This tale is the third in a series of fics. It started with Monster Killer and continued in Glacier (although I wrote Glacier first) * I think I was channeling George Lucas*

You don’t need to read the other two to understand this but Glacier ended with Angel laying his head on the kitchen table and giving in to Buffy’s request that he lets her back into his life. He had shut down and led a solitary life after the events of NFA and Buffy had to go to LA to get him to see sense. They are at Giles’ country home in England, after they rescued Faith from another demon dimension. Gunn helped Buffy and Angel in the rescue and now Spike and Illyria have shown up. This starts where we left off in the kitchen.

For Jo and Deb, I wrote a naked Angel scene just for you. Dark Star, although I rate this R it’s not for smut, only violence.

The Call of the Raven

Ares

Ares13@tsn.cc

Rating R

Feedback? Yes please!

“What a touching sight.”

Angel stiffened at the sound of Spike’s softly spoken sneer. He lifted his head from Buffy’s embrace.

“Spike,” Buffy hissed feeling the loss of Angel’s touch immediately. She reached over to stop his retreat but Angel was already on his feet.

Angel pushed past Spike with a mumbled, “Good night Buffy, I’m going to bed,” and vampire quiet he walked past the silent rooms head bowed.

“Sorry. Did I interrupt? No need to run on my account!” The vampire called after his grandsire. He knew that the other vampire had heard and waited for a come back. He didn’t and then Spike heard the quiet snick of Angel’s door.

Buffy was on her feet glaring at Spike when he turned from staring after Angel.

He shrugged his shoulders. “What?”

“Good timing Spike!” She wanted to shake him and kick his ass out of the kitchen instead she watched as he entered the room and lifted the kettle to judge the water level.

Spike set the kettle back on the stove and searched the cupboards for a cup and some coffee. He knew that Buffy was fuming but he figured that she owed him now that she had chosen the other vampire with a soul. He knew he never really had a chance but a man could dream couldn’t he?

“I wanted a coffee,” he said as he spooned the instant into his cup.

“Now?”

“This time’s as good as any.” He smirked at Buffy when he noticed her gritting her teeth.

“Relax. I heard Peaches come in and wanted to know what’s up. So stake me, I was curious.” The kettle shrilled and he poured the water into his cup adding milk and sugar before sitting down.

“Couldn’t you have waited till morning?” Buffy sat down again, watching as Spike sipped his coffee wondering if he really tasted anything at all.

“It is morning.”

“God! Do vampires get a cryptic hand book or something?” Buffy grumbled and gave up any hope of Spike leaving and decided to finish her tea. She topped up the lukewarm cup with more boiling water and stirred. Buffy sighed. Here she was sitting at a table with Spike when not a few minutes since Angel had been in the same chair. It was Angel she wanted and now the moment was lost. Angel had admitted that maybe he was willing to try again and Spike had of course ruined the moment.

Spike shook his head and chuckled. “No but caveman brow needs a translator most of the time.”

“Why do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Don’t mess with me Spike. You know, antagonize Angel, and call him names?”

“Angelus and I go way back. He was a right evil bastard.”

“So were you.”

Spike thought on that and came up with nothing. So he said instead, “It’s what I do.”

The glare Buffy gave him intensified and Spike felt his bitterness rise. “Okay, it’s just that he always gets what he wants. The girl,” he pointed to Buffy, “the cars, the money, the perks, people running after him and a Destiny. What do I get huh? Besides ghosted, toasted, brought back and to what? Playing second fiddle to Captain Boring.”

Buffy leaned forward still clutching her cup disbelief on her face. “Living in alleys for years feeding on rats and not living in a school basement for oh?” she rolled her eyes, “several weeks… living a century on his own being tormented by his soul and not having someone on hand to help him through it. Not having a basement to live in and fresh blood to drink and cigarettes and clothing provided. Oh yeah, he has it all including the loss of almost everyone he loved. Yes Spike Angel has it all.”

Spike sat back and wished for a cigarette. He stared at the slayer and she stared back. Spike finally looked away. She was right of course and Spike had formed a truce of sorts with Angel anyways. Not that he was admitting that to anybody.

“I know Buffy.” He looked back at her. “Angel and I are complicated.”

A frown formed between her eyes. “Blood ties?”

Sod it! Spike decided he would have a fag. He pulled the packet from his pocket and fished about for his lighter.

“Spike…”

“Don’t care.” He lit up and dragged the smoke into his dead lungs. Answering her earlier question he said, “Blood ties, family, evil, sires…all of it. Angel and I are good; we’ve sorted out our differences. Doesn’t mean to say I have to like the bastard.” He blew smoke to the ceiling. Okay, maybe he was ready to admit.

A warm hand on his own brought his head down. He looked at Buffy’s tanned fingers resting on his pale ones.

“You offered to die with Angel that night.”

“Had nothing better to do, besides,” he sniffed, “saved the world once thought maybe we could do it again.”

Buffy smiled warmly at him and let him go. Spike felt her heat a moment more before it faded and he smiled in return.

“Did I ever say Thank you…for The Hellmouth…you know, all of it?”

Now Spike’s smile was genuine. “I think the bit where you said ‘I love you’ covered that.”

Feeling as if matters had finally been settled between her and Spike, Buffy finished her cup and got up taking Angel’s cold tea with her. She turned to place the cups in the sink.

She glanced out the window above the sink. “The sun’s coming up.”

Spike nodded. “Can see that luv.”

Buffy turned. “I’ll see you later?” Her eyes alighted on Angel’s wet and battered coat still hanging over the back of a chair. She lifted her eyes to see Spike watching her.

Spike blew out a smoke ring and it hovered in the air between. “Yeah, sleep tight Slayer.”

Buffy left Spike enjoying his illicit cigarette and tip toed down the hall towards Angel and Gunn’s room. Knowing she was being ridiculous Buffy softly opened the door and peeked around it. Blinking quickly, the sliver of light from the hall barely illuminated the shape in the bed beneath the covered window; it had to be Gunn sleeping there. Buffy twisted her head to look at Angel’s bed hoping he was awake but the still form there remained quiescent. Buffy carefully backed out and quietly clicked the door shut. She tiptoed back to her room slightly disappointed.

Angel opened his eyes once Buffy had retreated. Angel sighed. Truth be told he still wasn’t sure that he had made the right decision to come out of hiding. The Senior Partners were a constant worry in his mind and Buffy just complicated everything. His heart and soul had been beaten down so often and so deeply that his emotions had shut down and frozen into oblivion. Buffy of course had managed to find a chink in his armour and the thaw had set in. Angel turned onto his stomach and laid his head onto his pillow, his arm protecting his face. He knew he couldn’t face the desert of another hundred years alone although he must to keep everyone safe. Angel knew he didn’t always follow the *safe* plan. His thoughts corkscrewed until his mind couldn’t decipher the smallest detail and he shut down into whatever vampires called sleep.

It was late afternoon when Angel rose. He had had a quick shower before bed earlier and now enjoyed a longer one. Holding his still damp sweater in one hand he rummaged around his bag for another and sighed. His books were on the desk and his weapons on the bed and yes his bag was empty. One pair of socks stared up at him. Okay, he needed to purchase new clothes. With great reluctance he pulled on the sweater and grimaced at the wetness. Cold he could handle, being wet was just plain uncomfortable. This was England; a sweater did not dry in a few hours as it did in Los Angeles. Angel ran a hand through his hair and straightened the room. Even his pants were damp. He shook his head and left the room.

The kitchen was thankfully empty and skirting sunlight patches, Angel managed to make a cup of tea. He carried it down to the library managing not to run into anyone. He paused outside Giles’s domain and satisfied that it was empty found a dark corner and picked up an ancient book. He wondered where everyone was, the house was deserted.

Buffy and the others were out in the garden taking tea as the English would say. Some of the slayers had driven off into town and hooray, Andrew had accompanied them. So the rest of the household had taken their drinks and with a tray of biscuits had laid claim to the front garden. Faith was healing fast and Gunn had managed to find a seat next to the dark haired slayer. Buffy could see that there was something developing between the Faith and the tall, handsome Gunn. Spike was sitting under a tree after an uncool dash with an English brolly. Said umbrella hung from a branch and Spike kept under its protection grumbling all the while about “having tea inside where there wasn’t a danger of crisping.”

Xander had shouted him down by telling him that Spike could go back inside and keep Angel company. Spike had grumbled louder at that suggestion and slouched lower in his seat. Willow and Kennedy were leaning against each other although Willow couldn’t keep her eyes off Illyria. The God King stood eerily still absorbing the group’s interaction which made them all somewhat uncomfortable.

Between Faith, Gunn and Buffy they recapped their adventures in the rescue of Faith and Rupert Giles finally had his watcher’s curiosity satisfied.

“About time too,” he muttered around a mouthful of biscuit.

“The man could’ve told us before we leaned up against the tree.” Gunn complained embarrassed finishing off the tale.

Buffy excused herself as Xander giggled. “Sorry my friend but if you know Angel then you know; that that will never happen. I think the man enjoys keeping us in the dark just so he can watch us jump in fright.”

Buffy shook her head in wonder at Xander. Could he put aside his hatred of the vampire so easily?

Spike flicked ash from his cigarette muttering, “Bloody drama queen.”

Buffy opened the door to Angel’s room to find that the vampire had risen. She smiled as she skipped down the hall. Angel was up and it was still daylight. But where was he?

Of course she found him in a dark corner of the library reading.

He looked up as she entered and her heart flipped flopped.

“Hey” she said as she took a seat beside him.

She was blessed with a small smile. “Hey.”

Feeling as if her face would split in two; Buffy returned his smile

“What’ya reading?”

Angel closed the small book and she noticed the worn leather cover had an intricate design.

“Something I found here.”

Buffy leaned in to read the inscription but it was in some weird language. She frowned and looked up to see Angel watching her.

“See…cryptic hand book,’ she murmured.

“What? No. Buffy it’s…”

She stopped him from explaining a book that would hold no interest to her.

“Angel…Stop. It doesn’t matter.” She looked at him closely. “How are you?” she asked softly.

Angel looked back feeling a little lighter in his soul than he had since it had all gone to hell.

“Better.”

Buffy smiled her spirits truly lifted. “That’s good isn’t it? Better is good.”

Angel gave her something that she had dreamed about for years; his half smile that melted her heart.

“Yeah.”

Angel sat in the library of a man who had great cause to hate him and contemplated the love of his life. And she was his love, always was, always will be. His heart had never forgotten but events and life and death had torn them apart, torn out their hearts and trampled them underfoot until their hearts were unrecognizable pieces of flotsam in the passing storm that was their lives.

Back then when he stalked Sunnydale at night, Angel never saw Buffy during the light of day. His visits had always been after dark and he had told her once that he would love to see her in the sunlight. Then he left her and ended up in L.A. and his lifestyle changed. He had been granted that one day when he himself had stood out in the glorious sun and kissed the girl of his dreams.

Today she sat before him, shadowed because he was but when she had moved into the room sunlight had played across her beauty and he had been mesmerized all over again. The strange light in the demon dimension let them both stand unharmed while each admired the other but Angel thought Buffy had never looked lovelier each time he saw her.

Buffy sat waiting for Angel to say more and when he didn’t she fell into his gaze and wondered not for the first time, what it was about vampires and thrall. For being with Angel felt like a dream; one where she did not want to wake up because bad things always seemed to happen and the dream was no more.

Angel dragged his thoughts back and his gaze away from the vision before him and realised that he could hear sounds coming from the kitchen.

“Where is everyone?”

Buffy swallowed, the spell broken. “Out in the garden taking tea. Spike is out there hiding under an umbrella being a pain and Gunn and Illyria are there too. Do you want to come and join us?”

Angel shook his head. “I need new clothes.” He plucked at the sleeve of his sweater. “My last one.”

“Maybe Giles,” at the look the vampire gave her Buffy quickly added “or Xander could lend you something.”

The look turned to horror and Buffy stifled a giggle.

“Shopping Buffy or do you no longer shop?”

Buffy laughed and without thinking reached out and tapped his arm, and wondered why his shirt was damp. “Like that will ever happen. Although I think the local village stores close early. Maybe you can give me a list?”

Angel concentrated on Buffy’s voice trying to ignore her touch. This was ridiculous. It was starting all over again, the pain of desire, longing and shattered dreams. He dreaded what may, what if Wesley was wrong?

“Are you able to get use of the car after dinner?”

Now Buffy gave Angel an evil grin. “Are you suggesting after hours shopping?”

Pride prompted him to say, “I have money.”

Buffy’s grin faded into a pout. “So no breaking and entering?”

“I didn’t say that.”

Buffy’s grin returned and Angel actually chuckled.

“So the sleeper awakes!” Spike declared as he sidestepped a strip of day light and entered the room breaking the mood. Angel could smell Spike’s skin smoking; the vampire must have gotten singed getting into the house.

Buffy rose and tugged the curtains closed so that the vampires could move more freely. When she turned Buffy saw that Spike had taken her chair and she bit back the reprimand in her mouth and asked instead, “Had enough outside?”

Angel leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms his smile obliterated by Spike’s presence. Buffy drew a chair up so that they formed a circle.

“Pow wow’s breaking up so thought you would be here. Peaches always loved a good read and you?” Spike shrugged his shoulders, “figured you would be where he is.”

“Where’s Illyria?” Buffy asked concerned that the God King was left to who knew what devices.

“Relax slayer. Illyria wouldn’t harm a fly.”

“How is she?” Angel asked softly and thought about his concern for Illyria. He still regretted losing Fred, wanted her back something fierce but Illyria had stood by them and was now no longer the enemy. Could she be called friend?

Spike looked at Angel. “Coping…loss of her universe and all that…but I think maybe she is becoming more human.”

Buffy snorted. “Illyria human? I’d hate to see her at the other end of the scale.”

“Think of towering demon, multiple arms, all powerful and invincible.” Angel recalled the image out of Wesley’s template.

“And it all fit into Fred’s body?” Buffy looked at both vampires in amazement.

“Shell. Illyria calls Fred’s body a shell.” Spike told her and Buffy shuddered.

“Except it didn’t fit and the power that is her essence destroyed California.” Angel uncrossed his arms and leaned forward. “She managed to kill all of us before that happened.”

Buffy’s mouth opened but nothing came out. What? California was still there the last time she looked.

She finally managed, “Huh?”

Angel tensed, he sensed the watcher hovering in the doorway, and Illyria was behind him when Giles entered the room.

Spike ignored the others as he clarified things for Buffy. “Yeah apparently she killed me first and the boss man here last.” He jerked his head in Angel’s direction.

Giles sat as Buffy asked very perplexed, “What? How? And again I say how?”

Illyria’s strange monotone answered her. “After I had destroyed them all, the power of my Grace exploded out of this shell; the half breed was caught in my earlier time line and insisted on following me until their treachery was complete.”

Buffy turned to face the blue demon. “Treachery….wait!” Her eyes narrowed dangerously. “You killed them?”

“There was no treachery pet,” Spike assured Buffy. “Wesley had a machine that drew her power away from her safely.”

“Thus trapping me in this shell with less than magnificent grace. It is a condition that does not befit one as glorious as I. I do not like it.” Illyria’s jeweled eyes gleamed dangerously as she vented her displeasure.

“Now Blue,” Spike admonished and Illyria cocked her head as she considered him.

Buffy faced Angel again. “How did you stop her?”

He sighed and leaned back again. “We kept arriving at a point in time when Illyria exploded so I tried to get her to realize that she could change her future.”

“And?” when it seemed as if the vampire wasn’t going to say anything else.

“She got there in the end.”

“But you died right?” Buffy eyed Illyria. She/he/it was definitely on her not to be trusted list.

“But we got better,” Spike joked trying to diffuse Buffy’s ire.

Giles sat silent. He had played a part in allowing this creature continued access to the world, and yet, at the same time the watcher in him listened, fascinated by the tale.

Buffy stood and turned back to the blue demon. “How did you kill them?”

She ignored Angel’s quiet, “Buffy,” from behind her.

Illyria did not understand the slayer’s agitation. The half breeds exist still, end of discussion.

“I killed this one first,” she indicated Spike. “With a wooden object, Wesley with a sharp object, I killed the green demon and then I decapitated the vampire.”

“Apparently it happened more than once. Buffy sit down, it’s over pet. All’s forgiven.”

Spike pushed her chair forward with his foot.

“The half breeds live do they not? This is not of your concern.” Illyria moved away, the matter no longer interested her.

“She *is* on our side?” Buffy asked angry at Illyria’s dispassionate demeanour.

“Side?” Illyria asked truly puzzled.

“Buffy” Angel’s voice pulled her back and she glanced behind her. “Fred is gone and Illyria has,” he looked over to the demon god king, “joined the team…so to speak.”

“Yeah. We couldn’t have managed the demon hordes without her.” Spike smiled at the woman/demon. “Thank you for that Blue.”

Illyria startled Buffy into reaching for her chair and sitting down hard in shock. Giles leaned forward in amazement and fascination as Illyria changed into….a pretty young woman.

Buffy opened her mouth in surprise and looked at Illyria before looking at Angel. She clamped her mouth closed when she saw the misery on his face and guessed,

“Fred.”

“Fred?” Willow had just passed through the library door when she noticed her friend gaping at someone in the corner. She hurried in to hear Fred’s name and stopped in shock. There in the room was the beautiful young Fred.

“How is this possible?” Willow held her hands out and dared to step a little closer.

Winifred Burkle smiled her innocent little smile and met the Wicca half way.

“Willow? Oh…it’s so good to see you. It’s been ages since and I’ve been wondering what you’ve been up to. Are you still doing majick? I hear you’ve become very powerful.”

Fred clasped Willow’s hands and the redhead’s heart leapt for joy. “Is it really you? How can this be?” Willow leaned in and hugged Fred fiercely. “I thought that we had lost you.” Her breath hitched, she had been devastated to learn of the young woman’s death.

“Willow. Step away.” Buffy’s voice insisted and Willow didn’t understand.

“It’s okay Buffy. Illyria won’t harm her.”

Buffy wasn’t sure. She gave Spike a look that said if she makes one wrong move she’s dead. She was very aware that Angel had not spoken since Fred’s form had graced the room. She noticed the look Spike threw his way and it shocked her to see that Spike cared.

Illyria felt the human’s arms around her and found that she enjoyed the sensation. She didn’t like to be touched but now that she was….she relished the feelings it invoked. Friendship and companionship, emotions she would have rejected a year or two ago. Emotions that Wesley had stirred in her.

Willow stepped back and looked hard at Fred. “Illyria?”

Fred changed and became Illyria. Willow squeaked and stepped back.

“I have the shell’s…Winifred Burkle’s memories and I can change my form at will. You cared for the one they called Fred.”

Willow stared at Illyria and nodded, swallowing nervously. “I did not know her well but we did share time together.”

Illyria canted her head and considered her. “She cared for you and because it pleases me I will also leave you intact.”

Willow gave her a shaky smile. “Okay then…thank you. I think.”

Giles fiddled with his glasses as he listened, absorbing the change from demon to human to demon. He had never met Winifred Burkle, had never seen the bright innocence that defined the southern belle. Now faced with what once was; he found his conscience pinching. It was easy to deny help to a faceless stranger and never learn their fate but to see the damage before him was another thing altogether.

Willow stepped back from her and took a shaky few steps to the sofa. “So Fred is still in there?”

Spike glanced at Angel but he was looking at his hands.

“No. The Fires of Resurrection consumed Fred’s soul. Fred no longer exists on this plane or any other.” Spike’s voice was bitter.

Buffy felt her stomach clench. “So she doesn’t get to go to heaven?”

“No.” Angel looked up at Illyria but couldn’t hate her. Illyria did not choose Winifred’s body. That murderer was well dead.

Giles paled and felt sick. Because of his actions, a young girl had been destroyed, body and soul. The soul was no more and this was more than murder, this was annihilation. It was if the woman had never existed except that her body was walking around inhabited by a very powerful and dangerous demon; more dangerous than the other two demons here.

Buffy held back the tears that sprang to her eyes. She had been to heaven and hoped that one day she would be there again; now she knew that someone also deserving would never have that or anything ever again. She swallowed past the lump forming in her throat.

Xander burst into the room. “The stew is bubbling and Kennedy is wondering what’s taking so long.” He looked at Willow who was seated and looking kind of distraught.

“Are you alright Will? What’s been going on?” Xander stared about at the others and his gaze settled on Buffy who studiously avoided his eyes. He frowned and was about to demand an answer when his friend stopped him.

Willow got out of her seat and put shaking fingers on his arm. “Nothing’s going on Xander. We’ve just been chatting and I forgot to ask.” Willow ignored his disbelieving look. “There’s a pot of stew on the stove and Kennedy and Xander have been peeling potatoes for the oven. So I guess dinner is in an hour,” her glance settled on the two vampires and then on Illyria, “for those of us who eat. I’ll just…go…” she pointed to the door, “now and…Kennedy….going now,” and with that Willow darted out of the room.

“Buffy?” Xander growled and Spike snorted. The boy could no more growl than a rabbit could.

When Buffy refused to look at him, Xander turned to Giles, but the Englishman had his head down and wouldn’t meet his eyes. “Giles?”

“It’s nothing Xander.” Spike had been Illyria’s traveling companion for the last couple of years so was more used to seeing Fred’s old form than the others. “Willow was just having a chat with Illyria here.”

“That doesn’t explain the weird looks and strange vibe, or…I guess it does.” His eyes settled on Illyria. This thing freaked him out and Xander had seen quite a few freaks in his time.

“Vibe?” Illyria centered her strange eyes on his and Xander swallowed. He attempted a joke and a smile.

“Yeah, you know vibe?” He waggled his fingers in the air. “Spooky, woo woo…strange goings on.”

Illyria’s brow furrowed and her head tilted left. “Woo woo.”

Buffy wiped at her eyes in case the moisture there did indeed escape and attempted a smile. Angel’s emotionless face actually informed her that he still felt Fred’s death keenly.

Her voice a little shaky, Xander stared at her as Buffy asked, “Giles can we borrow a car tonight? We need to get a few things in the village.”

Giles looked up his face suddenly old. “Yes of course. You will take care won’t you?”

“It’s all right Giles; Angel will be doing the driving.”

The Watcher’s eyes shifted to the vampire and Angel could see guilt and remorse written there. Good. Rupert Giles deserved to feel those things and Angel hoped it kept him awake at nights, or at least let his conscience worry him. Charles Gunn had his heart cut out of his chest willingly in an effort to punish himself for his part in Fred’s death and yet all he had done was unwittingly sign a piece of paper. Giles had refused to help in an unjustified fit of spite. Angel could forgive Giles for denying help for Angel himself but in this case it was for one of his team. Angelus had done this man irreparable harm and Angel could never forget that. Angels’ thoughts spiraled down into the chasm of misery that lay beneath the surface of his mind.

“Angel?”

He blinked. Everyone was watching him. He was still looking in the watcher’s direction and hadn’t noticed that the man had risen and left the room. He pulled back from Buffy and Spike’s gaze, Xander he could ignore.

“Uh…where’s Gunn?” His lips were dry and his hunger gnawed hard at him.

Spike’s face broke into a leer. He lifted a wiry arm and waved it in the general direction of the garden. “Charlie boy’s chatting up the slayer, or should I say he’s the one being chatted up. Boy could get lucky.”

Buffy swatted Spike and it hurt Angel to see that. Things had never been so easy between Buffy and he.

“Not in my room they won’t. And how do you know that’ll ever happen Spike? Has Gunn said something?” Buffy tried hard to regain her equilibrium by engaging in small talk. No wonder Angel had closed himself off, shut them out; this was just too painful to think about. She knew that losing Fred was just the tip of the iceberg.

“Man doesn’t have to say anything. You can see it. What do you think Peaches? Reckon Gunn and Faith?” Spike winked at him.

“Faith and Gunn?” Angel’s brow furrowed. When did that happen?

“Christ Angelus!” Both Buffy and Xander flinched.

Xander opened his mouth to protest the demon’s name when Buffy jerked her head. Xander took the hint and left the room somewhat reluctantly, his lips clamped around his retort in his promise to Buffy about going easy on Angel. He shook his head. The promise was going to be hard to keep.

Angel’s scowl grew as Spike continued. “Don’t you ever pay attention? Guess not or you would have noticed.” Spike stood and stretched his legs before sauntering about the room, picking up a book and laying it down.

Angel stood abruptly and went to the bookshelf. He felt caged, uncomfortable. Angel had forgotten how living with humans meant that talking was a must. He returned the book speaking into the shelf well aware that Illyria was standing close.

“What are you doing here Spike?”

“Me?” Spike squinted at the other vampire to see if it really was Angel. “You were here when we arrived…or am I mistaken? Just happened to be in the neighbourhood mate.”

“And?”

“And what Angel? The world’s my oyster. We haven’t decided anything. We might hang here for a bit, annoy you.”

Buffy stood in case she was needed to intervene but it wasn’t necessary.

“I’m not staying.” Angel and Buffy had already discussed his moving out and he had intended to consult her about where they were headed but of course Spike was there to ruin that chance. “I’ll make alternative arrangements.”

Buffy nodded hoping that Angel wasn’t moving far.

“And what makes you think we have room for you here Spike?” Buffy asked a little harshly before remembering Illyria. She added hastily, “not that we expect you to leave now but it can’t be long term.”

Spike acknowledged Buffy’s gesture with a nod. “So where are you and the great poof off to tonight?”

“None of your business Spike,” Angel growled.

It was useless. Spike of course answered with, “Fine! Me and Blue will tag along.”

Angel wanted to wipe the smirk off Spike’s face but he decided that to ignore him was better in the long run. He ground his teeth with the effort.

“Hey Angel!” Gunn and a limping Faith entered the room saving Spike getting a scolding from Buffy.

Gunn could feel the tension as soon as he walked in the room. Angel and Spike were circling each other like sharks in the water.

“Thought I’d find you here, didn’t expect Spike though. We thought he’d be putting out the flames from his mad dash to the house.” Gunn sniffed with exaggerated care. “I thought we weren’t allowed to smoke in here?” His white teeth gleamed in his dark face as he chuckled at his own joke.

“Gunn,” Angel relaxed enough to smile. “How are you Faith?”

“Five by five Angel; thanks to you.” Faith was happy to see her best friend, she flashed a grateful look at Gunn; they both felt the tension ease as they continued to make their way to the couch.

Gunn helped her onto the sofa and sat close beside her. Angel’s eyebrow rose; he could be clueless at times.

“Hey!” Spike puffed out his chest. “Vampire here and we don’t do sunlight well.”

Buffy decided that it was safe to leave Angel now that his friends were in the room. She crossed the room put a hand on his arm and gave it a gentle squeeze.

“We’ll talk later,” she whispered.

“Thanks.” Angel watched Buffy leave the room with a “guess I better go help with dinner.”

“Benefit of being one of the walking wounded.” Faith patted a seat. “Sit, we have catching up to do.”

Spike grumbled, “I know I don’t want to hear this,” and stalked off after Buffy.

Illyria moved slightly and the others watched as she decided that maybe she would follow Spike. Angel took a seat and stretched out his long legs. He let out an unneeded breath.

“So,” Faith drew out the word. “I hear you had a bit of a brawl.”

Dinner was had in the large kitchen. Buffy had persuaded Angel to attend and he reluctantly perched his ass on a stool that was tucked away in a corner, half hidden by the tall sideboard containing blue and white china. He sipped at his wine having had his meal in his room, unseen. Angel was damned if he was going to feed in front of slayers, it had taken a long while for him to be comfortable drinking in front of his own family.

Spike of course sat at the table munching on goodness knows what and depriving the humans of seconds. Andrew was back and he had insinuated himself next to Spike and Giles. There were four slayers at the table making the number ten. Illyria had declined and was studying the stars out in the garden and Angel wished that he was with her. He wondered how Spike could ignore the sound of healthy heartbeats, the rush of blood flowing through veins when he sat amongst them.

He tuned out the small talk and distracted himself by watching his golden haired slayer. Life could surprise you sometimes, just when you were at your bleakest ebb the tide could turn.

Buffy laughed and smiled all the while acutely aware of Angel’s stare. She threw him an occasional smile wishing that he sat next to her instead of lurking in a corner. Willow had come out of her room red eyed and pale and was picking at her meal, Kennedy sat next to her encouraging her to eat. Xander did his best at humour and Angel actually gave him credit for trying to lift everyone’s spirits. Giles was unusually quiet but Spike and Andrew made a game to outdo Xander in the jokes department. Andrew tried for furtive but when Angel caught him staring he stared back with just a hint of gold in his eyes. He smothered the smirk that threatened when the boy blanched and stuttered his way into an inane conversation.

Angel liked to observe from a distance. It gave him a perspective that others did not have. Of course most of his unlife had been spent that way. He tried to deny that inner voice that said he wanted to be included in the humans’ life. He sighed. Like that’ll ever happen.

Buffy saw her vampire sigh and finished off her meal quickly.

“Buffster, what’s your hurry?” Xander asked around a mouthful of stew.

“Got a hot date tonight B?” Faith grinned over her fork and nudged Gunn with her elbow. He grinned back and winked at Angel.

“None of your business Faith.” Buffy stood and looked at everyone looking at her. “That includes all of you. Angel and I have an errand to run. We’ll be back later.”

She picked up her plate and placed it in the sink. Angel stood and placed his empty glass gently on the counter feeling the weight of their stares and left the room. Buffy followed snagging Giles’s car keys off the sideboard as she swept by. She caught up with Angel at the door; he was shrugging on his battered coat and held hers in one hand.

She took it from him. “How did you know this is mine?”

“It smelt like you.” He opened the door for her and she smacked him gently as she brushed by.

“Vampires and their damned sense of smell.”

Angel saw her smile and closed the door before catching her up. He plucked the keys she threw his way from the air and shrugged off the tension he felt indoors.

They were half a mile down the road before Buffy brought up Angel’s earlier comment.

“So. Not staying?”

Giles certainly didn’t want him there; Andrew and Xander weren’t exactly thrilled with him and the slayers must feel uncomfortable with a vampire-no- two vampires in their midst.

Instead he said, “Giles needs the room. Faith is back safe; it’s time I moved on.”

Buffy’s insides knotted. Did this mean that he was leaving her? Were the words they spoke the night before forgotten? Their grievances had been aired, put to rest and now what?

Trying for calm she asked, “Where to?” and held her breath.

Angel heard her heart trip and sensed her agitation. He was upsetting her again. “I don’t know. Gunn may want to go back to L.A….we haven’t really discussed it.”

Buffy’s spirits plummeted. “You will discuss it though?”

Angel stared through the windscreen his voice reflective. “If he wants to stay for a few weeks maybe I can rent somewhere nearby.”

He turned his head. “Do you know of any houses for rent?”

Buffy punched his arm, her face barely containing her smile. “I might.”

“What?”

“I thought you were leaving me again.”

Angel’s hopes for the future were pretty non existent. Hope got him nothing but heartache. His hopes and dreams for Connor were shattered into sharp and dangerous slivers which had left them all bleeding and damaged. Not a few of his friends dead. Nothing had changed except his perception. What if the happiness clause could be broken because of his love for the slayer? And did he want to stay to be her side kick? He loved fighting with her, for her but he knew that he too had a mission. It was time to get back in the game not fight skirmishes on the sidelines. Would Buffy consider following his lead, be prepared to step back or at least be in step with his destiny?

He spoke after a ridiculously long pause; Buffy was ready to scream by then.

“Buffy…it’s not that I don’t want to be with you, I do.”

“But?” Buffy bit her lip, he was killing her here.

“I don’t know what’s to come…I can’t promise you anything.”

Buffy let out a sigh of relief. “It’s a start.”

But Angel hadn’t finished. “I thought that I had to be alone again after all that’s happened and a part of me still thinks that, needs that.” Angel knew that it *was* safer for everyone. He was silent and Buffy waited. “ Buffy…these last few nights have made me realize…” he paused and concentrated too much on the dark road ahead. Buffy wanted to shake him into finishing.

“I’m so tired of being lonely.”

Angel’s soft words tugged at something deep down in Buffy’s soul. She reached out a shaking hand and slowly wrapped her fingers around Angel’s and pulled his hand from the gear stick and down into her lap.

He looked at her and felt her squeeze his fingers. “Me too,” she said her voice thick.

Angel could see the sheen of tears glistening in Buffy’s eyes. He squeezed back and left his hand there until he couldn’t negotiate a steep curve without changing gear. On boy! His heart was definitely at risk again.

After an uneventful bout of break and enter, money left in the till with a note of thanks and Buffy’s opinion of Angel’s choices still ringing in the air, the pair of law breakers were on their way back, giggling like children raiding cookies from a cookie jar. Buffy slumped sideways in her seat leaning up against a strong arm and shoulder. She tugged at her seat belt but it would not give to allow her access to more Angel. She contemplated disengaging the buckle when,

“Don’t.”

She angled her head to look up at his silhouette. “Can you read minds now?”

She felt his jaw shift into a smile, and she loved that she could do that, make him smile again.

“Only yours.”

“Do you know what I’m thinking now?” She asked cheekily.

He hoped it was the same thing he was thinking instead he said, “What?”

“No fair,” she pouted. “You said you could read my mind.” She glanced out the windscreen. They were almost home.

He caught the glance and slowed the vehicle and pulled over. Buffy looked at him in amazement.

“You *can* read my mind!”

Angel looked back and they were frozen. They heard the tick of the engine cooling while the air between them seemed to heat when finally the vampire found the will to move. He opened his door and stood breathing in the cool air he didn’t need. Angel felt Buffy get out of the car and she was beside him looking up at the stars. She leaned against his door to stop the crick she was sure she’d get in her neck.

“Trouble with this country is the clouds.” The stars were mainly obscured from view and it sucked as far as romantic evenings were concerned.

Angel joined her, leaning back to see. “T’s pretty country.”

“T’s? Is that the Irish in you coming out? Does it have a proximity alert or something?” she tittered teasingly.

“It’s been awhile.”

“How long?”

“Long enough.” He wondered about Ireland and what he would find if he went back. He wondered if he ever could.

Buffy moved until she was hip to thigh with him and snuggled in. She let out a breath when his arm snaked about her shoulders. This was the closest they had been together since she found him in L.A. and it seemed an age since that kiss in the crypt.

“Do you…do you miss it?”

“No…yes…I don’t think on it much.” His most painful memories were of Ireland, he tried not to dwell.

Buffy put an arm around his waist and said into his chest, “I miss Sunnydale sometimes.”

She felt his head move and knew that he was looking at the top of her head.

“Your Mother?”

She nodded and loved the feel of her skin moving against his shirt. “The memories not the Hellmouth you know? The school library, although that was history after the Mayor and the fried hunks of Mayor meat? Not a pretty sight.” Her laugh was a little hollow as Buffy recalled a certain dark and mysterious vamp moving through the smoke and out of her life.

“I miss the house and all the streets, the coffee shop, The Bronze and sad to say even the cemeteries.”

“You miss the cemeteries?” Angel’s voice rumbled pleasantly against her ear.

“Just the ones we…” she almost said made out in. Buffy pulled away and paced away from the car. A breeze had come up and it was cool. She shivered and cool arms reached for her and turned her until she was looking up at Angel.

Angel saw that Buffy was cold and started to say, “We should go…” when the girl in his arms stood tip toe and kissed him.

The kiss was a surprise and it stopped every thought in his brain. His body though responded and Angel leaned into her lips and crushed her to him. God! This was heaven or as close as he would ever get and he wanted it so much; had dreamed it more times than there were stars in the sky.

Buffy’s courage had been about to fly away when she thought, damn it, just kiss him already. And so she did and it was everything she remembered and more. The kiss burned her in a way that only Angel’s kisses could and Buffy melted in his embrace. The two lovers stood outside time and space, the world around them disappeared.

Buffy broke for air the same time she felt Angel spasm and in a blink he was gone; a grunt of pain his only sound as he was whisked away.

“ANGEL!” Buffy cried looking about frantically to see if something had knocked him from her. Buffy ran about in circles looking up just in time to see a darker shadow melting away into the clouds.

“ANGEL!” she screamed wishing for vampire night sight and the ability to fly.

Tears streaming Buffy did fly into the driver’s seat and crunching gears got the car moving towards the Watcher’s residence. It wasn’t far but to Buffy it was the other side of the world. She left the car running and door open as she ran screaming for Giles, for anyone who could hear.

Giles flew out of the library as Buffy thundered into the house and into the kitchen. Xander, Gunn, Faith, Spike and Andrew threw their cards down as Buffy’s head appeared in the doorway.

“Angel’s in trouble. Get some weapons,” and she was gone, running towards her own room and slayer weaponry.

“What?” Andrew asked as he was the last to rise.

Spike disappeared the fastest, Illyria in his wake. The God King had been observing the intricacies of poker and the many human emotions that came with the play. A child’s game she thought. Gunn was up with Faith chasing after Buffy wondering what the heck his friend had gotten himself into this time.

Giles trotted to Buffy’s room to see the Slayer’s Scythe on the bed and crossbow and bolts following.

“Buffy. What happened?”

Tears still coursing down her cheeks, Buffy barely turned her head as she swiped them away. “Something big snatched him up and flew away with him. We have to find him Giles. I won’t lose him again. I won’t!”

Giles put a hand out and stopped Buffy’s frenetic movements. “Buffy. Stop. We need more.”

Shrugging his hand off her shoulder Buffy grabbed her leather jacket and glared at him while she put it on, her other jacket not up for slaying.

“I need him Giles. We have to go.”

The others crowded the hall way packing weapons, waiting for instructions, listening.

Giles sighed and knew that Buffy wouldn’t listen. He tried anyway. “How big was this thing, where did it grab him, what did it look like and where did it go?”

Buffy snatched up her armoury and made to step by him.

“Watcher’s right pet.” Spike stepped in her way and she actually raised the sword in her hand. He didn’t flinch though, he stared at her.

Gunn spoke from behind his shoulder. “Any information is better than none Buffy. We stand a better chance of finding Angel if we knew what, where and when.”

“Come on B! Spill and then we can get out there and save the big guy!” Faith was hidden behind the men in the doorway but was with Buffy one hundred percent. Angel was her number one priority too, she owed the vampire, big time.

“Okay, you’re right.” She moved forward though and the others gave way following her out to the still running car. Giles took up the rear muttering that didn’t he just say that?

As Buffy was laying down her weapons in the back seat, she saw the bags of clothing and barked out Andrew’s name. The young man approached eager to be included in the adventure. His face dropped when she turned with three bags in her hands and shoved them into his arms.

“Put these in Angel’s room, he’ll need them when he gets back.” Buffy gave the weasel no further mind; she was focused on one thing only. Angel.

“This was the big date?” Spike asked smirking at the shopping bags. “Glad I missed the chance.”

“Spike!” Buffy glowered before continuing in a rush, she wanted to be away from here and chasing after Angel. She felt as if her heart was about to burst, her need to be doing something constructive was killing her. “We had stopped a little way down the road, you know just before the bend and where the hill rises?” Giles nodded.

“Okay. We were talking.” She ignored the looks everyone gave her. “And we didn’t hear anything and that’s saying something because you know Angel.”

“Yeah I do.” Gunn hefted his axe. “Man can hear a pin drop a room away.”

Willow came running out of the house, her hair in a towel. “Buffy! What’s going on?”

Xander spoke before Buffy had to explain everything again. “Angel got snatched by something big and we need to go rescue him.”

By this time Buffy was inside the car just wanting to go. Everyone seemed to be in slow motion and all Buffy wanted to do was yell and rant and get them moving! Giles reached in and turned the motor off.

“Hey!” she yelled and reached for the keys again.

Willow interrupted Buffy and Giles’ standoff. “How big and which direction did they go?”

Gunn wanted to know, “It wasn’t a dragon was it?” All eyes turned on him.

“The last time Angel confronted a dragon was nearly the LAST time.”

“Angel fought a dragon? And won?” Giles was incredulous. Vampires did not win against dragons; in fact nothing evil could best a dragon to his knowledge.

Spike slid in beside Buffy on the passenger side. “It was a bloody big dragon! You should have seen it and if you had seen the great poof climbing its tail, you would have known you were in la la land.”

“Spike! NO time for reminisces. Angel rescue now!” Buffy tried to turn the ignition but Giles snatched the keys away.

“Buffy! Stop!” Giles backed away from the distraught slayer. “Time spent now on information and planning could save time wasted later. Inside to the library; I’ll get a map and we can start there.”

Buffy fumed but she knew that Giles’ was right. Everyone got out of her way as she stormed back to the house.

Angel felt talons piercing his shoulders, front and back and the pain was excruciating. He was sure that some of the talons had gone right through. He heard Buffy screaming his name but did not call out to her. He prayed the thing that had him would pay her no mind and Angel did not want to draw more attention to her by shouting at her. Angel craned his head back trying to see what it was that had him. He hoped that it wasn’t another dragon; he had had enough of dragons for his lifetime. His heart sank at the thought that the Senior Partners had possibly found him and were carrying him away to some hell dimension. Well he wasn’t going to go quietly.

The shape above him was vast and as black as the deepest night. Angel kicked his feet and flexed his arms. His arms hurt but he had movement. Everything was silent as the vampire was whisked away into the night the wind passing his body in buffeting waves. Giant wings beat the air and Angel smelt feathers. Relief flooded through him; not a dragon. Angel looked down; the ground was a long way beneath him. Oh well, it’s not like he hadn’t fallen before.

Angel lifted his hands and grabbed hold of the claws that held him. He reached higher until he felt the main junction of the feet. He made fists of his hands and beat upon the beast’s feet and legs. It was to no avail; it was as if he was hitting a branch on a very large tree. Not one to give up so easily, Angel let his fingers wander until he felt the talons gripping his flesh. The claws were slippery with his blood but he tried to pry the talons loose. He pulled and bent them but he only succeeded in producing more pain for himself. He went into game face and growled his frustration and raised his legs and ignoring the pain of claws scraping bone twisted his body until he was within kicking distance of the creature’s body. Feeling like a handstand artist, Angel gripped the thing’s legs and kicked upward.

At first the flying giant ignored him but as Angel’s kicks got more desperate and he hit a few soft spots the beast let out a very loud cry and banked left. Angel was flung about but he renewed his efforts and levered his body up to kick again. The bird veered right and Angel hoped that it was not going for altitude as it was still a very long way down.

The giant flexed its claws and Angel screamed as it sliced against tender nerves. He punched a leg with a fist causing him to lose his position falling earthward until he dangled again. A huge head and beak loomed over him as if to inspect the wriggling nuisance beneath. Angel hung there hoping he wasn’t about to be a meal. The head disappeared and Angel decided that maybe he could rock the thing out of the sky. So the vampire kicked and punched and struggled until he felt the beast pitch and swoop downwards. He renewed his efforts until suddenly the claws loosened and the last thing the vampire heard as he fell was the angry screech of a raven.

Everyone had crowded into the library and Giles had a local map out for Buffy to pin point the exact spot Angel had been taken. The slayer had stabbed at the map and also indicated the direction the shadow had gone but Buffy felt that whatever it was could have veered off into who knew where. That was where Willow came in. She was attempting a locator spell and that was the only reason Buffy stood waiting. All be it impatiently.

Charles Gunn watched in admiration as the red haired witch made with the mojo. The only time he had borne witness to her power was when she had re ensouled Angelus and then he had been in the basement. Sure the spell was small to one as powerful as she but to Gunn it was miraculous.

Finally the light hovered over Cornwall on the map and Buffy huffed, “Any closer than that Will?”

Willow grabbed the map as she followed Buffy out to the car, the rest of the group jostling after. “The light is still moving so I think he’s still in the air. I’d better come along just in case you need me.”

Buffy was going to protest but when she looked at her friend she saw her resolve face.

“Okay, Willow you’re with me.”

Spike jumped into the front seat and Gunn, Faith and Willow jockeyed into the back. Illyria watched the antics declaring, “My person shall be seated in the miniscule excuse of a chair in the rear of the vehicle.” Illyria got in as Xander declared he was coming too.

Buffy was about to protest when Giles said, “Good idea Xander. Perhaps you can drive mmm?”

Buffy glared at her watcher, glared at the grin that Xander had on his face and dared Spike to utter a word as she slid out of her seat and stomped around to the back where Illyria sat.

Buffy settled in the small back seat and barked, “Can we go now!”

The Range Rover started as Giles yelled out, “Keep your cell phones on,” and they were off on a wild vampire chase.

Angel had time to appreciate the rushing wind, the nightscape and his last few moments before he hit the ground. His mind did not have time to process the pain before he blacked out.

Willow cried out as the spell light hovering above the map on her knee settled and burned a hole in the paper. Her hand instinctively patted the small fire and it went out to her dismay.

Buffy leaned forward instantly her hand crushing the upright of the seat in front. “What is it?”

“The spell.” Willow glanced over at Buffy’s anxious countenance. “I think Angel is somewhere near Penzance.”

“Where the hell is that?” Gunn asked.

Spike couldn’t be bothered to reply, he was after all an Englishman but he cared less about the country of his birth and death.

Most of the passengers were American and like Gunn had no idea. Willow squinted at the map and flicked on the flash light she had brought illuminating the interior somewhat. “It’s at the bottom of Cornwall.”

“Great! How long will that take?” Buffy gritted her teeth. Delays in the Angel rescue didn’t equate well with ‘safe as houses.’

Willow shrugged her shoulders until she realised that the others couldn’t see in the dark. “I don’t know. It doesn’t look far but English roads are notoriously tricky, it could take hours going through some of the towns.”

“Don’t you just miss those US freeways and highways now eh Buffy? I don’t know how anyone can drive on these goat tracks.” Xander negotiated another narrow corner and the others were flung hard right before he straightened into downward slope.

“You’re lucky mate. You should’ve been around in the horse and carriage days. The towns were cobbled but the roads out in the country were goat tracks and all those horses and horse shit? The place stunk and no modern conveniences back then to wash away the stink.”

“Thank you for that image Spike!” Xander had to turn his head to glance at the vampire’s profile and he saw the flash of teeth as Spike grimaced at him. Xander couldn’t see how Spike’s soul made a jot of difference when he walked and talked the same as when the soul was absent. He supposed the not killing everyone was a big factor.

“I never went anywhere in my truck other than around L.A. Except for my disappearing act after the…battle…” everyone waited for Gunn to continue as he swallowed past the sudden lump in his throat. “I never had to use the freeways. Oh unless you count that time I had to fetch Angel from that phony T’ish Magev down at Ojai.”

“T’ish Mawho?” Buffy’s heart was still racing to get to Angel but as she was stuck inside this tin can of a vehicle with nothing to do but sit impatiently, Buffy wanted Gunn to share any detail of Angel’s previous exploits.

“Xander you have to get on the A30. It will take us all the way to Penzance. It goes through Bodmin Moor, past Bodmin itself and down the county to Land’s End.” Willow was bent over the map again with the light.

“What happened to the spell?” Faith was peering at the map also but the markings made no sense to her.

“It’s okay, they do that.” The witch concentrated on the unfolded paper not quite sure about the specific location the spell had led her to. She did not let that show in her voice though as Buffy was stressed out enough as it was without having to deal with Willow’s doubts.

“Now I just have to find the A30,” Xander muttered under his breath but Spike heard him anyway.

“Just follow your nose; this place is so small you could trip over it any time.”

Buffy fidgeted in her seat and wondered about the stillness that was Illyria sitting next to her. She looked at her using her peripheral vision and got caught. Illyria twisted her head until she was staring at her.

To cover her unease Buffy asked again, “T’ish Magev?”

More than happy to oblige the slayer with tales of yore Gunn started with, “Well I had only joined Angel’s team on a part time basis so I missed a lot of what went on in a lot of his cases. All I know is that I had to drive to Ojai to pick up Angel as Wesley had gone and done an Angel impersonation on some bad ass client.”

“Wesley?” Now Xander’s incredulous tone mirrored the Sunnydale folk thoughts exactly.

“Wesley. As in pansy assed watcher boy?” Xander continued as he came to a crossroad and had to stop and look for oncoming traffic. There was none being late and he asked Willow, “Will? Which way?”

Willow frowned at the road signs and said, “Left…. I think.”

“Ya think?” Xander did as she directed though, he had enough sense to trust his friend.

Faith spoke. “Wesley has changed. The last time I saw him….you wouldn’t recognize him. He was all stubbly and…”

“Yeah I remember!” Willow said as a forgotten memory surfaced. “I called him Marlboro man because he looked like that. I think he’s been to a dark place.” Willow nodded as the words that Wesley spoke invaded her mind. ‘I locked a girl in a closet.’ She wondered why?

Gunn continued. “Wesley was a hard man in the end. The things we saw, the things we did…” he trailed off wondering when and how it had all fallen apart.

There was a short silence until, “Come on Charlie! What the bloody hell happened?”

Gunn restarted the tale.

Angel heard a low growling as he came to and tensed. The growl grew as pain speared his brain and he realised that it was he that was emitting that sound. Panting now Angel tried to lift his head and stopped when it felt as if an axe was cleaving his skull. He opened his eyes to see nothing at all. Angel stared into the blackness until his eyes focused and he could see tufts of grass before his face. Oh joy! That’s helpful. Angel decided to stop breathing to see if it would help the crushing feeling in his chest. No it didn’t but he didn’t start breathing again instead he concentrated on trying to move his arms. Puppet like his left hand twitched and then his arm followed. Groaning now Angel pulled his arm down until he could see his hand in front of his face. Without twisting his head he felt the muscles protest in his other arm as he managed to bend it at the elbow and lever it up. Closing his eyes in anticipation of the agony to come he pushed against sodden ground. He forced back a scream.

Achingly slowly his torso began to lift and with it came his head and he groaned again as pain lanced through his head and down his spine. As he moved he felt something shift and knew that he was broken in places. For a vampire that was impressive. He had survived falls from skyscrapers and been thrown through concrete walls and walked away. He knew that he wouldn’t be walking away from this. His elbows gave out and he fell forward with a thud and a whimper. Gathering his strength Angel pushed again and this time clenching his teeth he managed to roll over until he was on his back. Blackness pushed at his consciousness and he blinked it away wishing he had a really big aspirin.

Angel stared at the cloud studded sky as he waited for the pounding in his skull to abate a little. When it didn’t he raised his upper body on shaky elbows until he could see the terrain. His view was interrupted when a large black shape loomed darker than the surrounding night. Angel squinted against the blood and the pain and managed to sit upright. Not quite feeling the fingers in his right hand Angel managed to smear away the blood that had run into his right eye. He felt his head and grimaced at the squishy mess he found and dropped his hand. His eyes fell once more on what stood before him and Angel heard the faint call of a raven and he shivered as something touched his spirit.

Angel needed to reach this enigma before him so he tried to get to his feet but his right leg refused to work. With an effort he tumbled forward and on his hands and one knee he dragged his leg and sorry ass towards the shadow. It was an age, Angel felt as if time had slowed, before he lay exhausted in front of the structure. He noted that the grass had given way to soil a couple of feet away from the thing. The vampire put a hand out and touched the surface, it was stone, a standing stone. One of the many megaliths that littered the English and Irish countryside and he hoped that he wasn’t in Ireland.

Angel crawled closer when a finger felt an indentation. He ran his fingers up the length of the stone and felt the inscription there. His eyesight was exceptional but the letters were so worn they were difficult to make out. Curiosity dulled his pain as his mind tried to decipher the markings. He used the stone as leverage and dragged himself upright as his fingers slowly ran through the inscription. R…I…A…L…O…B…R…A…N…I C…U…N…O…V…A…L…I…F…I…L…I…

RIALOBRANI CUNOVALI FILI. It was Latin and ancient Latin at that. Angel frowned, this was old, older than he; the Latin was a bastardized form. He fell to his knees and his right leg gave out and he collapsed sideways grunting in pain.

Angel knew where he was. This standing stone was a marker for the grave of a long forgotten Prince. Rialobrani Cunovali Fili. Of the Royal Raven, son of the Glorious Prince.

Royal Raven and it was then again that Angel heard a raven cry. He had been brought and dropped here deliberately. The huge creature had let him go at the site of this menhir and for a reason he had yet to fathom. Unexpectedly the earth beneath him caved in and he tumbled into a wet grave.

Spike was driving now; Xander had relinquished the wheel to the one being that had superb eyesight as his one eye was blurring with fatigue. He hated the limitations that the loss of one eye gave him but there was no way in hell that he would ever allow himself to be lumbered with the disabled label.

The others with the exception of Buffy hung on for dear life as the vampire careened dangerously along the British roads breaking more laws than one. Buffy however ignored the danger as Spike’s driving brought her closer to Angel.

Gunn white knuckled the door handle and grumped, “Spike! This isn’t Wolfram and Hart. You can’t crash this car! One, it isn’t Angel’s. Two, it belongs to Giles. Three, We ALL could be killed!”

Spike laughed with glee. He really enjoyed driving although his idea of driving differed from ordinary folk.

“Relax Charlie boy! Old Spike won’t let any harm come to you.” Spike put his foot down and they sped through the countryside

“The half breed does have a flair for destroying these inadequate vehicles that transport your fragile bodies about this world.”

Everyone had forgotten Illyria traveled with them in the back. Her words echoed in the silence that followed and all except the vampire wondered if Spike driving was such a good idea. Heads turned to look out dark windows wondering where the hell they were. Willow did not turn her light back on. She knew they had a ways to go.

Faith couldn’t stand the silence. “What’s the skinny on crashing Angel’s cars? I bet he didn’t take that too kindly.”

Xander jerked in surprise. “Wait! Angel had cars…as in more than one?”

“He had a whole fleet of them, lucky bastard! I was partial to the Viper myself.”

“Angel loved that car but noooo! Spike had to take it every opportunity he could.” Gunn added his dig at the madman driving them to their doom.

“What sort of cars?” Buffy didn’t know one car from another but she tried to imagine Angel driving one.

“All sorts luv. Mainly classics, you know the older type…with chrome and fins…sorta like the old fella himself.” Spike teased.

“Could you keep your eyes on the road,” Willow complained when Spike turned to look behind.

“What did you do?” Faith understood the rush of living dangerously and something in her yearned for those days when she took what she needed; not that she didn’t live dangerously now as a slayer. “And how come you’re not dust? I mean this is Angel we’re talking about.”

Buffy felt a pang at the easy familiarity with which Faith spoke about Angel. Buffy felt left out. She and Angel had been lovers and yet it seemed as if she was the one who knew him the least. She listened and learned.

.

Angel bit his lip as renewed pain shot through his body. The bones shifted again and he knew that some of his ribs were broken. The holes in his upper chest and shoulders had started to heal; it didn’t mean that they weren’t hurting. His hands had shot forward to brace himself but the hole he slipped into was not very deep. He scrabbled around trying to push back out; his legs were on higher ground and his injured limb refused to move. Angel felt something solid beneath the soil and closed a fist around it. He pulled at it and the ages old earth relinquished its hold. It felt familiar and the vampire held it tight as he maneuvered out of the hole. He lay back against the stone and stared at the shape in his hand.

It was a sword. He brushed at the clumps of earth until he could see the blade. His fingers gently probed and he could feel runes cut into the blade. A raven called again and Angel looked skywards. Dawn was approaching and he needed to find shelter. He looked down toward the cave in; thinking to bury himself but the ground was smooth again. Great. He gritted his teeth in anticipation of pain and lumbered to his feet. The sword would have to do as a crutch and the vampire slowly dragged his bruised and battered corpse towards a dark wall a few yards away. By the time he got to what was the old brick fence he was exhausted and close to collapse. The wall was useless. He would cook once the sun swung past morning. He started off in the other direction and as he came abreast of the standing stone he tripped and fell. The flat surface felt so good; the vampire decided a short rest would do before he got up again. Angel’s last thought as he fell into oblivion was that he was flying.

It was early morning when the Scoobies and others arrived at Madron. Willow had narrowed the field to that small village and an area known as Mên-an-Tol. So with much haste and Spike cursing as he prepared to cower under a blanket against the coming dawn, they raced towards Mên-an-Tol wondering how they could find one soon to be crisped vampire.

Buffy had rung Giles to update their where abouts and the Watcher had been surprised that the journey had led them to so far south. He promised to research the area and was enlisting Andrew’s help.

The disheveled and tired group arrived in daylight. They had all dozed at one time or another, the motion of the car lulling them to an uneasy rest. Buffy had slept uneasily her mind in over drive still worrying over Angel’s fate. Spike had given up the wheel exchanging places with Gunn, sitting between Faith and Willow, the travel blanket handy.

The town of Madron was really a village. It was built of stone and to Buffy it seemed as if the town must have stood here since God was a boy. It had that ancient look to it as did a lot of the places in Europe that Buffy had visited. Sunnydale looked positively new compared to Rome and Prague and other place names she couldn’t quite get her mouth round. Madron though like the rest of the England came from an age that defied time and stood testament to an earlier age of fierce warriors and fiercer women.

Leaving Spike to guard the Range Rover, he promptly rolled into the blanket and went to sleep; the others stretched their legs by snooping around all the public places. There were few to be had but Buffy insisted that every avenue be explored. Illyria had transformed into Fred’s guise and accompanied Gunn while Faith and Willow went to the old church leaving Xander with Buffy.

“That really creeps me out,” Xander whispered once Illyria had turned the corner.

“Imagine how Gunn and Angel must feel.” Buffy was leading Xander up a cobblestone road peering into every dark corner and recess. She couldn’t feel Angel anywhere and knew that he wasn’t in Madron but they had to be sure. They came to a corner and Buffy noticed the To Let sign on the two storied stone house there.

“Sleeps 7” she read.

“Not a lot of night life here abouts eh Buffy? Who would want to holiday here?” Xander looked about and as far as he was concerned the place was a little too sleepy. The village was surrounded by green countryside and unless the cows and sheep knew something he didn’t he couldn’t imagine the locals kicking up their heels much.

They passed a doorway that reeked of beer and Buffy turned her nose up. Beer and Buffy did not get along although Xander licked his chops appreciatively.

Noticing Buffy said, “It’s too early to be open Xander.”

“Breakfast wouldn’t go amiss.” Xander’s stomach growled in agreement.

“Okay. Let’s see if we can find some food.” Buffy wasn’t at all hungry, her stomach was too tied up in knots to enjoy anything.

The gang met up back at the car having had no luck. Willow had managed to find a place that was open to tourists that insisted on seeing the Mên-an-Tol stones at dawn. She said that they served breakfast there which pleased a hungry Xander no end. At Buffy’s look of anguish Willow hurried on to say that stones were an ancient monument of some kind and that they had better check it out because it was the most likely place that Angel would be.

Because no one wanted to go against a cranky and worried slayer they all agreed to go to the stones before having breakfast.

“What is this Mên-an-Tol…whatever Willow?” Xander asked as he thumped on the car to wake the sleeping lump on the back seat.

Willow held up a postcard and they all peered at the image there.

“What is that?” Gunn asked pointing to a large wheel like stone with a hole in the centre.

Illyria snorted disdainfully over his shoulder. “Primitive things made by primitive motes of dust.”

“Mên-an-Tol means ‘holed stone’ and in the past people used to pass the sick through the hole to cure an illness. It is also said that the stones have prophetic qualities and centuries ago it was called Devil’s Eye.” Willow flipped the card back round for another look.

“It seems to be the best bet Buffy. You know Angel… prophecies...” Gunn left the rest unsaid as he opened the door and climbed into the driver’s seat again.

Xander jerked the back door open and sat on top of the still sleeping vampire.

“Oi!” Spike yelled as he scrambled upright and huddled in the middle of the seat, the blanket wrapped around him Indian style. “I was sleeping you great twit.”

“Yeah well you were supposed to be guarding not sleeping.”

“That’s what we do in the day time. We sleep we vampires do,” Spike grumbled.

Buffy grasped Willow’s arm before she got in beside Gunn, her eyes huge and dismayed. “There doesn’t look as if there is a great deal of shade there.”

Willow could only hug Buffy and offer, “Angel is a survivor. He’ll find some.”

Buffy brushed at her eyes and smiled a little shakily. “Yeah…you’re right. Come on let’s not make him wait any longer.”

Illyria had made it to Spike’s other side so Buffy was in the back again but with Faith this time. The dark haired slayer patted Buffy’s arm and squeezed but her eyes betrayed her and Buffy could see her own fears reflected there. Buffy nodded at Faith and told Gunn to step on it. Gunn didn’t even have to concentrate on driving on the wrong side of the road as the road became a lane and the lanes narrowed until it seemed as if the vehicle took up all the room. They came to a stop at a signed path.

The engine purred as they sat. “What next?” Gunn asked as they looked out over the barren land.

“We can’t leave the car here, what if we find Angel? He won’t be able to walk back here.”

Faith leaned forward until her breath tickled Spike’s neck. “Let’s just find him first and then worry about getting him to the car.”

Buffy ignored the gut feeling that told her that maybe Angel was not going to be able to get to the car because it WAS daylight out there.

So it was that they all got out of the car with the exception of Spike and started off down the path that was part of the network of paths that ran connecting several Bronze Age sites.

They all looked about passing several tourists as they did.

“Pretty bleak if you ask me,” Gunn said.

“And to think that Giles thought sunny California was boring.” Xander added commenting on the flat terrain of grass and bog and gorse

Faith put her hand up. “Rain, good for our wayward vamp B” Faith eyed Buffy as the drops began to fall although too light to do much good.

The five humans and one pretend human forged ahead until they stood in front of the Mên-an-Tol.

“Hole in a stone…I get it.” Xander folded his arms and sized up the hole. “It’s not very big; you’d have to be small to get through that.” Xander patted his stomach; he had put on some weight a few years back but was now slimming down.

Willow spoke from beside him. She had been reading up on the postcard and the little info she had. “They passed children through Xander, three times it says here.” She handed him the card.

Buffy had her arms folded there was no way that Angel was any where near.

Faith stood beside an upright stone. “What’s the bet that they used these for rituals and sacrifices?” She patted the stone and looked through the hole to the other upright stone.

Fred/Illyria stood back on the path and watched with disdain. “I have no doubt that the insignificant specks of ooze knew not what they were about. I was sleeping in my prison so cannot inform you of its uses.”

Willow and Xander joined her. “The Bronze Aged people were pretty smart Illyria. They laid these stones out on ley lines. There are ley lines all over England and stone megaliths are all in alignment.”

Illyria stared at Willow. “You know these things to be true?”

“The ley lines? Sure but we have only legend and time honoured traditions to go on.”

Illyria looked perplexed as Gunn came up to them having looked around the stones for any safe hiding place for a vampire from the sun.

“He’s not here,” Buffy interrupted the conversation. “Let’s head on.”

Five minutes down the path the ground rose and there out in a field was a single stone. Buffy looked around to see the others catching her up and turned back to the stone. The hairs at the back of her neck rose and she shivered. Well back behind the stone were the remains of a stone wall jumbled haphazardly with barbed wire and earth. Buffy squinted. In the distance there looked to be a building of some sort but it was too far to make out.

“Damn! This place is like the ends of the earth.” Gunn’s deep voice rumbled as he came up beside her. “What is that?” He pointed at the stone.

Buffy looked behind her. “Willow?”

Willow was beside Illyria and Buffy thought that odd for just a brief moment as Willow looked up.

Buffy pointed to the stone and everyone followed Gunn who had already started towards it. Faith ran past him her denim clad legs pumping.

“Hurry up slowpoke,” she called as she flew by. Gunn picked up his pace.

“Hey! What happened to the walking wounded?” he yelled back.

All Buffy could hear was Faith’s laughter as the two sped away. The stone wasn’t too far off and Buffy dragged her feet. There was again no sign of Angel; the place was as barren as the moon.

Willow had the postcard out but shook her head. “Sorry Buffy, there is no mention of this stone perhaps there is another postcard with the information.” Willow looked with concern at her best friend sorry that she couldn’t help more.

Xander who was mooching behind, hand in pockets because it was damp and cold said, “Perhaps G man will know. Give him a buzz Will.”

Willow felt silly, she hadn’t even thought of ringing the one person who would know. She fished out her mobile and was surprised to see that there was a service.

Illyria remained silent as their group approached the two standing at the stone. Faith bent down and touched something. Buffy saw her sniff her fingers before coming upright.

“What is it?” she asked.

Gunn instead pointed out something very unusual. “There’s lettering carved into the stone.”

Illyria looked and glanced away before circling the menhir.

“Can you read it?” Buffy asked her Wiccan friend.

“It’s Latin I think? Not sure though,” she frowned. Willow leaned forward to run her fingers along the indentations… “Giles? Is that you?” Willow stepped back to let the others have a better look.

“Giles! The service out here is amazing…where? Oh, well we stopped at Madron earlier and now we’re at Mên-an-Tol…..yeah…that’s it.” Willow rolled her eyes at Buffy who was watching and listening intently.

Buffy heard Gunn say, “Are you sure? Shall I get Spike?”

“What is it Gunn?” Buffy interjected trying to keep Willow’s conversation a priority.

“I found some blood B,” Faith held up a hand. “On the letters…near the bottom.”

Buffy noted that Gunn walked past quickly and was soon running back the way they had come. Buffy forgot about Willow and Giles and reached down for a closer look. There was something gleaming darkly there and Buffy touched it knowing that Faith was right.

“It is blood.”

“Angel’s?” Xander said from beside her and added, “Hence the needing Spike. You know that would gross me out if not for needing that particular skill right now.”

Willow was saying, “RIALOBRANI CUNOVALI FILI. Yeah I think that’s how you say it.” Buffy saw Willow shrug. “Oh!” Willow looked over at her friends.

“This is Mên Scryfa or written stone.” She listened a moment then relayed Giles’ information. “Apparently it’s famous. The stone is thousands of years old but the inscription dates back to the 5^th Century. It’s a grave marker.” Again a pause. “It’s the grave of Rialobrani Cunovali Fili. Of the Royal Raven, son of the Glorious Prince.”

All eyes turned back to the stone in awe.

“And this is why Angel was brought here?” Faith whispered in the silence.

“We don’t know that…” Xander turned his eyes to Willow, “Except Willow’s spell led us here, so maybe.”

“I know not of this Prince.” Illyria apparently had been listening.

“After your time?” Faith asked as Buffy was intent on the stone.

“What has Angel got to do with this Prince?” Xander asked as he watched Buffy run her hands once more over the stone.

Buffy looked Xander in the eye and he saw the determination there. “We’ll ask him when we find him.” Buffy looked about and then back at her good friend her shoulders slumped in despair. “I don’t know Xander; every time we get together something happens to either one of us. Is it too much to ask that we get some kind of normal?”

Xander shrugged his large shoulders and patted her on the back. “Buffy, you and Angel are nowhere near normal. You-slayer-he-vampire; this is as normal as it gets.”

Buffy gave in. “Yeah I know but…”

“But you’re worried about him.”

Buffy looked up her eyes full of unshed fears and tears. She nodded the lump in her throat too large form her to speak.

“We’ll find him, it’s what we do.” Xander tried on one of his goofy grins and was glad to see Buffy respond with a weaker version.

Willow had finished her call and joined them as the soft rain turned into mist. “Giles’ said there was a battle here. Some foreign invader took the Prince’s lands and the Prince had to retreat to some castle. Then they took back his property here but his son died and….”

“X marks the spot,” Xander finished.

“Thanks Xander, but yes, this is where he is buried and probably it’s a mass grave.”

“Ew! Thanks for the image Willow.”

Buffy knew that Xander was acting the clown just to lift her spirits and she was again grateful. For all his faults Xander was a true friend.

Faith was watching Buffy carefully. Buffy was waiting for the sound of Gunn bringing Spike back and she thanked who ever was responsible for the mist and rain. That should help keep Spike non flammable. And there he was umbrella over head and blanket clutched in the other hand in case the sun came back out and grumbling the whole way about it.

Buffy watched as Spike caught the scent of blood. His nostrils flared and his eyes flew to Buffy. He nodded and she didn’t know whether to be relieved or not. Angel had been here so where was he and was he still alive?

Spike moved quickly to the giant gravestone and with a vampire’s unerring nose for blood zeroed in on the blood smear. Gunn watched with fascination as Spike’s tongue flickered between his lips tasting the air.

“It’s Angel’s isn’t it?” he asked wanting confirmation.

“Yeah Chuck…it’s his.” Spike straightened under his shelter. “The rain will wash it away soon but its a few hours old.”

“I know I’m gonna regret asking but how do you know that?” Xander shivered; he hated the cold and wished for California’s warmer climes.

Spike’s face took on a ghoulish cast. Xander shivered again but not from the cold.

“Vampire mate…we know these things.”

“The blood that keeps the vampire Angel animated is not his own.”

“Okay.” Buffy tried to ignore Illyria and her eerie presence. “Where is he Spike?”

Spike cocked his head and sniffed, reminding Gunn of Angel. Spike went down on one knee and felt the earth. “The ground has been disturbed.”

Buffy leaned in for a look her head coming under Spike’s umbrella. “Are you sure? It looks pretty much undisturbed to me.”

Willow went on one knee and felt the damp soil. “Buffy’s right, the ground is hard.” At Spike’s grunt Willow continued, “But if you say so Spike and I’m sure that you know what you’re talking about then maybe majicks have been in play here.”

“I don’t know about majicks but I can smell Angel and he was here on the ground and in the earth.”

“Is he there now?” Buffy began to scratch at the earth. Spike’s hand shot out and halted her frenzy.

“No Buffy, he’s gone.” The umbrella rose and Spike walked away from the menhir. They could see his head bowed as he headed away to come to a spot several yards away.

“He fell here, the ground is messed up and there’s blood.”

Buffy felt a chill. Fall and blood, Angel was injured and knowing how little vampires bled it was obvious that his wounds were serious. She bit her lip to keep silent and waited for Spike to continue.

Spike returned to the stone and circled around watched silently by Buffy and her group. He found Angel’s scent and followed it to the wall and then walked back again.

Buffy crossed her arms. “Well?”

Spike’s eyes were dark and huge. They stared unblinking at her. “He disappeared.”

“What?”

“The locator spell said that he was here.” Willow insisted.

“Was here pet.”

“So where is he then?” Gunn shouted sick of being one step behind.

“He was here,” Spike pointed to the ground, “and now he’s not.”

“Did that creature take him again?” Faith pounded the stone with her fist, this was a bust.

Buffy was getting ready to scream but slayers didn’t do that. They had to be the calm ones, the ones with the plan. And just when she thought that perhaps screaming would be the only option she had left something black fluttered down behind them. She turned along with everyone else to see a bird sitting on the stone. It cawed once and flapped its wings again and flew off.

Faith, who was standing right next to the thing, opened her mouth in surprise. “Did ya see that? A bird just landed right next to me. What are the odds on that?”

“Yeah, what are the odds?” Buffy went tip toe to keep the bird in sight. “What was that bird?”

Not expecting an answer Buffy made a guess. “Come on we’ve got to follow it.”

Spike didn’t risk raising his umbrella to catch a glimpse of the bird but the rest of the gang did.

Buffy with Faith close behind started running across the field. Buffy called back.

“You guys get the car while we chase it.”

Xander yelled at the slayers their hair dark and light bobbing back at him, “Where?”

Faith’s voice floated back. “There’s a building up there on the hill. The bird’s making for that. Hurry!”

“Shall I go with them?” Gunn asked torn between doing as asked and wanting to be there for Angel.

“Let’s go, they’ll need the car for Angel…if he’s there.” Willow led them back to the path.

“That bird?” Gunn asked behind her.

“It’s a raven,” Willow panted, “a lot of people confuse them with crows. They belong to the same family of the Corvidae. Ravens are generally bigger and have a different sound.”

Xander skipped about to face Gunn who’s mouth was open in amazement. “That’s our Willow for you, full of facts just waiting to pop out. Did you know she was a science nerd back in high school?”

Gunn shook his head. “Fred was our resident genius until…” he eyed Illyria moving ahead and nodded in her direction. Xander looked away.

Spike brought up the rear looking like a real Englishman with the brolly.

Faith and Buffy skirted the old building after climbing the wire fence.

“What is this place B?”

The building was old and disused and practically in ruins.

“An old mine I think-what’s that?” Buffy whipped about as she heard a bird call.

“It’s that crow B.” Faith pointed, “I think it’s coming from that way.”

Both girls headed along another path leaving behind the old building. They climbed a metal gate and hurried.

“I think it’s a raven.” Buffy kept her sentences short as she was listening for another call.

“Raven?”

“Yeah. Royal Raven son of the Glorious Prince? Ring any bells?”

Faith winced but didn’t let her stitches slow her down. She was almost healed but damn if she had to show off by running too soon.

“Raven…yeah! Damn! What’s Angel got himself into this time?”

“I think there’s a reason he’s been brought here and I hope it’s enough of a reason to keep him alive.”

Faith looked at Buffy and saw hope for the first time this morning.

And then they were there, standing before an overgrown pile of stones. The stones were jumbled and basically brush free but the grasses and gorse growing on the slope was encroaching. Atop one of the stones sat a pitch black raven. It stared at them evilly, croaked at them and flew away.

The young women looked about.

“Angel?” Buffy called and her voice disappeared along with the bird.

“Come on B.” Faith plunged into the brush and started poking about the large stones. She peered in and between them.

Buffy joined her clambering about moving to the other side. “What is this place and what is it about England and their spooky artifacts and landscape?”

“Yeah, it’s not like we had creepy cemeteries and caves and portals and demons and Gods going after us in good old Sunny D, is it B?”

Buffy popped her head up and glared at Faith but the other slayer was sniggering with her head safely under a leaning rock.

“Angel?” This time Buffy’s call was soft and losing hope.

The girls met under the stone the raven had sat. “Now what?”

Buffy didn’t answer her. Her eyes were frantically searching for some sign. “Is this loose?” Buffy poked and prodded a clump of earth between two stones that was overgrown with long grass. It appeared to have been disturbed. It gave a little.

Soon the girls were on their knees pulling at the grass and clumps of earth that came away with it. They uncovered a hole that was large enough for a human to crawl through.

Buffy arched her eyebrow and Faith nodded. “You first,” she whispered not wanting to alert whatever may lurk inside. Buffy pushed her head inside carefully and her body soon followed when she discovered that the chamber beneath was bigger and wider than possible. She reached back and signaled for Faith to follow.

Regretting the lack of a torch, why didn’t she take Willow’s Buffy thought, as they felt their way in complete darkness. A tingle ran up her spine and Buffy’s heart leapt.

“Angel?” she whispered hopefully. Buffy started when a hand grabbed her foot.

“Angel?” she caught the hand but it was too small. “Faith!”

“Sorry B.”

Buffy moved forward and kept to the wall. She felt Faith crawl away and hoped that she was searching the other wall. The space widened and the slayer in her wondered how? Buffy’s hand encountered something and she froze. Tentatively she stretched her fingers and felt about. It was a shoe. Her hand traveled and she felt material and a leg. Heart racing she used both hands until she felt cold flesh.

“Angel?”

“B?”

Buffy patted up the body curled in a foetal position until she felt a face beneath her fingers. She traced the angles and knew the lines. Her fingers felt his soft hair but came away sticky.

“It’s Angel Faith!” Buffy shook him but there was no response. She heard Faith scuttle over.

“Is he alive?”

Faith’s preposterous question caught Buffy unawares. She giggled until she hiccupped, she was that relieved.

“He’s not dust Faith.”

The other slayer snorted and Buffy could imagine the wide grin the girl was giving her.

“Oh yeah…I knew that, but why won’t he wake up?”

“Don’t know but you go out and look for the others. They’re probably at the mine by now. I’ll try to rouse him.”

“Five by five B,” she moved away in the dark.

Buffy shook Angel gently at first then harder. “Angel! Wake up!”

Buffy grasped his shoulders and he groaned. She flinched and released her hands, her very sticky hands. She brought her fingers to her nose, it was blood. Of course he was injured, idiot.

More gently this time she cupped his face. “Angel, it’s me. Wake up please.”

“Uh…”

Buffy’s other hand felt for his hands and encountered fingers clasped tight about something. She moved closer and something sharp jabbed into her knee.

“What?” It was a blade of some sort that Angel was clutching.

“Buffy?”

Instantly Buffy forgot about the blade. “Angel? I’m here. It’s me and I know this is a silly question but are you okay? Okay as in can you move and not that you’re horribly wounded because there’s blood…” she trailed off anxiously.

“Buffy?” Angel managed to open one eye that wasn’t gummed up with filth. He could see his love peering blindly at him. Was he hallucinating?

He felt Buffy’s warm hands tremble as they touched his face. She really was here. And then she kissed him. Angel felt her soft lips touch his cheek and lift away, a small sniff sounded.

“Angel, you have to move.” Her voice sounded odd.

What was she saying? Move? He doubted that he could.

He managed to croak, “Sun.”

“There’s a mist maybe rain again and Faith’s gone to get the others. We’ve got Giles’ car. Angel I can’t carry you and you’ve got to move.”

Faith was here and others? His head spun and he lay there trying to understand the words.

Angel felt her tug at him and it was then he realised he was clutching a sword. He released his fingers slowly, his dead digits numb but not needing life’s blood to uncurl. Angel slowly stretched stiff limbs in an effort to move.

Buffy’s breath hitched when Angel finally began to move. He had barely spoken two words and she knew that for him to be huddled so, there must have been some damage. She backed away trying to keep a hand on him but other than offer verbal encouragement there wasn’t much she could do.

It took forever it seemed before she was emerging head first into the cold damp morning. The rain had definitely set in and it wouldn’t be long before she was soaked. Faith was waiting with her friends and with an umbrella.

“Spike’s in the car,” was all that Faith said about the matter as she handed over the brolly. Buffy wondered whether Spike was there willingly.

Gunn stood beside her with Xander; Willow and Illyria were missing and Buffy hoped it was because of the rain.

Buffy knelt down and waited for Angel to emerge. He was taking his time and Buffy was beginning to think she would have to go back in.

“How is he?” rumbled Charles Gunn.

“Pretty hurt I think.” Buffy was looking at the opening. “He’s not moving terribly fast.”

Just when she was giving up hope a dark head appeared and slowly the rest of his body followed. Everyone gasped at the bloodied and torn vampire as Buffy held the umbrella over Angel sheltering him from rain and the non existent sun. Gunn and Faith nearly pitched Buffy over as they reached forward to help their wounded friend. The blonde slayer held her tongue after all they were just as concerned for him as she was.

“Easy big guy,” Faith said as she touched a shoulder.

Gunn put a hand out to offer help. “I wonder what the other guy looks like?” he chuckled but Buffy heard the worry in his voice.

Worry grew in proportion as Angel collapsed in a heap. Gunn rose and reached for the umbrella taking it from Buffy.

“Hell, I’m bigger and make a better stand,” he said as the girls helped Angel roll over. The sword in his hand glinted dully but the bloodied face got all their attention.

“Hey,” he croaked with an abysmal attempt at a smile, his eye lids thin slits against the day.

“Wicked blade Angel!” Faith whistled as they got him upright.

“Where does it hurt?” Buffy’s jeans were getting soaked as she leaned over him for a better look. She bit her lip, where wasn’t he hurt?

Angel made a poor effort at waving them away.

“Come on Angel,” Buffy gently grasped his arm trying to avoid any injury. “Time to get to those feet of yours.”

Faith grabbed his other side and they got him upright. Xander who had been silent this whole time stepped up and maneuvered into position. Faith stepped aside so that Xander could prop Angel up with an arm around his shoulder.

He gave the vampire a daring look. “Just don’t look at my neck okay?”

Angel eyed Xander’s neck with a very bloody smirk.

Gunn snorted. “How many times do you tease a hungry and wounded vampire? None, because it would be your last.” He gave Angel an evil grin. “Go on Angel, I’m sure Xander wouldn’t miss a pint or two.”

“Hey!” Xander looked at the two women for help.

“Don’t look at me Xander,” Faith smirked, “you just had to mention neck to a vamp. Man I knew you were a dumb ass but really!”

Gunn handed off the umbrella and took Buffy’s side and between the two men they helped half carry the vampire to the waiting car. Buffy hardly heard the exchange as she was focused on Angel. He was standing and it looked as if he could walk with some help. The umbrella was a little useless but Buffy tried her best at keeping it sort of above their heads. Being short sucked she thought as her arms began to ache.

Fortunately the car with friends inside was parked next to the old abandoned mine and it wasn’t too far to half carry the exhausted Angel. Buffy eyed the old building thinking that it would make a good place to hole up but then thought not with the lack of comforts and all. She remembered the holiday house and decided on that.

She shooed Spike from the passenger seat and watched as the two men placed Angel gently inside.

“Blanket Spike!” she ordered and the other vampire handed it over and jealously watched as Buffy tucked it around his grandsire. Angel appeared oblivious though, his eyes were closed and his head was back against the head rest.

“Angel?” when he didn’t respond Buffy knew that the short walk must have taken its toll.

“Back to Madron Xander and Willow ring Giles, we need to rent a house I saw there, at least until this evening. I don’t know how long the rain will last.”

With Buffy in charge the group scrambled into seats with the exception of Illyria who was already seated. No one wanted to sit with her. Spike decided that he would keep her company and climbed over the seats to sit beside her, he knew for sure that he wouldn’t be welcome squeezing in with the humans now that Peaches hogged the front seat.

Xander grumbled as he carefully drove the car across uneven fields. “I hope farmer Brown doesn’t have a shotgun…because we’re trespassing.”

The group arrived in the small village of Madron and quickly found Church Rd and Belmont House. Willow used the phone number listed on the sign to call the owners and book the house for the night. They sat in the quiet laneway in the shade of the two storey Victorian house as Willow concluded her call.

Fortunately the house was vacant; the owners were not far and would be there soon to open up for them. Buffy sent Faith and Xander to the small village store for food and supplies.

Spike who was peering out at the far side of the street exclaimed with glee, “A bloody pub! Great place you picked Slayer,” he said and read off the sign above the entrance.

“King William IV, oh well you can’t have everything.”

“We’re not here to drink Spike!” Buffy growled having now moved into Xander’s vacant seat next to Angel. He was still with his eyes closed so she touched his hand and she was delighted when he curled his fingers about hers. Buffy was about to open her mouth but when he did not open his eyes she let him be and squeezed back.

Thirty minutes later they had taken possession of Belmont house. The owners explained that it had sleeping arrangements for seven and that there was no smoking. Spike grumbled about it once the owners had gone and as Illyria did not take a bed there was going to be no problem.

Angel came out of his doze when some one started to peel away his bloody clothes. He had closed down letting his preternatural healing take over. His mind had sensed that he was in good hands and had retreated from the world. The problem was that he needed to feed to hurry the process along and human necks were tantalizingly close, his teeth itched.

He cracked his eyelids when his coat was pulled from his arms. A bald black head came into view and then bobbed away. Angel shifted his eyes until they lit upon a head of golden hair. The hair moved and hazel eyes stared into his.

“You’re awake.” Buffy smiled at him and brushed a lock of hair that had fallen into his eyes. His hair was longer now, almost as long as when they had first met.

“Angel?” Gunn’s face popped back. His smile was wide and white.

Angel rolled his eyes about trying to see his surrounds.

“We’re in Madron, somewhere near the end of the world…or it seems like.” Buffy held up a sponge and gently began to wash away some of the matted dirt and blood on his face.

“Man! This place gives me the creeps…” Gunn’s head disappeared again and Angel felt his shoes being tugged off. “Bogs and marshes and moors and such? Give me a city anytime.”

“You do know where Madron is Angel?” Buffy continued to wash his face. She rinsed the cloth and when it came away bloody she gave up. Buffy dropped the cloth into the now blood red water and placed the basin onto the floor declaring, “I give up. I think you need a shower. Can you handle a shower or do you want me to run you a bath?”

Angel stopped looking at the room that they were in and tried to focus on Buffy. They appeared to be in a bedroom?

He managed to say, “Shower.”

Buffy beamed, he spoke and shower meant that Angel must be feeling strong enough to stand on his own. She patted his arm and went into the other room, Angel heard the water run.

Angel didn’t want anyone fussing over him in a bath so shower seemed the only thing to say. Besides he didn’t think he had the strength to actually get out of one once he was in. He closed his eyes.

“Let’s get you upright shall we?”

Angel opened his eyes again. Gunn carefully gripped an elbow and put a hand under an armpit.

He pulled and Angel pushed and he was on his bare feet, swaying a little. “Thanks,” he grunted as Gunn tightened his hold.

Gunn managed to get Angel the three steps to the door only to have Buffy run into them in the bathroom doorway.

“Oh!” she exclaimed and stared up at Angel.

Angel stared back and put out a hand to hold onto the door frame. He shrugged off Gunn’s assistance and only dragging his leg a little headed into the bathroom as Buffy sidled by reluctantly.

“Do you need someone to…?” She blushed as she envisioned herself helping a naked Angel in the shower.

“M Fine” he murmured as he started to close the door. It halted and they heard him ask, “Sword?”

“Got it boss.” Gunn had placed the thing on the floor beside the bed as soon as they had been able to pry it out of the vampire’s hand.

“Don’t worry about your clothes Angel,’ Buffy called as the door shut. “We’re getting you something from the store.” She leaned against the door. “Should’ve kept last nights shopping in the car.” There was no reply.

Buffy picked up the bloody basin and Angel’s socks and Gunn lifted the horribly rent coat. “Man loves his coat,” he said as he followed Buffy into the main living area. The furniture was modern and clean, the inside decor not at all Victorian.

“How is he?” Willow asked from the couch a steaming cup of coffee in hand.

Buffy went to the kitchen sink and poured out the dirty water and rinsed the cloth.

“Not very good with the talking thing.” Buffy threw the socks into the wash basket a bit too hard.

Gunn was fingering the holes in the leather. “At least he’s walking Buffy.” He held up the ruined garment. “These look like claw marks.”

Buffy peered at the coat and shivered at the damage. Willow patted the seat beside her.

“Here grab a cup and sit, you look all done in.”

Buffy smiled gratefully at her friend and looked about. “Where’s Spike and Illyria?”

“Spike’s gone to bed in one of the bedrooms and Illyria is wandering the town.”

Buffy snagged a cup and one for Gunn too. Gunn had taken the coat back into the bedroom.

“Do you think that’s wise? I mean she is a demon and evil…sort of…”

The door burst open and Faith and Xander appeared with bags in hand. “Food’s here,” Xander cried gleefully as they entered.

“Clothes for the dead,” Faith added holding up a couple of bags.

“What’ya get?” Buffy asked and Faith threw the bags over to her. Willow grabbed Buffy’s cup as the slayer snagged the bags out of the air.

Buffy looked inside to see a dark Tee, socks, underwear and in the other bag was a pair of trousers.

Buffy looked over at Faith who was helping Xander unload the groceries. “Don’t tell me that little shop sold all this?”

Faith looked up from the loaf of bread she was opening. Xander rattled around in the cupboards behind her.

“No…well the socks but they knew where we could buy the rest.” Faith placed the bread onto a plate that Xander put before her. “Angel’s about Xander’s size so we went with that.”

“They may be a little big.” Buffy said as she held the shirt up.

“Hey!” Xander decided to eat something healthy on that note. So he munched on an apple as he divvied up the food. He hunted for a frying pan and found one.

“Where is the walking wounded anyway?” he asked.

“How’s about you ALL keep it down!” Spike stood at the foot of the stairs his hair in disarray and glaring at all and sundry.

“Aw…..Spike, did we wake you?” Xander sneered as he placed the pan on the stove and began looking for the bacon and eggs.

Spike glared at him and Faith and everyone and stormed over to a stool and heaved his ass on it.

“No use me trying to sleep with all this bloody noise!”

Buffy smirked as she refolded Angel’s shirt. “Spike; we really didn’t miss the surliness.”

“You got that right!” Gunn agreed from his seat with his coffee. “For months we put up with Spike’s bitching at Wolfram and Hart. It’s Angel I felt sorry for. Spike made his life a living hell.”

Buffy narrowed her eyes at her ex. Spike wasn’t exactly the nicest of people and his hatred for Angel was legendary.

Catching the glare Buffy sent his way, Spike backpedaled fast. “Now Charlie boy, it wasn’t that bad. Was all a bit of fun, was all.”

Xander started frying up the bacon and soon the smell permeated the room making everyone realize how hungry they were.

He clapped his hands. “Now who’s hungry?”

They all crowded around the breakfast bar ravenous. Buffy took the opportunity to take Angel his new clothes but when she opened the bedroom door, the vampire was asleep on the bed, the quilt thrown over his naked form. Buffy could see his bare chest and arms and would have enjoyed the view of naked flesh if it wasn’t for the terrible healing wounds on Angel’s upper body and arms.

Buffy walked to the bed and placed the clothes on the bedside table. She stood looking down at Angel, her slayer eyes following the bruises and cuts on his face and the washed wound in his hair. He looked worn out even in sleep, a sleep so deep that he wasn’t breathing. One hand lay splayed across his stomach; the other held the sword down by his side. Buffy wondered if it was normal for vampires to sleep so much when injured. She would have to ask Spike about it. She had seen Angel wounded before and he had always managed to hold his own and rally much sooner.

Buffy was worried. They still did not know what had happened to him and Angel hadn’t seemed inclined to talk. Before she knew it her hand had reached out to shake Angel. Buffy blinked. She aborted the movement and instead her fingers hovered above his heart. Buffy pulled back and stepped away. She would give Angel a few more hours and if he still slept then she would wake him. She tiptoed to the door and closed it behind her.

Angel was standing in a field he did not recognize. It seemed familiar somehow and yet he knew it not. What was surprising was the sun. He was standing under the bright light of day and that was impossible. He raised his arm and beheld the sword gripped there. He looked at his arm so pale in the light and saw jade and enamel decorating armour. There was a roar in the air and he looked up to discern the source. He couldn’t see, his free hand came up to shield his eyes from the sun and still he could not see. The earth trembled through the soles of his feet. A cry to his left swung his head in that direction. An old woman stood there and her image shimmered as he looked. He blinked and a beautiful woman took her place another blink and she was a hag again. He tried to move and was held in place. He struggled to speak but could not open his mouth. He heard a rush and looked above to see a shadow come across the land. He shivered and struggled anew.

On his bed the vampire twitched.

A pounding on the door woke Buffy. She groaned and squinted in the gloom of a dark room. The pounding repeated and the slayer lifted her head. Looking at her watch she saw it was well after noon; she had have fallen asleep on the couch. Buffy slid upright getting to her feet with a yawn. Buffy had looked in on Angel on her way to the bathroom to freshen up before sacking out on the couch. She had drawn the curtains earlier in deference to the two vampires; the gloom helping her slip into slumber quickly. Xander had bought toothpaste and brushes for all and even donning her dirty clothes after a shower had been better than staying grubby. Sleep had claimed everyone and all was quiet until she heard a familiar voice.

“Open up! It’s Giles.”

Angel glanced back to the hag again; she had vanished. A hand reached out and touched his back. His dead heart leapt and he found he could after all turn and move his feet. Not many people could take him unawares but this was not his usual circumstance. The old hag was gone and again in her place stood a beautiful woman. Before he could open his mouth the woman put a finger to his lips. He felt the touch and it chilled him in his bones. He stared down at her dark eyes and found eternity looking back. Lips like rubies opened and pearly white teeth parted and fascinated he watched as her pink tongue licked her lips before uttering her words.

“Your battle awaits,” and she turned him as easily as a child.

Angel once again felt the ground shudder, the air howl and the hairs at the back of his neck prickled. The shadow fell across the land once again and it was now that he could discern the shape of many helmets and spears advancing on his position. He looked back at the woman and as before she was gone leaving him a view of the people standing behind. A shout filled his ears and his warrior’s heart swelled in response. Angel faced about to confront the oncoming enemy with his blood lust raging and the heat of battle rising.

He opened his eyes to a darkened room.

The main living area was awash with people when Angel finally emerged from his healing sleep. He leaned against the door as a hush descended before carefully moving over to the one vacant chair. Buffy was beside him in an instant kneeling before his seat asking if he was better. He nodded and noted that Giles and the dark haired slayer Kennedy was present.

“I’ve been better thank you,” he rasped, his throat dry.

“Giles brought blood, I’ll heat some for you; you just rest okay?” Buffy stroked his hand and hurried away with a relieved frown.

Angel sensed the watcher watching him and he was when he let his eyes roam to the dining table. Giles had out his books; he must have transported a portion of his library for the table was covered with them. Before the Englishman could speak Angel lowered his gaze as he inspected his new surrounds.

Charles Gunn was heading his way with a steaming mug of coffee. Angel took the hot cup from him with care; he didn’t want to add scalds to his list of injuries.

“Thanks”

Gunn hovered and Angel slid his eyes upwards. “What?”

“Looking a lot worse for wear man.”

Angel mustered a grim smile. “Not feeling all that great either Gunn.”

Gunn went to one knee and carefully tapped his free arm. “Watcher’s got some idea of what’s goin’ on. Seems he likes to be the one calling the shots,” he whispered.

Angel took a grateful swallow of the hot liquid and savoured the feel of it sliding down his throat in fiery descent. He gulped more of the brown liquid to feel its heat. Angel’s head barely lowered in an agreeing nod.

“As long as he remembers we are all on the same side.” Gunn retreated when Buffy approached with the warmed blood.

Damn it his hand was shaking. Angel hid it by holding the cup in both hands to take a last swallow. The smell of heated blood was almost too powerful to resist as Buffy handed it to him taking his empty cup. Sitting on the coffee table in front of his legs Buffy smiled at him with obvious relief.

“I was beginning to think you weren’t going to wake up.” Her hand reached up and touched his knee. “How’s the healing going?”

Buffy was worried and tried not to show it. Angel was positively white, not just the paleness that defined a vamp but white as a sheet. She noticed both hands clasped tight about his mug and tracked his arm noting a faint tremor. She bit back her concern, Angel’s eyes refused to meet hers and she knew that he wouldn’t admit his distress to her. Stubborn vampire!

Too hungry to answer, Angel lifted the blood and drank long and slow. It was human and he closed his eyes to hide his pleasure. He wouldn’t ask why Giles brought human for him but he was grateful. Too soon, it was gone and Angel placed the cup on his knees too proud to ask for more. He opened his eyes when Buffy’s warm fingers tugged at his shirt and inspected his injuries. He looked across to see her biting her bottom lip as she considered his wounds. Buffy’s lips were tantalizingly close, he looked down.

His chest wounds were healing fast, he could feel his ribs knitting back together and his leg was much better. Buffy gently touched the closing holes that had pierced his upper chest.

“This must have hurt,” she whispered.

Angel nodded slightly and reminded, Buffy smoothed back his hair. He flinched when she touched the wound on his head, it must have been pretty serious to worry him this long, but the slayer seemed satisfied that it too was on the mend.

“I don’t remember much,” he said to alleviate her fears and her lips touched his hair before retreating.

“Just as well,” she breathed sitting back.

Angel flicked his eyes across to Giles who seemed to be frowning at them from behind his glasses. The door flew open revealing Xander Harris who stumbled in with Faith in tow. Spike appeared from nowhere and relieved Xander of the beer.

“Ta, thanks mate,” he said and ambled away with a six pack nodding at Angel as he passed by.

“Hey!” Xander waved several bags of potato chips at the vampire’s retreating back.

“You forgot the crisps.”

Faith pushed by and planted her booty on the counter top. “There’s more beer here and I’ll have a bag…” Faith noticed Angel and turned away from the kitchen with a beer in hand.

“Hey! Looks like I’m not the wounded soldier this time. How’s ya doing?” She pulled up a dining chair and sat taking a slug of the warm brew. “Ugh! Why do the English have to drink warm beer?” she asked looking at the bottle with disdain.

Angel must have had a look on his face because then Faith added, “I’m over twenty one. I’m an adult.” Still with the look. “It was Spike’s idea,” she finished with an evil grin.

Spike with a definite look in his eye was happy to take the rap. “Saw the pub across the way and knew that you guys needed refreshments. Couldn’t go out me self now could I?”

Everyone grabbed a beverage of some kind, Angel noted that Buffy stayed clear of the beer; seats were sorted, bowls of crisps were on hand. He was innately pleased when Buffy perched on the arm of his chair; he kept his body from slouching towards hers with some degree of effort.

Giles with beer in hand leaned against the table and asked that Angel recount his ordeal before revealing what he had found thus far. Everyone hushed for his soft voice as he recalled as much of his journey as he could. Willow left Kennedy’s side to get him a glass of water when his words rasped towards the end. Angel did not mention his dream yet as he worried at it hoping that Giles could add some light to this puzzle. Buffy squeezed his hand when he faltered into silence and the concern in her eyes lifted his own.

“Mên Scryfa,” Giles began. “Or Screfys, written stone. Do you know it Angel?”

“I know the legend. I knew where I was when I read the inscription.”

“How’s about filling the rest of us in Giles,” Xander insisted around a mouth stuffed full of chips.

Gunn quaffed quietly on his beer and waited patiently. He was on Angel’s left; Spike was still on his stool straddling it with Illyria beside him sipping at his beer whenever he offered it. Gunn thought back to the night Illyria had her first taste of beer. They had been on the run from the Senior Partners and he hadn’t been in great shape himself.

“Xander!” Willow glared at her friend to shut up and he did to everyone’s amazement.

“Quite.” Giles coughed and then began. “Most of you do not know the legend behind the written stone or Mên Scryfa, gravestone of The Royal Raven Rialobrani or Ryalyran.”

“Rya…Rialob…it was hard enough to pronounce out there.” Xander stated and ducked as Faith threw a potato chip at him only it missed and floated to the floor. He leered at her, his eye patch actually made him look menacing. She laughed not all worried.

“As I was saying,” the glare at Xander was not missed, “Mên Scryfa or Screfys *written stone* stands on high ground not far from Mên-an-Tol. As you have already seen for yourselves. Although the stone itself may have been a much earlier menhir, the early Christian inscription on it which of course is of too late a date, about AD 500, to qualify it as a prehistoric site.”

Willow put up a hand but Kennedy pulled it down with a “shhh!”

Giles cleared his throat again and Buffy’s friends rolled their eyes.

“However” he continued, “Mên Scryfa is a successor to the Bronze Age standing stones in that it marks a grave, but differs from them in that it bears the name of the people buried there. On the granite pillar is inscribed RIALOBRANI CUNOVALI FILI. This signifies that the stone is of the Royal Raven, son of the Glorious Prince.”

“Move it along Watcher. We know this bit already.”

Buffy secretly agreed with Spike but kept her face immobile in respect for her watcher.

Undeterred Giles lectured. “The story of Rialobran is very ancient: it seems that an invader attacked the Glorious Prince, seized his lands and occupied his hill fort. The defeated royalty was forced to flee, possibly to the area around Carn Euny.”

Before Xander could possibly ask where and what Carn Euny was Illyria spoke.

“Ancient? You deem fifteen centuries ancient? Wesley informed me of your mode of time measure. I had been asleep in The Deeper Well for over a million of your years; I bided my time, waited to reclaim what was once mine. You speak of such little things.” She subsided with a sniff but everyone waited a beat to be sure.

Giles hurried on glancing warily at her. “The Royal Raven tried to regain his father's territory and a great battle was fought on the moors where Mên Scryfa stands. Rialobran was killed and his body buried by the stone which was said to correspond to the height of the dead warrior. That such a monument was chosen suggests that the battle was won and that his tribal lands were retaken.”

“So he was a good guy then?” Faith asked earning her a grin from Harris.

“He was defending his father’s land so I suppose he could be called that.” Gunn said.

Giles nodded while Buffy slumped closer to Angel until her head rested on his shoulder. Buffy wanted to feel Angel’s skin. He had fed and some small amount of colour had returned to his face, not the pink of living flesh but his marble skin was its usual pale and not parchment white. Angel kept his flinch under control when Buffy’s head hit a sore spot; no way was he having her move back.

“This was the period between the departure of the Romans and the coming of the English, when Cornwall was again ruled by its native princes. One of the first Cornish names we know is Rialobran.” Giles sounded like he was reciting from a book which Buffy supposed that he was after researching the subject.

Willow leaned forward and added, “The raven is a carrion bird linked with death and battlefields and was believed to have magical power for those who worshipped it. The bird was venerated over much of northern Europe, being an important symbol in an aggressive warrior society.” She looked at the astonished faces. “What? Its majick related so of course I’m interested, it also helps that I did some research.” She grinned sheepishly

Giles smiled at Willow pleased with her help before beginning again.

“Celtic legend links the name of Bran-Rialobrani- to an ancient British warrior king, keeper of the cauldron of Immortality. His decapitated head continued to have the power of speech and it was later buried where the Tower of London now stands and where ravens still live. Bran also appears in Arthurian legend under various names and he was also a Celtic solar war God.”

“Eeewww! So what has it got to do with Angel?” Buffy sat up glad the knowledge part of the day was over. She was action girl and although appreciative of the research the others did, Buffy preferred to be hitting something.

Now Giles frowned as he couldn’t understand the why of it either.

“Angel’s Irish, that’s Celtic isn’t it?” Gunn ventured.

Spike of course couldn’t let that pass. “Right, he’s a bloody bog trotter and as thick to boot. Just look at his forehead, its caveman brow.”

Buffy glared at her ex-lover and he smiled sweetly back at her which made her narrow her eyes at him for not the first time that day.

“He’s definitely not a sun god because we already dealt with one of those.” Gunn added quickly.

“Really?” Giles stared at Gunn with interest.

“It was a demon wanting sun god powers Charlie,” Spike opened another beer wishing for a cigarette, glad of the change of subject. The slayer looked a little pissed at him but he just couldn’t resist having a go at his grand sire.

“Hello! Vampire; not really a daytime type is he?” Willow asked.

Kennedy smiled. “What if this is something evil that wants to use the vampire as its tool? And hasn’t he already got immortality?”

Buffy growled, still ticked at Spike. “The vampire has a name and it’s Angel.” Buffy turned her head and asked, “What do you think Angel?”

Angel had been listening intently to every detail of Giles’ history lesson. He had known about the Raven Prince from back in the day. Not to the extent of today’s teachings as education was limited to Latin and the Bible, numbers and reading and writing. Legends though persisted and were retold over time. In the century spent wandering alone, trying to come to terms with his past Angel had had time to read and he did so with a ferocious appetite. As Angelus he had picked up more languages than he could count, was no slouch as far as intelligence went. Angelus knew that knowledge was power and he had learned. Angel had read everything he could find; demon lore and folk lore and history fascinated him, in fact everything did. He may be slow with science and its ridiculous technical terms but he did basically understand the underlying premise of science; it was just another branch of majick as far as he was concerned.

“Angel?”

Forcing his attention back to the matter at hand Angel said, “The Morrigan is a Celtic triple deity, she has several names, one of which is Supreme War Goddess.”

“Another is Queen of Witches or Majick.” Willow added wondering where he was going with this.

Angel raised a brow at Willow; Giles nodded although it was Angel who continued. “She was considered evil by most; she was The Goddess of War, Fate and Death although she never physically took part.”

“What has she to do with this?” Buffy and Faith asked at the same time.

“The Washer at the Ford.” Giles straightened as a glimmer of an idea surfaced in the back of his brain.

“Washerwoman?” Buffy stood and stretched before going to the fridge to help herself to a box of juice.

“She washed clothes in a stream before a battle; those who saw her were destined to die.” Spike shrugged off the looks. “What? I’m educated.”

“Amazing.” Angel swore he heard Wesley echo Giles.

Gunn stared at Giles as if he too was looking at his friend Wesley. “So evil then,” he managed.

“Not everyone thought she was evil.”

Gunn looked back at Angel.

“She was also the Goddess of Fertility, so combined with Strife and Battle she was known as a triple Goddess. She was connected with the Ninefold Goddess of the Cauldron.”

Xander snapped his fingers. “Cauldron! Immortality, it’s all connected.”

“Going back to megalithic times she was linked with the cult of Mothers who were also triple Goddesses and….” Giles stopped pacing and looked hard at Angel.

“Was a shapechanger,” Angel finished for him. “Her symbol was the raven or the carrion crow.”

“The Morrigan often appeared as an old woman but sometimes changed into a beautiful maiden…..Yes. It all makes sense…I think.” Giles sat.

Buffy snatched a handful of chips as she passed by Xander and dumped the new bag into Willow’s lap before she settled back on the arm of Angel’s chair.

She snorted, “Makes sense to those of us who aren’t Giles or Angel. What are you talking about?”

Willow thought she had it. “Raven Prince, giant raven…..” she trailed off. “We saw a raven this morning and it was a giant bird that carried Angel away right? Do you think The Morrigan involved?”

“I saw her.” Angel’s eyes flicked away when they stared.

“And you’re telling us this now?” Xander mumbled around a mouthful of chips.

“I dreamed her.” Angel looked up at Buffy when her eyebrows rose.

“Have you had these, these dreams before?” Giles asked irritated that the vampire had waited this long to inform him of this fact.

“Yes…it’s been awhile.”

Buffy blushed and looked away; she remembered vividly a dream she shared with Angel several lifetimes ago.

“Angel had a vision that was sent by The Powers That Be.” Gunn shifted in his seat grateful to be of some use in this conversation.

“The Powers That Be,” Giles repeated blinking behind his glasses.

“Yeah.” Gunn leaned back in his chair. “Cordelia was Angel’s link to the Powers by having visions ...”

“Wait!” Xander held his hand up. “I knew that, Cordelia had the visions so why did Angel get one?”

Gunn continued on ignoring Xander Harris. “Plus she was half demon…..”

“Half DEMON?”

Gunn whispered to Angel, “I thought they knew this stuff?”

Buffy choked back her chips with a swallow of juice before getting out, “I didn’t know she had become half demon.”

“She was dying from the visions. She chose to become half demon when The Powers offered her the chance….it was all a ruse in the end.” Angel’s soft whisper was heard by all in the shocked silence.

“Did she have horns?” Xander was bewildered. There apparently were a lot of things they had missed about Angel and his world. Xander felt a pang of guilt because he hadn’t wanted to know let alone mention the vampire’s name. And now his Cordy was dead and it was too late.

Angel actually chuckled at Xander’s words. “No, although it worried her that she might.”

Giles coughed. “You had a vision?”

Angel was silent for so long that Gunn finally answered. “Cordelia….” He glanced at Angel but the vampire was looking at Willow, “Cordelia’s spirit, avatar or whatever….came back one day to Wolfram and Hart and in her dying breath she passed the visions on to Angel.”

Angel was watching Willow from where he sat and wondered what she remembered of her visit to the Hyperion to re-ensoul him. She had met with Cordelia, the evil version anyway and must know about the visions, or did that not come up in conversation? Willow and Cordelia had kept in touch by phone or email over the years. What had Cordelia told her? Connor had been there, at Cordelia’s side, the father of her child. The pain of that stabbed at him once again, what *did* Willow remember?

“How can you pass on visions?” Kennedy asked her head against Willow’s arm as she snacked on the chips.

Angel looked at Faith and applied his thoughts to his friend. Faith had been inside his mind, talked to Angelus, got to know his inner demon. Did that memory exist or was it wiped clean or altered only to exclude Connor? Angel guessed it would be the latter as Jasmine was remembered by everyone.

Gunn was watching Angel watching Faith. Buffy was watching Angel, heck everyone was watching Angel.

“Apparently with a kiss.”

Buffy pushed down the stab of jealousy that threatened her heart. She remembered Angel telling her that Cordelia had kissed him and then died. This is what happened?

“Preposterous!”

All heads turned towards Giles. “If visions can pass from one person to another with a kiss then it would be happening all the time.”

“Only when The Powers allow it.” Gunn avowed.

“It was only one vision.”

“And it was?” Giles asked Angel.

“How to stop The Apocalypse.” Angel gripped his forgotten glass with such force that it threatened to shatter as the memory of that day resurfaced. He closed his eyes as a surge of raw emotion battered against his dead heart.

Giles shook his head slightly bewildered. There had been a lot of things going on with this vampire and he had had the opportunity to learn and even help. Instead he had chosen to ignore, out of justified righteousness with the whole Angelus thing and the fact that keeping Buffy away from him had seemed paramount. It appeared indeed as if Angel had a destiny. The Powers That Be had taken an interest and that in itself was no small matter. Perhaps he had misjudged things…yes; he knew that he had mishandled matters. It was time to put aside petty jealousies and try and mend some fences. He looked sideways at Illyria and knew that it was too little too late.

“Well getting back to the matter on hand, what happened in this dream you had?”

“It’s hard to…” Angel took a breath. Spike rolled his eyes. Bloody drama queen.

It was lost on Angel; he was looking inwards his fingers twisting the glass in unseen circles.

“It was as if I was there.” He saw the scene, felt the whole thing, he *had* been there. In a low tone Angel recounted as much of his dream as he could remember. When he had finished Angel felt drained. He had to get back to full strength because he was going to need it. That meant that he would have to feed more before the evening set in. He looked up to see Buffy’s friends mulling over his tale.

Giles spoke first. “Are you sure you weren’t experiencing a past event? Standing in sunshine, armour?”

Angel looked squarely at the Englishman. “I thought so at first but what would be the point in that? Tonight I have to go back to the stone.”

“Why did you get picked?” Spike asked simmering with jealousy. It was always about Angel he seethed.

“I’d rather it you Spike. Shall I ask for you to take my place?” Angel bit out tired of it all.

Spike smirked at the other vampire pleased to see he hadn’t lost his touch. It alleviated his envy just a touch.

“Okay then!” Buffy jumped up ready to form a plan. “Why did this Morrison woman choose Angel?”

Buffy stood back when Angel got to his feet but was ready to catch him if he fell. He didn’t but he swayed a little.

Giles answered her with speculation of his own. Angel walked around everyone and disappeared into the bedroom and everyone was curious about that.

“Maybe Angel has a connection with his Celtic heritage. Or maybe he’s a warrior for the light and thus chosen so. Maybe The Morrigan chose him for reasons only she knows.”

Angel stretched once he was out of sight. He tested his limbs and touched his various wounds. They were fading quickly, mending fast and he knew it was the human blood. Sure he healed quickly with animal blood, was as strong as any vampire but there was something about human blood that buzzed him. He felt different, felt faster and stronger even though he knew he wasn’t really. However maybe it was true and therein lay the danger. He no longer denied his nature, he used his strengths when ever necessary and he drank human when necessary. He didn’t want to make it an exclusive item in his diet. He went to the bed and picked up the sword, giving heed to the conversation in the other room. He listened as he examined the sword before reaching for his coat. There was something in the pocket.

“What about standing in the sun? You heard him; he plans to go back tonight. Do you think that’s wise?” Kennedy asked.

“It’s the only thing he can do.”

“I agree with Buffy.” Giles was shuffling his books about. “Whatever is about to happen it’s going to be at the megalith.”

“So that means we all go right?” Gunn’s deep voice rumbled.

“We’ve got enough weapons, Buffy brought a few,” Willow said.

Kennedy added, “We brought more just in case.”

“Always be prepared huh? You’ve been listening to Giles too much.”

“I beg your pardon?” Giles was indignant.

Xander asked, “Will Angel be able to do what he has to do? The man can hardly stand let alone fight.”

“Don’t worry about Angel; I’ve seen what he can do when he’s beaten bloody.” Gunn sounded offended and for that Angel smiled.

Everyone was restive now they had something to think about; Angel heard bodies shift as they moved about.

“Ready for more action Gunn?” Spike’s voice was bright with eagerness for a fight.

“The whole gang, ready to rock and roll, it’ll be like old times.” Faith put in and Angel could hear the desperation behind the words of a young woman wanting so much to be thought of as part of the family.

“So what’s the plan?”

Angel’s fingers closed about the object he sought.

The moon was bright, gilding the landscape in silver wherever its beams touched. The cumulus scudded across the sky clearing vast volumes of star studded infinity letting the mercurial disc reign.

Several figures stood at Mên Scryfa casting long shadows across the moor. The stone itself stood as tall as the tallest of them but wider and eternal. Spike never felt truly immortal, he accepted each day as it came but standing near the stone, he felt like a new born. He glanced over at the other vampire. Angel was twice his age but you never knew it to look at him. Both had been turned in their twenties with Spike having a year or two on his grand sire. Spike felt like a younger brother whenever Angel was near and it grated. It was better than feeling like nothing as he had done when it was Angelus in control. Angel had had his soul for over a century and it showed making Spike wonder not for the first time why he kept on trying. As far as Spike was concerned bygones were bygones; let it be. Except there were the times that his soul pinched and forced him to take stock; to make a decision that didn’t involve his own petty concerns but put his life on the line for what mattered. He didn’t want to be another Angel; he was his own man he told himself.

When Angel had ventured back into the room sword in hand and the stone medallion in the other they were convinced. Giles reverently took the ancient stone from his hand and exclaimed that it was indeed a divine head. The number three was important to the ancient Celts as it had majickal and religious importance.

He had declared, “There was legendary power in multiple heads because the head was believed to be the seat of the soul, an emblem of fertility, divinity and prophetic power. There are many tales of three semi divine heroes, brothers born as triplets.” He looked up at the slowly pacing vampire; he was drinking his second cup of O pos.

“Where did you get this?”

Angel paused long enough to answer with a frown. “In the cave…. I remember falling again and crawling into a cave to get away from the sun. It was there in the wall, it caught my hand as I was feeling my way.”

“Do you recall how you arrived at the cave?”

“There was a bird….” Angel shook his head, he couldn’t remember, he must have passed out.

“The power of three. Not the first time we’ve heard that is it Wills?” Xander joked.

“I think a television show about witches isn’t in the same league Xander,” Buffy poked him with a stake as she sailed past with weapons in hand.

“No, he’s right Buffy. Maybe it’s unintentional but there is power in threes.”

Giles continued to watch Angel pace as Willow spoke.

“I wonder…..Angel has a soul, he has prophetic power…”

“And what? If you say he’s divine I’m gonna puke Red!”

“No Spike. Angel is Irish which means a Celtic heritage and he’s immortal. He’s semi divine in other words and a hero.” Giles forced the word out and heard the truth of it.

Gunn tapped Angel on the arm as he passed by, something was bothering him. “I could have sworn that your pockets were empty when I took off your coat. Not,” He hurriedly assured the vampire, “that I looked in your pockets. Hard to miss the weight of something like that though.”

Gunn watched as the Watcher turned the medallion in his fingers. It was small and made of stone, carved heads stood in stark relief, worn not at all for all the ages it carried.

“So man, not only is your name written in prophecies, you have your connections with some Old Ones, not bad for an ex CEO of Wolfram and Hart.”

Illyria intervened. If Angel was going to reply it was lost as she stalked over to her companions. “Old Ones? The Celtic Gods cannot be Old Ones. Have they a different name from the ones you speak? Will I know one of these Old Ones? How have they survived in this mire that you call a world?”

“Easy Illyria,” Gunn put up his hands. “Join us tonight and you may find the answers.”

The demon God King nodded. “Be assured that this I will do Charles Gunn. I wish to meet this ‘Old One’.”

“So.”

Angel looked down at Buffy. She was standing next to him with her favourite weapon; it glistened in the moonlight begging Angel to touch it.

“Here we are again.” Buffy hefted the scythe and looked up at him.

“I guess so.”

He lifted the borrowed sword and ran his fingers over the runes engraved there. Buffy licked her lips. That was one fine sword especially after Angel had cleaned it. His attempts to hone it had been futile; the blade was as sharp as the day it had been forged. She would have offered a trade if not for the fact the sword was Angel’s by way of some Celtic Goddess.

She flicked her hair back. “This is what happens with one kiss.”

He stared at her.

“The story of our lives.”

He continued to stare, afraid to speak, afraid of what, he couldn’t say.

“I wonder what happens after two kisses.” Buffy smiled coyly at him and Angel realised that she wasn’t complaining. In fact….

“Two kisses?”

“Are you ready?” Giles came up from behind and Buffy sighed. She was destined to never finish a conversation with Angel. She imprinted his dark eyes and beautiful face to memory as she turned to her Watcher.

Giles had Angel place the medallion atop the stone and now they were waiting for something, anything to happen.

“As ready as we’ll ever be.” Buffy looked back at her friends and Angel’s friends. She hoped that they could all be friends together, if they got through this and she really hoped that any mistrust and fear that her friends had for Angel was finally put to rest. She amended that thought, her own fear and mistrust had been added to the mix and she couldn’t afford to do that again. She turned to take up her position. She wasn’t happy about being placed in the third row so to speak but it made sense and as this was Angel’s call she acquiesced.

Giles couldn’t see as well as a vampire at night but the moonlight caught the blade in the vampire’s hand. Angel handled the blade so easily and it seemed to be made for him. The runes contained the legend Caladbolg which translated from the ancient Irish to ‘Hard’ and ‘Light’. He watched as Angel stepped away to swing the blade, get the feel of it. The Irish vampire had of course recognized the sword; the sword borne by Irish heroes of legend. It was said to be forged by an eleven smith and it had been struck by lightning while in the making. Giles didn’t want to think about the other implication. Caladbolg was also known as Caladvwich which was the Welsh name for Caliburn or Excalibur. It made his head hurt to think that a vampire of all beings was being granted the gift of such an ancient and powerful blade.

Angel swung his blade to test his arm and get the feel of the rest of his body. His wounds were mostly healed and he hoped that he was up to what ever was going to come. He looked back at the people assembled there. Illyria was going to stand behind him, she was his most powerful ally and Spike was going to be there as well. Spike was a vampire so was more expendable than anyone else and he was handy in a fight. Buffy who was his most important ally and the other two slayers were next and behind them were the vulnerable humans. Willow was a very powerful Wiccan but she was still human and Angel felt all the better that she was going to be amongst the three human males and the farthest from the heat of battle.

The blade felt right in his fist and he wondered at all the fingers that had once curled around its hilt. This blade was legendary and he felt honoured to be included as one who wielded it, all but a few of the names before him were lost in the mists of time. He patted his pockets to assure that his other weapons were in place. His short sword was tucked in its scabbard as was the long knife in his boot. Stakes were ready to be used although he didn’t think that vampires were going to be amongst the unknown enemy.

Angel heard the caw of a bird and the sound sent shivers down the spines of the other warriors who waited with him. Angel turned to see weapons coming up and feet being planted firmly. He nodded at Gunn at the rear standing next to Xander and his friend grinned back. He watched as Giles took his stand next to Willow before looking back at Buffy.

“Take care,” he whispered although he knew that was a useless sentiment. Buffy was a slayer, the Slayer and she was a fighting machine. Being careful didn’t factor into it.

“You too,” she whispered before her swift feet brought her back to his side. Buffy reached up and brought his head down to meet her lips. “I love you” she breathed and she was gone leaving him blinking at her.

The call of the raven was heard again and Angel looked towards the written stone, Mên Scryfa. A raven stood upon it and as he stared Angel saw the shape of a woman begin to form. It was The Morrigan and she was beautiful. The Goddess mouthed something he could hear but not understand. She placed a hand on the medallion and everyone flinched.

Gunn squeezed his eyes tight as the brightest light stabbed the night and into his sight. When he opened them again it was day and his first thought was of Angel. His eyes frantically sought his friend and when he found him the day turned into night.

“What the hell?” Gunn’s eyes darted around to his companions. They were all there and all bewildered as he. “Did you guys?”

“Yeah, we did.” Xander Harris was panting with nervous energy. Gunn stood to his left guarding the man’s blind side. Willow was next to her best friend and Giles had her right side.

Xander blinked his one good eye to see if the images that were imprinted there washed away. They didn’t. He felt as if he could see out of both eyes again and that was weird.

Willow shook her head. “I think we’re in two places at once.”

“Two Times Willow. I think we are standing in the very spot that the Raven Prince fought his final battle, in both Time and Place.” Giles was worried that they hadn’t the high ground for wasn’t that the advantage in any battle? He looked towards where the vampire looked and saw only the stone. He gripped his crossbow in a tight fingered clasp and knew that others dictated the where and how.

“Don’t even go there G Man,” Xander complained. “It hurts my head trying to keep this life in order without complicating it with timelines.” He raised his axe in anticipation.

Gunn looked down at his clothing and superimposed on his brain were the furs and leather he had glimpsed momentarily. It was easy for him to look over the heads of the three slayers to look at Angel. He heard thunder in the air and the ground trembled. The vampire he noticed was looking towards the megalith.

Buffy squinted against the bright spots behind her eyes. The daylight had frightened her for the brief second it had registered because of Angel. His dark form had been in the light of day although he had been dressed strangely in bits of leather and had bright objects adorning his body. Night was upon them once more and Angel was looking towards the stone; safe. She raised her sword and planted her feet and felt the earth move.

Angel blinked rapidly as the light faded away; his arms were wrapped in enamel of various hues. The leather against his legs and chest stretched and moved as he adjusted his sword. His first thought was of flames and sunlight before night returned and with it the comfort of the silver moon. The Morrigan stood there still though the vampire wondered if any one else could see her. Wasn’t it certain death for those that did? No worries for him then. He felt the earth shake and heard the faint sounds of metal and bone. When he glanced down at his feet his attire was his own again, and his mind grasped the idea that this battle was being fought in more than one Time.

Angel lay aside his musing as he could now discern movement before him. The tall spikes of spears raised across shoulders gleamed bright as moonlight caught the horned helmets and furs bobbed as his enemy materialized as if out of mist. Angel planted his feet and squared his shoulders. These were warriors from another time and place or they were the misplaced, it did not matter. He was here to fight for an unfathomable reason and when he looked one last time, The Morrigan nodded as if she could read his thoughts and knew that he would stand fast for her.

“Bloody Hell!” Spike cursed as dozens of broad and powerful men approached ready to do battle, he did not notice that Blue had wandered away.

Illyria looked over to the stone and observed the figure standing there. Her curiosity was aroused so she moved with almost invisible swiftness until she was before the human form. Her jeweled eyes dissected the maid as she transformed into an old woman and her senses twitched in surprise. There *was* something familiar, something that tingled in recognition but could not be.

“I do not know you and yet I sense that I should. What are you?”

The hag changed once more and bright eyes searched iridescent blue. “You should not be here Illyria. Your time has passed; this world does not belong to you.”

“You know the majesty of who I am and yet I know you not. Enlighten me!” Illyria demanded.

The Morrigan circled the Demon God King in puzzlement. “Your power has been diminished and yet you side with the Champions of this world. You had better go and take your place with them.”

Illyria was not to be deterred. “I demand answers. You have a power that I recognize but it cannot be so. I do not forget a friend or foe.”

The Morrigan cast a glance to the battlefield before answering the God King.

“Your majesty, I came after your departure for the Deeper Well.” She bowed to Illyria as an equal.

“Why do you not reside there yourself?” Illyria’s hopes flared. Perhaps this Morrigan could restore her to her former glory.

“I do not dwell in this plane of existence. I take care of many worlds; this world I care for more than most. It is the people of this land and its close neighbours for which I have a fondness. I do what I can and if it ensures the survival of this world then that is its gain not my intent.”

“Why do you choose the vampire to be your Champion?” Illyria asked.

Angel ignored his bloodline; he was staring at the leader of this band of warriors. Small army more like. The man was tall, taller than Angel and built twice as heavily. His armour gleamed and he carried two swords in huge meaty fists that looked as if they could do some serious damage. Angel wondered what the other saw and found that he did not want to fight a mere human all be it a giant of a man.

The giant grimaced and his teeth showed sharp as razors. Okay, not a man and the vampire felt satisfaction for a battle that comprised an enemy of non humans of which he would have no problem in killing. Angel caught a blue blur out of the corner of his eye and quickly glanced away and back to see Illyria returning from a meeting with The Morrigan. So, the God King had been able to see the Goddess and Angel thought that perhaps it shouldn’t surprise him. He hoped to be able to ask her what was said after the battle; perhaps she could shed some light on the meaning of it all.

Angel pulled his short sword from its scabbard, held it low in his left hand, squared his shoulders and bared his human teeth, no need to disclose his hidden talents just yet. Caladbolg lay easy in his right, waiting to drink life’s blood. It and its master did not have to wait long as a cry rang out and the enemy attacked in a joyous roar.

Faith yelled out with a huge grin on her face and knew that her sister slayers were feeling the same rush that she was. They were built for this, made to fight, to kill, to slay. She sneaked a peek at Buffy and saw the same elation there. God Damn it! Angel certainly knew how to bring home the entertainment.

“Like old times B!” she shouted as the onslaught began not venturing another glance but concentrating on her first victim. Faith did not hear Buffy’s answering grunt as several animal skinned figures danced past Angel and his second line and headed for her. Faith’s grin pulled back in glee, this was going to be a blast.

Angel was not surprised that several demons avoided engaging him in combat; he was being left to their leader. Angel however did not let those that came near go by without a fight. He moved with preternatural speed and felled the charging demons without a word. His blade whistled through the air, parted flesh and bone with too much ease. The legendary sword sliced through meat and skeleton like knife through butter, the body parts falling in a spray of gore. In his peripheral vision, Angel could see more figures fighting with Buffy and her friends. Somehow the vampire knew that this battle was the same one as the Raven Prince fought all those centuries ago and maybe unseen family and warriors were there beside them.

Illyria stood fast and allowed the insignificant barbarians to attack her. She relished the crunch of bone and gristle, dodging with no effort at all the spears and axes thrown her way. Her fists were weapons of mass destruction and as a horned helmet fell away taking with it the head, a satisfied smile played across her grim features.

Spike was darting in and out, weaving, and teasing his foe, ignoring the slash of a spear across his ribs, the pain a welcome companion in the battle. His laugh rang out unheard in the loud melee, this was *fun.*

Buffy, Faith and Kennedy were more cautious of the weapons thrown their way but were just as deadly in their attack and the girls felt their hearts pumping and adrenaline racing. Their agile bodies danced and flipped and stabbed out; defending those who stood behind, Buffy grinned like an idiot and yelled to Faith, “Are we having fun yet?” Her scythe parted flesh with no effort at all. Her body count mounted.

Faith whooped as her sword pierced the underbelly of a large, leather clad man or something that resembled a man because the blood that gushed was not red.

“Sure am B. What about you Kennedy? Are your juices flowing to the rhythm of the slay?”

“Trust you Faith,” stab and kick, Kennedy panted, “To be thinking of sex at a time like this…but yes, my heart is pounding for all its worth.”

“Trust me Ken,” Faith retorted as she kicked a demon in its knee before blocking its sword. “Willow won’t be complaining afterwards.”

Gunn was swinging his axe at his opponent who seemed to have very long arms. Gunn danced in and out trying to find a weakness. He ducked low swinging at its legs when a scream alerted him to the fact that a bolt had embedded in its neck. He rose quickly and finished him off before twirling to catch another shorter demon running past him with his spear raised.

Gunn didn’t know who had fired the crossbow but he was happy to see that Giles and Willow were capable allies. Willow handled her crossbow with expertise; she hadn’t been a member of the Scooby gang all these years without picking up a thing or two. The red headed witch wasn’t too worried about the battle, she was petrified. She didn’t want to let anyone down and she didn’t want to see any of her friends die. Willow knew that she could use her majick to defend them all but majick being what it is and in this particular time and place could do more harm than good. She wasn’t sure that she would be allowed. Willow tried in desperation a small spell to avoid being sliced and diced by a charging demon and was immensely relieved that it worked. She reloaded her bow trying to see past the melee to catch sight of a certain slayer. If anyone came too close to her she would do what she could.

Xander showed prowess with the axe, knowing just how to heft the shaft, letting the weight of the axe head carry the force of the blow. A leg was partially severed as Xander swung leaving behind a gibbering demon screaming its loss. Gunn was surprised that the man could fight so well with one eye. He should have known that anyone that called Buffy friend could be relied on to be handy with a weapon.

“This is a walk in the park,” he panted as he dodged a meaty fist. “The Senior Partners sent an army of 30,000.”

Xander sliced at Gunn’s demon with his axe causing it to side step. “Really? And you survived?”

“It only seemed like 30,000. The monsters were *big* and varied.” Gunn finished off his foe by lopping off its head. “What are the most demons you’ve ever faced?”

Xander ducked as a club whistled past his head. “The First had an army of oh….about a gazillion Turok-han.”

“Turok-han?”

“Ancient vampires, caveman type to our modern day vamp.” The men changed places and Gunn brought his axe handle up to block the club and kicked the demon in what he hoped was a tender spot. It doubled over. Gunn went for the kill.

“Gazillion huh?”

“Yep and we’re still standing.” Xander grinned and danced away.

Gunn called after him, “That wouldn’t have had anything to do with a certain amulet and a shish kabob Spike?”

“Uh huh!” Xander grunted as he came up beside Willow.

“So *we* saved your bacon!” Gunn teased before he got knocked away as a demon collided with him. He rolled and came to his feet. A grinning Faith nodded to him before getting back into the fray. Gunn’s eyes went to the dead demon at his feet.

“Damn!” He smirked.

Angel moved steadily forward slicing and killing anything that moved. The opposing leader was before him and both swords swung in a blinding arc, so fast that if Angel hadn’t been a vampire his head would have parted ways with his body. He rolled inwards instead of away and came up fast on his feet, Caladbolg slicing up towards mountainous flesh. It drank the demon’s blood and was torn away as Angel sidestepped past and out of reach. Jagged teeth roared in amazement and fury as the pain registered. The demon spun to face his enemy.

“Sorry,” Angel quipped not at all sorry. “Do you need a moment?”

The giant roared bringing up his weapons ignoring the wound to his side.

“I guess that’s a no.”

Angel felt his demon alter his features and he growled back. His own fangs itched for flesh to tear and blood to drink. Angel did not have time to consider the possibility that his opponent may not see him as a vampire as the giant attacked once more, swinging his twin blades in such a way that they would dissect him at neck and waist. The vampire sprang high and somersaulted over the whistling blades and helmeted head. Landing behind him, Angel going for the kill; was blindsided by another and fell with a sickly thud. Knowing he had to move Angel rolled across bloody ground avoiding the stab of a spear. He heard a British voice curse nearby and Buffy’s answering banter as he righted himself and flicked his smaller blade into the eye of the spear wielder. Angel barely had time to retrieve his small sword as the giant fiend advanced again.

Angel quickly took stock of the fight and saw that Gunn and the others were moving closer with a large pile of bodies littering the ground around Illyria. He smiled through his fangs feeling optimistic, they were going to win this day. A sword swung out of the night and Angel blocked it with his; pushing away as the other sword leapt for his neck. His arm came up and he used his short sword to counter. He was off balance and barely managed to stagger upright as the first blade nicked him across his ribs. The answering fire of pain was ignored as Angel fought to wound and kill this man thing. He brought up the borrowed sword and swung in a blur turning about as he did so. A scream roared loud in his ears as an arm still grasping a sword flew away in a gout of blood. The hot liquid sprayed his face. Angel didn’t lick the demon blood off his lips but he grinned wolfishly as he stepped back…into something sharp that pierced his back.

Angel staggered sideways dragging his unseen attacker with him before pushing forward and falling off a spearhead. Blood filled his useless lungs but it didn’t slow Angel down. He turned and stepped into the demon’s surprised face with his blade.

As Angel adjusted his body to finish off the now one armed giant, the giant’s good arm stabbed inwards and Angel was impaled on the sword. Gasping from pain, the vampire just knew that the weapon had gone all the way through. He clutched at the blade as he fell cutting his left hand as he slid onto his back.

He thought he heard Buffy scream his name as he fought back the darkness that was trying to claim him. He went human again as the ground kissed his back and lay there staring up at the sky. The sounds of battle receded and he heard the gloating laugh of the giant sure now of victory. His name was called again by several voices but he lay prone still gripping the blade

“Angel!” Buffy screamed when she saw her lover hit the ground. She tried desperately to reach his side but the demon onslaught prevented her frantic efforts. Her scythe was a blur of metal and blood as she prayed, “Get up.”

A giant face leaned over and he felt the demon tug at his sword. Angel held on… motionless. The face leaned closer and the vampire could smell its fetid breath and see its foul mouth grinning in triumph.

“Angel!” Gunn and Faith had seen what Buffy had and their voices called to him. Buffy saw the demon reach for the sword ready to pull it from vampire flesh and use it to decapitate Angel.

“ANGEL!” she sobbed.

Much closer now and Angel’s arm was an unseen blur as it lifted Caladbolg and thrust it through the soft skin under the demon’s chin. The blade slid up and into the brain and the monster toppled with a thud burying Angel beneath it in a parody of a lover embrace. The demon’s bulk grotesquely hung upon the weapon’s pommel pushing the demon’s sword into the ground beneath the vampire’s back. Angel groaned at the weight and the pain and waited for a long moment.

“Angel?”

The body was finally moved aside and several human faces peered into his. He grimaced at them his face covered in blood and gore.

“Hi guys.”

Several pair of concerned eyes looked back.

Buffy reached out fingers and stroked his bloody face. “Did you have to impale yourself on his sword to get the job done?”

Angel winced when someone placed a hand on the hilt. “Not one of my better ideas was it?”

Her brow crunched in worry. “Gunn is going to pull it out, okay?”

Angel rolled his eyes over to the left. The African American’s look was one of grim determination. Both hands closed over the hilt. He looked down at his friend.

“Ready?”

“If I said no?” Angel replied hopefully and felt Buffy’s fingers grasp his hand.

“Still gonna happen.” And with that Angel’s friend pulled the sword out of his chest with one mighty heave.

Angel bit down on his lip to keep from crying out. Faith patted his leg. “That must a hurt like a bitch. Do you want some help getting up?”

Angel nodded just a bit, he was still trying to blank out the pain from the hole in his chest and his back and….he gave up and passed out.

Buffy sank to her knees ignoring the gore and blood in her anxious concern for her vampire. Her hands stroked his hair, ran over his face.

“Angel.” She shook him gently.

Faith backed away to stand beside Charles Gunn her hands in the air. “It wasn’t me I swear!”

“No Faith,” Gunn said as he held up the huge sword dripping with Angel’s blood. “It was this. Do you think…?” he mused looking covetously at the weapon.

Faith laughed to cover her worry about her unconscious dead friend. “Want, take, have…it’s always been my motto.”

Buffy’s glare her way made her add, “Only I don’t do that any more. But hey! If this is some penis envy thing…” she let the sentence hang but chuckled when Gunn suddenly lowered the sword.

Gunn squirmed. His glare aimed her way matched Buffy’s.

“You haven’t seen mine so don’t go making assumptions,” was out before he could think and swallow the words up. God he wished the ground would open and…

“How is he?” Faith was distracted thank God.

“He’s coming to,” Buffy said as Angel’s eye lids fluttered before opening fully. She gave him a relieved smile which didn’t show how hard her heart was pounding in relief.

“Nice nap?” She arched a brow when his eyes focused on her.

“Fight?” he croaked.

Faith and Gunn nodded at Buffy.

“All over, bar the shouting. Spike and Illyria are finishing off the stragglers and here come the others.” Gunn pointed in their direction.

Buffy leaned in and grabbed an arm. Faith leaned in on his other side and seized his elbow. They both lifted Angel to his feet and both tried to ignore the hiss of pain that escaped his lips.

Buffy let Angel lean on her as Willow, Kennedy, Xander and Giles picked their way towards them.

“When you killed the leader the others ran.” Buffy turned Angel so that he could see Spike and Illyria having fun finishing off what remained. Only Angel could see that Illyria looked a little disappointed that there were not more to kill.

Willow asked excitedly as she came over to Buffy and Angel, “Did you see me shoot a demon Buffy?” Her eyes were shining then clouded a little when she took stock of Angel’s bloody clothes. “Are you okay?”

Angel didn’t want Willow worrying about him so he lied. “’M fine,” he mumbled concentrating on staying on his feet. Anytime now he would be able to.

“So glad that having a sword shoved through your body doesn’t kill you,” Xander joked without malice.

Kennedy wrapped an arm about her girlfriend’s waist. “You were awesome Willow. It’s over so what happens now?”

Giles turned about looking for something. “Do you see The Morrigan Angel? Was she here at the start of the fight?” He gave the vampire a once over and winced at his obvious distress.

“You didn’t see her,” was a statement more than a question.

“She was here?” Giles worried at an elusive thought. “I saw a bright light and we were dressed strangely…”

Nods from everyone indicated that they too had seen …something.

Spike and Illyria chose that moment to join the group, Spike was bruised about the head and his precious coat was ripped and torn. Illyria was covered in blood, her hands dripped with gore.

“That’s what I call fun boys and girls! The wankers didn’t see us bloody coming. Blue here was a sight I tell you. The things she does with her hands.”

All eyes went to the Demon God King and she actually gave an infinitesimal nod. “I spoke with the one you call The Morrigan.” Her blue eyes considered Angel. “You require assistance in staying upright?”

Angel tried to straighten until the pain and Buffy’s grip stayed him. “No?”

The air crackled and the hairs rose on everyone’s neck before a bright light once again obliterated all sight. Angel’s retinas had trouble adjusting for a moment, but when he could see, the moon was high in the sky and all was quiet. A feminine figure stood nearby waiting for him. Angel nudged Buffy to release him but his gesture went unnoticed. When he turned his head he saw that she was frozen in place. Lifting his eyes he saw that everyone was held in some sort of stasis. Angel straightened and limped slowly over to the old woman.

She was so small; her grey head barely reached his chest and yet in her lined face and dark eyes something primal sent shivers down his spine. Carefully Angel went down on one knee and bowed his head in deference, holding out the legendary Caladbolg in both hands.

A hand descended on his head and a young voice spoke. “You have done well my child. I am well pleased.” From lowered brows Angel glimpsed slender young fingers curl around the hilt of the sword before lifting it away from his extended hands. A gentle finger lifted his chin and The Goddess bade him rise. Angel regained his feet to notice the empty hands of The Morrigan.

“The sword once again lies beneath the stone.” Vampires’ minds cannot be read and yet this young *maiden* perception was exceptional.

‘The sword in the stone’ resonated in his mind. This couldn’t be? Angel’s gaze darted to the written stone, his thoughts whirling with implication. When he recalled with whom he was standing he brought his eyes up to hers, for the maiden before him was almost as tall as he. Angel resisted the urge to lick dry lips he was after all in the presence of a Goddess.

“You have many questions and I will answer the ones that I can. Sit,” she commanded and two granite stones appeared beside them. Angel lowered his trembling body onto one after he saw that the Celtic Goddess had seated herself first. Her musical laugh floated out into the night and traveled dancing up to the stars.

Her blue eyes met his (weren’t they dark?) and sobered. “My beautiful Prince,” she breathed and her face turned towards his allies behind. There they were as statues only where he had lain, another figure appeared, his dark hair long, his face pale in death. Angel could have been looking at his brother; they were that alike from this distance. He turned back to the being before him, his lips parted in surprise.

“Rialobran was a champion, is a champion still. He gave his life in the service of his people and for me.” Blue eyes became green. “Death is never the end Champion…you know this.”

Angel barely nodded and kept his mouth closed.

The Goddess sighed and pursed her ruby lips. “You need not fear me, you make speak.”

“Are we in our own time?” He managed to ask and cursed silently at his lameness.

Again she chuckled. “Time is more complicated than that.” She looked him squarely in the eye and Angel knew that it was true.

“This battle and his, are-was-is connected. I needed a warrior in this time as I needed him in his. The giant you battled and others of his ilk were once called Fomorians.” She saw Angel’s reaction and nodded.

“They represent the Powers of Evil.”

“The Powers” he whispered.

“You Celts believed once that you were descended from the God of the Underworld, the God of the Dead…” She watched him carefully as he digested her words.

“The Westlands…” he breathed.

“The Land of the Happy Dead. Yes…can you imagine the Dead being Happy?”

His “no” was as light as the breeze and as soft.

“The Formorians have tried on more than one occasion to take back what was once theirs or so they say. They battled here and were defeated by my Raven Prince, and now by you Angel.”

He could barely speak her beauty was terrible to behold, her wisdom was beyond his ken but he learned, oh he learned.

“I have called upon many warriors, Champions and they have done their duty. I love them all.” Her face turned slightly and her piercing gaze shifted to free him from its grip.

“Some say you are Evil.” He couldn’t help himself; he never took the easy road.

She tittered at his audacity. Long nails raked through thick hair as she turned her gaze once again trapping his.

“I think sometimes I may be. Perspective is everything.”

He understood and waited trying to keep from slumping from the pain of his wounds.

“The Powers have been unkind to you. Politics!” she snorted.

Angel had his own issues with the Powers so kept his counsel.

The Goddess before him had a mind that flitted like a bird and thinking that a dark shape materialized and landed on her shoulder. The raven’s dark eye gleamed at him while a slender hand petted sleek feathers.

Angel waited wanting more answers. Perhaps sensing that, the beauty of a Goddess turned to him once more.

“I do not interfere directly with human politics although I do on occasion use magicks to further the needs of my people. The Powers dain to dirty their hands; cowards who use and abuse their champions and give not a damn!”

“Are you any different?” Damn his mouth. For a moment he thought that he was dead or dust as her eyes narrowed and then she smiled. He felt as if the sun had come out and he his shoulders relaxed.

“I can see why they chose you. I think they may have bitten off more than they can chew.”

Reeling at her use of modern idiom Angel asked, “Why did you choose me?”

“You are one of my people although you may think not. You know who I am, what I represent?” She arched a fine eyebrow. “You are unique in that you are three in one.” She held up a hand. “Ignore the other, he was a mistake. Liam is the body you wear, Angelus is the demon you are and the soul is both…becoming the third, you, Angel. Use your strengths, your demon, and your soul. You give your all for what is right or for the greater good, without thought for your own. You are not unlike Rialobran; he sacrificed himself to stop this Evil.”

Angel glanced behind to look once more on The Raven Prince and was startled to see that his body had disappeared. He noticed something else. Illyria was not with the group of living statues.

“Fear not Young One, he is well. Death is never the end…you of all are testament to that. After all the Celts are descended from The God of the Dead.” She rose causing gracefully without ruffling the bird’s feathers. Angel rose too careful of his place.

“I may have need of your services again. The sword in the stone waits to be wielded by one deserving.”

The vampire did not feel deserving; he never had which was the problem. Angel could never forget his crimes, his butchery, and his lust for blood.

“I go now, my Raven awaits.” Again the smile that could melt ice. “Go to your golden champion; take what is offered for the future is never certain. Enjoy what time you may have, forever takes all forms. Be Together, Be Strong.”

A shiver danced icy tendrils down Angel’s back. Haunting words from another time, another place, here hanging in the air. He wondered at what cost this dream, this unattainable love.

Cool lips ran fire of ice against his cheek and he closed his eyes at the ecstasy. His soul was surely in danger.

“No danger,” breathed The Goddess of Battle. “My gift to you. A shame to see such love and beauty wasted under less than perfect conditions.”

Angel’s eyes flew open and stared at the receding loveliness of a Goddess. The Morrigan smiled one last time and held out her hand. Vampire eyes stared at the hand that formed from mist into substantial flesh and bone. Long dark hair fell to broad shoulders and a pale face most familiar nodded to him before giving his complete attention to his Mistress. Angel stared at the beautiful couple who began to dissolve into the mists of time.

Angel turned his eyes towards Buffy and saw that field was empty of the dead. Buffy and friends were gaping at him and at the two fading figures beside him. Illyria spoke from the dark.

“She knew me and bowed to me. She survived where I did not. She chose you for another reason as you can attest.”

Angel was reeling. The face of the Prince! How was it possible?

Illyria spoke again. “Heed her words vampire, she speaks true.”

Angel’s mind was in turmoil; his thoughts then went to the tiny blonde that was staring in confusion, her body already in motion. Could he really be happy, could he take another chance on Buffy’s well being, her safety? His soul now his by virtue of a Goddess he felt he was still a danger to everyone. Evil sought him out and where evil went, violence, death and mayhem were sure to follow. Angel knew well the pain of loss and separation, could he risk that again?

Angel stared at the one he called soul mate. His feet moved without his conscious thought. Angel took his first step towards Buffy.

End.

Authors Notes.

There really is a place called Mên-an-Tol in Cornwall and people did pass children through the holed stone to cure illness.

Mên Scryfa is an actual written stone and is the marker for the grave of The Royal Raven Rialobrani or Ryalyran and there was a battle to regain his father’s lands in the 5^th Century. There is an inscription in ancient Latin carved into the stone.

The Morrigan was or is a Celtic Goddess and she did appear as The Washer at the Ford. In fact she attempted to seduce the legendary Cuchulain. He refused and she persecuted him through out his life. The Goddess was known to be perverse and horrible but also as in the above mentioned tale could be a force for good.

The sword Caladbolg or Caladvwlch, Caliburn or Excalibur as it is known was not the sword in the stone in Arthurian tales. Excalibur was the sword from the Lady of the Lake but I hinted at it being the other. Excalibur means Cuts Steel while Caladbolg does mean Hard Lightning.

The town or village of Madron exists and Belmont House is holiday accommodation. The pub King William IV is across the lane.

All of the above was Googled and any discrepancies are considered artistic license.

Having never been to England forgive the distances and time I imagined to get places.