"Rupert Giles speaking, may I help you?" the gentle British voice came over the phone lines.
Buffy closed her eyes, gathering her courage. "Hello, Giles."
"Buffy!" the panic in his voice came through loud and clear, "Is something wrong? An apocalypse? I can be on the next plane."
"Chill, watcher-mine. Everything isn't an apocalypse, plus it isn't Tuesday." Buffy couldn't keep the smile from her voice.
"That's a relief, dear girl. How are you? I haven't heard from you in a while." Giles took his glasses off to rub them, missing his Slayer terribly.
"Taking one day at a time." She took a deep breath before getting down to business. "Giles, would the Council be interested in purchasing several shipments of occult items that W&H are trying to secretly transport?"
A heavy pause filled the lines. "Buffy, W&H are dangerous. They aren't like the vampires you're used to dealing with on the Hellmouth. What exactly are they transporting? It must be dangerous." Giles' rubbing became fevered. It was a wonder the fragile glass didn't break.
"Relax, Giles, I have it covered. It's a power play. There's a new boss and everybody's fighting to be the golden boys, or girls, in this case. Anyway, that's not why I called. The important thing is to get the stuff back from the bad guys. No telling what they could do with truckloads of rare books and weapons. I don't like the Council, but at least they won't try to end the world." Buffy paced the living room as she talked, hating to put Giles in the middle. She knew it was the lesser of two evils though, knowing that dealing with Quentin Travers directly wasn't an option.
"You do have a point. I'll speak to the Acquisition's Dept and get back to you." Looking down at his watch, Giles asked, "Do you want me to call you at home or on your cell?"
Buffy dreaded this part. She shook the feeling off telling herself that it was her decision, her life. Giles left to live his life, and she had every right to do the same.
"Buffy, are you there?"
"Yeah. You'll have to call my cell. I'm not in Sunnydale, Giles. I'm in LA. Before you start telling me about my duty, Faith is watching the Hellmouth. She deserves a chance to be 'the Slayer." Some friends needed my help, and I needed to get away if I ever wanted a chance at surviving," Buffy's voice held no apology, just stated the facts as she saw them.
"I see." Giles paused before he started speaking again; worried that one wrong statement would damage the already fragile relationship with his Slayer. "You're an adult, Buffy, and have to decide what is right for you. I only hope that you haven't left a stressful situation for a dangerous one."
"Putting stress aside, do you really think LA could possibly be more dangerous than Sunnydale? You do remember the Hellmouth, don't you? The place where Tuesdays are good days to end the world." Buffy couldn't stop the giggle from escaping. "There isn't an evil lawyer alive worse than Snyder or Prof. Walsh."
Giles chuckled at Buffy's indomitable spirit. "Be that as it may, please be careful, dear. I'll contact you with the Council's decision as quickly as I can."
Biting her lip then deciding to go for broke, she asked, "Would you ask them if they'd be willing to work out a beneficial partnership if the merchandise is the quality that I say it is?"
"Do you think that W&H plan to continue trafficking this way?"
"Not sure, but my friends are street smart and hear things. If they knew what to look for, they would make good contacts." Buffy's mind had already leapt miles ahead. Mia already knew about the things that went bump in the night. It was inevitable that with her here, Dom and the others would learn about it too. "There's bound to be lots of goodies that shouldn't be in the wrong hands in a town this large."
Giles found himself impressed with her ingenuity and business savvy. The Council confiscated or purchased artifacts to keep them from falling into the wrong hands. Some items were too dangerous and the Council destroyed them, rather than risking the chance some fool found a way to get their hands on them once again.
"If the Council agrees to this and it works out for everybody, I plan to call Anya and have them to the same. They may not pay Slayers, but they can certainly do business with them," Buffy couldn't keep the growl from her voice.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, dear girl. The Council doesn't do anything quickly. I'll call you as soon as I have news. Now, tell me how you're truly doing, Buffy."
She could picture his face if she closed her eyes. "Better. Seeing old friends, helping them, well, it's helping me. The Torettos are good people and I've known them forever. Funny, LA was my home for fifteen years, and then somehow it became Angel's town. Being back here, I realized how much I've missed it and the people here." Buffy glanced out a window at the cityscape. LA did feel like home, she couldn't explain and didn't want to.
"I feel the same way about Devonshire. No matter how long I've been away, it always feels like I'm coming home. Do what's best for you, Buffy. You're right. You deserve this time to heal and decide your own path." Giles smiled at the lightness he heard in Buffy's voice when she spoke about her old friends.
Buffy wondered why she hadn't mentioned the chalice to Giles. She realized that she didn't want the Council involved, and no matter what he thought, Giles was still and would always be Council. He loved her, she knew that, but it cost him. Buffy sometimes wondered if it would have been better if he had returned to England when she went to college. It was a moot point after all that had passed between them.
Deciding that she needed to get down to business, Buffy went to her father's desk, logged onto the computer, and started searching several databases that Willow used for research. She searched and cross-referenced information until an hour before sunset. Buffy knew that if she hoped to catch Angel, now was the time to do so. She remembered the old Hyperion Hotel. Kids would dare each other to go inside, and college fraternities used it for hell week until student a died. The hotel remained abandoned for as long as Buffy could remember, but no one would tear it down. Of course, Angel would pick it for his new home.
Buffy glanced out the car window at the Hyperion. She had to admit the majestic hotel suited Angel. It reminded her of the Crawford Street Mansion; imposing, gothic, something from another century. Yep, definitely Angel.
She pulled herself together, ready to see the man who used to be her world. Funny how Angel once took up such a large part of her thoughts, and now she had to force herself to face him. Buffy didn't hate Angel or regret their time together, but ever since she had returned; especially, ever since they met, she knew that things would never be the same between them. Angel created a life for himself. Even more than that, Buffy realized that she no longer felt the same toward the people she knew before she died. She loved them and always would. Sadly, that wouldn't solve their problems. Willow and the others wanted the old Buffy back, and couldn't come to terms with the fact that that girl truly did die. The Buffy that returned was a new creature, rebirthed in an old body, one might say. She thought about it before opening the doors, wondering if Angel felt the difference when they met. It didn't matter anymore. She was learning to live in this body, deciding the path she'd follow one day at a time. As feelings slowly returned, Buffy blossomed into the woman she felt had hidden away too long, doing what others wanted before asking herself if she agreed.
Buffy pushed the door open, expecting to see Cordelia at the front deck. Her jaw dropped open, figuratively, as she gazed around, wide eyed at the teaming bodies. Everywhere she looked teens of every age and size busily performed chores - cleaning floors, folding clothes, helping younger children, etc.
A lanky, long haired teen approached Buffy with wary, yet appreciative eyes. "You looking for someone, lady?"
"Huh? Oh, sorry, I thought that Angel lived here. Do you know him?" Buffy smiled, leaving her hands by her side, showing that she meant no harm. Remembering a time that she wore a similar look when she had run away to LA.
The boy scratched his head. "Oh, you mean the dude that gave Anne this place. He's dark, kinda skulks around, big forehead, and spiky hair?"
Buffy laughed at the perfect description. "That's Angel. Could I talk to this Anne person? Is she the one in charge? Maybe she can tell me how to contact Angel, it's important." She gave him innocent puppy eyes.
"Anne!" He screamed, eyeing the pretty woman, hoping she'd stay around the shelter.
A pretty blonde with long straight hair and cornflower blue eyes walked up to fuss at the teenager's manners. "Randy, what have I told you about screaming at me? If you can't come and get me, then send someone else." She didn't appear much more than a teen herself, except for the way she carried herself and the readily apparent no nonsense attitude.
"Lily," Buffy said, looking at the girl she'd rescued from Hell.
Anne stopped her tirade, spinning around at the name. No one knew that name except Robbie, and he was dead. Well, one person knew it, but she left long ago. It couldn't be her. "Anne, Buffy?"
The friends, who had survived Ken and Hell hugged, ecstatic to see each other. They wiped away their tears and walked arm in arm into Anne's office, leaving a lobby filled with stunned and curious teenagers.
"Anne, you're still calling yourself that?" Buffy sat down across from a large desk, thinking that Anne seemed comfortable sitting there. "How do you know Angel, Lily? I mean Anne."
Anne sat back in her chair remembering the first meeting with the handsome vampire. "He ruined a charity function for the shelter. Turned out this law firm used it as a front and Angel swooped in and took the money. Is he always like that?"
"You have no idea," Buffy laughed. "Do you know where he is? It's important that I talk to him."
"That's the really strange thing about all this." She waved her hands, encompassing the office. "He gave me the Hyperion because he took over W&H."
"What!" Buffy shot up from the chair, slamming her hands down on the desk, cracking the solid wood. "Oops, sorry Anne." She blushed before turning to pace the floor space. "Do you have any idea why? Aren't they the bad guys?"
Anne watched her friend's face, noticing the changes in not only her outer appearance, but her attitude as well. The greatest changes lay hidden in the large green eyes. She saw a deeper pain than she remembered from the last time they were together. The pain encompassed her entire being, including her soul. Anne didn't know what had happened to the girl that had rescued her from Hell, pulled herself together, and headed home with a new purpose in life. Somehow, she knew that the Buffy she knew was gone.
"They're bad. Gunn, a friend from the neighborhood, would drop by and help now and then. I think mostly he just needed someone to talk to who wasn't involved in the life he led. He told me about the horrible things that W&H tried to get Angel to go evil. The people who worked with Angel were their favorite targets and ended up injured on several occasions. I'm sorry Buffy, but he didn't give me any information, and I didn't ask. These kids deserve a place to stay that's safe and the Hyperion gives them that. It's mine. I'm keeping it regardless of what Angel's gotten himself involved with." Anne crossed her arms, as her chin jutted out preparing to fight anyone, even a Slayer, for her kids.
"Good for you, Anne. You're right, Angel gave it to you, and he can't expect it back if everything backfires in his face. I wish I knew what he was up to. Truth is that we don't know each other anymore. Our lives have gone in different directions, and I'm not sure what to expect." Buffy sighed, brushing her feathered hair back, and slumped down into her seat, suddenly tired. Foolishly, she'd hoped to come here, get the information from Angel, and be on her merry way. It's never that easy. Slowly getting up from the chair, Buffy walked around the desk, and gave Anne a hug. "It's nice to see you after all these years, Anne. We'll have to get together and catch up when I'm not in such a rush. Here's my cell, call me if you have any problems." They exchanged understanding glances. "Since the Hyperion's your home, no one can enter without a welcome. Remove anything that has writing on it and warn the kids to enter first. Make anyone new enter without an invite, it should keep you vamp free."
Anne nodded in understanding, filing away the information. "Thanks, Buffy. We did pretty well at the shelter. Every so often, one would get by me, but the kids were pretty good at spotting them."
"I could teach some self-defense classes a couple of days a week. Not to pump them up, purely defensive moves," Buffy offered, finding herself excited at the prospect.
"We couldn't pay you," Anne hesitated.
"Oh, shut up." Buffy rolled her eyes. "As if, I'd take your money. I'm doing fine. Deadbeat dad finally came through. Plus, I have some prospects lined up that shouldn't get in the way. I'll give you a call, and you can tell me yes or no. Deal?" Buffy put out her hand for Anne to shake, and found herself wrapped in a tight hug.
"Thanks, Buffy. I'd forgotten how nice it is to have someone to lean on. Just remember that it goes both ways."
Buffy smiled, gently returning the hug. "I know, thanks Anne. Better get going, if I want to catch Angel before patrol. That's if he's still patrolling. Wish me luck." Waving goodbye, the blonde Slayer walked through the Hyperion with a confident stride. All eyes seemed drawn to the small figure that appeared fragile, graceful, and dangerous at the same time.
Dom wondered where Buffy went and what she was doing. He had a hard time associating the beautiful, stubborn woman with the bubbly teenager whose eyes had followed him everywhere. He didn't know if he could trust her enough to let her into his family. Dom knew Mia trusted Buffy with no doubts whatsoever, but he couldn't do that. Everyone that he'd trusted that way died - his mom, Pops, and Letty. Letty had known him deep down, knew what made him tick, and didn't want to change him. She was his best friend and sometimes lover, regardless what people thought. Dom loved her and she loved him; they just weren't in love with each other. They were happy with each other, and didn't see a reason to change that until someone came along for either one of them.
He still remembered the night he found her body. His chest hurt every time the memory replayed in his mind. Letty went to check out a lead on a job. She called Dom about something big, something he wouldn't believe. He jumped in his car and raced through the streets to get to her. He heard the excitement in her voice, but he also heard something else - fear. Letty didn't scare easy, if it all. Dom knew what he would see when he turned the last corner. The same feeling rushed over him when his Pops' died. Slamming the brakes on, he jumped from the car racing over to a beaten, crumpled body beside Letty's car. He gently turned it over and screamed. Letty's beautiful face lay crushed beyond recognition. Dom searched for a pulse, finding none, he tore open a bloody shirt to start CPR, and then froze in place. Turning a deathly pale, Letty's heart was missing. The killer had cut her heart out and taken it with them. Dom had gathered her into his arms, thrown back his head, and screamed. It was primal, full of pain, anger, sorrow and vengeance.
The gang called in every marker they had to find a lead. No one saw or knew anything; it was like a ghost blew in then out again taking Letty's heart with them. Dom had never stopped trying to find the person responsible. He didn't think he had it in him to open up to another person. Dom wasn't sure that he could handle losing anyone else. Mostly, he didn't think he wanted someone taking Letty's place, not until he could put her to rest. That thought brought him back to what started him down this road - Buffy. Dom admitted she was beautiful and he wouldn't mind a taste. Problem was, he didn't think a taste would be enough with a woman like her. She was a woman that got under a man's skin until all he thought about was Buffy. Dom knew the only hope he had not to fall into that trap was to keep his guard up, and that was exactly what he planned to do.
The W&H building stood large and imposing, still teaming with activity at seven o'clock at night. It resembled a beehive with the workers racing about in service to their queen, or in this case, king. Angel sat behind a large desk, lost in thought. His handsome face appeared drawn, brow wrinkled as he tried to concentrate on the mounds of paperwork laid before him. Somehow, when he accepted Lilah's offer, he hadn't foreseen learning about W&H quite this way. It was mind numbing work, maybe that was its purpose. Drive him over the edge with paperwork. A harsh laugh escaped him, it held a manic edge.
"Does that mean you're happy to see me?" a voice asked from the doorway.
Angel's head snapped up, torn between shock and surprise. "Buffy?" he said in a ghost of the prayer-like quality he used when saying her name.
"The one and only." She walked into the plush office, taking in not only the surroundings, but also the souled vampire at its center. Buffy noticed that Angel had bulked up, filling out his broad shoulders and lean face. Funny, she didn't notice the changes when they had met. He didn't look bad, just different. Angel couldn't stop being handsome if he tried. Thinking about it, this actually made it easier, he didn't have 'her' Angel's face, the one from her memories. They had changed over the years, creating the people that faced each other now.
"What are you doing here? I mean it's good to see you." Angel's eyes wandered over the slender form, taking in the new hairstyle, and the confident air. A proud smile tilted the corners of his lips and lit the dark, soulful eyes.
"Always the smooth talker." Buffy smiled as she sat down across from him. "I went by the Hyperion to let you know that I'm going to be living in LA for a while." She watched him stiffen, and then fight to regain control over his emotions.
The sparkle left Angel's eyes at Buffy's words. He didn't think that he could handle one more emotional situation added onto his already over burdened shoulders. Cordelia was his first concern and the high emotions that Buffy caused whenever she was around would be too much. Angel had no choice, except to get her out of his town. "I'm afraid this isn't a good time, Buffy. There's more going on here than you know. LA isn't like Sunnydale. The things we deal with here are beyond even a Slayer's abilities." Angel, as always, expected Buffy to listen to him.
Buffy started laughing, wondering if he had always been this arrogant. "Angel, sorry to disappoint, but I wasn't asking permission, simply being polite. In case it slipped your mind, LA was my home long before you claimed it. I have friends and family here that have nothing to do with you or slaying." Buffy stood, leaning forward on Angel's desk, hands splayed wide. "Don't think that you can order me around, Angel." Her eyes went cold, causing Angel's demon instinctively to draw away. "The days that anyone tells me what to do are over. I don't know what you're doing here in Evil Unlimited, and I'm not sure I want to know."
"That's right, Buffy, you don't know. I have a life here and people that depend on me. I'm sorry that I don't have time for your latest tantrum," Angel shot back, angrily jumping from his chair to put distance between them.
"Who's the one throwing a tantrum, Angel? When you make a deal with the devil, you still have to give the devil his due. I'm sure the reasons for this deal made perfect sense at the time. You had better be sure that you can pay the price when the time comes, because it will. We aren't the same people anymore, Angel. At least, I tried to treat you with respect, which is more than I can say for you."
"Buffy, you have no idea what I've been dealing with these past years." Angel tried to mend the breach in an effort to convince her to do what he wanted.
"Oh, boo-hoo! Pot meet kettle. Face it Angel, we are supposed to deal with the bad and everything that comes along with it. It royally sucks, yes, but the only out for us is dying. Tried that, except it didn't take."
"I shouldn't have said that, Buffy. I'm sorry," Angel apologized.
"Don't sweat it, Angel. I know exactly what you meant." Her words didn't relieve Angel's guilt. "I think we've said enough." Pushing off from the desk, Buffy spun on her heels and walked toward the door.
Angel watched her leaving and wondered when Buffy changed into this confident woman. He felt pangs as the old feelings rushed forward, fogging his mind and heart. Angel wanted to stop her, remembering the way she used to melt in his arms when they kissed.
Buffy stopped at the door turning back. "Angel," she called to him. He snapped out of his fog. "I'll try to stay out of your way when I patrol. But, if this place changes you, I won't hesitate this time." The warning hung in the air as Buffy left the office, quietly closing the door.
Angel stood staring at the now empty doorway. He couldn't believe that Buffy just threatened to kill him. Her voice didn't waver, as she stated the fact clearly letting him know that she wouldn't hesitate, soul or no soul, if he went bad. It was disturbing and comforting at the same time. Of course, he wasn't going to allow W&H to seduce him. Angel knew his plan would work and that Cordelia would wake up soon.
Buffy flipped open her phone, calling Ethan to find out who at W&H ordered the shipment. Within moments, she had a name - Lilah Morgan. Buffy went to the lobby, memorizing the layout and camera locations. She walked out the lobby doors at the exact moment a man entered and a large group exited the building. She turned midway, matching her steps to the larger man's. Buffy separated from him, careful to avoid the cameras as she slipped through the lobby until she reached the stairs. Ethan said Lilah was Angel's liaison with W&H's Senior Partner's. Buffy guessed her office wouldn't be too far from his, especially if she planned on turning him evil. She climbed seemingly endless stairs until she finally reached her goal.
Peeking out the stairwell door, Buffy didn't see anyone in the hall, and dashed across the open space. She slid from door to door, quickly reading nameplates before moving on to the next. Hitting the jackpot with the last office, Buffy slid inside after hearing voices down the hall. She listened at the door, sighing when they walked by the office. Keeping low to the ground, she turned to take in the office. Not interested in the person that worked here, but the information it could deliver once she uncovered its hiding places. Sharp eyes wandered over each corner, wall, picture and piece of furniture. Being the Slayer for seven years had taught Buffy how evil thought. It didn't matter that this evil came with a law degree. This place wouldn't trust anyone, no matter how high up the food chain they swam. First thing she had to do was locate the cameras. Sliding lower to the floor, and scooting into the corner beside the door, Buffy searched for Big Brother's eye in the sky. Finally, spotting the carefully placed lenses, she rolled across the floor, skirting around certain open areas within clear view.
Mmm, where would an evil bitch get her jollies hiding her secrets? Buffy studied the wall behind Lilah's desk, and then turned her eyes to the other tables and knick knacks. Her face lit up when it fell on a marble box of coasters. My, my what a clever girl. Who'd give this baby a second glance? Flipping open the lid, Buffy pulled out the coasters, then trailed her fingers over the smooth marble until they hit an indentation. She pushed it, biting her lip to keep from laughing when a small drawer opened revealing a skeleton key. Buffy rolled her eyes at the cliché item. Oh, please. How lame.
Tossing the key in her hand, she searched for a keyhole to match. She quietly moved across the room to a painting of Hell. Buffy had to admire Lilah's humor when she slid the key into Satan's eye, causing the picture to separate into four equal parts. It disappeared completely as it lowered into the frame to reveal an opening filled with papers and discs. Trusting her instincts, Buffy pulled out a red folder and smiled when she saw Angel's name written across it. She stuck the folder down the back of her pants, and put the office to rights, before slipping away from W&H the way she slipped in with no one the wiser. She wasn't worried about getting caught, figuring that Lilah wouldn't say anything about the missing folder. If she did, Buffy bet even money the woman gunning for Lilah's job would get the blame.
Buffy didn't feel bad about what she did. Something told her that before it was all over that W&H would be involved in the hijackings and that meant that they would be messing with Dom and Mia. That wasn't going to happen as long as she was here. They were hers to protect, and she planned on doing just that. Her only hope as she looked back at the tall building was that she wouldn't have to face Angel in a fight. It wasn't that she was afraid, it was the opposite. She didn't think that she would give him much room to convince her that he was innocent. Buffy didn't want it to come to that.
No cameras caught the Slayer on tape in the building. The Senior Partners and their minions didn't detect her presence. No one knew of her presence except Angel, thanks to the Powers interference. They hoped that the oldest living Slayer could get the souled vampire back on track, whether she meant to or not.