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Part 3
Chase watched the door long after Ivory and Kenyon had disappeared behind it, his jealousy threatening to consume him. Finally, he turned away with a sigh, retreating to a nearby bench to sit and think. "Who are you to pass judgment?" Chase muttered to himself. "You, who can't even find the courage to tell Ivory about..." Chase sighed again, rubbing at his eyes. "But I know why I can't. I promised. And if she knew everything I knew, I'd definitely lose her trust for good... Oh, why can't there be any easy way out of this?"
Eventually, Chase dug the keys to his own apartment from his pants pocket, going to let himself in. He found Angel, surprisingly enough, watching the nightly news on television and quickly took a seat next to the elder vampire.
Angel was quite surprised to see Chase back so early. "Slow night?" he asked.
"The slowest," Chase confirmed. "Which is a good thing for Ivory since Kenyon was waiting when we got back."
Angel gave a slight smirk. "I know," he said. "I can hear them talking through the walls... I'm almost tempted to run in there to break things up, but odds are Ivory would threaten me with violence if I did." He paused, sitting up straight. "Based on what I'm hearing, I'm surprised how much of a sucker she is for white chocolate, to be honest... Her mother had always preferred caramels, if memory serves."
Chase took a step closer, intrigued. "Tell me about you and Buffy. How'd that start anyway?"
Angel chuckled. "Well, for starters, I became a vampire," he began. "Late one evening, outside an Irish tavern-- This blonde number named Darla, disguised as a proper lady, lured me into an alley and made me an official member of the undead. Spent a few decades in Europe terrorizing people and siring a few vamps of my own. Then, one day, I killed the wrong girl-- a beloved gypsy daughter whose elders cursed me with a soul, for the purpose of drowning me in guilt over all my crimes... For a while, I did, then I put a little meaning into my existence. I helped a few random Slayers, anonymously, from a distance, until I was found by Whistler in New York."
"Whistler?" Chase questioned when Angel remained silent.
"The first halfway friendly demon I ever met," the elder vampire answered. "He gave my life a true purpose, by bringing me to California and showing me Buffy when she was first called. I was drawn to her light from the start, driven by a need stronger than anything to help her. And from that day on, we were able to overcome any obstacle together, whether it be outwardly or inwardly."
"You really love her, don't you?" he asked. "It hasn't diminished with time?"
Angel shook his head. "If anything, it's grown stronger," he replied. "Those years I believed her dead, I would have given anything to find some way to bring her back." Looking up at Chase, he added, "And now, thanks to you, I finally have that chance. I can't thank you enough for giving that to me."
Chase looked down, unable to meet the elder vampire's eyes. "Don't thank me," he said quietly. "At least, not until after this is over." A pause, then, "And your daughter? How do you feel towards her?"
Angel sighed. "There's love there, and admiration," he answered. "Even pride... Ivory's the only child Buffy and I have, and that's just a blessing in itself. I couldn't ask for anything more."
Chase contemplated this for a long while, then started to ask, "But what if..."
He never got a chance to finish, for there was a loud rap at the door at that moment. With another sigh, Angel rose to answer it, finding Kenyon on the porch. Stepping inside, Kenyon said, "Guess I'm stuck bunking down with you guys. Ivory just kicked me out of her room so she could get some sleep. He glanced around the apartment before focusing back on Angel. "So, where do you want me?"
While Chase was thinking of a few inappropriate responses, Angel went to retrieve an extra blanket from the nearby closet. "I'd suggest the couch," the elder vampire said to Kenyon. "Make yourself comfortable. In the meantime, Chase and I should be retiring to our own rooms," Angel added pointedly, speaking mostly to his permanent roommate.
Once they were in the hallway leading to their respective rooms, Angel turned to Chase with a stern look on his face. "Look, I know how much you must be hating Kenyon right now," Angel said in hushed tones, "But I'm sure we'll all be happier if you can set that aside for an evening or two."
Chase started to deny any such emotion, but Angel was quick to cut him off, his face taking on a sympathetic air. "Look, don't try to trick me. I've lived nearly three hundred years and I know how to read what people are feeling... Bottom line, I know how you feel about Ivory. I've seen it clear as day, even if she hasn't." Angel paused, letting out a breath. "But she's with Kenyon, and she's happy with him. That's something neither you nor I have a right to challenge... You just have to let things take their course, and be happy for her regardless of who she's with. Can you do that, Chase?"
The young man sighed, admitting that Angel did have a point. "Yes," he said quietly. "For Ivory's sake, I can do that."
"Good," Angel said with a slight nod. "Now get some sleep. You look like you could use it."
Chase did as asked, retreating to his room with a yawn. Closing the door behind him and despite his promise, he was harboring murderous thoughts towards Kenyon within moments...
How she had gotten stuck in such an awkward position, Cordelia could never quite figure out later on. She had been touring the caverns, at one point finding herself in an enclosed space, with no way out except the way she'd come. However, before she could backtrack, Cordelia heard Leeloo and Riley enter, both of them engaged in what seemed to be a private conversation. So what could Cordy do but remain hidden and listen in?
"So how'd the meeting with your old lady go?" Riley was asking. "Let me guess... She's still depressed that the two of us are spending so much time together."
Cordelia turned her head slightly, interested at the little tidbit that Leeloo's mother was still alive somewhere in the caverns. She listened to the two vampires share a long, impassioned kiss, then heard Leeloo answer, with a laugh, "What do you think? But I think she's starting to accept the fact that she can't do anything about it... Sure took her long enough. I was getting so tired of the speeches that I can do better."
Riley laughed. "You are a definite one-of-a-kind, Leeloo Angelique S..."
At this point, a new voice broke in, one that Cordelia recognized all too well "If you two are quite finished," Ethan said, "I hope you don't mind if I speak with Riley alone for a few moments, Leeloo..."
Leeloo sighed. "Whatever," she said in slight annoyance. "I'll see you later in our chambers, Riley." With that, the young vampiress turned to walk away.
Once Leeloo was gone, Cordelia heard Ethan say, "You know, Riley. I fear you may be getting a little too close to our special friend... You're aware that Leeloo isn't long for this world?"
"Of course," Riley replied. "You remind me every day... And every day, I say the same thing... I will have no problem letting go of her, Ethan. You of all people should know that after what happened with my previous lover and Leeloo's namesake."
Ethan's eyes lit with recollection. "Ah, Lori Lee," he said, partly reminiscent. "The living... make that dead... proof that no matter how much you care for your paramours, you'll still kill them if it suits your interests."
Riley smirked. "Then there's no reason to have this conversation again, is there?"
"I guess not," Ethan replied, moving to walk from the room. "Just... enjoy her while she lasts, my friend."
Cordelia remained hidden for a long while, listening for sounds that Riley may be leaving as well, but nothing came to her. Eventually, she relaxed her stance, moving to exit the small enclosure... only to find Riley's hand encircling her throat the moment she turned the corner.
"Cordelia," Riley purred, his face inches from hers. "What a surprise to find you here."
"Riley!" she choked out. "I'm sorry... I got lost, and..."
He silenced her by raising his free hand to stroke her cheek. "Don't sweat it, sweet thing," he said softly. "Cinnamon or someone was bound to tell you Leeloo's status here sooner or later." Riley paused, tracing Cordelia's lips with one finger. "At least now you know her position will be open to anyone quite soon. What do you think about filling it?"
Inwardly, Cordelia reviled the suggestion. But, knowing she had to keep up the ruse of being evil, she answered, "Want to give me a taste to help me decide?"
Riley laughed at her seduction technique. "Now you, I definitely like," he purred, lowering his lips to hers and pulling her body closer to his. He all but ravished her for a few moments, then pulled away, eyeing her face in expectation. "Satisfied?" he asked.
Cordelia licked her lips in an enticing manner. "Consider the position filled," she replied in a low erotic tone. "As long as you don't mind not getting some until after Leeloo is done for."
Riley chuckled again. "You got yourself a deal, my lovely Cordelia. I look forward to it." When he remained silent, Cordelia moved to pass him to leave, and was startled when Riley gave her a playful slap on the behind.
It only stopped her for an instant, then Cordelia moved on, offering him one last teasing smile. She didn't stop until she had reached her own quarters, where the first thing she did was wash up in the pool of water adjoining her room to remove all traces of Riley's scent from her. Finally, lying on the bed, Cordelia muttered, "God, what am I getting myself into...?"
Life in Sunnydale had been relatively calm the past few weeks, Willow Harris mused as she switched on her computer to check her e-mail messages. With a sigh, Ivory's Watcher logged onto her online service of choice, then clicked on the little envelope icon. And, much to her delight, she found a letter from the very person she'd been waiting to hear from.
"Jenny Calendar," Willow murmured, opening the desired e-mail to read. "Well, let's see what you have for me..."
Much to Willow's surprise, the message was quite short, but nonetheless informative. Dear Willow, it read. Sorry I haven't written sooner, but my computer time has been severely limited as of late. Due to complications in my pregnancy, my physician made it clear that a lot of bedrest is in order for me for the duration. Nevertheless, I will try to get around to chatting with you tonight at 9:00 your time, using our own personal computer cameras. Hope to see you then. Love, Jenny.
So it was that all of them -- Stefanie Marks, Willow's husband, Xander, and the Watcher herself -- were gathered around Willow's terminal that evening. While waiting for their friend in England to make an appearance, Willow sat facing her two companions, engaging them in light conversation.
Stefanie was the first and only Slayer to ever live into the retirement stage, quite a miracle in itself. Originally chosen in the early 1960s, her reign as a mortal Slayer had been cut short when her vampirized brother had brought her across rather than kill her. Removed from the world for over forty-some years, it had been a twist of fate that had brought Stefanie to Sunnydale and to Buffy's door. A special closeness had been built between the two of them in no time and even existed to this day, Willow thought with a smile. Stefanie owed a great deal to Buffy (especially considering the latter had helped in some degree for Steffi to turn human once more) and was still devising ways to pay her back. The most recent being that Stefanie had raised Ivory personally alongside her own daughter, during the fifteen years that Angel had entrusted the girl to her.
As for Xander and Willow herself, they had been two of Buffy's best friends ever since high school. And it was still a miracle that they'd gotten together at all, in between Xander's state of ignorance and his pining after Buffy the first few years while Willow had been pining for HIM... But thanks to a little interference from Angel, and Xander's brief sentence to an alternate world (another story entirely), the two of them were still a happily married couple with two adorable children. And as an added bonus, Willow had been assigned as Ivory's personal mentor in the vampire-slaying game, thus providing her with her own way to honor Buffy's memory.
"So won't it be great to hear from Jenny?" Stefanie was asking, forcing Willow's concentration to come to the forefront. "I mean, it's been so long since she came to Sunnydale to visit... Made me realize how much I've missed her these past years, how successfully I'd managed to bury it."
Willow gave a half smile at the mention of their friend in England. They had all known Jenny for years, dating back to the time when Buffy's Slayerhood was still new to all of them. In fact, Jenny had been married to (and recently been made a widow of) Rupert Giles, Buffy's personal Watcher\mentor way back when. "That's why we should be glad she's moving back permanently come summer... Provided the rest of her pregnancy goes smoothly and her doctor gives her and the baby the okay to travel afterwards."
Xander cut in with, "Giles, Jr. Can you picture that?" After a pause, he added, in an amused tone, "Never thought we'd see the day, but..."
"But times are changing," Willow filled in, reaching for her husband's hand and clasping it tightly in hers. "Especially now, in light of Ivory's new found Slayer status. Can you guys believe how much has occurred since that day we informed her?!"
Stefanie shook her head in slight amusement, making it a point to rack up all the changes so far. "Well, let's see... Ivory now has full knowledge of everyone's backgrounds. Angel returned to town, and then Cordelia. Jenny made a brief appearance to inform us of Giles' death. Our respective daughters, plus Kenyon, have become to Ivory what we were to Buffy... And, oh yeah, we learned at long last that Buffy's still alive."
Willow let out a sigh, pausing a moment before moving to reply. "I for one cannot wait to see..." That was as far as the Watcher got, for, just then, Xander pointed out that Jenny had just signed on to talk to them. Eagerly, Willow turned to face the monitor, turning up the volume on her speakers slightly. "Hey!" she said cheerfully, focusing on the digitized movie-like picture of Jenny on the screen. "Glad you could make it.... Can you see us okay?"
"If Stefanie could just move to the right a little more..." came Jenny's reply. "Yeah, that's perfect!" Jenny let out a breath, squaring her shoulders. "I want to say right off that I'm sorry I won't be able to talk long. We're looking at maybe half an hour to forty-five minutes at the most... So, how are things going with our new prize Slayer?"
Willow managed a broad smile. "Ivory sure does take after her mother, I'll admit that. She's full of the same spirit, the same initiative... In fact, she's out in Arizona for the rest of the school year at least, getting ready to move on a cavern network of the undead."
Jenny got an uncertain look. "A network?" she asked, a note of unease in her tone. "How many would that be?"
"Hundreds, we believe," Willow replied solemnly. "We don't know for certain... But I don't foresee Ivory having to take them all on at once. If anything, she and Angel will only have to be in the caves long enough to stage a rescue mission."
Jenny quickly catalogued the bit of news that Angel was back in the game, moving right on to her next question. "A rescue?! Of who?!"
Willow bit her lip lightly, opening her mouth to answer, but Stefanie got there first. "I know this is going to sound unbelievable," Steffi said, "but they're there primarily to save Buffy." Without giving Jenny a chance to respond, Stefanie set in bringing her up to date on it all: Chase's revelation, the plan to arrange for him, Ivory, Angel, and Cordelia to travel to Arizona to set things up, and even the ritual that loomed overhead.
When Stefanie was finished, Willow broke in with more, taking note of Jenny's bewildered look. "Plus, we know the names of a few vampires living there, courtesy of Cordelia... Cinnamon, Leeloo, Riley, Serena... And Ethan." Willow paused, exhaling a deep breath. "It was my hope that you could maybe look up information on the first four; maybe there'd be something about them in Giles' books... Not to mention any references to our friendly demon, Falmorean."
Jenny raised one hand to brush her hair back, slightly overwhelmed. "I'll do that," she said absently, appearing sad and pensive. "God, poor Giles," she whispered, so softly that the three had to strain to hear her. "He adored Buffy so much, and he was never the same during the years he believed her dead. So many times, he wished he could have the chance to see her just one more time... But... But I guess now, he'll never have that opportunity." A stray tear fell down Jenny's cheek which she absently brushed away. "Damn Ethan for taking that, taking her, away from Giles and us. I hope someone -- Buffy or Angel or even Ivory -- sees to it that he pays for what he's done... So many years..."
Willow fought back tears, unlike Stefanie. "I know," she added softly. "And I'm sure we'll see to it that he does... Until then..."
"I'll do what I can to help," Jenny said firmly, her eyes showing that she meant it. "Just, give me those names again. I'd like to write them down." The exchange only took a few moments, then Jenny finished with, "It's been good talking to you three... And Willow, I hope to see you again in a few days, hopefully with some insight on my part. For now, it's back to bed." However, Jenny stopped long enough to add, patting her swollen abdomen, "By the way, it's going to be a boy. I found out just last week... So if any of you have any names to suggest, I'd gladly hear about it at our next conversation."
The trio smiled, each bidding farewell to their friend before she signed off. Afterwards, Willow, Stefanie, and Xander leaned back in their seats, feeling an odd sort of serenity in the wake of the conversation. Sure, things were still far from being okay, but that short talk, and the knowledge that Jenny would keep true to her word, was enough to give them peace of mind for now...