Timeline

Chapter 17


Buffy got on the plane and found her seat.She put on her lapbelt and stroked her stomach. She held back the tears and looked out of the window.She was doing it again. Running away. She admitted it , but it was best for herself and her unborn child. It's not like she was the only chosen one now. Across the world there must be thousands of them.Faith had proven a good leader for the group that had stayed with her.Dawn would understand and would be well taken care of.Giles had witnessed the state of her last time her relationship with Angel had ended, so he would understand. The stewardess came round and did her checks and left Buffy after checking her lap belt. The warning signs came on and the flight crew did the usual pre flight exit route plan. Buffy was oblivious, she was still staring out of the window. The planes engines roared to life and it made it's way to the runway. Buffy held her arms around herself as the plane left LAX , the destination, Galway, Ireland.


Angel appeared at the door of the office , his eyes were red raw and swollen.He told the crew to take the day off.They sat in shock and, at first, refused .Angel raised his voice and told them to just leave.Wesley , Fred and Gunn grabbed all the information and books on the desk and went to their rooms.Giles went upstairs to Dawn. Spike was with her and was comforting her. He handed the note to Giles and went into the kitchen to make Giles and Dawn some tea. He came back into the main room ten minutes later. Giles had been grateful for the hot mug of tea.
"We have to find her" Giles said
"She said that she doesn't want that" Dawn stated
"I doubt she knows what she wants right now lil bit"
"Yes she does, she wants to be left alone to get over broody pants down there and to have her baby alone.This is so typical of her.It gets tough and she dumps the people she's sposed to look after.Well I'm sick of being dumped by her.I'm glad she's gone . I hate her"
"You don't mean that Dawn" Giles rubbed his eyes.
"Yes I do! And I hate Angel,big jerk, how could he even threaten her with that.I thought he was sposed to love her?"
"Angel does love her and he regrets everything now " Giles said
"I bet he does now she's gone" Spike said
"Why doesn't he go out looking for her?Do something other than brood and sulk and cry" Dawn snapped out .She was so angry she felt like her heart would burst from her chest.
"Well he sent all of us away , told us all to take the day off" Giles told Dawn.
"So he can brood some more I expect, where is he?"
"Last I saw of him he was in his office"
Dawn stormed out of her room , leaving the door open and ran downstairs.She looked around the foyer and it was deserted. She walked upto the office door and paused, her hand on the door knob. She could hear talking.He must be on the phone,she stayed there and listened.She held her hand up when she realised Spike and Giles were following her down the stairs.

"So you have no way of knowing how to get it"

"How much?"

"I can get that to you by five pm, you best be there with it Jack"

"I have another 'issue' that you can help me with"

"No this ones simple enough, I want you to take her and deal with her .I don't care where, just so long as nobody can find her .... ever"

"I'll have the money, you'll get half tonight and the rest once I know it's safe"

Dawn heard the phone drop into it's cradle and she stormed in.
"Why did you do this to her .... again?"
Before he could look up and answer her , Dawn caught him round the face with a hard slap.
Angel raised his hand to his face .Damn that child could hit.
"I told your sister that I couldn't go through with it ,and that I would find a way to sort everything out.She left regardless"
"If she meant that much to you how can you just sit there , why aren't you looking for her"
"If Buffy doesn't want to be found, she'll make it hard as possible .I have checked and she isn't local.Buffy probably went oversea's"
Angel threw a pencil onto his desk and got up
"Now have you finished your outburst?" He asked as he held the door to the office open. "I have some business to take care of"
Spike and Giles were taken back by his cold,icy attitude towards Dawn.
"Your a wanker you know that right "Spike said as Angel stood in the doorway.
Giles hugged Dawn as she broke down.
Angel slammed the door shut and returned to the desk.
"I should eat that bastard and sod the bleedin pain in my head"


Liam had been awake for hours and was getting pissed off with being couped up.He yelled up the stairs and ran his mug over the bars. Lilah kept her composure.
"No point doing that, they don't care , if they did we wouldn't be down here."
"Dawn will come down when she hears me"
Lilah laughed " You think that then, me , I think everyones too busy trying to find the missing slayer to really give a crap"
Liam came to the front of the cage. " I know where she is "
Lilah stared at him through squinted eyes " How?"
"She used her talking box thing down here when she thought we were asleep"
"What did she say"
It was Liam's turn to laugh " You think I'm going to tell you so you can use it to bargain your release"


Dawn heard the noises coming from the basement.
"Spike can you get Liam his blood and I'll meet you down there.I don't want to be alone down there with him today."
"Sure niblet meet you down there in a few " he went into the kitchen
"Why dont you want to go down there alone ?" Giles asked
"Cos he looks so much like 'Him' , I might stake him" Anger still in her voice.

Spike returned with the blood and the three of them entered the basement.
"About time too,I thought I was going to starve to death "
"Vampires can't starve to death you moron" Spike said ,Lighting up a cigarette.
"Morning Dawn" he smiled sweetly at her
"Shut up and don't talk to me" she thrust the blood through to him.
"What have I done to upset ye , or is it that ye blame me for my counterparts mistakes"
Lilah fidgeted "He says he knows where your sister has gone"
"What do you know " Dawn asked Liam
"She asked the talking thing for tickets to London"
"Talking thing? Oh her mobile phone. When for, did she say?" Dawn said
"I don't know .I wish I could help ye more but , trapped in here , does things to ye mind"

Angel came down the stairs into the basement. He paused on the bottom step.
"I've come to apologise" He looked at the ceiling and then back to Dawn.
"Well I won't accept it "
"Liam said he knows where Buffy went" Spike said
Angel's eyes shot to Liam, who was now sitting in the darkest corner of his cell.
"Do you?"
"I told them already , She's in Ireland"
Lilah laughed at him for being so stupid. The idiot could have used the information to free himself , but in true Angel style , he gave it up.How he had survived all those years was beyond her.
Angel walked to the cage , holding onto one of the bars ."Is this true "
"Now , why would I lie to ye "
"To get your freedom"
"Haven't I already told you , and I'm still behind these bars.If I had wanted me freedom ,I wouldn't have told you til ye opened the cage"
Angel paced the room , huffing and rubbing his head.
"I can help you get her back" Lilah spoke up
"How ?" Dawn walked to her
"Wolfram and Hart have a jet here and an office in Ireland and London.Go figure"
"New plan ,we go to Ireland using the jet taking these two , we find Buffy and bring her back here " Spike said
"No! " Angel snapped
"No?"
"Thats what I said Spike"
"Hold on , I'm confused"
"Not hard for ye is it boy" Liam said , forcing a laugh from Dawn and a glare from Spike.
"So how is it going to work then"
"We leave tonight , taking Lilah with us.We use the jet and any info Wolfram and Hart can provide. I will go and see Buffy. I won't force her to return here.She has to want to come back on her own."
"And what will happen to me , once you have got her back and used all our resources?"
"If your lucky , I let you live" Angel said off the cuff. "Guys , lets head upstairs and discuss this please"

Angel sounded exhausted and his usual tidy appearance was gone , replaced by a frumpy ,disheveled one .They all went into his office and took up seats.Dawn sat next to Spike.
"I have a few things I need to deal with before we leave tonight. I want you guys to get Liam a hair cut and clean him up .Give him some of my clothing .Giles , can you explain what is going on to the rest . I need Gunn and Wesley here to take care of things. Faith .If you have any questions?"
"What if Buffy won't see us and what have you got to take care of?"
"Thats personal Dawn"
Angel looked at his watch , it was four thirty , time to go.
"I have to leave but I should be back by seven, we leave after that"
Angel picked up his car keys and a file , and left.

"Think you best get Faith down here" Giles said , puzzled by Angels mysterious behaviour.


Ireland


Buffy finally landed at Galway and made her way through customs. The weather was nice , not at all what she had expected. She walked out of the terminal and waved down a cab. Buffy gave him an address and they drove off.
After a two hour journey , the cab pulled up outside the house.It looked exactly the same. The garden was beautifully restored.Buffy paid the cab fare and picked up her cases. She stood at the door and paused.
This wasn't how she had imagined coming here for the first time. Angel should have been here.She had bought the house with the money her insurance company had paid her, for her Mum's house that had been destroyed.She had fallen in love with the house when she had visited it with Angel .
"Snap out of it " she said to herself.
She put the key in and opened the door . It hadn't changed much at all .She put the lights on and put her cases down .She took a deep breath and exhaled loudly.
The fireplace was still the same . It had notches carved into the stone on one side. She imagined Angel growing up and his parents putting the notches there as he grew. She walked into the drawing room , lush fabrics laid on the couches and a bookshelf ran the length of one wall , just as it had before. Buffy walked into the kitchen and switched on the kettle.She walked back into the Living room and got her cases. She walked up the back stairs to her room.
An impressive four poster stood against the main wall , an armoire was against the other wall and a beautiful dresser sat under the window . The decor was aged , but it suited the room perfectly. Buffy put her cases on the floor and went to the window. The view was amazing. She could see the harbour and some of the beach from here.She ran her hand of the babe growing inside her.
"We'll be happy here" she sighed deeply, tiredness catching up with her.
Buffy stretched and yawned.She made her way to the bed and laid down.She was asleep in minutes.

L.A

Faith stood with a stake in her fist,watching as Dawn cut Liam's hair. He was shifting in his seat and making it very difficult for Dawn.
"Keep still"
"It tickles my ears and I'm all itchy now"
"Keep wigging and you won't have any ears" Dawn poked him.
Lorne came down the stairs holding some of Angels clothing.
"Seen as the studmuffin is Angel's double I guess all of this will look good on him "
"If they both dress and look the same , won't we have trouble telling which is which?" Faith asked.
"Good point, erm, well I did dig around in the basement and found Angelus' clothes, we could put him in those."
"Why does Angel still have that freaks clothing?" Dawn frowned
"Because he can't part with them , like most things , he keeps them in case, and as a reminder of who he could become" Wesley said as he came out of the office.
"All done" Dawn exclaimed
"Looking good Liam" Faith said "Now to get you dressed into updated gear"
Lorne handed Liam the leather pants and a black velvet shirt. Liam looked at them and grimaced.
"These garments look like they would chaffe"
"Do you know just how gay that made you sound?" Dawn laughed
"Gay?"
"As in .., oh never mind "
Liam went into the office and changed into Angelus' clothes, he came out again grabbing at the crotch.
"These are most uncomfy and they creak like sadle leather"
The girls laughed
"Anyone heard from Angel yet?" Wesley said
"Not yet , shouldn't be long though"


Angel sat in his car and occasionally glanced at his watch. He saw another car approach in his rear view mirror.He waited til it flashed it's headlights and got out of the vehicle.
Angel reached over and retreived the bag off the back seat.His hand flexed around the leather handles.Nervous about the meeting , he took deep breaths and exhaled sharply.
"Here goes" he said to himself.
Angel walked towards the the other car, stopping as a huge guy got out of the drivers seat. The bodyguard opened the rear door and stood back. An elderly man stepped out, he was short and portly,his grey hair was swept back.
"Jack, good to see you"
"Lets just get this done, from what I heard you don't have time to stand around "
"True , and I appreciate your help"
"You got the money?"
Angel patted the hold all. "You got what I need?"
Jack threw an envelope at Angel ."It's all there. " He reached into the car and gave Angel a box " Gently with that, It's the only one left"
Angel dropped the hold all to the floor and placed the items on his rear seat.
"You'll have to let me know if it works son. Good luck .Don't bother me again, this makes us square"
Angel nodded and watched as he got back into his car.The bodyguard picked up the hold all and put it in the trunk.He walked to the drivers side and got in . The car drove away slowly.
Angel got into his convertable and put the box on his lap. " This has got to work" he said to himself. He put it beside himself and drove to his next appointment.


Angel pulled up at the docks and went to pier thirteen.
"Angel?"
He turned and the demon walked out from the shadows.
"Got the info ?"
Angel held up the file "You got my package"
The demon was nervous , Angel's reputation preceded him, even now.
"Got it 'ere boss" he held up the parcel and held it out for Angel.
Angel opened the parcel and looked up at the demon, "Thanks for this ,was it hard to get?
"I found it on Ebay would you believe" he said with a snigger
Angel had to laugh. He was always amazed at what Cordy had found for sale on there.
"Yeah , I would " he replied.
Angel walked away and got into the car.He reversed up and drove away.


Angel returned to the hotel and parked the car at the front of the building.He walked in through the front lobby doors and into the foyer. The whole gang were there ( minus the potentials) waiting for his return. He walked up to the front desk and put the boxes up on the counter.
"Whats with the toy surprises then" Spike tried to peer in .
"Nothing for you Spike" Angel picked them up and put them in the office.
"Someone needs to chill out and realise shit happens"
"And to think thats the future me" Liam said " Stake me now!"
Faith pulled out her sharp wooden weapon and raised her hand " K , you asked for it"
Liam put his hands up and backed away from her "It was just a figure of speech darlin'."
" Take it from me , you don't joke about that when there's a slayer about, especially a highly strung one" Spike said. Would almost liked to have seen that though, he thought .
Angel came out of the office ." Can someone go and get Lilah from the basement, it's nearly time to leave"
Dawn and Spike opened the door to the basement and disappeared from sight. After a few minutes they returned with Lilah, still bound. They plonked her down next to Liam.
"Don't do anything stupid or I'll let Liam have lunch on you" Spike said
"What makes you think he would ?" Lilah said
"Don't think I would and not cos of the soul " Liam said "But cos I think you would taste like horse shite"
"Liam!!!!!! " Angel shouted
" I think I could grow to like this version "Spike said " Can we keep him"
Angel looked up at the ceiling and huffed .
Willow asked Angel for a few words in private and walked towrds his office. Angel didn't really have time for this but went with Willow anyway.
"I know whats in the boxes Angel, and it's dark magic.Angel spells like that always come with a catch, whats the price Angel?"
"One I'm willing to pay.Are we done" He didn't even look at Willow.
Willow nodded and left him staring at the boxes .
After a few minutes Angel came out of the office and picked up his leather duster.
"We ready " he asked to his group.
"They all shuffled around each other saying their goodbyes, finally all congrigating at the doors . Angel was the last one to the doors .His hand firmly placed on Lilah's back.
Liam got off the circular sofa and stood by Faith." I'll take good care of things while ye be gone be assured of that"
Spike turned with a grin on his face " You lot best work on that accent of his or he won't pull it off.Take him to a local gay bar , that should sort it"
"Spike!"
They started piling out the door and into the street.Lilah was grateful for the fresh air.Angel put Lilah in the back of the car with Wesley and Giles. Dawn sat in the front with Angel and Spike. Angel started the car up and turned it around , destination L.A.X.