The Past Can Haunt You
By Dreamer
Page 4 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.
Feedback: I love feedback, so send it to lalaland(at)3n.net. Unless of course you don't want more stories.
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Part 7
Xander watched as Cordelia got up and walked out through the library doors. Xander knew that Cordy was mad at him, although he didn't know why. Then again, Xander rarely knew why Cordy was mad at him. Xander stared at the library doors for a second longer. He did know one thing though, and that was that he didn't want her to be mad at him anymore. Xander got up, and followed Cordy out. Willow and Giles were too deep in their research to notice, while Kendra and Pike were too busy exchanging fighting tips. Oz was the only one to see them leave.
Xander rounded a corner and was toppled over by Cordelia. Xander looked up to see two vampires standing over them. Cordy only had time to realize what had broken her fall before one of the vampires pulled her off of him. "Xander," she called, reaching out to him, as the vampire yanked her to her feet. Xander jumped to his feet, but was unable to do anything, before the other vampire knocked Xander backwards into the wall.
Xander hit the wall with a thud, and the floor with another thud as his legs gave out under him. Cordy tried to scream, but her captor clamped a hand over her mouth. She stomped down on his foot with her heel, and turned away just long enough to slap him. When she turned back, she was held frozen by the sight before her. The other vampire had calmly pulled a gun and was pointing it at Xander. "Scream and he dies," the vampire said quietly. "Resist and he dies." Cordy stood frozen to the spot, unable to even speak. She never saw the other vampire hit her. She only saw the curtain of black come over her vision.
Xander watched through his blurred vision as the other vampire knocked Cordy unconscious. The vampire pulled out a sack to put Cordy in, while the other calmly put his gun away. Xander struggled to his feet and aimed a punch at the vampire, but he easily dodged it. The vampire hit Xander in the center of his back, and Xander went down under the blow. The vampire hauled Xander up by a fistful of his own shirt. "Tell the Slayer and her new friend, that we've taken the girl to the bluff over looking Sunnydale," the vampire told him. "If you hurry, we might not make her death too painful," he added evilly.
Xander face contorted in rage. "I swear, if you-" The vampire backhanded him, cutting off his threat and making Xander's head swim.
"Your death might not be so quick." The vampire laughed as he threw Xander into the row of lockers. Xander hit the lockers and blacked out.
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Oz looked at the library doors again. He wasn't one to pry, but Xander and Cordy had been gone for awhile now. They had probably just found a broom closet somewhere, but then again, this was Sunnydale. Oz tried to concentrate on the book for awhile longer, before he stood up. "I'm going to make sure they're okay," Oz said.
"Who?" Willow asked looking up from her computer.
"Xander and Cordy."
"Oh. I'm sure they're fine," Willow replied.
"Yeah. I've just got a funny feeling," Oz said, heading towards the doors. Willow watched him go. She shrugged and turned her attention back to her computer. Willow's head snapped back up, at the call of Oz's voice from the hallway. It sounded uncertain, but she didn't think he sounded very worried. Then again, she'd never heard Oz actually yell before.
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Angel and Buffy walked into the library to see Giles and Willow treating an injured Xander. He had a cut above his left eye and his face was turning interesting shades of purple. Oz was hovering near Willow's arm, while Kendra and Pike were grabbing weapons out of the cage.
"What happened?!" Buffy exclaimed.
"Arestor sent over a few of his minions," Giles said.
"They've taken Cordy," Xander stated, "They said they were taking her to the bluff over Sunnydale. They wanted to make sure you and Pike found out."
"Are you okay?" Buffy asked.
"I'm worried he may have a concussion," Giles stated, as he finished taping a gauze pad over Xander's eye, "a few bruised ribs, but the cut missed his eye. He's lucky."
"We're ready to move," Pike said. He and Kendra were standing in the doorway of the cage, armed to the teeth.
"Let me get some extra supplies then we'll move out," Buffy said, brushing past Pike and grabbing a few extra weapons from the cage.
"I'm going," Xander said standing up, though he had to grip the chair to stay standing.
"No! Me, Angel, Pike and Kendra. That's it!" Buffy responded immediately.
"I'm going!" Xander said, "I've got to. I was there when they took her and I couldn't stop them. I've got to go!"
"If Xander's going, I'm going too!" Willow said.
"And me," Oz added.
"Fine. We can take Oz's van there. Xander you and Oz can stay in the van. Willow comes only close enough to get Cordy. Get Cordy to the van and then you ALL leave. The rest of us can take care of Arestor and his thugs."
"What can stand against two slayers after all?" Kendra asked.
"Nothing so far," Buffy said smiling.
"We need a new place to meet, since they've shown they can get us here. Everyone report back to my house," Giles said. The others nodded in affirmation, as Buffy slipped a final stake somewhere into her clothing.
"You might want to have plenty of first aide ready when we get back Giles. And extra supplies in case any follow us back," Angel added.
"Right. Now go," Giles said shooing them out and closing up behind him. They took off in Giles car and Oz's van. Giles headed for home, and the others headed through town to the old mansion on the bluff.
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Part 8
Arestor looked out at the lights of Sunnydale below. It was just after midnight and he watched with interest as lights here and there blinked out. "Master."
Arestor turned around to face the vampire that had spoken. It was the one he had sent to speak with Spike. "Yes?"
"I took your message to Spike. He said that anyone who would try such a plan is foolhardy. He refused to come, and actually looked like he was packing to leave when I arrived," the vampire reported.
"The fool. The prophecy is with us tonight. Ah well, he shall rue his decision when he hears of our victory." Arestor waved the vampire away as he saw his two other minions approaching with a moving sack. He grinned as they emptied the sack and hauled the girl to her feet. She was beautiful, even in her disheveled state and he eyed her greedily.
"She is a friend of the Slayer's," the vampire reported, "We left behind another of her friends, who knew where we were going. He however will not be helping her. I made sure he would... remember that we had been there."
Arestor smiled. "Good." He watched her as her eyes adjusted to the brighter light of her surroundings.
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When Cordelia was finally dumped from the sack, she found herself momentarily blinded by the light in her surroundings. She was in a clearing. The full moon had only been two nights ago, so it was still shining brightly over head. The clearing had lanterns hung from the trees to further illuminate he surroundings. As her eyes adjusted to the light, she found herself face to face with someone as out of place here as she. The man before her was of average height, with long naturally blond hair that seemed golden in this light. He had strong cheekbones, shining hazel eyes, and expressive lips. He looked younger than most vampires, perhaps only 19. He was dressed in a regular pair of blue jeans and an old shirt. He had the build of jock and a handsome face to match. Cordelia could now understand why he was so hard to catch. He could blend into any high school or college crowd. Girls probably flocked to him, instead of running from him. He didn't seem to have the dark halo that most vampires had. Cordelia knew he was evil though, and her blood ran cold as his eyes lighted up and he smiled evilly at her.
He stalked toward her and ran a hand casually down the side of her face. Cordelia flinched and fought to free herself, but the two vampires held her tightly between them. Arestor smiled at her reaction. "You made a good choice," he told his minions, "I'm pleased. Tie her to the tree there, closest to the edge. Face her so that she can see when her friends approach... and when they die."
"Yes, master," they answered. The vampires dragged her to the tree nearest to the edge, with her back to the tree. She could see the clearing and the mansion below her and if she looked to her right, she could see the cliff and Sunnydale, far, far below.
Arestor came to stand in front of her, when he had finished giving his orders to his other minions. Cordy struggled to free herself, but that only made Arestor's smile grow. "Shhhh," he murmured. He smoothed her disheveled hair, and Cordy tried not flinching at his touch. "You remind me of someone I knew long ago. She was killed by one of those blasted Slayers... you're truly beautiful."
Cordy raised her head defiantly, as if to say she was above his compliments, although she dared not speak. He laughed at her defiance, and looked her up and down hungrily. She shivered in fear under his gaze. "It really is a waste to use one such as you only as bait. A beauty such as you should last forever... You could join me. We could be like Julius Caesar and Cleopatra. Great rulers, that live on through time."
"Never!" Cordy spat out at him. Arestor only smiled more evilly. "Pity," he said circling the tree and letting his hand trail down her arm, "I'll not force immortality on you, at least, not at first. But be sure that I will keep you around, when this is done... for my own purposes."
"Leave her alone!" Buffy shouted.
Arestor looked up at the shout. Buffy, Pike, Angel, and Kendra were standing at the back entrance of the old mansion. "Ahhh. The mighty Slayer graces us with her presence at last," Arestor called out. At his call, vampires swarmed in, forming a circle around the clearing. "So nice of you to join us, although I've heard you've been looking for me for quite awhile. Haven't you Pike?"
"Let the girl go," Kendra called out.
"No," Arestor answered simply.
"It will be easier, if you do," Angel warned.
"For you perhaps," Arestor replied, smartly. Angel growled and the others grew more tense, unsure of what to do next. They stood there, facing Arestor and his minions for several minutes, neither moving. "Well are you going to come get her, or not?" Arestor finally asked.
This seemed to snap them all back to their senses and they ran up the hill. Arestor's minions came down to meet them and the battle began. The vampires had the advantage of numbers, but they faced two slayers, Pike, and Angel. Arestor watched before walking towards the fighting.
As the fighting began, Willow quietly crept around the outside of the clearing. She clutched a cross in one hand and a pocketknife in the other. She quickly reached Cordy and sawed through the ropes with the knife. As the two crept back, the fight had begun to move closer to the cliff, but it looked as if their friends were doing alright. When they had reached the van, Willow argued to go back and help, despite the fact that Buffy had told them to leave. As they argued a group of vampires approached. As they finished deciding to stay, the vampires attacked, catching them by surprise. A vampire lunged at Oz through the driver's side window. Xander sprayed the vampire with holy water as others attacked Cordy and Willow from the back. The two fought back, with fists and crosses.
"Get in!" Xander yelled from the front, as he sprayed another vampire, trying to get in from the front. The girls jumped in the back, as Oz squealed away, vampires still hanging onto the sides and back of the van. One vampire actually made it into the van, but Cordy and Willow were able to stake him with a little help from Xander. The bruised and battered Slayerettes sped off towards Giles' house, plans of staying forgotten.
Back on the bluff, Buffy and Angel were barely holding their own, and Pike was actually winning. Kendra however was sorely outnumbered. Pike killed the vamp attacking him and turned to see a third vampire attacking Kendra from the rear. The vamp was to far away for him to stake, but Pike grabbed one of his small throwing knives and got the vampire in the back. The vampire screamed, bringing him to Kendra's attention. Kendra quickly staked the vampire, but the distraction was enough for Arestor.
Arestor attacked as Pike's knife hit the vampire. He grabbed Pike and threw him into a nearby tree. The two fought viciously, at what looked to be a stalemate. Arestor continued to beat Pike back though. Before Pike realized what was happening he was on the edge of the bluff overlooking Sunnydale, next to the tree where Cordelia had been tied. As they fought, Pike slipped on the uncertain footing and he fought to regain his balance. He stumbled forward away from the edge. As he looked up, Arestor hit him under the chin with a double fist. Pike was knocked back, and tumbled over the edge.
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Angel could see that Arestor was maneuvering Pike towards the cliff, but was busy fighting other vampires. He tried to call out and warn Pike, but Pike never heard him. Angel was able to dispatch one of the last vampires as he saw Pike lose his balance. He ran to help, but was unable to reach them before Pike went over. He went to stake Arestor in the back, as Arestor went to peer over the edge, but one of the minions yelled a warning and Arestor turned around in time. Angel and Arestor fought, Angel carefully maneuvering them away from the cliff.
When Buffy had dispatched her final vampire, she glanced up to make sure Willow had released Cordy. Cordy was no longer tied to the tree, but Kendra was lying down on the grass peering over the edge of the bluff. There was no sign of Pike, but she could see Angel fighting Arestor and a group of minions coming in to help. She rushed over, to help Angel. Fighting as a team the two were able to fight off Arestor's minions, and to stake Arestor. As Arestor crumbled under Angel's stake, his minions scattered, running in all directions.
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Thanks to Pike's knife, Kendra was soon able to get the upper hand and stake the remaining vampires facing her. As her last opponent turned to ash under her stake, Kendra looked up to see Pike tumble over the edge of the bluff. Kendra ran towards Arestor, fear and anger coursing through her veins. Angel reached him before her though and she changed course, heading instead to where Pike had gone over. She carefully walked to the edge, and looked over fearfully. Her heart lodged in her throat as she saw Pike not far below her. He was hanging onto a root of the tree and a small rock outcropping. Dirt and rocks tumbled down as his feet searched for purchase on the side.
Kendra laid down on the grass and carefully inched forward so that her head and shoulders were out over the edge. "Pike!" she called.
Pike looked up to see Kendra about four feet above him. "Hey," he called back, "Do you think I can get some help?"
Kendra reached down. Her hand came within a foot of his. Pike fought for purchase, and let go of the rock outcropping and reached for her hand. His feet slipped, and he fell back downwards. He grabbed onto root, now with both hands, and hung on for dear life. His feet continued to search for purchase, but couldn't find any. "I think we're going to have to try something else," he called up, laughing meekly as his eyes traveled down the slope to the lights far below him. He gulped and looked up again, smiling thinly.
Kendra backed up and looked around. She saw the rope that had been used to tie Cordelia up. Quickly she tied the rope to the tree and threw it over the edge. She inched back into position and looked back over the edge. Pike looked at the rope uncertainly.
"Will it hold?" he asked.
"We shall see, now won't we?" she replied. Pike laughed and transferred his hold to the rope. The rope became taunt as he put his weight on it. Kendra wrapped her leg around it to give herself leverage and reached down to give him a hand. Pike's dirt covered hands were slipping on the rope, but he was able to climb enough to grab Kendra's outstretched hand. With the help of the rope, she was able to haul him back onto the bluff.
Pike sat down against the tree and Kendra inched away from the edge, as Buffy and Angel came over. "Where have you been Pike? I didn't see you fighting near the end," Buffy said.
"Let's just say, I was out there," Pike said with a laugh. Angel chuckled and Kendra smiled, while Buffy just stared at them, not knowing what had almost happened. "Thanks, Kendra," Pike said.
"Ye're welcome," Kendra said.
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Part 9
"... So Angel finished off Arestor and the rest just scattered. By that time Kendra had already saved Pike, so we called you guys and headed home," Buffy finished. It was the next day and Buffy had finished telling the last of the story. They were all gathered once again in the library. Xander and Cordy were sitting on the stairs, while Pike was pacing and everyone else was gathered around the table. Xander was patched up and looked awful, but he and Cordy seemed to be getting along much better than they usually did. Everyone else had gotten off relatively unscathed, although Pike looked like he was still a little shaken, and everyone looked tired.
"Wow. We've never had anyone fall to there death before," Willow said wonderingly.
"I'm still alive, though," Pike said a little confused.
"Yeah, but we've never even had some come close to falling to their death. I mean, you live hear long enough and you start to expect near death encounters from some new demon or other, but falling, that's a new one," Willow said.
"Can you believe it folks?" Xander said, in his announcer voice, "Yes, ladies and gentleman, the girl who breaks into government files, is unphazed by dissections, autopsies, demon possessions, magical curses, and cafeteria food is amazed by gravity."
"No it's just... I... I mean" Willow stammered. The Slayerettes laughed.
"We understand Willow. After being on the Hellmouth, it's just so *normal*," Buffy joked.
"Hey, there is nothing normal about being thrown off a cliff," Pike said defensively, "I like to think of it more as... dramatic." Everyone laughed again, as Pike struck a pose.
"So does this mean the prophecy's over?" Xander asked.
"Well there was near death and saving, so probably," Buffy said.
"But who was the past and present person?" Willow asked, "Who's the savior or distraction that lead to destruction?"
"Kendra," Pike replied.
"Me?" Kendra asked, a little taken aback.
"Well you did save him," Buffy said, "Which would make you fit the savior part."
"And you have helped us in the past and are in a sense Buffy's predecessor, letting you have both history with the group as well as being the future, in a way," Giles told Kendra.
"I suppose," Kendra said reluctantly.
"So how long are you going to stay?" Cordy asked Pike, abrubtly changing the subject.
"I think I'm going to leave right away. Go back to LA. There the vamps are at least normal," Pike said.
"Dere are still vampires in LA?" Kendra asked.
"Wouldn't be surprised," Buffy said, "I mean I put a serious dent in their activities, while I was there, but I didn't exterminate them."
"You mean dere were vampires dere when you left?" Kendra asked, clearly shocked.
"Yeah."
"I cannot believe dis. First it was a vampire boyfriend, now I here ya leave vampires behind when ya move," Kendra said. Buffy just looked at her for a moment before shaking her head.
"Oh no. Here it comes. I knew you would have to give me a lecture sometime."
"No. I know ya'll not listen ta me," Kendra said with a smile. "I t'ink I will go to LA though. We can't let it be said dat vampires actually survived a Slayer now can we? Dat is, if you don't mind having company," Kendra said, directing the last bit at Pike.
"I would love company," Pike said surprised, "but I was planning on leaving now."
"Dat's fine."
"Don't you have to pack?" Pike asked.
"No. I'll call me Watcher when we get dere. If dere's anything I need, he'll send it."
"Well then, I guess we'll be off," Pike said. A chorus of good-byes was heard all around to see Kendra and Pike off. Pike exchanged a friendly hug with Buffy, much to her and Angel's relief. He even went and shook hands with the reclusive Angel, who was hiding in the shadows as usual. "Take care of her. I think... you're good for her. Besides which she likes you. I can still put you back on my hit list though, if she asks me to."
Angel smiled and shook his hand. "Careful who you threaten, they may turn out to be your friends." Pike laughed and Angel chuckled good-naturedly, much to Buffy's relief who, was half expecting them to come to blows.
Buffy walked Pike and Kendra out to Pike's motorcycle out front. Pike hopped onto the motorcycle that already had his gear strapped to the back. Kendra turned to say goodbye.
"Take care," she said awkwardly, obviously unsure of what to do. Buffy held out her hand, and Kendra smiled as they clasped forearms like the warriors of old. Kendra surprised her though, by pulling her into a quick, brusque hug, scaring herself almost as much as she surprised Buffy. She jumped onto the back of the motorcycle. Pike started the bike and they sped off. Buffy laughed as she saw them ride off, seeing Kendra having to frantically clutch at Pike's waist to keep from falling off. That's one way to learn to hug someone, she thought. Buffy smiled and headed back inside, ready for another day.
The End
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