blocking out the sun [Ash!]

[Andre Simpson]

Los Angeles was a vampire playground. He had to give that big hunk of rock credit for blocking out the sun like that. Too bad the streets became a feeding frenzy for the entire undead population. Vampires were flying in from all parts of the world to gather in the city of endless night and while interesting at first sight, there wasn't any challenge or art in the kills and the streets were just rampant with vampires. He appreciated a nice chaotic slaughter as much as the next vampire, but this was a little much. It was a good trick though. Not as good as whatever trick got him out of that damn cage. Sure, he laid on the Angel act nice and thick when they tried to re-ensoul him, but he shouldn't have been able to fool Lorne with the singing. There had to be some other mojo at work and Cordelia... she played right into his hands or he played into hers, either way, Angelus was out and needless to say it had everyone at Angel Inc more than a little shaken up.

And boy, had he done a job on them too. From within the cage, he caused more damage than he could have outside of it. The tension at the hotel was thick, and he every little thing that was said and done. Fred and Gunn's relationship was in shambles, Wesley's little fling with Lilah exposed, not to mention that little hellspawn of his and Cordelia's submission to pre-apocalypse passion. God, did that not creep anyone else out? The woman was the closest thing he ever had to a mother and too bad about his real one. He would have revelled to have Darla there now. And despite how she kept returning from the dead, he always missed her. She was dead the last time he lost his soul too. Angelus' reputation hadn't faded, even after all those years. Of course, having a soul gave him a reputation too, but once it was discovered that he was without one, he was practically celebrated and feared. Even vampires knew better than to cross him. He might not be actively hunting them like the pathetic vampire with a soul, but he had absolutely no qualms with shoving a piece of wood through their hearts if bothered. When he heard the news, he had been in one of the demon bars, more or less gaining information.

The slayer was in town.

From there, it was a matter of which. Oh, Angelus wasn't surprised that they might call one of the slayers in to take care of him. But, there was always the question of who. Faith, while in prison, could break out whenever she wanted to. Buffy probably had her own concerns in Sunnydale, although he'd love to see that pistol again. He never got to properly thank her for sending him to Hell, after all. One or the other, Angelus had every intention of figuring it out; how could he prepare if he didn't find out first. Of course, he didn't suspect that he was being trailed before he had a chance to turn things around. The one quiet place (probably because it was absent of human life) was the park he crossed through. He needed to find a phone.

[Dakota Kathleen Badalamenti]

When Buffy got the call, she couldn't believe it. Angelus was back. And they needed her. The slayer. She hoped that she could find a way to get his soul back. But she was prepared to kill him if it came down to that. Hopefully, she wouldn't need to. Buffy didn't want to have to go through that again. After all, he had been her first love. And no matter what she or anyone else ever said, there would always be a piece of her heart that would always love the vampire.

They were in the middle of preparing the potential slayers when she'd gotten the call. And, sure, she hated to have to leave all the work up to her friends, Buffy was needed in L.A. right now. So, after telling Xander and Willow, they agreed to continue the training while she drove to L.A.

What was she going to do? How in the hell was she going to get Angel's soul back? But she knew there was a way. She park her car, grabbed her bag and a stake and got out. She had to find him, to save him or to kill him. Buffy wasn't so sure yet. Walking, she saw a dark figure ahead of her. Looks like they hadn't noticed her yet. After walking farther, she noticed it as her ex. Gripping her stake, Buffy walked quietly, walked closer. "Well, well...if it isn't Angelus."

[Andre Simpson]

"Well, well...if it isn't Angelus."

It was her. Before he even turned around, a slow smirk started to appear on his face. He would have been pleased with either of the slayers, but something about Buffy rated pretty high. The soulless vampire turned around to face her. It had been over a year since he last saw her—well, Angel saw her—after she crawled out of her grave. So, that was the slayer they chose. "Buffy," he grinned, and to him it was a pleasant surprise. Although, he was sure she was sent there to either kill him or get him under control so Team Angel could jam the soul back inside of him. That was if they found the soul. Not even Angelus knew where it was, although he had known it was missing long before the rest of the gang noticed it. And it was hilarious to hear them scramble. Even moreso to see it now. "I was just thinking about you," he said, in an almost complimenting tone.

"Did the troops send for you? Or did you hear the news and just couldn't keep away?" He asked, although he was sure it was the first one. It amused him that the only time she visited Angel was when he lost his soul. He wondered how she thought this would go. Did she think they'd just fight and she'd win and that'd be the end of it? Because, frankly, he didn't think Buffy stalked him with the intention of having a little chat and catch up time. So far, nothing about Angelus seemed overwhelmingly threatening. But, he wasn't looking for a fight... Not just yet.

[bianca07]

"Awe...you were thinking of me? How sweet." Buffy retorted sarcastically. "I wish that I could say the same." She paused. "No, I don't." She gripped the stake tighter, prepared to use it if need be. "So, Angelus is back. But don't get to comfortable. It won't last." She didn't plan on it, at least. She had so much do deal with already. But Angelus, when out, was a major threat. And...well...he needed to be taken care of. Before he killed anybody...

"Oh you know me. Just can't keep away." Although, her tone was still sarcastic. "But believe me...it won't take long. It's been awhile. I'm stronger than I use to be." And she had to be. She had an entire army of potential slayers to train. She needed to end this so that she can get on with preparing for the final battle.

[Andre Simpson]

"What'd you mean? I'm always thinking of you, baby." Angelus said, patting his chest, just above his unbeating heart, as if there could ever be real affection stored there. "—Can't say the same for Angel. But, can you blame him? I mean, Cordy—" Angelus closed his eyes, pretending to envision the brunette woman in his mind, moaning out for Buffy's benefit alone before his dark eyes opened, flashing maliciously as he grinned. "There's a woman!" He exclaimed, taunting her, although, he never stopped being disgusted with the way Buffy clouded Angel's mind. Even years after he left Sunnydale. She was still easy for him to call on, to think about. Even if they rarely saw one another, by design. It was too hard to be in her presence. There was too much history and Angel felt safer keeping his distance. Not to mention, he had that ridiculous mission of his. Too bad Angelus stopped that all where it stood. It was about time he was back. He eyed the stake and took a step closer to the blonde slayer.

"Oh, but I'm really comfortable, did you check out the permanent midnight? Isn't bad, not really my taste though," he shrugged, knowing they probably weren't about to have a casual conversation. It'd been long enough since he saw her and Angelus couldn't help but feel eager to have the slayer in town. "I've picked up a few tricks myself." He replied, and no doubt she was stronger now. Of course, Angel hadn't exactly been gathering up weakness after weakness while he was away. He grew stronger, even if Angelus knew he wasn't as strong as the slayer. He never had been, but he made a good match and he could take her... It just took a little tact. "Tell me, Buffy, they send you here to finish me off? You know they'll be chasing their tails and hiding from the big beastie without Angel leading the way."

[melinda]

Buffy just smirked. "It's a shame that you won't enjoy the permenant midnight for long." She raised her arm that was holding the stake. "It won't last at all. Such a shame to, don't you think?" Buffy shook her head. "You know I have to kill you, right? And you won't win. Not this time." She really didn't wanna have to kill the vampire. She still loved him and that would never change. At least, Buffy didn't think so.

Shaking her head, she took a step closer, her arm raced. "Any final words...Angelus?" She questioned, with a smirk. This wasn't going to be easy. Buffy remembered the last time she had to do this. When she had sent him to hell. It had been part of the reason why she'd left Sunnydale for the Summer.

[Parker Ainsley Beckett-King]

"Oh, come on, Buffy, you just got here." Angelus said in a mocking pout; of course he didn't think it would end all that fast. And Angelus wasn't planning on dying, not at Buffy's hands and not tonight. "We haven't even had time to catch up," and she probably would want as little time as possible. Angelus wasn't willing to give into that. "You won't kill me, lover. Not again." He knew she was capable of it, but he was hoping to call her bluff. Angelus didn't think she was going to actually go for the kill. Would she act that brashly? They couldn't find his soul, that much was true. And Angelus supposed to gave them ample reason to act drastically. Didn't Angel say to take action if the worst should happen? Oh and it did. But he wasn't going to take it lying down. And with Buffy there, oh he wanted to have a little fun.

"Not when everyone needs their big strapping hero," he stressed the words with a higher pitch, mocking the hero worship of Angel Inc. He didn't even refrain from rolling his eyes at the mockery. He loathed what Angel stood for, especially now with his dreams of being a Champion and of that stupid Shanshu prophecy. Angelus was finished with Angel. He wanted to destroy everything that he had built up over the last several years and watch it crumble.