The Challenge Requirements:
~X/Kate, W/Riley, Doyle/Cordelia
~No Anya. My brother doesn’t like her.
~The songs “One Week” and “It’s the End of the World as We Know It”
~A Playstation or N64
~cookie dough fudge mint chip ice cream
~a GoPed
~an AERE
~The Initiative must be involved, but they can’t be evil (he just put that in because I don’t like them)
~the “End of Days”
~resurrect Doyle. (He likes Doyle. No, not like that!)
~Harm Wesley. (Or kill him. Curry really wanted me to kill him.)
~This was a special requirement just for me. No heavy B/A angst or mush. That wasn’t very nice of him! Well, it’s not *heavy*. . .
~First person point of view. For a little extra difficulty.
~Someone must quote Shakespeare.

What it all came down to was a completely unplanned reunion. I certainly didn’t plan it. I wouldn’t have, at the time. No matter how dire the circumstances, I really wasn’t into risking anyone’s life but my own. Or unlife. Whatever. But it seems working alone was on no one else’s agenda.

So, maybe something did “plan” the reunion. The same somethings that seemed determined not to let me work alone. Cordelia calls them the “PTBs.”

That would be “powers that be” for anyone who doesn’t speak Cordelia-ese. I think it should be considered another language, sometimes.

So, how did it start? What brought about the reunion I keep mentioning? Well, that would have started just a couple of days ago.

I was doing some research on something that had been bothering me. To understand where that came from, you have to go a while earlier…and I’d rather not go there. So, researching. The “end of days.” Mentioned once, by one demon who screamed about the end of the world and hundreds of demons while beating me to a pulp. That demon is dead now…twice over, sort of…but as for the “end of days” I’d neither seen nor heard anything else. It was getting frustrating.

Oh, I’d seen plenty of demons since then. Literal, figurative…good demons, bad demons. And army of demons, even. But nothing that even hinted at the end of the world. And I don’t think the Mohra demon was referring to the Arnold Schwartzenager movie.

So I guess it started with researching. I was looking into any source I could find for a reference to the “end of days.” My own rather extensive library of the supernatural had turned up nothing, so I was spending the night in the nearest public library. You’d be surprised what you can find buried on some of the shelves.

The computer was no help, so it came down to a book-by-book search. To be fair, I had help. Wesley Wyndam-Price, who after being fired by the Watchers’ Council decided to become a rogue demon hunter…and then my employee. He was fired for good reason – incompetence. How I got stuck with him… Researching was really the only thing he was good at. Fortunately, that was all I needed him for at the moment.

So, Wesley roamed the library, bringing me books that looked likely. I, in turn, scanned through them for any mention of the end of days. When I finally found what I was looking for, I almost overlooked it. Hidden – oddly enough – in a book of poetry, was a verse that seemed to crossover from the poetic to the prophetic. Perhaps that whole book will turn out to be prophetic in time. Right then, one verse caught my eye.

When night equals day
When the fires of Earth
Meet the waters in the high places
There shall be born a shadow of Hell,
Heralded by blood and flames,
Heralding the end of days.
Its shadow brings death
Its light, rebirth.
Beware the first New Year
Beware the End of Days

Now I knew how Buffy felt when I gave her cryptic warnings.

“You’ve found something?” Wesley asked as he came to the table with another book. Wordlessly I passed him the book. “The fires of Earth…” he said thoughtfully. “A volcano, perhaps?”

“Which would go with ‘the high places.’ Water…I’d guess a mountain lake. Volcanic hot springs – water and fire. But what about when?” I replied, thinking aloud.

“Heralded by blood and flames…” He was thinking aloud as well.

It came to me quickly, and I’m not sure why. I shook my head. “Night equals day…first New Year.” Those phrases jumped out at me. “The equinox. The Islamic New year is in the spring.”

“Actually,” Wesley corrected, “the Mesopotamian New Year’s festival is only two days after the equinox.”

And I thought I had all sorts of useless knowledge.

So, that’s where it began, what led us together one more time. The End of Days, a cryptic prophecy-poem, the spring equinox, and Crater Lake. How everyone else ended us there is their own story.

Working for a vampire can have its advantages. I mean, Angel’s really a good guy to work for. Sure, he doesn’t pay me enough, but I’ve got a really flexible schedule. I can get time off pretty much whenever I want for auditions. I just tell him where I’m going and go.

Well, unless we’re in the middle of a crisis. Which is one downside of working for a vampire, because we don’t have your normal types of crisis. No, we have the sort of crisis that involve major potential for serious bodily harm. Like the one guy who was auctioning off demon parts and thought I’d be a good addition. Or the doctor that was stalking that lady by sending his own detached body parts after her. Crisis that make you say “ewww.” Life threatening crisis. End of the world crisis.

That’s the sort of crisis we were in then. The end of the world kind. Which leads to another not so good thing about working for Angel. That would be the visions. Why I had to be Angel’s “link to the powers that be” I don’t understand. I mean, what did I do to deserve splitting headaches that come with pictures?

Well, whatever the reason, I had this vision. My vision, combined with some prophecy that Angel had read and we were on a camping trip in the middle of nowhere. Which is another thing on the quickly growing list of things I don’t like about working for Angel. Camping. High on my list of things I planned never to do.

Still, I suppose it could have been worse. We weren’t staying in a tent, like Wesley’s first idea. We couldn’t, not with Angel’s vampire restrictions. Not enough protection from the sunlight. So, we were in this massive moterhome driving into the mountains in the middle of nowhere. Wesley drove in the daytime while Angel slept in the back. Then Angel drove through the night. Neither of them would let me drive, which was unfair even if I haven’t a clue how to drive something that big.

We ended up in some park or something that I never bothered to learn the name of. Not that I’m ever planning to go back. Absolute middle of nowhere. No matter what people say, nature’s not that beautiful. Or at least it wasn’t when we were done with it.

The end of the world isn’t exactly easy on the scenery.

But it was a while before we reached that part. The first few days nothing happened. It made us all uptight, but no one more so than Angel. Each night he wandered around the lake, seeking signs of disaster to come. Each dawn he came back to the moterhome frustrated and silent.

It was too quiet, he said.

Several days later, the screaming began.

I liked it quiet.

“Tell me again why we decided to go camping for spring break?” Xander complained.

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I didn’t decide.”

“Then who did?”

Good question. Why exactly did we end up camping? “Um, I don’t know. I think Giles suggested it. Who knows? It could be fun.”

Xander grumbled as he unpacked the car. “I miss my Playstation already.”

I laughed slightly. “You mean you miss Anya.”

“Yeah. Her too.”

We had all agreed to go tent camping. Like I said, I think it was Giles’ suggestion. I’m not really sure who suggested it, in hindsight. We arrived shortly before nightfall near a beautiful mountaintop lake. Buffy and I were sharing a tent. Giles and Xander were sharing another. I had to feel sorry for Giles. Anya had decided to stay behind for some reason she hadn’t shared with me.

It was really nice to be out of Sunnydale. I’m not sure why Giles let us – I mean Buffy – leave Sunnydale at the time. It’s not like the vampires took a vacation while we were gone. But it was nice to get away. Besides, there’s always Riley and the Initiative to take care of the monsters. Maybe we could take a vacation.

The tents went up fairly quickly, and Xander and I were getting everything out of the car when Giles called for our attention. Xander, Buffy and myself were quick to gather around the tent.

“Next order of business,” Giles said without preamble, “is…”

Buffy interrupted him. “The campfire. Can’t go camping without a campfire.”

Giles looked at her, then nodded reluctantly. “Right. If the three of you would gather wood, I’ll take care of it while we still have a bit of daylight.”

We moved quickly, knowing that we wouldn’t be able to find anything come nightfall. Xander, however, wandered back to the car instead of the woods with the rest of us.

“Xander!” I called after him. “Where are you going? There won’t be any wood over there.”

He was taking something out of the car, though, and didn’t reply at first. It looked sort of like a skateboard, but it had two big fat wheels, a motor, and a handle for the person standing on it.

At my questioning look, Xander grinned. “It’s a GoPed. The off-road model. It thought this would be the perfect time to try it out.”

“I think when they said off-road, they meant grass, not forest,” I tried to explain.

“Don’t spoil my fun,” he said and started the engine.

He only made it about two feet before he hit a substantial branch. The wheels stopped and Xander fell. I ran forward but, seeing he was okay, looked to see what had stopped his progress.

“Congratulations, Xander,” I said. “You found firewood.”

The sounds of laughter and the scooter’s engine covered up the first screams.

I’d been following him for nearly five days. Don’t know why, exactly. I guess my police detective curiosity got the better of me. Angel was hiding something, something big. Oh sure, the tall dark and handsome mysterious thing actually added to his appeal, but it was getting on my nerves. What did I know? I knew he was an investigator. With no license, no last name, and a whole lot of archaic weapons and gadgets…Not much compared to what I didn’t know.

So I was following him. The very little I knew about Angel led me to believe this was no normal camping trip. Something had to be up. However, in two days since I’d followed him into the park nothing seemed to be happening. Each night as the sun set Angel emerged from the motor home, walked silently around the lake, and returned shortly before sunrise. He was looking for something, though; I could tell that much.

Four days after I had first arrived in the park I was following him once again. Just as the sun set he stepped out of the motor home, spoke for a moment to his companions, then proceeded towards the lake. I followed at a distance, having a hard time keeping him in sight as he moved into the darkened woods. He didn’t even carry a flashlight.

(All that suspense, and I don't even really remember anymore where I was going with all of it. Except I do remember that this huge, flying monster rises from the lake, wreaking havok and causing an unnatural eclipse. But of course, the good guys win.)

Sometimes it all comes down to split second decisions. You can’t regret the decisions you make in those moments, for they’re the ones that tell you the most about who you are. Regret all you want the decisions you make after long, arduous thought. Spilt seconds decisions shot you what’s really important to you.

Have I gotten philosophical after death? Scary.

I don’t regret the decision I made that resulted in my death. There wasn’t a choice, really. Okay, perhaps small regrets…but I’d never change my choice.

I did well all in all, apparently. I’m not sure if this was Heaven, but it certainly wasn’t Hell. That’s a relief.

Split second decisions, right? That’s what I was thinking about. And that’s what I had the opportunity to watch as the battle for the future of the earth drew to its inevitable end. Sure, they had come together to save the world again. The battle was over, really. The hell-beast drew near death. No one had a decision like mine to make. The world was already saved.

This decision was the Slayer’s.

The creature’s faltering wing beats were bringing two souls close to their end as I watched. It was almost in slow motion to me. I wondered what it was like to Buffy. On the one hand was Riley, his unconscious form quickly coming under the creature’s shadow. When it fell he’d never get away in time. And, on the other side of the gathering was Angel, unaware of his own danger as the falling monster brought an end to the unnatural night, quickly putting him within reach of the sun’s deadly rays.

There were no winners here. Only survivors.

Everyone’s attention was drawn to Angel’s startled cry of pain as the first rays of sunlight hit him. Even as he tried to cover himself with the black coat he wore, Buffy ran across the mountaintop and slammed into him. She tackled him to the ground, a human shield against the light’s deadly touch.

The creature was coming to its final rest now, its broad, massive winds no longer able to keep it in the sky. As the gathered fighters felt the impact of its fall, they realized the loss I had seen coming. They had only moments to look around in confusion for Riley…and Willow. Where had the witch gone while I wasn’t looking?

A cry came from under one of the monster’s limp wings. Quickly those not otherwise busy or injured ran to lift it and see who was underneath. I guess there’s something to be said for muscular frat boys playing monster fighter after all. They never could have lifted it without them.

Seems Buffy wasn’t the only one who had made a split second decision. Seeing the monster falling to where Riley had lain, Willow had dived in to save him. Unable to drag him out of the way in time, she used every once of her witch-y powers to keep the wing from crushing them both.

They managed to drag both Willow and Riley from underneath before the creature seemed to collapse in on itself, dissolving back into the lake. It left scorched earth in its wake.

Now what was left was to pick up the pieces.

Whatever pieces were left.

I did it without thinking, really. I know the others saw more of the large picture when all was said and done, but I was rather numb at that point. I was only aware, really, that I had saved Angel’s life – possibly at the sacrifice of Riley’s. That, and that my back was hurting from my running dive.

I heard everyone’s cry as the Riley was dragged from beneath the monster. And Willow, who’s been the one to save him. I felt less guilt, yes. Relief, even. But not joy. In that one moment I had made my choice, and I didn’t think anyone would let me forget it.

Angel’s slight noise of pain drew my attention back to him. He may have been nearly completely protected from the sunlight, but nearly wasn’t going to cut it.

Barely looking up lest I expose him to more sunlight, I called out. “Guys! We need to get Angel some shelter!”

Blank faces met me.

The demon was gone, taking our shelter with it.

The messenger cried out between the worlds. “No! This isn’t how it’s supposed to be!”

We watched as well and answered his call. “The task is complete. Life goes on.”

He was angry now. “So that’s it? You’re not going to do anything?”

“What’s to be done?”

“They saved the world…again! You have to do something.”

We regarded him seriously. “What would you have us do? Make your argument quickly, for their time runs short.”

“Don’t let it end this way,” he said from between clenched teeth. “You don’t step in somehow, you’re not going to loose one Warrior. You’ll loose two.”

“One Slayer dies, another is called.” This did not concern us.

“Another like her?” he asked. “Besides, she may not die. But that doesn’t mean she’ll live. Or fight.”

He stopped for a moment to gauge our reaction. We gave none, so he falteringly continued. “But that’s not the point. I’m talking about Angel. Are you really just going to let him die?”

“His task is complete. Amends have been made.”

He looked at us in shock. “So that’s it? You’ve made amends, feel free to die now?”

He was talking about his own situation as well now. “Would you rather live, task incomplete?”

“You don’t get it! You care about the world, you protect the world, but sometimes I wonder if you really know about the world at all.” He was treading dangerously, and stopped to continue in a softer tone. “He gave up his chance at humanity to stop the end of days. Yes. But saving the world, redemption…I don’t think that’s what he was thinking about at the time. There is just one person in this world that he really cares that much about saving.” Another pause, then a whispered phrase that was more for himself than the vampire. “What good is redemption if you have no one to share it with?”

Options weighed. We regarded him seriously. “There may be a way. But beware, there is a cost.”

He looked at us, waiting. “There’s always a cost,” he agreed.

I actually found myself sympathizing with Buffy. It was…ug. But she’d just essentially dumped one boyfriend (good for her – I never really like Riley anyway) to save another who now was only minutes – if that – away from death. Err, dust.

Besides, if Angel died I’d be unemployed.

Really, I’m not that unfeeling. I care about Angel. He’s like a big brother to me, sometimes. I certainly don’t want him to die. At that moment, though, I could see no way around it. Sunrise had only barely come as we fought the…whatever, so there were many hours of sunlight left. I couldn’t deal with Angel dying, too. Doyle died…

I couldn’t finish the thought. Rebelling against the idea of death, I think my mind sort of shut down. That’s all I remember really until I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to face whoever it was.

Then I was sure I’d lost it.

“Well, Princess?” the ghost asked. “Are you going to at least say hello?”

I did better than that. I turned around quickly and gave him a deep – if brief – kiss. I don’t know what came over me. He was here, solid and real…

Doyle looked at me with wide eyes when I pulled away. “So,” he said when he got his voice back, “were you just giving me back the visions or are you actually happy to see me?”

I could have come back with a sharp reply, but I didn’t. Truth, that’s the Cordelia Chase philosophy…even if this truth was softer than most. “Both,” I said. Then, “I’m happy to see you. How…?”

“We’ll talk about that later,” he said softly.

Okay then… “I missed you. We missed you… Oh God!”

Doyle attempted to calm me down without knowing why I was suddenly panicking. Doyle here was a good thing…a very good thing…but for the moment I’d forgotten about Angel.

“You don’t understand!” I said, shaking him off. “Angel! We have to help him. Oh God…”

Doyle smiled slightly. “Stop hyperventilating for a moment and take a look at the old man, Delia.”

Still unsure of whether I was dreaming or not I listened anyway. I turned slowly to look at my gathered friends…allies…whatever…afraid of what I might see. And when I did…well, let’s just say I was sure I was dreaming.

Buffy was sitting up now, her back to me. Angel was sitting up as well, a very odd expression on his face. I wonder if it matched the one on mine. After all, vampire and sunlight? Doesn’t work.

Suddenly, and much to everyone’s surprise, Buffy slapped Angel across the face. Inwardly I cheered for her. I’ve wanted to do that for a long time, especially when he gets all broody. Which, I’ll admit, is a hell of a lot of the time.

Angel looked at her in shock. “What was that for?”

Buffy sputtered for a moment. “Cookie dough fudge mint chip ice cream!” she yelled finally.

Anyone else thinking ‘huh?’

Another odd look crossed Angel’s face. That look slowly grew into a smile. The smile became a chuckle, and the chuckle grew into a full delighted laugh. Angel slapped, Angel happy. I don’t get it.

Of all the odd things on that very odd day, Angel laughing certainly had to be the oddest.

(In the concept of this story, there was going to be one last concluding scene from Angel's POV as the group departs and he reflects on the situation now past, and his possible future. But I never wrote that, obviously...)

Though I might consider it if I get feedback
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