There was only one person at the desk. I remembered her vaguely from high school as one of the girls who tried to kill me after the love spell. That meant she could be anyone. I asked for Ms. Chase's room number, and she just looked at me for a moment before announcing, "Ms. Chase died a year ago, sir. I'm sorry."
I didn't say a word. Cordy was dead. Oh, God, Cordy!
I went back out to the bike, and raced towards the cemetery. I spent the next hour looking for her grave. Sunnydale has a big cemetery, though, and I never found it. even though I searched until I barely had time to get to Angel's to leave for the meeting.
Angel was awake when I got back, but didn't say anything about me "borrowing" the bike. I was grateful for that. I didn't think I could handle him yelling at me at the moment.
We left at dusk, meeting the other members at City Hall. Angel was the only one who knew where we were going to go from there, but I had a pretty good idea. To the school for reinforcements.
I wasn't wrong. Angel talked to George for a few minutes, then told us to follow him to the library. Once there, we all got out of the vehicles and talked for a little while longer. The Team wanted to know why we were there. Even George didn't know, but neither Angel or I would tell.
Kathryn raised a fit when she found out Angel would not be joining us inside. I knew his reasons. I also knew he would be there, just out of sight.
I slipped my sunglasses on and kept to the back of the Team as we entered the school. I had changed a lot over the years, but the gang would still recognize me. I didn't want them to witness my homecoming. Not yet, at least.
OK, I admit it. I really just wanted to delay the inevitable as long as possible. For all my bravery, deep down, I'm the biggest coward in the world. I would rather face Satan himself than the friends I had ran out on.
We stopped outside the library doors, and George reminded us to keep our weapons in their holsters at all times. These were our compatriots. No threatening moves would be tolerated.
Everyone in the library looked up when the doors opened. I took them all in, trying to see what changes had occurred in five years. Willow was sitting at the computer, no doubt looking at an autopsy report or the city plans. Oz was nearby, browsing an old book. The Book of the Undead, unless I was mistaken. I had spend many an hour going over that book myself, trying to find anything that would help Buffy defeat her latest foe.
They all looked a little older, but that was all. Willow's beauty had become more pronounced, perhaps by the small bulge visible under her dress. Will pregnant... She'd make a great mom. Oz had let his natural hair color grow. I wondered how long that would last.
Buffy was in the middle of the room, in a fighting stance. Giles was behind her, wearing padding over his tweed suit. They were obviously practicing. Buffy was a little more muscular, and Giles thinner. I wonder how he's been dealing the last few years?
Mandy, the girl from the park was sitting at one of the tables with her foot propped up on another chair. Didn't Angel say that the latest Slayer's name was Amanda? I guess she must go by Mandy for short.
Mrs, Summers was sitting beside Mandy. Her hair was turning grey. That was quite a shock. I looked back at Giles and noticed he had taken the head pad off, and that he was experiencing the same hair change. So much was the same, but everything was different.
I almost expected Cordy to come barging through the doors, demanding to know why she had to give up her Friday night to help. She had never really minded helping, she just wanted to keep her image going.
Giles was the first to speak. "Um... May I help you?"
"Are you Giles?" George asked.
Giles knew enough to know that we were dangerous, he just didn't know who we were dangerous to. I guess he was playing it safe, and not giving anything away.
"My name is Sergeant George Candle. You were referred to me by Mr. Galway. He said we could be a big help to each other."
"I don't know a Mr. Galway. I'm sorry. Now, would you please leave?"
Well, now. How was this supposed to be solved. I had a feeling this was where Angel expected me to come forward and assure the group that we were friendly. I was just about to do that when George spoke again.
"I'm supposed to tell you that the heart is still turned inwards."
Giles looked confused. He obviously didn't know what George was talking about. Buffy did, though. Shelatched onto Giles' arm as if she were about to faint. The others looked at her in concern, and Mrs. Summers rushed to her side.
"Are you alright?"
"Angel. He means Angel."
Mrs. Summers hugged her daughter. Last time I checked, she didn't fully understand what the deal with Angel was, but she tried to comfort her daughter anyway.
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