The rain poured down outside and lightening flashed through the window so brightly that Libby didn't need to worry about finding her way to Angel's apartment. She snuck out of the apartment, through the window as Giles had fallen into a relieved coma on the couch, and forced herself through town. After her dream, she had to speak with Buffy.
Angel was nowhere to be seen as Libby crept inside through the back door, thunder rumbling through the walls. Buffy reached out her hand at the sound, but only felt a pillow. She opened her eyes to see that she was alone in the bed. The slayer sat up, holding the sheets close to her body, and called out, "Angel?"
"No, it's me," replied Libby softly into the flash of lightening.
The brightest smile swept across Buffy's face when she saw her protector standing drenched before her. The slayer completely forgot she was nude and jumped out of Angel's bed in nothing but the sheet and hugged Libby close.
"You're all right! I was so scared I'd lost you, but I knew you'd survive. I promised you didn't I? Yes, I did! And I was right."
Libby hopelessly gulped at the pure joy in the blonde's voice. How was she supposed to break this news to her? How would Buffy ever forgive her? Slowly, the protector untangled her sister from their embrace and stepped away with an expression that froze Buffy's heart in horror.
"You are okay? Aren't you?"
"Yeah. I'm fine. Now," Libby answered gravely.
"Then what's wrong?" stumbled Buffy.
"How bout you get dressed and then I'll tell you?"
Buffy looked down and immediately flushed. Turning away, she grabbed her now dry clothes and began getting dressed. When she was finished, Libby directed her to sit on the bed and Buffy watched her pace back and forth.
"I swear, I was gonna tell you. You and Angel, before it happened. But then that God awful spell made me lose so much more than time and I couldn't – Buffy, I'm so sorry, you have to believe me. I was never gonna let this happen if I had a choice."
"Libby, what are you talking about? What's happened? Is it Angel?" Buffy was growing scared now, but not just of what Libby was trying to confess, but what Libby would do afterward.
"He's not – uh – Angel's not – He lost his…soul," choked Libby.
Buffy's eyes widened to the point that Libby actually thought they would burst. The slayer's mouth quivered open and her body slumped forward like someone knocked the wind out of her. "How?" She gasped.
"You gave him one moment of pure happiness. If that happens, then his cursed soul loses its purpose and whooshes right out of him."
Buffy jerked upward and stared at Libby so intensely that the brunette started fearing for her own safety.
"To keep it safe you can't touch," recited Buffy in a whisper. "A touch will bring death."
Libby frowned and asked, "Huh?"
"That's what you told me in my dream and what you were trying to tell me all day." Buffy realized as she began pacing too. "You were trying to warn me this would happen, but I had no idea what you meant."
"If it helps, I don't remember saying that," Libby shook her head. "Of course, that doesn't help. Buffy, I'm so sorry."
"It's not your fault."
"How can you say that? You should be hating me. I let this happen. I should've stopped it and I didn't. And after everything that I did during our fight…why aren't you angry?"
Libby's eyes pleaded with her sister. Their fight was cruel and violent and unforgettable and now? Now, Libby was unable to save the love of Buffy's life. There should be blame, guilt, anger, hatred, and physical beatings. But Buffy only gazed back at her and gave a painful smile.
"I wasn't exactly innocent in our fight either. I struck the first blow, which I shouldn't have done and I'm so sorry. I'm sorry for everything, Libby. And I'm not gonna blame you for something you clearly couldn't have stopped."
"But I could've."
"How? You were barely coherent. And dying!"
Libby threw her head back and yelled at the ceiling. "I should've told you in the very beginning! I should've –"
"You were going to tell me! Period! You had a plan." Buffy responded matter-of-factly. "It's not your fault that someone got in your way."
"And what happens when nothing gets in my way next time something terrible happens?" challenged Libby.
"What do you mean?"
"I can't make everything better, Buffy. I can't let everything be all lollipops and gummy bears." Libby sat down on the bed and glanced down at her chewed nails. "I know everything that's going to happen because I watched the show more times that I can count. I know what paths ya'll are supposed to take and I don't know what I'm supposed to do anymore. How can you not blame me when something bad happens? How will you not hate me?"
Buffy stomped over and sat next to her. She took her protector's hands in hers and made sure they wouldn't break eye contact. "I don't care if you're a temple oracle, cheesy medium, fraud fortune teller, or only get visions when eating cereal." Libby lifted an eyebrow, but Buffy continued in a very serious, loyal, and sisterly tone. "So what if where you're from this is a TV show? I know and you know that here, it's real, and that you care about us. That's how I know you would never let anything hurt us, that you would never lead us into something we couldn't handle."
Libby stared at Buffy, who stared back with truthful tears glossing her eyes. She couldn't believe it, Buffy understood. She wasn't angry or even upset; she just loved her unconditionally. Libby smiled and hugged Buffy as tightly as she could. Buffy hugged back and let go in her sister's arms.
"Forgive me?" Buffy softly cried.
"Why don't we forgive each other and never fight again?" Libby sniffled a laugh.
"Deal." Buffy tried to smile, but it didn't work. "What are we gonna do?"
Libby looked around Angel's apartment and heaved a deep sigh, "We're gonna have to fight him, like we do with all vampire enemies."
"But its Angel," whimpered Buffy.
"No, it's Angelus." Libby replied. "There's a ginormous difference."
Buffy jiggled her legs and picked at her cuticles. Angel had turned into the worst known vampire in history and it was her fault. There was no way this ended well, not to mention this was the most wretched birthday ever. Buffy looked at her sister and found comfort in knowing she was back. They could get through this together.
"We should get home." Buffy sighed as she got up and headed to the door.
"Wait," called Libby. "There's something else."
"Okay?" Buffy walked to Libby in the middle of the room and prepared herself.
"Jenny, she's kinda a member of the tribe that cursed Angel all those years ago…"
"WHAT?!"
"She was sent here to make sure he still suffers. That's why she suggested Angel leave with the arm. She was trying to separate you so he wouldn't lose his soul."
Buffy screamed out her frustration and kicked over a chair before shouting, "Was she ever gonna tell us?"
"No, you found out on your own."
"I'm going to kill her!"
Libby tilted her head and asked, "But not me?"
Buffy instantly calmed down and answered, "Of course not! You were always planning on telling me. Apparently, Jenny wasn't. That's the difference. You're here for me and she isn't."
"We still brought about the same result."
"No, I did."
Libby sighed and put an arm around her slayer. "We'll fix this. One way or another. I promise."
Buffy and Libby snuck inside the Summers' house through the kitchen door. When it was observed that the coast was clear, they made their way through the dining room and up the stairs. Unfortunately, they barely made it half way before Joyce's greeting turned them back around and down the steps.
"Morning." Buffy and Libby replied simultaneously.
"Libby!" Joyce smiled and gave her a loving hug. "It's so good to see you. When did you get back?"
"Last night," Libby smiled in answer. "I got a call from Willow to meet her and Buffy for a sleepover so I met Buffy there."
"Are you doing all right? Buffy told me about your grandmother passing."
Libby looked over at an obviously nervous Buffy and said, "I'm better, thanks. Glad to be back though."
"We missed you around here." Joyce returned to the bottom floor and added, "So, did you two have fun last night?"
Buffy jumped back as the wrong image of her and Angel instead of her and her friends popped into her head. "Yeah! Yeah. Fun with friends. You know, they're fun machines."
"Are you two hungry?"
"No." Both girls answered and Buffy continued, "No, I'm just gonna go take a shower."
"And I need to call Giles," added Libby.
"Well, if you girls hurry, I'll run you to school."
"Thanks, Ms. Summers." Libby replied as she tried to take Buffy up the stairs, but Joyce halted them.
"Is something wrong?" She asked Buffy.
"No. What would be wrong?" gulped Buffy.
"I don't know. You just look…" Joyce stared at her daughter, but shook her head and went into the kitchen.
Buffy turned around and hissed, "Does she know?"
"She's your mom. She has no idea what she's seeing, just that she sees something. Come on." The two dashed up the stairs and prepared for a day at school neither wanted to attend.
Xander walked into the library and announced, "The bus depot was a total washout. And may I say, what a lovely place to spend the night. What a vibrant cross section of Americana."
"No vampires transporting boxes?" inquired Giles.
"No, but a 400lb wino offered to wash my hair." Xander sarcastically answered before turning to look at a very concerned Willow. "What's up? Where's Libby? Where's Buffy?"
"They never checked in." Willow answered.
"If the bus depot's as empty as the docks and the airport…" Giles mused as he placed his clipboard on the counter.
"Do you think the Judge has been assembled?" Xander asked.
"Yes," responded Giles, very somberly.
"Then Buffy could be…and Libby might even…" Xander started to panic and then took charge. "We gotta find him. We gotta go to that place, that – uh – that factory. That's where they're holed up. Let's go."
"And do what?" snapped Cordelia. "Besides be afraid and die?"
"Well nobody's asking you to go, Cordelia." Xander snapped back. "If the vampires need grooming tips, we'll give you a call."
Genuinely hurt by his words, Cordy didn't rebuttal. However, Giles did. "Cordelia has a point. If Buffy and Angel were…harmed, then we don't stand to fare much better. Especially, since Libby snuck out last night and has yet to call me."
"Yeah?" Xander raised his voice. "Well those of us who were born with feelings are gonna do somethin' about this."
"Xander!" Jenny scolded, but to no avail.
"No, Xander's right." Willow defended with verve and disappointment in her friends. "My God! You people are all…well I'm upset and I can't think of a mean word right now, but that's what you are, and we're going to the factory!"
"Yeah!"
As he and Willow headed for the door, Buffy and Libby walked through. "Libby! Buffy!" Willow exclaimed, and got her hug in with Libby.
"We were just going to rescue you." Xander explained.
"Well, some of us were," admitted Willow as she released Libby and scowled at Giles.
"Well, I would have." Giles stuttered in earnest. "And why didn't you call?"
"I did," defended Libby. "You didn't answer."
"Where's Angel?" asked Jenny.
"Do you care?" Buffy growled.
"Excuse me?"
Libby put a hand on Buffy's arm and this calmed the slayer down, but she couldn't look at Jenny or she knew she'd strangle her.
Cordelia, not understanding what was transpiring, hopped off the counter and inquired, "What happened?"
"The Judge, is he…" Giles asked and Buffy finished for him.
"No assembly required. He's active."
Removing his glasses, the watcher sighed, "Damn it."
"Nearly killed us. Angel got us out."
"Why didn't you call? We thought…"
"Well, we had to hide…" Buffy tried to explain, but then looked to Libby, who thankfully took over.
"I found them."
"And you didn't call because?" Xander pushed, still on edge with the thought of her and Buffy almost dying.
"We needed time to talk. Just us." Libby explained. "And now, I need to explain myself and what's going on to all of you."
"Now?" Willow attentively asked. "We have class in a few minutes. Not that I don't think we need to talk."
Libby sadly smiled at her redheaded friend. "Trust me, this is way more important than class. Ms. Calendar can write up our excuses while she's teaching."
Jenny walked forward and practically demanded, "I'm not going to be present for this allegedly important talk?"
"No, you're not." Libby growled under breath as Buffy stared her down. "Please, take care of those notes? Thank you."
Jenny waited for objections, but when none were given she left and Libby lead them to the table. She explained everything: how sorry she was for her part in the fight, why she left them, how she failed to find a way home, that it was Drusilla who cast the spell, the assemblage and power of the Judge, and how she never meant to hurt any of them.
"Libby, we're not gonna blame you for all our problems. Or at least I'm not."
"No. Never," Willow agreed with Xander. "You're our friend, we're not going to take it personally when something evil comes to town."
"It's the Hellmouth," comforted Giles. "You can't control the evil or it's outcomes."
Cordelia huffed and leaned forward to ask Libby, "So are we real or not? And am I famous in your reality?"
Everyone expected Libby to roll her eyes or groan, but instead she leaned forward to meet Cordy's gaze and replied, "Of course you're real. All of you are. Hell, there's probably a reality where my life's a TV show too. Granted, it'd be cancelled because my life is boring, but it doesn't matter. This is my life now and it's just as real as the one back home."
"And am I famous?"
"You're not famous, famous, but you're not unknown."
"I like it." Cordy laughed as she relaxed back in her seat.
"I just hope you can forgive me. All of you. I am so sorry."
"Libby, we forgave you the day it happened," reassured Giles, with a caring pat on her hand.
"Seriously, Libby, the only time I won't forgive you, is if you leave and never come back." Xander proclaimed. "Our lives are way too accustomed to you now. You can't leave us. Ever."
Libby laughed and breathed in a sigh of relief and gratitude for her friends.
"We missed you so much." Willow smiled.
"I missed ya'll too…but there's one more thing," She looked to Buffy who nodded and straightened her back. "Angel's gone."
"What do you mean, gone?" Giles inquired.
"I mean, Angel's gone and Angelus is back."
Spike wheeled over to Drusilla, who was lying on top of the table with a vacant glint in her eyes.
"Are we feeling better, then?"
"I'm naming all the stars." Drusilla hummed in reply.
"You can't see the stars, love," scoffed Spike. "That's the ceiling. Also, it's day."
"I can see them. But I've named them all the same name," She rolled over and looked into his blue eyes. "And there's terrible confusion."
"Did you see any further? Do you know what happens to Angel?"
"Well…" Angelus cleared his throat as he entered the room. "He moves to New York and tries to fulfill that Broadway dream. It's tough slaying, but one day he's working in the chorus when the big star twists her ankle."
"You don't give up do you?" Spike snarled.
"As long as there's injustice in the world, as long as scum like you is walking – well, rolling – the streets, I'll be around," Angelus tormented. "Look over your shoulder. I'll be there."
Smirking, Spike said, "Yeah, Angel…um, look over your shoulder."
And there was the Judge. He wasted no time in resting his hand over the vampire's heart and tried to burn him away, but that was not the case.
"Hurts, doesn't it?" mocked Spike.
"Well, you know, it kind of itches a little." Angel mocked back.
"Don't just stand there. Burn him!" Spike ordered Big Blue.
Angel laughed to himself and jeered, "Gee! Maybe he's broken."
"What the hell is going on?"
The Judge answered, "This one cannot be burned. He's clean."
"Clean?" Spike's eyes widened. "You mean he's…"
"There's no humanity in him," concluded the Judge as he walked away to regain more of his strength.
"I couldn't have said it better myself."
Drusilla looked upon him with wonder and whispered, "Angel."
"Yeah, baby," Angelus purred. "I'm back."
"Is it really true?" marveled Spike.
Angelus chuckled, "It's really true."
Drusilla crawled along the table, tracing her finger on the flat surface and declared, "You've come home."
"No more of this "I've got a soul" crap."
"What can I say, hmm?" Angelus responded as he lit a cigarette. "I was goin' through a phase."
"This is great. This is so great."
Drusilla got on her feet and tiptoed across the table like she was on a tightrope. Feeling elated, she said, "Everything in my head is singing. We're family again." She took Angelus' hand and stepped onto the ground snarling, "We'll feed…and we'll play."
Spike smiled at Dru as she leaned down to purr in his face and laughed, "I've gotta tell you, it made me sick to my stomach seeing you being the slayer's lap dog with the protector holding the leash."
Angelus suddenly grabbed the collar of Spike's jacket, but instead of attacking, he kissed his old friend on the forehead. They all burst out in evil laughter at this and the gang was officially back together.
"How did this happen?" asked Drusilla.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"Who cares? What matters is now he's back. Now it's four against two, which are the kind of odds I like to play."
"Psst," Drusilla hissed. "We're going to destroy the world. Want to come?"
"Yeah, destroying the world. Great," Angelus brushed aside. "I'm really more interested in the slayer and her bright little protector of hers."
"Well, they're in the world, so that should work out." Spike sarcastically replied.
"Give me tonight."
"What do you mean?"
"Lay low for a night," ordered Angelus. "I guarantee, by the time you go public, they won't be anything resembling a threat."
"You've really got a yen to hurt these girls, haven't you?" Spike chuckled in excitement.
"They made me feel like a human being. The slayer with her falling so madly in love with me and the protector treating me like I'm not the deadly artist I am…those aren't the kinda things you just forgive."
"And we're absolutely certain that Angel has reverted to his former self?" Giles asked, still reeling from the information Libby just told them.
"I'm certain. Anyone not feeling certain here?" Xander retorted as his imagination of evil Angel unraveled.
"I can't believe it…and he's coming here tonight to kill us?" Willow asked.
"What're we gonna do?" asked Cordelia just as urgently.
"I'm leaning towards blind panic myself." Giles admitted as he cleaned his glasses.
"There's no need to panic." Libby tried to ease her friends, but it was really working as well as she hoped.
"I'm sorry, its just things are bad enough with the Judge here. Angel crossing over to the other side…I wasn't prepared for that."
"But I am," Libby firmly said. "With what I know, we can get through this hopefully unscathed."
"Hopefully?" Cordy yelled. "Why is there a hopefully?"
"I predict mostly everything, Cordelia, I don't control everything."
Buffy wanted to pipe up and defend her protector, but she was doing a good job of it so she kept on looking at the ring Angel had just given her. How could the good man she fell in love be instantly gone? Wasn't their love stronger than this?
As the conversation/debate fused down, Willow got up and stood in front of Buffy to show her support and love as much as she could. "Are you okay?" She softly asked and when Buffy shook her head, Willow offered, "Is there anything I can do?"
"No, but thanks." Buffy sounded so mousy and defeated that it worried everyone around her.
So Libby took their attention off her. "Guys, Angel is gonna come here tonight and in order to keep him on the same path of destruction, you need to act like you have no idea he's changed."
"What?" Xander burst out. "I don't think so."
"Why would we do that?" snapped Cordy.
"Because if he thinks you don't know, then the only two things he can conclude from it are that I haven't told you or I actually don't know. Either way, I'm not talking and he'll believe he's in the lead."
"You make a very good point, Libby," Giles agreed as he put his glasses back on. "We must make him believe that he's in control and the only way to do that is to make him believe he has power over us, especially Libby with her knowing power."
"Then we all agree?" Libby inquired their confirmations.
"Yeah." They all said one after the other.
"Good, so when he comes just act like you're oblivious and Buffy and I will take it from there."
"So we have no brains and you guys have brawn?" Xander attempted a joke, but it only charmed Libby.
"Exactly." The protector giggled.
"I only wish we knew how it happened." Giles thought aloud and caught the full attention of Buffy.
"What do you mean?" Buffy asked and forced back her anxious tears.
"Well, something set it off. Some event must have triggered his transformation," Giles explained. "If anyone would know, Buffy, it should be you. Or Libby would have told us, yes?"
Libby didn't answer. It wasn't her place.
"I don't…" Buffy mumbled, not able to form the words, not wanting to talk about it.
"Did anything happen last night –"
"Giles, please. I can't –" Buffy bolted up and out of the library, leaving everyone surprised and confused.
Everyone except for Libby and Willow, who suddenly and agonizingly understood the reason for her best friend's pain.
"Buffy, I'm sorry, but we can't afford to…Buffy!"
"Giles, shut up." Willow whispered.
Libby rose from her seat and walked to the head of the table and stated, "Look, there's more to know but it's not dire yet so I'll tell you later. I'm going to catch up with Buffy and we're taking the day off. We can go get my stuff from the motel and you guys can research, but she needs today. Trust me."
Libby trotted out of the library and headed after her slayer.
Buffy and Libby walked to the house after a day of wandering and gathering her things from the motel, but the slayer suddenly took an unexpected turn. Libby followed, but when she realized where they were going, she ran in front of the blonde.
"Nuh-uh! No way!"
"Libby, I have to see if he's there."
"He is and trust me you don't want to talk to him."
"Why not?" Buffy cried out. "Is he going to attack me? Torment me? Officially break my heart? What can he do to me now that I know?"
"He's going to pretend he's still the Angel you know," Libby explained. "He won't lay a finger on you, but he will shatter your heart and your self-worth. He wants to emotionally and mentally torture you. Don't let him."
Buffy continued walking and responded, "But he doesn't know that I know yet. So if he thinks I don't, he won't suspect that you know. You said that would help us."
"How would you intentionally getting yourself hurt help us now? You know he's smarter than that."
"And he knows I'm smarter than that, which is why he'll buy it."
The protector twirled in front of her and forcibly stopped her in her tracks. Buffy tried to get by, but Libby's telekinesis wasn't having it. "You don't believe it," grasped Libby. "You know it's true, but you won't believe it until you meet Angelus for yourself." Buffy looked down in frustration at her sister's insight and her own denial. "I'm right. I'm right, aren't I? Buffy –"
"I need to talk to him, Libby. I need to know for myself. Please…"
The brunette shifted her weight and looked about her aimlessly. This was a bad idea. A really, really bad idea. But when Libby looked at the despairing blonde she saw there wasn't a way around it.
"All right, but remember I warned you."
It didn't take them too long to get to his apartment. Libby hid herself knowing that he'd exit that way and Buffy went down by herself. When she entered his place, there was no sign of him. But then she spotted clothes on his bed and as she rubbed the fabric between her fingers, she heard someone behind her. Buffy turned around to see a shirtless Angel putting on his necklace. All thoughts of him losing his soul left her mind. Buffy had missed him so much that she couldn't help but run over and hold him in her arms.
"Angel!"
"Hey." He answered after a fleeting kiss.
"Oh my God! I was so worried."
"I didn't mean to frighten you."
He looked down in her eyes and Buffy could still see her Angel, but she knew she had to keep up the show, even though she didn't believe just yet. "Where did you go?"
"Been around."
Not something Angel would say. "Oh my God…" Buffy whispered as she clung to him again. "I was freaking out. You just disappeared!"
"What? I took off," answered Angel as he walked away from her to put his shirt on.
"But you didn't say anything. You just left. Even Libby didn't know where you were." She lied.
'This is where the fun begins,' thought Angelus. "Yeah. Like I really wanted to stick around after that."
"What?"
"You got a lot to learn about men, kiddo. Although I guess you proved that last night."
"What are you saying?" whimpered Buffy.
"Let's not make an issue out of it, okay?" Angelus tormented just like Libby said he would as he walked away this time to get his jacket. "In fact, let's not talk about it at all. It happened."
"I don't understand," Buffy cried at his words. "Was it…me? Was I not good?"
Angelus let loose some insensitive laughter and replied, "You were great. Really. I thought you were a pro."
"How can you say this to me?"
"Lighten up. It was a good time. It doesn't mean we have to make a big deal."
"It is a big deal!" Buffy sobbed. No.
"It's what? Bells ringing? Fireworks? A dulcet choir of pretty little birdies?" Angelus went in for the emotional kill as he reached out to caress her cheek. "Come on, Buffy. It's not like I've never been there before."
The slayer recoiled back in hurtful anger. She believed now. She believed way more than she ever wanted to. "Don't touch me."
Angelus mockingly scowled and said, "I should have known you wouldn't be able to handle it." As he readied to leave, he thought of the perfect thing to say before he reached the door. "I bet Libby could've though. Mmmm, yeah, she'd probably handle it fine."
He had hit home because not only was Buffy struck with disgust, but she suddenly feared for Libby.
"Angel!" Buffy whispered in grief. "I love you."
"I love you, too." He chuckled and opened the door. "I'll call you."
Xander walked up the stairs to put yet another unhelpful book back when he saw Cordelia reading through one.
"Did you find anything?" he asked.
"This book mentions the Judge, but nothing useful. "Big, scary, no weapon forged can stop him. Took an army to take him down." Blah, blah, blah." Cordelia answered.
"We need some insight. A weak spot."
Cordy shut the book and put it back saying, "Well, we're not gonna find it here."
"Sorry I snapped at you before," apologized Xander as he came to stand close to her.
"Well, I'm reeling from that new experience." Cordy huffed.
"I was crazed. I wasn't thinking."
"I know. You were too busy rushing off to die for your beloved Buffy and legendary Libby." Cordelia stated, girlier than she liked. "You'd never die for me."
"No, I might die from you. Does that get me any points?" joked Xander.
"No."
"Come on, can't we just kiss and make up?"
"I don't want to make up," Cordelia argued but then seductively smiled and said, "But I'm okay with the other part."
Smiling, Xander leaned in and kissed Cordelia sweetly as she ran her hand through his hair. No matter how much they didn't make sense, the feeling of their lips touching didn't feel so wrong. However, when they pulled away, a hurt and shocked Willow was staring at them.
"Willow! We were just…"
She didn't give her lifelong friend and crush time to finish before she ran out of the library. Xander followed her, calling out her name, but Willow was only getting worked up.
"Willow, come on!"
"I knew it! I knew it!" She shrieked in his face. "Well, I didn't in the sense of having the slightest idea, but I knew there was something I didn't know. You two were fighting way too much! It's not natural."
"I know it's weird."
"Weird? It's against all laws of God and man. It's Cordelia! Remember? The "We Hate Cordelia Club," of which you are the treasurer."
"Look, I was gonna tell you."
"Gee, what stopped you? Thinking that Libby will do it for you? Or could it be shame?"
"All right! Let's overreact, shall we?" Xander yelled back now.
"But I'm –!"
"Willow. We were just kissing. It doesn't mean that much."
Her heart clenched and stomach churned because it meant everything. She remembered when Libby implied that she wouldn't end up with Xander, but there was a part of her that was still hoping that she would. Now, that hope was smothered into nothing, and it hurt her to her core. She tried to even her breath and remembered that Libby also said that she would be happy and loved. But it wasn't by him…
"No…it just means that you'd rather be with someone you hate than be with me."
Willow left him standing alone in the hallway and Xander never felt sicker with guilt.
Willow walked back down the school halls and prepared herself for who she would have to face in the library. She couldn't wrap her mind around Xander and Cordelia. She wished that Libby hadn't been distracted so much so she could warn her about this whole situation. Willow understood why she couldn't, with the Judge and Angel turning bad and rebuilding the bonds she thought were broken, but the selfish part of her wished Libby found the time. It would've been a much nicer way to find out. Still, the outcome couldn't have been too different.
Xander opened the Men's room door and when he saw Willow, he dashed over to her and said, "Will…"
"Hey." Willow replied as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"Where'd you go?"
"Home."
"I'm glad you came back. We can't do this without you."
"Let's get this straight," declared Willow sternly. "I don't understand it. I don't wanna understand it. You have gross emotional problems and things are not okay between us." Xander had to look away from her because his oldest friend's words hurt too much. "But what's happening right now is more important than that."
Xander wanted to explain, to try and make things better, but he knew this wasn't the time, so he said, "Okay."
"What about the Judge? Where do we stand?"
"On a pile of really boring books that say exactly the same thing." Xander answered a bit exasperated.
"Let me guess. "No weapon forged,""
""It took an army…""
"Yeah, where's an army when you need one? Is Libby back yet? She said she'd have more info on him to share if we – Xander?"
"Whoa. Whoa!" Xander exclaimed. "I – I think I'm havin' a thought. Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's a thought. Now I'm having a plan. I love when Libby let's us come up with our ideas without telling us what they are first."
And then the lights go out.
"Now I'm havin' a wiggins."
"It must be Angel," whispered Willow as quietly as she could. "Libby said he'd be coming…and-and we can't let on that we know anything."
"Yeah, I really don't like that part of the plan," Xander then raised his voice to normal and said, "Let's get to the library."
"Willow. Xander."
They both swung around in terror at the voice of their former friend. Angel was cascaded in shadows, so hidden that they couldn't see his face. Not that they needed to.
"Angel." Xander said, an edge in his voice.
"Th-Thank God you're okay," Willow's voice slightly trembled. "Did you see Buffy? Did Libby find you?"
"Yeah, I saw Buffy." His voice was ghostly and it chilled them to the bones. "What's up with the lights?"
You are you big evil guy! "I don't know. Listen, I think have an idea." Xander tried to distract, but it failed.
"Forget about that now. I got somethin' to show you."
"Show us?" asked Willow, growing very nervous.
"Yeah. Xander, go get the others."
"Okay." Xander did not like leaving Willow alone with him, but he trusted Libby.
"And, Willow, come here."
The redhead walked as slowly as she could and did her best not to sound afraid, but it was difficult. "What is it, Angel?"
"It's amazing."
"What's amazing?" Libby's voice echoed loudly in the hallway, catching Angel off guard.
Willow immediately turned around and a wave of relief washed over her. Now, it didn't matter what Angel would do because Libby would protect her.
"Angel said he wants to show us some – THING!"
Willow gasped as Angelus swept up from behind and menacingly grabbed her by the throat. He growled and bared his fangs at the sight of the protector. He'd been waiting.
"I wouldn't do that," Libby steadily warned.
"Oh, I think I do that." Angelus jeered back with a personal glare.
"Angel!" squealed Willow.
"Add an 'us' to the end of that and, yeah, that's him."
The soulless vampire snickered at Libby. "Yes, I am myself again. At last!"
"I beg to differ."
"Doesn't matter. It's not your time to beg." He sneered seductively at her, causing Libby to tense up in dread of the unknown. "I got a message for Buffy."
"Why don't you give it to me yourself?"
Angelus spun around, choking Willow tighter, and evilly responded, "Well, it's not really the kind of message you tell. It sort of involves finding the bodies of all your friends."
Willow screamed when he jerked her neck, but Buffy was prepared. "This isn't you."
"We already covered that subject."
"Libby said that the real you is gone, but Angel, there has to be some part of you inside that still remembers who you really are."
Angelus manically laughed and took a delicious whiff of the protector still standing behind him. "You're protector is right, so dream on, schoolgirl. Your boyfriend is dead. You're all gonna join him."
Buffy took a few steps forward when she saw Libby ready her throwing arm and said, "Leave Willow alone and deal with me."
"But she's so cute and helpless." He rasped as he pinched her cheek. "It's really a turn on."
The protector flung her arm at Angelus and he smashed into the lockers. Willow was completely unaffected and was able to run to Libby.
"Xander's waiting down the hall. Go!"
Willow obeyed and left the renewed evil Angel to the slayer and her protector. He didn't waste time in jumping to his feet and he did so growling and grabbing Buffy's shoulders in dominance.
"Things are about to get very interesting."
Angelus kissed her hard on the mouth and then threw Buffy into the wall. He backed out of the doors, but before he vanished into the night, the soulless monster bellowed, "I'll be seeing you, Libbs. Soon."
"You should've seen their faces. They were priceless! I'll never forget it." Angelus beamed at his own conniving success.
"So you didn't kill them, then?" grumbled Spike.
"Course not."
Spike hissed and said, "Now, I know you haven't been in the game for a while, mate, but we still do kill people. It's sort of our raison d'etre, you know?"
"You don't want to kill them, do you?" Drusilla mused as he poked her nails into dolly Edith's eyes. "You want to hurt them, just like you hurt me."
At the deranged smile on his sired's face, Angelus chuckled, "Nobody knows me like you do, Dru."
"They'd better not get in our way. Especially not that bloody protector." Spike barked.
"Don't worry about it."
"I do."
"Spike, my boy!" Angelus crashed a crate on the floor to make a dramatic point. "You really don't get it, do you? You tried to kill them, but you couldn't. Look at you, you're a wreck. Buffy's stronger than any slayer you've ever faced and Libby's more clever than anything you've ever even heard of." He jumped down and still towered over his grandsired. "Force won't get it done. You gotta work from the inside. To kill this girl, you have to love her. And to kill the other, you have to break, her, down."
Buffy walked into her room and Libby hovered in the doorway. It was all about the door. If Buffy closed it then she wanted to be alone, but if she left it open then she wanted somebody to comfort her.
Buffy didn't have to think about it. She left the door wide open for her protector and scuffled across the floor to her jewelry stand. Libby followed and heard her devastated heart break and crumble as the blonde let the sobs take over her body. She slipped the ring off her finger and made her way to her bed. The pain was worse than any broken bone or bite to the neck.
Libby followed her slayer's lead and curled up next to Buffy and cradled her in her protective arms. Buffy clutched onto the brunette's hand as she pressed the ring to her heart and wept harder and harder.
Libby tried to soothe her by rocking her gently back and forth, smoothing her hair, and shh-ing softly, but nothing worked. Libby had no idea what to do and if Buffy kept crying like this she might hyperventilate. That's when she thought of it. Something they all wanted to hear from her, but had probably given up on. Libby lifted herself up a little and let down Buffy's hair to try to get her to relax and then began to sing,
"When you try your best, but you don't succeed. When you get what you want, but not what you need. When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep. Stuck in reverse."
Buffy's sobs began to ease and she looked up at her sister. Her voice was beautiful. Soft and light, but powerful and captivating. It helped her find some peace that she desperately needed. Buffy rested her head back down on the pillow and held her protector's hand tighter.
"And the tears come streaming down your face. When you lose something you can't replace. When you love someone, but it goes to waste. Could it be worse? Lights will guide you home and ignite your bones and I will try to fix you."
Buffy's sobs came back a little at the words, but they soon faded and she finally drifted off to sleep, so Libby continued.
"High up above or down below. When you're too in love to let it go. But if you never try you'll never know, just what you're worth. Lights will guide you home and ignite your bones and I will try to fix you."
Libby felt Buffy's grip loosen completely and sighed when her sister's breathing was that of a deep and needed sleep. She reached over and grabbed Mr. Gordo to put into Buffy's hand and she cuddled with him right away.
"Goodnight Buffy."
"Buffy, I don't think this is the way to do it." Libby tried to reason with her, but the blonde had had it. "I mean, no one but us knows about this."
"They'll know after this."
"Obviously, but I think it's better to tell them without any violence involved."
"I'm the slayer. Violence is part of the job description." Buffy marched down the hallways and never slowed down.
"But it's not always the only option. Buffy!" Libby grabbed her slayer's arm, but she couldn't hold onto it.
"No! I'm done acting like I'm in the dark about what's going on." Buffy rounded the corner and headed for the doorway. "It's time to fess up."
"Oh, not good…" Libby mumbled as she followed.
Buffy stormed into the computer classroom and blew past Giles to slam Ms. Calendar by the throat and down onto the desk.
"What do you know?" She demanded, having no regard for anyone in the room.
"Should I get the principal?" A student asked.
"No, I'll deal with this." Giles answered in a flabbergasted rush. "You're all dismissed."
Libby inched up behind Buffy and frightfully whispered, "You should probably let her go now."
Buffy obliged and Jenny sat back up with a terrified look on her face.
"I know who you really are. What you're really doing here." Buffy glowered.
"For God's sake, calm down." Giles ordered, but she didn't listen.
"You knew didn't you? And you didn't do anything to stop it. Libby was dying and she still tried! Why didn't you?"
"You can't just go around accusing –"
"I didn't know it would…exactly." Jenny interrupted the watcher. "I was told…oh, God. I was sent here to watch you. They told me to keep you and Angel apart. They never told me what would happen."
"Jenny…" Giles gasped.
"I'm sorry, Rupert. Angel was supposed to pay for what he did to my people."
"Yeah, I know all that. But what about me? What was I supposed to be paying for?"
"I didn't know what would happen until after. I swear I would've told you."
"But you didn't come clean about it." Libby cut in. "You were never going to tell Buffy why, were you?"
"I hoped it would never come to that."
"How could it not?" Libby challenged. "If I wasn't here…it's cruel of you to make her find out like this."
"I'm sorry. I am. I'm so sorry."
"I don't understand." Giles interrupted. His world was falling apart and he wasn't even in the loop. He needed to know everything and now.
"Giles, the curse…if Angel has one moment of pure happiness than he looses his soul." Libby looked at Buffy and she gave a small nod. "Buffy gave him that."
"But how is she responsible for…" He looked down at Buffy and at her look of shame and guilt, he realized exactly how and it was like a blow to the stomach. "Oh."
Awkward.
"If there's anything that…" trailed Jenny and Buffy was on top of it.
"Curse him again."
"No, I can't. Those magics are long lost, even to my people."
"Libby, can she or not?"
The protector looked at Jenny and then at Giles before returning her gaze to Buffy. This could go one way or the other, but she replied, "She can create a program to translate the lost text. She can help restore his soul."
"What?" Jenny almost shouted. "No, I can't. What you're saying…it can't be done. I can't help you."
Buffy glared furiously at Ms. Calendar and threatened, "I believe Libby over everyone so what makes you think I'm gonna believe you?"
"Because I don't know what she's talking about." Jenny defended honestly.
Buffy looked at Libby, who shrugged. "Fine, then take me to someone who might."
Jenny took them over to her uncle's and the entire car ride was spent in silence. Giles was still trying to absorb everything he learned and come to grips with it, but that was an extremely difficult task under the circumstances. Jenny was merely trying to maintain some kind of control and think of a way to prove that she truly was on their side. Buffy and Libby just waited. The slayer for an answer and the protector for a reaction.
When they entered the hotel room, Jenny gasped in horror at the sight left for them. Her uncle was lying dead and bloody and a red message was written on the wall: Was It Good For You Too?
"He's doing this deliberately, Buffy." Giles said. "He's trying to make it harder for you."
"He's only making it easier. I know what I have to do."
"What?"
"Stop him."
Stop not kill. Libby looked over at Buffy and surmised that this was a better reaction than she was ready for. The slayer wasn't putting her faith in the evilness of Angelus, but in the knowledge of Libby.
The vampires huddled by the exit as the Judge prepared himself for the massacre.
"I am ready." He announced.
"About time," Spike groaned as Drusilla sat on his lap and gave him a kiss. "Have fun."
Angelus bent over and whispered in his ear, "Too bad you can't come with, huh? Be thinkin' of you."
"I won't be in this chair forever."
Drusilla traced Spike's sharp cheekbones, but Angelus took it away and led her out the door, putting Spike in an angry tizzy. "What happens if your girlfriend shows up with your best friend?" he yelled.
"I'm gonna give her a kiss and a spank." Angelus snickered, but when he walked past the Judge he teased, "Don't you look spiffy!"
"Spiffy?"
Xander and Oz placed the military box on Giles' desk. They were able to get in and out of the base with the weapon with no trouble at all, and needless to say, Xander was very proud of himself.
"Happy birthday, Buffy. I hope you like the color."
Libby grinned at Xander, but was pulled back into the narrow focus of Buffy when she asked, "Should we try the factory first or have they already gone on the offense?"
"Once we have everything ready, we go to the mall," replied Libby. "That's the only place where the Judge can burn a whole lot of people at once."
Giles pried open the box and as soon as the lid open to reveal a suburb weapon of mass destruction, he revered, "Agreed."
"This is good." Buffy whispered.
"Good? This is fantastic, a keeper forever." Libby ogled and caressed it.
Buffy and Xander couldn't help but giggle and it actually put them at ease for a moment. But then Jenny came up to the doorway. "Do you, uh, is there something I can do?"
Everyone knew about her now, but she wanted a chance to show that she wasn't the person they were all thinking she was. If Libby would say something, but it wasn't Libby's decision. It was Buffy's love on the line. It was her call.
"Get out."
"She does want to help." Libby whispered, but the look Buffy gave her made it clear that she didn't care.
"I would like to help, if I can." Jenny implored.
But even Giles turned her back on her and said, "Buffy said, "Get out.""
Libby turned to Jenny who looked positively heartbroken. Before she turned to leave, Libby mouthed. "Give it time. They'll come around." Ms. Calendar forlornly nodded and left them all be.
"Do you want me to show you how to use it?" Xander asked Buffy.
"Yes, I do."
The slayer, protector, watcher, and comrades exited the mall elevator in single file, locked and loaded and ready for battle. Buffy and Libby were in the lead and the blonde commanded, "Everybody keep back. Damage control only. Take out any lesser vamps if you can. Libby and I will take the smurf."
The Judge, Angelus, Drusilla, and their vampire lackeys swung open the double doors at the top of the stairs. The vampires headed down the stairs to lock all the exits as Angelus ordered them to immediately do. He truly believed that the protector had been out of the loop just enough for this plan to execute properly before a counter attack.
The demonic, hideous smurf strode ahead and reached out to burn an older man with glasses, but before he could fry the innocent man into dust an arrow pierced his chest, saving the man's life.
The Judge had some trouble pulling it out it was lodged so deep; giving time for the man to escape his grasp. Once he removed it, and seeing some coating of his blood hardened on the arrow, he roared, "Who dares?"
Angelus and Drusilla darted their gazes down in search of the slayer, but saw the protector standing on top of a mall stand, twiddling another arrow in her hand. No crossbow to be seen.
"I do. You nasty, blueberry popsicle." Libby scoffed.
Buffy giggled to herself, "She's good at getting someone's attention."
"You're a fool," The Judge repeated the same damn information they already knew. "No weapon forged can stop me."
Libby leered and sent the second arrow into his forehead. The unkillable demon actually stumbled back at the velocity. He yanked it out just in time to see the slayer stand beside her protector with a large, black rocket launcher balanced on her shoulder.
"That was then," Buffy declared, readying the weapon. "This is now."
Everyone on the ground floor screamed and ran for their lives, despite having no clue as to what was really going on. Giles, Xander, Cordelia, Willow, and Oz all ducked down behind the candy counter while Angelus and Drusilla made a run for the stairs. They barely got to the railing.
"What's that do?"
Buffy pushed the button and the missile shot out of the launcher faster than the eye could see. It hit the Judge smack dab in the center of his chest. The explosion and flames were massive, sending pieces of the Judge everywhere and hurling Angelus and Drusilla over the railing and crashing to the ground with the debris.
Angelus brought himself back up in a rage while Drusilla lost it and whimpered in distress as she scurried away.
"Best present ever." Buffy complimented as she handed it back down to Xander.
"I knew you'd like it."
"Hey, Xander, think you could get me RPG?"
Xander laughed but seriously answered, "I can try."
"Do you think he's dead?" asked Willow.
"Probably not, but he's never coming back." Libby replied.
"Pick up the pieces and keep them separate." Buffy ordered as she scanned for Angel in the crowd.
"Pieces? We get the pieces? Our job sucks!" Cordy whined.
Ignoring her, Libby jumped down and sought out Angel along with Buffy. The moment they saw him running through an exit, they followed as fast as they could manage with all the hysterical people. The sprinklers came on and showered on them like the pouring ran from a couple nights before. Buffy and Libby moved together as one, ready for the attack, but Angelus came from the left instead of the right and punched Libby in the face. She was knocked down, but Buffy went to hit him only to get kicked in the stomach.
"You know what the worst part what, huh? Pretending that I loved you." Angelus taunted. "If I'd known how easily you'd give it up, I wouldn't have even bothered."
Buffy got back up on her feet and admitted, "It doesn't work anymore. You're not Angel."
"You'd like to think that, wouldn't you? It doesn't matter. The important thing is you made me the man I am today."
Out of nowhere, Angel was thrust backwards and slammed into a wall. Libby straightened herself up and strongly looked at Buffy, letting her know that she's not alone.
"That's my other girl!" Evil Angel laughed as he eased back up. "I'm not gonna lie, I really don't wanna lose you."
"What makes you think you can have me?" Libby gibed back. "What makes you think I'm worth your time?"
She hurled herself at her new enemy and used her Black Widow kick to telekinetically throw him through the same wall. Buffy's eyes boggled, impressed. Angelus, however, wasn't. He ran out of the rubble and struck Libby in the gut and backhanded her so hard she fell to the ground face first.
Buffy stepped in, but he was an equal match for her. In fact, he landed more blows that she did. The slayer tried to work up the strength and stamina to beat him, but Angelus knew exactly where to strike.
"You're not quittin' on me already, are ya?" he sneered. "Come on, Buffy. You know you want it, huh?"
Buffy looked over and saw her sister's blood pooling with the sprinkler water and how she found the strength to get back up. Libby punched Angelus in the face and averted all his jabs, causing him to get overly frustrated.
"Retained that assassin fighting skill, I see."
"And I don't like it when you hurt my sister."
Libby head butted him so hard that he fell backwards. When he got up, Buffy joined in and used him as a punching bag. She hit and kicked and blocked and then drove him into a glass counter only to smash him through upwards through some more and kick him down into a corner.
Buffy pulled out her stake, but when she looked at Angel, that's exactly who she saw…Angel.
"You can't do it. You can't kill me. Neither of you can."
Frowning, Buffy rammed her foot into his groin as hard as she could and Angelus keeled over in the unbearable pain only men could feel.
"Give us time." Buffy said as she looked at an understanding Libby and they walked away together.
Giles drove his girls to the Summers' house in silence. Buffy was in the front seat trying not to cry and Libby was in the back trying to not show that she was in some pain from Angel's punch in the face.
Their watcher curved his head to look at them, but neither returned his gaze. Giles knew where Buffy's pain and guilt came from, but Libby's puzzled him. "It's not over. I suppose you both know that."
Buffy and Libby glumly nodded.
"He'll come after you, Buffy…particularly. His profile – He's likely to strike out at the things that made him feel the most human. So Libby, he will be fixated on you as well. Either equally or more so."
"More so?" Libby asked, not having thought about this.
"Yes, because hurting you will also hurt Buffy and he knows that your power of knowing excludes yourself. Making attacking Buffy more of a challenge, which he'll probably enjoy."
"Huh."
Not being able to contain it anymore, Buffy interrupted, "You must be so disappointed in me."
"No." Giles responded without skipping a beat. Buffy looked at him in surprise and hope as her father figure helped put her mind at ease. "No. No, I'm not."
"How could he be, Buffy? It's not your fault, it's mine."
Giles twisted around to stare at Libby dead on and sternly said, "No, it is not. I do not believe either of you are at fault. Do you want me to wag my finger and say you could have handled this better? Or that you acted rashly? It's true, and I can. I know that you did your best with what was placed on your shoulders, Libby, and Buffy, I know that you loved him."
The watcher leaned himself back in his seat so he could see both his girls and caringly continued, "And he…has proven more than once that he loved you. And had a soft spot for you, Libby, I know he cared greatly for your safety. There was nothing more that either of you could've done to prevent this."
Libby pressed her eyelids together to stop the tears from spilling, but Buffy let them trickle down her cheeks. Libby wanted so badly to let go, but as long as Buffy couldn't hold it together, she had to for her slayer sister.
"The coming months are gonna be hard, I suspect on all of us, but if it's guilt you two are looking for, I'm not your man." Giles glanced at them both and the love in his eyes finally made Libby's tears spill through her lashes. "All you will get from me is my support and my respect."
"Good night, my love. My moment with you now is ending…"
Libby couldn't help but mouth the words as Buffy rested her head against her shoulder and Joyce came back with a plate of three yummy cupcakes.
"Did I miss anything?" Ms. Summers asked as she sat back down, putting Buffy in the middle.
Buffy sat back upright and resituated herself when her mom sat down with the birthday cupcakes and replied, "Oh, um, just some singing and some running around."
"I'm sorry I didn't have time to make you a real cake."
"No. This is good. And Libby's spending the night, so I'm good." Buffy said with a ghost of a smile.
"Happy to have her," Joyce beamed. "And we're still going shopping on Saturday. So what did you do for your birthday? Did you have fun?"
"I got older."
"You look the same to me."
Buffy's mom went to light the candle on the cupcake in the middle and Libby suddenly felt like the flame represented a funeral instead of a birthday. Buffy stared at it and didn't know what to do.
"Happy birthday. I don't have to sing, do I? Because I will make Libby sing with me."
The brunette grinned at that, but Buffy just shook her head and whispered, "No."
"Well, go on. Make a wish."
Buffy stared at the cupcake and studied the flame. There was no wishing anymore. She wanted to let it be and have the flame burn itself out, but then a thought came to her mind. She looked over at Libby and the pain in her eyes made Libby want to cry for her, but then something sparked. It was only for a second, but Buffy remembered Libby saying, "Don't let it burn." This is what she meant.
The 17-year-old blonde scooted closer to the cupcake and drew in a breath. Libby's lips parted in a smile of innocence at Buffy's decision. There must be hope left inside her. Buffy closed her eyes and blew out the candle. If I have to lose Angel, please don't let me lose Libby. Buffy snuggled up with her mom as she held Libby's hand and the three of them finished the movie.
Good night, my love. Good night, my love. Remember that you're mine, sweetheart.