Faith stood on the edge of the water, the waves barely reaching her feet,
tickling them with foam and then retreating back into the abyss that was
the ocean. Sometimes, the waves would come in harder, and at those
times, she could feel the tingling of salt water spraying against her in
mist. Thunderous sounds echoed in her mind, highlighted by the distant
call of sea gulls. On the horizon, the sun set, causing the usually
blue water to have a strange golden hue. This was one of her favorite
scenes, and as she visited it in her dreams, she started to wonder if she
would ever lay eyes upon this kind of beauty again.
Quiet footsteps fell behind her. For some reason, someone had entered
her dream, and she had an idea of who it was. “You’re much stronger than
me. It should be you shouldering this burden and not me.”
“So the spell worked. You do have a soul?”
Quickly turning around, Faith came eye to eye with Wills. “Is that all
you care about, that I have a soul? What about my well being? Yes, you
gave me a soul, but I am in the midst of enemies. They will rip my
throat once they know I still have it. Do you have any idea what I am
against? I have to pretend not to care as I brutally kill people, just
so I can live. That is not what I am about. I can’t do this.”
“Yes you can. We all know that you have had it in you all along.”
Faith covered her ears and shook her head. Closing her eyes, she
explained, “No, I am good. I have always been good. There is no evil
inside my heart.”
Wills grabbed her hands and pulled them from her head. “Faith, listen
to me. We are not asking you to turn completely into what you have
always feared.”
“I’m a slayer, I don’t…”
“You’re talking to your best friend. I have always known about the dark
tendencies that have plagued you, begged you to let them come forth.
Maybe now is the time to give in and become what you can. And all we are
asking is that you play along until you have to fight us.”
“Fight you?”
“Darla and Dru are after Angel. We aren’t going to them, which means
they will come here. What I need to know is what side you and William
are on.”
“Oh, so that is why you decided to give a courtesy call?” Faith remarked
bitterly.
“I would have anyway.”
Nodding, Faith remarked, “If I am still around, I will not hurt one of
your team. However, I’m not sure about William. He is still there, but
the demon is stronger right now.”
“So part of his soul is still there?”
“Enough not to let on about my secret.”
Wills nodded and then reached in front of her and squeezed Faith’s
shoulder. “Thanks. Just to know that there may still be some left…”
“Don’t give up hope on him, Wills.”
Wills nodded and then faded away, leaving only the strange light of
sunset. Turning around, she looked into the sea once again. Part of her
never wanted to leave this dream, this dream that felt so real, but she
knew she had to. Pulling away, she opened her eyes.
The room was still dark, but she knew that it was because of the heavy
curtains blocking out the morning sun’s rays. Sitting up and letting her
feet hang over the bed, she started to think. Could she do this? Could
she act the part of this world’s Faith? Wills was right. It had always
been in her, but she had shut it away. It scared her, frightened her.
There was nothing else she would rather do than run from this. She was a
slayer, not a cold blooded killer. No, this wasn’t the life she wanted
and she would not give into it. Slowly, she walked over and stood in
front of the dark curtains.
William walked in and shut the door behind him. He eyed her as she
asked, her back to him, “What floor have they moved us to now. We were
in a sub-level.”
“Floor thirteen, I think.”
“I thought buildings always skipped thirteen. Isn’t it unlucky?”
William chuckled, “This is bloody Wolfram and Hart we’re talking about.”
Smiling at him over her shoulder, Faith’s hand reached out and grabbed
the curtain. “Unlucky, yes. Goodbye, William.”
As soon as she said it, he knew exactly what she was planning on doing.
Diving for her, William tried to pull her away as she threw open the
curtains. Sunlight streamed in.
 

Part 17

Absolution.  An end.  Faith waited for it to come as she felt William
scrambling off of her, swearing as he did so.  Closing her eyes, she
waited for the feeling of turning into dust, breaking into particles and
having a peace she sought.  Instead, all she felt was a ray of light
warming her.  Opening her eyes, she slowly stood up.  Staring at an
undamaged hand she was holding out in front of her, sun light giving it
an eery glow, she asked, "How?"

William shook his head.  "I don't know.  The gem maybe..."

For the first time, Faith realized that the Gem of Amarra wasn't on his
finger.  "What did you do with the Gem, William?"

Slowly closing the curtains, he answered, "I swallowed it."

Faith's eyes grew wide.  "You swallowed it(!) and now somehow it is not
only affecting you still, but me also.  We're both immune to sun light or
stakes, aren't we?"  Growing more frantic by the second, she held onto
her throat in an frenzied gesture.  "I can't die.  You and your witch
took that away from me.  How dare you?!"

Shutting the curtains the rest of the way, William turned, anger in his
stance.  Lashing out, he slapped her hard, sending her to the floor.
"You will not question or talk to me that way again!"

Faith started out looking at him, stunned.  She wiped a bit of blood from
the side of her mouth and then stood up.  Staring at him, she slowly
started to laugh, "So, this is how it is - Spike has come out to play
Sire."

William grabbed her as her laughter grew louder, "Faith, get a grip on
yourself."

Reaching out between them, she quickly grabbed his neck.  "A grip?"  She
tightened her hold as a fire burned in her eyes.  "A grip is what you
want?  Well, sorry daddy, this childe lost that when you turned her.
Pushing him away from her, Faith started to scream, "I hate you right
now, you and your little whore!"  Tearing about the room, Faith started
to rip things from the walls and anything that could be picked up,
throwing them about.  After that, she started for the chairs.  Picking
one up, she started to smash it into the walls.  William just watched,
shocked at her loss of self control.  This wasn't the Faith he knew.

Suddenly, it stopped.  Faith dropped the chair and turned to the door.
Slowly, the door opened and Dru, Darla, Lindsey, Lilah and Holland walked
in.  Looking at the mess, Darla remarked, "So, it is true that turned
slayers go crazy.  Can you control her, Spike?"

Before he could answer, Faith ran to the group.  Grabbing onto Lilah, she
instantly bit into her neck.  Then, several minutes later, Lilah Morgan's
lifeless, limp body fell to the floor.  Holland shook his head, "Damn,
there goes another good one."

Dru laughed, "Spikey's baby was hungry."

Ignoring Dru, Faith wiped the blood from her mouth with the back of her
hand.  Advancing on Lindsey, she rubbed her hands over his chest.
Lightly scraping his neck with her teeth, she started to nibble at his
ear.  In a low voice, she asked, "Do I scare you Lindsey, or do I bring
forth other emotions?"  Wrapping a leg around him and then rubbing up
against him, she added, "I can show you things and places you've only
dreamed of.  A child, huddled with brothers and sisters on a dirt covered
floor as the constant banging from your parents taught you at an early
age.  Alone, suppose to be studying but just sitting in your room,
pleasuring yourself as other's orgasmic filled screams penetrate the
slight walls of a Frat house.  Now, picking up cheap thrills from the
corner because the job doesn't allow time.  I could ride you away from
those memories, straight into your imagination.  Drive you until all
thought is gone.  Would you like that?"  Sniffing, she went back to his
neck, licking it.  Faith answered her own question from the smell of his
arousal, "Bad boy.  In your mind, how would you like to fuck me?"

Spike ripped her away.  Raising a questioning brow, Darla asked, "Don't
like the way your little spitfire plays?"

Dru laughed, "Spikey wants his childe for himself.  Always in the shadow,
now in the light.  She calls to part of him now."

As Faith turned a questioning gaze on him, William looked past her and
asked, "Does it bother my dark princess?"

"No.  Not your dark princess."  Dru frowned at William, but then walked
over to Faith.  Circling her, Dru commented, "I like her though - she is
pretty.  Can I play with her later?  She looks like she can be fun."

"Only if your both good."

Smiling at Darla, Dru clapped, "Goody.  I could get her all prettied up
to meet Daddy.  Do you think he would like that?"

Darla smiled back. "Oh, I'm sure it will please Angelus, but first, we
must get rid of Angel.
 

Part 18

“You’re doing it all wrong, Luv.

Graham and Willow were trying to prepare wiring for some of the
surveillance equipment by hiding it in the walls. Right now, Willow was
on a ladder. They had removed one of the ceiling tiles so she could
maneuver into the small space between the ceiling of the first story and
the floor of the second one. Being close to the wall, she was peering
down into it as she snaked the wire down towards Graham, where he was
waiting in the basement. An agitated Willow voice sounded from behind
one of the tiles above him. “If you’re going to be so aggravating, then
maybe you should be up here and not me.”

“Nope. I don’t do all that wiring stuff. Plus, I happen to enjoy the
wonderful view I’m getting right now.” To accentuate his point, he gave
her a slap on the butt.

Somewhere down in the darkness, a laugh was stifled. Frowning, Willow
remarked, “Don’t even think of laughing at him, Graham Miller.”

The laughing started again, this time a little more softly. Willow
rolled her eyes as it died down and then Graham’s voice drifted up
towards her. “Got it, Willow.”

Willow stopped moving the wire and then tried to manipulate her body out
of the tight spot she was in. Whose idea was it again that she crawl up
there? Oh, yeah, Spike’s. After finding her footing, she started down
the ladder that Spike had been steading for her. As soon as she was
completely out of the ceiling, she turned and leered down at Spike. Her
hair was disheveled and her cheeks red from crawling about the ceiling.
It reminded Spike of what she looked like after a good shagging.
Reaching up to her, he picked her up and gently put her on the ground as
she remarked, “You can be so...”

Spike finished her statement for her before she could, “Charming? Loving?
Wonderful?”

Sighing, she wrapped her arms around him as he softly kissed her.
Leaning back, Willow smiled up at him, “And sometimes you can be so
gentle and sweet.”

Laughing, Spike remarked, “Now don’t go about telling people that. I
have a reputation, you know.”

“Tell people what?” a voice asked behind them.

Smiling at Graham from over Spike’s shoulder, she answered, “That he is
just a big ol’ fluffy teddy bear, with fangs of course.”

Graham smirked at the frown he saw on Spike’s lips as the vampire turned
towards him. For some reason, he had a hard time seeing Hostile-17 as a
teddy bear.

Reminding himself once again that Spike was part of the group he was
helping and not his enemy, he stated, “Yes, fluffy teddy bear. I can see
that.”

Spike growled and then stopped as Willow elbowed him. Ignoring him then,
Willow asked Graham, “So what now?”

“Time to actually set up the equipment and finish wiring it.”

>From the couch, Buffy watched as Spike kept a careful eye on Graham,
keeping a cautious watch over what was his. He was like an animal,
marking what belonged to him. Spike wasn’t the only male in the room
doing this either. There were at least three pairs of eyes set on her.
Angel and Riley were two of the guys displaying once again their cavemen
like alter-egos. To keep her happy , they were working together, barely
pretending to be enjoying each other’s companionship. Right now, the two
were hunkered over some of Graham’s equipment, setting it up on the other
side of the room. Each of them kept a watchful eye on each other and
Buffy. Seeking every second they could, they both would steal a glance at
her from their corner.

Then, there was him - the other Angel. He had showed up only thirty
minutes ago, and Buffy couldn’t help but feel his gaze shooting right
through her. She had turned to him a few times, meeting that gaze. It
was different than her Angel’s - not as broody, but yet still holding
some type of sadness that she wasn’t for sure about. Turning back to him
and Wills, she met that gaze once again. She wanted to run away, but yet
part of her wanted to throw her arms around him and hold him close for as
long as she could, telling him that everything would be okay in the end.

A voice broke her concentration, “He loved her so much, but yet she
couldn’t see past his previous life as Angelus. It was a barrier between
them until the end. Was that what separated you from your Angel?”

Turning, Buffy looked into the eyes of the other world’s Cordelia Chase.
Cordy sat down, throwing her dread lock style hair behind her in a pony
tail. Her eyes searched Buffy’s. For a while, Buffy just stared back.
Finally, Buffy answered, “The curse. I saw through his past and accepted
him for what he was. We didn’t know though, and then, through a moment
of pure happiness, I brought forth Angelus.” Looking down, Buffy added,
“So you see, our love was a curse. We can’t be together.”

“So now you’re with Riley?” The words were cold, and Buffy could hear a
bit of bitterness when Cordy said Riley.

“I know of the Riley of your world. My Riley is nothing like him.”

Cordy laughed, “No, I’m sure he isn’t. None of us are the same. Even
our Buffy was different.”

“You’ve hardly talked to me and you know this?”

Nodding, Cordy remarked, “It’s in your stance, your eyes. Her’s were
different, maybe a but more innocent, maybe not - happier though, that’s
for sure.”

“I am happy.”

“I didn’t say you weren’t, just that she was happier. At the end, she
had her Angel. It might have only been a week or so, but you could see
it in her eyes, that he was the only
one for her. I wonder if your eyes would hold that happiness if you were
with your Angel.”

“I guess we will never know.”

“Maybe not.”

“So, what was it about your Buffy that made her so special? There must
have been something about her to gain not only Angel’s attention but
your’s also.”

“They told you, did they?”

“Faith did.” Holding out her hand, Buffy asked, “Can we try to at least
be friends?”

Cordy nodded. “Our Buffy was caring. She just wanted the best for
everyone, including me.” Cordy settled in and made her self more
comfortable. “See, the only reason I was even part of the gang when
Buffy arrived was my research skills. I sort of fell into it when I was
assigned to the library one year at school as Giles’ office aid. Sure, I
got along with everyone, but no one knew how to act around me. I was
from the poor part of town. My mother and I lived in a small one bedroom
apartment - my bedroom being the couch in the living room. It really
wasn’t - ‘hey, everyone come and visit’ type material. I dressed
differently and had been hanging out with a different crowd. When Buffy
showed up, she looked past that. She accepted me for who I was and
became one of the best friends I had.”

Staring off, Cordy continued, “I think she saw me as someone to take care
of. In a way, it made her feel needed. She needed that - I needed
that.”

Buffy then asked, “And Angel?”

“They seemed to be made for each other from day one. It was so evident
that they wanted each other, but then Buffy found out about his past.
She couldn’t face it because it went against everything she was destined
for. There were hours that she would spend at my place, crying because
her heart and mind were battling it out. That was when we got together,
but I always knew that I was just a side attraction to what she felt for
Angel.

“Then, finally, I talked Buffy into going back to Angel. They were both
so happy, until that night...” Cordy stopped for a second to take a deep
breath. Closing her eyes for a second, she opened them back up and
looked at Buffy, “But you see, even after losing someone so close, I
found someone else to fill that void. Angel doesn’t have that. He still
faces everyday alone, knowing that the woman he loved isn’t coming back.”

“So, there is no one - has been no one since then?”

“He has a few close friends, like Wills and Faith, but that is about it.
To be truthful, I don’t think he wants anyone else right now.”

Buffy shook her head. “No wonder he looks so sad when he looks at me.”

“You should talk to him.”

“No. I can’t do that.”

Pointing above Buffy, Cordy remarked, “I don’t think you have a choice
right now.”

Buffy looked up from her place on the couch as Wills and Angel wove their
way through Gunn’s men - who were moving furniture. Looking down at
Buffy, Angel said quietly, “Buffy.”

“Angel.” Looking over at Wills, she tried to move and then winced as her
foot screamed out at her. Cordy rushed to the end of the couch and
helped her with it as Buffy asked in a pain tinted voice, “What is the
plan?”

Wills smiled, “Wait for them to come and then kick ass.”

Buffy shook her head, “I was afraid you were going to say that.”

Angel was looking down at her bruised foot - which was swollen past the
size of her shoe right now and wrapped up. Trying to tear his eyes away,
he remarked, “Faith is the problem right now.”

“But I thought Wills said she has her soul in tact.”

“Still, at the beginning the demon is very strong. Having it going
against her instincts as a slayer and her soul isn’t a good thing. She
could very well start to go mad before her soul anchors her down.”

“Well, what about the prophecy?” asked Cordy.

Buffy turned to look at her, “What prophecy?”

Cordy started to recite it, “From the Mouth of Hell, a slayer will be
turned. Her immortal soul shall fight the demon within. A warrior of
the powers that be, by night and day - the last slayer the world shall
see.”

Wills bit her lip, “Except this isn’t the Mouth of Hell and the whole day
part gets me.”

Buffy shook her head as she looked up at Wills, everything starting to
make sense, “You were trying to make Faith into this slayer, so you
wouldn’t loose another one. Is that it?”
“You live on the Hellmouth. You know what it is like.”

“But you were playing God, and what if it actually does drive her mad.
It would all be your fault.”

>From the end of the couch, Cordy remarked, “Thank you. Another person
agrees.”

Angel stepped in. “Buffy, Wills was just trying to help.”

“So she made a magic stone that would keep Faith’s soul. I can see why,
when Faith is ‘from’ the Hellmouth, but what about the sun part? Did you
think about that? Unless you can permanently stick the Gem of Amarra on
her, I would say you have a problem.”

Angel was about to remark when the doors opened and a small blond
entered. The only warning anyone got was Angel growling above Buffy.
Then, before anyone could stop her, Cordy jumped up and rushed to the
girl. A single blow made contact with Tara’s jaw and her head rammed
back into the door. Screaming, she dropped all of her books and grabbed
at her face. Riley came to her rescue, pulling Cordy off of her as
Graham rushed to Tara’s side and helped her to the end of the couch by
Buffy’s foot.

Wills rushed to Cordy as Riley tried to settle her down. Finally, Wills
started to get through. “Cordy, this is this universes’ Tara. Ours is
dead. Remember?”

Cordy shook her head violently against Riley’s chest. “No, she’s come
back to hurt us... She’s...”

Doyle ran out from the back. Stopping in front of Riley and Cordy, he
asked, “What the Hell is going on?”

Wills shook her head, “This world’s Tara showed up and Cordy is freaking
out.”

>From the couch, Tara remarked as Gunn handed Graham some ice for her
already bruising face, “She hit me!”

Doyle stared at Tara for a second and then looked back at Cordy. Rubbing
Cordy’s back and trying to get her to look at him, he remarked, “Delia,
Willow killed our Tara. We all saw the body. Remember?”

Cordy nodded as tears fell down her face. She had been strong for so
long that it felt great to cry, to let it all out for once. Everything
was rushing out of her, leaving her drained as she grabbed onto Doyle.
“I know. I was just prepared for Riley, but not for her.”

Riley nodded as he understood. They had explained his alternate twin
earlier, along with Tara’s. No wonder Cordy had reacted without
thinking. He smiled down at her a bit and watched as Doyle led her to
the back.

>From the couch, Buffy remarked, “Tara, not to be rude, but why are you
here?”

“Willow said you guys needed help finding a few spells, so I thought I
would help. We talked about it earlier. Didn’t she tell you I was
coming?”

Buffy looked around for Willow. “No she didn’t.”

When she couldn’t find Willow, Graham remarked at her look of dismay,
“Willow and Spike went down to the basement a few minutes ago.”

“Great. I wonder when they will be up for air,” Buffy replied
sarcastically.

>From her corner, Tara winced as Graham placed the ice pack on her cheek.
Taking it from him and slightly nodding, she remarked, “I did find
something before coming - about souls.”

Wills rushed over. “What did you find?”

Pointing over at her pile of books on the floor, Tara remarked, “I found
a book that says if, for some reason, a small part of the soul stays
behind, there is a possibility that it can find something meaningful to
hold onto, and if that hold is solidified, then the rest of the soul may
return.”

Running to the books, Wills picked them up and returned to the couch.
“Show me.”

As they left, along with Graham, Buffy found herself alone with Angel.
His eyes bore into, reaching to her soul with something she hadn’t even
met with her own Angel. “The way you are looking at me - she must have
been remarkable.”

“Just as I’m sure you are.”

Buffy laughed. “That point may be highly debatable. Just ask Spike.”

Laughing, Angel remarked, “I don’t think he would count.”

Smiling slightly, Buffy looked over at her Angel. “My Angel has a curse
on his soul that kept us apart, but you have a soul. The Powers couldn’t
have been so cruel as to take the one love of your life away when you can
love with all your heart and soul. There must be someone else out
there.”

Angel nodded, “Maybe there is. In this universe you have Riley and I
seem to have Cordelia.”

Buffy smiled, “And I am sure whoever it is will be a very lucky girl.”

Angel leaned down and kissed her on the forehead before turning away and
remarking,
“Yes, but she won’t be you.”

Riley walked over to where Buffy was sitting and wiped a tear away from
her cheek. “How’s my girl?”

“Tired. Can you help me upstairs?”

In one gentle sweep, Riley lifted her up in his arms and started towards
the stairwell. Her eyes gently closed, lashes tickling his neck as they
did so. In a soft voice, she remarked, “I love you, Riley.”

Riley nodded as he quietly answered her, “And I love you, Buffy.”
 

Part 19

Faith walked into the dark office that bordered her room.  The lights
were dimmed, with only one focusing on the desk, giving it a eerie glow.
Sauntering over to it, she ran her fingers over the smooth surface as she
scanned the contents.  The glint of a silver letter opener caught her
eyes.  Picking it up, she proceeded to sit down in an over large leather
chair.  Leaning back, she rested her feet on the expansive desk.  The
letter opener shined as started to twirl it around in her hand, the light
reflecting off of it.  After stopping for a second and staring at where
her reflection should be, Faith turned it in her hands and started to
clean her fingernails.

The door to the office opened and a shadow lurked in the opening before
coming into the room.  Closing the door behind him, Lindsey turned on the
lights and then commented, "That's real silver.  It shouldn't be used for
cleaning your nails."

Faith leaned forward.  Licking the letter opener and twisting it around,
she threw it at him with a quick flick of her wrist.  It embedded itself
an inch from his head into the wall.  "You're right."  Standing up, she
came around the desk.  Moving an appreciative hand over her chest, she
remarked, "Thank you for the clothes."

Smiling at her, he studied the outfit he had dropped by her room earlier.
 Her black leather pants fit her like a glove and the slight red shirt he
had left her allowed little imagination.  "You're welcome."

Faith leaned up against him.  Nibbling on his ear as her hands played at
his chest, she asked, "Do you have anything to eat here?  Maybe some more
lawyers."

Lindsey groaned.  "You can't eat the lawyers."

Faith laughed as she roughly brought his face right in front of hers.
Digging her fingernails into his cheeks, she remarked, "How about if I
eat you?"

Before Lindsey could reply, Faith leaned close and started to lightly
kiss him.  Her tongue darted out, tickling his lips.  As he opened his
mouth to her, she became rougher.  Fighting for dominance, he found
himself losing as she took in his tongue and bit from it.  An animalistic
growl sounded as Faith sucked at the blood flowing into it.  Lindsey
found his self drowning into her, never noticing the door opening or
William entering until Faith was pulled from him.

William grabbed onto Faith, and pulled her away from Lindsey, ripping the
hold she had on the lawyer's tongue.  As Lindsey tried to stop the
bleeding, Faith landed on the desk.  Laughing, she turned and wiped her
hair from her face.  "What's wrong, Spikey?  Don't like who your little
girl wants to play with?"

His demonic face displayed on his face, William remarked, "I told you to
stay in your room."

Leaning on the desk as her hand played with the papers on it, she asked,
"Why?  What is daddy going to do?  Lock me away?  Nail me to the wall?
Spank me?  You know you want to."

William reached over, grabbed the letter opener from the wall and threw
it at Faith before she realized what he was doing.  It landed square in
her hand, pinning her hand to the desk.  As Faith looked down at what he
had done, William walked up to her and grabbed her by the chin.  Forcing
her to look at him, he remarked, "I am your sire and you will listen to
what I say."

Growling but not turning back to her demon visage, Faith spit in his
face, "You will not control me."

Grabbing the handle of the letter opener, he moved it over lightly,
opening her wound even more.  Faith's eyes widened as she growled even
more.  Staring at her dark eyes, daring him to do more, William said
coldly, "Lindsey.  Leave."

"This is my office."

William turned on him. Fully vamped, his teeth found themselves so close
to Lindsey that they were resting on the skin.  William could feel
Lindsey shake beneath him.  His fear was a sweet smell.  Inhaling it,
William smiled into his neck and remarked, "You can stay for dinner if
you like."

Lindsey shook his head and backed to the door.  Turning the handle, he
slipped out of William's slight embrace, fleeing the scene.

William turned away from the door as it shut and then looked at Faith.
Walking to her, he pulled the opener from her hand and then back handed
her.  Faith fell against the desk and looked up at him, fear reaching
into her eyes.  Had she took it to far this time?  Seeing the fear in her
eyes, William pointed to the door of her room.  "Get in there, now!"

Scrambling off the desk, Faith ran to the room with William on her heels.
 As soon as they were both in the room, the door slammed behind them.
She turned as William started to yell at her, "Don't think I..."
Suddenly he stopped and looked at her.  His demonic visage melted away to
a look of pure despair.  Running to her, he took her hand into his and
led her to the small bathroom area and started to clean it up.  "God,
Faith, I am so sorry.  I can't control it."

Faith nodded as she squinted her eyes in pain.  "No problem.  I've been
playing it a little too close.  Remind me not to get on your demon's bad
side again."

Shaking his head, he remarked, "I think that is your own demon's doing."

Faith winced again as he poured some medicine on it.  "I just can't help
it.  It is like there is something dark stirring within me and I can't
get away from it right now.  It is my life line."

William nodded as he looked into her eyes, his own showing so much
sadness.  "And in me a soul stirs, but I can't grasp it."  Wrapping her
hand and then tying the bandage, he added, "I am so sorry that I drug you
into this."

Faith shook her head and placed a hand on his cheek.  "You didn't do this
to me, your demon did.  You got to fight it William."

William shook his head, his eyes clouding over.  "I can't Faith.  It is
too powerful right now."  His hand grabbed at her wrist and held her hand
over his face.  Smelling of her sweet blood, he remarked, "Slayer."

Leaning in, Faith asked, her lip pouting out, "Have I been a bad girl?"

William caught her lip and nibbled on it, "Oh, yeah."  His hand let go of
her and then drifted down, teasing her breast.  "What should I do with my
bad girl?"

'OZ! OZ! OZ!' her mind screamed at her as she arched into him.  Running
her hands through his brown hair, she answered his questioning tongue.
His hands lifted her up onto the sink.  Wrapping her legs around him, she
pulled him closer to her, grounding herself into him.  Rolling his eyes
back, he lifted her up and brought her to the bed.  Throwing her down, he
loomed above her.  Faith motioned him with her finger.  "Baby's hungry."

Letting her drag him down and then flip them over, William leaned his
head back and groaned as she rocked onto him.  Raking her nails down his
chest, she growled.  Above him, her demonic face smiled down at him.
Growling, she latched onto his neck as she continued to explore him with
her free hands.  William growled as she continued rocking.  His body was
quickly responding, but for some reason, every time the thought of
ripping her clothes off and taking her right there, all he saw was red.

A knocking at the door broke William and Faith's concentration.  Pulling
away, William licked his blood from Faith's lips as Drusilla peeked in, a
silk purse hanging at her wrist.  Smiling at them, the dark vampire
asked, "Can I come in and play?  I've been a very good girl.

Wiping a stray strand of hair from Faith's face, William remarked, "Yes,
princess, but Faith better be in one piece when I get back."

Drusilla laughed as she walked to the bathroom area and grabbed a brush.
Walking up to William, Drusilla lightly moved it up and down his chest,
her tongue resting between her teeth as she smiled at him, a wicked look
in her eyes.  Tilting her head to the side, she remarked, "Bad Spike.  We
aren't going to play liked that."

Nodding, William left the room, Faith's eyes pleading with him his whole
way out.  Drusilla hovered above her and then sat down.  Studying Faith
for a second, Drusilla sat the brush down and then opened her large silk
purse.  Bringing Miss Edith out, she smoothed her hair out.  Handing her
towards Faith, she remarked, "You can fix Miss Edith's hair if you let me
fix yours.  She likes you."

Faith looked puzzled a moment.  Taking the doll, Faith asked, "Where do
you want me to sit?"

Drusilla pointed to the floor in front of her.  Dumping out a pile of
rubber bands from her purse with her other hand, Drusilla remarked, "You
should get comfortable."

Faith nodded.  Sitting a pillow on the floor, she sat on it.  Drusilla's
cold, nimble fingers lifted her hair from her neck as she started to
brush it.  Faith felt a slight chill and shuddered from it.  Ignoring
Faith's slight movement, Drusilla remarked, "So dark, but your heart
shines bright as the sun.  Tell me, little one, that which tugs will
never turn on me, will it."

Turning around, Faith met Drusilla's gaze.  As the words fell from her
lips, she realized with horror that she was speaking the truth, "I
promise that I will never turn against you, Dru."

Dark eyes searched dark eyes.  Leaning down, Drusilla's lips softly
brushed Faith's forehead.  "I see the truth in your eyes.  It burns like
a soul."  As Faith gasped, Drusilla smiled, "I won't tell."  Her fingers
turned Faith's surprised expression away from her.  Taking a small bit of
hair into her hands, she started to braid it as she hummed to herself.
 

Part 20

"She looks so beautiful - so peaceful."

Angel looked up from his drawing to meet the eyes of Riley Finn.
Glancing back down to the picture, Angel ran his fingers over the
drawing, tracing the outlines of her face.  Buffy's face called to him on
the paper beneath his fingers.  If he closed his eyes, imagining with all
he had, he could almost feel the contours, the softness.  It was this
picture he drew often, sometimes in his mind, praying that the eyes would
open to look upon him once again.  "It is a scene that haunts my dreams."

Pointing at dark tears falling down her cheeks, Riley asked, "Why have
you highlighted her tears?"

"They're not her tears.  They're mine."

Riley rocked back on his heels. "Oh, I'm so sorry."  Why had he not
realized that the face he was staring was that of Angel's Buffy as she
laid, lifeless in his arms.  It was a scene that he hoped he would never
have to face.  Everyday he would wake up, praying that his own Buffy
would not succumb to death as other slayers had - that he would not have
to witness her final breath.

"Why?" asked Angel bitterly.  "Because, while you can hold your Buffy,
all I have is a ghost of a memory of holding her while she died?  Do you
have any idea how lucky you are?"

Nodding, Riley answered, "I realize it with every breath I take."

Angel was about to reply when Spike interrupted.  Laying a hand on
Riley's shoulder, he asked, "How many Initiative members does it take to
screw a bloody light bulb?"

**

"They're talking!  Look, they're talking!"  Snapping at one of the
television screens, Buffy remarked, "Why can't we hear them?"

Behind her, Angel raised an eyebrow.  "Why the interest?  Afraid they are
going to talk about you?"

Willow rolled her eyes from where she was finishing setting up the
equipment with Graham.  "Everything isn't all up yet, Buffy."  Turning
some more and the pointing to Angel, she added, "And be nice, or I will
turn you into a rat.  I am sure Amy will enjoy the company."

Cordelia patted Angel on his arm, "Hey, then you could be a broody rat!"

Shaking his head, he remarked as he pointed at his double on the screen.
"Tell me again why he is there and I'm here."

Cordy answered from his other side, "Because they are relying on family
ties to bring you down, and our Angel had a different relationship with
his family."

"How different?"

Doyle answered as he looked over from the other side of Cordy.  "Our
Angel, first of all, had some large argument with Darla a few years after
she sired him.  Darla went back to the Master afterwards, where they
built up a reputation that most vampires look up to.  However, he did
have a good relationship with Dru, but she betrayed him by siring
William.  Then, she sold both of them out to the gypsys."

Cordy added, "William is also Angel's best friend right now, and if
anything, our Angel will fight to get him back."

Willow interrupted the conversation by turning up the volume.  Spike's
voice boomed through the room.  "69 minus one, because all he knows how
to screw is the slayer."

As Willow blushed red and turned the volume down, Gunn remarked, "Ouch."

Tara changed the subject as she brushed up against Graham and asked, "Uh,
where should I put these books?"

Pulling a coffee table in front of the many television screens, he threw
some pillows down on the floor and motioned to Tara.  "You and Willow can
sit here and everyone
else can battle it out for the couch."

Laying her books on the table, she smiled up at him, "Thank you."

**

William sat, strumming his fingers on the desk as Dru crossed the room.
Sitting in front of him, she asked, "My William's thoughts are full of
his new childe."

Looking up at her and meeting the face that he once would have taken a
stake for, the woman who in his universe picked him over Angelus, he
remarked, "Faith told me about your conversation with her.  How did you
know?"

Drusilla closed her eyes and smiled slowly. Humming, she moved her head
against the rhythm and then slowly opened her eyes.  "Her demon is so
quiet.  No yelling or screaming out like Darla's, or your's.  No, her's
has been subdued by her soul."

Leaning forward, she added, "But her soul has a dark spot.  Her demon
hides there, and from his bed, he calls softly to my own.  Not even my
own Spike's demon called to me so - captivated me."

"Her soul could be our destruction, you know."

Tilting her head to the side, she asked, "Why are we waiting for Darla?
Why take on Angel?"

"To bring forth Angelus.  To reunite the family."

For the first time, Drusilla looked into his eyes, a strange sanity
calling to him.  In a soft voice, she remarked, "My demon wants her as
family.  You know how strong that bond is.  I will not break it."

"But what about your bond to Darla or to Angelus?"

Turning and looking off into the dark shadows of the office, she
remarked, "It was always Darla when it came to Angelus, never me.  His
eyes, eyes that pierced right through me, sharp as needles, always wanted
grandmummy over baby.  Won't share - not with her, not with you or little
one."  Standing up, she turned and whispered softly, "Angelus left baby
behind - Spike hauled princess off.  No more daddy.  Not again."

Before Spike could reply, Darla and Lindsey walked in.  Smiling at her
family, Darla asked, "Is our slayer ready?"

**
Wills sat on the floor cross-legged, leaning against the wall.  Closing
her eyes, she listened to the sounds around her as she concentrated on
her breathing.  There were the sounds of Riley's breathing, the soft
drumming of Spike's fingers, and the slight shuffling of Angel's cards
while he played solitaire.  Then, after what had seemed like hours of
listening, she heard the soft turning of a door knob.  As her eyes shot
open, she grabbed her weapon of choice, a wooden staff with pointed ends.
 Speaking, she remarked, "They're here."

In her ear, she heard Willow's voice.  "We're ready."

Jumping up, she joined the others, except for Riley, whose only warning
was Wills' comment.  She turned the staff in her hand and asked Riley,
"Are you sure you can handle this?"

Riley shook his head as he got up and answered, "You ask me that now?"
He would have added more, but instead, he stared at the new comers.
Darla and Dru he didn't know, but he at least knew Spike and had met
Faith.  His mouth dropped as the last two entered.  For William, it was
like Riley was looking at Spike, but he wasn't.  The eyes were close to
the same - cold and calculating blue - but his hair was a sandy brown and
at the moment, he was dressed in blue jeans and a dark gray shirt.  Riley
then turned his gaze to Faith.  She looked so different than from just a
day or so ago.  She was dressed all in black leather.  Her make up was
dark - almost gothic - and her hair was fixed like Cordelia, small braids
moving about in a dread lock like style.  Staring at her, he wondered if
she looked anything like the other Faith he had heard so much about.

On Wills far left, Angel asked, "Darla, what brings you to my
neighborhood?"

Walking up to him, she ran a finger up his chest.  "I came to see my
boy."

Angel's mouth turned up into a smirk, "Oh.  I thought maybe it was the
scenery."

Darla smiled and then shook her head.  "Are you not happy to see me,
Angelus?"

>From her side, Drusilla stated, "Daddy is bitter.  He doesn't want our
family.  Not anymore.  All he wants is slayers."

Shaking her finger at him, Darla asked, "Ah, yes.  What is it about that
little blond bimbo that calls to you?"

"Didn't you hear Dru?  I don't want a blond bimbo.  I want a slayer."

Darla's eyebrows furrowed.  She was sure that he was speaking about her
instead of Buffy.  Beside her, Dru started to laugh but then stopped as
Darla gave her a sharp look.  Turning back to Angel, Darla remarked,
"Let's stop with the banter.  We want our family back, and if that means
over your friends' dead bodies, then so be it."  Slamming her fist into
his fist and then kicking him into the wall, she added, "We will paint
the room red with their blood if that is what it takes to bring back my
boy."

As Darla started the battle, Spike stepped towards Drusilla - his own
dark princess.  Wills laid a hand on his arm to stop him.  "She's mine."
Twirling her staff, Wills stepped in front of him.  Spike moved back and
then turned to meet the eyes of his opponent.  His cold blue eyes met the
same blue eyes.  Almost like a mirror image, they started towards each
other.

Beside them, Faith smiled at Riley.  His eyes held a look of
concentration.  He had sparred against Buffy before, and she had wiped
his out.  Something told him, things wouldn't change much in this case.
Why did he do this again?  Oh yeah, because he had to be the macho
boyfriend in front of Angel.  And note: Angel was safe now, and he was
here.  Faith sent a quick kick to his side.  As it landed lazily on his
arm, he was awakened from his wandering thoughts.  Once again, she struck
out, also fast but hardly making contact.  It was then that it clicked.
She was doing a sparring exercise that watchers used to spar with their
slayers, an exercise that called for little body contact (an exercise
that also saved watchers from being sent to the emergency room).
Recalling the patterns from the exercise from the times Giles had Buffy
and him go through it, he struck back.  Before long, they had a rhythm
going.  As they danced around the room, they both hoped that no one would
catch on.

Fighting beside them, Spike and William did a dance of their own.  Spike
growled as he once again missed William by mere inches.  William smiled
at him and then struck out.  However, just by the slight movement William
made, Spike knew right away what he was going to do.  Moving to the side,
William's fist barely missed Spike's face.  Spike sighed as he realized
this was going to take a while.  H was fighting someone who thought and
fought almost exactly as he did.

On the other side of Spike, Wills groaned as she was rammed into the wall
by Dru, dropping her staff from the movement.  Her arms were caught
beneath her, not giving her much room.  Slowly, she untangled and snaked
one of her arms between her and Dru, trying to push the vampire away.

**

Tara grabbed a book from the table.  Placing her hands above it, she
thought about the spell she wanted.  The pages magically turned under her
hands and then landed on the spell she needed.  Speaking into a headset,
Willow read off the spell.

**

Wills listened to Willow's voice in her ear.  Laying her hand flat on
Drusilla, she repeated Willow's words.  Dru was pushed away from her -
picked up by unseen hands and thrown off her feet into the air.  Wills
took the time to perform a flip, reaching down and grabbing her staff as
she turned above it.  By the time she landed in place, Dru had also.
Fists and kicks flew out at her, and Wills was having a hard time keeping
her own against the speed of Dru's vampire abilities.  Once again,
Willow's voice sounded in her ear.  "Fast and quick, strikes doth come.
Slow them down, until thus done."

Drusilla's attack slowed down slightly to a level Wills perferred.
Taking control, her staff helped block blows.  Then, all of a sudden,
Drusilla caught her staff in an iron grip.  Wills pulled at it, dragging
Dru with the movement.  Putting momentum into it, Wills then pushed
forward, the staff embedding itself into Dru's heart.  Acoss the room a
scream ran out as Faith took off, breaking the fight with Riley, and
running to where Dru had been.

Angel looked over to see what was going on, only to find himself being
thrown across the room into a glass door.  Stepping into the entryway as
Angel was getting up, Darla kicked out at him, the blow landing against
his ribs.  Growling, she asked as she pushedhim down again and punched
him across the face, "Why won't you come out and play, my Angelus?"

As she fell on him with her full weight, kneeing him in the chest on the
way down and breaking a few more ribs, he answered through pain, "Because
I'm not your Angelus."  In shock and understanding, Darla never noticed
what else had been or was going on.

On the other side of the room, Faith fell to the ground where Dru had
been, the demon in her waking.  Looking around frantically, her eyes fell
on Wills staff.  Picking it up, she stood up, growling in her demonic
visage.  In a quick swipe, the end of the staff grazed Wills' cheek,
causing a small rivulet of blood to fall.  Then, just as suddenly, her
eyes softened and her demon face fell away.  Breaking the staff in two
over her knee, she turned and threw it towards her sire.  "Time to prove
yourself."

William stopped his useless fight when he heard Faith scream.  As she
turned on Wills, he could see the murder in her eyes, but something held
him back.  Then, just as sudden as her attack on Wills was, he demeanor
once again changed.  Turning to him, her eyes once again carrying the
softness of her sanity, she threw him the staff.

Catching the staff in mid-air, William started towards the entryway.  He
knew exactly what he had to do.  He had to end this.  Stepping through
the broken glass of what used to be a door, William looked down at Darla.
 Angel's voice sounded beneath her, "Because I'm not your Angelus."
William froze, just for a second as he realized that a switch had been
made.  This was his Angel.  In another split second, he was looking down
at Angel through scattering dust.  Reaching out, he offered his hand.

Angel looked up and met William's eyes.  Wiping Darla's dust off of him,
he sat up and then took William's hand.  Standing up, he winced in pain
as William remarked beside him, "Looks like you've had a bad day."

Nodding, Angel broke away from William's side and rushed to Faith, who
had separated herself from everyone and was now in a corner, screaming as
she rocked back and forth.  Taking her into his arms, Angel tried to
soothe her.  "It's okay, Faith.  We will try to make everything okay."

Faith stopped straggling and screaming.  Sobbing into his chest, she
cried out, "The things I did, just so they wouldn't hurt me.  And the
William...he and I...and that woman."

Wills stepped up to them.  "What did you do?"

"The woman...  My demon was so hungry, and I couldn't stop it.  I bit
into her, and..."

Angel rubbed her back as he said quietly, "You didn't do it.  Your demon
did."

Looking up, mascara running down her face in black streams, she remarked
to Wills, "And then William and I... My demon was so powerful when it
came to him, and his was even more powerful.  My sire.  He was a siren,
calling me to him.  Never to far, no never, but how can you understand?
How can Oz?"

Wills leaned down and brushed some of Faith's tears away.  "It wasn't
always you, Faith.  We know that."

Angel nodded, "The first few days is the hardest.  Your demon overpowers
so much of you then?"

Turning to him, she added, "And the pain.  It was like I wanted to be
punished."

Wills stood up and asked, an edge to her voice, "Faith, did William hurt
you?"

Faith shook her head into Angel's chest.  "No, not William.  Spike.
William protected me."

Turning, Wills eyes met William's stare for the first time.  Emotions
played across his face: rage, hate, anger, love, devotion, despair.
Dropping to his knees, blood red tears started to fall from his eyes.
"God Willow, what have I done?"

Moving to him, Wills knelt in front of him and took his face in her
hands, her thumbs rubbing away his tears.  "We can work through this
William - together."  Leaning in, she lightly brushed his lips with hers.
 William grabbed at her, his fingers running through her hair as he
brought her against him, deepening the kiss.  As the kiss became more
demanding, Wills felt something building between them.  In a sudden
flash, he was no longer holding her, but passed out at her knees.
Leaning over him, she whispered, "Welcome back my love."
 

Part 21

Faith stood in the shadows with Angel, waiting.  Shaking her head and
laughing, she remarked, "I can't believe that she wanted to name you Mr.
Broody Pants."

Angel scowled.  "Cordelia was even planning on what type of cage I would
have.  She said if I was good enough, that I could have a wheel."

"You couldn't have been that bad.  At least not bad enough for Willow to
turn you into a rat."  Turning to him, she shook him as she said
excitedly, "Oh, and what about one of those clear ball thingys.  I bet
you would have fun with that."

Ignoring her question as he frowned more, he remarked, "Buffy said if I
didn't stop whining, she would at least kick my ass all the way to the
emergency room - even with a badly sprained ankle."

Laughing more - a sight that warmed Angel's heart since he knew how much
she had gone through - Faith added, "I can see it now.
Heeyah.kick.kick.punch.OUCH!  That would be funny to see."  Faith did a
few imaginary kicks and punches and then started hopping around.

Shaking is head at her show, he remarked, "I don't see what the big deal
was."

Faith stopped.  "I heard you complained the whole night about the other
Angel and Riley being there while you were stuck watching."

Feigning innocence, he remarked, "I am shocked to hear that I would do
such a thing."

Standing back beside him, Faith shook her head.  "I'm not.  I've only
been here a few days, but during that time, it has been evident you are a
brooder.  You're even broodier than our Angel."

Angel was about to respond, but the doors opposite of them, through the
glass separated desks, opened and the person they had been waiting for
walked in.  Faith and Faith stood, staring at each other.  Stepping away
from Angel, Faith stepped forward, walking into a ray of sunlight that
streamed through one of the windows.  Standing there for a few seconds,
she stared at her double - the double that had given this world so much
trouble.  Going forward as the other Faith did, she sat down and picked
up the phone.

The other Faith walked into the room, hesitating as she felt the presence
of vampires.  Stopping, she found herself not only seeing Angel in the
shadows, but also her twin - a twin that was evidently a vampire.  Then,
this twin walked into the sunlight.  Faith studied her as sunlight washed
over the vampire.  How was it possible?  Then again, how was it possible
for her to be looking at herself?  As her twin moved forward, so did she.

Sitting down also, she picked up the phone and then placed her hand on
the glass.

Both Faiths stared at each other through the glass, and then as Faith
placed her hand on the glass, so did the other one - almost as if they
were willing themselves to make actual contact.  The Faith on Angel's
side was the first one to talk.   "I told them I was your twin sister,
Buffy."

Faith nodded, "What are you B?"

"I'm you, from another universe."

Eyeing her for a little longer, Faith then asked, "No.  You know what I
mean.  How could you stand in the sunlight?"

Fear flashed through Faith's eyes.  This was why she had come - to seek
help with the demon inside of her.  If anyone would understand, it would
have to be the person in front of her.  Looking down, she remarked, "I
was turned, but something went horribly wrong.  My soul stayed behind,
and I found out I can't be harmed by sunlight or stakes."

Faith nodded.  "But that isn't all of it, is it?  I know that look.  I
have seen it in the mirror - thinking of what I have done."

Looking up, Faith smiled weakly.   "The demon was still powerful and very
hungry when I awoke.  I couldn't control it much and ended up killing
someone."

"And now that you have power over the demon, your soul cries out for what
you have done?"

Faith nodded, her hand pushing up against the glass more.  "I thought if
anyone would understand what I am going through, it would be me.  I mean,
I did hear about you killing the mayor's man."

On the other side of the glass, Faith eyes darkened at the mention of her
crime.  Nodding, she stated, "It's a hard road, but you will get through
it."  Motioning towards Angel, she added, "If you have anyone like him in
your universe, I would suggest going there.  He is the one that helped me
face what I did."

"And are you glad that you did?"

Faith nodded.  "Like I said, it is hard on the road to redemption, but
everything will be five by five."

"Five by five?"

"Okay.  Everything will be okay.  You will wake up everyday, facing it,
but there will be people to help you.  You have friends.  Use them and
don't turn away like I did."

Faith smiled, "Five by five."

***

Willow watched as Buffy maneuvered herself onto one of the three couches
Gunn and his men had moved into the front room of Angel Investigations.
"Gunn finally talk Riley into going and looking around?"

Beside her, Spike remarked, "And the restless Initiative member joins the
natives, venturing into the hood.  Will he make it?  Will he survive the
bloody back streets of LA?  Will he..."

Buffy interrupted Spike, "I still don't get why him and Gunn get along."

Staring at the other world's Angel - who was sitting on the floor at a
large round coffee table - Spike remarked, "Maybe he is using it as an
opportunity."

Buffy looked at him sternly and started to get comfortable on the couch.
Finding her suit jacket from when she had gone to Wolfram and Hart in the
cushions, she pulled out a random piece of paper from the pocket, folded
up like a fan and started to fan herself with it.  She was about to make
a quick retort when Willow turned the conversation, "You know, there is
one thing that has been bothering me.  Why didn't you guys just use the
looking glass to come over?"

>From one of the other couches, Wills remarked, "Couldn't.  We destroyed
it, in hope that one of us wouldn't be pulled from our universe again."

William stepped up behind Wills, placed a hand on her shoulder and
remarked as he stood behind the couch, "And as we saw, that didn't seem
to help at all."

Placing her hand on his, Wills smiled.  The first thing they had figured
out was that Wills had been William's anchor.  When they had kissed, it
had helped pull in the rest of his soul, just like Tara had mentioned.
The only problem was that William hadn't been resting or eating much, so
when his soul was returned, he passed out from the experience.  As soon
as he woke up, Wills took him down to Angel's apartment in the basement,
and spent the night holding him as he cried and talked about what he had
done.

Spike leaned forward and asked, "What I don't get is why you guys didn't
just orb straight to William and Doyle."

Across from him, Buffy remarked, "Great.  Then they could have
transported straight into the cell.  A lot of good that would have done
them.   I guess we can't expect much from you, being your brain cells are
dead."

>From the table, Angel looked up, "Hey, now I'm starting to take offense
here."

Cordelia leaned back and laid down on the floor from where she had been
sitting at the table.  Sighing, she remarked, "I don't know how much more
of this I can take.  Explain again why I am searching the web with
Willow's lap top for transportation spells.  I mean - you guys got here.
You have a spell."

Tara looked up from her book.  "We have to narrow the search for what
type of spell Wolfram and Hart used to bring them here.  If it was a two
way spell, then only that one will work."

Above her, where Graham was sitting forward on the couch rubbing her
shoulders, he remarked, "By using a two way spell, Wolfram and Hart can
guarantee keeping them here, because only that spell would work.  That
way, you guys can't come in and use a random one way spell."  As Tara
looked up at him and smiled, he remarked, "Fast learner."

Spike looked at the two and raised an eyebrow.  When had that happened,
or are they sticking with the 'just friends' line?  Shaking his head, he
thought about the other 'just friends' couple that was anything but.  One
of them was laying on the floor complaining and the other one was with
Faith at the big house.  That one he understood.  Easier to say there is
nothing going on and not deal with it when there was a soul at stake.

Hugging her stomach, Cordelia pouted from her spot on the floor.  "I am
so hungry.  When did we eat last?"

Doyle nodded.  "I wouldn't mind a bit of food myself."

>From beside her, Wesley commented, "And which menu shall it be today?"

Cordelia thought for a minute.  "How about that little seafood place on
the harbor?  Don't we have a menu for them."

Looking around, Wesley asked, "Seafood okay for everyone?"  When everyone
nodded, he rushed to the back.

"So, what kind of food do they have?" asked Cordy.  "Any chicken?"
Looking to the side, she added, "Not much of a fish person myself."

Laying down her fan as Wesley returned with the menus, Buffy asked, "Do
you like shrimp?  It isn't quite so fishy."

Cordy shook her head, he eyebrows knitted, "Shrimp?"

Cordelia nodded, "Yea.  You know - like miniature lobsters."

Cordy still looked confused.  "I have no idea what you are talking
about."

Spike explained as he mimicked with his hands, "Yeah, they have those
bloody little claws like crabs.  Damn those things pinch."

Lindsey interrupted from where he had been sitting in the background.  "I
don't know what your talking about either."

Smiling at Buffy, Willow remarked, "Do any of you know what shrimp are?"

Angel, Doyle, Cordy, Lindsey, Wills and William all shook there heads.
As Buffy and Willow started laughing, Spike asked, "What the bloody hell
are you two laughing at?"

>From her spot, Tara answered with a wide smile on her face.  "I think
their laughing because of Anya."

Clueless, Cordelia asked, "How did Anya get involved here?"  Looking
around, she asked, "Did any of you mention Anya?"

Reaching over and picking up Buffy's paper fan, Willow started to fan
herself as she turned red.  "Anya...Anya is always...going..."

Breathe pet, breathe."

Finally stopping and taking a deep breath, Willow explained, "Anya always
goes on about different universes, and how there is one with no shrimp,
and well, it looks like our friends here are from the universe that she
is always going on and on about."

After her long sentence, Spike asked, "And you breathed when during
that?"

Willow slapped him on the arm as Wesley handed a few more of the menus
out and people started studying them.  Choosing what she wanted, Willow
went back to her fanning and then slowly stopped.  "Uh, Buffy.  Where did
this paper come from?"

Buffy looked over at her, "My suit jacket from when I went to Wolfram and
Hart the other day.  Lindsey gave it to me.  Why?"

As Willow handed Spike the paper and he busted out laughing, Willow
explained, "This is the spell they used - the spell we have been looking
for all afternoon."

Cordelia shook her head and rolled her eyes.  "Why would Lindsey help us
out?"

Reading Lindsey's handwriting, Spike read, "Just wanted you to own me
one.  Lindsey."

*****

Angel held out his hand to Riley.  "Take care of her.

Riley nodded, "I try, but..."

Finishing Riley's statement, Angel remarked as he leaned forward, "She
can be a bit pig headed, can't she?

Buffy faked punched Angel in the arm and smiled up at him.  "I hope you
find someone there."

Angel smiled as he looked down at her, memorizing her face.  This was the
face he wanted to see when he thought of their last moment together, not
her dead in his arms.  "She won't be you."

"But she will be special."

Angel reached out and grabbed onto her, hugging her as close as he could.
 Every part of him wanted to take her with him, but she belonged here,
with Riley.

Beside them, Lindsey, Wills and William said their good-byes to Angel,
Cordelia, Wesley and Gunn, just finishing with Willow and Spike.  Shaking
Angel's hand, Wills stated, "Thanks for letting us stay and use your
office as home base."

William added as he gave Cordelia a quick hug, "Feel free to invade our
space some day."

Cordelia laughed.  "A would without shrimp.  I don't know if I could take
it."

As they laughed, Lindsey stepped forward and shook Angel's hand after
Wills moved down to Cordelia.  "Thanks for giving me a chance."

Angel nodded, "Something tells me that our Lindsey may be closer to you
than we think.  He did give us the spell."

Behind him, Gunn added, "Yeah, but he will always be one hand behind ya."

Wesley rolled his eyes.  "Funny, Gunn.  Real funny."

"I didn't hear you coming up with any great retorts, man."

"Because there aren't any to come up with now."

Cordelia shook her head as they continued to bicker and remarked to
Lindsey, "Don't
listen to them.  You just have to shut it out."

>From where she was standing, Faith looked over at Lindsey and then
remarked to Willow and Spike, "William and I aren't the only ones in pain
here.  Lindsey is having a hard time dealing with what his double is
doing."

Cordy nodded from beside her.  "He didn't have that stellar of a track
record when he was at Wolfram and Hart in our universe.  From what he has
said, he did do quite a bit of bad work there."

Faith nodded.  "He faces what he used to do everyday, just like William,
Angel and I."
Looking back at Willow, she added, "It takes a lot to try and face that.
Have you ever thought of checking in on your Faith and giving her a
chance like you did us?"
Willow looked up at Spike and then back to Faith.  "To be truthful, we
have just tried to shut her away.  But you're right.  Spike and I will
check in with her and make sure she is okay from time to time."

Hugging Willow, Faith remarked, "Thanks.  I would really like that.
Promise to send me updates?"

"We promise."

Doyle reached out and shook Spike's hand, opting for the manly good-bye.
"It was nice seeing you again.  Don't take it wrong, when I say I hope it
doesn't happen more often."

Spike laughed, "No offense.  I know what you bloody mean, mate."

Cordy was the last one to say bye.  Hugging onto Willow, she said
quietly.  "Thank you for everything.  You don't know how much your
friendship means to me."

Willow rubbed a tear from Cordy's cheek.  "Yes I do."  Leaning in and
giving her another hug, Willow remarked quietly in her ear, "Sometimes it
is just so lonely till you meet a kindred spirit."

Cordy nodded as she sniffled and then held onto Doyle, once again showing
her soft side.  "Write often."

"No worries."

Everyone was interrupted as a voice said off to the side.  "The circle is
ready."  Tara smiled from where her and Graham stood at the side, still
feeling a little like outsiders.

Saying their final goodbyes again, the group gathered around for a trip
home.  As the last of the group disappeared, Willow turned and hugged
Spike.  Speaking in his chest, she remarked, "Promise me I will never
have to jump universes to find you."

Resting his chin on her head, he smiled.  "We already played that pet,
but with you."

Smiling back up at him, she remarked, "Oh, yeah."  Getting on her tip
toes, she softly kissed him.  "With all the excitement, I almost forgot
our adventure."

Pulling away, Spike asked, "How could you forget something like that? It
brought us together."

Willow bit her lip and looked at him slyly.  "I say we lock ourselves in
the basement and you remind me why I fell for you in the first place."

Taking her hand, Spike pulled her away like an excited kid.  As they
reached the door, he called out to the other inhabitants of the room,
"Willow and I are off to shag.  See you later."  Closing the doors, he
didn't wait to hear the groans of their friends.

*****

Lindsey and Holland both raised their umbrellas as rain started to fall.
Looking at the fresh grave in front of them, Holland remarked, "She was a
good lawyer."

Rolling his eyes, Lindsey added under his breath, "Yeah, and a bitch."

Ignoring Lindsey's statement, Holland went on.  "She gave her life for
the cause, but what have you done?  At every turn, you mess up.  How are
you going to clean up this mess, Lindsey?"

"I'm sorry.  How was I to know that they brought another Angel over?"

Holland shook his head.  "I don't want to hear your excuses and neither
do the partners.  One of these days, we are going to need someone to take
over, someone who knows what he is doing.  Now, Lindsey, that you could
be you.  Which means, what are you going to do to get there?"

Lindsey over at Holland, studying him.  "There is always the contact."

Throwing a dingy flower from within his coat on the grave, Holland
nodded. "Yes.  The contact."  Not saying anything more, Holland left
Lindsey staring at the grave - a grave that Lindsey realized could be his
if Wolfram and Hart never reached their goal.  The question was just how
long they would wait before discarding him - that is if he didn't prove
his worth.  Kicking at the ground, he turned and headed for his car.  Was
it time for him to stand up or go with the crowd?
 

read the Sequal 'Partnership'

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