Chapter Four: The Vampire Haven

[Buffy Summers]

Buffy and company awoke the next morning, refreshed yet apprehensive of what the day would bring. They assembled in the main hall, and Buffy took them to what many of those present considered the holy grail: the arsenal. Weapons of every imaginable kind were represented...and each of the companions was given free reign to arm themselves as they chose.

Next Buffy went over the plan: surround the haven, move in and take as many out as possible, retreat back to the camp. There were usually about thirty vampires present at any given time: should there be considerable more than that, they were simply to gather intel unnoticed and regroup back at the compound. Hopefully they would figure out the why of why this particularly coterie of vampires was together in the process.

They loaded into the black SUVs which would bring them close to the haven, then they would hike in - hopefully unnoticed - the rest of the way.

As dusk aproached, the caravan came to its final stop, and everyone got out. Giving David some last directions, Buffy then turned to the rest and indicated the small path that would guide them into the darkness of the forest.

[Winifred Burkle]

::Oz had decided to come along for the ride, he'd picked himself a nice ax, and figured he could try and help cover other people's backs. It seemed even if he wasn't totally needed, it never hurt to have an extra person with an ax, who did okay swinging it.::

(Haven't tried fighting a whole group of vamps in a while, we'll see how this goes.)

::Not that Oz hadn't fought any or anything since his days in Sunnydale, it just wasn't so often or so many. But he was also confident his skills had greatly improved since then. As part of his mental training to control the wolf, he spent time channeling his energy through martial arts of a couple varieties.::

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike was silent as he walked. He held a broadsword in his hands, testing it's strength. Gwen walked beside him, as Spike was loathe to let the girl go anywhere by herself. He still worried about her recovery immensely, but she had insisted she was fine as they left in that morning.

They hadn't really spoke about the Angel episode much - he knew the hurt look on Gwen's face had been because she discovered he was in love with Buffy. He didn't know what to say to that. He had been at a loss for words about the whole situation.

He looked at Gwen, who looked solemn, like stone. Spike let the sword dangle in in his left hand and reached for her, laying a hand on her shoulder and stopping her where she walked. He implored her with his gaze. "Are you sure you're alright, ducks?" He said quietly, not trying to attract attention from the others or anything else that might be lurking in the woods. It had not been the first time he'd asked that question since they woke that day. Before he had been referring to her health - now, he was talking about something else entirely.

[Lyri]

::Gwen gazed into Spike's blue eyes as he asked her, not for the first time that day, if she was alright. But something told her that this time he wasn't asking about her injury.

::She took a deep breath as she flexed her fingers around the battle axe she was holding.::

"I don't actually know what to say. It was just a shock, finding out that you guys are in love with the same girl. I mean, when I first met Angel, he was looking for this girl that he said he loved...I mean, anyone that bad at stealing stuff had to be doing it for love. But the girl wasn't Buffy. So now I'm all confused."

::Gwen purposfully avoided voicing her own feelings on hearing that particular fact. Spike was becoming her best friend, the first person she fully trusted in her whole life. She didn't want to say anything that might change that.::

[Anita Blake]

::Twirling a stake carelessly in her hand, Faith walked along the trail::

(Bored. Bored. Bored. Bored. Bored.)

::Spotting Oz walking a little ahead of where she was, she jogged up next to him::

Oz: "Hey, man. Nice ax."

::Flipping her stake up in the air and catching it deftly, Faith grinned at Oz::

Oz: "You do remember how to kill vamps, right?"

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike pursed his lips. He got the distinct feeling Gwen wasn't telling the truth, like he often did on things like this. But, for once, Spike respected the girl's decision to not tell him that. He nodded at her.

"If you say so, Static girl." He smiled at her for a moment, and squeezed her shoulder. "Hey - you know you can tell me anything, right, love?" He held her gaze, letting her see the truth in his eyes. "I'm here for you, Gwen. I don't know a lot about you, and I don't really much give a damn at this point. But I know things have been hard for you. And I'm sorry."

He leaned in and kissed her forehead then, and impluse he sure as hell was ready for. He smiled, embarassed, and turned and started walking again.

[Lyri]

::Gwen closed her eyes as Spike leaned in and kissed her forehead, savoring the moment. It felt good to finally be able to trust someone enough to let her guard down and be herself around them.

::She wacthed as Spike turned and started walking again, and hurried to catch up with him. With her left hand she reached out and took hold of the vampire's right, giving it a tight squeeze as they continued to walk.::

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Angel followed Buffy silently listening for any sign of the enemy. He still hadn't told Buffy about his little episode with Spike yet worrying about the reaction she might have::

Buffy-"So what's the plan."

:: It was the first time Angel had spoken to Buffy in a while. He was concerned for her but didn't know what to say::

[Buffy Summers]

:: Buffy stopped and looked at Angel for a second. ::

"Did you already forget from this morning?"

:: Angel: always trying to be the boss. ::

[Wanabee-slayer]

::Angel looked at Buffy he could hear the annoyance in her voice::

Buffy:"No, I was just checking nothing had changed."

::Angel looked at Buffy and concern swept over his face::

[Angels baby101]

::Illyria walked along with the group, she had gotten bored back at the camp.. She thought it best she fight. It was what she was good at Destruction. She walked along silently behind the others looking at her surroundings.::

[Black Eye Guy]

::Willow was walking close by Buffy, she had taken a stake from the weapons, she was not really strong enough to carry an axe and was not skilled enough to use a sword, so she stuck to a classic, knowing that if she got into trouble she had her magick to fall back on.
She noticed Spike kiss Gwen on the forehead, ("That's a little odd?") she flashed a confused look at Spike::

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike looked up and saw Willow shooting him a confused stare.

He did nothing but shrug and wrap his right arm around Gwen's shoulders, suddenly very much protective of the girl walking beside him.

His senses were going crazy. He looked at Buffy and stiffness in her shoulders and he knew she was sensing the same thing. [We're close], he thought. He gripped Gwen tighter, so much so that he thought his hands were shaking.

[VisionGuy]

:: Connor walked along with the group. He had taken a sword from the arsenal and two stakes. He always liked to be more than prepared for a situation like this. Buffy had explained the plan before and Connor knew that it was going to be dangerous. Connor kept walking and he noticed some blue haired chick that looked just like Fred. He had seen her before during his tour of Wolfram and Hart and had thought that she was kinda hot in her outfit. He walked up to the blue haired chick and looked at her outfit.

Illyria: "Wow Fred. I never figured you for wearing something like that."

:: He looked closely at her and realized something.

Illyria: "You're not Fred are you?"

[Angels baby101]

::Illyria looked at Connor and sighed she was tired of everyone mistaking her for Fred, She rolled her eyes at the boy::

"My name is Illyria, an old one.. Fred...She no longer.."

::Illyria stopped trying to think of a better way to fraze, that she killed the fred they once knew so that she could use her body for her own essence. Although she really didn't care what people thought of her, she was tired of being looked at like an alien.::

"Someone made a mistake and it cost Fred her life, but brought mine to. I found that the world i once knew and ruled was destroyed, and this world now is what it has become...We're you and Fred close?"

[VisionGuy]

:: Connor got sad when Illyria told him that Fred was dead. He was tired of hearing about everone dying. First the bad news of Wesley, then Cordy, and now Fred. Connor hoped that nobody from this group would share the same fate.

Illyria: "You could say we were close."

:: Connor looked at Illyria once more.

Illyria: "So how long have you been fighting alongside Angel?"

[Angels baby101]

::Illyria sensed Connor's sadness and her facial expressions softened a bit more::

"Not to long before the big fight in the alley, a few months... Wesley he tried to make me part of the group, holding onto the memory of Fred i would think. I assume this is what would make him happy, For I to fight along side of the halfbreed and the little blonde one. They seem to be the leaders."

::She looked ahead to Angel and Buffy, then back to connor.::

"How do you fit into the fight? You are but a child, How did you Know Fred?"

[Wanabee-slayer]

::Angel looked at Buffy again still concerned about her he saw the stiffness in her::

Buffy:"Buffy are you okay you seem a little distracted?"

[Cordelia]

Kennedy held the crossbow tightly in her hand. She was eager to fight some vamps. It felt great to be able to be strong again. Now that she had felt the power of the slayer strength, there was no alternative to her.

[buffetofsporks]

:: Andrew pulled up the rear of the caravan. He knew he had to be here, though. This was his right of passage. This would make him into something important. This would probably make him die, but still, he had to think positive. He dragged along a crossbow and a quiver of thin wooden stakes on his back. He made his way up to Kennedy and decided to make conversation. ::

Kennedy: So, Ken ... How's it feel to get back there in that fighting game? Crazy, huh? I've been ...

:: Andrew fiddled with his quiver in order to make it more comfortable. ::

Kennedy: I've been so busy with all the ... training stuff, that I just haven't had time to get in the game. I'm just itching-

:: Andrew tripped and landed face first in the muddy ground. He pulled himself up and tried to get as much muddy excess off this clothing as possible. ::

Kennedy: I did that on purpose ... Get a feel of the land, you know? Yeah ...

[VisionGuy]

Illyria: "Well, Angel's my father so I used to fight alongside him, Fred, and the others."

:: Connor looked ahead at Angel who was walking with Buffy. He then turned to Illyria and smiled.

Illyria: "So do you have any cool powers?"

[Angels baby101]

::Illyria looked at angel agian then back to connor, she didn't know that vampires could breed. Back in her time she hadn't seen it.::

"Most of my powers are gone, Wesley drainned them...Though i wish he hadn't have, He said it was for the best that they were going to destroy me and alot of other people. Vampires cannot create life so how is it you exsist, and how is it you are human..."

[Anita Blake]

::Shrugging at the always stoic Oz, who hadn't responded to her taunt, she looked around for someone else to 'talk' to::

(Hmmmm, who haven't I had time to catch up with...Well, there's Willow. I just talked to her a bit yesterday, but what the heck.)

::Leaving Oz and walking over to where Willow was staring strangely at Spike she tapped her on the shoulder::

Willow: "Hey Red. What's got you so fixated that you're staring holes into Blondie-vamp over there?"

[Black Eye Guy]

::Willow smiled still looking at Spike who had ignored her, then she turned to Faith::

Faith: "Nothing, just interesting... So what do you think is up with this mission? I don't think we're being given the whole story, I mean all this, for a group of vamps?"

[Anita Blake]

::Shrugging, Faith again got out her stake and started twirling it::

Willow: "Honestly? I have no idea. I do have a feeling that something is about to happen, but come on. Vampires in Canada? Its like I said before. What kind of self-respecting vampire lives in Canada? But, if Buffy says they need killin', well I figure she's probably right. Besides, I'm up for a fight."

::Grinning at Willow she threw the stake into the air and caught it on the way down::

Willow: "You're probably right about not getting the full story though. I have this feeling but I can't really figure it out."

[Black Eye Guy]

::Willow stared ahead ("Buffy wouldn't lead us into trouble, without knowing all the risks") she nodded to herself. Then she smiled and said in a fun way::

Willow: "So what do you think is gonna happen between Angel, Buffy and Spike, I mean it can't be much longer till someone says something, that should be interesting"

::She looked at Faith, grinning::

[Anita Blake]

::Grinning back at Willow, Faith shook her head in mock dismay::

Willow: "You've got a devious mind there Red. I'm...I'm...so...proud!"

::Laughing slightly she looked up ahead at Buffy and Angel::

Willow: "Well things do look kinda tense up there...but the drama that is the three of them needs to be resolved. But maybe it already has..."

[Buffy Summers]

::Angel looked at Buffy again still concerned about her he saw the stiffness in her::

Buffy:"Buffy are you okay you seem a little distracted?"
"I just can't get over the feeling that there's something strange going on here...I mean, why such a large group together, and here of all places. I have a bad feeling there's more to this than we know."

:: Buffy paused a second while brushing the bangs off of her forehead. ::

"Plus - I'm having a bad hair day."

[VisionGuy]

Illyria: "To tell you the truth, I don't know how I was able to be born. Or why I am human."

:: Connor looked around at everyone else who was in his group. He wondered why Buffy and the others were going through so much trouble just to take out some vamps. Connor thought that there was something weird going on.

[Angels baby101]

"Well... isn't that interesting. You sense something weird is going on dont you? As do I. Most halfbreeds only cause minimal threat though with the large amount of people present on this mission it looks as though we have a major problem ahead of Us."

::Illyria sensed that most of the group had fears,worries, and many other humain feelings that corrisponded with Fear.::

"The blonde is the leader, other than your father. Maybe she knows more then she is letting on?"

[VisionGuy]

:: Connor got shocked at Illyria's words. It was like she read his mind. But she was right.

Illyria: "I don't know what's going on. I feel like we're walking into a trap of some kind. Maybe it's not a good idea to be rushing into this place until we know more."

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike's hands were definitely shaking. He didn't quite understand why - he never got like this before a fight. He was usually all fists and fangs, ready to tear a new hole into some beastie.

This felt different. It felt...wrong. Something deep inside of this soul shuddered. His survival instincts told him to turn tail and run in the other direction, to run for California, and to never stop until he got there.

He was almost positive part of his feeling had something to do with Gwen - he felt that, deep in his heart. His worry had grown, if that's at all possible. He turned to look at Gwen, who had a pensive look on her face, almost matching his. He smiled wanly at her, stroking the bottom of her hair with his fingertips. He tried for reassuring, and he hoped he got there.

[Winifred Burkle]

::Oz rolled his eyes at the impatience of Faith.::

(Typical, seems she hasn't changed too much. At least not when waiting for a fight.)

::She'd barely giving him a chance to respond before moving on. All the better though that he wasn't distracted right now though. It sounded like a lot of vampires in this lair, and he needed focus to be able to fight his best.::

[Angels baby101]

::Illyria looked over the crowd of people walking into something that might be bigger then what they had planned.::

"Your Angel's son, but yet i have not seen you around often."

::Illyria looked questionitive at Connor::

"In fact i have heard nothing of you, or near nothing."

[Lyri]

::Gwen felt Spike playing with the tips of her long brown hair, which she had removed from her braide that morning. She looked up at the taller man and frowned, her brows knitting. Something was wrong, she could feel it.::

Spike: "Are you okay? You seem...freaked."

::Gwen trusted this man more than anyone in her whole life. If he was concerned, she knew something wasn't right. She grabbed Spike's hand and pulled him to a stop.::

"What's going on?"

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike tried to smile, and failed miserably.

"It's nothing, ducks." He lied. He knew he shouldn't - he knew she would sense it. But he didn't want to worry her, didn't want to tell her about the growing pit of dread in his stomach that told him if they didn't leave, right now, someone was going to die. Possibly all of them.

He remembered now the last time he felt that feeling - the night before the battle with the First. The night before he sacrificed himself to save the woman he loved and all those she cared about. The night before Amanda, Chao-Ahn, and Anya had died.

Gwen didn't need to know about that. Not yet.

"It's nothing," he repeated, sighing, trying to let go of the feeling he had. "Just a bit of the old vamp senses kicking in. We're getting close." That was all he offered to her.

He smiled at her, and let go of her completely, choosing to walk without contact. He needed to think.

Then the thought came, and as much as he tried to rationalize it, he knew it needed to happen.

[i]He turned to Gwen on a whim. "I want you to know something." He started, not exactly sure how to say what he was going to say. "When we get in there, it's going to be you and me. You stick close to me, alright? I want to make sure you're okay." He looked to the head of the group, where Buffy and the Grand Poof were walking and talking. "I need to go talk to Buffy. I'll be right back."

[Black Eye Guy]

:: Willow could sense everyone’s anxiety, all of them knew they were walking into something bigger, and everyone was screaming it at her, their fears were over powering. What she was feeling was not everyone’s thoughts, she was not listening in, although she could if she wanted, but she could feel the fear and it was pushing her. But this was just something Willow had developed, she was able to control it, so she could push it to the back of her mind and not concentrate on it. Instead she concentrated on her own fear. she clutched her stake. Then she turn her head to look for Kennedy, finding her she smiled a smile of comfort ::

[Anita Blake]

::Noticing the look between Willow and Kennedy, Faith grinned, but instead of saying something about it, she decided to leave and give them a chance to talk::

Willow: "So Red, I've had enough of this chatter. I'm heading towards the front to talk to our oh-so-fearless-leader. Catch ya later."

::Jogging towards the tenseness that was Buffy and Angel she came along side Buffy::

Buffy: "So B. What's the plan?"

[Lyri]

::Gwen watched as Spike jogged off towards the front of the group. Towards Buffy.

::Now that she as alone, without Spike to keep her company, Gwen realized how cold she was. She still wore the stonewashed jeans she had found the day before, but she had traded in her red top for a black fitted T. It still wasn't really her style, but it was the best she could do. The only thing she hadn't considered was how cold it was going to be.

::Shivering, Gwen switched her axe to the other hand and rubbed at her bare arms, trying to generate some heat. Somewhere deep inside Gwen knew that her coldness came more from her anxiety than the actual weather. She had never gone up against a nest of vampires before. Hell, she never even knew they existed until she had met Angel. Even with the group of people she was with, Gwen didn't know what to expect, how she was going to handle herself.

::She was terrified that she was going to let them all down.::

[Wanabee-slayer]

Plus I'm having a bad hair day

:: Angel laughed and looked at Buffy once more. She was always beautiful in his eyes. ::

Buffy: "Well if it's any consolation I think you look fine. Better then fine."

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike had neared the front of group, and he had heard Angel's last statement. Spike rolled his eyes and tried very hard not to vomit.

He sidled up beside Buffy, matching her stride. "Sorry to interrupt, but I need to talk to Buffy. Alone. For a little bit."

Spike flashed Buffy a small grin. He tried to read the expression on her face - she looked pensive, distracted. The grin melted off his face. [This never ends,] he thought. Sympathy for the Slayer before him filled him for a moment. [She never gets a bloody break.]

[Wanabee-slayer]

::Angel looked at Spike and didn't want to leave Buffy with him unless Bufffy wanted him to. He looked at Buffy for some indication that she wanted to be left alone with Spike. And gave Spike a scowl::

[Buffy Summers]

:: Buffy didn't really need the distraction of Angel and Spike going twenty rounds...so she made a wave to Angel implying that it was alright. ::

Spike: "What's on your mind?"

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike looked ahead of him, shoving his hands into his duster pockets. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter; he lit one up, if to lessen his anxiety than nothing else.

He puffed before he spoke. "Something's not right up there, Buffy." He said softly. He heard the soft crunch of the brush underneath his boots; the murmurings of other conversations floated to his ears. "This is more than my usual vamp mojo - there is something ancient, something dangerous up there." He tossed a look behind him, and took another drag off his cigarette. He eyed all of them in turn, his gaze settling on Gwen. His chest tightened. He shook his head and puffed again, turning to look at Buffy. "In hate to say this, petal, but maybe we should've put this off a couple of days. Trained the newbies a little better. I just don't want..." He turned to look at Gwen again, who looked small and cold. "I don't want anyone to get hurt if we can help it. There's big evil up here, love. I can feel it."

He looked at Buffy for some sign of reaction, and continued to smoke.

[Anita Blake]

::Faith feeling totally ignored, scowled at Spike who had shoved past her, not even noticing that she was walking next to Buffy::

(Damn touchy blonde vampires...Don't know why Buffy puts up with him. I was walking there Blondie! Hell, with all the tension between those three no wonder Faith is suddenly invisible. Crap. I've started to talk in the third person. I need to talk to someone else. Someone who's not gonna make me insane...)

::Spotting Gwen, looking lonely, pensive and a little cold, Faith slowed down and waited until Gwen caught up with her. Walking next to her, Faith remained silent for a moment. Seeing her shiver again, Faith sighed::

Gwen: "So I guess you need more than a little electricity to keep you warm, huh Sparkie?"

::Shrugging out of her own jean jacket she always wore, she offered it to Gwen::

Gwen: "Go on, take it. Slayers are more hot blooded than most human, and I was starting to feel warm."

(She looks worried. Hell, I bet she's never fought a vampire before. We're not ready for this. What is B thinking.)

Gwen: "So, killed many vamps before?"

[VisionGuy]

::Illyria looked over the crowd of people walking into something that might be bigger then what they had planned.::

"Your Angel's son, but yet i have not seen you around often."

::Illyria looked questionitive at Connor::

"In fact i have heard nothing of you, or near nothing."

:: It's not surprising that Illyria hadn't heard much of Connor. When Angel gave him this new life, he wasn't supposed to get involved in anything like this. Or have any interaction with anyone from Angel Investigations.

Illyria: "Well, it's very complicated. I used to hang out with Angel and the others until he...."

:: Connor looked down. He was really grateful for what Angel did for him. He just wished Angel knew that. Even though Connor didn't want to make a big deal out of it, he wanted to repay Angel. He had done a lot of wrong to him like sinking him to the bottom of the ocean and trying to kill him on more than one occasion.

Illyria: "Let's just say, he gave me a chance to start over."

[Wanabee-slayer]

She made a wave to Angel implying that it was alright

::Angel fell back he hated the fact that Spike was with Buffy but had no other option then to do as she asked. So he walked over to where Illyria was talking to his son. Although Connor had now started over Angel would always think f him as his son.::

Both:"Hey"

[Winifred Burkle]

::Oz hung to the back of the group, keeping his eyes on everyone, and turning to glance over his shoulder here and there. He could literally smell the fear and worry. In his attempt to put a leash on the wolf in him, he'd also begun to embrace the wolf in him more. Ever since becoming a wolf, he'd gained a hightened sense of smell, and in the past few years it had become more atuned.::

(Everyone is on edge, I can tell, even if I couldn't smell the fear. All you have to do is read the body language.)

::As that thought occured to him he wondered what his own body language said. He assessed himself, and seemed sure he was as calm as he could be for the situation. Oz tended not to panic. Of course that didn't mean he was without some fear, and that he didn't at times let his emotions freely be read on his face. But this was not one of those times where any of his emotions could be outwardly seen on him. He was the ever cool and collected Oz. He wiggled his ax back and forth a little and his posture changed then. He breathed a little deeper, and his already short stature, stood a little lower. His posture began to resemble that of a wolf stalking prey.::

(Be ready for anything.)

[VisionGuy]

:: Connor watched Angel as he approched him and Illyria.

Angel: "Hey Dad."

:: Connor felt a little awkward talking to Angel in this situation. He didn't know what to say.

Angel: "So....Did you talk to Buffy about this mission we're going on?"

[Wanabee-slayer]

Connor-"Kind of. There's nothing new."

::Angel saw how tense Connor was and wished he could say something to the boy to make things better between them after all Connor was his son::

[VisionGuy]

Angel: "Dad, I'm having this bad feeling. I don't think that we're getting the whole story here. I'm not the only one that's nervous. I can tell everyone else is having doubts."

:: Connor looked at Angel and saw that his expression indicated that he knew as much as Connor did.

[Wanabee-slayer]

Connor:"I know what you mean but we have to deal as best we can. We're on a mission."

::Angel looked at his son and couldn't help but wonder if that was the only thing on his mind.::

Connor:"Is that the only thing on your mind? Cause I'm always here if you wanna talk."

[VisionGuy]

:: Connor knew that this "mission" wasn't the only thing on his mind. He didn't want to come off as sappy by telling Angel how much he appreciated what he did. But they were probably on their way to their death so why not bring it up?

Angel: "Actually, that's not the only thing on my mind."

:: Connor tried to look away from Angel.

Angel: "I know I said this before but I wanted to tell you that I really appreciate what you did for me. Giving me a new life and all.
I know I've done a lot of bad things to you and I probably didn't deserve it. But it really meant a lot to me."

:: Connor didn't look at Angel but he knew he had to be smiling.

Angel: "I'm just saying this now just in case we die or something."

[Wanabee-slayer]

::Angel smiled. He loved his son more then he would've thought possible and to hear him say this made him happy.::

"It was the least I could do I'm you're father and I'm going to watch out for you. And you're not going to die not if I can help it."

[VisionGuy]

:: Connor smiled. It felt so good to get that out his chest.

Angel: "We're not gonna have to hug are we?"

:: Connor started laughing and gave his father a hug.

Angel: "Well, let's get ready to kill some vamps."

[Wanabee-slayer]

:: Angel savoured every moment of his Connor hugging him and laughed along with him.::

Connor:"Do you think you're ready? College mighta softened you up."

[VisionGuy]

:: Connor laughed at Angel's joke. He never heard Angel tell a joke like that before.

Angel: "Not as much as sitting behind a desk for a year softened you up."

[Wanabee-slayer]

::Angel laughed along with Connor. He hadn't been this happy since Cordelia's death which in a way had now changed him.::

[Angels baby101]

::Illyria watched Connor and Angel hug, she felt warmth from the two..::

"More emotion....its good... that you get it out incase you die."

::Illyria blinked when they looked at her like she was strange::

"I am not the only one thinking of death here i'm sure. Death is a big part of this thing not just ours but the other halfbreeds we are determinded to kill."

[Lyri]

::Gwen looked from Faith to the jacket she offered and back again. Allowing herself to smile just a little, she accepted the jacket and put it on, sighing frm the added warmth.

::Faith's question lingered in the air. Gwen shook her head.::

Faith: "No, not many...didn't even know they existed until I met Angel. I feel like I'm out of my element here."

::Gwen looked up to the front of the group, and watched as Spike and Buffy talked. She took a deep breath.::

Faith: "Plus, Spike thinks we're not getting the whole story here. And I trust what he believes. Something's wrong."

[Anita Blake]

::Folowing Gwen's gaze, she let her gaze rest on Buffy::

(B, what are you doing?)

Gwen: "Yeah, I'm sensing things are a little off too, but I don't think that Buffy would put us in danger deliberately. If it was something really important she would've told us."

(She should've told us anyways. If she left out something important we're gonna have a long talk after this is over...)

::Faith turned back to Gwen grinning::

Gwen: "So, you want a few pointers on vamp hunting?"

[Wanabee-slayer]

::Angel could feel people's eyes on him and his son but couldn't care less this was a good moment and Angel wasn't going to let anyone ruin that. Connor and Angel stopped hugging.::

Connor:"So do you think your ready to go hunting?"

[VisionGuy]

:: Even though Connor didn't know what to expect he was still ready to face whatever was waiting for them.

Angel: "Yeah, I'm ready."

[Wanabee-slayer]

::Angel heard the determination in Connor's voice and swelled with pride::

Connor:"Good."

[Lyri]

::Hugging the jacket closer to her body, Gwen smiled at Faith.::

Faith: "Thinking maybe I could do with a few pointers."

::She lifted her axe and twirled it in her hands.::

"Not real comfortable with things like this."

[Anita Blake]

::Grinning at Gwen, she motioned toward the axe::

Gwen: "Well, first of all, try not choking the axe. Use a looser grip, but not so loose that you throw it away when you swing it. But you do need to Have a little flexibility in your motions. And then the of course the most important things. How to kill the vampires."

::Pulling a stake out of the back of her pants she handed it to Gwen::

Gwen: "This is a stake. It is your friend. The ways to kill a vamp are simple. Stake it through the heart with something wooden, decapitate it, or set it on fire. They are afraid of Holy water, garlic, and sunlight. And enough of any of those will kill 'em too."

::Faith started frowning::

(I hope that we aren't going up against a lot of experienced vamps. That way could be bad. I hope B knows what she is doing...)

::Smiling again at Gwen::

Gwen: "Don't sweat it really. We're probably just going up against a bunch of newbies, they won't be terribly more difficult than humans. Plus, Spike, if I know him, is gonna be keepin' an eye on you. And I'll be nearby if you need some more pointers."

[Winifred Burkle]

::Oz stepped carefully, eyes wide open, ears alert, and nose already at work. He heard a soft murmer of something, but it was still too far off to make out, he could see everyone in their group moving with care, following Buffy. He breathed deeply, softly, and with care, his body feeling ready for a fight, and ready to make a quick departure should there be more than expected and Buffy decided to turn it into a recon mission at the moment.::

[Buffy Summers]

Spike looked ahead of him, shoving his hands into his duster pockets. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter; he lit one up, if to lessen his anxiety than nothing else.

He puffed before he spoke. "Something's not right up there, Buffy." He said softly. He heard the soft crunch of the brush underneath his boots; the murmurings of other conversations floated to his ears. "This is more than my usual vamp mojo - there is something ancient, something dangerous up there." He tossed a look behind him, and took another drag off his cigarette. He eyed all of them in turn, his gaze settling on Gwen. His chest tightened. He shook his head and puffed again, turning to look at Buffy. "In hate to say this, petal, but maybe we should've put this off a couple of days. Trained the newbies a little better. I just don't want..." He turned to look at Gwen again, who looked small and cold. "I don't want anyone to get hurt if we can help it. There's big evil up here, love. I can feel it."

He looked at Buffy for some sign of reaction, and continued to smoke.
:: Buffy shook her head. ::

"Big evil is what we're here for."

:: She paused - and looked pointedly at Spike. ::

"Let's not let our personal feelings get in the way of the mission."

:: Buffy held up a hand, motioning for everyone to stop before addressing them. ::

All: "It's not much further, so this is the place for one last meet and greet. Everybody has their earpieces in, so we can all communicate. When we reach the building, we'll spread out. Willow, Spike, Andrew and Gwen with me and the north entrance, and Faith, Oz, Xander, Dawn, and Illyria, take the east. Angel will take the rest at the third door. Wait for my signal to go in. If you see anything, let us know via your radios."

:: Buffy motioned for them to resume their hike. ::

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike stood still as Buffy walked away.

A wry smile played on his features. He lowered his head, chagrined. "Right, then." He whispered to Buffy's retreating form. He took the last drag off his cigarette and flicked it into the darkness.

The rest of the group continued to walk around him. He twirled his broadsword idly, embarassed, and a little more put in his place. He watched Buffy walk away, and his thought began to consume him -

[She's so cold. She was never like this, not even when things were more bollixed than-]

[I love you.]

Spike shook his head. The thought came unbidden, unwanted. He tried to shake the words loose, but they had burned themselves into his memory long ago.

[No you don't. But thanks for saying it.]

He craned his head over to see Faith and Gwen approaching. He waited for them, and fell in step beside Faith. He was silent, lost to his thoughts.

[Lyri]

::Gwen listened to Buufy address everyone, a little shocked.::

"Um, she wants me with her? What did i miss?"

::Looking back at Faith, she gave a little half smile.::

Faith: "Looks like you're gonna be on the other side of the haven. But thanks for your help."

::Gwen relaxed her grip on the axe and stuck the stake Faith had given her in to the back of the waist band of her jeans. She felt a little more confident, but she was glad Spike was going to be with her at least.

::Looking up, she saw Spike slow his pace until he was walking beside her and Faith. She took a deep breath.::

"Guess this is it."

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike lit another cigarette. He tossed a look at Gwen, smiling wryly at her. "I guess so, love. You ready?"

Spike puffed on his cigarette and stepped around Faith to come abreast of Gwen. He implored her with his gaze. "Remember what I said, alright, ducks? I want you to stick close. No telling what kind of big evil's up there, and I want to make sure you're protected."

He wrapped his free arm around Gwen, squeezing her tightly for a moment in reassurance. He then let her go, and continued to walk.

[Anita Blake]

::Grinning at Gwen she shrugged::

Gwen: "Guess so, but you're a big girl and I'm sure you're capable of covering your own butt."

::Leaning towards Spike she smacked him on the back::

Gwen: "If you do get in trouble give a call, but I think you'll be in ok hands with Blondie here. He's acting a mite protective."

(Looks like B wants me to keep an eye on baby sis. And Xander the one-eyed, one-legged wonder. Poor guy. And Oz, who hasn't fought a vamp in so long I might need to give him pointers. Plus, I'm watching Demon Chick...

Out Loud: "Oh hell!"

(I'm a frickin' babysitter! This is just great. Well, I know they all have experience and hopefully we aren't going up against anything really powerful. Even Dawn has been taking out some fledglings lately. As long as Blue there stays good, I won't have to really worry about her either.)

Spike and Gwen: "Hey guys. Good luck out there and I'll see ya'll later. Gonna go find my group."

::Spotting Dawn, Faith walked up to her and threw an arm around her shoulders::

Dawn: "Hey D. Looks like we're in the same group. You ready?"

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike jerked when Faith hit him, and sent her a glare.

He watched her trot off towards Dawn and considered her words for a moment. [Crazy bint is right about one thing,] he thought, taking a drag off his cigarette.

[i]He sent a smile over to the girl next to him, and upon reading the worry on her features, he said quietly, "You'll do fine, love. I don't call you Static for the fun of it."

He started to ready himself for battle, rolling his shoulders and making sure his body was nice and loose. He cricked his neck to the side and hefted the broadsword, making tiny slashes in the air, bouncing on the balls of his feet. Adrenaline he shouldn't possess began to course thrugh him - his smile turned into a wicked grin as the feel of battle overtook him.

[Black Eye Guy]

::Willow clutched her stake, they would be there soon. She walked over to Kennedy, and smiled::

Kennedy: "Hey, you ok?"

[Lyri]

::Gwen watched as Spike readied himself for the battle ahead.::

Guess I should do that too.

::Moving away from Spike, putting minimum safe distance between them, Gwen allowed her power to return to what she considered 'normal' before she had stolen 'Lisa' with the help of Gunn. Now, she could control her power, reduce it to next to nothing, enabling her to have human contact for the first time in her life.::

Which is why Spike and I are so tactile. Because I've never had that before.

::But now, as the electricty surged through her body, Gwen glanced up at the vampire.::

Spike: "Gotta be ready for whatever's ahead, so, try not to touch me. I don't wanna be the reason some of these guys get carried off on a strecher."

Or worse.

::With her earpiece, Gwen knew that at least some of the others had heard her speak, so she didn't have to keep repeating herself. She squared her shoulders as their destination neared.::

"Show time."

::Gwen smiled.::

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike noticed the change come over Gwen. Her body seemed to hum with electricity. He felt like he was walking next to a human lightning rod.

Spike smiled at her comment, and quick as lightning breached the gap between them. He landed a kiss on her temple, the same temple where his foot had landed with such deafening grace not a day earlier.

Sparks shot from Gwen's skin and danced on his lips. The electricity shocked him, burned through him. White-hot fire danced along his body.

For a minute, a split second in time, he thought he could feel his heart beat-

Then nothing.

He pulled back, hiding his shock behind a wry smile. "Vampire, love." He said arily, without a trace of concern, when though his mind spun. His body cooled quickly and became one with the night air once more. "All that electric load doesn't effect me."

[Wanabee-slayer]

::Angel listened to Buffy and heard the harshness in her voice the coldness, and wanted nothing more then to make her happy again the way she used to be. Then he turned to his troops::

All:"All right let's go."

[Angels baby101]

::Illyria stood next to Faith and the others in the small group, She noticed the small screaming one who was hurt earlier, The newest one to the group with wierd color hair, The human with one eye, and then the other one... she was like the blonde leader except she had something else to her...she looked at Faith and then to the others she leaned into faith a little::

"The blonde one seems to have left us with the weaker ones. Though they seem to fight well.... they will need much protecting."

::Illyria for a moment sensed some dislikement from the group but shrugged it off.. she was trying to play nice, why she didn't fully understand but some of these people had helped her ease into this new world.. she owed it to them, she owed it to wesley.::

[Anita Blake]

::Faith looked at Illyria in surprise::

(I think I might could like her...)

::Grinning at Illyria, she leaned in and lowered her voice as not to be overheard by the others::

Illyria: "Yeah, B knows what she's doing though. They're tougher than they look but you're right about the protecting part. We're a group and we're gonna have to look out for each other. B trusts me...us...that's why she put her sister in our group. She wouldn't've put you in the same group with her sister if she didn't think that you could help protect her."

::Twirling a stake in her hand, she turned and grinned at Xander. Turning back to Illyria she spoke to her in a normal voice::

Illyria: "Anyone ever tell you that you worry too much Blue?"

[VisionGuy]

:: Connor looked over to where Dawn was at. He knew that she would be safe with Faith and Illyria. He turned to Angel.

Angel: "I guess we're in the same group. Are you nervous?"

:: Connor was nervous. He didn't know what to expect when they walked in there. At least he was going to face this with his father at his side.

[Lyri]

::Gwen smiled as Spike kissed her, felt his lips brush against her forehead. She knew that she had shocked him, but was grateful for the fact that he denied it.

::Looking around, Gwen watched as everyone started to gatering into their groups, getting ready for whatever was ahead. She and Spike started heading to the front, where Buffy was still standing, waiting.::

[Creature of the Night]

::Xander grinned back at Faith, and then tried to twirl the sword he had held in his hands. Tried. The thing almost fell out of his hands::

(Bugger. First time in ages, and I drop the bloody thing)

:He turned to Faith::

Faith: Somethings telling me I'm not ready. Like the fact that I don't have any control over my bladder

[Anita Blake]

::Faith grinned at Xander::

Xander: "Awww, what's wrong? The Zeppo feeling a little useless?"

::Punching Xander on the arm Faith reached over and corrected Xander's hands on the hilt of the sword::

Xander: "Just remember that the pointy end goes in the bad guys and lets try not to lose any important body parts today, ok?"

[Creature of the Night]

::Xander laughed slightly::

Faith: ''Thanks for the tip, but I haven't forgotten everything! And when are we gonna start getting killy and stuff already?''

[Anita Blake]

::Faith looked at Xander::

(Killy and stuff? And I though I was bad...)

Xander: "As soon as B gives us the signal."

[Winifred Burkle]

::Oz followed over to his group, he glanced at each person, but said nothing. He knew Faith was capable of serious body count with vampires. Xander was perhaps not a killing machine, but he usually knew what end to use, though clearly Xander had taken a few blows in recent years. Dawn, she might need some looking out for, and the blue girl, well, he didn't know anything about her really, but she gave off an air of confidence.::

(Focused, and go for the throat. Quick decapitations if you can. No need to over think the kill. They are vampires, they're usually going for the kill, you just have to beat them to it.)

[Creature of the Night]

::Xander looked around the group that was assembled. He was clearly one of the most incompetent there, having only one eye, and a limp, but he was sure he was gonna be some help. He turned to Faith::

Faith: ''Well, she'd better hurry up! I wanna prove I'm not altogether useless!''

[Anita Blake]

::Grinning to herself, Faith pretended shock::

(I can't resist.)

Xander: "What? You're not? And all this time I thought..."

[Buffy Summers]

The companions finally reached a break in the trees, coming upon a secluded stone building. On the outside it appeared a simple one-story...little would the casual onlooker know, however, that a deep underground level housed the evils of children's nightmares...

:: Buffy motioned for her group to quietly follow her, then to the others to spread out. Buffy took up their position in a shadowy spot next to a doorway, well camoflauged by trees and shrubs. She looked into a window, which revealed a heavy stone staircase going downward, guarded by two very large and bored looking vamps. Outside, no one was to be found. ::

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike whipped his sword up as they neared the entrance. He readied himself, and slid into game face.

Gwen was silent at his side, veritably crackling with electricity. He turned to look at her, but remembered his was vamped and looked quickly away.

"I think we should split once we get downstairs." His voice was very matter-of-fact, no nicknames used. He was ready for battle, and had realized Buffy was right - he can't allow personal feelings into the battle. "Not too far, 'cause I still want to keep an eye on you. Can't have you kill baddies if you're dead, now can we?"

[Black Eye Guy]

::Just as Willow had asked Kennedy "how was she" Buffy had motioned for them to quiet down and her group to follow her, so she smiled at Kennedy and grabbed hold of her hand and squeezed, then she made her way over to Buffy and followed her::

[Wanabee-slayer]

He turned to Angel.

Angel: "I guess we're in the same group. Are you nervous?"


::Angel looked at his son and smiled::

Connor:"What's there to be nervous for?"

[Lyri]

::Gwen turned towards Spike's voice as he suggested they split up once inside.::

Spike: "Makes sense."

Why isn't he looking at me?

::The answer came to her almost as soon as it was posed. He was wearing the face of the demon inside him, and he didn't want her too see him like that.::

Don't even know how I'd react if I did see it.

::She watched as Spike raised his sword and looked down at the axe in her right hand. It wasn't her kind of thing, but when Gwen found out that almost everyone else was taking a weapon, she had chosen the only one she thought she could handle. But it wasn't until she got here that Gwen realized that she was her own weapon.

::She tossed the single bladed axe onto the grass and pulled the stake Faith had given her out of her waistband, her power surging inside.

::Gwen was ready.::

[Anita Blake]

::Faith watched Buffy move her group into position and she motioned for her team to follow her. Moving around the side of the building as quietly as she could, she snuck up on a vampire that was patrolling the outside and quickly staked it in the heart::

(Well, they aren't that smart or old. He didn't even hear us.)

::Turning around, she gave the group a quick look to make sure everyone was still there. Facing front again she quickly made her way around to what was a side door into the place::

[VisionGuy]

:: Connor smiled at Angel and got his sword ready. It was refreshing to see that Angel wasn't nervous of going into the vamp haven. Especially, when Connor himself was nervous for not knowing what to find in that place. Connor stood quietly and waited for Angel to lead the way.

[Winifred Burkle]

::Oz followed Faith and watched her make quick work of the vamp that was hanging about the area near the door. It was enough to further up his alertness though. The situation was definatly about to get more serious.::

[Wanabee-slayer]

::Angel turned to face his troops.::

All:"All right we all know the drill. Get ready to move out when I tell you."

::Angel was upset about Buffy giving all the orders after all she wouldn't be here if it weren't for him. Angel turned to Connor::

Connor:"Wait here, I have to talk to Buffy."

::And with that Angel turned and walked off::

[Wanabee-slayer]

::Angel walked over to Buffy realising what he had to do and not liking tha=e idea of arguing with Buffy so appealing::

Buffy:"Buffy can I talk to you we have a serious problem."

[Buffy Summers]

:: Buffy's mouth actually dropped open, before replying in a hushed voice. ::

"What are you doing?! We're in the middle of something here. Why aren't you with your team?"

[Mesektet Ra]

Spike rolled his eyes at Angel. He lowered his sword and melted out of vamp face and turned to Gwen, expression exasperated. He rolled his eyes towards Angel again, and leaned up against the wall.

"Sod off, Peaches." He whispered harshly, leaning past Buffy. "Do as the Slayer says. Get back to your team and make with the killin', yea?"

[Lyri]

::Gwen watched as Angel walked over to Buffy, then had to surpress a giggle at the woman's shocked response.

::She rolled her eyes as Spike told the other vampire to go back to his group.::

I'm never going to get to the bottom of this triangle.

::Gwen inched herself forward until she was standing on the perimeter of the group.::

Buffy: "Maybe we should just get to the vamps."