Harmony

Rated- PG13

Summary- There are two vampires with a soul. The world is falling into chaos because of this anomaly. There is no way around it. One of them has to die. But which one?

Spoilers- This takes place after Buffy’s Chosen and Angel’s Destiny

Dedication- Joss Whedon owns all the characters from BTVS and ATS. I’m just borrowing. Although, I’m kinda reluctant to give back a certain bleach blonde

Chapter 2

“They lied to you,” Wesley stated matter of factly. “There is no mention of a chalice of torment.”

He had two books opened. They sat facing him on the desk. One was a translated version, while the other was the original. He had been comparing both and found very little difference.

“We kinda figured, mate. It being filled with Mountain Dew and all,” Spike commented. He was seated in a chair next to his grandsire, his head propped up by a hand. He looked bored.

Angel leaned forward. “What does it include exactly?”

“Basically I’ve told you everything in it. A coming darkness, apocalyptic battle, a few plagues, and some. . . fiends.”

The dark-haired vampire cast a glance at Spike. The blonde rose an eyebrow.

“In all reality,” Wes stated,” It isn’t very specific. When the champion has completed these obstacles he will be given a gift. To live until he shall die. To shanshu.”

“Read it to me. Word for word,” Angel requested.

A snort came from Spike. “Bloody hell. I am not sitting here for another two hours while you dissect . . .”

“No one invited you,” Angel growled. He glared at him darkly.

“This does concern me,” Spike pointed out. “Two vampires with a soul, remember? We don’t know which one of us this thing is talking about.”

Angel didn’t seem to have anything to say to that.

Clearing his throat, Wesley slipped on his glasses. He shifted his eyes to the beginning of the prophecy and began to read.

Spike got to his feet. “Right then. I’ll just see myself out.”

Neither acknowledged his departure. Figures. No one seemed to want him around. Well, except for that cute scientist. But truth was that he didn’t belong here. Images of the past ran through his mind. He hadn’t really fitted in with Buffy’s lot either.

Spike stuffed his hands in the pockets of his leather duster. He walked down the hall, having nowhere to go.

*************************

Buffy hesitated outside the unfamiliar house. It was gray with a white door. Stone steps led up to the entrance.

She shifted from foot to foot, staring at the doorbell.

“Are you going to push it? Or should I?” Dawn said.

The teen wrapped her arms around herself. “It’s cold out here. Please hurry up.”

Buffy nodded. “Give me a minute. I’m just a little scared.”

“I thought you were okay with this. You said you were okay.”

The slayer sighed. “I know what I said, Dawn. And I meant it. I’m ready. I really am.”

Dawn frowned. Her sister sounded as if she was trying to convince herself.

The previous day had been spent talking. Buffy had admitted to her attempt at escapism. They had shared memories and feelings. Dawn had confessed about how she still felt bad about never forgiving Spike. Buffy had spilled about her regrets on waiting until it was too late to give him a chance. There had been mentions of Anya and the SIT, but it had been mostly about Spike. His death had hit the hardest.

Finally Buffy decided to move on. She would accept what happened and live. That is what Spike gave his life for, wasn’t it? So that she and the others could live.

Buffy purchased two plane tickets to Cleveland. She was actually smiling and feeling refreshed. She was ready to face her friends. At least that was how she acted until now.

“Then push the damn button!” Dawn snapped.

Buffy turned toward Dawn, her green eyes wide. “Dawn Summers! Do you know what Mom would say?”

The door swung open during their squabbling. A middle-aged man stood there. He wore dark slacks and a green sweater. He peered at them through his spectacles.

“Buffy? Dawn?”

The girls froze. They felt as if they had been caught by a parent.

“Oh, hey, Giles. We wanted to surprise you. So, uh, surprise,” Buffy told him with a forced smile.

“So good to see you. And yes, this is a surprise,” the watcher replied.

“I was just about to ring the doorbell.”

“Uh, yes.” He ran a hand through his thinning hair. “I heard your bickering and decided to intervene.”

Dawn rubbed her arms. “Giles, can we come in? I’m freezing out here.”

“Oh, yes, yes, of course.” Giles held the door open wider, inviting his sergeant daughters inside.

The place was nicely furnished. It had white carpet and walls. There were a few paintings on the wall. Buffy thought she recognized one as Van Gogh. She was proud of that. School hadn’t been a total waste after all.

They were led into the living room. Buffy opened her mouth, about to comment on the big screen television, but decided not to. She could tease him later after they’d discussed this matter about Angel.

The couch was brown and quite cozy. Buffy could imagine falling asleep on it. She wished that she could lean back, close her eyes, and fall into nothingness. There were important things that needed to be straightened out, though. She was needed.

“So, Giles, hit me.”

“Excuse me.”

Buffy shook her head with a small smile. “Tell me about the prophecy.”

“Oh, yes.” He got up and exited a room. A moment later he came in carrying a rolled up scroll.

“I found this on a dying man. He was protecting it with his life. A demon almost got his hands on it, but our band dispatched the threat. It was too late for the man, regretfully. He shoved the scroll at me, and then begged for me to keep it out of the hands of evil.”

Giles undid the parchment. It had an archaic appearance, having been weathered. He lay it down on the coffee table, putting a book on each end to prevent curling. Buffy leaned forward, studying the gibberish symbols.

“It’s a mixture of a couple languages. So far I have translated the Aramaic and Egyptian,” Giles explained.

Raising her head, Buffy asked, “So you haven’t read the whole thing then?”

“Heavens no. Not even half. The Aramaic section speaks of a champion that I can only assume is Angel. It describes him as a demon with a soul. Since Angel is the only. . .living vampire in existence with such qualifications. . .”

Buffy nodded. “I see.”

“He will face the coming darkness, sacrifice himself for the greater good, and receive a reward. The reward I told you about on the phone.”

“The sunlight.”

“Light from above, yes,” Giles said. “These things are rarely literal, though.”

“Gotcha.”

“So, are we going to LA?” Dawn questioned, breaking her silence.

“If that is what Giles wants.” She paused. “Maybe I should just call.”

“Buffy, this isn’t the sort of news you break over the phone. I think it would be best for you to tell him in person,” Giles said.

Buffy sighed. “I guess we’re going to sunny California.”

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Be patient. The Buffy/Angel/ Spike triangle will be soon. The is the whole point of this story.