Part Two--Coming Together

3 Weeks Later--Gunn and Dawn's Headquarters

Gunn strode through the halls of the renovated warehouse. He was on his way to meet with Wesley and Giles to receive an update on the upcoming crisis. When Wesley had first come to Gunn he was at first wary. He had not seen the Englishman for close to 12 years, ever since Angel went non-talking on them. He had not heard anything from him either so when the former Watcher had shown up with bad news he was immediately on the alert.

They had sat down and talked about why Wesley was there. It turns out that Wesley had seen a symbol engraved in blood on the side of a building at a murder scene he was investigating in Rome. At first Gunn couldn't figure why it had put the former watcher on the alert until he began to explain.

Apparently when he was training to become a watcher, he took a class on ancient prophecies. Most of what he had learned was garbage but he was shown a series of symbols. The young watcher was told that if they were to see any of these symbols at any time they were to run and immediately inform the council. They were directly associated with the apocalypse and not to be taken lightly.

At this point Gunn had pointed out that they had averted apocalypses before and had asked what made this one so special. The answer had damn near made him run for the hills. It wasn't just your average apocali. This was the big one. The final one. The battle in which Lucifer himself would take place.

It seems that every 6,000 years Lucifer would grow strong enough to break free and thus take control. This battle would include all the forces of heaven and hell and would result in worldwide and dimension wide battles. It was the ultimate war and there was no stopping and no avoiding it. It would come and it would scar the world for all time. Wesley explained all this with the air of someone telling of a simple college lecture but the terror he truly felt lay just beneath the surface and though it had been a long time since they last saw each other Gunn read him easily. It was no comfort.

Wesley didn't know much more than that. The details were never explained and thus they were all poorly equipped to handle it. Then Gunn had suggested that they didn't need to worry about it. The big event probably wouldn't take place for several years if even in their lifetime so there was no rush. That hope was quickly shot down. The first symbol would appear exactly 1 year before the first battle would take place. There was no time and there was nowhere to run.

They had absorbed this news with varying degrees of horror. One week later Giles had shown up at their doorway with slightly more information. He had tried the offices of Angel Investigations but had realized it was abandoned. Out of some last sense of loyalty Gunn had always had the place watched and it had been some of his men who had found the Watcher prowling around. He had been brought to the warehouse and they had caught up.

Giles' information brought little better news. He had with him three books that he had stolen from the council. They were the Myesha Chronicles and from what Giles had already translated it was a detailed accounting of the last battle between heaven and hell. It spoke of the coming signs and warnings and the appearance of Gods and Lucifer's chosen. He had translated so far only the meanings of the symbols. There were five in total and they would appear in succession as a sort of countdown. Each new symbol would mark the coming of three new things. One it would symbolize the countdown aspect. Two an event would take place. The event could be anything from Lucifer's chosen being revealed or Gods chosen being revealed to the mark of a significant change. I.e. weather. The third would mark a chosen battlefield. There would be more than five battle fields but the five chosen by the symbols would be the place of ultimate battle, where the chosen warriors would fight for a specific victory. Since the symbol that Wesley had seen denoted the first mark they were trying to figure out where the first place of battle would take place. So far they were having little success. Since there had been no significant change in either weather or worldwide news, they could only concluded that each side had begun it's choosing. Those warriors who would in the end be the last hope for both sides. They could find no references so far on how these chosen would appear or even who they would be. They could be anyone from the King of England to a grub farmer in Mexico. There was no way of knowing.

As Gunn passed thru the doorway of the hastily constructed library he saw Wesley and Giles in deep discussion over one of the books. Looking up Giles spotted Gunn standing there and waved him over.

"Gunn, good. We have some new information. We think we've located the area of the first battle. It seems here that when the last battle took place 6,000 years ago the first confrontation took place in the wilder lands of corn or something similar to that." Glancing up from his notes Wesley paused to make sure Gunn was paying attention. Seeing that he was, the demon hunter continued. "Since corn was only discovered in America it would be wise to assume that the first battle will take place in the U.S. Somewhere in the middle states I suppose though we can't get anything closer than that." Finishing his speech, Wesley leaned back in his chair and looked at Gunn.

"Great, so the fight's gonna take place in Nowhere, USA. That at least gives us an idea of the location. I guess we can't ask for anything more than that. Any news on who these people might be who are actually gonna fight?"

"Not yet." Giles replied. "However, I can assume that they will be made known in some form. We have the Chronicles so both sides are going to come looking for them. They prove to be invaluable references and I suppose we'll find out then."

"Right. I'll step up the guards surrounding this place and see if I can't get the boys to find any more info." As Gunn turned his back to the room Wesley saw a small tattoo on the back of Gunn's neck.

"When did you get that tattoo Gunn?" Wesley inquired. From his vantage point he couldn't get a clear view of what it was.

Gunn turned around again a confused look etched on his face. "What tattoo?"

"The one on the back of your neck." Wesley watched as Gunn's hand flew up. Confusion and a touch of fear crossed the black man's brow as he felt a small rise on his flesh.

"I don't know where it came from. What does it look like?" He said rushing over to the sitting men. Turning his back he did not see the ashen expression on the two watcher's faces as they studied Gunn's new mark.

"Oh, dear." Giles said. "It appears as if you've been chosen."

*****

Angel was growing frustrated. He had returned home from England and began his search for Giles but was coming up empty handed. He just knew he had to get to the Watcher with his new information but he couldn't figure out why. After all it wasn't as if the final battle would happen anytime soon. He picked up the book again and stared at it as if the answers would suddenly spring up from its bindings.

He heard a knock at his door and looked up as it opened. He was sitting behind his desk in his small office at the shelter. A young boy of around 14 entered the room and approached Angel. He was dressed in clothes slightly too big for him and with his blond hair and huge blue eyes he was the very picture of a lost waif. Angel smiled in greeting and promptly forgot about his concerns for the moment.

"Can I help you Jacob?" Angel inquired. Jacob was one of his favorite wards and never ceased to bring a lightness to Angel's heart even knowing the past the young boy came from.

"Yes, Mr. Angel. Mark and Tony have been picking on me again. I normally wouldn't rat or nothin' but they took all my money I saved up from workin' in the yard and I need that money for Sarah's birthday." Sarah was Jacob's 12 year old sister who was also a resident of the home. They had been abandoned by their parents 2 years ago and had sought out Angel's shelter when they heard about it on the streets. Mark and Tony were some of the older kids Angel cared for. They were mean and nothing but bullies but Angel couldn't bring himself to simply abandon them as they had been before.

"Ok Jacob. Thanks for letting me know. I'll take care of it. And in the future I want you to tell me anytime that they mess with you. I can't fix the problem if I don't know about it. Nodding his head, Jacob came over and stood next to Angel. Jacob regarded Angel as his new father. He took good care of both him and his sister and for that he had received the boy’s unswerving loyalty.

Leaning over Jacob looked at the book lying on Angel's desk. "What's that?" He asked.

"Oh, it's just some research I'm doing. What do you say we go and find Sarah?" Angel said.

"Ok!" Getting up the two headed out of the room but Angel was brought up short by Jacob's next words.

"I didn't know you had a tattoo Mr. Angel."

Confusion lighting his brow the vampire turned to look at the young boy. "Yes, it's a griffin. I had it put on my back a long time ago. How do you know about it?" As far as Angel could remember the children had never seen him without his shirt off and he had never spoken of that part of his life.

"Really you have two! That's so cool. When I get older I wanna get one!"

"What do you mean two? I only have the one." Angel was beginning to worry now. He had a suspicion of what was going on.

"Well, you said you have one on your back and you got a funny sign on the back of your neck." At those words a cold dread filled the vampire as he made his way back to his desk. Pulling out a piece of paper and a pen he asked Jacob to draw a picture of what he saw. Waiting in frightened anticipation the vampire began to think of the meaning behind this new development. His thoughts were not good.

Finally finishing, Jacob handed Angel the piece of paper and watched as the vampire turned even paler than he normally was. He saw Angel release the paper to let it flutter to the floor and witnessed him collapsing to his knees as a desperate keen erupted from his lips.

Frightened the boy could only ask one question. "What's it mean?"

The dark vampire slowly raised his eyes and stared straight at the young boy who shivered under the touch. For the first time Jacob grew afraid of the man he considered his father.

“I have been chosen."

***** Fred hobbled down the sidewalk towards the University. The cast on her leg made walking difficult due to the crutches she had to use. She had woken up three weeks ago in the hospital. She had a broken leg and a pretty severe concussion that had left her bed ridden for several days. Remembering back to her attack was difficult. All of the details were fuzzy and jumbled together. The only thing she could clearly remember was their eyes. Blood red eyes. It was then that she knew it was no ordinary humans that had tried to take her life. Her only question now was why. She had been out of the demon fighting business for over 12 years and it was a brief part of her life at that. Her trip to Pilea had come up but again, why would they cross dimensions just to collect someone they thought of as being nothing better than livestock.

These thoughts had tumbled through her brain until she finally pushed them to the side. Her attackers had disappeared and though this made her slightly nervous she doubted they would be coming back. Reaching the steps to her building, she began the slow and difficult climb up them. In the hall she shuffled to her office and quickly opened the door. Once inside she turned on the lights and proceeded to get ready for her first class of the day.

Several hours and 2 classes later, Fred found herself back in her office again grading papers. Looking out her window she grunted as she remembered being in this exact position the day she was attacked. So it was with some trepidation when she heard the knocking on her door. Breaking out into an icy sweat, she reached for one of her crutches and grasped it firmly. Calling out a soft come in, she watched as the door slowly opened.

A young man walked into the room and Fred's breath caught at his beauty. He was tall, around 6' and had long black hair. His skin was pale and his eyes glowed a startling emerald. His lithe frame could not hide a strong body which was displayed as he casually walked across the room to stand in front of Fred's desk. Fred had completely forgotten about her makeshift weapon and openly gawked at this stunning creature before her.

"It is time." The man spoke. His voice was like a soft breeze on a summer's day but it carried the strength of a raging tornado. Still Fred could not find her voice so enraptured by this creature was she.

"Come child, it is time." Finally finding her voice Fred replied.

"Wh..who are y..you?" She asked, a breathless stutter in her voice. The man smiled and it so lit his face that Fred once again found herself incapable of speech.

"I am called Degan. I have come to help you leave. It is time." Slowly Fred muddled her way thru to the words the man had spoke.

"Wh...what do you mean leave?" She was beginning to come out of her sight induced awe and was growing confused.

"The time has come for the warriors to gather. Time grows short and the enemy more powerful. You must go to them." Degan answered. He now wore a slightly concerned look on his face as his bore into Fred's.

"Who needs me? What warriors and what enemies?"

"All will be explained. You must return home and seek out old friends. You must hurry." At these words Fred felt a slight tingling sensation on the back of her neck as she watched the man begin to leave.

"Wait!" Fred called out frantically. The man paused and turned back to her. "Who are you?" The man simply smiled and as he left Fred was given the faint impression of wings gracing his back.

She had been chosen.

*****

Tara watched as the clouds drifted by from her seat at the window of her flight. She sighed heavily as the man sitting next to her once again began to regale her with tales of his family. Pasting a slightly worn smile on her face she tuned the man out and thought of her reasons for taking this flight.

After seeing the woman at the magic shop she had immediately rushed home and began tearing through her library. She knew that symbol from her mother's teachings and though it had left a sour feeling in the pit of her stomach she could not remember the details behind it. It had taken her 2 weeks, 30 phone calls, and indebting herself to several people before she had finally gotten her answers. What she had found had now led her to sitting on this plane next to Mr. Chatterbox. She was going to Sunnydale to seek help from the only people she knew who could possibly help.

Unbidden, memories of her life from so long ago began to creep up. Friends and fights. Loves and enemies. It had been a wild and educating time for her centered around a red headed witch who she had given her heart too. She had not thought of Sunnydale in years and now that she had the memories came rushing up to greet her. She smiled as all of the good and not so good times replayed themselves in her head with Willow as the featured star. Old emotions and sensations creeped through her and Tara felt a pang in heart for what she had lost.

She remembered the day clearly when Willow had come home from visiting Xander. She was cold and brief, dismissing Tara almost immediately. Willow had spent the better part of the next week being cold, ruthless, and completely uncaring. It was when Tara found out that Xander had left town that she knew the reasoning behind her love's strange behavior and let it pass. The next blow came when they lost Dawn, though in retrospect Tara could see where Willow had all but abandoned the girl already. She became even more sullen and angry after that, lashing out for no good reason, destroying favored objects and letting loose vicious words. Finally Tara had left, unable to cope with a drastically changed Willow.

She was brought out of her reverie by the stewardess announcing they were to arrive in several moments and to buckle seatbelts. The decent and taxing seemed to take forever but they finally managed to arrive at the gate. Grabbing her carry on she made her way over to the baggage claim and picked up her lone suitcase. She had never been a material person and what was in her two bags was quite literally just about everything she owned. She was a light traveler. Making her way outside she hailed a cab and gave instructions to the Rosenburg house. She was nervous and scared but Willow would be the first person she had to talk to since as far as she knew Willow was the only one remaining in Sunnydale.

Pulling up in front of the house, Tara noted that it looked exactly the same. Some of the plants were fuller and a new coat of paint had been applied but overall it was as if she had never left all those years ago. Bracing herself, she exited the cab and asked him to wait. Walking up slowly to the door she hesitated before knocking. She had come too far to go back now. She knocked. It was a few moments before she heard movement in the house and a gracefully matured woman opened the door. Tara immediately recognized her as Mrs. Rosenburg.

"Hi Mrs. Rosenburg. I don't know if you remember me but I was a friend of Willow's a long time ago. My name is Tara." The older lady simply stared at Tara for a moment before remembrance dawned.

"Tara! Yes, now I remember. Please come in." Mrs. Rosenburg said stepping away from the door. She guided Tara into the living room and told her to take a seat. "Would you like some coffee or tea?"

"No ma'am. I came to see Willow. It's really important I see her right away. Do you know where she is? I have a cab waiting outside."

"I'm sorry dear but Willow doesn't live in Sunnydale anymore. She moved some years ago." At the crestfallen look on the young woman's face Mrs. Rosenburg explained further. "She moved to Washington some time ago. She's married now and has children. We don't talk much anymore but I guess that's what happens when your children grow up and move out." She finished with a slightly wistful look on her face.

"Oh, married....and she has children." At the nod of conformation Tara once again felt a pang for all the things she'd lost. Shaking her head to dispel the feelings she chatted with Mrs. Rosenburg for several minutes before thinking it was now appropriate to leave. Calling out last goodbye's she made her way to the cab and lost herself in thought. She was disturbed a moment later by the cabdriver.

"I'm sorry what?"

"Where to miss?"

"Oh...the nearest car rental agency. I have to get to L.A."

*****

Spike strode down the darkened alley toward the sound of the club's beating music. He had been in New York for 2 1/2 weeks now and he was having no luck in finding this kitten that Dru had spoken of. He had left his Dark Princess in South America and set off on his own. The amount of relief he felt when he crossed into the states had immediately told him he would not be going back. He loved his Dark Goddess beyond anything but their time together had drawn to a close. It was time for him to set off alone.

Approaching the line of people waiting to enter the club he immediately began to scan it for a potential meal. After several moments he spotted two girls giggling near the back of the line. Perfect. Grinning he sidled up behind them and began his usual speech to coerce these young girls to leave with him. As always it worked like a charm and he soon had them attached to either of his arms as he guided them to the alley he had just left. Once out of earshot of the remaining people he quickly drained the girls, ignoring the begging and whimpers. Satisfied with his meal, Spike once again approached the club and sought entrance which he was quickly granted after flashing a bit of fang.

As Spike entered the club, oddly name the Cat's Craddle, the music pounded at him. To Spike's sensitive ears it was like a soothing balm. The swarm of warm, sweaty bodies surrounding him would have caused him to go into immediate vamp mode if not for his recent meal. Already enjoying himself he made his way to the bar and sat down. Calling the bartender over he was immediately struck by some pictures hanging on the wall. They were to say the least, startling. He was distracted from his staring by the bartender. Ordering a bottle of Jack Daniels he stopped the young man from turning away by inquiring about the photos.

"Those are amazing. Who took them?"

"Dunno." the bartender replied. "I can ask the manager if you want." Nodding his head in acquiesce Spike once again began to stare. The photos were amazingly clear and the context was...eye catching. The faces were of people in the throes of dancing, passion and exuberance flushing their faces as they ground together. Whoever had taken the pictures had an amazing eye for detail, blurring the backgrounds to focus solely on a face or a couple.

Spike was once again brought out of his reverie by a large, burly looking man who tapped him on the shoulder.

"I'm the manager. What do ya want?"

"Who took those pics?"

The man turned around to look where Spike was pointing. "Oh them, a guy who comes round here a lot. Dunno his name. But if you want to talk to him he's over there." He waved his hand at a lone figure sitting hunched at a table in a dark corner of the club nursing a beer.

Nodding his thanks, the vampire picked up his drink and made his way over to the table. Setting down his drink he was about to speak when the man looked up. Stunned silence passed between them for a moment before it was broken by Spike speaking.

"Bloody hell.....Harris?"

Seems he found his kitten.

*****

Willow woke up slowly from her drug induced slumber. She had needed the drugs to fall asleep every night since the accident. She blinked against the harsh sunlight pouring into the room and tried to focus her gaze on the clock above her bed. Almost noon. Good, her children would be by to see her soon. Groaning as her body began to throb she couldn't help but reflect on the last three weeks.

The first thing she remembered was bright lights and a voice sounding far away and then coming more into focus. She was terrified at first. It had taken three orderlies and a shot of sedatives to calm her down enough to be told what had happened. She had been in a car accident. Brian, and oh god did it still hurt to even think his name, had died on impact of a broken neck. Her daughter and son had made it out with cuts and bruises and were fine. Then the bombshell, news the doctor obviously had not wanted to share. The baby was gone. Her seatbelt had slammed into her stomach so hard it had caused severe hemorraging. The doctor told her the baby had died fast and probably painlessly.

As the memories rushed thru her she moved her hand down to her now flat stomach and a silent sob broke thru as she thought of all the things she would never have with her lost child. After a few moments she forced herself to calm down. Her children would be here soon and she needed to be strong for them. They had lost a father and new baby brother.

As she shifted, her bruised ribs screamed at her and she had to catch her breath before she could relax again. Of them all she had suffered the worst. Bruised ribs and a broken left arm were her minor injuries. She had bleed heavily from the miscarriage and the doctor's had been forced to remove her womb to stop the bleeding. She was barren now and that cut her deeper than she would have liked to believe.

Hearing a tentative knock on her door, Willow forced a smile to her lips as she called for them to come in. Daniel and Joyce came walking in, their faces haunted with their new found grief. Behind them stood a tall, thin woman of middle years.

"Hi babies! Were they good for you Miss. Thomas?" Willow inquired of her nanny. With a slight nod and a brief smile the woman made a quick exit. Sighing in relief she focused on her children. Miss. Thomas made a great nanny but a cold woman. She reminded Willow of how she used to be before Brian had come along.

The children stayed for an hour before the nurse ushered in and said their time was up. Before leaving Daniel spoke to Willow a last time.

"Mommy, I had a dream last night!"

"About what baby?"

"There was a man in it and he had red eyes. He was really scary but then another man came up and scared him away. The other man was kinda weird. He had funny hair."

Stunned into silence Willow could only give her boy a quick peck on the cheek before he was ushered out of the room. That dream was her dream. The one she'd been having just about every night for the last 3 weeks. Ever since the accident. She knew who the man with the funny hair was. It was Spike but she didn't know why she would be dreaming of him. She hadn't thought about any of her old friends in several years. Why would they start showing up now?

Her silent contemplation was broken as the nurse wheeled in the sponge bath. Familiar with the routine Willow silently went thru the motions as thoughts drifted in and out of her mind.

"That's funny."

"I'm sorry...what?"

"Its just that I never noticed this tattoo before. I could have sworn it wasn't there yesterday." The nurse replied.

"What tattoo?" Willow asked as a cold shiver ran thru her. She could have sworn someone had just walked over her grave.

"This sign on the back of your neck. It's quit unusual I have to say."

"Draw me a picture of it will you?" At the blank look on the nurse's face Willow hurried to make an excuse. "It's just that it's been a while since I've seen it. I've forgotten what it looks like."

Frowning, the nurse pulled a pad and pen from her pockets and drew a quick sketch of Willow's mark. Handing the piece of paper to the red head she proceeded to finish bathing her charge. She didn't see Willow grow more pale or hear the sharp intake of breath.

Willow knew that sign. She was in trouble.

*****

In the fields of Nebraska a fire burned. The flames danced among the rows of corn, igniting stalks and scorching the earth. The fire burned bright and hot but this was no ordinary fire. It had a purpose, a mind of it's own. It skipped from stalk to stalk, leaving some and burning others. As quickly as the fire appeared it vanished. In it's wake was a swath of destruction in the shape of a symbol.

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