What Is To Be

-Ninth-

By Annie

2003-09-16

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤

Buffy woke with a jerk, sitting up in bed with her heart hammering in her chest.

Looking at the clock on her bedside table she saw that it was close to eight o'clock in the morning and just as she slid to the edge of the bed there was a knock on her door.

"Be right down!" she called out, trying to steady her heart beat as she got to her feet on shaky legs.

She needed to speak with Angel, straight away.

"Just wanted to let you know that breakfast's ready," Cordelia said through the door and Buffy opened it, rushing through it and making the other take a surprised step back. "You look terrible," Cordelia stated, following the Slayer who merely gave her a look over her shoulder.

Angel turned his head their way when they entered the kitchen, and at the expression on Buffy's face he dropped what he was doing and met her halfway.

"What's happened?" he asked and she shook her head.

"Nothing. Well, I mean, something's happened, but..." She trailed off, trying to make a less mess of the jumbled memories of pictures and words from what she had just dreamed. "Nothing's happened that'll need us armed and ready... I think," she then said, now having the rest of the assembled group's attention directed on her as well.

She noticed Spike was missing, making a mental note to make him breakfast in bed - if he was in fact still in it.

"Okay," she now said, "how do I say this...? Remember my dreams that I've been having?" Angel nodded. "Well, the one I had last night... it changed. It had a different warning in it. I told you I'd had this dream for a couple of months now, right? Right. And that Sp-... William spoke in it for the first time just a few nights ago. He said it was 'upon us'... Not so positive. Okay, last night he told me to 'watch out for the big, black bird'," she stated, rather hopefully as she finished: "Does that say anything to you?"

Angel shook his head and Buffy's face clouded slightly.

"But that doesn't have to mean that it's not important!" he tried to reassure her.

"Right," she sighed. "Just another piece to fit into the puzzle," she added gloomily. "There's something else too..." she then said silently, grabbing his arm and pulling him aside before she finished: "I don't know why - but something's just telling me that the letter A in my dream isn't referring to you... Look, the whole point of my Slayer dreams is to grant me warnings... I usually know at least something to go on and often I really have to trust my instincts in order to interpret the signs and this just doesn't scream 'Angel' to me. I can't explain it. It's just... Well, you're the one person I actually know who START with an A," she said and once again he nodded, listening with obvious interest; she continued: "So, why didn't I link the dream to you two months ago? Why didn't I fly here instead of back to England? That's the two-thousand dollar question and I happen to have the answer: because it's referring to someone else."

Angel frowned at that.

"But..." he began, not finding anymore words to add to the sentence as this information sunk in and she nodded.

"Exactly," she agreed.

"You don't wanna tell the others?" he asked.

"You can, if you want to. I didn't mean it to seem like it was for your ears only, I just..." she replied, then smiled a little.

"Wanted a heads on reaction?" he wondered and her smile widened.

"Yeah, and it worked perfectly with mine, so I think you should fill the others in... I mean, the more brains working out the problem, the quicker it might get solved, right?" she replied and he returned her smile, giving a nod that he agreed. "Is Spike up?" she asked casually, Angel's smile broadening just a tad.

"Yeah, actually he is." There went breakfast in bed. "He's out in the garden," he answered and she smiled a little coyly before she hesitated, and when he merely smiled back she turned and left the room.

She came to a slow stop in the doorway leading out from the foyer and into the spot where Spike currently was. Leaning against the frame she watched him as he leisurely strolled about the rows of rose bushes and wildflowers. They seemed to be growing pretty much by their own accord, but stood in pretty contrast to the gray stone building which surrounded them.

He carried a notebook in one hand and a pen in the other, from time to time jotting something down and then sinking back into whatever thoughts occupied his mind. He looked very determined, very concentrated and extremely sexy.

She smiled at the thought.

Three years ago he would already have been pouncing at her by now. He would have sensed her coming through the foyer... He would have been ready with an everlasting smirk and a cocky raise of one eyebrow. He would have asked her what the bloody hell she was staring at like that, and then he would have made no secret of how much he was enjoying it. The leverage he had over her back in those days... It sure had been a few intense months they had shared.

And following those months came a chaotic year where he had turned his existence on end for her sake... And she had slowly, but surely, had to understand what she felt for him. How much she felt for him. And then he had died.

She swallowed, breaking the chain of thoughts and stepping out onto the small platform which lead to the steps taking her down to him. She took the latter and approached him as he was just scribbling another row down on the paper in his hand.

She came to stop almost right beside him and he smiled a small smile, not looking at her, as he said:

"Morning."

"Morning," she agreed. "Been up long?"

"Long enough," he replied with a shrug, turning around and being one fraction of a second away from stepping into the part of the garden illuminated by the rays of morning sun.

"Spike!" she said, stopping him by grabbing his arm and pulling him back into the shade.

Then she realized what she had done and she let his arm go with an apology written all across her features.

"I'm sorry," she stammered, shaking her head. "I just..."

He was, however, smirking widely, eyeing her in obvious amusement as he waited for her to continue and finally she gave it up and pretty much glared at him.

"It's not THAT funny," she muttered and he laughed.

"Yeah, it is," he disagreed. "Do you have any idea how long it took me to not pause every time I was about to take that step into the sun right after I was turned human?"

She smiled at that.

"What're you writing?" she asked and he shrugged, closing the notebook and then tucking it in one of his back-pockets before he answered:

"Nothing important."

She didn't believe him for a second, but didn't want to push it. He reached out and slid his hand in hers before giving her a look and before she had time to react he pulled her with him into the warmth of the sun. She giggled as he twirled her around and then they slowed to a stop, facing each other.

"Wow," he mumbled and she raised her eyebrows quizzically as he moved one hand up to gently grace the corner of her left eye.

His fingertips brushed over her cheek and she closed her eyes, sliding her hands up his chest and stepping into him before she wrapped her arms around his neck in a tight embrace which he returned, pressing her to him.

"Buffy!" Fred called and Buffy sighed, turning her head to the woman though she kept it resting against Spike's shoulder.

"Yes?" she then asked.

"We're heading out, it's a one hour drive to the good stores," the other replied, looking rather remorseful as she knew she must have interrupted something.

"I haven't eaten breakfast," Buffy stated. "I haven't dressed!" she added and Fred smiled.

"Okay, then, you have half an hour, make the most of it," she said before turning and walking back inside.

Buffy grumbled.

"Shopping for clothes is supposed to be FUN!" she muttered and Spike smiled at her as she pulled back and looked up at him with her trademark pout on. "It's not supposed to feel like an obligation," she added.

His smile suddenly minimized, and then he said:

"Well, just think of Angel."

Her eyebrows rose at that.

"Angel?" she asked and Spike nodded a little.

"Yeah, you wanna go get all pretty for him, don't you?" he wondered and she stared at him.

"Spike, that's not at all..."

"You're not ready?" Susannah's voice cut her off and Buffy resisted a glare as she turned her head to the woman. "Come on, chop-chop!" the girl hurried her on, coming down the steps as the two blondes reluctantly let go of each other.

"When I get back..." Buffy said and Spike smiled, still she could tell of a trace of sadness in his eyes and she cursed herself for not explaining the deal with Angel last night.

"Go get dressed," Susannah encouraged and Buffy couldn't mask her growing impatience with the woman any longer, giving her a look which she hoped told the latter to butt the hell out before the Slayer turned and walked in through the glass doors. "We're all waiting for YOU!" Susannah called after her.

"Be careful," Spike said with the hint of a smirk on his mouth as he walked passed Susannah as well. "You don't wanna piss her off."

"I think I can take her," Susannah replied, watching him go and squaring her shoulders before she followed. "I'm pretty sure I could," she added firmly, though out of hearing range of him.

***

Spike looked at the picture in the book before him, then bent forward to reach another book, pulling the second to him he compared the picture in the latter with that of the former and frowned. Getting to his feet he walked from his place by the research table and over to the shelf containing material and notes. Looking for a moment he then found the notepad he wanted, flipping it open he began to read what he had written in it nearly three months earlier.

His eyes grew slightly.

"Angel!" he yelled. "Angel! Come here!"

The vampire in question soon appeared in the doorway with a wondering expression and the bleached blonde waved at him to come and see what he had found.

"I was thinking this might have ties to Greece and creatures which figurate in their mythology," he said and Angel nodded, urging him to go on; which Spike did, saying: "Now, I went down that road a few months back and then left it when I couldn't find a single lead... Back then it was the stars part of the prophecy, and how they have aligned and WILL align with 'the god of fire' that got me thinking of Greek astronomy et cetera. And just now it hit me what I must've overlooked before! Egypt!"

Angel straightened his posture slightly at this, getting a gleam in his eyes which Spike recognized and the latter nodded eagerly before walking around to his place and pointing to the books lying belly-up there.

"The god of fire could be a reference to Aton, the ancient Egyptian sun- god," Spike stated triumphantly. "I can't believe I didn't connect the dots before, but I guess it was too bloody obvious," he added as Angel came around to look at the pictures in the two bands showing drawings of worshippers before two human forms and in the sky there was a large golden sun looking as though set afire. "There's a lot more to this," Spike added. "And I think I actually may have enough to support this theory. I may have found our monster."

"My boy, I think you've struck gold," Angel commended, smiling widely. "You need to give me the details."

"Take a seat," Spike replied, nodding to a chair. "It's a bit complicated."

Angel did as he asked, sitting down and Spike did as well, thinking for a moment before he began.

"About three-thousand-five-hundred years ago there lived a king and queen in Egypt set to change the course of history for their country. The pharaoh had always been forced to share his power with a group of individuals seen with as much reverie as he himself was - these were the high priests of the cult of Amon, keepers of Egypt's most important god said to dwell in the deepest corridor of the temple of Karnak, over which the cult of Amon guarded. The pharaoh, as well as his wife, wanted to break the priest's source of power and so they created their own religion - through the sun- god Aton. Where Amon was cloaked in darkness, Aton shone brightly...

The Amon priests saw the temples built for Aton as sacrilege, and to thwart the uprising conspiracy to murder the king the royal couple fled the ancient capitol of Thebes to build for themselves a new city - Amarna. The Egyptian people had no choice but to follow their leader and Amarna quickly grew... But the pharaoh and his queen had darker intents than merely letting the subject of Amon lie. They started a revolution, plundering the temple of Karnak for funds and beginning an uprooting of the religion of Amon. These were bad times for Egypt... The country was thrust into a crisis of faith as gods known throughout the ages were declared a lie, while nothing of substance seemed to be offered in their stead.

Aton made the king and queen into deities themselves as the only way of worship was to bow down before them in order to have the prayers of the people passed on to the god. And see here..." Spike stopped his story, turning a few pages of the book closest to him before showing a picture of an old stone carving. "This is not a person in awe," he said, "this is a person groveling. Everything seemed to have taken a rather disturbing turn, wouldn't you say? Well, a chain of events lead up to the final demise of the worship of Aton. The first of these was a plague haunting the city of Amarna. The rest is mostly speculation, but the fact is that the cult of the sun-god was laid to rest nearly two decades after it had been born."

Angel cocked an eyebrow.

"Quite a tale," he commented. "The pharaoh of course being Echnaton?" he then asked and Spike nodded. "And the queen..."

"Nefertiti," Spike filled in.

"Why do I get the feeling there is more to the story?" Angel inquired and Spike smirked.

"'Cause this version is the HUMAN one," he then replied simply.

***

"Wait, wait, wait," Buffy said, six hours later and Spike stopped his telling. "This Anton guy..." she added and he smirked.

"Aton," he corrected. "And that's 'god'."

She merely rolled her eyes at him before continuing:

"Okay, this Aton GOD is really a demon?" she asked and Spike nodded.

"According to one of the oldest - and dustiest - history books yours truly could dig up in the matter of two hours, Aton, or Satoch, infiltrated the course of power - power being the main thing that makes this demon tick - through Nefertiti. He possessed her and through her he also got to the king, poisoning both of their minds with visions of power... And he got the chaos he wanted."

"But you said that the religion died out..."

"Yeah, it did," he nodded. "According to the book of Toob, which is the one I've focused on, the plague that swept in over Amarna was sent there by the priests of Amon. Amon, you see, was a powerful demon as well. He is christened Aatoch by the author of the book of Toob, and is supposed to be the opposite of Satoch. Where Satoch craves mayhem, Aatoch prefers order to things. Actually Aatoch is supposedly one of the few demons who seek out peace. The text says that he prefers to lay latent and that the fact of him being stooped into the image of a god was mere coincidence as the first high priest stumbled across his place of rest at a moment when Aatoch was in a state of... wake."

Buffy smiled a little, then said:

"This is growing into a history lesson. Sorry I didn't bring an apple, teacher sir."

He gave her a look at that, and her smile widened.

"I suppose, though," Susannah spoke up and Spike slowly let Buffy's eyes go for turning his own on the other girl, "that Satoch wasn't going to be defeated that easily?" she finished.

"You're, unfortunately, very right," Spike replied. "After the plague, which killed a lot of Satoch's - or rather Aton's - followers, there seem to be a question mark left. No one really knows what happened, only that Satoch lost his power and that it's probable that Aatoch had something to do with it. Some think that Nefertiti outlived her husband and after he had died she ruled in his stead, that the king documented as Achnaton's successor is actually his queen taking another name... However, Nefertiti died as well, and with her the last trace of Satoch."

"And all this was over three-thousand years ago, right?" Gunn asked, his face rather incredulous.

"Yes," Wesley replied. "But it is of little matter, of course. Satoch and Aatoch existed three-thousand years ago, and they most certainly exist today. If a man has a vision for two days after Satoch was defeated or for a decade later or for two millennia later... It is of little consequence, wouldn't you agree?"

"Yeah," Gunn replied. "I guess I would."

"Okay, so WHAT is it that you've figured out, exactly?" Buffy asked, having Spike's eyes in hers again. "I mean... Aton is the god of fire? What does that mean, then?"

"That Satoch is what is about to wake," Spike answered her. "He was, and this is according to legend and not history, blinded by the sun on the morning of his very birth... So, too much seem to fit for us to discard this as what we've been looking for."

"You found our Big Bad?" she asked and he smirked before giving a small bow.

"Tonight I want to look for the missing piece of our prophecy," Angel stated. "That's what Buffy and myself will be engaged in. The battle plan is simple - there is none. We'll have to go on feeling on this one, people."

"Ready, set, steal?" Buffy asked as she rose and the rest followed her lead.

"No, no, that's a dirty word," Gunn replied. "We 'borrow'."

**************************************************************************** **************************************************************************** **************************************************************************** ******************

What Is To Be

-Tenth-

By Annie

2003-09-16

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤

"Willow!" Buffy said as the Wicca finally picked up her phone.

"Buffy?" the other asked, voice coarse. "It's three o'clock in the morning!"

"Oh, my God - I totally forgot the time difference thing! If I say I'm sorry you'll forgive me right?" she asked, not waiting for a reply as she continued: "Okay, super important question!"

"'Super important'?" Willow repeated, the sarcasm going by unnoticed by the other as she merely went on:

"Do you think pink is my color? Really? 'Cause I bought this dress and now I'm having reservations." She could hear Willow pull herself up in bed, the former beginning to grow impatient with the time it took the redhead to form a reply. "Well?!" she finally burst out.

"Woah, what are you on?" Willow asked with a huff. "Just let me get my head back on, you know how I unscrew it and detach it from my neck before going to bed!" she added and Buffy began to clench and unclench her left hand.

"Right now I am treading dangerously close to crawling out of my skin and I wanna have someone else tell me if I made the right decision in buying the dress or not! It's not much I'm asking!" she exclaimed.

"Jeez," Willow grumbled. "No, it's not much you're asking except it's THREE- O'CLOCK-IN-THE-MORNING!"

"Did I not say I was sorry? Please, please, please, help me," the Slayer begged and Willow muttered something before she sighed and said:

"I'd say pink is a great color for you, depending on what the dress looks like."

"It's a gown."

"A gown? Where are you going in a gown?"

"It's this social event thing-y and... Well, the skirt is long and with a lot of fabric and it's really this Cinderella sort of clash with Sleeping Beauty and it's... pretty, I think," Buffy said.

"Great, you'll be pretty in pink, then," Willow stated, making Buffy practically gulp.

"Oh, God," she said.

"What now?" Willow asked.

"Well... do you think that'll be my label for the evening? Pretty?"

"I...dunno."

"'Cause that's not what I was going for."

"Who were you going for?"

"Spike - I want him to..." she cut herself off as she realized what Willow had just done and when she could hear the suppressed giggle of the redhead Buffy frowned. "Funny," she muttered.

"Couldn't resist," Willow apologized.

"Well, it's just that there's this other... woman," Buffy grumbled.

"For SPIKE?!" Willow sputtered, though Buffy didn't hear the clear laughter in her voice as she continued:

"Her name's Susannah. SUSANNAH! It sounds so... plain. Like, William and Susannah. It doesn't sound right, does it?" she asked, again merely rambling on before Willow could properly reply. "You know, he never really liked my name."

"What?" Willow was able to put in and Buffy nodded, stepping into the dress as she secured the receiver between her shoulder and ear and then pulled the former up; as the zipper was situated in her side at least that was no big deal.

"Well, he didn't," Buffy said. "When we were getting married he told me so," she added.

"Marri-...? Buffy! That's four years ago! And you were under a spell! MY spell!" Willow disagreed.

"No, you didn't hear him. He was all 'oh-and-Buffy'll-give-it-that-touch-of- classic-elegance', or something not far from it. He doesn't like my name," the Slayer stated firmly. "He probably thinks 'Susannah' is NORMAL and... nice."

"Buffy," Willow said, voice reprimanding.

"At least I do like the way he says it," the blonde sighed. "Okay, I have to finish getting ready! Thanks, Will! You've been a great help! Good night."

"Good night," Willow agreed and Buffy hung up the phone.

Then she turned and looked at herself in the tall mirror. She didn't want to be overly critical, but she felt a small nervous flutter in her stomach when she thought of Spike. What if he didn't like the dress she had chosen? What if he wasn't how she thought he was...?

She had gone for a good girl's sex appeal... which might have seemed a little screwed up, but she hadn't been able to make up her mind if she should go for something she was absolutely convinced Spike would have loved way back when; or if she should go for something a sensitive man would be able to fall for. William was sensitive.

But he wasn't two separate persons, he was him and so she had thought that something in between might be just right. Hopefully.

She twirled, keeping her eyes on the mirror, and then tried a smile. She was pretty satisfied.

The color of the dress was a pale pink. It had a straight cut in the front and a deep cut in the back - which was the sex appeal. She thought. What if he didn't?

Get. A. Grip.

She nodded her consent to that. She definitely had to get a grip. She wasn't even attending the stupid ball with him. But, by all that was good, she wanted to outshine that nitwit Susannah!

No, Buffy, don't think like that. Susannah is nice enough.

Yeah, she was nice enough, she just wasn't gone enough. She was always there! During the day she had been the one who had taken the longest time choosing a gown. Sure, Buffy hadn't been the first either - but toward the fifth hour Buffy had thought that Susannah was doing nothing but stalling. It was as though the other didn't want them to return to the hotel too early, and Buffy recalled how Susannah had heard Buffy tell Spike that she wanted to speak with him when she got back.

Susannah didn't PLAN it! the voice of reason spoke up and she sighed. You're being paranoid.

What if he likes her more than he likes me? What if this whole change of body and this whole experience has just made him move on? she shot before she smiled as she shook her head at herself. He almost kissed me, she then reminded herself. Would he have done that if he...?

Yeah, she cut herself short. But the next moment he was asking the NITWIT out on a date!

She probably exaggerated the whole you going with Angel thing!

And we're back to Susannah and her master plotting, she grumbled. Let it go.

She nodded a little to herself again and turned from the mirror as she straightened out the billowing skirt of her gown.

It was a very beautiful creation she had gotten her hands on. Now she could only wish that he would think the same, and that it suited its owner...

She swallowed, feeling a slight tremble at the thought of facing him, then wised up and went to get her pocketbook. He had seen her dressed up before, after all. It would be fine, no matter.

Still, she took a small breath before she ventured out into the hallway.

"You look incredible!" Cordelia said and Buffy turned her head to her as the dark-haired came toward her down the hall.

"So do you," Buffy replied, and she truly meant it.

The dark blue dress which Cordelia had chosen did nothing to hide her amazing figure, it fit her perfectly. The former seer beamed at that, then she gave a small shrug.

"Thanks," she said.

"I take it Angel... explained," Buffy asked and Cordelia looked a bit tentative before she wondered:

"Explained what?"

"Oh, don't try it, girlfriend," Buffy shook her head. "I've seen how you look at him. And... how he looks at you."

Cordelia's eyes grew questioning, a spot of hope in them that Buffy couldn't miss and the Slayer smiled to underline that she was serious in her statement. Cordelia returned the smile and was about to say something when Angel joined them, making her seemingly change the words into:

"Is Wesley ready yet?" and merely giving the vampire a brief glance before she looked passed his shoulder. "I'm gonna go see if he needs help with his tie," she added, walking passed the vampire who seemed to want to tell her how wonderful she looked, not getting the chance as she made herself scarce and Buffy couldn't help but smirk.

"She's crazy about you, of course," she then said teasingly and Angel met her gaze before he smiled as well.

There were steps down the stairs and Buffy turned around. After another two seconds Spike appeared and she felt her heart slow painfully in her chest as she stared at the black suit and crisp white shirt he was in, a black bow-tie around his neck. He looked fantastic. No, better than that.

She felt s surge of contentment at the look in his eyes as they rested on her. His jaw dropped slightly and she could have sworn she saw a trace of a blush on his cheeks. He was staring.

Spike couldn't help but. She looked goddess-like; striking, with her mane of blonde cascading over her shoulders and down her back. Her beauty never ceased to catch him off guard. He suddenly remembered he had to breathe and drew a slow breath, his eyes still fixed in hers and as he noticed the small yet pleased smile on her lips he smirked.

She herself did seem to be enjoying what she was seeing, didn't she?

Neither of them reacted to the fourth party joining their group, nor did they for the following fifteen seconds. But then that party cleared her throat and they blinked, both turning their head to her.

"Sannah," Spike greeted with a smile. "You look astonishing," he added, and she returned his smile.

She had chosen an emerald green dress which had a late twenties feel to it, the skirt had a slit from her right foot and all the way up to a mere two inches below her right hip and it had a low cut in front as well as back. She did look astonishing.

However, Buffy's mind was put at least a little at ease as Spike's blues found hers again.

Susannah slipped one hand in his as she too noticed his focus going back to the other woman, but though he held it back his eyes didn't leave Buffy and Susannah's heart sank to settle heavily below her ribs.

"Well, shall we?" Angel asked and Buffy nodded, making as to take a step forward to put her hand on Spike's arm, but then she realized that wasn't her place and she turned her eyes out of Spike's and to the vampire with a slightly apologetic smile.

He returned it with ease as she slid her hand to lay on the arm he had hooked for her, and then he led her toward the stairs. She could hear Spike and Susannah following, but she tried not to think of them together. She wanted to make Angel understand that she wasn't appalled by the fact of him taking her.

"You look very handsome," she said and he smiled.

"And you look as breathtaking as always," he assured, making her smile widely.

"Cute," she then said as they reached the bottom of the stairs. "I take it the pun was intended? You not needing to breathe and all," she added and he gave her a reproachful look before he stated:

"You know if I had one to take away you'd be the one to pull it off."

She smirked at that, giving his arm a squeeze before releasing it, turning to the other couple and noticing the third and fourth just coming down the stairs.

Fred looked as the three other ladies; wearing a white, sleeveless gown she was quite the sight.

"And we're hoping to not cause a stir," Wesley said as the eight of them stood assembled in the foyer, everybody looking wondering and he smiled. "You lovely women will be like a breeze of fresh air; impossible to ignore, impossible to not miss once it's gone."

"Didn't know you were such a sweet-talker, Wes," Cordelia teased, his smile merely widening.

As they all headed for the door the anticipation intensified. Whatever they were about to meet-and-greet they needed to be on their guard; all of them. This night might make them, or break them. They might end up with answers, or more questions.

Buffy felt ready for anything as she slipped into the backseat of Susannah's car, Spike volunteering to drive as the owner of the vehicle was in disabling high heels. The Slayer listened attentively to the conversation between the two and tried to slip into a role fitting a high societee, trying to relax as she felt a comforting pat on one hand from Angel.

She granted him a half smile before she turned her eyes back to look out the window.

Ready for anything at all, she thought as the sound of Spike's low laugh reached her ears. Almost, she added to herself.

**************************************************************************** **************************************************************************** **************************************************************************** ******************

-Eleventh-

By Annie

2003-09-17

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤

The flat of Gary Forte was everything Cordelia had claimed it would be, and more. It was decked out in silver for the party and everywhere were candles burning, giving the ten rooms throughout which the Twilight Gathering was held a mystic and aged air. With the contents of beautiful people dressed up in beautiful creations it seemed to be the perfect backdrop.

Gary Forte himself stood at the door, greeting all his guests by name and he gave Angel a handshake and a nod as though they had known each other since the age of toddler. Angel returned it, keeping a strictly professional exterior, and then the group spread out as they all began to mingle.

There was truly a mixture in the crowd; and though it seemed to consist largely of the demonic part of society, there were a selected few of the human part as well. Buffy soon concluded that these must be very close and personal friends of Forte's; otherwise he clearly wouldn't have let them join in an event as exclusive as this one was.

How Angel had come across his invitations, not only for himself but for all of them, he had explained by one single word and then left it at that: contacts.

Now Buffy moved from his right side to his left, sipping her champagne and smiling at what she thought was a Datrot demon, which smirked back.

"So far I count seven," she said out of the corner of her mouth to Angel, referring to their largest obstacle of heavy looking men on just as heavy guard-duty.

Angel nodded.

"Most of them located around the stairs to the second floor," he agreed very quietly as well and she gave him a look.

"Then that's where we're headed," she said, putting her glass down on a nearby table and then smiling at him as he put his arm around her waist and escorted her further into the room.

There were five smaller rooms being used purely for conversation and card- playing, one of these being an amazing library which Buffy was sure would make even Giles' eyes grow rather round. Wesley had tried to hide how he himself was impressed by the extensive collection, but he did a poor job of it and Cordelia mocked him relentlessly.

One larger room was proprietor of a long, wide mahogany table loaded with all sorts of foods for the jumble of party-goers. It seemed Forte had deterred, however, from serving food which was alive and Buffy had to admit she was rather grateful.

Two rooms were no smaller than halls and they were both illuminated by great, glittering chandeliers. The first held a live orchestra of twelve tux-clad musicians who at least looked human, joined by a very pretty female singer. People were flowing in an endless twirling mass about the dark wooden floor and the mirrors, hung on eggshell painted walls, reflected most of them.

In the second room tables were set out, used for dining at as the food was not permitted in any of the other rooms.

"Mr. McLaughlin," a voice stopped the Slayer and vampire in their tracks, the latter turning around to meet the deep brown eyes of Gary Forte. "I beg of you, a moment of your time," the man added and Angel nodded, giving Buffy a look which told her to stay put and she gave a small nod in return just before he left.

She swallowed, feeling goose-bumps spread up her arms at the thought of their plan failing even before it had started.

"Did I tell you?" Spike's voice suddenly said right next to her ear and she turned her head sharply to the side, her nose practically touching his and she drew a breath before she smiled a little, his face pulling back an inch or so.

"Tell me what?" she wondered and he smiled back before replying:

"That you look stunningly beautiful."

Her smile broadened at that, then she looked away with a timidity in her posture that he didn't think he had witnessed on her before.

"You didn't think I failed to notice, did you?" he asked, voice soft and she looked back at him, her gaze warm and intimate as she slowly shook her head.

God, she was almost shaking and her knees were much too weak and... He had completely surprised her. This not feeling a tingle whenever he was a hundred feet away really did take some getting used to.

"I-I mean, I might've... thought that," she answered his previous question and he smiled a little. "Where's Susannah?" she then asked, squaring her shoulders and trying not to look too much as though she was fighting to get back in control.

"She's dancing," he replied.

"Oh," she said, looking out over the dance floor in seeming search of the other lady when his fingers brushed against hers and they reacted without her even thinking as they met his and then entwined their hands.

"Want to?" he wondered and she turned her head back to him, quizzical to anything but the feel of him there. "Dance," he elaborated as an explanation and she smiled a little, her cheeks suddenly burning as she averted her gaze again.

"Okay," she then mumbled. "Yeah, we could... do that... I guess," she added and he put one index finger under her chin, making her look up at him again.

"Would you do me the honor of dancing with me?" he asked and she smiled again, resting her eyes firmly in his this time as she answered:

"Yes."

The orchestra was just starting a new song and Buffy closed her eyes as he took her in his arms and gently began to lead her with the others across the floor. She rested her head against his shoulder, his left hand still gripping her right in a tender hold and she was smiling though barely aware of it.

The words of the song that the young woman began to sing worked as a soft lullaby for her mind, and she let them soak through it as she floated with him in a sphere out of reach to any other.

~

Laugh and cry, live and die

Life is a dream

we are dreaming

Day by day, I find my way

Look for the soul,

and the meaning

Then you look at me, and I always see

What I have been searching for

I'm lost as can be

Then you look at me

And I am not lost anymore

~

Spike moved their hands so that he could put the back of her right over the place of his heart as he kept their fingers intertwined and she moved her head to look up at him. He met her gaze.

~

People run, sun to sun

Caught in their lives

ever flowing

Once begun life goes till it's gone

We have to go

where it's going

Then you look at me, and I always see

What I have been searching for

I'm lost as can be

Then you look at me

And I am not lost anymore

~

"I talked with Cordelia before," he said quietly. "She told me... about Angel and why..."

He trailed off.

"I tried to tell you," Buffy grumbled and he tilted his head a little to one side before he asked:

"Why?"

She stared at him for a moment, then said:

"I just... I thought you should know. I just wanted you to know that I... But then Susannah..."

"She didn't mention... not that it was her place but... She knows that she's a friend, a close and good friend and..."

Buffy smiled a little at the awkwardness, why was it so hard to produce the right words? To let him know what she wanted him to know...?

"Buffy," he mumbled and she rested her gaze in his as his left hand let her right go before moving to the side of her face and she closed her eyes before opening them again almost immediately and he had the shadow of a smile on his lips; she mirrored it.

~

And you say you see

When you look at me

The reason you love life so

Though lost I have been

I've found love again

And life just keeps on running

And life just keeps on running

You look at me

and life comes from

you

From you

~

Say it, her mind whispered, just say it.

Then a hand grabbed her right arm and practically ripped her away from him and her throat was about to voice a protest when Angel pulled her close and hissed:

"I just spent four minutes with the man we're trying to fool out of any suspicion and I told him that you were as much my girlfriend as he had presumed since otherwise I was pretty sure he was going to make a move on you and keep you in his company for the remainder of this evening. I tell you this only 'cause because of it, it might not be such a good idea for you to look quite so friendly with another man."

She swallowed, looking over his shoulder at Spike who now had Susannah in his arms.

Buffy felt like crying over the moment that had just been lost, but then she slapped herself out of it. They were there to work; she couldn't get hung up on this now.

"I didn't realize," she muttered as a response to Angel, having Spike turn his gaze in hers once more and she gave him a meaningful look as she made a discrete movement with one hand as though stabbing Angel in the back.

Spike smiled widely at that and she returned it.

Keeping it on as it was - as they say - show time.

***

Buffy looked down the abandoned hallway, and then at Angel. The sound of the bash going on below them didn't reach the second floor but for a muffled current of noise. It was stillness which met the two intruders as they became one with it and moved down the corridor.

Getting passed the security-guards had taken them nearly fifteen minutes of patient wait for the right moment. Then Buffy had charmed the one standing right at the foot of the stairs - the latter sealed off by a thick and black velvet rope. It hadn't taken much of her cunning to lure him aside as she kept on asking personal questions with her eyes telling him she wanted to learn even more of him. Then she had simply asked him to wait while she went to get them both something to drink, all the while slipping up the stairs with Angel. The guard was obviously muscles-for-hire-excluding-the- brain. This type was, of course, easier to deal with if you wanted less-of- a-mess in the questions department, but still more-of-the-gore in the... rest of the departments.

The Slayer and vampire were still in a hurry, though, as they didn't want to overstay their welcome and the longer it took them to find anything of value, the longer they obviously put themselves at risk. Gary Forte had a brain, and a good set of eyes. Soon those two were apt to begin processing the guests and if any were missing...

"Here," Angel stopped her as she was about to walk passed a door standing slightly ajar to her left.

She reached out a hand and pushed the door to slide open, then she turned her eyes on Angel and he nodded before they entered the room.

It was large, oval shaped and covered in dark wood panels, dark wood bookcases stocked with volumes of books looking truly antique stood along the walls on both sides and before the two beings, with the backdrop of three large French windows, stood a charismatic piece of furniture - a big desk in the same dark wood as the rest of the room.

Drapes of deep green hung on both sides of the window as well as between every bookcase, and the group of armchairs and sofas standing in the middle of the room were dressed in the same color velvet.

The room breathed wealth.

"Say what you will, but he has got good taste," Buffy stated, Angel giving her a glance before they split up and took one side of the room each.

Buffy beginning with the right hand side bookcases as Angel started on the left. They worked methodically and quickly, scanning the backs of the bands. After ten minutes they still had nothing, both of them having worked through three of five cases, and Buffy felt how her heart was beating hard in her chest.

"There's nothing," she mumbled.

"Don't give up," he replied and she clenched her jaws together as she nodded and kept going.

After another minute she was about to move to the next bookcase when she found herself pausing before the green drape covering the wall separating the third case from the fourth. She hesitated, then reached out a hand and carefully moved the cloth aside.

"Angel," she breathed and he turned his head to her, his eyes widening.

Then he did as she had, removing the drape on his side from what it covered and revealing what Buffy had just found as well - in the wall, behind a glass-door, was another set of shelves containing artifacts so clearly magical that there was no need for any puzzlement. This was what they had been searching for; they were one step closer.

Buffy quickly looked over the items before her, but she found nothing of interest and moved to the next drape. Behind this one were only three items - a pair of scissors looking as though made out of gold, a slim bottle not higher than three inches made of copper with intricate carvings covering it and a fan with a painting which continuously changed its pattern.

As this drape was the last in line she let it fall back in place and hurried back to the first one. This contained a collection of close to thirty books in different shapes and sizes and she leaned a little closer to the glass as one of them caught her attention.

"Angel," she said. "Come here... I think I've found something."

He moved across the room and came to join her at her side, bending forward as well, gazing through the glass at what she was pointing to and he raised his eyebrows.

"See, there," she said, "it looks like it's been torn from something."

"Interesting," he nodded, reaching into one of his pockets and bringing out the smallest camera she had ever seen.

It was practically flat and the length of his palm.

"Spy much?" she asked and he smirked.

"It was a gift from a friend," he replied, beginning to take pictures and the camera giving off a small buzzing sound, making Buffy smile.

"What sort of friend?" she asked and he gave her a look before straightening his back.

"I think we've gotten what we came here for," he said.

"You think that actually is the missing part of the prophecy?" she asked and he shook the camera meaningfully before answering:

"Only one way to find out."

"Well, I'm glad we didn't get to the point of 'borrowing' anything," she said as he put the cam back in his pocket and they headed for the door. "I'm pretty sure there would've been pain to pay if we tried to break through that glass," she added and he nodded.

He had felt it too, a light touch of electricity around it. It had been hot- wired against thieves for sure.

"Me too. Now let's get out of here," he said and she nodded as she followed him through the doorway.

As she rounded the frame she put her hand up and let it trace it, her fingers sliding over a rough spot in the wood which made her pause and glance back at it. A carving the size of a dime was etched into the matter right by her fingertips and she blinked, taking a closer look and almost wanting to ask Angel if she could borrow his spy-equipment when he hissed at her to hurry up and she quickly followed him down the hall and back to the stairs.

**************************************************************************** **************************************************************************** **************************************************************************** ******************

-Twelfth-

By Annie

2003-09-17

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤

Spike observed Buffy and Angel swiftly disappear up the stairs. He smirked; the lack of a plan seemed to be working to their advantage. He removed himself from the doorway in which he had been standing and walked into the great hall where Susannah had just curtsied after yet another dance ended. She was quite the bell, and he was happy for her. She seemed to be enjoying herself.

She looked up and their eyes met, having her smile widely before she walked to meet him by the side of the dance floor.

Spike drew a small breath, knowing that he had to speak with her, but finding it difficult because he also knew that what he was going to say to her would hurt her. Her obvious devotion for him was even clearer now, and had been so ever since Buffy walked back into his life two short days ago... That was why he needed to do this.

"Hi," she said as she stopped before him and he returned her smile.

"Hi," he replied. "Feet okay?" he added and she laughed.

"No!" she stated. "But it's a pain of good, not bad."

He nodded, then gestured toward the smaller rooms beyond and asked:

"Still... want to sit?"

She smiled another smile, then nodded and slipped one hand over the arm he held out to her. He led her through the hall and further through three rooms before he seemed to find one which met his requirements and there he escorted her up to a deep couch. She sat down with a rather questioning look up at him, and he braced himself before he took a seat next to her.

"It's nice, don't you think?" she asked. "The music and the food and the people... It's good to get out for a while. Pretend that we don't know what we know about everything, you know?"

"Yeah," he agreed slowly.

"And to get dressed up... I haven't danced like this in so long! It's wonderful! You know, I believe you owe me at least three more of those before we leave," she stated and he smiled a little.

"I'm sorry," he then mumbled and she swallowed, looking away from him as he reached out and took one of her hands. "I'm sorry if I led you to believe... I shouldn't have asked you to go with me, Sannah. I don't know if I was fair."

She shook her head with a weak smile on.

"What's fair?" she then asked silently.

"I love her," he stated and at that she directed her gaze in his again.

"I know," she replied, her voice slightly unsteady.

"And I know you do," he said gently. "I never hid her from you... did I? I never tried to deny how big a part of me she is."

Susannah squeezed his hand at that.

"No," she grumbled. "You didn't."

"I didn't mean to lead you on. If I ever did that then..."

"You definitely never did that," she stopped him, smiling again. "I just hoped, maybe... that you'd eventually move on. That she was just a fantasy that you'd someday realize you had to give up... Then she, naturally, had to come here - making her... reality."

"Susannah, you're one of my closest friends right now, and I want you to know that I care for you," he tried but her rather pale smile stopped him from going further on the subject.

"Will, please... no pity-speech, okay?" she asked, taking her hand out of his, though she then granted him a brighter smile. "I think I know when to bow down with dignity and this is my cue. I mean... how could I even for a second think that I could compete against her, right?"

"You are a beautiful young woman!" he said with conviction and she giggled.

"Okay, you've assured you care for me, you've called me the obligatory beautiful - now all that's left is 'we can still BE friends'," she stated and he gave her a look which made her smile again. "Buffy is Buffy," she said. "I know what she's meant to you, Will. What she still means to you. And if you think that she's feeling what you're feeling then who am I to stand in the way? If she really feels the same, then I'm truly happy for you," she finished.

He smiled at that.

"I don't know what she feels," he then replied.

"You will," she said, rising to her feet and he did as well.

"Are you sure that you're...?" he began and she turned her head to him with a look saying he should let it rest, which he did.

She hooked her arm with his again and he felt a little bit calmer that she wasn't merely putting on a brave-face as they headed back to the great hall and joined the rest of the couples on the dance floor.

He hoped Buffy and Angel were doing a good night's work upstairs. All they needed was one more good clue and they might be able to establish a location...

Buffy... he truly wondered what she was feeling. If he was to go on pure instinct... but he couldn't. Too many questions still lacked an answer. And tonight he'd get to ask them. He could barely wait until they got back to the hotel. He wanted to be alone with her... that's all he wanted. To talk with her. There was so much he wanted to say, even if she didn't feel what he did at least now she believed in him. He knew she did.

***

Five minutes after Spike and Susannah re-entered the great hall, Buffy and Angel snuck back down the stairs of the second floor and by a diversion created by Angel they managed to get back into the mass of guests undetected.

Buffy could finally breathe easily and she felt a great wave of both relief and pleasure fill her when she thought of the big step they might have been able to take in order to stop the elusiveness of the prophecy.

"Everything all right?" Fred asked as Buffy came up to her where she stood by the dance floor, watching Gunn twirling a young vampiress in his arms.

"Yeah," Buffy answered the question. "I just think it was a little too easy... and I really wanna get out of here right now before something goes wrong," she added and Fred's eyes widened slightly. "Don't worry," Buffy calmed. "I don't think it's too serious... I just think we should be out of here within the hour."

Fred smiled at that, then nodded.

"Of course, if you say so," she stated.

Buffy looked at her, then out on the dancing Gunn.

"Are you okay with that?" she asked and Fred turned her head to the Slayer with a questioning expression. "I mean, your guy - demons - the whole closeness scenario..." she elaborated and Fred shrugged.

"I know he loves me," she then replied. "But if you're referring to the being-close-to-demons part, one thing I've learned is never judge a book by its cover. Fangs and horns can be really misleading... Sometimes they're really NOT, of course," she added and Buffy smiled at that. "But other times... you just have to look beyond them, you know?"

Buffy looked across the room, having her gaze lock with Angel's and then Spike's, who was at the vampire's side.

"I do know," she agreed.

***

The ride in the car home was silent.

Buffy kept finding herself looking to her right and resting her gaze on Spike's profile. She truly wanted to get to talking with him. She felt ready now, to tell him everything that was on her mind in one sweep and then let him react to it freely. Tell him how afraid she was of having to let go of him again, how deep her fear of losing him again went.

She needed him to know all of it so that there were no more questions as to what she felt for him. So that there was no more insecurity from which he might need soothing. And she wanted to begin to make up for all the time they had lost.

This beautiful being had been in her life for so long without being able to show her his true self, and then he had been snatched from her when he finally got to do just that. Now she wanted to show him how he moved her, touched her and kept her. She wanted to tell him the words that kept weighing her mind... And he wanted to hear them, she knew he did.

They pulled up outside the Hyperion and Gunn soon followed.

"What an evening," Cordelia sighed happily as the gang stepped through the front doors of the hotel.

It was two hours since Angel and Buffy obtained the new bit of hopefully helpful information, the drive through the city taking almost an hour.

"It was quite extraordinary," Wesley now said to Cordelia's statement and there were murmurs of agreement from the rest as well.

"I'll develop these," Angel said, bringing out the camera and walking down the steps. "It shouldn't take long."

"I'll make some coffee," Cordelia said and Fred nodded.

"I'll come with you," she offered and they hooked arms as they proceeded the same way Angel had just gone.

The rest walked down the steps as well, facing each other on the floor of the foyer.

Susannah was leaning her head against Spike's shoulder, looking exhausted but pleased as his arm was around her waist. Buffy looked at them for a moment, then turned away. She was tired as well, but they had some more work ahead of them and so there seemed little use to head upstairs and get ready for a bed that would have to wait for probably another few hours.

Wesley excused himself, walking into the research room and after a moment Gunn followed.

Buffy let the moment stretch for as long as it could, but sooner than later she felt compelled to turn and face the other two. Looking straight into Susannah's eyes she tried to make the woman understand that what she was doing was far from working. She couldn't act as an obstacle. All she did was delay... delay... Buffy met the blue eyes of Spike instead and felt a smile easily form on her mouth. There was something close to an understanding there now... Whenever she looked at him she felt as though he knew what she was thinking, what she was feeling.

They had barely spoken two words to each other in private since their dance, but it was as though they didn't need to. And that was what had her smiling now...

Suddenly Susannah jerked, straightening herself up as she blinked and looked around the room.

"Did you hear that?" she asked and Spike turned his head to her, quizzical.

"Hear what?" he wondered as she took a step away from him, her eyes still darting from one spot to the next and the expression in them growing close to terrified.

"That!" she exclaimed. "That... voice. It's whispering."

Buffy exchanged a look with Spike, both of them now worried and Susannah took another few steps forward before she swirled around to face them, her eyes wide now as she looked up at the ceiling.

"Oh, my God..." she exhaled before she put her hands before her ears, closing her eyes tightly as though trying to shut out a loud noise before there was a tremble going through her and she fell in a heap to the floor.

"Susannah!" Spike exclaimed; running up to her and getting to his knees beside her as he checked her pulse, Buffy joining him and then calling for Wesley and Gunn to get out there. "She's burning up!" Spike yelled to Wesley. "Get me some ice, or water, or... something!"

Wesley needed no more encouragement as he turned and sprinted out to the kitchen. Spike lifted Susannah in his arms and walked toward the stairs, Buffy and Gunn following tight on his heels.

"One of you stay down here and tell Wesley where we are," Spike instructed and Gunn placed a hand on one of Buffy's shoulders, saying:

"I'll stay."

She nodded, thankful, before she continued up the stairs with Spike.

Half an hour later Darren stepped out of Susannah's bedroom, being met by Spike, Angel and Cordelia while Buffy kept to the background.

"What's wrong?" Angel inquired.

"Is it serious?" Cordelia asked.

"Will she be okay?" Spike demanded and Darren put his hands up to have them quiet down.

"I'm at a complete loss as to what is the matter with her, but her condition is stable and as far as I can tell she'll be just fine - with a little rest," he then answered them. "She has never suffered a seizure like this before?" he asked Angel and the vampire shook his head.

"Not as far as I know," he replied and Darren nodded.

"Can we see her?" Angel wondered and Darren gave another nod.

"I'm a phone call away," he then said and Angel shook his hand.

"I appreciate that," Angel said and Darren smiled before taking the coat Buffy handed him and heading for the stairs.

"I don't understand..." Cordelia mumbled. "What happened?"

Spike looked at her, a tight anxiousness in the lines of his face as he answered:

"There's only one who can tell us."

He put his hand on the doorknob and turned it before stepping inside. Angel hesitated, then he followed. Cordelia watched the door close before turning to Buffy.

"She seemed all right before," the former said and Buffy nodded.

"Don't worry," she then replied. "I'm sure Darren's right and after a good night's sleep she'll be right as rain."

Cordelia smiled a little at the expression and though Buffy desperately wanted to join the two males and listen to whatever Susannah may have to disclose, she discarded that emotion and walked with the Cordy down to join the rest of the crew in the kitchen.

She would get to hear whatever was said, she knew she would. So, for the time being, silent lay her curiosity - because it had to.

***

"Sannah," Spike said gently, leaning over her and her eyes fluttered open, meeting his.

A fleeing smile graced her lips and then it faded as she suddenly looked anguished, her gaze burdened and regretful.

"It whispered his name," she murmured and Spike frowned, sinking down on the bedside next to her and stroking her brow tenderly before asking:

"What whispered his name?"

"The voice," she answered him, tears welling up in her eyes. "It scared me so bad..."

Spike glanced over at Angel, who was standing a few feet away, listening closely.

"There's nothing to be scared of, love," Spike said now, eyes back in Susannah's.

"Yes, there is," she disagreed. "I have a lot to be afraid of... I'm not safe..."

"Shh," he hushed softly. "Of course you are," he then added, trying a smile but this time there was no response from her but that of her tears slowly sliding down her cheeks.

"Don't you see?" she whispered. "It's the... prophecy."

Spike frowned at that, then shook his head slightly which she stopped by nodding.

"It can't be..." he murmured.

"I heard the name," Susannah stated, her eyes widening as though the thought had brought the sound back to her ears and then she closed them, sinking down into her pillow and Spike rose to his feet, turning to Angel with a miserable look on his face.

"What does this mean?" the vampire asked and Spike shook his head in defeat.

"I have no idea," he grumbled as he thought of the part of the prophecy Susannah must have been referring to.

'And on the fifth day a great echo shall roll across the plain and valley, reminding those who forgot.'

**************************************************************************** **************************************************************************** **************************************************************************** ******************

Next