The Past Can Haunt You
By Dreamer
Page 3 of 4
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the BtVS characters or Angel or Cordelia. They are the creation of Joss Whedon. They belong to the WB, Fox, Mutant Enemies, etc. Angel and Cordelia probably belong to the same people. I don't know who Pike belongs to, but he's not mine. Basically I don't own any of these people. I do own Harmony though (not the mean one). Please don't sue, I'm just a poor fanfic author.
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Part 5
Buffy sat down outside of the school on a sun-warmed bench on the lawn. Giles had found some sort of prophecy today that he thought had something to do with Pike. Giles had been woken her up from an afternoon nap early this afternoon telling her she should come back to help with the research. Pike and Angel were the only ones who hadn't shown up yet, and Angel was on his way, since he had just gotten off work. Luckily for Buffy, since that meant she got this brief reprieve to wait for Angel. Buffy wasn't sure if she could look at a book much longer, whether it was written in English or not. She tilted her head back and closed her eyes feeling the sun's glow on her face and simply relaxing.
She looked perfectly relaxed until her hand came up to catch the arm of her would-be-attacker. Buffy flipped the girl over her head, into the grass. The girl however was able to twist so she landed face down, twisting Buffy's arm into a very uncomfortable position. Buffy kicked out and let go of the girl's arm. The girl dodged the kick by rolling away and letting go of Buffy's arm. They stood up and circled each other warily, a smile glimmering in Buffy's eye. Each looked for the other's weak spot and attempted to get a blow in. The only ones that connected though were the ones where a defensive blow was taken, so that arms or legs hit, getting them absolutely no where. They continued to circle each other, neither one saying a word, but Buffy was now smiling broadly. Angel walked up and watched them circle each other. He leaned against a tree, choosing to watch; neither girl paid him any mind. Finally the other girl succeeded in getting under Buffy's guard. She used distracting blows before swiping Buffy's feet out from under her. Buffy fell to the grass with a thud and the other girl came to stand over her.
Buffy looked up at the girl standing over her and started laughing. The girl smiled. "I see you've improved on yer technique," she said. "It's still pretty sloppy, but you've improved," she said in a heavy accent, offering Buffy a hand up.
"Thanks," Buffy said taking the proffered hand, "I still see you don't like to improvise though."
"Why would I need to improvise when I knew I could beat ya?" she countered.
Buffy laughed. "How have you been Kendra?" Buffy asked, walking over to stand beside Angel.
"Alright. I thought you were a vampire," Kendra said addressing Angel.
"Oh yeah. I've heard that one before," Buffy joked.
"We improved the spell that gave me my soul back. Now I'm human during the day."
"A vampire that comes out in the day?" They nodded, while Kendra eyed the couple. "Well at least I have something I can tell me Watcher, now" Kendra said. "He was askin' a lot o' questions about ya. I never coulda told him the other Slayer was in love with a vampire, but it was hard answerin' some of his questions. Now I can tell him ye're just in love, and not worry bout explainin' that he's not human."
"What are you doing here?" Angel asked.
"My Watcher sent me. He said that there was someone very powerful and evil heading towards Sunnydale. He thought you might need the help."
"We're already on it. We found a prophecy this afternoon. All we have at the moment is a rough translation. Something about the hunter being the hunted."
When they got back to the library, Oz and Kendra were introduced and Giles gave the final translation of the prophecy: "He who hunts the worst in history, shall become hunted by one who he wished to kill. He shall be haunted by past and future combined, which will be his savior or the distraction which will lead to his destruction."
"Do we know who this could be about?" Kendra asked.
"It's probably about Pike," Giles explained, "He's a vampire hunter, with an agenda for killing the worst vampires in history."
"What do ya mean, a vampire hunter?"
"There basically Slayer wanna bes, except they get paid," Cordy said.
"Yeah, go figure. We don't even get any benefits," Buffy joked.
"Why do they hunt?" Kendra asked bewildered.
"Most kill vamps for money. For some, it's personal reasons," Buffy explained.
Giles cleared his throat noisily. "May we get back to the prophecy?"
"Oh, yes sir," Kendra said, hanging her head a bit, at the reprimand.
"Well the first part, probably means that one of the vampires he's been hunting on his "worst vamps" list, has come hunting him," Willow stated.
"Really Angel," Xander said with mock shock, "I thought you were past killing humans. I mean, just because he tried to kill you and he acts like an old beau of the Buffster, doesn't mean you should kill him." Angel gave Xander a withering look.
"Funny Xander," Buffy said with humorless sarcasm.
"He told us a list of the vampires he was hunting earlier didn't he?" Willow asked.
"Yeah, there was Luke and Darla, but they're dead," Buffy said.
"There was Spike," Oz said.
"Some Khakis-toes guy," Cordy put in.
"Kakistos," Angel corrected. "There was also someone named Arestor."
"So that leaves three. Spike, Kakistos, and Arestor," Buffy said.
"Yeah, but Spike's been in Sunnydale the last few months fighting you two, so unless he's been hunting Pike during the day he's out of the question," Cordy said.
"That's true, that leaves two, Arestor and Kakistos. Kakistos sounds familiar, but I can't recall anyone by the name of Arestor," Giles said.
"Arestor is an old vamp from around the Greek or the Roman times. I'm not sure. He used to be a favorite of the Master's -" Angel explained.
"Until he killed the slayer that the Master wanted. Yeah, yeah. We heard this story, remember Dead Boy?" Xander quipped.
"Hmm," Giles said slightly perturbed, "Well we had better research them both until we know who were dealing with."
"I'll go try to find Pike before this vamp finds him. Angel why don't you go over to Willy's once the sun goes down to see what he knows. He's more likely to tell you than me or Kendra," Buffy said.
"Why not now?" Willow asked.
"Most don't know I'm human during the day, yet. It's better to keep it that way for now," Angel explained.
"What about me?" Kendra asked.
"You stay here. If this vamp has been stalking Pike, he might trace him back here. I don't want to leave the homefront unprotected."
"And we'll research!" Willow added.
"I'll look for Kakistos. I think I can actually remember his name," Cordelia said, standing up.
"I guess I'll take Kissing Toes too then," Xander said.
"Great, we'll take Arestor," Willow said, indicating her and Oz.
Buffy headed out the library doors, while the others began researching. "How did you figure out that it couldn't be Spike?" Xander asked Cordy as they headed back into the stacks.
"Common sense." Xander gave her a look of sheer disbelief. "What? A person can't have fashion sense *and* common sense?"
"Well most people can, but I didn't think you could," Xander stated. He soon regretted his words though as Cordy gave him a look of indignation and stormed off into the shelves. "Wait! Cordy!"
"No! If that's what you think, you can research by yourself."
"But Cordy..."
Cordy gave him an evil glare and walked off. Xander sighed unhappily. It was going to be a long night.
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Buffy arrived at the coffee shop as the setting sun began to spread red color across the sky. She had checked all the magic shops, knick-knack shops, the sporting goods store, and the ice cream shop, but she hadn't been able to find Pike anywhere. She looked around the coffee shop; no Pike here either. Buffy walked over to pay phone and dialed the library.
"Hello," Giles answered.
"Hey, Giles. It's Buffy. Has Pike shown up back there?"
"No, haven't you found him yet?"
"No. I've checked all the places where he might have gotten supplies. No sign of him. It'll be dark soon, so I'll check the graveyard on my way to the Bronze. How's research coming?"
Buffy heard a loud exclamation in the background. "God! What is wrong with this guy's hands?" she heard a familiar female voice say in the background.
"Sounds like it's going pretty well," Buffy said with a chuckle. "I'll call back later if I don't find him. Make sure he doesn't double back on me."
"Yes, well be careful," Giles said distractedly.
"Yes mother," Buffy joked. She could almost see him giving her a disgusted and disdainful look as she hung up the phone. She smiled to herself and she did a sweep through the cemetery. By the time she got to the Bronze it was already dark and the Bronze was packed. People in Sunnydale had learned that getting to the Bronze before sunset was safer, though most couldn't or wouldn't remember why, so it was always packed by the time Buffy got there. Buffy searched the crowd for Pike. She spotted him on the upper floor at a table overlooking the dance floor. At least he'd chosen a spot, where he could see anyone that came in or out, although it looked like he wasn't paying much attention. Buffy climbed the stairs and sat down next to Pike, who was staring into his drink.
"Earth to Pike," Buffy said. Pike looked up and almost spilled his drink, startled by her unexpected appearance.
"Hi," Pike said.
"Hey. I've been looking everywhere for you-" Buffy started.
"Good, 'cause I've been wanting to talk to you," Pike said interrupting her.
"What? Well we'll talk later. We've got to get back to the library. Giles found a big prophecy this afternoon and it looks like you're right at the center of it," Buffy said standing up.
"A prophecy huh? Life, death, someone's going to die type of thing?" Pike asked, remaining sitting.
"Yeah, but don't worry. We've been against prophecies before and this says you might actually win, so we're starting out ahead," Buffy reassured him.
"But there's a chance someone might die?" Pike persisted.
"There's always a chance," Buffy said, losing some of her earlier happiness.
"Then shouldn't we talk now, in case we don't have a chance later," Pike reasoned. Buffy looked at him for a minute, and saw that he had no intention of leaving.
"Fine. Talk," Buffy said warily, sitting down once again.
Pike stared into his drink for a minute before looking back up at her. "I wanted to apologize for leaving LA the way I did."
"You were going to a funeral. There's nothing wrong with that."
"Yes, but... I hadn't planned on leaving *you* when I left LA. I shouldn't have sent that letter."
"No you shouldn't have," Buffy said evenly, "You should have called me. That would have been the decent -"
"No," Pike said shaking his head, "I mean I shouldn't have sent it all. I-"
"That's what I mean," Buffy said quickly, fearing she knew where this was going, "When you break up with a girl you should do it face-to-face or at least by phone. But that's looong past and looong ago forgotten. Don't worry about it. You're forgiven. Now can we go?"
"I'm glad I'm forgiven," Pike said ignoring her question, "I never meant to hurt you. It was just that I hated them all so much. I wanted to track down their killers. For awhile I hunted them with such a vengeance that I didn't want you to see that. I broke it off because I didn't want you to see that."
Unbeknownst to them both, Angel had entered the Bronze and had approached them, when he heard them talking and he decided it best to stay back.
Buffy fought the urge to sigh and roll her eyes. She simply didn't feel for Pike anymore. After she had met Angel, she had practically forgotten he existed until he had shown up yesterday. Pike however, was obviously trying to express that he still had feelings for her. Buffy took a deep breath and spoke as calmly as she could. "Pike. I'm sorry, but I'm going out with Angel."
"I know, but... I wanted you to know that it wasn't that I stopped having feelings for you... And... I still have feeling for you."
"I don't. I'm sorry, but I'm-"
"Going out with Angel, the vampire," Pike cut her off, growing a little angry. "How can you say that anything that you could have with that *demon* can compare to what we had. That was special. How can you even think about having a relationship with that-"
"Pike!" Buffy cut him off angrily, in what was sure to be another onslaught against Angel, "I understand that you don't like Angel, but-"
"How could I like him? He's a vampire."
"He has a soul."
"Yes, but he's still a vampire, which means he's not human. I mean, he's going to stay young forever and you're going to grow old. What kind of a relationship will that be?"
Buffy looked at him for a moment, studying the face she had known so well. She shook her head and looked away from him, out at the dancing bodies below them. She let go of her hate as she realized that he couldn't understand her love for Angel. That he was the same old Pike that continued on but never totally understood. He even reminded her a little of Xander, before Xander and Cordy had started going out. Just the thought of growing old with Angel, which thanks to Harmony she could and hoped to do, sent a wave of happiness over her. "I'm sorry Pike," Buffy said turning back, "Our relationship ended when you sent that letter, and when I arrived in Sunnydale."
"How can you compare what we had to any kind of a relationship you could have with him?"
She looked away. "I love him," she said softly. Pike would have none of it though. When she turned back, he grabbed her and kissed her harshly, not wanting to let go of his dream. It was only a second before Buffy had pushed him back so hard, that he toppled over in his chair and fell to the floor. Buffy stood up angrily, all the serenity that she had been able to regain lost in an instant.
"It's time to go," Buffy said in a voice as cold as steel. "Giles is sure to have something by now." Pike picked himself up off the ground and started for the stairs, not meeting her eyes. As he walked by she grabbed his arm harshly. "Take my advice," she said in a terrible whisper, "And never do that again!"
Pike walked away hurriedly. Buffy stood trying to compose herself before hurrying down the stairs and running into the ladies room. She washed her mouth over and over, horrified at what he had done. She gripped the linoleum counter tightly and stared into the sink, until she heard the linoleum begin to creak and crack under her hands and realized it was time to go.
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Part 6
When she exited the bathroom, she took a few steps before stopping for a moment to let her eyes readjust to the light of the main room. "Are you okay?" Angel asked, from behind her.
Buffy spun around to face him. "Yeah," she said. "You saw, huh?"
Angel nodded, it had taken all his will power not to jump in and strangle Pike when he had kissed her. "And heard."
"Angel, I didn't know he was going to do that," Buffy said worriedly, taking a step towards him.
"I know," he said, opening his arms to her. She stepped within the circle of his arms, relieved that he wasn't mad at her and needing to hug him. "Besides, I think he learned his lesson when you knocked him flat."
"He better have," Buffy said angrily. Angel smiled a little, glad she was as mad as he was. He was still very angry though and incredibly jealous. The image of Pike kissing her flashed through his mind again. The thought of someone else's lips touching Buffy's, *his* love, made his blood boil. His arms tightened around her possessively. Buffy could tell he was feeling jealous and was worried that he wouldn't trust her now.
"Angel," she said looking up at him, "You know I didn't encourage that. It was a total surprise, when he... I mean, I was trying to explain to him that there could never be anything between him and I. I love *you*."
"I know," Angel said with a smile, brushing a strand of hair out of her uplifted face. "I heard." She reached up slowly and kissed him. She smiled at the feeling of his lips upon hers. Since Pike had kissed her, she had felt off balance. This was right and she could feel it. Angel deepened the kiss, as if needing reassurance of her feelings. She answered him with a hunger of her own, a need to set her world back on course. No kiss can last forever though and they reluctantly broke off the kiss.
"We better go after him. Giles will have a fit if he gets killed on the way to the library." Angel nodded reluctantly. They walked out of the Bronze, never seeing the man sitting at the table, directly below where the argument had taken place, just a short while ago. A spot of popularity and light was never noticed, when one was hunting vampires. He smiled wickedly as he watched them leave.
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"He who hunts the worst in history, shall become hunted by one who he wished to kill. He shall be haunted by past and future combined, which will be his savior or the distraction which will lead to his destruction," Arestor intoned, "Pike has found his distraction, so now is the time. Now, he will meet his destruction." Arestor looked down into the uplifted faces of his followers. "He is getting help from the Slayer and her friends. You," he ordered, pointing to one of the vampires, "Go capture one of the Slayer's friends. Alive."
"Yes, master."
"And you," Arestor said, pointing to another, "Go with him. Make sure that the Slayer finds out that we have one of her friends and that we will be holding her at the bluff overlooking Sunnydale. Also make sure that he gets away with the human."
"How, master?"
"Once he has escaped, tell the Slayer. Or tell one of her friends. Or leave a NOTE for all I care!" Arestor said, his voice rising from a sweet lulling to an enraged shout. "I don't care how you do it. Just do it!"
"Yes, master!" the vampire replied, trembling in fear.
"Go!!" The two vampires scurried out. Arestor turned to look at another vampire. "Take a message to Spike. Tell him that we are going to have a Slayer guest soon, and he and Drusilla are welcome to join us." The vampire bowed and ran out the door. Arestor sat down, with a satisfied smile upon his face. All that was left now, was to wait.
.
Pike could hear footsteps following him about halfway to the library. He listened intently, being carefully not to increase his speed. There were a pair of them, a man and a woman. He was about to turn back and attack, when the wind changed. He smelled her perfume, and his heart sank. It was her... and *he* was with her.
She'd rejected him, knocked him down, literally. She'd said she was in love with Angel. Even from the brief time he had been in Sunnydale, he could see she had changed, but could she have changed so much? She had hated vampires so much when he had known her. She had gone after vampires with the cold determination of a professional. When he had met her, she had only known that she was the Slayer for a few days. After Merrick had died, she had been so sad. She hunted with a professional air, although he sometimes thought he could see some anger. She desperately didn't want to be part of that world. Pike used to love being able to make her smile in the middle of the day, when vampires were the farthest thought from her. Now she was always happy. She had been happy when she had come into the Bronze, despite the fact that it was past sunset. She had joked about prophecies. He couldn't understand this change. It seemed that she had gone through more here than she had in LA. Why was she happier here? Maybe it's because she has more friends here, friends who know about her slaying, he thought. Maybe it's because of *him*, his mind whispered. He shook his head, his heart denying what his mind was telling him. That she had grown, and that she no longer needed him. He tried to deny the fact that he was holding onto the past.
Buffy and Angel were only a step behind him, when he walked into the library. Pike stopped not far within the doorway, but they brushed past him. Buffy hoped up onto the counter and peered into Giles office, Angel standing next to her protectively. "We're back," she called in a singsong voice.
"That's him den? The vampire hunter?" Kendra asked, from her seat at the table.
"Yeah. Who are you?" Pike asked, looking at the exotic young lady.
"I'm Kendra. The Vampire Slayer," Kendra stated matter-of-factly. Pike stared at her as if she were crazy.
"Someone care to clue me in?" Pike asked no one in particular.
"Buffy drowned. When she died, the next was called. I did CPR, and Buff's back," Xander said from his position on the landing.
"Oh." Pike looked at Kendra critically. She looked very serious and actually looked in pretty good shape, although looks had little to do with strength in a Slayer.
"Now that the introductions are over. Giles shouldn't he be told about the prophecy?" Buffy asked.
"Oh yes. Well the prophecy states: He who hunts the worst in history, shall become hunted by one who he wished to kill. He shall be haunted by past and future combined, which will be his savior or the distraction which will lead to his destruction," Giles recited.
"Certainly sounds like me, although I'm not aware of being hunted," Pike said.
"Well how many of the vamps know you're hunting them?" Buffy asked. Pike opened his mouth to answer, and then shut it seeing her point.
"Using the list you told the others earlier, we have been able to narrow it down to Arestor and Kakistos. We haven't been able to come up with any leads on the second half of the prophecy though."
"What about Angel?" Cordelia asked coming out of the stacks.
"Cordy that was a joke, I was making earlier," Xander said.
"I know that! But, he's the only one who easily fits the part about past and future... or at least past and present, being a vampire and all."
"That is a possibility..." Giles said, turning the idea over in his mind. Cordelia gave Xander a superior look before descending the stairs to sit at the table.
"Well what if it means, Pike's past?" Willow asked, "Then it could be Buffy, since she used to know him from LA."
"If we're talking about Pike, it could be anybody from his past," Oz added.
"They're all possibilities," Giles said, still deep in thought.
"Pike, you said your family was killed by vampires. Were any of them turned into vampires?" Buffy asked.
"No. I stood watch over their graves two nights after they were buried and checked the graves a few days later. No signs of anyone rising from the grave." Buffy nodded, satisfied that that possibility was out of the way.
"Well it looks like we're just going to have to keep looking for our villain then."
"Yes. Any luck out there?" Giles asked.
Buffy simply shook her head, but Angel nodded. "Willy said there's a new vamp in town. Very powerful. Apparently he's almost untraceable though. He's able to blend in with crowd."
"That rules out Kakistos then," Cordelia said, slamming the heavy volume on Kakistos.
"Yep. Kakistos is so prehistoric, he doesn't even have hands," Xander said coming down to sit at the table. "He has these weird half hooves instead."
"So that leaves Arestor," Willow said brightly, before frowning, "Except, we haven't been able to find much on him." Oz hugged her shoulders, reassuringly.
"That's okay Will. Now we can all research him. Except me. I'm going to go hunt, see if I can find where this guy hangs out," Buffy said jumping down.
"I'll go with you," Angel said. Buffy nodded and gave a wave to Giles and the rest of the gang.
"Good luck with the researching," Buffy replied brightly.
"Happy hunting," Xander replied, with his usual humor. Buffy just smiled and left with Angel.
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Hours had passed since Kendra had first met this vampire hunter. He chose to fight the vampires and he seemed to have the determination and seriousness that Buffy lacked. From what she'd heard, he had apparently traveled all over, killing vampires. Kendra had never been allowed to interact with boys much and now, every time she tried to talk to him, she couldn't say what she wanted to. She could only wonder at the stories he must have to tell.
.
Pike found his attention and his gaze, wandering back to the Slayer that was now sitting across from him. She wore her hair in many braids, pulled back into a ponytail, to reveal the strong face. What stories this slayer must have to tell... What was he doing? He had just been harshly turned down by Buffy. He had thought about Buffy ever since he had sent that letter. He was infatuated with her. But tonight he had heard her say that she loved *him*. He should be heart-broken, infuriated even. He was infatuated with Buffy, he knew it. He should be plotting how to get her back, but...
"So... how long have you been a Slayer?"
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