Part 30

When Buffy and Angel finally joined their friends in the hall of the mansion, Gunn's friends had returned too. The only ones missing were Faith and Spike but Cordelia assured vampire and slayer that the other two fighters were just somewhere sparring.

The whole room was bouncing with activity and one could almost hear the adrenaline pumping through everyone's veins. Gunn and Wesley were checking weapons, Cordelia and Willow were busy printing out maps of the Sunnydale sewer system for those not familiar with the location, while Tara was trying to memorize spells.

Giles had already explained that because of the location of the hellmouth they would move towards the ruin of Sunnydale High from different angles. That meant they would be operating in groups and timing would be extremely important.

Kate shut down her cell phone and joined the little group in the middle of the room discussing the situation. "None of the lawyers left L.A.," she informed them, but her eyes were on Angel. "I called one of my contacts who - as you asked me - was watching the building. They're still there."

The vampire looked thoughtfully for a moment, and then said, "That's what I thought. None of them wants to be directly involved, they just provided the vampires with the information needed."

"They might be evil, but nobody said they were stupid," Wesley crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Unfortunately, dealing with them would be a lot easier if they weren't that clever.""Hey guys, ready to rambo," Faith said, entering the hall from the back. Her voice was unnaturally high and she avoided looking at anyone in particular. Behind her Spike appeared wearing an expression well known to his grand-sire.

Angel narrowed his eyes at them, a growl erupting from his chest. Startled the others turned towards him. "Angel?" Buffy asked confused.

"It's okay," he replied, but didn't look at her, his eyes never leaving the bleached blond vampire. "Spike," his voice wasn't more than a warning hiss.

"Peaches," his grand-childe grinned. That grin was enough to send Angel over the edge. With another growl he was on other vampire's throat in an instant, pinning the blond against the wall. Game face firmly in place, Angel hissed, "If we didn't need you, I'd kill you right now."

Spike laughed, "What, you can get laid and I can't?"

"Don't. Push. Your. Luck," the older vampire warned. "Or I'll think twice about your value."

"Why? You had your fun too - didn't think I could smell it."

"That's different, but why do I bother to explain this to you? You're nothing but a filthy demon." With a disgusted sound Angel let go of the younger vampire and turned away, his eyes meeting Faith's.

The brunette slayer could see the question in them and she shrugged, "Hey, I'm a big girl, Angel."

"I know," the dark-haired vampire replied, putting a hand on her arm, "I just don't want you to get hurt."

A half-grin appeared on her face, "Hey, it's not like he means anything to me," she said, but her voice didn't sound convincing. "We had fun. I can handle it, okay?"

He sighed, "Okay. But please be careful." He shot his grand-childe a sidelong glance, that held another warning and was surprised to see something close to hurt in Spike's eyes.

"I will," she assured him, squeezing his arm. "I will, okay?"

Angel looked at her for a long moment, then nodded and turned back to the others who had followed the whole exchange with curious eyes. The vampire could see understanding on the most faces, and the expected disgust on Cordelia's. He saw she was about to comment, and slightly shook his head. The brunette sighed, but obeyed. Now wasn't the time to mock. But she certainly wouldn't forget about it. There was just too much yuck-factor about the image.

"There are the plans," Cordelia pointed at the sheets on the table.

"Please everyone," Willow said, loud enough to be heard properly, "These are the maps of the sewer system. If you aren't familiar with them, please take one. We all need to know where everyone is at all times. Cordelia and I tried to give you an estimate about how long you will need for the different distances. Timing is utterly important."

"Willow's right," Angel agreed, "We also need to form groups. Spike I want you to go with Faith and Kate. Take Xander with you."

"I suppose this isn't open for discussion," Xander tried to joke, not looking forward to spending the night with Spike and maybe dying by his side. Dying wasn't a nice thought in the first place, but dying with Spike near by... well, talk about bad luck.

Angel ignored his comment and went on, "Gunn, you and your friends form one group. Stay together no matter what. No lone stunts, is that understood? We need to operate on our plan."

"I know," Gunn, replied, his eyes serious.

"Wesley I want you to go with them and you too, Giles," he addressed the older watcher.

"Alright," they both nodded.

"Willow and Tara will go with Buffy and I. We will be the one closest to the hellmouth and they need closeness for their spells to work."

"Plus we need supernatural protection while casting the spell," Tara came to stand beside her lover. "We'll be quite helpless during the chanting."

"What about me?" Dawn asked feeling a little bit left out.

"You go home and wait until we're back," Buffy snapped.

"Hey," her sister protested, hands at her hips. "No way I'm just going home."

"You go with Giles and Wesley," Angel interrupted their argument, giving his lover a pleading glance. The dark-haired vampire would have usually preferred to send the slayer's sister with one of the slayer groups, but they would be closest to the danger and for this Gunn's group would be the safest. If you could anything call safe tonight.

"Alright," Dawn said with a smile, and shot her sister a nasty look.Buffy just rolled her eyes and sighed. "Okay," she turned back to Angel. "We're guessing that the whole thing will start around midnight. Willow and Tara have calculated a constellation for that time that favors their plans. The spell they worked out has to be cast exactly two minutes after midnight, which means we need to get them in position at that time."

She looked at Spike and Faith, "We need you to create a distraction. It is important that they only notice us the last possible moment. That gives Tara and Willow more time to cast their spell unbothered." She checked her watch. "It's exactly ten o'clock now. That gives us two hours to find our way through the sewer system. We thought about approaching the hell mouth above earth, but the sewer system is even closer and they might not expect us that way."

"What about me?" Cordelia asked, realizing just now that her name hadn't been mentioned when forming the groups.

"I want you to go to Buffy's house. Vampires can't get in. We need someone to stay with the computer to help us if needed. And to coordinate our actions," Angel replied.

She raised her brows, "And you think I can do that?"

"I know you can," he said calmly, giving her a smile.

After a moment she nodded, "I can," she said firmly. "Talking about coordination. Didn't Riley say anything about coming tonight?"

****

"How serious is this?" Graham asked sitting beside his friend who was driving a four-wheeler through the dark streets of Sunnydale.

"Serious," Riley replied, not taking his eyes from the road. He really wasn't looking forward to the upcoming events, and even less appealing was that he had to fight side by side with Buffy and Angel and probably watch them. All he wanted to do was leave - as fast as possible. Of course it wasn't an option.

"Well, you could be a little more specific," the other commando, said a little bit annoyed. "Are we talking about serious or deadly serious?"

"Deadly serious, then add ten times more and you can guess," Riley said, his voice grave.

Graham let his head fall back against the headrest and closed his eyes, "Next time I ask," he said, "Just shoot me."

His reply was a short unhappy laugh, "I hate to say this, but it might not be necessary after tonight. There is a very real possibility we - and with us all humanity - might not survive the night."

"Did I ever tell you that our job sucks?" his friend said opening his eyes again. "I would give a lot for some nice cold beer and a... WHOA," he exclaimed, when suddenly someone appeared in the headlights of their car and Riley stomped on the breaks, bringing the four-wheeler to a screeching halt.

"Are you crazy, stopping like that!" Graham shouted.

"Shut up," Riley snapped, jumping out of the car. "Are you alright," he asked the girl who was looking at him with wide eyes.

"Y-yeah," she stuttered. "I'm sorry about this," she said, "but I recognized you and I need to find Xander. Do you know where he is?"

"It's your lucky day," Riley grinned, "we're about to meet him. Just jump in."

Anya gave him a grateful smile, and then climbed on the back seat while the commando re-buckled his seat-belt and started the car again. "You know each other, don't you," he asked Graham.

"Uh ... yeah. You're Xander's girlfriend," the brunette commando said. "His fiancée," Anya replied haughtily. "But yeah. That's me. What are you doing here?" The question was directed towards Riley.

"Our squad was moved, we were informed of the increasing energy of the hell mouth."

She nodded, and leaned back into the seat.

"And you?" Riley asked. "Xander said you both had an argument."

"Did he?" she raised a brow. "Well, I guess we did. I told him it was stupid to stay around for this, but of course he was digging in his heels and gave me the whole speech about friends and stuff." She rolled her eyes, and then let out a short laugh. She still wasn't quite sure why she came back. There she was, a ticket to Hawaii in her hands and the very last second she hadn't been able to go through with it.

"And why did you come back?" the blond commando asked after a moment.

"Beats me," she said, closing her eyes, "but I suppose I'm stupid too after all."

Part 31

"And you think this might actually work?" Xander raised an eyebrow at Willow who had just explained the nature of the spell she and Tara would be casting to the group.

"Well it should," the blond witch replied in her lover's place. "W-we worked long enough on it."

"We hope," Willow amended on a sigh. Granted, she and Tara had worked like slaves on this spell, even fell asleep over it, but truth to be told, she had no way of knowing if it would work or not.

"You hope?" Xander yelped shaking his head.

"He's just scared about his precious hide," came a voice from the door. "Lecturing me about friends and responsibilities and then scared sh- spit-less in the face of danger, that's my Xander."

"Anya?" her fiancé stared at her while she was walking through the hall to join the group. At her heels were Riley and Graham and their presence caused Xander to raise a brow. What the hell were they doing with Anya?

"Yes, it's me. Don't stare. I just checked in the mirror, I haven't grown a horn or two," she rolled her eyes at him then found a free spot beside Willow and sat down as if she'd only left for the toilet five minutes ago. Taking note that everyone was looking at her, she threw her hands in the air, "What? I'm back. It's not as if something important has happened."

"You can join Xander's group," Giles continued talking business. "Riley, good to see you. We are just talking about the final plans. Where will your squad be positioned?"

"You said the most probable center would be around the old high school. So we'll be there. And as we've agreed we'll approach the object through the sewers. Which reminds me, I need some of your maps." He checked his watch, and then quickly smiled at Cordelia who handed him a couple of sheets. "I will meet my men at exactly 2300, so I need to leave again in 15 minutes."

"Alright," Giles nodded. "Then let's go over this one last time and hope it'll work as planned."

While listening to his story for what seemed like the tenth time, Faith got bored. She hadn't been able to prevent a small snicker hearing Riley talk like a true soldier. It seemed so ridiculous. She didn't know the commando very well - if you didn't count the fact that she'd had sex with him. And although she hadn't been in her own body she could still remember every detail about him. **Beats me what B. ever found in that white bread.**

Spike on the other hand... She shot the vampire a sidelong glance and saw him leaning against the wall, his eyes closed, drawing from a cigarette he'd just lit. He looked completely relaxed as if there was nothing in this world that bothered him and it probably didn't. There wasn't a conscience making him feeling guilty about the sins of the past and Faith wasn't even sure if he really cared what would happen tonight. He was a vampire after all and would most likely survive, one way or the other.

Sex with him had been fun and it had been great. Faith honestly couldn't remember ever having had such great sex before. But then Spike was about 200 years old and should've picked up one or two things about pleasing a woman. She always wondered about Angel during her time in Sunnydale. Considering that Spike had learned a lot from his grand-sire, Faith wasn't surprised Buffy was so taken by the dark-haired vampire.

Only a few years ago, the brunette slayer had tried everything to find out exactly what it was, but things had changed. She wasn't that Faith anymore. The one who was eaten up by jealousy, which hated each and every one of them. No, this Faith had learned that friendship was a valuable thing, that friends could be counted on, that they wouldn't let you down, no matter what, that they would fight for you and the most important point, that she was worth having them.

Her eyes darted to Angel who was listening intently to Giles, with Buffy's hand firmly clasped in his, and felt another wave of gratitude sweeping through her. He hadn't given up on her. He had understood what she was going through because he'd been there before. He experienced that someone who believed in you could make all the difference. For him the salvation had come in person of a tiny, blond slayer who had shown him that he was more than just a vampire.

Yes, Faith decided, they made a striking couple and there was an air around them, whenever they were close, that just told you they were right for each other. She wasn't jealous of them, but she felt herself wishing that she could find something like that as well.

Her head jerked around when she heard her name, "Yes?"

"I just wanted to know what weapon you want?" Angel asked from the desk where he'd displayed all his swords, axes and stuff.

"Uh... I think I stick to the stake," she replied, not feeling comfortable with the mostly ancient weaponry.

Buffy grinned at her, then looked at Angel, "There you see. We slayers stick with the traditional." She was busy tucking stakes into the waistband of her jeans and into the pockets of her oversized leather-jacket. The one Angel had given her all those years ago.

"We might have to fight demons as well," the dark-haired vampire reminded them. "They can't be killed with a stake."

"But I know how to use it," the slayers replied unison.Angel couldn't help but grin at them, "I remember you're quite good with the sword too," he said to Buffy.

She shrugged, "Oh well, I'll take a sword as well, if it pleases you." She stood on tiptoe and breathed a kiss over his cheek, giving him a quick grin. Walking over to the desk where the weapons were displayed she gave Faith a sign to follow her. Soon the two slayers were completely engrossed in a conversation about which was the handiest weapon. Besides a stake of course.

Smiling at the back of the two women Gunn came to stand beside Angel, "She's really something," he said with a nod towards the slayers.

"Which one?" the vampire raised a brow, but a smile played around his lips.

"If you ask me like that..." Gunn grinned and scratched his jaw. "No, but I was talking about your little blond girl. Seeing her you'd think she was tiny, almost delicate, but man she's got the power of ten of us."

"Speak for yourself," Angel replied dryly, but he was still smiling. Maybe he was finally losing it. He was smiling in the face of a deadly danger. He slightly shook his head, then remembered his friend still standing at his side, "Be careful, Gunn. I know you've got experience in fighting demons and somehow you managed to stay alive so far, but you've never faced something like this before."

"No worries," the other man said putting a hand on the vampire's shoulder. "We'll be careful. And besides, we're not as close to the hellmouth than you. So I should probably be saying it to you."

"True words," Cordelia joined them, looking at both men. "I really want to see both of you again," she said and there was a little catch in her voice.

"Gunn, could you have a look at this?" someone shouted from the other end of the hall. The African American shot the former cheerleader a quick grin, squeezed her hand and was gone.

"He'll be careful," Angel assured Cordelia, putting an arm around her shoulders.

"Oh, I know," she made a dismissive gesture with one of her hands. "Gunn's the kind of guy who knows how to pull through. He had it rough, but that taught him a lot. So I'm not really concerned about him. You on the other hand..." she sighed loudly and leaned a head against his shoulder, her voice suddenly small, "You'll take care of yourself, won't you?"

He smiled warmly, "I will," he said, squeezing her shoulders, and then turned towards his axe that had been deposited on the small table in the middle of the hall.

"Promise," she demanded, still standing behind him.

With a sigh, he straightened and turned back to her, "Cordelia-"

"No, don't soothe me with that brotherly attitude, I want you to promise," her voice was rising slightly. "The world needs you," her eyes quickly darted to Buffy then back to him, "both of you."

"We'll do our best, that I can promise," he replied, taking her hand. "And it's incredibly sweet of you."

She grunted, and then frowned, "I've never been accused of sweetness before and I'm not quite sure if I like it, but I'll think about it later. Angel," she said urgently, "please don't make any stupid sacrifices. There's always another way, you just have to find it. So no rash decisions, okay?"

He looked at her for a long moment, and then lowered his head and kissed her forehead, "Okay," he smiled.

"Hey, what's this?" Buffy came to stand beside them. "Already hitting on my boyfriend?" she said joking.

"Huh? As if," Cordelia scoffed, quickly blinking threatening tears away. "Angel might have grown on me in a certain way, but I still prefer my boyfriends to have a pulse and be actually alive."

"I'll take care of him," the slayer said giving the brunette a look of understanding.

"We'll take care of each other," Angel amended her statement, taking his girlfriend's hand. Then he remembered something, "You're coming with us later," he told Cordelia, "we need to get you to Buffy's house safely."

"Good. I really wasn't looking forward to go with psycho-slayer and the odd couple."

"Odd couple?" Buffy raised a brow.

"Xander and Anya," Cordelia replied, nodding into their direction. "I wonder what's going on with them," she framed her chin with thumb and index finger. "They haven't spoken one private word since she came in." She suddenly laughed and shook her head, "Just shoot me. I'm actually interested in the relationship of a loser and former demon. Shoot me right now."

*

Xander felt ready to scream. Really loud.

He'd been standing beside Anya for about ten minutes and she hadn't even so much as glanced at him. She was busying herself with reading the text of the spells Willow and Tara had worked out for tonight. Granted, the two witches had asked her to have a look at it, but did that mean she had to ignore him?

Ever since she strolled into the mansion, head held high like a queen, attitude all but casual, Xander felt himself rolling towards the edge. He wasn't sure why. Maybe he'd expected her to crawl and beg for forgiveness, or to look up to him with teary eyes and tell him she loved him. But nothing along those lines had happened. On the contrary she behaved as if she never left. And everyone in the room seemed to accept it without a question.

What the hell was wrong with them? Anya had deserted them in the face of danger and there hadn't been one accusing gaze, nobody had pointed at her with their finger - nothing. "Why did you come back?" The question was out before he had been able to stop it.

And again her reaction was nothing he expected. Not bothering to look up she finished reading the spell in her hands, then slowly put the sheets down and finally turned her gaze towards him. "I was wondering when you'd ask," she said, raising a brow.

"Oh really?" Xander crossed his arms in front of his chest and stared at her. "And may I be honored with an answer then?" he asked, feeling the anger rising against his will. Her casual attitude almost drove him nuts.

"Well, duh," she replied and shrugged. "Although I thought it was obvious." He heard her sigh loudly, "It seems I was wrong." Turning back to the printed spells, she added, "Because I love you. I can't just leave you and let you die without me. I told you that before."

And that, Xander decided, put things right into perspective. Whatever he had wanted to say, whatever he'd thought before, her words made it dissolve into thin air. Still keeping his arms crossed he said, "I love you too, you know. And I missed you."

She laughed slightly, but her eyes were on the spells, "Of course you do. I know that. And I missed you too. And just so you know, whether your mother likes it or not, but I've decided to buy that blue dress as my wedding gown. I really do look fat in white."

Xander felt laughter bubbling up in his throat. And then without caring that they had an audience, that she was holding important spells in her hands and that they might not survive the night, he whirled her around and kissed her.

*

Across the room Giles raised a brow and slightly shook his head, "It seems to spread like a disease," he muttered under his breath, then laughed when he caught Kate's grin. "Must be the danger," he said aloud.

"Possible," she replied, "but it seems more like love to me." Her gaze swept to Buffy and Angel who were standing in a corner, arms around each other whispering, while Tara and Willow had occupied the sofa again and were staring into each other's eyes.

"You could be right," Giles sighed and shook his head again.

"I admire them," Kate said. "Even now they find time to express their feelings. And Angel truly surprises me. I've seen him smile... oh... twice or three times during the time we know each other," she laughed, "well, probably a little bit more often, but still it was rare, and now he doesn't seem to be able to stop it. Plus it's much more genuine. Danger and all, but his attitude is so positive all of a sudden, it's almost infectious. Somehow I find myself believing that we'll live through whatever comes our way."

"It's the only way to go into a fight," the watcher said honestly. "You need to believe that you're going to win. If not... Well, if you didn't believe in it, where would be the reason in fighting at all? But you're right Angel has changed. I don't think any of us ever realized how much Buffy really meant to him or maybe we didn't want to see it."

"You're talking about yourself." She smiled when she saw him raising a brow, "I'm a police officer, Mr. Giles. My job is to read people and it's easy to see how much you feel like she's a daughter. And although you're much more experienced in this demon-thing, it couldn't have been easy to see her with a vampire."

"No, it's not that," Giles replied, then amended, "well, part of it is. To tell you the truth, I was shocked in the beginning but as soon as I got to know him better and saw how valuable he was for us... for her... but then he reversed into his evil self and from there on I was blinded by hatred." He turned and looked at the couple again, who was sharing a sweet kiss at the moment, "I'm glad I'm over it now. And I'm really glad Angelus will never pay us a visit again."

With a regretful sigh he looked at his watch. He liked talking to Kate but duty was calling. Riley and Graham had left a while ago and it was time to leave for the others as well. "It's almost eleven," he said out loud. "We need to go. Take care everyone. Please." His eyes searched Buffy and he saw her smiling at him, then she took her lover's hand and with Willow, Tara and Cordelia in tow they left.

Faith nodded at him, then gave him a short grin before she motioned for Spike, Xander, Anya and Kate to follow her. Giles' eyes were on the police officer's retreating back when they left the mansion and something long forgotten fluttered in his chest. There was no time to explore it now, but he made a mental note not to forget about it.

Nodding to himself he turned and looked at Wesley, Gunn and his friends. "Let's go then. And let's hope we'll live to see the next sunrise."

"And with us the world," Wesley muttered under his breath when he followed the others into the night.

Part 32

"It's my dreams come true," Anya muttered under her breath while she and Xander were following Faith, Spike and Kate through the sewer tunnels of Sunnydale. She sighed loudly, "Well, at least I got to hold hands with you." She smiled at her fiancée who shot her a quick grin.

"Would you just shut up?" Faith hissed and turned her head slightly.

"Who died and made you the boss?" the former demon narrowed her eyes at the slayer.

"Oh, well, why don't you go first and shout out we're coming and then I get the fun watching them killing you first," the brunette glared at Anya.

"Hey, I didn't insult you," she cried. "There's no need to threaten my life. Isn't that right, Xander?" she looked at her boyfriend daring him to disagree.

"Uh... honey. Maybe we should really be quiet now," he said, his eyes quickly darting to Faith. He ignored Spike's amused snigger.

"Fine," Anya sighed again. "I'll be quiet. But it's boring here. And the sewers smell. It'll be days until this is out of my hair."

"Did I miss something or weren't you the one who wanted to leave because she was sure she was going to die?" Faith exchanged a grin with Spike.

Anya raised a haughty brow, "Even more reason to pay attention to details. I don't want someone to find me smelling like a sewer. It will be the last impression of me. Just think about it, in two hundred years they'll still remember the girl with the bad smell."

"Uh-huh," the slayer's grin widened. "If they remember you."

"I'll have you to know," the former demon's second brow rose as well, "that I have a certain reputation in the demon community. I'm well known and once was well feared. I'm not going to be forgotten like," she let her gaze sweep over the brunette, "some other more unfortunate creatures on this planet.  Right, Xander?" She speared him a glance as raised her chin and bushed past the others to lead the group into the direction of the hell mouth.

"And you really want to marry her?" Faith asked Xander with an amused expression in her eyes.

He shrugged, "What can I say. Love is blind," then he followed his girlfriend.

Faith waited until the others walked on as well. Her eyes were on Spike's back. Yes, she thought, blind indeed.

***

"I really hope this isn't a bad sign," Buffy murmured and avoided a puddle of mud the last possible second. Sure she was in her slaying outfit, but that didn't mean she cared for having her shoes soaked wet.

"What do you mean?" Angel asked walking beside her.

"Well, we're in a sewer. Together. And given our history I don't know if I should like it or not." She saw Willow looking at her very oddly and amended, "At least as far I remember the history, that is."

"There was only one sewer talk we had," the vampire said staring ahead of him. He was sniffling the air for any unfamiliar smell.

"Two," she replied, and stopped. She tilted her head and looked at a stain on the wall. It was strangely green and was reminding her of something. Almost absentmindedly she continued, "First you dumped me in a sewer and the second time," she frowned slightly but he had no way of seeing if it was because of the stain or what she was thinking right now. "The second time," she continued, "We had this heart wrenching talk that although we missed each other and about how it couldn't work. I can't believe you forgot either of them."

She turned to look at Tara and Willow. They were whispering with each other, checking and re-checking spells no doubt or desperately trying *not* to listen. Checking the stain on the wall one last time she suddenly realized that Angel wasn't standing beside her anymore. Gazing around she saw him standing at a short distance, his expression somehow guarded. He was staring at her. "Angel?" she asked cautiously, "Are you alright? What is it?" Stepping closer she touched his arm, "Angel?"

He flinched visibly at her touch but forced himself to focus on her again. Why he was so shocked by her words, he didn't know. She'd dropped a hint before when they'd been talking in the cemetery, but to hear her mentioning the Forgotten Day again, it threw him. He just couldn't help it. He was almost sure she didn't remember him being human. She would have mentioned it, wouldn't she? But maybe like the rest of her memories it was just somewhere buried, ready to pop out at the wrong moment.

"I'm fine," his voice sounded strange even to him, but he managed to give her a smile. "Really," he added, seeing her doubtful gaze. He leaned forward and kissed her quickly, "Let's go. We don't have time to lose." With this he started walking again.

"Wait," she held him back. "Look at that first," she pointed at the stain on the wall. "I'm not quite sure, but I think I've seen something like that before. What is it?"

"It's blood," he replied and saw that the two witches were now looking at him as well. "The blood of a Morah Demon," he explained. "They are strong demons, really ugly though."

"They always are," Willow muttered and Angel gave her a quick smile.

"Most of them, yes," he confirmed. "You can't kill them the usual way, you need to smash the jewel on their forehead."

"Uh-huh," I know," Buffy, replied nodding. "I killed one, remember."

If his heart had been beating it would have stopped. Angel had to force him self to stay calm. Another part of the Forgotten Day. And during that part he had been human. Did she remember it? Did she remember him too weak to fight? "Yes, I remember," he choked out, expecting her to throw the rest at him too.

But she didn't. She simply nodded again. "At least now I know what I brought the sword for." She shifted the heavy weapon on her shoulder. She and Faith had chosen identical swords and created some sort of halter for it, so they could sling it over their shoulders.

"How strong exactly are they?" Tara wanted to know.

"Angel and I both fought it," Buffy explained as she started to walk again, reminding her self of the schedule they were working on. "And together we were stronger."

"Uh-oh," Willow gulped. "That strong, huh?" she added weakly.

"Yeah, that strong," Angel confirmed. Master vampires. Morah demons. What would be waiting for them at the end of the tunnel? And what was Buffy going to remember as the night went on?

***

Giles couldn't help but wonder about the changes in Wesley while he followed him and Gunn's bunch through the Sunnydale sewers. Not only were the fancy clothes gone, although Cordelia had told him that he was still wearing suits from time to time, but it was his whole attitude. He hadn't questioned once when Angel and Buffy had taken charge of the situation, he was comfortable around the vampire, even more comfortable than Giles himself.

Which was, Giles decided, not really a surprise regarding that they'd been working together for almost two years. Life really was full of surprises. Who would've thought that stiff Wesley Windham-Pryce would have befriended a vampire, protected Faith against the watcher's Council and seemed to be content with it. He had also grown as a person, was more sure of himself and instead of running away he was boldly facing the danger.

Giles thought about Faith, the things Kate had told him, about Cordelia, so improved and more mature and he thought about Buffy who had found a purpose again after her memory loss and it all came back to one person who had made a difference to every one of them. A man he'd for a long time hoped never to meet again, he believed it was for the best when he left Sunnydale. Buffy once had told him that Angel was an extraordinary man and Giles had to admit she was right.

He was so deep in thought that he started when the group before him suddenly stopped. "What?" he whispered.

"There's someone in front of us," Gunn said quietly.

"Or something," Wesley murmured.

Giles listened carefully and true, he soon heard footsteps.

"Whoever is stomping around down here," Dawn said, "they don't try to avoid being heard."

"Yeah," one of Gunn's friends called Buster agreed. "And usually that says it's the predator."

Dawn paled, "Uh... And if it comes towards us, the noise will get louder, right?"

"Yeah," Gunn nodded. He was standing nearest to the approaching noise and suddenly rolled his eyes. "Buster, didn't you say something about the predator not caring for noises?"

"Yeah," he friend replied.

"Well either that," the African American said on a sigh, "or some really stupid prey."

***

"How long?" Buffy asked walking on tiptoe to avoid any unnecessary noise.

Willow stopped behind her, turned on her flashlight to illuminate the map she had tucked inside the pocket of her trousers. They were deep in the sewers now, near the hellmouth, and it was almost completely dark. "We're around here," she pointed the light on a point near Sunnydale high. "I think we'll be there around the next corner."

"Alright," Angel nodded. "Are you ready for the spell?" he asked the witches.

"Yes," Tara answered with a small smile.

"We need to wait for Faith and Spike to start the game," Buffy whispered.

***

"Stop," Faith hissed suddenly. "I think we're there." She turned towards the vampire, "Can you smell anything?"

"Not really," Spike replied, narrowing his eyes. It was dark down in the sewers but with his preternatural sight he was seeing just fine. "And I can't see anything either. Or rather, I see, but there isn't anybody around."

"Good," the slayer. She took a deep breath and reached out to touch the others who were gathered around her. "Then let's start this thing. What time is it?"

Xander checked his watch. It was one of those sport watches that lit up if you press the right button. "One minute before twelve. Another five minutes I'd- What the hell..." he suddenly said out loud.

There was a noise that sounded like the whole Sunnydale sewer system was about to collapse. It started as a distant thunder that was rolling closer and closer sounding more threatening with each passing second.

"Oh God, I was right, we should've left," Anya cried, clutching Xander's arm.

"Shut up," Faith hissed angrily. "What the hell is going on?"

"I have no idea, but I'd say it's near by. East," Spike nodded more to himself, "yes, definitely coming from the East."

"What is it?" the slayer asked, when the noise suddenly erupted to an ear splitting roar and then in front of them the sewer exploded into light.

Part 33

"Angel?" Buffy croaked, then spit to rid the dust in her mouth. Her throat felt as if she'd inhaled the Sahara in one breath.

"Buffy?" Willow voice came weekly from the side.

"Will!" the slayer cried, crawling towards her voice over boulders that had fallen down from the ceiling. Without warning a part of the sewer tunnel had collapsed above them, burying them underneath. "Oh God, Willow," Buffy took her friend's hand. "Are you alright?"

The redhead coughed, "I... think," she replied groaning. "But I'll be black and blue tomorrow. What was this?"

"I have no idea," the blond said. "There was this blinding light and then the ceiling came down on us."

Willow struggled to sit up, and then rested her back against the wall. "I've lost my flashlight," she complained, "and I can't see anything. Where is Tara? Oh God, Buffy, I can't find Tara," she wailed.

"Shhh," the slayer pressed her palm into her friend's hand, suppressing the panic she felt herself. It was completely dark around them and Angel hadn't responded to her previous shouting. Plus she had no idea what was going on. Had they been wrong about the time? Willow and Tara had sworn that nothing would happen before ten past midnight and yet it seemed as if the hellmouth had erupted in some way.

"Tara," Willow whispered again into the darkness.

"Buffy!"

"Angel!" the blond cried, the relief making her suddenly feeling weak. "Angel," she repeated his name.

"I'm here," he said and she could hear him coming closer and then he was beside her, his hand on her arm. She threw her arms around him, holding him close. "Buffy," his voice was muffled in her hair. "Are you hurt?" he asked urgently. "Buffy, are you hurt?"

"No," her voice was muffled as well as she shook her head on his chest. "I'm fine. And you?"

"Okay," he said, kissing her lightly on the skull. "Willow and Tara?" he asked.

"Willow is fine, but we can't find Tara."

"Tara," the redhead's voice came again, more desperate. "Angel I can't find Tara."

"Tara's over there," the vampire replied letting go of Buffy's hand. "I can see fine," he explained the two surprised girls. "Vampire sight and all. She's buried under a large boulder," he informed them. "Tara, can you hear me," he kneeled down beside her and checked for her pulse. To his relief he found her still alive. Her pulse was weak but steady. "She's unconscious but I don't think it's serious. I can't smell any blood, and her heartbeat is steady."

Willow began to cry in relief and tried to scramble over to Angel's side, to her lover's side. "Wait," he told her, then walked over and took her hand. "I'll lead you. You could fall and hurt yourself." As soon as the two witches were reunited, Willow stroking Tara's face again and again, whispering endearments in her ear, Angel walked back and crouched down beside his girlfriend.

"Are you really okay?" he asked again.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just shaken. What was that?"

"I don't have the slightest idea," Angel replied. "I don't know what happened. It was like an explosion of light. Extremely bright light. But there was no growing of energy from the hellmouth."

"That's what I thought. I didn't feel increasing power or something like that," Buffy said. Her first thought had been the hellmouth, but her slayer senses had told her it couldn't be. "But if it wasn't the hellmouth, what happened?"

"If only I knew," the vampire sighed deeply. "But whatever it was I don't like it." His eyes darted towards the witches. "We need to take care of Tara. To make our plan work we need both of them. Awake."

"Yeah," she agreed. "I just wonder how much our plan's worth after this."

Angel didn't say anything but secretly he wondered it too.

****

"Bloody hell." **Or whatever this is now.**

"Using bad language will not help in this situation." **Why did anyone invent vampires, anyway?**

"Shut up." **Whoever made vengeance demons should be sucked dry.**

"You both. Shut. Up," Faith barked into the darkness of the tunnel. "I'm really not interested in your private bickering. Now is not the time. Anya, where is Xander?"

"I'm here," came the answer from behind.

"Are you alright?" the slayer asked.

"Yeah, fine. Just a bit shaken. What on earth was that?" he wanted to know. First there had been a blinding light, then nothing but darkness. Xander felt like suddenly waking up in a nightmare. Not that the situation had been like a dream in the first place. But at the moment he had a really bad feeling.

"Spike?" Faith turned towards where she'd heard the vampire's voice before.

"How the hell should I know? Am I God?" **How did I get to be part of this? Just stake me!**

"Certainly not," Anya muttered under her breath. "I'm sure God had nothing to do with your existence."

"You know, ex-demon-girl," Spike said acidly. "I see just fine down here." **I wonder how an ex-demon tastes. Bloody chip.**

"Empty threat, you can't hurt humans."

"Maybe we should check the theory with ex-demons," the vampire offered. And maybe he would meet one of his old buddies down here and ask him for a favor. Xander and Anya really earned each other."Shut up," Faith barked again. "I hear another word out of either of you and *I* am going to shut you up. Did I make myself clear?"

Silence was her answer. "Good," she took a deep breath. She had now idea what was happening, but the last thing she needed was those two tearing her nerves. "What do you see Spike?"

"A lot of dust," he sniffled the air, "and it smells a bit like sulfur."

"Sulfur?" she parroted.

"Yeah," he confirmed, "and it's getting stronger. Where ever that comes from."

"Guys," came Xander's voice again, "I'm not a good Christian or anything, but even I can remember that sulfur had something to do with Hell." **God, why did I ever pay attention in Chemistry. At least then I would run into this without knowing.**

"Oh boy," Faith frowned. "Well, then let's go. And let's hope the others are alright."

***

"Dawn?"

"I'm okay, Giles. What was that?"

"I have no idea," the watcher replied, struggling to sit up. "Kate?"

"I'm fine," she said, trying to see something through the darkness. Her head hurt and something had hit her right shoulder, but in her life as a police officer she'd had worse and she knew that whining wouldn't get anyone to respect you as an equal, especially if you were female. They would surely pity you, but respect had to be earned.

"Everyone still around?" Gunn asked. When he heard several voices answer he nodded and reached into his pocket to get the flashlight he had there just in case. Switching it on he could see the others blink because of the unexpected brightness. "Looks like the 2nd World War to me," he said dryly.

Kate shook her head to get the debris out of her hair, and then she suddenly stopped and frowned, "Does anybody else smell that too?"

"Ewwww," Dawn wrinkled her nose, "It's like Chemistry."

"Sulfur," the Police Officer stated.

"Sulfur?" Wesley was on his feet in a flash, "I think we need to hurry. Rupert?"

"Yes, yes," the older man agreed, giving Kate a grateful smile when she offered him a hand. "Let's hurry. This can't be good."

"Why?" Dawn wanted to know.

"Because sulfur is a sign that at least something is happening with the hellmouth," Wesley explained.

"Brain storm, English." Gunn shook his head. Most of the time he liked the former watcher, but sometimes he could be really dense. "Who would've thought. What else should've caused this."

"I doubt it was the hellmouth," Giles replied, and then he suddenly noticed something in a distance. "Maybe we should ask our friends over there," he said and nodded into the direction of the hellmouth where they could see two or three dirty figures coming towards them.

"That's what I wanted to tell you before all hell broke loose," Gunn said, coughing. "As I see it our friends, the soldier-boys, took the wrong turn."

"Riley," Giles acknowledged the commando who was the first to reach them. "What are you doing here? You were meant to come from the east."

"The second squad is there," the blond explained. "We thought we'd try to meet you down here."

"That's against the plan," Wesley raised a brow at the commando. "And why didn't you tell us about the second team?"

"I..." Riley began, averting his eyes. He felt uncomfortable with this. He hadn't known about the new plans of his superiors, he just heard them just before they were moving, but he had a cell phone and could have called - but he didn't. "New orders," he said hesitantly.

Giles eyed the young man speculatively, and then narrowed his eyes, "Does this new plan have something to do with explosives?" he asked.

Dawn's eyes widened "Do you mean-," she gasped. "Riley?" her accusing eyes rested on the commando.

"Hey, I'm just a small number in this," he tried to defend himself. "Our superiors thought some explosives would be the best solution for the problem."

"So they just placed a bomb on the hellmouth?" Wesley asked incredulously. So much for common sense, he thought. But then the military and common sense never worked out.

"Is he right, Riley?" Giles wanted to know, nailing the young man with his eyes. "Did they do that?"

Riley closed his eyes, and then nodded slowly, "Yeah. They did."

"Well, that's bloody brilliant," Wesley, shouted. Everyone's head snapped around and they were staring at him for his unfamiliar use of language. "What?" he said. "I'm British. Bloody comes naturally to us. And I learned to swear when I was very young. Usually I'm just too well educated to use it. But now seems an appropriate time to me. My God, Riley, do you have any idea what they did?"

"They wanted to close the hellmouth forever with it," the commando replied.

"I know what they wanted," Giles said coldly, "but maybe they should think before they do something next time, because what happened was the exact opposite. They opened the hellmouth for them and saved the vampires a lot of work and time. Which means our whole schedule is askew."

"You," Dawn gulped, "you mean the Gate of Hell is open now?"

"No," Wesley shook his head. "Not quite. But the hellmouth is open. That's the smell around us. To open the Gate of Hell they need some magic, but by God, these stupid idiots risked to get us all killed," he turned towards Riley, giving him a deadly glare. "You move. We need to get going. Our schedule might be askew but that doesn't mean our friends won't need us. Unlike some soldiers we stick to the plan."

They all exchanged a short glance then started to walk again.

That was when the second explosion shattered through the tunnels.

Part 34

"Oh God, what's going on?" Dawn sobbed. "What's happening?"

Giles reached out and took the teenager's arm. "It's going to be okay."

"No, don't do that," she pulled her arm free and looked at him. "Don't treat me like a child. Riley!" her attention turned towards the commando. "Was this your friends as well?"

"I don't know. If they did this, I had no knowledge," confused he gazed around. They had heard a detonation, but this time the tunnels hadn't come down again. But what was more frightening was the low growling noise they could still hear. "Does this come from the hellmouth?"

"I'd say it's safe bet," Wesley replied dryly, getting quickly fed up with Riley. He and his troupes came to Sunnydale to help, but at the moment they were causing even more problems.

"Ri."

They all turned when a figure came running straight towards them. "Graham," Riley stepped forward to meet his friend halfway. "What's going on over there?" he demanded.

Graham had to catch his breath before he was able to answer. He'd ran the whole distance and although he was in good shape he had only now realized how wide spread the Sunnydale sewer tunnels were. No wonder all the vampires wanted to live here. It was like a town underneath the real town. Sun proof and all. "Vampires," he choked, "Demons, more than I've ever seen," he told them, leaning heavily against the wall. "They're all coming from this big hole. God, it's like Stephen Kind was writing the screenplay."

"Have you seen anyone besides us?" Gunn asked.

"You mean your friends?" Graham replied, then shook his head, "No, nobody. But one of the tunnels leading to the main cavern under the high school is closed up. Damn Brookridge," he muttered.

"Excuse me?" Giles looked at him quizzically.

"General Brookridge," Riley explained in his friend's stead. "He obviously arrived two hours ago and took over the whole thing. He's even superior to General Markham. The first detonation was his idea."

"I see," Wesley said, desperately trying to figure out what to do now. "Which tunnel is closed up?"

"The southern one," Graham answered. "Where are the slayers? We really need help, we can't go on like this anymore."

"Wait a second," Giles looked at him sharply. "Do you want to tell me you're at the hellmouth already? Good God, are you mad?! We said you should wait. How on earth are Willow and Tara going to cast their spell... No, forget about it. Our first plan died the moment the bomb went up. This so bloody brilliant," he shouted.

"As I said," Wesley sighed. "Bring the military into something and you can be sure it will sink into chaos."

"All very interesting, English," Gunn joined them after instructing his friends to wait until everyone was ready, "but it doesn't help. Okay, so plan A is down the river. What I want to know is, is there a plan B?"

****

"Tara," Willow called frantically for her lover and relief flooded her when the blond answered.

"Willow." Tara's voice was weak, but at least she was conscious again. "Wh- What happened?"

"There were two explosions," the redhead explained, squeezing her lover's hand. "Something's wrong. We don't know what but something's happening."

"I really hate to interrupt," Buffy found her way towards them by walking along the wall, "but I need to know if you're able to cast the spell. Angel and I have no idea what's going on, but whatever is happening right now, I think a power-decreasing spell for the hellmouth is always a good idea."

"Tara?" Willow asked into the darkness.

"I- I'm fine," the blond witch said, bringing her upper body into an upright position. "We have memorized the spell. We don't need the text or a flashlight," she said, her voice sounding firmer now.

"Good." This came from Angel who was desperately trying to see the exit of the tunnel they were in. "It seems we're closed up from the rest. I can't see the end of the tunnel which probably means we're trapped somehow."

"Trapped," the redhead gulped. "Oh no."

"Willow," Buffy searched in the darkness for her girlfriend's hand and squeezed it. "There is no time for that. Cast the spell now."

"Alright," she said her voice quivering. "But what will happen if we don't find a way to help them."

Angel turned towards them, "You and Tara will stay here and cast the spell and do whatever else is needed. Buffy and I will go back and try to find another way inside."

"But-," Willow wanted to protest only to be cut off by the vampire.

"No buts. We need to do this. You're the witches. I know you want to help, but this is more important. Okay?"

"Okay," the replied unison.

Angel looked at his lover and when he saw her nod, he said, "We're leaving." He reached into the pocket of his duster, and then Willow felt something in her hand. "It's Holy Water," he explained quickly. "I suppose you're safe here... at least as safe as possible, but this will help."

"Thanks," she gave him a smile, knowing that he was able to see it despite the darkness. "Take care."

"We will," Buffy promised and then they both were gone.

"All right, Tara," Willow took charge of the situation, knowing that they had to do this that the world was depending on them. "Let's do it."

Her lover squeezed her hand again and then the two witches began to chant.

***

"This is just bloody great," Spike shouted, turning towards Faith who was trying to see something in the pale light that filtered into the tunnel after this second eruption. "And if I may add, our schedule isn't even worth the paper it's written on."

"We never wrote it down," Xander muttered. "But anyways. We need to get going."

"He's right," Kate agreed immediately. "From what I understand we can't afford to lose more time."

"Oh right, now she's telling us what to do," Anya rolled her eyes and crossed her arms in front of her chest. "God, why didn't I take that plan? No wonder vengeance demons are needed. Women do strange things out of love."

Xander had to smile at that. She sounded so upset, but he knew it had been her way to declare her love again. He held her hand in his and could feel her tremble. She was scared to death, but she came back and was staying - for him. If he hadn't been in love with her already he would've fallen for her now.

"Oh please spare me your mouth," Faith snarled, running a nervous hand through her hair. "Alright, let's go. I suppose the hellmouth is where the light is coming from. Maybe we will find out what has been going on here as soon as we meet the others."

"Assuming they're still alive."

"What?" Faith's head snapped around, her eyes piercing into Anya's.

"Well, we all knew this was a mission of no return," she slightly tilted her head and seemed to think about something. "Wasn't that a movie we were watching just recently," she looked at Xander.

"God, give me patience," the brunette slayer threw her hands in the air and suppressed the urge to scream - really loud. The former demon could test the patience of a saint and Faith was far from it. "Why do you think they might not be alive anymore?"

"For one, there was that... that explosion and I think we're lucky not to have been buried under some boulder and then, the hellmouth might be open and I think you don't have the slightest idea what that means. So let me tell you-"

"Shut up," the slayer's voice was like a whip. "Spare me that. We will see that soon enough. So you have no idea if they're dead or alive. I for one like to think positive. We *will* meet them over there," she nodded towards the light. "So let's-"

She wasn't able to finish her sentence, when suddenly they heard someone approaching them, then Spike's shout, "Bloody Hell" and then they came face to face with about 20 vampires.

****

"Left," Angel shouted, giving Buffy who was running before him, directions. He was following the smell that his sensitive nose had no problem identifying.

"Can you smell anything besides sulfur?" she asked not slowing down.

"No," he replied. "It's too strong, it covers anything else."

"I just hope Tara and Willow are able to do the spell and that it helps - somehow."

"I think we'll know soon," he said, and then shouted, "Right."

Buffy took the right turn and followed a wider sewer tunnel. The smell of sulfur was so strong now that even she was able to follow it. "This stinks."

"Yes, it does," Angel, agreed. "Like rotten eggs."

"Oh thanks, really needing the visual," she shouted back.

He had to grin at that, and then suddenly shouted, "Stop."

She halted instantly and turned to look at him, "What?"

"Can't you feel it?" he asked closing his eyes, trying to concentrate.

"Feel, what? I-," she broke off. "Yeah," she said, her voice almost in awe. "The energy is humming around us."

"Yes," he confirmed. "It's the hellmouth. Very powerful," he swallowed hard, not sure if he should say it, but did it nevertheless, "The demon inside of me is raging, urging me to go there, to follow this powerful shift."

"What a good thing we know he can't come out again."

"Yeah," he flashed her a quick smile. It was good Angelus was safely bound, but that didn't mean he couldn't hear him screaming inside his head, the struggle bordering on physical pain, his blood pounding through his veins. Angel had never experienced something like this before, had never felt his demon raging like this. Buffy would never understand how it felt and he was glad she wouldn't, but it also meant there were some things they could never share. He took a deep breath. "We need to be careful, because we have no way of knowing what's going on. I tried to get in contact with Cordelia before, but my cell phone is broken."

"Oh, great," she replied sarcastically. "Tonight it seems that nothing goes like planned."

"Let's just hope we aren't the only ones with the bad-" the words died on his lips when Buffy suddenly grabbed his arm and squeezed it - hard. Without a warning they were suddenly face to face with at least 10 Morah demons.

Go to Part 35