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If there was one thing Thierry was known for, it was that he was a loner. It wasn't often that he hunted with a pack; in fact, the last time he had done that had been the day Rhys and his family had been killed.
As he lay on a huge boulder in a clearing, a lifeless female hitchhiker strewn across his lap, Thierry oddly found himself recalling that day. He would often remember his participants in that feast, but that was all. Until now.
Thierry had frequently meant to look up those two over the years, but never got around to it. He briefly wondered where Darla and Angelus were nowadays, whether or not they were still together, then dismissed the thought, realizing he didn't much care.
Thierry looked at the dead girl in his arms, then moved to cast her aside. He got to his feet, jumping off the boulder, and leaving her there for someone to find. He hadn't made it far when he became aware someone was leaning against a nearby tree ahead of him. He stopped, growling at the stranger, when he realized who it was.
Thierry softened slightly, surprised. "Angelus?" he asked, taking a step forward. "What are you doing here?"
"It's Angel," the other vampire replied sharply. "I don't go by that name anymore... And I heard a rumor that you could be found around here."
"Why would..." Thierry started, then became aware that someone else had dropped from the trees behind him. He turned, instinctively slicing the girl's face with his claws.
She, in turn, threw a punch at him, her fist connecting roughly with his jaw. Thierry took two steps back, dazed and astonished at how strong she was. Before he could regain his senses, Angel grabbed him from behind, restraining him.
"News flash, Thierry," Angel mocked. "I'm reformed, Darla's dead, and you're going to be next."
Thierry exchanged glares with the young woman he was facing, noting that she didn't seem at all concerned with the way the blood trickled down her face. "Who's she then? Your new girlfriend?" he asked bitterly.
Stefanie wiped at her face with her sleeve, aware that her wounds were healing already. "Boy, when you said he was detached, you were right," she said to Angel. To Thierry, she added, "Say hello to the first and only vampire slayer you'll ever meet... Now, come on, Angel. Rhys is waiting."
With a wicked smile, Angel followed her, pushing Thierry ahead of him all the way and ignoring the younger vampire's questions. It was a long tiresome walk for Angel and Stefanie, and they were grateful when they were given a reprieve. <
Angel shoved Thierry to the ground inches from Rhys, and he and Stefanie took strategic positions to prevent the redhead vampire from escaping, their vampire faces on. Rhys stood there a moment just staring at Thierry. Then, with a flick of his wrist, a stake dropped from the sleeve of his jacket into his hand.
Thierry looked up at the man before him, failing to recognize him. But he did understand that the wooden stake meant trouble. Panicked, Thierry started to get up to run, but Stefanie stepped closer and delivered a sharp kick to his face, causing him to fall over onto his back.
Thierry knew it was over when he felt Stefanie's foot pressed to his collarbone, pinning him down. She looked over at Rhys a second later in expectation. "Your move," she said simply.
Rhys gave her a slight smile, then focused on Thierry. "You don't recognize me, do you? Well, let me refresh your memory, Thierry. A little over eighty years ago, you and two other vampires laid siege to a happy little family in England, left no survivors. Ring any bells?"
Slowly, recognition came to Thierry's eyes. "But, Angel killed you!" he cried. "I saw it! You can't be here!"
"Sorry to disappoint, Thierry... Let him up," Rhys said, appreciating Stefanie's help but knowing this could be finished without such precautions.
Stefanie hesitated, then did so, watching as Thierry scrambled to his feet and made a run for it. With clear precision, Rhys lifted the stake, throwing it straight at the retreating vampire.
Thierry was a pile of dust before he knew it, and Rhys looked on with mild satisfaction. At least one killer had been brought to justice at his hands. And with Darla already dead, there was only one other to deal with.
Rhys looked over at Angel, staring at the familar demonic face that had been seared into his memory so many years ago. "Don't worry any longer that I'll be a threat to your existence," he told Angel. "In fact, I take some comfort in the fact that you destroyed my son's murderer. And that the demon that once owned you has been repressed... You truly lead a good life now, Angel, and I'll leave you to continue it with the woman you love and your baby."
"Thank you," Angel said, shifting back to his human guise and casting a glance at Stefanie in expectation.
She did the same, then said, "You go on back to town, Angel. I'll be along shortly."
Angel nodded, disappearing into the woods. And Stefanie ran to Rhys a second later, embracing him and never wanting to let him go. Oh, if only she could.
Rhys felt the same way, but he saw the crow perched on a tree stump a few yards away, watching with disapproval, it seemed. It took everything he had to pull back, and a whole lot more to meet her eyes.
"I have to go now," he said gently.
Stefanie had never felt more sad than she did at those words, for she knew she would never see him again. Where he was going, she, as an immortal, could never follow. Even if she died now, there was no guarantee that heaven would take her, and it broke her heart.
"I know," she whispered, trying not to cry. But it was a feeble attempt, and they spilled forth anyway. "Rhys, I can't lose you!" she moaned. "Why can't you stay? I could make you like me, and we'd never be apart then."
"I'd never be happy that way," he replied. "The whole point of this was to be able to see Lysette and my family again. They're waiting on the other side for me."
She looked down briefly, knowing what he said was true. "They need you more than I do," she whispered.
He nodded, feeling a lump in his throat, and began to wipe the tears and traces of blood from Stefanie's face with both hands. Then, in a burst of inspiration, he placed his palms over her face lightly.
Stefanie gasped at the flood of memories that were placed in her mind. In a matter of moments, Rhys had given her visions of his entire life, from a young boy to the man he was now. It wasn't nearly as good as spending a lifetime with him, but it would have to do.
With that, Rhys moved one hand to her chest, resting it over her silent heart. "As long as you hold me here," he said, "I'll always be with you, Stefanie... Never forget me, until the day we meet again."
"But how..." she started, just as he quieted her with a sweet poignant kiss.
"I've had a lot of time to glean some words of wisdom while I was in limbo," Rhys told her. "Among them is this... If the love between two people is strong enough, it can transcend anything, even death." With that, Rhys cupped her face in his hands, kissing her forehead. "Goodbye, my darling Stefanie."
Stefanie smiled sadly as she watched him walk away, her hand playing with a gold chain at her neck. She stood there for the longest time, watching him vanish into the darkness. But it wasn't until the crow took flight after him that she finally turned away...