Part One

Buffy knew she shouldn’t have left Willow at the Bronze to come here. As she looked around the alley, she realized that it was here that she first met the person she was waiting for. Angel. Although his name did not perfectly describe him, Buffy still considered him to be one. His past she tried to block out. For at one time, he was Angelus, the scourge of Europe. But that name was forgotten when a gypsy curse restored his human soul. He was meant to suffer the rest of his eternal life, though Buffy knew that she eased some of his pain. But they could never be together like they were before. Angel’s soul was not worth risking again. They had found out the consequence of a single moment of happiness, and it was one they were not willing to pay. All of these thoughts raced through Buffy’s mind as she waited for the one she loved, but could not have.

Sun down had been only five minutes earlier. Angel was about two blocks away from the alley behind the Bronze. He knew Buffy was there, waiting for him. Buffy. Just thinking of all they’d gone through made a twinge of guilt go through him. He had put her through so much. Her life was complicated enough with her slaying, she didn’t need him making things more difficult. But he also knew that his being there lightened her burden as well. He was always there to comfort her... but by taking comfort in her, he had made the mistake of letting his demon persona take over at the time she needed him most. It... made his head hurt (as well as his heart) to think of what had happened the following months after her seventeenth birthday. They could never be together without that tension, that knowing of what had happened, and of what could happen again. He knew they could never be like they had been, but they both realized how much they needed each other. As he rounded the corner to the al! ley, he prepared himself for the emotions he knew would overwhelm him when he saw her. The warmth that came with her smile.

As Buffy was thinking over returning to the Bronze, but then she saw Angel’s figure round the corner. He saw her face instantly brighten in his presence. It caused him to smile as well, but still with that eternal remorse, that never-ending guilt, that plagued his soul.

"You made it," Buffy said cheerfully, "I almost thought you weren’t coming." He came closer, but remained in the

shadows."Sunlight sometimes makes me late for dates," he knew he’d used the wrong word as soon as it was out of his mouth, "Uh, I mean, for meeting friends." He tried to recover himself without much luck. He knew that wasn’t right either, but unable to think of another word to put in it’s place quickly enough, he left it. Buffy, on the emotional roller coaster, when from up after hearing date, to down when it was changed to meeting.

< Meeting? > She thought, < That sounds so... business like. I hope this isn’t another ‘you’re in danger’ conversation. > She didn’t want to talk monsters and demons with him, but it was way better than this *extremely* awkward silence they experienced far too often.

"So, is this another grave danger warning?" she said partly aggravated and partly disappointed, letting that edge creep into her voice. The edge that all Slayer’s had perfected for sarcastic comebacks. She didn’t want to talk vampires. Not now. Now all she could think of was his embrace, although cold, and how it could make her forget almost all her problems.

"Of course not, what makes you say that?" he knew this conversation was not headed in the direction he wanted it to. Not in the direction that would end their night with a cup of coffee at the Bronze. He tried to focus on anything besides how much he want to kiss her. To feel his cold lips warmed by hers.

"Well, it’s just the vibe I get from you when your focus is on other things," she said, hurt by his eyes that looked everywhere but her own. "That cold vibe I’m getting right about now."

"I’m always cold," he joked. But dispite his attempts to lighten the tension they both felt, he could see her smile fade as their conversation continued to entrap itself in another unending circle that made them both go home unhappy. He was waiting for her to begin again, she was waiting for him to continue. She was looking up at him with her blue eyes filled with so much tenderness that as his gaze crossed her face his eyes locked on hers. Her eyes were always comforting, always loving when they were caught in his. He moved in close enough so that she was lightly leaning against him. He cupped her chin in his hand. Then, slowly tilted it up, bringing down his face within inches of hers.

Their lips had barely touched when the quiet night that surrounded them was split with a scream. A rather familiar scream.

"Ohmigod! Willow!" Buffy raced toward the Bronze with Angel at her side. When they reached the back door, they saw a vampire (with a ‘stuck in the 60’s’ outfit) about to take a bite from their redheaded friend. Willow saw them before the vamp did and managed to choke out, "Help! You guys! I’m really not loving this!"

Five more vamps, that seemed to appear out of nowhere, surrounded Angel and Buffy. The only two female demons in the group both lunged at Buffy, while two of the three males prepared to fight Angel, who already had his game face on.

The third male joined his friend, who still had a tight grip on the very angry (and frightened) witch. Willow was really wishing she had tried more spells that had to do with defending herself. A floating pencil, although entertaining, was not going to help her now.

As Buffy staked one of the vampires she was currently fighting, she had a moment to watch the ash rain onto the pavement with satisfaction before her other opponent attacked once more. She delivered a well placed round house to her enemy and glanced in Angel’s direction as the vamp struggled to her feet.

He was no longer Angelus, but Angel was still deadly in battle. These vampires, though not extremely young, were no match for the older, more experienced vampire they now found themselves facing. The youngest of the two was dust in a matter of minutes, with the help of a stake Buffy had managed to toss him while her vamp was trying to shake off a round house to the chest.

The two vampires holding the still struggling redhead watched as the last two of their back up exploded into ash. They decided their chances of fighting, winning, and keeping hold of their meal were pretty slim. So, they went for the only other option they ran.

As they took off down another dark alley, Buffy and Angel ran after them. Then, as they turned the next corner, Buffy stopped dead in her tracks when she saw a vampire appear that looked almost identical to the Master. Buffy knew that this vampire could not be the Master, She looked over at Angel and knew the same thing must be going through his head.

Before Buffy or Angel could react, the Master-like vamp grabbed Willow from the other two vampires that were planning on having her as a late night snack. No matter how hard the little witch struggled, she could not free herself from the powerful grip of her captor.

"If you’re planning on seeing your friend alive again," the vampire began, "you will not interrupt any of my plans. You will stay away from my minions as well." With that, he turned down an alley and disappeared out of view.

Part Two

Buffy and Angel ran after him, but he had vanished with out a trace. They had no clue about where he had gone to, where he had come from, who he was, or what his "plans" were. They stood for a moment trying to figure out what would be their next move. They both turned to each other and said the same thing "We have to find Giles."

As they burst into the library, Buffy suddenly remembered something, "Xander! He has no idea of what’s happened! I have to call him!" She ran over to the phone and dialed Xander’s number.

Xander glanced at the clock when he heard the phone ring. He knew it had to be after midnight, and the only person that would call him after midnight was Buffy. Something had to be up. As he picked up the receiver, he rubbed his eyes and yawned.

"Xander, it’s Buffy. Something’s happened." She sounded extremely worried, and the Slayer was not easily frightened.

"What is it?"

"It’s Willow. Some new vamp’s in town. He’s got Will. He must need Will’s knowledge of the black arts for some world dominating scheme."

"Willow! Where are you? What can I do?" As soon as Xander heard Willow’s name he instantly wigged. < No vampire’s gonna witch-nap my best friend and get away with it! he th >ought, then he reconsidered. < Well, maybe they’ll get away with it, but that’s not gonna make me just sit here like an idiot I’ll... go wherever Buffy is and sit there like an idiot. >

"Me and Angel are at the library looking for Giles and the weapons."

"I’ll be there as soon as I change out of my super hero pajamas... I hope I didn’t just say that last part out loud." He hung up the phone and rushed to take off his sleepwear and replace it with a pastel green shirt and a pair of jeans.

Just as Buffy was hanging up the phone, Giles appeared from the stacks.

"What are you two doing snooping about?" Giles asked the Slayer and her vampire. "And where is Willow? She was to meet me here a half hour ago to research some spells."

"Giles, know why Wills hasn’t showed up? I’ll give you two guesses, but you’re only gonna need one." The Slayer said, aggravated by Giles tone.

"Oh, dear. H-Has something happened to Willow?" The brit suddenly sounded worried.

< It’s about time he paid attention to what I’m telling him > Buffy thought.

"There’s a new vamp in town and we really need your books to find out what this bald vampire would want from Willow... Besides, of course, a spell for hair products." The Slayer was extremely angry that her Watcher wasn’t getting off his stuffy ass to look up the forces of evil in one of his many books.

"Buffy’s right," Angel finally spoke up, "this guy was definitely up to no good. Plus, he’s got plenty of minions, which means he must be pretty powerful."

"I agree with Dead boy, here," Xander said as he came through the door of the library, "I don’t know nor do I care who this vamp is, but if he hurts Will, I’ll... uh, I’ll... Well, until I think of something bad I can do to him that won’t get me killed, I’m just gonna concentrate on finding her."

"Let’s not, uh, let’s not rush onto anything until we know more of this, uh, this vampire." Giles said, disappearing into the stacks and reappearing with an arm full of books. "Uh, B-Buffy. You look though the Black Conicles, Xander, Look in the Codex for any prophecies on the matter, and Angel, uh, you can search through the stacks. Buffy call Oz, without Willow, he’s the only other person with a fairly good knowledge of how to use that dread machine." Giles gestured toward the computer then handed out the books and went back in his office to find some more.

Part Three

Two hours later, the Slayer and her scooby gang (minus one) were still searching unsuccessfully. Since they had started, Xander had ordered a pizza, and what was left of it remained on the library’s center table. Oz was looking through all of Willow’s bookmarked sites on the occult, while Angel placed yet another book back on the shelf without gaining any knowledge that pertained to the subject. Buffy, tired of research, had decided that she should train some more before she faced this vampire. If he was anything like the Master, she had her work cut out for her. Giles took off his glasses and wiped his arm across his forehead, the way he did when he was frustrated.

"Well, h-has anyone had a-any luck?" Giles broke the silence of the library and everyone looked to another, hoping for success.

"If that means something helpful, then no." Xander commented, his mouth stuffed with cold pizza.

"Oz?" Giles said hopefully.

"Nothing."

"Angel?"

"Sorry. I can’t find anything useful," the vampire took another book from the shelf.

"Uh, Buffy? D-did you find anything?" the Watcher was close to defeat.

"A nap." The Slayer joked, even though she knew this wasn’t the time to attempt humor. "No, I can’t find anything about the vampire who took Will."

"Well, I don’t think we’re gonna find anything helpful here." Said Xander, stating the obvious.

"Me and Angel can go back to the scene. See if there’s anyone or thing there that’ll help." Buffy grabbed her coat and headed toward the door with Angel instep.

"Yes, by all means, go. But do be careful." The Watcher knew he didn’t need to add that last part, but it had become rather routine.

"You know me, Miss Cautious." Buffy replied before disappearing out the library’s door, Angel close behind.

Giles returned to what he was beginning to think was a futile search. He stood and went into the stacks for some more volumes.

Part Four

Minutes later, Buffy and Angel arrived in the dark alley. They scanned the scenery of cardboard boxes and trashcans, but they really weren’t certain of what they were looking for.

"Well, this is a lovely spot to spend your Saturday night." Buffy quipped, trying to lighten the moment.

Suddenly, the one vamp that had escaped earlier came out of a doorway. Buffy crouched behind a box and motioned for Angel to do the same.

"Let’s follow him," Angel suggested, "maybe he’ll lead us to Willow."

As the followed at a safe distance, Buffy was preparing herself for the worst case scenario. She had no idea what condition Willow was in, but she was sure she was alive.

They were completely silent. Angel was wondering how much more the Slayer could take. Continently saving not only herself, but her friends too. She’d even had to save Willow from himself once. < No > he thought < Not me. Angelus. Not me... > When he’d reverted to his evil persona, he remembered the demon’s twisted understanding that Willow’s death would cause Buffy the most grief. Willow was the embodiment of all things pure and good. He had even gone to the extreme measure to kill and sting her fish. A chill went down Angel’s spine as he remembered the pain he’d caused everyone. They were all uneasy around him, he knew that, but they tried to accept him for Buffy’s sake. As they trailed behind the vampire, Angel reached for Buffy’s hand and took it in his. His cold hand.

As he held her hand, she squeezed it tightly. She wanted to stop. To cry out all her pent up emotion in his arms. She had to be strong for everyone, so she never showed her own feelings. And now was another time to be strong. Strong for Will, for Xander, for Oz...

Finally, the vampire stopped at a warehouse. An extremely old warehouse. The brick walls looked as if they could (or would) fall over with the slightest touch. But fortunately, that also meant that Buffy and Angel had no problem finding a missing brick, allowing them to look inside.

"Look!" Buffy almost forgot about the part where they had to be quiet. "It’s Will!"

Angel peered through the hole and saw the helpless wikka struggling against the ropes tied around her wrists and legs. She was gagged, too, but not very well. They could hear her shouting obscenities at the vampires that held her captive.

"My best friends the Slayer! She’ll be here any minute and you’ll all be dust!" Buffy was amazed that Willow didn’t seam more afraid of the vampires.

"And my boyfriend may look like a harmless musician, but he’s a werewolf! When they all get here, you won’t stand a chance!" Willow continued yelling. She knew they wouldn’t kill her. They need her for some spell. A spell that required ingredients that she had sent some of them to get. She hadn’t told them the correct ingredients, but they wouldn’t figure that out for a while.

"We gotta get to the library for weapons and some back-up." Buffy said, trying to remember how they had gotten there, and how to get back.

"Come on, I know the way back," Angel said, as if reading her mind.

As they turned to go, they realized they’d been surrounded by about fourteen vampires.

"Oh, this doesn’t look good," Buffy said. She took out a stake, even though the odds were not in her favor. < I’ve beaten the odds before. > She thought.

"No, in fact, it’s looking really bad..." Angel replied a second before letting his vampiric face emerge. He growled deeply and lunged at two of their opponents.

Part Five

At the library, Xander was restless. He knew something bad was going to happen... soon. He just had this feeling that... < Snap out of it, Xander > he thought to himself < Buffy and Angel will be fine. I bet they’re on their way back to the library now to get weapons and save the day. That’s how it always works. Everyone’s fine. > he assured himself, but then he reconsidered. He knew things didn’t always turn out okay. < Jesse, Kendra, Ms. Calendar... things don’t always go right... >

"Xander?"

Xander’s thoughts were interrupted as Giles broke the silence. And Xander was happy he had.

"Willow’s parents... They must be extremely concerned. She’s been gone for..."

"Not to worry, G-man. Will’s parents think she’s on a school sponsored over night trip."

"Good... and don’t ever call me that." The brit sipped his tea and started to look through another thick volume.

"Damn..." Oz was mumbling as he tried to decrypt the mayor’s passwords and codes to get in his files. Giles had wanted him to see if the mayor had encountered this vampire yet, or if he had anything to do with its appearance. < I wish Willow was here. She’d know how to do this... >

Buffy and Angel were doing their best to get this situation under their control, but the odds were hopelessly against them. They were barely holding their ground, let alone gaining any. They’d managed to each dispose of two vamps, but that still left them with ten. And things were not looking good.

As a mortal, he had been know as Joseph Kelly, but he was now feared and worshipped as Mesithic.His name meant "Lord of the Dead." It had been more than nine hundred years since he last saw the sun. Now he was always cloaked in darkness. Not only was he strong from age, but he had also picked up some of the black arts. Not enough, though. That’s why he had kid napped the girl. He’d heard she was powerful and as soon as she was in his presence the rumors were confirmed. He could sense the power she pocessed, as if they were a tangible energy flowing from her.

"So, boss says you need my help." Faith cracked her knuckles, in anticipation.

"Yes. Uh, Faith was it? Yes, Faith. I need you to put the Slayer’s little friends out of commission. I’ve heard they caused a lot of trouble the last time someone tried to... Well, I just don’t need them getting in my way." He was pacing in front of a large stone figure that Faith didn’t recognize, but she’d seen the look on Willow’s face when the wicca had caught a glimpse of it.

"So, you want ‘em dead, or just outta your way?" Faith was hoping for the former. Faith had been shunned from their group even before she’d joined the mayor. Without her little "scooby gang," Buffy would’ve been dead long before.

"Oh, just out of the way. I’d rather have them around when my plans are complete." He had an odd smile as he turned toward the rock statue. The demon Acathla.