Disclaimer: The author does not own the characters depicted herein.
Relationships: B/A/R/Pike

Kissing Riley and Buffy sat alone on a bench surrounded by the chilled air. Warmed only by their own body heat. As the kiss grows, Riley's hands roam from her hair to her waist and the sides of her thighs. Breaking their concentration on one another, they both share the same nerve racking disturbance. A twig snaps in a nearby bush. Immediately standing up, Buffy is fighting-stance ready. Riley, a little too caught up with the moment before stood bewildered, standing at Buffy's side.

"Meowww." Exiting from it's refuge in the darkened bush a stray cat appears in their view. Concluding that the sound had apparently sourced from the tiny strayed cat that was too out on a night prowl.

"We should probably make our way back to that Bronze. At least to make an appearance. I told everybody that I would meet them at 9 o'clock. It's 9:30 now." She reasoned with her current boyfriend.

"Okay. Who's everybody? I mean who is all coming tonight?" They began to walk hand in hand, Buffy assuming lead, still in patrol mode.

"Oh, the usual; Willow, Xander, Anya." Weaving around a pair of bushes before reaching the road. "There aren't very many people who know about my little extra curricular destiny and it's never ending rival."

Getting her point, "Right."

**

Upon entering and finding their friends seated at a table amongst the crowd, Riley and Buffy decided to dance. Xander and Anya had silently decided to sit out for that particular song do to the fact that Willow was Ozless, or manless for that matter. Keeping her company, they desperately tried to hold a conversation in hopes to keep her from feeling singled out. Which was a little too late to begin with. "So, Will, how has your spell, conjure stuff been comin'?" Xanger, steering as far from the thought of Oz's absence, asked.

"Good!" Obviously excited to know that someone else was interested in her well developing talent/hobbie. "I'm still working on this whole, locate-Adam-spell, but I think that if I could just-"

"Hey, guys!" Full of energy Buffy unpurpossly interrupts Willow, will Riley in tow.

"Hey, Buff. I see that you've chosen less primitive dance steps since two years ago." Eyeing Buffy with a little "you know what I'm talking about" look.

"Funny." Buffy, looks around at the crowd. "Sure are a lot of people. I'm a little overwhelmed with all the noise mixed with the voices." Everyone looks at her without understanding, searching for a little more background for the comment. "Slayer senses, hearing, vibes. It gets a little too much sometimes." Everyone still in confusion. "What?" Looking to Riley for some support in explanation in what they were thinking.

"I didn't say anything. I barely know what you're talking about. You see I still haven't gotten the full low-down on all of your abilities when it comes to you being the.... slayer." Attempting to keep the single word a whisper, even though everyone knew with all of the racket from the new fast song that had just begun would keep enough people from eavesdropping.

Becoming side tracked from the conversation at hand Buffy notices that everyone but Willow was involved with the hanging-out thing. "Whats up, Will? Still moping?"

"Hmmm? Oh, no! No moping here. Why would I be moping, besides the fact that my boyfriend or should I say ex has left to God knows where and that I am still guyless." Sliding of her stool-seat at the table she picks up her belongings.

"Calling it a night? Already? You can't the night just started. Come on, I'll go dance with you." Anya widens her eyes.

"Xander!" Xander gives Anya a look with explanation written across his face. "I"m sorry, Will, but well, Xander's mine." She tries to be on her best behavior and as kind as possible when it came to talking about her feelings of resentment of other women with Xander, even if it were just friends. Somehow it just never turned out the way she plans.

"I get it. Thanks for the offer anyway, Xander. But I have class tomorrow, I should get some rest. Go to bed early for the first time in like months since....ever." Taking the time to really contemplate her answer, being as honest as possible.

"Well, I guess I'll go with you then, I mean I could use the sleep too." Turning to the table, grabbing her bag and leather jacket. One so familiar, all of her close friends knew where it had come from. Being such a part of her life, they all have not thought about where the source of the soft material had come from. If one were to ask her, the answer would be revolved around truth.

"No, Buffy. You stay I can make it on my own. Don't let me ruin your guy's fun." Willow started for the door, only making it as far as one step away from the group.

"Oh, no." Pulling on her jacket. "I am not letting you go out there without one of us. Not with Adam and Faith out there on the loose." Turning her head back. "Besides, Riley's coming with and he and I'll just hang out in the halls and talk. I've been waiting for some time to talk with him about my past encounters. He seems really interested. Of course major editing is required." Exchanging a smile the started off.

**

Upon arriving to their dorm room, Buffy and Riley had planned to sit outside of her room and talk. Riley sat on Buffy's bed while he waited for Buffy to take down her hair, allowing herself to be as comfortable as possible. While untangling the bobbypins from her now loosing hair she had begun to slow her pace. Before, in a rush in order to leave Willow to her well desired sleep. Her chest became heavy slowing her breathing slightly. Feeling nauseous she quickly backed into the nearby computer desk's chair.

"Buffy, you all right?" Rising from his seat on the comfy bed, he walked over to her, knelling in front of her.

"Yeah." Forcing her head up to face him. "I just got a little dizzy, thats all." Pulling the remainder bobbypin from her hair she throws it on the desk.

"You sure?" His hands now cupping her face with his hands, looking deep into her eyes to determine what was wrong with his girlfriend.

"Yeah, I just need a drink of water." Quickly standing up, she grabs a cup near the bottled-water dispenser. After gathering herself a small cup of water she rapidly gulps the contents down. "See? I feel all better." Setting the empty glass on her personal nightstand near her bed, she headed for the door. "Goodnight, Will. Sleep tight." Just as she reached out for the door knob the door was uncontrollably knocked upon. "Who is it?" A little startled from the sudden jolt of energy.

"A friend. Open up." The door swinged open with Buffy and Riley in fighting stance, waiting for something demonic to jump out at them. Riley; still waiting for an explanation, and Buffy; in frantic mode.

"Pike! What are you doing here?!" Pike stepped over the threshold without invitation. Rushing through the small room, over to the only empty bed which no one was sitting at. Removing all of the pillows without a care as to messing the well made bedding. "Pike, what are you doing? Whats going on?" No answers. He continued on his little rampage. Stepping in his way as he retraced to the door once again. "Talk to me, please, Pike! Whats going on?"

"I-" Without being allowed to finish. Another familiar man came through the doorway pushing the door further open with his elbow. He held a small, limp child's body in his arms. The young girl from her present state looked to be of 13 years old. He red hair dangled off the edge of his arm, her head stretched out over his muscles revealing her throat. A large cut was spread vertically on the right of her forehead.

"Oh, my god." Watching in astonishment Buffy allowed Whesly to lie the girl on the readied bed.

"Here, put this on her head, apply pressure to that cut." Handing Pike the towel that was set earlier that morning by one of the girls on the desk.

Following Riley's advice, Wesley held the front of the girls head in his palms. "What happened, Wesley? Vampires? Demon? What?"

"Faith." It felt like a high school reunion, everyone was appearing after a long time apart. Waiting hesitantly at the doorway, Angel answered Buffy.

"God Damn. Does no one call?" Under her breath, and yet still heard by everyone in the room. Watching Cordelia push through Angel's blockade in to the entrance she stumbled in the already filled to capacity room.

"Buffy!" Once gathering her semi-friend's attention she glanced over to Angel.

"Right." Forgetting that Angel must be invited in, even during a crisis he can not cross the barrier without being welcomed first. "Come in." It wasn't said as an offer, but as something as a rutine.

Taking the advantage of the release, he immediately rushed to the young girl's side. "She's been cut." A slight panic in his tone.

"We got it under control." Referring to the pressured hands on her head, Wesley proclaimed.

"No! I mean other than that. She was cut somewhere else. Her stomach and chest. I can smell it." Without thinking he reached over to her abdomen and began to unzip her wind-breaker. Exposing her blood stained shirt.

Realizing that in order to get to the wounds she would have to remove the shirt from her body for easier access of repair. "Uh.... Riley why don't you take Angel and Pike, here, down to the lobby to get a bucket of ice for us, while Cordelia, Will and I take care of this?"

"Yeah, sure." Catching on to the hint in which their friend/lover/ex was implying, they all move out in a hurry.

**

The girl slept in a small ring of sweat. Her body warm to the touch do to the slight fever that ran through her. Willow finished filling a small face towel with ice cubes, pressing the pile upon her damaged head.

**

Buffy paced up and down the hall in front of her room. Pike sat against the wall near the door, watching her. Finally a medium sized group of people rounded the corner of the hall. Giles and Angel in lead, quickly walked to the worried friends. In relief to see that everyone made it back okay, Buffy sighed. Without speaking to one another Giles walked past Buffy and Pike, opening the door already clued in to what was going on. Staying behind the group watched Pike follow him in, shutting the door behind him. Pike stepped out of the room, seeming even more frustrated from which he had before he went inside. The silence had to be broken. "What's going on?"

Looking to Buffy, Pike lifted his head acknowledging her question. "He thinks I should wait outside. He says I seem a little too edgy for me to be around him. I didn't know I could get on anyone's nerves that fast." Still being serious he tried to smile. The wait was killing him quicker that anything else would.

"You have no Idea." Buffy tried to relate with his attempt to cheer things up in order to deal, but she knew not to go to far with his patients. "Now, can I get some answers?" Even though unexpected it was still inevitable.

Contemplating to himself he looked at a small stain on the carpet below him. He wanted to put it as delicately as possible. Drawing breath to speak, he was quickly interrupted.

"I mean why is she here and not at a hospital? Those cuts look pretty bad. She's unconscious, Pike. Why here?!" Buffy's voice raised with each sentence. Willow and Giles joined the group, overhearing the conversation, wanting to know the answers as well.

Sitting down once again to his spot against the wall he slowly replied. "I didn't know where to take her, besides I can't take your kind to the hospital. Not with all the questions anyway. It would screw up the whole operation." He rubbed his face with exasperation.

"My kind? What do you mean, my kind?" More confused then before.

"She's a-"

"Slayer." Finishing for him without warning, the young girl stood by the now open door, leaning on the knob for support.

"Caela!" Pike stood quickly.

"Aid me not. I stand on me own." Snapping sharply, giving Pike no time to argue. "And I presume that you too are the Slayer. Buffy? Am I not correct?" Her Irish accent was thick. Seemed as if she had only learned it a few weeks ago.

"Yeah. What do you mean you're the slayer?" Standing relatively close to the wobbling girl ready to catch if she happened to fall.

"I am the replacement for whom you call Faith." Taking a deep breath. "I come to deliver a message and tha tis'all." Checking to see if everyone was paying attention. "The Powers That Be? Is that what you call them, Angel?" Receiving a nod. "Someone is toyin' with your destiny's. All of youse. People who know of the Dark Kind are being cheated of their own planned deaths." Thinking of what she had told to the edgy group. "Pike?" Her voice had become more soft with the change of conversation. "I would like to go home now." He walked slowly to her side and cupped her head with both of his hands.

"You cannot go home, Caela. Remember? I was only meant to protect you through the journey here, that's all." His tone was gentle, making sure he was clear and yet kind.

"Please?" Her voice cracked. Tears now clouded her bright blue eyes. "I can now longer stay here. I have done what they ask of me. Grant me my wish, my only wish. To go home." The dame that held back her tears broke with that said.

"You're not safe in Ireland, Caela." Replying as he scooped her up into his arms and returned her to the bed.

**

She had cried herself asleep, with Pike at the side of the bed. Everyone had waited outside, allowing the shocking news to sink in.

"I don't get it. Faith isn't dead. How can she be replaced?" Although Willow explained, her and Buffy shared the same question.

"Caela was moved up in line do to the fact that Faith is no longer a rightful Slayer." Stepping in, Pike was opened to all of their questions of which he could possible answer. Riley stood behind Buffy, who seemed to be a little too preoccupied to even reach for his hand. Riley was dying to get a debriefing of the background stories. But for the moment he knew that his friends were just as lost as he was.

"And what happened in Ireland that you two had to come all the way over here to get away from?" Giles began his questioning as well.

"Her Watcher and I were friends. He told us both that Caela was reincarnated." Waiting to release the mother of all bombs for the night.

"By who's spirit?" Giles began to cooperate more fully into the conversation.

"A Goddess named, Gabriella. Apart of your Powers That Be, Angel." Upon hearing his name and the reference of the PTBs he cracked a half smile."Since being the host of this Goddess's spirit she has the PTBs on her side when it comes to dying before her time. This Power that is messing with our death certificates is working against the PTBs themselves." Everyone now sat in Hallway.

Hearing an hourly watch beep Xander inspects the time. "What time is it, Xan?" Buffy asked for the group.

"4 o'clock." Glancing back and forth between Buffy and Angel, he tried to get a point out without saying anything.

"Yeah, right. Ummm. Angel? Do you have a car?" Everyone followed her action as she stood up.

"Yeah, its parked in the student parking. Why?"

"We'll need transportation. I need to get you, Pike, Cordy and Caela to my mom's before sun up." Knowing right away that Angel would understand where she was going with the idea that was running through her head.

"Okay, I'll go down and pull it up as close as I can." Jogging off from the group he turned the corner to carry out his mission.

"Pike? You got her?" Noticing that Pike had already assumed his job. Without hearing an answer she let it go.

"Willow, I need you to hook up with Giles as soon as you can. I know you have class today, but try and work as much as possible around it." Moving on to the other's jobs as she watched Willow already heading for her book bag and coat. "Xander, you work with Riley and go to the library and figure out as much as possible about who this Goddess Gabriela was. Okay?" Looking around the room for any objections.

"What about me?" Buffy had nearly forgotten all about Wesley. He had been so quiet all this time.

"Wesley, Giles and Willow will need your line of expertise. Help them find out about these Power people." Receiving a nod from the young watcher she moved on.

"Alright, we'll ron devour back at my place and share information, hopefully Caela'll be able to think clearly by then." Quickly turning around, she left everyone to clear the room as she followed Pike out.

**

The girl was settled soundly into Buffy's old bed on the top floor. She seemed so small when all of the pillows engulfed her body. Upon finally realizing that the sun was about to rise, Buffy also noticed that Angel was closing the blinds and drawing the curtains to prevent the flow of sunlight into the room. Pike moved Buffy's wooden desk chair to the bed side where he decided to plant himself for the day. But Buffy knew the man had to be beyond exhausted.

"Pike, why don't you take the guest bed. I'll check on here every once in a while for ya. She'll be fine." Taking to much time to reply, Buffy began to worry about his answer. "You're no good to her if you don't get some rest." Opening the door, she led him out of the room through the hallway and into an extra room. The room was just as big as Buffy's and yet it looked bigger do to the lack of wall art.

"Thanks." Pike sat on the bed and began to remove his boots and jacket. Being too deep in thought of sleep and Caela he didn't look up to see Buffy smile in reply as she closed the door to give him peace.

**

Buffy walked around the house trying to determine where he mother had apparently gone to and when she planned on returning. It wasn't that she was afraid of involving her mother, its just that if she was planning the come home anytime soon, she just might want to know just who was in her house without her specific permission and why.

Scanning the calendar on the side of the fridge, Buffy finally spotted the correct date and month. Everything was blank except for the resent dated box. Gathering her conclusion of her mother's where abouts she felt a sudden rush of energy, but not the kind that was caused by a cup of sugar, but one that was usually caused by the presence of a vampire. Quickly turning, she found Angel scooting in the kitchen to fetch himself a drink of water. He had been sleeping on the couch, while Cordelia took Buffy's mother's bed. Buffy didn't need the sleep as much as the rest of them did. They had all been traveling.

Scratching his head as he looked up to her with a small smile for a greeting, she realized that she still didn't know how he knew that Caela was in town.

"So, how've you been?" Leaning on the counter, Buffy tried to get into the subject.

"I...I've been good. And you?"

"I've had better. There's still that whole Faith on the loose thing, and our hoop of the week demon, Adam."

"Who's Riley?" The question came out of the blue and off topic. Buffy looked a little shocked by the sudden interest change.

"My boyfriend." She knew she couldn't beat around that particular answer.

"Does he treat you okay?" Angel was continuing to shock his ex.

"He's fun, he knows about me. Which is nice of which I don't have to lie to him about certain things. He holds his own pretty good too." She wanted to continue but he stopped her there.

"Do you love him?" Angel was a little too full of surprises.

"He and I can talk to one another. Without having to feel too close." She knew she had hurt him with that but she wanted to get it through to him not to worry and get involved.

"Do you love him?" That still was not the answer nor the question he had asked her.

Turning around immediately she walked out of the room, almost as if she were walking away from the conversation at hand. Instead of pressing the conversation further he only followed her to the living room. Reaching the couch he found her sitting down. Harshly exhaling she relaxed against the soft coushins. Noticing that she was all worked up about things that have been going on he made his way behind her and the couch. He rested his hands on her shoulders feeling how tense she was, he began to massage and loosen her back muscles.

**

Since Buffy had fallen asleep in his sleeping area he decided to stay awake and go up stairs to check on Caela. Although she still slept peacefully he thought to put on a CD, just high enough to inspire a dream and yet not enough to disturb her slumber. He pulled a chair to sit next to where she slept upon Buffy's bed. Getting bored, Angel found a girl's magazine that sat on the night stand near the bed.

Although Angel tried to keep that music low, it wasn't low enough for the very aware Buffy Summers. Slowly she opened the door, receiving Angel's attention upon her entrance. Smiling instead of saying hello they exchanged looks.

"Ne." A small moan escaped from the bed. The language was not yet famaliar. "Achem. Achem, ne." Caela's moans became strong words. The two of them gathered around her bed trying to calm her. Her words came more rapidly. "Achem, Ti heit tue." Finally she woke herself. "Neeeeee!" Her eyes opened widly to find herself surrounded by the two.

"Shhhhh....." Buffy tried to calm her as she moved to sit behind her head on the bed.

"Caela!" Pike bursted through the door without hesitation, rushing to her. Although she achknowledged his presence she almost naturally turned her head into Buffy's arms and wept. "What happened? Whats wrong?" His questions were so quickly spoken in panic.

"She had a nightmare." Angel responded

"Is she okay?" Turning his questions to the victum. "Are you alright?" Nothing came from her, not even a shrug in response.

"Does she have these kinds dreams often?" Angel seemed to know more than he was leading on.

"Yeah." Almost forcing his answer. "They got worse as we got closer and closer. She would wake up crying about three or four times a night." He watched her with pain in his eyes.

"Angel?" Buffy and concentrated on Angel's face during the whole conversation. Realizing that he was a little too interested in a mild nightmare.

He didn't speak and nor did he not respond. Reaching over to the nap of Caela's neck he pulled away hair that had plastered itself on her skin revealing a distinct tattoo. "The Half-Moon Eclipse." Breathing out to everyone. "Who gave this to her?"

"The minister that delivered her, or so I'm told. She's had it ever since I met her. Why?" Pike and Buffy were both on the same wave length of curiosity.

"This symbol, it means..." Searching for the best way to explain clearly. "The barer is known as the Kismettin. She's a chosen slayer. The last one that was heard of was over 300 years ago. She is known as a demon's boogy-man. There to haunt you when you sleep. Born to bring all evil to their final destination." Looking to each of them individually. "Hell."

**

Looking up at everyone once Angel had discovered and explained what exactly she was, and tilted her head up and away from Buffy's arms. "Send me home. I won't trouble you any longer." She began to strip the covers away from her body. "I will no longer pose a threat to yeh." Knowing that she was wearing someone else's night clothing, she rapidly searched the room with her eyes, moving her head looking for her personal belongings. Everyone watched her, knowing what she was trying to do. Run from her destiny. Buffy, of all people knew exactly what she was doing, from first hand experiance.

"Caela, you can't-" With sympathy in her voice she was although cut off.

"I can not protect you anymore, Caela." Moving around the bed forcing her to look into his eyes. "My job was only to get you here, to your Protectors. And you're here. You have to stay. If you don't you know the consequences." Pike raised his voice, trying desperatly to get through to her.

"Wait a minute." Standing away from the bed. "Protectors? What...Just who are the Protectors? And what are the consequences?" Standing among the other two's face off.

"She is too young and too immature with her powers to stay alive own her own. She needs to be protected until then." Become frustrated by having to fill everyone in when there wasn't any time.

"Okay, now that we understand that, who are the Protectors?" Even though the question had already been answered in the depths of her mind she still wanted to make sure she was wrong. She didn't want such a responsibility.

"Her Watcher said that you and an angelic vampire." Looking to Buffy.

"Angel." Sharing a stare of astonishment, Buffy and Angel knew what the watcher had really meant. That of a vampire with a soul named

Angel."But...There is no need. I am just as strong as any other vampire slayer. Just as strong as you, Buffy." Trying to reason with them to get her wish.

Trying not to laugh, noticing that she was only trying to get her way. "I'm sorry, Caela. But you are not. You will not for another two years. Only then will you possess the equal amount of power as Buffy. And even then your strength will grow some more."

"But I want to go home..." Begining to cry once again, her voice cracked and forced her to pause in her sentence. She crouched down with the shakes of her sobs, her head buried in her knees with her hands wrapped around them. She was growing tired of the constant stumbles she was making with her English. "Ti neti sancsi. Ti neti senti det." Her Gaelic was heavy and fast. Continuously rambling the same words over and over again to herself. Until finally Angel stepped in.

"Ti unnit..." Putting his hands on her shoulders he knelt down in front of her. "Uhhh..." Trying to search the right dialect for the words he wished to use. "Ovet, tue...tue...tue unve det. Tue xapir... Pike xapir tue pyil mipir. Ibuwi?" Everyone stared down at him, curious as to what he was saying to her, Buffy was being more wide eyed by the astonishment of never knowing this ability of her former lover.

"What are you saying to her?" Finally Buffy couldn't take it much longer, being alone in the dark was her worst fear.

"Shhh!" Immediately following her question, not wanting to disturb his conversation with the fragile slayer.

"Tit heitles fhee." With what she said her tears began to worsen rather than cure. Everyone felt so useless, especially Buffy and Pike, of whom did not understand what she said and why she was crying exactly.

Angel, falling still, "She said that her parents were killed." Looking up to their observers then back. "Vampyrs?"

"Aye." Trying to contain her sanity once more. "Ti netit pnow. Ti niem."

"She said that they were killed by vampires and that she couldn't help. She said that she was too small." Tearing himself away from the weeping child he stood up and looked to Buffy. Eyeing her she realized that Angel didn't feel that he was the right person for the comforting job. Buffy, knelt down, giving him a look.

"It's okay Caela. It wasn't your fault, you weren't old enough, what happened.."

"Swuba!" Rising to her feet. "Stop it!" Changing languages as she straightened. "I am not too young. I was not allowed to go out there because I was the Kismettin." Dispising the term. "Turner is still alive and my parents aren't because I was too young." Mix sarcasim and hatred with the last sentence.

"Stop punishing yourself in which you had no control over." Pike stepped in.

"The hell I did. I could have killed him. I approached him with all my strength and I ran." Fighting tears with her anger. "I could have killed him and my parents would have lived. I-"

"And what if you didn't kill him? What if he killed you? What then? Do you just put the rest of the world in danger? Your parents would have been saved for nothing, they would have died anyway." Taking in all that the young slayer had said and returning her own experiences.

"I could have taken him. You don't know-"

"Thats right I don't know, and neither do you. You said that you stood in front of him with all of your strength, when you didn't even know what all of your strength was. You're still growing inside and you didn't even know how strong he was." Buffy tried to stay focused on the topic, someone else's past not her's.

"I'm not the Kismettin, I'm not the Slayer!" Screaming as she ran out of the room and down the strairs.

"Caela!" Calling after her all three of them, too, followed her.

**

Walking slowly along the given dirt path she followed her emotions. The need to see something more like home urged her to continue her journey. Finally upon reaching a small creek she knelt down reaching into the chilled water. With her hands cupped she gathered the water in her hands and extended her arms, looking as if she were offering the water to someone else in front of her. "Elpul murhx tien du, Sirtes." The water had already leaked through her hands by the time she had finished her prayer as it seemed. With the excess water on her hands she ran them through her hair, letting them wet her red strands. Looking behind her she found a large rock and perched herself upon it.

**

"Are we going after her?" Buffy seemed surprised that the other men had stopped once they reached to door a few minutes ago.

"She'll cool off and come back. She won't get lost." Pike had looked to Angel as the bodyguard spoke, receiving a nod in agreement.

"I have no doubt that she won't make it back okay since she's the slayer and all." Pausing with the end of a sarcastic tone. "If it were any other regular night of vampires!" Raising her voice as though to get her point across. "May I remind you, Angel that Faith is still out there? And right now she's not too keen on other slayers." Seeing the change of opinion in Angel's face. "Now we're back to reality." Dodging through the two men to grab her coat on the rack next to the door. "And if she's as valuable as you say she is, Pike. We'd better find her before anyone else doesn't." Stepping between Pike and Angel next to the door. "You stay here and let everyone know whats going on and help them out if they need it. What kind of places does she like to hang out at?" Open to almost anything.

"Right now? Well, she doesn't like people seeing her cry, or show any emotion what so ever, your best bet is the quiet spots; park, alleys, closed libraries and museums. Even the cemetery and mausoleums.

"Come on, Angel." Following her lead they both headed off in search of the most precious piece to the puzzle of Life and Hell.

****

Once completely out of Buffy's house property, Willow, Giles and Wesley exiting the old Citroen. "Buffy!" Willow yelled out to catch her attention before it was too late concidering their pace.

Stopping in mid jog, Buffy and Angel turned to face their caller. "Buffy, what going on? Where are you of too in such a hurry?" Meeting each other in front of the walk way to her house, Giles asks.

"Caela's run off, we have to find her before Faith or Adam." Quickly explaining. Buffy tries to stay calm.

"Good lord, is there anything we can do? Should we split up and-" Wesley chimed.

"No, go in, get Pike and get Riley and Xander." Her mouth didn't seem to be running as fast as her mind. "Check the school, both high and college. Make your way to the park and we'll meet up." Receiving acceptance to "orders," Angel turned simultaneously with Buffy. Immediately turning around, Buffy added some last minute but just as important as any advice. 'Stay together, all of you. Even if you disagree."

***

Staying in a constant silence between the two of them, they held out their mission. Buffy slowed her steps as she eased her way to a line of bushes. Meeting her position in front of a small breakage between two groups of shrubbery. Listening, desperate to catch any sound what so ever, for if they called for her she were sure to run further away to keep her freedom. Finally they both detected a patterned sound of breathing. Not deep breathes but shaky.

Looking to one another they straightened their bodies and walked around the bushes and around the tree to the clearing of which they discovered Caela shaking where she sat on her rock beside a small creek.

"They told me that ya fear me." Plucking her head up with all her strength she propped her chin on her crossed arms which held her legs near her chest. "Because ya fear each other. That if it is true, that I am your responsibility, that you will be forced to be together." Allowing her information to settle in their minds. "Is it true, you fear me?" Buffy stood further behind Angel.

"Yes, I do fear you." Glancing behind him to Buffy, and then back to Caela. Buffy's head dropped knowing the obvious pain of being together and yet not completely.

"But why do you fear yourself with her? When you..." Realizing something, she looked around her, everything seemed to blow with the wind but didn't seemed to blow through Buffy's hair. Starting with her back turned, she turned back to them. "You lie to her? Why must you lie to your soul mate? What gives you reason?" Angel switched his eyes from Buffy to Caela, Buffy's eyes shot daggers to Angel's heart.

"Stop. You don't have permission to enter my mind." Angel's tone was cold and steady.

"Angel. 'The vampire with the 'Angelic face.'" Quoting all of the books and writings that were all too familiar. "What is your greatest wish, Angel?" All too curious.

"Forgiveness." Obliged to give the answer, yet hurtful to say.

"Forgiveness?" Taken back. "You were given amends months ago. Why do you punish yourself, still?" Her voice raised to his stupid reason.

"I killed my family, friends, and many others. It takes a lot to regain-"

"Rushing to his body, Caela approached him without warning. With her hands she grabbed his left forearm tightly. Almost immediately her body put her weight on his, her eyes closed. Pictures ran through her head.

"You can't come into my town and not tell me like that." Angel and Buffy stood across from each other in Angel's office in LA(pictures rapidly switch)

Angel fights with a demon, finally taking him out. Angel gasps as his body is ripped in two. "He's human." Another man, half demon, explains later that day. "I'm sorry I kissed you like that, it was..." Explaining to Buffy. 'I asked them to turn me back." Revealing the hurtful truth after all they did together over the night. "You what?" Her voice cracking during her question. "It's not enough time." Looking back from the clock with seconds only left. "Ill never forget. I'll never forget. I'll never forget..." Rambling on as she day changes, literally.

"So, I guess I'm going to go and start to...-" 'Forget." Angel put together all of the pieces from the true present and past, cutting Buffy off.

Caela's eyes flew open with signs of tears flooding her soft blue color. "She hasn't forgotten, Angel." His change of emotion expressed a hint of hope. "Break the spell that keeps it hidden!" Realizing that he would try to deny everything and turn upon it.

"Lets go." turning to leave, praying the other two would soon follow.

"What haven't I forgotten?! Angel, what is she talking about?!" growing furious as he tried to pass her. Her hands pressed on his chest, forcing his resist to decrease.

Angel looked at Caela with a curse on his face. "I'll tell her if you will not! They say she needs to know for her to help."

"No! I'll do it."

"Well, somebody had better do it before I get really pissed." Feeling left out of everything now.

"Okay." Slowly he approached Buffy. He was not sure of how she would take it. Either way he needed to be near her during the process. She waited impatiently. Following his eyes' focus, trying to keep him on topic. "When you...When you came to visit, in LA, you weren't..." Taking a deep breath trying to contain himself. "You weren't there for just five minutes." It was then that has was able to look straight into her eyes.

Buffy felt lost in her own memory. "I...I don't understand. What do you mean? How long was I there then?" Racing her sentence to gather more information.

"A night and two days." His voice was small and shaky as he drew breath that he didn't need.

"What?" She whispered.

Knowing how Buffy must feel, Caela stepped forward, pushing Angel slowly to the side. "Here." Putting her finger tips on either sides of her forehead, resting on the temples. "May you find your lost memories."

***

Trailing three by three they made their way through the park. Getting tired of searching and waiting for Buffy, everyone began to worry. Turning back to go the way they came, Riley held his place in the back. As everyone else continued the opposite direction, Riley's ears overheard voices. He could not make out what they were saying, but could recognize at least one of the sources. Sliding over to an open area of bushes he identified Buffy, Angel and Caela around one another.

"May you find your lost memories." Not quite sure what to make of the situation and the choice of words that came from Caela, Riley watched and soon, quickly learned more.

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