SEIZE THE NIGHT (25/25)
 

"Come my childe"
 

Darla steeled herself, looking into the master's eyes as she walked
closer to him. "Father."
 

He studied her, his eyes distrustful. "I have heard that Angelus is
back. Why has he not visited me?"
 

"He's been occupied" Darla responded, her smile giving no doubts to her
meaning.
 

"Ah...he and the redhead? A good match. Very strong...very powerful. I
also hear that William and Drusilla are in town. Is that true?"
 

"Yes Father. They came to visit" Darla said, not looking towards the
entrance that she knew the slayer would be coming through shortly.
 

"Darla...my childe. My favorite. Why do you deceive me?"
 

"I know not what you mean, Father" Darla responded.
 

He lashed out, his hand hitting her face and sending her into the wall.
She steadied herself, moving to her feet, ignoring the pain and the
blood that was dripping from her head. "Do not insult me childe. I hear
things. You and your children are powerful. Very powerful. You want to
take over Sunnydale. I know how you think, Gabriella. You forget, I am
the one that broke you all those centuries ago."
 

Darla stiffened, hearing her name. She looked at him, the anger in her
body. "You never broke me, Father. Just a few dints that took some time
to heal."
 

"I gave you life and this is how you repay me? Go behind my back with
your family..my own grandchilder...and plot my demise at your own hand?"
 

"Actually, ugly. She's not going to kill you." A youthful voice said, "I
am."
 

The master turned, his eyes narrowing. "Slayer" he hissed.
 

He moved quickly, the force of his blow sending Darla into the wall
again. She heard the bones crack as she slid to the ground. She tried to
move, but the force had done some damage. She instead was forced to
watch. Buffy was good, she grudgingly admitted. Not as good as she was,
nowhere near that level, yet. She saw her children and smiled. They were
fighting a good fight, but you could clearly see who was going to win.
She felt her bond cut as the master found himself facing Buffy's stake.
Darla's head fell slightly forward as the bond that was over eight
hundred years old was permanently broken.
 

Willow looked around them, a small smile on her face. She looked at the
humans, glad to see them all still standing. Several had cuts that were
bleeding, the blood beckoning her. She resisted the urge, her eyes
finding Angel. She moved into his arms, her head on his chest. "It's
over."
 

Buffy stood, her arm cut and her face on fire. She had been slapped
down, her face hitting the hard rock before she could kill the master.
Xander's arms went around her. She leaned back into him, surveying the
dust and damage that had been left. "Damn, that was tiring."
 

Darla felt a warm hand on her face and she looked up into soft eyes.
"You ok?"
 

She nodded, strangely touched by his concern. What was it about this
human that drew her to him? "Just a bit dazed. He didn't break me,
though."
 

"Good" Giles said, helping her to her feet. She leaned against him, her
small cool body flush against his. "Is everyone ok?"
 

Spike joined Willow and Angel, his arm going around her neck as he
nudged them and motioned to Darla standing with Giles. He winked
knowingly before speaking, "We're still dead. Things are fine here."
 

Amy finished cleaning Cordelia's wound and nodded, "All of us are still
alive."
 

"Good. The master is gone. It appears that we have taken out his
supporters" Giles added.
 

"There are still some. But, not enough to matter" Angel said.
 

"Not bad for a good night's work" Buffy said, hobling slightly as Xander
helped her back out of the cave.
 

"I so know that this dress is ruined" Cordelia complained. "Blood never
comes out of silk."
 

"Why am I here?" Amy asked her, smiling as the brunette laughed. "It
will come out. If it doesn't, I'll find you a spell, ok?"
 

"So Lovey" Darla asked, moving over to Willow's side with Giles help. "I
just have to know...Do you still hate the night?"
 

Willow shook her head, looking around the cave at her friends...her
family? "No mum. You were right. The night can be fun."
 

"Let's go home" Darla said, smiling at her children. She leaned back
against Giles, his arms supporting her as they left the cave.
 

*************THE END*************
 

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