The Rest of My Life

Chapter 3

Los Angeles, 20 May 2004

By the time I'm in LA and through customs and immigration, it's a respectable daylight hour, and I'm met by a Council operative who introduces himself as Neville. He’s smartly dressed in slacks and an open neck shirt, and I notice one or two girls watching him appreciatively as we make our way through the terminal. I don’t remember seeing him before, and I suspect I would if I had – with his dark hair and very blue eyes. At least he seems a little bit in awe of me, so that’s good.

“It appears that our worst fears have not been realised,” he begins as soon as we get into the car. “There was a battle, but it seems to have been short and resulted in a total rout for the forces of darkness.”

He then goes on to explain what he saw, and, as he speaks, I pick up bits out of my dream, but this is even more amazing than that. It's delivered in typical Council style, so it takes all my patience to listen to everything without falling asleep. I mean, how hard can it be to tell a story about a battle which included a dragon and magic and make it sound that interesting? The good news is that Willow managed to save the day. The other news is even more amazing, but still delivered in a soporific monotone. Angel has been made human by some means, and, as a result, is being treated for injuries in the hospital. Another member of the team, Charles Gunn, is also in the hospital, although his injuries are much more serious. Willow's there too, but he seems to think that was just precautionary since she passed out on the scene. Wesley didn't make it, apparently dying before the battle started. Fred appears unhurt, Lorne and Spike have disappeared. That last bit is worrying, since vampires have a habit of disappearing when there’s a bit of a breeze if they’ve been dusted, but I make up my mind to wait before thinking too much about that. The other bit is enough for now. Angel, human? Just, wow. Talk about teenage dreams coming true. What I wouldn't have given back then for this to happen. Now? It's interesting. I honestly don't know how I'm going to feel about him, but whatever happens, I'm not going to rush into anything any more. I'm my own person now, and that's how it should be.

As we get into the city, Neville gives me the choice between going straight to my hotel or the hospital where Willow and Angel are. I choose the latter. I might be in need of some sleep, but I know I'm not going to get any until I've got some answers. We arrive at the hospital, and Neville pleads a need to make some calls, so he stays in the car while I find my way up to Willow's room. To my relief, she looks fine - a little pale perhaps, but otherwise well.

"Hey, Buffy! You missed all the fun!"

"So I hear," I answer, giving her a hug.

"So, have you heard all the news?"

"Some of it, I don't know about all," I answer, taking a seat beside her bed.

"Good, I'll tell you what I know, and then we'll go along and see the others."

"Sounds like a plan," I agree.

"So, the Coven told me something big was happening here, and they offered to teleport me and then boost me with whatever magic I needed. I called Giles, but he already knew something was going on. What I told him seemed to get him going a bit, though. Up until then he was kind of watching and waiting, I guess. So, he said he'd get some Slayers here, and I told him I was on my way too. He didn't say you were coming too - at least, not right away. That news came from Andrew."

"Andrew? He's here?"

"Flew in with some of the Slayers. Of course, by then the battle was over, but he's had them patrolling the streets in case anything got away. My guess is they all went back wherever they came from - those that could, anyway. I was doing a lot of damage until they tried using some mojo back at me. The Coven helped then too - gave me the power to shield myself, and I still managed to keep zapping a few of the others."

"Giles said … Spike was there."

Her expression changes then, going from excited animation to something less sure of itself.

"Yeah, it looked like him. Didn't get a chance to talk, but …" She’s watching me as she speaks, trying to gauge my reaction.

"You think it was him?"

"As far as I can tell."

"What happened to him?"

"Illyria says she saw him being carried off by the dragon. She's looking for him – said she’d check his apartment and ask around."

"Illyria?"

"Ah yes, the Council probably didn’t get all of that. Fred. I met her last year. You've heard of Fred, right? Physicist, worked with Angel? Cute girl, very bright. Seems she was taken over by some God thing last year. Illyria. It’s really sad. She sort of looks like Fred, but she's a bit bluer. I don't know the whole story, but she was in the battle with the rest of them – I assume Angel was taking whatever help he could get. It’s the only thing that makes him having Spike there sound reasonable. Oh, and, Wes didn't make it."

"I heard. I can't imagine him working with Angel."

"He was pretty good from what I saw last year. Not the Wesley I remembered."

"And Spike? I can't imagine him working with Angel, or Angel tolerating him around either – even if he did need him."

"According to Illyria, he was on the team too. Haven't got the whole story about how it all happened, but we can find out later if you'd like. I'm due to get out of here soon. Do you have somewhere to stay?"

"I think the Council booked something for me. Want to share?"

"Sure. It'll be like being back at college together."

There's silence for a moment, and then she throws her legs over the side of the bed.

"How's about we go and see Angel?"

And so we do.