Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. I wish I did, don't get me wrong, but they belong to the god of BtVS, Joss Whedon. Watch me as I bow down. *bows*
Rating: I'm gonna be safe and give it a TV14 rating for future content, but it may change depending where I take it.
Distribution: If you have the first, go for it. If not, ask and I'll send you all the stories.
Feedback: Please! If I get some, I'll send part one and it goes for the rest of them too.
Authors Note: The first three stories in this story can be found at http://www.angelfire.com/ca4/bafluff/fanfic.html under Cass.
Note 2: I started this story long before the season finale of Angel, so any relation with the finale is purely consequential.

Prologue

Angel and Buffy were snuggled up on the bed they shared, both in deep thought. They didn't notice the news report coming from the TV until it said:

"Ten children have been reported missing from Sunnydale Day Care. These kids were outside playing and when they were called in, it was reported that none of them could be found. If you know of the whereabouts of these children please call 555-7825."

Buffy clicked off the TV and rolled over to face Angel, concern written all over her face. "Angel. This is horrible! Those poor kids! Who or what do you think did this?"

Angel gathered Buffy in his arms and squeezed her tight into a hug and then laid her head on his chest. He looked down into her big green eyes, edged with tears of fear for the kids and said to her, "I don't know, Buffy. It could be anything. It could be a demon, but there's also a very large chance that it was a human. Giles gets back into town tomorrow morning. We'll call him first thing when we wake up."

"It's just so horrible, Angel. I can't believe, human or not, something could do this. They're just children."

"I know, darling, I know. Now lets go to sleep. The sooner you get to sleep, the faster morning will come." He pulled Buffy under the covers and snuggled her to him. He kissed her on the forehead. "Goodnight." He whispered.

"Goodnight, Angel. First thing tomorrow." She muttered right before she dozed off to sleep.

"First thing tomorrow," He promised.

Part One

< Children screaming. Get them out. The child screams so loud. Why can't I shut it out? Leave. Just leave. Leave my thoughts. Leave my mind. Get out. > She tossed and turned in her sleep. She could see them. All of those children. Screaming and crying for their mums and dads. They wouldn't leave her alone. She could hear them crying for her. Crying to save them. < "Please, save us." > they whispered in her head.

< I'm trying > she tells them. < I'm trying. Just tell me how >

< Save us > they scream. < Save us from the bad man>

< Please, not all at once > she tells them. < My head it hurts >

< Save us > they continue to scream.

< Please, stop > She cries as she falls to her knees. < Please, I can't take all of the noise >

And then silence. They stop. Nothing. Nothing but silence. She looks up. They are gone.

And she wakes. She wakes to be pulled closer by her lover. And she lays there in the night. Wondering if it was a dream. Or if it was real.

*~*

Birds sang and the sun shone, giving Sunnydale a peaceful aura. Everyone came outside to participate in the sun-filled day. Children played and lovers laughed. Everything was perfect. Everything was perfect, except to those covered in darkness.

In a warehouse on the edge of town, screams ripped through the air. Screams of ten. Ten missing children. Only wanting to go home. Go home to mommy and daddy who could tell them that monsters didn't really exist.

"I wanna go home," Jennifer cried. "I miss my mommy and daddy." She was one of the ten huddled into a small cage in the warehouse. She was cold and scared. Why was this happening? Who would want to hurt them?

"Shh. It's ok," young Daniel told Jennifer as he hugged her close. "Everything will be ok. Someone will find us, I just know they will."

"You've got to be kidding me," came a remark from the opposite side of the cage. The oldest child, Julie, was holding her knees close to her chest. She rose and walked over to where Daniel and Jennifer sat. "We're not getting out. No one is going to save us. We're doomed."

"No we're not, Julie!" Daniel told her defensively. "We will get out of here. Something inside me tells me we will."

"Oh save it, Daniel. Just look around. We're in a warehouse on the edge of town. No one comes here anymore. So why keep lying to yourself and the others. We're as good as dead."

"You really should listen to your roommate over there," a slimy voice came from the doorway. "She's right. You're all dead. You're nothing but a meal to me. And when the time comes for my meal, there will be no one near to hear you scream."

The screaming started and the talking ceased. They were dead. Nothing but a memory.

PART TWO

Buffy was cleaning up her breakfast dishes when a pair of strong arms wrapped themselves around her waist from behind. Startled, Buffy spun around, effectively splashing water all over Angel. "Ohmigod, Angel, you scared me!"

Angel laughed and then responded, "No thank you miss, I already took a shower this morning."

"Well, if you didn't scare me, then you wouldn't have had to taken a bath," Buffy teased.

"Well, it's not like it would be someone else. Unless you're hiding someone from me," Angel started to look in the cabinets for "another person."

"What are you doing, Angel?" Buffy asked, arching an amused eyebrow.

"Looking for your boyfriend I know you keep hidden around here," he told her.

"Oh well, when you find him, can you tell him that I missed him last night and I could use another go before Giles and the gang get here?"

Angel growled at her. He slowly started to stalk her. "You think this is funny?" He asked.

She laughed at him, backing up and said, "I think it's hilarious." She didn't realize until it was too late that she was backing up against the counter with no where to go. He pressed his body to hers so she could not escape. He took her arms and wrapped them around his neck. He lowered his mouths to hers and slowly started to kiss her. Her hold on his neck tightened as the kiss grew more passionate. Smiling, he reached his hands into the water behind her and then dumped soap suds on her head.

Buffy shrieked and jumped away from him, "Angel! I can't believe you did that!"

He laughed at her. She looked like she had made herself a crown of bubbles. "Well, that's what you get," Angel play pouted.

Buffy walked over to Angel. "Aww, poor Angel. Did my baby's feelings get hurt?" she asked in a baby-voice.

He crossed his arms over his chest and huffed. "Yes."

"Come here, let me make it all better," Buffy told him seductively. He quickly made his way over to her. Buffy wound her arms around his neck and gently pressed her mouth to his. She slowly parted his lips with her tongue and gently started to massage his tongue with hers. He moaned and tightened his hold on her. Slowly, he started to lead her over to the couch. He sat down and she slowly started to lower herself onto his lap.

Knock knock. Someone was at the door. Angel moaned and lifted Buffy off of him. He tried the best he could to calm himself. It was a good thing that someone came when they did. Angel's curse was still there and if they had gone any further, it may have caused disaster. Although, he was sure they wouldn't have. While Buffy smoothed herself out, Angel answered the door. "Giles," he said. "And Xander and Willow. What are you doing here?" Angel asked them.

"Oh, um, well, Buffy called me this morning telling me there was something important that she needed to speak with me about."

"Oh yes, please come in." Angel stepped aside and let the trio entered.

Xander looked at Buffy and back at Angel and back at Buffy. "Um, this probably isn't any of my business, but Angel, why are you wet and Buffy, why are there soap suds on your head?"

Blushing, Buffy wiped off her head and then replied, "You're right, it isn't your business. Besides we have more important matters to discuss. Angel and I are going to go change and we'll talk about it when we get back down." Buffy pulled Angel up the stairs to their room.

Behind her she heard Xander say, "Man, not even the first month and they are gonna blow it." And then she heard what she assumed to be Willow's hand making contact with his shoulder.

*~*

Ten minutes later, everyone was gathered in Buffy and Angel's living room. "So, Buffy, what is this news you had to tell us?" Giles asked.

"There was a report on the news last night about ten missing kids. They were outside playing at a daycare and they just disappeared. We have to figure who or what did this," Buffy told Giles.

"Well, Buffy, I don't know where to start. I mean, there's no proof of who or what did this. It could have been a human being, for all we know."

"No, it's not Giles. I have a feeling. I just know that it's not human."

"Buffy, how can you be certain? All you saw was the news report." Willow said.

"I- I had a dream," Buffy told them, tears coming to her eyes as she thought about it. Seeing the tears in her eyes, Angel pulled Buffy into his lap and whispered soothing words to her. Buffy finished crying and looked at Giles. "Giles, in my dream they were screaming out to me. All of those kids. They asked me to save them. To save them from the bad man. Giles, I just know that it's a demon. I just know that this is not human. I just know." Buffy told him, pleading with him to believe her.

Giles got up and motioned for Xander and Willow to follow. "We'll research and see what we can come up with. I'll call you if we find anything." They said their good-byes and were out the door, leaving Angel and Buffy cuddled on the couch.

"Angel?" Buffy asked him after moments of silence.

"Yes?"

"Do you believe me? I mean, I'm not even sure if I believe myself. Maybe all of these years of slaying is finally turning me insane." Buffy told Angel in a voice so small, he had to strain to hear her.

Angel placed his finger under her chin and tilted her head up so her eyes met his. "Buffy, listen to me. You are not going crazy. What you feel is true. I know it and Giles knows it. We all trust you. Now get some sleep, ok? You look tired."

"Ok, but Angel? Stay here with me? Hold me while I sleep?"

"Always, darling, always." Angel kissed the top of her head and laid her on top of him on the couch. He reached up and pulled down the blanket that they kept on the arm of the couch and covered them with it. Within minutes Buffy was asleep.

*~*

So dark, it's so dark here. No one's here. Empty. Empty rooms. Wait, a whisper in the dark. Where is it coming from?

< Slayer, where are you? > A child's voice called out.

< I'm here, I'm right here > she tells them.

She follows the voice into an empty room, except a small cage in the middle. < Slayer, help us. Save us > they all scream.

< I'm trying to. > she pulls at the bars, but they do not budge. From behind her, a hand places itself on her shoulder.

< Don't you see it, Slayer? > the person asks.

< See what? >

< That there is nothing you can do. You're too weak. It's too strong .>

< No, there has to be a way. >

< There is one way > the person tells her.

< What? Anything, I'll do anything > she tells the person.

< Make her believe > Cryptic, it's all so cryptic.

< Who? > She asks. A long arm points to the very back corner of the cage. There sits, a young girl. Her brown hair flows to her shoulders and her green eyes sparkle. And she knows. She knows what is to come of her life. She pushes it out. Out into the darkness.

< Buffy, is that you? > the young girl asks.

< Yes, it's me, little one. Please, don't be afraid. >

< I don't want to do it. I can't. >

< You have to. Lives depend on you. You're the next. >

< When? > The young girl asks.

< You'll know, and so will I. Don't worry, we're coming. We'll be here soon > And then she awoke.

Buffy Summers awoke in a sweat. < No, it can't be > she said to herself. < One of those kids is the future Slayer > And more than ever, Buffy knew that she had to get all of those kids out of there and soon.

PART THREE

"Julie?" Jennifer asked the older girl.

"What?" Julie answered the girl from her spot in the corner of the cage.

"Do you really think we're going to die? I'm scared." Jennifer admited to her in a small voice.

"Come here," Julie motioned for Jennifer to come sit beside her. Jennifer did so and Julie wrapped an arm around her. "You're not going to die. I won't let you."

"But earlier you said-"

"It doesn't matter what I said," Julie snapped cutting off Jennifer. Softening her tone, she continued, "There's nothing to worry about. We'll get out of here. I promise."

"I wish I was as brave as you," Jennifer said as she slowly drifted to sleep on the hard floor.

"So do I," Julie whispered as a shudder passed over her body. "So do I."

~*~

"So Giles, anything new?" Buffy asked as she and Angel entered his apartment. With Sunnydale High blown to pieces in their battle against the mayor, they often met at Giles to plan and research.

Looking up from his book, Giles answered, "I think I may have. I have to ask you, Buffy. Have you had any more dreams?"

Buffy hesitated, thinking of her latest dream, but answered with a nod.

"And what happened in this dream?"

"Well, it was pretty much the same as the last one. You know, children screaming, me trying to save them. But there was something different. I was in this room with only a cage in there that was filled with the children. And there was this girl there and she told me that I needed to save them, and that I was the only way. And there's something else Giles." Buffy paused and at his silent question, she answered, "One of those kids is the next Slayer."

Everyone in the room gasped and Angel tightened his grip around Buffy's waist. She leaned into him for support. "Buffy," Willow began. "Is she you're replacement?"

"I don't know, but I don't think so. I would have known. Giles don't Slayers usually die in their dreams when they encounter the next Slayer in them? Sort of as a warning so they know what's coming?"

"Y-yes, they do. You never actually died?" Giles inquired. Buffy shook her head. "Well, then there's only one possibility. This girl is Faith's replacement. But I warn you, do not tell the girl about any of this when we save them. If she knows, it could ruin everything for her. If she learns of her destiny before it is time, there is a possibility that she will go mad. Once a Slayer knows of their destiny, they begin the dreams, as you may remember. She will feel some kind of connection to you, but won't know what it is. Not until she is called. Understand?"

"Yeah, I do, Giles. I feel so sorry for her. I don't think any of those kids in there are older that thirteen."

"I know, Buffy. But as the council informed me a while ago, everything changed when you became Slayer. Everything, including the age of calling." Giles let out a small sigh and then straightened. "But we must not let that distract us from the matter at hand. We have ten children missing and no location. But with the information Buffy has given me, I have pinpointed some locations of their possible whereabouts. There are five abandoned warehouses on the edge of town, and I believe that is where our demon is holding these children. Buffy and Angel will check out all five tonight and report back with their findings. Do not attack. We need to find out what we're dealing with before we run in there. So if you find them, do a little looking around to scope entrances and all that and report back here immediately. Do not let yourself be discovered. There are ten lives on the line, and we cannot risk one. Ok?" Everyone nodded and Buffy and Angel left.

"Wow, way to take charge there, Giles. That's the old Watcher I remember," Xander half-joked.

"No one messes with kids." Giles face hardened. "No one."

~*~

Angel and Buffy carefully patrolled the warehouses. There were on the forth of the five, and still no sign of the kids. "Angel?" Buffy whispered to him in the dark.

Angel looked around the corner they had approached and then looked back at her. "What?"

"What if we can't find the warehouse? What if they aren't even here?"

Angel turned around so he was facing her. "We will find them, Buffy."

"But we only have one more warehouse left and there's a large chance that they won't be there."

Angel took a step towards Buffy and folded her in his arms. "Buffy, I know that we'll find them. Don't worry. I promise, we won't let anything happen to those kids."

Buffy tightened her grip around his waist and held him to her. She put her head on his chest for a minute and then looked up at him. "Ok, let's go. There's one more warehouse to explore."

They slowly walked side by side. Close enough to feel their connection, but far enough so they could fully concentrate on what they were doing. Together, they cautiously entered the warehouse. Everything was as quiet as a mouse moving across the kitchen floor. But then, everything crumbled.The silence was cut clean by a piercing scream. Angel and Buffy ran as fast as they could toward the sound, knowing that it could stop at any minute and they would be forced to start looking blind again.

They ran through the warehouse like two mice in a maze trying to find their cheese. The sound got louder and louder until it was piercing it's way into the couple's ears. Slowing down, Buffy motioned for Angel to follow her to a corner to look around. Stealthily, she turned her head around the corner. What she saw was one of the ugliest demons she had ever seen in her years of slaying. He had ugly brown skin that rotted from head to toe. He had talons on each finger that extended about two feet and a yellow scaly head. He only stood six feet, but the air around him gave him more height. Buffy and Angel watched as he tilted his head to the ceiling a screamed. It was the same scream that had led them to him.

"OK, we know that the demon is here, but now we need to know if the kids are still alive," Angel said as he gently grabbed Buffy's arm. "Come on, this way." He led them into a large empty room with nothing but a cage. Buffy crept to the cage. In there, she counted ten heads. Everyone was asleep, except one girl huddled in the corner.

"You've come to save us." She stated it as if she knew it.

"Yes," Buffy told her. "How are you? Is everyone okay."

"Yeah. We're all okay, besides the fact that they are scared out of their minds." The girl pointed to the children and then looked back at Buffy.

"You're not scared?" Buffy asked her.

"No. I know that you're here to save us and you will. I don't know why, but I have a feeling."

"A feeling?" Buffy asked her with question.

"I don't know. I get like these feelings about good and bad things. I don't know why." She looked up at Buffy with big blue eyes. "I am scared, you know. There's something here. Something dark."

Buffy looked closely at the girl. She looked into her eyes and she knew. She knew why she didn't let anyone in on how she was feeling. This was she. This was the girl that she had dreamed about. She was the new Slayer to be called when the old one was dead. Buffy looked at her in sympathy before talking to her again. "Don't worry. Just remember to be strong for them. I have to go now. I have to gather some friends and we'll be back tomorrow night to save you. Do you think he'll try anything by then?"

The girl shook her head. "No, I don't think so. But please, hurry."

"I will." With that, Buffy ran out of the room. On the way out she told Angel, "Come on let's go."

"You found them?"

"Yes, and we need to hurry." Together, the couple left the warehouse to tell Giles that they had found the missing children.

PART FOUR

Back at Giles', everyone was discussing what his or her battle plan. "I think we should try a spell."

"We don't have the time, Willow."

"We should just charge in there and say, 'hey demon, die.' Buffy slays and then we go home."

"That's not practical, Xander."

"Well, I don't see you coming up with ideas, Dead Boy."

"Don't call me that, Xander."

"Giles, don't you think we should get some more weapons?"

"I don't know, Buffy."

"Hey Giles, we have the resources to do a spell, don't we?"

"Would everyone please shut up!" Giles yelled. Everyone looked over at the ex-watcher. He had his head in his hands and he was rubbing his temples. When he looked up, he stared at them with blood shot eyes. He took a deep breath and then began to speak, "Willow we don't have the time or supplies for a spell, Xander we can't charge in there, Angel stop fighting with Xander; you're older, Xander, don't call Angel Dead Boy, and Buffy I don't know if we have enough weapons. If you would all be quiet for one minute, I might be able to explain my plan. Okay?" Everyone nodded, and Giles continued, "Okay, Buffy and Angel, you'll enter through the main entrance. You'll wait there a half-hour while Xander, Willow, and I perform a binding spell to prohibit the demon from escaping from the warehouse. Does everyone agree with this?" He looked around the room and they once again nodded. "Good. Be back here in an hour. I have to get some weapons and supplies. I want you all to go home and get some rest. This is going to be a long night."

They all got up and left Giles alone to plan. He sighed deeply when he was alone. "Sometimes I wish I still had that band candy," he mumbled to himself.

*-*

Back at the mansion, Buffy and Angel were curled up together in their bed. Angel snored quietly and Buffy watched as he slept. She gently swept the palm of her hand across his cheek. Her fingers gently traced the lines of his face muscles. She sighed happily. "One day, my Angel, we'll be able to do all of the things you wanted for us. Someday, my Angel, someday. I love you. Always."

She lay down and wrapped her arms around him. He tightened his hold around her waist, and in his sleep, he smiled. Someday.

*-*

Together, the gang gathered their supplies and headed off to the warehouse on the edge of town. Buffy and Angel counted down the minutes as Willow, Giles, and Xander performed the binding spell. While they waited, the talked.

"Angel?" Buffy turned so she was facing him.

"Yeah?"

"I was thinking. I know it seems like a lone time off, but in reality, it's not. I mean, two years for us especially isn't that wrong, and well, I've been thinking about a lot of things. And with the kids in there, I can't help but think about some things. What I'm trying to say, or ask rather, is if you want to have children when we can… well, you know." Buffy lowered her head, facing the ground, the wall, anywhere but Angel. There was no way to hide the embarrassment on her face. She looked back up at him, and spoke again, "I'll understand if you don't want to because I don't even know if I want to. I was just thinking."

Angel looked at Buffy with concern. He had never seen her so unsure about something she was saying before. He placed one finger under her chin and rose her head until her eyes met his. "Buffy, listen to me. I would be the happiest man in the world if you would gift me with your children when the time comes. You're right, two years isn't a lot of time. I know it's going to go by very fast. But don't worry too hard about the future right now. When it happens then we can make all of these decisions. Right now, let's concentrate on getting those kids out, okay?"

Buffy nodded her head and Angel brought her to his chest. "I love you," he declared, kissing her head.

"I love you, too. Thank you."

"Always, my love."

They were brought out of their embrace when a light flashed in the warehouse, signaling that the binding spell had worked. Together, they charged the door and entered the building, ready to battle the demon and save the children's lives.

PART FIVE

As Buffy turned the corner entering into the room where the demon held the children, she came to an abrupt stop. "What is it?" Angel ask Buffy concerned.

"The demon, he's not there."

"Where is he?"

Buffy turned around to look at Angel, but her motives quickly changed as she saw the demon drop behind Angel. She shoved him out of the way, and threw a punch at the demon. The punch landed on his right cheek and sent the demon flying across the room into the wall. Shaking his head, he stood up and charged at Buffy. He was about to get to her when Angel ran up behind him, a chain in hand and wrapped it around the demon's neck. Angel used the chain and his own momentum to swing the demon onto the ground.

The demon took hold of the chain and flug Angel down onto the ground with him. The demon kicked Angel in the side and proceeded to advance on him. He wrapped his hands around Angel's neck and was about snap it when he stopped.

He choked on his own breath and fell the to ground lifeless, a piece of a metal rod sticking out of his back. To make sure she had finished the job, Buffy took the demon's head in between her two palms and twisted until she heard the cracking sound of his neck. She dropped the demon dead on the ground and ran over to Angel.

"Are you okay?" She asked him.

"Yeah, let's get the children out of here."

Turning her attention to the kids, Buffy walked over to the demon. She yanked the metal rod out of his back. Half running over to the cage where the children were help capture, she used all of her strength to swing the rod at the long on the cage. The lock broke and fell to the ground with a clang. She opened the door and the children walked out.

"Are you all okay?" She asked. "Is there anyone missing or hurt?"

"No, we're all here and fine," Julie told her.

Buffy smiled at the young girl and led them out of the mansion. Once outside, they were greeted by Giles, Xander, and Willow who had blankets and hot chocolate for the children. Angel ran to call the cops so they could get the children back to their parents.

While they were waiting, Buffy sat with Julie. "Who are you?" she asked Buffy.

"I help people. You'll know soon enough." The sound of sirens filled the air, and Buffy looked at the gang. "We have to be going now. We can't be seen here. If the cops ask for a description, tell them whatever you want, but try not to give too much away. Too much depends on people not knowing that we helped."

"Ok," was all Julie had time to respond, for the gang all disappeared into the woods. Julie looked at the spot where Buffy was sitting. On it was a wooden stake. Picking it up, Julie said to herself, "I know I will. Soon, I can feel it."

~*~

Later that night, Angel and Buffy sat watching TV. They flipped the station until something caught their attention. It was a news report. "Ten missing children were returned to their parents today. When asked how they got out one child responded, 'It was hard to see, but don't think the person was normal.' Police are investigating this story. If the person who helped these kids is watching this, thank you from the children and parents. Thank you from us all."

With a satisfied grin, Buffy clicked off the TV. She stood up and help her hand out to Angel. They slowly made their way up the stairs to their bedroom. They laid down on their bed and wrapped their arms around each other. Another day lived, another life saved. And they knew that tomorrow, they would wake up and do it again.

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