Robius snarled, his face contorting in fury. All signs of the handsome blond haired gentleman had drowned in the rage filled demon. He lunged for Buffy, movements like water, silent in the room. As they collided, Robius laughed, meeting blow for blow, chuckling all the while.

“Ahh, a laughing boy. You guys are always fun.”

Meeting her perfect roundhouse kick with his forearm, Robius snickered. “Girl, in a few moments, the elixir will power me. Then even a Slayer such as yourself will have no chance.”

“Well, we’ll just have to see, won’t we.” She slammed a fist into his jaw, knocking him backwards. The carpet bunched some under his heel, sending him tumbling to the ground. Grinning, she kicked him in the chest.

“Who’s laughing now?”

Robius grabbed her foot in anger, flipping her over, tripping her up. He stood, silent, a radiant glow beginning to emanate from his skin. “Bitch.”

“Kiss your mother with that mouth?” Buffy leaped to her feet, throwing a punch to Robius’ gut. He doubled over, snarling.

As they sparred, Angel slipped in. A mutant approached him, salivating. Without a moment’s thought, Angel crushed the mutant’s head between his hands. The corpse fell to his feet as his eyes searched the room. Seeing Kathryne’s collapsed form near the fighters, he rushed over, stealth his game. He kneeled, cradling her head in his arms.

“Kathryne?”

Robius leaped at Buffy, grabbing her shoulders, slamming into the wall. She shuddered; the force of the blow seemed to shatter her shoulder blades.

“Heh heh. . . got to love heightening power. Right, Slayer?”

Buffy smiled sweetly at the vampire, saying nothing.

Repeating the slamming motion, Robius growled. “RIGHT, Slayer?”

Her foot flew smoothly upwards, planting itself between his legs. Robius fell to the ground, howling. “Right, vampire.”

On the carpet, Angel stared helplessly into Kathryne’s pale face. He felt the dim beat of her heart, unstable, panicky. Her eyelids fluttered softly, her head turning weakly.

“Mum. . .unhuh. . .”

Angel winced. She was on the brink of death, hallucinating, frightened. He could kill her, could finish the job. His eyes were closed as he leaned towards her neck.

He stopped.

The soul within him would not allow it.

Suddenly, Kathryne’s eyes flew open. She stared at him, her orbs glowing with fever bright frenzy. Her lips, pale and weak, formed a word.

“Drink.”

She pleaded with him mutely, tearing at the soul which haunted his body. And she won. Angel leaned over, drinking the last bit of blood in her system.

The power began to fill his body.

Thrown easily by Robius, Buffy’s body hit the table. He sauntered over, chuckling. “Look, little girl, face it, you can’t stop me.”

He leaned, grabbing her by the shirt collar, holding her to his face.

“I am legion, and you are just a stupid bitch from the valley.”

The amused expression fell from his face as the stake slammed through his body.

“Yeah, but that stupid bitch has a dead boy for a boyfriend.” Angel smirked at Robius, watching as the vampire dissolved in dust.

Buffy cleared her throat, shaking the bruises from her form. “Kathryne. . .?”

“Dead. He had drained her. . .”

“Okay. Let’s get outta here.”

They linked arms, walking out of the room. Angel threw one last glance at the girl crumpled on the floor. But her body was changing. Decomposing.

Finding the death it should have centuries before.