Years In, Year Out:
Tell-tale Signs
by KNS

As the last of the red hot sun sank into the endless blue sea the pair stood together on their deck and watched Helen zip away on her motorcycle into the coming darkness.

"Are you sure getting her that thing was a good idea?" Buffy asked, staring after her.

Angel finished his lemonade, set the glass on the rail. "We couldn't keep her here forever. She's not a child."

"No," Buffy agreed, then sighed. "But we don't even know where she goes, or when -- if -- she's coming back."

"That's part of being an adult -- deciding where to go, and when." He slid an arm around her shoulders. "She's only been here two months, and look how much better she'd doing. Her skills have improved, her motivation to use them as finally kicked in, and her general attitude has drastically changed. You only want to kill her, what, once a week now? The first day she got here, I would have sworn she'd never see sunset."

She laughed. "It wasn't that bad -- okay, yes it was." But still, she thought to herself, Helen's not out of the woods yet. Buffy thought she could probably guess where the girl went each night, and why she stayed out until the later hours of the morning. Helen was like Faith in more ways than one.

"Talk to her if it's bothering you that much," Angel advised, as if sensing her thoughts.

"I might," she answered, then put the subject out of her mind. "Are you hungry? I think I'm going to reheat the pizza from last night. . ."

Angel, as usual, was the first person awake in the house the next day. Following his standard routine, he showered, dressed, and made his way downstairs for his morning tea while Buffy and Helen -- who had actually returned at a descent time -- slept on, unaware of his activities.

He was pouring himself a second cup of tea and settling down to read the e-news when the phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Angel. I trust I didn't wake you?" the voice at the end of the line asked smoothly. It was a man's voice, deep and unfamiliar his words were pleasant enough, but there was an undercurrent to them that was anything but friendly.

"Who is this?" Angel asked, reaching for the caller ID box.

"A friend of Buffy's," the man answered, laughing. "Let me talk to her."

CALLER UNKNOWN, the ID said. Angel set it aside, frowned at the phone. "Buffy doesn't live her anymore," he told the speaker.

"You'll have to do better than that, Angelus," the man said, then cut the line.

Angel hung up, then pressed the code on the phone that was suppose to redial the last caller.

"We're sorry, the number you have dialed is no longer in service," a woman's mechanical voice informed him. "Please hang up and try again. If you need help, hang up and dial you -"

Angel again hung up but did not try anything else. Instead he returned to his tea and e-news, but was unable to concentrate on anything on the screen.

Buffy meant to talk to Helen before she left again that night, but Helen shouted, "Later, guys!" and was gone before Buffy even made it down the stairs. Temporarily defeated, the Slayer had dinner in front of the entertainment center with Angel but when he went upstairs to bed, she stretched out on the couch and waited for the young Slayer's return.

"Do you want me to wait with you?" Angel offered.

She shook her head. "Nah. This is gonna be a girl talk."

He threw up his hands and took a few steps back. "Not a girl talk!" he said with mock terror. He easily dodged the pillow she threw at him. "Alright, see you in the morning," he laughed, heading for the stairway. Two steps up he halted, looked as if he were about to say something, then simply smiled and moved on.

She turned on the radio and thought nothing of it.

Sometime later she heard footsteps outside, and sat up just as the front door was opening. "Helen?"

The door shut and a moment later the dark haired Slayer appeared in the livingroom. Grinning lopsidedly she said, "Isn't it past your bedtime?"

Buffy said something and gestured.

"I didn't know you knew that word," Helen laughed.

Buffy stretched her arms above her head. "I know them all,

honey."Helen laughed again and headed for the back of the house. "Well, g'night."

"Wait, wait," the blond Slayer called. "I want to talk to you." She pointed to the chair across from her. "Sit."

Giving her a concerned look, Helen moved to the chair. "What's goin' on?"

Buffy suddenly wasn't sure what to say first this was never a talk she'd thought she'd have to give. She cleared her throat. "Helen, I-I know where you've been going at night. What you've been doing."

Silence.

"You've been followin' me?" Helen said at last. The stunned expression on her face was giving way to anger. Her face turned red, then white, and her dark eyes narrowed to slits. "You said you trusted me. Is this how you show it? You have no right to follow me around! You -- " "I didn't follow you anywhere," Buffy interrupted calmly. "It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out what you're doing."

That silenced the young Slayer. Stiffly she settled back in her chair. "What do you mean?"

Buffy shook her head. "Don't play games, Helen. I've been where you are. Yeah, you've been a Slayer for a while, but it's just now dawned on you that you *are* the Slayer. You know what goes bump in the night. You know what's hiding in the shadows. And you hunt it. No one else -- just you. You're afraid of failing. You're scared of losing. And you hate being alone." She paused, met the startled eyes of the young woman across from her. "Mostly, you just hate that -- the lonesomeness. You take it out on the badies when you can, but sooner or later they're all gone and you're still alone. Killing demons is the easy part of the job."

Helen shook her head. "You're way off base," she denied. "I've got a ton of friends -- "

"Any of them know what you do, who you are?"

The dark haired young woman looked at her as if she were crazy. "Are you joking? They'd never believe me. . ." she trailed off, realizing what she'd said.

Silence stretched between them for what seemed like a long time.

"What do you do, then?" Helen asked finally. "Assuming that I agree with you."

Buffy couldn't tell if the young woman was genuinely curious or merely humoring her. "Keep looking for people you can trust. Angel and I are here, but I know it's not quite the same. There's Giles and Marianna and Xander and Willow -- they'd do anything for you, same as they would for me. But there are other good people out there, too -- you just have to find them. Friends are what make this life worth living, and even then. . ." She sighed. Gazing at the silent Slayer carefully, she asked, "Do you love anyone?"

"Like you and Angel?" she snorted. "Not hardly." There was pain under her flippant tone. "I've got guys falling over themselves to talk to me. I never go to bed alone. But -- it's just fun. Nothing serious."

"Nothing permanent," Buffy translated.

"Nah. Just for kicks."

Buffy knew better, but what could she say? The girl was young, and quite capable of taking care of herself -- physically, anyway. Still. . . "Be careful."

"You know me," Helen returned, getting to her feet. "I'll turn ‘em to ash if they mess with me."

The blond Slayer switched off the radio. "I'm serious."

But Helen only laughed. "Will you relax, mother? I can't get pregnant there's nothing to worry about."

"Where'd you get that idea?" She switched off the lamp. "I just don't want you to get hurt."

Helen started to answer, but just as she did the phone rang. "I got it -- you go on to bed," she told Buffy. "You get cranky if you don't get enough sleep."

"Us old folk are like that," Buffy grumbled, walking up the staircase.

Angel got up early the next morning, switched off the ringer on the bedside phone before he went to shower. Afterwards, after going downstairs, he put off reading the morning news in favor of drinking his tea outside on the deck. The morning was bright and clear a soft wind blew in over the sea, and the sound of the waves was soothing.

He took the phone outside with him. It didn't ring. Time passed. The sun rose into the cloudless sky he went indoors and made a breakfast of bacon and eggs, setting aside some for Buffy and Helen. Still, the phone didn't ring. He rinsed the dishes, put them in the dishwasher, had another cup of tea. Finally he let the matter go and logged on to the net to read the morning news.

The standard server activated, brought up the day's headlines, then abruptly went blank.

Angel reached for the phone to call the server. This wasn't the first time his connection had failed he simply had to inform them of the problem and they would fix whatever had gone wrong. His hand stilled, however, when a short message appeared in the center of the dark screen.

GOOD MORNING, ANGELUS. NICE SHIRT -- BLACK ALWAYS WAS YOUR

COLOR.Without thinking, Angel glanced down at his shirt. As the message said, it was solid black, without any form of design at side or center. Frowning darkly, he looked back to the message.

SAY HELLO TO BUFFY.

He touched a few keys, trying to remove the message, or at least respond to it. Nothing worked, no matter how hard he pounded on the keyboard.

"Geez, Angel, I can hear you all the way in here," Buffy called from the livingroom. She came into the kitchen asking, "What's gone wrong with it this time?"

The phone call could have been a simple prank combined with the e-message, however, it became something closer to a threat. "It's not the server," he said grimly. "Let's give Willow a call. Maybe she can trace it."

"Why, what happened?" The blond Slayer circled around behind him to read the screen. "Have you been handing out your e-address to girls at the supermarket again?" she teased, but there was a serious note under the amusement.

Willow didn't get off work until one she came straight from the office.

"Have you had lunch?' Buffy asked as the witch sat down at the computer. "I'm sure there's something un-fuzzy in the fridge."

"Do you have any soda?" Willow asked, connecting her personal computer to the one on the kitchen table. "She sure doesn't seem very concerned," she added to Angel in an undertone.

Angel shook his head.

"Why should I be concerned?" Buffy asked, setting a tall glass of soda at Willow's hand. "I have an ex-vampire and a Slayer living with me. What's to be concerned about?"

"Someone out to do you in?" Angel suggested.

"Like that's never happened before," Buffy scoffed. "That's an old story. If someone wanted to really scare me, they'd have to do something like make me dance down the highway in my underwear. That would be scary."

"Scary enough just with mental images," Helen said, making her first appearance of the day. "Hey, Will, what's up?"

"Hi Helen," Willow returned. "Buffy's been getting some threats over the net. I'm looking around to see if I can find anything." She proceeded to tap away on her keyboard.

"Threats?" Helen said, yawning. "What kinds of threats?"

"I don't think they're threats," Buffy said. "I think some demon's discovered how to make a phone call and use the net, and he's having a little fun."

Helen opened the fridge, pulled out the orange juice and unscrewed the lid.

"Don't even think about it," Angel warned.

"Chill, I'm gettin' a glass," Helen said, grinning. As she pulled gown a glass from the cabinet she added, "Hey Buff, you know that call last night? It was some guy lookin' for you. Could be the same jerk sent you the threats."

"What did he say?" Buffy asked.

The young Slayer swallowed a mouthful of juice. "Well, I picked up the phone and he said, ‘Is this Buffy?' And I said, ‘Who wants to know?' And then he just hung up." She moved back to the fridge, opened it and began to open containers. "Have we got anything that's not growin' in here?"

"That was probably just a wrong number," Buffy dismissed. Glancing at Helen, she added, "You could try something completely novel -- like cooking."

Helen made a face. "If it was a wrong number, why did he ask for you? And I don't advocate suicide, which is what would happen if I had to eat my own cookin'."

"And I'm not keen on the idea of scraping your corpse off the kitchen floor, so why don't you try the eggs and bacon in the white bowl. I made them this morning." Angel stood up and went over to the caller ID box beside the phone. "Box doesn't say who made that call. Big surprise."

"I can't find anything either," Willow said, leaning back in her chair. "When I turned on your computer, the server came up fine. There's not even a trace of the message. Whoever we're dealing with, he's obviously a pro."

"He's obviously a wimp," Helen countered. "Why else would he call for Buffy and then hang up or whatever without talkin' to her? Sounds like some sniveling little badie to me."

Willow shrugged, went back to tapping on the keyboard. "Either way, I think we should tell Giles."

"I agree," Angel nodded.

Buffy threw up her hands. "All right, fine. Whatever you guys want. But I think you're over reacting. If we have to spend more time talking about it, let's at least do it over dinner. How about it, Will -- got any plans for the evening?"

"I think Xander's free," Willow answered, logging off her computer. "Want to try that new place over on Fifth and Washington? I heard the steaks are to die for."

Helen arched an eyebrow. "Funny."

Willow grinned. "I thought so."

Giles sided with Buffy. "I-I just don't think there's any cause to worry at this point," he said, polishing off the last bite of his potato. "Granted, the -- demon, shall we say -- is annoying, but as Helen pointed out, he doesn't seem particularly dangerous."

"I knew one day you and me would agree on somethin'," Helen said, flashing Giles a cocky grin.

"Yes, soon you'll be sharing a wardrobe," Mari said lightly.

"I'd still keep my eyes extra open, Buff," Xander said. He motioned for the waiter to refill his coffee cup. "This guy may just be playing for time."

Buffy glanced around the semi-crowded steakhouse. All around them couples were eating and talking and generally minding their own lives. "I know, I know," she answered calmly. "I just don't think this is gonna turn out to be anything. And I am a Slayer, so my special ‘watch-out' alarm would be going off if something big was going to happen. It's not -- not this time."

"Speaking of time, it's after ten," Willow said, glancing at her watch. "We told the sitter we'd be back by ten-thirty."

There was a brief argument over who was going to settle the check, which Angel finally ended by handing the waiter his credit card along with a not-so-subtle hint of what could happen if the bill wasn't placed on his account.

"Just because you're an ex-vampire doesn't give you the right to be the only one to threaten the waiter," Xander protested.

Helen looked at Willow. "Only guys complain when they *don't* have to pay a bill."

"You are wise to be so young," Willow said soberly, then ruined it by laughing.

Eventually they all made it outside, into the warm night air. Together they walked towards the parking lot, laughing at the impressions Xander was doing of his fellow co-workers, and the petty slights Giles and Helen were throwing at each other.

Helen was the first to break off from the group. "Later, guys," she told them as she dug her keys out of her pocket. "I'm off to find the real fun."

Angel could sense Buffy's urge to tell the young Slayer to be careful, but she only waved and nodded. "Watch out for werecreatures," he said for her. "Tonight's a full moon."

Helen waved him off and buzzed away on her black bike without a backwards glance.

"Where did you park, Angel?" Buffy asked, glancing around.

"Only a few spaces over from us," Willow answered, pointing off to the right. "We saw you pull in."

"And we were right behind you," Mari added. "We're a little bit down on the same row."

They walked on together until they came to their respective vehicles, then said their good-nights and split up. Angel had just opened Buffy's door for her when Willow called, "Buffy, wait! I brought those pictures you wanted from the boys' birthday party."

"I'll get them," Angel told her.

"You won't be able to carry them all," Xander warned, then yelped when Willow smacked him. "Because she put them in albums," he hastily added.

Buffy rolled her eyes and went back with Angel to get the photos. "She can't have taken *that* many pictures."

"Why didn't she just put them on cd?" Angel wondered.

Buffy shrugged. "Because she knows we're technologically challenged? That's a good question, though." Raising her voice, she called, "Hey Will, why didn't you just-- "

BOOM!

The explosion came in an instant, knocking the couple off their feet and to the hard pavement. Dozens of car alarms began to sound as small chunks of debris fell on hoods and roofs. Flames licked the dark night sky where a black BMW has sat only a moment before.

Willow screamed. Xander stood frozen, a photo album in each hand, staring at the fire whose heat seemed to scorch his face, even at a distance. Giles and Mari, who had been backing out, were suddenly running back towards them Mari halted beside the stunned couple, but Giles ran on, calling out Buffy and Angel's names.

Angel stumbled to his feet a moment before Buffy, then helped her up. Together, they quickly put distance between themselves and the burning car.

Giles was so relieved to see the pair that he threw an arm around them both, muttering "thank God" over and over again. A moment later Willow, Xander and Mari joined them, asking a hundred questions: "Are you alright?" "What happened?" "Did you have anything important in there?"

Buffy looked to Giles and said wryly, "I think we might have been wrong about the threats."

Helen didn't return until early afternoon the next day. Buffy and Angel were sitting on the deck drinking lemonade when they heard the front door slam closed.

"We're out here, Helen," Angel called. Looking at Buffy's half-empty glass he asked, "Want a refill?"

"What are you guys doing out there?" Helen called from the kitchen. "It's a hundred degrees out there." Her voice sounded odd, stressed or tired.

Buffy didn't pay it much heed. "Recovering from last night," she answered, expecting Helen to make some snide remark. When Helen remained silent, Buffy added, "You missed all the excitement. The car was bombed last night."

"What?" Helen asked, surprised. "What happened?"

"Angel and I were about to leave when Willow said she brought those pictures I asked her about the other day, so we went back for them. The car exploded just before we got to them."

"You guys never let me in on the fun," Helen complained, coming out to the deck. She had a glass of juice in one hand and a jelly sandwich in the other.

Buffy smiled at her, then blinked and looked again. "You look like hell," she said, surprised. "What happened to you?"

Angel studied the young woman's pale features, her red-rimmed eyes, the shadow behind her smile.

"Rough night," Helen answered easily, taking a seat at the table. "Nothing I couldn't handle. What are you going to do about this guy that's after you?"

"What we can," Angel said when Buffy made no answer. The older Slayer was staring at her younger student, frowning as if something was disturbing her. "Buffy has a friend she's going to contact who might be able to give up a few clues."

Helen grinned. "That government guy? Her ex, I mean."

"Are you feeling okay?" Buffy asked suddenly. "You look -- ill. A little sick."

Arching an eyebrow, Helen commented, "Nice save. But I'm fine. Just a little stomach bug. Not a problem." She took a large bite of sandwich to emphasize her point. "Who's your friend?"

"A woman I knew when I worked in the army," Buffy answered, reluctantly letting the matter go. "She works at the base in Tampa. I'm headed over there in a few minutes, and I'll be back tomorrow afternoon."

The dark haired Slayer sipped from her juice, then asked, "Why don't you just call her?"

Angel gave Buffy an amused glance. "We're going to work on the value of not overlooking the obvious while you're gone."

"Oh. Right. He could have bugged the phone." Helen turned red from embarrassment. "But you could use another phone."

Buffy shook her head. "This woman won't even tell you her name if you're not standing in front of her. But she knows her stuff. So I'm going to cruz over in the nice Jag I rented until Angel and I find something new."

"A Jag?" Helen squealed. "A Jag? Please let me go with you! I promise I'll be -- "

"No," Angel and Buffy answered together.

She made a face at them. "You must have had some great insurance on your car."

"You should see my life insurance policy," Buffy returned. "Mind Angel while I'm gone, and you can borrow the Jag when I get back."

Helen folded her hands, gave Angel her best little girl look, complete with bent head, sweet smile and lowered eyes. "I'm always a good girl for Angel."

Angel covered his eyes with a hand. "Thanks, beloved," he groaned.

Helen drooled over the classic, black Jag while Angel and Buffy said their goodbys. She wasn't interested in their mushy words and although she was concerned that Buffy was going off on her own while someone was trying to do her in, she had problems of her own to deal with.

Angel carried Buffy's overnight bag to the car -- a sentimental gesture since the Slayer was more than capable of doing the slight task herself.

"Xander *is* going to be with me," she said for perhaps the tenth time.

Angel closed the trunk. "I know. But he has a conference, and wouldn't be able to get on base even if he was free."

"I'll be careful," Buffy said. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Don't worry so much. You'll get wrinkles and grey hair."

"Like you?" he teased.

Helen snorted. "Not a wise move, Angel," she told him without taking her eyes off the car.

"I'm getting that," Angel returned.

He and Buffy exchanged a few more words and kissed briefly before Buffy got into the driver's seat. After starting the engine, the blond Slayer glanced at Helen and said, "Don't forget what I told you the other day. See you tomorrow."

"Later," Helen said easily. She waved as Buffy drove away. Angel stood next to her and simply watched the black car disappear into the distance.

"Feel up to some sparing?" he asked when the Jag had finally disappeared.

Helen's thoughts were miles away. It took her a moment to realize he'd spoken. "No, I-I have somethin' I have to do. It's too hot now anyway. I'll be back in a few hours." She glanced at him, waiting to see if he would object, wondering what she would say if he did.

When you come back, then," he answered. Turning towards her fully, he added, "Don't do anything stupid, Helen. Let Buffy and I deal with this problem."

Helen turned pale. "What?"

Angel smiled knowingly. "This guy after Buffy. He's a pro. I know you want to help, but don't try to do this by yourself."

She nodded, perhaps a bit too quickly. "Fine, okay. But don't forget that I can help. I'm not a child." The words echoed in her head, seemed to be endlessly repeated by the waves of the ocean. Not a child, not a child, a child, child. . . . . .

Next Part

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