"She has been found." Tristan bursting into the room . Cassandra
took a deep breath before speaking.
   "Where?"
"The Hellmouth." He said as Cassandra got up from her plush leather
chair.
      "We need to leave immediately. I've already made the
arrangements." In any other situation, Tristan wouldn't dare be this
presumptuous. This wasn't any situation, this was *it*, the one thing
they prepared their whole lives for.
      "I will leave, you will stay here." Cassandra said in a tone
that warned not to push.  Tristan pushed anyway.
   " This is the * last * time, the last opportunity, if Alaric
succeeds again- "
         "Don't you think I know what will happen? This is what our
ancestors lived and died for, what * we * live and die for."
Cassandra said.
      "That's why you need me there with you. Alaric can't fight both
of us." Tristan said.
"She's in the Hellmouth, there are more dangers than Alaric, you
cannot shield presences like I can, you would attract too many
creatures and lead them to her." Cassandra said silencing Tristan
protests.
     "Even if that were not the case, odds are I will die, someone
will need to be here to teach her and protect her when she comes of
age." Cassandra said. Tristan bowed.
     "I am honored. I swear to uphold the laws and traditions of our
people." Tristan.  Cassandra smiled.
     "I am not dead yet. Go tell the others make them ready for her
coming." Cassandra ordered. Tristan bowed again and left.  Cassandra
turned around, the limo would be here to take her to the private jet,
she did not have much time.  Cassandra needed a moment
to hold the hope close to her heart. * At last * the time had come.
This was her sacred duty: she could not fail. Not like her ancestors,
lifetime after lifetime they had failed either being too late or not
knowing where she was at all. Now it was the
last chance. If Alaric and forces that empowered him won this time
all would be for nothing. Everything would be for nothing.  No,
failure was simply not an option.
 
 
 

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 

"Thanks for walking me home Angel." Willow said, trying to think of
ways to make him stay longer.
       "The others shouldn't let you go out into the night alone."
Angel said.
"I'm not a baby!" Willow said.  It was always Willow who was hidden
in the corner while the others fought, even Cordelia got more
fighting action than her.  Willow was too delicate too fragile,
Willow just couldn't handle it
      "I know." Angel said, looking into her eyes. Willow knew he
meant it.
"Um, Angel, not that I want to pry or anything, but why don't you
spend anytime with us anymore? I mean we used to be friends, well
sort off. I mean, we talked and you and Buffy were in love, but now
we hardly see you, and Buffy always complains on how you don't have
any time for her." Willow blurted out.
     "I think you know why." Angel said with a half smile. Willow was
so cute when she babbled. If this is what her friendship could do to
him imagine what her love could, no better not imagine that.
     "That was Angelus, not you." Willow said.
"Not everyone sees it that way." Angel replied. Giles would never
forgive him for Angelus killing Jenny, Xander never liked Angel and
didn't bother to differentiate the two, Cordelia had always been a
little afraid of him since she found out that he was
a vampire. Buffy didn't care as long as had * her * Angel back. Only
Willow understood.
    "Well, um, my birthday is in a couple weeks, actually the same
day as graduation.  I was thinking, would you like to come, only for
a little while? You don't even have to get me a gift or anything."
Willow asked hesitantly.  She relaxed a little as she saw Angel
smile, not a sarcastic smile or a brooding half smile, but a real
full bloom smile.
   "I'd like that." Angel said.
      "Great! Well I'll talk to you later, bye." Willow said going
inside.
<Oh yeah showed a lot of restraint there! You vow to stay away from
her and the first chance you get to be near her you jump on it.>
Angel thought to himself as he walked away.  Maybe he could still
back out of it, tell her it would be too uncomfortable to be
near the others. It wouldn't be a lie. While thinking of excuses to
get out of the party, he would still go.
       He couldn't disappoint Willow, the one person in this entire
world who had faith in him. The one person * he * still had faith
in.  Angel's thoughts were interrupted by something, a flash of
silver near the trees by Willow's house. He crept over there
preparing to fight with the possible demon or vamp. Now, there was
nothing.  All he saw were shadows.

next