The Golden Queen Series:
The Golden Queen
by Damia

Chapter Eleven

Allrelen and Belteiar

Nimisha screamed and screamed and screamed.

The pain exploded in her head causing the girl to completely forget about the gaping wound in her neck for a moment. She knew she was seeing things in slow motion, for it usually only took mer seconds to Port, and so far it seemed like she had been floating in the Abyss for hours. She could sense all her friends, their minds pulsing furiously with the sudden invasion as they too, waited and dreaded where Buffy’s Port would make them end up.

Buffy was there too, her conscious mind completely shattered as she floated weakly beside them all in the black nothingness, her body limp and still, the blood still pouring from the huge wound in her bare chest. Nimisha weakly opened her mind to her’s but admittedly shut it off, slamming up her mental shields as the raw waves of mental agony rolled backwards to her own mind where she grabbed her skull in anguish.

Opening her eyes slowly, Nimisha gasped and looked around her in growing horror. For even as her mind denied it, the stars and planets that bathed her with their breathtaking beauty were proof enough that they were floating in deep space, probably millions of miles from any of the Alliance populated planets.

Nimisha choked, only then noticing that she was breathing air, her mother somehow unconsciously producing a way for them all to survive as she dumped them where ever they were. Looking at all her friends faces Nimisha saw their eyes were all closed, their chests rising and falling slightly as they endured the cold sleep.

How was this possible??

But when she started to feel the sleep calling her too, and realising that she probably was meant to be sleeping as the others were, Nimisha opened her mind fully and as a last ditch effort before the unwanted waves crashed over her, she let out a piercing scream that echoed through the stars.

But no voice answered her.

She was alone out here, the pressing blackness enveloping her as she froze in fright. It was so cold...so dark...so very dark....

She felt her eyes flutter together as they closed by themselves, her body feeling heavy and so very tired....

Nimisha sighed sleepily, her breathing slowing down as she drifted off to sleep...

< Afraya...help me > was the last weak whisper that she projected as she floated away...

Then suddenly...

< Nimisha!? > Afraya’s unmistakable voice screamed in the void of blackness.

Buffy’s eyes fluttered open...

Allrelen....

The Gate Hall flew into stunned panic as the group of bodies suddenly appeared on the marble floor in front of the huge metal ring, the blood already starting to stain the ground as the guards who had been standing watch all snapped out of the review and dived for the alarm button, causing the Klaxons all to flash a bright red as the screaming siren pierced through the air.

Footsteps thudded as the huge wooden doors burst open and Afraya ran in first, only to stop dead where he stood when he saw the still group of people laying in a mixture of tangled limbs on the ground.

“Oh, my god.” he heard someone whisper behind him as he hesitantly made him way forward, the room filling up quickly with yelling and panicking people. But Afraya ignored them all as he bent down beside the nearest body - that of a red headed woman who he admittedly identified as Willow - and rolled her over gently so that she lay on her back so he could get a good look at her face for damage.

How had they gotten here? he wondered to himself, wincing sadly as he examined the sleeping young woman. She looked very young, her body unhurt at first glance. But Afraya new what to look for, and when he did, the marks were completely visible.

She had bitten through her lower lip; a trickle of blood had made a scarlet line across her check. Her face was streaked with tears. Her fingernails had cut through into her palms when she clenched her fists. Her closed eyes looked bruised by deep and dark circles.

With great compassion, Afraya gently propped Willow’s head up with a pillow that he ported from his own quarters and placed both of his hands lightly on the girl’s temples. Closing his eyes in concentration, he blocked out all the yelling people around him and narrowed all his thoughts and energies on the bruised mind in front of him. Pushing slightly, Afraya dug deeper into her mind until he found her, huddled and shivering within the darkest, blackest corner of her being.

He sighed in pity, realising the girl had no training what so ever in how she was meant to react to such a attack on her mind.

< Willow? > he probed gently, slowly surrounded her with his own light, forcing her to snap out of it and regard him.

< It hurts, it hurts... > she continued to chant, her voice babbling.

< It’s alright, Willow, the pain is all gone > Afraya tried to reassure the fevered girl.

She paused, her ears pricking up. < It’s gone? > she whispered pitifully and Afraya grimaced.

< Yes, It’s all gone. You can open up now, Willow > Then, without waiting for her response, Afraya latched onto her subconscious gently and started to push it up towards the surface. After a brief flinch of surprise, Willow let her mind be guided by his in the gentlest of probes, Afraya trying to ignore the mental anguish he experienced at having to touch so torn a mind.

He could read her thoughts, they were printed so close to the surface they were screamed at his mind the second they touched. Uppermost was the thought he knew that all her and her friends would share: Buffy, exhausted and dying, Porting them out of the room, her mind screaming in pain with the powerful thrust.

Afraya knew he could do nothing for that, only tried to sooth her panicked thoughts until she could see Buffy for herself.

But as he watched Willow’s eyes flutter open, he smiled down at her, brushing a strand of hair out of her eyes in a kind gesture. She took a few huge gasp of air, coughing and sputtering as Afraya gently helped her into a sitting position.

She turned to him, her eyes alarmed. “Where are they?” she whispered, her voice husky. Afraya shook her head, slightly turning her around so she could see her friends, all still laying on the ground asleep, each surrounded by people as they desperately tried to wake them up.

Letting go of Willow’s arm, Afraya got to his feet when he caught sight of a group of people arguing heatedly over a unconscious body. Walking over to the quickly, Afraya pushed his way between them as he tried to see what their problem was.

He gasp in surprise, his eyes going wide in alarm when he noticed straight away to distinct traits on the sleeping boys face.

“A Vanquisher.” He snarled, stepping back quickly as the doctors all turned to him.

“We noticed that, Captain Lartarni.” A round man with glasses explained in a annoyed voice as he broke away from his colleges and bent down beside the boy.

“The question is, what is he doing here?” He picked up one of Ash’s limp, dark arms and let it fall back on the ground as a demonstration.

“I don’t really care what he is doing here, Doc.” Afraya snarled, crossing his arms across his face as he looked furiously down at Ash. “I want him out of this Palace and off this planet as soon as.” He tightened his lips together in fury. “He shouldn’t be aloud to set foot in this building. It’s disgusting!”

The doctor sighed, clentching his lips together tightly in annoyance as he stood up and faced Afraya. “I’m sorry, Captian. I can’t just dispose of the boy.” He frowned at Afraya’s furious snort. “There has to be a perfectly good reason Queen Everynne Ported him here, and neither I or anyone else are going to even touch this boy in harm until we find out just why that is. Is that clear?”

Afraya narrowed his eyes and abruptly spun on his heals, striding away from the bossy doctor.

Searching with his eyes, Afraya looked around for the biggest group of people he knew would be tending to Everynne. Sure enough, on the far side of the room, he could just make out her silver sarong through the doctors legs.

Quickly heading in that direction, he abruptly stopped in horror when he looked down at found Nimisha at his feet, the blood pooling around her head from the gaping wound in her neck. Pushing the doctors aside, he quickly bent down beside her unmoving form, picking up her wrist.

She didn’t have a pulse.

Angel slowly opened his eyes, groaning when the harsh light invaded them. Rolling over onto his back, he propped himself up on his elbows, looking around the huge room that he found himself in.

His mouth fell open.

It would’ve had to have been the most beautiful, the most grandest room he had ever been in. Craning his neck upwards, Angel saw that the roof was at least 50 metres high, the metal rafters travelling from one end to the other. The wall were a dark royal blue, what looked like hand painted black Runes edging the outline. Looking down he saw he was sitting on a creamy marble floor, the pattens running and mixing together beautifully. On the walls were paintings of people, mostly blonde woman. They were huge, stretching up towards the rafters with thick wooden frames. Looking around, Angel saw there was a wide staircase cascading off to one side, woven around the walls and stretching out wider when it reached the bottom.

Gaping in awe, Angel stumbled to his feet, noticing the huge metal ring that was obviously the centre attraction in the hall, the alien symbols all flashing brightly as people all ran quickly around it...

People?

Looking around quickly, Angel’s eyebrows nearly hit his hairline when he caught sight of all the different coloured people all yelling franticly to each other, completely ignoring him in the process. Trying to see what they were yelling about, Angel looking and found Sita and Anya, unconscious on the cold ground next to each other, surrounded in people.

He ran towards them, pushing the surprised doctors out of the way as he feel to his feet beside his two friends. One of the doctors noticed his strange complexion and grabbed his arm in attempt to pull him to his feet.

Angel snarled, vamping out as he turned in the man’s direction with glowing eyes. The poor doctor yelped in fright and released him quickly, stepping back.

“Whoa! Who the hell are you?” he asked loudly, getting the rest of his team’s attention. But Angel only ignored him, turning back towards Sita and feeling for her pulse on her neck.

The man dropped to his knees beside him, seeing what he was trying to do. “That’s no good.” he told Angel, bringing a hand up to brush a strand of pure white hair out of his pale face nervously. Angel snapped his head up and found himself staring into shocking blue eyes. Angel started, never had he seen such strange colouring before. They didn’t seem to have pupils, the whole eye was just blue a circle.

The man continued, seeing that Angel wasn’t going to answer him. “It’s not her body that’s hurt.” he told the vampire patiently. “It’s her mind.”

Angel let out a unnecessary breath and cursed. “What of the rest of my friends?” he asked.

The man looked across the hall’s floor to the other groups of people. “They should be fine, if we can reach them that is...” He abruptly broke off, staring at something with a raised eyebrow.

“There, that young woman is better already.” He told Angel happily. Angel jerked his head quickly, finding Willow sitting bewildered in a sitting position by herself, looking around the room with wide eyes.

“Willow..” he whispered, getting to his feet. The young doctor frowned. “You know her?” he asked.

Angel didn’t turn to him, still looking at the Witch. “Of course I do.” he muttered, annoyed. “She’s Buffy’s best friend.”

The doctor suddenly gasped, stepping back suddenly. Angel shot him a look. “What?” he asked, baffled at his suddenly wary behaviour.

The man’s shocking blue eyes were open wide, his breathing coming in quick, sharp gasps. “Your Angel, aren’t you?” he whispered in awe, not able to take his eyes of Angel’s face. “Lady Everynne’s mate.”

Angel choked, putting his hands on his hips. “Excuse me?”

The doctor didn’t answer Angel’s question, only turned away from the small group and put two of his fingers in his mouth, letting out a piercing whistle. Angel started, turning in the same direction to see just who he was calling. Nobody reacted to the noise at first, just kept on with the desperate business until one man quickly looked up and over towards them, his blue face standing out brightly with all the other people.

Angel watched, fascinated, as the man looked at the young doctor by his side in annoyance, his blue hands still resting on the arm of the person he was attending to. Then suddenly his eyes flew over to meet Angel’s, his eyebrows shooting up in alarm as he obviously reconsigned just who he was.

Getting to his feet quickly, the blue man looked down at the unmoving body, obviously torn at who to go to. Making his mind up for him, Angel jogged over to the small group and stood tall in front of him.

The blue man sighed as he glanced at Angel, wiping a shaking hand across his brow to relieve the sweet. But he only achieved to leave a bloody smear across his forehead, Angel only then noticing that his hands and arms were covered in thick, red blood.

Looking down in horror, Angel dropped to his knees at Nimisha’s side, reaching out with a shaking hand to touch her blood stained cheek, her eyelashes like white lace on her sickly, pale face. He let his eyes travel the length of her body, getting wider as he rested them on the bloody mess that used to be her neck, a faint gurgling sound easily heard whenever she took a shallow breath.

Afraya dropped down beside him, laying a reassuring hand on the vampire’s arm. “She won’t die, my friend.” he told him quietly, Angel’s head snapping around in anger.

“How can she survive that?” He hissed out between clenched teeth. “I’m amazed she still alive now.”

Afraya grimaced. “So am I actually.” he explained. “But if we can reach her in time, our facilities here are well equipped to handle her recovery.”

Angel choked, looking at Afraya like he was mad. “Excuse me?” he hissed out, looking up and around him in annoyance. “Would someone please be kind enough to inform me where we are in the first place!?” Angel was getting fed up, fast.

But Afraya only regarded him oddly, his eyebrow slightly raised. “You don’t know where you are?” He asked, smiling. Angel didn’t answer, only shot him a cold look.

“Well,” Afraya explained, going back to Nimisha while at the same time looking around for a doctor to snag in order to help the injured girl. “I’ll be pleased to inform you that you are on the planet Allrelen. Capital planet of the Imperial Alliance.”

This only made the poor vampire even more confused, but even as he opened his mouth to reply, a small, weak moan could be heard from the dark haired girl laying on the floor. Both Angel and Afraya were down next to her in a flash, both sighing in relief when her eyes fluttered open.

“Afraya?” she whispered huskily, bringing a hand up to inspect her wounded neck. But Afraya saw her intentions and grabbed her raised wrist, gently cradling it on his knees.

“No, baby.” he told her kindly. “You can’t do that. Now that we have got you back, you just have to wait until a doctor comes.” Angel was watching, fascinated, as Nimisha started to sob in pain, the moon suddenly appearing on her forehead.

“What’s that?” Angel asked, reaching out with a shaking hand and running his finger over the moon’s smooth surface.

“It’s what makes her and her mother who they are.” Afraya told him cryptically. But with the sudden mention of Buffy, Angel gasped and shot to his feet, looking around the room wildly. Seeing his desperation, Afraya quietly whispered something in Nimisha’s ear and stood up at Angel’s side, pointing to the group of people that were attending Everynne.

“She’s over there,” he told the concerned vampire. “But be prepared, Angel!” he yelled as Angel took off in a dead flat run in that direction. “She’s not in a very good condition!”

But Angel just ignored him, reaching the small group and pushing between them to fall at Buffy’s side similar as he had done a few minutes ago with his daughter. He moaned as he got a good look at her body, the silver sarong and green top she was wearing now covered in blood.

He turned in anger up to the doctors who had now all fallen silent as they watched the pair, his vampire ridges barely contained. “Why is she still here?” he yelled. “Why isn’t she in a hospital!?”

“She will get transferred to the infirmary when we can make recontact her mind!” One middle aged man spoke up, furiously. “Now, would you kindly inform me just how you got into this compound in the first place!?”

Angel just stared at him, his hands tightening their grip on Buffy’s cold wrist firmly. “Just try it, you yellow eyed freak.” he hissed out at the man, his eyes flashing. The doctor gaped, his *very* yellow eyes popping.

Then suddenly the group was again separated, a body pushing through. Looking up, Angel sighed in relief to see Sita bark to the people to stand away and fall to her queen’s side. A ruffled, visibly shaken Sita, but Sita none the rest. The men all stiffened in her presence, but their expressions turning to that of confusion when they all saw her turn to Angel.

“How is she?” she asked, tears falling down her face as the brunette glanced down at the still, pale form of her closest friend.

Angel ran a nervous hand through his short, dark hair, his eyes never leaving Buffy’s face. “Not good. From what that blue man was saying about Nimisha, something has to happen with her mind before they can fix her up.”

Sita looked confused for a minute. “The blue man..” she muttered. “Oh! Afraya.” She looked across the floor, seeing Afraya help three people load Nimisha on a stretcher.

“Ah, excuse me, Miss.” The yellow eyed man said angrily. “The guards are here to take this young man to the holding rooms.”

Sita jumped to her feet, putting her hands on her hips in annoyance. Coolly eyeing not only the man but the three guards that were standing stiffly beside him, she cocked a regal eyebrow delightfully. “Don’t be so stupid, Jarni.” She snarled, pointing a commanding finger towards the stretcher that Nimisha was laying on.

“This man isn’t going anywhere. You have no right to make that sort of decision! Rights that *I* on the other hand *do* have. So you can kindly tell these three men here to stop wasting my time and take their Princess to the infirmary.”

Angel had to bend his head to step from grinning, letting Buffy’s motionless form wipe the smile right off his face. Ignoring the suddenly sputtering Jarni and the furious Sita, he blocked out their voices and bent down beside Buffy again, placing a soft kiss on her forehead.

“Wake up, love.” He whispered in her ear desperately. “We can’t help you until you do.” He felt the frustrated tears form in his eyes as he watched helplessly as she slipped away.

“Oh, Buffy. You should have told me.” Angel told her softly, placing the back on his hand on her cheek, feeling the cold skin. She was so beautiful, he thought. Laying there with cool dignity even as she fought for her life. Her dark, lace like eyelashes where fans against her brilliant green eyes, her lips slightly blue, parted as what breath she managed to breath escaped through the gaps.

“Angel.” Sita gently probed, laying a reassuring hand on his shaking back. He lifted his head up, unashamed of the tears that he knew she would find there. But she only smiled down at him gently, sitting Indian style of the ground. Looking over her shoulder, Angel saw Willow and Cordelia walking over in their direction with the help of Xander and Spike. Giles and the others all awake by now, gently being propped up by kind hands and looking around their spectacular surroundings in what could only be intimidated awe.

Angel was sure he read the words, “Holy shit..” on Giles stunned lips.

“Hey,” He said softly to the two approaching woman with their willing minders. They all stopped before Buffy and looked down at her, Spike wincing at all the blood that he saw pooling on the ground.

“What is she doing laying on the ground like that?” Xander asked angrily, looking around the massive room for a spare doctor that were all milling around, talking in excited voice about their strange, uninvited visitors. But he looked quickly back when Angel sighed.

“She’s not fighting, Xan.” the vampire told the tall, dark haired man who gave a cry of dismay. “Well, why bloody not!?” He yelled, causing the still sensitive Sita, Willow, Cordelia and Anya to clutch their skulls in pain. Xander looked sheepishly down at the ground, most definitely expecting the hard whack that both Willow and Anya shot his way.

“Because she doesn’t know your reactions to her, that’s why.” Sita spoke abruptly, her tender eyes never leaving her Mistress’ form. Angel frowned with that, looking deep into Sita’s eyes for an explanation. He stilled when he meet them, sucking in a breath at the emotions that he found dancing in the bodyguards icy blue depth.

It was share devotion. Devotion and love for Buffy and her family, Angel mused, turning back to his love as if he expected her sleeping body to reveal all the answers that he desperately wanted and needed.

Who was she to have all these people under her obvious command? To have a beautiful, mysterious woman like Sita ready to die for either her of her precious daughter?

< All will be explained in time, Angel > the powerful voice inside his head answered him, the unmistakable tag of Sita leaving a warm, fuzzy sensation inside his body.

Angel shifted uncomfortably, still unused to having people slip in and out of his mind like a mall.

“You mean she’s not waking up because she thinks we are going to be mad at her?” Cordelia asked, breaking Angel’s spell. The beautiful 22 year old was gripping Doyle’s arm so tightly that the Irishman was wincing in pain.

Sita inclined her head to the side slightly, still lightly stroking her Queen’s cold, bare arm in comfort as she searched for an appropriate answer.

“Yes and no.” She told them, smiling at the Allrelenian people who started to drift over towards the group, staring down in horror at their fallen Queen. A little girl with brilliant purple eyes shuffled over to Buffy and sat down on her knees above the Slayer’s head, running her tiny, light blue fingers through Buffy’s long blond plaits, humming softly in reassurance as her mother and father watched on in approval.

“Inside, I think she always knew you would not hate her for leaving - she didn’t really have a choice in the matter - but thats beside the point.” She touched Giles shaking hand briefly. “It’s the guilt that she feels inside that keeps her drifting out of her body. The guilt at having to leave you all to defend yourselves on the ghastly planet of yours.”

Willow and Xander crawled to Buffy’s side together, their faces reflecting the shock, sorrow and pride that they all felt for her, for being so strong.

“Oh, come on Buff.” Xander teased, although his voice was shaky. “That was never enough to make you sleep before. So you open your silly eyes, you lazy butt. Ya hear me?” he ordered his beautiful friend softly.

Willow smiled, knowing that Xander was trying to reach with Buffy with the only thing he had left. And deep down, she had hoped it would work. His humour had always proven a source of delightful and desperately needed amusement in the Slayer’s gloomy, dark life. They all had know, even though Xander might lack in the actual fighting and Magick side of the battle, Buffy loved her first real friend very dearly for the fact that he was really the only one that could bring laughter into her nights after Angel left, and it was always something that touched her deeply.

But bending down beside her head, Willow choked on a sob as she whispered in her best friends delicate jewelled ear, “Please, Buffy. We can’t loose you now.”

Willow kissed her temple gently, her tears mixing with the sleeping Slayer’s bright hair. “What are we going to tell Nimisha if you leave her?”

But still the Queen slept on, her shattered, pain filled mind spinning off its axis somewhere in existence that they could and would never see. Her staggeringly brilliant mind screaming as the power pulsed though it..power that did not belong.

Angel looked down in his lap, the feeling of helplessness overcoming him. Bending down, he danced a gentle hand over her weakly flashing moon lightly. “Buffy, my love. Please wake up.” he begged her. “I can’t live without you now that i’ve found you again.”

In a rare show on weakness, the dark vampire buried his face in the crook of her neck, breathing in the floral sent that was totally Buffy. A smell that hadn’t changed in all the years that she had been forced from his side. “It will kill Nimisha if you leave her, my love. Please don’t leave me to explain this all to her.” he sobbed, not noticing his friends all staying silent as he poured out his heart to the girl he loved..would always love, their tears mingling with his.

*Behold, those who would belong to the Slayer. These are her followers, those by whom she is beloved above all else. Though they part from her a thousand leagues, their spirits stay with her. Their hearts stay with her. Their souls stay with her. To one another they are true, for the sake of her. Their loyalty is one living thing among them, no matter the future, no matter the past. This is their bond, and this is the Slayer’s strongest weapon. Beyond battle, beyond force, this is their greatest gift...

And still the Slayer slept on...but she didn’t dream.

Angel felt the first movement of her delicate fingers, the twitch that he knew he would feel forever in his bones. She gripped his hand firmly, squeezing tightly. With wide eyes, the vampire sucked in a excited breath, daring to hope...

She was squeezing her eyes shut, her head thrashing from side to side slightly with a expression of agonising pain flitting from every feature. Angel could hear her moaning, the strangled, tortured cry of an injured animal.

“Buffy?” he whispered, bring his head down close to hers. He noticed instantly the rest of the gang gather round, Willow’s eyes huge.

But Buffy didn’t answer them, her whole body starting to shake in huge spasms. Angel jumped back on his butt in alarm, looking around desperately for someone who could help. But before he could say a word someone was pushing him aside with kind, but firm arms.

Afraya gently pushed himself to the front of the group, silently placing his light blue fingers on Buffy’s temples and closing his eyes in concentration. After a brief pause he huffed, seemingly pleased with what ever it was he found and lifted both his fingers away, only to place one of them over her eyes, cover both closed green emeralds and the other over her mouth.

The gang watched, baffled as the lean man’s hands started to give of a faint, pulsing glow.

“What’s he doing?” Oz hissed to Giles who was standing beside him.

“I wouldn’t have the slightest idea, Oz.” Giles told him dryly, his eyes never leaving Afraya.

No one spoke as the tension build around them, each of the group hoping desperately that Afraya could somehow find their lost friend and bring her back to them.

And as if she could hear them thoughts, under Afraya and Angel’s watchful gaze...Buffy sighed and opened her eyes weakly.

She blinked, puzzled for a second before the memories suddenly drawned on her. She groaned, turning her head away. But Afraya wasn’t to be denied, his fingers catching Buffy’s chin in a flash and quite forcefully turning her face back. Huge, sorrow filled green glass regarded him sadly. He grimaced, smiling gently back at her.

“All will be well, Evie.” Afraya whispered in her ear, pity filling him when he felt her shudder. He almost cried out when he felt her lift up one of his blue hands with a trembling one of her own and press his fingers against her temples in an unconscious plea for relief of the pain.

“What happened? Why can’t I control my mind?” Buffy cried, tears of alarm streaming down her face.

“You rather stretched yourself, Evie. Porting them all here.” Afraya explained to her soothingly. But she only groaned, blinking the tears away furiously so she could at least see clearly. “I can’t remember...”

Afraya chuckled. “You mightn’t, my dear.” he told her dryly. “But every rating Telepathic in the Alliance sure does. You gave everyone a hell of a shock, Evie.” She didn’t seem to hear him, only groaning again, crushing his hand in her’s to breaking point.

“Oh, my head.” She whined. “It’s all black, Afraya.” She abruptly stiffened, her eyes fluttering. “There’s something I have to do, Affie. But I can’t remember what it is.” Buffy tried to rise but, though Afraya exerted little pressure, she sank back on the floor. “There is something I must do, only I can’t *remember*.”

“You did everything you must, Evie.” Afraya told her sternly. “But you’ve suffered a tremendous trauma, and you *must* rest!”

She closed her eyes in exhaustion, her body screaming at her to stop being so bloody strong willed and give in to the sleep that she knew was waiting. She felt her consciousness slip away...

“She *should* be dead to the world right now, Mister Giles.” came Afraya tenored voice above her. “She’s worried about something and we probably won’t get her to sleep until she finds out whatever it is that’s on her mind.”

“Well, then.” Came Doyle’s Irish lit. “Why don’t we wake her up and find out what’s bothering her?”

There was a brief silence until Buffy felt her face being gently slapped. With a sleepy smile she opened her eyes and saw Angel’s face swimming in her vision.

“Angel...” she pleaded, not because he had slapped her but because she *had* to get him to understand...

“My love.” he said quietly for her only to hear. But he said it with such loving pride that she almost burst into tears.

Angel bent down at trailed light kisses over her eyelids, his tears mixing with her’s. “Are you okay?” he whispered huskily, his hands gripping her fingers unconsciously. Buffy nodded weakly, seemingly not noticing the tears that were dripping down her pale cheeks.

“Is Nimisha alright?” she finally asked in a small voice, trying not to winch with the pain that shot through her body with speaking. Angel smiled, knowing that was going to be what was worrying her. But to her he just nodded. “Yeah. Afraya got her into the infirmary.” Buffy sighed with relief. “Their fixing her up now.”

But then she started to sob, the flood of tears that she couldn’t stop running freely down her face. “Oh, Angel. I thought he’d killed her...I thought he’d killed you all.”

The vampire caught a handful of long, blonde plaits, bringing them up to the light, seemingly awed by the brightness. “I know, Buffy.” he told her soothingly, swaying one sightly and smiling when the gold bell on the end sang out quietly.

She didn’t answer him, only looked up into his face with huge, sad eyes. “So I guess you know everything now.” she whispered.

But Angel only laughed, moving aside quickly when Giles dropped to his knees beside him, a group of doctors behind him waiting to take the Slayer to the hospital.

“No, Buffy.” Angel explained bluntly. “I wouldn’t have a clue about *anything*. I don’t even want to *guess* where we are right now.”

She smiled, her breath starting to come a fair bit quicker. Seeing this, the doctors pushed the two men out of the way and started to tend to their queen.

Giles looked annoyed with that, opening his mouth to complain but shut it abruptly when Sita leaned over to him and explained in a low voice, “Their just doing their job, Giles. Let them take her.”

But Buffy said a quick word to the nearest doctor and they paused, moving aside so the Watcher could quickly jump to the side of the stretcher that Buffy was now lying on. She reached up with trembling, weak hand and layed it on the side of her Watcher’s face, smiling lovingly up at him.

“God, I missed you.” she whispered, tapping his glasses with the end of one finger in amusement. “I’ll explain everything when I can, Giles. I promise.” She closed her eyes suddenly, sucking in a tight breath with the increasing agony in her mind.

“It’s fine, Buffy. You just get better.” Giles told her, kissing her forehead gently. When he drew back he saw her eyes were closed, the pale lids fans on her cheeks. She was asleep.

“Okay, Mister Giles.” one of the doctors explained gently. “We have to get her to the infirmary now.” They started towards the door, the gang watching on as they left. But everyone jumped when Afraya suddenly cupped his mouth and yelled at them,

“Hey! Remember you are not to Path anywhere near them, is that clear?” the Captian yelled. “Their minds are hanging by a thread as it is and if *any* of you even probe in there you’ll be running the risk of burning them out completely. So no reaching of any sort until they are fully healed, got it?”

They all dipped their head slightly, understanding the order. And with that, they gently carried the sleeping Buffy out of the huge room, leaving the rest of her friends with Afraya and Sita.

As soon as the last back disappeared around the corner Afraya briskly spun on his heals and faced the bewildered group with a kind smile on his face, rubbing his hands together at his chest.

“Well, now that they are being suitably cared for, I guess you all want an explanation, am I correct?” The Foltairian asked, grinning.

They were all silent, gaping at the man, until Xander suddenly took a step forward with his hands on his hips and craned his neck, looking up into the roof. After a beat he dropped his head back and regarded Afraya with a single raised eyebrow expertly.

“Yeah. You could say that.” the young man said dryly. “How ‘bout starting with who the hell are you are where the hell *are* we?”

Afraya just laughed, closing the few feet that separated them. “Well, my name is Afraya Lartarni and i’m the Captian of the Alliance Navy and Everynne’s 2IC.” He grinned. “And right now you are standing in the Gate Hall, which is found in the Crystal Palace on the planet Allrelen.”

They all just stared.

“We’re in the Crystal Palace?” Willow abruptly asked, her surprised voice causing everyone who didn’t know what that was to turn around and raise their eyebrows at her.

“You actually know what that *is*?” Cordelia asked bluntly and Faith laughed. Willow opened her mouth to reply but quickly shut it again when she tall, uniform wearing woman stride up to Afraya and whisper something in his ear. The Captian listened and gave a distinct nod when she was finished. Turning back to the Scoobies, Afraya looked sorry.

“I’m terribly sorry, but it seems that our visiting Vanquisher has awaken. I really must speak to him.” he explained.

“Ash?” Sita and Spike blurted out at the same time, searching the room quickly for the missing Vanquisher. Afraya looked exceedingly alarmed, hurrying to follow the boy’s friends as they all jogged over to his body.

“You know who he is, then?” He asked as they ran. Sita and Willow both skidded to a halt, turning quickly to Afraya. “Of course we know him, he’s Nimisha’s boyfriend!” Willow blurted.

Afraya skidded into Spike’s back in his shock. “He’s her what!?”

Sita sighed, pulling her tall friend aside. “He’s her boyfriend, Affie.” she told him quietly. Afraya’s eyes bulged as he clenched his fists into balls on the side of his uniform. “Thian’s her boyfriend, Sita.” he ground out between tight lipped teeth, his face furious.

“How could she do this to us?” The others stopped and regarded him in surprise. “Getting herself knowingly involved with a Vanquisher is a major crime, Tessionare or no Tessionare!” he raged.

“That’s the thing!” Sita shot back, not understanding why her friend was having such a negative reaction to the charming, dark, young man. “She didn’t know who he was! Nether of them did!” She sighed and lay a calming hand on Afraya’s shaking arm. “They were so surprised when Methos told them, it was obvious.” she explained in a low voice.

Afraya didn’t reply, only stared at the now waking up vampire with suspicious, narrowed eyes. His mouth was still clenched. It was obvious that he was still unhappy with it.

Getting fed up, Sita snapped, “For the gods sake, Afraya! Do you have any idea what this is going to do to their relationship in the first place? You sulking like that is only gonna make things worse! Now, you put a smile that face of your’s and go talk to the boy, he’s probably going to be terrified when he wakes up.”

Afraya just huffed, crossing his arms across his chest. “Fine.” He gritted out. “But i’m not gonna be satisfied that he’s not a spy of some sort until *i’ve* fully examined him, alright?”

Sita didn’t reply, just smiled smugly and inclined her head gracefully in Ash’s direction, telling Afraya to go for it.

He marched off.

Sita and the rest of the gang watched him go, all of them smiling as they looked and saw Afraya bend down and held the bewildered Ash into a sitting position, the boy still rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

“Right then.” Sita abruptly said in a chirpily voice. They all turned to her just in time to hear the bodyguard grin broadly and rub her hands together greedily, similar to how Afraya had a few minutes before.

“Now that that’s settled, whose for a tour?”

“And as we walk through here we get to Buffy and Nimisha quarters.” Sita explained happily as she pushed open the twin polished wooden doors and stepped aside so the gaping group could step through the awesome entranceway.

Xander whistled, looking around up and around the breathtaking room, taking in the white marble walls and dropping dark green drapes that touched the floor, uncovering the two metre high windows that looked down into the Palace courtyard.

Giles stepped into the room and sucked in a stunned breath. “Good, lord...” he whispered, spying the huge painted portraits of Buffy and her ancestors. The four painting were each at least four metres high, the blonde woman posing regally in each of them wore similar exquisite gowns, all endured with emeralds, rubies and other precious gems. The Watcher slowly walked over to them, ignoring the tapping sound the heals made on the polished floor and regarded them each on turn.

They were all so haunting, the beautiful woman’s green eyes locked on his own, as their sightly tilted chins were proud in a defying way. He paused at the last one, the face staring back making Giles open his eyes wide in shock.

“Good, God. That’s Buffy!” he cried, pointing up and the picture in awe. Angel wondered over slowly, looking terribly impressed by the imposing pictures.

“Wow. Great dress.” the vampire said, one eyebrow raised. Giles growled and turned on him. “Wow’? Is that all you can say?”

Angel just looked at him with his head cocked to the side. A small, calm smile on his face. “What else am I meant to say, Giles?” he asked. “I’m standing in a room that looks like something out of the Henry the 8th’s castle back in England looking up at a painting of the woman I love most in the world who for the past four years I thought was dead. But suddenly i’m being thrust into this whole different *world* - no pun intended - where i’ve been told by her *bodyguard* of all people, that she rules...as in rules as their *Queen*.” He shrugged his shoulders, not looking bothered in the slightest to the things he just said.

“I’m still stuck back at the part of Buffy being alive at *all*.” He shrugged again. “Ask me again in about four days and I should have an answer for ya by then, okay?” He smiled sweetly at the watcher.

“Who are they, Sita?” Faith asked, her hands on his hips as she critically examined the woman in the paintings. Hearing her question, Angel and Giles both turned to the Bodyguard, interested in the answer as well.

Sita smiled, standing in front of the first one and pointing her finger and each one in turn. “This is Dimeara, Buffy’s great-Grandmama.” She taped the frame lightly before moving onto the next. “This one is of Tandira, Dimeara’s daughter. She was barely a child when her mother died.”

Then she grinned and slowly walked over to the third one. Smiling kindly at Willow she told everyone, “And this one’s Semarritte...Buffy’s mother.”

Giles started, pushing his glasses back on his nose. “This is the woman?” he asked Sita, stuttering. She nodded, moving aside so Angel, Willow and the Watcher could get a better look.

“Oh, my...” Willow trailed off, her eyes glued on the intimidating picture of the woman she had heard so much about from Nimisha. And she had to admit that even if she looked identical to Buffy, her green eyes held such a note of sadness and guilt that Willow knew she could never mastake her for the Slayer.

“What she must have been going through...” Willow whispered to herself, not realising she was saying it out loud until she heard Giles cough discreetly.

“Indeed.” he muttered, lowering his head to wipe the tears out of his eyes.

Angel on the other hand, couldn’t tear his eyes off the painting of Buffy. The light violet dress that she wore looked something out of a kind Autheran tale, it was so breathtaking. The cut off shoulders were low, the cleavage dipped daringly. Her long golden hair was curled into tight ringlets, half arranged beautifully on top of her proud head and the rest of the mass falling down her back and over her shoulders, the strings of diamonds and rubies that were woven through it sparking in the captured sun.

He couldn’t believe it, the glass eyed Siren whose chin was tilted defyingly like her mother’s... was Buffy...*his* Buffy. It was only the slight, teasing smile that graced her rose lips that hinted the Slayer that he knew was hiding behind the mask of diamond earings and the piercing silver moon that was printed on her forehead brightly. It seemed to him that only days ago she was walking into the Bronze, straw stuck through her hair as they met for their first real date after a hard evening of Slaying.

How different she had looked. After four years of separation she had appeared virtually out of nowhere in the middle of Sunnydale high, her exotic clothing instantly spinning her into a completely different image in Angel’s mind from the one he had held protectively in his mind for the entire time.

He blocked out everyone else and crept slowly up to Buffy portrait, running his shaking hands over the hem of her floor length gown in wonder. Looking up, he smiled gently when their faces met, her wise, imperial eyes unconsciously boring back into his, sparking with unleashed fire.

“Angel?” He jerked around quickly, dropping his shoulders when he saw it was only Doyle and Willow, their concerned face’s touching him deeply.

“Are you okay, man?” the Irishman asked quietly, placing a reassuring hand on the vampire’s shoulder.

“Yeah.” Angel replied shakily, wiping a hand across his face nervously. “It’s just a lot to handle...”

Willow chuckled. “I’ve known about it for a week and i’m still speechless.” She craned her neck and whistled. “They both tried to tell me but I could never imagine it until now.” The Witch giggled and turned back to the two men.

“I mean, can you actually imagine *living* here?” the Witch asked, still giggling uncontrollably. Both Angel and Doyle soon joined her, finding Willow’s laugh quite contagious. But the all stopped abruptly when the heard Cordelia yell happily.

“Well, I don’t know about you guys but *I* think this place is the Kick!” she told them all, standing alone in the middle of the huge room and spinning around with her arms out wide. “Buffy sure has come a long way in the fashion department, i’ll give her that.” she said to no one inparticular.

But Sita just laughed. “Actually, Miss Chase, this room has been the quarters for Tessionare woman for over 7,000 years. Buffy hasn’t changed a thing, she didn’t want to.”

Cordelia didn’t seem bothered by that, creeping curiously over with Faith, Xander and Oz to the twin doors that married into Buffy’s actual bedroom. Looking over her shoulder quickly she shot at Sita, “Are we aloud in here?”

The brunette just shrugged her shoulders charmingly. “Go for it. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind.”

The three friends looked at each other wickedly. And as one, they bolted through the doors

Spying Angel, Spike and Willow walk over to the far wall but abruptly stop, Sita casually trotted over to them, smiling when she got closer and noticed them were all staring, stunned, through a glass cabinet that held over 30 beautiful Fabergë eggs, all the incredible masterpieces sitting regally on tiny gold stands.

“What are they?” Willow whispered to Sita as she walked over, bending down with the rest of the small group of friends.

“Their eggs, stupid.” Spike shot. “What do they bloody look like?”

Sita laughed. “Actually, their Fabergë.” she told them simply. It was obvious from their pointed looks that Spike and Willow didn’t have a clue what she was talking about but she saw the startled smile on Angel’s face. “You mean like that stuff the Russian’s used to make at the turn of the century?” he murmured, still peering curiously through the glass.

“Yeah. Their used as presents of sorts, given to friends and family for important events.” Sita chuckled and gently stroked the glass that separated them from the beautiful works of art. “Buffy kept them from year to year, almost everyone she got...she tressures them, really.”

Angel sighed sadly and regarded with teary eyes the graceful objects. They were all different colours, but mostly of a pale mauve enamel, with diamond ribbons circling the enamel gracefully. Small gems were encrusted deeply into their surfaces hand painted gold thread swirling around each one. With a quick look at Sita for permission, Angel gently opened the cabinet and slowly removed the largest of the group, the still tiny egg sitting proudly in his large palm.

The vampire noticed the tiny spring almost instantly, and with the two woman and Spike peering over his shoulder, he pressed it and was rewarded when it revealed a miniature gold swan on a lake of aquamarine. Grinning widely with the charming surprise, Angel touched the lever he somehow knew was beneath the wing. The swan spread its tiny golden wings, and walked slowly across his palm.

“Oh, Angel.” He heard Willow whispered sadly behind him. “It’s exquisite...”

“It’s her favourite.” Sita told them quietly. “It was given to her by her father.”

Angel’s head shot up in a flash, confusion writing on his face. “Her *what*?” he asked, just wondering how they could have missed that question when they had interrogated Sita an hour before. But his question was cut off when the apartment doors burst open.

He jerked, almost dropping the egg in surprise. Quickly placing the egg - with the tiny swan beside it - on the glass table beside him, Angel turned towards the door just in time to see a middled aged, dark haired man hurry into the room.

He completely ignored the Scoobies, jogging over to Sita and stopping in front of her. He was panting and it was obvious from the flush on his face that he had been running.

“Are they okay?” The man asked in a panicked tone, running his hands over his brow. Angel was struck by the startling instantaneous liking he felt towards the man. The first thing he noticed was that he looked incredibly kind. Running his eyes over the tall, distinguished man Angel noted his brilliant blue eyes and the single shocking lock of golden hair that shot back over his normally brown haired head from his temple.

“Yes, Leo.” Sita told them soothingly, grinning from ear to ear. “Afraya got them to the infirmary as soon as they woke up.”

Leo sighed, slumping with relief. “It’s so like Everynne to do something like that.” he muttered. “Scared me half to death, she did.”

Sita just laughed, turning around back to the Terran gang. “Guys, I’d like you all to meet someone.” They all shuffled forward, Angel still having his eyes glued on the man’s charismatic face.

Leo finally seemed to notice them, turning with a wide grin in their direction. “Well, Afraya didn’t tell me we had guest.”

Sita laughed dryly. “Well we do, Leo.” she told him, pushing him forward.

The two men’s eyes locked, Angel starting instantly with the brilliant blue eyes. “Leo, this is Angel.” Sita exclaimed, giggling as the unknown father-in-law regarded the vampire in surprise. His thick black eyebrows shot up to his hair line and he let out a deep rumble of laughter from the bottom of his stomach.

Leo stepped forward and gripped the vampire’s cold hand, pumping it stoutly. “Mighty glad to know you...finally.” he humorous man obviously couldn’t help from adding. Angel found himself totally unable to stop grinning back like a fool as he returned the gesture. The man’s smile was full of uninhibited magnetic humour and friendliness.

“Hello.” Angel said back in a rueful manner, his tone oddly accented. The two dark haired man regarded each other calmly, and more was exchanged between the two men than a simple greeting.

Before any of the humans realised what they were doing, everyone had left their spots - Cordelia, Faith, Xander and Oz having silently creeped out of Buffy’s bedroom between the exchange - and gathered around the newcomer, all grinning broadly.

His smiling face turned to Giles next and before any of them knew what he was doing, he bowed in front of the Watcher with all the grace of Prince. Straightening up, his usually happy face was serious as he reached out with a large, lightly browned hand and clasped Giles own. “I want to thank you, Mister Giles, for protecting my daughter while she was under your care.”

His kind eyes met Giles’ and they were full of laughter. “She talked of you often, and always fondly, let me assure you that.”

Poor Giles didn’t know what to do, his glasses steaming up with embarrassment. Sita noticed this and laughed, waking the tall Leo on the arm.

“Leo, introduce yourself already!” She told him chirpily. “They haven’t a clue who you are.”

The man startled. “Oh, beg you pardon!” he laughed, bowing again. “My name is Leo Boynton. I’m Buffy’s father.”

Meanwhile on Balteiar...

Nasyian fumbled with his papers, quickly shoving them all into the small black bag in frustration. Shooting a quick, anxious look towards his bedroom doorway, his silver eyes were sleepy and tired. The boy hadn’t slept in days and he knew if he didn’t rest soon he would be dropping where he stood.

That though made the smaller boy pause in his haste, sighing with regret with what he was about to do. What he had to do...

The thudding of the boots made him jump, casting alarm filled glances down at the sheets of white, written on paper that covered the wide surface of his desk.

“My work...” he whispered, groaning as he realised it would all have to be scacfriced. Knowing the approaching soldiers would be bursting through the door any second from now he gasped and dived for the most imported item he just couldn’t forget. The map was old, stained a faint brown colour. The thin, light black lines were almost invisible but to Ash it was the most valuable item he owned.

So gently, the boy slowly wrapped the map up and placed it lovingly in his backpack. He could hear the voices now, just out side his room as the argued with his mother of his whereabouts. Running a nervous hand through his longish black hair Nasyian knew she would delay them as long as she could, but they both knew their was no stopping them, the information that they all knew Nasyian now held in his grasp was worth a thousand men’s deaths.

And as he knew it would, the loud shot that followed made the short, dark skinned boy close his eyes in agony. He heard the sickening sound of his mother’s body falling with a thump as it fell lifelessly to the ground.

“Oh, mother.” he whispered, knowing she had committed the overall scarifies for not only Nasyian and his dear friend and Prince, Ash, but someone else entirely...

Quickly, he tore that thought from his mind and hurried silently over to his bedroom doors that opened onto the same balcony that Ash had visited just under a week ago to beg for his help. Sprinting out the doors, he faintly heard his room door burst open and the guards fill it, barking orders quickly when they noticed he had escaped them after all.

Nasyian pressed his body against the wall, holding his breath as he watched, terrified, as one of Methos’ guards poked his dark head on the doorway and sniffed suspiciously around. But after a tense moment that Nasyian knew he would never forget, the guard snorted and withdrew.

After waiting a few seconds - just to make sure - the boy let out his shaky breath, his bright silver eyes darting back and forward in the nights sky, looking down over the tall balcony at the sleeping city below. The city that he knew after tonight he would never see again.

With that though, Nasyian pushed himself off the wall silently and heaved the heavy black bag over his shoulder.

And then, using the skills that he and his childhood friend had mastered since their early teenage years...the dark skinned boy slipped into the shadows...his quest awaiting him.

But time was running out...fast.

Back on Allrelen...

“I beg your pardon?” Giles asked, sputtering again. But Leo only shrugged with a modest difference, calmly looking from face to face.

“Oh!” Willow cried, delighted as she clapped her hands together. “Nimisha was telling me all about you!” She was smiling openly, her eyes sparking as she obviously held the man in high esteem.

He threw back his head and roared with laughter, waltzing over to Willow and evoped her in a huge, bear hug. “And you, my pretty, must be Willow.” He raised a eyebrow charmingly in question and huffed when she nodded.

“And they say i’m terrible with names. Huh!” he held her at arms length and made a show of regarding her critically. “No, my darling daughter got it all wrong...your even prettier than she exclaimed!”

Willow burst out laughing, blushing furiously as he gave her a wink and released her arms. Turning to the others Leo put his hands on his hips and inclined his head to the side. Biting his lip with barely contained laughter, the dignified Prince pointed to each one in turn - and to everyone’s complete surprise - named them all correctly.

“Ah, how do you know us?” Xander asked, a baffled smile on his face. But the striking dark haired man only shrugged sheepishly and shook his head.

“I don’t actually.” he told them happily. “Buffy speaks of you all the time. It wasn’t hard to pick up on all your names after 16 years of having them drilled into your brain almost everyday.”

Faith laughed, walking up to the man and giving him a pat on the shoulder. “You, know. I’ve decided I really like you.” she told Leo, giving him a brilliant grin. Leo straightened instantly, raising an eyebrow at the Slayer.

“And you, my dear, were put in my good books years ago.” He ruffled her hair, bending down to her ear. “But we need to have a little talk later, don’t you think?” he asked gently. Faith frowned, stepping away slightly. But the Prince only chuckled, pulling her closer again.

“Now, now.” he told her quietly. “Don’t get all silly about it. Buffy has been telling me about you little problems and I think I have a few things that will be of help to you.”

The younger Slayer looked up, finding no deceit his he startling blue eyes. “Why do you want to help me?” she asked in a sad voice. But Leo only smiled gently, putting a kind arm over her shoulder.

“Because you remind me a lot of Buffy’s mother, Semarritte. She was exactly the same as you when she was younger, always getting into trouble with the power she was given.” Realising he now had everyone’s attention, Buffy’s father looked down at the ground in respect for a moment before looking up at the group, sorting Angel’s face out of the small crowd and locking eyes with the vampire.

“It took us all a very long time to finally get Shari to understand that what she had been given by the Powers was a gift...and even longer understand that not all gifts are harmless.”

He looked down at Faith again, noting that the girl’s eyes were filling with tears. “Seeing some of Semarritte’s things - her journals and such - might help you in ways you never thought could.”

Faith bit her lip, weighing the opportunities. But in the end she nodded slightly, still looking down at the ground. But everyone could see her posture wasn’t as stiff as it once was.

Her road to recovery was beginning.

But the moment was broken abruptly when Afraya suddenly Ported into the room right in front of Giles, giving the Watcher a hell of a fright in the process. The Captian gave Giles a sheepish look before turning to Sita, Leo and the rest of the group.

Even before he opened his mouth, Angel knew what he was going to say.

“Buffy and Nimisha are awake. They wish to see you all.”

The walk to the infirmary seemed to take forever, Angel noting uncomfortably that people would stop and stare at them all as they walked down the busy Palace hallway with Afraya and Leo in the front. There were whispers everywhere, the vampire having no trouble realising that the public knew who they were...him especially.

He was the missing, vampiric father of their future Queen, a fact that was bound to stir a few nurves.

They were passing under the huge marble gateway before Angel realised it, Afraya stopping at the entryway to speak quickly with the single guard on duty. He looked them all over with a blank face then gave Afraya a brisk nod of his head, telling them that they were all fit to enter.

They were all silent as they passed the sick and wounded, sticking close to Leo and Afraya’s backs as they tried to ignore the suspicious glances that the nurses and doctors shot their way as they passed. Angel heard Willow whimper as her sensitive mind was struck full on by all the subtle pain that people were giving off unconsciously. He made to give her arm a quick squeeze in reassurance but smiled when Oz wrapped a protective arm around her shoulder, Willow leaning into him gratefully.

They spotted Buffy and her dark haired daughter instantly, both Scions sitting propped up in their beds next to each other, totally wrapped up in the conversation they were having before abruptly breaking off, their twin green eyes turning with a show of delightful dignity in their guest’s direction.

“Hey, guys!” Nimisha cried happily, sitting forward quickly when Willow gave a cry and evoping the girl in a tight hug. But seemingly realising what she was doing, the Witch pulled back in a flash and looked at Nimisha’s neck in horror, fully expecting the strength of her greeting to damage the girl’s wound more than it already was.

The wound was completely healed.

She gasped, stepping back away from the bed with a stumble, her eyes flying up to Buffy’s in question. But the Slayer only laughed kindly, patting the bed space beside her in indirection for the Witch to sit down. Stunned, Willow did as she was told..

Buffy brought a hand up and gently stoked Willow’s cheek with the back it. “Afraya tried to tell you we would be okay, Will.” she told her best friend in a gently tone, wiping a tear out of the redhead’s eye and letting it trickle onto her hand.

“But I saw your wounds, Buffy. There was no way you could be fixed up already.” Willow whispered back.

But the Slayer only chuckled. “Your a firm believer in science, Will. That’s why this is so hard for you to believe.” she cocked her head, looking very unlike a queen as she stuck out her tongue at her dear friend. “Lets just say there are other ways of doing things that Earth hasn’t figured out yet.”

Willow’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Really? Advanced medicines?” She turned to Afraya expectably, almost jumping up and down like a excited child. The Foltarian held up his hand at his chest with moke alarm.

“Woah, there, Miss Rosenburg.” he told her, grinning. “After dinner, i’ll be happy to show you anything you wish.”

Willow yelped in happiness, clapping her hands together. But she halted instantly when she noticed out of the corner of her eye both Buffy and Nimisha discreetly reach up and grab their skulls slightly, wincing with the pain as the should vibrated through their still tender minds. Willow looked sheepishly at the pair, putting her hand over her mouth in apology.

“It’s fine, Will.” Buffy told her weakly. “Still a bit touchy right...”

But she quickly broke up, a delighted smile growing on her lips. “Leo?” she asked in a surprised voice, just having noticed her biological father standing behind Afraya.

The dark haired man stood out from behind her 2IC and grinned at her. “Hey, kiddo.” he told her, crossing his arms across his chest casually. Buffy laughed in delight, beaconing the man over impatiently. Leo turned slightly and shrugged to the rest of the bemused group.

“I’ve been summoned.” he whispered loudly, causing Buffy to huff. But the Prince quickly walked around to the side of his daughter’s bed and bent down, giving her a warm hug.

“Well, this is great, isn’t it?” Leo asked with a grin even as he turned around and gave his excited grand daughter the same treatment and sat down beside her on the bed, picking up Nimisha’s pale hand and stroking it idly in his palm. “Your friends finally get to see you on your own turf and your stuck in bed!”

Buffy nodded, smiling at Angel when he hesitantly stepped around Giles and looked her up and down, seemingly making sure she was better again like everyone said. Touched with his concern, Buffy beaconed him over and reached for the chair that was beside her bed.

Finding that she couldn’t reach she groaned out loud in frustration. “I never thought I’d miss Telekinesis as much as I do now that i’m not aloud to use it.” she muttered, causing everyone to smile.

“It’s only for a few days, mama.” Nimisha told her, frowning. “You lasted all those years without it when you were on Earth, why should you not be able to now?” She huffed. “It seems to me you’ve become for to reliant on certain things, mama. It can’t be healthy.”

Buffy looked at her daughter in surprise, picking up her pillow and throwing it at her daughter’s head lightly. “You can talk, Nimi.” she said dryly, shooting Leo a dirty look when the man halted the pillow with his mind inches from his grand daughter’s face. The pillow floated there for a few seconds, probably just to annoy Buffy, before gently falling on Nimisha’s lap, the girl picking it up and putting it behind her neck, wiggling around in her bed to get more comfortable.

A nearby nurse saw this and made to assist but Nimisha just waved her hand slightly, telling her to remain where she was.

Meanwhile Buffy looked at Angel who was now slowly sitting down in the seat beside the Slayer. She turned on her side in the bed, laying her head on her pillow as she regarded the quiet vampire.

“Have a nice trip?” she asked seriously and Angel growled lightly, both lovers ignoring everyone else who had discreetly gathered around Nimisha’s bed, leaving the pair alone for a while.

“That’s not funny, Buffy.” he told her, although he was smiling slightly. She shrugged her shoulders, sighing into her pillow.

“Yeah, I know.” Then she perked up brightly. “At least it wasn’t a complete disaster, we did learn a important fact.”

Angel married his eyebrows together in confusion. “We did?” he asked, not understanding what she was talking about.

“Yeah.” The Slayer answered back, warming to the subject so much that she sat up in her bed, pulling the sheet down to her knees. “We now know that Tessionare’s can space travel in a Port.”

Angel choked, bending forward. “You’d never done that before?” he asked, seriously freaked with the notion. But Buffy only smiled broadly, turning her head to the others.

“Hey, Afraya!” she called, getting the blue man’s attention. “Is it true, we can Port in space for real now?”

Afraya inclined his head to the side, seemingly weighing his options before answering quietly, “I don’t see why not, if you’ve done it once you should be able to do it any time now.”

Nimisha’s eyes bulged. “Really?” she squeaked, probably running through her head just how much easier this was going to make it getting of the house without her mother knowing. Reading her thoughts, Buffy frowned darkly. “Don’t even think it, my girl.” she told her daughter with a single raised eyebrow.

Nimisha huffed and sat back down on her bed.

Leo chuckled and pattered her hand, causing the girl to brighten considerately. Buffy turned back to Angel, laying a pale hand on his arm. He looked up in question with the action.

But Buffy didn’t see him, putting pressure on his arm as she slowly moved her legs to the side of the bed and swung them over the side, pausing then to catch her breath. Angel looked surprised.

“Are you sure you should be doing this?” he asked her in a low voice. But she only sent him a determined smile.

“We need to talk, Angel.” she told him gently even as the dark vampire offered her his arm in support. “And we can’t do that properly with me stuck here in this bed.” Angel laughed, nodding as he seemingly agreed.

And so, in an almost painful slow motion, Buffy gripped the side of the bed with on hand and Angel’s arm with that other, and eased herself up to her feet on shaky legs.

It was then that Afraya looked around and saw them both, his mouth falling open as he yelped. “Hey!” he cried, hurrying over as everyone else - including Nimisha - spun around to see what the matter was.

But Buffy brought her hand up quickly, halting Afraya in his tracks. She looked at her 2IC with cool determination flashing in her green glass eyes. “Afraya, i’m fine.” she ground out between clenched teeth. “I’ve got to walk some time, and now is better time than any.”

Her eyes bore into his, seemingly daring him to defy her.

Afraya wisely stayed silent, watching nervously like everyone else as Buffy took a hesitant step with Angel’s assistance. Finding that she could, the Slayer looked up into the vampire’s face in delight and slowly let go of his arm to stand by herself.

“There!” she cried, turning around in a circle slowly to show everyone that she was fine. “All better.”

It was that moment that the dizziness swamped her and she groaned, gripping her head tightly even as she started to sway. Angel was on her in a flash, wrapping his arm around her waist as he gently lead her back to the chair that he had been sitting on. She gratefully sank down in it, in obvious pain although her eyes were bright and brilliant.

“Told you I could do it.” Buffy muttered to Afraya who grinned. He opened his mouth to reply but she added quickly, “And the only reason i’m sitting down here now is because I over did it, got it?” she shot at him.

He chuckled and didn’t answer, shaking is head as he turned and went back to Nimisha who was now doing the same thing with Leo and Giles’ assistance.

“Nimisha, what are you doing?” a high voice shrieked from the doorway. Everyone turned just in time to see a red headed whirlpool come running into the room and skid to a stop in front of the Princess, her long, fiery red hair flying down her back.

But Nimisha only frowned, putting her hands on her hips as she regarded her dearest friend. “What does it look like i’m doing, Asia?”

Asia huffed and tilted her chin. “Well you shouldn’t be!” she scolded her friend. “I was talking to Affie and he said you weren’t to exhaust yourself!”

Nimisha turned to Afraya, a displeased expression on her face. The man covered his grin with his hand, mouthing to Buffy and Angel to words, ‘Oops.’

Angel looked amused as he sort out the raving girl Sita had told him a little bit about, her pretty face a frown as she regarded her friend in displeasure. She *was* pretty, very in fact. Her doe like green eyes were large and expressive, clashing brightly with her long, shining red hair. She wasn’t very tall, only a few inches above Nimisha, although, looking at her she seemed so much bigger. It was the way she held herself, the outspoken, elegant tilt of her chin. There was a aura of almost regal dignity as she moved her head. Everything about Asia was intense, her eyes, her hair, the way she moved her hands or darted across a room. She was still very tiny but filled with power and life and excitement.

And it was then that Angel remembered what Sita had told him earlier about the pretty girl that made him realise just why she moved like that. From what Sita had said, Asia belonged to one of the most respected families on Allrelen, her ancestors dating back all the way to Demeara. That was how Asia and Nimisha had met, both girl having been just out of nappies.

They girls had everyone in common, their passions, their secrets, their dreams, their world. They had shared the same terrors and delights when they were children, and had become friends instantly. Both of them scorned the restricted responsibilities they were both expected to preform as the next generation of Nobles on Allrelen, both preferring to pull in the many favours they had gathered over the years from the gate staff and excape into their own worlds on different planets thousands of light years away. To places where they could just be themselves, to shop and party until they dropped, not having to be constantly reminded of the impossible rules that restricted their lives back on Allrelen, where they could be as free as they wished.

And it was with those facts in mind that Asia totally forgot how mad she was meant to be at her friend and embraced her warmly.

“Oh, Sasha, how I missed you!” she cried against her friends dark hair with her heavily accented voice, her own hair mixing with the black mass. Then she abruptly pulled away and thumped Nimisha on the arm..hard.

Nimisha looked up, shocked. “What was that for?” she sulked, rubbing her now sore arm.

But the red head just continued. “For leaving without telling me, that’s why! Do you realise how mad I was at you for just packing up and taking off like that!” Asia stamped her foot. “I could have killed you, Nimi, I was so furious! It was just like you, taking off to some distant planet without telling me, you almost gave Papa a heart attack when he was told!”

But Nimisha didn’t seem affected by the fury, only smiled soothingly and put her arm around her friend’s shoulder.

“She didn’t really have a choice in the matter, Asia Savangel.” Buffy told her dryly, causing the small girl to spin around in surprise.

“Eva, I didn’t see you there.” Asia told her queen happily, darting over and giving Buffy a hug. Pulling back their similar green eyes met and held warmly. “Mama and Papa send their love, Papa says to hurry and get better soon.” Her charmingly exotic voice made a delightful change in the room.

Buffy laughed, stroking the girl’s shinning red hair gently with her delicate hands. “You tell your father that I am enjoying a well overdue holiday with my closest friends.”

Asia jerked her head up, seeing the bemused Scoobies for the first time. “Oh!” she cried, her mischievous glance resting on Angel finally, the girl biting her lip wickedly.

“Hello, Angel.” Asia said, ignoring Nimisha’s cry of horror as she realised what her outspoken friend was doing. Angel on the other hand just chuckled and decided to play along. Excepting her out stretched hand the vampire dipped and planted a delicate kiss on the top of Asia’s hand, keeping eye contact the entire time, causing the girl to startle and blush.

Ripping her hand from his, Asia burst out laughing, turning to Nimisha. “Your father’s a hoot, Nimi!” she yelled, clapping her hands together. Nimisha went bright red and hurried over to her friend, grabbing her forearm and - ignoring Asia cry of sudden pain - turned to her mother quickly.

“I’m going to see Ash, mama.” Nimisha told Buffy, already walking towards the doorway, pulling her still giggling friend behind her. “I’ll be back for dinner.”

And with that the girl yanked Asia out of the door, the Scoobies hearing as they left,

“Asia! How could you embarrass me like that!”

Asia just kept on laughing.

The next day....

Willow, Oz and Angel walked up the Palace steps and into the courtyard, heading in the infirmary direction. They had just spent the remainder of the day walking around the Palace gardens, Sita showing them all the famous spots, including Semarritte’s garden where she was killed. They had asked Afraya to join them but he had declined, knowing that Sita would be showing them that. Still, after all these years he found it hard to step into the place that took Shari from him.

Now it was even worse, Buffy was again reunited with her love, them and Nimisha finally being able to be a family if the Slayer and the Vampire were able to sort out their problems. There was nothing standing in their way here, the age old problems that he been against their relationship on earth were non standing. Both were immortal, knowing that they could live out the remainder of their lives together.

Another thing - and the one that had shocked Angel the most - was that the vampire could walk in the sun here on Allrelen, the planet not having the same UV elements as it did on Earth. Spike was already living it up, taking Sita and who ever wanted to come down into the city for hours on end. From what Buffy had gotten from Sita earlier that day, it was probable that the blonde vampire would stay on Allrelen indefinitely...as long as Sita would have him that was.

As she had told her queen at breakfast that day...he grows on you.

Angel on the other hand, had a lot more to consider. The business in LA for starters, even though Cordelia, Doyle and Faith had promised to keep it going. He said he just felt bad at chucking in on them suddenly. Cordelia, with all her nonpresent tact, had said he was mad if he didn’t take up the opportunity to live like a king, free of charge.

But that was all far from his mind as a voice suddenly invaded his mind.

< Angel? Can you come to the Gate Hall please? > Sita asked kindly.

< What the matter? > Angel asked, using the silver Mantle that allowed them to Path and Port they had all been given for the first time. The objects were like metal hats, covering their heads snugly with long tendrils falling down their backs. Buffy had told them that they would only have to use them for about a mouth, after that the power of Telepathy and Telekinesis would forever be at their disposal.

< We don’t really know. The Gate’s starting up and we wouldn’t have a clue who’s dialling through...Evie just wants everyone here, just in case. >

What went unspoken was obvious. The fact that Methos and Zanial were still running free was bound to make anyone a bit over protective.

< Sure thing, Sita. We’ll be there in a few. >

< Thanks Angel. > the bodyguard said gratefully and cut the link.

Seeing that she was gone, Angel turned to Willow and Oz and grinned. “Ready to try these new powers of ours?”

Both the Witch and the Werewolf chuckled, nodding their heads with excitement. As one, the three friends closed their eyes and slowed their breathing. And as if they had been doing it for years, they Ported out of the courtyard.

The Gate Hall was full of people when the arrived, Willow spying Giles, Doyle and Faith standing off to the side with Buffy and Leo. Looking around with her eyes she smiled brightly when she noticed Nimisha walk slowly into the room with Ash on one side and Asia on the other, the rest of the Scoobies not to far behind. The girl looked sad, her eyes slightly red from crying and Willow realised instantly that she must have just come back from talking with Thain. She also noted the boy was missing from the room, the breakup obviously taking more out of him than Nimisha would’ve thought.

Another chapter in her childhood was closed.

But Willow could see just how tightly she was gripping Ash’s arm, the dark vanquisher looking around the intimidating room in awe. Willow couldn’t even start to begin what the last few days had been like for the young vanquisher. To be suddenly thrust into the very world that your people had sworn to destroy and who you yourself had always wanted to live in must have been mindblowing.

But the Witch knew by looking at the way the two teenagers were talking softly to each other - much to the apparent disgust of Asia who had just saw them kiss gently and practically ran across the room away from the love birds - that they would be fine. They had each other and they had Buffy and Angel, the two Scions and the two Vampire’s surely to make some sort of family in the near future.

But then the Gate was shooshing open, the guards falling into place at the bottom of the ramp as they all waited, tense, for their unexpected visitor to walk through. What they didn’t expect was to see a limping figure, wrapped from head to toe in a dirty black blanket to come stumbling through the blue water and fall to his knees instantly.

Nimisha frowned when she felt Ash got rigid beside her, the tall boy’s eyes glued on the figure even as people broke away and ran to help the falling figure. But the Princess gave a surprised cry when Ash suddenly bolted from her side and tore up the Gate’s ramp, overtaking the guards in his haste as he ignored the startled cries that followed his abrupt action and fell to his knees beside the shaking, sobbing mess.

He barely noticed Afraya and Leo - with Buffy and Angel standing slightly behind him - kneeing next to him as he brought a dark hand up and ripped the blanket from the figure’s head.

And he gasped.

Nasyian stared back at him, his face grubby with a mixture of dirt and blood. The small, dark haired boy was still sobbing, clutching something in his hand tightly.

“Nass?” Ash probed gently, lifting his best friends face up by his chin. The Vanquisher’s tearful, exhausted silver eyes latched of his and he gave a loud sob, falling into Ash’s arms and clutching the clock that he wore as if he expected him to be ripped from his embrace.

“Nasyian, what happened?” But all that question proved to do was make Leo and Afraya regard him in surprise.

“You know this boy?” they asked the Prince and Ash sighed. “Yeah, he’s my best friend.”

They both frowned, looking back at the crying boy, both obviously thinking the same thing. Ash saw the looks on both their faces and sighed again. “Look, I don’t know why he’s here. The last time I saw him he was breaking into the Gate system on Balteiar to get me off the place, we never arranged to meet anywhere, I swear.”

Both men nodded, excepting his story. But then Nasyian stopped crying abruptly raising his head and looking around himself in confusion. Looking back he spied Ash and froze, his silver yes getting wider and wider on his shocked face.

“Holy, shit.” he muttered, falling back on his butt. “Am I on Allrelen?” he asked Ash, looking around and seeing Buffy standing behind her father. His dark face seemed to pale, his mouth falling open.

“Oh, god.” Nasyian groaned.

Ash just chuckled, helping Leo and Angel get the baffled boy into a standing position, although they didn’t let go of his arms as he turned to his best friend.

“Oh, Ash. Am I glad I found you.” he told him, sounded very relieved.

“What the hell happened to you?” Ash asked, horrified as he looked down at the shorter boy’s body, noting the cuts and welts that formed several patterns on his bare legs and arms. But Nasyian only let out a shaky breath and ignored the question, fumbling around with whatever it was in his hand and quickly thrusting it into Ash’s arms. The prince looked down at the tatty, torn piece of paper before looking at his friend again, a raising a single eyebrow in question charmingly.

“I’d been doing some research after you left, Ash...” he abruptly broke off, spying Nimisha standing behind her parents, looking at him with wide eyes. But when Ash coughed he quickly looked back, trying to slow his breath to explain.

“Researching stuff that your father didn’t want anyone finding out.” He grinned. “But I did, found it out that is. And that map is the clue, thats were everything went down...”

Ash was getting fed up. “Nasyian, what are you talking about?” he finally asked, getting fed up.

But Nasyian just ignored his tone, looking into his silver eyes with a pair of his own and smiling brilliantly, his breath suddenly calm and dignified.

“Your mother’s alive, Ash.”

Three hours later Angel paced around Buffy bedroom, nervously looking at every piece of wall in a hope to calm himself down. He stilled suddenly when he noticed the framed pictures above the fireplace, the row of coloured memories lining it nicely. He walked over, gently picking up the first small, wooden frame that he saw.

It was of Buffy and Nimisha, the girl looking only about five years old. They were at what must have been a beach, the waves pooling over Buffy’s bare feet as she held the shrieking child in her arms, both of them smiling brightly for the camera as their long hair flowed out behind them with the slight breeze.

With shaking fingers, Angel stroked the glass that separated his fingers from the actual picture, unable to tear his eyes off Buffy’s smiling and happy face. Never, in all the years that he had known her could he remember seeing her so happy as she did there, holding her precious daughter in her arms as she played in the surf, away from the troubles and darkness of the world she had escaped.

And it was at that moment that Angel knew where the Slayer belonged.

It was here, with the people that loved her and the people that needed her. Not on a planet that only wanted to kill her and her spirit, one by one taking all the things she held dear from her. He couldn’t and wouldn’t ask her to leave....ever.

“She was terrified off the water at first.” A graceful voice said behind him and Angel jumped, spinning around with the picture still in his hands. Buffy stood there, dressed in more traditional clothing than she had been wearing in the past few days. The beautiful, low cut, light blue gown was short sleaved, the cut off shoulders leaving her shoulders bare, the only jewels she wore was the single cross that he had given her oh, so many years ago.

Her normally curly hear was curled into tight ringlets, the thick blonde mass piled up on top of her head and nestled between was a stunning silver crown, the silver replica of her moon falling charmingly from twin, thin chains and sitting snugly over the true moon that was now found on her forehead, shining a bright blue like her gown. Over her arms were twin white arm gloves, travelling upwards until the abruptly stopped just before her elbows.

“But she saw me getting in, so of course she followed.” Buffy added, seemingly not noticing Angel speechlessness and taking the photo from his hands gently and looking down at it herself softly.

“She reminds me so much of you, Angel. She always has.” The Slayer whispered, tears filling her eyes. Slowly, Angel reached out and lifted her chin with his finger, staring into her glassy green eyes lovingly.

“It’s good genes, Buffy.” Angel whispered back, the moment stretching as he bent down and kissed the tear that was dancing down her cheek, her dark eyelashes fanning his nose as he felt her close her eyes.

She was breathing slowly, her eyes still closed as he pulled back, stroking her moon gently with one finger. She smiled when she felt him, walking closer to eat up the space that separated them and let the tall vampire elope her in his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck instantly.

They stayed like that for a while, both drifting in and out of the real world. “How’s Ash?” Angel suddenly asked. Buffy sighed and drew back.

“Furious.” she told him and the vampire chuckled. “He’s sworn to search for her for the rest of his life, and he will to. It’s lucky that Nasyian and Nimisha’s promised to go with him, all else their relationships could really hit the rocks.” She looked out the window, a far away look in her eyes. “I just can’t believe Methos did it, you know? Telling the boy that his mother is dead but actually hiding her away on some deserted planet, I don’t know if I could stand it.”

“Trust me, love. It’s horrible.” Angel whispered gently.

Buffy caught her breath, looking up at him with sad eyes. “I guess that’s true.” she said, feeling glum.

“How is Nimisha?” Angel probed, kissing her forehead softly. But Buffy laughed at that, reaching up and tapping his nose. “Feeling horrible that she just up’d and left her friends like that. She’s currently writing three very important letter’s for Willow and the other’s to take back to Earth with them, saying how sorry she was to leave without saying goodbye.”

Angel smiled. “So Spike’s staying on Allrelen?” although he already knew the answer.

Buffy grinned. “Yeah, him and Faith.” she shrugged. “Although I don’t think she’s stay forever, she’s more at home in the city. I think she feels there’s not enough crime of something, no vampire’s to slay.”

That thought made them both fall silent again.

“We really made a bull’s up of the last few years didn’t we?” she asked good humouredly and he chuckled.

“Well, my love. We have thousands of years to make up for it.”

She caught her breath, not being able to believe he just said those words as she slowly raised her head from his chest, daring to hope....

He was smiling tenderly down at her, his eyes glittering and filled with love. She open her mouth slowly, totally unashamed of the tears that she knew where falling down her face. “Do you really mean that?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

He bent his head again, landing a kiss on the end of her nose. “But of course.” He looked deep into her eyes, his other finger still stroking the moon that was her birthline gently. “Now that i’ve found you again, do you really expect me to let you and Nimisha go?”

Her breath caught, her eyes getting larger and larger every second on her stunned face. Then suddenly she gave a cry like a child and flew into his arms, crushing him tightly to her.

“Oh, you..you..bastard!” She cried against his neck as he laughed, wrapping his arms around her silk covered back. “You’ve known this from the second you landed on Allrelen and you didn’t tell me!”

She thumped his shoulder, causing him to chuckle and grip her arm gently, wrapping his arms around her tighter so she was pinned against him.

“I might have.” he told her casually, causing her to scream in frustration now that she couldn’t wack him again. He walked them both across the floor, sitting down on the end of the bed with Buffy still in his arms. Letting her go, she instantly turned in his arms and faced him, her arms still wrapped around his neck.

“Anyway.” he told her, reaching out and brushing one loose tendril of golden hair off her face. “I’ve found that i’ve got a burning desire to learn more about these planets of your’s, it’s quite a collection you’ve got here, my little golden queen.” he muttered, nuzzling her neck.

But she pulled away, regarding him oddly. “What did you just call me?” she asked, a strange note attached to her voice.

But Angel just looked at her calmly, a lopsided smile gracing his lips.

“My little golden queen.” He cocked his head. “You are you know, and it fits.”

Buffy seemed to think about it for a moment before smiling. “It does, doesn’t it?”

Angel laughed, picking her up in his arms again and heading towards the door, Buffy feeling safe and happy in his arms as they headed towards the dining room for dinner with their friends.

“This is only the beginning, my love.” Angel whispered in her ear as he carried her down the deserted hallway, his voice a whisper on the walls.

“This is the beginning of the Tessionare Dynasty: you, me, Nimisha, and all our family.”

Buffy smiled with his words and closed her eyes, knowing that no matter what the future held, their love would hold strong...and that they would do everything together....

...For together there was nothing they couldn’t over come....

The End

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