Angel couldn't believe it, he was free. He wasn't sure if he should go to Sunnydale. Buffy made it perfectly clear, she wanted nothing more to do with him.
"Are you really that stupid? I should have left you in your cell if you aren't going to step up and help the kid out, like you were meant to do all along."
Angel knew that Bronx accent, even though he hoped to never hear it again. "You mean I have you to thank for my release? What do you mean as I was meant to do?" He knew the answer but wanted the reassurance from the balance demon.
"Don't be a putz, Angel. Do you really think the Powers would bother to send me to you if they didn't have a purpose, a long-range plan? You were supposed to stay with the Slayer, help her out to redeem yourself. They had big plans for you two. You jumped the gun when you slept together. They didn't see that one coming. My guess is they figured someone your age would have more control. I mean the kid was only seventeen." Whistler shook his head in disapproval. "I'm not sure how this will all work out but the real problem is that you are supposed to be with her in Sunnydale, now. Angel, don't screw this up. Listen to what I am saying, what I am really telling you. Help the Slayer, don't get in her way. That kid has a good head on her shoulders and it's about time that you and the others in Sunnydale gave her some credit."
Whistler started to disappear when Angel shouted. "I'll go to Sunnydale but I won't let Buffy walk straight into a situation that will get her killed. Powers or not, I can't do that."
Whistler shook her head. "Just go to Sunnydale, Angel. Whatever is meant to happen will happen. There is nothing that you or anyone else can do to stop what she had already started. It has to play out to the inevitable conclusion." With that announcement, he disappeared.
"I hate it when he does that." Angel scowled thinking over what Whistler said. He found his car waiting for him at the side of the warehouse. It appeared the balance demon didn't miss a trick. He climbed behind the wheel then headed for his apartment to pick up the clothes and weapons he would need to take with him. He should be headed to Sunnydale in less than an hour.
Angel's mind wondered to Buffy and Lil. He couldn't stop the smile that crossed his face when he thought of his daughter. His daughter, he still couldn't believe he had a child, his and Buffy's child. He set his jaw in a stubborn tilt. Angel wasn't about to let the mother of his child walk into a situation that she had no chance of winning.
He cruised down the highway towards Sunnydale. The town held his best and worse memories. He wondered how Giles and Joyce took the news that their daughter was alive. He remembered the emotions he felt when he saw her in LA, alive and well. She changed so much from the sweet, naïve and giving girl, he fell in love with. In her place was a woman who demanded respect and didn't allow anyone to tell her what to do. Angel admitted to himself that the new Buffy was exciting and demanding. He also mourned the girl he fell in love with and wondered what he could or would have done differently. How would she react when she saw him in Sunnydale? Would it be a repeat of the scene at Caritas? He knew that he wasn't willing to let her slip away, not again. He directed his anger inward for ignoring the feelings that told him Buffy was alive. Angel swore to never ignore anything that had to do with Buffy again. Somehow, he would find a way to talk her out of this suicide mission. Then he would find a way for the three of them to be a family, a real family.
Buffy felt him coming, no matter how hard she tried, their link was as strong as ever. It made her sad, angry then glad that she had an early warning. Angel wouldn't catch her by surprise. She wasn't about to let him ruin what she worked so hard for especially not when she had all the players in one place. She already knew the Council was in town and that Giles witnessed Wesley's meeting for himself, just last night. Yes, everything and everyone was in place, all she needed to do now was wait and they would fall like dominoes. The trick was knowing when to knock over the first one. Her talk with Faith put the last one in place.
She strolled through Restfield Cemetery. It brought back both good and bad memories. Buffy thought back to the events that occurred earlier today. She watched as Wesley performed the first session of administering the drugs to Faith. It took everything she had not to snap his neck but she knew that wouldn't help Faith or herself. All it would accomplish would be to alert the Council that something was up. It was tempting to have Spike take care of him but she couldn't do that either. Poor Wesley wasn't a bad man, just misguided. He reminded her of Don Knox in that chicken movie.
Buffy felt him the minute he stepped in range. She still thought her senses were way wiggy but they gave her everything she needed to protect them. A fledgling was digging its way out of a grave. Not wanting her hands to be busy, when he found her, as soon as its chest cleared the dirt, it met her stake.
Keeping her back to his quiet approach. "Hello Big Guy, how's it hanging? Did Mr. G call you to help with some new Big Bad?"
Angel stopped several feet away not sure, how she knew he was there. Her tone of voice didn't surprise him, even though he hoped for a better greeting. "A friend told me that I was needed here."
"Wow, way to go with the cryptic responses, big guy." She brushed vamp dust off her leather-clad body, while she eyed the dark haired vampire. She admitted that he looked good, LA must agree with him.
"Are you out here alone? Where are Xander and Willow? Don't they patrol with you anymore?" She shrugged then turned to continue her patrol.
Several sets of eyes watched the interchange between the two - one set of brown and another of hazel green. Xander's eyes narrowed when he saw his archrival for Buffy's affections back in town.
Buffy's eyes took in the scene and saw the possibilities of how it could help her plan. A smirk crossed her lips. She saw Xander approaching and jumped to the top of a crypt. She heard him curse Angel and threaten to teach Faith a lesson she would never forget. The last helped her make a final decision. She would discuss it with Faith later tonight when she came to the mansion after her patrol.
Buffy followed Xander back to his dorm to make sure he wouldn't do anything tonight. After reassuring herself that, he was tucked in bed, no doubt trying to come up with a plan for Angel and Faith. She headed off for the mansion to meet with the others and get the latest news.
Angel stopped talking to Faith and looked around. He knew Buffy was close but couldn't pinpoint where she was, not yet. It felt like she was right beside him but then it changed. He shook his head then hurried to follow Faith on her patrol. She seemed different to him somehow, as if she went through a major life change.
"How are you and Xander doing?" He tried to make polite conversation and said the first thing that came to mind. He knew he said the wrong thing from the spark of anger he saw in her eyes.
"We aren't together anymore but no worries, it's 5x5. Listen big guy, I have somewhere to be if you get my meaning."
Angel nodded his head and slipped back into the darkness. He went to his old apartment to finish unpacking. He considered going to the mansion but didn't think he could face the memories there again. Walking in the door, Angel stopped and sniffed the air. His nostrils flared at the scent of - Spike, his wayward grande childe. He vamped out and stalked across the room to pull the smaller bleached blonde up by his throat.
"Oy, Peaches, watch the leather." Spike snapped then vamped out as well. "What are you doing here, Spike? I thought you were in LA."
"You ponce put me down." Angel dropped him on the floor. "Thanks ever so much. Did you think I wouldn't come along to help the Slayer? Didn't you listen to anything I said?"
"You told me, Buffy is your best friend. I didn't believe you then and I don't believe you now. What is the real story?" He flashed his fangs in anger.
Spike raised and eyebrow and simply lit a cigarette and waited. It was an uncommon act of patience for the hyper vampire.
Angel sat down and allowed his face to return to its human mask. "I'm waiting, I want to know why you are here and what Buffy is doing?"
"You wanker, I already told you what she's doing. I also told you that not a one of us would leave her side until this was finished. You and the other gits here in Sunnyhell never gave her the credit she deserved. Bird has a good head on her shoulders and doesn't take crap from anyone. Peaches, if you want to help then do what I told you back in LA. Either stand beside her or get the hell out of the way. There isn't anything that can stop the Slayer, now. You have to decide whether you want the chit as she is or let her go forever."
Spike moved towards the door. When Angel tried to stop him, he pulled a dart gun out of his black duster and shot Angel before he got any closer.
The much larger vampire crumpled to the ground. "Gotta give it to you, Glenda, you make a mean potion." Spike grabbed Angel's arms and drug him across the room to the bed.
He took a guilty pleasure in making sure Angel's head bumped along the floor. Only when he got to the bed did he bother to pick Angel up and place him on the bed. He pulled out another device created by Tara for just this purpose and applied it.
"You know Peaches, I kind of like you like this, all passed out like a full puppy. Don't have to listen to you yammer on about what is or isn't or how it should be. Never learned how to listen to anyone else. This ought to keep you occupied for the rest of the night." With a playful smack on Angel's cheek, Spike strutted out of the apartment. He decided to check out Willy's before he went back to the mansion to see the others.
Faith walked into the mansion close to midnight. She shook of the two Watchers that were following her. When she was sure it was safe, she headed off to talk to Buffy. It was strange having someone that was just like you. Especially, when all the Watchers talked about was there could only be one Slayer at a time. Kendra being called was supposed to be a fluke that would never happen again.
She remembered the way Dru killed Kendra. Willow and Xander told her all about it, not to mention Giles being kidnapped then tortured by Angelus. Xander brought up all the injuries that occurred before she came to town on every occasion until Giles told him to never mention it again. The normally calm Watcher threatened to show the teenager exactly what he went through if he said another word about it. It was the first time Faith saw his Ripper persona. The waves of menace the older man could project impressed her.
Walking into the mansion, she saw Buffy clomping down the stairs. "Hey lil sis," she called out.
"Hey big sis, everything 5x5 with you?" The two Slayers shared a private joke, as they exchanged grins.
"Got some 411 for you."
"You mean that Angel is in town."
Faith looked at Buffy in wonder. "How did you know? Did he come by here?"
"Nope, I was out at Restfield when he showed. Thought I would scope out how many Watchers were on your tale. Got an earful of Xander, too." Both girls eyes turned dark at his name, they were like mirror images in their emotions towards Xander at the moment. Faith was angry about everything she learned at the moment but she still had feelings for him. She was confused at the moment but wasn't sure she wanted to throw it all away. At least not before, she got some real answers to her questions.
"I watched today when Wesley gave you your first dose. How are you feeling?"
A shrug then her standard answer. "I'm 5x5. It will take more than that to knock this girl on her ass."
Before more could be said, Spike stomped into the mansion. They shouted at the same time. "No Smoking!" Buffy and Faith looked at each other then cracked up laughing.
"You Slayers are a riot." He went back to the door and flicked his cigarette out the door. "So, tell me is it true, are two Slayers better than one?" His scarred eyebrow went up and he gave them his trademark smirk.
Everyone came into the living area to find out and exchange the information they gathered from their various resources. Gunn walked in with a troubled look on his face. Buffy gave him a hug then pulled him down to site beside her. She held his hand while she waited for him to tell her what was wrong.
"Girl, it isn't good. I followed the Watchers like you asked and they have some hyped up vamp for the test. They keep him in an iron cage and feed him steroids. It ain't right. Not that I like any," pausing to look at Spike, "many vamps but they should be dusted not tortured. You taught me that, Buffy. Whatever they are giving him makes him berserk."
She squeezed his hand in understanding and empathy. "That is the major problem with the Council, they think they have a right to treat anyone, anyway they want. Don't worry Gunn, we'll be ready for them. We may have another problem though, Angel is in town."
Johnny's face went dark with anger. "You mean he escaped and no one notified me of the situation."
Everyone but Buffy and Max shivered at his tone. They knew the kingpin's anger was directed at the men he left in charge and the fact that Angel was anywhere near Buffy. He swore to himself that he would kill Buffy's ex-lover if he did anything to put her in any more danger than she already was. Buffy looked at her surrogate uncle, father and protector. She nodded her head to let him know that everything was all right.
"Saw Peaches grand entrance in the cemetery and decided to pay his old digs a visit." Spike pulled Tara's device out of his pocket and pitched it to Buffy. "Took care of this while I was out too, Slayer. That ought to give you what you need. Glenda can finish whatever mojo she has planned for it." He winked at Tara causing her to blushed and Rachel to pull the shy blonde practically on top of her. "Don't worry Tiger, I'm not after your bird. Although, I bet she tastes sweet. The Sisters are more than enough to satisfy the Big Bad. Of course if you'd like a little.."
"That is enough Spike." Buffy's voice was quiet but be knew better than to push his teasing any further. "What else did you find out?"
Spike reported all the news from Willy's. "The looky-loos are bringing in their special forces to clean up the town. My buddy, Clem, overheard the Head Wanker tell a junior wander to be at the airport tomorrow morning at 8:00. They want to off as many demons and vamps as possible after Slayer #2 has completed her test. Sorry luv but they don't plan on her getting to the exit of that ride. Their top team is going to try to control Sunnyhell until the next Slayer is called."
Buffy's eyes turned into chips of ice. "Do you know how many are coming?"
"From what I understand there are six of them. Several of Willy's customers have witnessed them in action. They take out anything that moves and if there are casualties." Spike shrugged his shoulders.
Buffy stood up and paced the room. "We knew it was a possibility that they would call in reinforcements. The junior Watchers are little more than errand boys. Travers sees them as casualties of war if they don't return with him. The Special Ops team being don't return with him. Bringing in the team, means that even if Faith survived the Cruciamentum, chances are high they would take her out."
"Hey, you may be head Slayer here but I'm no slouch. What makes you think the Watcher Police could take me down?" Faith glared at Buffy, resenting the implication she couldn't handle herself.
"I'm not saying you're a slouch, Faith. This team has worked together for a long time and know as much about Slayers as Watchers do. Not to mention, even a Slayer can't dodge a bullet from high-powered rifles. One or two, yes, but six, no way. We are Slayers not Wonder Woman and Supergirl. No, we will have to snag the team immediately after they check in with Travers. Tara can do her Sabrina impression and change you guys to look and sound like them. We will know that it's you and anyone else that knows you but to the Council they will see their team. How long will it take you after we have them stashed in the basement cells?"
Tara brushed her long dark blonde hair from her face, in a nervous gesture. She still wasn't used to being the center of attention. Rachel looked at her lover and gave her a rare soft smile. She wrapped her arms tighter around Tara's lush body. "Come on baby, everybody is waiting to be impressed with the way that you wiggle your nose." The brash brunette leaned closer to whisper in her lover's ear. "Baby, the sooner you tell them the sooner we can go to bed. If you hurry up, I'll do that thing you like so much."
Tara's body immediately responded to Rachel's words. Her cheeks flamed an even brighter red and she closed her eyes to the picture Rachel's suggestion caused to pop into her head. Faith, Buffy and Spike heard the exchange. Spike took a deep sniff of the air, drawing in the smell of Tara's arousal. His bright blue eyes darkened as Tara's unique smell hit him. He gave the lover's a deep look that even turned Rachel's cheeks a soft pink.
"Iif you can bbring." Tara swallowed, fighting for control of her emotions and body.
She took a deep breath which drew Rachel and Spike's eyes to her chest. Her lush full breasts were plump and the nipples were twin peaks. Tara hid her smile behind her hair when she saw Rachel's smaller breasts perk up, as well.
Spike cursed under his breath that the Sister's weren't there to relieve the bulge in his pants that was becoming uncomfortable. He drew his duster closer to his body to hide the evidence. He wished at least one of the Furies had stayed with him.
Faith and Buffy exchanged looks, brown and green eyes held a twinkle of amusement as they both tried not to laugh.
Lorne interrupted, "Sugarplum, how are we going to fool them if we don't take anyone out? I mean won't the Council expect their team to be active?"
"I don't think they will. Not until Faith passes or fails the test."
"We snatch them after they meet with Travers. Thanks to the bugs, we've place in the hotel, we know what they are planning. Buffy, do you want me to call in anymore of my guys to help out?" Johnnie's expressive eyes couldn't hide their concern.
"No, I think if we have anymore people involved there will be too many ways for us to get caught. We have all worked together in small teams or one large group for the last year. We know what each of us are capable of. Faith, we've been here for over a week and have followed you. I think all of us agree that you will blend with us well. There is one more problem and that is what do you want to do about Xander? The one I know or thought I knew won't give up on you. We could hold him here with the others until this is over. The last thing we need is for him to run to the rescue."
"I know." Faith paused as she tried to wrap her head around this development. "I think we will have to hold him until this is over. I hope, by then I will know what to do." She sighed wishing this was over with now. Nothing that she thought was true was and it was giving her a headache. Right now she could do with a good slay or sex. She wasn't particular about which one, she just needed to relieve some stress.
As if Buffy could read her thoughts, she turned to her sister Slayer. "Go with the slaying or sparring, it will help you keep your edge. Believe me, you're going to need it."
"Fine." The younger girl pouted. "Who is going to spar with me that I won't break? The only reason no one got broke last night was because I had already worked off most of my energy."
Buffy grinned at her, an evil gleam in her eyes. "I'm sure Spike can help you out and if that doesn't do it then Gunn can take over. I wouldn't want my boys to get lazy."
The two men snorted at the playful insult. "Sure Slayer #2, come on. I have some pent up energy of my own to work off."
While half the team followed Faith and Spike to the basement, the other half stayed with Buffy. "Tara, we can go upstairs and take care of the rest of this in private."
Tara's blue eyes filled with worry. "Are you sure, Buffy? I mean really sure."
"Yep, this is the only way I know to make sure everyone stays safe."
The two women left the room while Johnnie, Doyle and Lorne looked on. Each man had a different reason for concern for what Buffy was about to do. Doyle screamed out in pain, clutching his head. Lorne caught him and Johnnie helped carry him to the couch.
The two men watched as the half-Brachen demon's spikes burst through his skin and his face turned blue. Lorne rushed over to pour a stiff drink for Doyle, concern was written on his face. The potion that Buffy got for Doyle should have kept him from having any pain. The Powers must mean business with this one. He gulped down the amber liquor while he rubbed his temple in an effort to relieve some of the pain.
"Can you tell us what you saw?" Johnnie had a bad feeling about the answer he was about to hear.
"They showed me what will happen if Buffy passes judgment on the Council. We will lose her forever. She can stop them, hold them but if she kills any of them, the darkness in every Slayer will gain control. We have to watch her closely and make sure she doesn't go over the edge."
"That's a big order my little prickly pear. How are we supposed to stop her? That girl is like a runaway train." Lorne shook his green head.
"We just have to keep close tabs on what she is doing. She promised me that I could be there for the final showdown. Buffy knows that this is personal for me and won't leave me out. I can finish the job that way she will be in the clear."
"I don't think that is what the Powers have in mind either." Doyle knew more than he was saying, he also knew that he couldn't interfere.
Lorne caught his eye and the two shared and instant understanding. The anagogic demon gave a subtly nod to his partner in crime. They knew that Angel was supposed to be involved in the final showdown. Neither man knew how they were going to accomplish what the Powers decreed.
Buffy and Tara walked down the stairs, neither said a word, both lost in thought. Tara hoped that Buffy knew what she was doing and Buffy felt a strange pull low in her stomach. She worked hard to ignore it but it was like a bee buzzing in her ear.
Angel woke up feeling like he'd been hit by a truck. He cussed Spike, rubbing his temple to try to relieve the pain. Closing his eyes to take an internal inventory to decide if there were any serious injuries, he was surprised to find none. Leaning against the headboard, he tried to come up with a strategy to help Faith and find Buffy.
There was a strange buzzing in his ears and a pull in his stomach. Angel decided the first thing he would do was find Spike and beat the hell out of him. Of course knowing his stubborn grande childe, that could take the better part of a day. He looked at the clock next to the bed, it was 3:00. Giles should be in the library; hopefully, only Faith and Wesley would be there.
Putting on a leather jacket, he walked out of the apartment towards the basement access to the tunnels. The reason Angel bought the apartment building was its central location, which allowed access to all four main tunnels leading to almost every major building. He headed towards the High School to talk to Buffy's former Watcher.
Slipping into the library, she watched as Wesley sat Faith down in front of a large crystal. The young Watcher told her to focus on it talking in a soft monotone that lulled her into a hypnotic state. Once he was sure that Faith was under, Wesley pulled out a syringe and injected her with the muscle relaxant specifically made for this purpose.
Angel got there in time to watch Faith drowsily open her eyes. She rubbed her temples as her brow creased.
"Is there anything the matter?"
"I don't feel very well. My head is killing me, maybe I'm getting a cold, but I didn't think Slayers got sick."
He watched her closely taking in the slump of her shoulders and the perspiration on her forehead. For the first time, Wesley wasn't sure the Council was correct in requiring this test. Faith looked smaller, softer to him, as if she were a little girl. He wondered why he never thought of her as more than a weapon to wield. It was too late to change anything now, Travers was in town.
"Why don't you go on home, Faith and get some rest? We can continue this tomorrow."
"I'll just go rest before I patrol, I'm sure I'll be 5x5 by then." The dark haired teenager stood up and stretched her arms over her head as if her muscles were sore.
Angel watched her leave and turned to follow her. He wanted to make sure she got home okay. The pull in his stomach was strong, urging him to go after her. Making his way to the tunnel, he stopped short and sniffed the air - vanilla musk. It drifted slowly to him. Angel peered into the dark tunnel looking for what he wanted to see most in this world. There she was leaning against the wall, her arms crossed, simply waiting for him to notice her.
"Buffy." He said her name as if it were a prayer while he drank in the sight of her.
She wore red leather pants, high heeled boots and a black baby t-shirts that had 'Coyote Ugly' emblazed in red letters across her chest. Her hair was pulled into a messy ponytail that made her luminous green eyes look even larger.
"Hello Angel. What are you doing here?"
Her question startled him at first but he quickly recovered. "I came to help you. Whistler sent me."
He stepped closer to him then a strange look came over his face. She smelled like Buffy and looked like Buffy but something was missing. The feeling in his stomach was still there but not as intense. It was as if it split in two. "What have you done to yourself?" His dark eyes bore into her, trying to see what lay beneath her skin.
"I grew up, Angel. I did what I had to do to stop the murder of an innocent girl. So, the Powers sent Whistler to let you out. The real question is what are you going to do - help me or try to stop me?" Buffy waited for his answer, her eyes held no emotion in them.
Faith shuffled along home. Two Watchers followed her and stayed back to see her enter her house. As soon as they saw the light come on in her bedroom, they left to report back to Travers the completion of the second injection.
There was only one more until the Cruciamentum would take place. Faith waited until she was sure the Watchers were gone to slip out the back door of the house. She quietly made her way to the mansion by cutting through yards and jumping fences.
While Faith made her way to the mansion, Buffy and Angel stared at each other. She waited to hear his answer and he wasn't sure what to say. He took several more steps closer until his jacket brushed against her then settled back in place.
"I want to help you, Buffy. That is all I've ever wanted, to keep you safe. That's why you should stop what you're doing before it's too late. It's a suicide mission." His dark eyes pleaded with her to do what he asked.
"You can't stop me, Angel. Unless of course you warn the Council that I'm still alive, this would not only put my life in danger but those of my friends but more important Lil's. Do you want the Council that blew up my aunt's bar killing her and another innocent girl to know about Lil? Do you think they would stop at nothing to get their hands on the daughter of a Slayer and a vampire?"
Angel paled at the thought of his beautiful little girl at the mercy of the Council. "They would either kill her or bend her to their will as the ultimate weapon."
"NO! I won't let them know that you are here. We could leave Buffy; you, me and Lil, we could be a real family. We could find some place to raise our daughter and keep her safe."
Buffy snorted at his words. "How are we supposed to do that, Angel? You don't know me anymore and I won't allow you to use Lil to manipulate me. I'm a grown woman who has spent the last two years making a life for me and my daughter. She is happy, safe and loved." She gave him a deep look that spoke volumes about her life since leaving Sunnydale.
"The only way to stop the Council is to cut off its head. Do you even care what they are doing to Faith? They plan on testing her and even if she passes, they are going to kill her. They have no right to do the things they do. They have to be stopped and that is exactly what I plan on doing."
"How do you plan to do that? They are all over the world, not to mention heavily guarded. Do you really think that you are the first person to try to break the Council apart? More than one demon had the same plan as you. What makes you think you will succeed where countless others have failed?" He was getting angry at her stubbornness. There had to be a way to make her see reason.
"I know you and everyone else here think that I am a naïve, stupid blonde but you are wrong. I have been planning this since Lil and Lilly died. My friends and family have more power at their disposal than you can imagine. I don't have time for this, Angel, just stay out of my way if you aren't here to help me end this once and for all." She pushed away from the wall and started on her way down the tunnel and back to the mansion.
"Buffy, wait." He grabbed her arm then quickly released it as if her skin burned his hand. Using both hands, Angel grasped both of her arms then pulled her up to him. He closed his eyes trying to place what was wrong, what she had done to herself. His eye popped open and he vamped out.
"How did you do this and why." Realization dawned on him the minute he asked the questions. "Who do you know powerful enough to do this Buf..-Faith? Why would you agree to let Buffy do this to you?"
"You finally figured it out, big guy? Always thought you were smarted then that. I owe Buffy $20, she said you wouldn't be able to tell the difference the minute you talked with either of us."
"That was Buffy last night in the cemetery. I wondered why you, uh she, felt so close but when I got there all I found was you, uh her. Why do you still feel like her?"
"It's the mojo her witchy friend boiled up. We are each a part of the other. I have not only her body but her memories plus my own and she has mine. It was way freaky at first but now it is 5x5."
"Damn it, that means Buffy is the one Wesley just drugged. I have to find her, she could be in danger." Angel rushed by Faith only stopping when she gave a sharp whistle.
"Down boy, B has it under control. I told you that you underestimate her, me, err us. She knows what she is doing, Angel. If you love her then you should trust her and stand beside her. Most of all you should accept who she is and not try to change her. That isn't love, its ownership."
Something in her tone of voice and her last statement caused Angel to look closely at the teenager who wore his love's face. Her eyes held a haunted, pained look. "Is that what happened with you and Xander?"
Faith nodded her head. "Once B and I did the ole switheroo, I had all her memories and feelings. I saw what Xander did and how he acted. She knew how he felt about you but hoped that in time he would come around. When he lied to her about Willow trying the spell again, it did something to her, Angel. Her mom told her that if she left the house that night not to bother to come back. She had to kill the man that she loved, even if he was evil at the time. Do you know that when you became Angelus that she would pray every night that her Angel would come back to her? That the man that she loved who was buried inside of him would break through. She had to kill you, Angel that much you know. What you don't understand is that when she did it killed a part of her too? She grew up that night but most of all she had no one to turn to that would allow her to mourn and help her come to grips with what happened. No one that is except her aunt Lil. So, she went to New York and tried to start over then they killed her aunt the very night that you returned from hell. B didn't have a choice Angel, she had to let everyone think that she was dead."
Faith didn't tell him that Mrs. G knew or that Mr. G knew part of what happened to her sister Slayer. A heavy sigh escaped her lips. She thought her past was bad, she didn't even make it on the scale compared to Buffy.
Angel thought over what Faith just told him. It finally hit him what Spike, Buffy and even Whistler tried to make him understand. He loved Buffy with ever fiber of his body and if he wanted to be a part of her life then they would have to be equals. This was a hard concept for Angel to grasp. When he was alive, men ruled women. It was their job to keep them safe and protect their virtue and good name. When he became a vampire, nothing changed. It was true that Darla was his sire but he took the dominant role from the very beginning. When he came to Sunnydale, he never planned on getting involved with Buffy. Angel knew that he loved her the first minute that he saw her but he felt that he could only love her from afar. He remembered now the way that she loved and accepted all of him, his demon included.
"Will you take me to her? You know where she is going don't you?"
Faith looked at him sharply then made a decision. "I'll take you with me but Angel, I warn you that if you are going to make her upset or angry the chances of you leaving in one piece are slim to none."
"I just want to see her, talk to her about Lil and to let her know that I am beside her whatever she chooses to do."
"Do you mean that? You aren't just saying it so that I will take you to her." Faith demanded an honest answer from him.
"No, Faith, I promise that I'm not trying to trick you. I want to talk to Buffy and I will do whatever she has to say."
(From here on Buffy will be Buffy in Faith's body and vice versa)
Buffy walked into the mansion to see Johnnie hanging up the phone. She walked over and wrapped her arms around his waist. He tightened his arms around her, cupping her head with a large hand. After several moments of just holding each other, Johnnie leaned back to look into her eyes. He sighed when he saw that she was all right. The waiting was taking a toll on him; he was ready for this to be over and for Buffy and Lil to be back together and safely in LA.
"I'm okay Johnnie; it will all be over soon. Tomorrow is Faith's birthday and the test will take place sometime tomorrow night. Is Tara..?" Buffy stopped talking and turned to the front door in time to see Faith walk in followed by Angel. She heard Johnnie cuss under his breath and take a step towards the dark haired vampire.
Faith put up a hand to stop them from doing anything before she explained why she brought Angel with her. "Whoa, don't go postal on me guys. I brought him here after he promised to listen to you and do whatever asked. And damn it I owe you $20, big sis. He didn't know that it wasn't you for sure until he touched me." She saw Buffy stiffen and couldn't hide her smile. "Not like that. He just stopped me from leaving then knew for sure that my Buffy skin wasn't filled with Buffy goodness."
Buffy nodded her head and grabbed hold of Johnnie's. "I'll talk to you in the library, Angel. I need to talk to Johnnie a minute then I'll come and talk to you. Faith can show you where it is." She turned her back on them all the while holding Johnnie's hand to keep him from going after Angel.
"Come on, big guy, I'll show where all the big dusty books are kept." Angel had a hard time pulling his eyes away from Buffy. He followed her even though he wanted to stay with Buffy. The feeling in his stomach was more intense now that both parts of Buffy were in one place. He felt almost light headed from the buzzing in his ears.
Buffy turned back to Johnnie, still holding his hand she pulled him over to the couch forcing him to sit beside her. She waited a minute allowing the older man to gain control of his temper before she started talking. "I knew that the Powers wouldn't stay out of this Johnnie. At least he didn't find me until it was almost over. We only have to get through tonight. Tomorrow Wesley gives me the last injection then it will only be a matter of hours until the test takes place and we take down the Council. Are the special forces team locked in the basement?"
"Yeah, Max and the boys snatched them up early this morning. They almost freaked out when Faith greeted them at the door. Tara wants to talk to you about one of them before you head out for patrol. Buffy are you sure about talking with Angel? Won't it just distract you?" His dark eyes were creased with worry and Buffy saw the flicker of fear deep in their brown depths.
"Johnnie, I won't allow Angel or anyone else to stand in my way. Not now, not when it is so close to being over. Faith, Lil, Mom and Giles will all be safe after tomorrow night. The Council will never again be able to destroy lives. Everyone will be ready to move tomorrow night when they come for me. They will expect me to be weak from the drugs and I imagine Wesley will demand to patrol with me. He will be the one to lead me to where they are keeping the psycho vamp. There will be other Council members there to watch and record all the little things in their famous diaries. You and the boys will be responsible for taking them out while I take care of the Big Bad vampire. When it is all over then we will take care of Travers and the rest." Buffy leaned over to kiss his cheek then got up to go talk to Angel.
Johnnie caught her hand to stop her from leaving. "Buffy, please be careful until this is all over. Promise me that you won't go after the Council without me. I want to be there when you confront Travers. I need this as much as you do. Maybe once this is over I will finally be able to let Lil go, to let her rest in peace." Tears stung his eyes, even after two years just saying her name could cause him to have to fight the sorrow that choked him everyday that he lived without his Lil.
"I promise Johnnie, we will stop them together, for both our Lils and for Lilly. Poor Lilly, once this is through I already talked to Mom about giving her a proper funeral. I just want this to be over so that I can hold my little girl again, to know that she will be safe to grow up. Tell Tara that I'll come find her after I'm through."
Angel looked out the window, making sure to stay out of the late afternoon sunlight. He felt her coming towards him. Now that he understood the feelings, he could pinpoint the differences between Faith and Buffy easily. He didn't turn when he heard the door open.
"Thanks Faith, I'll take it from here. You might want to find out what the guys did about that other matter we talked about yesterday. Try not to give anyone a heart attack, no matter how tempting it might be."
"B, you spoil all my fun, don't worry, Oz is going to help out with that." She walked away whistling a jaunty tune.
Buffy couldn't help the smile that came to her face whenever she was around her sister Slayer. It was strange how close she felt to Faith. She didn't feel this way with Kendra but Faith felt like a part of her. Shaking her head she turned back to look at Angel. He was looking at her now the same way that he used to look at her when they were alone together. She moved over to a large leather chair and sat down.
"I know that the Powers sent you, Angel. If you think that you can convince me to stop then you are wrong. The Council sent for their heavy hitters, just in case Faith was lucky enough to pass the test. They plan on having her taken out anyway."
"Buffy, I am not here to stop you. The Powers sent Whistler to tell me that I am supposed to help you. I told him that I would do everything in my power to stop you from what I saw as a suicide mission."
"What changed your mind?" She watched his expressive eyes as they devoured her face, Faith's face.
"I'm sorry that I didn't listen to you better Buffy. I mean really listen to what you were trying to tell me. Faith told me what was happening and I finally listened to her. I want to help if you will let me, please Buffy. I will do whatever you ask but please let me do this with you, for you. I never stopped loving you even when I returned from Hell. The only thing that kept me alive was the thought of you, of returning to you. When Giles told me that you were dead, I thought I was losing my mind. I could still feel you. I asked him if he was sure, absolutely sure that it was you that died. He told me that the Council's seers told them and that they were never wrong about the death of a Slayer."
"They don't have seers, Angel. The reason that they always know when a Slayer is dead is because they were killed by vampires or by a Council assassin. That is why Slayers never live to be 25. The Council didn't like it when their little toys don't listen to them blindly. Slayers are only weapons to be wielded by the Council. They aren't really people to them they are pawns."
"How are you going to be able to stop them now that you have been injected with the Cruciamentum drugs? Faith said that tomorrow is her birthday. They will make their move then. Please Buffy, I love you and want to help. I want you to live and I want you to introduce me to my daughter. Buffy, I want us all to survive this, so that I can get to know our little girl and her beautiful mother again." Angel wanted nothing more than to hold her in his arms again, to keep her and Lil safe for the rest of their lives. He prayed to the Powers and anyone else that would listen to him that Buffy would believe him.
She looked at him trying to decide if he was telling the truth. The buzzing in her ears was making her feel lightheaded. Buffy realized what it was and cursed Spike under her breath. He was suppose to give his own blood not use Angel's. "Do you have a buzzing in your ears, Angel? Feel a strong pull in your stomach, like the one we used to feel that told us when one of us was near only more intense." He nodded his head but didn't say a word, afraid that she would just leave or order him to. "I'm guessing when Spike paid you a little visit that he took something of yours with him. The reason that I'm not worried about the drugs is because I found a spell that would counteract them. All it needed was some of my blood and that of a master vampire, since I had both between me and Spike everything should have been fine. Spike decided to use yours for some reason. If I had to guess I would say that either Lorne or Doyle told him that the spell wouldn't work with anyone else's blood."
"Spike is really here with you, as a friend? He said that he was but I didn't believe him. How did that happen? I mean why would you become friends with Spike, Buffy? He is dangerous and you can't trust him."
"Angel, I know Spike probably better than you do. He helped me when I went to fight Angelus. Spike took care of Dru while I fought. All he wanted was to take her away and swore that they would never return to Sunnydale. Dru left him Angel because of it. He came to LA to sing for Lorne hoping that he would see Spike getting Dru back. Lorne had to tell him that she would never come back to him. Spike stayed in LA and helped me fight. He had a good head of steam built up and I provided him an outlet. He hooked up with the sisters and they have all been very happy together. He loves Lil and would die for her, Angel. He is right, we are friends. No more than that, we are a family. If you really mean it then I will let you help for Lil. When this is all over, we can discuss our daughter but not before. The Council can't hear a whisper that there is a child anywhere."
"I promise, Buffy. We can do this together for her. Would you tell me what I can do to help?"
Buffy nodded. "Sit down and get comfortable this could take a little while."