Love On The Hellmouth

Angel suddenly stands and spins around furious. “Okay, now I'm pissed. Where is he?” Buffy indicates the floor to her left. Angel looks. Then looks to her right. Angel looks then turns back to her, impressed. Buffy smiles, “He had to split.” She starts to laugh, “I'm sorry, I just... I haven't had a good pun in a while.” “That would still be the case.” “Hey! My kill, my wordplay.” Angel holds up his hands in surrender. Buffy continues, “Well, I'm still glad you're here.” He recovers his folder, pulls out some papers and hands them to Buffy. She scans them; “I'll have the guys run through this, see if there's anything new. Reliable source?” “Not remotely.” “Well, any port in an apocalypse...” “I brought something else as well.” He pulls an amulet out of his pocket. She stares at it, “I can already tell you, I don't have anything that goes with this.” “It's not for you.” “Splainy?” “I don't know everything. It's very powerful and probably very dangerous. Has a purifying power... or a cleansing a power or possibly scrubbing bubble, the translation is... anyway it bestows strength, worn by the right person.” “And the right person is...” “Someone en-souled, but stronger than human. A champion. As in me.” “Or me.” “No. I don't know nearly enough about this to risk you wearing it. Besides, you've already got that cool axe-thing.” “So you're gonna be with me in this.” “Shoulder to shoulder. I'm yours.” Buffy looks at Angel warmly, “Good. But you’re not wearing it.” “Why the hell not?” “’Cause I can't risk you.” They exit the tomb and start to walk back to the house, “Who are you going to give it to. Spike?” She stops and turns, not wanting to look him in the eye. He approaches her, “You're not telling me something. And…his scent. I remember it pretty well.” “You vampires... did anybody ever tell
you that the whole smelling everybody thing is a little gross?” “Is he your boyfriend?” “Is that your business?” “Are you in love with him?” Buffy can’t answer so Angel continues, “Maybe I'm outta line, but this is kind of a curveball for me. We are talking about Spike here.” “It's different. He's different. He has a soul now.” “Oh. Well.” “What?” Angel mumbles, “No, no, that's great.
Everyone's got a soul now.” “What are you, pissed?” “No, it's great. One for our side.” “He'll make a difference.” Angel is becoming huffy, “You know, I started it. The whole…having a soul. Before it was all the ‘cool new thing’...” “Oh my god, are you twelve?” “I'm gettin' the brush off for Captain Peroxide, it doesn't bring out the champion in me.” “It's not the brush off. Are you
gonna come by and get all Dawson on me every time I have a boyfriend?” “Aha! Boyfriend!” “He's not! But...He is in my heart. Besides, I’m actually dating the new Slayer.” Angel looks shocked, “Since when are you…” “Since Faith. No one knew. But Kennedy and I are going well. For the first time in a long time I’m happy. Look if you’re uncomfortable you don’t have to stay…” “I’ll stay. Shall we go home?”
The two of them arrived at the Summers home, “Come on in Angel.” They walked in to find the Potentials in bed and the Scoobies in the lounge room. “Hey guys. Kennedy this is Angel. He’s here to help. Brought some files for you guys to look at.” Willow takes the files and starts to look them over, “Did you find out anything about the scythe?” “I found out it slices, dices and
makes julienne Preacher.” Kennedy looks up, “Caleb?” “I cut him in half. I'm not gonna lie, it was pretty neat.” The group perks up at that giving Buffy their congratulations. She places the scythe on the coffee table, “I did find out some history on this puppy. These women created it for the First Slayer to kill the last of the demons. Then they put it in the stone and kept it hidden throughout the ages. Anyway she said it was powerful and it being found means that the end is near. Angel also brought this…” She shows the group the amulet. Spike comes close, “Nice little trinket. So who wears that?” “Someone with a soul, but more than human.” “Meaning Angel?” Willow asked. “No. Angel won’t wear it. But it is meant to be worn by a champion.” Everyone gives her a ‘who’ look and watch her hand it over to Spike. He slowly takes it, “Been called a lot of things in my time...” “I want you to be careful.” “You're talking to the wrong guy, love.” “Okay. I think we should all get some sleep. Tomorrow we go over Angel’s info.”
Later that night Buffy gets up and heads downstairs and goes outside. She’s watching the moon. Caleb emerges from the darkness right next to her. “Pretty, ain't it?” She looks at him, “You're not him.” “No, you killed him right and proper. Terrible loss. This man was my good right arm. 'Course, it doesn't pain me too much. Don't need an arm. Got an army.” “An army of vampires. However will I fight a bunch of…oh right, I've been doing that for years!” “Every day our numbers swell. But then, you do have an army of your own. Some thirty-odd pimply-faced girls don't know the pointy end of a stake, maybe I should call this off!” “Have you ever considered a cool name? Since you're incorporeal and basically powerless you could call yourself ‘The Taunter.’ Strikes fear...” “I will overrun this earth.” “You know how many people have said that to me?” “I do, since they all had a small part
of me in them. Whereas I have all of me in me, so I like my chances somewhat better. And when my army outnumbers the humans on this earth the scales will tip and I will be made flesh.” “Talk on. I'm not afraid of you.” “Then why aren't you asleep in your lover's arms?” They look up into Buffy’s room. “'Cause she can't help you. Nor your friends... certainly not your little wanna slay brigade. None of those girlies will ever know real power unless you're dead. You know the drill:” Caleb suddenly morphs into Buffy. The First/Buffy comes closer, “Into every generation, a Slayer is born. One girl in all the world. She alone will have the strength and skill to fight the... well there's that word again. What you are. How you'll die. Alone.” Buffy takes it in but says nothing. “Where's your snappy comeback?” “You're right.” “Mmm. Not your best.” “Buffy?” Buffy turns to see Kennedy then turns back to find The First gone. Kennedy comes up behind Buffy and hugs her, “Buffy? Is something wrong?” She turns around in Kennedy’s arms, “No. Yes. I just realized something. Something that really never occurred to me before.” Kennedy looks at her confused. Buffy lets a smile out, “We're gonna win.”