i shouldn't be surprised, it's never over

[superhero_grrl]

I was walking the streets, looking for some vampire to stake; nervous energy running through my veins and I had no idea why. Alright, that was one big fat lie; why do I always feel the need to lie to myself huh? Oh right, nevermind. The point was I was back in L.A. which was messed up enough in itself for various reasons, but oh right Angelus was

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[_wes_pryce_]

I was just about to reply to Dawn about whether or not we should get the others when a loud explosion shook the building. I shielded both girls with my body on instinct as we waited out the blow. It wasn’t large enough to destroy the whole building, but it *was* loud enough to do some considerable damage. Once the shaking was over, I glanced at both Willow and Dawn.

“Are you both alright?” Willow nodded, her arms around Dawn as she blinked at me. After making certain they were both alright, I turned to glance around the corner. Well, not much left of the lobby, I’m guessing that’ll dig into our budget. It was then I notice two of the others. Fred, which would without a doubt explain the explosion. And Buffy who came running in. She was already charging the demons. Good, reinforcements are always good. But where was the rest?

“Fred!” I called out for her, waving her over. I turned toward the girls, nodding toward the weapons cabinet. “Willow, you’d best get a weapon too, just in case.” I know she can do some rather heavy magic, but sometimes it’s better to have something at hand to just hit with. Or shoot, in my case. “Stay here,” I told them, glancing around the corner again. The demons seemed to be taken out for now, but there were plenty more upstairs I’d wager.

Quickly darting forward, looking around cautiously, I made my way over to Buffy. “Fred, get a weapon and stay with Willow and Dawn. Strength in numbers,” I told her as I passed her on my way over. “Miss Summer? Did you see anything outside? I believe there are more upstairs,” I said, keeping an eye on the girls.

[_willow_magic]

We could like, discus thing here for some time between the three of us. Not like we got a chance though, before Wesley could say anything, the building shook. I quickly put my arms around Dawn and ducked us both. Wes was shielding both of us as we rode out the explosion. Must be something, whoa. The whole building was shaking. I was almost sure that when we got up to find a hole or whatever in the wall.

“I’m okay,” I nodded at Wes when he asked if we were. At least, I think I’m okay. A bit shaken up, but hey. “Uh? What?” Oh weapon. “Oh, okay. Yeah, sure.” Making sure Dawn was good, I turned toward the weapon collection and blinked. Geeze, they sure as heck got an overload of those. Would make Buffy jealous. Oh wait, I guess she gets to browse through them now too.

“Uhhh…” Shrugging, I picked up a sword, making a face at the weight of it in my hand. Kinda heavy. Not like I know how to use that. Maybe I should do as Dawn and get me a crossbow, no need to get close to those things. Demons. Whatever. Nodding at myself, I grabbed one of the crossbows giving it a puzzled look. Carefully I looked at Dawn, took note of how she was holding it and copied that.

“Okay, I think we’re so ready to kick… where’s he going?” I looked on bewildered as Wes told us to stay put and then dashed off. Okay. Stay put, we can do that. We can like… I dunno…defend the courtyard? “Fred!” I waved at the girl who, now that I think about it, probably caused the explosion. “Please say that was you with the boom.” Cause if not, we got us some way dangerous demons on our hands. "What's going on?"

[parting_gifts]

Okay. So the minute that it looked like everything was fine around the hotel, for now at least, I decided to run down to Starbucks to get fresh coffee and well, bags of it. Not like we actually had food in the damn hotel besides I'm sure leftover bags of blood, but coffee? It was like a staple at the Hyperion. I'm sure nobody else minded the fact that I was bringing home all that caffeinated goodness.

As I was headed back down the street to the hotel, I heard a gigantic explosion that sounded like .. the hotel was blowing up? Dear god, please tell me its not. I did not bring Buffy and the Scoobs here to have everyone and the hotel blow up, courtesy of the one voted most likely to be evil, Angelus. My stride turned into a run and I skidded to a stop outside in the courtyard. Smelled like smoke out here.

As I entered the front doors, or what were formerly the front doors, I noticed that there was a nice sized hole in the middle of the lobby with Fred standing to the left of it and Willow and Dawn both looking suspiciously awkward with a crossbow and a sword. I frowned as I walked in.

"Okay. I leave the hotel for 20 minutes and already there's an explosion. What the hell is going on?" I asked, noticing the demons. Or rather what was left of them. I quickly made my way towards Dawn and Willow, both of whom were looking rather .. well shocked.

Okay. Me too. Cause even I didn't know Fred was capable of damn near blowing up the place. At least, I hope it was her. I glanced towards the weapons cabinet and was on my way to get a sword.

"So. Any ideas on what kind of attack that one was? Or did I just miss a really amazing fireworks show?" I asked, grabbing one and turning back towards them. This was just freaking great. Next time we decide to let Angelus loose, I vote no. A big fat freaking no to that.

[bitesizedone]

I had to admit I held on tightly to Willow as everything went haywire. Though one would assume it was in a good way but as I found myself ducking to keep my head attached to my shoulders.. Let's just say it didn't seem like everything was going as steady as I thought it should.

"I-I'm fine.." I said as I gathered myself together. I saw Buffy jumping in, taking out everything she could get her hands on. I had to say I felt much better after seeing her and a huge part of me was relieved enough to actually feel useful. Though as smoke started to settle it seemed like the demons were either stuck on the floor or passed out. Then as I held onto my crossbow expecting more to pop out.. On came Cordelia.

I waved slowly making a small smile while the look on her face seemed to get bigger. It was hard to explain or actually easy depending on how much she read off visuals.

"Hey Cordy.."

I said quietly as I slowly listened to her banter and questions. It was obvious we needed more than a visual to explain everything to her but without actually knowing anything ourselves.. Or maybe some of us had hunches or even the drive to actually find out what exactly was going on. As Cordy finished by asking for ideas a small part of me figured to add in some input.

"I'm not really that sure but it seems as though they had some reason of being here. Sort of like they were staged possibly?"

I asked hoping my idea wasn't too far out there. I tilted my head with a shrug before taking a few steps back. If anything my idea was at least an idea.

[superhero_grrl]

I saw Wes stand, say something to Willow and Dawn and then head towards me.

“Miss Summers? Did you see anything outside? I believe there are more upstairs,”

I shook my head, "Nothing I could see, I heard the faint gunshots that weren't gunshots and took off running, but no nasties between me and the hotel."

It was then that Cordelia bardged into the hotel Coffee, Coffee? Yeah I could use some of that right about now, of course that'd have to wait till the demons were all dead.

I heard the talking, Dawn making a comment about staged demons. I wasn't sure I'd say it like that but she was probably right. I started towards the stairs but closer to the others after all I had to give my little sister props, she was a smart one.

"Definately meant for us, but if he wanted all of us dead he'd have blown the whole place up. No he just wants to show us he's got the power here, that he can come in whenever he wants to and take us out. Really though he wants us all alive to play with."

They all looked at me strangely, what like I didn't have insight on Angelus? Anyone remember the months he spent torturing me emotionally? Cause yeah that's still pretty damn fresh in my mind. I sighed.

"I'm going upstairs to get rid of the rest of them. Will, how about you work on getting the barrier set back up? Anyone else coming?"

I gave Dawn a 'move to help and i'll hurt you' look before heading up the stairs. Maybe the Hyperion wasn't the best base of operations. Angelus knows this place as well as Angel does, he knows these people. That puts us at a huge disadvantage.

[_willow_magic]

Keeping my arms around Dawnie, we seem to hang on for like dear life of some other British thing Giles used to say. I mean whoa, we’re demon hunters and all that, but we didn’t carry around explosives! Thankfully Buffy is here. Not that I don’t trust Wes, but y’know…It’s Buffy.

And that’s Cordy.

I blink at the whirlwind that enters the hotel, shooting question after question. “Well there were demons and an explosion. And Wes and Dawn where here and I was in the courtyard where there were some as well. And then Wes, me and Dawn regrouped to get the rest of you when Fred blew up the hotel!” Yeah, I think that’s it. In a nutshell. Kinda.

“Uhm, hey Cordelia,” I added a bit lamely. I doubted she really cared, but it was a teensy bit rude.

Then Buffy started about Angelus and I could feel a chill go down my spine. Yeah, makes sense. He did kinda… Okay, not the point. About the goldfish I mean. My eyes tick over to Buffy and Wes as they stand there kinda like two guard dogs from hell. Not a good analogy, but apt. They’d both give their lives to protect their own. Just as I got no doubt they’d both do anything to get Angel back. Kinda funny, considering their past.

“Wards, barriers, right!” Nod at her, letting go of Dawn as she steps away a little. “Still puzzled how they got through there in the first place. I mean, it’s not just any barrier. We had a lot of hard time setting it up and did a lotta research and it took like plenty of….oh…heh.” Giving them a small smile at their looks, I shrug and ducky my head. “Wards, barriers, on it!”

[_wes_pryce_]

“Gun shots?” I blinked at Buffy when she said that and then at my gun. No, I doubt she heard that. I think she heard someone breach the wards. Dammit, we’d been so careful when we put them up. Willow and I had research them for hours and yet they were so easily to penetrate? That’s not a good thing, we’ll need to work harder. Find better once. Or perhaps we’ll need to relocate, Angelus knows this hotel as well as Angel.

Perhaps… Cordelia? “Coffee? You always did have impeccable timing, Cordy,” I say dryly as she strides past me. At least she has her priorities straight. My eyes narrow as I keep looking around for anything which may attack us, or the others rather while Dawn and Willow explain what happened. Dawn giving her point of view. She’s turned out to be a very observant young lady.

“Yes, it sounds like something Angelus would do. He always did love to brag and flaunt his power around.” And now that he has it? Heaven help us all. The Powers That Bugger us certainly aren’t doing an admirable job of it. Not that this comes as a complete surprise. It’s time for some serious regrouping. Not just our team and the Sunnydale team. But all of us together, we need to be one team to beat Angelus and get Angel back.

“Good idea, Buffy. I’ll check out the basement. There is a sewer access after all. It may be locked, but apparently that doesn’t mean much.” Narrowing my eyes, I glance over at our little rag tag group. Where the hell is Gunn? Where the hell are the others?

“Why don’t Fred and Willow stay here to take care of the barriers, Buffy and Dawn check the upstairs and Cordelia with me to check out the basement?” I glance over at Buffy to see what she thinks. I’m not fool I once was, she has the experience now, it’s imperative to share, listen and agree. Mostly.

[taser_girl]

Jumping beans of doom? I could only shrug my head as my infamous explosion left tiny pieces of the ceiling leaping through the hall. I could hear them all until of course they reached the next hall toward my office. It was then I took a slow look at the full extent of my damage. The hotel looked as though chaotic monkeys had settled in only instead of flinging poo, they flung gargantuan fire balls.

"Now that's unfortunate.." I was quick to state as I looked at what was left of my newest invention.

I knelt down at a distance as the chemicals themselves could still be inside what was left of the metal. My arm stung as I tried to eye anything salvageable, which in itself seemed pointless but the best material was sometimes ones that have been through hell and back. I nearly jumped as the sound of the front door opened and graciously it was Cordelia.

"Cordy!"

I shouted with a bit of excitement, can't say I was used to having her back just yet. Though even on bad terms such as tonight it was nice to have all these heads to bump together, it's always the best way to find the perfect solution to any problem. As everyone stated their welcomes to her then both Buffy and Wesley through out plans it would seem everything was being put quickly back together.

"No problem Wesley," I said quietly before turning to Willow. "I have a few things in my office that we can use. Mainly though we can use the scanner to find the hot spot of the supernatural element in the Hyperion. That should be where the crack in the barrier is, if it has been cracked of course.."

I took a deep breath as that seemed to take most of my breath. Sure it was a lot to take in but if we found the problem first it could lead to an answer in solving it.

[bitesizedone]

I halfway smile as I keep my hand on Willow's arm, though I'm totally not a kid anymore a safety blanket here and there is kind of comforting. I listened as Buffy explained her theory and given everything we went through the first round with Angelus.. Well let's just say the Hyperion had Angelus stamped on the bottom until further notice.

"I'm coming!" I shouted toward Buffy as I let go of Willow. I walked up slowly but listened to everyone in the background including Wesley.

I knew it was going to be safe sailing from here as I had Buffy on my side. Plus if I wasn't there to watch her back there was so a fifty percent chance of her getting hurt. Maybe it was just a positive way of seeing everything but I'd rather be thought of watching or back than getting in her way and I also believe we've developed a good team system between us. I kick away and dodge.. She kills. Taking back my own attention to focus on Wesley, he reminded me of someone that I thought I couldn't possibly forget.

"Buffy, Xander!" I said quickly before slapping my hand on her shoulder as I finally made it over to her. Though it looked very childish my fear that something may happen to Xander was a little stronger than met the eye. No pun intended. "Do you think he's sleeping through all of this? Like when we watched the Lord of the Rings in surround.."

For all I know he's safe and trapped in some dream that's too mature for everyone in this room to know about. I couldn't help but add the part of the Lord Of the Rings as he slept through all the movies when we had the volume as loud as it could go before they eventually blew up.

"Just in case we should check his room first?" I asked with one eyebrow up. I kept the crossbow low but and waited for the official word. I didn't exactly have that many arrows but if all else fails I can throw it or bash their heads in.

[parting_gifts]

I rolled my eyes at Wesley's obvious show of sarcasm. There was only one person who could do bitch here, and I'm pretty sure that person was me. I nodded over in Buffy's direction as she sort of greeted me then back at Fred. Raising a brow, I smiled at her.

"Basement duty? Sounds good to me." I said, as I headed across the lobby, sword in hand. I paused at the door, hand on the knob, before turning back to Wes.

"C'mon Wes. Stop looking for everyone's approval. We have some .. whatever it is that's splattered all over the lobby to kill." I said as I opened the door.

Angelus. Of course he'd be behind all this. Didn't we all know that? But like Buffy said, he wants us all alive. Or at least alive until he gets to us. God. Didn't we have our fill of Angelus for the next .. ever?

I started down the stairs, glancing around, completely ready to make some demon a pin cushion with my sword.

"Okay. So whoever made that mess in the lobby? Cleaning it up. I officially quit the first wave of the clean up crew, thank you very much."

[superhero_grrl]

"Sounds planlike to me Wes,"

So we had a plan, Fred & Willow would work on getting the barriers back up; Dawn and I would check upstairs for more demons and Wes and Cordy would go down. From the noise I could hear it seemed like Dawn and I would be the ones encountering the demons but I was alright with that. I had rage issues to deal with.

As Dawn and I headed up the stairs she stopped, "Buffy, Xander! Do you think he's sleeping through all of this? Like when we watched the Lord of the Rings in surround.."

I sighed but kept walking, it was possible that he was sleeping through this, or that he'd baracaded himself in his room which is really what I hoped he'd done. Of course Xander wasn't the only one upstairs either.

"Just in case we should check his room first?"

I nodded, "Xand's room first, then we should probably check on Gunn and Lorne too."

And where was Connor anyway? Not that I'm particularly worried about him since it's obvious the kid can fend for himself; still Angel's son evokes pleanty of strange feelings in me; protectiveness being only one.