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Chapter 20


Angel arrived at the Hyperion just before dawn and rushed into the building. He plopped down in his desk chair and scanned his desk for something to do. Reading over a scribbled note from Cordelia, he heard the front door open and Wesley, Fred, Gunn, and Cordelia enter.

“I hope I can get this disgusting slime off these shoes, or Angel will be…” Cordy silenced herself and pointed to the office.

The AI team filed into Angel’s office, anxiously waiting for him to say something.

Angel stared at them with a goofy smile on his face.

“Well? Tell us, what evil is afoot in SunnyD?” Cordy asked, unable to wait any longer.

Angel shuffled through the papers on his desk, confused. “Evil? In Sunnydale? When?”

Gunn, Fred, Wesley, and Cordelia looked at each other concerned.

“I think I’m going to make a call.” Fred excused herself.

Dialing Buffy’s house, Fred hoped someone would know what had happened.

Tara answered on the first ring.

“Hello?”

“H-Hi, my name is Fred. I work with Angel and he’s back… but I think something happened to him.”

“Hi Fred. I’m Buffy’s friend Tara. You said Angel’s back? He was supposed to go keep an eye on Willow. What do you mean, something’s happened to him?” Tara was suddenly filled with anger and concern about Willow. What has she done? I hope she’s not getting worse. I hope she’s ok…

“Well, he’s got no idea he was in Sunnydale or that anything’s wrong. He’s… how do I describe him…? Perky?” Fred almost laughed as she finished telling Tara, like being perky was wrong. In Angel’s case, it really was. Very wrong.

“Angel was asked to check in on Willow and keep an eye on her. I’m guessing that Willow spotted him and put a simple forgetting spell on him. He’ll be fine, but all is not well here.” Tara explained to Fred the recent events and the importance to get everyone together quickly.

“Will you be able to get everyone here as soon as possible?” Tara asked, hoping Fred understood just how important all that was.

“I will get Wesley, Angel and Cordy there today. Portals and I don’t mix, and Gunn and I can take care of AI while they’re gone,” Fred assured Tara before hanging up.

Fred joined the others in Angel’s office and explained the Sunnydale situation. Cordy and Wes were ready to go, but Angel was still confused.

“Sunnydale? Why are we going?”

After trying to explain Buffy was in trouble and getting nowhere, Cordy threw her hands in the air. “Angel, we have to go! Grab your blanket, I’m driving.”


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Buffy and Groma carried their burden, quiet in their trek, each lost in their own thoughts of the recent events. The sun was bright in the sky, nestled among big fluffy white clouds, warming them both after a cool night away from the hearth. Buffy led the way, pointing out landmarks along their path. When they reached the cliff, Buffy told Groma to wait, as she carried the heavier items up the incline. She wanted to get the cave set up before she brought the older woman up.

In the cave, Buffy carefully arranged Groma’s things, trying to replicate her previous setup. Kaia knew what to do and directed Buffy where to put everything. When she was ready, she looked out the cave and saw Groma. The woman was sitting on an outcrop of rocks, overlooking the valley below. Her expression was peaceful as her head tilted back and soaked in the sun’s rays. All the fear and guilt she had felt since she awoke suddenly felt as though it was being lifted. They would have some difficult times ahead, but she felt like they would be fine. As long as she had Groma and Kaia, she would be just fine.


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The living room in the house on Revello Drive was full. Full of arguing people, all eager to get started.

Tara had tried to get everyone to settle, so they could explain what the Oracles had told her. She had managed to get Angel, Cordy, and Wesley in from LA, and also reach Xander and Anya. She’d called Giles and explained everything, and he would be there in the morning, but suggested they start without him. She’d considered going to fetch Willow, but had decided to wait. If no one of those assembled were chosen, then she’d cross that bridge. I really hope she’s not the one… Dawn was sitting with Xander and Anya, who were laughing at Angel and his confusion. Willow had done a number on him. He really couldn’t figure out why he was in Buffy’s house. Cordy kept patting his leg, reminding him that they would go get ice cream soon. No one wanted Angel to be the one the Oracles would choose. Everyone was there, except Spike, and Tara knew just where to find him. She hated to intrude, but it was time to get started.

Spike was lying with her, cuddling her. He had asked Tara not to let anyone see her, to let him be alone with her.

Tara slipped quietly into the bedroom and said softly, “Spike, I have everyone downstairs. I think we are about ready to start. I was thinking maybe we should open the portal in the basement, where the original one was, but I want your opinion.” Tara sat in the chair, looking at Buffy’s expression. The Slayer looked peaceful, like she was sleeping. Spike was holding her tight, his eyes closed. “Spike?”

Without opening his eyes, he replied, “I think you’re right. The basement is the best place.” He slowly got up and sat on the edge of the bed, facing Tara. “If it’s you that is chosen, I will look after her for you.”

“I know Buffy is the safest with you, Spike.”

“Not Buffy, Glinda. Willow. I don’t know what I can do to help her, but I will do my best to keep an eye on her.” He reached over to Tara and took her hand. “It’s ok to love her. I know what it's like to love someone who isn’t good for you.”

Tara looked at him, tears welling in her eyes. “Thank you, Spike. And if you are chosen, I will watch over Dawn and Buffy as well.” She wiped her eyes and stood. “Let’s get this over with.”


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Buffy climbed down and sat next to Groma, who pulled her into a hug. “Thank you, Buffy.”

Stunned by her statement, she asked, “Why? I had you kicked out of your home, I live inside your daughter, and I’ve turned your world upside down. How can you thank me?”

“You’ve saved us both. You were sent here to help Kaia, which you did.” Buffy tried to interrupt, but Groma shook her head. “I know you will share what happened with me when you are ready. But, Buffy, if you hadn’t been here, I can’t imagine Kaia would have found strength to survive his attack.” The woman’s face scrunched in horror at the thought. “I owe you for everything you’ve done. I want to help you find a way to get home, if I can. I want you to try and remember as much as you can about the spell that sent you here, and if I can help, I will.”

Buffy looked at the woman, who was sincere in her words to her, yet sad to be offering her a way to leave. “Leaving you and Kaia isn’t something I want to do, Groma. I may never get back to my time, but I am happy here.” Buffy paused, and thought of all of the people she had unwillingly left behind, knowing that they would take care of each other. Groma and Kaia needed her. “You’ve accepted me, believed in me, and never doubted me. My life before I came here wasn’t like that. Even with all of the things I’ve experienced here, I feel like I’m at home. With my surrogate mother and sister. Yes, I miss home, and Spike and Dawn, but I can’t dwell on something I don’t know if it can ever be fixed. I’ve been here for months already, and there’s been no sign of it changing. This is my home now, and I don’t know that I could ever leave it.”

Buffy smiled at the memory that popped into her head. Joyce standing at the kitchen island, reminding her that “Sometimes life hands you lemons, so make lemonade.” She was doing just that now.

Kaia celebrated Buffy’s acceptance of staying with them. She needed her; it was almost as they were becoming one person. Kaia felt like her survival was somehow linked to Buffy.

Buffy helped Groma up and led her to their new cave.

Endnotes: Ok, so you read it. Can you let me know what you thought? Please?