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TITLE: Chapter Two ~ Past and present SERIES: The Reunions Series AUTHOR: LJSAngel EMAIL: LJSAngel@supanet.com DISCLAIMER:  Yeah right.  If I owned them, the world would be a happier place with an Angel that's human and kicks ass.  Also he would be locked in my house.  And chains. TIMELINE: Past "Eternity" on AtS and Faith is still comatose so it's before "This Years Girl" SPOILERS: Timeline SYNOPSIS: The gang are introduced to The Brethren of Matrus's Demon, the Ring Of Matrus, Blessed Three and The Final Armegeddon. AUTHOR'S NOTES: In my world, it means that the Master has been alive since the beginning.  He was one of the first humans to be changed by Matrus. FEEDBACK: Don't make me beg.  Couldn't be easier.  Just click on my name up there.  Please.  I BEG OF YOU *On knees* RATING: PG-13 aka 12 RELATIONSHIP: Buffy/Angel; Xander/Anya; Buffy/Riley CONTENT: One occurence of swearing, little bit of violence.. yada yada yada The Reunions Series Chapter Two ~ Past and present Friday night at the Bronze is when the creme de la creme of the music world play.  Willow and Buffy were at their normal table.  Cibo Matto started to play the familiar notes of ' Sugar Water'. “It's you and Xander's song .” Willow teased. “Will,” Buffy warned with a smile. As if it was on cue, Xander and Anya walked in. “Here he comes now...” Willow was enjoying tormenting Buffy. “Ooh Buff.  It's our song.” He held out an arm in an old fashioned, dramatic way.  “Want to dance, for old times sake ?" Buffy laughed and followed him to the dance floor.  Anya sat down in Buffy's seat and looked on, jealously. “What song ? Why do Xander and Buffy have a song ?  I know mortal couples sometimes have a song but Xander and Buffy were never a couple.  Were they ?” Anya asked Willow.  Willow looked at Anya, then at Buffy and Xander trying to seriously imitate the infamous sexy dance and burst out laughing. “What's funny?  She can’t have Xander.  I told her- she can’t have Xander,” Anya said. Willow tried to stop laughing long enough to explain what it was all about. “Two years ago, after the summer, something was up with Buffy.  She was acting different." “Different how?" “Like 'bitchy' different.  The whole thing was that she hadn't dealt with the fact she died.  Anyway, she did all this crazy things.  One of them was that she danced the sexy dance with Xander to this song in the Bronze, just to make me, Xander and Angel crazy." “So nothing went on.  No kissing. No groping?" “Well there might have been..” Willow seen Anya's ' If Looks Could Kill, You'd Be Seven Feet Under 'face.  “Nope. None." Anya was relieved.  The song ended. “Good dance Buff.  Still got it in you,” Xander remarked. “Yeah, you too.” Buffy stopped.  Inside her she could feel a warm feeling.  She felt tingly all over.  Buffy had felt like this in her dream.  Slowly she looked around her.  She felt this way whenever Angel was near.  Just as she thought she was dreaming the feeling, she saw a dark figure in the corner. “Angel,” she whispered hopefully.  “Angel,” Buffy repeated a little louder with a small smile breaking over her face.  Buffy walked over to the man, the light travelled slowly over his face.  It was Angel.  His beautiful brown eyes, perfect cheekbones, silky pale skin, his tinted lips.  She felt so happy inside.  Her first instinct was to run up to him and put her arms around him.  Let him comfort her and she could feel safe again in his arms.  Buffy was about to when she stopped herself. We can't,  Buffy whimpered inside.  She tried to compose herself and then continued to walk over to Angel. “Angel,” Buffy said softly.  Just saying his name gave her tingly feelings all over. “Buffy.  We need to talk.” Angel said quietly.  “Can we go outside ?" “OK.” Buffy said as she followed him outside. It was quieter in the alley and they were alone. “So,” Buffy said breaking the silence. “I'm guessing you didn't come back to Sunnydale to witness the second showing of the sexy dance with Xander.  This is business visit, right ?  You taking up your old post as cryptic guy. “ She joked trying to mask her the fact that all her memories with Angel were coming back. “Buffy, I know we said that if I had to come back to Sunnydale then you should know." “Your friend had another vision, didn't he ?” Angel stared at the ground.  “He's dead now." “I'm sorry.  So why are you here?" “Cordelia gets the visions and she saw you fighting an army of demons.  Also, a demon said that something big was coming. " “Big how?” Buffy asked. “Like a war big.  Wesley and Cordelia are with me." “Wesley? As in my ex-watcher, who’s main defence is to ‘scream like a woman’ Wesley ?" “Yeah.” Angel looked at the ground.  He couldn't look at Buffy without remembering the day that never happened.  It hurt more than he could bear that he and Buffy were so happy and it never happened.  Buffy could sense something was wrong. “Angel?" “I better get Cordelia and Wesley.  Make sure Wesley isn't dancing.” Angel turned and walked back into the Bronze. Buffy, confused, followed him in.  She went over to their table where Willow was sitting herself because Anya and Xander were dancing. “Was that ...” Willow started. “Angel,” Buffy finished.  “He's here with Cordelia and Wesley.  They think something big's about to go down. ” She stared into her coffee.  Xander and Anya finished dancing and came back to the table. “Is that Sunnydale’s own little fashion obsessed hell demon Cordelia ?” Xander asked. “Yes.  She came with Angel,” Buffy said. “Deadboy's back?  Care to throw anybody else in?”  Xander quipped. “Yeah.  Wesley's the man they're talking to,” Buffy added. “It's like the re-assembly of the vampire hunting class of ‘99.  Let's go say hi,” Xander insisted.  He took Anya's hand and Willow followed. “Buffy, you coming ?”  Willow asked. “I guess, yeah.  OK." The four of them walked across to the bar where the vampire, see-er and the ex-watcher turned rogue demon hunter were standing. “Angel, Wes what brings you to the sunny side of the Hellmouth once again ?.  We all know what Cordy’s doing here.  Weird strange creatures do tend to gravitate towards El Hellmouth,” Xander said brightly. Cordelia looked at Anya holding Xander's hand and figured it out. “I see you're dating another demon.  It's gotta be a pretty long list by now." “Yeah, that many, had to organise them it into sections.  You're on the top of the ‘very dangerous species’ column.  Not to be approached under any circumstances.  Their hobbies include irritating me and checking their hair like 20 times a day,“ He shot back.  Cordelia was the only person who could keep up with him in the comeback category.  “So, Deadboy, why are you here ?  It's not that we're not happy to see you, or maybe it is.  Since the time before the last time you were here you bit and ran." “Xander,” Willow said, trying to keep the peace for Buffy's sake. “Angel, I'm going to call the Sunnydale motel.  See if they have any vacancies,” Wesley said trying to break the hostility in the air. “Wesley, that's OK.  You guys can stay at my house.  My Mom's away to Boston at an art conference thing until tomorrow night.  She won't mind.” Buffy said softly. “Buffy, you don't have to,” Angel said.  Looking straight into her eyes for the first time since he left Sunnydale.  Buffy caught her breath. “It's OK.  I want to." “Plus, we're not going to charge them, the least they can do is find a place for us to stay.” Cordelia said.  “I need a shower Buffy.  Could I.." “Yeah, I'll come with you.  It’s getting kind of weird in here.  The air,” she lied.  Buffy went over to the table get her coat and she and Cordelia left the Bronze. Cordelia and Buffy walked in silence.  The only sounds coming from a yard dog barking in his kennel and the rhythmetic beat of Cordelia and Buffys shoes hitting off the sidewalk. “So.  You're a se-er.  Is that like...” Buffy started, breaking the silence. “He misses you.” Cordelia interrupted. “Angel ?” Buffy said hopefully. “No, Wesley. Of course Angel.” Cordelia said sarcastically.  “He never says anything, but that's typical Angel.  He mopes but never talks about it." “Cordelia,” Buffy said softly.  “I'm jealous of you.  Wow, there's something I never thought I would say, but I am." “Why ?" “You get to see Angel every day." “Truth ?  I mean since we're into this whole emotional reunion moment here and we’re pretending to be friends and all.” Cordelia offered.  “I'm kind of jealous of you too.  I've never dated anyone who loves me so much that they would give up a human life for me, like Angel did.  I mean that would only work if I dated a vampire or demon and I came kind of close with Xander and there was Wilson who implanted me with his demon surrogate spawn, but..." “What ?” Buffy cut off, shocked. “When did Angel give up a human life for me ?” “Oops.  My bad,” Cordelia said in a small voice. “What happened ?”  The Slayer demanded. “Angel should tell you.  I wasn't supposed to say anything, ever.” “Cordelia, I want you to tell me." “OK.  As long as you don't talk until I'm through." “All right." “When you came to LA you didn't just stay for 5 minutes.  You stayed for a whole day.  The demon that you seen Angel kill, didn't die the first time." “What first time ?" “Buffy,” Cordelia said. “Sorry." “Anyway.  You both fought it and it got away.  You followed it to the sewers and you went above ground to look for it.  Angel found it in the sewers and he killed it but some of his blood mixed with the demon's.  He was human.  You were 'together'.  Angel went to the Oracles and they told him that you would die when the end of days came because he was human.  He asked them to take back his mortal life for yours.  They turned back the clock, like the day never happened.  The only one who would remember would be Angel." Buffy stood still. “What?  How?  What?”  She felt mixture of emotions.  She felt stunned, amazed, breath-taken and finally anger.  She gave Cordelia her keys. “I'm going back to the Bronze.  1630 Revello Drive, just in case you didn't remember." Before Cordelia could protest, Buffy had ran off in the direction of the Bronze. Buffy arrived at the Bronze.  She had no idea what she was going to do or say but she knew she had to talk to Angel.  She saw Angel, Willow and Wesley still at the bar, talking, while Xander and Anya were dancing. “Hey Buffy.  Did you....”  Willow started. “Angel.  I need to talk to you," Buffy said.  Her tone was hard.  She practically marched out of the Bronze and Angel followed, confused. “So, do you want to tell me about the day when you were human ?" “What ?” “Cordy told me. I got the gist of it but I want to hear it from you.  Is it true ?  Were you human and were we together ?  Angel, I'm not 16 anymore.  If I was there do you not think I deserve to know ?" “It's true." Buffy swallowed.  Had her dream come true ? “I had a dream.  That you came out from this garden in daylight and kissed me.  Did that happen ?" “Yes." Buffy was overcome with emotion.  She looked into Angel's eyes.  Tears started welling up in her eyes. “Cordelia said you gave it up so that I wouldn't die.” Angel nodded.  He swallowed hard. “Without you Angel, I am dead.” Angel wiped away the tear running down her cheek. “Tell me everything about that day." “Forrest, you got any temperature readings ?” Riley asked.  He was leading the routine sweep team and they were hunting vampires around the Bronze. “Yeah.  I've got a cold one at north east,” Forrest replied. “Anybody got a visual ?” Riley asked. “Graham ?" “Yeah.  I've got a white male talking to a girl.” Graham answered.  He passed the nightvision binoculars to Riley.  Forrest got his out as well. “Hey man, isn't that Buffy ?” Forrest asked. “He's kind of good-looking for a guy with no pulse or tan.  Better watch your girl doesn't fall for him,” Graham joked. “Man, that would be embarrassing.  I can see it on ' Jerry Springer'.  ' My girl left me for the undead.’” Forrest chipped in. “You watch that show too much.  Anyway Buffy wouldn't like him.  He's got a big...forehead.  She's got it covered,” Riley said.  “Let's head back to base.  There's nothing else out here tonight." “..... and in the few seconds you whispered into my ear 'I'll never forget' over and over.” Both Angel and Buffy were in tears.  “Buffy, I.." “Ssshh, “ Buffy said putting her finger to his lips.  “Angel, all I want to do is kiss you.  I don't care about the future anymore, I never have.  I just want to see you every day.  I could never love any one else the way I love you.  I never want to love anyone they way I do you." “Buffy, we can't.  My soul, it will..." “We don't have to do that.  All I want is you." “No, I mean just loving you and being with you makes me so happy. " “Then we'll find a way to make you miserable.” She smiled through the tears.  “Please. Just kiss me." Angel had no strength left to resist.  He looked at Buffy then kissed her so passionately yet so tenderly.  Their kiss seemed to go on forever like Buffy wished it would. “It's been a long time.  What are Buffy and Angel doing ?” Willow said to Wesley, Xander and Anya.  “You don't think they're y'know.  They can't be, y'know." “Will, Buffy's with soldier boy now,” Xander said logically. “It's Angel, Xander.  This is different." “She doesn't still love him ?  After half a year ?  She doesn't, does she, Will ?" Willow nodded and in a small voice she said “She told me." “Well, what do we do about it ?” Xander asked. “Nothing,” Willow told Xander.  “You can't stop love Xander.  Especially not theirs." “Buffy will just get hurt again, either way.  We can't let her do that." “Xander, it's Buffy's choice.” Willow said softly.  She didn't want Buffy to get hurt again, but she knew how happy Angel made Buffy feel.  “Maybe, we should go check." Willow stood up and headed towards the door.  Suddenly, the Cibo Matto stopped playing in the middle of a song and Willow heard screaming.  She spun round just as a vampire broke the doorman's neck.  As if on instinct she yelled, “Xander, get Buffy !” Xander obeyed and ran out the Bronze in search of Buffy and Angel. “Agent Finn, I think something’s going down at the Bronze.  A 9-1-1 call just went through,” the voice on the talkie. “We'll be right there.” Riley said to the voice.  He spoke to the rest of the team.  “We're going back to the local club.  Some HST's have just invaded the Bronze.  When we get there, Forrest, you kill the lights and we'll go in.  Remember, extra caution.  There will be civilians about.  Move out." Riley headed towards the Bronze and the rest of the Alpha team followed him. Xander ran outside through the back door and looked about for Buffy and Angel.  He saw a couple in the far corner close together in the middle of major smootchies. “Hey Buff !  Sorry to break up the reunion party and all, but duty calls.” Xander shouted. Buffy broke away from Angel reluctantly at hearing her name.  She turned around and saw Xander standing at the door of the Bronze. “What ?” She asked. “Gatecrashers, pale guys with pointy teeth.  Ring a bell?" Buffy wiped the tears from her eyes and reached for the stake in her coat pocket.  She handed it to Angel and went over to a nearby crate.  Buffy kicked it and it shattered into pieces.  She picked up two decent sized stakes.  Buffy gave one to Xander as she passed him on her way into the Bronze. “Get the people out,” Buffy said to Xander.  “Angel and I will deal with our uninvited guests.” “Looks like Riley and the Initiative are coming this way to lend a hand.” Xander said gesturing to the group of guys coming in the direction of the Bronze. “The Initiative ?”Angel asked. “They capture vampires and demons and do experiments on them.  They're like the science nerds of the demon hunting world,” Buffy explained quickly. “What about dead boy here ?  They'll go after him too and neuter him like Spike,” Xander asked. “Spike's in Sunnydale ?  What happened to him ?” Angel asked. “He can't bite or hurt anyone anymore,“ Xander said. “Angel, they have big blaster gun things.  Keep out their way,” Buffy said. “Buffy imagine if Angel came up against agent Finn and his monster squad,” Xander said to Buffy.  "Your ex against your honey.  That should be on pay per..” Buffy dug her elbow into Xander's ribs to shut him up. “You have a boyfriend ?” Angel asked softly. “We should go and dust some vampires,” Buffy said quickly, ducking out of the question. She ran into the Bronze and ducked behind the stairs out of view.  She saw four vampires up on the stage, each tying up a victim.  When they were finished, they each held a silver, inscribed blade to their hostages throat.  Under their chin, they held a silver bowl, presumably for collecting the blood.  Another vampire was reading from a book. “On this night, the stars have aligned and we can begin the attack on mortal men and women.  Hell will come forth soon and end this world and we, the Brethren of Matruses Demon, will draw it forward.  Our sacrifice tonight will bring this glorious day closer.  Your blood, your lives, will bring this glorious day closer,” the vampire read to the terrified crowd at the Bronze.  He was bald and his face was permanently feral, like the Master’s was  Buffy noticed that he only had one arm. “So they're the guys filling the ' Buffy saves the world again' quota for the week.  Great,” Buffy whispered to Angel and Xander.  She turned to her left where Angel was standing.  He looked way past freaked out. “Angel, do you know who these guys are ?”  Buffy asked.  She could sense something was wrong. “Bite me,” He said to himself. “Angel?” “The Brethren of Matruses Demon aren't just any random attempt to end the world.  This day has been prophesied since the beginning of time.  Matrus was first vampire to live in the mortal world.  He began the vampire race and was constantly trying to bring forth hell with the help of a unnamed but powerful and immortal demon.  On his last attempt he was so close.  A Slayer and her watcher stopped them.  He performed an ancient ritual while she fought Matrus.  She sent Matrus and the demon to hell, along with herself.  Before he left, he made three vampires, mixed his blood with theres.  The Brethren are trying to open the Hellmouth here to let Matrus and the demon through so they can perform the ritual to end the world and send everyone in it to hell." “So it's bad, huh ?  Daddy vamp coming home to roost ?” Buffy whispered. “Don't mean to interrupt, but what do we do ?” Xander asked.  “There must be about 20 of these brethy guys.” Just as Xander finished, the lights went out and some military guys burst through the door. “Calvary's here.  Time for action.  Xander, get Willow and everybody out, “ Buffy ordered. Xander crouched and ran over to where Willow, Anya and Wesley were, holding his stake ready. “Angel, you ready ?” Buffy asked.  He nodded. They separated and Angel attacked the vampire guarding the front entrance to the Bronze.  Angel punched the vampires face a couple of times and brought his elbow down across the vampires shoulder blades and he fell.  Quickly, before the vampire could get up, Angel staked him in the back.  He exploded into dust.  Angel moved onto another vampire. Before he could realise it, Buffy had came up from behind the vampire that was guarding the side entrance to the stage and staked him in the back.  The vampire fell to floor and exploded into dust.  Buffy saw three vampires coming towards her from different directions.  She jumped up onto the pool table.  Through the darkness she could see regular flashes of light which was the Initiative paralysing, or trying to, members of the Brethren.  She kicked a vampire hard in the face and he fell back.  She picked up the pool cue lying on the table, whacked the side of other vampires jaw and pushed it down into the grounded vampires heart and drew it out.  With the pool cue, Buffy vaulted onto the stage and assumed her fighting stance. “Slayer,” the vampire with the book hissed. “Since there's no need for introductions, we'll get to it.” Buffy retorted as she threw a punch to the nearest vampire and shattered his cheekbone.  Buffy kicked his chest with tremendous force and he staggered back.  He punched the air to side of head as Buffy ducked.  She stabbed the improvised stake into the vampires chest and pulled it out before it could be dusted with the vampire.  Buffy spun around in time to throw herself to the wall out the way of the charge of another vampires attack.  He probably was a football player, pre-blood sucking days.  Buffy looked up and saw the four hostages slumped against the wall beside her.  There was two girls and two guys.  They looked pale and Buffy thought she recognised two of them from college.  From her place on the floor, Buffy reached for a drum stick and threw it with pin point accuracy at the undead football player's heart and dusted him.  Behind her, a female vampire was about to strike her with the microphone stand.  Buffy twisted round and kicked the stand out of her hands with both feet while lying on her back.  Buffy flipped to her feet, ready to fight when the vampire with the book spoke. “Maria, come back.  Do not fight the Slayer.  There will be time enough in the future to destroy her." Without question, the beautiful female vampire obeyed and followed the other vampire.  Buffy wasn’t going to let them get away.  She started after them when the fourth vampire forced her head through the skin of a drum bass.  Buffy threw it off her head and pummelled the vampire.  The vampire snarled at the Slayer and took a vicious backhand across her face.  Buffy was grounded briefly. “Dredus, Maria get the rest of the Brethren out and go to the place we discussed before.  I will meet you there,” the vampire called after them.  Buffy appeared behind him with her stake. “No, you won’t,” Buffy said as she stabbed the vampire in the back with her stake, and then quickly pulled it out.  The vampire fell to the floor of the stage and exploded into dust. Buffy scanned the room.  She saw Angel fending off three vampires with the help, or hindereness, of Wesley.  One vampire escaped to follow Maria and Dredus with several others while the other two were staked by Angel.  Buffy looked to see if Willow and Xander got out OK.  She saw that Xander was ushering out the last of the people in the Bronze.  Buffy saw that the Initiative wasn't doing so well.  The Brethren were too quick, strong and smart for the military.  She thought she should give them a hand. With that, Buffy leapt from the stage into the middle of a fight between Riley's friend Graham and two vampires.  Buffy kicked each vampires groin in turn with one move.  She then spun round and punched them both on the jaw, consecutively.  She pulled out her acting-stake and drilled it into the vampires hearts, one after the other. “Thanks Buffy,” Graham said. “Don't mention it.  Where's Riley ?” Buffy asked.  Graham pointed to two men fending off four vampires.  One of them was blond.  “Think he needs help ?” She asked “Might,” Graham said as he smiled. “Angel, behind !” Wesley warned tossing him a stake.  Angel caught it and without looking he turned around and threw the stake into the oncoming vampires chest.  The vampire fell back and exploded into dust. “Not bad,” Wesley remarked trying to remain unimpressed by Angel’s performance in taking down several Brethren vampires with apparant ease. “Is Buffy OK ?” Angel asked anxiously. “She is helping the military demon hunters over there,” Wesley said gesturing to the Slayer who was fighting off four vampires. “Maybe I should help, “ Angel said. “Willow told me about the Initiative.  It wouldn't be safe,” Wesley reasoned. “But Buffy--" “--Will be fine,“ Wesley finished.  “If they put an implant in you, you won't be able to fight as well as you do or at all.  That wouldn't be good for Buffy or the Good Fight.  We better go.” Reluctantly, Angel nodded. “Buffy get down !” Riley shouted.  Buffy hook-punched one of the vampires and hit the ground.  She rolled over to where Riley was as he shot the vampires with his blaster.  One of the vampires fell to the ground, electrocuted, while two ran towards the exit.  The vampire that Buffy had just punched was still lying on the ground.  Buffy stood up and broke a leg off one of the chairs nearby and stabbed it into the female vampire.  She was still unconscious and showed no expression as she exploded into dust. “You all right ?” Buffy asked Riley.  She held out a hand to help him up.  He took it and Buffy pulled him up without a problem. “Better now, “ he smiled.  He went to kiss Buffy.  Buffy pulled away.  “Is something wrong ?" “No.  I, I have to go after the vampires,” Buffy stammered.  She ran out the Bronze.  Riley stared after her. Buffy heard the sound of a fight coming from the alley.  She turned the corner and saw Angel beating two vampires with a trash can lid.  They didn't look like the vampires that had just escaped from the Bronze.  One vampire was tall and muscular with a strange tattoo on his arm.  The other one was medium height and build and he also had the tattoo on his arm.  They both wore a kind of uniform, similar to The Three, who she and Angel had also faced.  Buffy pulled out a bit of lead pipe from the wall. “Need a hand ?” Buffy asked Angel, swinging the pipe over her head and hitting a vampire in the rib cage with it. “If you can spare a minute,” he replied.  These vampires were unusually strong, it was going to take more effort than a stake to the heart.  Angel blocked the larger vampires punch and twisted his arm away from him.  The vampire pushed him up against the wall and grabbed his throat tightly.  Angel held onto a ridge over his head and wrapped his legs around the vampires neck, breaking his grip.  Angel's legs wrestled him to the ground.  Angel bent down and grabbed his leather jacket.  He hauled the vampire up and started punching him.  The vampire hit Angel's hand out the way and punched him on the side of the face.  The blow sent Angel to the ground.  Angel stood up in his vamp face.  Angel attacked the vampire viciously.  Angel pummelled the vampire until he was almost unconscious. “Do you have a stake ?” Angel yelled to Buffy.  Buffy withdrew the stake from the chest of the vampire that she was fighting and threw it to Angel.  Angel caught it with his right hand and stabbed it into the vampire. “You haven't lost your touch,” Buffy remarked on the impressive slay that she had just seen.  Buffy seen a glint of light reflecting on the floor where she had just slain the vampire.  “Is that a ring or something ?” Sometimes vampires or demons wore rings to symbolise which group they belong to.  In the past, members the Order of Taraka and the Order of Aurelius both had worn rings.  Buffy looked around the place where Angel had slain a vampire and saw another glint of light.  Angel bent down and picked up the two rings.  He gave one to Buffy to look at. “I think this is the Ring of Matruses warriors.  It is said that when The Brethren Of Matruses Demon is in the final moon of opening the gates to Hell, the Ring will arrange in battle force for the coming of Matrus.  They are a special breed of vampire who has been sired by one The Blessed Three in a ceremony.” Angel said. “Blessed Three ?” Buffy asked. “Vampires who have been sired by Matrus himself.  You've killed one of them.  The Master." “So they're like grandchildren to this Matrus guy.” “Yeah.” Buffy and Angel stood in silence.  Both were pretending to be interested by the rings.  Buffy looked up at Angel who was staring back at her. Although he was still in his vamp face, Buffy looked on him as the man she loved despite the fact that he was not a man.  She moved closer to him and he put his arm around her waist, pulling her even closer.  Buffy was about to kiss him when The Initiative and Riley came out of the Bronze after finishing their clean-up job.  Someone shone a flashlight on them and over Angel's contorted features and his yellow/gold eyes.  Buffy saw someone pulling out a blaster gun and she looked desperately at Angel. “Angel, RUN !” Buffy ordered.  Angel took a quick look at her, put the ring he found in her hand and ran down the alley away from The Initiative. Riley was bewildered.  What was Buffy doing ?  His military training instincts came first. “Tail HST !“ He shouted at the rest of the team.  They ran of in pursuit of the vampire as Riley was left completely clueless. “Buffy, what the hell was..” “Riley, why did you send them after him ?" “Duh, because it's what we do.  Fight demons and the threat to humanity.  The question is what the hell were you doing ?" “Angel isn't a threat to humanity !  He fights on our side !  He has a soul !  Do you think I would be talking to him otherwise ?”  Buffy was practically screaming at Riley. “Looked like you were doing more than talking,” Riley retorted.  “What's going on Buffy ?" “I need to stop your army boys before they hurt him,” Buffy said, turning away to follow The Initiative. “I can do that right now,” Riley said, holding the talkie.  “Just tell me what’s going on." “Do it first,” Buffy said.  Riley knew there was no point arguing. “This is leader.  Abort mission.  Repeat, abort.  Return to base for further briefing,” Riley ordered into the radio.  He released his finger from the ‘talk’ button.  “Now, what's going on ?" Angel looked behind him.  He seemed to have lost the commados but he didn't slow down.  Buffy's house was just a few houses along.  Angel had morphed back into his human face by the time he reached Buffy's house.  He banged on the door.  Willow opened it. “Willow, hi,” Angel said as he pushed past her and shut the door.  He looked out to see if The Initiative were near by. “Angel, what's wrong ? Where's Buffy ?” Willow asked.  Her worst nightmares entered her mind.  What if Buffy was dead and Angel had to leave her behind ?  What if .... “Buffy's OK.  I was running from The Initiative,” Angel explained. “Oh.  Didn't Buffy explain to Riley ?  About you ?" “She never got the chance.  I think she is now.  Who's Riley ?” Angel asked, with his jealous expression on his face.  The expression Willow had seen many times before.  Like when Buffy went out with Owen Thurman or when Buffy went to the frat party with Cordelia. “Riley is head of a team in The Initiative.  He's the blond one,” Willow said trying to keep the details down to a minimum. “Is Buffy, dating him ?” He asked, not really wanting to know the answer. “Maybe.  Kind of.  Yes,” Willow had never been good at lying. Angel was silent.  Finally he spoke. “Where's Cordelia and Wesley ?" “Cordelia's asleep in Buffy's room and Wesley is looking up stuff." “Wesley only brought some apocalypse books,“ he mused. "They won't help.  We need to phone Giles." “There's one in the kitchen." “I remember,” he said quietly.  Angel walked through to the kitchen, picked up the phone and dialled Giles's number.  It rang a couple of times. “Giles.  It's Angel.  I'm in Sunnydale." “Angel.  Hello.  I trust it's serious if you're back in town.  Does Buffy know ?" “Yeah.  I thought it would be better if she knew." “I see.  That isn't the only reason you're calling, is it ?" “No.  Giles we've got big trouble.  The Brethren Of Matruses Demon.  The Ring Of Matrus warriors." “Oh God,” Giles said slowly, taking off his glasses. “It's come.  I've got Wesley looking up some books that he brought with him but they'll be useless." “I'll research.  Come over in the morning,” he stopped and thought about how stupid that sounded. “Or not.  Come over whenever.  Send Wesley over here where he would be more use.  Willow and Xander too.  Anya if you must.” Giles made a rare joke in what seemed to him to be a dire situation. “Where's Buffy ?" “I had to run away from The Initiative.  Buffy stayed behind with Riley.” Angel trailed off. “And that's about It.” Buffy finished. “This is, wow.  This is a lot Buffy.” Riley said.  “I mean a vampire ? " “Riley,“ Buffy drew in a breath.  “I don't think we should see each other anymore.” “What ?” Riley said confused. “Seeing Angel reminded me how I feel about him and it's unfair to you and..." “You mean we're breaking up ?  Everything changes because your undead ex-boyfriend shows up ?" “Riley it's..." “Let me guess.  'It's not you, it's me' ?  I know how it goes.  I may be stating the obvious here but I hate that bastard.  He breaks your heart and leaves you a wreck.  When he comes back and clicks his fingers and you run to him." “Riley I didn't want to hurt you." “Funny that." “Riley," “Just save it.” Riley kicked a old chair in the trash in anger and disgust.  He walked down the alley and Buffy went the other way to her house and Angel. Buffy opened the door to her house and shut it quietly. “Will, Xand ?  Anyone here ?” Buffy called up the stairs. “Angel ?" “We're in the kitchen, Buffy.” That was Willow's voice.  Buffy went through to her kitchen and saw Xander, Anya and Willow talking over coffee. “What's happening?  Where's Angel?  Did he make it away from The Initiative ?” Buffy asked. “Xander's just telling me about the end of the world.  Angel's fine and he's talking demons with Wesley in the dining room,” Willow said.  Buffy paused through the door attaching her kitchen to the dining room.  She saw Angel pacing around and occasionally looking over Wesley’s shoulder.  Angel looked up and saw Buffy leaning against the door frame. “Buffy,” he said quietly. “Angel.  You're OK.” She said with relief.  She walked over to him and Wesley and placed the rings that she and Angel had found on the table.  “Are these the Metro Rings ?”  She asked Wesley. “Ring of Matrus and yes, I believe they are.  These were on the vampires you slayed ?" “Yes,” Buffy and Angel said at the same time.  Buffy looked up at Angel.  His eyes were saying so much.  She dropped her gaze.  Now was not the time to get sidetracked.  No matter how much she wanted too. Jeez, Buffy thought.  I’ve really connected with my inner Giles.  How scary is that ? “We're on our way to Giles' house.  There will be more information there,” Wesley said standing up and putting on the coat that was draped over the back of his chair.  “Should we wake Cordelia ?" “I'm already awake because of another stupid vision.  Thank you Doyle. “ They turned round to see Cordelia standing at the kitchen door. “What did you see ?”  Wesley asked. “A biker vamp broke into the museum, killed two guards and took a big stick.  Buffy, you got any ice ?” “In the freezer.  A biker vampire ?”  Buffy asked. “He wore leather pants and a leather jacket.” Cordelia lent back in the doorway to see Willow, Xander and Anya.  “Can someone get me ice?” “Was it a premonition or has it already happened?”  Angel asked. Cordelia shrugged. “How should I know?  It doesn’t have a tag on it.” “Did he have tattoo on his arm?”  Angel asked. “Yeah.  Big ugly one.”  Willow handed Cordelia an ice pack.  “Thanks.  Better." “You all go on ahead to Giles' place.  I'll go to the museum,” Angel said putting on his leather jacket. “I'll come with you,” Buffy said. Everyone apart from Angel looked at Buffy. “What?”  Buffy said innocently.  “It's one of those mattress guys.  Safety in numbers?" "I'll bet she's thinkin' about a mattress," Xander mumbled.   **END OF CHAPTER TWO**     Go to Chapter Three   "I can do anything I want but instead I chose to pout and whine and feel the burden of Slayerness..."  Do anything, huh? WHY DON'T YOU FEEDBACK?? Back to LJSAngel Fiction

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