The Golden Queen Series:
The Golden Queen
by Damia

Chapter Ten

Earth

*Absolute Power*

Day 8.

Nimisha shivered and wrapped her bare arms more tightly around her body, pressing into Ash’s chest as she walked. Silently, she felt him chuckle and tighten his arms around her waist. The pair had just walked out of the Bronze where they had been dancing all evening with Jesse, Karan and Alex and had been very surprised at the sudden turn to the worst the weather had taken over night. Apart from the fact that it had been raining all day, the wind had picked up furiously all over Sunnydale.

But as Giles had told Willow earlier that morning and what she had repeated to her later on at lunch, Nimisha knew this was the Hellmouth so they shouldn’t really be surprised at anything strange at it spat out at them...and if that meant odd weather patterns, then so be it.

Nimisha had laughed when Willow told her that, knowing Giles was interested in even the tinniest aspects of the demon world. Anything to keep his mind off his missing Slayer, Nimisha had thought, trying not to wince as she wondered just how much pain and sorrow could have been avoided if she had never been born.

Nimisha shook her head, frowning at herself. ‘What a way to boost your self-confidence, Nimisha’ she thought, knowing it was a stupid statement. For the truth was things would be immensely different if she *hadn’t* been born and everybody knew that.

Although she wished all could have come to pass with out everyone getting hurt...

“Nimi, you okay?” a soft voice floated down from above and Nimisha jumped, startled out of her review.

Ash’s eyebrows shot up. “Woah there, girl.” he told her, grinning like a loon. “Deep thoughts?”

But she didn’t answer, only smiling up reassuringly into his dark face. There was no way he could even hope to compensate her thoughts, Nimisha mused, secretly looking up at him as they walked casually away from the Bronze and down the alleyway, occasionally flicking soft raindrops off their clothing. She knew that from the two days that had passed since their confrontation of Angel’s hill, she had told Ash positively nothing of her life, her family, and that it was probably driving him mad. Nimisha tried not to sigh, what was she meant to tell him?

The truth?

The simple truth was that she would be leaving in a few day, maybe a week tops, and then she would probably never see him again. And that was something Nimisha didn’t even want to think about. Even though they had only known each other a few days, she felt as if she had known him her whole life. Nimisha smiled and stopped walking to reach up and touch his smooth face, thinking in wonder that she had never seen a face like his before. The way his cheek bones curved up regally, how his startling blue eyes danced in the moonlight...his face way unique in every sense of the word.

Ash could tell there was something wrong with the small, dark haired, little elf in his arms, something that was troubling her deeply. But she had covered it well...almost too well, with the way she put on a happy mask every time he asked about her well being. But then she had stopped then both, reaching up with one delicately made hand and started to caress his face. In a way that made Ash shiver deep in his bones for he knew the way well. He had held his mother the same way only days before as he fled his home, hopefully never to return.

Nimisha was saying goodbye.

Ash’s head snapped to her’s, his dark face hooded as he looked down into her green eyes, bringing out a hand to snatch a handful of long black hair.

“I won’t let you go, you know.” he whispered possessively down at her, his mouth set in a firm line. Quickly Ash pulled her flush against his body, letting his arms relax as he felt her wrap her arms around his neck and cling to him.

“Oh, Ash.” was her only muffled reply as she barrowed her head into his neck. Still holding her, Ash felt Nimisha lift her feet as he walked them both over to a public bench and sit down, Nimisha now sitting on his lap. They stayed there for a few minutes, both lost in their own thoughts until Nimisha leaned back and looked into his face with a solemn expression, her eyes huge with unshed tears.

“I can’t stay.”

The words were spoken lightly but he heard them still, turning his head to regard her thoughtfully. “I know.”

Nimisha only sighed, knowing this discussion was no way finished. But then she felt Ash cup her chin and gently raise her face to his. She saw his smile dimly in the moonlight as if sensing her worried mood.

“Why do you have to leave, Sasha?”

Nimisha flinched. That was another thing that bothered her, the fact that he didn’t even know her real name second the fact that their differences were somehow going to wake up and make themselves known if this relationship.

But Ash didn’t know any of her dark thoughts as she smiled softly up at him and bent down to kiss his forehead.

Inclining her head to the side she raised her eyes to the heavens, seemingly making a joke of how much to tell him. When he groaned in fake annoyance she laughed but told him seriously,

“Because there are people somewhere who need me.” He looked at her in surprise. “People who can’t live their lives the same if i’m not there.”

He looks terribly confused, Nimisha thought, feeling sorry for him.

“Why?” he suddenly whispered, even though they were the only people in sight.

“I need you.” he added, only succeeding in making her feel worse. But she only shrugged, suddenly wishing she hadn’t brought up the conversation in the first place. She was skating on really thin ice, she knew. One slip and it was all gone.

“Because that’s just the way it is, Ash.” Nimisha told him, leaning forward so their forehead touched. “I know you don’t understand anything i’m talking about and for that i’m sorry. But it’s better this way.”

He didn’t look like he agreed, but as if he knew that asking one more question about who she was would probably make her clam up completely, he wisely decided to stay silent on the matter.

But then the dark mood seemed to lift suddenly as the rain seemed to clear and the clouds around the moon seemed to disappear. Both looking up into the now clear night, Nimisha letting out a incredibly unlady like yell as she quickly jumped off Ash’s lap and took off around the corner of the building. Laughing at her seemingly childish display, Ash got off the bench and followed after her in a jog.

He finally found her standing in the middle of the deserted Sunnydale main street, her head tilted backwards as she gazed up at the sky. Standing a few metres away from her, Ash stood and watched silently as her dark hair fell down her back, the curly ends clashing with the tight white jeans she wore.

Smiling as he watched her, he was struck with the sudden similarities between Nimisha and his mother. The complexion was different, of course, with Nimisha ivoryness while his mother had tended to have darker skin, but apart from that they were very similar. Both were quiet, observing people who cared very dearly for those they loved. Both were beautiful above comparison, their smiles lighting up his world.

And come to think of it, they both had secrets. Things that they wouldn’t tell him. In his mother’s case the reason had been to protect him from his father, but looking across at Nimisha, whose eyes were closed as she seemed to soak up the pregnant moon’s rays, Ash frowned as he realised her motives might just be the same...

He shook his head, telling himself that there was nothing Nimisha need to protect him from, as he jogged over to her and wrapped his arms once again around her waist. He felt her relax in his arm as she smiled, still looking up into the sky as if she was searching for something.

“What are you looking for?” Ash whispered huskily into her ear as he bent down to kiss her neck.

Nimisha only giggled, pointing up into the nothingness with a sigh.

“There.” she whispered back and Ash craned his head to follow her outstretched finger as they both stood, wrapped in each other’s arms in the middle of the main street.

He looked with his eyes, following her until his gaze fell on a unusually bright star. A star that seemed to be surrounded in others as it shone brightly down at them.

“What is it?” he asked, turning his head so that he could see her beautiful face, which was peering upwards with tears in her eyes.

She opened her mouth to reply before seemingly thinking better of it for she closed again abruptly, quickly bringing her hand down to wipe away the tears. Ash looked at her oddly, wondering why she was getting so worked up over a star of all things and had just opened his mouth to ask what the matter was when a voice cut through,

“Hey, Nimisha!”

Both Nimisha and Ash spun around, their arms up in obvious fighting stances. But when Nimisha saw Willow’s smiling - if curious - face hopping out from the shadows she breathed a sigh or relief and lowered her arms, signalling for Ash to do the same. Ash shot her a odd look, but Nimisha didn’t see it for her eyes were glued on the shadows as she saw more figures amerge. Looking down at his girlfriend, Ash saw her face break out in a huge smile as obviously saw someone she was glad to see.

Looking up to the direction the people were walking out of Ash saw a tall, dark haired man smile and walk towards them. Although he spared a quick glance in his direction and a brief nod in greeting he seemed to only have eyes for Nimisha, gathering her in a warm hug when he finally reached them.

Tearing his eyes away from the pair, Ash saw three other people move to stand in front of them and Willow, three people who were glancing at him with obvious curiosity. But seeing Willow - who Ash had meet before - grin at him, he forced himself to relax although he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being interrogated by Nimisha’s parents, even if there were five of them.

“Hello, Ash.” Willow said, laughing when Giles shot her a startled look.

“Relax, Giles.” Ash’s advanced hearing heard Willow mutter quietly to the older man beside her just as the blonde man and the woman with him walked forward and extended their hands.

The woman was first, her smiling face pleasant and kind, even if her eyes betrayed her as they seemed to bore into his head. She stopped smiling the minute their hands clasped and she flinched, her blue eyes knitting together in confusion. Thinking that maybe she was one of the scarce Telepathics on this planet Ash quickly snatched his hand back, trying to ignore the strange look that she shot his way.

But after everyone had said their greetings and Nimisha and the man, Angel, he had introduced himself as, had come back to join the group, they all started to shiver as they seemed to notice just how cold the weather had turned.

“Would you all like to come back to the library for a warm cup of tea?” the British gentleman asked, even if his question seemed to be directed towards Ash.

“Well, we’re meeting Xander, Cordy and the others there so that makes sense.” Willow spoke up, grinning broadly at the suggestion of the warm drink that filled Giles’ cupboards. The others quickly agreed.

“You wanna come along?” Nimisha whispered in his ear, giggling when he jumped at her nearness. But Ash only delivered a swift elbow in her side before nodding pleasantly at the older man.

Willow clapped her hands together in delight. “Perfect!” she yelped happily, Nimisha knowing she had probably only suggested the meeting so she could watch Ash being interrogated by Angel...even if the vampire didn’t know why he was doing it in the first place.

So with that, the small group of beings - Humans, Witches, Vampires, Watchers and Aliens - all huddled together against the cold as the started off, not knowing that what awaited them was *much* worse.

“There you are!” Came the unmistakable voice of one Xander Harris as they all walked across the library lawn and towards the front doors. Angel groaned, knowing he was going to have to put up with more of the annoying man’s banter than he would have cared for.

“I hope you all realise we are freezing out here, and if I get sick and die your paying my hospital bills!” Added his girlfriend Anya who was anything but, for she was wrapped in so many layers of woollen clothing it was getting hard to see her actual body.

“Anya, always a pleasure.” Was Spike’s droll reply as he and Sita walked up the steps and past the complaining pair.

“There is coffee and tea in the library, you guys, if your that cold.” explained Willow kindly, then laughed out loud as Ash bowed in her direction and offered her his arm, Nimisha on the other. Grinning she took it, flicking a fake snobby glance towards Oz who was walking behind her with Cordelia, Doyle and Faith.

Angel and Giles brought up the rear, the two older men happy beyond words that the two groups of friends still got on as well as they had years before. It seemed that no matter how many harsh problems had stood in their way they always seemed to rise above it, always come up on top to face the world for another day.

Angel smiling sadly as he watched Nimisha, Ash and Willow walk up the dark hallway, at the light in the dark girl’s eyes as she looked up into Ash’s blue eyes and found love there.

Angel remembered it all too well, the way her heart must be dancing in joy with the sudden find of a lifetime. She must have never been so happy as she was now.

The vampire looked down as he walked, knowing that his beloved deserved more than anyone to be walking down this hallway with her friends, with the people who she loved more than live, and the people had deserved to see her grow and mature into the beautiful woman they all knew she would have turned out to be. But now they never would...they hadn’t even had a chance to say goodbye.

“Are you alright, Angel?” came Giles crisp British inquiry. Angel looked up, noticing that they were the only people left, everyone else must have turned the corner. But Angel couldn’t smile at the Librarian, knowing he was going through the same pain. So he settled for just sighing and turning in his old friend’s direction, stuffing his hands in his duster pockets.

The two men regarded each other in silence. The two men that had held such a huge impact on the young Slayer’s life. One who had sworn to protect her ever way he could, and the one who had loved her more than anything in the world.

“It’s hard, Giles.” Angel whispered and he heard Giles slow intake of breath, as if he had thought that was the source of the problem.

“I know.” Now it was Giles who put his hands in his pockets and slowly ate up the space that separated them as he walked closer. “But we have to be strong, Angel.” he added kindly, looking into the vampire’s pale face. “We have to be strong for them, for her friends.”

Angel nodded, knowing he spoke the truth.

“Now, come on.” Giles said in a suddenly more clipper voice. “If those children eat all my biscuits there is going to be hell to pay.”

Angel laughed, and the two men jogged around the corner just in time to see Spike and Xander push open the library doors while Willow and Nimisha laughed about something.

They abruptly broke off, and gasped at the impossible sight before them.

Sitting at the head of the study table, in Giles’ chair, was a tall, well muscled man with shocking black hair. He had tilted the chair back casually so that it stood on two legs and was drumming his dark fingers on the surface of the table impatiently.

Laying open in front of him on the wooden table with all it’s contents spilled was Nimisha’s blue backpack.

As the gang paused in the doorway, seemingly unsure on how to react, the man looked up, as if noticing them for the first time. He was silent, gazing at and over everyone in the room with a cocky smile on his face.

Willow gasped.

His eyes were the most startling shade of silver.

Finally, as if he was completed his overview of everyone, the man made of show of stretching his arms and legs before standing up, bringing his hands to fold them across his chest. But still he didn’t speak...until,

“Ah, there you all are. I was getting a bit worried.” He exclaimed in a pleasant accented voice before chuckling. “Mr Giles, I must say that i’m a bit disappointed. You see, I had waited so long to try this Terran Tea of yours, and now that I have, i’ve come to realise it’s quite ghastly.”

He inclined his head slightly, looking through the thong of people only to find Giles’ confused face and smile kindly.

Giles cleared his throat, unsure how to begin. “Ah, can we *help* you?”

The man smiled brilliantly and clapped his hands together in delight. “I most certainly do hope so, Mr Giles.” He laughed shortly before explaining.

“You see, I just made this exceedingly long journey to pick up some property of mine.” He slowly reached into his black shirt and took something out, fiddling with it in his hands. “Property that i’ve come to believe you possess.”

Giles coughed. “Excuse me?” he asked, not wanting to insult to clearly educated man.

Now the man only frowned slightly, his perfectly arched eyebrows tilting upwards beautifully. “You have come into contact with a certain mysterious creature, have you not?”

Getting no answer from the extremely confused Giles and Co, the dark man sighed in annoyance. “For gods sake,” He muttered. “Is everyone on this gods forsaken planet so stupid?”

Everyone looked at him, startled by his statement as the man threw up his hands. “A creature, Mr Giles, that has been fooling you quite shockingly for the past week or so. It walks with you now, at this very moment if i’m not mistaken.”

The sudden absence of sound in the room was deafening.

As everyone seemed to mull over the dark man’s words, Angel started visibly, his face reflecting the shock he now felt. Then slowly, he raised his pale head, everything strangely clear for the first time in days. He turned, looking straight at the two black haired teenagers that were standing behind everyone else, their hands clasped together so tightly both their knuckles were white.

Their faces were masks of terror.

Ash had gone still the moment their guest had made his presence known in the large room, gripping Nimisha’s hand to his as if it was the only lifeline he now possessed.

It was.

The boy felt like bursting into tears of frustration. How had he found him here? *How*?

For he knew, of course he knew, that his father Methos was now standing here on Earth, talking in a tone of voice Ash had never heard his take before. Everything in the prince’s mind came to a crashing abrupt halt.

“Nimi, you have to get out of here.” Ash whispered to the strangely silent girl beside him, slowly pushing her towards the door.

“Why?” Nimisha asked, standing on tip-toes to get a look at the person Giles was talking to. Seeing her intention, Ash quickly reached over and pushed her down, hissing when she got such a fright and knocking into him.

“Ash, what are you doing?” she asked, confused. But Ash didn’t answer, only put his hands on either side of her face and leaned in closer so they were face to face. Looking in her confused green eyes, Ash felt his mouth start to tremble as he started the speech he had hoped he would never have to use.

“Nimi, you have to know something.” he started desperately. Nimisha reconsigned the tone and shut up quickly, dread filling her eyes.

“I am not like them, I swear.” Tears started to fall down his face as Ash gazed at the beautiful face of the girl he loved, the girl who he would now never see again. “All I ever wanted was peace for my people.”

Nimisha now looked terrified. “Ash...” she started, a look of shear disbelief edged on her face as she started to understand just what he was saying.

But she suddenly cut of as she noticed Angel watching her with such a stunned and betrayed looked in his features that Nimisha stopped, looking back at him.

“What?” she asked in a low voice, her hands startling to tremble.

“You lied.” Was Angel’s only reply, his face transforming into one of fury.

By now the rest of the Scoobies had started to notice the activity behind them and turned around, looking back and forward between Angel and his unknown daughter. Methos looked to, his face breaking out into a delighted sneer when then group seemed to split in half, revealing not only his son but Nimisha as well, the two Scions standing huddled together, both not having a clue what was happening.

“Oh course she lied, vampire.” The man spoke suddenly, his voice no longer kind but sounding low, angry and incredibly evil.

Giles and Willow looked at him in surprise, hearing the quick change on tone. But they gasped when the man suddenly stood up straighter, his silver eyes narrowing in fury as he watched the two children in the centre of the group.

“She was born a lie, weren’t you, m’lady?” He asked, sneering. Ignoring everyone else, the man walked forward confidently, coming to a stop a few metres before them. “All you’ve ever known is lies.”

Ash closed his eyes in dread, knowing what was about to happen as the terribly confused humans watched in silence, panic starting to settle in as they started to realise something was terrible wrong.

Then Methos spreed his hands apart, revealing the object between them, his gaze never wavering from the almost in tears Nimisha. It was a small, grey metallic ball, about the size of his palm. Covering it were tiny incrusted gems, reds and blues, yellows and greens, all flashing furiously.

Nimisha looked shocked. “Where did you get that?” She managed to get out, sputtering. But the man only laughed, making the girl shudder before turning back to her, looking down in disgust.

“You should really learn to keep your secrets more concealed, *m’lady*.” The way he said the title was not lost on anyone in the suddenly ignored group of Terrans. “Technology like this shouldn’t be just laying around in your bag for anyone to find.”

Then there was a quick, shocked gasp from the back. Sita paled, letting go of Spike’s hand so abruptly that he turned, just in time to see her push her way between Doyle and Anya, coming to standing in the front of everyone, facing Methos.

But Methos barely noted her presence, mearly flicking a finger in her direction as he turned slightly. “Don’t even think about it, Miss Reijik. Your a bit late to try and save your little charge now.” He grinned at here horrified expression.

“Oh, god.” The bodyguard whispered as she realised just what was happening.

The Vanquishers had found them.

“What the *Hell* is going on!?” Xander asked loudly, getting fed up.

“Thats a good question, Mr Harris.” Methos replied sternly, still looking at Nimisha and his son. “Would you like me to explain?”

Nimisha choked. “Please,” she begged desperately. “Don’t say anything.”

But Methos only laughed. “What?” he asked, delighted by the scene he was about to cause. “You don’t think they have a right to know who you are?” Everyone suddenly turned to Nimisha in surprise.

Methos casually started to pace the room, his hands once again at his front, his gaze never leaving Nimisha heartbreakingly horrified face.

Still pacing, Methos turned to Angel, who was looking at Nimisha, his face a mixture of betrayal and hurt. Coming to a stop beside the tall vampire, Methos reached out and layed a mock sincere hand on his arm and grinned as he went for the killing blow.

“You don’t think this vampire has the right to know just what happened to his precious Slayer? How you hold inside you all he would ever have to know about her and her *real* destiny?”

Willow let out a cry of dismay, covering her mouth with her hand as she watched, helpless as the scene they had all been dreaded folded out before their disbelieving eyes. Angel choked, looking his daughter with such a hurt look on his face that Nimisha burst into tears, covering her face with her hands.

“Please, stop.” she begged again loudly, not noticing Ash had opened his eyes and was looking at her in bewilderment, clicking that this wasn’t going just as he thought it would. Taking a step forward, Ash held out his hands towards his father, telling him to stop what was obviously causing the girl great pain.

But Methos only looked at him in disgust. “And you.” He spat out. “Your even worse. A Vanquisher who wants to be Tharran. It’s enough to make a man sick.”

Sita gasped, swinging around to gape at the boy who she had giving total permission to see her charge, only then noticing just how much he *did* look like a Vanquisher.

But his eyes...

Methos saw her surprise and laughed. “Yes, it’s strange isn’t it, Miss Reijik?” he asked, still studying his suddenly motionless son. “I’ve never seen anything like it. And you go and let the boy feel up the very girl you were sent here to protect.” He smiled happily, tilting his head as he thought that over and just how bad it sounded.

Nimisha gave a jolt and blanched visibly at that bombshell, turning slowly towards Ash. Her face a mixture of hope and dread as her eyes pleaded him to deny it. But he just stood there, looking down at the ground, his hands stuffed in his pants pockets.

She started to shake so badly she thought she would fall over, her heart breaking into a million pieces. She was in love with the one person that was forbidden....

Almost unconsciously Nimisha took a step away from him, not knowing why she did it. But there was just the most undying urge to get *away* from him, from everything that was suddenly going so wrong. But there was a Vanquisher in the room right now, standing just to the side of her. Nimisha chocked, wondering how everything could have turned so appalling so quickly.

But as she backed away Nimisha felt herself collide with a hard body. Jerking away she felt strange hands grip her forearms and squeeze so tightly that Nimisha knew they would leave bruises.

A mouth lowered towards her ear and Nimisha whimpered in fright. “Nowhere to go, no where to hide.” Methos whispered, the girl feeling his lips touch her ear. “And now your all alone.” The last part was said louder, everyone hearing it clearly.

“She’s not alone, you pig.” Willow’s voice cut through firmly. Methos stiffened, leaning back to regard the Witch in amusement.

“And what are you going to do about it, little spellcaster?” he asked, grinning smugly as he saw Sita, Oz, Spike and Faith come out to stand beside the redhead. Faith looking at Methos with barely contained fury.

“You touch one single hair on her head, you prick, and your’ll be answering to a Slayer.” She planted her feet, bringing her arms up to her chest. “Now I might not know every single detail around here, but I think I know enough.”

She clenched her lips tightly together. “And I just wanna know something, okay? Who the *hell* do you think you are? Do you have any idea who her mother is? What she is gonna do to you if you lay a single hand on her body?”

Willow elbowed her in the ribs. “Faith, shut the hell up!”

Giles looked at the redhead, laying a hand on Cordelia’s shoulder when the brunette started forward. “Willow, is there something your not telling us?”

Willow closed her eyes, breathing deeply. “Giles, this is not the time, we did what we had to do.” She turned back to Methos. “I don’t want to even *think* of how you found Nimisha and Sita here, but I swear your not getting out of this room alive.”

Methos grinned. “You must know your petite powers is no match for a Vanquisher’s.”

“Their’s might be, but mine’s not.” Sita said angrily, stepping forward with her arms raised. Anya, Giles and the rest watched in awe as the beautiful brunette narrowed her eyes in fury and flung her hands up so suddenly that Methos didn’t have time to react. As the invisible power reached him, the man cried out in surprise as he was picked up and smashed against the far wall, landing with a sickening thump.

Nimisha blinked, as if realising for the first time that there was actually a way to fight back against the man, the power inside her ready and willing to be used seriously for the first time in her life.

Reading her mind, the totally unfazed Sita turned quickly to the rest of the still group and called over her shoulder, “I hope to the god’s you remember everything i’ve been teaching you over the years, Nimi. Me and those Oracles of yours, my girl. Cause your about to use them.”

Nimisha had just turned in her direction to reply when she was struck from behind, her arm starting to burn in pain.

She screamed, clutching her forearm. Bringing her hand back Nimisha stared at it dumbly when she saw that her hand was covered in thick, red blood from the huge gaping wound in her arm.

“Nimisha!” Sita cried, running for her as she saw the awake Methos bring the knife up to stab her again. But Ash was quicker, diving for his father. Unfazed, Methos jerked his hand at the boy and Ash was sent flying back, knocking his head against the side of the library table so forcefully that he fell in a limp pile to the floor.

“Ash!” Nimisha screamed, making to run for his still body. But seeing her intention, Methos reached out and grabbed her around her neck, holding on tightly.

“Stop where you are, Miss Reijik, Spellcaster.” Methos barked out in a commanding voice, bringing the knife up to hold it against Nimisha’s throat. Both woman froze in their tracks, turning slowly towards him.

“And if you thinking anything stupid, Miss Reijik. I’ll do well to inform you that this knife is laced with a poison so powerful it’s bound to do damage to even the prettiest of Royal children.” he sneered, shaking Nimisha by the arms.

“I know all about you, Sita Reijik of Chandras. Your the First Prime bodyguard of Everynne and her kin. The most valued student of Captain Afraya Lartarni.” He smiled. “So I would think it wise to inform you now this Princess in my arms will die in a matter of seconds if you try one of those famous moves your so well known for.”

Sita gaped. “This is impossible.” she whispered in denial. “That’s the most classified information we have!”

Seeing that Methos was temporally sidetracked, Angel walked slowly to Sita and Willow, standing beside them to glance at the Vanquisher holding the girl he had come to care very deeply about in the last few days in a death grip. Even though he now knew she was been lying, that everything she had probably told him was a lie, there had been something so unusual, so special about this mysterious girl that stuck him deep in his unbeating heart. He could just stand there and see her being killed.

So carefully, Angel held out his hands, trying not to see the desperate look in Nimisha’s terrified eyes as he moved. “Okay, I realise i’m missing a whole lot here. But I don’t think you really want to go kill the girl, mister.” Angel said soothingly, trying to change the man’s mind.

But Methos only looked at him ludicrously. “Are you absurd?” He asked as if it was the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard. “Do you actually know who this girl is?”

Sita and Willow started to breath heavily, panic setting in as they waited for what was bound to come next.

Methos continued, almost forgetting the girl in his arms for a moment as he spoke to Angel, trying to teach him the lore. “Do you have *any* idea just who this girl is? Who she is to *you* of all people?”

Angel started, that being the last thing he expected to hear the man say. Looking at him in bewilderment, the baffled man just said,

“What do you mean?” Angel asked quietly, looking up to see Nimisha’s eyes had gone impossibly wide, the girl shaking her head from side to side slightly even as Angel saw her eyes seemed to be apologising for whatever Methos was about to tell him.

She started to thrash in his strong arms, making muffled screams under Methos’ hand that covered her mouth.

“Woah, there mister.” Spike suddenly spoke up nervously as he trotted over to Angel’s lonesome form, grabbing his arm and attempting to pull the other vampire away before Buffy’s biggest secret was revealed.

“Oh, I think he should hear this, vampire.” Methos spoke in an icy tone to Spike.

Angel too, wanted to hear it. “Spike what are you doing?” he asked, baffled at the vampire’s actions. But Spike only sighed, looking into his Grand-Sire’s eyes sadly.

“Only trying to spare you the hurt your gonna feel when you hear this, my man.”

Angel knitted his eyebrows, stunned. “You know what he’s about to say, don’t you?” He whispered, hurt.

Spike just sighed again, this time in apology. “Your not gonna like this, Angel.” he warned.

Methos threw back his head, hollowing with laughter. As his hands shook, the knife that was dangerous close to Nimisha’s pale throat. “Oh, i’m sure he’s going to have a field day with the knowledge, you stupid vampire. How is he suppose to react when he finds that the girl he has been almost obsessed over finding info on turns out to be his daughter?”

All noise vanished.

Willow started to sob, her hands shaking so badly that a tearful Oz reached over and stilled them in his own, the werewolf needing the comfort as well.

Sita only closed her eyes in dread. Their lives suddenly changed so amazingly by one single word.

His daughter...

His daughter...

Oh, God, Oh, God, no, no, no, no....

Angel shuddered, his hands gripped together as a gasp of sheer disbelief was echoed throughout the room. Slowly he looked up, noticing Nimisha’s no longer struggling body was limp, her green eyes huge and impassive as she stared back at him. Her face a mask of black sorrow.

< I’m sorry >

The voice was so faint in his mind that for a moment Angel thought he’d imagined it. But there was just something about it, the powerful thrust that had pulsed the words into his mind that made Angel know instantly that it had come from the beautiful girl in her enemy’s arms on the other side of the room. Angel smiled sadly at her, everyone and everything dissolving around him so all he could see was the girl in front of him, her black hair falling down her back in such a way that made her look so much like himself.

Why didn’t he see it before....

< We did not mean to hurt you >

Angel regarded her softly for a moment before mouthing the words, ‘I know.’ The relief that washed over his daughter’s face almost brought him to tears. Silently, the two of them locked eyes, and it was at the instant that something deep inside Angel shattered. The pain that he saw dancing in her eyes, the torment that he knew now had been plaguing her since their meeting a few days before.

Everything made sense now, Angel mused. Nimisha’s reaction when they first meet, her attachment to him, her fears. She was terrified of what he would say if he found out...

Angel looked down at the ground, unable to meet her desperate gaze. What this his reward? Where the Oracles giving him someone to care about and love now that Buffy was gone from his life? Sighing with regret, Angel had to admit that he didn’t want to know the answer to that.

< You hate me, don’t you? > the voice asked again, a sad note attached. Angel quickly jerked his head up, shaking up ever so slightly so only Nimisha knew what the actions were meaning.

Mouthing the word ‘No’, he looked and noticed the girl didn’t look very convinced. < We had to, Niá. We had no... >

She abruptly broke off, staring at the library doors with suddenly wide, frightened eyes. Turning, Angel saw everyone else do the same just in time to see another man enter slowly, his feet brushing the floor like a panther, not really touching the surface.

Sita looked up into his face, all colour draining from her own as she noticed the long gash running from his left eye down his face and meeting at the top of his mouth.

She stilled, her hands shaking as she reached over and gripped Spike’s arm strongly. The vampire glanced at her, his eyes opening wide when he took in her deathly white complexion and her open mouth.

“Sita, what is it?” he hissed, bending across when she whispered the answer.

“It’s the Beast. He has come.”

Zanial walked confidently into the Library, taking in instantly the prone body of Ash laying unmoving by the stairs. He smiled, seeing that his Sire had already taken care of half the problem. Totally ignoring the staring Terran’s, the tall man made his way over to Methos and Nimisha, stopping in front of the frightened girl and peering intently down at her pale face.

“Hmm,” He muttered to himself, reaching out with one dark hand and grabbing Nimisha’s chin in a forceful grip. Making a show, the man forced her head this way and that, his eyes fill of possessiveness, almost as if he was admiring a priceless piece of art.

“Beautiful, isn’t she, Zanial?” Methos said, smirking broadly when Nimisha whimpered and squirmed in his arms.

Zanial didn’t answer, letting his hands travel slowly down her face and neck, a feathered touch that lingered on her heaving breast. Never once did he break the smothering eye contact.

Feeling where his hands lay, Nimisha tried to scream and bought one of her unbound feet smashing down his own. Zanial flinched, reaching out and delivering a forceful slap to her cheek, causing her face to fall more further into Methos’ arm. Nimisha started to sob in pain.

“Hey, you bastard!” Faith yelled furiously. “Get you bloody hands off her!” And with that, the angered girl pounced forward towards the three Aliens, only to find that as she took a few steps she slammed against an invisible barrier, causing a violent shock to run through her body.

Faith fell to her knees, jarred from the impact. Reaching up with her hands she was stunned to find that when she ran her hands up and down in the air, they touched an invisible wall, a wall the forced her back. Pushing with all her Slayer strength made not the slightest difference, they were well and truly separated from Nimisha.

Jumping to her feet, the younger Slayer turned and faced her friends, only to see that their faces were filled with dismay and fright. Walking forwards quickly, Giles summed up the problem before anyone else.

“Willow, have you seen anything like this before?” He asked the panicked Witch. But she only shook her head.

“I have.” Sita said, stepping forward calmly. Reaching the now light blue wall, she touched in slightly, testing its strength by pushing on it with her fingers.

“It’s a forcefield. The Vanquisher’s use them all the time.” She frowned. “I should have seen this coming.” she muttered.

Suddenly Giles turned in her direction, his hands on his hips in a frustrated gesture. “Well, maybe we would have seen most of it coming if you lot hadn’t been lying to us!” He raved, looking pointly at Sita, Willow and Oz.

Spike stepped forward. “We did what we did for a reason Giles, she asked us not to tell you.”

“Who the *hell* are you talking about?” Giles yelled suddenly, obviously fed up at being left in the dark.

Sita and Willow looked down at the ground, their mouths firmly shut. Oz too, remained silent, but he looked across at Nimisha with the two dark men, both of them who were watching the confession scene in enjoyment. Spike and Faith just narrowed their eyes, shooting daggers at Giles. Their body language said plainly that they didn’t intent to inform him on what was going on in the least.

Giles sighed, throwing his hands up in frustration. Cordelia on the other hand stood of to the side with Doyle and Angel, standing close to the silent Vampire in comfort.

“Well, I knew something was wrong with that girl the first time I saw her poking her nose in our windows!” She cried, huffing when Xander and Giles turned to her in surprise.

Xander’s mouth fell open as he stared at his former girlfriend. “And you didn’t see fit to tell *us* that wonderful piece of information!?” He sputtered.

Cordelia only huffed again, refusing to rise to the bait. Laying a restraining hand on her arm, Doyle spoke up.

“We were. What did’ja think the real reason we are ‘ear in Sunnydale for?” He asked. “A vacation?”

Still, Xander didn’t back down. Stepping right up to Cordelia, he put his hands on his hips and barked out, “We were the ones she was staying with, Cordy! Jeez, for all you know we could’ve been harbouring a known criminal!”

“Hey!” Sita cried, striding over and getting right in Xander’s face. Bringing a hand up, she poked him firmly in the chest. “Watch who you accuse, Mister Harris.” She snarled at the surprised man. “Nimisha is no more a murderer than you are, less probably.”

Xander frowned. “And you’d know, wouldn’t you?” he spat out. “You in this whole thing with her!” He poked her back. “You *knew* she was Angel’s daughter and you didn’t say a fuck’in word!”

Sita barked out laughing. “Of course I knew, you idiot.” She meet his eyes with a icy stare. “I was sent here to protect her from reactions such as this!”

Anya calmly spoke up, “I *knew* there was something off about her.” She muttered quietly. “It was so obvious I could kick myself.”

“Yes, I have to agree.” A voice came floating across. Everyone turned to see Methos walking with Nimisha still in his arms closer to the barrier, tauntingly. Zanial wasn’t to far behind. Everyone stopped their bickering and turned to them.

Willow stepped forward slightly, so she was inches away from Nimisha’s terrified face. But she seemed so far away...

“I would like you all to meet Zanial, my most trusted ally.” Methos told them all, grinning from ear to ear with his accomplishment. Giving Nimisha’s head a quick tap he explained, “Zanial here is responsible for finding these two missing children and informing me of their whereabouts.”

Zanial took a small bow, his face still impassive. Then with out a word, the tall Vanquisher abruptly spun on his heals and went back over to Nimisha. Knowing everyone of the humans, were watching him, he slowly brought up one dark skinned hand and started to caress Nimisha’s long black hair, seemingly amazed by the lustre and colour.

Nimisha’s barely noticed Methos realising her and taking a step back, letting Zanial have full range with the girl. Looking up, Nimisha gazed into his silver eyes, realising with a jolt that his eyes were so startlingly different from Ash’s. They seemed to be just fill of evil.

They were smothering, Nimi feeling as if she was falling into chaos. And try as she might, she found herself totally unable to tear her now sleepy eyes away from his, the impressive whiteness pulling her in...

Sita was the first to notice Nimisha fall into the trance, the girl going limp and still even though there was no longer anyone keeping her in place.

The bodyguard groaned, burying in face in her hands as she realised what was happening. Everyone turned to her, questions written on their faces. Sita didn’t give them any, only stared at Nimisha with a worried face.

“He’s doing it.” She whispered. “Just like he did to every one of her ancestors.”

Angel turned to her, concerned for the daughter he only just learned he had. “What are you talking about?” he asked. But Sita only shook her head, her lips starting to tremble as she more and more frightened.

“We have to get her away from him!” she screamed, running full against the barrier. It held fast, sending the lithe, browned haired woman to her knees with a gasp of pain. She didn’t try in it again, staying on her knees even as Spike made his way over to her, her hands held up against the wall, her face fill of panic and dread. Falling to his knees beside her, Spike resting a hand on her shoulder in comfort, which obviously worked when to his complete surprise, Sita learned into him, closing her eyes for a moment.

“He’s going to kill her, Spike. Just like he killed Semarritte and the others.” she whispered. Spike opened his eyes wide in alarm, throwing his blonde head around to glance at the impassive Nimisha, who’s arms hung limply at her side, her eyes sleepy and glazed over.

He knew they had to do something quick before they lost her forever.

And so, he began to yell.

Zanial smiled in delight, a truly charmingly evil sight. Here standing in front of him was Lady Shari’s granddaughter, child of a demon. Savouring the moment, the tall man closed his eyes in ecstasy, breathing in the scent that was pure Tessionare. A smell he hadn’t smelt in a very long time.

Studying the young girl before him, Zanial reached out and tapped her nose, snorting when he didn’t get any reaction from the child. She just stood there like before, her face blank and cold.

He smiled, everything was going perfectly.

Nimisha knew she was in trouble. She had known it from the first second the man had walked into the room. She hadn’t known who he was, she still didn’t, but there was just something about him, the way he held himself that send tremors of terror throughout her entire body.

He was a Vanquisher, that was obvious. But Nimisha had seen the terrified look in her bodyguard eyes which told her straight away that this man was a threat.

Sita wasn’t afraid of anything.

But his eyes had been just so enthralling, Nimisha feeling herself slip away. But then she panicked, suddenly noticing there was no way to free herself, to gain control over her body.

But then things started to change.

Nimisha moved her eyes - about the only thing she *could* move - to follow Zanial’s head as he lowered it towards her own, his sweet, sickly breath hot on her neck. She tried not to shudder, knowing somehow that it would only infuriate him.

She listened, appalled at the things he whispered to her, her eyes going wide in horror.

She felt his arms go around her, pulling her close to his body as he whispered words of evil. Words of a thousand deaths spanning a thousand years. But of course, they were there, Nimisha knowing somehow that they would be there....

“I killed you grandmother, Lady Nimisha.” Zanial whispered, the smug note attached making Nimisha’s blood boil. “I picked up this knife here...” And then to make matter’s worse, he lifted his hand and Nimisha saw that in it was a deadly, sharp knife. She stared at it dumbly, only then recognising it as the same one Methos had placed against her neck.

“And I stuck it in her back, touching the spine.” Nimisha started to whimper, tears running down her face. “And she screamed. Oh, how she screamed. And of course, she cried for her daughter, the daughter she never knew.”

“And that only made me push it in deeper.” Zanial started to run his hands up and down her bare arm, Goosebumps forming wherever his hand touched. She saw him look down to study her arm, fascinated.

“But she didn’t last as long as the others, m’lady. That I have to tell you.” He chuckled in her ear.

“Dimeara and Tandira lasted *so* much longer than her.”

Nimisha body froze, the blood in her veins stretching to a holt before starting again, the moon on her forehead starting to pulse. Nimisha could feel it, the fury that fuelled its awakening. Never has she felt such a strong reaction from her birthline, the thing suddenly growing a mind of its own.

And then....she was back.

Nimisha sucked in a huge breath of air, blinking furiously as she felt that power flow threw her body. She smiled, stretching her arms out beside her, letting the power reign free.

Zanial took a step back, surprised.

He never had a chance.

As all the backed up fury and frustration came pouring out, Nimisha let go. Let go to everything. All the pain and anger, the concern for her friends, the love she felt for her mother and father...she let it all out, let it mesh together as the power that had been laying dormant in her body for the last 16 years came suddenly alive. She felt and understood its need to mesh, to come together, and she let it, taking the back seat for a moment.

And when she knew she was ready she looked up calmly, into Zanial’s suddenly wary face. Her eyes narrowed as she singled him out.

And she let go.

It came pouring out of her, from all directions. The purple fire that was her birth line shot up, up, up and out of her, singing happily with the sudden release.

Zanial gave a cry as he was struck by a force he had never encountered and thrown to into the wall, the impact knocking the breath out of him. The man looked up, breathing heavily, into Nimisha strangely calm face. Her eyes were glazed, a purple haze covering them.

Knowing he had to, Zanial jumped to his feet, calling his own power to work his will.

Looking down at his hands, Nimisha saw them start to glow, the dark red energy crackling around his fingers. She looked up sharply, confusion written on every feature. But Zanial laughed, throwing his head back.

“You have to know by now, little princess, that i’m not a normal Vampire.” he said, shaking his head at her apparent ignorance. Bring up one crackling hand, Zanial stared at it, fascinated. Then he looked sharply at Nimisha again, his face furious.

“You will pay for that little show of insolence, Miss Nimisha.” he snarled, stepping forward and raising his arms out towards her.

Nimisha’s face paled. “Shit.”

Willow, Sita and the rest of the gang had stood back, watching as Nimisha suddenly broke free of her control and sent the surprised Zanial sailing against the far wall with power Sita had told them all she didn’t possess.

They could all see quite clearly that the bodyguard was freaked.

“What’s really so bad about it thought?” Cordelia had asked, hands still on her hips. “So the girl’s got some strange new power that none of you new about, big deal!”

Sita only shook her head, her face a deathly pale as she gripped Spike’s hand in her’s. “No, you don’t understand.” She sputtered, turning to the group, spreading her hands desperately.

“Purple power in the Tharrans in unheard of! It’s impossible!”

“Why?” Angel and Doyle asked at the same time.

Sita only continued to shake her head, sweat starting to appear on her tanned forehead. “Because purple is the power of the Gods!” She finally answered them in a guiltily voice, almost as if she was saying something she shouldn’t be.

Giles and Willow both started, regarding Sita in alarm. “Pardon?” Giles asked, his eyebrows raising above his glasses.

Sita only rubbed her arms nervously.

“I’m not quite understanding this.” Giles said, taking is glasses off to rub them on the side of his shirt. “Are you saying this girl, Angel’s daughter, has the power’s of the Gods?”

Sita sighed, looking down at her lap. “She has since she was a child, since she was four, I think.” She looked up into the faces of Buffy’s most trusted friends. “The Oracles have been teaching her their ways for years.”

Doyle choked, looking shocked. “My Oracles?” he sputtered. “Angel’s Oracles?”

Sita nodded and smiled after a beat. “They have taken quite a shine to your whole family, Angel.” she told the stilled stunned vampire, who’s head wipped up.

“What do you mean by that?” he asked, frowning. He was silent for a moment, then his eyebrows shot up in alarm when he seemed to think of something. “Are you talking about Nimisha’s mother?”

Sita grimaced, looking away from his suddenly inquisitive face.

Then she felt something pierce through her brain. < Sita? Can you hear me? > A powerful voice asked, obviously Pathed to everyone for Sita saw in amusement the rest of the gang looking startled for a moment, looking around the room for a source.

Sita closed her eyes to concentrate better. < Yeah, girl. I can hear you. That’s some powerful thrust you got going there > she joked.

But with her next sentence, Sita lost her smile, sensing Nimisha’s panic. < You’ve got to get out of here! > She yelled, Sita looking over at her physical body just in time to see Zanial send her sailing into the library table.

< Nimi! > Sita screamed, a wave of pain hitting her fill on. She winced.

< I know! I know! > Nimisha managed to get back, avoiding a red ball of fire that Zanial sent shooting in her direction. < Look, you guys are going to have to get out of here, this guy is way powerful than he looks >

< Nimi we are not leaving you > Sita Pathed firmly.

< You have to! > Nimisha cried. < Get mother, Sita! >

Sita started, her eyes flying open in time to see Willow, Oz and Faith do the same. Looking around, Sita saw everyone was watching her.

< I know we said not to involve her, Sita, but this guy is going to kill us all if we don’t! She is the only one who is strong enough to kick his ass back to Foltaire >

Sita took a deep breath of air. < Nimi, I can’t leave you... > she choked, looking on helplessly as her little charge was hit in the arm by a fire thrust, crying out in pain and falling to her knees. Looking up, Nimisha meet her gaze strongly, her eyes huge and sad.

< The rest was bound to come out sooner or later, anyway, Sita. You knew that. > Her voice was faint, her mind and body getting weaker with all the mental thrusting she was being forced to do.

Sita set her lips tightly, not liking this one bit. But as she felt Willow’s soothing hand on her shoulder, she forced herself to relax. < Will, use the necklace mother left for you, it’s also a communication’s device. > Nimisha Pathed weakly to the group, Willow nodding in return.

< Go! > Nimisha yelled suddenly, the girl noticing Zanial pause to turn to the group behind the forcefeild, sensing the mental exchange.

And so, with that, the large group of people all stumbled to their feet and made a mad dash for the door, swinging them open so forcefully that they smashed against the wall behind them.

As he was just about to run through, Angel paused in the doorway, looking at his daughter helplessly as she fought for her life. Sensing the gaze, Nimisha looked up and locked his eyes, smiling sadly at him. He smiled back, wishing they could have meet under such different turns of events.

But then, Xander was pushing him forward, the vision of his beautiful daughter seemingly ripped from his arms.

They all ran, the hallways silent save for the pounding of feet and the heavily breathing of humans. And as they all sprinted down the dark hallway, their thoughts only lay with getting Nimisha out of there alive, running for help from a woman most of them didn’t even know the shocking identity of.

And so, as the group of friends picked up speed, they sprinted around the last corner...only to run smack into Buffy who was running towards the library from the other direction.

Xander recognised her first, for it was he who slammed into her when he leaded the group around the corner. Yelping in surprise, for encountering someone else in the school grounds was the last thing they expected, Xander sputtered and reached out to steady the person so they both didn’t fall to the floor with the force of impact. Looking up, ready to apologise sincerely, Xander’s mouth fell open in shock when he found himself face to face with one of his best friends.

He choked, jumping a step back. Everyone had now halted, realised something was wrong, and collective gasps of surprise, and cries or dismay filtered throughout the now silent hallway.

“Oh, my god.” Sita moaned, shaking her head from side to side. No one even noticed her speaking, their eyes glued on the heavenly vision in front of them. Xander on the other hand, had recovered first, gulping as the man looked Buffy up and down, taking in her outfit.

She was still in the swimwear she had been wearing when she left Allrelen in such a hurry, the silver sarong and her green bikini top. Her hair was loose, done up in hundreds of tiny plaits that fell down her back. On the end of each one was a little bell, ringing out softly when her head moved. She had makeup on, her green eyes outlined quite darkly with eyeliner and light purple eyeshadow. Her lips were dark, blood red lipstick standing out clearly with her pale complexion. The moon was also there, uncovered and flashing proudly a beautiful sea blue on her forehead.

Over all, she looked exceedingly exotic.

Xander gaped. “Holly, Shit.” he muttered, closing his mouth when Anya poked him in his ribs.

Buffy just stood there, her jade eyes huge in panic. Her hands were still up in a fighting position she had mastered quickly when first smacking into them a few seconds ago. Looking across, she saw that they were all here, the faces reflecting the shock she felt inside.

Oh, shit.

Suddenly Buffy frowned, her powerful eyes flicking from one person to the other, noticing for the first time that someone was missing. Shaking her head, she snapped out of the stunned spell they all seemed to be under and quickly turned to Willow, running up to her so quickly and grabbing her shoulders so forcefully that the girl yelped in surprise.

Getting in her face, the Slayer screamed at her, “Where is she!?” Getting no answer from the stunned girl, she shook her shoulders hard. “Will, where is Nimisha!?”

Sita snapped out too and took a step towards her Queen. “She’s in the library still, Evie.” she explained, wincing when Buffy’s panicked face turned to her, disbelief written all over it.

“You left her there!?” She sputtered, furious. But Sita quickly shook her head. “She told us to get out, Evie. To go and get you.”

Buffy closed her eyes in dread, breathing slowly as she forced her body to calm down. Then without looking at anyone else, she Ported out of the hallway, leaving a stunned group of people in her wake.

Giles spoke up first. “Was that who I think it was?” he asked quietly, putting a hand on his chest.

Willow sighed. “Yeah, Giles. That was Buffy.”

Then suddenly, as if they just realised what this was going to mean to one member, everyone simultaneously turned to Angel, sympathy on their faces. He just stood there, his hands shaking at his side, his face blank. Noticing his posture, Cordelia layed a hand on his arm and squeezed briefly. Angel blinked and gave her a sad smile.

Looking up in Willow’s face, the vampire’s eyes were desperate as he begged someone to explain what was going on.

“She’s Nimisha’s mother, isn’t she, Willow?” he asked, closing his eyes at how that sounded.

Willow looked down, tears forming in her eyes. “Yeah, Angel. She is.”

Cordelia didn’t look convinced. “How can she be Nimi’s mom? That means she would have had her when she was a little kid!”

But Sita only shook her head. “Were we come from, time is different.” She tried to explain. “Buffy has actually be gone for 16 years, not four.” Everyone looked at her in alarm, Giles stepping towards her quickly.

“Are you saying you, Nimisha and Buffy have been living somewhere else for *16* years?” Sita grimaced and nodded. Giles saw this and blanched. “Who the hell are you?” He asked, sputtering.

But Sita only shook her head again. “Look, we don’t have time to explain everything here, but I promise Evie and I will tell you everything when we get Nimisha out of there.” She looked sincerely at each and everyone of them with a kind smile.

“I promise.”

Angel spoke up. “What I don’t get is when did Buffy get pregnant?” he asked, running his hand through his hair nervously. But Sita only laughed, turning towards the way they had just come.

“Lets just say Cookie-dough-fudge-mint-chip is more a aphrodisiac than you would have thought.” she told the vampire grinning.

But Angel abruptly lost his smile even as gasps of surprise could be heard behind him from Doyle and Cordelia. Looking sadly at Sita, Angel whispered, “She remembers?” The words were said lightly, quietly, but Sita could hear to desperation hidden deep within them. Reaching over, she tapped Angel on the nose, grinning from ear to ear.

“Oh, yeah. And she’s got a few choice words to tell you, my friend, about you making decisions behind her back.” She raised a pointed eyebrow.

Angel bit his lip and grimaced. Scratching his head sheepishly, he looked towards the library. Sita saw and nodded. “And guys, if you want to see what your precious Buffy has been doing the last 16 years, follow me and see her beat the crap out of some Vanquisher!” She explained happily.

And with that, the group of friends all spun on their heals and raced back towards the Library.

They found Buffy standing inside the room, her hands up and against the blue forcefeild, her eyes panicked. Seeing her standing there, Faith groaned sadly and ran to stand beside her sister Slayer. Buffy notice her come up slowly beside her and she gave the brunette a sad smile.

“Hey, girl. It’s been a while.” Then abruptly, Buffy leaned over and embraced the surprised girl in a warm hug. “Sati and Jadis called you, didn’t they?” she whispered in Faith’s ear, smiling when the girl chuckled.

Letting each other go, Buffy reached out and touched Faith’s face hesitantly, her finger’s shaking. “I missed you.” she told her simply.

Faith smiled. “I missed you to, B.”

A discrete cough made Buffy turn her head gracefully. Giles was standing there with his hands stuffed nervously in his pockets, looking down at the ground.

“Oh, Giles.” Buffy whispered, biting her lip. “I’m so sorry.”

The Watcher looked up, meeting her gaze with a slight smile lingering on his lips. “Yes, well.” he said briskly. “You most certainly have some explaining to do, don’t you?”

Buffy laughed, touching his arm. Then quickly her eyes flew over his should and Giles notice her go stiff, her face go pale. Stepping aside, he let the two lovers confront each other.

And for the first time in 16 years, Buffy came face to face with her greatest love. She knew tears were falling down her face, she couldn’t stop them. She just stood there, feet unable to move as she gazed up into his unsmiling face, noticing how everything was the same.

Just like her.

“Your immortal.” Angel whispered suddenly, his eyes going wide. Buffy looked down guiltily. But then she felt him reach out and push her chin up, locking eyes. “You should have told me, Buffy.” he said, rubbing her cheek with his finger’s gently. Buffy felt herself close her eyes as he feel into his so familiar touch, his hands so like Nimisha’s...

She gasped, ripping herself out of his embrace and turned to find her daughter, laying on the ground with Zanial looming over her.

“Nimi!” she yelled, running over to the forcefeild.

Both Zanial and Methos looked up, surprised to see her there. But then Methos smiled, walking leisurely over to them.

“Everynne, what a surprise. You just in time to see Zanial kill your daughter.” He explained pleasantly. Buffy narrowed her eyes and snarled.

“I don’t think so, Methos.” she spat, pounding on the blue wall. Methos only laughed, clapping his hands in delight. “This is perfect!” he retorted. “Both Tessionare’s in the same building. What ever shall we do with both of you?”

Buffy remained calm, sensing Angel, Sita and Willow come to stand side her, the rest of the group not to far behind. “You let her go, Methos. And then maybe I won’t rip off both your legs.” Buffy growled.

She felt Angel hand rest soothingly on her arm and forced herself to relax. Methos noticed the action and sneered. “Ah, how touching. The two scions back together again.” He lost his smile abruptly. “To bad you now going to see your daughter die.”

“Not if I have anything to say about it.” A furious voice cut through. Methos gave a yelp and started to turn, only to have a large piece of wood smash into the side of his head.

He fell to the ground silently.

Buffy blinked and raised her head, looking for their saviour. Only to gasp when she saw a young Vanquisher standing there, his feet planted firmly on the ground, what looked like a table leg held strongly in his hands.

Ash looked furious.

“Oh, my god.” Buffy breathed, taking a step towards the young man. “Your Ash, aren’t you?” she asked. “Ash de Zellreaire.” The man looked down at the ground, his heart beating quickly as he stood before his greatest hero. The woman he had wanted to live under her command his entire life.

Sita coughed and Ash quickly raised his head, falling to knee in front of her. Everyone looked surprised at the action, but Buffy only smiled. Bending down, she gathered his shaking hands in her’s and gave them a quick squeeze.

“Get up, Ash.” she said giggling. “Your embarrassing me.”

Ash quickly scrambled to his feet, clutching her hands in his. “I never knew she was your daughter, m’lady Everynne, I swear.”

Buffy looked confused, not understanding what he was talking about, but then Sita leaned over and whispered something in her ear, causing her eyes to open wide as she grinned broadly.

“It’s fine, Ash.” She cocked her head to the side, studying the dark boy intently. “I’ve been hearing some exceedingly strange things about you from the Oracles, young man. And if what they have been saying is true, then I will be proud to have to come stay with us on Allrelen.” She shot him a sly glance. “I’m sure Nimisha would love that.”

Then abruptly she turned away from the sputtering boy and found Zanial and Nimisha, standing over the prone body of Methos. Tightening her lips together angrily, Buffy forgot her friends for a second and walked up to the barrier, closing her eyes in concentration.

Angel watched in awe as the moon of Buffy’s forehead started flash a bright orange as she put her hands up against the wall and started to push with her fingers. At first it held strongly, the blueness starting to pulse as it was threatened. But then, to Angel’s surprise, Buffy’s eyelids started to flutter and her hands slowly started to follow through, blue tendrils of energy crackling around her finger tips which latter spread out over the entire wall.

She seemed to glow, stepping forward to she was right in the middle of the blue forcefeild. Then it suddenly started to whine, a piecing sound that made everyone reach up and cover their ears in pain.

But then it was gone.

Angel looked at Buffy with wide eyes, finding her starting right back at him, her eyes acquiring a purplish tinge to them.

< It will leave in a few hours, Angel > she Pathed, smiling at his concern. But then she turned to Zanial.

He was standing calmly before her, his hands laying limply at his side, but Buffy wasn’t foolish enough not to know that with a single flick of his fingers she could well and truly be dust. So slowly walking forward, she kept her back straight and her legs tense, ready to attack in a second if the need be.

“You have to done well, Everynne.” Zanial told her, tapping the side of his leg with his finger tips. Buffy watched them out of the corner of her eye warily.

“You powers have expanded greatly since the last time I saw you.” He smiled. “Semarritte should have seen fit to inform me of this development before she died.” He murmured.

Buffy stopped dead, squeezing her hands into fists at her side. “You will not speak my mother’s name in my presence.” She gritted out between clenched teeth.

Zanial bowed mockingly, his eyes never leaving her’s. “Well, when should I then? I know you are dying to know just how she died.”

Buffy stamped her foot impatiently. “I know how she died, you fool!” she spat out loudly, getting everyone’s attention. “You stabbed a poison knife into her back and left her on the ground to bleed to death!” She narrowed her eyes and said in a low, calm voice, “Afraya has been telling me the same story for the last 16 years.”

Zanial clapped his hands together, ignoring Nimisha who stood slightly behind him, still in a fighting stance.

“Very, good, m’lady. You have been well informed.” He stepped forward abruptly. “It’s a shame you aren’t going to be able to make peace with her before you die.” he told them sweetly.

Without waiting for her reply, he quickly brought his hand up and waved it above his head, causing the air to shudder. Then, as Buffy and her friends watched in amazement, bodies began to appear in the room, spread out behind Zanial and the motionless form of Methos.

Looking up, Buffy gasp when she saw the library was now fill with about 50 Vanquisher guards, their lasers all pointed up and towards them. Throwing a quick look at Zanial, Buffy saw he looked ecstatic, rubbing his hands together in fake glee.

He meet her gaze. “Now, haven’t the tables turned?”

Buffy gulped.

With a cry of rage, Zanial pounced towards Buffy, knocking her surprised form to the ground as the Vanquisher’s all attacked Nimisha and the gang. Even with Buffy’s small maths brain, it didn’t take her long to realise they were well and truly out numbered.

Buffy grunted and took a swing at the strong man, connecting with his jaw. Squirming, she tried to throw him off. But he held fast, straddling her with his hands holding her shoulders firmly in place on the ground.

“Get, off!” Buffy screamed, attempting to bring her hand up again to take another swing at him. But he was too quick, catching her arm and squeezing so tightly Buffy knew there would be bruises in the morning.

Leaning forward, he kissed her temple before whispering. “I don’t think so, m’lady.” Then he jerked away, staring down at her in revolution. “The cycle ends now. No longer will your family control us, I will see to it.”

Buffy stopped struggling, looking coolly into his flashing, silver eyes. “You don’t get it, do you?” she hissed, sneering with his glance of surprise. “It isn’t my family who rules in peace, you idiot. It’s the people, the way of life.” She swallowed. “And Zanial, it’s something you just can’t change, no matter how long you try.”

He gave a howl of fury, slapping her so strongly on the side of the face that she went skidding from under him and slid across the polished floor. Buffy jumped to her feet, looking around quickly to see if her friends were still okay. Raising her eyebrows in surprise, she saw they were holding their own against the Vanquisher guards, finding out early that they dusted the same as usual ones. Searching with her eyes, Buffy was just in time to see Angel grab one from behind and send it sailing over his shoulder, wiping around suddenly and impaling the stake in his screaming chest.

Buffy smiled. < You sure haven’t lost you touch > she told him in an admiring tone. He looked across at her, shrugging modestly. But when she pointed an eyebrow he laughed, spinning around to stake another who had been coming up from behind.

But then she gasped in pain, reaching for her neck, as a shocking, powerful thrust of pain was sent her way. Desperately she staggered to the table side, gripping it when she saw Nimisha out of the corner of her eye, standing in the middle of the room.

Her front was covered in blood.

“Nimi!” Buffy yelled out loud, noticing the girl start to sway. Zanial was standing behind her, an evil gleam in his eyes, the poison knife dripping with blood in his hands.

Sita ran over to Buffy, choking when she saw her charge fall lifelessly to the ground, the gaping wound in her throat still pulsing blood.

Buffy felt herself be grabbed from behind, strong arms wrap their way around her so that her arms were pinned uselessly at her side as the guard forced her to walk before Zanial.

Still looking in disbelief at her daughter, Buffy winced when he slapped her cheek, grabbing her chin to thrust her face up towards his. “I told you I’d kill your daughter, Everynne.” he whispered into her horror stricken eyes as her friends were one by one overthrown by their opponents and brought before Zanial.

He bent down. “And now i’m going to kill you.”

And with that, the man brought the knife up and stabbed it in Buffy’s chest, ignoring her friends sudden screams.

Buffy jerked with the pain started, a haze of it floating towards her. She weakly felt it dance for her heart, her life source that could kill her. And she knew she should be fighting it....

But she was just so tired...

She felt her eyes close, the screams of Angel and the gang drift off as she felt herself fall to the ground beside the motionless form of her black haired daughter, the blood pooling around her head.

Buffy weakly smiled, slowly reaching out with one hand to touch her nightless hair, caressing it cold lustre.

Oh, how she loved this girl...

She blinked, knowing this wasn’t the way she was meant to go. She had thousands of years to go, years at her disposal where she could do whatever she wanted. Not to die here on the cold ground...never to hold Angel again.

Buffy choked on her own blood, turning over so she lay on her back and looked up into the horrified faces of Ash, Sita, Angel and her friends.

She looked into Angel’s eyes, smiling weakly to try and reassure him that she was okay. But he didn’t smile back, only stared blankly back at her with those beautiful dark eyes that she loved so much. She sobbed, knowing that she was now going to be ripped away from him even though she had just found him again.

She felt the fury start to build within, the anger at the Oracles and the Powers That Be that they would allow this to happen. And she let it build, let it form and gather in her body, finally making its way up to her flashing moon.

She knew something was happening from Angel’s startled glance at her forehead, the confusion that masked his face. And as Zanial bent down towards her, the knife that had already killed so many of her family in his hands, ready to deliver the killing blow, Buffy let out a furious scream and felt the power that had been building so powerfully in her body burst out of her in a blue explosion that touched everybody in the room.

All sound was blocked from her mind as she thought dumbly that if this was the true meaning of Tessionare power, then why didn’t Sati and Jadis inform them earlier?

She huffed. It would have saved a great deal of trouble.

The energy continued to pulse, Buffy’s vision cloudy. But when she knew it was time, she reached in herself and tried to turn it off.

And then, just as it had come, it was gone.

She moaned in pain, the wound in her chest still bleeding. Looking around at the now silent library, Buffy blinked when she realised there wasn’t a Vanquisher in sight - apart from Ash that was - they had all disappeared.

She raised her eyebrows, not having a clue *that* was going to happen. But it was true, she had dusted the 30 remaining vampires in a single thrust. Zanial and Methos were gone as well, although Buffy was sure she would see them again, it taking more than that to get rid of the powerful pair.

But then she heard Nimisha give a soft moan beside her and she quickly turned over towards her daughter, wincing with that pain that small movement caused. But Buffy smiled when the girl opened her green eyes and blinked at the harsh lights in her eyes.

Angel fell down on his knees beside her, reaching out and gently running a hand thought her dark hair. Nimisha saw his face and smiled weakly.

“Your not mad at me?” she whispered and Angel choked on his tears. “Of course not.” he whispered back, looking over at Buffy and smiling.

She didn’t smile back, knowing just how bad Nimisha and her own wounds actually were. He saw her sad face and instantly became worried.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, concerned. But Buffy only looked away, not able to meet his eyes.

“Mama?” Nimisha’s soft voice spoke out. Buffy quickly turned back to her.

“We have to get out of here mama. They will be back, you know that.” Her green eyes were huge and sad, knowing as her mother did, how unlikely she was to live.

Buffy raised her eyebrows. “Of course.” she muttered, starting to take deep breaths. Nimisha saw her intentions and frowned in confusion.

“What are you doing?” she asked weakly. Buffy didn’t answer her, extending what energy she had left to include Willow, Ash and the rest of the gang, putting mental tags on each of them. Both Nimisha and Sita felt her mental probing in their minds and gasped in horror as they realised what she was doing.

“No mama, you cant!” Nimisha screamed, making a useless attempt to sit up.

“I can’t let you die, Nimi.” Buffy only whispered back at her, opening her mental mind as she prepared to attempt the impossible and port them through space.

Nimisha groaned, her head spinning as she felt her mother pick her up and start to port, the pressure building in her mind.

“Mama, no!” Nimisha screamed again, but it was too late. As they all started to yell, clutching their heads in pain, Buffy ported them out of the room, out of Sunnydale, off Earth and to the one place automatic reflexes could take her!

And the last conscious thought Nimisha had was her mother’s shattered mind, screaming as the pressure took control and sent her spiralling into the abyss of Chaos.

Last Chapter

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