Part Ten

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.
***DARK***

***

thought he had it all before they called his bluff
found out that his skin wasn't thick enough
wanted to go back to how it was before
thought he lost everything
then he lost a whole lot more

A stunned silence followed the dying howl of the eldest vampiress in Sunnydale. Her scream shook the walls and a demonic screech sounded as her body transformed itself to ash, exploding at Angel's feet. He almost felt that her death would somehow kill him too and he waited several seconds and looked up, meeting Buffy's eyes with the sweet realization that he was finally free of his Sire and the demon who had claimed him as her mate.

"That was just...neat," Spike said smiling broadly, "I never thought you had it in you, Peaches. First pretending to be my old Sire and then dusting the bitch!"

"There's probably a lot you don't know about me, William," Angel said, using Spike's true name as a reminder of what he knew about his Grande Childe. Angel backed toward Buffy as he felt golden eyes around the room, glowing and in wait for the attack.

"Course, as much as I'm not gonna miss that tyrannical bint," Spike mused, stepping forward, "I can't just let you leave."

"Aw, Spike," Angel said, grabbing Buffy's hand and squeezing it. He began stepping back, leading her with him and he continued speaking, "I know you've missed me, buddy, but you're just gonna have to learn to live without me."

"I'll learn to live without you," Spike said, growling, "Kill them!"

Angel and Buffy turned together and ran toward the exit. Letting go of each other's hands they brandished stakes and began punching, kicking and dusting a path to the door. When an arrow struck a vamp in front of her, Buffy looked up and saw an empty doorway there. She didn't have time to wonder who shot the arrow, however, as she charged through the falling dust and crescent kicked her next attacker.

The Slayer finally made it to the door and nearly screamed in surprise as she saw Giles, Oz and a dark haired woman standing there. It didn't occur to her to wonder why she hadn't seen them before. She immediately turned back around to see where Angel was. He was only steps behind her, fighting a last vampire. They congregated around Angel, strangely trying to keep him inside the crypt instead of trying to reach the human blood that awaited them at the door. Buffy screamed for him to break free and follow, but he either didn't hear her or didn't have time to look up. Instead, he continued to fight and battle the undead demons attacking him.

"Damn it," Buffy swore and prepared to charge back into the fray after him when the dark haired woman grabbed her arm.

"You're safe," the woman said in a firm voice, "Leave him and we can get away."

"I don't know who the hell you are," Buffy said, "But I'm not leaving him there. Either we both leave or we both stay!"

"That's not possible," the woman replied calmly, "There's a protection spell here at the threshold. That's why he's not following you. He can't. No vampire can."

"Who the hell is this bitch?" Buffy shouted at Giles.

"Jenny Calendar," Giles replied helplessly, surprised at the news himself. He had heard her performing a spell but didn't know what it was until now, "She's a gypsy and is going to help us with the curse for Willow."

"What she's going to do," Buffy ordered through clenched teeth, "Is tear down this protection spell so Angel can get out!"

"I'm sorry," Jenny said, "It will put all our lives in jeopardy if I do that. I won't sacrifice all of us for one vampire."

"Will the spell still work if I break your fucking neck?" Buffy shouted.

"Yes," Jenny said, "Once the spell is cast, the magick will continue for at least an hour after I'm dead."

Buffy punched the woman squarely in the nose, sending her down to the floor on her firm ass. The Slayer didn't see the blood dripping from the gypsy woman's nose because she was already running back in to fight at Angel's side.

***

you and me
we're in this together now
none of them can stop us now
we will make it through somehow
you and me
if the world should break in two
until the very end of me
until the very end of you

Angel found himself flanked by his brethren on all sides and he flung them away, thanking the Powers that he had chosen to mark Buffy ten minutes before. His body was charged with her blood and had tripled his already superior strength. He tore through their cold bodies as Buffy ran through the door. He fought, trying find a path to get to that door, but couldn't seem to shake them off.

He glanced over at the door and it stood empty. He wanted to fall to his knees and let them take him as he realized that she had left him there. How would he ever be able to explain why he had bitten her; why he had taken her blood? Didn't she see that he had done all this because she asked him to? He knew the moment he heard the idea for him to come here and pretend to be his former self that it was a mistake. He was certain then that he would lose the love of his life because of this hoax and now he saw his fears coming to life before his eyes.

He turned around, glancing at the door to be sure she was gone, only to see her appearing through the doorway. She actually appeared. She didn't just run through. It was more like she had leapt through a portal. He assumed what she screamed was his name but all he actually heard was the last syllable. She ran full force toward him and the vampires crawling over him like vermin.

Renewed with her return, he fought with more vigor, staking three vampires in rapid succession. Thankfully, none of the idiots had stakes or weapons to fight him, so they were all reduced to using their weak, bare hands. He snuck a glance at Buffy, who was surrounded by half of them now. He turned back quickly, fighting again but the imagine of her body moving fast and sleek through the bumbling undead was a vision that burned into his memory. The way she moved was nothing less than magnificent, using her small body to her advantage, moving away from their swings, dodging their blows. The way she used their own weight against them was brilliant, forcing them to counterattack when they thought they were attacking. In all The Slayers he had seen she was by far the most inventive. If he hadn't already loved her before that moment, he would have fallen then.

Staking another vampire gave him a chance to take a second to look back and saw that Spike had slipped in behind and snaked his arms under hers. Buckling his hands at the base of her neck, she was effectively trapped there. Angel scanned the room. Thinking quickly and more desperately than he ever had in his long unlife, his leg snapped out in a powerful back kick, forcing the vampire behind him to his knees. Leaping on his back, Angel used the fledgling as a springboard. He dove across the room and swept Drusilla into his arms. With one smooth movement, he snapped her beautiful neck.

Her scream alerted Spike, who turned and stared at his mate crying in Angel's arms. Her neck was twisted at an unnatural angle and he could hear her desperate whimpering from over the din. Angel's stake poised at her full breast, prepared to strike.

"Everybody stop!" Spike screamed and the room ground to an undead silence.

***

no you can't take it
no you can't take it
no you can't take that away from me

Giles watched with disbelief as Buffy went back through the threshold, risking her life to defend the life of a vampire! He actually stared for several minutes trying to digest the overload as he watched her fight. Just as Angel was, Giles found himself captivated by her skill and ability. He had barely been able to see her fight before and found her that she executed her moves adeptly. He caught himself taking note of her flaws as to instruct her later on improvements and snapped back to reality as he realized the severity of the situation.

"You take this...thing down," Giles demanded of the technopagan gypsy Wicca, wagging his finger in her pretty face, "I'll not have my Slayer die because you're afraid of a few vampires."

"Rupert," Jenny said, "It's suicide to reveal ourselves to them."

"It's suicide," Giles said, raising his crossbow, "If you don't. I don't wish to harm you, Miss, but I will to save Buffy's life."

They all looked out as they heard Spike scream and Jenny looked back over to see that both Rupert and Oz were both pointing crossbows at her, prepared to kill her over one little girl and a vampire. They were right. She was terrified. Despite all her cocky banter, she was not prepared for what she saw when they arrived at the crypt. She put up the wall immediately protecting herself from certain death. She wasn't used to danger at this close proximity. She was much better at casting spells from much, much further away.

Waving her hand and trying to keep it from shaking as she did, she whispered a string of Latin phrases. Giles looked through to see Buffy still Spike's embrace and a whimpering dark haired vampiress in Angel's. The air at the threshold seemed to swell and recede before lying still once more.

"Did it work?" he whispered to her. She nodded, unable to hide the fear etched over her face. She stared into the room and began mentally preparing herself for death.

***

you always were the one to show me how
back then i couldn't do the things that i can do now
this thing is slowly taking me apartgrey would be the color if i had a heart

Spike tightened his grip on Buffy as he yelled and she held in a moan of pain as she felt her arms stretched even more. Just a quick yank and the blonde vampire could pull her arms from the sockets. She glanced around the room and was happy to see that she and Angel had managed to take out almost all of their minions. The crypt had only ten or so remaining vampires, watching the display. She watched as the gentle hands of her lover held the mangled body of Drusilla against his. One hand gripped her broken throat, squeezing it with anger as a vicious stream of snarls sounded.

"Dru," Spike said gently as he pushed Buffy in front on him, nearing his lover and Sire, "It's okay, baby."

"My Angel," she whimpered, "Spike, my Angel is going to kill me."

"That's right, Dru," Angel growled, pressing the stake against her chest,"A simple trade, Spike. Your mate for mine."

"You kill her and I'll -" Spike started.

"We don't have time for idle threats, Spikey," Angel growled, pressing the stake harder into her flesh and drawing blood, "Let The Slayer go."

"I can't bloody believe this!" Spike yelled, "If I let her go, you can still stake Dru. I'm not stupid, ya Poof!"

"You wanna just stand here and act like we're at an impasse then?" Angel asked, smiling through his fangs, "Because I have the blood of The Slayer in my veins. I can stand here all day. But my beautiful Drusilla is in a lot of pain."

Even though Buffy understood that his callous words and behavior were only to save her life, she was still trapped in the conflicting memories of him professing his love and the cacophony of his fury. Palatable and fierce, it seemed to whisk around the room, adhering to those looking on, ambushing them and bringing them to their knees. Inside her battling emotions, she fell deeper in love with him and deeper into confusion of who he really was.

"I don't know when I hate you more," Spike thundered, walking closer. He was trying to stall, trying to come up with a plan that ensured Dru's safety but nothing was coming to mind. The only thing he was certain of was that he didn't want to live for eternity if he couldn't have his mate by his side, "When you have a soul or when you don't. Either way, you're a gigantic bloody ninny!"

"Blah, blah, blah," Angel taunted, still caught in Angelus' frame of mind, "Still not seeing my lover released. Kinda pissing me off, actually. My hands shake when I'm mad, Spike. I might just slip."

"Alright, alright!" Spike bellowed, locking eyes with Angel. Drusilla's whimpers of pain were just too painful to bear. He released Buffy slowly, keeping his eyes on the stake that pressed against her chest. He pushed Buffy away from him, releasing her completely. Angel paused before dropping Drusilla on the ground at his feet. The best thing Spike ever saw in his entire unlife, was the sight of his mate dropping to the floor, damaged, in agony and intact.

***

a thousand lips a thousand tongues
a thousand throats a thousand lungs
a thousand ways to make it true
i wanna do terrible things to you

Willow watched the whole scene from the sidelines. Leaning causally against the wall, she waited while the battle she knew to be fruitless was carried on in vain. She tucked her anger for what had been done to her deep inside. She had greatly underestimated Puppy and it was a mistake she didn't mean to duplicate. Ever.

Darla had been stupid, led by her sickened version of love for Angel. Spike was trapped in the same worthless idealistic world, where mates were meant to stay by each other's sides for eternity. She felt a twinge of regret for destroying Xander but too much emotion couldn't be wasted on what couldn't be changed. Now she had to focus her enthusiasm on making sure that Puppy paid for his duplicity in the worst way imaginable.

She narrowed her eyes in contempt as she watched the remaining members of their sad excuse for a family let The Slayer and Puppy leave unhindered. Three humans were waiting at the door and they all were allowed to leave untouched just because he had hurt that whiney, not to mention fucking crazy, Drusilla! If anything had been learned by the red headed vampiress, it was that strings to anyone were weaknesses.

The chafing memory of her attempt to lure who she thought was Angelus into her bed made her stomach churn. She had allowed herself to be tricked into the same damn pitfall that held Spike, Drusilla and the pile of dust that had been Darla. She allowed herself to want more of what she had before. When she had time to play with Puppy, when she had him in chains, she wasn't moronic enough to ever release his bonds, to ever feed him enough to give him physical strength. The mistake she made was becoming addicted to the power that remained, the power she could never rid him of. His sheer strength of will made her tingle inside. She never revealed to any of her brethren how much she had enjoyed riding her Puppy, feeling his cock inside her, making him give her everything he didn't want to give. He made her savage with want and she was still trying to understand it. He watched her like a hunter and she knew every time she touched him, that in his mind, he was already creating a wound. She thought it was her power over him but she was quickly realizing her error in judgment.

She walked out of the crypt after the growing white hat team. Sunset was falling in soft colors, fading into the horizon as she left her family behind. Those weaklings had nothing to offer her. Now all she wanted was a reckoning. It was time to make her Puppy bark again.

***

it didn't turn out the way you wanted it to
it didn't turn out the way you wanted it, did it?

Buffy slammed both feet into the grass, not taking a moment to enjoy being in the fresh night air again before turning on Jenny Calendar, the newest and not so likable member of their team.

"Okay, what the hell were you trying to do down there?" Buffy demanded.

Angel looked on in obvious confusion, taken aback by Buffy's anger. After surveying the rest of the faces in the group, he saw that he was the only one out of the loop there.

"Trying to keep from dying," Jenny said firmly, but apologetically, "I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to put you or anyone else in danger."

"Do us a favor and don't help!" Buffy shouted, "You could have gotten Angel killed with your clever little spell. Good fucking work."

"No offense," Jenny said, nodding at the dark vampire standing intimately close to The Slayer, "But he's a vampire. You put yourself in extreme danger to save him. You need to stay alive to carry out your duties."

"Excuse me," Buffy said, "But why don't you let me decide what I want to do with my life? For your information, not that you need to know this, but Angel has risked his life repeatedly to save mine since I've been here. You don't have a leg to stand on so butt the hell out, before I butt your ass out!"

"Buffy, that's enough," Giles said sternly, looking over her with a look so severe that she closed her mouth, "Jenny's actions were misguided but she had good intentions. She was not trying to harm Angel. Please let's just move on."

"Moving," Buffy said before turning on her heel and walking away. Angel looked over the dark haired woman for a moment before nodding to Giles and following.

"I'm gonna move too," Oz said, heading toward his apartment, "Catch ya later, Giles, Miss Calendar."

Giles looked over Jenny, who seemed pale and deathly afraid. He had been very angry before at her rather ruthless actions, but looking over her now, he understood that she was doing what she thought was right. He took a deep breath and offered his arm to her. A shaky hand looped around, landing at his elbow and he led her back to his apartment in a slow, easy stride, as if they were headed for Sunday tea.

***

she shines
in a world full of ugliness
she matters
when everything is meaningless

Angel listened to Buffy's enraged explanation of what had transpired while they were at the crypt. He felt like he was seeing her metamorphosize before his very eyes. He thought back on her anger before and the relentless bitterness she carried with her when she arrived. This stomping rant was nothing like the deeply wounded rage she had before. This was simply the anger of a woman defending the man she loved.

The man she loved.

Angel could barely believe he even thought that. How could she make him feel like a real man in such a short time? He had waited so long for her to arrive but he never really knew what to expect when she came. He never thought he would look into those green eyes and see love there. And real love, not just lust or want, but a true, unbroken stream of love. He hated that he allowed himself to think she had left him again. Such little faith for his beautiful mate was returned for her sacrifices.

"And then," she shouted, "She had the gall to tell me that you were just a vamp-"

Angel caught her by the arm as she tramped ahead of him and swept her into his arms. He kissed her firmly, then more passionately as he parted her lips and explored her sweet mouth with his tongue. He allowed his fingers to make their way through her hair as he kissed her. He pulled away slowly and looked into her eyes as they fluttered open.

"ire," she said, finishing her last word.

"That's what I thought you were going to say," he said, smiling and kissing her again gently.

"What was that for?" she asked, running her fingers lightly over his face.

"For saving me," he said, "for loving me and understanding why I did what I had to do...for being you. I love you, Buffy."

"I love you," she whispered back, "I couldn't just let you die."

"I'm glad," he said hoarsely, amazed at how quickly his body was already warming to her touch. He took her hand and walked toward the mansion, loving the way she held on tightly, always just shy of a squeeze.

"I think I'm gonna have a scar though," she said, rubbing her neck, "Guess I should be glad this one won't be on my face."

"You will," he said, looking straight ahead, "I'm sorry."

"You marked me?" she asked, looking over at him.

"I was hoping you weren't going to ask me that," he admitted, "But yes. Essentially, it's a mark of territory. Every vampire who sees it will realize that you already...uh, belong to someone. It's the vampire code of honor, so to speak."

"Vampire code of honor?" she said, "That's laughable."

"Maybe ‘honor' is the wrong word," Angel said, "There are rules in the world of vampires. But it all amounts to fear really. They allowed me to walk in and take over as Master because they feared me. They still feared me when they found out I still had a soul but they had to fight me because I was the enemy again. Other vampires will be afraid to kill you if they see the mark, especially if they think that Angelus put it there."

"A little cocky, are we?" she said with a smile.

"Sometimes," he said, taking on his arrogant strut. She laughed and batted his arm, while still clutching his hand. After his display earlier that evening, she had no doubt of why the other vampires feared him. She was more than glad that he was on her side. She never wanted to fight him and asked the Powers that she would never have to.

***

lick around divine debris
taste the wealth of hate in me
shedding skin succumb defeat

Resetting the bones in Drusilla's neck was no mean trick and Spike felt his rage increasing with each whimper from his mate's lips. He sent several of his men out to bring her some food and then laid with her, listening to her moans of pain late into the night.

"How can I make you well, love?" he whispered, kissing her dark head.

"Du Lac," she groaned.

"Who?" he asked, caressing her bruised arm.

"Josephus du Lac," she groaned again, "From the Sire, the Childe will heal."

Spike sat up in bed, looking down at her, deciphering her words for a few minutes before standing. He strode to the door and yelled, "Dalton!"

It was an important name to Spike, apparently, worthy of repeating loudly four times before a small, bespeckled vampire appeared at the door.

"Find out who the bloody hell Du Lac is," Spike said, staring down at the demon, "Now!"

Spike watched as his minion ran off in search of the information and was suddenly glad the weakling had managed to hide somewhere during the previous debacle. He crawled back into bed and gathered Drusilla's body close to his.

"It's going to be alright now, baby," he soothed, "Everything's going to be alright."

***

i'm just caught up in another of her spells
well she's turning me into someone else

Buffy turned her face up to accept another kiss from Angel and leaned her head against his chest for a moment, murmuring a tiny "yum" into his shirt. He kissed the top of her head and rubbed her shoulders.

"Tired," she said with a yawn.

"Don't know why," he said with a small smile, "All you did was sit around all night."

"Yeah," she said, "I'm such a slacker."

"Worst I've ever seen," he whispered, kissing her hair again and inhaling her smell. She was a paradox, nearly falling asleep, leaning against him, while her hands moved over his back in the most delightful way. He picked her up and carried her to the bedroom, telling himself that he wasn't turned on, he just was putting her to bed.

"Where are we going?" she said while she yawned.

"I'm putting you to bed," he answered.

"Need a bath," she said, eyes closed, head against his shoulder, "Dirty. Can't go to bed like this."

"You'll fall asleep in the tub," he said, genuinely concerned.

"You'll just have to keep me awake then," she said, peeking sleepily up at him and biting his shoulder.

"If you're not careful," he growled, "I'll keep you awake all night."

"Scary," she whispered sarcastically with her eyes already closed again.

***

Part Eleven

RATING: NC-17 (SMUT WARNING)

***

in a dream i'm a different me
with a perfect you
we fit perfectly
and for once in my life i feel complete

Buffy was fast asleep in his arms as Angel hovered in the pathway between the bedroom and the bathroom. She said she wanted to clean up before bed but she looked so exhausted nestled against his chest. Every time he looked at her he found himself loving her more even when he had previously thought he had reached the plateau of his devotion. But Buffy provided an endless spring of beauties for him to latch onto and worship. So he stood there, looking down on her with a silly smile on his face.

He kissed her forehead, closing his eyes slowly as he did, lingering on her skin for a second or two longer than was required. He turned finally and headed for the bedroom. He laid her gently there and stood up looking down on her.

His wound on her throat had closed and begun healing already and he saw a glimpse of the scar that would remain. A pang of guilt jaunted along with a twinge of glory. She was marked as his now. As much as he knew he probably shouldn't be proud of that, he was. He wanted the whole world to know she was his. He wanted to shout it from the damn rooftops.

He was starting to enter the dangerous mind set that he could be with her, stay with her and love her as if he were a normal man with a normal girl. His brow furrowed in concern as he noticed how pale she was and suddenly wondered when she had last eaten. He cursed to himself as he stalked to the kitchen and looked around only to find that there was no food to be found. He almost slapped his forehead with irritation. He walked out of the mansion, mentally berating himself as he headed out to the only place that would be open late in a town as small as Sunnydale. How could he have a normal life with a human girl if he couldn't even remember that she needed to eat?

Idiot, he thought as he walked in the night. Even through his frustration with himself, he couldn't be that upset. Surely she had eaten during the day when he hadn't been with her. In order to keep up her strength over the days she had been here she had to. Besides, when the most beautiful woman in the world was sleeping in your bed, you just couldn't frown. He was even having a little bit of difficulty brooding.

***

nothing quite like the feel of something new

"I think they're sleeping together," Jenny said, her voice muffled from the ice pack she held at her nose.

"Certainly not," Giles replied, abashed that she would even suggest that his Slayer was intimate with a member of the undead, even if Angel was officially on the home team. Of course, Buffy had acted extremely jealous that Angel might join the beds of his old acquaintances and that had played a major part in the argument, but still. Giles could not swallow the idea that Buffy would ever sleep with him! He was stuck in the mental denial that many parents have about their teenage daughters. Maybe everyone else was having sex, but not my child!

"Quit being a fuddy duddy," Jenny said, pulling the ice from her eyes to glare at him mockingly, "He was nearly climbing in her pants before they got out of sight."

"Fuddy duddy, indeed! I refuse to except that Buffy would have intimate relations with a vampire," Giles said, crossing his arms in a grown up version of pouting.

"I know you're a man," Jenny said, smiling gently at him for his fatherly denial, "But had you taken a second to look at the vampire in question, you would notice a couple of things."

"Like what, for instance?" Giles demanded.

"Like he's a honey - vampire or not," Jenny said, "I can't imagine many girls not going for him and secondly, they looked at each other like two people in love."

"A honey?" Giles echoed in near confusion.

"Well, where is she living?" Jenny asked, digging in.

"Living?" Giles asked, "Well, she most likely has taken up residence in the local...I don't know."

"Uh-huh," Jenny said, nodding triumphantly, "She's sleeping with him!"

"Dear Lord," he muttered, trying to cling to the strain of hope he had for his Slayer's innocence. It occurred to him suddenly that ‘many girls' may include the woman in front of him. Bumbling through his words, he began asking, "Would you be the sort of girl who...well, er...what I mean to say is..."

"No," she said, shaking her head slowly, "I'd much rather have myself a sexy fuddy duddy."

"I'm sorry?" Giles said, reddening at the suggestion. Jenny's mouth quirked in a half smile at him as he tried to grasp the idea of her preferring him.

"You heard me," she said quietly, bringing the ice pack back up to her nose as if it could defend her from her own embarrassment. She hadn't mean to reveal how she felt about him. It just sorta jumped out of her mouth. He was just so cute in his concern and the way he had defended his charge previously was so damn sexy. She was right when she originally assumed that this was no ordinary bookworm.

"Er...um..." he stumbled, clearing his throat nervously, "Speaking of places to stay, have you acquired some place to sleep while you are visiting?"

"Not yet exactly," she said, "I have an interview tomorrow for the open computer teacher position at the school. I was going to check into the hotel but I came here first since I was running late and I wasn't planning on spending my evening in a vampire crypt."

"I see," Giles said, nodding, "Well, you are welcome to stay here. Of course, I mean I have a guest bedroom. I was in no way implying..."

"Thank you, Rupert," she said, cutting off his apprehensive gurgling, "That would be very kind of you."

***

i can squeeze, you can shake me
i can feel, when you break me

Angel was glad he had gone to the kitchen to put everything away before he went into the bedroom to check on Buffy because he would have dropped it all on the floor if he hadn't. When he walked in she was walking in from the bathroom, freshly showered, with a towel around her body and one around her hair.

"H-hey," he choked, mouth hanging open as he stared at her. Little drops of water still clung to her shoulders and chest and he had the desire to lick them off her golden skin.

"Hey," she said back, still not comfortable in her nakedness around him, even though she was completely covered in a towel, "I woke up and you weren't here."

"I went to get you some food," he said, trying to get his mind to work as he felt his arousal stirring. Suddenly, the leather pants no longer seemed like a good idea, "I realized that you hadn't eaten and you might be...um...you know, ah..."

"Hungry?" She asked, shifting awkwardly under his stare.

"Yeah," he said, nodding his head while his eyes swept over her body. He made his way toward her as he growled, "Hungry."

"I'm starving," she admitted, holding the towel against herself - or actually, clutching it with a death grip.

"Me too," he answered and then stood there for a moment before blinking himself back to reality. He turned and headed toward the kitchen, forcing himself to take the steps away from her nearly naked body, calling out behind him, "There wasn't much I could get for you. The grocery store was closed. Got some eggs and milk. Did you know they sell that at the gas station? And some junk food. Do you like eggs?"

"Yes," she said, sitting on the bed and toweling off her hair. She brushed out her tangles as tears sprung to her eyes and she tried to keep them at bay, thinking it was simply ridiculous to cry over eggs.

"What did you say?" he asked, peeking through the doorway, "You do or you don't like - what's wrong?"

He rushed to her and sat down next to her on the bed, looking over her in confusion. She didn't appear to have any wounds that he missed. He couldn't have upset her for getting food, could he?

"It's just that you keep taking care of me," she blubbered, leaning against the offered shoulder.

"I'm sorry?" he asked, unsure of what he was supposed to say.

"No one has taken care of me for a long time," she answered, wiping her tears away, "I'm sorry. This is stupid. I don't know why I'm crying."

"It's not stupid," he answered, "You can cry if you want. And I like to take care of you. I'm glad you let me."

"No," she said, standing up and crossing the room to set down her brush, trying to remember who she was before she met him, "I can't get this emotional. Believe it or not, before I met you I hadn't cried in years."

"I'm sorry I make you emotional," he said, standing up too, "But what's wrong with it?"

"It's weak," she said, turning on him, "Loving you this much, getting used to how you treat me, it's dangerous. It'll kill me when it's over."

"When it's over?" he echoed angrily, "You think I'm going to wake up one day and decide I'm tired of loving you?"

"I don't know," she answered, "Maybe. I've lost everyone else. Why wouldn't I lose you? Besides, you could die any moment with all the danger around here."

"Yeah," he said, "It's a great idea to keep yourself from having something because you're afraid you might lose it. You know, Buffy, you confuse the hell out of me. First, you tell me that it's okay for me to love you and that we should be together and then you change your mind when it means that you have to care. I don't get it."

"I don't either," she said, "I'm sorry. I'm scared. I don't want to doubt this, but I can't help it."

"I haven't loved anyone else in my entire life," he said, taking hold of her bare shoulders, "Believe me when I say that I will never change my mind about that. You're the only one for me. Forever. And since I'm immortal, I do mean forever."

"What if you die?" she whispered, "What if they kill you?"

"I won't die," he answered.

"But what if you do?"

"I won't," he promised, pulling her into his arms. He knew his promise wasn't definite. She was right, either of them could die at any time, but he couldn't live with the constant fear that she would die. He pulled back and wiped her tears away and kissed her gently. Smiling down at her, he said, "Eggs?"

"Sure," she said, nodding and watched as he walked back out.

***

i give you everything
my sweet everything

"Read it again," Spike ordered, leaning over the nervous vampire as Drusilla laid in bed across the room, flipping tarot cards on the bedspread.

"Well, I'm not sure," the vampire said, shrugging, "It could be ...deprimere...ille...bubula...linter..."

"Debase the beef canoe," Spike said, flipping through a Latin dictionary with frustration. Dalton looked up at him, smiling weakly and was rewarded with a punch in the face and the irritated voice of his abuser yelling, "Why does that strike me as not right?"

"Spike," Drusilla said, looking over her cards, "Come see."

"Give us some peace, would you?" he shouted in exasperation, "Can't you see I'm working?"

With the sound of her whining, his face fell as he headed over to her side, "Oh, I'm sorry, kitten. It's just this manuscript. Supposed to hold your cure and it reads like gibberish. Even Dalton here, the big brain, can't make heads or tails of it."

"You'll make it right," she said, as her hand caressed his face, "I know you will."

He leaned in and kissed her gently before standing up and heading back over to Dalton, "Come on now. Enlighten me."

"Uh, w-w-well it looks like Latin," Dalton said, pushing his glasses up on his nose with a shaky hand, "But it's not. I'm not even sure it's a language, actually."

"Then make it a language!" Spike raged, screaming in his minion's ear, "Isn't that what a transcriber does?"

"Well, not exactly-" he started but was cut off when Spike grabbed him by the shirt, lifting him from the chair.

"I want the cure!" Spike growled.

"Don't," Drusilla moaned, flipping another card.

"Why not?" Spike asked, punching Dalton again, "Some people find pain very inspirational."

"He can't help you," she answered, pointing to the last card she flipped, "Not without the key."

***

come so heavy, then you take me
you make love, you make love, you make love, you make love

Buffy ate what she thought were the best scrambled eggs she had ever had. Toast with butter and grape jelly went along great with the orange juice that tasted freshly squeezed, but probably wouldn't be so good if she wasn't famished. She gobbled her food quickly, glad that Angel had decided to take a shower rather than watch her eat. She was sure he would not be so attracted to her if he could see the way she was shoveling it in.

She washed the dishes when she was finished as she heard Angel turn the water off. She wasn't sure if she actually got them clean because she was too busy imagining him in the shower, his hands moving over his own body, water gliding over him. It was still strange to think of him as her lover. They had only made love a couple of times and she still wasn't comfortable with the idea of initiating anything. She had to take a moment to collect her strength before she headed toward the bedroom.

She leaned around the corner, not sure whether she hoped he was naked or dressed. When she looked it, she found that he was neither actually. He was laying on the bed with a towel wrapped loosely around his waist, looking as if he moved at all it would fall away. She sucked in a breath while she snuck in, feeling like a thief as she crawled onto the bed and looked down at him sleeping.

She took the time to look over his body, taking in each detail of him, each curve of muscle, each inch of his nearly perfect skin. She would think that if any body should be preserved for eternity, it would be this one. She glanced up at his face as her hand inched its way to the towel. Watching him closely for signs of waking, she opened the towel just enough to bare his sex to her eyes and then pulled her hand away quickly. She paused, watching him for movement and finding none, lowered her eyes to look at him.

She clasped her hands together to keep from touching him as she inspected him. Losing her own battle, she reached out, glancing at his face every other heartbeat, to touch the course hair at the apex of his groin, enjoying the feel of it against her fingertips. Moving down, first just touching the skin around his sex and then growing bolder, she moved her fingers ever so lightly over the length of him. His cock moved slightly in response to her touch and she yanked her hand back, looking up at his face only to find that he was still asleep.

Regaining her confidence, she reached out once more and moved over his length, all the while making sure he still slept. He hardened against her hands as she caressed him, exploring every part of him. Leaning in, she kissed the very tip of his length, then took him shallowly in her mouth, tasting him. The salty taste of his skin was not unpleasant and she began leaving little kisses all over him, wanting to visit each inch of his soft skin. She shivered as she explored him, thinking back on the feel of him tasting her before. She wondered if it felt nearly as good to him as it had to her. Engrossed in her thoughts and in the task at hand, she completely forgot to keep checking if he still slept. Instead she took him her mouth, sucking the tip of his cock and moving away, coming back and taking a bit more each time.

He groaned in pleasure and moved slightly beneath her, making her aware that he was awake and she jumped away, eyes widened with shock.

"I'm sorry," she fumbled, face bright red with embarrassment, "It's just that you were asleep and I wanted to look at you and then...oh God..."

"Don't be sorry," he said, eyes fogged with lust, "please don't stop."

"You...like that?" she asked, revealing more of her naivety than she meant to.

"God yes," he moaned, gripping the bed to keep from attacking her. She leaned in slowly and touched him tentatively, glancing up at his face to see if she was doing anything wrong. His moan of pleasure as her warm hands touched him, urged her on. He watched as she bent over him, her ass swinging up at an incredible angle, blonde tresses tickling his legs. She took him in her mouth again and he shuddered with delight as she began moving over his lap once more. He struggled to keep from arching his hips against her and held the bed as if it were his anchor to his plane of existence.

Finally, losing the battle, he pulled her up to him, devouring her mouth. Pausing in his kiss, he pulled her shirt and sweat pants away impatiently. He reached between her thighs to slide his fingers into the dripping lust he knew to be there and lifted her easily over his waist. He guided himself into her slowly and she sat perched above him, chest heaving delightfully above him. He waited moving his hands over her sides content to be buried inside her, while patiently waiting for her to take control.

A ragged moan tore of his mouth as she shifted, moving up and sliding back down, riding him shallowly. He combated the need to press her hips further down, to enshrine himself entirely inside her. Instead, he stroked her body as she pressed her hands against his chest. She closed her eyes as she moved over him, taking him in halfway before rising up again. He clenched his teeth as she dominated him, arching her back and rolling in the sensation of him.

"Buffy," he begged finally, unable to articulate what he needed, "Please baby..."

Lost in her own passion, she didn't answer, still moving achingly slow until every muscle in his body was tensed and shaking. The heat fanning out from her small hands braced against his chest was incredible. He allowed his hands to move over her belly to her breasts, cupping them in his hands. Finally, her eyes fluttered open and she looked down at him. She leaned in and kissed him softly, sucking in his lower lip between hers.

"Please baby," he pleaded again, "Harder...need to be all the way inside you..."

He felt her inner muscles clench around him in response, driving him closer to the end of his rope. She moved down further and then up again, still not sheathing him completely. He gripped her hips with trembling hands, silently asking her for more. His temptress refused. If he hadn't been completely convinced of her innocence, he would be tempted to think she was doing it on purpose.

"Buffy," he growled lustfully, finally getting her attention with his sex crazed animal sound, "You're killing me, baby. Deeper. Have to take me completely."

She looked down at him strangely as he pushed her hips down over him and arched up to meet her. She gasped as he filled her completely, stretching to accommodate him. Beginning to move for the first time and growling with desire as he did, he moved with her. She panted as she picked up the pace, coming down to meet him harder with each descent.

"Angel," she groaned as he slipped his hand been their bucking bodies.

***

you're too physical to me
you're really jus-just too-just
too really fuck no
you're just too physical
you're just too physical
too fucking physical

Willow stood just beyond the threshold of the mansion, taking in the smell of Buffy and Angel mating. The strong scent of their arousal attacked her senses and she felt her own pussy dripping with the memory of Angel inside her. That stupid, immature Slayer had no idea what to do with a vampire, what his body was capable of. Just by listening to their lovemaking, she could tell that the little inexperienced bitch was not even close to pleasing him.

She should be in there, riding him, making him beg for her instead of that human. How could he settle for some little girl when her resilient body could take as much as The Slayer and so much more? She growled silently and turned away as her plan began to form in her mind. She just needed to find the right place at the right time. That's all.

"Damn," a voice said behind her, making her turn around to see a bleach blonde vampire.

"What do you want?" she asked, walking toward him.

"Well, someone's all hot and bothered," Spike said with a grin, inhaling her arousal and nudging his thumb in the waist of his black jeans as he grew hard from the smell of her.

"I said, ‘What do you want?'" she growled.

"I was going to ask for some assistance with our super duo," Spike said, "But the scent of your dripping cunt is forcing my thoughts in another direction."

"You think I'm going to help you?" she said with a laugh, "You'll just fuck up all my plans."

"I think we could work together," he said smoothly, stepping closer, "And since you ruthlessly killed your mate, I'm guessing you might need...something else too."

"Go fuck your broken whore," she cast over her shoulder, "I don't have time for you."

"You'll make time," he said, pulling her roughly against him and pressing his arousal against her leather covered groin. He pulled down her top, freeing her breasts and pinched her nipples roughly between his fingers, shooting as much pain as pleasure through her.

"You think I'm just going to spread just because every other girl does?" she asked, but not moving away.

"You killed your mate for Angelus," he growled, throwing her to the ground and jumping on top of her, "Xander didn't hurt you enough, did he?"

"Don't talk to me about him," she growled back, digging her claws into the arms that pinned her to the ground. She pressed up against him aggressively and growled again, "In fact, don't talk at all."

***

Part Twelve

***DARK***

***

i've watched this scene a thousand times
and in my head
this is how it all begins
yes, i am becoming
and this is how it all begins

Giles was whistling as he reshelved books in the Sunnydale High School library. Waking up in the morning, knowing that the lovely Jenny Calendar was sleeping in the next room helped with the jubilant mood, as did the news of the computer program she was going to develop to translate the original Romany spell into a usable form. Buffy was among the enrolled masses now and hopefully would be matriculating with next year's graduating class. Everything was going as well as it possibly could considering they were on the Hellmouth.

"Hey Giles," Buffy said, sashaying into the library in a blouse that had inappropriately low neckline and a smile that engulfed her entire face, "What's with the happy?"

"I would ask you the same question," Giles said, his face shifting to a more serious one with the entrance of The Slayer.

"Huh?" Buffy said, setting her books on the table and plopping into the nearest chair, "Am I supposed to be upset for some reason?"

"Where are you living?" Giles said, jumping right to the point as he sat down stiffly in the chair across from her and attempted to hide his nervousness about the upcoming conversation.

"Uh...why?" she asked.

"Are you living with Angelus?"

"Angel," Buffy corrected, "and yes, I am."

"Are you...having sexual relations with the vampire?" Giles said, gripping the arms of the chair to steady his hands.

"What? You're my father now?" Buffy asked angrily.

"It's..." Giles started, trying to think of a word other than "abomination," which was the only one springing into his head right then, "It's simply not right, Buffy. You are The Slayer."

"I'm in love with him," Buffy said quietly, "And believe me, I know it's messed up. I've been trying to talk myself out of it since I met him, but I can't."

"Surely you must know that living with a vampire goes against all the Council's regulations, not to mention the fact that he could lose his soul and kill you in your sleep at any time. I cannot allow this to continue."

"You can't stop me," Buffy said firmly but gently, "and neither can the Council. He won't lose his soul and he's already proven that he's on our side. I'm not giving him up. I can't."

"I'm whole heartedly against this union," Giles said in a voice that betrayed his paternal feelings for the girl.

"Okay, now your ass is covered," Buffy said with a sigh, "You've stated it for the record."

"I'm glad he's protecting you," Giles added with a small smile.

"Me too," Buffy replied, smiling back, "Soooo, now that we've got the birds and the bees out of the way, you can tell me what's up with you and Miss Likes-The-Spells."

"I'm certain I-I don't k-know what you mean," Giles stuttered, "We have a business relationship. She's going to help us-"

"Whatever," Buffy said, standing up and gathering her books, "You like her. I can tell."

"Really, Buffy, this conversation is not appropriate."

"Don't worry," Buffy said, leaning in with a smile and a mock whisper, "Your secret's safe with me."

"Thank heavens," Giles said, standing as well.

"Ask her out," Buffy called behind her as she pushed through the double doors. Giles watched the doors swing for a couple of seconds before he returned to his desk and began to sort through his notes. He resumed the jaunty tune he had been previously whistling and couldn't keep the smile from creeping back either. Maybe he would ask her out.

***

runs up my arms 'til i'm on track
itches my skin right off my back
i'll heal your wounds
i'll set you free

"Great news, pet," Spike said strutting into the bedroom he shared with Drusilla. He sat on the bed at her side and stroked her hair smiling, "As soon as the egghead gets the key, we'll be in business...and we've got help."

"You've been unfaithful, Spike," Drusilla pouted, scooting away from him.

"No baby," he said, "I had to convince her to help us."

"You smell red," she said as her eyes took on their dazed look as they always did when the air spoke to her, "Dirty and red."

"Dirty, huh?" Willow said, leaning against the doorframe, crossing one leg over the other, "I just fucked him. I didn't even get to torture him at all."

"You better be as bloody smart as you say you are," Spike said, storming past the redhead and out into the next room. He waited for her to follow and then began his tirade, "It's bad enough that she knows that I've cheated on her with you and you show up in our bedroom? What the hell is your problem? I don't fancy losing my mate, so you better do what you said you would."

"Bored now," Willow said with a yawn.

"You're such a bitch!" Spike shouted.

"And you're so much more fun when you're screwing," she said, "I'll keep my end of the deal. And you'd better keep yours."

"I won't kill Peaches," Spike promised as she turned to leave, grateful that the encounter had been a lot less painful than he thought it would be.

"Better not," Willow called over her shoulder as she left the crypt. Spike shuddered as she disappeared through the doorway. And he thought Darla was an evil whore. Compared to Willow, Darla looked innocent and sweet.

"Spike?" Drusilla said, moving weakly across the room to him.

"Yeah, love?" he said, hurrying to her side and sweeping her into his arms.

"The ritual will kill my Angel."

"I know," he said with a smile, "But she doesn't know that."

***

my blood just wants to say hello to you
my fear is warm to get inside of you
my soul is so afraid to realize
how every little bit is left of me
and i want you

Angel stepped into the shower wondering if the days were ever this long before he met Buffy. He always hated being cooped up inside all day but since he met his lover, the time she was at school crawled by. Today he occupied himself with the memory of making love to her all night. He couldn't imagine how she was going to make it through the school day without snoozing in all her classes since she got two hours of sleep.

Maybe one and half.

He grinned at the shower wall as he reached for the shampoo. Pausing, he reached for hers rather than his and smelled it. He loved that smell. The company that manufactured that product could triple the price and he would still buy it for her. He set the bottle back up on the rack and retrieved his with a smile. It didn't really matter what her hair smelled like. It didn't really matter if she had hair at all as long as she was his.

He blinked through the water as the shower curtain slid aside and the naked body of the goddess in question stepped inside.

"Buffy," Angel said with surprise.

"Hi," she said, smoothing her hands over his wet chest and placing a tiny kiss on his neck.

"Aren't you supposed to be in school?" he asked, as her small hands moved over his skin, "Not that I'm complaining, of course."

"It's lunchtime," she answered, placing kisses along his chest.

"Oh," he said, wrapping his arms around her and leaning down to catch her lips, "Students are allowed to leave campus for lunch?"

"I didn't say that," she said with a wicked smile.

"Breaking the rules on the first week of school?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye.

"I missed you," she said, ignoring the persisting soreness between her thighs. She wanted him and with Angel all the pleasure was worth three times the pain. She moaned as he moved her against the shower wall, slipping his fingers over her sex.

***

she has the blood of reptile just underneath her skin

Willow crept through the tunnels and climbed up into the basement of Sunnydale High School. She was still angry that Spike would think she was so stupid that she wouldn't take the time to research the ritual he was performing on Puppy. Did he think he fucked her brains out or was he just bloody dense? If anyone was going to get the pleasure of killing Puppy, it was going to be her. She wanted to laugh when she thought about how he was going to react when his minions went to the Du Lac crypt and found the Cross of Du Lac missing.

She moved quickly up the flight of stairs that led to the main floor of the school and opened the door to peek into the hallways. She couldn't risk being recognized by someone who knew her when she was human. Of course, there was also the sunlight coming from certain windows, but they could be avoided more easily than the student population.

She nearly squealed with delight as she saw the Slayer bouncing by, stinking of Puppy. His scent practically oozed off the girl and Willow swallowed her growl. The girl looked guilty and happy at the same time, hurrying through the empty halls. The vampire smiled evilly at the girl as she passed. She was already addicted to Angel's cock. Not that she was surprised at all. Every woman who had a taste panted for more. But Willow had other plans. She wanted Angel to beg for her. She wanted to see him crawl again. Visions of his bloody blonde lover writhing on the floor in pain, dying slowly, banged around happily in her mind as she watched Buffy pass by.

She looked around quickly before she tightened her grip on the iron bar she had picked up in the sewers, leaped from her hiding place, swung and contacted with the girl's temple. Buffy didn't even hit the floor, before Willow slung her limp body over her shoulder. Pivoting, she ducked back into the basement, slamming the door behind her.

***

i'll cross my heart
i'll hope to die
but the needle's already in my eye
and all the world's weight is on my back
and i don't even know why
what i used to think was me is just a fading memory
i looked her right in the eye and said goodbye

Angel stormed out of the mansion at night fall trying to keep from panicking. Buffy hadn't come home yet and although he knew she was going to train with Giles, she always made it home before sun down. A nagging feeling in his gut kept telling him that something was terribly wrong. He nearly collided with Oz as he hurried through the door. Oz sidestepped the barging vampire and nodded his greeting.

"Looking for Buffy," Oz said.

"I knew something was wrong," Angel growled, his eyes flashing golden seconds before his face transformed into his demon visage.

"That's kinda unnerving," Oz admitted, looking over Angel's face.

"Sorry. Giles hasn't seen her?" Angel asked as he began walking toward the cemetery.

"She didn't show up to train after school and she missed our 4th period class," Oz answered, double timing it to keep up with him. Angel stopped suddenly and released a snarl as he turned around, eyes searching in the dark.

"Missing something?" Spike said moving out from the shadows and flicking his cigarette over his Sire's shoulder.

"Get the hell out of here," Angel ordered Oz and turned back to Spike, "Where is she, Spike?"

"Probably dead by now," Spike said with a shrug, "But I'm not sure. It's sad, really, she was such a fine little piece of ass. Maybe I'll go try her out before-"

"Where is she?" Angel shouted, picking Spike off the ground by the lapels of his coat.

"Being tortured," Spike choked, "Nice and slow like you like it."

"First you die," Angel growled, tossing him roughly to the ground, "Then I'll ask Dru."

"You can't kill me," Spike said, standing up and dusting himself off confidently.

"Really?" Angel said, moving toward his Grande Childe. Before he was even able to pull the stake from his pocket, he was already on the ground with a tranquilizer dart protruding from the back of his neck.

"Nice shot, numbskull," Spike said to his minion angrily, "What took you so bloody long? Did you think I wanted to catch up with my Sire for a spell before he dusted me?"

"Sorry, the gun was jammed -"

"Oh shut up," Spike muttered.

***

awake to the sound as they peel apart the skin
they pick and they pulltrying to get their fingers in

Buffy winced in pain as she struggled to open her eyes. She immediately discovered that she was chained to the wall when she tried to move and she groaned in pain. She looked around the room and seconds later her eyes landed on the female vampire who had taken her.

"Hi there," Willow said with a smile as Buffy blinked to regain her focus, "Glad you woke up. I was startin' to think that I hit ya too hard."

"Thanks for your concern," Buffy muttered, "Where am I?"

"Puppy's old apartment," Willow said gleefully, "And you know what's so great about this? He would never think to look for you here. It's just perfect."

"Glad you think so," Buffy said, "What do you want with me? Why didn't you just kill me?"

"Aww, I just wanna chat," she answered with a smile, "Oh, and then I'll torture and kill you. But that's later."

"Nice to know I have something to look forward to," Buffy said, closing her eyes for a second to overcome the dizzy spell that came over her.

"I want Puppy to watch you die," Willow said, "I wanna see the look on his face when I kill you."

"Do you always rename the people you torture?" Buffy snapped.

"Just the special ones," Willow whispered, "And he's special."

"Know what's gonna be special? Watching you explode into a big, slutty pile of dust," Buffy said with a glare, "And I hope I'm behind that stake."

"I knew you'd be fun," Willow said moving closer. Buffy began pulling on her chains, only to find that she was barely able to move. Light reflected off the dagger in the vampiress' hand as she crouched before The Slayer.

***

thinks he has something to say

"Okay, this has got to be the longest week in history," Oz said as he entered Giles' apartment, heaving breaths.

"You didn't find Buffy?" Giles asked, standing from his desk and glancing over at Jenny who was still hunched over her laptop.

"No," Oz said, "I think she's been taken. Angel & I ran into Spike at the cemetery."

"This is just great," Giles said, taking off his glasses and fumbling for his hankerchief.

"No, this is great," Jenny announced, grinning excitedly at her laptop.

"You got it?" Oz asked, moving across the room to look over her shoulder and reading out loud, "‘The Ritual of Restoration.'"

"Yes," she said nodding, "See, Rupert? The marvels of modern technology! Let's see one of your dusty books do this."

"Yes, well," Giles said, looking over her other shoulder, "They smell strange."

"They don't smell," Jenny said, wrinkling her brow in confusion, "It's plastic."

"Precisely," Giles said, nodding, "They have no texture, no warmth. They're simply-"

"Guys?" Oz interrupted, "Can we argue about this later? If we curse Willow, maybe she can help save Buffy."

"Right. Sorry," Giles said, before turning back to Jenny, "What do we need?"

"Well, we need your paperweight, for one," Jenny said, palming the Orb of Thesala with a blinding smile. Giles lost himself in her eyes for a second before clearing his throat and grabbing a pen and paper to make a list of supplies.

***

what did he say
what words did you speak
that's what i want to know
now
tell me
now now
all of it
now,
tell me

Angel stirred sooner than Spike and his minions expected. As they dragged his body into the lair, he woke up and as if he hadn't been drugged, he found his footing. He ripped the dart gun off the fledgling's shoulder, tearing the vampire's arm from his body in the process. Raising the gun, Angel shot Spike, knocking him out cold.

One vampire writhed on the ground in pain and the other moved forward to attack, trembling in fear. Angel reached in his pocket and found the stake he tried to get to earlier. He let out a snarl as he engaged the weaker vampire. He quickly staked him and turned on the other, who was attempting to stand. He screamed as Angel approached and started to run away. Angel caught the hysterical childe and staked him quickly, watching in interest for a second as his arm fell to dust across the room, separate from the body. Stepping over Spike, he headed for the bedroom.

"My Angel," Drusilla said, rising to her feet.

"Where's The Slayer, Dru?"

"You hurt me," she said, backing away. Angel crossed the room and slammed her into the wall, eyes glowing angrily.

"Where is Buffy?" he shouted, "I'm tired of this crazy girl routine. You are capable of lucid thought. I know you are. Now where is she?"

"Willow," Dru answered, "She took the girl."

"Where?"

"She's not here. She's somewhere else," she answered.

"Great," Angel said, turning away. Drusilla, knowing he was her key to being returned to health, moved after him. Raising her fist, she prepared to strike. Angel sidestepped and grabbed her arm. Twisting, he flipped her over his hip. As she hit the ground, he thrust the stake in her chest hard enough to jam it into the ground under her.

He stayed there on one knee for a moment, looking at the dust that used to be his obsession. He stood slowly and walked out into the main chamber. Only one Childe left and his family would be gone. When he entered the room, he looked down at the place Spike had been. His eyes flitted across the room, following the trail made by his body being dragged across the room. He paused for a second and went toward the exit instead.

Spike could wait. He had to find Willow and Buffy.

***

Part Thirteen

LYRICS: All lyrics are by Radiohead.

RATING: NC-17

***

blame it on the black star
blame it on the falling sky

Spike opened his eyes, feeling groggy and confused. As the memory of what had happened reached him, he sat up quickly and looked around the dark room. The only thing he found was Dalton trembling in the corner, far from his reach.

"What the hell?" Spike said, standing up, "Where's Angel?"

"G-gone," Dalton answered, "He left."

"Dru!" Spike said, walking toward the main chamber, planning on checking the bedroom on the other side.

"Master," the fledgling begged, "Drusilla isn't there."

"What do you mean she isn't there," Spike demanded as he kept walking, speeding up as he went, "Where the bloody hell would she be if she weren't here?"

"S-she's...not...s-she's," the vampire said, trying to find the best way to broach the subject as he chased after his Sire.

"Drusilla!" Spike screamed, already feeling her absence and denying it. She was his Sire and he knew better than the brainy vamp chasing after him that he wouldn't find her in that bedroom. He wouldn't find her anywhere.

"He, he killed her," Dalton said, catching up with Spike at the bedroom door. The blonde vampire stood there, looking down at the stake that was sticking out of the floor like a grave marker, surrounded by the light ashy remains of what had been his mate. Dalton stared at his Sire's back for a long time as he stood unmoving, staring at the same small spot near the door.

"Angel killed her," Dalton whispered again after a long silence.

"I see that you soddin' ponce!" Spike screamed, turning around so that Dalton could see the tears that streamed down his ridged face, "I can see that my mate is dead. You think I'm fucking blind?"

Spike struck out, ramming his fist into the younger vampire's face, causing his glasses to break and fall away from his face with the second punch. He kept hitting him, dragging him back to his feet and hitting him again until he finally turned, grabbed the stake from the floor and destroyed the demon he had created.

He fell to his knees slowly, crumpling into a pile not unlike her ashes and sobbed for the loss of his mate. A hole inside him spread out in all directions with the loss of her, as if she had filled him up all this time and without her he was nothing. The minutes that he allowed himself to mourn her were filled completely with his despair, each second ticked out a turbulent anguish.

Finally, he stood and wiped his dusty face with the back of his hand and gripped the stake, heading toward the door. He knew then that he hadn't died almost a century and a half before when she placed her poisoned lips to his neck, he died an hour ago when she did. One vampire was responsible for her dying, first from sanity, then from life and finally from unlife. Spike stormed out of the sewers and into the fresh night air to begin his search for his Grande Sire.

***

if you give up on me now,
i'll be gutted like i've never been before

Willow giggled like a delighted child as Buffy groaned in pain from the tiny slices the was making all over her skin. She licked the red lines of blood as they appeared, feeling empowered by Slayer blood. It was unlike any she had ever tasted and it kept her coming back for more, making another slice and lapping up the crimson treat.

"I can see why he likes you," Willow said, leaning back on her haunches and tilting her head to meet Buffy's eyes, "You're so tasty."

"I can see why he wanted to get the hell away from you," Buffy said weakly, leaning against the wall. She tried to keep her head from lolling to the side, but the pain from the cuts along with the head wound was making her woozier by the second. She wasn't sure how much time had passed...hours, days maybe and the pain kept coming, affliction followed by the slow lapping of the vampire's pink tongue on her skin.

"You smell like him, you know," Willow said, carving into her leg, "Vampires can smell other vampires. We can track the scent of a mate from miles away."

"Then he'll find me," Buffy answered.

"I said ‘mate,'" Willow said laughing and licking the edge of her blade, "You're human. You really don't think he's capable of loving you, do ya? Cause you're gonna be disappointed."

"That's a little prejudiced, don't you think?"

"Not really," Willow said, "You're a meal - a delicious one, but just food. He knows that too. Every time looks at you, he thinks about breaking into your soft skin. If I wasn't planning on killing you myself, I would want to watch him the night he lost control and sucked you dry. Mmmm...can't you picture it?"

Willow leaned her head back and closed her eyes, licking her lips as she whispered, "His hard cock inside you. Your pussy so wet for him that you're begging for more, pleading with him to fuck you harder, slamming your hips up against his. He bends down and kisses your neck, his chest against yours, loving the feel of your hard nipples scraping his skin. Then he tastes you...and you come so hard you feel your head spinning. He keeps drinking your blood, laced with your arousal and adrenaline. It tastes better than honey and he...can't...stop."

"That's an interesting story," Buffy mumbled, trying to keep talking just so she remained conscious, trying to keep the blind panic from reaching her mind, trying to keep herself from imagining Willow's scenario with perfect accuracy right down to the final breath, "But here's the problem: You think you're going to be his mate? Here's a little tip from a meal to a fiend: He hates your guts. He'll never be yours."

"We'll see," Willow said, opening her eyes with Buffy's words and leaning back in. She traced the girl's face with the blade, rolling in the sound of the gasp of pain and the horror in her eyes, "I have a convincing way about me."

Willow stood and looked over Buffy, admiring her handiwork. The waifish little human was cut all over, sliced up so severely that the entire apartment smelled of fresh blood. All the sampling of The Slayer made her hungry. She was starving as she inspected her and although she couldn't wait to see her die, she wanted Puppy to be there when it happened. The picture was so beautiful in her mind that she had a soft, almost ethereal smile on her pale face as she left the apartment.

***

and either way you turn, i'll be there, open up your skull
i'll be there, climbing up the walls

"Angel," Oz said, coming out the magic shop with the supplies they needed to bind Willow's soul.

"Oz," Angel said, growling loudly in the dark.

"Still unnerved," Oz admitted, staring into his golden eyes.

"You should be," Angel said, "Your girlfriend has Buffy. When I find her, she dies."

"But we have the spell," Oz said, holding up the brown bag of ingredients as if they were proof of Willow's soul, "We can restore her soul and she'll save Buffy."

"All bets are off boy," Angel growled returning to his search, "You'd better restore her soul before she kills Buffy. If I find her..."

"Angel!" Oz called as Angel became one of the shadows and disappeared. He turned and ran back to his van, hurdling into his seat and revving the engine before peeling away from the curb. Giles' house was only a couple of miles from the magic shop, but those miles stretched long and wide before they became the destination. Oz ran into the flat, pushing the bag into Jenny's hands.

"Were you chased?" Giles asked, looking out into the darkness as he shut the door.

"We have to do the spell right now," Oz shouted.

"Well, we weren't planning on doing it tomorrow," Jenny said as she began setting things up. Giles moved to Jenny's side to help her, glancing back at the normally calm, taciturn boy every few seconds trying to ascertain if he had completely lost his mind.

"Angel's going to kill her if he finds her first," Oz said, moving back toward the door, "I'm going to look for her."

"Oz," Giles said, holding out his hand as if the motion in the air would cause the boy to pause, "It's dangerous. *She's* dangerous."

Oz ignored the statement as he ran back out the door, leaving it open behind him. It didn't matter if he closed it anyway. Most of the things in Sunnydale that they should worry about entering needed an invitation first.

***

i will stop, i will stop at nothing

Angel tried to keep control as he moved quickly through the streets and alleys. He smelled her blood and knew that she was in pain and somewhere nearby. He turned into Willy's, following the smell of her through the doors. He headed for the bar and knocked a vampire and a demon from their bar stools. He leaned over the counter and dragged Willy closer to him, baring his teeth as Willy slammed into the wooden barrier between them.

"H-hey, Angel," Willy said, trying to be casual as usual, "How's it goin' man?"

"Where's The Slayer?"

"I don't know nothing about that, man," Willy said as the air seemed to become thicker around him, "I keep to myself these days."

"Where's Buffy?" Angel screamed, hauling the smaller man over the bar and tossing him across the room. He landed on a poker game and the table broke out from under him as the demons around it scooted back to avoid him falling on them.

"That crazy redhead took her," Willy groaned, "I don't know where, though, I swear."

"I smell her blood in here!" Angel shouted, picking him up and holding him off the ground, "That bitch was in here and she's tasted The Slayer. Now tell me where she went or I start dusting off my torture skills."

"Some abandoned place," Willy choke, "That's all I know. She came in here and killed a couple of my patrons and left. That's all."

"If I get there too late, I'm coming back for you," Angel growled, dropping him to the floor. He stopped cold as he heard a low growl. He raised his head slowly and growled back.

"You won't be back for him," Spike snarled from the doorway, "I'm going to kill your sorry ass and then I'm going to find your little Rebecca of Sunnyhell and I'm going to kill her just for you, Peaches."

"I don't have time for you, Spike," Angel said, walking towards the door, which just so happened to be where Spike was standing.

"You had time to dust my mate," Spike growled.

"self-defense," Angel said, standing directly in front of him, "She shouldn't've tried to kill me. Besides, you tried to kill mine."

Angel waited and caught the hand that tried to force the stake into his chest. He kicked Spike out of the door as he felt the vampire presence in the room edging toward him to aide in the vengeance. They all knew that Angel was in league with The Slayer and now that he had singlehandedly destroyed the strongest vampires in Sunnydale, something had to be done.

Spike flew into the alley and landed roughly against the wall across from Willy's front door. He jumped to his feet immediately and moved back toward Angel who was shifting to the right, preparing to run from the entourage of demons at his back.

"You boys are so cute," Willow purred, stepping out of the shadows, "Too bad I'm only going to keep one of you. I like puppies on chains."

Angel snarled at her words and forgot the demons behind him as he charged her. He stopped as a white and black van drove into the alley, attempting to block his path from Willow. Oz leaned out of the window with his bow and shook his head no.

"Stay out of this Oz," Angel growled, moving forward, "She'd kill you the second she had a chance."

"No," Oz said, releasing an arrow and hitting Angel's left shoulder. Reloading, he kept his eyes on the vampires around him, "I don't want to kill you."

"You're gonna have to," Angel answered, pulling the arrow from his shoulder without flinching. He held it up and smiled coldly, "And thanks for the weapon."

"This is fun," Willow said, leaning against the van and winking at the team of enemies at Angel's back. At a standstill, everyone paused for a second until Willow's painful gasp sounded. She fell to her knees, eyes glowing a mystical orange and Angel took to the opportunity to run forward. He yanked her off the ground and held her against his chest as he backed away. After a few steps, he spun and ran, carrying Willow with him. He heard the pounding feet of the vampires who chased after him and the tires of the van as it backed out of the alley at a high speed.

"Angel," Oz shouted, pulling along side the vampire, "Get in."

Angel opened the door and tossed Willow in. He dove in after her as Oz hit the gas and left their followers behind.

sometimes i get overcharged that's when you see sparks

"Where is she?" Angel shouted inside the van at the dazed girl.

"Who?" Willow asked, shaking her head in confusion. She looked over at the driver and started to crawl toward her boyfriend when Angel pulled her back.

"Buffy!" Angel shouted, gripping her shoulders and rattling her violently.

"Buffy?"

"She doesn't remember," Angel said, hanging his for a moment and then explaining to Oz, who looked slightly confused, "When you first get your soul back it takes a little while to remember what happened. Stop the van."

"What?" Oz asked.

"Stop the van, I'm getting out," Angel said.

"She'll remember soon, right? I mean, if you wait she can just tell us."

"She's taken a lot of Buffy's blood," Angel answered jumping out, "I can't wait for her to remember. I have to find her now."

Angel got out and started running. He wasn't even sure which direction he was traveling in as he ran. All he knew was that Willow smelled so strongly of Buffy's blood that it made his insides twist.

***

i think you're crazy, maybe
i think you're crazy, maybe

Spike kept running after the van and soon found himself alone. He turned around and a group of vampires were standing there, preparing to turn back in defeat.

"What's wrong with you people?" Spike demanded, "You give up after four feet? Angelus killed my mate and most of our kin in this bloody town."

"They're gone," one answered, taking sidelong glances at his foes, hoping they would back him up.

Spike growled and marched over to the one who dared to speak. He dusted him quickly with the stake he had been holding and turned to the others while shoving it in his pocket, shouting out instructions of places to look. They immediately moved to obey his orders, each of them afraid that they would be the next one to meet the pointy end of the stake. Spike turned on his heel and headed for the Watcher's flat. He broke into a run as the hatred and pain continued to course through his system. He didn't have much more of the night left.

***

and for a minute there, i lost myself, i lost myself
and for a minute there, i lost myself, i lost myself

Angel looked at his old apartment building in confusion for a second before following his intuition and the scent of her blood inside. He kicked in his own door and looked around the room. His eyes landed on her body, lying in a small pool of her own blood. He said her name as he skidded across the floor and dropped to his knees at her side.

"Buffy," he said, touching her bloody face gently and yanking his hand back as if she had hissed in pain, even though she hadn't moved. He checked her pulse and thanked the Powers that she was still alive. She had wrenched the radiator that her chains were secured to from the wall completely and managed to free herself. His eyes followed the trail of blood that marked her struggled movements halfway across the room before she had lost consciousness.

He pulled her into his arms and headed back out the door with her broken body in his arms, running for the hospital. The medical staff stared at him strangely as he ran in screaming for help. Angel didn't have to reach up and touch his face to know that he had reverted to human form so he figured they must have been reacting to his panic. They were, however, reacting to the demonic glowing yellow of his eyes and the growled tone in each of his words as he demanded that they save her life.

***

they're cursing me
and they won't let me be
there's nothing to say
and there's nothing to do

Oz helped Willow out of the van and stopped cold when she hit the invisible barrier outside of Giles' apartment. Giles and Jenny stood at the door and looked out the them warily.

"Did it work?" Giles asked, looking over her for signs of residual evil.

"Yeah. Invite her in," Oz answered, holding her more tightly against him. She leaned heavily on his shoulder as the memories began to flood her mind.

"Oh my God," she whispered, jerking as if she were being beaten. She pulled away from Oz, staring at the scar on his neck, holding her hand up to her mouth.

"It's okay, baby," he said back gently, "Everything's going to be okay now."

She shook her head and looked over at Giles with tears streaming down her cheeks. The Watcher's eyes softened as he looked over the face of the girl who had once been his favorite student. He saw the pain racking her body as she remembered at a velocity that forced her to the ground. She vomited into the grass, whimpering in pain and as Oz neared, she looked up at him and screamed for him to stop.

"Don't come near me," she cried, "Don't touch me."

"Willow," Oz whispered, looking over her with the same love he had always had for her.

"No," she answered shaking her head, "Not Willow. Not anymore."

"Got that right," Spike said, running into the middle of the group and looking down on her, "This is just bloody pathetic."

Willow got up and forced herself into motion, running away from him, but he caught up with her, pulling her close to his face, "Don't think so, pet. We got some business to finish."

"Get away from her," Oz said, standing there empty handed with nothing but his anger and love to defend her.

"Ooh, I'm afraid. No, really. I am," Spike said, nodding sarcastically, "Run along little boy. I have a bit ‘o business with your girl and then I'll be gone."

Willow leaned against Spike, pressing her face against the cold leather of his coat as if the oxygen her body no longer needed was stored there. He smoothed his hand over her hair almost holding her up.

"It's time to go," Willow whispered, looking up into his deadly blue eyes.

"That's right, love," he answered, caressing her face. He wanted nothing more than to torture her until he felt better. This was all her fault anyway. If she hadn't gotten into the middle of everything, he would be sitting in the Master's chair with Drusilla by his side. If she thought her new found harrowed humanity was going to keep him from making her his slave, she was wrong.

When Willow looked into his eyes, she saw nothing but evil and darkness, which seemed strange in eyes so bright and beautiful. A cloud of hate wrapped around abysmal bitterness inside him. The attack of his glare was what made her reach into his pocket and fondle the stake that he had there. Staring into his eyes, lost in the darkness, she destroyed him. Her eyes followed his ashes to the ground and she stared at them for a moment before turning around to look at the shocked faces of Oz, Giles and Jenny.

"I love you," she said, looking longingly over at her former lover before raising the stake to her chest.

"NO!" Oz screamed as he ran toward her. Unable to stop himself, he tunneled through her dust, wrapping his arms around the body that was no longer there.

***

you are the sun the moon and starsah you... and i could never run away from you

"Buffy Summers," Giles said to the nurse clad in all white, sitting behind a large desk. He wondered why all nurses stations were so thick across, as if they needed a wide barrier from the germs that came in with visitors.

"Are you her father?" the nurse asked, looking over the handsome British man's hands for a wedding band.

"No, I'm her guardian," he answered, "Rupert Giles."

"I'm so glad to see someone else to visit her," the nurse said, standing and walking around the station to lead him to the room. She leaned in confidentially as she neared the door, "There's a young man in there and...we think...there's something wrong with him. He's...not normal and we're all convinced he's insane."

Giles looked through the small square window at Angel who sat on the edge of her bed, looking down at her. Even from the side profile, he could see Angel's eyes were glowing yellow.

"Ah," Giles said nodding, trying to think of a convincing excuse for Angel, "Yes. He hasn't been well either, I'm afraid."

"No, that's not what I mean," the nurse whispered, looking over Giles suspiciously, "He growled at everyone who went in there and his eyes..."

"I assure you," Giles said with a charming smile, "He'll not hurt anyone. He's perfectly normal. His eyes are just...yes, they rather make me nervous too sometimes."

Giles turned toward the door and took a deep breath before walking in. The yellow eyes that landed on him made him more than nervous, but he kept going, knowing that the nurse was staring through that little window.

***

when you were here before
couldn't look you in the eye
you're just like an angel
your skin makes me cry

"Between you and Giles, I'm going to go crazy," Buffy complained the next evening from her hospital bed, "I want to go home. I may look horrible but I'm fine."

"You're going to stay until they release you," Angel said firmly, sitting down next to her and looking over her wounds, "And so am I."

"You could at least stop glaring at people," Buffy added, "You're scaring the shit out of everyone. I think I heard a couple of nurses say you were the anti-christ or something."

"What's wrong with protecting my mate?" Angel stubbornly demanded. Buffy looked down at her mauled body, following the marks where her skin used to be. Mate? It was one thing to be in love with someone who had a singe scar across her mouth, but what if all the wounds scarred, leaving her looking freakish forever?

"What's wrong?" Angel said, touching her hand. Buffy pulled away and leaned away from him, which only made him lean in further, "What is it, love?"

"What if I stay like this?" She asked with tearing eyes.

"Like what?" Angel asked, looking over her for some unseen clue as to what she was talking about, "You mean your wounds?"

"What if they all...scar and..." She said. He knew she kept talking but with the sound of her sobs, he missed the rest of the sentence.

"I love you," he said, gathering her into his arms, "I don't care if you don't have skin at all."

"How could you be attracted to this?" She asked, rubbing her arm and the marks that lined it.

"Buffy," Angel said, "The scars will fade but I don't care either way. Nothing could make you less beautiful in my eyes."

"But-"

"But nothing," he said , looking into her eyes, "I love you, baby. That's the whole point. You're alive. Nothing else matters."

Buffy's tears were not stopped by Angel's words but flowed more freely. She couldn't understand, couldn't begin to comprehend what he could love about her now. She had taken a peek in the mirror earlier while she was in the bathroom and nearly threw up from what she saw. Her hideous reflection seemed to mock her and the imaginary laugh it made echoed off the sterile white tiles.

"How could you love this?" she asked again. Angel looked into her eyes for a moment and shifted to his game face. He allowed her a moment to take in the ridges of his face, his sharp fangs and his golden eyes before he asked back, "How could you love this?"

***

immerse your soul in love

The hospital was so quiet it woke Buffy up in the middle of the night. She itched to leave and if Angel wasn't lying there next to her, much to the dismay of the hospital staff, she would have already slipped away. But as it was, she loved that his arm curled around her, large fingers across her belly, holding her tightly against his bare chest. She was amazed that in his sleep he could hold her so tightly.

She shifted slightly and was surprised to feel his arousal brush her as she moved. She was just as shocked at her own immediate response to him and she quickly looked over her shoulder to see him looking down at her with a sheepish smile on his face.

"How long have you been awake?" she asked, pressing against the hardness that strained against his pants even though she inwardly told herself not to.

"About ten minutes," he whispered, "Long enough to drive myself crazy looking at you."

"Really?" she asked, turning over and accepting the kiss that he placed on her lips. She tilted her head up as the kiss deepened, basking in her lover. He pulled one of her legs over his hips and slid his hand under her hospital gown.

"Angel," she whispered, scolding him, "What are you doing? We're in a hospital and I'm all gross."

"‘Gross' wasn't the word that I was thinking," he growled softly, slipping his fingers into her wet heat and kissing her again as she moaned softly.

"We cannot do this here," she protested, moving against him even as she spoke.

"Why not?" he countered, pulling free the flimsy ties in the back of her gown.

"Nurses and orderlies and patients," she answered as one cool hand palmed her breast. He shot her a sly smile as he shifted her onto her back and removed the hindering cloth from her body. He immediately lowered his mouth to her nipples sucking them into his mouth as his fingers delved inside her.

"I don't think they'll be checking on you at 4:00 in the morning," he answered against her skin. He moved methodically over her body, kissing each wound, attempting to love her pain away. Soft, slow kisses doted on each slice and every bruise. He moved over her skin healing each spot as his fingers moved just as slowly inside her, his thumb brushing her clit again and again. As she neared climax, her trembling thighs squeezed against his hand. Unhindered, he continued to move sliding in and out as he pulled her in for another kiss.

Still recovering from her own climax, she slipped a hand between them and moved her hand over his groin, enjoying the guttural moan that escaped.

"I want to be inside you," he whispered as she pressed against him, gripping his cock through the material.

The nurse was finishing her rounds and as she passed by room 214, she glanced in and found herself backtracking to take a better look. She stared through the window at the pair without even trying to tear herself away as the formerly violent and crazy young man made love to the wounded blonde girl.

Unblinking, she watched, listening to their moans as his hands moved over the angry lines on her body in a way that seemed almost like...worship. She leaned in as he began whispering to her, looking directly in her eyes as he moved inside her. The girl stared back with the same sort of adoration, her pretty scarred face covered in ecstasy.

"I thought I lost you," he whispered, intertwining his fingers with hers, "I didn't think I was going to find you in time."

"You did," she answered, wrapping her legs around his waist and arching against him, "You found me. Saved me."

"No," he whispered, "I think you saved me."

The nurse moved away from the door and felt her eyes filling up with tears. She sat back down at the nurses station and looked around the empty walls as she thought about what she had seen. She would give everything to have a love like that. Moments later, she blushed in her chair as the lovers cried out in the dark, the sound of their lovemaking echoing down the hallways and causing the building to swell.

***

THE END. Please feedback at Tangofic@hotmail.com