Reunions: Part 2
by JoAnne Storm
I noticed that a lot of time had passed while I was remembering that night. I had to get back to the base. We still had to go over tonight's mission, and then get there. Luckily, I had my gear in my Bronco, so I didn't have to drop by my apartment. In fact, I'd get to the meeting early. Wouldn't that shock George?

On the drive, I once again thought about the party. As the hour grew later, more people started to drift away, in search of private areas to talk or make out. Willow and Oz were one of these couples, but, I didn't worry about that. I had gotten to know Oz well enough to know that he'd rather shoot himself with a silver bullet than do anything to hurt Will. He still beat himself up over the time he attacked her during a full moon, even though he didn't have any control over it.

Buffy's date had gotten a little too frisky, and ended up with a black eye. She left soon after that, to go on patrol. She didn't trust Kendra's replacement not to stab herself with a stake, which wasn't surprising. She didn't believe that anyone could slay vampires better than her, and she was probably right.

I asked Cordy to go for a walk along the beach. It was the most romantic way I could think of to propose to her, and I was nervous now that the time had actually come for me to do it. The last time I had been this jittery, I had given her the silver heart that she now wore everywhere. She broke up with me right after she had said it was beautiful.

That had worked out all right in the end, and I prayed that this would too. No one knew what I was planning, and I wanted it that way. I didn't know when we would be able to marry. I was just an eighteen year old kid with no future, and I didn't want to screw up both mine and Cordy's lives by rushing things.

Looking back, I sometimes wish I had rushed. But, who could have predicted what would happen? Even Giles, Mr. Research himself didn't know, because his books only have Slayer prophecies, not ones about her friends.

I realize I've been sitting in the parking lot for a few minutes. I don't even remember getting to the base. Good thing I know it so well by now I could drive it blind, because I think that's what I just did.

I got out of the car and grabbed my gear. Over the years, I had learned how to move without making a sound; it had become instinct. I guess I was doing it then, too.

I went into the building and walked down the hall to the conference room. I could hear voices talking before I reached it. One was George and the other was vaguely familiar. I couldn't place it until I walked into the room.

George looked at me with surprise. I think that is the first time I ever managed to sneak up on him, which just goes to show how deep a conversation I interrupted. I was about to apologize when I really looked at the other guy for the first time. With a growl, I whipped out a stake and rushed him pinning him against the wall.

The only thing that stopped me from killing the monster was George grabbing the arm with the stake and yelling at me to stop. I wasn't really paying attention to him, though. I was too busy hating the THING in front of me.

He wasn't struggling, which surprised me. I was an inch away from killing him, and he didn't even flinch. Maybe he had gotten tired of his existence, or he knew me well enough to know I wouldn't kill him in cold blood.

"It's your fault, you bastard!" I yelled, trying to free my arm from George. "You sired him! Made a monster! I'll kill you for that, then, when I find him, I'll kill him too! But, I'll make his death slow. I've learned how to do that, you know. I'll stretch it out until he's just as loony as Dru was."

"Then, you'll be just like him." He said flatly.

I backed away from him, finally freeing myself from George. I turned and threw the stake at the wall in anger, and imbedded it half way in. He was right, and I knew it.

Angel came up behind me. "Don't you think I would go back and changed all the evil things I've done if I could? But it's impossible. All I can do is try to help people as much as possible."

"And that's supposed to make everything alright? It won't bring Cordy back! Nothing will!"

Angel looked at me in shock, and seemed to be about to say something when I turned to George.

"How can you even talk to this demon? Don't you realize what he is?"

"Yes, Xander, I do. I also know he is my friend. He's saved my life many times. He even created the Dragon Team."

"Friend? FRIEND! I though the same thing once. Then he terrorized my friends, even killed one. He's a demon, and there's only one way to deal with that." I pointed to the stake.

"Xander..." Angel began. "The reason I'm here is to help with this mission. None of you or the team will survive without my help."

"Why?" I asked sarcastically. "Is someone planning on freeing Acathla?"

He ignored the jab, and said in a soft voice, "No. You're going after Spike."

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