SPOILERS: Wishverse (AU) Based on "The Wish" (S3) except everyone who died in the episode lived except for Cordelia. This begins after the final fight in the factory. Angel's soul is anchored in this one. (Some lines are borrowed from "Angel.")

FEEDBACK: Please let me know if you would like me to continue this fic!

RATING: R (for now)

LYRICS: All lyrics are by Radiohead.

***

i'm still no one, and you're my star

With dawn drawing near and no place to sleep, Buffy wandered through Sunnydale. She stumbled upon an abandoned mansion on Crawford Street and went inside. With her first step over the threshold, her body twisted with a strange feeling. She paused and cocked her head to the side, listening for the sounds of occupants.

Complete silence answered her and she entered. Her body hummed in the same manner it had when she first saw Angel inside that cage, bleeding and weak. She mistook it for compassion the first time and immediately pushed it aside. Compassion made a Slayer weak. Feelings and bonds broke concentration, caused death.

Her boots echoed loudly in the great room as she entered and she pivoted, looking around her for the person or thing that had to be there. It didn't take long to spot him, sleeping restlessly in the corner.

Stake him, her inner voice screamed as she watched his face, masked in pain, twitching with the horrors inside his dream. After a few seconds, she realized she was staring at him and backed away. She spun and began to run back out when she heard him speak, "Buffy?"

"What?" she demanded, turning back around to face the vampire who was struggling to his feet.

"I was worried about you," he said quietly, "I wasn't sure where you went after the fight, if you were safe."

"Why should you care?"

"I care," he answered, digging into her with chocolate soulful eyes.

"And why is that again?" She asked sarcastically, resting her weight squarely on both legs, prepared to slip into defensive stance if she needed to and ignoring the intensity of his gaze.

"You're my destiny."

"Oh great," she said, rolling her eyes, "We're back to that again. Are you really going to try to tell me that you're a good vampire? Please don't waste my time. We both know I'm not that stupid, Angelus."

"So you've heard of me?" he asked, taking a step closer.

"Yeah," she said nodding, "When my first Watcher was gutted I went through the diaries. Very interesting stuff. So, you're ‘The Scourge of Europe.'"

"I was," he admitted with shame in his eyes.

"And what are you now? The Master's whipping boy? I heard you were a ruthless badass. I'm kinda disappointed really."

"My soul was restored," he answered, "I'm not Angelus anymore."

"Oh okay," she snorted, trying not to get lost in the eyes of the demon with the face of an Angel, "I guess I trust you now. I know how devious you are. Try this act on the next Slayer. I'm all stocked up on bullshit right now."

"For a hundred years I offered ugly death to everyone I met, and I did it with a song in my heart," he started.

"Now we're getting to the real stuff, but I feel a ‘but' coming. Are you going to tell me something changed that made you the fluffy, nice variety of demon?"

"I fed on a girl about your age... beautiful... dumb as a post... but a favorite among her clan," he continued, ignoring her comment.

"Her clan?"

"Romany," he explained waiting for recognition to cross her face. Seeing none, he elaborated, "Gypsies. The elders conjured the perfect punishment for me. They restored my soul."

"Yeah, you mentioned that already. Sounds like a horrible punishment. Really. What, they were all out of boils and blinding torment?" She said, diving into dark brown pools of sincerity. He couldn't possibly be good, could he? Buffy had killed throngs of vampires and demons in her time. She never met a vampire that was good. Never.

"When you become a vampire the demon takes your body, but it doesn't get your soul. That's gone. No conscience, no remorse... It's an easy way to live. You have no idea what it's like to have done the things I've done... and to care. I haven't fed on a living human being since that day."

"You expect me just to buy that?" she asked, feeling her walls beginning to crumble. The way he was looking at her was making her skin blush. It was hungry, starving, in fact. Not like a vampire to a Slayer, but as a man to a woman. Since she was called and Merrick died, her new Watcher had forced her out of school and into full time Slayage. At first, she resisted and tried to keep some semblance of a normal life, but when her parents were killed, she simply gave up.

"No," he answered sadly, "I don't expect you to, but it's the truth. I know you need a place to stay. You can stay here if you like. I won't bother you."

"Yeah, it's probably a good idea for a Slayer to shack up in a vampire's crypt," she said stifling a yawn.

***

as the world does turn
and if London burns
i'll be standing

Drusilla collapsed in a scream and Spike bolted across the room to catch her before she reached the floor. She moaned in pain and fell into short pants, as if she were out of breath, as if she needed breath.

"What is it, ducks?" he asked, cradling her in his arms and carrying her to the bed.

"The Hellmouth," she whispered, "it cries."

"Why's that, pet?" he asked, looking over her with worry. After over a century of being her lover and mate, Spike still felt helpless when the visions came over her. Angelus always grinned and prodded every gory detail from her, feeding off her pain, but Spike recoiled from it, dreaded it.

"Daddy's angry, in pain. Someone's hurt him," she panted, "The bad Slayer has finally come. Killed the Master. Daddy's planning and the Hellmouth is trembling, psst, psst, psst...Spike?"

"Yes, love."

"The children are dying," she said as she began to sob, "Melting into the wind."

Spike pulled her into his arms as tears fell from her insane, black eyes. He knew who the children were. The children of the Master. Their brethren were in danger from their Sire.

***

i'm just lying in a bar with my drip feed on

"This is going to be fun," Willow purred as she moved around the Master's desk to sit on Xander's lap, who occupied the chair. His pale hand moved over her belly, feeling her insides shiver with delight

"Yeah, baby," he said as he nuzzled her neck before biting it and licking the unbroken skin. She pressed against him and swung her legs over the arm of the chair, so she could take advantage of his lips.

"I want Puppy," she pouted, catching his lower lip between her teeth and sucking it into her mouth, "Wanna play."

"We'll get him back," Xander promised, letting his hands roam over her leather clad body.

"Really?" she said as delight filled her green eyes.

"‘Course," he answered, moving his hand to her breast, "Now I wanna play."

"Might have to wait a bit for that, mate," Spike said from the doorway with Drusilla on his arm. She swayed and hummed with a smile before whispering loud enough for everyone to hear, "They're horrible, Spike. Yummy."

"Love that, don't you, pet?" Spike said as she nodded emphatically.

"Who the hell are you?" Xander said calmly, standing after Willow moved from his lap.

"We're the new Big Bad in town, children," Spike answered, lighting a cigarette and blowing smoke across the room at them.

"She hurt Daddy," Dru announced with narrowed eyes. Her blood red high heels clicked like the closing of a coffin as she approached Willow. She raised backhanded the younger vampiress and licked her lips, "Shame on you."

"Rode him like a pony," Willow said, licking her own blood off her lips, "I miss Puppy."

"This is our town," Xander said, moving to Willow's side and slipping an arm around her waist.

"Yeah, mate," Spike answer, "See, it was your town. With the Master gone and Angelus all soul having, the throne belongs to us."

***

i want to live and breathe
i want to be part of the human race

Angel stood in the doorway, watching The Slayer asleep in his bed. He could barely believe after hours of debate that she simply fell asleep. They started out standing and eventually sat ten feet from each other on the marble floor. As she argued with him, her eyes began to droop and finally while in a sitting position, she closed her eyes and began to fall over. He scrambled across the floor to catch her before her head hit the floor and managed to reach out one large hand in time to cradle her tousled blonde head.

Even as weak as he was, lifting her into his arms and carrying her to his bed was effortless. He knew part of that was adrenaline and exhilaration. Her body was so warm, so alive and it had been almost a hundred years since he'd touched human flesh. Her heartbeat scampered inside her chest and he knew immediately that his first reaction to her was right on - he loved this little Slayer.

He laid her in the dusty bed and regretted that the blanket he pulled over her had lain in wait for so long. He moved quickly away and stood in the doorway, watching her face. He wanted to see peace there, but was not rewarded with the sight. Even in sleep, she appeared upset and tormented. The vulnerability that she hid while awake, however, showed itself in her slumber and he was almost convinced that if he waited long enough, she would cry out.

He finally moved away and found his newly purchased supply of blood in the kitchen. He fed for the second time since he had been freed and felt his wounds beginning to slowly heal. He had been starving for months. Willow had knowingly kept him hungry to slow his healing and his wounds had festered more and more with each of her play sessions. His golden eyes flashed angrily when he thought of the striking redhead and her torture of him. He couldn't wait to walk through her dissipating dust. Ridding the earth of that bitch was high on his"To Do" list once he was back in full strength.

With his body full of two pints of blood, he crawled onto the long counter top and fell immediately into the deep sleep of the undead.

***

when the power runs out we'll just hum

"Don't be ridiculous, William," Darla said as she swept nobly into the room like a member of the royal court.

"Why are you...I mean, why did-" Spike started, tripping over his words.

"Grandmum!" Drusilla exclaimed with glee.

"Really, Drusilla," Darla said with a sigh, "Please, don't call me that...I came to take my place at the throne."

"How did you know?" Spike asked, trying not to cower in fear from the petite blonde. Looks were deceiving and the small woman was a force of nature that destroyed all that moved into her path. Willow and Xander, however, understood. They both paled considerably when she sauntered in the room. Any thought of insubordination was quickly disappearing.

"Always power hungry," she said to Spike with disapproval, "The whole world knows of the Master's demise. I've come to carry on in his place."

Darla sized up the other two fledglings in the room, looking them over closely, "You two are very powerful. You'll do well here if you understand the rules."

"Rules," Willow pouted, "are no fun."

Before her last word reached her red lips, Darla was at her throat, pressing her against the wall and partaking of her blood. Xander stood slack jawed at the attack and thought about intervening for a couple of seconds before he realized that it was not a good idea to cross this new Master. Darla licked her lips as she pulled back and looked into Willow's smiling green eyes. Willow lusted after the violence, loved pain and knew she would love Darla's reign over her. She loved to torment, but she adored it when someone else tormented her.

"You've tasted my boy," she said, before licking her pale throat once more.

"Puppy?" Willow said, uttering the word like a child.

"Angel," Xander explained.

"Yes," Darla said, releasing Willow's throat, "he's my mate. From now on all his abuse will be left to me. Understand?"

Willow nodded her agreement sadly.

"And," Darla continued, "that includes sleeping with him."

Willow's eyes shot open with surprise and prepared to object but the look in Darla's eyes made her close her mouth.

"He's my mate," Darla said, "and I'm sure you enjoyed raping him, but you will stay away from him. You don't want to see me upset. Do they, William?"

Spike gulped and shook his head in obedient silence. No one should ever see Darla upset. Ever.

***

wake from your sleep
the drying of your tears, today we escape, we escape

Buffy shot up in bed in the early afternoon, gasping for breath. Her nightmares had grown worse since her arrival in Sunnydale and as she looked around the room in confusion, she wondered if she would ever sleep soundly again. Since her parents died, she hadn't had one night that wasn't filled with nightmares and horrible death. She climbed from the queen sized bed and as her feet touched the floor, she realized they were bare.

Looking around the floor, she saw her boots sitting neatly next to the bed. She quickly put them back on as if she felt naked without them and moved quickly toward the exit. A small moan from the other side of the mansion forced her to turn around and investigate. She found Angel lying on the counter top, troubled in his sleep. She knew he was in the middle of a nightmare, just as before, and wondered if he saw the same atrocities in his dreams as she did.

She felt the stake in her pocket and thought about killing him, but hesitated. The fact that he hadn't tried to kill her or take her weapon might prove that he was good. She quickly shook that thought away. He was a vampire and a notorious one at that. The fact that he hadn't tried to kill her simply meant that he was screwing with her head. As she walked out of the mansion without waking him, she realized that his nightmares suggested a conscience.

No, she told herself, Nightmares do not equal good.

She would be damned if she would let him knock her off guard. She headed toward Jeeves' apartment, planning to stop in before she left town, wondering why she cared at all whether he knew that she left. She paused in front of his oak door and almost walked away without knocking. When she finally did knock, there was no answer.

She waited a few seconds and knocked again. Still nothing. She tried the handle and found it locked. Raising her leg, she snap kicked, splintering the doorframe and forcing it open. She stomped inside and scanned the room. Behind the overturned desk, the almost Watcher laid covered in blood.

"Holy shit!" Buffy yelled as she ran over to him, "Jeeves!"

***

Part Two

***

i never wanted any broken bones
scarred face, no home

Buffy stood impatiently in the hallway as the doctors examined Jeeves. If they would just tell her whether he was going to die or not, she could bust out of there. She hated hospitals more than morgues. She would much rather be standing in a vampire crypt that the sterile white hallway of death.

"Miss Summers?" The approaching doctor asked.

"Yeah," she said nodding as she scrutinized him carefully. His crisp white coat and impeccable appearance made her nervous. Not that he'd make her any less nervous if he'd been wrinkled and sloppy looking.

"Are you related to Mr. Giles?"

"Um...his family isn't here in town," she answered, running through her mind for an excuse to be privy to his medical information, "He's my guardian. Is he okay?"

Okay, so it was a total lie, but she couldn't get the hell out of there if the doctor wouldn't tell her what was going on. Buffy tried to tell herself that leaving the hospital and the town was the only reason she wanted to know if Jeeves...Giles was okay. The kindness he had shown her before and his unfailing faith in a better future was almost infectious. He wasn't anything like the cold, impersonal Watcher she currently had. She found herself wishing she could just stay there where at least he was kind to her.

"He has a mild concussion, several severe lacerations and three broken ribs, but he will be fine. He's a very lucky man, one of his ribs nearly punctured his lung. It was very good that you didn't move him when you found him. Do you have any idea how this happened?

"No," she answered, "I just found him and called 911. Is he awake?"

"Please don't stay long," the doctor warned, pointing out the room to her. Little did he know, she was the last person who was likely to hang out for extended periods of time in any medical facility.

"Hey Jeeves," she said as she walked in, "Wanna tell me what happened so I can go kill it?"

"I went to the library to get more research to summon Anyanka, since my first attempts were unsuccessful," he said weakly, surprised to see the brazen Slayer there at his bedside, "On my way back I was attacked by the vampires who killed Cordelia. And it's Giles."

"Anyanka. Right, the bad fairy. Still trapped in that little illusion, huh?" she said with a sigh, "Well, why didn't they just kill you?"

"They wanted information," he said coughing, "They wanted to know the whereabouts of a vampire by the name of Angelus. And they told me to order you to leave."

"What did you tell them?" she said, showing just a fraction too much worry in her normally cynical tone.

"The truth," he replied, pulling his glasses off the night stand, "I have no idea who Angelus is...but apparently you do."

***

i need to wash myself again to hide all the dirt and pain
i'd be scared that there's nothing underneath

Angel always rose before the sunset, so when he opened his eyes, he was surprised to see that he had missed it. He winced from his remaining wounds as he sat up on the counter and hopped to the floor. Opening his shirt, he examined his chest, where most of his wounds could be seen easily. The open wounds had closed but he was still covered in black and blue bruises that swirled around his flesh from repeated use.

Remembering his guest, he tiptoed to his bedroom, only half expecting her to be there. The empty rumpled sheets kept him transfixed, the blanket that recalled the shape of her tiny body forced him to take an unneeded breath. She was gone and he was fairly certain she would not return.

I mean, why would she? He was a vampire and even though he did have soul, she didn't believe him. Even if she did believe him, he knew she would never become his friend, never trust him, never allow him to pull her into his arms to kiss the hurt away. He wanted nothing more than to help chase her bitterness away, help her to return to that beautiful, vulnerable little girl who he first saw on the steps of her high school.

He quickly pushed those thoughts from his mind as he moved toward the shower. He could barely stand the smell that closely resembled death coming from his body. Long months of filth, dried blood, cold sweats and pain coated every inch of his skin and as he stepped under the spray, he sighed in relief.

***

you are so pretty when you're on your knees,
disinfected, eager to please

"The Watcher?" Darla asked lightly, nearly skipping into the room in her Catholic schoolgirl outfit. Since the high school kids seemed to be representing all of the white hats except for one Watcher, the outfit seemed appropriate, besides it made her feel young and giddy. As 400 years old, she was as young and beautiful as ever and now she was the Master of all vampires. She almost laughed with glee.

"Why didn't we get to kill him?" Willow pouted, and then smiled brightly, "Although I loved the screaming."

"You always love the screaming," Xander replied, kissing her lightly, slipping his tongue into her cool mouth and teasing hers.

"The Watcher?" Darla repeated, edging on irritation. Her children were going to get annoying after a while.

"He acted like he didn't know Puppy," Willow answered, rubbing her hands on Xander's chest and nearly moaning as she said, "Who could forget Puppy?"

"He didn't know what happened to him?"

"That's what he said," Xander answered, "And he said The Slayer wasn't his ‘charge,' whatever that means."

"So her real Watcher is somewhere else," Darla said with a smile, slipping into her chair, "We can only hope she'll be called back to wherever she came from."

"Not scared of The Slayer," Willow said, perching on the edge of the desk.

"Yes, well, nevertheless," Darla said, "We're moving underground."

"You've got to be kidding," Spike said as he entered the room, "Surely we aren't going to live in the sewers again. Dru hates that."

"All slimy and dark," Drusilla added, "Grandmummy, I can't see the moon in the sewers."

"Then you'll go above when night falls," Darla said, glaring at Spike for his challenge of her, "The Slayer knows where we are. It was different before Angel was free and The Slayer wasn't here. I'm sure you all had fun wreaking havoc in this town, but the rules have changed. I hate the sewers myself...there's no view...but I'm not going to be staked in my sleep. I didn't live to be 400 because I'm stupid."

"This is bloody great!" Spike shouted angrily and found himself lying on the floor seconds later with Darla's little Mary Jane pressing against his throat.

***

a heart that's full up like a landfill,
a job that slowly kills you,
bruises that won't heal

Angel felt like he shed 100 years when he stepped out of the shower. He slipped on pants and padded barefoot to the kitchen to feed. Even if it was pig's blood, it tasted delicious. He helped himself to a second pint and felt his skin tingling as it healed. He tossed the second container in the trash and almost felt like smiling as he walked back out of the kitchen and into the Great Room. There he found a very angry looking Slayer.

"Where the hell did they go?" she demanded.

"Who?" Angel asked, looking over The Slayer with concern. She was still in the same dirty clothes she had arrived in. She hadn't showered and dark circles decorated her beautiful hazel green eyes.

"The vampires at The Bronze," she snapped, "The place is completely empty. I went to the factory again and there was no one there either. I'm sure they all didn't explode into dust this morning so where are they?"

"I guess they went below," he answered.

"Below? Like in the sewers?" Buffy said, trying to ignore his bare chest. His wounds had nearly healed but weren't so incredibly distracting as the corded muscle that lay underneath. He moved with caution and she knew he was trying not to threaten her, but the only thing that threatened her was being attracted to a vampire.

"Yeah," he said, nodding, "I'm sure they went underground, probably since they all know you're here. Guess you scared them."

"Take me to them," she demanded, trying to force the words out clearly from her dry throat.

He's a vampire, she reminded herself, a sexy vampire, but a vampire. She tried to recall all the warnings she had read about him, about how his attractiveness was used as a weapon by him. The demon with the face of an angel, she recalled as she waited for his reply. They sure got that part right.

"You really think it's a good idea to storm a nest underground where you're trapped when they surround you?" he asked, trying to hide his smirk. This little Slayer was pretty ambitious.

"Are you saying that you won't take me there?" she shouted, thinking about taking a threatening step closer but knowing that since she was so attracted to him right now, it was a mistake to move closer. If anything, she needed to take a few steps back. She chided herself inwardly again but she hadn't had a date since her parents died. When she was forced to drop out of school in Cleveland, she simply gave up the dating scene altogether. Besides, the slashing scar that crossed her mouth was really a turn on for guys.

"Yes, that's what I'm saying," he said, "I'm not going to lead you into a trap. We can go on recon, if you want, but we're not storming the damn nest. You didn't come all the way here to be killed."

"Duh," she snipped, "But they attacked Jeeves."

"Jeeves?" he asked quizzically.

"You know, Giles," she explained, "The Watcher?"

"No," he said shaking his head, "Your watcher came here with you?"

"No," she said, "He was already here. He said that the girl, Cordelia, said he was supposed to be my watcher."

"He was here waiting for you too," Angel said reflectively. This all was so strange. Why had The Powers That Be sent him here and Giles, but then not her? It didn't make any sense.

"What is all this ‘waiting for you' crap?" she asked.

"I was sent here," he answered, "for you. I tried to explain this before. You were supposed to come to The Hellmouth three years ago. I was going to help you."

"Now we're back to the ‘Destiny' thing. And what's The Hellmouth?"

"The mouth of Hell," he answered, "it opens here in Sunnydale."

***

fireworks and hurricanes
i'm not here this isn't happening
i'm not here
i'm not here

Darla could barely believe what she was seeing as she stood in the shadows watching her Angelus talk to The Slayer. Not only was he planning on helping her, he was in love with her! Disgust, jealousy and anger ripped through her body as she watched her mate trying to claim another.

The girl's eyes were almost closing in passion as she just talked to him! A Slayer and she was attracted to a vampire. It was sick and fucking wrong. She was thankful she hadn't allowed any of her flunkeys to come out to do this little job. She knew they would have just fumbled it anyway.

She gripped the two guns she had in her hands and prepared to walk into the room. She was still going to kill that little blonde slut but now she had even more reason than before. No one tried to take her mate! The only reason Willow was still alive was that she was brethren. This little bitch was not.

"Who's there?" Angel said, looking up from The Slayer and toward the shadows in the atrium.

"A friend," she said innocently, stepping forward with the guns behind her back, "It's been a while."

"A lifetime," he answered, glancing over at Buffy and back to his ex.

"Or two, but who's counting?" she said with a sweet schoolgirl smile to match her outfit.

"What are you doing here Darla?" Angel said, curbing his growl.

"I came for you, Angelus," she whispered.

"You came because the Master died," Angel retorted, wondering how he had ever spent 150 years with her. Yes, she was beautiful but she was also deadly. He knew her hands, which were coyly resting behind her back, carried a weapon or two. He inched over closer to Buffy as he watched Darla closely.

"Yes, well, whatever," Darla said, still smiling, "Can't get caught up on little details, Angelus. So this is The Slayer."

"Who the hell are you?" Buffy said, feeling her pocket for a stake and thankfully resting on one.

"Darla," she answered, "Nice to meet you."

"Wish I could say the same," Buffy said, prickling as Angel stepped closer to her. What if he was fooling her the whole time? What if he planned for her to be trapped with him and his blonde skank over there? She evened out her breaths and prepared to attack, if she had to, first Angel then Darla.

"Do you know what the saddest thing in the world is?" Darla asked, looking over the dirty, exhausted girl. She looked off her game, which was going to make this so much more interesting.

"Bad hair on top of that outfit?" Buffy asked with a defined sneer.

"To love someone who used to love you."

"I figured you guys were involved," she said, glancing over at Angel, who looked appropriately guilty. Wait, why should he feel guilty? And why was she suddenly jealous?

"For several generations," Darla answered.

"Well, you've been around a while, you're bound to pile up a few ex's. You're older than him, right?" Buffy said, feeling suddenly overprotective of the vampire she didn't even believe was good, "Just between us girls, you are looking a little worn around the eyes."

"I made him," Darla said, waiting for the shock to cross Buffy's face and was gratified when it did. Popping that juicy piece of news was truly worth the trip, "There was a time when we shared everything, wasn't there, Angelus? You have a chance to come home and to rule with me for a thousand years, but you throwing that away because of her. You love someone who hates us. You're sick. And you'll always be sick. And you'll always remember what it was like to watch her die."

Buffy nearly fell over. The bitch may be evil but she was telling the truth. The look on Angel's face betrayed it as well. The vampire was in love with her?

"Quit acting like you didn't know over a hundred years ago that I was never coming home," he quipped, trying to soften the blow of what she said, "Now, then, Slayer, no Slayer - it's all the same. It's over and you know it. You knew a long time ago."

Angel barely was able to finish his sentence when a bullet ripped through his chest. Darla giggled as he stumbled back and hit the wall behind him. Then she glanced over at The Slayer, enjoying the mixed emotions that crossed her face, "Oh, don't worry. Bullets can't kill vampires. Can hurt them like hell, but..."

Buffy dove over to Angel's couch and hide behind it, hearing Darla's voice again, "So many body parts, so few bullets. Let's begin with the kneecaps. No fun dancing without them."

Bullets peeled through the sofa and Buffy crawled on the floor behind it. When there was a pause in shooting she hopped up and tossed her stake as hard as she could and groaned with disappointment to see that she missed.

"Close," Darla said, pulling the stake from her abdomen and tossing it aside, "But no heart."

Bullets began ripping apart the sofa again and Buffy knew that any second there would be no place to go. She gasped loudly as strong hands grabbed her shoulders and she found herself held tightly against Angel's smooth, bare back.

"That's no fair," Darla said, seeing that she couldn't shoot The Slayer through Angelus, "But fun."

She emptied her clips into Angel which amounted to three bullets. Buffy flinched with his groans as they hit his body, lodging somewhere in the beautiful flesh in front of her.

"Get out, Darla," Angel said, growling loudly and holding onto The Slayer at his back. Her delicate body trembled behind him and he couldn't help but feel turned on by it.

"I will kill your little bitch," Darla said as she backed toward the door, "You belong to me, Angel."

***

Part Three

AUTHOR'S NOTE: The happiness clause in Angel's curse does not exist in this one. And let's just say for grins that Willow and Oz were already together before she was turned into a vampire.

WARNING: All vampires are fair game for me to kill off. Please do not get upset if a vamp you like is dusted.

***

all the things you got
i bled and i bleed to please you

"New plan," Darla said, stomping into the main room of their suite in the depths of the sewers.

"Did The Slayer kick your ass?" Spike said with a smirk. She may be the boss but he would damned if she would try to control his opinions.

"Shut up, Spike!" Darla said, before scanning the room with fire in her eyes, "The Slayer has to die. The first person who kills her gets a place as my second in command."

"What about Puppy?" Willow asked, itching to run out into the night.

"If he gets in the way, then dust him," she said and then added, "But not unless you have to."

"Suddenly not bored," Willow whispered to Xander, nibbling on his ear.

"Come on, baby," Xander said, wrapping an arm around her waist, "Time to have a little fun."

Spike watched the couple leave suspiciously and then turned to Darla, "You just want to narrow your competition or what?"

"Spike," Darla purred, crossing the room to him. He stepped back, hearing the venom beneath her purr. She placed her hands on his chest and dug her nails in, piercing the material of his shirt in the process.

"Bloody hell, woman," he mumbled, stepping back once more but unable to dislodge her from him. She backed him into the wall and pressed her body against his.

"We're going to have to have a little lesson," she whispered, knowing all the minions in the room could hear her, "Angelus spent so much time putting you in your place that I was denied the pleasure. Until now."

"Wait a minute," he said, pressing himself against the wall.

"See," she said, as he screamed in pain, "I knew there was a bright side to losing my mate."

***

do i mean what i mean
it's inevitable, inevitable

When Darla was out of sight, back into the night, Angel released Buffy and as if she were the only thing holding him up, he fell face first on the floor. Buffy stood there looking at him for a moment, still shocked at what had happened.

"Well, color me stunned," she said as she rolled him over and looked over his bloody chest, "Are you okay?"

"I'll live, if that's what you mean," he groaned, meeting her green eyes with golden ones. He knew she was looking at his true face for the first time and willed himself to change back, but couldn't. She pulled him up and he groaned again as he leaned against the bullet ridden couch. Without hesitating, he dug inside the holes in his chest, rooting for bullets.

"That's...um..." Buffy said, as she watched him remove the first bullet from himself, "Thank you for saving my life."

"You're welcome," he answered, dropping a small piece of metal on the floor and going for the next one.

"No one has ever...done that for me before," she said, rising to her feet, "Usually I'm saving someone else."

"That's why I'm here," he said, successfully freeing the second bullet.

"Do you have any bandages around here?" she asked, flushed from the feel of his cold skin, from pressing her face into his muscular back and from watching his bloody fingers dig into his chest.

"Bathroom," he said through gritted teeth. He wasn't sure what he was expecting now that she knew of his true feelings for her, but this wasn't it. She hadn't rejected him yet, never called him a demon or even worse...a thing. He watched her reappear, loaded with supplies and bit his lip to keep a sigh from escaping as she voluntarily touched his skin. Her hands were shaking as she cleansed his wounds and he mistook it for fear of his face or maybe fear of hurting him. But neither of those reasons were why she was shaking.

"I can't stay here," she said quietly as she bandaged the first hole in his chest.

"I understand," he said still struggling to get his demon in check, "I didn't expect you to ever trust me, even after..."

"No, it's not that," she said with a quivering voice. She was falling for him and quickly. She felt like leaving his wounds half tended and running from the mansion, "Now that all the vamps know where you are, I won't be able to sleep. They can just walk in whenever they want."

"Not if you're living here," he said, feeling a twinge of hope rising up inside him.

"What do you mean?"

"If you're living here, then it's no longer just a vampire's crypt. They can't come in unless they're invited."

"How can you be sure it'll work? And why would I live here with you?" she asked as she put the last bandage on his skin.

"I have lots of space and you don't have a place to live," he said, pulling himself slowly to his feet, "And it'll work. Come on, I'll show you." He almost took her hand as he headed toward the door. He led her outside the mansion completely, "Okay, you have to decide this is your home."

"I can't be sure," she said.

"It'll only work if this is your home," he said, "It's mystical. Say you'll live here."

"Okay," she sighed, "I'll live here. This is my home."

"Now step inside," he said. She gave him a wary look and crossed the threshold. He stepped to follow her and smiled as he hit the invisible boundary.

"See?" he said, "Now I can't come back in unless you invite me."

Angel watched as Buffy thought about it for a second.

"I would never hurt you," he said quietly, blasting love at her through his dark eyes. When one minute turned into two, he was beginning to think he might have to find a different place to live. Then he saw a small smile cross her face, "You're invited."

He crossed the threshold and smiled at her, "I thought you weren't going to."

"I had to think about it."

"Where are you going?" he asked as she walked back out the mansion.

"Got a meeting with Jeeves."

***

i never wanted anything like this
i worked hard, tried hard

"Hello Buffy," Giles said as he opened his front door, "I'm glad you made it. Were you successful in finding the vampires?"

"No," she said, shaking her head, "they bolted. Angel thinks they went underground."

"Angelus?" he said, remembering her earlier explanation of who he was, "So you trust him now?"

"Well, after he took 3 bullets for me, I thought he might be for real."

"Bullets?" Giles asked with confusion.

"Yeah. One of the vamps I was looking for found me and tried to shoot me."

"They're using guns now? No one has standards anymore," he complained.

"That's what I thought," she said, plopping down on his couch, "So what's the what? Why did you ask me to come back over here?"

"Beside the obvious, which is wanting to see if you got out of the fight unscathed," he said, "I wanted to speak to you about staying on here and helping to return Sunnydale to a safe place to live."

"Safe on the Hellmouth?" she asked, feeling her heart pound. He *wanted* her to stay. He was concerned about her safety. Between Angel and Giles, it was becoming more difficult to hold on to her pessimism.

"So you already know."

"Yeah, Angel explained it to me."

"I'd like to meet this vampire," he said as a knock sounded on the door, "Will you stay?"

"What about my other Watcher?"

"I've already spoken to the Council," Giles said opening the door, "They have agreed to release you to my custody for the time being."

"Hey," Oz said from the door and was echoed by Larry. They moved inside and found seats around the room.

"I'll stay," she said, pretending to be reluctant, but the truth was that she had nothing in Cleveland to return to. Her parents were dead and her Watcher was an overbearing asshole. She hated it there and even if Sunnydale was in constant danger, it was better than what awaited her in the Midwest.

"Very good," Giles said with a smile and looked over at Larry, who was beaming, and Oz, who seemed tempted to make an expression.

"And Buffy?" Giles said, "I would appreciate it if you would start calling me ‘Giles.' Although I am British, my name is not Jeeves, nor am I a butler."

"I never said you were a butler," she said with confusion.

"P.G. Wodehouse?" he asked, referring to the author who wrote the Jeeves Chronicles and seeing the blank look on her face, sighed, "Never mind."

***

stop whispering, start shouting
stop whispering, start shouting

Buffy walked out of Giles' flat and toward the mansion. She was actually surprised that he hadn't asked her where she was living yet. Probably assumed that she was staying at a hotel or something. Right, like she had money for that. She was trying to figure out how she was going to get some new clothes. She needed a shower desperately and wasn't sure how to get around the no clean clothes problem.

"Oooh, it's The Slayer," Willow's voice sang from behind her, alerting her to an entirely different problem. Buffy turned to face two vampires, who in another universe were her best friends. In this universe, she cared less about them.

"Present," she said, pulling a stake from the waistband of her pants.

"Scary," Xander said with broad grin.

Willow and Xander, moved into motion, double teaming The Slayer. It had already been a long night and after the gun show earlier, Buffy was almost out of adrenaline. She found herself on the defensive, trying to beat them down. Her stake was knocked from her hand early in the battle and she became a little worried as the two grabbed her at the same time, as if they could read each other's thoughts.

"Let her go," an angry growl said, coming from the shadows. Angel dropped the bag he was carrying and moved toward them slowly.

"Puppy," Willow whispered with a very noticeable sexual undertone, "I've missed you."

"Yeah, me too," Angel snorted sarcastically, "Release The Slayer."

"Oh, you like her," Willow said, licking Buffy's neck, "I like her too."

Angel rushed them, black duster flying behind him as he moved forward. Buffy used the distraction to swing her legs up and kick their ridged faces and flipping away as they stumbled back. Joining hands, the vampire couple ran into the trees.

"See ya soon, Puppy," Willow called out after them.

"You did it again," Buffy said, bending to pick up her stake as Angel went to retrieve his bag.

"Did what?"

"Saved my life," she said, "Thanks."

Near death twice in the same night was interesting - not entirely uncommon, but a little scary nonetheless. The fact that a vampire had saved her both times was completely mind blowing. And that he may or may not be in love with her, made her heart start to melt...just a little.

"I did something else too," He said with a sheepish little look over his handsome face, "I hope you won't be angry with me."

"Oh God," she moaned, "If it's bad news, just pretend I already know about it."

"No, no," he said, holding his bag up, "It's nothing like that. I just bought you something."

"What did you buy me?" she asked with wide eyes.

He's buying fucking presents already? she thought, Jesus, I should have camped out on the Watcher's couch.

As much as her thoughts automatically turned toward the cynical road she was used to, at the same time she felt a little smile tug the corners of her mouth and all of a sudden she was thinking how sweet he was. Inner turmoil caused her to groan on the inside. This was going to be very hard.

"What the hell?" she asked as she looked into the bag.

"Damn," he muttered, "I knew you'd be mad at me."

"How the hell did you know what kind of shampoo I use and perfume?" she said, her eyes showing blatant distrust. Maybe he had stalked her before she came here. How else would he know?

"I'm a vampire," he said, as if it explained everything.

"So?"

"I have an enhanced sense of smell," he said, "I bought the things that smell like you."

"Oh," she said, digging through the bag again. A few items of clothing - all the right size. Everything was perfect...and unnerving.

He was sure she was angry with him and then he looked closer. Tears were forming in her little eyes and he was sure his heart died - well, it would have if he were alive anyway. He had no idea that a few items would cause so much sadness and so he started to babble, "I'm sorry. I just thought you didn't have any money right now and maybe you'd want to take a shower and change. God, please don't cry. I'll take them back. We can pretend this never happened."

"No," she said, shaking her head and wiping an escaped tear away, "It's just that no one's ever done something like this for me before. It's so...sweet."

***

i bet you think that's pretty clever, don't you boy?

"It's so sweet," Spike mocked from the bushes as he followed them, he continued to mutter to himself, "Give me a fucking break. That bitch needs to die just on principle. Getting all weepy over the Pansy is bloody ridiculous."

He kept back in the shadows as he followed, leaving a big enough distance from them that he was sure the neither of them would notice him. Finally, tired of stalking - that was always Angelus' game - he hurried up to them and made himself known.

"Hey Angelus!" he said, causing them to turn around and face him, "Long time no see, mate. And that must be the hottie Slayer I've heard so much about."

"Spike," Angel sighed. If this night included any more of his old acquaintances, he was going to be very irritated.

"Glad you remember my name," Spike said sarcastically, "You don't call, you don't write. Like having a soul is an excuse to ignore your friends."

"I wouldn't call you a ‘friend,' Spike," Angel growled, "Why don't you go back to whatever place you came from?"

"Aw, that's not nice, Sire," Spike said and then turned to Buffy, "How are you doing, love? Ready for a little cat and mouse?"

"I don't like games," she said, "I'd prefer just to stake you now and get it over with."

"Feisty girl you got there, Angel," he said backing into the shadows, "This is going to be just...neat."

Buffy ran after him but he was already out of sight and she turned back on Angel, "Should I mark any of your other friends on my hit list?"

"Unfortunately," Angel said, "I had a lot of unsavory friends before I got my soul back. A lot of vampires have been drawn here because of the Master's death."

"Yeah, I've picked up on that," she muttered as they headed home.

Next

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