AN: thank for all the support so far! It's so humbling. Sorry there hasn't been much Angel action yet. I know this season doesn't have that many scenes with him but there will be one in the next chapter ;)

Also: there is an 8track for this story on my account. My user is: dobbrien

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If someone would've told me yesterday I'd be walking in a cemetery looking for vampires I would've laughed at their face—but as of today I'd believe them. Xander and I walk behind Buffy as she leads us through the cemetery. The moon casts an eerie glow upon the tombstones and the quietness in the air makes me uneasy. I step closer to Xander and he does the same. We're both going into this blind in the hopes of finding and saving Willow.

Suddenly, Willow's screams leads us in the direction of an inside stone casing. Buffy walks in first, confronting the vampires—or more like teasing them—as Xander guides as slowly inside. One of his arms is in front of me as a safety measure. There's a stone casket in the middle and to the left I see Willow—and Jesse. A blonde vampire stands before them, watching Buffy. The vampire's face is contorted in a way that I never expected.

"Who the hell are you?" the blonde vampire asks Buffy as her and the male Willow was with walk along each side of the tomb towards Buffy.

"You mean someone in this town doesn't know who I am? That is a relief."

Xander and I watch as they keep advancing on Buffy as we stand by the entrance. I bite my lip as I keep myself from saying something they'll bring the vampires attention towards us. Unfortunately, Xander didn't get that message. "Buffy, is this where we bail?"

I pitch Xander on his thigh and he gasps quietly. Thankfully the vampires are too focused on Buffy to turn to little ol common people like us. I wish I can do something—anything—to help, but I don't know what to do. Buffy keeps edging them on, wanting them to attack.

"Buffy," I gasp as the guy vampire launces at her from behind.

His snarl as he attacks is all I hear as I watch. In a blink of an eye, Buffy launches a stake into his chest. Xander makes a sound of shock beside me as the guy vampire freezes, realizing what Buffy just did. The guy falls back and when he lands on the ground bursts into dusts. Well then, that is not how I thought killing a vampire will go. I imagined blood—lots of it—and an actually body to get rid of. At least the cleanup is easy I guess.

"That's what happens when you roughhouse," Buffy says.

"He was young and stupid," the blonde vampire snaps.

"Xander, Lindsay, go!" Buffy commands.

Xander and I help shuffle over to where Willow and Jesse are on the ground. I help Willow up while Xander gets Jesse. I'm the last to leave as I watch Buffy fight the blonde vampire. At first glance I never thought Buffy had this side to her—I was so wrong that's for sure.

As we walk out into the cemetery something inside of me wants me to go back and fight with Buffy. The rest of the three keep speed walking through the cemetery while I come to a slow walk, thinking what the right thing to do is. There are vampires out here. What the heck is a girl to do?

"Lindsay," I hear Willow's voice over my thoughts.

I raise my head and see them standing a few feet away, watching me with interest. Jesse has an arm around Xander's neck to help him walk and Willow is looking at me like she wants to hurry the heck out of here. But I can't. I won't turn away from Buffy—even if I just met the girl today. I let out a sigh and look at Willow. "I can't leave her alone."

"She's fine," Xander adds. "She can take care of herself. We, on the other hand, need to get out of here before we're a vampire's meal."

I slowly start to walk backwards. "I'm sorry. You guys go. We'll catch up later." Not wanting to see Willow's panicked expression any longer; I turn and jog back to where Buffy is.

As I'm about to enter the tomb, I see the blonde about to ran out. Cursing, I hide along the side where she can't see me once she leaves. When she does, she's going in the direction Willow, Xander, and Jesse is. I hope they're safe.

I make my way into the tomb, not showing any fear—or trying to. Buffy looks to me and her eyes widen. "Buffy," I warn her as another male vampire attacks.

Buffy manages to kick him away, but she falls in the process. I see a piece of wood by where the male vampire is lying—I didn't think twice. Running toward, I fall onto the ground in front of the vampire and grab the stake. With the stake in my hand, I feel confident and powerful—like I can actually go against a vampire. I reel back the stake and strike—only for the vampire to catch my wrist. Gasping, I look into the contorted face who once was a normal man.

"You both can't stop us," he says, his other hand coming up and wrapping around the stake. I watch, wide-eyed, as he snaps the wood in half. He brings me forward and a part of me regrets coming back, but there's another part that is getting me calm and giving me confidence. The vampire's breath fans my fan. "You have no idea what you're dealing with," he says before flinging me back.

I don't have time to react. One moment the vampire is in front of me and the next I'm lying on the cool ground of the tomb. A sharp pain shoots up my side, making me wince as I stand to move. I watch from where I am as the vampire walks to Buffy.

"On the third day of the newest life will come the harvest," the vampire speaks. I don't see his face, only his shoes as he gets closer to Buffy. "And the blood of man will flow like wine and the master will walk among them once more. The earth will belong to the old ones. And hell itself will come to town."

I try to move to help Buffy when the vampire wraps his fingers around her throat, but my whole body hurts thanks to him throwing me into the edge of the stone casket thing in the middle of the room. I can't seem to get my body to move. The vamp throws Buffy into the open casket and I hear Buffy gasp.

"Buffy," I groan. Suddenly the vampire appears above me, turning me so I'm lying on my back. I wince in pain as he touches my side.

All I see are sharp teeth—fangs—coming my way as he leans forward. I try moving my arms or legs to defend myself, but this vamp is one heavy guy. Just as his warm breath caresses my throat he snaps back, his hand looks to be steaming. His eyes seem to be looking at my chest before leaving—just like that. I let out a loud sigh of relief as my hand comes up to hold the necklace. Tall, dark, and handsome just saved my life.

"Lindsay," Buffy says as she starts climbing out of the tomb. "We have to see if everyone else is alright." She helps me up, noticing my pain. "Thank you for coming to help, but next time go to safety."

I don't respond as I try to fight the urge to roll my eyes. I follow Buffy through the cemetery in hopes Xander, Willow and Jesse made it to safety. We both run through the cemetery, looking around us to see where the three could've gone.

"Where are they?" I ask more to myself then to Buffy as I try to catch my breath when we stop for a quick moment. Like someone was answering me, an animalistic growl sounds to our left followed by Willow screaming.

"Hey," Buffy says to the vampire currently on top of Willow. When the male turns, Buffy swiftly kicks him in the face and he goes down. The vampire covers it's face as it retreats.

"Willow," I let out in a sigh as I help her up before engulfing her in a hug. "Don't go getting yourself killed now."

My redheaded friend laughs softly. "It'll take more than a vampire to send me to the grave."

Once our quick acknowledgment is made that Willow is alright we take off in hopes of finding Xander and Jesse. Willow and I hide behind a tall angle tombstone as we see two vampires dragging Xander by his face.

"Xander," Willow gasps, trying to go forward to help him while I hold her back.

In a blink of an eye, Buffy pops up in front of the vampire. Sending kicks to their abdomens, Buffy distracts the creatures of the night long enough to break a big enough tree stick as a makeshift stake. She stabs the vampires in the hearts as Willow and I kneel down beside Xander.

"Are you okay?" Willow asks as she helps him sit up.

Looking around the graveyard, there is no more creatures or people in sight. "Where's Jesse?" I ask Willow and Xander as Buffy walks up to us.

"I don't know. They surrounded us," Willow answers with a look of helplessness in her eyes.

Xander groans, rubbing his head. "That girl grabbed him and took off."

"Which way?" Buffy asks, looking all around us.

"I don't know," Xander answers.

I bite my lip as I fight the guilt that is slowly spreading inside me. Looking down to the grass, I wonder if I would've remained with them if Jesse would be safe right now—or worse. I could've been the one taken.

                                                                                                  ****

My house keys create a clicking sound as I unlock the door. Stepping inside, I was surprised to see Mom on the couch reading. Her legs folded to the side and her reading glasses almost falling off her nose. As I toe off my boots, I see her raise her head and bookmark the page she is currently on. I don't know what came over me. Maybe it was the death threatening day I had or almost losing my friend that I just collapsed to the feeling of needing my mom's comfort. Even though I don't agree with her getting back together with my dad I still need her in my life. We may fight sometimes but she is the woman who is always there for me when I need her and tonight isn't any different.

"Mom," I whisper, wanting her to understand I don't need a lecture about where I was—all I needed was to be held.

She sets her book on the coffee table and pats the space next to her on the couch. Biting my lip in the strength to keep the tears at bay, I walk over and rest my head on her shoulder. Mom didn't ask questions she just knew what I wanted. Her arms caress my back and the back of my head, sending away all the negative thoughts that were plaguing my mind about Jesse and what could've happened tonight if Buffy wasn't in our lives. I hold on tighter to this woman because without her I'd be broken.