Part 3<\/b><\/p>\n
FRIDAY EVENING<\/em><\/p>\n With the day done and the sun beginning to set, Buffy pulled the convertible into her driveway. It had been a long day for all three girls. Dawn had three tests, one of which she was sure she failed.<\/p>\n Willow\u2019s psychology class that she was substituting for had been less than cooperative. And Buffy had to deal with a sophomore boy that thought fire was pretty.<\/p>\n As they slowly walked up to the house, Willow had to ask the question that had been on her mind since Angel arrived.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s it like to see him again?\u201d<\/p>\n Buffy considered the question a moment. \u201cI won\u2019t lie, it\u2019s really nice to see him. Last night I actually felt butterflies in my stomach. But honestly, it wasn\u2019t some all-consuming sensation like I thought it might be. I suppose it could become that way, but something is keeping it from being that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs it the new attitude? Don\u2019t get me wrong, the whole dark and brooding thing was definitely sexy, but maybe this lighter feel he has is throwing you off.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think so. I actually find it refreshing.\u201d They paused on the porch so they could finish the conversation. \u201cThere is something else. I can\u2019t pin it down though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know what you mean,\u201d Willow agreed. \u201cFive or six years ago, it was pretty simple to understand what made Angel tick. It was you. But he\u2019s been in Los Angeles four years. Things are bound to change. He gone from a morose and private man into someone with a sense of humor who is evidently capable of making friends.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, about that. Did you notice the way he talked about them? He spoke so affectionately about all of them, even Wesley who he said betrayed him. But when Cordelia was mentioned, it was like there was\u2026\u201d Buffy searched for the right word.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing?\u201d Dawn supplied.<\/p>\n \u201cLike he was trying to cut himself off from her,\u201d Buffy added.<\/p>\n \u201cSounds familiar,\u201d Willow observed. Buffy had a good idea what she meant.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think he was in love with her? That maybe he left because he couldn\u2019t deal with his feelings or that perhaps she didn\u2019t return them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Willow answered honestly. \u201cLike I said a minute ago, five years ago it was obvious what made Angel tick. But this is an entirely new beast we\u2019re dealing with. None of us can presume to say what makes Angel, Angel. The only thing I could suggest is wait and watch. Let him work out his feelings. And since he seems more open than he was when we first met him, maybe he\u2019ll give us some insight later on.\u201d<\/p>\n Buffy shrugged her agreement. \u201cI guess. At the least it might be nice to have him around to help us deal with this new demon in town. Two fights with him and I\u2019ve gotten my ass kicked both times. I could use some muscle to help out.\u201d<\/p>\n Willow and Dawn both agreed that would be a good thing. Conversation done, they turned and opened up the door to the house. As they entered, shock covered their faces.<\/p>\n \u201cIs it just me,\u201d Dawn started, \u201cor is this place cleaner than when we left?\u201d<\/p>\n Buffy looked around in awe. The place was the cleanest it had been since before mom died. The carpets had obviously been vacuumed. The cabinets and tables had been polished. The bookcase had been straightened. All the little knickknacks decorating the cabinets had been dusted. And if she wasn\u2019t mistaken, there was a subtle hint of potpourri hanging in the air.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that smell?\u201d Dawn asked.<\/p>\n \u201cCitronella,\u201d Buffy supplied.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I meant that other smell.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat would be lasagna,\u201d Angel spoke from behind. A broad grin crossed his face when they all jumped nearly a foot in the air. \u201cOr it could be breadsticks. They should be about done cooking, too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWait, you cook?\u201d Buffy asked. Angel nodded that he did. \u201cBut you\u2019re a vampire.\u201d Angel agreed with that observation. \u201cYou don\u2019t eat human food, so how can you cook?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFirst, I do eat human food. It\u2019s just doesn\u2019t do anything for me. Second, you don\u2019t live 250 years without picking up some talents. \u2018The Joy of Cooking\u2019 is in my top ten list of most read books. It\u2019s right under \u201cLes Miserables\u2019 and just above the \u2018Kama Sutra\u2019. Believe me, I can accurately describe what\u2019s on page 23 in all three books.\u201d<\/p>\n Willow and Buffy both blushed at the implications of that comment. \u201cWhat\u2019s the \u2018Kama Sutra\u2019?\u201d Dawn asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll tell you when you\u2019re older,\u201d Buffy assured. \u201cLike when you turn forty.\u201d She then indicated the incredibly clean surroundings. \u201cSo I guess you showed off another talent by doing an amazing house cleaning job, too. You must have been busy all day.\u201d<\/p>\n Angel smiled and shrugged. \u201cI took an hour off to watch Doctor Phil. Today\u2019s topic was about how erectile dysfunction can affect a marriage. Not his best topic, but let me just say, it wasn\u2019t bad either. Course, I kind of feel sorry for all those guys who had to go on national television and admit they can\u2019t get it up unless their wife wears pleated skirts or antlers on their heads. Second thought, I didn\u2019t feel sorry for them, I spent the entire hour making wisecracks about them. And if I can get some good jabs in, you know Letterman will have a field day. Now come in here and sit down so I can go fetch dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n The girls did what they were told and took seats around the table while Angel retreated into the kitchen. While they shared confused looks between each other, all were looking forward to the prospect of a homemade meal that actually tasted good.<\/p>\n As Dawn dug into the bowl of salad sitting in the center of the table, she cracked, \u201cWow, that lasagna sure smells good. That means he\u2019s already up one on Buffy\u2019s cooking.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShut up, Dawn,\u201d Buffy vocally admonished but secretly agreed.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, the sense of humor I can overlook,\u201d Willow started, \u201cbut when Angel starts doing a damn good Martha Stewart impersonation, that\u2019s when I start peeing my skirt in fear.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHush up and enjoy this while it lasts.\u201d<\/p>\n Moments later, Angel emerged from the kitchen carrying a bowl of breadsticks in one hand and a pan of lasagna in another. The girls barely waited for him to set the food down before they lunged at it. Willow was the first to put a bite of the lasagna in her mouth.<\/p>\n Angel hadn\u2019t seen a woman\u2019s eyes roll that far back in her head since\u2026well, you know.<\/p>\n \u201cOh my God,\u201d Willow moaned. \u201cSo good. So very good.\u201d<\/p>\n Buffy was quick to agree. \u201cIf we weren\u2019t poor, I would so pay to keep you on staff. Someday you are going to make someone a great wife.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFunny Slayer. Listen, just because I have a soul doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s below me to whoop your ass.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut all jokes aside,\u201d Buffy said around a mouthful of bread, \u201cyou didn\u2019t have to do this for us.\u201d Two kicks from opposite directions tried to silence her.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was the least I could do.\u201d Angel leaned back against the doorframe. \u201cYou gave me a place to stay last night and protection from the mean old sun all day. I owed that much to you. And while you three enjoy your meal, I\u2019m going to go fetch me some vampire food from the butchers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t have to do that. Just look in the fridge in the crisper marked \u2018Garlic\u2019. You\u2019ll find some packets.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy do you have blood in your refrigerator?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s for Spike when he\u2019s here,\u201d Dawn remarked offhandedly.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen Spike\u2019s here,\u201d Angel deadpanned. \u201cYou let Spike in your home?\u201d<\/p>\n Pause. \u201cHe\u2019s got a soul now,\u201d Buffy defended lightly.<\/p>\n \u201cSpike has a soul?\u201d Angel considered that. He finally reached a conclusion.<\/p>\n \u201cGood for him. I\u2019m getting something to eat.\u201d<\/p>\n They all watched as he once again disappeared. \u201cHe took that fairly well,\u201d Willow observed. The others agreed. Dinner was interrupted by the sound of the front door swinging wide open. Giles and Xander emerged moments later.<\/p>\n \u201cSaddle up, Buff,\u201d Xander started. \u201cWe got trouble at the mall and\u2026is that lasagna?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYup.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKick ass. Can I have some?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure. It\u2019s really good. Angel made it.\u201d Xander ignored who made it and went to retrieve a plate from the cupboard. Buffy turned her attention back to Giles. \u201cWhat was Xander saying before he was interrupted by the sight of food?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis demon we\u2019ve been tracking is wreaking havoc at Sunnydale Mall. He\u2019s got a dozen vampires with him. They seem to have hit a gun shop. And did you say Angel made that? It smells quite marvelous.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I made it.\u201d Angel emerged from the kitchen with a packet of blood in hand. He took a drink before continuing. \u201cThis demon of yours. Is it about seven feet tall? Has a lot of black and gray colorization and is heavily armored?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, do you know it?\u201d Giles inquired. \u201cI haven\u2019t been able to identify it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a Mihara-Matu,\u201d Angel informed him. \u201cThey\u2019re nasty sons of bitches. They like to take on vampires as lackeys. I fought one in LA about a year and a half ago that had aspirations of taking over the town.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019d the fight go?\u201d Buffy asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m still alive. And don\u2019t even say it, Harris.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d Xander tried to say in an offended manner. \u201cI wasn\u2019t even thinking of making a crack about your state of deadness.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan you defeat it?\u201d Giles asked.<\/p>\n \u201cIf Buffy can keep the vampires off me long enough. I have what I need to kill him in the trunk of my car. He\u2019s got a weak spot. The section of belly just above his pelvis doesn\u2019t have armor.\u201d<\/p>\n Buffy rose from her seat and the others followed suit. \u201cThen I suggest we go before people start getting hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n Giles waited patiently as the others passed him by before grabbing a knife and cutting a slice of lasagna. He gently wrapped it in a piece of napkin before following the others out the door.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Clayton\u2019s Junction<\/em> Merrick held the glass lightly in his hand and brought it under his nose. Inhaling deeply, Merrick moaned audibly as the delicate scent invaded him. A quick swirl of the glass was followed by a smooth downing of the amber liquid. As a human might say, the sensation was purely orgasmic.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, God, this is simply magnificent,\u201d Merrick sighed. \u201cBrandy. Bottled in 1815. And blessed be, a Frenchman made it. The French certainly produce some fine liquors.\u201d Merrick gently waved his foot in the air to the motion of the orchestra playing in the background.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been so long since I\u2019ve been able to enjoy the pleasures of life. Generations have passed since the last time I had five star Italian cuisine, or gazed upon a rare Rembrandt, or even seen a symphony performed in person. Do you know this piece? I saw the original performance of it. It is Beethoven\u2019s Ninth Symphony. An exquisite experience, is it not?\u201d<\/p>\n Merrick sighed at the lack of response. \u201cNot a music lover, I take it. Sad. Otherwise this was a perfect evening.\u201d<\/p>\n The lovely young brunette girl might have screamed for help if not for the state of shock her body was presently in. That was due largely to the gaping hole in her abdomen and the incidental loss of her liver.<\/p>\n Merrick smiled slightly at the blinking but unseeing eyes. Poor girl. He almost felt sorry for her. Merrick shrugged the feeling away and cut another slice of said girl\u2019s liver from the plate before him and ate.<\/p>\n \u201cI tell you, and I hope you pardon my language, but it very much gripes my ass that I\u2019ve spent eighty years locked away while Angel has spent all that time roaming free to do as he pleases. The son of a bitch denied me what was mine all those years ago. Now I\u2019m free to collect my reward.\u201d The annoyance was plain on his face. \u201cNow I just have to track down the little whore and her two friends.\u201d<\/p>\n Merrick sighed. \u201cWell, I shouldn\u2019t get discouraged. Within the next few days, I will be able to cure myself of two long-standing problems. But first I must attend to an even more immediate dilemma.\u201d<\/p>\n Merrick moved to stand up, but fatigue was setting in. \u201cYou must pardon me,\u201d he spoke in the girl\u2019s direction. \u201cI\u2019m not quite feeling up to par at the moment. But thankfully you can help me with that.\u201d Merrick forced himself to his feet and crossed over to the couch on which the girl rested.<\/p>\n Her eyes tracked the movement, but her body was unable to respond. She barely registered the fact that Merrick gently placed his left hand on her forehead. A bright white light glowed behind the girl\u2019s eyes as the life drained from her body. Merrick, however, found the previous moment\u2019s fatigue to be lifted.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, that\u2019s the stuff. Darling, you were just what I needed.\u201d Rejuvenated, Merrick patted the girl\u2019s cheek affectionately. As he went to leave, he tripped slightly over a book. Smiling, he reached down and grabbed the spell book and placed it on the coffee table with a few other similar tomes. Whistling a line from the Brandenburg Concertos, Merrick flipped the light switch and left.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Angel\u2019s convertible and Xander\u2019s sedan pulled into the parking lot of Sunnydale Mall as tens of other people were rushing to their cars to get away. They quickly exited the cars and assembled at the trunk of the convertible. The Scoobies already carried their own weapons. Angel now had to retrieve his.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure you can kill it?\u201d Giles asked once more.<\/p>\n \u201cFairly sure,\u201d was Angel\u2019s reply. Popping open the trunk, the collective jaws of the Scoobies dropped at the sight before them.<\/p>\n \u201cWow,\u201d Willow breathed. \u201cYou really take the Boy Scout motto to heart, don\u2019t you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course.\u201d Angel reached in and grabbed what appeared to be an anti-tank gun.<\/p>\n \u201cI was wondering why the car seemed heavy in back,\u201d Dawn said.<\/p>\n Buffy\u2019s breathing began to come in short gasps as she took in the sight of an impressive piece of weaponry. Angel was fairly sure she was becoming aroused by it. \u201cWhat is that and where can I get one?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n Angel slung the leather strap across his shoulder and hoisted the gun up to his hip. The weapon was essentially a long tube connected to what appeared to be a large metal canister.<\/p>\n \u201cFred made this for me. It fires a two-foot long stake at a velocity just shy of two hundred miles per hour. It uses highly compressed air to launch the projectile. Cool, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGiles? Can I have one for Christmas?\u201d<\/p>\n Giles was equally impressed with it. \u201cI was actually going to ask the same thing. Um, this Fred girl, does she do specialty orders?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cProbably, if you ask nice enough.\u201d Angel handed the gun over to Buffy so he could gather his other tools. He wondered vaguely if he would be able to get it away from her. From his side, Dawn poked her head into the trunk to see what else he had.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are these?\u201d she asked. Dawn held up a pair of Angel\u2019s wrist holsters.<\/p>\n \u201cSpring loaded stake holsters. Strap them on the inside of your forearm. When you want a stake to pop out, apply pressure to the trigger using a motion like this.\u201d Angel demonstrated the correct motion. He then helped her put them on. \u201cHave fun with them.\u201d<\/p>\n Angel strapped another holster to his chest that held a pair of hatchets. He then pulled out a briefcase that contained the main item he was looking for.<\/p>\n \u201cSo,\u201d Xander started. \u201cIf you shoot this demon in the gut with your stake gun, that will kill it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh no. In fact, besides only leaving a real big hole in his torso, it will do little more than piss it off.\u201d He pulled a white brick from the briefcase. \u201cThis brick of C-4 explosive that I will jam into that real big hole in his torso is what will kill him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cC-4?\u201d Willow asked. \u201cOverkill much? And why would you have that in your trunk anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRemember that apocalypse I was telling you guys about? Yeah, well, we had some leftover supplies.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI like explosives,\u201d Buffy said dreamily. She continued to rub the stake gun in a manner that Angel had only seen a woman rub a\u2026well, you know. Angel took the gun away from her. The soft whimpering sound she made was quite sad.<\/p>\n \u201cIs this really going to work?\u201d Dawn asked.<\/p>\n Angel strapped the gun back on. \u201cIt should. The way I figure it, you could see one of two things. Number one would be me dying in a horrible and brutal manner. Number two would be me sticking this explosive in this demon\u2019s chest and creating a bizarre version of modernistic art all along the walls of Starbucks. Either way it should be cool. You guys ready?\u201d<\/p>\n All agreed that they were. Well, except for Buffy. She was still pouting over the loss of the gun. \u201cI\u2019ll let you play with it later.\u201d<\/p>\n Buffy instantly perked up at that. \u201cWay cool. Let\u2019s go kill us some demons.\u201d<\/p>\n With Angel and Buffy leading the way, the gang strode confidently into battle.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Cordelia smiled softly as she looked down at her child. The baby sucked happily on a bottle, seemingly oblivious to the world. Cordelia envied that. Instead, she was stuck with the harsh reality that the man she loved likely didn\u2019t love her anymore.<\/p>\n \u201cHe must hate me so much,\u201d she whispered down to the child. \u201cCan\u2019t say that I blame him. I kind of hate me at the moment, too. I harped on him when he slept with Darla. I told him what a mistake it was and how horrible it was. Mommy\u2019s a hypocrite. Do you know what a hypocrite is?\u201d The child gurgled softly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll learn eventually. The world is full of them. A hypocrite is someone who doesn\u2019t practice what they preach. I would say that is typical of your average churchgoer, but I\u2019m not into the religion bashing thing. Not when I proved how horrible I could be. I betrayed your daddy. Well, he isn\u2019t really your daddy, but you understand what I mean. I slept with his son. I confessed my love to him and then slept with his own blood. And let me tell you, Mommy\u2019s rationalization wasn\u2019t too rational when I did it either. Not that I\u2019m making excuses. No. I\u2019m prepared to face the consequences of my actions.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m prepared to spend the rest of my life without him. He deserves someone one better. Someone who won\u2019t resort to hanging his past over his head just because she\u2019s scared of what may happen. I\u2019m prepared to spend the rest of my life alone and without love. But God help me. I don\u2019t want to. I need him. I need him to come home.\u201d<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Wounded lined the corridors of Sunnydale Mall. Some of them suffered from bites to the neck. Others were hit by stray bullets. Angel took the lead as they neared the GAP. Some of the vampires were trying on Polo shirts. The Mihara-Matu looked on with a satisfied smirk as his minions created havoc.<\/p>\n \u201cI miss the days when demons just used fangs and claws and weird little things that shoot out of their ears,\u201d Xander stated nervously. He made sure to stay behind Angel since he was fairly bulletproof. \u201cOnce the evil things start using gunpowder, that\u2019s when I hide under the bed and reminisce about the good old days.\u201d<\/p>\n Angel cast an annoyed glance backwards. Xander, like the rest of the Scoobies, were armed primarily with crossbows. \u201cXander, be quiet,\u201d Angel ordered. \u201cThese guys have guns, you guys have crossbows. And since I\u2019m the only one hear that is vaguely bulletproof, I would suggest that you guys take cover until I kill this thing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSince when do we take orders from you?\u201d Xander asked. Angel vamped out and snarled at him. \u201cOh, since then,\u201d Xander gulped. \u201cRight-o.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust keep them busy while I do my thing.\u201d Angel flipped the switch that would build up pressure in the gun. \u201cThis shouldn\u2019t take long. Not like some other fights.\u201d<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n \u201cYou sure about this, dude?\u201d Gunn asked. \u201cDo you really want to do this?\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n \u201cDo I want to do this? No,\u201d Angel answered. \u201cHaving my soul torn from my body doesn\u2019t rank high on my \u2018To Do\u2019 list, but the options are limited.\u201d<\/p>\n The gang was assembled around the hotel counter as they looked over the schematics for the abandoned warehouse. The members of Angel Investigations didn\u2019t much care for the plan. The new members of Faith and Gwen weren\u2019t too hip on it either. Lilah, seeing that there was a good chance that Angel\u2019s death could result from this, gave her full support towards the plan.<\/p>\n \u201cIt isn\u2019t worth it, Angel,\u201d Cordelia spoke softly. \u201cI don\u2019t want you to do this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt has to be done, Cordelia. It\u2019s the only way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt won\u2019t work.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt has to,\u201d Angel said with a determination she\u2019d never heard before.<\/p>\n Silence reigned for several minutes before Wesley spoke quietly. \u201cGo over the plan again.\u201d<\/p>\n Angel did so. Pointing at the schematics, he outlined his plan for the final battle. \u201cIn two nights, we draw the Beast into this building. When he nears, Wesley will perform the soul extraction as the rest of you escort Cordelia down to the basement. From there, head into the sewers to safety. Wesley, I want you to run while I\u2019m still recovering from the spell. I need everyone to protect Cordelia. I don\u2019t know why it wants the baby, but we will make damn sure he won\u2019t get it.\u201d<\/p>\n Angel let that bit of information sink into their heads. Lilah then spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, now what\u2019s my role in all this?\u201d<\/p>\n Angel reached into his jeans pocket and retrieved a slip of yellow paper. \u201c I need you to get these items for me.\u201d Lilah took the paper and read the list aloud.<\/p>\n \u201cAn Urn of Lordoth. Four fiber-optic night view cameras. Remote video receiver. And\u2026Good God that\u2019s a lot of high explosive. What the hell do you want this for?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlan B,\u201d Angel answered. \u201cThe urn is to capture my soul. I want those cameras installed in the building before the fight. It\u2019s fairly simple. You watch to see how it goes. If I can stick him with the Blade of Hefnar then I kill him. If I can\u2019t, then you flick the switch on the detonator and bury him. That should give you time to get to a safe distance.\u201d<\/p>\n Cordelia rubbed her swollen belly as she considered the probabilities. \u201cThis won\u2019t work,\u201d she said with finality.<\/p>\n Angel cast her a long and sullen glance before turning away from the group. \u201cI know,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n \u201cHey! Demon dude!\u201d<\/p>\n The Mihara-Matu turned towards the voice and growled. He then stared in confusion at the tube the vampire carried. Angel clicked a button that primed the firing chamber.<\/p>\n \u201cSay hello to my little friend!\u201d<\/p>\n A sound akin to a torpedo being shot from a submarine resonated through the halls. The two foot long section of oak hurtled at a velocity well over 180 miles per hour. The trajectory proved true as the stake slammed into the demon\u2019s torso just above his pelvis. The sheer force of the impact threw the demon back twenty feet until a stand of Calvin Klein jeans stopped his progress.<\/p>\n Angel pulled the gun up over his head and tossed it aside. \u201cI\u2019ve always wanted to say that.\u201d He turned a quick glance to the Scoobies. \u201cFan out and take cover. Do your thing so I can do mine.\u201d<\/p>\n The Scoobies obeyed the order and ducked behind benches, trashcans, and whatever else was handy. Angel strode forward, ignoring the whiz of bullets that zipped past him. Two vampires charged up and tried to flank him. Firing pistols, several bullets imbedded in Angel\u2019s torso.<\/p>\n \u201cYou cannot get by!\u201d the first vampire shouted.<\/p>\n \u201cYou will be destroyed!\u201d the second screamed.<\/p>\n A flick of his wrists and a pair of stakes appeared in Angel\u2019s hands. Moments later, those stakes were thrust through the hearts of the vampires that stood in his way.<\/p>\n \u201cWhatever,\u201d was his reply.<\/p>\n The Mihara-Matu was slow to his feet after being hit with the cannon. By the time he stood up and jerked the stake from his chest, Angel\u2019s fist made solid contact with his face. In a blur, Angel whipped the hatchets from underneath his coat and began to deliver some hard blows to the demon\u2019s upper body.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll tell you what,\u201d Angel began. \u201cI\u2019m going to make this quick.\u201d Angel\u2019s hatchet blows drove the demon backwards towards the elevators. \u201cBecause I made a great lasagna dinner, and it\u2019s going to get cold if we don\u2019t get back soon.\u201d Angel hurled one of his hatchets at the elevator buttons. The down arrow promptly lit up. \u201cPlus, I had all the stuff laid out to make pumpkin pie.\u201d<\/p>\n A vicious heel kick sent the Mihara-Matu reeling a few feet away from the elevator. A small ding sounded as the metal doors slid open. \u201cAs much as I would like to continue this little altercation, this fight is officially over,\u201d Angel concluded. From his jacket pocket Angel produced the brick of C-4 with metal fuses already implanted.<\/p>\n Angel jammed the brick into the open wound of the Mihara-Matu. Grabbing the demon by the shoulder armor, Angel spun him around and tossed him into the open elevator with a loud crash. The elevator dutifully slid shut with yet another small ding.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd they had trouble fighting THIS?\u201d Angel shook his head in disappointment. \u201cMaybe I\u2019m just getting too good.\u201d With a small sigh, Angel turned on his heels and moved to rejoin the Scoobies. As he reached an aisle of Hilfiger apparel, a sudden thought occurred to him.<\/p>\n Reaching into his jacket, Angel withdrew a small remote. A flick of a switch and the Mihara-Matu met a fiery end. But then again, so did much of the store\u2019s clothing.<\/p>\n When the vampires realized that their employer was dead, they didn\u2019t hesitate to drop their guns to the floor and run to the nearest exits. The Scoobies were tempted to give pursuit, especially since they now held the advantage. But it was clear that Angel had no interest in doing so.<\/p>\n The Scoobies began to pop up from their places of cover and gathered in the center of the court. All were fairly stunned at the brutality and effectiveness of Angel\u2019s assault.<\/p>\n \u201cWell,\u201d Willow started, \u201cAngel was right about one thing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about?\u201d Xander asked.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was pretty cool.\u201d She looked around for confirmation from the others. They all nodded their agreement. That was indeed cool.<\/p>\n \u201cYou think anyone will be mad since you blew up the GAP?\u201d Dawn asked.<\/p>\n Angel turned back and observed the fiery ruins of the preppy clothing outlet. \u201cProbably. But really, who buys shit from the GAP anyway beside rich preps and snot nosed punks?\u201d Buffy fiddled with the collar of her shirt so the tag couldn\u2019t be seen. It wasn\u2019t her fault it had been on sale.<\/p>\n \u201cBesides, GAP stores are like bacteria and Chinese. They reproduce by mitosis.\u201d<\/p>\n Angel moved to follow the gang out when he realized what he just said. \u201cOkay, that wasn\u2019t an ethnic slur on my part. I like the Chinese.\u201d Pause. \u201cConsidering I\u2019m a vampire, that can be interpreted several ways.\u201d<\/p>\n Another pause. \u201cAnyone have a cigarette? I could use a cigarette.\u201d<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Wesley leaned back in the metal folding chair calmly. In his left hand was a cigarette. Flicking away the ashes, he calmly brought it up to his lips. In his right hand was a three-quarter inch thick section of rope.<\/p>\n That section of rope trailed upward to the ceiling. Wrapped around a small pulley, the rope trailed back down several feet. The end of the opposite section of rope was tied around a pair of old surplus army boots. Those army boots were attached to the feet of an odd looking creature.<\/p>\n Odd, but certainly vicious if that double set of fangs were any indication. However, that didn\u2019t concern Wesley much. Not when this demon was dangling over a vat of water.<\/p>\n Wesley reached over to the small table next to his chair and adjusted the dial on an electric radio. Changing the station from modern to classic rock, Wesley smiled in satisfaction. He then grabbed the bottle of Budweiser sitting next to the radio and took a long swill.<\/p>\n \u201cI do love Led Zeppelin, don\u2019t you?\u201d The demon snarled viciously in response. \u201cDo you have a favorite album? Personally, Physical Graffiti is always among the selections in my CD player.\u201d The demon snapped both set of teeth in anger. \u201cWell, if you want to be that way, then I suppose we can get down to business. And here I was trying to be polite and make light conversation beforehand. Oh well.\u201d<\/p>\n Wesley relaxed his hold on the rope until the demon\u2019s head was submerged underwater. With a totally bored expression, the former Watcher waited nearly a minute before pulling the demon back up. Needless to say, he wasn\u2019t very pleased.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, be silent,\u201d Wesley admonished. The demon\u2019s roars subsided to soft growls. \u201cNow, it has come to my attention that you deal in facts. The sort of chap that has connections that have connections. In other words, you will have information that could prove useful to me. That being so, I pose you a question. Do you know the location of a vampire known as Angel?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy should I tell you anything, Brit?\u201d the demon snapped.<\/p>\n Wesley sighed and rolled his eyes in annoyance. The demon found himself once more submerged. When Wesley leisurely pulled back on the rope several minutes later, he asked, \u201cIs that enough motivation? I can do this all night.\u201d<\/p>\n The demon stared at him with wide purple eyes. The human seemed serious. \u201cSome town up north. Supposedly a vampire with a soul has been spotted there. It\u2019s called\u2026it\u2019s called\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSunnydale?\u201d Wesley supplied.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d the demon agreed.<\/p>\n Wesley considered that information. It made a sort of twisted sense. \u201cVery well.\u201d Wesley completely let loose of the rope so that the demon went down into the vat of water with a loud splash. Wesley then grabbed the radio, and extension cord and all, tossed it nonchalantly into the water. Sparks flew as the demon was effectively turned to a crisp.<\/p>\n \u201cSmells like chicken,\u201d Wesley mused. He took a long drag from the cigarette before tossing it aside. \u201cLooks like I\u2019m going to Sunnydale. Oh joy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThree Miles East of Sunnydale<\/em><\/p>\n