Part Sixteen "The Move"

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DISCLAIMER: Nope. I still don't own them.
DISTRIBUTION: Of course you can have it! Please let me know though.

SPOILERS: Completely AU. My first one with no vamps or Slayers. Everyone's just plain ‘ole human.

PAIRING: B/A, of course!

FEEDBACK: You all have been so wonderful with the feedback! I really love it! Please let me know what you thought of this part.

LYRICS: All lyrics are from Barenaked Ladies

RATING: NC-17!!!

***

not happy with a hug and a kiss
although most stop at this
we go much, much farther

Angel tried everything to get into Buffy's pants over the next several days. He didn't seem to care that she was on her period and bloated but she most certainly did. She brushed off his attempts to seduce her with difficulty. With the onslaught of hormones that went along with her menstrual cycle, she was horny as hell. It would have helped if he wasn't so damn sexy, teasing her with kisses and caresses. Every time his skin brushed hers, she was inches from release, trembling beneath his fingers. She was proud of herself for holding out. Angel, on the other hand, had no idea how he kept himself from sleeping with her for so long before, because now, since she had refused him for four whole days, every time he even thought of her his cock hardened.

On the fourth day, when her cycle ended, she got up from bed, leaving her lover sleeping there and took a long, languid shower. She wrapped herself in his black silk robe, shivering from the feel of it against her bare skin while she was enveloped in his smell. She tiptoed back into the bedroom and looked down on him. She was glad they decided to stay in her apartment this week before she moved out on Saturday. She liked the way he looked in her double bed, the same one she had slept in since she was in high school.

Smiling, she crawled back in bed and gently caressed the side of his face. She had never felt so desired as she had the last couple of days. She had needed that, since this particular time of the month also announced the child that wasn't.

She tried to remember what life was like without him, what it felt like to sleep without his arms around her, but she couldn't seem to make those nights real in her memories anymore.

She nearly started giggling when she reflected on the past couple of days with her lover. Gunn even pulled her aside one day after they finished sparring and asked her what the hell she had done to him to make him such an asshole for the past couple of days. She just smiled and shook her head innocently as if she had no idea what he was talking about.

Looking down at him, she felt her skin flush as she thought about the previous night. They had rented videos and were cuddling on her couch together watching one of the movies Angel picked out. She had worn her favorite pajama pants and a tank top and was curled up against his bare chest, absently twirling the drawstring of his pants around her index finger as she stared in horror at the action film before her. His fingers curled around hers and he pulled her away from his groin, placing her hot little hand on his chest. His deliberate movement sent her gaze to his lap and once again was shocked at his ability to be turned on at any given moment.

"Sorry," she whispered, looking down at the material straining against his cock.

"It's okay," he said hoarsely, trying to focus on the movie. He kissed her forehead and smiled in spite of his uncomfortable situation. She had no idea how sexy she was, no clue how much she made him want her.

She kept flicking her eyes from his lap to the television and back again. She had never performed oral sex before and since they had been lovers she had been too nervous to try it. He never asked her about it even though more than one of his fantasies had her pink lips wrapped around his hard cock. Taking a small breath, she slipped her hand back down his chest and caressed him through his pants. He groaned, silently begging her not to torture him. Shifting to her knees, she pulled his waistband down enough to release him. He lifted his hips and she pushed them down further before wrapping her small hand around him.

Angel was sure things were moving in slow motion as she lowered her head, brushing her golden hair to one side. He gripped the side of the couch as she tentatively licked the tip, tasting him. Lost in her exploration, she didn't notice his shuddering breaths and groans of pleasure as she peppered tiny kisses all over his length. Every nerve in his body screamed as she took him into her hot, wet mouth and swirled her tongue around the end before taking in more of him. He forced himself not to thrust up into her little mouth as she sucked...oh God, she sucked him in a sweet, delicate rhythm, lowering further with each stroke. He watched his beautiful lover moving up and down in a mesmerizing motion. Her hazel eyes were closed as she focused on the feel and taste of him. The sensual act of her new journey was almost enough for him to lose control. He released a panted moan as her fingertips brushed his balls. Intrigued at his response, she caressed them further, cupping them in her hands.

"Oh God," he groaned, clutching the armrest of her couch as she plunged down on his erection, sucking harder with each of his moans of pleasure. As he felt his release nearing, he smoothed a shaking hand over her back.

"Buffy," he choked out through gritted teeth, "I'm going to come, baby. You have to stop now."

She opened her eyes and looked up at him, moving up slowly. As she met his gaze, he nearly lost it right then. Slowly, she moved up and scraped her teeth lightly against the tip, swirling her tantalizing tongue around him. Ignoring his request, she lowered again, taking as much of him in as she could and swallowed his seed as it spurted against the back of her throat.

Now, as the sun was beginning her early morning excursion, Buffy looked down on her sleeping lover, the memory of his pleasure the night before causing moisture to seep between her thighs. She kissed his lips gently and moved to his neck, licking his salty skin. He stirred in his sleep, reaching out to pull her into his arms as he often did in the night. She continued her journey, kissing down the column of his throat and allowing her hands to smooth over his broad chest.

"Buffy," he murmured, rubbing his hand along her back.

"Morning," she purred, sucking one of his nipples into her mouth and catching it between her teeth.

"What are you doing?" he asked, his chest rumbling with his words as he felt his skin flush with arousal. She moved to his other nipple, leaving little kisses along the way, "You feel so good."

"Mmm," she said, moving further down his chest, "You taste good."

He pulled at the sash of the robe and smiled with relief as she helped him pull it off of her. One more day without being able to bury himself inside her and he would go insane.

"Want to touch you," he said, sliding his hand up her inner thigh, waiting for the refusal that had become rote in the last few days. She allowed it and pressed against his hand as he slid his fingers against her. They sighed in pleasure together as he slipped one finger inside her slick channel, circling her clit with his thumb. Having her permission at long fucking last, he flipped them suddenly, pressing her against the mattress. She was golden and smiling as she spread her legs for him, allowing him entrance.

He grabbed a condom and happily tore it open, knowing that soon he wouldn't have to do that at all. He would gladly wear them for all of eternity if he could make love to her, but there was nothing like the feel of her skin against his. He couldn't wait to slide his cock into her tight pussy, feeling her wet channel again without being covered.

"Thank God," he groaned as he entered her. She arched up, pressing him in deeper as he sucked her nipples, touching her all over.

"Not God," she replied in a giggled pant, "Buffy."

"Perfect Buffy," he crooned, kissing the dainty curve of her shoulder. She flexed around him, squeezing his throbbing cock in the most unbearable way, "Love, you're perfect."

She moaned loudly as he thrust inside her harder. She bucked back up against him, wrapping her legs around his waist. She was rasping, delirious with pleasure as she came, nearly sobbing in ecstacy.

***

pack up and leave

Angel had recruited Spike, Doyle, Gunn and Tommy to help with the move on Saturday. Buffy called Giles, Xander and Willow. Cordelia came along with Doyle, but didn't bother trying to pick anything up or move anything. She barely moved herself out of the way when people were carrying things out. Buffy and Willow laughed at her typical behavior as they toted the lighter things out, leaving the heavy things for the boys.

"You femmes could carry something besides boxes of shoes, ya know," Xander stated pointedly to Buffy and Willow, breathing heavily from just carrying a box out to the truck that had to have steel lining.

"Here, here," Giles chimed as he lifted another of Buffy's horribly packed boxes. She gleamed with happiness at her friends and family. Giles being there made it seem more real somehow. They shared a small moment of exchanged glances of mutual love and familial bonding before Buffy broke the silence.

"I'm an old fashioned girl," Buffy piped, smiling brightly at him, holding up her shoe box, "I believe that men carry the heavy stuff and the girls carry the shoes."

"You...owe...me," Xander gasped as he lifted another box, "Big...time....Buffy."

Buffy and Willow had no intention of carrying heavy things when they had so much help, besides, if they were doing all that work, they couldn't watch the guys do it. Buffy eyed her lover appreciatively as he carried her entertainment center out of the apartment with Gunn. She licked her lips as she watched him, forgetting that she was supposed to be pretending to help. Angel in those snug, worn Levis and a t-shirt that stretched over his well muscled arms and chest was a sight that had to be admired...at length. Willow nudged her gently and she moved toward the door, walking behind them with her box of shoes as the guys navigated the stairs with the heavy piece of furniture.

***

our world works in a weird way

"Looks like you've got two of everything," Willow said when they began unloading the truck at Angel's.

"I know," Buffy said, looking around the apartment that was quickly becoming smaller, "We're going to put some of it in storage and get rid of some of it, but we couldn't decide before we had it here."

"You mean you couldn't decide," Cordy said, wrinkling her nose at some of the furnishings she felt were below her standards.

"Pretty much," Buffy said with a shrug, "I couldn't picture my stuff in here. Have to see it first."

"Bet the boys are going to be grouchy when they have to carry half of this stuff back out to the truck," Willow whispered laughing.

"I thought I'd wait until I fed them pizzas and then mention that there might be another tiny thing they could do to help me," she whispered back, trying to keep the men from hearing her.

"Well," Cordy said, "I thought this was going to be sweaty and boring, but I get ringside seats to a fight."

"There won't be a fight," Buffy said, brushing off her friend's comment with a sweet smile. Some days it was harder to love her friend than others.

***

dazzled by her smile

There were several problems with the situation when Angel walked in from locking up the truck and carrying the last box inside. First of all, Buffy was frantically searching around the apartment, opening boxes randomly while yelling at Xander. Secondly, she was wearing those cut off jean shorts that he really loved...for no one to see but him and that pathetic excuse for a shirt that left a sexy slip of skin showing at her waist. It hugged her bare breasts and didn't show cleavage at all unless she was bending over a box, rooting desperately though it.

The guys were sitting around, staring alternately at her shapely ass peeking out from those shorts and her breasts which were damn near entirely visible when she was bending over. He set down his box and crossed the room to her, strategically placing himself in their line of sight. He glared angrily at Spike when he huffed in protest at the blocked view.

"What's wrong, baby?" he asked, gliding a large hand over her back as she rooted through a box.

"Mr. Gordo is missing!" Buffy exclaimed, as if that should explain something and straightened up to show him the exasperation in her eyes at this horrible situation.

"Mr. Gordo?" Angel echoed with confusion.

"Her precious stuffed pig," Xander explained with a pout, "She asks me to help her pack and then gets mad at me when I pack stuff."

"Stuff!" Buffy shouted, "Mr. Gordo is not stuff!"

"You should know better," Willow said, planting a look of disapproval on her boyfriend.

"What?" Xander said, "You asked me to help! You never said anything about the importance of correctly packing stuffed pigs! And no one mentioned one word about remembering what damn box I put things in."

"Remember the whole part about writing on the box with the marker?" Willow asked gently.

"I did write on the boxes," he said in his defense.

"Yeah," Buffy said, pointing to a piece of cardboard proof in front of her with Xander's sloppy handwriting scrawled across it, "I didn't mean write ‘Buffy's Junk' on every one of them!"

Spike, Gunn and Tommy tipped back their beers and chuckled at the show. If nothing else, things were never boring around Buffy and her friends.

"Honey," Angel said diplomatically, "We'll find Mr...."

"Gordo," she finished.

"Mr. Gordo," Angel said, committing the name to memory even though he wasn't sure why, "We'll find Mr. Gordo even if Xander has to unpack every box looking for him."

"Xander!" Xander said, shouting his own name, "I'm not unpacking anything. No one said anything about-"

"Xander," Willow said, nearing the crabby place she hated to visit.

"Fine," he huffed, moving toward the nearest box with a box cutter in his hand, "It's a stuffed pig, you know."

***

divided, but i can't decide what side i'm on

"I want her away from him as much as you do," Riley said, swishing his whiskey around in Darla's crystal glass, watching the firelight gleam over it, "And believe me, I'm just as upset as you are about the moving in thing and the almost pregnant thing, but you've got to calm down."

"You weren't standing there listening to him mush all over the whiney little bitch," Darla ranted, pacing around her living room, "If you had seen how they shared their little fucking moment and mourned a godamn child that never even existed you would have vomited in Cordelia's dying flower garden."

"I've heard this before," Riley complained, "You still haven't gotten to the point."

"The point," Darla said, calming down and taking a second to return to her normal, cold demeanor, "Is that we can't wait much longer. Now, Angel is going to take a trip to New York next week. We have to make sure that when he comes back, his beloved little slut of a lover is packed up and gone."

"Short of kidnapping her," Riley said, "and that's *not* an option, what do you suggest we do?"

"Cordelia, in all her cluelessness, told me that Angel is taking the redeye next Friday night. All you have to do is get someone to demand a private showing in the her gallery on the night Angel takes off and I'll take care of the rest."

"What are you going to do, Darla?" Riley asked, narrowing his eyes at her, "If Buffy gets hurt in any way other than emotionally..."

"Don't worry," Darla said, "All she's going to experience is the excruciating sight of her lover naked in the arms of another woman."

"The other woman is you, I'm guessin'?"

"Who else?" she said with a evil smile.

"You really think Angel is going to cheat on Buffy?" Riley snorted, "Haven't you seen them? It's sickening."

"I never said I was going to get him to cheat on her," Darla said, shaking her head sadly at the dense boy, "She's just going to think that's what happened. What the eyes see, my boy, the mind believes."

***

Part Seventeen "Setting Traps"

***

all of our fears come true again
recycle reuse
resent and refuse

The following Friday, equipped with the full knowledge of the importance of Mr. Gordo and the sort of nervousness that comes with leaving your lover for the first time, Angel stepped out of the shower. He dried off and wrapped the towel around his waist before opening the door and releasing the steam from the room.

His entire day had been focused on developing a pit of dread of the size of a bowling ball in his stomach. She was so adorable the way she teased him about how they would preoccupy themselves while he was in New York. As much as she tried to lighten the mood, he was covered in a sheen of negativity. When he walked into his bedroom, all of his fears clicked into place.

Darla was standing there in the center of the room boldly naked and smiling broadly at him. He stared at her, saying nothing for several long seconds as his mind ran through the repercussions of the situation. Buffy was at a late night gallery meeting that had sprung up unexpectedly a couple of days ago. She had promised she would cut it short to say goodbye to him before he left, if only for a few minutes.

He glanced at the clock and brushed past her to look into the living room. Darla had left an obvious trail of her clothing along the living room to the bedroom door and his own clothes were strategically placed around as well to make it look like they had undressed each other on the way to the bedroom.

"Get out," he said, in a low even voice, crossing the room to her. Although he did notice she was nude, his body only reacted in anger to his manipulative ex-lover.

"You want me to leave?" she asked, releasing a light, throaty laugh at the end of her sentence, "You disappoint me, Angel. You used to know what to do with a naked woman in your bedroom."

"You think I'm fucking stupid, Darla?" he asked, keeping his voice dangerously low, "I know what you're trying to do here. You're naked. I'm naked. Buffy will be walking through that door any second. That's just brilliant."

"I thought so," she mused, stepping closer to him, "You need someone to help you find your way back to who you used to be, Angel. You're a domesticated pet."

Angel laughed, tossing his head back and the sound was almost maniacal.

"You're so fucking pathetic," he said, his eyes twinkling with an odd mixture of amusement, fury and panic. It made him look insane, "You're not disappointed that I've settled down. You're just pissed it wasn't with you. Tell me, lover, why would I choose you? I can't trust you. I don't even fucking like you."

"But you like fucking me," she crooned, reaching out to touch him.

"I used to," he said, "I used to like a lot of things."

He flinched as her hand caressed his bare chest but didn't move away from her. He stood frozen in the middle of the room as he heard the quiet clicking of the key in the lock. He leaned his head back and stared at the ceiling as he heard his little lover's delicate footsteps entering the apartment. He stepped away from Darla as he heard Buffy's gasp of pain at the trail of clothes that led her the bedroom.

"Angel?" He looked over at Buffy who was leaning into the room. Her expression shattered as tears filled her eyes.

"Buffy," Angel said, struggling for something to say, but coming up empty. The three of them stood there until Darla smiled at her competition with a cold glint in her blue eyes.

"Hello Buffy," she said, trailing her fingers over her own naked belly. She looked so damn smug and malicious standing there. Angel, on the other hand, looked defeated, as if there was nothing he could say to make this better. Buffy looked from him to her and back again for several very slow moving seconds.

Suddenly, propelled by anger and jealousy, she crossed the room quickly, small feet hitting the floor in heavy determined strides until she reached the naked blonde in her bedroom. Pulling back, she swung, hitting Darla hard in the jaw. Enraged, Buffy swung again, this time knocking her to the floor.

Turning on her heel, she went back to the doorway, keeping her fists clenched. She stopped just before leaving the room and turned back around. She glanced briefly at Angel and as she felt the sob rising in her throat, she turned again and ran.

"Is that what you wanted?" Angel shouted over the sound of the front door slamming shut. Darla found her footing and stood before him again, just as confident and smiling more broadly than before despite her split lip.

"Yes," Darla answered smoothly, wiping her mouth, "That's part of what I wanted."

"What was the rest?" Angel said, moving swiftly across the room and grabbing her shoulders roughly, "You decided to destroy every hope of happiness I've ever known and then what? I would live happily ever after with you? Is that how this all played out in your warped little mind? Did you go through all this trouble for a hard fuck, Darla?"

He tossed her to the bed and she bounced to the center. She was barely able to right herself before he joined her, pressing her against the mattress. His hands dug into the flesh of her upper arms so roughly that she whimpered in pain as he demanded, "Answer me."

"Yes," she answered breathlessly, "You don't need her. She isn't happiness, Angel. She's a vanilla imitation of what you really need."

"And you're what I really need?" he shouted, "You're a sick bitch, Darla."

"You want me, Angel," she said, "I know you do."

"Are you wet for me?" he said in a voice lined in silk, "Is your hot little cunt begging for it?"

"Yes," she breathed and gasped as he released her, stepping away from the bed. His towel fell away as he stood up and he ignored the loss as he crossed the room.

"Reach up and grab the headboard," he commanded as he pulled open the top drawer of Buffy's dresser. He retrieved two cream colored, silk scarves and lifted them to his face, inhaling her scent before turning around to see that she had obeyed his order. He moved back to the bed and tied her wrists, binding her to the bed.

"These are Buffy's," he said, as he tied her wrists expertly there, "It's fitting, don't you think?"

"Actually, yes," Darla answered, allowing herself to be bound with no reservations. She wasn't afraid of Angel. She never had been. He wasn't a violent man and as much anger as he had for her right then, she was certain he would never hurt her. He didn't have it in him.

"Spread your legs," he said, sitting down next to her. She opened for him immediately and he looked down at her, dripping for him.

"Mmm...you're so wet for me," he said, running a single finger down her thigh, causing a shiver to run through her body.

"Tell me," he said, sweeping his eyes over the body he had taken in a thousand ways or more, "Should I fuck your pussy until you scream for me? Or maybe I should ram in that sweet little ass of yours. I know how you love that. You make the most enticing sounds when my cock's buried inside you."

"Anything," she panted, raising her hips slightly and spreading wider for him, feeling no shame for her need, "Just please touch me, Angel. Fuck me and you'll be completely free of her."

"You're right," he said, "Doesn't really matter now, does it? She's never going to believe that I didn't fuck you anyway, right?"

Darla nodded, shifting uncomfortably under his gaze and testing her bindings. They were secure and nearly cutting off circulation.

"Let's play a game," he said, leaning in closer to her, "I know how you adore games."

***

i wish i could fly from this building, from this wall
and if i should try,
would you catch me if i fall?

Buffy made it out of the building alone and ran through the parking lot. Gunn stepped from his car and caught her in his arms. She sobbed in abandon for long minutes while he held her. He raised his eyes as Spike stepped out of the passenger side of his car.

"It's alright, love," he said gently, touching her shoulder lightly. Taking a deep breath, she handed him her keys. He clutched them tightly in his fist, gaining his composure before heading inside. As he started to step away, she touched his arm, stopping him.

"Make sure he doesn't miss his flight," she said in a cracked little voice.

"I will, pet," he said, wiping a tear from her face before turning away again.

"Spike?"

"Yeah?"

"Tell him I love him, okay?"

He nodded and went inside, walking slowly, as if he was heading for death row. Gunn wrapped an arm around her and escorted her to the car, opening the door for her before walking around and climbing inside. He slipped the key in the ignition and turned to her before starting it.

"Are you going to be alright, Buff?"

"It's just...this is harder than I thought it would be," she answered, voice trembling, "I knew what I was going to see, but it still hurt so much."

"He loves you," Gunn said as he started the car, "You have to remember that."

***

there were times when i wanted to hurt you
and there were times when i know that i did
there were times when i thought i would kill you

"Angel!" Spiked shouted as he entered the apartment.

"In here," Angel said, looking down at the panicked eyes of his ex-lover. He looked up to see his blonde friend strolling into the room, "Glad you could make it, buddy. Is Buffy okay?"

"Yeah," Spike said, with a grin, "She says she loves you and wants me to make sure you don't miss your flight."

"That's my baby," he said with a smile.

"What?" Darla said, pulling roughly at her binds, "What the fuck is going on here?"

"I thought you liked games," Angel said, standing up and moving to get dressed.

"You played me!" she screamed.

"Why not?" Angel said, as he pulled on a pair of boxers, "You played me. You tried to destroy my whole life. You used my friends behind my back. You tried to kill Buffy and have her raped. You even roped in her stupid ex-boyfriend in your little game. So now we have to decide how we're going to make this right."

"I gotta couple of fun little ideas," Spike said, standing close to the side of the bed, looking over her appreciatively, "It's been a while since I've had a piece of you, Darla. What do you say?"

"Don't touch me," she sneered, curling her legs up under herself.

"What?" Angel asked, ducking his head out of the closet to look at her in mock confusion as he continued dressing, "You can decide who sleeps with you, but Buffy can't? You can hire someone to rape her, yet you feel you shouldn't be violated?"

"You won't hurt me, Angel," she said with a glint of satisfaction in her eyes, "And you won't let Spike hurt me either."

"You're right," Angel said, nodding as he buttoned up his shirt, "It's too bad that you're the only person in the room who has no morals at all. You know, even Spike here has a shred of decency from time to time."

"Hey!" Spike said.

"Don't play innocent, Spike," Angel said, "You didn't join the right side until a few days ago."

A knock sounded on the front door and Angel smiled, "Speaking of the right side, Spike wanna get the door?"

"Sure, mate," he said. A few seconds later, Tommy dragged in the bound body of Riley Finn. He tossed him to the floor and dusted his hands off as if he had been sullied by Buffy's ex.

"Now that we're all here together," Angel said, perching on the edge of the bed, "We should discuss confessions."

"I didn't do anything!" Riley swore.

"Not really the answer I was looking for," Angel said, "See, here's the problem. I have an hour before I have to be at the airport. In that time, some things need to happen. Otherwise, you'll have a week with each other to think about what you've done to Buffy."

"You wouldn't leave us here," Darla said.

"I wouldn't?" Angel asked, looking over her with interest.

"No," she said.

"Hmmm...probably not. But I'd definitely leave you here for a couple of days," he said, "Maybe Spike here could come visit you. Wouldn't that be fun?"

"I'll come visit," Tommy said, grinding his large fist in his hand.

***

Part Eighteen "Revenge is a Bitch"

DEDICATION: For trammie!

***

so enthusiastic, a little bit drastic

"You did what?" Kate demanded, leaning inward with her words as her hands balled into angry fists on one of Spike's tables in the corner of his bar. The bar wasn't open yet for customers so the sound of her voice echoed off the walls.

"You heard me, pet," Spike answered with obvious satisfaction. He was in no way ashamed of what he had helped Angel do to Darla and Riley. In fact, he was deliriously happy that he had done something fun under the guise of good will and Drusilla was already starting to show her appreciation of his actions.

"This is a police investigation, Spike," Kate warned, "You were the one who wanted to keep Angel out of this! Now the two of you have revealed everything, ruined the investigation and don't even get me started on how many laws are being broken here!"

"Calm down, love," Spike smoothed, "They're not hurt. They're just cooling their heels."

"They're being kept prisoner!" she spat, "You will go over there and release them right now or I will take you in and Angel will be your cellmate the second he steps off that plane."

"No need to get into a twist. We got them to confess," Spike offered as he lit a cigarette, "Mostly anyway."

"How is that permissible in court exactly?"

"Not worried about court. We were interested in keeping Angel's chit safe is all."

"If you want to keep yourself safe, I suggest you release them," she said, standing up.

"Alright," Spike said, standing with a smile, "I'm supposed to let them go tomorrow anyway. Guess they get an early release."

***

i feel hopeless and you know this
i've never been ashamed of my attraction
i'd be happy if you'd give me a fraction

"Hello?"

"Hi Giles. It's Angel. Is Buffy there?"

"Yes," Giles said quietly, "She's sleeping. Can I have her ring you back?"

"This is going to sound stupid," Angel said, "But can you please wake her up? I just want to hear her voice."

"No," Giles replied as he looked into the tearful eyes of his niece, curled up on the couch, wide awake, "I'm afraid she told me not to wake her."

"Oh," Angel said, his voice betraying the worry he felt. He quickly rattled off the information he wanted Giles to pass on to her, including the phone number to his hotel and the room number.

"Thank you," Buffy said, sniffling as she took a deep, shaky breath, "I just couldn't..."

"It's alright," Giles answered and met her eyes for a long moment before he said, "You realize that the problem is not going to go away. Angel is going to come home from New York."

"I know, Giles," she said, "I'm going to go home. I just need a day or two, okay?"

"Of course," he said, pulling off his glasses to clean them, "You know you can stay as long as you like."

She gathered up her afghan and went trudging up the stairs, dragging part of it along behind her as she went. She felt like her heart was tailing along with the blanket and felt guilty for allowing herself to doubt her lover. She knew that Darla was going to try and seduce him. She knew what the whole plan had been, how he was going to make sure she wasn't hurt again. It had seemed like a good idea at the time.

Now that she had seen that horrible woman standing in her bedroom, so close to the bed she shared with Angel, Buffy felt a sickening feeling creeping through her. Darla had no doubt been in that bed hundreds of times before, knew his body so much better than Buffy did. Darla probably bought him those expensive silk sheets.

She loved Angel and wanted to be with him. She wanted to talk to him, share all of her fears and feelings of inadequacy as his new lover. She wanted curl up in her old bedroom in Giles' mansion and hide with Mr. Gordo until she disappeared. Where was her strength of will? Where was her trust in the man she loved?

She was fairly certain Darla was clinging to it as tightly as she was tied to the bed.

***

so i'm lying here
just staring at the ceiling tiles
and i'm thinking about what to think about

Angel had been disappointed that Buffy hadn't met him at the airport to say goodbye. They had agreed that she wouldn't, but he still felt a twinge of pain when he didn't see her beautiful face one last time before he left. He kept telling himself that when he called, he would be able to hear her voice and everything would be fine. The fact that she wouldn't speak to him confirmed his suspicions that she was even more upset about what had happened than he thought she would be.

The next morning he called before his first meeting to find that she was already "out." Anya said much the same thing when he called the gallery. By the next morning, he still hadn't been able to speak to her even once. That evening, he started his rounds of phone calls again, starting with Giles' house again, the gallery and finally dialed his own number with a heavy heart. He listened to the four rings and then wasn't surprised at all when the answering machine picked up.

"Hello," his love's bright, cheery voice said, "You've reached Buffy and Angel. Sorry we can't talk right now. We're...stop that....we're kinda busy...right now...Angel!"

He listened as she breathlessly tried to tell the caller to leave a message, collapsing into giggles. After a moment, he toned in, in a uninterested murmur, "Leave a message and we'll get back to you..."

Beep.

He remembered that day, leaving that message after they finished moving. He remembered begrudgingly agreeing to leave a new message since she insisted it was absolutely necessary. Angel hadn't cared at the time if she wanted to sing the "Star Spangled Banner" on the damn message as long as they could do it after they made love. His girl was determined though, claiming that his exes needed to know that she was permanently in the picture and could in no way have him...ever again.

He remembered running his hands over her body as she tried to leave the message, feeling her spark underneath his lips. Now he was beginning to wonder if he would be able to touch her like that again when he came home. When the beep came, he paused for a second and then sighed, "Buffy, It's Angel..."

He waited a second or two and then continued, "Please call me. I'm coming home early. I love you, baby."

He hung up the phone and stared at it angrily for a second before dialing another number, "Gunn Investigations. We help the hopeless."

"Gunn," Angel said, "Where's Buffy?"

"I don't know, man," Gunn admitted.

"Who does? Is Tommy on Buffy duty today?"

"No one is on Buffy duty."

"What are you talking about?" Angel growled into the phone.

"She fired us," Gunn answered plainly.

"What? When?"

"The day after you left," he said, "I was getting ready to follow her from her uncle's house to wherever she was going that morning and she told me that she didn't need to be followed anymore, that it was over."

"And you didn't follow her anyway? Jesus, what am I paying you for?" Angel said, "I thought we agreed that you all would be especially cautious after we released Darla and Riley."

"We did," Gunn said, "She didn't. I followed her to the gallery anyway and we got there she told me if I followed her again she was calling the police. We haven't seen or talked to her since. I'm sorry. We didn't have a choice. I can't have my staff going to jail for following your girl."

There was a long moment of silence before Gunn continued, taking a deep breath, "Look. I went to Detective Lockley and told her that Buffy was no longer under our protective custody. She told me that she had been in touch with Spike and almost threatened me outright for having something to do with what happened. After a bunch of yelling, she finally told me that Darla and Riley were under constant surveillance."

"Okay," Angel said, in a low voice that most people would think of as calm, but Gunn knew better. Angel was not even slightly calm, "I'm catching the next plane back to L.A."

As much as he cared about his friend, those words sounded like a threat to Charles Gunn. He sat by the phone for a second before calling Spike.

"What?" Spike said into the phone, indicating that he was busy, probably with Drusilla. When he heard a familiar whisper in the background, he knew he was correct in his assumption.

"Angel's coming home today," Gunn said, "He knows none of us have been watching Buff and he's pissed. Really pissed."

"So?" Spike said, "I held up my end of the deal. Don't know why you're calling me, mate."

"I wanted to warn you and I also wanted to find out if you've seen her, Darla or Riley in past couple of days."

"Set ‘em free and when about my business," Spike answered, plopping back against the bed and smoothed his hand over Dru's hair as she settled her head on his chest, "Thanks for the warning, but this is officially none of my business now."

***

if i were you and i wish that i were you
all the things i'd do to make myself turn blue
i supposed i'd start by removing all my clothes
tie my pantyhose around my neck

Buffy sat by the answering machine and listened to Angel's message for the third time in a row. As the beep sounded, she heard a voice behind her.

"Isn't that sweet?"

"What are you doing here?" Buffy said, taking a small step back.

"Witnessing my lover's pathetic roommate moon over an answering machine," Darla said, holding a gun loosely in her hand, "How could he have fallen for you, of all people?"

"You're crazy," Buffy said, fully believing the off-kilter, wild look in the woman's eyes. She shifted her eyes to the window, wondering if she looked down if she would see police cars lining up to arrest her. The only problem was that Buffy wasn't sure if she would be arrested before or after she was dead.

"Don't bother," Darla said, gesturing to the window with her gun, "The police in LA are dreadfully stupid. I lost them hours ago, but not your commando ex-boyfriend."

Darla glanced at the door and smiled, "Come in, Riley. I know you've been following me for two days."

He stepped into the apartment, holding his own gun and pointing it at the insane blonde. Darla responded by pointing her gun at Buffy.

"Drop it," she said, "Or your pretty girl here will be missing half of her face."

Riley narrowed his eyes, aiming at the center of her forehead. He was sure he could take her out. He had a perfect shot.

"I'll kill her," Darla said, cocking back the hammer with a smile, "Who has more to lose here? Somehow I think it's you."

He lowered the gun but kept it gripped in his hand.

"Drop it," she repeated, stepping closer to Buffy, "Or do you want me to shoot her? I would be glad to, you know."

He let his weapon drop heavily to the floor and shot a look of apology to Buffy, who wouldn't meet his eyes. She was too busy staring at the piece of metal near her face.

"Good boy," she said, "Now have a seat."

"What do you want?" Buffy said, trying to keep her voice even and strong. She knew that if Darla wanted to kill her, she would have already. At least, she hoped she knew that.

"I've been thinking," Darla said as she settled into Angel's leather chair, "I'm never going to get Angel back. I get that now. So, I'm going to take you from him."

"What are you waiting for?" Buffy said, unable to stop herself from mouthing off. She hated that bitch, "You just want to bore me to death?"

"I want Angel to watch," Darla said, "I want him to see you die."

"And then what?" Riley asked, "Who's next? Me? Are you going to kill Angel too?"

"If you don't shut up, you're first," Darla answered, keeping her even voice and her chilling smile.

***

don't admit defeat

Kate was already in car and halfway to Angel's before the officer finished informing her that her teams had not only lost Darla but Riley too. They had all but vanished in thin fucking air. She called Gunn, who informed her that Angel was returning home tonight, but didn't know anything else. Spike was equally useless and she felt an icy dread filling her veins.

She parked in front of his building and took the stairs two at time, ignoring that there was an elevator or forgetting completely. She rushed down the hall, keeping to her tiptoes to avoid the sound of her approach. Before she made it a tenth of the way down the corridor she could already hear voices shouting at each other. Angel's door was ajar and she picked up the pace to get to it. It seemed to be swelling and receding to her eyes, as if was going to disappear along with her career if she didn't get there in time.

She reached the door and as she pushed it open, a gunshot rang out along with a terrified scream. Kate raised her gun and shouted "LAPD" as she looked around the room. Riley was standing in front of the couch looking down with shock etched on his face. Darla stood several feet away with a gun in her hands. She didn't seem to notice Kate. She allowed the gun to slip from her fingers and dropped to her knees in desperate sobs.

Kate moved forward and found Angel lying on top of Buffy. Blood streamed out of his back in an even flow. Kate called for back up as she watched Buffy's arms snake around her lover. She could not move from under him, but wasn't trying to find a way to shift his considerable weight from her small frame. She moved her shaking hands over his back until she found the wound and pressed down on it.

He groaned from her action and Kate breathed for the first time as she crossed the room and felt his wrist, while keeping her gun trained on Darla's crying face. Using her police training and sharp eye, it didn't take more than a second or two to realize that Angel had jumped in front of that bullet. It took only a second longer to realize that the shot would have been in direct line of Buffy Summers' head if he had not been there to stop it.

"Hold on, baby," Buffy muffled into his shoulder, sobbing in perfect time with the woman who had tried to kill her. She kept the pressure on his wound as she felt him losing consciousness, "Stay with me, Angel."

"I love you, Buffy," he said weakly as he tried to blink himself awake. She was so warm beneath him and her arms seemed so strong as she clutched him tightly, holding her hand against his wound. The searing pain was too much and he felt the world slipping away.

"Angel!" Buffy cried out, holding him more tightly, "Stay with me. Please, wake up, baby, please."

As she held him, his motionless, bleeding body pressing her to the floor, she laid her head back. Her eyes moved to the wall above the fireplace and through her tearful eyes she saw the picture of Ireland hanging there. She gasped upon seeing that canvas of spiritually painted swirls of blue and green. Dimly, she remembered him mentioning a house warming present. A little surprise, he had said with a twinkle in his dark eyes. She had thought the painting was gone forever and now as she felt her sobs renewing, she realized that it might be all she had left.

***

Part Nineteen "Hospital Again"

DEDICATION: Copper, you're finally going to get what you want. *G* And for trammie, for keeping me going. You made this fic worth writing. And for everyone who encouraged me to continue and gave me such wonderful feedback. I really, really appreciated it all! You guys are great!

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is the last part. Sniff, sniff. I think I might actually miss this one. Oh well, another page in time turned. Hope you enjoy!

***

we never really knew each other anyway

"Your boyfriend's back."

"Excuse me?" Dena asked, looking up from the chart in front of her. Mr. Meddleson would need an increase in his meds. He had been complaining all day about the pain. She was preparing to seek out Dr. Thomas for approval when one of her fellow nurses interrupted her train of thought. She put the chart back and gave her full attention, "My boyfriend?"

"The artist," the nurse confided, "He was shot in the back. Just brought in. They're prepping him for surgery now."

"Oh my God," Dena said, heading toward the OR in a pace that was so brisk she was nearly running, "Is he going to be okay?"

"I don't know," the other nurse said, struggling to keep up with her friend, "He's lost a lot of blood."

Dena stopped momentarily to look at the petite blonde girl that Angel had come in with before. She was covered in blood, presumably his and was crying on the shoulder of an older gentleman. She shuddered at the pain coming from the girl and moved again toward the operating room.

"Dena?" a little voice said and she turned to see the tearful face of the girl who had stolen Angel's heart. She looked over the girl, slighter of frame than herself and a couple of inches shorter. She looked small and fragile. Dena could see how he would want to protect her. The girl spoke again in a trembling voice, "You're Dena, right?"

She nodded slowly, a bit confused.

"I'm Buffy Summers," she said, hiccuping, "Angel told me about you."

"Dena Franklin," she said gently, feeling genuinely sorry for the girl, but anxious to get to Angel.

"Is he going to be okay?"

"I don't know. I just found out he was here and was heading there now."

"Will you...um...will you come back out and tell me what's going on? He doesn't have any family and they won't let me see him. I'm not sure they'll tell me what happens."

"Of course," she said, turning on her heel and picking up her pace again. She hadn't known Angel didn't have any family. She hadn't met any of them, but just assumed he didn't usually take his casual partners in to meet Mom. She stopped short of the operating room and closed her eyes for a second, gathering strength before she walked in. After a moment, she opened them and pushed open the double doors.

***

shaken while he stirred

Angel opened his eyes and looked wildly around the room, immediately recognizing it as a hospital room. He was alone and he scanned through his mind for what had happened when he was shot, but couldn't remember exactly. He saved her, didn't he?

He jerked back the covers and groaned in pain as he tried to sit up. Settling back against the bed, he panicked. He couldn't stay in this bed until he was sure that she was safe. He pressed the button next to him, urgently calling for a nurse. After a few moments, Dena walked in, smiling in grateful relief that he was okay.

"Where's Buffy?" he choked out in a desperate voice, eyes pleading for a lie if she wasn't okay, "Is she okay? She's alive. Please tell me-"

"She's okay," Dena answered gently, "She's been by your side all night, but the police detained her for questioning. She's in the hallway."

"Thank God," he said, closing his eyes for a second, "Would you please tell her that I'm awake?"

"Yes," she said, nodding. She turned toward the door and then stopped, pivoting to face him again, "You're really in love with her, aren't you?"

"Yes," he answered without hesitation, "She's everything to me."

"I can see that," she answered as she turned again, trying to hide the pain on her face. She didn't hate him or feel any malice toward the lovely girl that had taken him away from the rest of the world, but there a was a tiny place in her heart that didn't understand why she wasn't worth his love.

***

how well you learn to not discern who's foe and who is friend
we'll own them all in the end.

"Are we finished?" Buffy asked tiredly, "No offense, but Angel could wake up any second and I don't want him to be there alone when he does."

"That should be all I'll need," Kate said, closing her notebook, "I'll need to take his statement as well in the next couple of days."

Buffy was preparing to protest when a voice from down the hall said, "He's already awake."

Buffy and Kate turned to face Dena who was moving down the hall from Angel's room.

"He just woke up a second ago and called for a nurse."

Buffy nodded her thanks and jogged down the hall. It would have turned into a run, if Dena hadn't stopped her, placing a hand on her arm as she breezed past. Buffy stopped, panic crossing her face as Dena stopped her.

Oh God, she thought, He's not okay. She's going to tell me he's not going to be okay.

"He's going to be fine," Dena said, answering her unasked question, "I just wanted to say something to you. There's no way this going to come out right, so I'm just going to say it."

"Okay," Buffy said, showing her confusion plainly as she answered.

"I'm sure you know that Angel and I used to be lovers."

"Yes," Buffy said, "He told me."

"Okay," Dena said, taking a deep breath before continuing, "I just wanted to let you know what you have in there-"

"I know exactly what I have," Buffy said, interrupting, but trying to keep the irritation from her voice. Angel was in there in pain and alone and she was being detained by yet another of his ex-lovers. These women were really starting to piss her off.

"I'm sure you do," Dena added, "but let me finish. I'm sure you know that he's been with a lot of women-"

"Get to the point!" Buffy said loudly, "He needs me now."

"He's never loved any of them...any of us. He loves you. I didn't think he was capable of loving anyone, but Buffy, he really loves you. I've never seen this side of him before. He'll be faithful to you. I'd bet my life on it. He means enough to me to tell you this. If he was the old Angel, I would already be back in bed with him. He's not the same. Not at all."

"I know that," Buffy said with tears in her eyes, betraying that she wasn't quite sure. Not really. She shifted from foot to foot nervously and looked away from the nurse.

"I can tell you're doubting it but trust me," Dena said, patting her shoulder, "No, actually, trust him. If I were in your place, I would worry too but he's not the same person he used to be. He hasn't been with another woman since he laid eyes on you."

"How do you know that?" Buffy asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. Lately, anyone of the opposite sex was looking shady to her.

"Because," Dena said, looking her directly in the eyes, "I tried to get him back...and I wasn't the only one."

Buffy watched the pretty nurse sway down the hall, dumbfounded. A second later, she resumed her run to her lover.

***

i never thought that you would love me the way that you do
i never thought that you would love me half as much as i do

"Angel," Buffy said, looking over him, lying weak and pale in the hospital bed. But he was awake and alive. She moved to his side and looked down at him, intertwining her fingers with his.

"Hi baby," he said hoarsely, "I thought...I didn't know if you..."

"You saved me," she whispered, allowing the tears to slip from her eyes and roll over her cheeks. He pulled her into his arms and winced from the pain of movement, but held her more tightly anyway.

"You wouldn't take my calls," he said into her hair, "You're going to leave me, aren't you?"

"No," she said, pulling back and perching on the edge of his bed, "I just needed some time to sort things out. Seeing you and her together...it brought some feelings out of me that I didn't even realize I had. It would be so easy to lose you to another woman."

"What part of ‘I love you' did you miss?" he asked angrily.

"I know," she said, staring at his chest in shame rather than his eyes, "I just freaked. I mean, I don't know anything about sex like they do. I'm not all beautiful and sophisticated and-"

"Buffy," he said, breaking her explanation, "I love you. I don't care about anyone else or what they are. You are perfect for me and you're beautiful, far more beautiful than any of them."

"You're mad at me," she said, shifting up to look into his eyes, finding the truth there.

"You're damn right I'm mad at you," he said, wishing he could stand up and pace around the room, "I'm fucking furious with you."

"Do you want me to leave?"

"Oh, for the love of...Buffy, listen to me," he said, taking a deep, painful breath, "I spent the last week wondering if I should hang myself by the hotel sheets. I was sure I had lost you. If you would have just asked me about what I wanted, told me about your fears, I would have come right home. I would have told you that the only thing I want is to be with you. If you want to know how I feel, then just ask me."

"Oh, but that would make sense," she said, breaking into a tiny smile.

***

i couldn't help but notice that riding crop
sticking out of your haversack

Angel spent the next month healing, making sure that Darla was punished to the full extent of the law, painting and making love to Buffy. He didn't speak to Gunn for several days, since he had promised him that Buffy would be safe while he was gone and Spike got the silent treatment for a full two weeks after he found out that the asshole did absolutely nothing to make the situation better or even let him know that he had released the evil duo a day earlier than planned. The plan had been formed carefully. Angel had accounted for every possible situation, except for two small details: Spike's inability to follow through and Buffy's reaction. If he had only known...well, hindsight's twenty-twenty.

It was a bright, sunny afternoon when he took Buffy on a Saturday drive. Well, she thought it was probably sunny and bright, but since she was blindfolded, she really had no idea. It seemed sunny.

"Are we there yet?" she whined, shifting in her seat, "Cause I think I'm getting dizzy."

"Almost there," he said, kissing her hand as he drove.

"Hurry," she answered, but laughed as she said it. The last month had been the most wonderful time of her life. They spent a lot of time in front of the fireplace, looking up at the painting of Ireland, telling each other about their lives, learning everything there was to know about their pasts.

When he finally pulled the car to a stop and turned off the engine, she squealed in delight and reached for her blindfold, only to be halted by him.

"Angel!" she complained, "We're here, right? I wanna see."

"Patience," he chided over her groan of mock pain. He got out and moved around the car and opened the door, helping her out. He walked her several feet and then pulled off the blindfold. She settled her eyes on an aging, monster Victorian home. The gardens were overgrown, the wrought iron fence surrounding it leaned precariously in several places, the stairs looked like they might fall off the house at any second and the paint looked like it was so depressed it might jump off to its death. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

"What's this?"

"A house," he said with a sarcastic smile.

"Angel," she warned.

"Well," he said, jingling his keys in his hand, "When I was a teenager, I lived with a foster family that hated me even more than I hated them. They couldn't wait to get rid of me and I was almost ready to run away when I met my foster mother's grandmother, Louise."

He led her up to the stairs and opened the door, pushing it open and giving her space to walk in. He watched her look around the house, which looked like the insides had been recently scrubbed clean. He followed her as she walked, continuing his story, "Louise was the only person who ever loved me and I think maybe I was the only person who truly loved and appreciated her. She used to say we were kindred souls. She kept me there a little longer, but I did finally run away. I went back to visit her every couple weeks or so and ended up living here with her for a couple of months when I fell on some hard times."

Buffy mounted the stairs, listening intently to his story and looking through what must have been a gorgeous house a long time ago.

"She died about nine years ago," Angel said and swallowed breath as she turned to face him with compassion on her face, "She left me this house but I couldn't move in."

"Too painful?" Buffy asked, leaning against the hallway wall.

"At first," he said, "It would have been but that's not really why I couldn't live here. She made me promise before she died that I would never live here unless I brought love with me when I came. I knew when she died that I would never live in this house."

He caressed the doorframe nearest him, as he continued, "I thought about selling it a thousand times, but I couldn't. Even when I had no money for rent...I wanted to honor her memory. I haven't been back here since the day she died until a couple of days ago."

He walked slowly into the master bedroom with her on his heels and stopped just inside, waiting for her to join him. Her eyes settled on his painting of her, the first one, with her reflection in the sunrise, "I can live here now, if you'll come with me."

"You really want me to live here with you?" she asked, looking up at him. He nodded wordlessly and she flung herself into his arms, hugging him tightly.

"Besides," he said, pulling back enough for her to see the lopsided grin cover his face, "My lease is up in a couple of months."

She swatted him with a look of faux disgust and then looked back up at her painting, "I thought you sold that."

"No," he said, shaking his head happily, "I had marked sold early in the night so no one else would ask about it. I thought you might want it someday."

"I do."

***

when you dream, what do you dream about?

Buffy and Angel were both disappointed when they had to stop their exploration of Louise's house to head back to the gallery. Angel had a meeting with the gentleman he had left so abruptly in New York to look over what pieces he wanted. The man was overly meticulous about what hung on the uppity, pristine walls of his gallery and by the time Angel was able to escape and get back to his apartment, it was nearly midnight. He unlocked the door and entered quietly, finding the place dark and silent. He dropped his jacket and keys and smiled into the darkness even though he was disappointed that she was already asleep.

He made his way to the bedroom and was met with a closed door, which he thought odd. They never shut the bedroom door. There really was no reason to. He turned the knob slowly and pushed open the door to find the room glowing with twenty or so candles. Buffy was blissfully naked and awake, lounging provocatively on a brand new set of black silk sheets. Ms. Summers had wasted no time burning the red ones that Darla's naked ass had rested on.

"Hi baby," she called throatily to him, keeping her position on the bed, wearing only an alluring smile.

"Hi," he said, looking over her hungrily. He started to cross the room to her, but she held out her hand for him to stop. He halted, confused and waited for her to give an explanation of why she was trying to torture him.

"Take off your clothes," she said, "Nice and slow. I wanna watch."

He obeyed, shedding his clothes slowly for his lover. When he finished, he waited for her next instruction and had to wait several long seconds while she raked her eyes over his naked body. He was breathtaking, standing in such a way that she knew when he moved toward her he would have that predatory grace of a creature hunting his prey. His muscular body glowed against the firelight and she swept her gaze over him, easily taking in each contoured inch of him, landing finally on his erect cock, standing out from his body, begging for her touch.

"This night is for you," she said, reaching beside her and pulling out two black silk scarves and holding them up for him, "I've been waiting for you to ask me to do this but since you haven't, I decided to take it upon myself to make it happen."

He breathed in ragged breaths, becoming even more aroused if that was possible and stood there as if he were frozen to the floor. It never even crossed his mind to actually ask her to do this, not after everything that had happened. His beautiful goddess actually wanted to play this game? He wanted to fall to his knees and praise the deity that had created her. She trailed one of the scarves over her skin as she waited for him, smiling at his shock.

"C'mere," she whispered. He moved, making his way to the bed swiftly. He pulled the scarves from her as he devoured her lips, pulling her into such a passionate embrace that she was almost surprised that she was already bound to the bed when the kiss ended.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked gently. She nodded enthusiastically with a knowing smile.

"Why?" he asked innocently, sliding his hands over her body, easily gliding over her soft curves.

"I know you want to," she answered, flushing with arousal beneath his hands.

"Just me?" He asked, rubbing her breasts and pinching her nipples as he waited for her answer.

"Me too," she squeaked.

"Why?" he asked again, leaning in to suck one delectable nipple into his mouth.

"B-because," she stuttered, "I like it when you...uh..."

"Take control?" he asked, moving to the other breast.

"Uh-huh," she grunted as he bit at her nipple, "And...I like when you...um...say things."

"You like it when I talk dirty, baby?"

"Yes," she answered breathlessly. He hid his smile of absolute pleasure in the valley between her breasts, kissing the warm skin there.

"You have to do everything I tell you to," he said, dipping into her navel.

"‘Kay," she answered, leaving him astounded as usual at her innocence and ability to make him crazy with lust.

"Open for me, love," he said, sliding his hand over her thigh. She spread her legs for him and he looked over her with interest. Slowly, he moved down to her dripping core, inhaling her scent.

"Such a pretty little pussy," he murmured as he tasted her for the first time that night, "You're so wet for me, Buffy. Tastes so good."

She squirmed underneath him, not sure how to handle the whole not touching him part. He was moving so slowly, prolonging the experience and it was driving her completely insane.

"You're so perfect," he said as pressed two fingers into her, pushing in and pulling out as he lapped at her swollen clit, "So tight."

"Angel," she panted, "please."

"Please?" he mused as he continued his same pattern of movement, "How polite."

"Need you to..."

"Want to come?" he asked, his breath caressing her moist core.

"Yes," she moaned. He scraped his teeth over her swollen bud before sucking it roughly into his mouth, sucking so hard she exploded moments later, inner muscles spasming around his intruding fingers. He moved up her body, not kissing but biting her skin, nibbling on her flesh, until he reached her lips. He kissed her for a long time, pressing his erection against her but not in her. She lifted her hips to press against him, waiting for him to take her.

"Fuck me," she finally moaned as he bit at her neck and shoulders. He positioned his cock at her entrance, rubbing over her but still not moving inside until she gripped the headboard with frustration and said, "Fuck me, Angel. Need you inside me. Now."

"Mmmm," he said languidly, as if he weren't dying to be inside her, circling her clit with the tip of his cock and licking her sensitive nipples, "Who's in control, baby?"

"Fuck me," she demanded again, pressing against him, arching her body to meet his.

"Wanna make love," he asked idly as he explored her body, seeming to be lost in the taste of her skin, "Or do you want to fuck? There's a difference, lover."

"Fuck," she whispered and her eyes widened as he thrust inside her suddenly, slamming inside her with an abandoned he hadn't shown before. He spread her legs wider apart angled her so that he was diving deeply, filling her fully. Each movement seemed to hit deeper, jarring her small body with the force of her lover's larger one. She rose to meet him and cried out in pleasure as she came a second time.

As her body convulsed in fulfillment, Angel reached up and untied her. He flipped her over on her knees and rebound her expertly while she was still rolling in pleasure. He kissed her back as he entered her again, nipping at her shoulder blades.

"Still want to fuck?" he asked innocently, growing at the delicate column of her neck. She pressed her firm ass against him in response, burying him in deeper.

"Yes," she hissed as he finally started to move again.

"God, I love you," he said, reaching underneath to cup her swaying breasts.

"I know," she answered, looking over her shoulder with a smile. He kissed her with a playful growl, slipping his tongue greedily into her mouth.

"Finally," he said, slapping her ass with emphasis and grinning as she yelped in surprise.

***

THE END! Click "Next" below to begin reading the sequel.

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