Blood Sacrifice

The white paste worked into Angel's skin like an evasive entity.He writhed and jerked alot, till eventually he lay still like a corpse.
Nina:He is going to be ok..? feeling a little worried, she frowned as she said it.
Willow: "it 's ok that means it is working for now."
The ointment then disolved completly into his skin, leaving faint red marks where the blood had done it's damage.

~~~~

Downstairs, Giles reread the text agian. He was very sure if he could find
another tome that accomadates the one he was reading he would be able to put two and two together.

A sudden cry jerked all who where in the lobby upright.
Xander: "What's going on!" he had jumped and knocked over a pile of Giles's books as he did so.
Andrew: "what in the Jedi force was that!"
Giles: " I don't know but i think we 'd better get up there..somethings wrong.."

~~~~

Upstairs, Willow called out Giles's name, as Angel suddenly went into uncontrolable convultions..Nina held onto him as she struggled to keep him still.

Giles heard Willow's cry as he entered the room along wiht Xander and Andrew.
Willow looked up to see them enter: "He is unstable." He just suddenly went into these shakes!".

Nina: can you tell us what's wrong..?Looking up.

Giles: "I'm afriad not".
Willow:"I'll have to see inside his head".
She placed her hands on eitherside of his head as she did so her eyes shut and her head jerked up suddenly.
Willow:" oh my!"...she lifted her hands so suddenly she wacked Xander in the midsection.
Xander:"Ow!"
"Sorry".
Giles:"what did you see..?" with concern on his face.
Willow:"Buffy the others...."
Nina interupts : "He's stirring!"
Angel felt white hot pian inside his head. The graphic scenes were overwhelmingly vivid.He saw Spike, Gunn and Illryia as they tried to make their way inside the building, he saw them enter inside a portal, and zombies were threatening to overtake them as they climbed inside every opening...
He heard Faith shout and Buffy.....the slayers....
His eyes snapped open. His chest tried to inhale oxygen that was unfamiliar to his lungs...
Nina: "What..?"
Angel gasping: "I saw them....they need my help..!"
Giles: "your in no possition to try".
Angel:" I couldn't stop her dying the first time round this time i can !"
Willow:" I saw it too!.Maybe i can create a spell..?"
Angel:" No. I am going. Over there.Now."
he got up slowly...
Xander:"In that case we are comming with you."
Willow:"We are..?"
Giles:"It is a risk".
Andrew:" Angel isn't giving us much choice". He gestured to him as he limped over to his wardrobe.
Nina: "Angel..i think.."she steadied him as he walked.
Angel:" it's a trap right..?" i don't have a lot of time i'm going.Come with me or stay here".
Nina:"I'm comming with you."
Angel:"Anyone else..?"
Giles:" I think everyone else has agreed but we need to plan first."
Angel (pulling on a pair of slim leather trousers):" Good.I could always do with a good plan ..nice to see that your willing to share this time".
He felt his inner bitch as he said it.
Giles winced at the attack.
Xander(breaking up the tenseness):" I guess we'll get started downstairs".
Giles: "Just one thing, you appear to have had a vision, how did you.."
Angel:" I thought it was a one shot deal but i guess not....It started with a kiss.." he ended as Willow eyed him with the question in her eyes ....

~~~~
 
Willow's eyes suddenly went wide as she spoke:"Woh wait! I could perform a spell that would deal with the attack."
Angel shot her a look.
Willow:" What i mean is your really not fit to go out there, i mean your pretty weak with the blood, and..
Angel:"what your saying is you don't trust me to go all evil again".
Willow:" Well you can ...i don't know how affective my balm is the partners.."
Angel:"The partners..always them calling the shots..i want to call the shots.
Me."
Giles:" I think Willows right, let her spell cast and we'll find away to stop what they are doing to you your no good like you are".
Andrew:"it's like the dark count Palpatine seducing the young skywalker to the dark side.."
seeing Xander's glare he stopped.

Angel started to walk out the room but suddenly clutched his head.
Nina :"he having a vision so soon..?"
As if to answer her question Angel shouted :"get out my head!"
His agony and frustration clear to see.
Nina:"Angel...?"
Angel:"I ...i'm fine".
Nina: " You sure..?"
Angel:"I just hear them sometimes..".
Willow: " I better act fast.... on the situation.." getting out some crystals
she incanted.

A light went out from her hand as she did and it grew bigger and bigger
everyone watched as it went forth....out from the room with a woosh..

~~~

Buffy yelled: "Ronda! Chloe! watch the entrance!" at two of the slayers as she made her way in the office before her. the books must be here she thought
as she rumaged through Weses old things.

Outside in the foyer the others were battling their way through the incomming hordes.
Spike:"Come here you w**kers ! come and see if your tough!"
Infront of him the zombies were approaching.Spike punched one and swung a nearby fire extinguisher at it's head, it went limp.

Illyria enraged swung her fist and it went through the head of one infront of her.

Gunn shouted as he was cornered by them nearby:"Spike! a little help here!"
As he swung a waste bin, an dtried to swing his axe at a nearby head.

Spike:"Got enough of em here! what am i a b**dy miracle man!".
Frustrated he swore.

The slayers fought an done hearing Gunn went over and swung at em from behind.
Gunn:"Thanks! er ..?"
Slayer: "Gretchen..and your welcome!"

Illyria lifted her head suddenly: " I sense power .."

A sudden flash of light went into the building as it did Spike looked up :"No not one of those portal thingys..i can bear to be sucked into some.."
But before his sentence was finished it hit every dead Zombie they cried as it dissolved them into nothing.

Buffy stood as it happened in the office entrance
Faith: "Holy ****! willows mojo i guess!".
Buffy: "They knew but how..?"

Spike: "Doesn't matter at least we can get what we came for and get out of here".

Buffy: We can i found a weird looking peice inside i don't know what it is but i was drawn to it.."

The others looked at it in wonder and curiousity.
Gunn: " I know that! Wes looked at it few monthes back he couldn't discifer it at all.."
Buffy: We can take it to Giles he will know".

Spike: "what is he some kind of know all wisard..?If Wes could he wont".

Buffy flashed him a look.

Illyria:" I am still in violence mode....You are becomming a nuisence".
Spike: "Can't say i find you conversation material myself".
Illyria:" You will keep quiet!" cocking her head.

Buffy: "Both of you..Stop. We need to find any books so go!".
Buffy led the way back inside.Gunn:" There is a secret chamber here i'll show you".
he opened the entrance as Faith went:"Yowser! a book vault!".
Gunn:"Yeah where Wes kept it all.."
They edged carefully as they went through every tome ..."Viola!"
Spike held up a tome that depicted runes "This will do...."
A tremble went through the whole building as he said it.
Illyria:"This evil domain is unstable we must go follow me!"


The portal opened as she shoved the others through....and they landed back at the hotel....

Giles stood there surprised to see their entrance.
~~~

Willow sank down after her spell.
Angel:"It worked i can smell them ..".
Xander: "We better get down to meet the Buffya, i can't wait to get into any books they have.."
he led the way down stairs...
Angel felt something call him as if he knew what it was but didn't...it was like he could'nt recall what he knew
Then the war waging inside him intensified...
 
Nina upon noticing Angel's discomfort held him up."you hear the vioces don't you..?"
Angel: "it's ever since they arrived back i feel .....strange.."
Nina:"they are just trying to scare you..I'll help you .."
Angel:"I don't know if you can.."
Nina gave him a stubborn look:"werewolf remember.."
~~~~

Downstairs, they met the others in the lobby.
..."This is a tome on runes but not quite the one i wanted." Giles said disapiontedly.
Spike:"we were trying to stay upright and smurf here gave us no choice in leaving, the building crumbled from beneath us not that it was stable in the first place but.."
Illyria:" I am tierd of your complaining.I saved you all chose to save you all, i would not of bothered in the day humans were game to catch."
Buffy: We are gratefull and we managed to get this out i don't know what it is but i was drawn to it."She hands Giles the object.
Giles takes it from her frowning: " I guess we can always start with this."
Willow:" I'll go in the office the computers are working..?
Turning to Angel.
Angel:"yes i think we never took them didn't need them, all yours".
he winced.He hoped they didn't notice his reaction.
Andrew and Xander examined the tome they bought in.

Andrew: I'll see if my expertise will descifer this."he said proudly.
Xander sniggered quietly.
The slayers started to get their breath back, Faith noticing their bloodied state replied:"who's up for showers, man i can't wait to get dead person goo off me".
Buffy:"Me too i think we all need a shower, ..."
Gunn: " Read my mind bathrooms up stairs."
With that Gunn went off up stairs skipping every other step as he did so.
Giles: Before you go Buffy the building has it..?"
Buffy:"Totally. It finally gave way as we left, the floors were only half there the rest.."
Giles: " I guess that means no Possiblity that Wes.."
Buffy looked downwards:"No, didn't see him, we were busy with the welcoming commitee."
~~~~

Wes felt the cold as he lay on the stone floor.The only thing that was hot was Perez's temper as he cursed.
he watched him pace up and down, talking angrilly to what he assumed were the partners.
"How could this happen!"
Perez: " I am stupid! the building was unstable i thought..".
You got too cocky. We need to move faster then planned. They have the
Totem, but it will be a while before they find out about it's use the powers have taken much trouble to erase it's mention so they won't be able to know more than we
Perez:" I wasn't betting on Illyria being able to get portals open."
She will be delt with, we didn't expect her powers to grow...
~~~~
 
Turning towards Wes Perez asked"What about this one..?"
We will continue use him, continue please we find your methods of interegating rather amusing

Wes on hearing this braced himself.They wont get alot from me he thought

~~~~

Whistler moved through the streets of L.A, avoiding any hostile people as he went.
He must get to the other half of the Totem he thought.Before Angel becomes the partner 's toy.

infront he saw several hooded figures emerge from the shadows
oh no he thought.Wolf, Ram and Hart asssociates.

On seeing them brandishing their weapons he started to run......

he ran all the way into an ally and started to climb up a metal fence watching nervously as they came after him.Adrenaline rushed up and down his body.
He was nearly over when he saw two more emerge from the other side of the fence..
"Going somewhere Matheus..?"

........
~~~~
 
willow frowned as she clicked on link after link,"still no mention of any rune of this kind", she said frustratingly as she stared at the mysterious item.

Giles once agian pinched his nose as he tried to ease a growing headache, taking of his glasses, he squinted at the screen,"It may not be what we first thought it was, try something else, it looks like it has been broken off something".
"It has been in my dream.." Faith confessed, the symbols were everywhere...
but i was focased on the Angel stuff i didn't.."
Angel loooked up suddenly.."my stuff..? what stuff.? Is there something you guys are not telling me..?"

Faith looked at him and covered her bottom lip with her upper teeth, "i we er came because you were in trouble and you really don't wanna know trust me
cause B here, and the others had dreams of the Partners doing stuff in L.A, and if both dreams are gonna come true being prohectic and all.."
"you think i am going to go evil." Angel declared.
Faith replied rather unconvincingly,"no no-ones saying that it's just.."
Buffy turned to look at Angel, "We are going to prevent anything that will start the appocolypse, beleive me".
Angel then siad after a pregnant pause" even if that means killing me agian..?"
Buffy looked away..
"i don't.."
Angel responded "no it's ok i'd rather die then.."
Give us another one of your evil Angelus episodes..Not to mention the poncy
leather trousered look.." cut in Spike.
Willow looked up and cut off any patential bickering," no-ones going to go evil, i am a wicca remember and i am almost there just need one more..Yey!
I am thinking i just hit the jack pot."
Xander leaned over "Willow, your talents know no bounds!"
Giles leaned over to look at what Willow bought up.." oh my, how do you..?"
Willow responded with a wy grin, " I just googled in what you suggested and here i am!".
Giles said,"well we were wrong about runes that's the good news..
Angel replied, "and what is the bad news..? he asked wiht his brows up.
Giles, looked at him, " You really want all the power in the universe, with your weakness, you think you can handle it..?"
"It looks like we have no other choice.."willow answered nervously.
Spike looked up " amulet..? Helmouth..hello..?"
"It's not that simple.." Giles answered.
~~~
 
Willow read out the page before her.." The one bearing the mark of both
Good and Evil will tip the balence towards either, depending on which side they choose.."

Giles replied," what has the ,he looked at the page "Totem got to do with it..?"

"The symbols need to be invoked onto the one bearing the mark, so the power is used to retore balence, depending on what side they are on..i guess the mark is an identification thing.." Willow paused then, " I had to type in some code to access this page, it was heavilly charmed but it doesn't say how to invoke what spell that's what's missing.."
Giles stood up,"well at least it confirmed, what my tome was saying..with a bit more infomation but not much..except the one i had said runes".
Maybe the powers are trying to confuse so that the bad guys don't get it"
Willow remarked, "explains why the name's wrong.."

Illyria cocked her head as she spoke, " The wolf ,The Ram,The Hart, little more than a vampire in my day....have grown powerfull, so this must be a weapon forged against them....a War between good and evil, was inevitable
their power is strong, in my day it was foretold ...they planned this....war".

"you know about the senior partners..?" Giles asked.

" I know what they once were, i have been gone from this world too long to know how they aquired the power they have",Illyria replied.

Andrew flipped through the old pages of the tome "this is usless then, the runes are so small incomparsion,the symbols are very similar though, like this one.."

Nina leaned over,"the symbols are very much the same as the ones on the totem, it's like they carved the rune symbols on a big pillar".
Giles exclaimed, "good grief! your right!, Andrew lets have the book.."

Xander remarked, "There is hope!", he pressed his hands together in a prayer like way.

The other slayers and Gunn entered the office fresh from the shower,
as Gunn listened to the last sentence uttered, he stoped."Hope..?"
he raised an eyebrow.
Buffy chipped in,"we found a weapon, but it needs decifering, but wer'e close."
Spike snorted ,"I was so looking forward to some violence..what about me, don't the power's know they have two champions now..?"
Buffy responded, "Your efforts i'm sure will be rewarded, it's not just Angel that is fighting it involves all of us.."
Angel looked up, "Buffy's right, besides i dreamt of this thing, when i was unconcious, i won but then i wroke up", holding it up, he continued,they were messing with my head, i think, but now i am tired of all the crap they sling at me, IF this is what i need to do, wear the symbols fine, whatever it takes,
But one thing scares me how to handle the power it welds,if Willow were to be my guide in this, it will help alot.You made the Potentials into Slayers i can't do it without you."
he paused looking at Willlow then, " I am also going to need something for the pain.." he said as he leaned over the desk, Nina caught him, as Giles lifted his shirt up, there the tattoo on his shoulder was buring red, and he grabbed Faith's hand, and arm as she uttered his name.
Buffy stood watching this with the others, he didn't need her she thought, so much time, too little too late..? as she remembered how she ordered Dana away from him.

"Angel!" Gunn said in concern, "If only we knew about..why didn't you tell us..?" moving towards him.

Giles,repeated "why didn't we hear of this before..?"

Angel answered,"you wouldn't trust me.."
Illyria responded, "to win a war, you must unite, divided, you will fail.
This secret keeping ends, work on the invocation, there is another part missing, i will go out to find it".

She's right, i will try a location spell first, Illyria stands a better chance going out there than we do", Willow said.
At her words the noise of the chaos and riots got loader.

"I think we just found it.. Whistler needs us!" Angel answered as another vision hit.
***
 
Gretchen eyed Angel in confusion."so let me get this strait, he was C.E O of hell incorporated and now he is vision guy..?"

Willow answered, " he was passed them by Cordy, our friend who recently passed away".

"cordy was the one in a coma, right?"
"yes,she never wroke from it", Angel managed amoungst the pain.

The ally spilled out before him as he saw Whistler struggle with figures in golden masks, he then saw the scene change from, the ally to the totem, he saw it in a case at the back of a book shop, but no ordinary shop, it was selling mystical items an dthis one piece was carefully hidden from view.
A man with glasses sits polishing it, then Angel see's him attacked by the ally crew, Whistler held up bloodied by one, helpless and limp.
One of them laughs as it cries at last! ....turning to the shop owner, the attacker askes about it's use....

Angel sighed as he felt the vision ebb away.

"ally not far from here, he is being asaulted, i saw them take him to a shop where the other piece is, they want to know how to use it."

He gently shakes off Nina and Faith and declared "i'm going after it, and Whistler, i don't care if i 'm a little weak, way i see it, he is who helped me start this life i've got he is the reason i met Buffy, so anyone who may object too bad, like i said i'm tired of all this crap".

With that he grabs his leather coat off the rack and leaves.
"I'm going after him and anyone else, follow me" Buffy anounced.

"Stupid git shouldn't of gone wondering out alone in the first place " Spike muttered.
he followed them out, along with the others, Gunn, Gretchen, Ronda and Faith,
Gretchen called back to Giles who was stood along with the others worry etched on his face, " We'll bring them back don't worry Mr G, see you all later"
Giles stuttered "yes i hope so, we wait here for you all".

***

Angel reaches inside his old Plymouth belvedere and starts the engine.
"didn't think you were going out there alone did you, cos i'm wanting to have some fun too you know, your not the only champion round here".

"Spike, keep up the sneaking around, and i swear i'll .."
Just shut up you ponce and drive" Spike commanded.
****

Faith and Gretchen, along with Buffy saw the car dissapear out of sight.
"i can smell them let's go" Illyria anounced.

****

The ally seemed like a death trap to Whistler as he jumped down from the fence, and stood before his would be assassins.
"come on guys you think the powers won't notice.?"

One of them answered, "Think they might?"
And with that they proceeded to attack.Whistler swung and hit one, then felt another strick his back, he reeled from the pain and punched one with his fist.
"Think a stupid gang of has beens should know who they are messing with"!
Angel anounced.
 
whistler felt releaf as he heard him.

Buffy, Gunn ,Illyria, and Faith stood from the other side.
Gretchen stood behind Angel.
" look who it is " One of the demons said.
" it will be a pleasure having all of you to play with".

Buffy mocked,"why your mommy not give you any toys..?"
Gunn swung his axe, "time to show who's really boss round here".
Spike grabbed one by the neck held it up, " Well well well, looks like the secret society's gonna crumble, Personnally i'd a chosen a better costume, ponce" he threw the demon against the wall.
Angel circled round one "Let's see who is under there shall we..? fight face to face."
he vamped out and swung his sword, it clanged against the other, as they fought.
Angel threw it back, but it jumped back up agian.

Buffy blocked a blow, as she punched it in the face, she swung her leg and it connceted with it's midsection.
Faith pummelled one till it lay still.
She picked up Whistler from the floor, "You ok?"
"yeah, let's help Angel, and get outta here".

They ran to see Angel duck and swerve, as it aimed to strike him.

the ally became a battle field, as sword, axe and fist made a connection.
Illyria hit one till it lay still, seeing the others begin to struggle she streched out her hands, and lightening came out from them striking each one.
Faith, and whislter came up from behind as Angel fell, from another strike.
"this ones kinda strong", Angel remarked as he swerved agian.
Faith swung her sword and it sliced through it's middle.
"Not smart though" she smirked, "didn't know who it was messing with".
Whislter removed it's mask to reveal a maggoted face."nice!".
"we better move Illyria's power!" Buffy yelled, they all ducked as it moved through out the ally.

The last remaining one held out a stone and chanted, hidden in the shadows,
red mist swirled around, as the others watched Illyria ,Angel saw Spike yell something at him as he felt the ally vanish from him.
Gretchen turned from her fight to watch helplessly, "Angel! he's gone!"she yelled.she ran after the demon who chanted but it too went into the mist
and vanished, seeing just an empty ally.
Spike felt his vioce go horse, yelling as Angel dissapeared in the mist, he gestered to the others who turned to see it happen too.

Illyria felt her power ebb.
Putting down her hands she saw him go, everyone stood stunned...
"There is interference!" she said angrily.
" we need to get to the other part of the Totem if we are gonna help him", Whislter said."Before they do"
***
 
Faith kicked the wall near her, "s**t!" she yelled, "sh**t sh*t sh*t!"
"Gormless ponce! it was a set up!"Spike snorted.
Buffy looked around helplessly.
"we need to tell Giles.."
Whistler anounced, " we need to get that totem, or they get it and they use it for evil, they're powerfull enough, and with Angel, they can really screw things up, i know where the shop is follow me, we need to get there fast".
Gretchen placed her arm on Gunn , "we'll find them, ok..?"
" I hope Angel gives 'em hell" he snorted.
"I'll bring the car round," he said, sighing.

***
The shop had little light as the owner stood polishing the object.It had been in his familly for ages and ages, he was the last of the guardians, who protected the power's artifacts.
Tonight though was different, he knew things had got very bad, and he felt tense as he polished it, just one more rub and time to put it back
he thought, he couldn't wait because he was sure this time it was in danger of getting in the wrong hands he could feel the time was near.

"hello..?" a voice called from the front.
he quickley shut it in the case redid the spell and went out.
He saw a gang of youngsters standing there, wet from the rain.
"can i help you.?"

Buffy spoke first, "we er want to buy something, like a Totem piece,
"we have the other one, " whistler cut in.
He looked at them, then said, " The champion who needs it is to have it, i can't just give it.."
"Look, we need it, He's been taken, we need to get it back to Giles.."
Gretchen said, before he cut in, "Giles..? you should of said, he sent you, we go way back", he replied to Buffy's questioning look.
"I'm afraid, you need to get him back in order to pull this off, i can help you find where he is but, it is very risky".
Gunn said, " You can get us there..? just do it, man, i'm game besides if we can get some infomation on the partners it is a bonus.
Mr er..?"

"Just call me Sam, you have been very fortunate, Whistler they didn't get you aswell, Trap was it..?"
"They used me as bait", he replied.
Faith,looked at Sam and said, "So tell us what to we need to do..?
We need to fight them they will come here soon, and.."

"No need to worry, i knew they would try when you came in , i performed a spell that will hide this place, so call your arrivel a perwarning."
" how come, you know this..?" Gretchen said.
" I know enough, just like Whistler here, we are only messengers,and guardians to the powers so we are allowed to know a bit more than most folk."
he paused then, "well lets begin shall we..?, but first the old one we need to correct the effects of the inbalence,"
he said looking at Illyria who had remained silent and unnoticed in her hiding place till now.


***


Giles paced in the office, he felt uneasy and the sudden phone ringing
made him jump.
"hello..?"
he listened for what seemed alifetime then, "ok, i'll get back to the others in england."
he places the recieverdown.
lookes up at Xander Willow and Andrew." Angel has been taken by the partner's associets, we haven't got alot of time, i need to alert my contacts in england, Willow i need you to contact the covern, Xander, Andrew, i need you both to do exactly as i tell you.."

****

Whiltsure estate England.

Sir Aurther Perrigrin stood looking out of the window.Today was not going to go according to plan, his plans to go to his meeting were now offlimits, and all thanks to a certain Vampire in question,who will play a vital role in the comming fight.Appocolypse he corrected.He didn't like that word.
now the partners were going to play dirty, and he was prepared to play dirty too.

****

*Note: can a mod please merge this with Blood sacrifice as it is part of the same fic..?(it was meant to be but i pressed the wrong button at the time of posting) many many thanks...🙂

1/2 hour earlier....
Nina swerved as she avoided Chloe's sword, her own clanged against the other.
Ronda sat watching, as it was now the turn of Nina.
They begun to practice their fighting skills the mintue the others left.
Nina wanted to join and learn too, as her worry for Angel was driving her mad.It was awelcome destraction to take her mind off it a bit.He hadn't wanted her to follow for obvious reasons, to keep her safe, but she couldn't stand being left out entirely so she asked the girls for some training.
Chloe, declared, "nice block!"
Nina smiled.
It was the sudden shrill of the phone that made them all suddenly jump.
Everyone stood still as they heard Giles speak in the office.
Ronda exclaimed, "News,i expect..it's Buff.."
Nina, answered, "No, i know it's not."
Chloe frowned at hearing this.
Nina upon hearing them felt a dread she didn't want to feel,dropping the sword as she ran into the office,she cried, trying to wipe the tears from her eyes as they stang.
"It's Angel isn't it.?"
 
rain gently receded into afaint drizzle.L.A was just begining to see the predawn sun rise over the horizon.

peace thought Angel. Is this what peace is..? he wasn't sure wether he was alive or dead, but he felt alive , he saw Gunn , Faith, Spike, Giles stand around a pilar at the centre, stood Willow, a force to be reckoned with he smiled to himself.Then at last he saw Buffy the woman he loved and always would , stand alongside her slayers , girls she and Willow "wroke" up, a pensive look was on her face.There was one other person he wanted to see, Nina who he had grown fond of, he saw her not long after his wish, alond side Xander and Andrew emerging from where they had hidden, perhaps fighting off the bad guys who threatend the pervious events he thought.

The pervious nights battle still haunted his thoughts.....




Whistler remembered the day the powers recruited him to be their representitive on earth, for the task he was now kicking himself for failing.
He had always had a gift of knowing things before they happend, but he never thought the powers would need him for bigger things.
He had felt unworthy of the job, ' I mean i'm no Angel!' he'd protested.
'that's who you need to find they replied. 'Ha funny!' he'd retorted, at the bad joke.'that's your charge Matheus, we need him to fight for us.'
'Whistler', he replied, 'that's my name, who i am now.'
'Yes we understand your reasons for not wanting to be conncted to the past.'
'How will i recognise him..?'
'He stands alone a vampire but a soul separates him from his kind
now go!'

'Great' he thought 'vampire.'

now his thoughts came back to the present, Sam held Illyria as he channelled her powers into a crystal, white/blue hue coloured light travelled from her to the object.
Spike looked on fasinated, " I guess now that we're even again, he looked at
her then added" next time you make idle threats"....smiling.
" It won't stop my need to hit you" she spat.
"you know this could be interesting , Illyria verses Spike, when this is over we can put em in a ring together", Gunn quipped.
"yeah it'll beat watching the normal wresting on tv" Faith added, smiling.
" I fail to see the entertainment in such folly" Illyria snorted.
Sam ended his task then eyed the gang, " We don't have alot of time, i will need two of you to go in, get Angel then come out, then i can perform the ritual needed."
That'll be me" Gretchen said.
" Why do they have Wes, i mean if they have Angel now, they wouldn't need ..."
Sam cut Gunn off, "They need Wes for the spell that will remove his soul so they can use Angelus to channell the power of the totems for evil".
Buffy looked up, her eyes sad, she remembered the last time she had met Angelus and to kill him it had cost her Angel.
"Then we need to hurry, i can't endure Angelus agian"

"what about, the henchman", Spike asked, He may be holding Wes, besides i wanna kick his arse just to pay Wes for getting rid of the demons from the ally."
"you'll need this." Sam responded, holding out a knife, it had celtic writing on it.
"we'll definatly risk the wrath of the partners." Whistler said.
"done that been there" Spike muttered.

****

Angel found himself inside a room, he sensed it was what was the white room, he noticed it was just like an old office.
"redecorated, i see early 1900's is it..?" he quipped.
"Boy i feel at home already!"
"Enough" came a voice from behind a leather chair.
" I have no time for your childishness."

He then summond a demon which Angel recognised from the ally, "welcome commitee.I see, could of sent an invite only i would've cancelled being busy and all, well since i'm here any chance of a cup of tea..?"
"quiet!"
Angel felt himself unable to talk.
" I have brought you here to restore the balence, you will need to do an act of evil to resore it, since you have stubbornly refused our offer's ,ultimatum's we have no choice but to use force, " turning to the demon, he commanded, take him away, perpare the spell, we need to now get the Totem from the other's."
damn! Angel thought, he knows Giles has it, ambush, he wants to set up an ambush. realising his thoughts were open to be heard by this person, he felt a cold dread come upon him.

" Any last thought's..?" He asked before you bid us our victory..?"
"who are you..?" Angel asked.
" We are the Wolf the Ram the Hart", he turned the chair to reveal a grandfatherly face, but for the sharpness of the features. The voices of the partners suddenly spoke all at once...
***
 
Blood sacrifice Part Three.

Outside the rain was heavier than normal. Wind blew it so it hit you square in the face and kept your eyes from seeing.
Young boys were fighting in the street, they didn't know why but all they knew was that they were angry for some reason and the need to express it was great.
One hit the other in the jaw then the other youngster kicked his oponent in the middle..
"Ow!" he yelled then rage took over, he grabbed his oponent and hit him continously then the weakend boy yellled "Stop! man"
"Why?"
"look upwards!" his fear reaching breaking piont.
he stopped to hear a load tearing sound as a lightening streak shot over the sky, the tear settled,and started glow brighter.
"what the F...." he didn't finish his last word both took off really fast, down the street passing empty shops,streets full of loud shouting and brawling. Sirens could be heard in the distence.


***

Angel could feel his tatoo burn and sting him, his shoulder felt like dead flesh.
he hung there suspended all he could think of was that the others had somehow managed to get away....

he had his eyes closed and he never wanted to open them after seeing the Partners in person the chill inside of him was great.
A little while seemed to pass and he thought he saw a light shimmer in front of him.....a figure was inside the light...a familair voice calling his name..
a trick he thought i'm not playing

Angel this is no trick, i came because you need to help your friends i can help you warn them, i haven't got alot of time left so listen to me, i need you to focas on them, then i can help you talk in their heads the powers owe me one, well a few actually so while the partners are'nt in your head lets hurry..


Cordy! Angel thought i must be dreaming...
No your not she said smiling.
Angel felt the tears run down his cheeks....Cordy....I need you.....

*****
 
A bright light engolfed Angel and he heard Cordys command, 'Focas..
he pictured the hotel and immediatly he was there...

Giles placed the reciever down,he had just rang his contact in england for infomation he badly needed.Following the grave news of Angel from Buffy, who had rung earlier.They had located the other Rune Giles was curious now as to what it actually was now there was two halfs it could be something else....

Willow sat with her legs crossed, she was focasing on the recieving the magical energy from the covern.The spell was going to take out all her energy so she needed double.

In the lobby Andrew held two punching pads as Ronda punched each one, Andrew staggered slightly as she punched a little too hard.
"carefull", he declared,then rather unconvincingly, "i don't have enough force to stay up".

Xander smirked, "I guess that rules out your chow-young fat moves, bullet proof monk style."

" I happen to be the best at.."

"Being a pain in the ass", Chloe added.

A white orb danced over head and moved towards the office breaking up the training.

Nina looked up at it, and said loudly , " look out!" the orb had interupted her brooding over Angel, and they all chased it to the office doorway.

Giles looked up at hearing the shout and saw it hit Willow, she gasped suddenly.

" Willow.." Giles began.
Willow opened her eyes, light shone from her as she spoke:
" I er think we need to go we are in danger, i sense Angel, he tells me this with Cordy's help, they know where the Totem is!"
Giles frowed, "Totem..? "

" He knows what it is...somehow."

" Is he alright..? tell me " Nina said desperatly, as she shook Willow, but the connection broke suddenly.

" He's gone" she said, then added, " He'll be ok, we will try to get him back."

~~~
Angel felt the connection end abrupty Cordy! he yelled inside.
~~~~

The Watcher heard the cries of the demons as they neared the entrance,

Willow stretched her arm out and began to chant in latin...
 
The griffin glowed red illuminating Angel's shoulder. He hung berely able to stand, weak and sweaty.

The only thing holding him up was the magical bracelets that connected his wrists to the the poles holding him.

His chest began to burn-again.
Around him hooded figures held fire torches as they chanted low.
Symbols were written on the ground before him, and they began to glow.
The demon inside Angel struggled to get free.

any time soon the partners heard Perez say, they had located one already and the others were about to retrieve the other totem, one servent had seen the location dissappear in a magical field.

The hooded figures stood outside the shop and began to chant low.
the magical field began to ripple as they did so, as the rain was blown in every direction by the wind.
~~~


Cordy's influence she knew was limited, but she told herself, think, Cordy think!she felt helpless and shouted in her frustration, Angel! Wake up!

~~~



Inside the shop Sam felt the barrier weaken as the shop shook.
Illyria looked up, ran over to the crystal holding her powers and broke it, and swung her fist, a crack appeared before her then a ripple of light.

"What are you doing!" Buffy yelled at her.
Illyria was angry, and frustrated.
" I am tired of being weak" Illyria said acidly, "This chaos didn't return my powers, when the building went down the first time the device Wes used broke i felt it in the Ally."
She then stretched her arm out, and the Knife Gunn had went to her, she opened the back door with her other hand and said" I go in to the partners domain to claim revenge, their army will be here, go!"
She then jumped into the light and it shut just as suddenly as it appeared.
"Jammy Bitch!" Spike yelled.
Then he kicked the counter, " B***ks!"
Whistler alarmed said, " They're in!, go".

Sam tossed the totem to Buffy, "take this go i can hold them off".
"But...
"No buts, just go!".

They ran out into to rain, behind them, Faith looked back to see Sam she saw him confront one Hooded figure, sheb felt helpless as she heard him say, " I am ready to die for the cause of good, i know i'm no match for you, do it quickly".

" Nooo!" Faith yelled as she saw him fall..
"what is it..?" Buffy asked as they ran.
"He's dead" was all she could manage.

~~~~


Giles ran along the street, with Andrew, Xander and willow.Nina followed them.The last few minutes haunted Giles as he recalled their departure.

Oh my, they are here!, willow had yelled, her blots of magic had little effect, so when Ronda and Chloe volunteered to stay behind it had greived him but that was what a slayer does, fight. he could stilll hear her yell " Who wants their ass kicked first..?"

His phone suddenly went off, as he answered it he was very surprised to hear Buffy on the phone.
Xander saw his face go dead as he listened.
"What is it..?"
" They got ambushed too, sam is dead, i'm afriad, we must meet them , they are not far", to Buffy he said, " Where are you..? paused then, OK we meet in ten minutes, ok."
He ended the call.
" Oh Boy!" Xander said, then, Any news from england..?"

~~~~

Sir Aurther Perrigrin stood before some scrolls.He scanned them and said "at last!"
he quickly dialled a number.
"Giles, it's me."
" I've got some good news for you"
" I have to answer youv'e been looking for"
Then, "How do i know..? well the council had hidden some scolls on the events at present and they say that the totems need to be placed together"
.....A pregnant pause then, " they were going to use them for their own advantage, i have a reliable sourse, Mr Giles."
He held a gun to Roger Wyndham-Pryce.

" It was for the greater good, you fool! I mean a vampire! with that power!"
He protested.

~~~~



Gretchen stood in the street, stunned at the sight in the sky, "Hey look at this!" she declared.
They stood amazed.
"That wasn't meant to happen", Whistler said dispondently.
"Like Angel wasn't meant to be taken!" Faith spat, her anger rising up.
"Stop!" Buffy yelled, "Just stop!, I need you all to focas, Whistler why did you leave like that?", she asked.
" I had to get it, i didn't tell because i tried to keep it secret at least till the time was right".
" The time is never right" Faith snorted.
"Hate me all you want but i'm on the same side" he spat.

"Shut up!" Spike yelled, "Sodding look at it!" he pointed at the sky, "That is what we are up against, i'm for stopping it, so what's the plan..? I need a plan.Anything."He wurled round and saw the hooded servants at the top of the road, smirking he said, " That's more like it, a good fight, who's with me..?"
Gunn smirked, "well now i'm on fire again, i'm in!".

Gretchen said "look, they're here, lets win the fight!
Buffy saw her slayers held up in each of the hooded Demonds hands,
" Give them back" she spat.
Spike added, " You messed with the wrong girl, mate."
They walked in a row as they went to face them..weapons in hand.

Giles arrived with the others to see them walk towards them.
"Willow, we need a miricle", he said.
The totems began to glow...
Just then a portal opened, Wes fell through with Angel...

~~~~
Ten minutes earlier...
Cordy gasped as she saw Illyria land square in the middle of the White Room, and Glared at Perez, " I wish for vengence..". Wes hung on her shoulder.
"Angel! Wake up! you must!" she yelled.

Angel's eyes snapped open,'Cordy'..he said.....
 
Into the lions den part two.

Angel looked around him his vision blured for a few seconds he tried to focas, but his vision wasn't going to come back straight away.he could make out Wes and Illyria but that was it.
" you think you can carry the Champion..?"
Wes all but nodded.

Just then a bolt of lightening shot out...
Cries of pain could be heard.Angel felt Wesley's arms around him.
"Go!" she yelled.
***

He could smell the ally..the rain....He heard voices...familiar ones.

Nina ran over to him,"Angel you ok..?"
" I'm fine just give me a minute" He tried to stand up, but couldn't.
"hey!" a familiar voice said, " Just couldn't go to fight yet, you ok?"
"Faith" Angel said. he could see them at last through droopy eyes.
"Listen, Nina, Faith i need to do this thing i gotta do it, you have it right..?"
"yes we have" Willow put in.
"Good, cos when it comes together, you will need to help with the army Will, Just the army summon all you got on that, then don't worry about me.Giles you have to do what you have to do, it's ok."
Giles looked away, his betrayal he hoped would not be obvious.
" You two, he said turning back to them , just help in anyway you can, Nina i am glad you didn't listen to me ok."
Nina smiled then laughed nervously hiding her worry.

Wes held him up." I will hold you Angel you are too weak."
"Thanks Wes."
Nina looked at him, " I don't want to leave you..."
"you have to, i'll be ok. You are strong, remember that, and what i told you about the darkness."

the totems glowed very brightly and Willow placed them down on to the ground, they immedietly joined together.....

Angel gasped as the symbols met his flesh....light circled around, then he was
Glowing ....

Willow gave her all as she released the power she had been gathering from the covern.

Spike roared as they rushed them, his boots splashing the puddles as he ran....Gunn bloked the first blow, Faith roundhouse kicked her oponent, Nina held up her fists and brought her fist to it's face....
Buffy kicked the jaw as it fell back."That's for the slayers!"
Willows Power streched to the demons as they fought back....
a nice little distraction Angel thought.

He turned to them and went over to the battle scene, grabbed one and snapped it's neck so easily.
he continued to do this till they were no more.
Buffy rushed over to him.
"No don't touch me",he said as she reached out to him.
"Angel i..."
"Don't Buffy, i needed Willow to distract them, i couldn't of done it otherwise and i am sorry about your slayers i just can't save everyone ok."
Their limp bodies lay in the road.
"With all that power you can, can you..?"
Angel thought for a minute.He went over to them and the light connected to their forms, they stirred, then Ronda opened her eyes."Buffy..?"
She ran over, "it's me!"
Faith wept tears along with Buffy.
Gunn stood along with Spike, Gretchen and Xander.
"That was some mojo!" he said.

"There's more on the way, Angel said, "The Imbalence has got the local vamps
riled,You will manage i got to go, the Senior partners must be stopped as Illyria."

"Vision?" Faith asked.
"Kinda" he smiled then dissapeared into a mist of white light.

Andrew yelled as he saw them near, :"Lets get this show on the road!"
Chloe stood and along with Ronda smiled, " Lookes Like we gotta do it again!"
***
Angel landed in the white room.The bodies of the demons lay by.
Illyria had thrust the dagger into Perez, but he was laughing now.
"You foolish one! you seem to think that's all i got.?"
She taunted.
Angel snorted, "Well i guess he doesnt really know her does he ?"
"Not like me , I spent time with her, got to know her a bit".
"You think we will be beaten..? we can deal you know, The partners are interested in making a deal.Your friends for the world."
Angel merely stared at him.
"I have the abilty to do it, and there's that little thing about correcting the imbalence."
"Yeah, do evil save the world yap yap yap."Angel folded his arms as he spoke.
"so..? it's crunch time Vampire."
"I believe it is" He then grabbed Perez's neck, snapped it, he held a stunned look, "It's not what i had in mind" he whispered."You cannot stop them."
he crumpled to the ground.
Illyria stared at him, : "You have power much of it, I can't survive with mine, yet i needed to regain to save Wes, I can't seem to control these emotions in me, help me Angel."
"It's what i do, help the helpless"
He said then he held her till she dissintegrated.Blue haze hung in the room.

"She's all yours!" he yelled, "I owe you".

Drogyn came out of the light, then wheeled the toomb in, he said some language Angel didn't understand then her essence went in.
"Figured if you couldn't do it on earth you can do it here."

"Thank you".

Angel went into the light, crossing over to their realm, he saw him/them just barely.
"Time to end this." he said.
He went to them, and heard "we have been expecting you"
he joined them merging with them.
Angel thought about Conner what he felt for him, that moment when he made the deal it made him feel love, love that said he'd do it all over again if he had to, to see him happy.

They cried in agony.The love, sacrificial was not what they could stand.
evil melted away....

***
They stood where they were not quite believing what they just saw, he had come back, still powerfull, the senior partners defeated, but things were not back the way they were, yet he was killed, by one of them....



Andrew,Xander i need you to listen to me and do what i say without question ok..?
his words haunted him, he had killed but that was back when he was foolish, he hadn't expected to do it again.[/I]
Andrew thought, as he saw Angel emerge back in the ally.
Xander stood behind him."Do it , lets get this over with."
he walked up to him, "Angel it's good to see ya!"
distract him, ok.? Giles had said.

Andrew drove it in, and he looked at Xander, "Likewise".

They all ran over ....

rain gently receded into afaint drizzle.L.A was just begining to see the predawn sun rise over the horizon.

peace thought Angel. Is this what peace is..? he wasn't sure wether he was alive or dead, but he felt alive , he saw Gunn , Faith, Spike, Giles stand around a pilar at the centre, stood Willow, a force to be reckoned with he smiled to himself.Then at last he saw Buffy the woman he loved and always would , stand alongside her slayers , girls she and Willow "wroke" up, a pensive look was on her face.There was one other person he wanted to see, Nina who he had grown fond of, he saw her not long after his wish, alond side Xander and Andrew emerging from where they had hidden, perhaps fighting off the bad guys who threatend the pervious events he thought.

No! Nina yelled.He could see Buffy yelling at Giles...You did this!
No i did! Andrew yelled.
He couldn't sustain it! I had to..Get him to do your dirty work! Faith yelled
Gunn yelled why man why!
An ultimate evil act was needed, that's what the Senior Partners thought, to correct things, but what about an altimate good act and a bad one in one, Angel sacrificed himself, he knew, we did too, we translated the rune symbols they said, i couldn't tell you, you would of stopped me,Giles ended, what better way then to kill a champion as an act of evil, but also good, good as in he volunteered to do it, Whistler said, Cordy helped me speak to him in the way to the ally as i hung back.


Angel wanted to go but he knew he wanted to stay also ......
There was much peace here....

Tbc.....
 
Aurther held the weapon at Rodger Wyndham Pryce he held it there for ages
Rodger felt the beads of sweat run down his face, Aurther cocked the pistol then pressed it to his neck, "too much of a liability, you are, i'm sorry to have to do this".
Rodger gulped, "we can work this out you know, i only hid the scrolls on orders from on high i mean thy didn't want the vampire getting hold of it they considered it dangerous.."
Auther cut in," My friend i'm afraid that isn't all of it, Giles let him have it, but also had order's from on high to kill him, so you either didn't pay attention or you just felt you wanted to take it all yourself! which was impossible by the way because i know from what the scrolls say it had to be him, so ..

"you needn't we can still use him" a voice said from the doorway, as both man looked up.

Standing there was a man in his sixtys with white/grey hair.
Auther relaxed the gun, then sighing wiht releaf Rodger got up and dusted his jacket.

" I swear i wont let you down, i only acted..."
With the best interest i know" cut in the man, who remained mysterious,
he wore black clothing and had a regal air about him.

"thank-you Mr.." Rodger started, but he interupted, " Names are not important,Mr Wyndham-Pryce."

" I came because there has been a development, regarding the vampire, it seems he can return at any moment, there is a prophesy concerning him."

"shanshu..?" Rodger asked.
"Correct".
~~~~~


Spike felt the sun burn him as his coat, and skin smoked
"Bl***dy hell!" he yelped, as he dived to the nearest shelter, which was a fire escape staircase, there was a platform between stairs.

The totem stoped glowing, and the symbols rushed in a spiral to where they were previously on it.

Willow timidly went over to it, "do you think it has stopped..?"

Giles pinched his forehead, " I think it is safe, go ahead, we need to get back to the hotel, we have some things to go over with the remaining council i need to ring them".

Gunn still smarting glared at Giles and Andrew, Snarked, " You can use a pay phone the phones aint working"
Wesley only stared open mouthed he was still trying to comprehand what had happend.

~~~~~

Buffy watched as everyone started to get heated, her mouth was open as if to say something but Ronda spoke instead," I guess we'd better give them some space, i mean you killed their best friend".

Spike continued,"she's got a point, but i'd say get over it, Angel himself knew he wanted it, so stop wingin' getting fed up of bicker argue bicker yadda yadda yadda", he made he moved his fingers up and down in a "talk" gesture to show his irritation.

Nina, hoarse from shouting took Gunn's arm "Let's go i can't stay here".

Willow picked up the Totem and just smiled sympathetically at Angel's crew then joined Buffy and the slayers.

Buffy glanced at Spike, "you'd better go, i suppose i have to keep an eye on things, you know.."
he tilted his head as he spoke, Buffy cut him off, as he was about to continue
"Thank-you" she said, they looked at eachother for what seemed like ages, then all departed along the street.Andrew, Xander, and Chloe followed ,both men had solem looks, Xander looked back at Gunn,"I'm not the bad guy here, you know".


Gunn watched as they went then walked slowly back to the hotel, oblivious to the others.
Spike entered the sewer entrance to hide from the morning sun.
Beneath the streets he felt cooler and tried to block out the smell, the hung in the air.
he could hear rats as they squeeked fighting over some old bit of food.
as he neared the hotel he caught a familiar scent in the air, "it can't be!"
he muttered, he quickend his pace and went up the ladder as he reached the basement, he smelt sulpher strongly he ran up the stairs banging open the door, as he entered the lobby, Wes, Gunn, Nina stood in the entrance of the lobby as they stared opened mouthed, "it can be!" Wes managed.
Spike looked over at what he was looking at, "bloody h...." his words were cut off as surprise shock and bewilderment overwelmed him, in front was Angel curled up in a fetal postion shivering wet and


naked. "Need a blanket, ccold" was all he could say.
~~~~
 
Wesley:"Was there a reason you took that scroll?
Angel: "I don't know i just took it.

Wesley: "Shanshu has roots in so many different languages. The most ancient source is the Proto-Bantu and they consider life and death the same thing, part of a cycle, only a thing that's not alive never dies. It's- it's saying - that you get to live until you die. - It's saying - it's saying you become human."
Cordy: "That's the prophecy?"
Wesley: "Ah, the vampire with a soul, once he fulfills his destiny, will Shanshu. Become human. - It's his reward."
Cordy: "Wow. Angel a human."
Angel: "That'll be nice."
Cordy: "Wait. What's that thing about him having to fulfill his destiny first?"
Wesley: "Well, it's saying that it won't happen tomorrow or the next day. He has to survive the coming darkness, the apocalyptic battles, a few plagues, and some - uh, several, - not that many - fiends that will be unleashed."

***
Wesley tentativley went over to Angel who was lying on the floor, "is that really...
Angel cut in;"it is Wes".

Nina gasped as she fully took in what was before her, " I'll get a blanket", she rushed upstairs, Spike smirked, "you really should could cover-up, i'm beggining to blush!"
Gunn glared at him, Nina raced to him at that moment and lay it on him,gently easing him up to a sitting position.
"you ok..?"
Angel, nodded.
Wesley was still trying to take it in, and glancing at the others they were too even if they were not saying it it was in their eyes.He bent down to take a closer look.
"Angel, what happend?"

Angel gulped, he was already confused as to why he had been returned, he figured Cordy had felt the same way, on her return, the very thought of her made him aware of how much he missed her, feeling the twinge of pain he smiled inspite of himself, and seeing Wes look concerned, he straightened up, and begun, " I felt peace where i was, i could see you all, hear you all, but i couldn't say anything to you, I wanted to stay..."
Wesley, eyed him, then said, " But you came back,
Angel cut in;
"wasn't my doing, Wes, it really wasn't, i was torn out, forced like a tugging"
Gunn; " I did smell sulpher, when i entered here, that would explain things a little".
Spike looked up, and said, "yeah, i smelt it too, but they could've at least sent you back clothed."
Angel snorted, then, "Spike, at least get a room or better yet, haven't you got those magazines to look at..? i mean i'm uncomfortable about you fantasing about me".
" Don't flatter yourself, i've seen naked women more appealing, than you",
Spike snorted back.
Gunn butted in, " This really is helping, not!, I'm getting a disturbing picture listening to this!".
Angel giggled.
" I guess i'm the only one who doesn't mind seeing him...Nina cut off as she blushed.
Wesley embarresed, changed the subject," I think we need to find out why he is here".

"That makes all of us".
They each turn to see Willow, Giles and the others in the entry way.
"I thought i told you...Gunn started..
Willow interupted him; " I felt it, the magic when we left the ally, i could sense it, so i 'followed it' to here, i guess we need to put our differences asside and find out together".
"Will's right, and besides, he is here now so it's not so bad"
Xander said as he tried to reasure everyone.

****


wiltsure, England.

Sir Aurther held on tight as he, Rodger and their mystery guest felt the magic swirl in a clockwise postition, a copy of the shanshu scroll lay nearby, as they said the last part of the ritual.
In the centre was vampires chained together, the mystery guest had them repeat the ritual as the demon Vocah had done only a bit differently.
They were dusted as the power reached it's climax, then it vanished.
The mystery guest flipped his cloak asside then spoke:" This has worked very well, the vampire should be human, all the totems power is gone, from him so he should be relatively harmless".

Rodger spoke up; " I still say we should of just killed him."

"There wasn't any need, if we could humanise him instead, make him ineffectual instead,the totem's power would of brought him back, with the power, we couldn't risk that, it is powerful enough for the bearer to come back, you know." Then-"The power doesn't work on humans"

Aurther smiled, " Rather crafty, but good."
their guest smiled; "he will no longer be a nuisence to us now".

****

Wesley helped Nina help Angel up, as they eased him to a near by chair, she
leaned over to get a small dark bundle, " I got you some clothes, i found them upstairs, you can change in the office"
she suggested.
"Thanks" Angel smiled.
"Your still..?"
Wesley began to ask.
Angel replied, "Funny thing is yes i am, but i have none of the power".
"Most odd", Giles remarked. "I believed that wasn't the case".
" But how..?" Buffy asked.looking at Angel she said," I'm glad whoever i mean the city isn't quite the same without you".
"Thanks" He said.
" I don't know." Giles said, after a few minutes of thought.
" I can only speculate that the powers had something to do with it", Wesley put in.Then "Illyria, what.."
Angel interupted with;"She's gone i had too".
"You killed her" Wesley was incredulas.
"She would of exploded,like a time bomb, the building collapsed and broke the power draining device, she asked me to".

" I'm sorry, Wes, Faith put in, I know you wanted to...restore Fred was what she was going to say but the words failed to come out, instead she looked at Angel " Glad to have you back".
He nodded, got up slowly and took the clothes, " I guess i need to put these on, i left some here just in case", he said by way of explaination, then dissapeared in the office.
" well i came back, but it was to set him up," Spike said, but it worked to my advantge though, at least i wasn't a ghost anymore and trapped inside that amulet".
"You were trapped..?" Buffy asked, surprised.
"Yeah trapped i was till that lawyer Lindsey whats his name set me free".
"I'm glad he did", she smiled.

Giles interupted, " I guess we need to find out why he is back, i'll make some phone calls". He went inside the office as Angel went out.A vision slammed him to the floor......

Nina raced over, Faith went too and the others gathered round him as they tended to him.
"You ok..?" Faith asked all concerned.
"Talk to me" Nina pleaded.
Angel opened his eyes," I guess this city needs me that's why i came back" he said.
" I'm here to help" Nina added, "If you like it or not" she added to his concerned face.
Giles came out the office, " I guess that's your answer", Andrew said.

"woah!" Ronda said.

"Any news..?" Buffy asked.
Giles replied "No, they don't know of any, " He took off his glasses, " I never thought i'd say this, but you are another case for the X-files" he looked at Angel as he said this.
Gunn laughed.
"I never thought Giles was so into pop culture" Xander said laughing too.
Willow asked "this is over..?"
"yes" Giles said.

Faith asked, "what about you Angel this vision..?"
"We can take care of it, we always have, go, all of you, thanks for what you did, even though you thought,...he paused then, "you came back for me, not sure what i would of done if it was on the other foot, Buffy," he turned to her, " It's ok, i wish you luck in your slayers, and i have moved on too".
he smiled.
Buffy smiled back, "You forgive me..?"
Angel answered, "Yes, i'll always....remember what we had".
"If it wasn't for me dreaming you were in danger, i guess we wouldn't of known, so i guess i owe it to whoever gives us those" Faith said.
"But next time call me if you get in trouble again" she added.
"I will".

Buffy looked at Spike; " I never thanked you for what you did on the hellmouth" she said.
" I'd do it again, and thanks" Spike added.
She smiled then the fang gang watched as they dissapeared through willow's portal, maybe the last time they would see them, Angel mused.
Wesley turned to him, and asked "what did you see..?"

*****

moments before....
Whistler stood, watching as the scoobies departed, gingerly he entered the lobby, Angel looked up as he saw him, "whistler"
"Where were you..?" Wes asked.

"I...kinda tried to leave incognito, but that mojo, happend and i came here, basically i came to say goodbye, sorry i missed everyone"

Gunn spoke next;"What about the partners, ...? did we win..?"
"We did" Angel said, " I got em".
"you did great" Whistler said, "all of you, i knew you would win, the powers have called me away, so best of luck".
" I guess sneakey B**rs have their uses", Spike mused.
Wesley, Nina Spike and Gunn, watched along with Angel as he vanished in a small ray of light.

" OK, Angel said turing to his friends, Lets get to work" with a smirk....
 
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