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Though Lovers Be Lost (Part 6)
By Amy Mina
amymina(at)yahoo.com

Disclaimer: All of the characters like Buffy, Giles, Angel, etc. belong to Joss Whedon and the Mutant Enemy Company. Characters that were seen in Extra Help Needed still belong to themselves.

. . .

What are you doing? came the voice in her head. Y ou are going to get yourself killed. You don't even have any weapons, why did you leave them all behind fool? Amy went to automatically grab her neck where her necklace should be, feeling her heart skip a beat as she realized what she was doing, and Xander knows. If he knows where Angela is, or finds out, they will come after me. Amy ran past the car and headed towards the factory behind her house. She knew, she just knew, that's where they would be. Picking up the speed, she began to run as fast as possible, not even noticing as the houses became one blur after another. Only slowing down to take a breath of fresh air, and then speeding back up, she tired quickly. She mind wandered trying to keep from the task ahead, wondering how the slayer perform so much physical activity for long periods of time.

Amy was so involved in arriving at the warehouse, she didn't notice the footsteps behind her. Xander grabbed his chest in an attempt for air, but refused to slow down. Running after Amy, he began to question why he hadn't gone for everyone else. Holding her possessions that she had discarded on the floor of the hall, she felt an extra burst of strength and continued to follow her.

. . .

Angel began to slowly regain consciousness and the first sound that greeted him was arguing between two very angry people. "How can we know it is him?" "How can we take the chance that it isn't?" "He kidnapped Alicia and hurt Amy!" "It was the demon, not him." Angel slowly registered that the voice defending him belonged to Buffy. The other belonged to an angry female that sounded like she wanted to rip his eyes out right before she staked him. He slowly opened his eyes, then reclosed them halfway to block out the light. Opening them even slower, he saw Buffy's form towering over him, in a defensive stance. The other female, he slowly recognized to be Beth, was yelling at her in anger.

"If you kill him now, we may never find out where Alicia is," said Buffy. "Anyway, why should we punish Angel for what Angelus did?"

"Maybe we should punish you," said Beth. "It was your fault."

"Don't you think I know that?" growled Buffy. "You think you hold guilt about anything, try mine sometime. An soul in Sunnydale that dies, I feel responsible for, an person that disappears and end up as my enemy adds to my guilt. Don't you think that I feel guilty about this, I'm trying to set everything right here."

Beth was silent and her hands stayed at her side. "Buffy?" came Angel's voice. He watched her spin around quickly, almost losing her balance. Her face transformed as she saw his eyes open.

Bending down, she helped him as he struggled to sit up. He took her arm and pulled up. "Angel?" she asked, quietly. He looked at her, their eyes instantly locking. Within a few seconds, she threw her arms around him and began to cry. "Angel, it's you. I thought I would never see you again." He adjusted his position and tightly folded her in his arms. The thoughts of what the demon did quickly passed him mind, but he dismissed them for a few moments, in an attempt to comfort Buffy. He looked at the faces of others, seeing many different emotions shown. Willow and Angela both showed acceptance as well as joy. Giles was acting cautious, Angel could imagine his hand holding the end of a cross. Cordelia and Oz both stood together, both appeared to be glad as well as a little scared. Beth stood there, her stance showing total distrust and hatred for him. Pete and Brad didn't seem to know what to think, and Mr. Kraus didn't appear to notice anything was going on, but was more concerned about something else. Bob stood behind them, a look of satisfaction on his face. Buffy pulled back and looked at Angel. "How do you feel?" she asked.

His face clouded when the memories of the demon came back in full force and he slowly back up. Buffy opened her mouth to stop him, when Beth walked forward and glared at him. "Angel," she said harshly, "we need you to tell us where Alicia is."

"Alicia?" he questioned. Angel tried to remember where that name came from. He knew he should know it, but everything was so jumbled in his head, he couldn't place what he was supposed to know.

"Yeah," she replied harshly. "Alicia, good friend of Amy's, was kidnapped by you and Drusilla, and then you knocked out Amy with a part of her clarinet. Then you took her somewhere, we need to know where."

Angel looked at the two teens sitting in front of him in shock. Seeing the pleading expression on Buffy's face, he closed his eyes and tried to remember the events from earlier that night. Buffy grip started to tighten on his hand as he knew the pain in his face was beginning to show. He saw images of what the demon did, the taunting of Buffy, holding Willow, intending to kill her, stalking them. Angel pushed his mind from these thoughts and concentrated on that night. Within seconds he could see it all again. The trusting look on Amy's face that turned into one of betrayal, the scream that tore from Alicia's throat she was realized what was happening and watch her friend fall to the ground, and then taking her with them. After those scenes passed, he saw Amy running and Xander chasing her. Realizing what was going on quickly, his eyes snapped opened, and he tried to stand up. Buffy held him down.

"Gotta find her," he said, struggling against her.

"Who?" questioned Mr. Kraus.

"Amy, she is gone. We need to find her."

"Where did she go?"

"To get her friend, please, they are waiting and will kill her."

Mr. Kraus nodded his head. "I knew something wasn't right."

"Where is she?" asked Giles, walking towards him.

"They," said Angel. "Xander followed her."

"Where did they go?" asked Cordelia, her face a shade lighter than before.

"The warehouse," said Angel, desperate to make them understand. "It is big and burned. I can take you there."

Giles nodded and looked at everyone still there. "Okay, Angel will take Buffy and I to the warehouse. The rest of you stay here."

Beth stood up. "No way. I am going." Angela walked over next to her and linked her arm in Beth's. "So is Angie," Beth replied.

"No," came Angel's voice. "You can't go."

"Why not?" replied Beth.

"Because," he said, looking up at her, "your powers are almost gone. They won't last another fight."

"What are you talking about?" asked Angela.

"You're powers, they're fading. Amy's are almost gone already, I noticed that when fighting her. Because she hasn't been training, it just makes them go faster."

"That's ridiculous," replied Beth. "Why would they be fading?"

"They were only needed to help the slayer, once that was done, there was no longer a reason for them. Now you are just turning to normal humans."

"That can't be true," said Bob. "The spell worked, and it had to be done with three people with special abilities."

Angel looked closely at the young man and knew he should recognize him, but couldn't place him right away. "They still have the residue of their powers in their systems. And the powers aren't totally gone yet, just close. But they aren't strong enough to do any good. Anything she does now is because of her own self determination."

"Is there any way to save them?" asked Angela. Angel shook his head no and she felt a cross of relief and disappointment.

"I would like everyone to stay except for Buffy, Mr. Kraus and I," said Giles. "We will return soon."

Angel helped Buffy up, he was still a little weak, and they left the auditorium. Beth turned to Angela and Bob with a glint in her eye. "I don't know about you two, but my powers aren't gone yet, and I am going."

"How do you know where?" asked Bob.

"Angel said a burned down warehouse, there is only warehouse that has been burned lately."

"I know which one you mean," said Angela. "It burned for like nine hours didn't it?"

"Something like that. Are you two coming?" she asked.

Angela shrugged her shoulder and smiled. "I think we should."

"I'm coming too," said Bob. "I mean, what are they going to do to me?"

"You three are crazy," said Pete. "You're going to get yourself killed."

"Well, I'm going too," said Willow. Oz and Cordelia both stood behind her and their eyes showed that they were just as decided as she was. Beth's smiled evilly, and turned to Brad and Pete.

"You too stay here, just in case they come back." Brad and Pete nodded and the rest of the brigade walked out of the auditorium. "Bob, can you drive?" asked Beth.

"I think we can fit all of us in my car. It's parked down by the band room."

"Let's hurry, then," said Willow. "By now, who knows where Amy and Xander could be."

. . .

Amy slowed down her run to a cautious walk as she entered the field near the warehouse. Attempting to use her powers, she tried to reach out to see if there were any vampires around. Not getting the normal feeling that she would when doing this, Amy became a little worried. Taking off her shoe, she laid it on the ground and tried to lift it up. Within seconds, she realized that nothing was happening. Holding back her first reaction, which was panic, she looked over her opinions. With no powers, if the vampires refused to trade Alicia, there was nothing she could do. Beginning her walk to the warehouse, she took in a few deep breaths. When she felt someone grab her shoulder, she spun around, and let out a shriek.

"Calm down, it's me, Xander," said the shape, that was now standing in front of her.

"Xander, what are you doing here?" she whispered harshly.

"Attempting to stop a suicide. What are you, crazy?"

"I'm trying to save my friend."

"Those vampires aren't going to trade her for you."

"How do you know that?"

"I know how Drusilla works, you don't, and right now, she is going to be a little ticked that Angel is no longer on her side."

"It is my fault-"

"I agree, it is your fault, but move on and get over it. Leave the rescuing to Buffy."

Amy seemed to be considering his offer, when another voice joined them. "Oh, look, it is a girl trying to rescue her friend." Amy's head turned to look and noticed a gorgeous young woman stepping out into the light. Xander's hand gripped tighter on her shoulder, and she could almost feel the hatred vibrating around him.

"Drusilla," he hissed. Amy tried to take a step back, realizing the danger they were in. Xander place himself between the two of them, and took a defensive stance. Drusilla smirked at Xander, trying to play the part of the hero. Xander gripped Amy's former stake tighter, and held it in front of him. The vampire hissed and hit his wrist, causing the stake to fly into the field. Xander glared at her and held on tightly to a cross.

"Did you think you were going to be able to save her?" Drusilla asked, directing the question at Amy. "After you took my Angel? Naughty, naughty," she said, waving her finger at the two teens and slowly advancing. "Miss Edith thinks that you two need to be punished."

Amy began to back up, when she realized they were surrounded. "Oh, shoot," she whispered. "I shouldn't have done this."

"You should have realized that an hour ago," replied Xander, not able to bite back the retort. A pair of strong arms grabbed the two teens and took them to the warehouse, with Drusilla following in triumph.

. . .

Alicia felt herself beginning to fall asleep again, when she heard some loud footsteps enter the building. Turning to the sound, she saw Amy pushed threw the doorway, quickly followed by a young man that she didn't know. Looking at Amy, she saw utter defeat in her eyes. Alicia tried to smile an encouragement for the sake of her friend. "It will be okay," she said.

Amy looked at Alicia in surprise and then sadness. "I'm sorry, Alicia. I wish I had done things differently." Alicia could see her eyes began to fill up with tears before a vampire roughly grabbed her and tied her to the same pole as Alicia. Then they took the young man and tied him to another pole. Drusilla looked them over before smiling.

"Now you will all pay for hurting my Angel. I will see you die, all of you." She turned around and spun on her heel, leaving the room.

Amy looked at Xander, and tried to catch his eye. He was too busy staring at the ropes to notice. Amy leaned back on the pole and sighed. "Alicia?" she asked.

"Yeah."

"Are you okay?"

Alicia smiled at her friend's concern even though it seemed like a dumb question. "Well, they haven't eaten from me yet, so I'm doing pretty good."

"Thank God," whispered Amy. "I was so afraid that you were already dead."

"Nope, still alive and kicking, sort of." Amy gave a little laugh at this comment, and Alicia felt better about her friend.

"We won't be here long," said Xander. "Buffy is already on her way."

"How do you know?" asked Alicia.

He turned to look at her with confidence in his eyes. "Trust me, Buffy is coming."

. . .

"What is the easiest way in?" asked Giles. Angel nodded to the left and they began to walk over. When they got the to west wall, Angel held a finger to his lips, and began to slowly move forward. He looked inside and could saw Alicia, sighing with relief when he saw she was okay. Right after that, he noticed Amy, as well as Xander chained up. Sighing again, he moved back to the other, when more voices caught his attention. Buffy saw him tense up, and followed his gaze. When Bob came around some high bushes, with the others following him, Angel bit his tongue to keep from screaming at them. They slowly walked over and Buffy didn't wait for anyone else before she reprimanded them.

"What are you guys doing here?" she hissed.

"Helping," answered Beth, defiantly. "Did you think we were just going to wait at the school?"

"But you're in danger here," said Mr. Kraus.

"No more then you," replied Angela. "We don't know how many vampires are here, and you might be able to use our help."

"Very well," said Giles, signaling Buffy to stay quiet. "Do you all have stakes and crosses?"

All six of the teens held up their defenses. "And holy water," said Cordelia.

"Okay," said Giles. "Angel, could you position them please to be ready when we go in."

Angel nodded. "Beth, and Angela, take the east wall, there is a door, be ready to go in. Bob and Cordelia, you take the south wall. Oz and Willow, take the North. We will stay here, because of the main entrance. When you see us go in, follow our lead, do you understand?"

"No, we don't," replied Beth, sarcastically. "Could you please limit all of the words to two syllables or less."

"Just do it," said Buffy, jumping in and sighing in exasperation, silently debating whether Xander and Beth were related or not.

When the others had left, Angel looked back inside. Seeing that there were only a few vampires in the same room as the three captives, he motioned to Buffy to follow him. Slowly entering, he began to walk over to the teens. Buffy crawled in behind him and grasped his hand for strength as they soundlessly walked over. Angel smiled, knowing they had many issues to work through, but glad for this start of trust. The vampires in the room still had not noticed the two creepers by the time they reached the captives. Xander was the first to notice them, and he smiled, appearing to even be glad at the sight of Angel. Untying the knots, Angel smiled at the teen and set him free of the pole. Buffy was over at the girls and working at untying their ropes, when one of the guards turned around. Giving a stake to Xander, he signaled the others to come in, and within seconds, the room was filled with vampires. Not able to the get the girls loose early enough, Buffy left Angela to the task, and attempted to guard them while fighting.

Angel could feel the anticipation run through him at the thought of fighting the things that showed what he had been the past few months. Willow and Oz stood next to him fighting as well. Buffy still guarded the pole and Beth was helping her. Giles and Bob were working together to destroy the vampires as quickly as possible. Xander and Cordelia were also working together, and Cordelia was surprising Angel with her fighting capabilities. Angela worked desperately at the knot, and Alicia whispered a silent prayer, knowing she had only been in the warehouse for six hours or so, but it had felt like years.

Drusilla watched the battle raging and knew that they were losing. She walked over to a corner, and picked up a half burned, small log. Lighting it, she held it high and screamed in triumph. "Slayer, you may have Angel back, but you will still pay."

"No!" screamed Angel. Without hesitation, Drusilla threw it in a nearby corner of debris. Within seconds, the pile was on fire. Many of the vampires fled, realizing the danger. Drusilla laughed and left the warehouse, grabbing her doll on the way out. "Get out!" screamed Angel, at everyone. Buffy bent down to help Angela with the knots, and Angela ran over. Everyone else ran outside, their lungs crying desperately for air.

"It's stuck," said Angela, her frustration showing. Angel bent down and watched as Buffy attempted to untie the ropes. Shaking her head, Angel grasped the ropes, but quickly pulled back, and hissed.

"What is it?" asked Buffy.

"Holy water," replied Angel. Taking hold of the ropes once more, and ignoring the pain, he gripped the tightly. Twisting and pulled, he could hear them began to tear. Alicia watched, a little confused when he was now helping them. A cracking sound caught her attention, and she looked up. A large beam above them had already caught on fire, being burnt almost all of the way through from the first fire. "Umm, Amy," said Alicia. Amy leaned her head back, and tried to look at her friend. "Look up."

Amy did, and her face turned very pale as she noticed the beam. "This isn't good," she said to herself.

"Angel, hurry!" said Angela. He continued to twist back and forth, the ropes giving away more with every motion. By now, the smells of the burning building and burning flesh were mingling together in the warehouse. When the ropes finally broke, Angela immediately began remove it from her friends. Amy held onto Alicia's hands as the ropes were being removed. Once they were gone, Angela help Amy get up, and Buffy went to go help Alicia. Amy stood up and looked at the ceiling. Before she could move the beam broke off and began it's decent.

"No!" screamed Angel, feeling helpless for the second time that night. Angela ran forward and pushed Amy out of the way, barely moving enough to miss the beam herself. Amy landed on the ground, and rolled away. Angela fell forward with the momentum and did the same. When they looked up, the beam was now laying where they had been standing. Angela felt her face go white, knowing how close they had come to death. Amy helped her up, and they left the warehouse, followed by Alicia, Buffy, and Angel. Once the arrived outside, Angela and Amy both clasped to the ground, and watched the building burn for the second time.

"See," declared Buffy, "I said no more casualties, and I meant it." When she finished her statement, she heard the sound of police sirens. Her face turned white and she turned towards the rest of the group. "Umm, guys, I think we need to go. I can't be caught at the sight of another major burning."

"Quite right," said Giles. "We should all head out." Leaving the warehouse, they walked through the field to get to their cars, and stay unnoticed by the police.

. . .

"The second fire for the warehouse this year, the town is baffled at what would cause it. No witnesses were found at scene, but there was a small doll found. That is all the authorities have to go on. For channel 10 news, this is John West."

Spike smiled as she turned off the TV. This fire had Buffy's name written all over it. He didn't want to even begin to imagine what she and her little friends had done. Getting out of his wheelchair, he walked over to the kitchen, getting ready to soon prepare for Dru's return.

. . .

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