Buffy talked for over an hour, Angel sat quietly just listening. He couldn't swallow the feelings of disgust that he felt with himself. Faith told him about the way that things were for Buffy but he still didn't get it. Angel knew that he wasn't always so dense, what was it about this small woman-child that caused his normal intellect to fly out the window. He finally saw the merit of her plan as well as the need for it. It wasn't a suicide mission, yes, there were a substance of vengeance behind it but there was something deeper. There was the need to set right the wrongs that were done in her name. The deaths that were a direct result from the past and future ones that would continue if she didn't stop it once and for all. It took him a little while to get used to seeing her in Faith's body but there was no doubt that it was pure Buffy inside, a mature and capable Buffy.
She stopped talking and knew that she threw a lot at Angel but she didn't have time to waste. He would have to get up to speed and fast. She wanted to trust him but wasn't sure she had it in her. Buffy heard the tinkling of bells then a sound that made her heart jump - Lil's laughter. From the corner of her eyes, she saw a yellow butterfly flutter into the room. It didn't register to Buffy that it flew into a room with no open windows or doors. She watched the little butterfly move around then swoop down low enough to touch them then back up to the ceiling. There it was again Lil; Buffy knew she heard her baby girl.
"Lil Summers Watson, you come here right now." Buffy looked up at the ceiling with a stern look on her face.
Angel watched wide-eyed as the little butterfly landed on Buffy's nose. He smothered a laugh when he saw her eyes cross. "Buffy, what's going on? Why are you mad at the butterfly?"
"It's Lil, Angel." She gave him an exasperated look. "Baby girl, what are you doing here? You are supposed to be with the Ghosty Girls." Buffy tried to keep her voice calm but the idea of Lil being anywhere close to the Council scared her to death.
"Momma, mes being good. Ghowsty Giwls said I say hi." She fluttered her wings then flew over to Angel landing on his forehead and proceeded to pace across it. "Whews yous bumpiest?"
Angel was trying to look up at the butterfly but could only catch a glimpse of yellow. He looked at Buffy who was trying hard not to laugh. "Did it, did she just talk to me? What are bumpiest?"
"Yes Angel, she talked to you and bumpiest are ya know, GRRR ARCH!" Buffy made her hand look like claws and wrinkled her brow.
"Oh, you mean," his voice trailed off. Angel vamped out and the room filled with the sweet giggle of their daughter.
Lil danced over the rocky terrain of his forehead. Little yellow wings opened and closed as if they were clapping. "Bye Da."
Angel's face returned to normal but his mouth gaped open in wonder. "But how? I mean did you tell her?"
Buffy ignored him, all her concentration was focused on her daughter's presence. Lil fluttered beside her mother's cheek. She closed her eyes and swore she could feel chubby hands patting her face. "I love you, baby girl. We will see each other soon, I promise. Be a good girl now and go back to the Sisters, so mommy knows you're safe." Buffy felt one last butterfly kiss then the Lil disappeared.
Worry crossed Buffy's face and it warred with the joy in her heart. The Sister's must have known it was safe or they would never have allowed Lil to visit. Angel quietly walked the short distance between them. His strong arms wrapped around her slender shoulders. He felt her tense then relax as she allowed him to hold her. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she cried silently. Angel could smell them; he wanted to join her but knew that she would pull away. He simply closed his eyes, remembering a time that this would have been the most natural thing for them to do - take comfort in each other's arms.
Buffy pulled away without saying a word. She curled up into one of the chairs to stare out the window. Quietly she started to talk, "I had an emergency C-section when she was born. She was a full month early but healthy, none of the problems some premature babies have. She crawled at four months and was walking at seven. She made noise from the minute she was born. It progressed naturally into words then sentences. I never thought anything of it because I was never around any other small children. The pediatrician would come to the house for her checkups and was always amazed at Lil's progress. I talked with Lorne and Doyle about it and they agreed that it was because we are her parents. I've kept her protected from the outside world. I can't let them get near her, Angel. They would take my beautiful baby and try to make her a Super Slayer. That isn't going to happen. Even if I have to tear down the Watcher's Council brick by brick." She never looked at him the entire time she spoke. Now that she was finished, she continued to stare out the window.
"Buffy, we will keep her safe. I will help you and I see why your plan is more important than my need to keep you safe. Maybe when this is over we can try to be a family." Hope lit Angel's warm brown eyes.
"Thanks for your help, Angel. As far as being a family, I just don't know. I will try to keep an open mind about it and we'll see where we go from there."
Chapter 49
Angel slipped out of the library leaving Buffy to her thoughts. Standing just down the hall to interrogate him was Gunn, Doyle, Spike, Oz and Max. Max walked up to Angel until they stood toe-to-toe. "If you cause her one more minute of anguish, I will personally rip your heart out."
"Stand in line, buddy, seems that is the consensus around here."
"Listen me boyo, I know the Powers gave you a rough deal but none of us will stand by and let you hurt our lass." Doyle's spikes shot out of his face. His normal calm blue eyes turned red to back up his words.
Angel looked at Oz. "What about you, Oz?"
The quiet musician didn't say a word. He snarled his lips and a deep, angry growl came out of his throat. Spike patted his shoulder. "Good boy, bite the nasty vampire."
"Shut up, Spike." Everyone yelled at the same time.
"Hey give a bloke a break. Just saying it like it is." Before he could continue, Johnny ran down the hall shoving everyone out of the way in order to get to Buffy.
Johnny threw the doors open only stopping long enough to spot Buffy in the corner. He rushed the short distance across the room. "Johnny what's wrong? It's not Mom or Giles."
He shook his head trying to find the words. Suddenly they all spilled out. It seems a certain butterfly decided to make one more stop before leaving. "Butterfly...Lil...Talked." Johnny stammered out, breathing heavily.
"My little monster paid you a visit too? I knew she wouldn't go straight back. I meant to be stern with her but couldn't help myself. It was so wonderful to hear her voice."
"But, how? I know that I should be used to all this by now but then something comes along and scares the begeezes out of me."
Buffy laughed them pushed Johnny down into a chair. She crawled on his lap, tucking her head on his shoulder. He kissed her forehead and brushed her hair back away from her face.
"It's like that for everyone, Johnny, even me. There are just too many wild and wacky things in this world to know them all. The Sisters sent her; they must be watching everything we are doing. They knew that I was talking to Angel and decided a little visit would help us both. I'm not sure that even Spike knows everything that they are capable of doing."
Angel looked at the library door and started to go back in to check on Buffy. A large battle-axe appeared from nowhere to stop him. He turned to snarl at Spike only to come face to face with the bald black man Buffy told him was named Gunn. Angel knew that he was only human no super powers but the gleam in his eyes told Angel that he was a fighter.
"If she wants your help she'll ask for it. Why don't you go wait by the phone until she calls?" Gunn didn't trust or like this vampire. Spike told him all about their past and he didn't believe that he was different, even if he did have a soul. Spike never hid the fact that he was a vampire; in fact, he was proud of it. Gunn would like nothing better than to remove this vamp from Buffy's life - permanently.
"Do you think that you are fast enough to take me with that, boy?" Angel's anger caused his accent to be more pronounced.
"I'm not anyone's boy, vamp. You'd be surprised what I can do with this axe. I did okay before I met Buffy but after training with her over a year, I'm damned good." No emotion showed in his black eyes. Gunn wished that Angel would take just one more step towards the door.
Angel's shoulders slumped for the briefest of moments before he straightened up. "I'm not leaving I don't care if there are a thousand of you. Buffy said that I could help and that's what I plan to do."
Out of the blue, a fist connected with Angel's jaw, his head flew to the side. When he turned back ready to fight, in front of him stood a dark-haired Amazon. "I've wanted to do that for a long time. You broke her heart and I won't let you do it again. I don't care if your are Lil's father." Rachel growled at the shocked vampire.
Angel hadn't seen her standing behind Max. Her eyes blazed with anger and hatred, a slender pale hand appeared on her shoulder.
Chapter 50
Everyone heard Tara's soft voice. "Rachel, leave it alone. There is more at stake here than the past. We have to help Buffy finish what she started. If she is willing to let Angel help then who are we to object? I think that there is more to this story than any of us know. Come with me baby; leave them alone to sort it out."
Rachel calmed under Tara's soft touch. She turned around to pull her lover into her arms. "How come you always know what to say to me?"
"I love you and I know what you are feeling. Most of the time, I feel the same way, but I've learned there are better ways to handle things." A soft wind blew her ash blonde hair back from her sweet face and her blue eyes turned a pale glowing white. "There are ways that allow the powers of the Earth to punish those that deserve it."
They all watched in awe and more than a little fear as a small light began to glow in the center of Tara's hand. She looked like a pagan goddess with her lush body and justice at her fingertips. The glow grew forcing Spike and Angel to hide behind their coats.
"Oy, Glenda be careful where you aim that thing. You don't want to turn me into a crispy critter."
Tara simply closed her hand and the two vampires peaked out to make sure that it was safe. She looked at Angel then Spike then the rest of the group. Her voice remained calm but no one doubted her words. "This is Buffy's fight. If any of you plan to help there can't be any fighting between us. You are going to allow the Council the upper hand if you continue this way."
"I couldn't have said it better myself." Everyone turned to see Buffy leaning against the doorframe. She raised an eyebrow and waited.
Spike of course was the first to speak. "Oy, Slayer, we were just making sure that Peaches knows his place." The fire that lit her green eyes caused the bleached blonde vampire to step back.
Buffy advanced on him, she moved like a tiger on the prowl. Quick as a snake her hand shot out to grab him by the throat. She lifted him above her head then spoke in a quiet controlled voice. "It would seem as if more than Angel needs to learn their place. I said he could help and he knows the boundaries. The rest of you should remember them as well. Spike, I need to talk to you and Tara, NOW!" She dropped him on the ground then turned to stomp back into the library.
Spike knew he was in trouble. He glared at Angel muttering under his breath about stupid Sire's, stupid vision and even more stupid PTB.
Tara understood immediately what Spike did to make Buffy so angry. She gave him an angry look of her own. It was so out of character for the sweet-faced witch that everyone did a double take. Her eyes started to cloud over and Spike scampered to get to Buffy first. Rachel always knew that Tara was more powerful then she let everyone believe. It didn't prepare her for what she saw today. It still amazed her that this beautiful woman loved her. She even accepted that Buffy would always have a piece of her heart. The funny thing was that piece grew smaller as the rest was taken up by her feelings for Tara.
Tara kissed Rachel's cheek then walked into the library and quietly closed the door behind her. She found Buffy glaring at Spike and moved to take the chair across from her friend. The two women nodded at each other in perfect understanding.
"Now Spike, want to tell me why you decided to use Angel's blood instead of yours?"
He started pacing the room wanting nothing more than a smoke at this moment. "Slayer, it was like this. Doyle told me that he had a vision and you were supposed to use Peaches' blood. I told him that you would never go for it. Then the Sisters let me know that I had no choice. I learned right real quick that my girls aren't to be ignored. I let you all think that it was my blood because you wouldn't have gone through with all this."
"You didn't think that I would know that something was wrong that I didn't know that Angel would end up here one way or another? I'm not stupid Spike if the only way for this to work was to use his blood then that is what I would do. The Powers are at play here and they want a front row seat. I won't play by their rules so they keep throwing wrenches into mine. I at least thought that I could trust my friends. I thought that you were my friend, Spike. I guess that I was wrong." Buffy turned her back on him.
Spike's expressive blue eyes showed the hurt her words dealt him. He loved Buffy more than anyone, she was the only true friend that he ever had and now he may have lost her because he didn't trust her. He knew that dealing with the Powers and Angel was going to bite him in the butt.
"Slayer, please, I didn't want to but the seer and my girls insisted. I'm a bloody vampire but all I wanted to do was help make sure that you would succeed for the little princess and for you. That you would both be safe once and for all."
Buffy sighed, "I know Spike. It doesn't matter now, it is already done and there is nothing that we can do about it. Tara what am I looking at here? There was nothing in the spell about it causing this type of side of effect. We could always feel one another but nothing like this. I can almost taste his every emotion."
Tara wasn't sure how to prepare her friend for what she was about to say. She decided just to jump in with both feet. "You are soul mates, Buffy. I know that you told me that is what you both believed but now it is a fact. There is nothing that will break this until one of you dies and maybe not even then."
"I thought as much. There was no way that they were going to let me get off scot-free. No Buffy has been a bad Slayer so we will see how much more we can screw with her life. It's done and we only have one more day before it is all finished."
Chapter 51
Spike left Buffy and Tara alone to talk about the spell as well as one of the men that were on the Council's Special Ops team. His shoulders were slumped in sorrow that his actions changed his and Buffy's relationship forever. The thought that she would never trust him the same way in the future caused his heart to break. No one said a word to him as he walked by, not even Angel.
Everyone decided to find something to do in the hope that none of Buffy's anger would be directed at them. Tara took Rachel's hand and they walked together up to their room. Their soft whispers of love and understanding could only be heard by Angel and Oz. The rest of the team walked Angel away from the Library. He kept looking back over his shoulder wishing that he could be there by her side, comforting her. Angel realized in that moment that it wasn't as much a need to comfort her but that he needed her comfort to make it through tonight and tomorrow.
His mind fell back to the thrill that he felt when he heard his daughter's voice calling him Da. Angel only hoped that someday soon he would he able to hold his little girl in his arms and hear her voice in person. He wandered down the hallway of the place that was once his home. Looking around, the changes were startling to him. It was a real home and the people that lived here were a family, a real family. Angel wanted more than anything to be a part of this family, to have Buffy trust and care for him again. He was so lost in thought that he ran straight into someone, when he looked up it was Faith. Looking at the most beautiful face that he had ever seen in over 250 years made his breath hitch for a moment. He knew that it wasn't really Buffy but just being able to see her golden skin and hair not to mention those expressive green eyes made everything so real. The unbelievable wish that he held onto for so long was there again, but this time it wasn't dreams or nightmares, it was flesh and blood.
"You okay, big guy?" Faith's speech pattern coming from Buffy's lips caused Angel's to have to ground himself in reality.
"I'm alright, Faith. It is just a lot to take in. Buffy is willing to let me help but she is the only one. I wish that I could convince her that I didn't give up on us. I could feel her for so long that I almost went insane. I just don't understand why no one told me that she was alive. Giles told me that she was dead and that the Council's seers were never wrong. Buffy told me that the Council doesn't even have seers, not in that capacity anyway. It is hard to believe that a group of men who are supposed to help guide and protect Slayers are using them like puppets. They discard them when they are tired then go and find a new toy. Giles can't be a part of this; I just can't believe that he would go along with any of it."
Faith never heard the somber vampire talk so much. She looked at him carefully. When Buffy and her merged Buffy's memories showed her the anguish that he was feeling. Faith had an easier time being close to Angel, she didn't love him. She wasn't sure that Buffy realized it yet, but she still loved this man. She hid behind her anger and plan for vengeance. "It is hard to believe that they don't care what happens to us but the facts are all there. B has made friends with powerful people everywhere not to mention all the demons that she had helped. They can go places and hear information that we wouldn't have access to. Listen to me; I am a big grown up girl talking about all this."
"Thanks Faith, I feel a little better now. I just wish that Buffy would allow me a chance to show her that I am still the man that she loved. Buffy and Lil are the more important to me than anything in my life."
"Listen big guy, I don't think that it is all a lost cause for you and B. Just don't tell anyone that I said that."
"What about you and Xander? I thought that the two of you were serious." Angel looked at Faith with concern and the feeling that he had at least one friend.
She shrugged her shoulders but he could tell that her heart was hurting. "I thought that I knew him and he cared for me. The way that you care about Buffy but it was all a lie. He wants to control everything that I do and say. I know that I was a wild child and needed to calm down but I wasn't a bad person. When I look back on it all now, I can see that he was making me into his version of B. A version that he could have for himself. No one ever said anything to my face but I always felt like the pitch hitter. I know that she was their friend and I was the one that came to replace her but I never tried to take her place in their hearts. It was different with Xander, he made me believe that he accepted me for me but it was a lie." Tears filled familiar green eyes, they were rapidly blinked away. "There is some blood in the fridge if you are hungry. I could do with a bite to eat myself. I know that B plans to patrol tonight and her route will be through the town then on to the campus. Why don't you plan on showing up and giving her a hand? I always start at Restfield then go straight through town then down all the alleys." Faith gave him a wink then sauntered towards the kitchen.
Angel shook his head trying to absorb everything that Faith just told him. He followed after her into a kitchen that looked nothing like the one he used during his stay here. There were plants hanging in the window and bright copper pots from above the stove. It was a bright cheery place that made the mansion feel and look even more like a home.
Chapter 52
Today was the day the final nail that would seal the Council's fate. Last night was the final push that ensured that the Council would not allow Faith to continue on as the Slayer. Angel showed up on Buffy's patrol last night. The watchers that followed her made notations of her every move. They watched as she lethargically went about her slaying. The big surprise was when Angel joined her on patrol. To say the watchers were shocked was an understatement. Their eyes went wide when they saw the dark haired vampire sweep the Slayer up into his arms and give her a passionate kiss. Leather clad thighs wrapped around Angel's waist as the two of them continued in their love play. The two watchers didn't stay to watch anymore but rushed back to report the night's events to Travers.
Buffy went to bed that night with the taste of Angel still on her lips. No matter what body she was in, it responded to his. It was like coming home and took every bit of her strength to pull away from him. She felt his own body respond as he grew hard against her and knew that if she didn't stop now they would tear each other's clothes off. The temptation to give into that very act was almost more than Buffy could stand.
Now she had to pull herself together to face the last dose of the drug from Wesley. Her mind was anything but focused on the day's events. She took a deep breath and centered herself. Buffy pushed open the library doors with all of Faith's controlled sexuality and arrogance. "Hey Wes, how's it hanging? I think that I must be getting the flu. I could barely slay last night, lucky for me Angel came along when he did or I would be toast."
"Angel, you mean that he is back? I don't approve of you associating with him. It is still very much in doubt that he truly has a soul." Wesley's chest puffed out as he tried to imitate his father at his most demanding.
"Chill Wes, I told you that if it wasn't for him I wouldn't be here today. It is 5x5. If he didn't help me out then you would be out of a job. Where is Mr. G?" Buffy looked around for the beloved face of her surrogate father.
"He had some pressing matters to see to, something to do with a prophecy. Since we have this time alone, why don't we work on your meditation? You still need a lot of work." Wesley tried to keep the guilt that he felt out of his voice. He knew that he had no choice but was beginning to believe that the old ways of the Council weren't necessarily the best way in this day and age.
Buffy watched his face and saw the doubt in his eyes for the briefest of moments. It was quickly replaced with a stiffening of his stance. He all but marched over to the cabinet with the large crystal inside. Wesley placed it on the table in front of Buffy and started the mantra needed to put the Slayer under hypnosis. She allowed her lids to close causing a dark shadow to show on her high cheekbones.
"Faith, can you hear me?"
"Yes."
"I want you to remember that you are a Slayer, a chosen warrior to fight against the darkness. You are not to show any of them mercy, especially Angel. He is not your friend. Do you understand?" He administered the relaxant then started the process of bring her out of the hypnosis.
Buffy opened her eyes slowly as if they were heavy. She pretended a shiver ran down her back and allowed her body to tremble slightly. "Are we done already?"
"Yes, I decided that it would be best not to overextend you since you are not feeling up to par at the moment. I will join you tonight on patrol; let's say about 7:00. It will relieve any of my doubts if I am there to help should you need it."
Buffy nodded her head not saying a word. She was too afraid that her tongue would get away from her and she would tell Wesley exactly what she thought about him. Without a backwards glance, she walked out of the place that she spent so much time when she lived in Sunnydale. She was so lost in thought that she bumped into someone then heard a cultured English voice.
"Excuse me Faith, I was lost in thought." Giles looked at her pale coloring and his concern went through the roof. "I think that I should take you home. Come along dear." He put an arm around his foster daughter's shoulders then led her out to his car.
As soon as he had her settled, Giles made his way to their home. Looking over to the young girl beside him, he knew that he needed to tell her what was going on. What happened next almost made him wreck the car.
"So, watcher mine, have you missed me. I guess that it is all right that you swept mom off her feet. Do I get to call you daddy?"
The car swerved and Giles quickly pulled over to the side of the road. "Bbuffy, oh dear lord, is that you but how? I mean what is going on, Faith? This is not at all amusing." His glasses were off his face and his handkerchief was out followed by the habitual cleaning.
"It is me, Giles. I'm sorry that I had to tell you like this but the house is bugged and being watched which I'm sure that you already know. I need a favor from you. It won't be easy and I know that you will try to fight me on this but it has to be this way. The Cruciamentum is going to happen tonight and I want to be sure that you and mom are safe. You have to take her out of town before it starts. It isn't going to be pretty, Giles, but I will be able to do what I need to do if I know that you are both safe. There is also a surprise waiting for you when you get to my house in LA. It will arrive if everything doesn't go well then some very special people will explain what you need to do."
"What is the meaning of this? I will not leave you here to face the Council alone and Joyce wouldn't hear of it either. I know that she will want to be by your side just like I plan to be. No matter what I'm your Watcher and even more than that you are the daughter of my heart." Tears filled the dark brown eyes that stared back at him. "I feel the same way about you. That is why I need you to do this for me. If I am worried about the two of you then I won't be able to stop them. I'm sorry but the Council is coming down tonight and I don't want them to have anything to hold over me. There is something more important than any of us that I need you and Mom to take care of it all doesn't work out. Please for me, please daddy."
Giles' pale green eyes filled at hearing her call him that. "Very well, I see that I can't say no to either of the Giles' women in my life. I will take Joyce out of town as soon as we get home and I can pack us up. I doubt the Council will even notice that we are leaving since all their focus will be on the test tonight." He pulled the car back onto the road and headed for the house.