Buffy

As I walked into the Sunnydale High School library, I saw Xander and Willow sitting next to a stack of books. Figures something is going on, us living on the Hellmouth and all.

"So, what are we researching?" I asked.

"Nothing, actually. We’re studying for history finals. Like you said you were going to let me help you with last night," Willow told me.

"I know, I know. Angel and I had to do some unscheduled slayage. I got home late."

"Anything out-of-the-ordinary happen? Like, weird demons or anything?" Xander asked. I looked at him questionably. "It’s just, Giles keeps piling these books out here. Can’t be good."

"Nothing interesting happened. Patrolling is getting pretty routine. I mean, Angel and I almost fell asleep last night waiting for Mr. Lazybones to wake up," I explained. "I’m just hoping we’ll be able to do something interesting or exciting soon."

"You don’t mean you and Angel...you know..." Xander asked. God! Why do they keep thinking we’re going to be selfish and let Angel lose his soul again?! I really don’t want to have to kill Angel again.

"No, Xander. I don’t."

"Well, Buffy, you should be careful what you wish for," Giles said.

"Well, good morning to you too, Giles," I sarcastically replied. He was chewing on the ends of his glasses with a book in his hand. Not a good sign. "So, what’s going on?"

"To get right to it, it’s the end of the world," he set the book on the table in front of me and walked toward his desk.

"Again?!" the three of us asked in unison. I looked down at the book in front of me. There was a picture of a really ugly demon.

"He is called ‘Shecatah’," Giles stated.

"Lemme guess, he’s going to open the Hellmouth?" I asked, looking toward the open spot in the library. That was where the Hellmouth opens.

"Well, uh, yes actually," Giles answered. "It doesn’t say exactly how he plans on doing it, but it does say he needs a few items."

"Such as?" Xander asked.

"Um...the blood of a man, something called ‘The Word of Hamanos’ which requires the sacrifice of two."

"Two what?" I asked.

"It doesn’t say. We need to find out more about this ‘Word of Hamanos’. It might help us figure out what we’re dealing with. Buffy, go patrolling tonight and look for this demon. Xander, Willow, you can help me with research."

"Okay, I’ll see you later tonight," I said and headed home to change.

* * * *

"Buffy?" my mom entered my room as I was getting ready to leave. "Are you going out tonight?"

"Yeah, Giles needs me to patrol tonight. I shouldn’t be too late."

"Okay. Be careful."

"I will," I said and headed out the door and toward the Shady Hill Cemetery.

While at Shady Hill, I ran into a vampire and we fought. I blocked a few of his punches and threw a few of my own, but one of his got through and knocked me to the ground. As he walked toward me, I tripped him and he fell to the ground. Before he could get up, I grabbed my stake and dusted the vamp.

"So, what’s on the menu tonight?" I heard Angel ask from behind me.

"Apocalypse," I answered and turned toward him. "Yummy treat."

"Figures," he laughed. "That’s always exciting."

"Yeah. Hey, have you heard of something called ‘The Word of Hamados?" I asked.

"‘The Word of Hamanos’? Yeah, it’s a talisman used to steal a person’s soul."

"Steal a person’s soul... Kinda like how yours was restored?"

"Not really. Mine was restored with the ‘Orb of Thesulah’."

"Right. Well, in Giles’ book it said this demon needed the sacrifice of two, involving the talisman somehow. Stealing two souls?"

"Possibly. I’m not really familiar with this demon, so I’m not sure."

"Would he take anyone’s soul? I mean, for all we know he might have don that part already," I started panicking. What if he already has stolen two innocent person’s souls?

"No, I think they have to be taken from ‘chosen’ people. Something like that. I think the talisman is here in the cemetery. Come on," Angel said and I followed him as we searched the mausoleums for the talisman.

Wednesday Math Class (Willow and Buffy)

So, did you and Angel find "The Word of Hamanos" last night?

No, but at least we know what it’s used for. Stealing souls. That’s kinda scary.

Yeah. I wonder whose souls he’s planning on taking.

I know. I wish I knew. Or even had the slightest clue! Angel did say they aren’t going to take just anyone’s

Yeah, but we don’t have any idea of who would be "worthy"

I know. I’m gonna talk to Giles, hopefully he’s found some more information

Okay. I’ll meet you in the library after school.

*Okie Dokie* =)

Wednesday Science Class (Xander and Willow)

So, Buffy and Angel didn’t have any luck last night with that "word" thing?

Nope. Buffy told me Angel said it’s used to steal souls

Souls? Whose souls?

Someone who is "worthy" we’re guessing

Oh, well, I don’t have to worry then. I’m not worthy

Just meet us in the library after school, Okay?

Alrighty!

Willow

I’m not sure about Buffy, but I was so glad to get into the library and out of that hallway. All you could hear was "oh my gosh" this and "no way!" Thats Crazy.

"Thank, God! Peace and quiet," Buffy said. I laughed.

"Yeah."

"Giles?" Buffy asked, looking around the library. I looked toward the book cage, but he wasn’t there. Buffy went into his office. "Giles?" I heard her ask again. She came back out.

"He’s not in there?" I asked.

"No. I wonder where he is," Buffy said and set her purse on the table. "Oh well. He should be back soon," she sat down.

"So, what did I miss?" Xander asked as he entered the library.

"Nothing. Giles isn’t even here," I told him.

"Really?" he asked and hopped up to sit on the table.

"Yeah. I wonder where he is?" Buffy asked.

Just then, Giles entered the library.

"Sorry I’m late. I had to pick up a book from home," he said.

"Well, we just got here anyways," Buffy told him.

"Ah. So, uh, did you have any luck last night with ‘The Word of Hamanos’?"

"Not really. Angel showed up and told me what it’s used for, but we couldn’t find it," Buffy explained.

"He told you what it’s used for?"

"Oh, yeah. He said it’s used to steal souls. And the sacrifice is most likely the stealing of two souls."

"I see," Giles answered, running a hand through his hair.

"What about the demon?" Xander asked.

"No luck. I’m guessing he already has the talisman, so we might be in a little bit of trouble."

"But, he might not have it," I said. They all looked at me. "I mean, if you haven’t found it yet, maybe he hasn’t either."

"Good point. I mean, Angel knew a lot about it, I think he’d know where it is," Buffy explained. "Do you think we should go out again looking for it? Or this demon?"

"Sure. We’ve got some time. It says that the sacrifice has to occur on the new moon, and that’s tomorrow night," Giles explained.

"Okay. I’ll, uh, start now and wait for Angel to show up at sunset," Buffy said.

"Alright. We’ll see you later," Xander said. Buffy picked up her purse and headed out the door.

Buffy

"So, we’ve got until tomorrow night to find this thing?" Angel asked me.

"Yeah, but, can we skip the talk and get back to the kissing?" I smiled. He smiled back at me. Oh, he has the cutest smile in the whole world.

He leaned down to kiss me when we heard a noise.

"What was that?" I asked, pulling out of his grasp and looking around the graveyard.

"I don’t know," he answered and looked around the same way I was.

I heard a stick break and both of us turned to look in that direction. I saw it. The demon. The one from Giles’ book.

"That’s him," I softly said to Angel.

"That’s him?" he asked.

"Yeah," I answered as he jumped from behind the bushes.

Angel went straight at him, with his game face. He started throwing punches. What am I? "Stand around girl?" The demon dropped something shiny and small.

"That’s it," Angel said to me, pointing very quickly. He kicked the demon away from me, so I bent down and picked it up. I recognized it. It was that "Word" thing that demon needed for the ritual.

"I got it!" I said at the same time Angel yelled,

"Look out!" I turned and the demon smacked me across the face. Man, he hits hard. It knocked me to the ground and I dropped the talisman. He went to grab it, but Angel tackled him.

"Get it, and go!" Angel told me. I grabbed the talisman and got up. I looked back to Angel and he was still fighting the demon. I turned around and was face-to-face with an even uglier demon.

"Guess what, Angel?" I asked.

"What?"

"He’s got friends," I said as I saw another one. I tried to take both of them on at the same time, but that was a mistake. Somehow, the first one, Shecatah, wandered his way over to me. The talisman was knocked out of my hand, again just as Angel came and took down one of the guys that had just came. The second one knocked me to the ground and I saw Shecatah grab the talisman and leave.

"He’s got the--" I threw up a kick at the demon. "--talisman."

"A little busy over here," I heard Angel say. I looked over to him to see the third demon punch him in the face, then Angel returned the favor.

I ducked as ugly demon #2 swung his arm at me. I kicked him in the side twice and he was down. I ran over to help Angel, but both the demons were running away. Angel stood up. "He’s got the talisman," I told him. "We should go after him."

"Buffy," he said, grabbing my arm," he’s long gone by now. We should--"

"Go? Yeah, I guess," I said. Then I saw the cut above his left eye. "What about you? That cut?" I asked and stepped closer to him.

"I’ll be okay," he told me. I moved my hand to touch his face, but he moved his head to the side, out of the way.

"Why are you being such a baby? It’s not that bad, I’m not going to hurt you," I told him. He looked at me.

"It’s not that," he said. Then what? There was a pause as we looked into each other’s eyes. "You shouldn’t have to touch me when I’m like this."

I was about to say ‘Like what?’, but I noticed what he meant. His face. It wasn’t human anymore because he had just been fighting.

"Oh," I said. I touched his forehead and moved my hand over his bumpy eyebrow down to the side of his face. I looked into his eyes, as he was looking into mine. I shook my head at him. "I didn’t even notice," I whispered to him. I smiled a little and lifted my chin as our lips touched. At that moment I forgot about everything that was going on. Maybe I shouldn’t have.

Angel

I don’t feel comfortable around Buffy when I’m changed, but obviously she does. When it gets to the point that she doesn’t even notice, I don’t know if I should be glad or worried. But, I guess it’s alright and I can try to get used to it.

"Do you want me to walk you home?" I asked her.

"Sure," she said and we started heading toward her house. "You want me to take care of that cut?"

"No, I can get it when I get home," I told her as I felt my face become human once again.

"Okay," she said and slipped her hand into mine.

* * * * *

"Goodnight," I said for the second time.

"Goodnight," Buffy answered. We looked into each other’s eyes and kissed again. Buffy laughed and I smiled.

"Buffy?" Joyce asked from inside.

"I better go," she said.

"Yeah," I answered.

"I’ll, uh, see you tomorrow?"

"Uh-huh," I answered and gave her a quick kiss goodnight.

"Bye," she said.

"Bye," I answered and headed home.

Buffy

"Buffy?" my mom asked as I entered the kitchen. "Was that Angel?"

"Yeah."

"Did you find what you were looking for?"

"Not exactly. But, we’ve still got until tomorrow night," I told her.

"Oh, good. Um...Willow called earlier. She wanted you to call her back."

"Okay, thanks. Goodnight mom," I told her and headed to the stairs.

"Goodnight, sweetie," she said.

When I got into my room, I dialed Willow’s number.

"Hey, so did you and Angel find the talisman?" she asked.

"Yeah, but-" I stopped when I heard something outside my window.

"But what?" she asked.

"Um...I’ll tell you tomorrow," I told her and hung up. I walked over to my window and pushed the curtains to the side. Someone was climbing into my room through my window. Angel.

"God, you scared me," I told him as he stepped all the way through my window and onto the floor. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, we said we’d see each other tomorrow," he said. I raised an eyebrow. "It’s 12:05. Technically tomorrow," he smiled. He is such a cutie. I laughed.

"Yes, it is," I smiled as he stepped closer to me. We were about to kiss when I heard:

"Buffy? Are you going to bed?" my mom asked.

"Yeah, in a few minutes," I told her through the door.

"Okay," she said and I heard her bedroom door close. I looked at Angel.

"What’s with her?" he asked.

"I do not know," I said. We both smiled and this time, we made it to the kiss.

The next night, Angel and I went looking for the demon. This time we brought some friends. I made sure I had my trusty crossbow.

"You sure that’s the cave?" I asked Angel.

"Pretty sure," he answered as we approached it. I can’t believe he went looking for it last night and actually found where they are! I led the way into the cave and it went almost straight down into the ground. The air got a little bit colder as we reached the bottom. I saw a light and we followed it. When we got to the clearing, there were three demons surrounding an open flame. Next to the one I recognized, Shecatah, I saw the talisman. I stopped and pointed it out to Angel. "We can take three if you want," he said.

"Yeah," I whispered and took a few steps forward. Raising my voice I said, "Do we have to do the ‘stealing’ thing again? It’s getting kinda old."

All three of the demons looked our way and one of them reached for the talisman. I pulled out my crossbow and fired it at him. The flying piece of wood hit him in the chest, but missed the heart. He dropped the talisman, but Shecatah picked it up.

I threw my crossbow down and ran toward Shecatah. Angel went after the other one. I kicked Shecatah’s arm, and he dropped the talisman. I pulled back, arms in front of me, ready for him to attack. He looked at me, and then just took off in the other direction. The other two followed. Angel walked up beside me.

"That was easy," I said as I picked up the talisman and looked at it. "A little too easy," I looked up at Angel and he shrugged.

***

"Giles?" I asked as Angel and I entered the library.

"Ugh!" Giles gasped because I must have woken him up.

"Things a little slow?" I asked, smiling.

"Uh, well, nothing new if that’s what you mean," he told me. I realized Angel was standing behind me and being silent. He still doesn’t feel comfortable around Giles, I guess. Since Angel (as Angelus) killed Giles’s girlfriend, things have been pretty tense.

"Well, we got the talisman," I said and held it up for him to see. Giles took it from me.

"This will be most helpful."

"Angel found the cave where they were," I told him.

Giles looked at Angel. "Thank you, Angel." Angel semi-smiled and Giles opened his book.

"I’ll, uh, see you tomorrow then," I said.

"Yes, goodnight." Angel and I left.

As Giles studied the talisman, he noticed something in his book; in the picture there was a small carved picture in the left corner. On the talisman in his hand, it was sloppy and too small.

"Oh, dear," he said. They must have known Buffy would go looking for them. So, they made a fake to distract us, he thought. He took off his glasses and set them on the desk. He then put his head in his hands.

Angel

As I closed my door, I was exhausted. It’s not even daybreak, and I’m tired?! I took off my jacket and set it on the back of a chair. I was about to muddle my way to my bedroom, but I felt a pain. A pain I never wanted to feel again.

"Oh, no, this can't be happening!" I said as I fell to the floor.

***

Pain. Finally gone. I stood up and looked around the room. I think I need to find the Slayer and give her my regards for sending me to Hell. I looked at the blinds covering the window. Day. I guess I’ll have to wait until tonight. Geez, it’s so great to be back in Sunnydale. The "no soul" part anyway. I grinned.