"Note to self; let Kat double check my research findings in future."
Raven Knight muttered grimly to himself as he neatly side-stepped yet
another `fearsome `stray' demons dog. "If she could see me at the
moment, the girl would be having hysterics."

He adjusted the sword that fell down centre of his back and sent a
quick glance around the park. He may have come in search of `demon
dogs' but he was here for another reason altogether: a demon he had
been hunting for over several years. He was also well aware of this
particular park's reputation for mysterious deaths by total blood
loss.

"Are you lost stranger? Can I perhaps help you?"

He was therefore unsurprised when the low sensual voice came from
behind him. Turning slowly, he leisurely dropped his hand to a dagger
in his belt. As he expected, he found a woman dressed completely in
black standing there, a smile on her face. It was supposed to be
friendly, sexual even but he knew only too well that it wasn't
anything of the kind.

"No thanks, I was just leaving." He took a step backwards, but
changed the grip on his dagger, ready to throw it. "And I know my way
around here."

"Oh how terribly disappointing, especially when we've only just met.
Are you sure that you don't you want to stay and get to know me
better." She moved closer, reaching out to run a sharp fingernail
down his chest. "I think you and I could have so much fun together."

"Is it me or do I get to meet the stupider members of your sort
lately." Raven growled as he pushed her backwards, drawing out his
dagger in the same movement. "Sorry fang face, but I'm sure as heck
not interested in being lunch."

"I don't remember giving you that option." She growled morphing into
her true face. "I was thinking of giving you life eternal but now
that you bring it up, I do feel hungry."

"Well. I ain't on the menu, sweetheart, so come and get me. If you
dare."

She lunged for him but he neatly side-stepped her, already swinging
his leg to slam into her back. He was facing her in a second, ramming
his dagger into her heart as she turned to leap at him, eyes blazing.
As she turned to dust, he replaced his weapon and started to walk
away.

"Just the kind of fight I like to warm up." He murmured to himself in
satisfaction.

Approaching the centre of the Park, he suddenly came across another
man fighting several others.

"Odds seem a little loaded." Raven murmured as he automatically moved
forward to help. As he drew closer, the faces of all the combatants
became clearer. Even the man they were fighting.

They were all vampires.

"And one obviously Kindred at that." Changing his plan to help, he
stood back and watched the dark haired vampire quickly dispatch the
four Sabbat vampires. "And I'd lay odds that this particular vampire
is going to turn out to be this Angel Kat told me about. No other
vampire is known to actively fight the Sabbat."

Moving towards the dark haired man, he found himself under attack as
well by another pair of vampires. Drawing his sword out, he quickly
dispatched them by simply beheading them. "This is just getting
boring."

"Tonight has been unusual. Nice move by the way." Standing in front
of him, his demon face gone, was the tall dark haired vampire he had
first seen being attacked. "I'm Angel. Can I help?"

Raven returned his sword to its sheath, then chose to jump straight
into the fire. "Don't suppose you know anyone in a town called
Sunnydale."

If possible, Angel's expression grew even more emotionless. "I may
have friends there."

"One wouldn't happen to be redhead witch called Willow by any chance."

"Why do you ask? Who are you?"

"My name's Raven. Your Willow has just met my sister Kat. She's a
friend of Rupert Giles."

Angel's expression changed almost as if a bell had rung
internally. "I knew your name was familiar."

"Not surprising to a Kindred." Raven responded, running his hand
through his hair. "Care to tell me what Clan you're from. Kat never
said."

"I'm Clan Ventrue." Angel folded his arms, his eyes darkening. "And
she wouldn't have said anything because no-one in Sunnydale is even
aware of the Masquerade."

"Not even Ripper!" Raven asked incredulously. "I mean, he's not your
ordinary Watcher."

"You of all people should be aware of the rules of the Masquerade."
The vampire replied calmly. "And Giles is no longer a Watcher."

"So Kat informed me."

The two men stared silently at each other for a moment, before the
vampire suddenly grew even more alert, looking deep into the shadows
of the Park. "I think we need to continue this conversation back at
my office. We're about to get more unwanted company."

"Then lead the way. I'd like to meet the rest of your team.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Part 6

Cordelia Chase spun round from her computer as the doors opened a
broad winning smile on her face. "Welcome to. oh hi Angel. and
friend."

"This is Raven Knight, Cordelia. He's Kat Knight's brother." Angel
said quietly. "Raven, this is Cordelia Chase, my associate."

"Nice to meet you, Ms Chase." The young man bowed old fashionably
over her hand.

"Another Englishman." Cordelia grinned. "Anyone get the feeling
there's a conspiracy going on here. I'm just surrounded by men from
Britain."

Just at that precise moment, the last member of Angel Investigations
walked in, carrying an open file and a cup of tea. "Ah, Angel, I
thought I heard your voice. I need to ask you about. Good god! Raven
Knight! Don't tell me the bloody thing's here."

"Wesley Wyndham-Pryce, as I live and breathe." Raven shot forward,
grinning. "We'd heard you were here in America. Your resignation
caused one heck of an uproar, mate."

"Yes well!" Wesley stuttered, actually blushing much to the
astonishment of Cordelia and Angel. "I did not agree with the
Council's treatment of Ms Summers. It was quite out of order."

"I'm glad to hear you finally came to your senses. Welcome back to
the fraternity, Wes. You've actually been missed." Raven shook his
hand. "You'll have to call Kat, you know. She's in Sunnydale at the
moment."

Before Wesley could reply, Cordelia suddenly moaned in pain. Her hand
shot to her head as she paled, and the former Watcher shot to her
side, supporting her. The vampire immediately went to a cupboard and
took out a bottle of pain medication while Raven watched with
concerned but puzzled eyes.

"Can I help?" He asked Angel as he drew close again.

"She'll be fine once the vision's over, and the headache's gone."
Angel replied in the same quiet tone before grinning slightly. "The
first thing she'll do is curse Doyle."

"Doyle?"

"My former partner. He died a couple of months ago, saving our lives.
He was half-Brachen demon and a seer." The vampire responded
softly. "He and Cordy were growing pretty close before he sacrificed
himself to save our lives. Somehow just before it happened, Cordelia
inherited his gift for visions from him via a kiss."

"Angel." Cordelia's painfilled voice broke through. "I think. we
better go home."

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Part 7

Giles looked up as a giggle floated through the library. Sitting on
the table were Kat and Willow, an open book across their legs, almost
identical mischievous looks on their faces. Ever since he and Kat had
talked, the brunette had been testing the redhead on her knowledge
and skills in the Wiccan arts.

And somewhere along the line, a real friendship had begun to grow.

Shaking his head he returned to his study with a rueful
smile. "Heaven help us all."

Turning a page he ran his finger across the hand-written text and
paused suddenly. A strange look on his face, he re-reads it, then
read it again in sheer disbelief before shouting. "WILLOW!"

The redhead appeared in the doorway. "What's up Giles." She asked
before catching the look on his face and the open book. "Uh oh!"

"Listen to this;

Blood of the blood, black gates will open
Behold endless night brings forth perpetual unlight
Chosen and elven fire, sire and childe
Huntress and blade."

"Is that it?" Willow asked, moving further into the room, her own
eyes extremely puzzled.

"The rest of the page is missing!" The Librarian growled. "And I've
got this feeling it's more important than it first appears. That's
what makes it so annoying. My God, what am I thinking! KAT!"

She appeared in the doorway behind Willow, eyebrow raised. "You
bellowed?"

"Read this." He handed her the book. "Have you ever come across
anything like this before."

The redhead moved out of the office just as her mobile started to
ring. She pulled it out of her pocket, glanced at the screen and
grinned. "Angel!"

"We're coming home, Will."

"You are! When?"

"Tomorrow sometime at the mansion."

"Angel, the sun will be up!" She exclaimed, only just managing to
keep her voice down. Across the room, Giles and Kat continued to
talk. "You'll go poof!"

"Will, the mansion has underground garages, remember." A note of
laughter broke the strange sombreness of his voice. "By the way, I've
met Raven Knight. Did you know that he knew Wesley?"

"I can safely say no to that." Willow's grin was clear but then
faded. "You've got better timing than you know, Angel. Giles has just
found a possible prophecy."

"Then it's a good thing Cordy's insisting on driving."

"Goddess Angel, if you weren't already one of the undead, I'd swear
you had a death wish."

"I heard that, Willow!" Cordelia's voice came clear across the line.

"Cordelia go away, I'm talking to Willow." The redhead heard a door
slam shut on the brunette's light laughter. A laugh that sounded
strangely forced. "Will."

"Angel, what's wrong? Neither of you sound right."

"I'll tell you tomorrow. Promise me you won't go anywhere by yourself
until then."

"Angel."

"I mean it, Willow."

"Alright, I promise. I suppose next you're going to want me to move
into the mansion."

"Now that you bring it up."

"I'm not going to unless you give me a good reason right now."

"Tomorrow little one, I promise."

"I'm going to hold you to that, Angel." There was a slight threat in
her voice. "Things have just got a little wiggy around here as it is.
I don't need a wiggy you as well."

"I know you will. Let Giles know what's happening." He rang off.

Willow actually growled, then turned round to find herself being
watched by the other two and blushed furiously. "Uh hi there!"

The former Watcher raised an amused eyebrow. "Angel I take it."

"Yes, He, Cordy and Wesley are coming home tomorrow." The small
redhead replied a worried expression in her green eyes. "He's upset,
Giles. I've just had to promise him I won't go anywhere by myself
until then."

"Have you now." Giles' expression grew serious. "I'm beginning to
believe the others should have stayed in Sunnydale. Perhaps I should
call."

"Don't over react, Giles. From what Willow's been telling me, the
Slayer deserves this break." Kat put in quickly. "Look, it's getting
late and I have some work to do back at my office. You see Willow to
her dorm entrance and I'll see you both tomorrow night for patrol."

The redhead quickly took the offer and moments later; the library was
shut down, all three on their way to their respective homes. Once on
the way, Kat drew out her mobile and dialled.

"Yeah, what you want."

"Get your butt in Sunnydale, Raven. It's about to hit the fan."

"I'm already there. Order me Hawaiian and I'll catch you later."

"Typical. One of these day you'll ask for something else. Later."

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Part 8

The black Harley purred into the underground garage of Night Systems
and rolled to a halt. The rider removed his helmet and looked over at
the young woman standing in the lit doorway. He nodded nonchalantly
in acknowledgement. "Kat."

"Raven. You must have smelt it arrive." She replied, folding her arms.

"Very funny. You're a real laugh a minute." He got off his bike and
unsnapped his bag. "So this is the new base."

"Yep! Everything set up as normal."

"Mac sends his best." Raven grinned. "He's got some new things in,
thanks to Amanda."

"Stolen no doubt."

Raven merely grinned again, looking round. He frowned slightly,
returning his gaze to his sister. "Alright, Kat, where have you
hidden it this time."

In reply, she pulled out a small black box out of her pocket and
pointed it at the opposite wall. Silently, a door slid open to reveal
an entrance to an underground complex. Standing there, a folder in
hand was Rufus Tomlinson.

Hearing the door open, he looked up and grinned broadly. "Raven,
about time you got here."

"Tommy! You know whoever said that thing about killing all the
lawyers just about got it right." The younger man's grin turned to a
sly smirk.

"Hah hah! See this is me laughing. Kat, the entrance to all the
sewers have been adapted as per your orders."

"About time." She started towards him. "Raven, you better get your
pizza and grab some downtime while you can. I left a map of town out
on your desk as I doubt I'll see you before tomorrow night."

"Thanks Kat. Anything else."

"Not that I can think of. Now go away, I'm busy. Tommy, what about
that other." The door slid shut behind her.

Shaking his head and grinning, Raven went up the stairs in to the
main house.

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