Timeline

Chapter 24

Everybody packed their things and got ready to leave.Buffy ran around making sure everything was sorted out for the flight back to L.A.Angel , Spike and Gunn took charge of Illyria , Lilah and Liam.Wesley and Giles took the sarcophegus ,while the potentials and Willow went with Faith and Buffy.The jet was ready and waiting on the runway. The flight was cramped and most of the group were apprehensive about going into the offices of Wolfram and Hart again.Angel had thought it best to brief Illyria once they got back to the Hyperion , so that they didn't upset her and cause anymore 'problems'.
Illyria found the flight unbearable.Gunn sat with her and would reassure her if she got too fidgetty.
Most of the group fell asleep.
Lilah had the misfortune of having to sit next to Liam. Spike sat behind them with one of the potentials. Angel and Buffy sat with each other at the front. Faith chose to sit up front with the pilot again.Willow sat with Wesley and they continued to go over the data.
It was four am when the jet touched down in L.A. Tired and grouchy they made their way back to the hotel. Angel felt good to be back there. Everyone went to their rooms and got ready to go on their next mission.
Angel went and saw Lorne . Nothing had happened ,and he joked about the peace that had fallen on the hotel and how it was over. Angel's next stop was Cordy.
She was still comatosed. Angel sat and told her about the last few weeks. It felt good to get it off his chest, even if she couldn't talk back.
Buffy knocked and poked her head round the door. "We're just making the last few arrangements before we head out" she said in a whisper.
Angel got up and kiss Cordy on the forehead. He left without looking back.
Everyone met up in the foyer , just like before. Buffy stood on the lobby stairs, so everyone could see her. Lorne had supplied her with an easel and board to show the plan of the offices.
"Everyone present ?" she called
Shuffling and a group of groans and Buffy started her explanation of the plan.Using a stake to point and key positions.
"Willow and Wesley have found out the lab's location here" she pointed at the fourth floor . "We will group in fours and sweep as we go. Any unfriendly's and we take them out. I don't expect much resistance but we won't underestimate them either. Angel , Gunn, Liam ,Spike and myself will enter here, we will have Lilah and Illyria with us" she pointed at an entrance point on the roof. "Two teams of four will do a sweep from the top down, same applies to them , search and destroy.Once we're in the lab , you guys take all the key points , here , here , here, here and the elevators , here. If the information's right, we should be in and out within a two hour time frame. Make sure you all have your walkie talkies and that you inform us of any gliches or heavy resistance. Faith your key, you take Willow and Wesley keeping them safe.Any questions?"
Everyone stayed silent.
"Move out" Buffy finally said.
They all headed out the main lobby and got into the van. Buffy and Angel were the last out. Angel grabbed Buffy's arm and pulled her back into the lobby.
"I don't like the fact that your coming"
"Makes two of us then"
"I'm not pregnant"
"And I'm not human ... well I am , you know what I'm trying to say" Buffy said " Look we can't keep having this same argument"
"Your getting heavy now and your reflexes are slower"
"Wanna test that theory?"
"Do you have to be so stubborn"
"Do I have to answer that?"
Angel huffed , realising he wasn't going to win again.
Buffy headed out , Angel followed her out, rubbing his head. They slammed the door to the van and it sped off into the night.


Angel sat next to Spike and Illyria watched Buffy.Finally Angel looked at Illyria."Handsome man saved me from the monsters"
"What's that?" Buffy looked at him confused
"Last thing Fred said to me before I saved her from Pylea" he looked away.
The van remained silent for a while.
"Do you know what we are going to do?"
"I understand , It bothers me that you wish to incapacitate me. I prefer it to my demise though"
Illyria looked straight ahead , her face lacking emotion.
"So you will comply?" Angel continued
"I will. The Wolf the Ram and the Hart were barely above the half breeds in my day" she added
"Times change " Angel replied
"They have crawled their way up" Illyria said
"Yes"
"They use humans like her " Illyria pointed at Lilah
"Yes , they do " Angel said
"They are sneaky"
Angel laughed "Yes "
"Why do they wish you dead" she asked
" I caused alot of problems , from taking clients and helping them or killing their clients if they happened to be evil"
"And you still do this even though you are mortal and could die"
"Yes"
"You are brave and also stupid"
Buffy laughed. Angel just glared.

Wolfram and Hart underground car park.


The group plied out of the vans. Buffy sectioned the groups of four. She sent the teams that will start at the bottom off to start their sweeps. Illyria nodded at Buffy and waved her hands in front of her.A vortex opened and grew wider. Spike and Liam went through ,followed closely by Buffy and Angel. Illyria walked through after them. They stood on top of the Roof. Illyria closed the vortex and followed as the group headed for the stairwell.

The groups at the entrance found the place empty. It resembled a ghost town. Blood still stained the foyer from the previous assault. Only the emergency lighting was on. They split up and headed up the stairs.

The groups that were sweeping from the top down found the same thing.No sign of life, blood stains from the previous efforts and only the emergency lighting.

The groups converged on the fourth floor outside the lab.Illyria looked edgy.Spike broke the lock on the door and they entered . The teams on watch took their places .Angel and Buffy took Illyria and placed her in a chamber that was pure white with large windows. Liam and Spike guarded the door to the lab.
Wesley and Willow sat at the computerised desk . Willow started typing something and the room came to life. Gunn took his place at the window , watching Illyria . A low hum eminated from the room and Illyria looked around the room to locate it's origin.
"The modulator thingy is almost ready" Willow said to Angel.
"Let me know when it's at full power"
Buffy stood with Gunn , Angel stood on the raised platform as Willow and Wesley worked the computer and modulator, waiting for it to get to full power.
A light blinked and Willow signalled to Wesley. "It's ready" Wesley said.
Gunn put his hand on the window .Illyria watched the light grow brighter. A bright white ray hit her in the chest. She buckled over and fell to her knee's clutching her chest with one hand, the other on the floor to support herself.The light grew so bright that all of the spectators had to look away. Angel shielded his eyes and looked. Illyria's skin cracked and a blue light shone through them. She stood up against the ray and arched her back. It looked as if she was going to explode. Finally Illyria fell to the floor and the ray stopped.
Illyria laid on the floor . She was curled in a ball.
Gunn watched , no emotions showed on his face.Buffy held his hand.
Angel walked to the door of the chamber."How long before it's safe to open.?"
"It's extractors are on and it shouldn't be too long" Willow said
Angel paced , waiting was starting to grate on his nerves.A light blinked on the computer screen and Willow hit a button. The door to the chamber opened. Gunn and Angel ran in and knelt by Illyria.She was awake and she laid there staring into nothing.
Angel picked her up and signalled to the door of the lab.Everybody followed him out of there.
The potentials that had been standing guard moved out and followed them . They made their way through the building , retrieving the other members of the group as they went.They got to the car park and into the van's and drove away at speed.

Back at the hotel

Illyria was put in a bed and Gunn sat and watched over her. Buffy went to bed exhausted. The potentials all retired to their rooms.Liam and Spike went and got themselves some blood before they went to their room.Wesley and Willow sat on the lobby stairs, still going over the data. Lilah sat with Faith.Angel went over everything with Lorne and then sat at the desk going over his mail.
"What happens next A?" Faith asked
Angel tossed the letters onto the desk and walked round to the sofa. "I have no idea". He slumped next to her. "Guess we deal with Liam and then her " . He nodded towards Lilah." I can't think straight at the moment though"
"Guess we gotta see how the blue comes outta this first"
"Yeah, we have no idea how this has affected her"
"She looked catatonic"
Angel huffed, rubbed his hands down his trousers and stood up. "Lilah will be easy"
Lilah looked up at him .
"Hows that?" Faith said.
"We just send a message to the Senior Partners and let them know where she is"
"That's crazy! It's like murder or suicide or something!"
"I have to attone for so much, just because I'm human doesn't mean it stops.I still feel it all,you think I just figure what's one more, when it comes to her , it doesn't register"
"She's still human Angel" Faith said
"Is that what you think? She gave up being a human being the day she signed on with Wolfram and Hart"
Faith sat and thought about what he said.
Angel left them sitting there and went to his room.Buffy was curled up on top of the covers. Angel sat in his easy chair and watched her sleep.He would deal with Lilah later and Liam tomorrow. Then he would deal with the prophecy. Right now he was content just to watch the woman he loved .Angel fell asleep, a smile crept on his face.


Faith put Lilah in the cage in the basement and went into the kitchen. She raided the fridge and larder.She went to her room with an arm full of goodies. She dropped the heist on the bed next to Robin and leapt onto him.
"Y'know slayage makes me both hungry and horny " she stripped her tee off and rolled onto her back grabbing a chocolate bar " I'm just not sure which one's the bigger need"

Angel woke up and noticed Buffy had gone . Angel went to the bathroom , changed his clothes and then went downstairs. Buffy was there talking with Willow.Buffy broke off their conversation when she noticed he was coming towards them.
"Carry on , don't mind me " He said.
Buffy touch Willows arm and broke away from her. " Did you sleep O.K?"
"Erm , yeah , fine , you?"
"Not too bad , course I would have slept longer if I didn't have a constant need to pee and junior didn't keep kicking me"
He smiled and rubbed the bump.
Willow walked into the office and shut the door.Wesley looked up at her while he shuffled the papers that were strewn all over the desk.
"Did you find that translation that came from Lilah's data?" Willow said
He flicked through a handful of sheets and pulled one out and handed it to Willow. She sat down and started to read it.
"Do you think it's right?" she asked.
"We have no reason to doubt it. Wolfram and Hart may be evil incorporated ,but this seems to fall into place with what I had gathered myself " Wesley went back to looking at his sheet.
"Have you let Buffy and Angel now yet?"
"No , not yet .I didn't think we should until we have all the fact's "
"But I think we should tell them now and show them this"
"O.K , are they awake?"
Willow got up " Yes , they're out in the lobby "
"Then I suggest you get them in here" Wesley said.
Willow walked out and saw the two of them. Angel had Buffy pinned up against the wall and was kissing her.
Buffy shot out a blow to his ribs and rolled away, coming up into a defensive stance.She put a hand down to her waistband and took out a stake, spun it in her hand and then held the stake up at shoulder height.
Angel ran and tried to land a blow to her side and take her out by sweeping her legs out from under her. Buffy jumped and swung her arm out ,catching him in the face.As she landed she swung her leg around and Angel landed on his back.Buffy leapt onto him , straddling him, her stake held over his heart.
"Point taken " he said as she got off him and helped him to his feet.
"Your slower since your human now" she smiled as she said it. " Maybe I should train with Spike"
"No!" His jealousy rising in him.
That's when they both noticed Willow and walked over to her.
"Hey Will " Buffy said cheerfully
" Do you both want to come into the office?"
Buffy looked at Angel confused . They held hands and went into the office .Willow closed the door and sat on the edge of the desk. Buffy sat on Angel's lap . Both worried , Willows face wasn't giving anything away but Wesley looked stressed.
"Guy's?" Buffy said
Wesley sighed and then sat back in his chair. "We have looked over the prophecy relating to your child, and , it appears that he becomes a great warrior for the greater good . Not just that, but he works for the Powers that Be just as you do Angel. He has a group of followers that help , much as you do as well. But , this is where it gets interesting , it seems Illyria is his right hand man or well woman . Also he has other demon gods that work along side him . It says here that through your sons efforts , the Wolf , the Ram and the Hart are bought down and they 'kneel ' before him. It would appear they are completely destroyed by him.This information explains why they were so keen on destroying you Angel . Although it does, of course, put Buffy and your baby at risk now."
Angel was brimming with pride. "It's good news , but as you say, now they are at risk"
Buffy fidgeted " I think I can safely say that I can take care of myself and the baby". she got up and stood.
Wesley looked at Willow. Willow got up. "We have looked at the notes Wolfram and Hart have made on the prophecy, and it says they're going to try and take Buffy at some point around the time of the birth"
"So we double up on security and have someone with Buffy at all times."
"Which also means that we best keep Liam around for a while longer" Wesley said
"That's the part that sucks " Angel said under his breath.

Gunn sat on the floor in a dark corner waiting for any sign of life from Illyria. Now that they had used the modulator on her, he had wondered what powers she still had . He got up and laid on the bed .In the dark room she could almost pass for Fred. Gunn closed his eyes.
Illyria stirred and grunted.She turned over when she felt Gunn's body next to her. Feeling movement, Gunn lifted his head and supported it with his hand.Illyria shot out of the bed and stared at Gunn.
"You seek comfort from me."
"Yes ... No. I was worried about you and stayed with you"
"You laid next to me and wished I was the shell again. I can feel your emotion for it"
"I loved Fred ,but you aren't her. "
Illyria morphed into Fred .
"But I could be" Illyria said , the voice was Fred's
Gunn started crying .He stared at the vision .
"Stop it Illyria. Don't be her , you can never be her" Gunn turned from her , he felt sick.
"This shell , it hurts you to see her now, yet your emotions scream to see it" Still looking like Fred but sounding like Illyria now.
"Yes. " Gunn hissed
"I wish to learn from you. About emotions. " Illyria stayed in Fred's form and approached Gunn.
She rested her head on his back and wrapped her arms around him.
Gunn pushed her away and grabbed his axe.
"This emotion I'm feeling now , it's anger and revulsion.Stay like that, and it's all you will learn!"
Illyria stood in a defensive posture . She morphed back to blue.
"Lets go downstairs and tell the others that you are fine and awake" Gunn went to the door and Illyria followed him.
"I am not all right as you presume, I will not be all right, the light took most of my power." She hissed at him.


Spike sat in the chair sipping on a beer , Liam slumped on a bed. The two of them had been talking , well Spike did most of the talking . Liam had wanted to know about his future self , so had asked Spike to tell him about the times ahead.
"There was this time in China, after you get the soul, we all meet up. Angelus wanted to come back in the fold.Darla always had a soft spot for the poof so she let him."
"So what happened" Liam asked
Spike continued;-


1900, China, night. Buildings on fire, complete chaos in the streets.
Darla is in a house, carrying a cloth wrapped package. A filthy Angel grabs the sides of her face from behind.
Angel: "You're so warm. You just fed."
Darla: "You found me."
Angel: "You can never resist a religious war - and you always talked about China. I just followed the bodies. You never used to be so careless."
Darla: "Maybe I wanted to be found."
Angel: "Spike and Dru?"
Darla: "They're here. Probably out in the riots (she loosens something from the package) maybe starting a new one."
Angel lets go of her and she spins around, pushes him up against the wall, holding a knife against his throat.
Darla: "I should kill you right now."
Angel: "Go ahead."
Darla: "Is that why you've come all this way? Too much of a coward to end your own existence, you want me to do it for you? Release that filthy soul?"
Angel: "If you'd like."
Darla: "I can still smell it, you know. And that's not all. You reek of vermin! - Is that what you've been living off of?"
Angel grabs a hold of her hand: "Come on, huh? This should be nothing for you. Go ahead, Darla. Make sure you cut clear to the bone. Put the blade in the wall. Hmm?"
Darla stares at him for a moment then pulls away from him.
Darla with her back to him: "What do you want?"
Angel: "A second chance."
Darla: "What?"
Angel: "I want things to be like they were. - You and me - together - Darla. - I miss the view."
Darla shakes her head, still with her back to him: "That's impossible."
Angel: "It's not impossible."
Darla: "You still have a soul."
Angel: "I'm still a vampire."
Darla turns around: "You're not. - Look at you. I don't know what you are anymore."
Angel: "You know what I am. You *made* me. Darla. I'm Angelus."
Darla: "Not anymore."
Angel slowly stepping closer: "I can be again. Just give me a chance to prove it to you."
Darla: "You almost made me believe you."
Angel: "Believe it. - We can have the whirlwind back."
Darla looks up at him: "We can do this."
Angel with a slight smile: "Yes, we can."
Darla: "We can do anything."
Angel pulls her close: "Anything we like."
They kiss.


"Thought you said I have my soul , why would I do that then?"
"Desperation mate" Spike said. "I'll tell you the rest if you shut up"


Angel is walking through the riots back in China.
Angel: "Darla? - Darla! - Darla. - Darla?!"
He enters an alley to see a missionary family huddled against one of the walls, holding a basket with a crying baby between them.
A Chinese swinging a sword attacks Angel from behind and he slaps him aside, headfirst into the wall, then turns back to stare at the family. Slowly backs away from them.
He hears Darla calling for him and quickly leaves the alley.
Darla: "Angelus? (She bumps into his chest, smiles at him) The whirlwind, Angelus."
They kiss, then Darla tries to peer past him into the alley.
Darla: "Hmm, what's over here?"
Angel doesn't let go of her: "Nothing. - Bodies. Let's find something warm."
Darla: "Yes. Some missionaries. We'll drain the piety right out of them."
They move down the street and meet Dru and a roughed up and bleeding Spike.
Darla: "So, where have you two been?"
Dru: "Will I tell?"
Spike: "No need to be humble."
Dru: "My little Spike just killed himself a Slayer."
Darla to Angel: "Did you hear that?"
Angel to Spike: "Congratulations. - I guess that makes you one of us."
Spike: "Don't be so glum, eh? The way you tell it, one Slayer snuffs it another one rises. I figure, there is a new chosen one getting all chosen even as we speak. I tell you what, when and if this new bird shows up, I'll give you first crack at it!"
Dru steps past Angel in the direction of the alley.
Dru: "Hmm, I smell fear."
Angel: "This whole place reeks of it."
Spike wraps his arms around Dru from behind.
Dru: "It's intoxicating."
Angel: "Let's get out of here. This rebellion is starting to bore me."
Darla watches as Angel walks past Dru, giggling in Spike's arms, then follows him.

" Angelus turned up the house later"
Darla: "Where have you been?"
Angel: "Darla."
Darla: "Answer me!"
Angel: "Just out. Why?"
Darla: "Feeding?"
Angel: "Yeah."
Darla: "On vermin?"
Angel after a beat: "No."
Darla: "Don't lie to me."
Angel: "Look I've killed men. You've seen it!"
Darla, wearing a kimono, gets up form her seat against the wall and walks towards him.
Darla: "Rapists and murderers, thieves and scoundrels. Did you think I wouldn't notice? - Only evildoers, that's all you hunt now. (Angel looks down) You swore to me. You said, if I took you back you'd prove yourself."
Angel: "And I will."
Darla: "Good. (Pulls the blanket of a basket sitting between them, revealing the missionaries' baby) Now is your chance."
Angel looks down at the baby, shifts restlessly.
Darla looking down at the baby: "I went back before dawn. They were still cowering there. Praying to their god for a salvation. (Looks at Angel, who's staring down at the baby) They didn't know that their only saviour was at the waterfront - dining on rats. I won't be made a fool, Angelus. (He looks at her) Not by you. Not by anyone."
Angel looks down: "I didn't mean..."
Darla: "While Spike - Spike! - was out killing a Slayer you were saving missionaries! Form me!"
Angel: "I'm sorry..."
Darla: "No. No more words. (She takes a step back and Angel looks down at the baby) Act!"
Angel is looking down at the baby in the basket.
Darla: "What do you mean you can't? You won't!"
Angel: "I can't seem to be able to uhm, I'm sorry."
Darla shakes her head ever so slightly: "You disgust me."
Angel grabs a hold of the baby and runs out on Darla, crashing through some glass doors.


"So that was one time when we all thought we had the 'Great Angelus ' back"
"What happened to Darla" Liam asked
"You stake her , because of the slayer and your pesky love for her" Spike said.
Spike took another swig of his beer and slumped further into the seat.
"Course I shouldn't really tell you any of this mate , in case you decide to change history"
Liam looked at Spike . A smile crept onto his lips.

Angel went up to see Spike and Liam. He didn't want to ,but with the information that had came to light, he felt they needed to know and be onside with him.
He paused outside their room and huffed. He knocked and entered.
The two vampires were sat laughing , Spike still drinking his beer.
"And what do we owe this honour to?"
"I need you guys to help me" Angel choked out.
"What now , Illyria blown another gasket?" Spike laughed.
"No. It's Buffy" Angel sat on the bed next to Liam.
"Oh look , bookends" Spike laughed harder.
Angel looked at Liam and stood up again , glaring and huffing at Spike.
"This is serious, Spike. The Senior Partners plan to kidnap Buffy and the baby to stop a prophecy "
" And you need us to protect her and the l'il one?"
"Yes , I can only do so much myself being as I'm human now. I get the feeling the Senior Partners are more than meets the eyes"
"Well you can count me in "Spike said
Liam just sat , he didn't say anything. Finally he stood up "I do this , what's in it for me?"
Angel hadn't expected Liam to want to bargain for his help.
"You realise this is your future we're trying to fight for too" Angel said angrily.
"What if it's not a future I want?"
Angel was gobsmacked , he never thought he would hear that coming from him .
"If you change any of my history it could have dire consequences" Angel gritted his teeth and glared.
Spike sat in the chair and was smiling.
"I'll help , but , I'll need a bit more freedom. I'm not one for being locked away, Father tried and it never did anything but make me more of a rebel. But you know that don't ye"
"Done" Angel sat down again.
"This prophecy , what does it say then"
"I don't want to talk about that just yet" Angel said
"So how's operation Buffy gonna work then "Spike said
" I don't like it ,but, Liam has to stay with Buffy whenever I'm not. Spike , you have to back him up." Angel took a deep breath " If you lay one hand on Buffy ,I mean it , I will send your ass to hell" he said to Liam.
"When is this s'posed to happen , do you know" Spike asked
"Around the time of the birth"
"How long has the little lady got left" Spike got up and grabbed another beer.
"About three months , give or take" Angel rubbed his eyes .
"And you aint even got a crib for it " Spike said.
Angel looked up and realised that they had been so busy with everything, that they hadn't even prepared for it.
Angel went downstairs , looking for Buffy. She was in the basement training Kennedy ,Faith and a few of the potentials. Buffy stood to one side, munching on a chocolate bar and telling the girls to block and step as they went through an intricate move. Faith landed a blow on one of the girls so Buffy tutted and took the girls place.
"Look , this is how you do it " She signalled to Faith , Faith repeated the move.
"You . Block . Step . Block . Punch. Kick . Twist and Block. Kick . When Buffy righted herself Faith was on the floor, clutching her face.
"Remind me not to volunteer to be the bad guy in future" Faith got up and saw Angel at the foot of the stairs.
"You shouldn't be doing this "He said to Buffy "Faiths capable"
"Thanks " Faith said, as she got a towel and hung it round her neck
"I was going stir crazy and needed to vent. Seems training keeps this one quiet too " she smiled.
"Buffy , come with me , we need to discuss something" She followed him upstairs , waving back at the girls as she went .
"What's up?" she said as they got to the top of the stairs.
"Nothing , well nothing bad . Do you intend to stay here in L.A?"
"Of course did you not get the part where I said I had lost the house in Sunnydale and spent the insurance buying your family home in Ireland as a holiday getaway"
"Oh, it's just , well , we never actually discussed you moving in with me"
"Are you saying you don't want that cos if you are ....."
"No , I'm not saying that . It's just well , we haven't put a room aside for the baby and we haven't got anything for him yet"
"Oh " Buffy breathed a sigh of relief " I thought he would stay in with us "
Angel smiled and kissed her "That sounds perfect. Now do you feel up to a shopping spree?"
" Angel, since when do you need to ask a woman that? You have so much to learn "
They laughed and Buffy grabbed her bag. Angel looked back into his room,one last look at his sanctuary, before it was going to be full of baby toys and furniture. He closed the door on it.