"I didn't realize this was a group effort."
Angel looked from Joey to Nick and Janette. Janette approached Joey. "Let's go. We can not talk here."
They walked outside for a little while in silence. Finally they stopped at a clearing. Janette spoke. "Tell me about this foolishness you speak."
Joey cocked her head sideways. "Didn't Angel tell you?"
Nick spoke up. "We want to hear your reasons."
Joey shrugged, looking uncomfortable. "Look, guys, I didn't know this was going to be a group 'gang up on Joey' night, so I'm gonna go home. Thanks for coming. Angel, thanks for nothing."
Joey walked away from the group. Angel caught up with her and put his hand on her shoulder. She shuttered slightly, then turned around. "Look. I don't know what you thought you could gain by bringing your friends with you. But I had hoped you and I could talk, maybe discuss what I wrote you about. But I see that you had something different in mind, so just let me go, okay?"
"Joey, wait."
"Wait for what? Your friends to attack me? I know you wouldn't, so that's gotta be the reason you brought them. I don't appreciate this Angel. And I don't know why you felt it necessary to bring them along. But I can tell you I don't want anything to do with them."
"Joey, let me explain..." Angel tried. But Joey cut him off again.
"There's nothing to explain. I can see what you're trying to do and I wont fall for it. Now it was nice seeing you again, but I really gotta go." Joey pulled away from him and continued walking.
Angel threw his arms up in frustration. Nick walked over to him. "Couldn't talk to her?"
"She thinks I brought you here to kill her."
"Let me try." Nick appeared in front of Joey. She jumped back, a little startled, then turned to look away from him. "You have to listen to one of us."
Joey shook her head. "I don't know what you are doing here, or what Angel has told you, but I'm done playing games."
Nick took her hand and sat her down on a nearby bench. "The reason Janette and I came along was not to hurt you. I can't speak for Janette or Angel, but I haven't killed in that way for a long time now. So don't think that's why we came."
Joey bit at her lower lip. "So why did you come?"
"To talk you out of this. To convince you this is not what you really want."
"And how do you know what I want? You a mind reader too?"
"No. But obviously you have questions. Between the three of us we can answer them. Will you listen?"
"What's the catch?"
"There's no catch. We answer your questions, you listen to and respect our answers. And believe us."
Joey looked at the ground. "What if I listen to your answers and I still want to be a vampire?"
"We'll discuss that when or if necessary."
"Fine."
Nick cleared his throat, glad that part was now over with. "Do you know of a place we can go to sit, and discuss this?" he asked.
Joey's eyes narrowed for a moment, then she sighed and nodded. "Yeah, I have the key to the place where I work, it's not open, so there should be plenty of privacy." She lead the way, and the three vampires followed in her wake.
~*~*~*~*~*~
SUNNYDALE
"You're kidding," Buffy said flatly into the telephone, pausing in the midst of packing her bags and sitting down on the bed suddenly.
"I'm sorry, Buffy," Giles answered, sounding truly apologetic. "It's the truth. There's something very dangerous coming, and you must be here to stop it."
"Oh, just great!" Buffy exclaimed angrily, standing to pace . "Which means any out of town trips are completely out of the question, right?"
"Yes," he answered. "You must stay here. If it's any consolation, I truly do think Angel is capable of taking care of himself."
Buffy sighed heavily. "It's not," she said flatly. "I don't trust these supposed other types of vamps, and I so very do NOT trust this Joey chick."
"I understand," Giles told her.
"Well, I guess I'd better unpack," Buffy told her Watcher dejectedly with a soft sigh.
"Buffy," Giles said quietly, "I wouldn't worry. Nothing's going to happen."
"Well, thanks, Giles," Buffy retorted sarcastically, "Way to jinx the hell out of it." She sighed once more and hung up the phone, then sat down on the bed, unable to bring herself to unpack as she thought of Angel, out in Capeside Massachusetts, and possibly in danger. And there was nothing she could do to help him.
~*~*~*~*~*~ Joey unlocked the door and they entered the Icehouse. The vampiric group sat down first. "I don't suppose you guys want anything to drink?"
They all shook their heads. Angel spoke, "so, let's talk."
Joey sighed and sat at the table. "Well, Nick said you were going to tell me all the wrong reasons to become a vampire. Are there any right reasons?"
Nick looked at Janette. "Of all of us, Janette should answer that one."
Janette smiled. "Ah yes, make me the bad one. Well," she said thinking, "there are advantages to being who we are. We are immortal. To some that is an advantage. We are stronger than mortals, we, well, some of us, can fly, have enhanced psychic ability, the usual I suppose. No one can ever harm you, if you follow the rules."
Joey listened intently. "That's it?"
Janette nodded. "I'd say that's about it. Is it not enough?" Joey looked confused. "I thought you guys didn't have emotions, stuff like that." Nick laughed. "Far from the truth. We do have emotions. And what we do, or have done, haunts us all. Depending on what you decide to do, you must consider certain things. Watching your family and friends grow old around you. Figuring out how to keep yourself strong, to....eat. And worry about being discovered. You must be extremely careful. Give up the sunlight, food, the lists go on."
Joey looked thoughtfully at Nick. And then at Angel. "What's your take on this?"
Angel thought for a few moments. "You have no idea what this life is like. Having a soul, knowing everything and everyone you hurt. Not being able to change the past mistakes. I guess the hardest thing, at least for me, is Buffy. She will grow old and die. And I can't stop it. I must let her go. And that will be the most painful of all. I can't go to beaches with her during the day, I could never marry her. Joey, you have to understand what you're asking. You'd be giving up all your friends, your family, your future. It may not seem like it now, but that's the truth."
"There is another downfall," Janette had whispered. "We cannot have children."
Joey saw the pain in her face, saw the look Nick had given her. "So you're saying this is generally a really bad idea?"
They agreed with her silently.
"But what if I can deal with it? Without the family thing and sunlight."
Angel stood up abruptly, obviously upset and angry. "I can not believe you still question this. I would give up everything I own to be mortal, to be with Buffy. And I can not. And here you sit asking us about the good life?" He began to pace.
"I didn't mean to upset you," Joey said. "I just want to understand."
Nick gave her a thoughtfull look. "It's hard to understand what you do not have. But I can promise you if we change you, you will regret it. There is no going back. Never. Centuries you could live. Or days. And whatever your beliefs, us vampires are not going to heaven."
This startled Joey. She hadn't thought about that part. Vampires in the afterlife?
Joey's thoughts were interupted by the telephone. She jumped up to get it. "Hello?"
"Jo, you are there," it was Bessie. "You recieved a phone call, some girl Buffy?"
Joey looked at Angel. "Did she say what she wanted?"
"She just said it was urgent that she speak with you. Who is she?"
"Just a friend. I'll be home soon, okay? Thanks."
Joey hung up the phone. "Buffy called. Said it was urgent."
Joey directed him to the back office so he could have some privacy, leaving Joey alone with Nick and Janette. Nick stood up. "We're going to leave."
Joey looked surprised. "So soon?"
Janette got up as well and walked over to Joey. "You don't want to do this. We know that. So we're leaving. It was very nice meeting you though." Janette handed her one of the Raven's matchbooks. "Here is a number you can reach me, if you ever want to talk."
Joey felt the sudden earch to hug the woman, which she did. "I'm glad Angel brought you."
Nick spoke, "we are too. Tell him I will get be contact with him."
The door closed behind them and Joey sat back down. She thought about everything they had said.
~*~*~*~*~*~ Angel got on the phone and dialed Buffy's number. She answered quickly, "Angel?"
"Yeah. What's wrong?"
"I was worried. And Giles says some big nasty thing is coming."
"I'm coming back soon."
"When?"
"Probably tonight. Are you sure you're okay?"
"How's Joey," she said avoiding the question.
"She's fine."
"Did you . . . .you know."
"No."
"Angel, can you give me a few more sentences here? Tell me what happened with that guy."
"I'll tell you when I get back. Okay?"
He could hear her let out a frustrated sigh on the other end.
"Buffy....."
"What?"
"I love you."
Buffy was silent for a few moments. "What happened Angel?"
"Why does something have to happen for me to say I love you?"
"Because it's not something you say every day, especially millions of miles away."
"It's nothing. I just wanted you to know that. I'll see you in a few days."
"Wait, Angel," she said, worried he had hung up.
"I'm here," he whispered.
"I love you too," she said quietly.
Angel managed a smile and hung up the phone. Joey was out in the dining area alone. "Did they leave?"
"Yup. Nick says he'll call you. Is Buffy okay?"
"Yeah, something's going on though. I gotta get back. Are we finished here?"
Joey shrugged. "Sorry to drag you out here."
"Don't be. I'm glad you let me know. Have you changed your mind?"
"I don't know. But you weren't going to change me anyway, were you."
"No. I can't. Buffy would kill me."
"You were so confident you would talk me out of it?"
"Not really. That's why I brought Nick and Janette along. Just in case I failed."
"You love her a lot, huh?" Angel remained silent and Joey knew the answer. "I gotta go find Dawson."
Angel held the door open for Joey as she locked up. They gave each other a hug before leaving. "If you get anymore weird ideas, let me know," Angel said to her.
She smiled. "I'm sorry if I caused you any trouble."
"Who, Buffy? I can take care of her," he said smiling. "Take care of yourself."
"I will. You too." They hugged once more and Joey watched him leave.
~*~*~*~*~*~ Joey climbed quietly up the ladder. It was early morning, she knew Dawson wouldn't be awake. But after everything that had happened, the things she said to him, she had to apologize.
When she climbed through the window, she could see Dawson sleeping in the bed. She slowly, quietly, walked over to the bed and sat down. She stroked his hair softly and he began to wake. "Joey?"
"Hey Dawson," she said quietly.
Dawson sat up and tried to focus his eyes in the dark. "What's wrong?"
"Why does something have to be wrong? I just wanted to see you," Joey stated.
"It's a little early for a social visit Joey. Tell me what happened?"
Instead of answering him, Joey kissed him. He responded after a few seconds of shock. They embraced, Joey still stroking his hair.
Finally Dawson pulled away and looked at her. "Joey, what is this?"
"My apology. For my attitude lately. I don't want to lose you Dawson. As a friend or anything else we might become."
"Jo, where's this coming from? What happened tonight?"
"Nothing. Everything. Let's just say a reality check. I love you Dawson."
Dawson, stunned by the words, remained silent for a few moments. Joey got in the bed and lay down next to him, her back towards him. He put his arm around her, kissing her neck. Then he whispered in her ear, "I love you too."
The End!