Bad Tidings Part 4.

London.



“Cordelia, kind of healed you? What kind of lame explanation is that forehead?”

“It’s the only explanation you’re going to get Spike. She came back to warn us about something, and she, well, she healed me. Said something about needing the Champions to be at their strongest for what’s coming.”

“And that would be Pain? I feel like it’s already arrived. But does anyone offer to heal me? Oh noooo, that would be too much to bloody expect!”

“She’s in the next room talking to Buffy and Giles, she’ll be in when she’s done. It seems that ‘The Powers’ classify you as a champion now too. You’re on the healing list.” Angel rolled his eyes as he spoke, “though, I would ask them to check that again before Cordy does anything rash.”

“Hey! I am a champion! Remember, big honking medallion, fire, melting, pain, death, hell dimension, limbo and then dumped with you. I’ve put up with a lot, a little respect wouldn’t go amiss.” Spike paused his tirade, and finished with, “Ponce.”

Angel just turned away, “if you need anything, just ring your bell.”

“Where is it?”

“It’s on the mantle Spike, exactly where I left it.”

“And how am I bloody supposed to reach it? I’m an invalid if you haven’t noticed. I’m in a bollocking wheelchair.”

“I know.” Was Angel’s only reply as he turned his head slightly and smirked as he opened the door to the main room of the suite.

“You utter piece of shi..” Was all that Angel heard as he closed the door on Spike and rejoined Buffy and the others.

“So how are we doing?” He asked no one in particular, even though he was staring at Cordelia.

Giles was the first to reply to the question, “Not much. Illyria here, has provided many legends relating to the existence of the Pain entity that Cordelia has said is coming, but it is all anecdotal, as she heard it from other demons, I’m not entirely sure it can all be trusted. But from what we’ve got so far, this thing is bigger than anything we’ve faced. Ever. This Pain, makes the First look like a novice.” Giles removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes. “We just can’t seem to find any concrete evidence of its existence, much less any ways of defeating it.”

“Then we’ll wing it. As a strategy, it’s always worked in the past.” Buffy smiled at her own attempt at lightening the atmosphere that had built up in the room. Angel smiled also; Giles just shook his head as though pained by the comment.

“Well, our flight leaves in 5 hours. I suggest that we leave further research until we have regrouped. Perhaps Willow can help me find something. In one of the older manuscripts at the school perhaps.” Giles was clutching at straws and everyone in the room knew it. They had no idea what they were facing, and even less of an idea of how to beat it.


A large mansion 10 miles north of Washington DC.

“You live here now? Wow, so who’s rich? I know it’s not me because I’m dead here, but someone obviously has money.”

“It’s one of Kennedy’s houses. Her father lets us use it as a school and base of operations. We’ve got twelve dormitories upstairs, but we’re going to have to start using the outbuildings soon. There are more and more trainee slayers arriving each day. We can barely keep up with them all.” Willow was leading Anya and ‘the other Buffy’ to one of the larger rooms on the ground floor. She opened the door and a sprawling library stood before them.

“So you bagged yourself a rich girl? Good for you. Tara will be pleased that you’ve moved on.”

“What?” Willow spun on her heels to stare at Anya. “What did you say?”

“I said Tara would be pleased that you had moved on.”

“No you didn’t Anya, you said ‘WILL’ be pleased. Like she’s still alive. Is she? In your dimension I mean? Is she..?” Willow stopped, even after all this time, thoughts of Tara made tears well up in her eyes.

“Yes, she’s alive. But not as you’d recognise her. She is your equivalent over there, the most powerful magik user left. She’s the one who sent Buffy and I here. She’s using every bit of power she has to keep the dimension together, until we get back.

Tears flowed openly now, as Willow thought of Tara, alone, fighting against something so immense that she herself couldn’t even imagine. “When you died, she and I helped Buffy as best we could. But she was heartbroken, still is, I think.”

“She didn’t find anyone? She’s still alone?” Willows tears came faster now, thinking that she had betrayed her one time lover.

“She hasn’t had time. After we brought Buffy back, the first started attacking almost immediately. Vamps, demons, you name it, all sorts of nastiness just came crawling out of the woodwork. We had our hands full. She still loves you and you alone. That is a big part of why she sent us here. To help you beat this thing.” Willows sobs became uncontrolled and she fell to her knees. Anya did her best to comfort her, patting her shoulder, “There, there Willow. It’s not so bad.” It wasn’t helping.

“Will. Willow?” Both of the girls were surprised by the voice behind them, they turned to see Buffy, crying. “Don’t cry Willow, tears make me cry too. See? Be strong, like Tara. For Tara.” Buffy shuffled towards Willow and hugged her.

“You’re right Buffy. She’s still alive, and it’s up to us to keep her that way.” Willow hugged Buffy back and then released the slayer who had arrived with Anya. “Time for research I think.

“Mr Giles was just on the phone, they’re all heading back they need you to start researching something called ‘Pain’. It’s apparently bad. Which I could have told him, but he seemed insistent.” Andrew finally looked up as he entered the library, “oh hi Anya.” Then he screamed and fainted dead away.


Five hours later

Giles
“Jenny?” Giles heard the music, a slow, romantic tune He found a note on the table, he opened the folded paper, ‘upstairs’ it said. He smiled as he walked to the stairs of his home. Rose petals on the floor? On the steps themselves, leading Giles to the Bedroom. “Jenny?” He called again as he pushed open the door. He was confronted by…

Buffy
“Buffy? What happened?” Angelus asked. No, Buffy could see, it was Angel, he was back. She could see it in his eyes. Gone were the pinprick-sized pupils of burning hatred, replaced by the eyes of love and confusion. She kissed her lover and whispered.

“Close your eyes.” Angel complied as Buffy pulled back and raised her sword…”


Spike.
“I don’t love you Spike. I’m using you.” Buffy stared at Spike, and she laughed. Did you really think that I could love you? I mean, honestly? Look at yourself. Billy Idol wannabe or what?”

Spike recoiled from the vitriolic comments of the one person he had truly loved since becoming a vampire. “Hang on?” He paused, “that’s not what you said.”

“But it’s what I thought Spike.” Buffy added.


Angel.

Buffy slept peacefully at his side, he smiled. He was so perfectly content in that moment, he felt as though nothing could go wrong. Then the pain started, in the pit of his stomach at first, then it spread through his entire body. Burning, he leapt from the bed and staggered out of the apartment and into the street. The pain was unbearable, and then, it was gone.

“Are you OK mister?” A woman, a hooker probably, asked as Angel was hunched in the middle of the alley.

Angel grabbed her as she got close, he let his fangs sink deep into her neck and he feasted. Drinking deep of the woman’s blood, and enjoying every second of it. Then, just before the moment of her death, he dropped her. “I’m fine, and I’m back. Time to bring on the Pain.”


In the cabin of the plane, Giles, Buffy and Spike awoke from their nightmares. Buffy turned to Angel, and he smiled, and smiled. And began to whistle a tune…


To be continued.