Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Buffy characters, they belong to Joss Whedon, the WB Network , and Mutant Enemy.

Sunnydale California

4.30am

May 1st 1998

Evil. The place shouted the feeling. It wasn't just the darkness of the hall. It was more tangible than that. It hung in the air. The hall while mainly spartan was decorated in part with furniture that would not have looked out of place two hundred years earlier. Candles, situated around the room provided the light. There was probably fifty or more, giving the room enough light to illuminate the main areas, while shrouding the corners in darkness. From the center of the room it was impossible to tell if anyone else was in the room, unless they were also in the center. With more than ten entry points to the room, it was a disconcerting place to be, except if it was your home.

The silence was broken with a scream. It almost sounded like a moan.

"No!!!!!!!"

At that point three figures emerged from the shadows. The taller of the figures moved towards the table situated in the center of the room. He slammed his fists on the table,

"I am not having fun"

He through a couple of plates and cups that were on the table, smashing them into the far wall, just missing the two other occupants, a male and a female.

"Watch it Angel" spoke the male, with an English accent.

Angel glared at him. His glare could create fear into normal people. Cold, pure as it could be. He looked like he was contemplating attacking, but withdrew from his offensive pose and sat himself in a chair that was situated beside the table.

Angel could have been considered good looking. A tall male. Looking around twenty-four, dark hair and the face of a model, he would have been quite a catch, if it weren't for one thing.

"Don't lecture me Spike. She did it to us again. We live to enjoy ourselves. Otherwise what's the point? "

Spike moved towards him. He had a top of white hair and a maniacal look in his eye. While not as tall as Angel, he was only a little less intimidating, "Well why don't we do something about it?"

"What do you think we have been doing. She gets in our way," Angel retorted.

"That's not what I mean. We need to forget about all our other pleasures for a while and concentrate on eliminating her," Spike replied while moving away to take the hand of the female. He brought her into the center of the room and sat her at the table, "What do you think Dru?"

"Angel knows what he's doing, Spike" she also spoke with an English accent although it had a twisted edge to it, an almost insane touch, "you do know what you are doing?" she asked Angel.

"Drusilla my darling, I knew what I was doing when I did you didn't I", he replied with a smile.

Drusilla smiled back, as if drooling on the experience. Spike moved back towards Angel and crouched behind him, with one hand on his shoulder, "O.K. what next?" he asked.

"I think it's time to stop playing around. It was fun in the beginning but our numbers are being depleted and we have not progressed. I want to hurt her, " Angel said as he rose to circle the table. "Killing her would be too easy. I want to take her friends one by one. And when they are all gone, then I will take her as my mate, only this time it will be the real me. Buffy and Angel, Spike an Drusilla, it does have a good ring to it"

"I don't like it Angel. Killing that gypsy witch didn't help, if anything it has made the Slayer stronger. Just kill her," Spike stated.

"No! It's not my way. You know that Spike, you use to enjoy witnessing it."

"That was before her. Before you and her were close. She's too dangerous."

"Yes she is dangerous. She is more dangerous than any other slayer. That's precisely why I need to kill her from the inside. And stop bringing up the past Spike. That wasn't me. I have none of those feelings anymore. I just think that if she dies with the knowledge in her head that she will be by my side for eternity it will be the icing on the cake, but only if her friends are gone one by one in front of her eyes first"

"Let me do it Angel, I want to do it," Drusilla interjected.

Angel moved to Drusilla and caressed he face; "There will be plenty for all of us to do, Dru"

Spike looked on with rising anger. Drusilla was his. He would have been more worried if he really thought Angel would take her away. He was more upset with how Drusilla encouraged it and enjoyed it.

"You would do better to think about what we have to do, Angel. How do you want to do this?" he asked.

Angel looked up and smiled, knowing that he was getting to Spike, one of his favorite pastimes.

"It's simple really. I want to kill two birds with one stone. Hurt Buffy and accomplish a personal task. Xander is first on the list."

"Why him specifically?" Spike asked

Angel turned around. His face had changed and he now had a protruding forehead, which shaped around the eyes, creating an arrow point down the nose. He smiled revealing two longer teeth at the side of his mouth.

"Why? I don't like him."

***

Sunnydale High

8.00am

May 1st 1998

Giles sat reading at his desk. To say he was engrossed would be an understatement. Ever since the fateful night that Angel's curse had been lifted and his soul had been taken again, he had become his worst nightmare. Something that was compounded with Angel's brutal murder of Jenny. He had to beat him, for Jenny, for Buffy and maybe more importantly for his own soul.

The school library had become the unofficial headquarters of Buffy and her friends. Of course that was to be expected, as Giles was the School Librarian. The library was an unusual design. The books were mostly situated on a raised level at the back, which curled around the bottom level. It was amazing the library still looked as good, considering the number of vampires and various demons that had been fought there.

Giles had a dignified reserved air about him. He was in his early forties, and considered quite handsome, not by himself but then again he didn't concern himself in those matters. His English accent accentuated people's perception that he was stand offish and a little bit full of himself. The truth was that he was very serious about the job that he had been born into, that of a watcher. Not that it had always been that way, he had dabbled in some questionable practices while at university and they had come back to haunt him, but since then he had been very focused. Perhaps that's why he had been so lenient with Buffy. By all accounts she should have kept her Slayer position secret and been dedicated to the task needed to the exception of all other things. That pretty much changed on the first couple of days after he met her. Now it seemed that more people knew about Buffy's supposed secret than didn't, although in reality only five people knew, not counting the vampires.

He knew he had become almost a father figure to her, and he had no problem returning those feelings. She was a very easy person to be loyal to.

***

Outside in the school grounds, Buffy and her best friend Willow sat chatting on one of the benches that dotted the central quad. Buffy was the elder looking of the two had mid length blonde hair, was in the mid five feet height and had a pleasant optimistic face, that often showed a much more serious side to those who could look past the obvious features. Willow, although the same age and height looked a good deal younger, she had long mid brown hair, although it had a tendency to look red more often than not, and the face of an innocent naive teenager. Buffy had remarked a number of times with a wry grin that Willow could never be accused of doing something wrong as she looked too innocent to do anything wrong.

"So fill me in, how was the date last night with Oz?" Buffy asked, with obvious happiness that Willow's relationship was still going strong.

"Oh fine, fine...he kisses so good.' Willow blushed and giggled at the same time. "I saw stars, or something, it was really good."

"Chalk another one up for romance," Buffy said.

Willow saw a little glint of sadness in Buffy's eyes. She knew it still hurt her so bad that Angel was now her enemy, instead of her lover. What made it worse was because Buffy had made love to Angel, her first time, it had caused the curse to be lifted.

Buffy saw Willow looking at her. She tried to keep her pain hidden as much as possible from her friends, especially since she didn't want to be a downer on their relationships. Change the subject she thought.

"So have you seen Xander today?" she asked.

"No. He's probably meeting up with Cordelia."

"Weird I didn't think that would last. I mean I love Xander and nothing against Cordelia but them together...go figure!"

"Well I am going out with a Werewolf, I don't think I can really comment."

Buffy and Willow looked at each other and laughed.

***

Xander Harris felt great. For years he was a bit of a joke. To guys he was a dork; to girls he was the guy who perennially asked them out in the vain hope that one of them would say yes. Although he had suffered a big let down when Buffy had rebuked him almost twelve months ago, he still counted her as one of his best friends and then there was Willow. He knew of course she had a crush on him, but it was an ironic twist of fate, while he was chasing Buffy, when all she wanted to do was stay friends, Willow had the same feelings for him and all he did want was to stay friends.

Everything changed four months ago and he never could have guessed in his wildest dreams what or more importantly who would change things. Cordelia Chase. She had put him down almost everyday in the last twelve years. Yet in all their sarcastic barbs that flew between the two their feelings changed for one and other. In fact they first kissed straight after yet another shouting match. It almost seemed that they would either kiss or hit each other. Well they were holed up in Buffy's basement hiding from a bug man bounty hunter.

Cordelia although growing to love Xander found it hard to believe that she was feeling the things she was for the same person she and her friends had ridiculed for so long. So much so she swore Xander to secrecy for weeks, until Willow discovered them kissing. Then she had even broken up with him because her friends had put pressure on her. Eventually it was a failed spell Xander had arranged to put on Cordelia, which backfired that finally convinced Cordelia that her feelings for Xander were more important than her friends.

"Xander?" called Cordelia as she walked up the front steps at the school. She was a person of striking beauty; five feet 8 inches, long dark hair, and a smile than Xander would die for. She was of course wearing the latest outfit that she considered in, on that day.

Xander turned around and smiled, "Cordy," they greeted each other with a kiss.

"So still dressing in the dark?" Cordelia asked

"Yes well, I felt I should do my bit to conserve all the electricity that you use. You know, hot water, hair dryer etc.."

"Well fair enough then"

***

"Hi Giles," Buffy said as she entered the school's library with Willow.

Giles looked up from his book and muttered a greeting. He was obviously engrossed.

"What ya reading?" Buffy asked.

"Oh .. Research on Angel, you know information gives you the advantage"

"Oh" Buffy responded and immediately wished she hadn't asked.

"Buffy, I can not let that happen again"

Buffy knew exactly what he was talking about. "Giles, we can't let that happen again. O.K.?" she smiled at him. He looked at her and gave his best reassuring smile he could.

"Hi Guys", Xander said as he and Cordelia walked through the library doors, "What's up?"

"More Doom and Gloom," Buffy responded.

"Oh, nothing new then," Cordelia said as Xander and she took their seats at the table.

Giles gave her a stern look, "Cordelia you have to take this seriously. Angel is one of the most vicious of vampires I have records on."

Cordelia looked at him as a child would, when a parent chastised it. Before she could respond Buffy took Giles aside.

"Giles, We have heard this all before. I know he is dangerous. The simple fact he's still alive proves to me that he's different than most of the other vamps around. We are all still here. In fact some of us are prospering," she said as she glanced at Xander and Cordelia, who were now busy gazing into each other's eyes.

Giles looked over and rolled his eyes, turning to face the group, "Now listen all of you. I have spent the night research the history of Angel. Yes you have lived with Angel's threats for months. But it's because you are still alive, that is why you are now in greater danger."

The gang all stopped what they were doing and looked at Giles, not so much because of what he said but because of his tone, the tone of a schoolteacher talking down to grade school students. It was not a tone they liked and it was not a tone they usually heard from Giles.

"O.K., I give. Tell us all about it?" Buffy asked

"We have all for the last few months been living with the danger of Angel targeting us in a way to get to Buffy. So far we have resisted all attempts. Angel will be getting very frustrated. His history shows he is use to getting his way. Now while this may cause some people to be careless and make mistakes, it has been shown in Angel's past that he gets more and more determined, more vicious, in short more dangerous."

He moved over to seat and the head of the table and sat down.

"Angel is particularly nasty. He does not kill people just for blood. Of course he does feed on unsuspecting people, but he is a hunter and I do not mean just a physical hunter. He likes to pick a victim, usually a girl, get to know her and then destroy her life, before destroying her. Sometimes he makes them into his consort, until he gets bored and he moves along."

Giles put the book down on the desk and sat at the head of it. He took off his glasses and cleaned them, while continuing, "He goes after the friends and family of his victim. Picking them off one by one. Driving his victim crazy. Sometimes he befriends the victim and pretends to be helping her through her pain, until unleashing the final agony of telling her what he has done. Sometimes he makes sure he kills her friends and family in front of her, and sometimes he takes years. It's a game to him. He needs to enjoy it. I have a feeling he hasn't had much enjoyment since Jenny." Giles voice faded slightly as he said her name.

"O.K. you have my attention, what can we do?" Buffy enquired.

"Well I am sorry to say there's not much else we can do. We have made all of your places safe, we have started training you all in self defense, I think the usual, never be alone, always carry a weapon, don't go down dark alleys" Giles shrugged his shoulders as he realized it was not much of a solution.

"Well O.K. fine. We all know the score, but he will win if we let it stuff with our lives as well. So I say let's be careful but enjoy ourselves. Bronze tomorrow night?" Buffy retorted

"I give up," Giles said as he walked away.

"Giles, wait," Buffy said as she got out of her chair and grabbed Giles arm, "look I know if we stay at home we will be safe, but Oz's band is playing tomorrow at the Bronze. I think it's best that we are all there together. Look if we all go to the Bronze, we will not only be together but we will also be in a crowded place. It's about as safe a place there is if we want to go out"

"I suppose you are right." Giles relented.

"Well guys, as interesting as this is we have about thirty seconds to get to class," Cordelia said.

"Yes, you're right, off you go" Giles said.

***

"C'mon Xander!" Cordelia shouted as she saw Xander coming across the student's car park. Like herself, Cordelia's car could hardly be missed, bright red with the number plate 'QUEEN C", well it seemed to fit her.

"O.K., what's the rush. God it isn't even dark yet" Xander returned.

He reached her and gave her a quick kiss, before opening the door for her. "It's the little things she likes," he thought to himself.

Cordelia sped the car out of the park and onto the street.

***

Buffy walked through the doors of the library, "Giles, are you there?"

Giles appeared from behind one of the seemingly endless rows of bookshelves, "Oh Buffy here already?"

"Yes well, thought I would get some brownie points for showing up on time, after you let me have my way this morning" she replied sheepishly.

Giles smiled. "Fair enough. Get the equipment, I will be down in a second"

Buffy moved over to the cupboard that housed the entire vampire fighting equipment that Giles stored. She had moved quite a bit to her own house recently and was surprised to find some new weaponry when she opened the doors.

She looked it over and noticed a number of bottles filled with a clear liquid. She picked one of them up and examined it, opening the top and smelling the contents. There was no discernible smell.

"Giles, what are these?" she said holding on of them up so he could see.

Giles was coming towards her as she did, "oh that's a little spin on the Molotov cocktail. Filled with Holy Water. Never know when it might come in handy," he said as he took the bottle and put it back, "we only have these five so be careful, it can be difficult to explain in a hurry why you want to fill bottles up with Holy Water"

"Cool" Buffy replied.

***

Cordelia pulled the car up in the driveway to her place. Xander had been watching Cordelia all the way and did not realize he wasn't at his place till she stopped the engine. He looked around at the house in front of him. House, well maybe a mansion would be more of an apt description. With its Greek pillars at the front doorway to its elaborate gardens, it certainly stood out form the rest of the street. It did seem to suit Cordelia's family though.

"I take it I was meant to navigate," he said.

"Ha, ha" she replied sarcastically

"Well it's just that I am not you father's favorite person"

"Well it's a good thing you don't want to go out with my father" Cordelia replied. Xander just gave her a look; "my parents won't be home for a couple of hours, how about coming in for a drink?"

"O.K.", Xander said as he got out of the car, "It's not that I am scared of your father, it's just that..." Xander glanced at Cordelia. "O.K., it is that I am scared of your father, but you would miss out as well if I am not allowed to see you."

"Oh I would get by, there are some very nice eligible young men in this street" she said with a smile, "C'mon, I will save you from the boogie man."

She took his hand and led him through the front doorway, "Take a seat, I will be back in a minute."

***

It was getting dark as Buffy started to walk home, 'another session with Giles over, vege time in front of the TV tonight, things aren't all bad' she thought. Still she was more concerned about Giles' information session this morning than she was willing to let her friends see. She knew full well that she was not the one in the immediate danger, her friends were. Willow, Xander, Giles, Cordelia and maybe Oz were in the front line so to speak. Even though they had been training a few days a week with Giles and her, they were not equipped like she was. She felt responsible for them.

She was glad her mother was away for the week at a conference in San Francisco. It was one less person to worry about. It was quite a thrill for her to be trusted to look after herself for a week. She liked to think that her mother had decided that she was responsible enough. She knew however that a big part of the reason was that her mother had to go to the conference. She had no other choice, as her father could not get out of work to come and look after her.

She reached her front porch just as the sunset, and quickly went inside and locked the door behind her.

***

Xander looked at the dark sky outside and then his watch, the couple of hours were getting really close to being over. It upset him. They got so little time to be together by themselves, without having to resort to necking in Cordy's car that he had really savored the opportunity to spend a couple of hours lying on the lounge holding Cordelia in his arms and feeling her close to him.

"Cordy?" he whispered after lightly kissing her forehead, "I should get going, this has been great and I would hate to have it spoiled by the arrival of your parents, not to mention while it's still light it's a lot safer to get home."

Cordelia didn't respond straight away, she too was enjoying the moment. She found it hard to believe that originally she couldn't face up to the fact she was falling for him, and yet lying in his arms she found a closeness that she had not before experienced.

"Cordy?" he asked again.

She moved herself up and turned to face him, "Xander, my parents are away for the night, I don't want you to go."

The Story Goes On