Timeline

Chapter 38

"Who was that on the phone Buffy?" Angel stood up and handed Layton to Dawn, going to Buffy's side.
Buffy herself looked pensive and troubled. She didn't register Angel's question or the fact that he was stood next to her.
"Earth to the Buffster , c'min Buff" Xander seemed to pull her out of it
"Sorry. Lets go in the kitchen , we need to talk"
Angel followed her

"That was a rep for the Lawyers from hell , they want us to run Wolfram and Hart" she still had the confused look on her face
Angel's chin hit the floor "If I didn't know you better I'd say not funny, knowing them I'd say what are they up to"
"Exactly, I mean I thought we defeated the evil sons of bitches, why this now"
"Did they say anything regarding a meeting?"
"Hmmm ... oh yeah, tomorrow night at seven"
"I think it's possibly a trap"
"Go in there heavy handed and fully loaded" Buffy said .
They both stood there as dumbfounded as each other.
Spike entered the kitchen and leant against the stove " Did I just hear right?"
"Yeah, would appear they haven't quite finished their assault on us" Angel glanced at Spike
" We going?"Like Spike had to ask, his elder couldn't not go, he was a sucker for knowing everything and having an obsession about holding all the cards, whether he was all soul having or not.It was one of the traits Angelus and his soulled version had in common.
"So we sit down and work out how we play this , best go round up the scoobies then" Spike left the kitchen to get everyone together.
Giles looked less than happy.
" They aren't giving this any serious consideration , are they Spike?"
"Your guess is as good as mine watcher"
They reconveigned in the lounge area with the rest of the gang, Buffy and Angel stood by the fire.
"As you guys may have heard , Wolfram and Hart have asked us to meet and discuss taking over the firm"
Angel waited for the group to stop chatting amoungst themselves before he continued. "Buffy and I have decided to go and will be taking a group of you with us as protection, also we will be picking the best of the best to lay in wait should it be a trap"
"Willow , I want you to do a protection spell on us , specifically Angel, a no stake , no kill spell, if possible"
"What you wouldn't do for a little trinket called the gem of amarra right now eh sire"
Angel just snorted at Spike for that comment.
"The spell shouldn't be a problem , I'll work on them now. Do you need me for anything else?"
"No Will, I'll come and see you later with an update" Buffy smiled at her best friend as she retreated upstairs
Faith looked worried and then spoke up " The offices are covered with spells and also a vampire alert system. When I briefly worked for them and that Lindsay guy, they let out a few of their secrets"
"Handy to know" Buffy said " When did you work for them?" Buffy looked worried now.
"Long while ago, they hired me to take A out. We got past it so should you"
Buffy raised her eyebrows and looked at Angel
"History now Buff, let it go"
"So you know some of their tricks , anything else we should know?" She wasn't happy at the titbit of info she had just gotten from Faith, and that it had been brushed away so quick. Surely she had a right to know the details of Faiths little stake-athon on her Angel, even if it had been a while ago?
Faith kept her gaze away from direct contact wit Buffy as she continued to recollect anything that would be useful .Angel kept quiet , he could sense Buffy's tension , and knew most of it had come from the Faiths confession.
' Guess I'll be in for the usual Buffy tongue lashing tonight then and not in a good way ' he thought to himself . It bought a smile to his lips . It didn't go unnoticed
"I doubt there's much more to go over tonight. I'll go online and see if I can get hold of the floor plan of the offices and hopefully the architects blueprints " Xander said " I can use my job as a cover "
"That's good , get working on that" Angel handed Xander a laptop and watched as he settled on the floor with it.
The whole group worked hard into the night working out a plan of action. A team was chosen to sit in wait outside the building , just in case they needed them to get them out of the building. Willow had everything set ready for the spells. Xander had used his connections in the building trade and procured the floor plans of the Wolfram and Hart building. Buffy and Faith had chosen their group of potentials that would be set ready to come charging in should their be any problem. Angel had his team set up for the same thing . They had everything tightly wound. Gunn and Spike were to go in as their back up. Faith had expressed a need to be there , saying ' It's sexist and yo what of the solidarity for women, I'll be there for B, you men can butt heads and punch chests once we're done', causing them to laugh and accept her coming.
"Guess that's it all sorted then?" Buffy looked up at her Angel "Into the lions den for another go"
"Appears that way , lets just hope it's not another trap"
"Shall we just try and relax and go to bed now?"
"Don't need asking twice Buff " Angel gave her his characteristic half smile.
They retired to their room and left a few insomniacs to it.


Wolfram and Hart Building.


Lilah sat behind her desk staring at her laptop screen. The tension was running a little high and she rubbed her shoulders , trying to get some relief from it. What was the point , the stress wasn't going away until she had done what was needed . Lindsay walked in and threw a file on her desk as he walked towards her.
"So that's what you got planned is it? You really think it can be done and that he would fall for it?"
"Nice to see you too, and I'd rather not talk to you about it "
"You don't seem to have a choice. Since the Senior Partners are dead and gone , I hold the Senior Partner position in the Special Projects Division. There's no way you can get that approved without me, and frankly I think it's bordering on suicide"
Lilah's anger and frustration was at a peak . It wouldn't do for her to lose her composure now, she hadn't clawed her way through the company to have him snatch it from her now.
"Sometimes you have to take chances" she said through gritted teeth.
Lindsay stared at her. She's lost it he thought. " I won't have anything to do with this Lilah, and I refuse to pick up your mess"
"Wouldn't dream of asking......... Boss" she spat out as the door to her office slammed shut.
Lilah got on the phone as soon as he had left her office.
"You all set for tomorrow night?"
" I will be , just make sure the vampire is there and make sure his 'wife' is unarmed"
"They will be"
"Tomorrow"
She hung up and smiled . maybe there is justice after all she thought.

Ireland.

"God I'm so hungry, do you want anything?"
"No , I'm fine"
"How comes I'm alot hungrier than you , and it's all the time?"
"It's because your a newbie babe, I'm a master vampire so I can control the bloodlust"
"I'm a master vampire .... what am I supposed to bow to you or something?" She was dripping sarcasm.
Angel laughed and slapped her ass " Go and get fed "
Spike was in the kitchen fixing himself some blood .
"Do you need to feed this much or are you a master vamp too?"
"Tried that one on you has he" Spike smiled " It's his way of making himself feel ten feet tall , always was an arrogant wanker"
Buffy laughed " Yeah he did , so your not one then?"
"Didn't say that " his tone was defensive "Just don't like to brag is all"
Buffy raised her eyebrows " Where's Spike and what have you done with him"
"Don't be like that bint" he gazed at her out of the corner of his eye. "Want to try it with weetabix mixed in , fills you up more"
" I'll pass thanks , I still remember the kitten poker and whiskey incident Bluurrgh" she pulled her 'this is gross ' face
"Hey!"
They both looked at each other and stopped laughing.
"So " Spike said in a quiet voice
"Yep back in the thick of it" she said sadly " Will it ever stop?"
"This is the last time , I'm sure of it"
Tears fell down her face
"We're not meant to have a happy ever after are we?"
Spike took her in his arms " C'mon pet, none of that talk"
He couldn't say ' of course you will ' , they all knew that wasn't a factor in the Buffy and Angel saga.Didn't stop her dreaming of it though.
"Here " Spike released her and handed her a mug of warm blood
"Thanks" She looked at the mug and sneered , game face on.
Spike put another mug in the microwave and sat on the table.
"I'm never going to get used to this" she drank the crimson liquid down in one tears strained her eyes.
"Your lucky unno, you never killed and hunted before you got your bloody soul, me and the poof , we got to atone for it now.Trust me when I say you will get used to it and you will adjust to being one of us. Could have been worse"
"How?"
"I could have been your sire"
Buffy laughed and wiped her tears away. Spike hugged her and sent back off to bed.
Spike took his blood out and leant against the table, deep in thought.How many times did he want to bite her in the past, had the opportunity to?Christ he thought, before big tall and broody came back, she had been his , hadn't she? The feelings were still there, even more so now she was a vampire. "Oh crap"
Yes he thought , I really am loves bitch!.He went up to his room , pausing outside their room for a second , then continued to his.


The sun filtered softly through a gap in the thick curtains and fell onto Buffy's foot. Angel woke to the smell and shot out of bed to pull the offending curtains together, then shot over to his lover.
"How the hell could you still sleep through that?"
"Wha... what " she rubbed her eyes and stretched " What's that smell ? Is Willow doing one of her stinky spells again?"
Angel couldn't help but smile at her " No that would be your foot, your lucky you didn't go up in flames or you'd be dust now"
She looked at her charred foot and screwed her nose up in disgust " Yuk, guess sandals are out for a day or two now , and I had this cute outfit picked out too"
Angel ran his fingers through his hair and huffed."You need to be more aware of things like that now your not the slayer" The guilt washed over him again. The look on her face didn't exactly help. " Look , I'm sorry this happened to you , and you seem to have come to terms with it well, but you don't seem to be adjusting to the little things like that for instance" He pointed at her foot and then at the window, the sun still trying to peak through the slit.Angel sat back down on the bed and took her foot in his lap and studied it to see how bad the damage was. " It's not too bad , should heal in a day "
" I know there's alot I need to learn and for the most part I know all about the do's and donts, but I bet there were times in your early vampire life that you got stupid, so stop with the lecture"
Angel was taken back by her outburst.
"I'm just concerned"
"Yeah , sure. Wouldn't be good for a master vampire to have some stupid mate"
With that she got out of bed and left him sat there.Her foot hurt like a bitch but she wasn't going to let him know that. She bit back the urge to cry.She went downstairs and grabbed a jar of blood out, slammed the fridge door and slammed the blood into the microwave, then slammed the door to it.
"Someone testy this morning"
"Spike I'm not in the mood"
He raised his scarred brow
"Wanna chat 'bout it?" That's when he smelt the charred flesh " Accident?" He pointed at her foot.
She looked down at it " Bloody sun , and I was dreaming too"
Spike smiled " Good one was it?"
"Hmmmm" she managed a smile back
"Must of been about me then eh pet"
"Don't flatter yourself" she removed her blood and drank it slowly, not even bothering to put it in a mug.
Spike looked at her with concern. "Your drinking alot lately, will need to do another run to the butchers if you keep that up"
She stopped drinking but kept the jar at her lips.She turned away from him and drank the rest.
Spike came up behind her and played with her hair. " If you need to chat I'm here for you luv, you know that. If you can't talk to him bout it that is"
He gave her neck a quick peck and left her to it.
Angel stood in the doorway and watched. He'd have a quiet chat with Spike about his conduct later , but first he'd see what was going on with his 'wife'. She had a thirst that was growing and that bothered him, and also the change in her temperament.She hadn't even given a thought to her son this morning either and that was unusual. Best see Giles and Wesley.
He returned to their room and spent some time with his son.

Buffy stood in the kitchen and thought about what Angel and Spike had said. So thirsty all the time , grumpy, and had a death wish apparently. Usual vampire traits, but she had her soul , just like her two vampires. But she was a slayer, or had been , could that make a difference? A few years ago she had jumped through some time machine , portal type thing and had met with the makers and was told the slayers origins. They had informed her that they had taken a girl and infused her with a demon ,to give her the strength to fight the demons and vampires, thus creating the slayer. Could that be the reason for her 'odd ' behaviour? She'd have to talk to Giles.
She made her way upstairs again and paused at her bedroom door. She could hear Angel playing with Layton. Guilt washed over her as she realised this was the first time that morning that she had even given a thought to her son. What the hell was going on with her?
She past their room and went to the study to see Giles.

He was surrounded by books , as per usual. He didn't even look up as she entered and shot out of his chair and grabbed another book from the shelf. He settled back in the chair and cross referenced from one book to another.
"Giles" she ran a hand over the table and then looked up at him.
"Ah , Buffy , I trust you slept well"
" Like the dead, you?" came the reply .
He looked up at her " Yes , erm very good , did you want something?"
" I need answers, has any other slayer been turned?"
"Not that I am aware of , may I ask why your asking ? Is anything troubling you? "
Buffy snorted
Giles took off his glasses and cleaned them. That was a sign that he was concerned.
" Okay I'm just going to come out and say it. I think I'm losing my soul and the demon in me is taking over.I'm thirsty , so thirsty and I'm angry, all the time. I feel like I'm torn in two. Plus I don't want to see Layton, I didn't even want to see him this morning Giles. He's my son, I love him so much and yet I can't stand to be near him"
Giles slumped into his chair " Oh dear"
Buffy stared at him "What"
"You may want to sit down"
"I'm fine " she replied through gritted teeth. " Just tell me "
" The slayer was a fusion between a human and a demon, but we have no idea what that demon was. Consider the strength and powers you have.... had, and the abilities. "
"Speed, strength and the tinglies whenever a vampire was near, so what of them?"
"Vampire traits wouldn't you say?"
"Yeah" confusion was written on her face
" Could be a master vampires essence was used , I'd have to look it up to be sure"
"Your saying I might have a master vampires spirit in me and when I died and became one it woke it up? I wont have batface will I?""
Giles didn't have to say it really , his face said it all "Yes"
"Oh crap"



Angel was ready to face everyone and came downstairs with his son in his arms. Spike was in the kitchen again, watching the potentials train in the garden.
"Mornin'"
"Spike" Angel kept his jealousy in check for now
"Saw the slayer earlier, she's slippin' mate"
"I know" Angel put Layton in his chair and gave him his bottle.He got a jar out of the fridge for himself and drank it cold.
"So what are you going to do?"
"Have a chat about it with the Watchers, see if they can suggest something, maybe find out what's wrong"
"I saw the feral look in her eyes , not sure she's safe to be around the lil bit" he pointed towards Layton
"She won't hurt him, and I'm here"
Spike stood beside the baby and stroked his head " I'm here too. Won't see her do him harm"
"Thanks "
"Just saying, he's family"
With that Spike left the room

Angel finally made it to Giles . He had dealt with his son and then got caught by Willow , then some of the potentials were giving him their usual 'it's not fairs'. God if he hadn't had his soul he would have torn them apart, they were driving him crazy.He sent them off in search of Spike , saying that he would sort out their problems, might be petty but it gave him some satisfaction. Petty payback he thought but it raised a smile.
All he wanted to do was get this worry off his chest and have Giles say she was fine and was just adjusting to her new unlife as a vampire.
Giles knew why he was there. After his chat with Buffy earlier it made sense that Angel would come to him to get some assurance that Buffy was fine and that nothing was wrong. He just wished he could do that for him, despite their past, Giles had come to respect Angel.
"Angel, I assume your here about Buffy"
That took Angel back "Yes, so you know"
"Yes, she came to me earlier. Have you spoken to her yet?"
"No I haven't seen her since she woke up, what's wrong with her Rupert?"
"I believe the essence of the slayer was in fact a master vampire and her being turned , has woken it and fused. Her soul may not be strong enough to fight it. I wish I could tell you anything other than that but I respect you enough to not lie to you"
"I'm grateful" Angel slumped into a chair , deep in thought." Can we stop it?"
Giles raised his brows and sighed " Other than the conventional ways of stopping a vampire...... no"
Angels jaw set and he took in a deep breath " I'm not losing her Giles I can't"
"Lets hope she's strong"


Buffy watched her son . Illyria watched Buffy.
"Your different. Your demon screams at your soul"
"Observant aren't you"
"You no longer wreak of humanity."
"Shut up blue"
Layton started to cry and Buffy felt a pull towards him. Illyria stopped her from reaching for him
"I will not let you near him , you pose a threat"
"I wouldn't hurt him , he's my son, move before I pulled your arms off and ram them down your throat"
"You would try and fail"
"Ladies"
Gunn and Spike stood watching the stand off
"Buffy why don't we go and do some sparring , we haven't done that for a while" Spike said in a soft voice
She stood there glaring at the blue demon god.
"Fine" she spat and walked away, Spike close behind her
"So what's with the temper then?"
"I wanted to see and hold my son , that blue bitch wouldn't let me near him"
"Any particular reason why she wouldn't?"
"Yeah , I'm a big mean vampire . apparently"
"C'mon Buff, she hasn't had a problem before now"
"Okay okay I'm losing my soul ... there happy now"
Spike huffed " I doubt that's happening "
"I'm getting batface and I'm dangerous , I should just go"
"Wait , your what? Explain it to me"
She stood in the middle of the room and paced " Giles thinks the essence of the slayer was a master vampire and now its kinda joined in with my demon and is forcing my soul out"
Spike stood in shock
"I should just go,leave before I do something I regret, that we all regret"
"Not going anywhere"
"Spike don't piss me off"
He raised his brows again " Since when did you use that language pet"
" I'm sorry" she broke down in tears
Spike took her in his arms and stroked her hair " C'mon luv lets get you to Angel"
"I don't want to be near him"
"Why the hell not"
"I hate him right now, it's his fault and plus the demon in me wants to challenge him "
Spike held back his desire to laugh and send her off to do just that but instead he pulled her into him " Now you don't want to do that right now luv, lets not be hasty. Lets just get tonight over with and then sort you out , yeah?"
" Your right" she wiped her tears away " I need you to stay with me, the demon doesn't see you as a threat and you are kinda my anchor at the moment."
"Just like old times then eh pet"
She smiled at him and walked back to the kitchen
"You hungry again?" Fangs met his gaze ." Right slayer , lets get you fed "


Angel stood in the kitchen , deep in thought , Layton in his arms. Layton began to cry and wriggle . It was at that moment Buffy walked in , Spike following her , his hand on her hip and laughing with her.
So not a good thing
Angel put Layton in his chair and rushed at Spike.
"Get your hands off her!"
"Ow Bloody hell!!!"
"Get off him Angelus" he flew across the room and landed in a heap at the door.
Okay so where the hell did that come from and why am I calling him Angelus?
Angel stayed in his position , wiping the blood from his lip.
"What the hell is going on?" Spike stood between them
Angel and Buffy glared at each other. Angel finally realising she was asserting her authority. Guess he shouldn't of said that stuff about being a master vampire to her this morning.
Buffy looked at her crying son and went to him.He looked into her eyes and held her gaze. He stopped crying and she picked him up.Her game face disappeared and she smiled.
Angel got up and rushed to her side in an attempt to protect his son.
"She's not going to hurt him , he's okay"
Angel ignored Spike and watched her with Layton
"He's bought back the soul , how ?"
"Didn't they say he was 'special'?" Spike watched them both
Buffy sunk in a chair holding her son, tears ran down her cheeks.Angel found it hard not to sink down beside her and wipe them away.
"I'm sorry Angel , I'm not sure how to fight it. It's strong , I'm not right now , not strong enough to fight it , help me fight it"
"I can't , I'm a threat to it and I bring it out of you more. Spike will have to" Angel looked at Spike , hatred boiled under the surface " But I'm warning you, you do anything to hurt her or anything that will threaten my relationship with her and I'll rip your head off"
"Yes your buffywippedness" Spike laughed " Now let me get the girl her blood"
Angel sat next to Buffy , he wasn't about to disturb her while she held her son. He would go and see Giles before they go to the meeting. Buffy's change couldn't of happened at a worse time.

Giles had read up on slayer ritual and had cross referenced it with master vampires . He had nothing conclusive to work with. The information was vague at best.Giles had asked Wesley to help him with the research . Knowing they were going back to Wolfram and Hart , Giles worried about the slow growing rage inside Buffy. Illyria came in with Wesley , she stood at the back of the room in a dark corner . Her head twitched as if listening for something. Wesley sat at the desk and pulled a book in front of him
"So, Buffy has a problem fom what I hear" he didn't look up from the book
"Ah ... yes ... not sure what is causing it but it is of great concern"
" Undoubtibly"
"Seems as though her demon is stronger than her soul and is winning out over her"
"Is she safe enough to go with them tonight, and , one would be worried about her being here , in a house full of slayers and with her son"
"I am well aware of the guests that reside here at the moment and of her son. Angel , Spike and Illyria herself are here to protect him , but she has yet to show any signs of wanting to harm him"
"So you weren't informed of her attack on Angel this afternoon?"
Giles looked up and met Wesley's gaze " No"
"Luckily Spike was there and it would seem Layton had some calming effect on her"
"Interesting"
Wesley was intrigued " What "
"Well Layton is a special being as it were , prophesied, I'm wondering if his calming effect has anything to do with that"
"Could be, do you have the prophecy?"
Giles shuffled his papers around that laid about on the desk and handed Wesley a copy
"Are you aware of the consequences of her being turned?"
"There's no recorded history of a slayer being turned, not to my knowledge anyway. I looked into it and studied the watchers diaries, and have not come across any other occurrance"
"There was one" Wesley still didn't look up
"And when were you going to share this information with me?" To say Giles was angry, well , that was an understatement.
"I .... look this wasn't exactly planned , the last slayer was driven mad and she ended her own life, she waited for sunrise and greeted the morning sun. Her Watcher was driven mad with guilt and he ended up in an institution ."
"When was this?"
"In the nineteen seventies"
"Where?"
"New York" Wesley could see where this was going
"Who was the vampire responsible for her then?" Like Giles needed to ask
"William the Bloody"
"Spike"