Part Three

"I think it's getting to the point
where I can be myself again
I think it's getting to the point
where we have almost made amends"
~Call and Answer
Bare Naked Ladies

Tuesday Afternoon . . .

Buffy moved lightly on her feet in an easy battle stance that came naturally, and looked for an opening. Her opponent faced her, sizing her up just as she did him. Buffy knew she didn't look like much, and her opponent looked both bigger and stronger than she, but appearances were deceiving. She knew she could take him. Weaponless, she kicked high at the man before her. He dodged her attempt easily and made no move to attack her in return. After a moment, Buffy made as if to strike him in the stomach, then changed in mid attack and dove for his legs. He fell with a grunt and for a moment did not move.

"Okay, ouch."

"Oh, Angel, I'm sorry!"

Angel sat up, rubbing the back of his head where it had hit the floor. "It's okay," he said ruefully. "I did volunteer to train with you."

Buffy helped him to his feet and the two of them sat on Angel's couch. Everyone had agreed to meet at the mansion this afternoon because it was more comfortable for the whole group than Giles' living room. Plus, it would give Angel a bit more time to recover from the weekend's excitement. Buffy had arrived early, planning to talk with Angel, but thus far they hadn't done much talking. They sat for a moment in silence, catching their breath.

"Well," said Angel finally, "I guess it's better to find out now."

"Find out what?" Buffy asked worriedly.

"You weren't pulling your punches, were you?"

"No," she replied. "I've never held back when we've fought."

"Yeah, I thought so," replied Angel. "I've always been able to take it a little better than this. At least, I stood my own a little longer." Angel shook his head. "Kenneth said I might loose strength, But I didn't expect it to start so soon."

Buffy scooted closer to him, trying to be comforting. "You could just have not completely recovered from being in the hospital," Buffy tried.

"No, that's not it. I feel just fine. I'm just losing strength faster than I thought I would." He frowned for a moment, looking worried, then seemed to shake himself out of it. He put his arm around Buffy and smiled slightly. "I'll be fine. This whole human thing is just going to take some adjusting," he said. "So, you wanted to talk about something?"

Pulling away so that she was facing him, Buffy nodded slightly. "What are we doing, Angel?" she asked with a sigh.

"Um, I thought we were training."

"That's not what I meant," Buffy replied. "You, and me. Us. I thought we broke up a year ago. I tried to move on. Now, you're back, and it doesn't look to me like you're planning on leaving again. So, where does that leave us?"

"Does it have to leave us anywhere?" Angel asked. "This is my chance to start over. I hadn't really planned beyond that."

"I mean, what are *we* going to do," Buffy tried to explain. "Are we just going to pick up where we left off?"

"I still love you," Angel said softly. "I never stopped loving you. I left because I thought it was what I needed to do. I thought it was the best thing for both of us. You deserved something normal. Now . . . . There's nothing for me in L.A., not like there's something for me here." He placed his hand gently on Buffy's and said sincerely, "I don't want to leave you again. I need you. Can . . . will you give me another chance?" Buffy smiled. "I . . . think I'd like that. It's . . . been nice having you around again."

"It's been nice being around again. I love you, Buffy."

"I love you too, Angel."

They leaned close and kissed, gently and only for a moment, still feeling a touch unsure of their place with each other. But the first soft kiss was a reminder that 'I love you' was more than just words, and they truly did love each other. Their kiss lingered, and when it broke of Buffy leaned into Angel's shoulder, letting herself get comfortable - and, with Angel's arm around her, comforted.

For a moment neither of them spoke, just content in each other's presence. Angel broke the silence. "You know," he said softly, "it's going to be different this time."

"Well, yeah, obviously," replied Buffy, "but different in a good way."

Angel smiled. "Yeah, you're right about that," he said with a small laugh. "Seeing you in sunlight . . .is wonderful, enjoying real food . . . but being human again . . . it might take me some time to adjust. I'm sorry if I act a little odd, but this is all a bit much at once."

Buffy laughed slightly in response to that. "You'll always be a little odd, Angel. It's so much more interesting that way! But id you're worried about adjusting, I'll help you." She paused for a moment and added, "So will everyone else, for that matter."

"Thank you for understanding," said Angel sincerely, "and for being here." He simply held her for a moment, then said, "I'm going to have to find a job, aren't I?"

He sounded so worried that Buffy couldn't help but laugh. "Yeah," she said, "one of the wonders of humanity in modern times. Maybe Giles will have an idea for you one that." She snuggled in Angel's shoulder when something else came to her. "Um, Angel," she said hesitantly, "speaking of things being different . . . maybe you should hang back tomorrow night."

"No, Buffy," he insisted. "I may not be at my full strength, but I'm still stronger than a normal human. You're going to need that tomorrow."

"I don't want you getting hurt! You don't know your own strength right now. You could really die fighting those demons." She looked him in the eye as seriously as she could. "I want to have lots of moments like this. I want to go on sunny picnics with you. I want . . . want you to stay." She hoped that her meaning was clear - stay in Sunnydale, stay with her, and stay alive.

"I can't stay out of the fighting tomorrow," Angel insisted after a moment. "I promise to be more careful, but . . .."

"We'll need all the help we can get."

Buffy sat up straight in surprise and turned to see Kenneth standing in the open doorway. "Sorry," he said calmly. "I knocked, but no one answered. The door was open."

Unable to avoid being a bit angry and embarrassed at having been overheard, Buffy asked testily, "How long have you been there?"

"I only caught the very end of what you were saying," Kenneth assured them both. "I didn't intend to eavesdrop."

"I was just saying that I will be fighting with everyone else tomorrow," Angel explained to him, and Buffy knew he was reiterating it for her as well.

Kenneth nodded. "I heard," he said. "Buffy, we're going to need everyone we can get. Who knows how many demons he'll have raised before we get to him. Not to mention how many vampires may have joined him."

"I know," Buffy said, nodding reluctantly. "I just worry."

"Yes, well, that's why I brought these," said the demon hunter, and he reached into his pocket and removed a necklace. It was a simple round crystal circled with multicolored strings hanging on plain twine. "It's an amulet," he explained. "It contains a variation of the spell I use against vampires. You can only use it a couple of times, but it should help even up the odds." He handed the crystal to Angel, then said, "I made one for everyone. When they get here, I'll show how to use it. I'm not sure how well it'll work, though, so it's a last resort."

"Thank you," said Angel, slipping the amulet over his head.

"Yeah, thanks," added Buffy.

"No, I should thank you," replied Kenneth. "After all, you are helping me fight my enemy." He reached into his pocket and withdrew another of the amulets. "For you, Buffy," he said.

Buffy waved him off with a smile. "Nah, keep it," she said.

"You sure?"

"Yeah," she said, smiling. "Keep your magic. I'll just stick to good, old fashioned violence."

Part Four

"I will not run away
from the battle now
if it seems that's the way
I'm fighting."
~Lie on Lie
Chalk Farm

Wednesday Night
Giles' House

Another night, another meeting at Giles's house. This time it was in a frenzy of activity, as everyone prepared for battle. They divvied up the weapons while discussing the final battle plans.

"So," Buffy said with false enthusiasm, "everyone ready to kick some demon butt?"

Xander grinned, hefting the crossbow from the table. "Armed and ready."

"Please put that down, Xander," said Giles.

"Are you really excited about this? The two of you?" asked Willow, disbelieving.

"Hey, I was kidding."

"I wasn't. And why can't I use the crossbow?"

Everyone just glanced at him and rolled their eyes. Buffy then picked up the crossbow and handed to Giles. She then shoved several of the stakes they had spent the afternoon whittling up her sleeves and anywhere else she could stash them. She tossed several of them to Angel, who pocketed them quickly. Everyone else took at least one, plus several other items. There was an interesting looking ax, a wicked knife, a pair of brass knuckles, and a stick with a hook on the end.

Buffy looked at Kenneth for a moment, who stood back from the group, barely moving. He seemed preoccupied, and did not even move as they all clambered for weapons.

"You all right?" she asked him, coming over to stand beside him.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, just fine."

Buffy looked at him uncertainly. "You don't look fine. You look like someone with a lot of unhappy thoughts, and that doesn't look fine if you're leading us into battle."

Kenneth just blinked, looking at her oddly. "You really think that?" he asked softly. "That I'm leading you into battle?"

"Well, duh!" exclaimed Buffy. "I mean, you've just been doing all the planning for the last two days, almost. Who else did you think was leading this little expedition? You know the situation, the magic, and the bad guy. I don't see the problem here." She looked at him curiously for a moment, then said softly, "What's wrong? Don't you want to? Because, someone else -"

"No!" exclaimed Kenneth. "No, that's not it at all." He looked at her intently. "I have to lead this battle," he explained. "Not because I'm a demon hunter, or because this is going to be a partly magical battle . . . though those are both good reasons, but . . . it's just that . . .." Kenneth's voice faded for a moment, and he shrugged.

"It's personal," guessed Buffy.

Kenneth nodded reluctantly.

"Hey, I got that," Buffy assured him. "I mean, I've had my . . . personal battles, too. He killed your mentor. If anyone killed Giles . . .." Buffy nodded, not wanting to think about that. Smiling, she assured Kenneth, "Listen. No matter what, no matter how crazy it gets in there . . . and believe me, it'll get pretty crazy . . . this demon summoning guy is yours."

"Orin."

"Yeah, right. Your strike, okay? No one'll get in your way."

"You sure?"

"I'll make sure." Buffy raised her voice so everyone could hear her. "So," she said to everyone, "when we get to the site of this ritual, Kenneth gets this Orin fellow while the rest of us take care of as many demons as we can until the . . . broken spell, that I don't entirely get . . . makes them go away. We all got that?"

"Yeah, we've covered it already," said Xander.

"Just making sure."

"Um, one other thing," said Kenneth reluctantly. "My best chance at destroying Orin will be one the summoning has begun. When he's raising demons, he can't concentrate on much else. That's his one major weakness."

"Um, wait a second," protested Willow. "Wouldn't it be easier on the rest of us if we get him *before* he starts this ritual? I mean, doesn't this plan mean there'll be more demons for us to fight?"

"Yes, it does," Kenneth replied. Then, quickly, before anyone could give him more than an angry look, he raised his hands and continued, "but not in the long run!"

Everyone looked at him in silence for a moment, no one willing to say what he or she was thinking of this plan now.

Finally Oz spoke. "Um, confused," he said simply.

Kenneth patiently tried to explain again. "In order for this entire plan to work, he needs to have begun the portal spell. Destroy his focus stone too soon and we'll still have to fight all of his guardian demons, plus Orin himself. However, if we wait until the spell has started and the portal has opened -"

"Breaking the spell will suck all the demons through the portal!" exclaimed Willow, putting all the pieces together.

Everyone but Kenneth looked at her in surprise.

"Yes, exactly," the Hunter agreed. He smiled at Willow. It wasn't the sort of smile that could make Oz jealous. Rather, it was one of understanding and fellowship, magic worker to magic worker.

Willow looked pleased and smiled back.

Everyone began to gather his or her things together for the battle ahead. Giles spared one more glance for the blue prints spread out on the table. It was a condemned warehouse on the edge of town, but more importantly it was where Orin had settled, complete with demonic guards. The Hunter had led the Slayer there during the day, and snuck in to find out exactly where the summoner was setting up. It was a team-up rarely seen among those who fought evil, and tonight it could mean all the difference between winning and losing. They now knew exactly where Orin would be when it came time for the ritual. He couldn't be discreet when it came to the casting of such powerful magics; they required extensive and showy preparations.

The brief reconnaissance had also revealed some of Orin's lesser, loyal demons, so they were better prepared than they would have been. They didn't know where those demons would be come nightfall, though. More troublesome, they didn't know the strength of the summoner's vampiric allies. Coming to the Hellmouth, he was sure to have at least some, and they would all have been sleeping when Buffy and Kenneth had visited. The lack of vampiric activity the past week while the Slayer had been distracted was certainly a bad sign.

The building plans were thoroughly marked. The ritual space, the probable locations of the guards, the entrances and exits were all carefully noted, as well as a basic attack plan. As prepared as they could be, the teenagers were almost eager to be fighting.

Only Giles still seemed a bit hesitant. Raising his gaze from the plans, he asked, "Everyone's sure they know what they're doing? There is no room for error here."

At numerous sounds of ascent, the small gathering lifted their chosen weapons and began to head for the door.

"Wait!" Kenneth blurted abruptly.

Everyone spun to face him, afraid that he had sudden, terrible news for them all. "What is it?" Giles asked urgently.

Kenneth smiled sheepishly. "I just . . . forgot to give you all something yesterday. I made these for everyone." He pulled out a bunch of strange necklaces.

"Isn't this an odd time for party favors?" commented Xander.

Kenneth frowned. "They are defensive amulets. Some of my magic is in each one." He passed them to everyone, except Angel, who already had one, and Buffy, who once again declined the offer. "I'll explain how to use them on the way."

Everyone filed out the door, Buffy and Kenneth bringing up the rear. The Slayer regarded the Hunter for a moment, noticing that he bore no weapon. "Say, aren't you going to at least take a stake?" she asked.

"Aren't you going to take an amulet?" he replied with a grin.

"Point taken. Let's go."

Part Five

"The cause it is noble and the cause it is just
We are ready to pay with our lives if we must"
~Ride Across the River
Dire Straits

Wednesday Night (Cont.)
The Warehouse

The decrepit building's isolation on the edge of town meant there were no bystanders to get in the way when things started heating up. Unfortunately, that same isolation meant that any unfamiliar person approaching the building was sure to be noticed. It could only be hoped that the darkness would be enough to hide them. Thank goodness there was no moon tonight.

The seven of them filed out of Oz's van on the other side of an overgrown hill from the warehouse. It was the only place close enough where they could park it without being noticed. Before getting out they had judged that it would be safest for them to approach one at a time, careful to avoid the guards. They would meet behind the building and then continue with the rest of their plan.

Buffy went first. They knew there were a couple of guards sure to be moving around the building, but they were amazingly good at hiding themselves. It was decided that Buffy had the best chance should she encounter anything before they'd figured out where the demons were. Everyone else watched as she crossed the hillside and the open lot without incident.

It was the waiting that was the hardest part. Buffy waited at the dark back of the building, unable to see any of her friends who would be coming after her. All she could do was to remain alert for any guards who might surprise her or her friends.

Listening for any little sound as she was, Buffy went into an immediate fight stance when she heard a heavy thump just around the corner. There were several long seconds in which nothing happened, and then Kenneth appeared before her. As she had not seen him approach, Buffy raised a questioning eyebrow.

"Magic," the Hunter whispered, trying not to grin and failing. He cocked his head in the direction he had come from. "One less sentry to worry about," he said.

Buffy guessed he was explaining the mysterious thump, and didn't press it. Stake in hand, she turned her attention away from him into the surrounding darkness. Next to her, Kenneth was doing the same, waiting for a demon's approach.

Willow came next, clutching a wicked looking ax until her knuckles were white. She shook her head in a quick indicator that she hadn't encountered anything. She was followed soon by Xander, Oz, and then Giles, all without incident.

They were about to continue with the next step of their plan when Buffy looked around in confusion. "Where's Angel?" she whispered.

Oz shrugged. "He started down here before I did," he said.

No one spoke as they scanned the darkness in the direction he should have been coming from. Kenneth looked at Buffy hesitantly. "Buffy -" he began.

"Who's there?" a voice rang out behind them.

The small gathering whirled around in surprise. A guard - a very human guard - approached them from around the corner of the warehouse. Before any of them could raise their weapons in defense, a figure separated itself from the shadows and with a single punch knocked the guard out. He crumbled to the ground without a sound.

Taking the man's weapon and walking towards them, Angel smiled slightly. "Sorry I'm late," he said, and that was that.

The nearest guards taken care of and all together and ready, they continued their plan in silence. First they helped Kenneth get up on the roof. There was a ventilation duct up there, which was how he and Buffy had gotten in before. While the rest of them created a distraction, he'd work through that way and surprise Orin from above. Once he signaled to them that he was in place the rest of them moved around the building where the guard had come from.

On the side of the building was a small locked door. It said "no admittance" on a small sign, and the map indicated that it was the back door to a small office. With any luck there would be no one in the office, so some of them could sneak in undetected.

Still, it was better to be safe than sorry. Giles stood in front of the door with crossbow ready, and everyone else stood out of the way. With a sharp pull Buffy broke the lock. It made more noise than they would have liked, but there didn't seem to be any immediate response from inside. Cautiously, Buffy turned the door handle. The door was heavy, but moved silently. She edged it open just enough to get a foot in, then stood to the side so that she wasn't blocking Giles's shot.

With a nod to Angel, standing on the other side of the door, Buffy threw the door open. Angel caught the handle and pulled it the rest of the way open.

A vampire stood just inside the door. He had obviously been going to investigate the noise they made, but he had no chance to do more than look surprised before a crossbow bolt embedded itself in his chest. Still looking at Giles in surprise, he exploded into dust.

The room now empty, everyone except Buffy and Angel made their way into the small office. Giles and Xander cautiously continued through the inner door, while Oz and Willow stayed in the office to keep it open as an escape route. As she entered the door, Willow looked at Buffy oddly.

"What if it hadn't been a vampire?" she asked softly.

Buffy smiled grimly. "You'd be amazed the number of things a wooden stake will kill," she said.

Finally, only Buffy and Angel were left outside the warehouse. Silently they moved around to the front of the building, though they no longer cared if they were discovered. Their job was to be a distraction so that everyone else could accomplish their tasks. Still, they only encountered one vampire on their way around the warehouse. He didn't put up much of a fight before he joined the other vampire in the dustbin.

Buffy brushed herself off and stared at what was left of the vampire. "Is it just me, or has this been too easy?" she muttered.

Angel said nothing in response.

With a small sigh, Buffy armed herself, standing by the front door. "Time to crash this party," she said, and the distraction commenced.

*****

Willow was fidgeting just inside the small office. If she stood by the interior door, she could just barely hear the movement of multiple beings in the main part of the warehouse. When the chanting began, she couldn't help but shiver. Muffled by the door, she couldn't understand the words, but she was sure they were sinister. She began pacing slightly in front of the door.

"What's going on out there?" she muttered to herself.

Oz answered anyways. "He's started the ritual. But then, you're closer to the door than me, so you already knew that." He smiled slightly.

Willow couldn't help but smile slightly in response. It faded quickly, though, for at that time the sounds of battle erupted in the main room. After several moments, Willow looked panicked back at her boyfriend. "What if something goes wrong?" she asked. "What if they need our help?"

"Then we'll help," said Oz.

"Really?"

Oz just nodded. Afraid for her friends and more than a bit nervous in the dark office, Willow edged open the door. She had only been going to open the door enough so that she could see what was going on, but at that moment a large hairy demon slammed into the door, flinging it wide.

Willow yelped in surprise and swung her ax wildly at the creature. It growled at her and advanced, howling once in pain as the ax glanced off its chest. The demon, infuriated, swatted the ax out of her hands and approached her with claws extended.

"Willow!" yelled Oz, rushing to her rescue. He held out one of his stakes, and with a yell slammed it into the demon's back. Defeated, the creature slumped to the ground.

Willow let out a sigh of relief. She smiled at Oz. "Buffy was right. Stakes do kill just about anything." She knelt down to retrieve her ax.

Suddenly she was engulfed in two scaly arms. She struggled ferociously as another demon pulled her into the main room. Oz went running after her, but his egress from the office was blocked by two vampires and he wouldn't be going anywhere soon.

The demon's entire strategy seemed to be to crush her to death. Its arms were more like tentacles, which slowly wound their way around her. Her struggling seemed to be preventing them from crushing her, but she couldn't do anything else in her defense. The ax hung uselessly from her hand, and she hadn't the breath to activate her amulet.

Suddenly, the creature's grip slackened, and it fell to the floor. Released and tired from her struggles, she fell to the floor with it. When she realized that it wasn't going to kill her anymore, Willow scrambled out from underneath the demon. A crossbow bolt struck out from its hideous, scaly back. Several yards away stood Giles atop some boxes, firing some crossbow bolts into the demonic crowd. He saw her looking and waved slightly, then went back to his shooting.

For the moment, Willow stood in a place free from battle. Most of the fighting was concentrated near the front doorway. Willow took a moment to catch her breath, swinging her ax a few times to get the circulation back in her arms. As she stood there, she noticed a second knot of battle, pressing its way into the office. Xander was picking off some of the creatures at the back, but Willow knew Oz had to be overwhelmed inside.

Striding confidently back into the battle, Willow headed for the office. She fingered her amulet as a reminder of what they were here to accomplish.

Then Kenneth *fell* into the fray.

Go to Part 6