Drusilla sat in her rented apartment with Angel by her side. The sun had set, she was bored and she wanted to join the others but Angel insisted that she wasn't ready. That neither of them were. But Drusilla knew she was ready and she knew that it was almost time. She was excited. It was unlikely that the Master's demon would pick her, she knew the three others were far more powerful than she was, but the very thought excited her. Four vampires forever ruling the earth. She loved the idea. They would reign.
"Angel please." She begged, staring into his dark eyes. "I want to go to them. It's my time."
"But I'm not ready yet." He said in a harsh voice. "When I'm ready we will both go."
Drusilla giggled. "Don't lie to me, my Angel. I can sense you. You're ready."
Angel sighed. He hated this. Not only did Drusilla know everything he felt, he could sense everything Spike felt. At the moment, for some reason, Spike was very happy. Angel could almost hear him talking to Ilana and he knew they had probably concocted some sort of plan.
As he thought about the four of them he mused over the love triangle they had continually been involved with. First, Angel had been with Drusilla, and Spike with Ilana.
Then years later Spike had been with Drusilla, Angel had been with Ilana. He was so confused about the two women he didn't even know which era he spent with which vampire. He didn't want to work with Spike again. Not after the vampire had first stolen Drusilla from him, then accused Angel of only wanting Spike's leftovers.
"Fine Dru." Angel said suddenly. "Let's go. If this is supposed to be the night that we hunt together, the night before the end of the world, then I guess I can't stop it." He spat the sentence out bitterly and Drusilla looked up in surprise.
"My poor Angel." She crooned. "You don't want to work with Spike or Ilana. Not that I can blame you after what they did to you."
Angel rolled his eyes. "They didn't do anything to me Dru and it's not that. Let's go."
He stood up and walked to the door, with Drusilla scurrying after him.
***
Spike paced the length of his room, worrying about the deal he had made with Ilana. He wanted nothing more to leave Sunnydale with her and never come back, but he knew if he did they would all die. Their punishment for not trying to live out their Master's dream.
Somehow he had to stop it from happening without killing himself or Ilana in the process. At the moment, he didn't even care whether or not Angel and Drusilla survived. All he cared about was getting out of Sunnydale with Ilana by his side.
"The slayer." He muttered. It was perfect. If he told the slayer about the prophecy and how to stop it then he could leave Sunnydale.
Spike sighed. That was, of course, if he wasn't the vampire chosen to carry the demon.
***
Buffy leafed through a thick volume called "Preventing Prophecies", then sighed and slammed it shut.
"Nothing?" Giles asked.
"Nothing." She confirmed.
Her former watcher turned his eyes down to the other end of the table where Willow, Oz and Xander were searching through similar books.
"Sorry G-man." Xander said, dumping his book onto the desk. "No prophecy stopping in here."
Oz shook his head. "I have nothing."
Willow looked sad. "Neither do I." She turned toward Buffy and Giles. "But there has to be something. Maybe some sort of spell that I can do?"
Giles shook his head. "There is only one way to stop this from happening. That's what every book has told us so far, but we still don't know how to do it."
"Kill the head vampire." A voice said from the doorway.
Buffy turned to see Spike standing against the doorframe smoking. She leapt out of her chair and was at Spike's side in only a few seconds. When he only looked at her and chuckled, Buffy grabbed his collar and shoved him against the wall.
"What do you know?" She asked.
Spike just grinned. "Don't hurt me pet, if I can't talk, I can't tell."
Buffy reluctantly let go of the vampire and he straightened his leather overcoat before walking deeper into the library to greet Buffy's friends.
"Spike, this isn't a social call. Tell me what you know." Buffy demanded.
He turned and smiled at her. "Aren't we just sounding more and more like Angelus every day? Didn't he always used to tell you that he never came to see you for a social call?"
Buffy closed her eyes and sighed. "Spike, I've had a really rough day and you're trying my patience." She opened her eyes and began to speak very slowly. "Tell me what you know."
The vampire pulled a chair out from the table and seated himself in it. He glanced at his dying cigarette, then raised his eyebrows toward Buffy. Sighing, she turned and grabbed a Styrofoam cup that sat on a nearby table. Spike smiled in thanks and put his cigarette out in the cup.
"Now then, on with it." He said. "I'm assuming you know about the prophecy and what happens if the Master's dead."
Buffy nodded. "Yes we do. We also know you play a key role in it, maybe I should just kill you now."
Spike laughed. "Killing me wouldn't stop a bloody thing."
"No, but it would sure make me feel a lot better." Buffy hissed.
Xander held up his hand to referee the fight. "Buffy, he's here to help us. Lay off."
"Fine." She huffed and sat down.
"As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted," Spike continued, "you obviously know about everything that will happen. The deaths, the Hell and the horsemen. You also know since the Master is dead, one of us will inherit his demon."
Buffy nodded. "We know."
"It doesn't matter how many of us you kill." Spike said. "Unless you kill the one that the demon has chosen. If you kill me and say Angel was chosen to carry the demon then they will still carry out their duty. They will kill every single one of you. But if you went straight to Angelus and killed him, everything would stop."
"That's it?" Buffy asked. "So tell us who the chosen vampire is. I'll dust him . . . or her right now."
Spike sighed. "That's the problem. We won't know who the chosen one is until tomorrow night. That's when Ilana and I have to perform the ceremony."
Willow narrowed her eyes. "Why are you coming to us with this?" She asked. "Shouldn't you want this all to go off perfectly without a glitch?"
Spike shook his head. "You might not understand my motivation now, but you will tomorrow night." He paused to laugh. "If that is, I'm not dead." He turned to Buffy. "Come to the warehouse by the docks at nine tomorrow night, that's where we're performing it. You'll have to hide in the darkness, but when you see the red glow form around one of us, kill them." He sighed, "I just hope to God it's not me."
"Always looking out for yourself." Buffy said.
"Or Ilana." Spike added, surprising the people in the room.
"It's going to start tomorrow morning." He told them. "We'll be in the daylight then. But I promise you one thing: it will only be Angelus and Drusilla doing the killing. If you track them, you'll be able to hold off the worst until the night. Then you make sure you're at the warehouse at exactly nine. Bring you little witch of a friend too, she might be able to help you with a protection spell or something."
Then Spike stood up. "And if you tell anyone that I came to you, I'll kill you tomorrow myself."
He turned, walked to the doors and was gone.
The library remained silent for a moment before Xander spoke. "Okay, anyone else who thinks that was weird, raise your hand."
Five hands went up at the library table.
***
The next day was warm and sunny, students milled around outside Sunnydale High enjoying the weather. The slayer and friends were the only students seen scouring the grounds for something that was out of place.
"Found him." Willow hissed, elbowing Buffy.
"Ow." She muttered, then turned to follow Willow's gaze. Angel and Drusilla stood in the bright sunlight, surveying the students that walked around them.
"Figures." Buffy said.
"What?"
"After all the times Angel said he wished he could take me out into the sun he finally can. Except that he's not even Angel anymore."
Willow clucked her tongue sympathetically. "I know this is hard for you Buffy and I wish I could make it better."
"But you can't." Buffy finished for her. "I know you can't Will. But thanks for at least wishing you could."
Willow smiled. "That's what I'm here for." As they watched Angel and Drusilla, Willow tapped Buffy again. "I got some help from Michael and we put together a protection spell for you."
"I thought you couldn't tell me about those things."
Willow shook her head. "It's not as powerful as the other one, but I thought you should at least know what we were doing. It won't make you invincible, but you'll be much more protected."
Buffy sighed. "Thanks Will. I have a feeling I'll need the extra protection. Which reminds me, can you go to the library and see who everyone else is doing with backup plans. I can take care of the vamps."
Willow nodded. "Sure. After we're done I'll send Xander out to help you. You know he'll come even if I don't send him."
"Okay. Tell him not to get any brave ideas about attacking Angel from behind or anything."
Willow nodded, then turned and began to walk back toward the school as Buffy spied on Drusilla and Angel.
They began to walk away from the school and Buffy followed them closely, making sure they weren't making any trouble.
***
"So are you sure we're immune to the light?" Ilana asked, staring at Spike in worry.
He nodded. "We're supposed to be."
"You go first." She said, pushing him forward.
Spike turned and shot her an annoyed look. "It's always glad to know you'd sacrifice me to save your own ass."
Ilana sighed. "I was kidding. Let me go first then."
"No." Spike stepped between her and the curtain that covered the doorway. "I'll go."
He turned and carefully moved the drape out of the way, still cautious of the sun. Spike winked quickly at Ilana, then slowly placed his hand in the direct sunlight. As he moved his hand forward he closed his eyes and cringed, preparing for the pain. His hand entered the sun and he waited for it to burst into flames. He waited . . . and waited. Finally he opened his eyes and looked at his hand. It was still in one piece and not the slightest bit burnt.
"It works." Ilana said happily.
"But I thought we weren't going out to kill." Spike looked worried.
She shook her head. "We're not. It's just been so long since I've seen the light of day Spike. I want to be out in the sun again."
Spike smiled at her and held out his hand. "Care to go for a walk love?"
Ilana took his hand and nodded. "I'd love to."
***
Buffy followed Drusilla and Angel only a few steps behind. Despite their order to be killing and siring people, not much was happening. Most of the residents of Sunnydale were either in school or at work.
She watched as they approached the park, looking like most other couples that would be out for a walk. Except that Drusilla was wearing a long black lace dress and Angel was dressed mostly in black leather.
Buffy stopped quickly as she saw a young man walking his dog through the park then watched as Angel and Drusilla exchanged a glance. They approached the man and began to talk to him, he looked at them curiously before trying to continue his walk. Drusilla grabbed his arm and forced him back, that's when Buffy decided she should intercept.
"Now you don't want to do that." She said, coming up behind them. "He might have rabies."
"The puppy?" Drusilla asked, referring to the large dog that sat by the man's side.
"No, him." Buffy said, pointing at the human. She moved forward and pulled his arm from Drusilla's grasp. "Go home." She demanded and the man began to run down the path in the park.
"Now what should I do with you two?" She asked, turning toward the two vampires that stood in the sun with her. "You're bad enough at night and now you're out in the daylight. How am I going to control you pests?"
"I take it you know what's happening." Angel said. "Otherwise you wouldn't be so calm to see us out during the day."
"I know." Buffy answered. "I know about all of it."
"She knows our secret love." Drusilla said playfully. "The scary slayer, ooh."
Angel raised a hand to quiet the other vampire and continued to stare at Buffy. "How much do you know?"
Buffy narrowed her eyes. "Every detail."
"How do you know?"
She shrugged. "I have my ways."
Angel stared at her. "I want to know who told you." He demanded.
"And I don't feel like telling."
"Force it out of her my Angel!" Drusilla said, her voice rising to a high octave. "Force it!"
"I will princess. Just wait."
Angel advanced on Buffy expecting her to move backward. She stood her ground watching as he came.
"I'll force it out of you lover. Don't think I won't." He grinned manically. "Do you remember what I did to your watcher last year? I'll do it again, but I'll do it to you."
"Oh, I'm terrified." Buffy said.
"Boo!" Drusilla squealed.
Buffy rolled her eye. "This is such a waste of time."
Angel stepped backward. "I'll make it worthwhile."
As he spoke he raised a hand to slam across Buffy's face but she blocked the punch and delivered one of her own to Angel's midsection. He grunted and doubled over, then threw an uppercut into Buffy's jaw. She spun around and nearly stumbled, then regained her footing and did a roundhouse kick to Angel's face. He stumbled backward and Buffy kicked him hard in the stomach. Drusilla watched in shock as Buffy brought both of her fists up, held them together and rammed them into Angel's jaw. He groaned and tried to move away, but Buffy grabbed his arm and flipped him onto the ground quickly. Angel moved out of the way of the stake she had slipped from her jacket sleeve and he kicked it out of her hand.
By this time a group of spectators had gathered, watching the tiny girl and the man fight.
"Look at her." Someone in the crowd whispered. "That's amazing."
Buffy turned and slammed her fist across Angel's face. He reeled backward, hitting Drusilla and causing them both to fall.
"That was not nice." Drusilla said, getting to her feet and advancing on the slayer with Angel by her side. "That was not nice at all."
Buffy watched the two vampires and remained in her fighting stance.
"She can't fight us both at once Dru." Angel said.
"That's what I was hoping." She answered.
Drusilla grabbed Buffy's throat and tried to push her back against a tree. Buffy knocked her hand away and kicked her in the stomach. Before Buffy had a chance to prepare Angel was on top of her, his fists raining on her back. She stood up, trying to throw him off but the vampire clung to her, then Drusilla kicked out her knees and she fell to the ground.
Someone in the crowd moved forward to help her but was held back. Buffy heard someone say, "You don't want to get involved."
Suddenly Drusilla noticed the people and she walked toward them, licking her lips.
"Go home!" Buffy screamed as loud as she could. "If you want to see tomorrow, go home!"
Angel clamped his hand down over her mouth as Drusilla chased the people away. Buffy flipped Angel onto the ground again and saw the female vampire catch a teenage boy and clamp her mouth down over his neck.
"No." Buffy panted, short of breath. She got to her feet and began to sprint toward the boy and the vampire.
Angel grabbed her ankles and Buffy fell to the ground. She flipped herself over onto her back and kicked at Angel as hard as she could. She felt her foot connect with his face and his hands slipped off her legs.
Buffy got up and raced toward Drusilla but she was too late. Dru dropped the boy to the ground and he fell with a thump, his eyes wide and lifeless.
Buffy punched Drusilla sending the vampire backward, then kicked her in the stomach. She came back at the slayer and knocked her over, wrapping her arms around Buffy's waist. She heard Angel get up, then heard running footsteps and a grunt.
She turned to see Xander on top of Angel pummelling him with both his fists. The vampire was trying to cover his face and head but Xander continued relentlessly.
Buffy turned around and pushed Drusilla off her, then got to her feet, intent on helping Xander.
The female vampire cried out when she hit the ground then scrambled after Buffy. She paused when she saw a rip in her dress and a sudden rage filled her golden eyes.
"You ripped my dress!" She screamed, launching herself at Buffy. She hit the slayer from behind and they both went down again.
"Buffy!" Xander called.
She turned to see him holding a stake to Angel's chest.
"No Xander! You can't kill him now. It won't stop anything." She yelled at him, forcing Drusilla to let go of her.
Xander looked confused for a moment but it was enough time for Angel to punch him in the face and run into the park.
Drusilla followed after him quickly, leaving Buffy and Xander standing alone.
A few people still lingered, wanting to watch the fight and Buffy stared at them in disgust.
"Was watching that really more important than your life?" She asked. "Or perhaps his?" She motioned to the dead boy and watched the people shake their heads in shame.
Xander joined her side. "It just would have been too much to ask for them to help him." He answered, staring at them with the same reaction as Buffy. "We can't help them."
He turned and began to walk away as Buffy knelt over the boy's body. A sob caught in her throat as she saw his face.
"Jonathan." She whispered, brushing hair back that had fallen over his eyes. "Poor Jonathan."
She suddenly realized that Xander was standing over her, a sad look had taken over his face.
"I guess he finally got what he wanted huh?" Xander said.
Buffy stood up. "I don't understand."
"He wanted to end his life so badly for so long." Her friend answered. "But I'll bet as Drusilla drained his blood he only prayed to be saved."
Buffy sighed. "No on deserves this. Especially not Jonathan."
Xander pulled off the hoodie he was wearing and lay it over Jonathan's body.
"It's not much," he said, "but it's the best I can do."
As they walked away Xander sighed. "This is bad Buffy. This is really bad. We're used to the vampires killing people but now they're starting in on people we know. This whole vamps in the day thing is scary. Most of the people in this city know not to go out after dark, they're not stupid. How are they supposed to know that they can't go out at all anymore?"
Buffy shrugged. "I can't give you an answer for that Xander."
"What are we supposed to do? Rent a big neon sign that says 'watch out for baddies during the day. It's a new trend.'?"
Buffy chuckled sadly. "I only wish it were that easy."
"So now what?" Xander asked. "Are we still tracking Angel and Drusilla?"
Buffy nodded. "That's all we can do for now. That and hope they don't kill anyone else before we get to them."
***
Willow sighed as she leafed through a book with Oz by her side. She felt so useless sitting in the library while her friends were out fighting whatever demons has escaped into the streets this time. But she needed to be prepared for the fight. She needed to have her spells ready and she needed to know when to use them.
"You okay?" Oz asked, resting his hand lightly on his arm.
Willow sighed again and shook her head. "I just feel like I should be doing something. Anything."
He smiled at her reassuringly. "You are doing something. You have everything prepared so that if something happens to Buffy, you'll be there to stop it."
Willow nodded. "I guess so. But I just wish I could be out there, helping them."
"You're helping them now." Oz said. "Tonight is going to be a hard fight, I don't think Buffy realizes how hard. If something happens to her, you're our only hope to save the people of the world. Don't you think that's important?"
"It's the most important thing I've ever heard of." A voice with a thick British accent said, as the library doors swung open.
Willow cringed as she watched Spike sauntered into the room, then she saw the small girl that was with him.
"Are you hurt?" Willow immediately asked her.
The girl looked confused for a moment, then laughed. "No dear. I'm not hurt. I'm Ilana."
Willow nodded. "The Sorceress."
Ilana smiled. "Don't say it like it's a bad thing. It's what you are, I'm just a little more experienced in the matter."
"Well, I'd hope so." Spike said. "After two hundred years of practice." He looked back at Willow and Oz and nodded. "How's everything going? Is Buffy tracking Angelus and Dru?"
Willow nodded. "She said she'd be following them." She began to say something to Spike about their plan to stop the prophecy but he shook his head at her and nodded toward Ilana. Willow guessed that the other vampire didn't know about Spike's plan.
***
The sun had begun to set as Drusilla and Angel made their way to Spike's warehouse. They knew he would be there, or rather, Angel knew they would be there. He could sense Spike's every move. At the moment he was sitting on his couch in front of a roaring fire. He had made the old warehouse as homely as possible. Angel also knew he was holding Ilana's hands. He could almost feel them like it was he that was holding them.
"I'm frightened my Angel." Drusilla murmured, speaking for the first time since they had begun their walk to the warehouse. She shivered. "It's all going to end soon. Who will we feed upon?"
Angel shook his head. "Don't worry about anything Dru. We'll be fine." He tried to quiet her unreasonable fears but they had now also risen in his own heart. Who would they feed on?