For disclaimer, see Part 1.
Mail:LunarMyth
Whistler had pulled some strings at a small, local funeral home, and that was where the group
sat on the dreary Thursday night. Since Spike and Angel had both wanted to be present,
Whistler had convinced his friend in charge to keep the place open for them. Also, not wanting
her body to be defiled, he'd been able to bypass both an autopsy and the funeral homes' lame
attempt to preserve her body. In all truth, when he looked down at her, it seemed as if she were
only sleeping. There were no signs to say that life had fled her body. Even the wound Angelus'
had inflicted upon her neck had healed, which was highly unusual.
After the gang had paid their last respects to the girl who had given up her life to save
their own, they meandered out of the room to gather in the atrium. They were quiet, each
absorbed in his or her own thoughts.
"I still, ah, don't understand why, err, why she didn't...well, how her body remained...in-
intact," Giles said after a long moment.
Whistler looked at him peculiarly. "It's because-"
"Because she had no demon in her," Angel finished quietly.
The group looked astonished. "But she was a - a vampire-" Giles began.
"I remembered something as Angelus," Angel said. "In the years we were together, we-
" he paused and glanced down at Buffy. "We...exchanged blood. But it was only after.... Only
in situations where my - his - mind was not functioning at total capacity. But she...she never
had the demon break through. Even when she fed from me, her face was....clear. There was no
monster. I don't understand how she...." Angel shrugged and looked to Whistler.
Whistler cleared his throat. "I guess there's no time like the present." He motioned for
everyone to sit down. When they were settled, he began his story.
"Kiara was turned in the year 1579. She was taken on her 21st birthday. She was
young by our standards, but an "old maid" back then. In truth it was amazing that she lived even
that long. Because Kiara was a Slayer."
Buffy's eyes widened in amazement as did everyone else's.
"Really got a thing for those Slayers, huh Dead Boy?" Xander shot.
Angel glared at him and turned to Spike. "So much for never falling for a Slayer, huh?"
Spike shot him a furious glare.
"Can't we all just be quiet and listen?" Willow intervened. She was intrigued.
"Ahh, yes," Giles said in agreement. "But I do have one question. If she was a Slayer,
why is there no mention of her in the Watcher's records?
Whistler nodded as if he expected the question. "There was a time when the Watcher's
Council did not consist of humans. It was us. The demons. Well, those of us who weren't bent
on destroying the universe, anyway. We thought we would live forever. That the Council
would always be ours and that we would always be alive to give our own accounts of what
transpired. But things happened and you humans took over the Council. Many Slayers were
"lost" in the transition."
Giles was astonished.
Whistler continued. "By the time any mention of Kiara surfaced, she was already a
vampire. Rumored to have caused the most destruction ever, as I hear it. Anyway. Since she
was a Slayer before she was turned, the demon in her became a killing machine. It fed off of
the Slayer in her. The extensive knowledge that was hers before she was turned....it became
part of the vampire. And so she was unstoppable. Every move a Slayer could make, Kiara was
ten steps ahead. She was brilliant. She could have taken over this world, if it had been her
desire." He stopped and sighed. "Kiara had been active for a hundred years when she met
Gabriel. The demon in her could not resist him. They fell in love. It was he who gave her her
soul back. She, like Angelus, had to choose between an eternity with or without him. But she
couldn't kill him. Wouldn't, rather. And so he rose to his rightful place and she lost him. After
that, the demon in her devoted itself to all that Gabriel had held dear. For another hundred
years she denied herself, her being, and dedicated her unlife to goodness and purity. It was a
sight I had never witnessed before her and haven't since then. Kiara truly was the strongest
being I've ever come into contact with.
"One day she fell ill. I stayed with her, as I had done for many years before. We were
very close. No, we weren't lovers," he said, reading their expressions. "She was like a sister
to me. Sometimes even a mother. And the most amazing thing happened. The demon released
her from its grasp. I don't know how. She never revealed to me the things she had seen while
ill. But she was changed. There was another presence inhabiting her, one with a new purpose.
It scared me at first. Until I realized, startlingly enough, that it wasn't demon, but angel, leading
Kiara. She had no desire or need to feed off of the blood of the innocent. She moved around in
daylight as well as night. She was almost human, except for the new abilities she had. She was
able to attract every vampire in a certain area to her. She could hide her presence from them,
or if she felt so inclined, she could cause them much pain. And if she did not have a mindlink
with, or at least a knowledge of, a vampire and it came within a ten foot radius of her, there
was some aura around her that automatically dusted it. These helped a lot with her slaying, for
again she took on the role of a Slayer. Of course, there was always a human Slayer around, but
that never stopped Kiara. She enjoyed what she did. And it didn't matter to her that no one
knew she existed. In fact, I think she preferred it that way. At least, until she met Angelus.
"He became her obsession. She fell in love with him so deeply, that I feared losing her
to the dark once again. But she was content to love him. In her heart she wanted to change him,
but he wasn't ready, and she knew it. It all culminated when he tried to kill her. He just didn't
know that sunlight had no effect upon her. I found her chained to her terrace and set her free. I
wanted to stake him then, but she informed me that he had a greater destiny. I trusted her. She
was always right. So she watched him from afar. She watched him sire Spike and torture Dru.
And still she loved him. When he was cursed, she hoped it might be her chance to help him
lose the demon forever, but Angel only lost himself to despair. She alone protected him from
things that would have surely killed him. She became his Guardian Angel. And he never knew
of her existence. Kiara never said anything, but I could tell it hurt her. She never stopped
loving him. One day she came to me and asked me to talk to him, to lead him to our side. She
showed me the Slayer that would be called," he glanced to Buffy, "and told me that she would
be his destiny. Unable to deny her, I did as she asked. I think everyone knows what happened
after that," he said, looking around the room.
Angel was silent, obviously shaken at the knowledge that this woman he had killed had
done so much for him - in the end giving up her own life so that he could have a happier one.
Buffy felt such empathy for this little woman. And such gratitude. She only wished that
she could have had the chance to thank her. Thank her for leading Angel to her and protecting
him all the way.
Giles coughed. "Well, ahhh, I suppose this is enough talk for tonight. We'll all be here
again tomorrow night for her...service."
As Willow walked out with Oz, tears streamed from her eyes. "That's an amazing story.
To...to love someone so much that she...she fought off the demon in herself.... And then to give
her life up for Angel because she loved him so much." She looked to Oz, a worried frown
marring her brow. "Do you think he'll be alright?" She was referring to both Angel, who was
walking with Buffy, his shoulders drooping as if the sorrows of the world were upon them, and
Spike, who refused to leave the building until Joyce wrapped her arms around him in a
motherly hug and led him out.
Oz watched the two vampires grimly. "I don't know," he told the small redhead. "I
really don't know."
* * *
She felt like she was floating. There was a bright flash of light and then all sensation
ended. She was standing, but there was no floor, no walls, no ceiling. Only empty space. She
turned around and what she saw made her stop and catch her breath.
An impish smile played upon her lips as she looked the man over. He seemed
impossibly tall. His black hair curled over his broad shoulders and she looked appreciatively
over his well muscled, defined form. "It's been a long time, Gabe."
His smile was bright as he watched her. "That it has, dear. We've missed you."
Her own smile dimmed a bit. "I feel so....lost," she confessed.
He drew her petite body against his in a strong bear hug. "You shouldn't feel that way.
You're home."
Kiara shook her head. "No..." she said haltingly. "Where is...where is Angel?"
Gabriel led her to a small pool that appeared out of the nothingness. She saw herself
and Angelus sitting in a small glen. There was no darkness and no light. But she could tell that
they were happy - together.
"How...?" she questioned him.
The vision cleared and she saw the Scooby Gang standing around a casket. As they
parted, she saw herself lying peacefully within.
"Blood binds three and three bind blood," he told her.
She looked up at him. "So why am I here?"
"Because you've earned it. Your demon soul excommunicated itself from you because
of its love for me, and in reward resides in a lesser part. Your angel soul denounced its right
here because of its love for Angelus. They will spend forever in Purgatory, for she could not
claim this right and he could not return to Hell because of his love for her. And that leaves you,
the strength behind those two. Your human soul has earned the right to be here."
Tears shimmered in her bright silver eyes. "I can't...."
Gabriel shook his head, not understanding. "But you belong here. It is your rightful
place."
"It's not," she contradicted him. "I'm not finished yet."
Gabriel nodded. "You're wise, Kiara." He laughed slightly, "Though I don't know if I
could say 'beyond your years'. Your duties have been discussed at length in the council. And
though it is true that you could continue to make a difference on Earth, it is up to you. You have
achieved more than we ever thought possible. You have been a great asset to the Power of
Good. If you stay, you would have a top position in our coalition. But, if you choose to return,
I have faith that one day you will return to us. Your rightful place in our army will forever be
waiting for you."
Kiara nodded and looked down into the pool.
Happily he laid a hand on her shoulder, looking into the vision that she saw. He was
proud of their creation. She had surpassed his fondest wishes. Softly he asked her, "So, what
is it that needs finishing, Kiara?"
"Love," she answered. "*My* love."
She blinked her eyes rapidly, trying to become accustomed to the darkness. She tried to
sit up, but realized she was trapped in some sort of....box. She tried to lift what she hoped was
the top, but it was so heavy. She was afraid of running out of air until she realized she wasn't
breathing. With a grunt, she laid back down and tried to figure out where she was. Her
memory was so vague.
Spike....Angel....Blood...Gabriel.... Gabriel? When was the last time she'd seen him?
Visions....casket....tears.... Casket?!?! With a renewed sense of urgency, Kiara scraped at the
satin lining of the coffin. It tore easily and before she knew it, the wood had splintered under
the force of her struggles. Memories of being buried before flitted through her mind. As she
tore a hole in the wood, dirt began to cave in on her. But she didn't give up. Kiara dug through
the layers of dirt. They hadn't packed it down yet, and so the ground was still soft.
When she pushed her arms through the surface and pulled her head above ground, her
first instinct was to gasp for breath. Unfortunately, this just led to her sucking down a mouthful
of dirt. She coughed up the vile tasting stuff as she dragged herself out of the grave. On weak
legs Kiara stood up and dusted herself off. She raised her hands to her head and felt the dirt
clumps sticking to her hair.
"Argg! I *hate* it when this happens!" she grumbled. She looked around. The cemetery
was unfamiliar. *Sure. They bury me where no one will remember me.* With a sigh she
walked off. She was fairly certain the place was near Angel's apartment. She knew he'd want
to visit often. She might as well find the place and take a shower. *If I ever feel this icky
again, it'll be too soon.* With a laugh, Kiara smiled. *I sound like Cordelia.* She inhaled the
cool night air and sighed. Life was good.
* * *
"So, married huh? Tied the knot? Got the ole ball-n-chain...." Xander kept on.
"Yes," Buffy sighed. "They're married. It's got an extreme weird factor, but I'm
dealing."
They all sat around a table in The Inferno. None of them had felt right coming back so
soon after burying Kiara, and yet it seemed like the right thing to do. They could look around
and almost see her, her memory was so vivid in their minds. The service had passed in silence
the night before. Buffy thought that perhaps Spike wouldn't show, but he had. She'd never seen
him so removed and quiet. Buffy wouldn't have thought her death would have affected him so -
especially so soon after his break-up with Dru, but obviously he had cared for the woman.
Though he sat with them tonight, she couldn't help but feel he was a world away.
Although Willow and Cordelia hadn't known her well, they'd spent the last two hours
dredging up memories they had of the girl who had been in their lives so shortly. Even Oz told
him how she'd stopped him from getting killed by Angelus. Xander shared his story about how
Kiara had wanted to dance with him "so bad", but he'd turned her down. That made Spike and
Angel grin. Buffy told them of the talk the two girls had had. Buffy had taken it to heart before,
but now...it just seemed that much more important. Only Spike and Angel remained quiet.
So now Xander was trying to make conversation, but it just wasn't working. The
couples split up one by one and went to dance or get a drink. Soon Spike was alone.
He ran his fingers through his bleach-blonde hair and sighed. He didn't want to dance.
Didn't want to hunt. Didn't even want to drink. All he *did* want was to not ever feel again.
He didn't know how she had wormed her way into his mind so deeply. He couldn't get her our
of his head. Everywhere he turned, he imagined he saw her. She haunted his every waking
moment. And in his dreams...Cor! The things she did in his dreams. Spike shook his head. He
had to escape her. He could recall the way she laughed at him and teased him...and oh but the
way her body moved when they danced together. She was his goddess. And she was gone.
So it was with no surprise at all that Spike saw her walking toward him. He knew that
it was either his imagination running wild yet again or yet another girl who resembled her. He
laughed at himself for letting his hopes get the better of him. *Spike, old boy* he thought
*They're all right. You are going soft in your old age.*
He did, however, become slightly frightened when the vision continued its path to him.
His apparitions had never gotten close enough to see clearly, and yet there she was, her hair
black as onyx swirling around her, those silver eyes dancing restlessly as always, those long,
tanned legs bringing her ever closer to him. Spike was afraid he was losing his mind. The
thought brought a new understanding to him of how it must have been for Dru. He prayed - yes
prayed - that he would lose himself as completely in his madness as she had. He didn't want to
live with this terror for the rest of his unlife.
And then she was standing in front of him. Would he make a scene? Would he prove to
everyone that he was insane? Could anyone else see her? When she leaned forward, he could
even hear the way the white satin of her tank dress caressed her skin. He could smell her, hear
her, feel her, see her. And Lord how he wanted to taste her. But she wasn't real.
Kiara almost laughed as the disbelief became so apparent on his chiseled features. She
had to admit to herself, he looked like crap. It made her sad, but she was also touched that he
would care so much. She leaned over to whisper in his ear, the silken strands of her hair
brushing against his cold skin.
Her lips were so close to his ear that he could practically feel her words. And Spike
jumped when her soft, husky voice filled his brain.
"Dance with me?" she entreated him.
*Bloody Hell* he thought. *Might as well enjoy it while it lasts.* He could not deny
her plea. With a sweeping gesture he stood and captured her in a tight embrace, fearful that she
would disappear into thin air. But she didn't. She was quite solid....and warm. He guided her
to the dance floor and they stood together, listening to the dying strains of music.
Kiara tilted her head up to look into his eyes. She did not know how she had missed his
strong, compelling features before. He was arrogant and splendidly handsome. She could feel
the danger he emanated and it made her tingle. Her slender arms wrapped around his neck and
she pressed her body against his. She could feel his intake of breath and smiled.
You come out at night
That's when the energy comes
And the dark side's light
And the
vampires roam
You strut your rasta wear
And your suicide poem
And a cross from a faith
that died
Before Jesus came
You're building a mystery...
"You know, I requested this song for you," she told him.
Spike thought he was quite mad to be talking to this spectre. "Oh did you?"
She nodded. "Yep. I saw you sitting there all alone and so sad and thought perhaps I
could cheer you up."
"I suppose you've been watching me, pet?"
Kiara growled softly. "I thought I told you not to call me *pet*."
Spike's eyes widened. "So you did, darling, so you did."
She shook her head. "No, I don't like that one either."
"Sugarlips?"
Kiara glared at him.
Spike began to smile as he gave in to the absurdity. "My Ray of Sunshine?"
She stepped on his foot deliberately and ignored his nonsense. "I heard it first when
Willow and Buffy were playing around in the courtyard. They'd turned on the radio and it came
on..... It reminded me of you."
Spike frowned. This dream was becoming a bit too real.
...Oh you're so beautiful
With an edge and a charm
And you're so careful
When I'm in your
arms
'Cause you're working
Building a mystery
Holding on and holding it in
Yeah you're
working
Building a mystery
And choosing so carefully....
"Of course, I didn't know at the time that it reminded me of you. I...I don't know. My
thoughts and feelings seem so hazy now. But I guess that's to be expected...." she shook her
head as she continued.
Spike held her at arms length, his eyes wide and disturbed. "Are you real?" he asked,
inspecting her intently.
Kiara laughed. "Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Well, 'cause you're bloody well dead," Spike said, exasperated.
Kiara smiled that enticing secret smile of hers. "Nope, I'm not. And I'm not going
anywhere for a long, long time."
Oh you're a beautiful
A beautiful fucked up man
You're setting up your
Razor wire shrine
'Cause you're working
Building a mystery
Holding on and holding it in
Yeah you're working
Building a mystery
And choosing so carefully.....You're building a mystery.
Spike pulled her close. "Promise?" he whispered vulnerably.
Kiara hugged him to her. "You won't be able to get rid of me," she told him.
Upstairs, Buffy, Angel, Willow, Oz, Cordy and Xander watched in amazement as Spike
danced with a woman who looked startlingly like Kiara.
"Do you think...." Willow started.
"Don't," Buffy said. "I think we've all learned these things are better left unquestioned."
She sighed and leaned into Angel's strong embrace. This was where she belonged, and she
wasn't going to let anything ruin it. Angel was back and he was going to stay that way, thanks to
a certain angel. Buffy smiled at the thought. She rubbed her hands over his, which were
clasped around her waist.
"You know Will, we missed our exam," she said aloud.
Willow gasped. "Omigosh! You're right. I totally forgot! What if I... On no. Do you
think I'll get an F? Oh God, I couldn't get an F. I've never gotten an F before in my life! What
if...what if he doesn't let us have a make-up? Buffy!" Willow freaked.
Oz kissed her forehead, her bruises and scratches still visible. "Something tells me it'll
be ok," he said. "You can always get a note from the ER."
Willow nodded, calming somewhat. "I guess so."
Buffy listened amusedly to Willow's tirade. "I love you," she whispered to Angel.
Angel looked down at the dance floor and felt peace run through him. He glanced at the
top of Buffy's head and smiled. "I'll love you beyond forever," he promised her.
Epilogue