Title: Second Chances

Author: Cat

E-mail: Cathy@edcom-int.com

Disclaimer: Joss owns everything.

Distribution: http://www.cyberturf.com/catsfanfic/home.html If you want it, Just ask.

Spoilers: The Wish

Rating: NC-17

Parings: Buffy/Angel,

Feedback: Please send feedback. It feeds my mews!

Background: will be revealed as the story progresses.

Summary: Set in Cordelia’s wish verse. Everything is the same except Buffy and Angel didn’t die and the master did. Everyone else who bit the dust (quite literally at times) is dead. Buffy is now the hard ass we all saw, can Angel give her a life back?

Authors note: The other fic’s haven’t been forgotten, I just decided to go back to this one which I started months ago.

Chapter 1

"What's the plan?" asked Angel.

Buffy hands him a stake, not daring to look at him. "Don't fall on this."

Buffy and Angel calmly made their way through the crowd of vampires toward the stage.

"Welcome to the future." Shouted the master as he drank from the glass.

Buffy raised her crossbow at the Master and fired. Instantly the Master pulled Xander in front of him, and the bolt hits him in the right shoulder. Buffy aims the crossbow at another target, but it’s knocked from her hand.

Angel attacked a vampire by the cage, punching him in the face and shoving him aside. He rushed over to the gate and threw off the crossbar.

"Uh-oh. Puppy got out." Says Willow smiling.

People begin piling out of the cage running about, scared. Oz reaches up and breaks a piece off of one of the wooden cage bars and begins to fight the vampires.

Buffy continues to fight the vampires, making her way closer to the stage. Willow swings at Buffy, but misses as Buffy ducks the punch. Buffy backhands Willow in the face and kicks her in the stomach. Willow falls to the ground. Buffy fights another vampire off. Then she faces Xander. She knees him in the gut and face and turns to find a new target. Xander gets to his feet and comes at Buffy. Angel sees him make his move, and runs to Buffy's aid.

"Buffy, look out!" he calls to her but Buffy doesn’t hear, nor does she see Xander coming at her. Angel gets to Xander first and punches him. Xander retaliates by stabbing him with the crossbow bolt he took for the master. Thankfully it’s shy of its target and Angel falls to the floor, hurt but alive.

Buffy’s sees him. She’s not certain if he’s going to live or die but she doesn’t have time for that. She continues onto another vampire

Buffy confronts Xander again and stakes him, Willow tries to rush her but Larry and Oz impale her on a piece of the broken cage.

Now Buffy spies the master, she walks to him, pushing everyone out of her way. The Master does a backhand swing, dazing Buffy but she recovers and as he pulls her to him again she upper cuts him, sending him flying onto his ass.

"BUFFY!" Buffy turns to the voice and Angel throws her a broken piece of the cage.

Buffy catches it and stamps on the master’s stomach, hard. Then she stamps on his neck.

"When are you going to learn? Never keep wooden implements around." She says as she plunges the makeshift steak into his heart.

The master opens his mouth as if to speak but is dust before he has a chance.

The fight begins to thin as it’s combatants die or flee. When it was over Buffy, Angel, Oz and Larry made their way towards each other. The few vampires remaining alive had fled as had the newly freed humans leaving the four alone in the factory.

Oz nodded towards Buffy. "Thanks for the help."

Buffy shrugged.

"Angel?" asked Larry. Angel nodded. "Man, we thought for sure you were dead. I mean… Why didn’t the Master kill you?"

"I was a lesson."

Larry and oz shared a look, both knowing how awful being a ‘lesson’ must have been for the vampire.

"We should get back to Giles." Said Oz.

Buffy nodded. "Just a minute." She turned to face the machinery the master had designed. She began kicking it, full force, denting the metal and eventually maiming it beyond use.

Angel joined her in destroying it, also by kicking it. Larry and Oz found planks of wood and set about using them to break it apart.

When it lay mangled and beyond use Buffy stopped and observed her work impassively. "Lets go." She said turning to leave. The others followed.

Chapter 2

Giles put the ice into the tea town and held it to his cheek just as someone knocked on the door. He answered it to see Buffy, Oz and Larry.

"Oh thank god." He said opening the door wider to admit them.

"Look what we found." Said Larry as he entered, Angel followed him in.

"Oh, Angel. Your alive."

"Just."

"We assumed Luke had killed you. We had no idea you were alive."

"The master kept me as an example."

"Dear Lord. If we had known we would have come after you Angel. I… I’m so sorry."

Angel smiled. "They kept me in the basement of the bronze. There’s no way you would have made it in alive, let alone out again."

Giles nodded. He noticed how gaunt the vampire appeared. "Um, I don’t suppose they were, uh, regular with the meals were they?"

Angel shook his head.

Giles withdrew his wallet. "Oz, there’s a butcher on Devine Street, get as much as you can with this." He said handing him a note.

"There’s really no need." Angel pleaded, although he was starving. He hated having to admit he drank blood, even if it was only pig’s blood.

Giles looked pointedly to Oz who took the hint and left.

"I.. It went well then?" Giles asked.

"Masters dead." Buffy stated simply.

Giles broke out in a relieved smile even though it hurt his abused face. "Thank god."

"God had nothing to do with it." Buffy said with an angry edge to her voice.

"No, of course not." Giles hesitated. "I think a small celebration is in order." He said venturing to his brandy bottle. The others took seats around his living room.

Giles poured 5 large measures and handed one to each of them, leaving one waiting for Oz’s return.

"What happened?" asked Larry referring to Giles face.

"Oh, The demon Anyanka wasn’t too keen on me summoning her." he said flatly.

"Why didn’t she kill you?" asked Buffy.

Angel watched and listened to Buffy. She was not the girl he knew. The sweet innocent girl he had vowed to protect and help. She was cold, hard and emotionless. Exactly what he had wanted to protect her from.

"Um, vengeance demons cant do any real damage without it being wished for." He explained. "I just hope no one out there wants me dead."

Buffy shrugged. "Whatever."

"Um, I was wondering, what are your plans now Buffy?" Giles asked.

"Go on the road again I guess."

"Oh. I was rather hoping you would stay here. For a while at least."

"Why, are the malls here really great?" she asked sarcastically.

"No. But we do have more than our share of the undead."

"Doesn’t everywhere. If I had a penny…"

Giles didn’t seem to be making any headway with her but he wasn’t ready to give up. "Yes, of course you must hear that a lot but Sunnydale is located on a Hellmouth. It’s a mystical convergence that tends to attract evil."

Buffy didn’t look impressed.

"Do you have family to return to?" Larry asked.

Buffy shot him a cold look. "No."

"Please Buffy." Pleaded Giles. "Perhaps you could stay for a few days. Look at the local high school, see if you like it here."

"High school? You got to be kiddin me Geeves."

"Um, no, why?"

"I spent my evenings fighting for my life, I don’t want to spent my days in that hell hole. Besides, my watcher said I don’t have to go."

"Aah, I see. Well you could at least look. Perhaps even make some friends there."

Buffy shot him a cold look. "I don’t have friends."

At that point Oz arrived back. He carried two carrier bags. Angel greeted him and took the bags from him. He didn’t say anything but an unspoken thanks and acceptance of that thanks passed between them.

Angel took it to the bathroom, he didn’t want to be seen drinking.

Chapter 3

"What’s with the vampire?" asked Buffy as soon as he left.

"He helped us once when the master was about to rise." Said Giles. "He fought Luke while we herded people out of the bronze. We assumed when he the master rose and he didn’t return that he was dead."

"Yeah. OK." She said disinterested. "So what’s with the vampire?"

"Why did he help us?" asked Oz taking the brandy Giles handed him and sitting down.

"Yeah, and how come he could just walk in here without an invitation."

"Um, we don’t know the whole story," said Giles. "He offered to help us. He said the powers sent him here."

"Powers?"

"The Powers That Be, they try and guide the forces for good in this world."

"And you just believed him?" she asked incredulously.

"No. I researched his history and as of 100 years ago I could find no trace of him killing. In fact he shunned vampire society. We didn’t have any better offers so we accepted his help."

Buffy scoffed.

"I saw you accepting his help earlier." Said oz flatly.

Buffy glared at him.

Angel downed two pints of blood immediately. As soon as they were in his system he could feel his wounds begin to heal and his strength returning.

Willow hadn’t allowed him to feed often. It kept him weaker than her and allowed his wounds to fester.

He drank the next pint more slowly, enjoying the taste. He used the time to think. What was his purpose now? He had come here to protect Buffy. But now… He didn’t know what to do now. He would stay though, look after Buffy.

She wasn’t the girl he saw originally but she was still Buffy.

He returned to the others, stashing the rest of the blood in the kitchen on his way. He didn’t want to remind them what he was.

He sat in the armchair next to Buffy.

"Fine, I’ll stay." Said Buffy caving to Giles pressure. "But just for a few days." She saw Angel glancing at her from time to time and it unnerved her.

"Excellent." Giles smiled. "Do you two have somewhere to stay?" he asked Buffy and Angel.

"Us two? We’re not a couple Geeves." Said Buffy sharply.

"No, I realise that but as far as I know neither of you has somewhere to stay."

"I have somewhere." Buffy said. She had dumped her things in a sleazy motel on her way into town.

"My apartment should still be empty." Angel replied.

"Good. Well I suggest we all get some sleep now. It’s been a long day."

Everyone agreed. "Shall we meet up tomorrow, at the library?"

"Which library?" asked Buffy.

"The school library. I work there."

"Cool, but you do know it’s Saturday."

"Yes, that will afford us some privacy." Giles noticed Angel. "Will that be a problem for you?" he asked.

"No. I’ll take the tunnels."

"Good, at 10 then?"

Everyone agreed and they left. Angel said good night to Buffy but she blanked him. He walked in the opposite direction until she was out of site, then he followed behind her.

Buffy regretted blanking Angel as she left. She had said bye to everyone else.

But he was a vampire, even if he had risked his life for her.

Manners didn’t matter when dealing with the undead she decided.

It had been a close call tonight. Closer than most. She didn’t understand why she agreed to stay. She had left her other watcher. Pompous ass. But here she was agreeing to stay with another.

‘You’ll stay two days, three at most then take off.’ She reassured herself. ‘You didn’t promise more than that.’

She went into her small hotel room and undid the braid in her hair. The room was about 12 foot square with a small shower room in one corner. She turned the water on to let it heat up.

She hated the night-time. As soon as she began to undress she felt her tears forming. She refused to let them fall though. She turned and entered the shower stall, letting the luke-warm water run over her. Now she let her tears flow under the cover of the water. She had another sleepless night ahead of her. A night filled with old ghosts intent on blaming her for her their deaths.

Angel watcher her enter the motel room and crept to the window. Buffy didn’t see him. He saw her release her long hair from it’s braid and the tears form in he eyes.

Perhaps she wasn’t as different form the girl he first saw. He turned away as she began to disrobe. He was here to protect her, not ogle her. However much he wanted to.

When he turned back she was in the shower room. He stayed until she went to bed then left for his apartment.

Chapter 4

Giles was waiting as Angel entered the Library.

"Good morning Angel."

"Where are the others?"

"They’ve gone for donuts. Should be back soon." He replied.

Oz and Larry returned but Buffy didn’t show.

Giles sighed. Perhaps she had left anyway. "Well, lets get started with out her."

Angel knew Buffy had gone back to the hotel room, he hoped she hadn’t left this morning. Looking after her would be much harder if he had to chase her around the country.

"So, we still patrolling?" asked Oz.

"Yes. The master is gone but others will arrive. They always do. I suggest we work as a team to begin with, parole together. Safety in numbers and all that, until we know the situation."

Just then the door opened. "Buffy, your late." Said Giles.

"Yeah." Said Buffy walking in. Her hair was braided again and she wore jeans, a t-shirt and a leather jacket. She took a donut, sat in a chair and put her feet up on the library table.

"Right well, as long as you’re here now."

Buffy began eating the donut looking bored.

"We were discussing patrolling. I suggest we go together u…"

Buffy butted in. "I work alone."

"Yes but it cant help to have back up."

Buffy glared. "I. Work. Alone." She said slowly. "You want to parole somewhere else, that’s fine, just stay out of my way."

"Quite. Well if that’s how you want things."

"It is."

"The that’s what we’ll do."

"You can’t do this alone." Angel said quietly.

Buffy smiled condescendingly at him. "You wanna watch my back? Or maybe my neck?"

Angel sighed. This wasn’t going to be easy.

"Right well, that’s settled then." Said Giles. He wasn’t happy about it but there was nothing he could do. "Perhaps we could meet up after, at my apartment?"

Buffy rolled her eyes. "I’ll try and drop by. OK?"

Giles sighed. "Fine."

Buffy spent the day watching her crappy TV in her hotel room. She didn’t take much in though, her thoughts were clouded with recent events.

She kind of liked Giles, Larry and Oz. They were OK. But she couldn’t get close to them. She couldn’t be their friend. Her friends died and she didn’t what that. Not this time.

Then there was Angel. She often caught him staring at her. But she only noticed that because she looked at him so often. She tried to tell herself it was because he was a vampire and she didn’t trust him… But it was more than that.

Buffy noticed he sun had set. She had no idea how long she’d been sitting there, thinking. But she had a job to do now. She got off the bed and dressed in her combat gear then braided her hair again. She pulled a handful of stakes from her bag and stored them in her various pockets before heading out of the door.

Angel watched her leave and followed behind her. She may not except him but he would still protect her.

Buffy felt strange as she patrolled. She constantly felt something, a pull. It made her heart skip a beat.

She frequently turned around to check if anyone was there but she never saw anyone.

She didn’t find any vampires either. She guessed most had left town after the master died. Vampires were strong but most were cowardly when it came down to it.

As she walked through her third cemetery of the night she had had enough of the feeling.

"It’s late, I’m tired and I don’t wan to play games. Show yourself." She turned around to see Angel coming out from behind a crypt.

"YOU!"

"Me."

"Why are you following me?"

"You need help. You can’t do this alone."

"I do not need help I’ve been doing just fine thank you."

"Have you? Have you really?"

"Even if I did need help it wouldn’t be from you."

Angel looked hurt and Buffy almost regretted her words.

"I’m sorry." Angel said.

"For what? Stalking me or being a vampire."

"The latter. If I could change it I would."

"Yeah right. Go on home Angel. And don’t snack on the way." She said turning and walking on.

"Buffy please."

Against her better judgement she turned back. "What?"

"I want to help."

"Why? Why would you of all people want to help kill your own kind."

"I’m not like them Buffy. Not any more."

Buffy walked closer to him and pulled a cross from one of her pockets. She held it towards him and he shied away. "Funny, you look like one of them."

"I’m not."

"OK, so tell me why." Said Buffy in a bored tone as she pocketed the cross again.

"I fed of the wrong woman."

"Cryptic." Buffy sighed to herself. "They’re always cryptic."

"Please, give me a chance." Buffy waited fro him to continue. "She was Romany." Off Buffy’s blank look, "A gypsy. A favourite among her people. I killed her and they restored my soul as punishment."

Buffy rolled her eyes. "Please spare me the tortured soul routine."

"It’s no routine. For over a hundred years I offered an ugly death to everyone I met, and I did it with a song in my heart."

"Is this supposed to win me over?"

"You have no idea what’s it’s like to have done the things I’ve done and to care."

"So now your all soul having you care?"

Angel nodded.

"Well I know plenty of bastards who never lost their soul, what makes you different?"

"They don’t have to live with what I did."

"How do I know your telling the truth?"

"You don’t. But I could have killed you last night if I’d wanted."

He had saved her life. But that wasn’t enough. "Just go. Please."

"I cant."

"Why not?"

"I vowed to protect you. It’s what I have to do."

Buffy laughed but it war hollow and came out as more of a sob. "Where the hell were you when I needed you then?"

"I’m sorry."

"What for? That my parents were killed? That my friends were killed? That my watcher was killed? That they were killed in front of me and there was nothing I could do? What exactly are you sorry for Angel?" Buffy couldn’t believe she had just told him all that. She had never told anyone that. She wiped at her eyes to brush away the tears before he saw them.

"All of it. I should have been there but I was told you’d be here. I waited but you didn’t come. I had to try and stop the master rising." Angel paused, suppressing his memories of being the master’s prisoner. "After that there was nothing I could do."

"Well I did just fine without you, I don’t see the need to change that now."

"That’s just it Buffy, you’re fine. I want you to be happy."

Buffy was finding it harder and harder to suppress her tears. "I don’t know what happiness is."

Angel walked closer to her. Buffy crossed her arms protectively across her chest but she didn’t back away.

"You were happy once. I saw it." Buffy looked up at him, tears shone in her eyes but she looked confused. "At your high school, the day you were called. I watched you come out, and you were happy, you were smiling."

Buffy’s tears fell as she remembered that day. The last day of her life she liked to think of it as. She lost all her friends after she tried to burn down the gym. Then her parents had moved to start again. She had tried to start again but it was cruelly taken away from her.

Angel wiped her tears away with his thumb. "I want to make you smile." He said pulling her into an embrace. Buffy embraced him back, wrapping her arms around his chest. She began to cry in earnest now, huge sobs wracking her small body.

Angel just held her, stroking her hair until her crying subsided.

Buffy pulled away abruptly, wiping at her tears. "I’m sorry." She said.

Angel knew he had to get to her before her barriers went back up.

"Want to get some coffee?" he asked.

Buffy looked at him. She was embarrassed at her behaviour. Both in being so horrible to him and for humiliating herself with him.

He wasn’t gloating though. He seemed sincere. And his story was plausible, she believed him.

"It’s Ok if you don’t want to. We can get ice cream instead." He said taking her pause as a no and trying to lighten the moment.

"No, coffee’s good. Do you know somewhere?"

Angel nodded. "There used to be a place on the outskirts of town, an all night diner. Hopefully it’s still there."

They walked in silence together. Buffy didn’t know what to say. Normally when meeting new people you exchange happy stories, ask questions and do the whole getting to know you thing.

But Buffy had no happy stories. And she was pretty sure she didn’t want to know the answers to the questions she had for Angel.

Angel felt the same. For two years he had been out of life as the masters prisoner. For almost a hundred years before that he had just been existing, moving from place to place, not making friends, keeping to himself. He wanted to ask Buffy what had been happening in her life while he hadn’t been there but he knew he shouldn’t. Buffy would tell him if and when she was ready.

So they strolled silently.

Chapter 5

Buffy took a seat in one of the vinal booths. She didn’t like the place, the bright, flurescent lights made her self concious about her scar, she began to trace it lightly with her finger.

One advantage to being a slayer, no direct light.

Angel sat opposite her, he noticed how uncomfortable she was. The waitress came over and they ordered two coffees.

"I’ll never sleep now." Said Buffy idoly. Angel nodded. "But for you I guess it’s lunchtime."

‘she had to get that quip in.’ thought Angel. Was she ever goig to accpet him.

changing the subject he said. "What do you think of Sunnydale?"

Buffy shrugged. "Like anywhere else."

"Are you going to see the highschool?"

"I’ve seen it. Although Giles wants me to sign up. He wants me to meet him there tomorrow for a tour."

"He’s trying to give you a reason to stay."

"School isnt a reason." Buffy sighed. "I’ll see. Though if the vamp count stays at zero I don’t see any reason to stay."

"This is the quiet before the storm." Said Angel gravely. "You’re standing at the mouth of hell, pretty soon someone’s going to try and open it."

Buffy sighed. "Like I said, we’ll see."

They chatted a little after that, the talk was superficial but at least they were communicating. Angel took that as a good sign.

When Bufy finished her coffee she stood up. "I beter get going." She said. "See you round."

Before Angel could respond she left. Angel wanted to go after her but he had to pay the cheque first. By the time he went outside she was gone.

Angel went to her hotel room to see her brushing her long hair, the tears shimmering in her eyes again.

He wondered if every night was like that for her and hoped he could perhaps ease her pain.

Buffy met giles at the school the next day, she was late again but Giles was becoming used to that. The school was empty being Sunday which Giles thoght was best. If he showed her around when it was full of students he was afrade she would give the idea up before considering it properly.

"Hey Geeves."

"Giles."

"Whatever. Ready for the graand tour?"

"Yes. How did patrole go last night?"

"Fine, not a vamp in site. Can we just get on with it?"

"Of course, if you’ll follow me."

Giles took her around showing her everything, explaining how things worked there, pushing the good aspects to being in school. They eventially ended uo back at the kibrary.

"So, what do you think?" he asked.

"Nice place you got here."

Giles smiled. "Then you’ll enrole?"

"No. Nice school and everything but not for me. I don’t do group activities."

Giles sighed.

"Why is this so important to you anyway?" Buffy asked.

"Well I believe that a slayer must be strong mentally as well as physically. I believe they deserve as much of a notmal life as they can have before…"

"Before they die." Buffy finished for him. "It’s OK geeves….

"Giles."

"I know the deal. I fight, I die, someone else is called."

"Your right, of course. I just, well it seems so bleak."

"Life is bleak."

"Not always." Said Giles firmly. "There’s music, art, love. Life may be hard but it isnt bleak Buffy."

Buffy rolled her eyes. His offer of a better life was tempting. She could always be a loner student, she didn’t have to make friends."

"OK, I’ll try it for one week but that’s all. If I don’t like it I’m off."

Giles smiled. "I’ll get the necessary forms." He said running off in the direction if the admin office.

Buffy couldn’t help but form a small smile herself as she saw how happy she had made him.

Buffy left her hotel room that evening to find Angel waitng for her.

"Hi." She said.

"Hi."

"So this is a regular thing then?"

"Yeah. Protecting you kind of means continiously."

"Fine." She strolled off ahead of him.

Her defenses were back in place, Angel noticed. Still, he had made progress.

The night was quiet again, only one vamoire who was quickly despatched.

Buffy didn’t talk much to Angel claiming she needed to be allert and he destracted her.

It was true he destracted her but he did that just by being there, not by talking to her. She felt safer in is presence but she tried to ignore the feeling. He wouldt always be there, he would leave, or be taken from her so becoming reliant on him was a bad idea.

But it felt good while he was here. Buffy tried to push those thoughts aside. She had a job to do. Alone.

After the vamoire was despatched they sat by a grave stone, taking a break.

"How did the school tour go?"

"Fine, he talked me into it." said Buffy glumly.

"Might not be that bad." Angel suggested.

"When was the last time you went to school?" Buffy asked. Not harshly though, more jokeingly.

Angel smiled. "You have a point. Still if you need help with history, you know where to go."

"Umm, eye witness accounts, could be useful I guess."

Buffy relaised they were flirting. She stood up abrubply. "Come on, lets finish this."

Angel trailed after her again.

He tried to invite her for coffee again but she refused.

"I’ll walk you home then."

"It’s not necessary."

"If you say no I’ll just follow you again."

Buffy sighed, "Fine." So they walked back to her room together in silence.

Chapter 6

Buffy didn’t have much to wear to school the next day, basically all her clothes were from army surplus or similar. She eventually went for a pair of beige trousers, a white t-shirt and her black leather jacket.

It was as civilian as she got.

She arrived early to see Giles because, although she wouldn’t admit it she was scared.

"Hey Geeves."

"Giles. Please, my name is Giles."

"Sorry!"

"So, are you ready?"

"Sure. I do need some things tho."

"Like what?" asked Giles.

"Pad, pens and text books, that kind of thing."

"Of course." Giles dissapeared into his office and returned with her pad and pens. "If you come back in the break I’ll have your text books ready."

"I cant get them now?" she asked.

"I havent the time right now."

"But what if I need one of them for class?" she asked quietly.

Giles understood she was nervious. "Yes, good point. You wait here, I wont be a minute."

Giles dissapeared inot the stacks. "These two should be your first two lessons, come bact at break and I’ll have the others."

Buffy smiled. "Thanks Gee…Giles."

"Have a good day Buffy."

She turned and left the library. "I’ll try not to start any fights." She called as she walked out.

Buffys first lesson was grography. She knew where the classroom was but she was still late. She opened the door and handed her slip od paper to the teacher.

She read it and smiled. "Class, this is Buffy. Welcome to Sunnydale high. If you just take a seat we were about to discuss mineral diposits."

Buffy nodded and looked around the class room. It sure was empty.

"Buffy." She looked towards the voice and saw Larry sitting towards the back of the room. He pointed to the chair beside him. Buffy smiled and went over.

The lesson was OK. She should have been down a year but giles had pulled some strings and got her in to the class with others her age. Buffy was glad, she didnt want to be the retard who was kept back.

Larry invited her to join him and Oz at kunchtime but she declined saying she had too much work to catch up on.

"OK, but if you change your mind we normally sit out front."

Buffy smiled. "Thanks, I’ll remember that."

Next she had english. ‘at least I can speak it.’ she reasured herself.

It wasn’t as bad as she had thought. They were studying Othello and although Buffy didn’t like Shakespere, the teacher took things step by step and she found herself understanding most of it.

As the class let out she went to find Giles for the rest of her books.

"How did it go?" he asked.

"Fine I guess."

"Good, glad to hear it." he went behing the desk and handed her a pile of books. "This should be everything you need."

"Giles, why are the classes so empty?" she asked.

"Ah, yes. Unfortunatly the masters reigh over sunnydale depleated the population, expecially the sutdent populace."

Buffy nodded gravely. She understood that. She frced a smile though and headed out. "Catch you later." She called after herself.

Come lunch time Buffy was at a loss. She could join Larry and Oz but… No, it was best not to form attachments.

‘You don’t have to form attachments,’ she told herself. ‘it’s just lunch.’

‘but they’ll leave or die or dump you. Then you’ll be hurt all over again.’

‘but it’s just lunch. How attached can I get over lunch?’

Her voices warred within her and despite herself she found she was heading for where they siad they would be.

"Hey," Oz greated her.

"You made it." said Larry.

"Yeah. I thought I was busy. But I'm not."

"Well sit down."

Buffy took a seat at thir bench.

"We were discussing the best form of amp." Oz informed her.

"lamp?" asked Buffy.

"Amp, I kind of have this band."

"Really?"

"Well no, not really. There’s just three of us now and we’re not very good. But we enjoy it."

"What are you called?"

"Dingoes ate my baby."

"like that australian woman?"

"Yes, most people don’t get that." Oz said.

Larry and Oz went back to discussing Amps which Buffy knew nothing about. She just listened to them.

Chapter 7

Buffy arrived back at her room unsure how she felt.

He felt happy with how her day went, the classes were OK. She felt happy about Larry and Oz but she also felt dread deep in the pit of her stomach. It couldn’t last and she was foolish to even try and be their friend.

She watched TV for a while until someone knocked on her door. It was Angel.

"Little early aren’t you? It’s just gone sunset."

"I wanted to see how your day went."

Buffy held the door open but before she could invite him, he walked in.

"HEY! You cant do that." She protested.

"It’s a hotel room, public place so I don’t need an invitation."

"Great." Mumbled Buffy.

"What’s wrong?" he asked.

"I just always assumed I was safe here, you know, they couldn’t get me once I was home. Now I find that can."

"We can always find you somewhere else to live." Angel suggested.

"I cant afford an apartment." She protested.

"But $15 a night for a hotel is OK?"

Buffy pouted, he did have a point but she wasn’t willing to concede it.

"Come on, we’ll pick up a paper while we’re out and see what’s available."

"OK."

"Good, now how was your day?"

"Great, fine, perfect and all that."

Angel gave her his best ‘don’t pull that crap with me’ look.

"What? It was a good day." She protested.

"Maybe, but there’s more to it than that."

God she hated how right he always was. "OK, I made some friends and, well I just don’t do the closeness thing."

"I know that feeling."

"being alone or making friends?" she asked.

"Both."

"You have friends?" she asked. "Who?"

"You."

"Angel I am not your friend. I am your mortal enemy."

Angel looked down. "Your right then. I don’t have any friends."

Buffy felt bad for what she said. She actually quite liked him. She just couldn’t admit it to him.

Angel looked up and carried on. "So why does having friends upset you?"

"Because they never last. I leave or they die or something happens. I… I just don’t want to be hurt again."

Angel understood perfectly. He had just felt the sting from Buffy words himself, if he didn’t like her it wouldn’t have mattered to him. "You have to have friends Buffy. Life isn’t worth living without them."

"You’ve lived long enough without them."

"I wasn’t living, I was existing. You need someone to share the good times with, and to take away the pain of the bad. Without that you might as well give up now."

"So who takes away my pain when Oz and Larry die?"

"I do."

It was a nice thought, to make connections, have friends, find life again, but it wasn’t something she could do. Something she could allow herself to do.

"I cant. I cant do it again." She said quietly. "And you aren’t enough Angel. You cant take away my pain." Buffy felt the tears return along with the memories.

"I cant take it away." He said moving closer to her again. "But maybe I can ease it. along with Giles and Larry and Oz. Lean on us Buffy."

She looked deep into his eyes trying to find something to push him away with. But there wasn’t anything. The truth was she wanted to be like she was before, popular, happy, surrounded by friends. She wanted it more than anything.

"One step at a time Buffy. Take it slow."

Buffy nodded. She turned away from him wiping at the tears that hadn’t yet fallen.

"Lets patrol shall we." She said picking up her bag and pocketing some stakes.

Chapter 8

Buffy found she wanted to know about Angel that night. Wanted to know what he had been through.

She suspected they were both similar is some ways. He living with the guilt of his actions, she living with the guilt of her inaction.

"What was it like when they restored your soul?"

"Hard. To begin with I couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t think, all those screams, their faces, that was all I could see."

"Then what?"

"Gradually I learned to live with. I lived alone feeding off rats or what ever was available."

"You didn’t try to make friends?"

"No. The time was I thought all mind kind existed for was to hurt each other. To cause pain."

"So what happened?"

"I…" Angel wanted to tell her seeing her was his turning point but he feared it would be too much for her to accept. "I realised not everyone was like that. They were like me, making the best of a bad situation. I found I wanted to help."

"You just woke up and realised that?"

Angel smiled remembering whistler. "No, it took a wake up call from a demon to make me realise what a wasted life I had. He showed me I could help, could make a difference."

"God, you sound like night rider."

"What?"

"Pop couture reference. Michael Knight," Buffy put on a deep voice, impersonating the voice over from the show. "One man can make a difference."

Angel smiled. "I guess. Or one woman."

"True, these are enlightened times we live in."

"So I’m told."

Buffy sighed. "Another quiet one. I could get used to this." She said referring to the lack of vamps.

"It’s nice to have a rest now and again."

"Sure is."

They strolled silently for a while moving from the cemetery to the park and over towards the playground. Then they heard the scream.

They shared a knowing look before running to it’s source.

They found a woman standing alone by the playground. Angel slowed and pulled Buffy’s arm to tell her to be cautious too, it could be a trap.

They walked up to the woman, alert for danger.

"What is it?" asked Buffy as she stood to the side of the woman. The lady didn’t look at Buffy but she raised her hand and pointed to one of the play apparatus.

Lying on the roundabout lay a boy of about seven and lying on the ground beside him was a girl, aged 6 or so.

Angel put his hands on the woman’s shoulders and turned her away from the scene, still holding her shoulders he escorted her away. Buffy followed.

"Lets call the police." He said.

Chapter 9

When Buffy had finished with her statement she went over to where the lady, Mrs Rosenberg was standing. Her eyes were on the children again and she watched as the police photographer took pictures.

"Who could do this?" She asked Buffy silently.

"I don’t know." Said Buffy, now also staring and the two small forms.

Angel approached them a few minutes later. "The police said we can go now."

Both women nodded.

"Come on." He prompted. Finally they looked at him. "We’ll walk you home." He offered to Mrs Rosenberg.

"Thank you."

"Where do you live?"

She pointed. "Just over there."

"Come on." He ushered her away again using a hand on her back. She kept glancing over her shoulder until the scene was out of sight.

"What were you doing out so late?" asked Buffy.

"I went to my bridge night just over the park. I usually drive home but Richard gave me a few too many sherries. He offered to drive me home but it’s not far, I thought the walk would do me good. I only cut through the corner of the park, right by the playground. I thought it was safe enough." She paused. "I almost didn’t see them. I had walked past then for some reason I turned back. I couldn’t make it out, exactly, what they were. I walked back and, there they were," tears formed in her eyes. "Those poor darlings."

Buffy put a comforting arm around the woman.

"Next time take the lift." Angel suggested.

Mrs Rosenberg just nodded.

They soon reached her house and she paused on the porch, her eyes still teary. "Thank you. I don’t know how long I had been standing there, if you hadn’t come along I might have been there all night."

"It’s normal." Buffy reassured. "Shock. No one should have to see that."

Mrs Rosenberg nodded. "Well thank you, for everything." She turned and went inside.

Buffy and Angel shared a sad look, both unsure of what to do next.

They began walking back through the park.

"Are you OK?" Angel asked her.

"Fine."

"Don’t give me that."

"Angel I see dead people all the time, in fact I kill a lot of them."

Angel could see through her front though. "Not children, not like this."

"I… They were so young." She said, her voice breaking. Angel pulled her into an embrace.

"I know. It’s not fair."

Buffy pulled away after a few minutes. "What do we do now?" she asked.

"Find who did it."

"Then?"

Angel sighed. "Then I wish I didn’t have a soul."

Buffy smiled at the sentiment. "Yep, I wish there was a loophole in the slayers don’t kill people rule too."

"We’re sure it was people?" asked Angel.

"The police told me that’s what they think. And there were no vampire marks. I’ve never seen a killing like it so I’m going with human unless Giles says otherwise.

Angel nodded.

"Bastards!" Buffy said.

Angel nodded.

"If only we had taken this sweep earlier. Passed through the park first."

"They weren’t murdered here Buffy, it wouldn’t have done any good."

"No but we might have run into the dumpers."

"True, but there’s no way to tell when they were left there."

"Got to be after the other kids went home for tea. We could have been here then, if we’d just been earlier or taken a different route or…"

Angel interrupted her and, taking her shoulders turned her to face him. "This isn’t your fault."

"But it is. I’m supposed to protect people, it’s my job."

"You cant save everyone, no one can."

"But not everyone is like me are they? I can save people, I should have saved them."

Angel brushed a few stray strands of her hair behind her ears. "If you were meant to stop everyone they would make slayers psychic. You just do your best, that’s all anyone asks of you."

"But it’s not enough."

"And it’ll never be enough."

"They why? Why choose a slayer? Why make her able to fight if she cant stop things like this?"

"We don’t fight to win Buffy, we fight because there are things worth fighting for. We never win but it’s still worth it."

Buffy nodded, tears shining in her eyes. His words made sense but she wasn’t ready to believe them.

"I don’t want to go home." Buffy said quietly.

"Where do you want to go?"

"No where, anywhere. I just cant be alone. Not now."

"Come back to mine, I’ll make us some coffee and we can stay up all night together."

"Sounds like fun." Buffy said flatly with a sigh.

They walked over to Angels apartment, careful to avoid the crime scene and the painful reminders it held.

Chapter 10

Angel boiled the kettle as Buffy looked around the place.

"I only have instant." He called.

"It’s fine."

He came in to see her looking at his pictures.

"Did you do these?" Angel nodded. "They’re good."

"Thank you."

"I never pictured vampires drawing, it just seems so…"

"Normal?"

"Yeah."

"There’s a lot you don’t know. Back in the day I loved Ballet too."

Buffy raised her eyebrows in surprise but didn’t comment. Angel heard the kettle whistle and went to make the coffee, Buffy had taken a seat on his sofa.

Buffy took the mug and wrapped her hands around it, trying to ward off an internal chill. Angel sat the other end, neither one spoke for a while.

"What’s that one?" Buffy finally asked pointing to a picture.

"Italy in 1871."

"Did you draw it then?"

"No, from memory."

"You have a good memory."

"You have nothing to compare it with, it might not even be Italy for all you know."

Buffy smiled a little and pointed to another. "What’s that?"

"That’s the Thames in London."

"Looks nice."

"It is. Or it was."

"Tell me about it."

"The river?"

"The place, tell me what life was like. Tales of fantastic gowns and royalty."

Angel indulged her explaining about London in 1848. Then she moved onto another picture, of China which he told her about, he told her tales of the people, the lifestyles, described the landscape for her. Eventually he could see her eyes grow heavy. Her coffee was long finished so she placed the mug on the floor and leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder as he spoke. Angel carried on talking, although it took all his strength not to put his arm around her. Eventually he could tell by her breathing she was asleep.

Gently he took her in his arms and carried her to the bed, placing her on it. He pulled the free side of the blanket over her.

Feeling gently in her pockets he found her hotel room keys and left, hoping Buffy wouldn’t be too mad at him for going through her stuff.

Angel returned with a bag of her clothes and toiletries. She would need them in the morning but as he entered the apartment he noticed she was having a nightmare, thrashing about in the sheets and her featured creased into an expression of anguish.

Angel dropped the clothes and sat beside her on the bed, stroking her hair and talking softly to her.

"Shh, it’s OK Buffy. Your safe here. Safe, and warm and loved. Shhhh. It’s OK now."

Buffy began to quiet in her sleep, her thrashing stopped and her face became relaxed again.

Angel wondered if every night was like that for her or if it was just the children that had caused this nightmare.

He placed the clothes he had fetched for her on a chair by the bed and wrote a note.

"I hope you don’t mind. I thought you might want something to wear tomorrow so I went to your room.

Angel"

He hoped she wouldn’t be upset with him but it was too late to worry about that now. He get himself a spare blanket and slept on the sofa.

Buffy awoke unsure of where she was initially, but that wasn’t a foreign feeling to her, she often woke up in a new town, a different hotel room. She sat up and gradually remembered where she was. She didn’t remember going to bed though which was odd. Realising she was still fully clothed she got out of bed and saw the pile of her clothed and the note from Angel sitting on top.

She wasn’t sure of her feelings about that. He had been through her things but he had been trying to do a nice thing for her. She wasn’t sure which side of the argument was winning the war in her head.

She decided she could think about that later, right now she was probably late for school and she needed to speak to Giles. She took her clothes and found the bathroom to change.

As she left the apartment she saw Angel lying on the sofa, his brow was covered in perspiration and his body twitched like he was having a bad dream.

Buffy watched him sleep, wondering what haunted his dreams. Was it the same as what haunted hers?

Without realising it she saw her hand reach out to touch him. she stopped it half way and looked at it like it was an alien artefact. Why was she reaching out to a vampire?

She pulled her hand back sharply and ran out of the apartment.

Chapter 11

Buffy wasn’t late for school in the end, she ran all the way there. Not because she feared she would be late but because she was trying to run away from her feelings.

She didn’t have time to see Giles before class but she would visit him in the break.

Buffy arrived in the library to see Oz, Larry and two new people talking with Giles.

"Buffy," Giles smiled at her. "How are you this morning."

"Been better." She said flatly. "I guess you’ve heard?" she said referring to the group meeting.

"About the children? Yes." He confirmed.

"I found them." She said.

"What!?" exclaimed Giles. "You should have told us."

"I am." Said Buffy brushing off the rebuke. "Who’s this?" she said gesturing to the new people.

"Ah, this is Amy and Michael. I asked them to come. They are witches, I thought perhaps we could use witchcraft to find out who did this." Giles explained.

Buffy nodded. "I think there was witchcraft involved."

"You mean in the killing?" asked Giles.

Buffy nodded and reached for a pad and pen, she drew the symbol she had seen on the children. "They had this painted on their hands." She said handing the pad to Giles.

Giles looked at it then handed it around the others there.

"I see." Giles sighed. "Then it’s definitely humans involved."

Amy looked up from the pad once she had looked at the picture. "This isn’t evil." She stated. "This is the symbol for protection."

Michael looked over her shoulder and nodded his agreement.

Giles took the pad back. "Well, ah… This changes things then, I’m just not sure how."

"Is it possible someone did a spell on them, for protection before they were killed?" Asked Larry.

"Anything’s possible at this stage." Replied Giles. "Though if it was a protection spell done on them I’d say it failed."

"So what now?" asked Buffy.

"I’ll look into it. Come back after lunch and we’ll discuss options."

"Options?" asked Buffy incredulously. "I don’t want options. I want to find the son of a bitch who did this."

Giles looked at Buffy concerned. This had obviously affected her deeply. Still, an angry slayer was a dangerous slayer. He tried to defuse the situation. "I understand how upsetting this is Buffy. But don’t you feel your taking this personally?"

"Oh it’s way personal Giles. They killed two little kids."

"Yes, but there's no point going off half cocked. We have to find who did it then let the law deal with them."

"Screw the law. I say an eye for an eye."

Larry, Oz, Amy and Michael began exchanging uneasy glances between them.

"Buffy, a slayer isn’t permitted to dole out justice. And certainly not to kill someone."

"Why not? I kill vamps all the time, how is this different?"

Giles sighed. "Vampires are evil, soulless, there’s no question as to their guilt. Humans though… While there may be the odd bad apple, they aren’t all like that. We have to be sure that we have the right person, then the courts will meter out punishment. If they feel it warranted then they’ll give the death penalty. It’s not a slayers job to interfere with justice Buffy."

Buffy could see the logic behind what he was saying. What if she did hurt the wrong man? She sat, deflated in a chair.

"Right, well, get to your lessons and I’ll do some research."

Everyone nodded and they left. Giles gestured for Oz to stay behind. "Keep an eye on her." He said. "I think she’s taking this hard, I don’t want her to do anything… rash."

Oz nodded. "Got it covered."

Buffy hadn’t been able to concentrate on her lessons but she had gone to them. All she could see was the children’s faces. Their sweet, innocent faces.

She now sat with Larry, Oz, Amy and Michael at lunch although she only picked at her food, not really interested in it.

"Bunny?" Buffy didn’t look up until she was called again. "Bunny?"

Buffy looked up into Mrs Rosenbergs eyes. "Buffy. Hi."

"Sorry, everything was strange last night, I must have forgot your name."

"What are you doing here?" Buffy asked "Are you OK?"

"Fine. Well no, not really but I wanted to talk to you. About last night."

"OK." Said Buffy getting up from her chair. "Let’s talk in the hall."

They walked silently until they found a quiet area.

"Thank you for coming by last night Buffy."

"It’s OK."

"Anyway, I wanted to tell you what I’ve been doing. I couldn’t sleep a wink last night so I first thing this morning I got on the phone. I called everyone I know and they called everyone they know and we have a meeting arranged for Town Hall tonight."

Buffy shifted uncomfortable. "Everyone, that’s a lot of people."

"Yes. Anyway, I thought you might like to attend, you and your boyfriend. Add your voice, so to speak."

"He’s not my boyfriend." Buffy said a little too sharply.

"Oh. I just assumed…"

"It’s OK. And I’ll be there."

Mrs Rosenberg smiled. "Good."

"A meeting?" asked Giles.

"That’s what she said." Confirmed Buffy.

"This is not good." Said Giles worried.

"Why not?" asked Buffy. "Maybe if people get behind this we can catch who ever did it quicker."

"Yes but when feelings run this high and people get together, group dynamics begin to take over and before you know it we have vigilantes on our hands."

Buffy sat at the table with the other four. "But that may not happen. Give them a chance Giles."

Giles nodded. "We’ll see what happens."

"So, research dig anything up?" asked Oz.

"Um, one or two things. The symbol is used for protection, it’s harmless as Amy said. I have been looking into groups that use that symbol but nothing useful yet"

"So we’re nowhere then?" asked Buffy.

"No, we’re working on it. There is a difference."

"Whatever. I have to get to class." She said walking out. Giles was all research and no backbone.

Chapter 12

Buffy felt him as soon as she walked into the town hall. He was here but he hadn’t followed her. She didn’t have to look for him, he found her.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I heard about it. Thought I’d see what was going on." Angel replied. "Did you get off to school OK?"

Buffy stiffened at that remark, it was a reminder of how much she had opened up to him last night. "Fine."

Angel was about to ask how she was when the mayor took the stand. His speech was about how good a community there were in Sunnydale and how they would catch the people responsible for this crime. He then introduced Mrs Rosenberg.

She spoke about how silence was the towns curse, asking how many people had lost someone and nothing had been done about it. She vowed that would stop. They were taking their town back, she said, from the witches and demons.

The speech struck a cord with Buffy. Maybe it was better that people knew the truth. How could they fight if they didn’t know what they were fighting?

She knew she had to work in secret to protect herself but surly it wouldn’t hurt for people to know about vampires? If every one carried a stake they could protect themselves.

As the talk ended Buffy tried to find Giles and argued her side of the case for telling people about what was going on. Angel listened to her.

"Buffy, even if we did tell them do you think they would believe us? No, it’s easier to believe it’s gangs, or drugs. No one wants to face the truth about Vampires. If you told them you’d end up in an institution."

"Maybe not." Buffy argued. "We have Angel here, what more proof do they need?"

Angel shifted uncomfortable at the thought of being Buffy’s example.

"It’s a bad idea Buffy. These people wont understand." Giles said harshly.

"I think they will."

"Then you tell them and face the consequences. Count me out."

"Fine!" Buffy turned to face Angel but he was gone. "Great." She muttered under her breath. "Just what I need. A cowardly vamp." She stormed out of the building to look for him.

She didn’t need to look for him though. He found her as soon as they were away from the Town Hall.

"What was that?" she asked.

"What?"

"You were my evidence."

"I’m not some toy you can parade around Buffy. And I think Giles is right."

"You too!? I can’t believe this. If people know what’s going on they can protect themselves, what’s wrong with that?"

"Nothing, except people don’t want to know. They like their safe lives. It’s comfortable."

"That doesn’t make it right."

"No it doesn’t. But you can’t fight it."

Buffy sighed. "Lets parole." She said hoping to find some vampires to work her anger out on.

Chapter 13

Buffy left school the next day in shock. The lockers had been opened, Giles’s books had been taken, and things were out of control. She had to concede that Giles had been right.

She went to see Angel at his apartment. She wasn’t sure why she went there, to him. Maybe because he calmed her down, or because he was able to explain things to her.

Or maybe she just felt safe with him.

Angel answered the door wearing nothing but his trousers, he looked sleepy.

"Buffy, what’s wrong?" he asked seeing the concern etched on her face.

Buffy tore her gaze away from his torso and remembered why she was there. "Things are crazy. They went through the lockers today, their taking Giles books away, some kids even tried to beat Michael up."

Angel could see she was worked up. "Come in." he said opening the door wider for her.

Buffy stood uncomfortably in his living room while he found a t-shirt to pull on.

He turned back to her. "Go on." He said.

Buffy explained about Mrs Rosenberg and her Mothers Opposed to the Occult group. She detailed each event for him finishing with. "Angel I’m scared."

Angel sat her down on the sofa and smiled reassuringly at her. "We’ll work it out."

"But what if we cant?" asked Buffy growing more frantic by the moment.

"We’ll deal." Angel said firmly. "It’s OK."

Buffy shook her head. "No, it’s not. Two kids are dead and now they want to kill innocent high school kids and… and it’s not helping, they didn’t kill those kids."

Angel hugged Buffy. "We’ll protect them Buffy." He reassured her.

"But I couldn’t protect those kids could I? And now more parents are going to loose their children if this carries on."

"Children." Said Angel softly.

Buffy pulled away from him. "What?"

Angel didn’t focus on her, his expression was thoughtful. "Their someone’s children." He repeated softly.

"Yeah, so?"

"Whose children?"

Buffy got where he was going. She searched her memory. "I don’t know."

"We have to see Giles."

Buffy nodded her agreement and they left to find him.

"Session interrupted?" said Giles, frustrated, "Who said you could interrupt? You stupid, useless fad! No, I said fad. And I'll say it again."

"Having fun there Geeves?" Buffy asked entering the library.

"It’s this infernal machine. Stupid bloody technology."

"We have something." Buffy spoke up.

"You do? What?"

"I don’t think this is a genuine murder, something off."

Giles looked confused. "Like what?"

"Who are these kids? What are their names? Where are they from? Where do they go to school? Who are their parents?"

Giles sat back, searching his memory. "My God, your right."

"There’s something weird going on here and we have to find out what."

"Agreed." Giles sighed. "But the only avenue left open to me is this." He said pointing at the computer in disgust.

"Let me try." Said Buffy. Giles relinquished control to her.

"Search for articles on the murder first." Angel suggested looking over her shoulder at the screen.

"Back seat surfer." Buffy grumbled but she completed his search request.

"Whoa, 47 entries." Said Angel. "That cant be right, it’s only been two days."

Buffy clicked on the first article and all three scanned the information.

"Nothing new there." Said Buffy moving onto the next one.

"1949." Said Giles. "Must be a different case."

But Buffy had already scrolled down the screen.

"It’s them." Said Angel as they looked at an old picture of the same children.

From continuing to search the article archive they had found cases dating back to 1649. Giles quickly began working on a hypothesis that perhaps this was based on the Hansel and Grettle fairytale.

Just them Larry ran in. "Guys, there’s a witch hunt going on, they got Amy and Michael and the magic shop owner and their ready to burn 'em. Literally at the stake."

Giles looked to Buffy and Angel. "Go. I’ll meet you there." He said firmly.

They followed Larry out.

Chapter 14

Buffy found the room in the Town Hall guarded by three men.

"Wanna play nice and let me through?" she asked. They stepped menacingly forward. "OK." Buffy brought them all to the floor in three blows. She proceeded to the doors and delivered a swift kick, breaking them wide open. Larry and Angel followed behind her.

The crowd turned to look at her.

"You have one chance to stop this." Buffy warned. "Then I’m gonna get testy."

"She’s one of them." Someone shouted.

"Look at her, the dark make up."

"And the combat gear. She aint normal." Called a third.

Buffy had had enough, she moved towards the people being held. The crowd didn’t move out of her way though.

They began fighting her. Buffy tried fighting back but there were so many, she was soon overcome.

"You want something to be scared of!" she heard a voice yell. The crowd turned to look at Angel, now standing on a chair at the side of the room. "Well watch this." He said morphing into vamp face and launching himself into the crowd. They were soon subdued as Larry joined them. They huddled on either side of the room Buffy, Angel and Larry in the centre.

"What is that?" asked someone referring to Angel.

"I told you, freaks, just like the others."

The crowd now took up the call of "Freak, freak, freak."

Buffy looked about panicked. "Way to calm things down." She said to Angel.

"It got them off you didn’t it?"

"Guys." Said Larry, "could we focus, please?"

Buffy looked back to the still angry crowd.

"Their bad too." The crowd silenced at the small voice. "They want to hurt us." Said the boy. "Don’t let them."

"OK, is anyone else seeing dead children walking?" asked Larry. The others nodded. "Good, long as I’m not the only one."

"Doesn’t this strike you as strange people? These children are dead and their talking to you." Said Buffy desperately.

"They aren’t children at all." Said Giles appearing in the doorway with Oz. He began chanting in what sounded like German.

"GET ‘EM!" someone shouted and the crowd once again launched itself at Larry, Buffy and Angel.

Giles completed his incantation and threw a bottle at the children’s feet. Immediately they morphed onto one hideous demon.

"I liked the two little ones better." Said Larry.

The crowd was stunned into silence and the fighting stopped.

"Kill the bad people." The demon said.

"Doesn’t work in that face." Said Buffy as she attacked the demon. It was big but stupid and with Angels help, it was soon dead, it’s neck broken.

Buffy turned to face the crowd.

"Freak huh? Well these freaks just saved your lives. Think about that next time."

Mrs Rosenberg approached Buffy but threw wary glances at Angel, still in his game face. "I… I’m so sorr…"

Buffy held up her hand. "Save it." She looked over the crowd. "I hope you’re happy. Now let those people go." She said referring to the three tied to stakes. No one moved. "NOW!" Buffy shouted.

The crowd couldn’t move fast enough, they released the three and then dispersed from the hall as soon as they could.

"Thanks." Said Amy walking over to the group.

"Any time." Said Buffy with a sigh, walking out. Angel followed her.

"You’re upset." He stated.

"Pissed more like."

"No, they hurt you."

"People always hurt me. I’m used to it."

Angel sighed, wishing she would open up to him. "They called you a freak, that has to hurt."

"I am a freak. I’m a freak of nature, born to fight the undead." Her voice was growing angrier. "And it’s not like I ask for thanks or anything. I ask for nothing. At all. But do I ever get anything from them. Even a little, ‘I’m so glad you saved my life?’ No, their too busy trying to look butch in front of their girlfriends or looking at me like I’m some mutant. Well I’ve had it with saving these stupid, ignorant people Angel. I’ve had enough. I want out."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I quit. I sacrificed everything for this life." Tears were stinging her eyes, Buffy faught them back and continued her tirade. "A home, a family, friends, God, even school. Well no more." Buffy stormed away from him. Angel ran after her.

"Buffy," he tried calling to get her to stop. "Buffy wait, please, let’s talk about this."

"There’s nothing to talk about. I want my life back."

Angel forcibly grabbed her arm and turned her to face him. "Talk to me." He said softly.

"There’s left nothing to say." Said Buffy despondently.

"Come on." Said Angel as he guided her back to his apartment.

Chapter 15

Angel made her a coffee with a large shot of brandy in to help her relax. He handed it to her as she sat on the sofa, her knees drawn protectively up to her chest.

Angel knew her defences were weak and although he felt bad for taking advantage, he thought this was the best time to get answers. "What happened?" he asked.

"When?"

"Everything. You didn’t used to be like this Buffy. What changed."

Buffy felt the tears form in her eyes. "I cant. I can’t talk about it."

"Why?"

"Because it won’t help. It wont bring them back."

"Nothing can." Said Angel. "But has not talking helped?"

Buffy didn’t respond so Angel sat silently, giving her time to think.

"I was 15." She began. "When I was called." She began explaining about her first watcher and his death. "Then I set fire to the gym. That was good for friendships. Not that I had many friends left by then. I got expelled, mom and dad split up, mom and I moved away. We tried to start again but…" Buffy’s tears began to fall silently down her cheeks. "I tried to be a good student, a good slayer, a good friend. Then they killed my Mom. She didn’t know what I was, what they were. So she invited them in." Buffy paused in her story. "If I had only told her what was out there she wouldn’t be dead."

"What happened?" Angel prompted.

"I killed them. Didn’t bring her back though. I dropped out of school. What was the point anyway, I’m just waiting to die right? My only release from this is death."

Angel knew she was right; another slayer wouldn’t be called until Buffy died. And slayers didn’t generally live to old age.

"I’m sorry." He said sincerely.

"Yeah, me too."

"What do you want?" asked Angel.

"Want?"

"Yeah. If you could change your life, what would you change?"

Buffy sighed. She had played this game so often in her head. "I want to have a family again. I want friends. I want to be a cheerleader again. I don’t want to be a freak, I want to be accepted. I want a life."

"You can have those things Buffy."

Buffy shook her head. "No. People don’t understand. They look at me like I’m not normal. They don’t want to be my friend. My mom is dead, my dad is off somewhere not caring if I’m alive or dead. There’s nothing for me Angel. One day I’ll die and it’ll be over."

"What about Larry and oz and Amy? They like you Buffy. And they accept you."

Buffy shook her head. "For now maybe. But for how long, how long until they realise I’m trouble and drop me like a hot potato?"

"They wont do that?"

"But they could."

Angel took Buffy’s hand. "I wont."

Buffy looked into his eyes. "I wish I could believe that."

"You can." Angel paused not knowing the best way to phrase the rest of what he had to say. "Buffy. I know I’m just another vampire to you..."

Buffy tried to protest but Angel stopped her, holding his hand up.

"It’s OK, I understand that. I just want you to know that I care about you and I’ll never leave you. What ever happens you’ll always have me."

Buffy’s tears began to flow again as she spoke. "Your not just another vampire to me Angel. I feel like… Like you’re the only person who understands me. Giles, Oz and Larry, their nice but… I don’t know I just feel that…"

Angel understood she was having trouble expressing herself. After do long in denial how could she not. He pulled her to him and she rested her head on is shoulder.

Buffy allowed herself to be held, it felt nice. She felt safe and cared for, something that she hadn’t had in a long time. Her tears tried and eventually she sat up, looking Angel in the eyes.

"Thank you."

Before Angel could reply Buffy leaned into him and planted a tender kiss on his lips.

Chapter 16

Angel knew he should pull away, stop this before it became anything more but he couldn’t. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer to him.

Buffy began running her hands through his hair.

Eventually Angel found the strength to pull away.

"What?" asked Buffy.

"Maybe we shouldn’t."

"Don’t you like me?" asked Buffy looking wounded.

"No, it’s not that. I… If anything I like you too much Buffy. I just think that we should be careful."

"Why?"

"Because I’m still a vampire."

"But a good one. Why can’t I kiss you?"

Angel morphed into his vamp face. "That’s why." He growled.

Buffy didn’t flinch away but she swallowed. She brought her hands forward from his hair and began to trace his features. Angel turned his head away.

"What?" asked Buffy.

"You shouldn’t have to… See me like this."

Buffy took his chin and turned him to face her. "I know what you are. I don’t care."

"I do."

Buffy ignored him and began kissing him again. Angel allowed her to until one of is fangs drew blood from her tongue. As her blood hit his tongue he felt something go through him. Something passionate and dangerous. He pushed her away again.

"This isn’t some fairy tale Buffy." He growled. "When I kiss you don’t wake up and live happily ever after."

"No. When you kiss me I wanna die."

"What’s that supposed to mean."

"Le petit mort." Said Buffy softly, not meeting his gaze.

"The little death," Angel whispered the trnslation.

They locked eyes, both knowing things had gone too far between them to stop now. The best Angel could hope to do now was slow things down.

Buffy pulled herself onto his lap and draped her hands around his neck. "You said you would be there for me."

"I am." Said Angel morphine back to his human face. He gently lowered his head to capture her mouth in another passionate kiss.

Buffy and Angel were still in the same position half an hour later, when someone knocked on the door.

Buffy reluctantly pulled away from Angel.

"I should…" said Angel.

"Get that. I know."

Buffy got off his lap and Angel went to open the door.

"Oz. Hi."

"Hey, just wanted to see if Buffy was OK. I went by her hotel room but she wasn’t there."

Angel opened the door wider to oz could see Buffy was there.

Buffy smiled weakly at Oz. "I’m OK, thanks."

Oz nodded, he could sense the tension in the room but didn’t know its source. "I can walk you home if you want?" he offered.

"It’s OK. I’m fine."

Oz looked from Buffy to Angel then back to Buffy. "OK. I’ll see you tomorrow?"

"Sure."

"Well, night."

"Night."

"Night Oz," said Angel closing the door after him. He turned back to Buffy. "He knew something was up."

Buffy walked over to Angel. "Something is up." She said hugging him.

"It’s getting late." Angel said.

"I know. I should go, school tomorrow and all that."

"How do you feel?"

Buffy broke out if the hug and looked at him. "Better. Thanks."

Angel smiled and tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear. He lightly kissed the top of her head. "Now go, before I loose all my resolve and keep you locked up here forever." He smiled wickedly at her.

Buffy felt a shiver of anticipation run doen her spine. She smiled at the sentiment and opened the door, although she didn’t leave Angels embrace. "This is that part where I go."

"Yeah."

"And the part where you let me go."

"I guess it is."

He leaned down gave her one last kiss before taking his hands off her, releasing her.

Chapter 17

Buffy went to school the next day as usual. It seemed to her most people had forgotten the events of the night before but a few looked at her strangely, differently. Buffy wondered if they remembered but covered their knowledge. Either unable to admit what they had seen or afraid of being ridiculed if they admitted to it.

She met with Giles before class and they exchanged the usual pleasantries. Buffy didn’t mention her new relationship with Angel. Not only because she knew he would react badly but also because she wasn’t sure of the relationship herself.

Amy and Michael found her there and both thanked her for her help. Buffy accepted their thanks graciously this time.

Michael still had a few bruises on his face but his dark makeup his most of it.

They arranged to all meet up at lunchtime. Buffy wasn’t sure of Amy and Michael, they were witches after all but she supposed they deserved a chance. And Larry and Oz would be there so it wouldn’t be too uncomfortable.

Buffy left geography and headed for the lunch hall but was distracted by the noise of something hitting a locker. Buffy altered her course and went down another corridor. As she approached the end she could hear voices from around the corner, someone was threatening Michael again.

Buffy rounded the corner, pissed.

"Don’t you people ever learn?" she asked.

The three boys surrounding Michael let him go. "No problem here." Said one of them.

"You bet your ass there isn’t a problem." Said Buffy. "And if anything ever happens to Michael, I’m going to be coming straight to you three." She smiled as they glanced to each other. "Congratulations, you’re his new body guards."

"I don’t think so." Said the same guy. Buffy assumed he was the ringleader of the group.

Buffy nodded and glanced about. She spotted an old door propped up against the wall; it looked like it was awaiting a new paint job. Buffy kicked the door, smashing it in two.

The door smashed all right but Buffy felt pain shoot through her whole leg. The door should have crumpled into a thousand smithereens the force she used but it didn’t. She also shouldn’t have felt that much pain.

Buffy put a brave face on it though. "I think I made my point." She said harshly.

The boys looked to each other then ran off down the hall in the other direction. When they were out of sight Buffy let out a string of curses and hobbled on her good foot to lean against the wall.

"Are you OK?" asked Michael.

"Fine." Buffy bluffed. "Just hit it wrong is all."

Michael went to offer her his help but Buffy pulled her arm away. "I have to go." Buffy walked away as fast as she could on her badly hurt leg.

Angel was again awoken by a knocking on his door. He was beginning to get used to it.

"Just a minute. He called as he struggled into a pair of trousers. He opened the door to a crying Buffy.

"Buffy, what is it?" he asked concerned.

Buffy ran into his arms. "It’s gone." She sobbed.

"What? Buffy what’s gone?"

"My strength. My co-ordination, everything. I’m loosing it Angel."

Angel settled her on the sofa and rocked her until she calmed down and her crying stopped.

"OK, now tell me again, what’s happening?"

Buffy took a deep breath. "My powers, they’re fading, getting worse by the minute."

"How can you tell?"

Buffy explained the situation with the three thugs earlier. "Then, on my way home I tried some moves, in the park. I can’t do it any more Angel. Half the time I fell flat on my ass. Then I tried throwing a stake, which I’m usually really good at. I didn’t hit the target once."

Her tears were returning.

"Come on." Said Angel, leading her through to the kitchen. He sat her down and sat opposite her.

"What are we doing?" asked Buffy.

"Arm wrestling. Normally there’s no way I could beat you." He said as he positioned his arm.

Buffy reluctantly took his hand and prepared to arm wrestle him.

Angel tested her, not giving his all at first. She was defiantly weaker than usual. Stronger than a human but weaker than a slayer. Much weaker. Angel broke the competition before either had won. Beating Buffy wasn’t his objective here.

"You see?" she asked.

"I do." Said Angel thoughtfully.

"What if it’s because of what I said the other night? What if they’re taking my powers away because of that?"

Angel took her hand. "Well figure this out Buffy, I promise."

"I know. It’s just…" Buffy began to pace. "If I’m not the slayer who am I? I based my whole life on slaying. I know it’s a burden but…" She began to cry again. "Sometimes I think it’s all I am."

Angel went to her and too her in his arms. "You are so much more than a slayer Buffy, I promise you. You will get through this."

Buffy shook her head against his chest. "I’m not. I’m nothing."

"Your everything."

"Why would you even like me if I wasn’t the slayer?" she cried into his chest.

Angel was silent for a moment. "I saw you before you became the Slayer." He said quietly.

"What?" asked Buffy confused, looking tearfully into his eyes.

"I watched you, and I saw you called. It was a bright afternoon out in front of your school. You walked down the steps... and... And I loved you."

"You loved me? Why?"

"'Cause I could see your heart. You held it before you for everyone to see. And I worried that it would be bruised or torn. And more than anything in my life I wanted to keep it safe."

Buffy clung tighter to him. "Thank you."

Chapter 18

When Angel had finally settled Buffy and made sure she was OK he went to see Giles at his apartment.

"Angel, come in." said Giles opening the door. He noticed Angel’s serious expression. "What is it?" he asked.

Angel suspected something called the Cruciamentum, a test the Watchers Council put slayers through on their 18^th birthdays. He kept his suspicions to himself though, eager to see how much Giles knew.

"Buffy’s loosing her strength, her co-ordination. It’s serious Giles."

"I was afraid of this." Said Giles sighing. "I think you’d better sit down."

Angel took a seat opposite Giles and waited for him to continue.

"There is a test given to slayers on their 18^th birthdays. A test of cunning and skill." Giles paused. "They contacted me a few days ago, asked me to administer a potion to her that would weaken her."

Angel had to keep himself from growling the next question. "Did you?"

Giles looked up shocked. "No. It's an archaic exercise in cruelty as far as I’m concerned." He sighed. "I told them I didn’t have the necessary relationship with her to be able to administer it. I’m not her official watcher after all."

"But you didn’t say anything to her?"

"No, I was hoping it would blow over I suppose, they would see there was no way to do it and leave it be."

"I think it’s safe to assume they haven’t let it go."

"Yes."

"So how are they giving it to her?"

"Well the only method I know of is injecting it. It’s possible it could be given orally I suppose but it wouldn’t have the same effect, the dose would have to be much higher for a start."

Angel could hear Giles heartbeat, he was confident Giles was telling him the truth. "So, we have to check her food supplies then," said Angel. "Make sure what ever she eats isn’t contaminated."

Giles nodded then looked Angel in they eye. "If they’ve gone this far it’s safe to assume they wont just give up. We have to be prepared."

"We will be." Angel growled. "For now act normal. Tomorrow contact the council and tell them Buffy has complained of weakness. Be on their side, get all the information you can from them."

Giles nodded. "I’ll try but the council is notorious for it’s secrecy, they may not even tell me."

"I understand, just do what you can. In the mean time I’m going to supervise everything Buffy eats or drinks. Nothing passes her lips I haven’t bought and kept safe. We’ll keep the charade up until we know what’s happening."

"Agreed." Giles looked down at his hands. "Tell her I’m sorry Angel. This practice should never have been started in the first place. And I should have told her as soon as I heard from the council."

Angel stood up. "I will. And this stays between us three for now."

They exchanged pleasantries and Angel left. His walk back to his apartment did nothing for his mood though, in fact his anger grew.

Buffy entered the library the next day to see Giles waiting for her. They exchanged a look that spoke volumes. Giles face expressed his sorrow at her situation and his guilt that he was a part of the organisation that was behind it. Buffy’s expression was one of understanding.

"Have you called them yet?" she asked.

"No, after you’ve gone to class I’ll phone them, tell them you spoke to me this morning."

Buffy nodded just as the bell rang. "I’d better get going." She left the library and Giles went to his office to place the call.

"No, of course I haven’t told her. I just wish I had been kept in the loop." Said Giles harshly down the phone.

"I understand Mr Giles." Said Quentin Travers calmly. "You must have known we’d find a way. We just thought it bet not to tell you until the symptoms presented themselves."

Giles calmed slightly. "Yes, of course. Any chance of letting me in on it now?" he asked sarcastically.

Quentin paused. "I’m not sure that’s wise. You aren’t her official watcher after all."

"Yes but I’m all she has here."

"I understand. We’ll let you know closer to the time. In the mean time keep an eye on her. If she regains her powers, even fractionally, let me know immediately."

Giles gave a weary sigh down the phone. "Yes, Of course." He hung up and leaned back in his chair, rubbing the bridge of his nose. This wasn’t going to be as easy as he had hoped.

Chapter 19

Angel came to the library before Buffy at lunchtime to see how Giles had faired. Giles told him of the conversation with Travers.

"Where is Travers staying?" asked Angel.

"I have no idea. The number the council gave for him was local but they wouldn’t tell me the hotel."

Angel nodded. "What’s the number?"

Giles handed him the slip of paper with the number scribbled on it.

"I’ll find him." he growled under his breath.

Just then Buffy walked in.

"Angel, what are you doing here?" she asked.

"You didn’t bring any lunch." He said holding up a paper bag. "So I brought you something."

Buffy smiled. He always seemed to be taking care of her. "I’m sure the cafeteria food is fine." She protested.

"It may not be poisoned but It’s far from fine." He teased.

Buffy took the bag from him. "Thank you." She said sincerely. "You discussing the council?" she asked.

Angel nodded. "Giles will fill you in, I have some tracking to do."

Buffy made to kiss him as he left but caught herself. Giles wasn’t aware of their relationship. She straightened his collar instead of kissing him and told him she’d see him later.

Giles watched them, there was more to their relationship than friendship, he was certain. He just wasn’t sure how much more.

It didn’t take Angel long to find the hotel Travers was staying at. A simple look through the phone book confirmed he was at the Regency Hotel.

It was too early for him to conduct surveillance though, it was still day. Instead he set about preparing dinner for Buffy. She seriously needed some food in her. He doubted she ate much at all.

Buffy arrived back at his apartment after school. She seemed much happier today.

"I already have some strength back." She told him. "And my co-ordination is improving too."

Angel smiled. "It should wear off completely in a few days.

Buffy plopped on the sofa. "And in the mean time I’m let off slaying duties." She smiled. "Giles said they don’t let slayers patrol before the test so to keep the charade up I mustn’t go out."

"You like that?"

"Having time off? Hell yeah." A mischievous twinkle appeared in her eye. "Wanna do something?"

"Like what?" Angel asked.

"Go see a movie or we could rent a movie, or we could go to the bronze. Everyone else is going to be there tonight."

Angel smiled at how happy she was. He wasn’t keen on crowds but for her he would make an exception. "The bronze sounds good."

Buffy smiled back at him. "What smells so good by the way?" she asked.

"Dinner."

"You cooked?"

Angel nodded. Buffy walked over to him and put her arms around his neck. "He cooks, he fights, he investigates. Is there anything you don’t do?" she asked playfully.

"That’s for me to know and you to find out." He said in a husky voice as he captured her lips in a gentle kiss.

Chapter 20

Buffy hitched her skirt down awkwardly. "You look great." Angel reassured her.

Buffy gave him a ‘you would say that’ look.

Realising she had nothing to wear to a night club Angel had taken her shopping after dinner. She had found a pretty red leather mini short and a black blouse. It did wonders for her figure but not being used to the clothes she felt uncomfortable.

"Do you want to change?" Angel asked her.

Buffy took a deep breath and left the skirt alone. "No, I’ll be fine."

Angel took her hand and guided her into the bronze.

"Wow Buffy, you look awesome." Said Amy as Buffy and Angel approached their table.

Larry nodded his approval as well and Oz simply greeted them.

Buffy smiled shyly at their compliments.

"Have you changed your makeup?" Amy asked next.

Buffy had toned it down for tonight but she didn’t like it, she felt naked and exposed. "Yeah, a little." She lied.

"It looks great." Said Amy. She could tell Buffy wasn’t comfortable and was doing her best to put her at ease. Besides, she did look good.

Larry went for drinks and Buffy and Angel took a seat at the table.

"No Michael?" asked Buffy.

"He’s grounded for fighting." Said Amy with an ironic face. "Like he asked for it or something."

Angel had arranged for one of Willies employees to watch Travers for him for tonight. It wasn’t often Buffy seemed this happy or got a night off so he decided to make the best of it.

Angel leaned over to Buffy and whispered in her ear that he’d be back soon. Buffy nodded her understanding.

As soon as he left Amy scooted over and took his seat.

"Someone’s got a crush on the Vampire." She said softly so the boys didn’t hear.

"I do not." Said Buffy.

"I saw you checking him out. Come on, you like him." Amy teased.

Buffy felt a blush rising in her cheeks and couldn’t avoid smiling. "Maybe I do." She conceded.

"I knew it. He is kind of yummy."

"Oh, tell me about it." Buffy paused. "But it could never happen." She lied.

"Why not?" asked Amy. "I know he likes you too."

"Yeah, but he’s a vampire."

"So? Oz is a werewolf."

Buffy looked shocked. "He is?"

"Yeah, I thought you knew. He got bitten by his werewolf brother last year. He’s not a bad werewolf or anything. And he’s still hot."

"You like Oz?"

"I used to. I mean he has a band! I prefer Larry but…" Amy leaned in closer. "He doesn’t exactly play for our team."

"He’s gay?"

"Yep. All the best ones are." Changing the subject she went back to Angel. "So go on, give it a shot with him."

"I don’t know. Giles would freak."

"So, old guys always freak."

Buffy sighed. "Maybe I’ll give it a try."

Amy smiled and winked conspiratorially at her.

It didn’t take Angel long to find him. He was a young man, early 20’s or so. He was dressed casually but his posture was stiff. He stuck out like a sore thumb.

Angel found him on the balcony watching Buffy. He wrote notes on a small pad and took a few pictures every now and again. Angel checked to make sure there was only one then returned to Buffy and her friends.

"Hi, where’ve you been?" asked Buffy. Amy vacated Angels seat, smiling at Buffy.

Angel leaned into to whisper in her ear. "The council is watching you."

"Where?" she asked.

"It’s best if you don’t know but expect to be tested tonight."

Buffy nodded, understanding.

"Hey, I love this song." Said Amy as the B52’s Love Shack began playing. "Lets dance."

She cajoled the whole group onto the dance floor eventually and, although some were uncomfortable, they danced. No one saw Amy disappear.

She reappeared a few moments later, grinning. The song ended and Still the One By Shania Twain began playing. Amy grabbed Larry, Oz had disappeared which left Buffy and Angel. They tried to sit down but Amy held them back. "Go on, dance." She prodded.

Angel was unsure but Buffy made the decision for him. She placed her hands around his neck and leaned into his chest, swaying to the music. Angel rested his hands on her back, enjoying having her so close to him.

He was sure the council member was getting pictures. He wondered what they would make of this.

As the sing ended they parted, angel kissing Buffy lightly on the forehead as they returned to the table.

Amy winked at them as they sat down, Buffy blushed.

From no where someone grabbed Buffy’s bag. Buffy almost decked him as a reflex but she remembered Angels earlier warning and feebly tried to wrestle her bag from him. Needless to say he snapped it out of her grasp and ran off with it.

"HEY!" she called after the retreating figure.

Angel was relieved, she had been tested and they shouldn’t have to worry for the rest of the evening.

"What was that?" asked Oz.

"What?" asked Buffy.

"Why didn’t you stop him?"

"I haven’t been feeling myself lately. I… I jut feel weak and stuff. But not to worry Giles is on the case."

Oz shrugged.

Chapter 21

Buffy went back to Angels place with him that evening. Angel went to find the man who had been watching Travers all night while Buffy waited for him, reading one of his poetry books.

He returned a bit later and filled her in on what was happening. Thanks to Willy’s employee they now knew everything.

Buffy was pleased he was looking out for her. They discussed plans for the council, and then cuddled into each other.

"Can I stay here tonight?" Buffy asked.

"Why?" asked Angel.

Buffy sat up and looked at him. "I… I like it here. I don’t have bad dreams here, or not as many."

Angel understood. "We were supposed to find you an apartment weren’t we?"

Buffy nodded, taking his statement as a rejection, he didn’t want her there.

"I’ve been thinking." Angel continued. "Why don’t you move in here?"

Buffy looked at him quizzically. She had just gone from being unwanted to being asked to move in. Angel took her hesitation as a refusal.

"I mean, nothing will happen. Unless you want it to. And this place isn’t much so feel free to say no. But once you move it you’ll be safe from other vampires and stuff. And with, uh, cutting yourself off from the council, maybe the fewer expenses you have the better. Maybe. If you want. The offers there. "

Buffy smiled at his rambling. She wasn’t ready for a sexual relationship but she did enjoy his company, she was confident he wouldn’t push her into anything and she liked it here.

"I’d love to."

Angels face lit up in a huge smile. "We’ll move your stuff in when ever your ready then."

"No time like the present." Buffy said hugging him.

Two hours later her things were moved in. She didn’t have much, just a few changes of clothes but they were unpacked now, it was other things that had taken the time.

This was her home now. Angel knew the exact moment it became home, as soon as she walked in with one of her cases. He couldn’t follow her.

"Uh, Buffy." He called sheepishly.

"Yeah." She turned to face him in the doorway.

"You, uh..."

Buffy didn’t understand. "What?"

"You have to invite me in."

"Into your own home?" she asked, not sensing his discomfort at having to ask.

"Now you live here, yes." Angel averted his gaze, this was downright humiliating.

Buffy saw the wounded look in his eyes and dropped her case. "OK," she said playfully, "On one condition."

Angel expected her to say something like ‘as long as you don’t bite,’ but she didn’t. "What?" he asked.

"Carry me over the threshold." She grinned as she approached him.

"Deal." He grinned back.

"Then by all means enter kind sir."

As soon as the barrier was released angel picked Buffy up, closed the door with his foot and carried her through to the bed. He dumped her on it and began kissing her, passionately.

"I’ll move in more often is this is the reaction I get." Buffy said breathlessly in between kisses.

Once finally unpacked came a more difficult issue. Sleeping arrangements. They both acted like school children, neither wanting to say outright what they wanted.

"I’ll take the sofa," Angel offered.

"No, this is your place."

"Our place." Angel corrected.

"I’ll take the sofa."

"No woman of mine is sleeping on a sofa." Angel countered.

"Fine, then we…"

"Yeah, I guess."

"It’s no big deal." Said Buffy.

"Right. Nothing special. I mean nothing, uh, nothing…"

"I get you." Buffy reassured him. "We keep different hours anyway."

"Right, You day person, me night owl."

"Yeah, see, no problem."

"Right." But neither felt comfortable.

"Well I should get ready for bed." Buffy said.

"Yeah, it…it’s late."

"So, I’ll just go change." Said Buffy grabbing her PJ’s and heading for the bathroom.

Angel cursed his stupidity. He wasn’t a horney school kid, he should have been able to have an adult conversation about sleeping arrangements. Now it seemed they were sleeping in shifts, not what he had in mind. Not that he had sleeping with Buffy in mind. Well sleeping but not sleeping.

Angel sighed, now even his thoughts sounded infantile.

Angel changed while Buffy was in the bathroom into a simple t-shirt and trousers. He had to go out later and didn’t really want to be wearing the clothes he had worn out earlier. He expected blood to be shed and he didn’t want to ruin them.

Buffy emerged from the bathroom looking sexier than ever. She only wore a blue pair of PJ’s but to Angel she had never worn anything more erotic.

Buffy climbed into bed.

"I have to go out for a little while." Angel explained.

Buffy looked up at him. "Do you have to go now?" she asked.

"Not right now, I guess. Why?"

"Lay with me. Just for a while."

Angel smiled sweetly at her. "Anything you want."

He climbed into the other side of the bed and pulled Buffy to him. She rested her head on his chest and he wrapped his arms around her. At least Angel knew they weren’t time-sharing the bed now.

"Angel?" Buffy said quietly.

"Yeah."

"I had a nice time tonight. Thank you."

Angel kissed the top of her head. "Your welcome."

Once Buffy was asleep Angel left to finalise plans for the next evening.

Chapter 22

Buffy went to see Giles next morning and filled him in on the plan. He agreed to it, supported it even. That finalised Buffy went to her classes as usual.

"So?" asked Amy at lunch.

"So what?" asked Buffy.

"Angel. The smoochie dance. What happened?"

"Um." Buffy still wasn’t sure how much to reveal. She had never shared before Angel came into her life. But now she had a burning desire to tell Amy what was happening. To share her happiness with someone else. "We, kind of… uh… moved in together." Buffy shied away, expecting a bad reaction.

"You did?! Wow, he sure moves fast." Amy paused. "This is… Well it’s unbelievable." She faced Buffy, looking her straight in the eyes. "Are you happy about this?"

"I am."

Amy hugged her. "Then I’m happy too."

As Buffy pulled out of the hug she decided to confess all and told Amy all about her and Angels relationship.

Angel placed two calls on Amy’s mobile phone. One to make sure something had been done, the other to order things to be done.

Then he crossed the street and headed for his prey.

Travers was uneasy. Tomorrow was the night but they were behind schedule on the house. He washed his face in the sink of the ensuite bathroom in his hotel room, hoping to revive himself for the long night a head.

He went back into his hotel room to see Angel sprawled over one of his chairs.

"Who are you?" he asked indignantly.

"Hello to you too." Said Angel. "And I should think your spies have already figured that out. If not, well I guess you’re not as good as you used to be."

Travers was feeling uneasy, he headed for the door to the hotel corridor but before he had even taken a step, angle was in front of him, blocking his path.

"Now, don’t go running out on me, we have a lot to talk about."

"I have nothing to say."

"Still don’t know who I am?" Angel asked.

"Your not human."

"Not of late, no."

"What do you want?"

"The slayer."

"Why come though me? She doesn’t even know me."

"I know that." Said Angel. He began advancing on Travers, causing him to back up into the hotel room. "But you see, I don’t want to kill her."

"Then what do you want’?"

"I want her alive. You’re trying to kill her. I can’t allow that."

"What? Don’t be stupid." Said Travers.

"Quentin. I don’t think your listening to me. You have this test planned. I say the test isn’t going to happen. Got it?"

"It must. It’s tradition."

Angel now had Travers backed against the wall. "Quentin. Listen to me. Carefully. It’s not going to happen. She hasn’t been taking your poison, she isn’t weak and right now your ‘pet’ vampire is being released and the house broken up. Your men should be safe but I can’t guarantee that. I said no snacking but, hey, they get hungry."

"Wh… Who are you?" asked Travers, fear creeping into his voice.

"Angelus."

"The scourge of Europe." He said silently.

Angel smiled. "That’s right. Now, I have mellowed in my twilight years but." He leaned closer into Travers. "If the slayer is ever harmed, in any way by you or your men, I know thousands of ways to kill a person, most of which will keep you alive for days."

"I’m not afraid. I swore my life to this, I’m willing it loose it if necessary." Said Travers shakily.

Angel smirked and backed off slightly, "Figured you might say that. So, just as a little reminder, your wife and children are currently sitting I your basement, tied up. If anything happens to the slayer, they wont just be tied up next time."

"But…" The colour drained from Travers face. "Why?" he asked.

"You still haven’t put it together have you?" asked Angel.

"No."

"They slayer is mine."

"You wan to kill her?"

"No, she’s mine, as in my mate, partner. I would have thought your surveillance photo’s would have picked that up."

Travers grew thoughtful. "There was a man…" recognition hit his features as he remembered the pictures from the bronze. "NO! I don’t believe it."

Angel smiled a predatory smile. "Figured you might say that. HUNNY." he called out. Buffy entered the room from the hallway. She knew her part and walked straight up to Angelus, putting her arms around him and kissing him.

"Dear God." Travers said.

Buffy ended the kiss. "God has nothing to do with this."

"Buffy, Dear Lord, this is an abomination!"

Buffy shook her head. "No, this is my life. I like it. I don’t appreciate stuck up pricks from England trying to kill me though."

"We weren’t, we didn’t…"

Buffy held up her hand. "Don’t. I did my research. Only 10% of slayers survive this test."

"Well… Uh…"

Buffy held up her hand again. "Don’t give me your platitudes. As of this moment, I quit. I don’t work for the council any more. If I even see anyone from the council, I will hurt them, severely. Got it?"

Travers sat dejectedly in a close chair.

Angel pulled Buffy close to his again and kissed her, marking his territory in front of Travers.

Quentin saw his opportunity for escape, he bolted from the chair, heading for the door. Without breaking the kiss Buffy kicked him in the abdomen, he doubled over in pain.

"Buffy." He hissed as he clutched his stomach.

"Don’t Buffy me. I quit. Got that?"

Travers slowly stood upright again. "Yes, I think that’s clear." He said.

"Good. We’ll be leaving now."

Buffy turned to go but Angel had one last thing to do. He punched Travers in the face, flooring him. "That’s for trying to kill my mate. You know how us vampires get about things like that. Try it again and wont be your jaw broken. Or your life taken for that matter." He turned to follow Buffy out. "Oh, and you might want to call the police in England to release your family." He called as an after thought.

As soon as they were on the street again Buffy burst out laughing.

"That was so much fun!" she exclaimed.

Angel pulled her to him. "How does it feel to be freelance?"

"Feels good." She smiled, kissing him. As they broke away to walk back to their apartment she questioned him. "How did you pull it off anyway?"

"It was easy. Vampires are easy to control if they fear you. I just scared some into freeing the vampire they had for you and told them to destroy the house as much as they could."

"And his family?"

"That was even easier. I called Whistler, the demon I told you about, who said I could make something of my life. He contacted some demons he knows, no invitation needed and one unhurt but tied up family in England."

"Did they hurt them?"

"No. These are good people Buffy, well, good demons. They just scared them a little, enough so they believed it was real."

"Wow. You make it sound so easy."

Angel put his arm around her. "Not easy but worth it. Anything for you."

Buffy put her arm around him and they walked silently back to the apartment.

Chapter 23

Giles sat waiting for the call, stewing things over in his mind. Truthfully he didn’t care about leaving the council. He didn’t care that Buffy was leaving them either and although she could be in danger from their hit men, Giles was confident she and Angel could take care of themselves.

His real problem was with their relationship. A vampire and a slayer.

It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Angel, he did. It was just… Giles couldn’t find the words for it.

He supposed there was a certain poetry to it but… He sighed. The truth was there was nothing he could do to stop then so me may as well get used to it.

He was interrupted from his thoughts by a knock at the door. He answered to find Travers there.

"Come in." he said, noticing the nasty bruise forming on Travers jaw.

"Things are out of hand Mr Giles." He said gravely.

Giles poured him a drink and showed him to a seat. "Your slayer is out of control." He continued.

"She isn’t my slayer, as you take every opportunity to remind me."

Travers glared at Giles. "This is serious Giles. She had quit the council and claims to be living with a vampire."

"Yes, I know." Said Giles calmly.

Travers looked shocked. "You were in on it?"

"Not exactly but they do have my full support."

"It’s wrong. She needs our help. Our support. She can’t do this alone."

"Well being under the councils guidance doesn’t seem to have done much for her, I have to say. She’s shy, scared, lonely. I believe being away from you is the best thing for her. You don’t want to help her, you want to control her."

"That’s preposterous!"

"Is it." said Giles, his voice growing harsh. "I don’t believe it is. You have failed that girl in every way and perhaps if you hadn’t she wouldn’t be seeking refuge in the arms of a vampire."

Travers was speechless, Giles enjoyed that aspect.

"Now, just so we’re clear." He continued. "I also quit. You may as well leave town now."

"This is absurd."

"Perhaps but it’s Buffy’s choice."

Travers stood to leave and Giles showed him to the door.

"A word of warning if I may." Said Giles, Travers faced him again. "Don’t piss Angelus off. He’s tame for now but if you harm Buffy I can assure you he will visit every torture on you he knows. Read up on him, he was quite good at torture." Giles shut the door in Travers face.

Buffy and Giles were waiting for the others in the library the next morning. Now that things were settled they could be told.

"Happy Birthday Buffy." Said Amy as she sat next to Buffy. Larry, Oz and Michael also chimed in their birthday greetings.

Giles looked down at the floor. He had completely forgotten to say anything to Buffy. "Uh, yes, Happy Birthday. Sorry, I…"

"Don’t worry about it Geeves." Said Buffy but she was a little hurt by his forgetting.

"Why are we here?" asked Oz.

Giles explained the new situation. He and Buffy had quit the council and were now working alone. Giles reassured them he would be fine without their backing, as did Buffy.

Giles then dismissed everyone except Buffy. He had a responsibility speech to give.

"I know it’s your birthday, and I know your excited to have left the councils employ but I must remind you that you still have a sacred duty and you must still train daily."

"Lighten up Geeves."

"Giles."

"What ever. I know my responsibilities. Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s my birthday and I want to have some fun with my friends." Buffy turned and walked out.

Giles felt bad but hopefully he could make it up to her tonight.

"So." Said Amy excited. "What happened?"

Buffy explained about Angel and Travers meeting.

"Didn’t it scare you?" Amy asked.

"What?"

"The whole Angel thing. Sounded scary."

Buffy pondered it for a moment. "I guess. But I know he’d never do that to me. Or my friends so no, it doesn’t scare me. Actually it’s kind of cool to have someone looking out for me."

Amy smiled. "How’s it going with him?"

It was Buffy’s turn to smile now. "Great. He’s so sweet. I know we keep different hours but he’s always there when I go to bed and when I wake up. He makes me breakfast. He’s actually pretty good at making food for someone on a liquid diet."

Amy sighed. "Sounds wonderful. Why aren’t their any living guys like that." She pouted.

"There are. I bet Oz is sweet."

"Yeah but…"

"But what?"

"I dunno. I just don’t think he’s interested."

"You never know until you try."

Just then the bell rang and they made their way to class promising to meet up at lunch.

Buffy wasn’t expecting presents but that’s what she got as she sat with the others at lunch. Amy gave her a charmed amulet for protection, Michael gave her some herbal healing powder for her wounds, Oz gave her the latest Stephen King novel and Larry bought her a clothes voucher.

"You guys are the best." Said Buffy giving them a group hug.

"We try." Said Oz simply.

"So what are you doing tonight?" asked Larry.

"Angel’s taking me out but he wont tell me where."

"Sounds romantic." Said Amy.

"Why don’t we shop after school and you can use your voucher to buy something nice." Suggested Larry.

Buffy wasn’t keen on shopping for nice clothes. Especially not with an audience. Amy put her arm around Buffy.

"Come on, might be fun." She could see Buffy still wasn’t convinced. "We can stop for ice cream when we’re done."

"OK, OK, I give in. We’ll go shopping."

Chapter 24

"So, where are we going?" Asked Buffy as they walked through Sunnydale.

"I told you, it’s a surprise." Said Angel smirking back at her.

"Aww." Said Buffy pouting playfully.

"Not working." Said Angel looking straight ahead. Buffy continued pouting. "Still not working."

Buffy sighed and gave up. "Meanie."

Angel put his arm around her. "We’re nearly there he reassured her."

Buffy had bought a long black skirt earlier and a slightly sheer black silk top. She topped her outfit off with a set of pearls Angel had given her and a pair of black court shoes.

Angel was wearing a pair of leather trousers, a dark blue shirt and his trademark black duster. They made a striking couple walking together.

"Oh, wait a sec." Said Angel stopping by the bronze. "I need to see this guy for a second."

"Who?"

"The guy who owned this place. He was looking into something for me."

"OK. I’ll wait here." Said Buffy leaning against the wall of the bronze.

"Come in with me, it could take a while."

"So much for Buffy’s nice birthday." She said under her breath.

Angel opened the door to an empty bronze.

"Wait here, I’ll find the lights." Said Angel.

Buffy crossed her arms across her chest and waited hoping this didn’t take long.

The lights flickered on.

"SURPRISE!"

Buffy jumped at the chorus of voices who appeared from behind the bar.

"Oh my god." Said Buffy as Angel came up behind her. "This is great." She turned to Angel. "Did you do this?"

"We all did."

Buffy kissed him. "Thank you."

"Whose for cake." Said Larry ready to tuck in.

Giles smiled warmly at Buffy who gave him a weird look since he was wearing a paper hat.

"Peer pressure." Giles explained. "Happy birthday Buffy."

Buffy smiled warmly at him. "Thanks."

Soon the music was playing, the non-alcoholic beer was flowing and the partygoers were enjoying themselves dancing, chatting and eating.

A slow song came on the jukebox, an oldie by Elton John. Angel took Buffy’s hand and led her to the dance floor. Buffy watched Amy glance over to Oz. Buffy was about to say something when Oz walked over to Amy and asked her to dance. Satisfied that Amy was happy, Buffy rested her head on Angel’s shoulder and swayed gently to the music with him.

Buffy and Angel arrived back at the apartment a little after midnight.

"Did you have fun?" Angel asked.

"I did. Thank you."

Angel kissed her forehead. "Your welcome. Hey, I forgot to give you your present."

"That wasn’t my present?" asked Buffy.

Angle shook his had and searched in his pocket. He handed her a small red box. "Here."

Buffy opened the box to reveal a small silver ring. "It’s beautiful." She said taking it out."

"My people, before I was changed exchanged these as a sign of devotion. The hands represent friendship, the crown, loyalty, the heart is for love. Wear it with the heart facing inwards." He said showing her his ring. "It means you belong to somebody."

Buffy threw her arms around his neck, trying to keep from crying. "It’s beautiful. I love it."

The weekend was uneventful. Buffy spent the days with her new friends and the evenings patrolling with Angel. She enjoyed his help and company. Oz and Larry accompanied them on the Saturday before everyone went to the bronze, which was very much not a private party this time but still fun.

Amy went shopping with Buffy for new clothes and Buffy agreed to throw out a lot of her old combat gear. She couldn’t believe the change in her in a week. The question of her leaving never came up and she was happy to stay.

Chapter 25

"Oh, sorry hunny." Said Buffy as the vamp she was fighting crashed into Angel.

"No problem." He said pushing it back to her as he fought his own vampire. Buffy staked hers but Angel’s vampire suddenly had help and they managed to deck him and slipped away. Angel stared after them.

"What is it?" she asked.

"We have trouble. Those were Eliminati."

"Eilgh whaty?"

"Eliminati, a vampire cult who worship a demon named Balthazar."

"You have cults now? And you worship things? Things were much simpler when you were loaners." She said playfully.

Angel glared at her. "This isn’t a game. Balthazar is supposed to be dead which means those guys should no longer exist."

"So no problem then."

"Big problem. The fact they’re still here means he is. And he’s not pretty Buffy, he’s powerful."

"OK, we tell Giles, he does the research, we slay the bad guy. Stop the wig, you’re scarring me."

Angel tried to relax. "I’m sorry, you right it’s probably nothing. I’ll do some checking around later, see what I can find out."

Buffy nodded. "Good. Can I go home now? I have graveyard in my hair."

Angel nodded and escorted her back to the apartment.

"Angel was major wigged by this Giles." Said Buffy the next morning. "He left as soon as we got home, he’s never done that before."

Giles nodded. "He’s quite right, the presence of Elimianti is indicative of Balthazar being present."

"So what’s so bad about this big bad?"

"From what I remember he was, Uh, a rather nasty price of work. As were his followers. He was stripped of his power source and killed according to the volumes I have."

"So what’s this power source?"

"I’ll look into it. You get to class and I’ll hit the books."

Buffy nodded and left.

"So, we have the power source." Said Angel holding up Balthazar’s amulet. "Now for the demon."

Buffy nodded. "Best not take that with us."

Angel nodded. "I’ll hide it. Meet me at the packing warehouse on Devero in 30 minutes." He said Kissing her. "And for gods sake don’t go in alone. Wait for me."

Buffy nodded. "What ever."

Angel hoped she listened and didn’t try to be the hero. Balthazar may not have his power centre but he still had power.

Buffy stood waiting on the corner for Angel.

"Uh. Miss?"

Buffy turned to the voice. "You are Miss Summers right?"

Buffy tensed up. "What is it to you?"

He looked around, scared. "I… I need your help."

Buffy was still wary but decided to hear him out. "Go on."

"I’m deputy mayor Finch, I work for the mayor." Buffy gave him a Duh! Look. "Yes, well, I’m scared, he’s planning something. Has been for years but it’s nearly here and it’s not going to be pretty."

"What is it?"

"It’s called an assention. I don’t really know much else though." He paused and looked around again. "It’s bad. Really bad."

"Buffy." Said Angel coming up to her.

"You must be Angel." Said Finch.

"Who are you?"

"I work for Mayor Wilkins. I need your help."

"How do you know who I am?" asked Angel.

"They mayor has files on everyone who might be a threat to him. You two are right at the top."

"Look." Buffy interrupted. "We’re kind of in the middle of something here."

Finch nodded. "I know. Balthazar is Wilkins worse enemy. You’ll be doing him a favour by killing him."

"So we just let this Balthazar guy live on your say so?" said Buffy.

"No, kill him if you want. I just thought I’d tell you. I’m here because of the assention, nothing else."

Buffy looked to Angel for any bright ideas.

"You have a pen?" Angel asked. Fitch pulled out a pen and paper. Angel read Giles address out to him. "Tell him everything you know, we’ll be back there later."

Fitch nodded. "Yes, Mr Giles, the watcher, right?"

Angle nodded. "Now go before things get ugly."

Fitch nodded and left.

"Do we kill him?" asked Buffy.

"Fitch?"

"No, Balthazar."

"We kill him. As long as he’s alive and we have the amulet, he’ll keep coming after us. Killing him is the only way to stop him."

Buffy nodded drawing her stake. "Lets do it."

Giles rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I’ve never heard of this term before."

"Nor had I." Said Fitch. "But it’s going to be bad if he succeeds. Very bad."

"Is there any way to stop it?" asked Buffy coming in through Giles door followed by Angel.

"Uh, maybe. He doesn’t really let me in on anything he doesn’t have to. I think because I’m human he doesn’t trust me."

"But he trusts vamps? What a guy." said Buffy.

"His current number one man is Mr Trick. Bad news."

Everyone nodded.

"We need an in road." Said Giles thinking aloud. "Is there no way he would trust you?"

"I’ve worked for him for years, I don’t think things are going to change now."

"We need someone on the inside. Someone he trusts."

Finch shook his head. "No one will betray him. They’re all to afraid."

"Then why are you here?" asked Angel.

"I’m more afraid of what he’ll do to others if he succeeds. I’ve heard him speak of decimating the town. That’s a lot of lives I don’t want on my conscience."

Everyone was silent for a while. "Could we plant someone?" asked Buffy.

"How?" asked Giles.

"Well I kill this Trick he needs someone else right? We just make sure it’s someone we want in there."

Giles pondered the idea. "It’s possible I suppose. It will take some thought though."

They tossed a few ideas around until Fitch had to go.

"Wait, before you do I want to show you something." Said Giles. He retrieved a crystal and held it in front of Fitch. "Look for the flaw at its core."

"Why?"

"Just do it, you’ll see."

Fitch looked into the crystal and soon fell into a trance. Giles ordered him to forget the meeting and to go home to sleep. When he awoke in the morning he would remember watching TV all night."

"What was that for?" asked Buffy as Fitch left.

"Well you saw how nervous he was. They Mayor is bound to pick up on it."

"Not to mention the vampires. I could smell his fear." Added Angel.

Buffy shrugged. "Good plan."

Chapter 26

The next day Buffy paid a visit to the town hall to snoop. She wasn’t stealthy at all; in fact, she wanted to be seen. She was hoping to push the mayor over the edge so he would send Trick after her. It was a good job she wasn’t after any information though since all the files had been cleared out.

After making sure the cameras had caught her entering Wilkins office and a few other rooms Buffy left. No one tried to stop her.

"Coming." Shouted Fitch as he walked to answer the door. "Do I know you?" he asked of Giles.

"Well not exactly. I need to see you, it’s rather urgent."

"I see. Well come in."

Giles entered the apartment and showed Fitch the enchanted crystal again, putting him into another trance.

Buffy and Angel sat on a bench in the graveyard waiting to be attacked. They would be, they were sure of it.

Angel sat with his arm around Buffy’s shoulders while she leaned into his chest. From time to time he gently kissed the top of her head. He could tell she was scared, he just wasn’t sure what of.

He was about to ask when Mr Trick appeared.

"Sorry to interrupt this touching moment but I have to kill you two. Nothing personal."

Buffy sat up from Angel and shrugged. "Whatever, lets get it over with."

She and Angel stood up ready to face Trick and the three other vampires that appeared behind him.

The fight was swift. Buffy quickly despatched two vampires leaving her facing Trick and Angle one of the other minions. Trick was good but Buffy was better and after a brief struggle, she dusted him on a handy tree branch.

Angel’s vampire was also dust. "Let’s go home." Said Buffy grufly.

Angel followed her, puzzled by her demeanour.

By the time they arrived back at the apartment Angel couldn’t take the silence any more.

"What is it?" he asked.

Buffy turned to look at him. "Nothing."

Angel sighed. They were back to playing games. He took her shoulders and sat her on the edge of the bed. "What is it?" he asked again.

Buffy pushed his hands off her shoulders. "I told you. Nothing."

"I don’t buy that. Your scared. I can smell it."

Buffy scoffed and stood up off the bed. "Maybe it’s you I’m scared of. You are a vampire."

Angel sighed again. Just when he thought he was through her defences she built a new wall. He knew his vampirism want the problem but finding the real problem didn’t look hopeful at the moment. "Buffy, if I’ve done something to hurt you, I’m sorry."

Buffy looked at him. He looked crestfallen and she felt bad that she was the cause. She sat beside him on the bed again. "I’m scared." Said Buffy in a small voice, looking at the floor.

"Of what?"

"Loosing you."

Angel wrapped his arms around her. "You will never loose me."

Buffy couldn’t help it; her tears began to flow. "But I could. Tomorrow you wont be with me and I can’t protect you any more. What if they find out about you? What if they kill you?"

Angel knew her fears were real and he couldn’t just deny them. He tilted her head up so she looked into her eyes. "I love you."

"I love you." Buffy leaned in and kissed him lightly on the lips. "Angel."

"What?"

"I need you." Said Buffy leaning into him.

"Maybe we sho…"

Buffy cut him off with a kiss. "Please." she whispered.

Truthfully Angel had wanted this since he’d first seen her all those years ago. Now with them about to be separated and the chance that one or other of them might not come back, he needed it as much as she did.

Angel gently pushed Buffy back on the bed and lay beside her, kissing her. One hand gently stroked her hair. Buffy wrapped her hands around him and began caressing his back. Angel trailed his hand away from her hair and down to her neck, caressing the silky skin there before continuing on its journey. He gently rubbed her nipples through her blouse, feeling them swell into hard buds. Buffy moaned into his mouth.

Slowly he began undoing her buttons, giving her every opportunity to still back out. She made no move to stop him though and he opened the blouse to reveal her bra. Angel broke the kiss briefly to look at her. Her face was flushed and her chest heaved. Nothing in his 250 years had ever turned him on as much.

Buffy raised herself off the bed and Angel pushed the blouse off her shoulders while Buffy freed her arms from it. Then she reached behind herself and undid the clasp of her bra. She gingerly removed the garment, trying to cover herself with her arms.

"You’re beautiful." Angel whispered as he kissed her again. Buffy relaxed slightly and wrapped her arms around him again, pulling at his shirt to free it from his trousers. Once freed she pushed the shirt higher and began to explore his flesh with her hands. She felt like she was on fire. Her fingers burned against his cool skin.

Angel sat back and quickly removed his shirt, tossing it to the floor. He leaned back down to kiss her, letting his hand trail feather light touches from her abdomen, over breasts to her neck. Buffy now ran her hands over his chest, thankful that he had no body head for if he did they would both be burning up. As it was, his cool skin was a refreshing sensation.

With the next sweep of his hand, Angel stayed at her abdomen, feeling for the release to her trousers. Finding it he quickly unzipped them and Buffy raised her hips so he could push them down her legs. Once around her knees Buffy kicked them the rest of the way off.

She felt something she had never experienced before. Complete trust. She was vulnerable now. Exposed for anything from attack to hurtful words. But she knew neither were coming. She was still shy, no one but her mother had ever seen her this naked, but she wasn’t uncomfortable.

Angel could feel how shy she was and quickly discarded the rest of his clothing, to even the score so to speak. As he went back to lay beside her, he could tell Buffy was happier with this situation.

Angel now moved his mouth down on to her neck and kissed the sensitive area around her pulse. He felt it quicken slightly, probably a reflex fear but he moved lower anyway so as not to make her uncomfortable. His mouth licked and kissed it’s way down to her breasts, alternately kissing and nibbling each one. Buffy gasped and began to moan slightly.

His hand now free he began to move it lower, towards her centre. Buffy’s legs were closed but he stroked each thigh slowly and she began to separate them. Slowly Angel made his way to her sex and parted her lips with his fingers. He found her sensitive bud and began to gently run his fingers over it. Buffy’s moans became louder and she mumbled his name.

Angel moved off the bed and Buffy looked questioningly at him. He gestured for her to lie the right way on the bed, with her head by the pillows. She did and Angel crawled onto the bed, in-between her legs. He kissed her lightly on the lips then made a trail of kisses down to her centre.

He inhaled the scent of her, musk with a slight hint of vanilla. No other scent was as perfect. Buffy gasped as he slowly used his tongue to part her lips again. She reached down and ran her hands through his hair while he lapped at her centre and gently nipped at her clit.

Finally, he could tell she was ready and climbed up her body, positioning himself at her entrance.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

Buffy nodded her response. Angel entered her gently until he hit the barrier to her virginityHe had half been expecting it since she seemed so inexperienced. He gently thrust in and out as far as he could without breaching her barrier. It took all his willpower not to just rip her virginity from her; he needed her that much. He took a second to calm herself then reached a hand between them and began stroking her bud again.

As he felt her climax approach he speeded up his movements. Finally, he felt her contract around him as her orgasm hit, she cried out and Angel thrust into her, tearing her innocence away from her.

Buffy seemed not to notice immediately, she was lost in the pleasure he had given her. As her senses returned though she could feel him filling her, gently thrusting in and out. She was amazed that she hadn’t felt anything.

Angel left her clit alone now for fear of over sensitising it. He concentrated on filling her. She was so tight he wasn’t sure he could last much longer inside her. He bent his head to her neck and began to kiss her there. Buffy didn’t seem frightened this time.

Buffy began to claw at his back and lifted her hips off the bed to meet his thrusts. She could feel a second orgasm approaching. She cried his name out as she reached her climax again. The contraction of her walls around his member pushed Angelus over the edge also and he spilled his dead seed into her.

He collapsed onto her, planting gentle kisses her all over her face.

Buffy lay there, recovering. She wrapped her hands around him and ran her nails down his back. Angel growled softly and Buffy stiffened.

"Oh god, I’m sorry." Said Angel pulling back.

"I… No, it’s ok. I… I kind of like it actually." She smiled wickedly at him.

"You do?"

"Yeah, it’s… passionate."

"I got a whole lot more where that came from." Said Angel, capturing her mouth in another heated kiss.

Chapter 27

Buffy awoke after an hours sleep. It was time for school and she had to get up.

"Cant we just stay here all day?" she pouted at Angel.

Angel smiled wolfishly. "I’d love to but you know we cant. We have to carry on as normal."

"I know. Still."

"We have plenty more nights like that in our future."

Buffy grew serious. "Just take care OK."

"I will. And I’ll see you tonight, remember."

"I know. Still, you won’t be sleeping here. You’ll be with them and… I don’t like it."

"I don’t like it either but it’s what we have to do."

Buffy nodded.

"How about some breakfast?" Angel suggested.

Suddenly Buffy was acutely aware of how hungry she was. "Umm, guess we used up a lot of calories last night."

Buffy was quiet at school. Everyone noticed and they all knew why but had the good grace not to mention it. Buffy checked her watch repeatedly but she wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t like there was a timetable for this.

At the end of school she went to the library, unwilling to go home.

"Is it done?" asked Buffy.

Giles nodded sadly.

Buffy sighed.

"Angel, may I call you Angel?"

"Actually I was thinking more along the lines of you calling me master."

Wilkins smiled. "Sense of humour. I like that. I hope Simon here wasn’t too rough with you, bringing you here?"

"No, the Mage part was more painful. As for Simon, I could have torn Simons head clean off if I’d wanted."

The mayor smiled. "Good, good. So, how does it feel to be soul free?"

"Feels great. I guess I have you to thank for that."

"Yes, actually. And my deputy Finch. It was his idea actually. I had my doubts about him but he’s really shaping up."

"Is there some kind of point to my being here?" Angel asked.

"Yes, actually. You young people, all now, now, now. No patience."

"This is the convenience age."

"Yes. Well the point of you being here is the slayer. I understand you have a relationship with her."

"Might have."

"What are your feelings towards her now? If I might ask."

Angel appeared to ponder the question. "I was thinking fruit basket, torture, evisceration."

"Excellent. You and I will get along just fine." Smiled Wilkins.

"I take it you want Buffy dead?"

"Yes but not too quickly. We don’t want another slayer being called too soon do we."

Angelus smirked. "I know a thousand ways to kill a person, my favourite are the long, drawn out kind."

"Good."

Angelus turned to leave then turned back once he was at the door. "You know, once I’m through with Buffy, I’ll be coming for you."

The mayor smiled. "Why wait?"

"Good point."

Quick as a flash Angel withdrew a dagger from his boot and threw it towards the mayor; he didn’t even flinch as it imbedded itself in his chest.

"Nice shot." He said pulling the dagger out. He wiped the dagger clean then undid his shirt to show Angel the non-existent would.

Angel looked shocked. "See, I can’t be harmed. For the next." He checked his calendar. "96 days, until the assention, I am impervious to harm."

"What’s the assention?"

"Take care of Buffy, then we’ll talk."

Angel nodded and left. That he hadn’t been expecting."

Chapter 28

Angel found Buffy sleeping on their bed he sat beside her and gently shook her awake.

"Hey." She smiled up at him.

"Morning sleepy head."

"Sorry. Didn’t get much sleep last night." Buffy said with a knowing look.

Angel kissed her. When they broke the kiss both knew it was time for business.

"How did it go?" asked Buffy.

"Well, I think. He hasn’t told me anything yet. Well nothing useful. He wants you dead and the ascension is in 96 days."

Buffy frowned. "We need more than that,"

"I know, that’s why I have to go back."

"What about killing me? You’ll have to explain the fact I’m not dead."

Angel shrugged. "Not too hard. Back in the day it took me weeks sometimes to get around to killing someone."

Buffy nodded "So what’s the next move?"

"Tonight I’ll threaten one of your friends. Get everyone together at the library, I’ll strike there."

"Why my friends? Why not attack me?"

"That’s not the way I used to work. First take away the support system, then go after the victim."

Buffy swallowed uneasily. She wasn’t used to these facts and it scared her a little.

"Hey." Said Angel sensing her fear. "It’ll be OK. I promise."

"So what do I have to do?" asked Buffy.

"Tonight just show up and stop me. The rest of the time look tearful, broken."

"Do I have to go now?" asked Buffy.

Angel checked his watch. "I still have a few minutes before I have to go. Waite a while after I’ve gone then go to the library."

Buffy nodded pulling Angel down onto the bed with her and wrapping herself in his embrace.

It all went according to plan. Amy was the first to leave the library and Angel pounced on her, pinning her against the wall by her throat. Amy knew it was coming but she was still scared. She hadn’t seen Angel in his game face before.

"I have a message for Buffy." He growled at her.

"Why don’t you give it to me yourself." Said Buffy appearing at the other end of the hall.

Angel turned to face her. "Buff, wasn’t expecting you."

"But here I am. Get off her."

Angel smirked. "But she’s so cute and scared. Really a turn on."

Buffy took a few paces forward. "I said leave her alone."

"What’s the matter Buff, jealous?"

"Insanely." She answered flatly. "Come on Angel, I now there’s a part of you, deep down, who remembers who you are."

"Dream on school girl, your boyfriend is dead."

"Then it’s about time I killed you too." Buffy launched herself at him, stake in hand. They fought a real fight, much like they did when training together. Amy took the opportunity to run to her friends who were now watching from the end of the hall.

"Come on Buffy," Angel taunted. "I know you got more in you than that. I saw some of it last night."

His personal remarks caught her off guard and Angel managed to grab her shoulders and pull her too him. He kissed her, hard. His fangs making small cuts in her lips and tongue. She was too shocked by this change in tactic to do anything.

"Stick around," he growled. "Things are about to get very interesting." Angel threw her against the wall and stalked of down the hall.

Buffy just stared after him.

"Are you OK?" asked Larry again.

Buffy sighed, she was sitting in Giles office chair, her legs drawn up to her chest and she sat holding a mug of now luke warm coffee. "Fine." She answered.

Larry shook his head and left Buffy alone. She obviously wasn’t in a sharing mood.

Giles decided to try next.

"Must have been hard." He began. "Seeing Angel behave like that."

Buffy didn’t respond.

"I mean you know about his past but seeing it displayed in front of you is another matter entirely."

"He scared me Giles." Said Buffy softly.

"I’m sure he did."

Buffy shook her head and wrapped her hands around her coffee mug, trying to warm herself up. "I know I asked him to do it. And he warned me what would happen. I… I don’t know."

"The reality doesn’t fit your expectations."

"I guess." Buffy paused. "How much longer does this have to go on?"

"Until we have the information we need or until he’s discovered."

Buffy took a long sip of coffee as she tried to deal with her thoughts on that night.

Chapter 29

"Interesting tactic." Said the mayor.

Angelus smiled at him from across the desk. "Thank you."

"Still, I would rather she was chained up somewhere."

"This is much better in the long run." Angel reassured him. "By the time you go public she won’t be anything resembling a threat."

"Good, I like that." Giggled the mayor.

"So what is this ascension anyway?" asked Angel.

"Umm, it’s kind of a transformation. Becoming more than I am now."

"Is that all?"

"No, but it’s enough for now. Keep working on Buffy, Angel. I’ll worry about the ascension."

Angel shrugged. "Well if that’s all I think I’ll find somewhere to stay." He said getting up and walking out of the office.

Wilkins watched him leave. Something wasn’t quite right but he didn’t know what.

Angel wanted to return to Buffy but he could tell he was being followed. Probably by the mayor’s men, checking him out. Instead of returning to her he went to the mansion on Crawford Street. It had been one of the places he considered living I when he first came to sunnydale but he had decided it was too grand. Angelus would have nothing short of grand though so he thought it would be a good place to live for the time being.

Buffy shut the door behind her and leaned with her back to it. The apartment that had once seemed so warm and welcoming now seemed cold and empty.

She knew Angel was only doing this at her request. She had asked him. He hadn’t been keen but she had persuaded him with Giles help.

It was her fault. If anything happened to him… Once again the blood would be on her hands.

Buffy sank to the floor and cried. She shouldn’t have opened up to him, she shouldn’t have trusted him. Not because she didn’t like him but because if she had kept him at a distance, as was her style, she would be feeling so rotten now.

Alone was best. Alone wasn’t as painful. The lonely only had to worry about themselves.

And now she also had to deal with seeing Angel as he used to be, a killer. Sure, he was only acting. She knew that on some level but it had seemed so real.

Was that the real Angel and what she had seen so far an act?

How could she have given herself to that monster? He wore a human face but soul or no soul he was still a monster. Her sworn enemy.

How could she have been so stupid?

Buffy hastily dried her tears. Crying was for the weak and Buffy was anything but weak. She found her cosmetics bag and touched up her makeup, applying it heavily like she used to. She rubbed the concealer off her scar, displaying it to the world, again as she used to do. Her war wound.

Her "mask" now reapplied she rummaged in her draws until she found her old combat clothes. She hadn’t kept much but she had enough. She changed out if her jeans and small top putting her baggy trousers and grey t-shirt on. She completed her look with her combat boots. She then pulled her long hair back into the long plated braid she usually wore.

Ready to patrol, she slung on an ill-fitting jacket, grabbed a hand full of stakes and headed for the door. She still had a job to do.

Angel was just settling into the mansion when Simon appeared.

"What do you want?" Angel growled.

"The mayor thought you might like to know that Buffy is patrolling. It seems your display earlier didn’t work." He smiled. Simon knew Angelus had been all reputation and no bite. He should have been the mayor's next in line, not this outsider.

Angel growled. This wasn’t the plan. Buffy was supposed to look shaken, not strong.

"Looks like you aren’t up for the job." Taunted Simon.

Angel stalked over to him. "Maybe not." He said. He reached out and twisted his neck breaking it. Simon fell to the floor. "But now, neither are you."

Angel stormed out of the mansion, leaving Simon lying on the floor. As he passed another of the mayor’s henchman waiting outside he called out. "Simon had a little accident, you might want to help him out."

Chapter 30

Buffy had staked three vampires already. It was an excellent stress relief until the fight was over, then all her fears returned.

She stomped off after killing the third, eager to find another victim.

Her spider sense began tingling. He was around.

"Come on." She said turning in a circle, looking for him. "Show yourself. Not a afraid of me are you?"

Angel hadn’t wanted to show himself, just to watch her, see how she was doing. Now she had called to him though he had to make a move. He suspected was still being watched. He sauntered out from behind the crypt.

"Evening Lover." He smiled.

"We meet again."

"So we do. You know, I missed you."

"Yeah, it’s only been like a few hours since you terrorised my friends. Must’ve been lonely." She said sarcastically.

"It isn’t about them Buff, you know that."

"You want me? Come and get me."

"Buffy, I don’t want to fight you."

"You don’t?"

"No. I was hoping we could get back together."

So many emotions were playing in Buffy’s mind she wasn’t sure which was strongest at the moment. Was he her Angel or was this his true face. How could he taunt her like this? Did he really love her? Did she love him? There was no denying he looked sexy in this get up, and the charm and confidence he oozed was magnetic. Did he want her, was he for real or was this part of the game? Was there even a game at all? Perhaps this was reality.

"You were?" Buffy choked out.

Angel sauntered over to her and pulled her to him. Buffy didn’t protest. Angel leaned down and whispered to her.

"Are you OK?" he spoke softly into her ear. "We’re being watched."

Now Buffy was really confused. Who was this?

When he didn’t get a reply he whispered again. "I’m sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean to scare you."

Buffy felt lightheaded. She was trying to deal with too much at one time. Too many emotions, too many possibilities. Plus she hadn’t eaten since Angel cooked her breakfast. Buffy raised her hand to his cheek and looked into her eyes.

"Angel?" she said quietly before collapsing.

Angel caught Buffy’s form as she collapsed. He wasn’t sure what to make of this new development. He knew he couldn’t just leave her to be attacked, that would look too odd. He couldn’t take her home either. The only option was to take her back to the mansion with him under the pretence of having kidnapped her.

He picked her up in a fireman’s carry and walked back to the mansion.

"Still here?" he said kicking Simons prone form as it lay on the floor. Vampires healed quickly but it would take months to recover from a broken neck. Since they mayor hadn’t sent anyone for him Angel knew it would be OK to kill him. He laid Buffy on his bed, took a stake from her pocket and quickly finished Simon off. He dissolved into ashes and Angel went through to the bedroom to watch over Buffy.

He knew no more of the mayor’s men would dare come in the mansion now. Simon had been the lesson so he had a certain amount of privacy.

He sat and waited for Buffy to wake up.

Buffy could feel Angel’s arms around her in her dream. He was there with her, protecting her. She leaned back into his chest.

"Angel." She whispered.

"Yes my love. I’m here."

"I missed you."

Angel kissed the top of her head. "I’m here now."

"Don’t leave me." Said Buffy intertwining her hands with his own.

"I wont."

"I was so scared. I thought I’d lost you."

"You could never loose me."

"I’m sorry." Said Buffy.

"What for?"

"I doubted you." She answered, her voice cracking. "I’m so sorry."

"Shh. We have plenty of time for that." He said comforting her.

Just then Angel released her. Buffy turned around to face him. He had his back to her. Buffy placed a hand on his shoulder. "Angel, what is it?"

Angel spin to face her, his game face on. "Nothing Buff. This is what you want right." He said lunging for her and sinking his fangs into her neck.

"NO!" screamed Buffy as she sat up.

"Buffy, what’s wrong?" asked Angel coming to sit on the bed next to her.

Buffy swallowed. He was here.

"Why am I here?" she asked realising this wasn’t her apartment.

"You fainted. I brought you back here."

"What for?"

Angel looked hurt. "To take care of you."

"That all?"

"What else would there be?"

Buffy scoffed, rubbing her neck where dream Angel had bitten her. "Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about it."

"About biting you?"

"Don’t play dumb with me. You’re just like the rest."

"Buffy. I…" Angel sighed. "I’m sorry, we shouldn’t have done this."

"What? Shown me the real you? No, I’m glad I’ve seen it."

"Buffy it isn’t me. Not any more."

"You didn’t answer my question."

"Have I thought of biting you? Yes. OK, I have. But I would never…"

Buffy cut him off and stood up on the bed. She swayed on her feet slightly as she stood up. Angel was at her side in an instant to hold her up.

Buffy shoved him away. "Get off me!"

"Buffy, what is this?" He asked as she stormed out into the living area.

"Aww, did I interrupt something?"

Buffy froze as she looked into Wilkins eyes.

Buffy met Wilkins gaze. "No. I’m just leaving." Said Buffy trying to storm past him.

"I don’t think so." Said Wilkins. Behind him stood 10 vampires blocking the door. Buffy looked for another exit but saw that was blocked by another cadre of vamps.

"OK, so what do you want?" asked Buffy.

Angel had joined them in the living room. He wasn’t sure what he should do. Had he been discovered or was the mayor checking up on him, forcing his hand?

"What’s the meaning of this?" He growled at the mayor.

"Ahh, Angel. I wanted to see you too. See, I have this feeling that you are a double agent. I don’t like that."

"You can think what you like." Said Angel smirking.

"Yes, I can. Unfortunately, if you want to stay in this town, I need a little proof that you are indeed evil."

"Proof?" asked Angel incredulously. "What kind of proof? I don’t think theirs a urine test for evil."

"Ha, that’s a good one." Smiled Wilkins. "I like him." He said to his henchmen.

Angel sauntered over to Buffy, grabbing her wrist. "I’m sorry to ruin this little party you have going hear." He said dragging Buffy after him, towards the bedroom again. "But Buffy and I have plans. An audience wasn’t part of them."

"Uh Angel. You might want to listen to what I have to say."

Angel turned back to the mayor. He still had hold of Buffy’s wrist and positioned her behind him. He didn’t answer the mayor, he just looked impatient.

"Well, the thing is Angel, we need you to kill the slayer."

"When I’m done with her." he said growing impatient.

"That’s not enough any more Angel. I need you to kill her. Now."

"What about another slayer being called?" asked Angel, stalling for time.

"Well, we’ll deal with that when she comes. Now, if you’d just kill Miss Summers, we can all return home."

Angel was stuck between a rock and a hard place. He could see no way out. No way was he harming Buffy but in front of him stood at least 20 vampires, all itching for a fight.

Before Angel could act Buffy spoke up. "What’s the matter, scared I’ll stop your lame ascension?"

Wilkins smiled. "Not at all, I just don’t like unfinished business."

"Me neither so let’s finish this. Me and you."

Wilkins began laughing. "I like her. She’s spunky." As his giggles died down he answered, "I don’t think so. All that fighting, so unseemly."

"Scared you’ll loose?" taunted Buffy.

"No. I just have people for that. Why have a dog and bark yourself?" he turned to the vampires. "Boys. Get them."

Before they could do anything Buffy and Angel were attacked by the group.

Chapter 31

Angel awoke shackled next to Buffy in the mayor’s office. Buffy was staring daggers at him.

"I’m sorry." Said Angel not meeting her gaze. "This is all my fault."

Buffy didn’t reply. Her emotions were still confused but her defence mechanisms were in place. She didn’t love Angel, she didn’t care for him. He was nothing more than a vampire. A vampire who was responsible for her current predicament.

When Buffy didn’t reply Angel looked up at her.

Buffy felt her heart crack a little as she saw the pain in his eyes.

‘No, be strong.’ She told herself.

Angel decided now wasn’t the time for a heart to heart; they had to get out of here.

He tested his bonds, pulling at the chain.

"Are your bonds loose?" he asked.

"No. I’ve been trying for the last half an hour."

Angel sighed. They were shackled hand and foot but not secured to anything. The chain connecting their feet was about a foot long.

"Think we can shuffle out of here?" he asked.

"Yeah. Those vampires just outside the door will just let us shuffle on past them on our route to freedom."

"Sorry, dumb idea." He pulled at his restraints again. "Maybe if we both pull, vampire and slayer at once."

It wasn’t such a bad idea. "Sure." Buffy took hold of the chain connecting her feet and Angel joined her.

Buffy could feel him touching her, his body pressed up against hers as he tried to grip the chain. It would be so easy just to relax into him.

Buffy forced her thoughts back to task at hand. "On three." She said. "One, Two, Three."

They both pulled and the chain snapped. Buffy rubbed her ankle where the manacle had bit into the skin.

"Your hurt." Said Angel smelling the blood.

"But I’m not free." She said brandishing her hand chains. Buffy held the chain near the manacle and Angel held them in the middle. Buffy counted again and the chain snapped again. The manacles were still attached to her wrists and ankles but hopefully Giles had a handy manacle removing tool or something.

Angle brandished his leg chains. Buffy considered leaving him but at least he deserved a sporting chance. She did her part and pulled on the chain. It took a few tries but eventually snapped.

Before they could free his hands though Buffy hears voices outside the door. They both hurriedly positioned the chains so it didn’t look like they were free.

The door opened and the Mayor walked in.

"Well, good to see you both finally awake." He smiled. They glared back at him. "Aww, now don’t be like that, come on, it’s no fun if you don’t join in the banter."

"Excuse us if we have more pressing matters to attend to." Said Angel dryly.

"I assume the pressing matter you refer to is your deaths? Well you’d be right there." He giggled. "Sorry, I just love this part." He finished his giggling and continued. "You know it’s a shame you two can’t stick around, graduation day is going to be a hoot, I can tell you."

"Right, the ascension. You just want us out of the way because you’re scared we’ll stop it." Said Buffy.

"True. I have to give you that one. But anyway, it’s going to be out of this world. As will you soon." He laughed at his own pun. "Oh, sorry. Anyway, the ascension," he smiled as he sat behind his desk. "I’ve been waiting years for this. Becoming fully demon, to truly reach the next level. It’s going to be fun."

Buffy rolled her eyes. "That’s it, you’re becoming a demon?"

"No, that’s not just it. And considering your position you should show me some respect. Not to mention the fact that I am your elder."

"You’re not my elder, I got a lot a years on you." Said Angel.

"Well, technically I suppose that’s true. So, getting back to it." He appeared to thing for a moment. "I guess this is good bye." He stood up. "Boys. Finish them off." He said walking out of the office. "And try not to get too much blood on the carpet, it’s hell to clean."

Three vampires came into the room, all ready to kill Buffy and Angel. Angel was the first up, his hands were still bound but he found it useful to wrap around his opponents neck. He didn’t have a stake though and could only knock them to the ground.

Buffy kicked a chair, breaking its leg off, she began fighting the closest vampire while Angel handled the other two. She quickly staked it and the one Angel was currently fighting. The third lay on the floor, trying to get up. Buffy staked it as she passed and ran out into the hall, Angel following her.

They saw a few other vampires on their way out, all were either beaten to the floor or staked and Buffy and Angel eventually made it out of the front door, running off into the night.

"Your hurt." Angel said. Buffy had slowed to a walking pace now and he walked beside her.

"It happens."

"Let me see."

"I’m fine."

Angle sighed. "Buffy, stop." He grabbed her shoulder forcing her to look at him. "This whole thing was a bad idea. I should never have agreed to it."

Buffy just glared at him.

"Please Buffy, talk to me."

"There’s nothing to say."

"There’s a lot to say. Shout, cry, whatever. Just talk to me. Let me in." He implored.

"OK, I hate the way you acted, it scares me. I hate that you can get to me so much. I hate that I worry about you. I hate that you aren’t even human. I hate this stupid slayer thing and right now, I hate the Mayor most of all. OK? Is that enough for you?"

"I can’t do anything about how I acted but it was just that, an act. And I can’t change being a vampire." He paused. "I still love you though. That hasn’t changed."

"Then how could you say those things to me?"

"I had to. I couldn’t be caring, sharing Angel. You asked me to do this. You asked me to go in with the Mayor."

"I know." Buffy turned away from him. "I… I’m just not used to this."

"What?"

"Relying on someone else. Caring for someone."

Angel rested his shackled hands on her shoulders. "I know it’s hard. Trust me, I’ve been there. But I have time. If you want space, just say so. Anything you need."

Buffy’s heart was screaming out for a hug but her head was telling her this was no good. "Lets just got to Giles, see if he can get these off. We’ll discuss the rest tomorrow."

She and Angel walked side by side over to Giles apartment.

Chapter 32

Although Giles didn’t have any handy manacle removing tools, he was a dab hand with a lock pick and after a dozen or so tries at each manacle he was able to release them.

While Giles worked on freeing Buffy’s hands Angel found some first aid supplies. Buffy explained all they had learnt from the Mayor while Giles picked at the locks.

As Buffy’s first wrist was freed Angel began treating it.

Buffy pulled her arm away.

"I’m fine." She said angrily. "It’s already healing."

"You don’t know where or on who those things have been before." Angel implored her. "They need cleaning."

"Giles." Buffy tried to enlist his support against Angel.

"He’s right, they should be cleaned, just to be sure there’s no infection."

It was two against one and Buffy relented, offering her injured wrist to Angel.

First he bathed the wound in warm water, cleaning all the clotted blood away. Next he applied TCP on a cotton pad, gently wiping it over the wound.

Buffy hissed as it stung her open wounds. "Sorry." Said Angel as he continued his task. Next he applied a dressing and a thin bandage to the wrist.

By then Giles had freed her second wrist and Angel began treating that while Giles set about freeing her ankles.

Angel wouldn’t let Giles take his manacles off until he had finished dressing Buffy’s wounds.

Buffy found it was an odd sensation, having someone take such care of her. His soul concentration was on each individual wrist or ankle. It was almost like worship. Buffy watched him closely while he worked. His expression betrayed nothing to her except love and a desire to help her.

With her ankles and wrists treated and bandaged Angel finally allowed Giles to free his bonds. Buffy considered taking off while Angel was still being freed so he wouldn’t be able to follow her but she found herself waiting for him.

Giles could sense the tension in the room. He wasn’t sure of it’s cause but he was certain it had something to do with Angel’s act whilst with the mayor.

Once freed, as they stood up to leave Giles stopped them.

"Angel." He began. "I know this hasn’t been easy for you, the pretence, remembering how you used to be. Anyway, I just anted to thank you. I know it’s been hard but at least we know what we’re dealing with now."

Angel nodded. "It’s OK."

"Well, it’s late, I suggest you two get home. Get some rest."

They thanked him and left for their apartment.

Once back home Buffy wasn’t sure what to do. What was expected of her. She went into he bathroom to change since she had nothing better to do. She knew Angel had seen her naked before but things were different now. She didn’t want him to see her again, not yet.

While she was in there Angel collected a spare blanket and a pillow and set up a bed on the sofa. He was sure Buffy wouldn’t want him in her bed tonight. He was no Don Juan but he knew that when a woman was mad at you, the sofa was the safest place to be.

Buffy came out of the bathroom and silently got into bed. She could see Angel’s form on the sofa. She felt bad for turning him out of his bed. However she didn’t feel bad enough to do anything about it.

She pulled the covers over her and fell into a deep, although restless sleep.

Angel was awoken by something. He opened his eyes to see Buffy laying beside him on the sofa. Her back pressed into his chest.

"Buffy, what are you doing?" he asked sleepily.

"I had a bad dream. They go away when I’m with you." She answered.

Angel was too tired to decide what this meant so he just draped his arm over Buffy and drifted back to sleep.

Buffy awoke in the morning in Angels arms. She couldn’t tell if he was still asleep or not. The no breathing thing made it hard to judge. She lay still, thinking.

Last night had been full of hideous dreams. The mayor, Evil Angel, her Mom, her friends turning against her.

She remembered going over to Angel and climbing onto the sofa with him. The dreams had stopped then but Buffy unsure what that meant. All she knew right now was it felt good to be in his embrace. How could something that felt so good be so wrong?

"Morning." She heard Angel say.

"Hi." She replied softly.

"Sleep well?"

"Better."

"Look at me." Angel asked.

Buffy hesitated a moment, knowing that as soon as she looked into those deep eyes she would be under his spell once again. She eventually rolled over to face him but she didn’t look at him.

"How are you?" he asked.

"Fine."

"And your wounds?"

Buffy felt her bandaged wrists. "Healing. They don’t hurt as much."

"Good."

Neither spoke for a while.

"Is this where we have that talk?" Buffy asked.

Angel nodded. "I guess it is." Buffy didn’t go first so Angel decided to speak. "I’m confused Buffy. First you hate me, then you like me, then you sleep with me, then you hate me again. I don’t understand."

"I don’t either." Said Buffy in a whisper. "It’s just too hard. It isn’t your fault I just can’t do it. I can’t care about you."

"Why not?"

"There are so many reasons."

"I’m a vampire." Angel sighed. These conversations were beginning to sound like a broken record.

"No, not just that. I… The more I care about you, the more it hurts."

"What hurts?"

"Everything. Saying goodbye in the morning. Wondering if you’re OK. And yesterday, that was just so much worse than usual. I don’t think I can do it again."

"Love hurts." Said Angel simply.

"But it shouldn’t. It’s just too hard Angel, I can’t do it again."

"Again?"

"I can’t loose you, not like I did mom."

Angel wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tighter against him. "I’ll do everything I can to make sure that doesn’t happen." He reassured her.

"It’s not enough."

"It never is. There are no guarantees in life."

"There should be."

"But they aren’t." Neither spoke for a while. "Are you willing to take the risk?"

Buffy didn’t reply. "I’ll be here when you’re ready." He said simply.

"You’re throwing me out?" asked Buffy.

"No. I just think you need some space, to think. Stay with Amy or Larry for the weekend. You need to decide if this is something you can do."

"And if I decide it’s not?"

"I’ll always love you Buffy. But I’ll stay away if that’s what you really want."

Chapter 33

Buffy met with the gang later that morning at Giles apartment. She had an over night bag with her. Perhaps a few days apart would help Buffy understand her feelings.

"Buffy, good morning." Giles greeted her. "We’re just looking into the Mayor and this ascension."

"Find anything?"

"Not yet. I’ve sent for a rare book, the Arton Diaries, I believe there may be something in there to help us. In the mean time we’re researching everything we have."

"OK." Buffy took a seat. "Can I stay with one of you guys tonight?" she asked.

"Problems?" asked Oz.

"Just need some space. It would only be for a couple of nights."

"You can crash at mine." Suggested Larry.

"Your parents wont mind?"

"Nah, they’re cool."

"Great."

The research didn’t dig anything new up and at 5 they called it a night.

"So, who’s up for a movie?" asked Amy.

"I could go for a movie." Said Oz putting his arm around his girlfriend.

"Sure." Said Buffy. "Angel’s patrolling for me so I have the night off."

"Count me in." Said Larry. "What’s playing?"

"I don’t know." Said Amy. "Why don’t you drop Buffy’s stuff off and we’ll meet you at the cinema in half an hour or so. We’ll find out what’s playing."

"Sure thing." Said Larry. They headed off to Larry’s house while Amy and Oz headed for the cinema.

"I don’t mean to pry." Larry began as they walked to his house. "But you don’t seem OK."

Buffy sighed. "It’s complicated."

"Might be easier if you told someone."

Buffy considered telling him for a moment. "It’s Angel." Buffy began. "I like him and all but, there are so many things that could go wrong."

"Vampire and slayer."

"Yeah, that’s one thing."

"I have a little insight into that one."

"You do?"

"Gay man walking here. I know what it feels like to be attracted to someone you shouldn’t be."

"And your OK with it?"

"Being gay?"

"Yeah."

"Sure, it’s who I am. My parents found it hard to begin with, I think they still do but it’s me. I like men and there’s nothing I can do to change it."

Buffy considered that for a second. "What if the man you loved was capable of killing you?"

"They are technically, I guess. HIV, AIDS. I just have to be as careful as I can. No relationship is risk free."

"So isn’t it easier to not be in a relationship then?"

"No. Being with someone is the most wonderful thing in this life. If you’ve found that, don’t let it go."

Buffy considered his words for a moment. "What if I cant. I don’t know if I can do the relationship thing."

Larry wrapped a friendly arm around her shoulders. "Welcome to the world of dating. It sucks, your gonna love it."

Buffy smiled.

The movie had been good, as had the coffee at the Espresso Pump later. Buffy now lay on Larry’s bed waiting for sleep to overtake her. Larry was sleeping next to the bed on a camping mattress. He was already asleep and Buffy looked down at him.

He seemed so together, as if he understood life. She wished she had that kind of insight.

Buffy lay back on the bed and clasped her hands in front of her. The moonlight from the window glinted off her ring. Buffy looked at it.

Even with everything that had happened she hadn’t removed it. She hadn’t even turned the heart to face outwards.

Buffy wondered if that was a coincidence or if she simply hadn’t wanted to remove the ring and had conveniently forgotten it.

Buffy let out an exasperated sigh. If she couldn’t even understand her own actions, how on earth was she supposed to have a relationship?

Buffy still had the rest of the weekend to decide, nothing had to be done yet. Perhaps a good nights sleep would help.

She turned over, pulled the covers up and looked for some insight from the dreams world.

Buffy’s dreams held no answers for her, just painful memories and she awoke the next morning as confused as ever.

Larry had noticed her nightmares but he didn’t mention them.

Buffy realised that her bad dreams didn’t occur with Angel, she just want sure what that meant. Over omelettes she asked Larry what he thought.

"So you've always had bad dreams." He said getting her story straight.

"For years." Buffy confirmed.

"But when you’re with Angel you don’t have them?"

"Pretty much. I don’t seem to dream at all. Or at least I don’t remember them."

Larry pondered the situation for a moment.

"What do you think it means?" Buffy asked eventually.

"Well, I’m no dream expert Buffy but if someone makes you happy, eases the pain, and you care for them, I’d say it can only be a good sign."

Buffy sighed. Inwardly she had known that already.

"But." Larry warned. "It’s not a good idea to make that the only reason to be with someone."

Buffy new that too.

Larry decided it was time to cut to the chase. "Do you love him?" he asked.

"I love him. I don’t know if I trust him."

Larry reached across the table and took her hand. "Trust comes with time. If you love him, that’s all that counts. Well if you ask me it is, and you did ask me."

Buffy smiled at him. Her fear weren’t gone but she would give things a go with Angel. He deserved a chance.

Chapter 34

The gang all had plans to go to the mall on Sunday. Buffy begged off saying she had something else to do. She collected her things and headed home.

As expected Angel was asleep. Buffy quietly unpacked her bag then undressed and climbed into bed with him.

Almost as a reflex, Angel reached out and wrapped his arms around her, although he didn’t awaken.

Buffy lay next to him, trying not to think what a big risk she was taking. She tried instead, to enjoy the moment for what it was; a wonderful, intimate occasion. She felt safe and loved and that was enough for now.

Angel awoke surprised to find Buffy laying beside him.

Buffy smiled at his as soon as he opened his eyes. "Hey there." She greeted him.

"Hi."

Before he could continue Buffy kissed him.

Angel realised with a start that Buffy was naked underneath the sheets. He pulled back and looked questioningly at her.

"I made my decision." She explained, pulling him towards her for another kiss….

Over the next few weeks the gang fell into an easy rhythm. Buffy awoke with Angel and he coked her breakfast while she got ready for school. Once she left he returned to bed for a few hours and Buffy met up with the gang to walk to school. She went to all her classes as usual and actually developed quite a head for learning. After school they convened in the library for the daily Mayor update which was usually nothing much.

The book Giles ordered confirmed that the ascension was becoming demon by the couldn’t determine which demon. Since then he had ordered a dozen or more books which they all trawled through looking for any connection to the Mayor’s plans.

Buffy’s SAT scores were well above average and she discussed with Angel where she would go to college.

Buffy wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to go to college but she applied to a few anyway. Mainly due to the pressure Angel and Giles were applying. She found it refreshing to think of having a future but she didn’t actually believe she had had one. Well not completely anyway.

Buffy and Angel patrolled together three nights a week. The other four nights they took turns. Buffy used her nights off to relax with her friends or was roped into research with Giles. More often that not though she was able to find a way out of the research.

While she patrolled alone she knew Angel followed her most evenings. Keeping his distance but Buffy could still tell he was there.

Some nights he couldn’t avoid the research either and Buffy felt an acute sense of loss when he didn’t follow her.

One of these nights she could have used his help. Buffy found herself facing two demons. They were nasty and grey and strong. Buffy managed to kill one but the other escaped. Buffy returned home, not noticing the demon blood that as on her hand, being absorbed through her skin.

Angel noticed the problem the next day.

"What’s wrong?" he asked as she scratched her hand for the umpteenth time that day.

"Huh?"

"Your hand." Angel clarified for her.

Buffy noticed she was scratching. "I don’t know. Maybe I’m allergic to something."

"Show Giles, it could be something."

"Ok Mr over protective." Buffy smiled at him. "Is it alright if I go to school now? I ate all my breakfast."

Angel smiled at her teasing and pulled her roughly out of her chair. "Only if you kiss me goodbye." He said pulling her close.

"And if I don’t?"

"I’ll have to tie you up and keep you here all day as my prisoner."

"Oh, promises, promises."

Buffy kissed him passionately and together they made their way to the door.

"I have to go now." Said Buffy breathlessly.

Angel pulled her close to him again. "Are you sure?" he purred.

Buffy felt a shiver run up he spine. "Well, I guess I could be a little late, it’s not like I’m student of the year or anything."

Angel sweped her into his arms and carried her over to the bed.

"we missed you this morning buff." Said Amy as Buffy entered the library for morning break.

"Yeah, got held up at home."

"Nothing the matter I hope?" said Giles.

"No, just this weird rash thing." Buffy lied.

She showed Giles her hand and he agreed to research the demons from last night.

"I believe it’s something called Aspect of the Demon." Explained Giles. "Basically you will take on one of the traits of this demon."

"You mean like scales or something." Buffy said shocked.

"Well it’s hard to know. Just be on the look out for any changes, let me know what happens."

Buffy pouted and returned home. Wasn’t one demon at home enough? No, she had to grow a nice new demon part herself now.

"I wouldn’t worry Buffy." Said Angel. "These things often play up their powers, it may be nothing but a reaction to it’s blood."

"Demon hype, there's something I never thought I’d see."

Angel pulled her into an embrace. "It’s going to be OK."

"even if I grow a tail?"

Angel smirked "Could be fun."

Buffy hit him gently. "Be nice."

"I am." He said capturing her mouth in a heated kiss.

When he released her Buffy asked "What were we talking about?"

"The thousand and one ways I’m going to pleasure you tonight." He purred.

"Oh, sounds fun."

Angel gently stripped her clothed from her, taking care to kiss each new area of exposed flesh. He bent down to her neck and began kissing and licking her there. His hands roamed her bare flesh.

Buffy began pulling at his clothes now, trying to undress him but when the clothes didn’t fall off she used her slayer strength to rip them apart.

Angel growled at her.

"What" she asked innocently.

"That’s the fifth shirt this month." He admonished half heartidly.

"You love it really." She said as she pulled his head back down to her neck.

Angel had to admit she had a point there.

Angel lifter her off the floor and walked with her to the kitchen site. He sat her on the edge and placed himself between her legs.

He kneeled down and spread her legs. Buffy threw her head back in anticipation, she loved it when he did that.

Angel took his time though. He loved teasing Buffy. He slowly placed hundreds of kisses on her thighs, gradually working his way higher. Buffy was panting with anticipation. Just as she thought he was about to give her what she wanted though he began working his way up the other leg, beginning at the knee again.

"Angel." Buffy moaned.

Angel ignored her. the more she wanted it, the better it would be when it came.

Slowly he made his way towards her sex again, inch my torturous inch. When he came face to face with it again considered going back to the first leg but decided not to, he would give Buffy what she wanted. This time.

Poking his tongue out he licked her along the length of her slit, tasting her juices.

Buffy gasped.

Realising she wouldn’t last long Angel began to work on her, sucking her clit into his mouth and gently nibbling on it as he inserted two fingers into her entrance.

Buffy felt her release approach and cried his name out. As she came Angel licked up her juices then stood up.

"My turn." He growled as he took his trousers off.

Buffy took the head of his penis and guided it to her entrance, more than happy for his turn to come.

Angel thrust into her hard. He had soon learnt that he didn’t need to hold back with Buffy, she was no ordinary human.

Buffy matched his thrusts, wrapping her hands around him, clawing lightly at his back.

He growled in her ear and a shiver ran up Buffy’s back.

Angel was never sure if the shiver was one of pleasure or fear. What ever it was, she professed to like him growling and he indulged her.

Angel could feel his climax nearing now and he could tell Buffy was close to a second also.

He sped up his thrusts and she came, crying out his name. As her tight muscles contracted around his shaft angel felt his release also.

Buffy rested her head on Angels shoulder, breathing heavily.

"Do all men know how to do that?" she asked.

"No, just the 250 year old ones."

Chapter 35

Buffy had checked her self again that morning, still no scales, tail or horns. She supposed that was a good sign.

Buffy headed to English class with Oz. Something didn’t seem right though, the school seemed louder than before. She shrugged it off and sat down in the classroom.

The teacher walked in.

‘God, another day teaching imbeciles how to read.’

 Buffy looked to Oz. "What did she just say?" she asked.

"Didn’t hear anything." Replied oz.

Buffy looked around her, no one else seemed to have noticed either.

As the class progresses she kept hearing people speak and looking at them until she realised they weren’t speaking at all, they were thinking. Buffy could hear their thoughts.

She smiled to herself, this could be fun!

"Aah, Buffy, good morning." Said Giles as she entered the library.

"No it isn’t." said Buffy.

"Excuse me?"

"You woke up late, the book you were waiting for didn’t arrive and Snider had a go at you for not making kids pay their overdue fines."

"I… How do you know that?"

"I got my aspect." Smiled Buffy.

‘Of course, Telepathy. they had no mouths, I should have known.’

"Yes, telepathy…"

"I know, they had no mouths. And you should have known."

"yes, quite." Said Giles looking rather unnerved.

"Do you realise what this will do for slaying?" asked Buffy. "I can predict their moves, I can see their plans. I’m going to be invincible."

"Yes, quite." ‘This needs more research.’

"Aww quit with the research Giles, just be happy for me."

"I… I am, of course. Still, I think caution is necessary."

"You would."

Giles looked sternly at her. ‘Will she never listen to me?’

"Only when you sat things I like."

"Yes. Well if you’ll excuse me Buffy I have to look into this. Without having you looking over my shoulder reading my thoughts."

"Sorry, it’s not my fault."

‘no but you needn’t take quite as much pleasure in torturing me.’ "Of course it’s not your fault. I just need to look into it. Make sure there are no side effects."

"Got ya Geeves. I’ll leave you in peace."

"Angel? Hunny?" Buffy called as she walked in. Now was her time to find out about him, see if he really loved her.

"What is it Buffy?" asked Angel emerging from the Kitchen.

"Nothing, just wanted to see you." She smiled.

"How was your day?"

"Great. Yours?"

She concentrated on hearing him but could make nothing out.

"Normal." He answered her.

Buffy sat on the sofa, indicating for him to sit next to her. he did.

"So, nothing happened today?" she tried again.

"Nothing worth explaining."

Buffy tried a different tack. "do you love me?"

Angel looked sharply at her. Buffy didn’t get anything from him.

"I mean, you say it all the time, I just like hearing …"

"You cant get into my mind Buffy."

"How did you know?" Buffy pouted.

"I can feel you trying."

"Why cant I read you then?"

"It’s like the reflection, the thoughts are there but they create no reflection in you." Angel could tell she had things she wanted to hear from him. "What is it you want to know?" He asked.

"Nothing, I guess."

"You want to know if I really love you?"

"Well since you bring it up?"

"I’ve loved exactly one person in my 243 years."

Buffy smiled. "Wait, it is me right?"

Angel pulled her to him. "it’s you. I’d do anything for you Buffy, you have to know that."

"I do I guess. I just wanted to be sure."

Angel kissed the top of her head.

"Maybe you could show me again." Suggested Buffy.

Angel smiled. "Your insatiable."

"So are you."

Chapter 36

Buffy was at school the next day when things began to go wrong. Perhaps the gift wasn’t a gift at all, rather a curse.

There were voices everywhere, so loud, so unhappy, so…. Everywhere.

Buffy clamped her hands over her ears as they noise grew too much but it did no good. She collapsed to the floor, overwhelmed by the sensations.

"Buffy? Wake up Buffy." Buffy came round to Giles persistent voice.

‘Oh god, I hope she’s OK.’ Thought Amy

‘She doesn’t look good.’ Thought Larry.

‘Hope she’s alright, I like Buffy.’ Thought Michael.

‘She’s awake.’ Thought oz.

They helped her to her feet.

"Are you ok?" Asked Giles.

Buffy could still hear the voices from the school. They were quieter but still there.

"I can’t go back in there." She said.

"No. I’ll take you home." Said Giles escorting her to the car.

"We’re working on a cure." Amy yelled but Buffy already knew this, she had heard her think it.

"What’s wrong with her?" asked Angel as Giles helped a weak Buffy into his apartment.

Giles explained that the voices she was hearing were too much for her.

"She’s best here then. She can’t hear me." Said Angel.

Giles left assuring Angel they were doing everything they could to find a cure.

Angel settled Buffy into her bed and fussed around her for a while getting her soup, hot chocolate, anything.

"Stop." Buffy eventually chastised him. "Just be with me."

Angel sat beside the bed looking uncomfortable.

"What’s wrong?" asked Buffy.

"I… I don’t know what to do."

"You don’t have to do anything. Just be with me."

"But when people are sick you make them better. I don’t know how to do that. I’ve never had to do that, vampires don’t get sick."

Buffy took his hand. "I’m fine. The voices are feint. You’re the only one I can stand to be around now. You don’t need to do anything, just hold me."

Angel climbed onto the bed beside her and wrapped his arms protectively around her as she fitted her body to his, slowly he heard her heartbeat slow and soon restless sleep overtook her.

He lay there hours with her, his muscles cramping, his limbs aching but he didn’t move. Buffy had asked for this and he was going to stay here until she awoke and told him differently.

He felt totally powerless and knew that the only thing he could do right now was hold her. So hold her he would.

The furious knocking on the door awoke Buffy from her slumber. Reluctantly Angel rose from the bed to answer the door. Buffy watched him, slightly confused.

She knew it was Giles and Amy at the door, their thoughts were deafening. They knew what was happening and had come for Angels help.

She watched their lips move as they conversed but the thoughts were so loud Buffy couldn’t hear the words being spoken.

Angel considered asking one of them to stay with Buffy but he knew from her expression that their being there was causing her pain. If they stayed she would be in greater pain. He ushered them away from the door and returned to Buffy.

Her brow began to increase again as Giles and Amy got further and further away from the apartment.

"You have to go." said Buffy.

"I do. I’m the only one that can capture this thing."

Buffy nodded her understanding but she still looked hurt. She reminded him of a small child who needed protection and love.

"Just be quick. The voices are getting louder, even the ones that aren’t close. Mr Delaroy from the bakery is having sex with his mistress while his wife works the front of the shop." She said as an example.

Angel was glad his building and most of the block was abandoned for if she could hear the Delaroys who were easily a block away then being in a crowded apartment building or street would be hell for Buffy.

"Be strong." Angel said hugging her. "I’ll be a quick as I can."

He broke the hug and left before he lost his resolve to go.

Chapter 37

Angel rushed over to Giles apartment as soon as the demon was dead. It had been an easy fight, relatively speaking. The fear and worry he had over Buffy caused him to rage at this demon, the same type as had done this to Buffy in the first place.

He just hoped now that the incantation on the heart would be fast so he could return to Buffy.

It was fast, taking only ten minutes but that wasn’t nearly fast enough for Angel’s taste. As soon as the potion was ready he snatched it from Giles hand and ran.

Giles watched Angel’s retreating figure. Never in all his time of knowing the vampire had he seen him quite so distressed. He may have doubted Buffy and Angels relationship before but there was no denying their love now. At least not Angels love for her.

Giles picked up his coat and turned to the others.

"I guess we should find out if it’s working." He said and they gathered their coats for a slow walk to Buffy’s apartment.

Angel sat beside Buffy’s bedside holding her hand. She had reacted violently to the potion, convulsing and fitting. He had held her down and she soon went unconscious. He now waited patiently for her to wake up.

He prayed they hadn’t made a mistake with the potion. He prayed that nothing would happen to Buffy. If it did he wasn’t sure how he would cope. Hell, he had been the one to feed her the potion, there was no way in hell he could cope. He would have killed his love. His only love. The only reason his unlife seemed worth living. If she were gone how would he ever go on?

He heard Buffy gasp.

"Buffy!" he said sitting on the side of the bed.

Buffy looked up at him.

"Angel?" she asked.

"It’s me. Are you OK?"

Buffy nodded, uncertain.

"Do you hear voices?"

Buffy listened in her head. No Mr Delaroy, no Sheehan, his mistress. Nothing.

She shook her head, a smile on her lips. "They’re gone."

Angel threw his arms around her and pulled her into a tight embrace.

"I take it this is good news?" said Oz as they entered the apartment. In his haste Angel had left the door open.

"All good." Said Buffy. "Just a little weak."

That evening was a quiet affair. Buffy still felt weak and feverish so Angel had left her for a while to get some supplies.

He returned ladened down with bags. He had hired every video Buffy had ever told him she liked, he had bought dozens of cans of soup and fresh bread and six different flavours of ice cream, not knowing which flavours she would like while feeling under the weather.

Before unpacking he carried her to the sofa, despite her protestations that she could walk and tucked her up on it with a blanket.

Buffy watched him wander around like a headless chicken. She smiled; the way he cared was so sweet.

Finally he returned with a steaming bowl of chicken soup and set it before her on a tray.

"Chicken? I wanted Tomato." Pouted Buffy.

"I got that too. I’ll be right back."

Buffy grabber his arm before he could rush off. "I was kidding." She said with a smile. "I love that you’re looking after me so."

Angel couldn’t help but smile. "Are you sure Chicken’s OK. I should have asked."

"It’s wonderful. Now, put Dirty Dancing in and come sit with me."

Chapter 38

Buffy spent a few days recovering. She didn’t feel weak, just a little shell-shocked. Most of her adult life had been spent avoiding people and after her little extra sensory escapade, she felt a little off. Angel took over patrolling for a few days until Buffy was going stir crazy being taken care of.

Buffy’s college applications came through and she had been accepted to a few.

Angel found Buffy looking over the UCLA brochure when he came in one evening.

"They accepted you?" he asked.

"Yeah." Said Buffy flatly.

"Why no excitement?"

"I can’t go. I can’t leave while this ascension thing the Mayor has planned is still going ahead."

Angel nodded his understanding. "Still, if you really want to, maybe we can do something to stop it."

"Like what?"

Angel gave a needless sigh while the thought. "We need information."

"You ready?" Buffy asked Amy.

Amy nodded.

"Be careful." Giles said. "If you get into any trouble I’ll create a distraction."

All three nodded. "Lets go." Said Angel. They left the van and headed for the Town Hall. They had found one of they mayors’ henchmen and beaten the information out of him. The mayor had a box, which was essential to his ascension. If they could get the box, he would effectively be stopped. At least for a while.

Buffy and Angel ran from the front doors with vampires close behind them. They darted behind some bushed as Giles took off in the van. The vampires chased after it while Buffy and Angel snuck back to the library.

"How could you let this happen?" asked Michael.

"I didn’t." said Buffy defensively. "She was supposed to go back to Giles, end of story. This is not my fault."

"THAT’S ENOUGH!" shouted Giles. "I know we’re all very tense but this isn’t helping."

Michael let the matter drop.

"What now?" asked Angel.

"Amy could be dead for all we know." Said Buffy.

"She isn’t." said Michael.

"He’s right, as long as we have the box she’ll stay alive." Giles agreed.

"So now what?" said Buffy.

"We trade." Said oz. "Her for the box."

"Are you crazy!" said Buffy. "If we give him the box back, he ascends and it's bye bye Sunnydale."

"We can’t let him kill her. And that’s what he’ll do if he doesn’t get the box back." Michael defended Oz’s idea.

"No. One life isn’t worth a town. I am not letting you murder this town to keep one girl alive." Said Buffy.

"Jesus Christ." Swore Michael. "She’s your friend and your willing to let her die? You cold blooded bitch."

Buffy struck him. "My job is to save people and if it means letting one die to save a thousand I’ll do it." Buffy turned to the urn on the table. "Is it ready?" she asked.

"There wouldn’t be anything if it wasn’t for Amy. No box, no magical spell to get rid of it. Nothing. And here you are willing to let her die."

Buffy turned slowly back to Michael. Then she looked from person to person, staring each one in the eye. "I will be dead before I reach 25. Probably 20. How dare you tell me I am willing to just let her die? She chose to help. I didn’t even have that choice. Do you weep for me? Is it Aww, poor Buffy destined to fight until she dies? No, it’s poor Amy. She has as much right to an early death as I do."

Angel had kept silent thought out the exchange; now he thought it was time to take Buffy aside.

He gently placed hr hands on her shoulders and led her through to Giles office. Buffy was tense but she didn’t resist him.

Angel sat her down in Giles chair and looked at her.

"What?" asked Buffy after he didn’t speak.

"She is your friend."

Buffy sighed. "You all have no idea. You don’t know what it’s like to be responsible for thousands of lives. You have no clue what it feel like when someone dies and it’s your fault."

"I do, remember."

Buffy swallowed.

"I understand what you’re feeling." Angel continued. "You don’t want a massacre on your hands. I understand that. I also know you like Amy and if you let her die now you’ll never forgive yourself."

Buffy was silent. No longer arguing.

"You took a big risk Buffy, trusting people, letting them in. But in return for trusting them they trusted you."

Buffy looked into his eyes, tears shining in them.

"You know in your heart of hearts you can’t leave her to die. We’ll find another way. We will."

The tears slipped from Buffy’s eyes and Angel wrapped his arms around her, lightly kissing her hair.

Chapter 39

Buffy waited in the school canteen for the Mayor to arrive. She could feel the others staring at her, they didn’t trust her to go through with the trade. She couldn’t blame them after her display earlier. With her were Michael, Oz and Angel.

Angel had been right though. She couldn’t let Amy die. Her fate was sealed but Amy’s wasn’t and she couldn’t let her friend die because she was jealous. They would find another way to stop the mayor.

The lights went out and the mayor arrived with three henchmen in tow, one brandishing a knife to Amy’s throat.

"Well, how have you folks been?" asked the mayor.

"Dandy, can we have our friend back?" replied Buffy.

"Gosh, you kids today, all rush rush rush. What ever happened to small talk?"

"It’s losing its appeal. Cut the crap and hand her over."

"Now, don’t be rude. You really should respect your elders you know."

"You’re not my elder." Angel chipped in. "I got a lot of years on you."

"True, true, and how do you thing that will affect your relationship with Buffy here. Your immortal, she’s not."

Buffy had heard enough. She stepped forward, getting into the mayor’s face. "I really couldn’t give a crap about your opinions." She said quietly with an underlying menace. "Let’s trade."

The mayor shrugged. "Do you have the box?"

Angel lifted the box from the table it was sitting on. The mayor gave a nod to his henchman who stepped forward with Amy.

The trade was made and both parties took a step back.

"Well, it’s been fun." Said the Mayor. "We’ll have to do this again sometime."

"Over your dead body." Said Buffy.

The mayor chuckled, "Oh, that’s a good one. I like her."

Buffy gave him a death stare and he turned to leave, still chuckling to himself.

Buffy, Angel, Oz and Amy began taking a few slow steps after them.

Giles looked to Larry who was waiting across the hall. As the footsteps approached, he tried to gauge the distance from the corridor they were in. Finally, thinking them close enough he nodded to Larry and they both stepped out from the corridors to face the Mayor and his men.

Giles brandished the sword, Larry had a crossbow.

"Well, a double cross." Said the Mayor. "I have to say I was kind of disappointed you didn’t put up more of a fight earlier."

"I’d hate to disappoint you." Said Buffy as she headed up the other’s who approached from behind.

"Well, isn’t this fun." Giggled the mayor. His tone suddenly changed. "Boys, get ‘em."

The fight broke out, the box changing from person to person, good guy to bad guy and back again. Two of the three vamps were dusted leaving the mayor and one vampire. The gang surrounded then, forcing tem back to the wall.

"Well, not laughing now are ya?" said Buffy.

The mayor smiled. "You can’t kill me."

"No." said Buffy thoughtfully as she took the sword from Giles. "But I bet decapitation wouldn’t be comfortable."

In the blink of an eye, she swung the sword and cut cleanly through is neck.

The body remained standing as the head flew off. Angel caught it. Buffy continued her onslaught, hacking at his limbs and each gang member made sure they stayed separated.

The vampire minion just stood there holding the box, watching and shaking.

Buffy finished with the Mayor and turned to look at the vampire.

He looked back, his forehead covered in perspiration.

"This would be the time for you to drop the box and run." Buffy told him.

The vampire did just that, taking off down the hall.

"I’ll Get the boxes." Said Angel, taking the head with him.

Buffy shivered as she looked at the metal boxes filled with Mayor parts. Tapping from the severed libls could be heard from some of the boxes . "Ugh. It’s so creepy."

"I know." Amy agreed. "He’s still alive in there… those… things."

"I’ll see your Ugh and raise you a yuck." Said Larry.

"Yes, well as grotesque as all this is could we please get back to burying the parts so they don’t join up again."

Angel spoke up. "Do we pack him off to different corners of the globe?"

"I don’t think that’s necessary." Said Giles. "I read today that the foundations of the new children’s playground are being laid tomorrow. I suggest we bury him in there."

"Well, he did love kids." Said Buffy with a rye smile.

Two hours later the mayor was encased in concrete under the children’s playground. Hopefully the work crew wouldn’t bother to dig the foundations up, they would just assume someone else had laid them.

Everyone walked back to their homes and for the first time in years, Buffy actually felt she had a future.

Chapter 40

Two days later

“Well, that was bracing.” Said the Mayor with a scowl.

“Are you OK sir? Can I get you anything?” asked Finch.

“Buffy’s head.” Said the mayor deadpan. Then, seeing Finch’s worried look he began giggling. “Just kidding. No, after that little stunt I have bigger plans for our slayer and her people. Much bigger.”

Finch had been glad when he had been told that the mayor was missing. His hopes had been dashed though when it was reported that he had been found, buried under the new children’s playground. He didn’t know what he was going to do about the mayor now. He had no idea that after having been hacked to pieces he could reconstruct himself and seeing it was… well it wasn’t something he wanted to think about. It was unnatural.

But perhaps the ascension had been stopped.

“W… What about the box.” He stammered.

They mayor looked at him. “They have it of course. Probably destroyed by now.”

“So the ascension?”

“I’m looking into it. It may not be too late. There may be another way.”

Finch’s heart sank.

“You know what I could do with?” said the mayor.

 “N… No.”

“I nice cup of coco. I miss coco. My mom used to make it for me when I was sick. I think I could use some coco now.”

“I’ll be right back.” Said Finch rushing out of the office.

2 weeks later

“So, Buffy, have you decided on a college yet?” asked Giles.

“I was thinking UCLA.”

Giles nodded. “Good school. You decided against Sunnydale then?”

Buffy nodded. “I think I need a change. I mean I’ll come back when there’s another big bad around or some hell mouth sucking thing going on. I’m not that far away. I just need a change.”

Giles nodded understanding. “Yes, well now that the Mayor is dealt with I don’t see leaving as too big a problem.”

Buffy smiled. “Angel’s psyched too. He has all these big plans for LA, killing the bad guys and stuff. He’s really getting into it.”

Giles smiled that fatherly smile. “I’m glad.”

“Me too.”

“Are you patrolling tonight?”

“Yep, the ‘ol Buffy and Angel show.”

“Be careful. I know the Mayor is gone and it’s tempting to become complacent but there are still a lot of nasty things out there.”

“Don’t worry Giles. We can handle it.”

“I found us some places to look at.” Said Angel as they patrolled.

“Dark basements or penthouses?” Buffy teased.

“Well no penthouses. Not on my savings. I found one with 2 levels, one underground, one ground level, should be good for both of us.”

“Sounds OK. What’s the rent like?”

“Manageable I guess.”

Buffy linked her arm in Angels. “We’ll manage.” She assured him. Just then Angel fell and Buffy noticed an arrow sticking out from his back. “OH GOD. ANGEL!” she cried, knelling beside him.

“It’s OK. Missed the heart.” He said sitting up in obvious pain.

Buffy was shaking. “That was too close.”

“I wont argue.”

“Lets get you back to Giles and we can take that thing out.”

Buffy helped Angel to his feet and they walked over to Giles apartment.

Buffy noticed Angel sweating as they tried to remove the arrow. It wasn’t like him. She had treated his wounds before, he didn’t sweat.

Buffy pulled the arrow out and Angel hissed in pain. More than usual.

“Angel, what is it?” she asked.

“I’m fine.” He reassured her.

“No, you’re not. Tell me.”

Angel tried to stand but immediately fell over. Buffy rushed to his side.

“It’s poison.” He said. “I can feel it.”

“Can vampires be poisoned?” asked Buffy.

Angel gave her a look as if to say he was and she shouldn’t question it. Buffy turned to Giles.

“I’ve never heard of it but I’ll research it.” he picked the arrow up and looked at the tip. “Perhaps Amy’s magic can discover something.” He thought out loud.

Buffy nodded. “I’m taking him home. He needs to rest.”

“Yes. I’ll call the others.” Said Giles as Buffy helped a weak Angel out of the apartment.

“Poison?” asked Amy. “Is that even possible?”

“I have no idea. But we have to assume so for now.” Giles handed Amy the arrowhead. “See what you can find on this.” He turned to Larry and Oz, hanging them each a book. “Oz, you look for…”

He was interrupted by a knock on the door.

Buffy was bathing Angel with a cold towel when Giles arrived with the bad news.

“He’s alive? How? I mean he should be buried? Concrete keeping him from reforming and all that.”

“Yes. However, he is alive and there’s more.”

 “What?” asked Buffy, worried.

“The poison. Finch told me about it. The mayor is responsible and it has no cure.”

“There must be a cure.” Buffy insisted.

“We’re still looking into it, Buffy. But you had to know the truth. It doesn’t look good.”

 Buffy nodded and turned back to look at Angels sleeping form. He was restless, in and out of consciousness, feverish. She now understood how helpless he had felt nursing her a few weeks ago.

“I cant loose him Giles. I wont.”

“We’re doing everything we can.” Buffy nodded.

“Let me know as soon as you have anything.”

Giles nodded and left. Buffy sat beside Angel again, taking his hand.

“Don’t leave me.” She sobbed, tears rolling down her cheeks. “I can’t do this alone. I need you. You have to be with me. You made me, you saved me. Please don’t leave me.”

Buffy broke down into sobs at the thought of yet another loved one she wouldn’t be able to save.

Chapter 41

“Well, this is all going to plan.” Said Wilkins. “I think it’s time I go public with my return. Don’t you?”

“Sir.” Said Finch. “I would advise caution. Buffy, well she’s not going to be happy.”

“No, I dare say she wont. But she had other things on her mind right now.” He chuckled to himself. “Poor girl.” He paused, turning serious again. “No, make the call, tell them I’ve been found in a hospital, in a coma but I’ve just come out of it and am fine.”

Finch nodded. “Yes sir.”

“What is it?” asked Buffy seeing Oz and Amy’s expressions.

“We have a cure.” Said Amy.

“That’s great.”

“No, it isn’t.” Said Oz passing her a book.

Buffy scanned the book, mumbling the words out loud. “Killer of the dead… cure… blood of the slayer…” she looked up. “I can save him.”

“Only if you die.” Said Amy.

“No. Maybe not.”

“Buffy think this through. I know you love him but don’t die for him. Be careful.”

Buffy nodded. “I will be. Thanks.”

Buffy sat Angel up on the bed. He protested, calling her Darla and telling her to leave him alone.

“Angel. Listen to me. It’s Buffy.”

“No, Darla, go away.”

Buffy tried a different Tack. “Angel, It’s Darla. You have to listen to me.” Buffy didn’t know much about Angels past but she knew enough to string a story together. Especially one his feverish mind would believe. “Holtz poisoned you Angel. But I have the cure.”

“Cure?”

“Yes. You have to feed from me Angel. Me, Darla. I can cure you.” He didn’t reply. “Do you want Holtz to win? Because if you don’t do this he’ll have won, he’ll have killed you.”

“Darla?” Angel looked at her as though through a haze, he squinted at her. “Buffy?”

‘Shit!’  “No Darla. I’m Darla. Remember. Now feed from me.”

Angel shook his head. “No. You’re Buffy. I cant. This is some kind of trick.”

Buffy dropped the pretence. “No trick Angel. If you don’t you’ll die.”

“But it’ll kill you.”

“No, not if you don’t take it all. Please Angel, I can’t let you die if I can save you.”

Angel threw the bed covers off. “No.” he tried to stand but he was too dizzy and fell back on the bed.

Seeing his naked form Buffy realised that the time he was closest to the demon was when they made love. She quickly stripped off her clothes. The prospect of sleeping with a sick guy wasn’t appealing but it was all she thought she had left.

She laid him back on the bed and straddled his hips, rubbing her warm centre over his manhood. She bent down and kissed him.

She could feel him growing hard beneath her. He tried to protest but was far too weak. Buffy positioned him at her entrance and lowered herself on to him.

She rode him, kissing him passionately and running her nails hard over his chest. As she felt him begin to respond she rolled over with him still inside her so she was below him. She began raking her nails over his back, crying out his name.

Angel was beyond thought and reason. He didn’t know where he was or who he was with, just vaguely what he was doing. And he carried on doing it.

Buffy felt him speed up his thrusts and she grabbed a handful if his hair and pulled his face into her neck. She began biting on his neck, hard, hoping to awaken some repressed instinct in him. It worked. Angel vamped out and bit down on her.

Buffy gasped at the pleasure and pain. The bite hurt but it was also pleasurable. And with the sex combined she began to loose herself in him.

She felt her climax wash over her and she felt Angel reach his peak inside her. Then she began to feel weak.

“Angel.” She breathed softly as sleep overtook her.

Angel rolled off Buffy, his senses suddenly clearing. He looked over to her still form.

‘God, what have I done?’ he asked himself.

With no time to think, he dressed her and himself and carried her to the hospital, hoping it wasn’t too late.

Buffy awoke, unsure of where she was. She felt that familiar presence though, he was holding her hand.

“Angel?” she asked in a whisper.

In a heartbeat be was standing at her bedside. “Are you OK?” he asked, concern etched into every feature.

Buffy nodded. “I’m fine. You OK?”

Angel nodded and looked downwards, ashamed of his actions.

Buffy cupped his face in her hands. “You didn’t do anything wrong.” She said. “I asked you to.”

Angel didn’t buy it though. “No. I shouldn’t have done that.”

“I made you. I would have slashed my wrists and poured it down your throat if you hadn’t Angel. I couldn’t go on without you.”

“I nearly killed you.”

“But you didn’t. And now we’re both alive and well.” She smiled up at him.

Angel nodded his agreement with her assessment although it didn’t alleviate his guilt.

“Have we heard from the mayor?” asked Buffy.

Angel nodded, grateful to have something else to discuss. “He’s back, he’s public and he’s pissed.”

Buffy nodded. “Did the box stop it?” she asked.

“Giles is looking into it now. He may be able to perform a different ritual or, if he cant, he’ll revert back to human after the 100 days.”

Buffy nodded. “Human is good.”

“You can’t kill a human.” Angel reminder her.

Buffy squeezed his hand harder. “He tried to kill you, fair’s fair.” There was a chill in her voice that Angel had never heard before.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.” he reassured her. “I should call Giles, tell him your OK.”

Buffy nodded. “Go.”

As Angel left a nurse came in. “It’s good to have you awake.” She said to Buffy.

“It’s good to be awake.”

The nurse began taking Buffy’s temperature and blood pressure. “Who is that man, by the way?” she asked.

“He’s my boyfriend.”

The nurse nodded. “Very possessive.” She commented.

Buffy smiled, wondering what antics he’d been getting up to in the hospital. “What’s he been doing?”

“He scared the life out of the doctor. He swore he could see yellow eyes in his eyes. And he wouldn’t leave your bedside, even when we were trying to work on you.”

Buffy smiled. “He’s protective but a good guy.”

The nurse met Buffy’s gaze and smiled. “I know, he’s been here with you for 17 hours straight, waiting for you to wake up. I offered him coffee, food, he didn’t want anything. He just sat there, watching you.”

Chapter 42

Buffy was released from hospital the next day. She didn’t feel any ill effects from Angel feeding from her, although he still felt guilty. Her friends also had a hard time accepting it but now she was aright they didn’t discuss it with her.

Giles was still researching the mayor. It looked like he was now unable to complete the ceremony and would revert to human after graduation day. Buffy hadn’t decided if she would kill him yet but she would defiantly do something to take him out of the equation.

Right now though she had other things to worry about. The Prom.

"It’s just not my scene." She explained to Angel. All the while she traced the scar of her lips with her finger. Angel knew that was a sign she felt that she wouldn’t fit in. It was a scar from her old life and reminded her how she wasn’t like other school kids.

"You could try it." Angel suggested. "If you don’t like it. Leave."

Buffy looked at him. "You do realise if I go I need a date. You don’t strike me as a tux kinda guy."

"You mean you can bring people from outside the school?"

"Yeah. It’s not just for the kids."

Angel considered this. She was right; he wasn’t a tuxedo kind of guy. But this was supposed to be an important event in a young woman’s life so he would make an effort.

"When is it?" he asked.

"Friday."

"Not much time."

"See, and I don’t even have a dress, or any money to buy a dress. There’s no way I can go."

Angel took her hand, "You have every right to go Buffy. You graduated, you deserve a party. I’ll pay for the dress and go with you. But if you don’t like it, we leave."

Buffy considered the idea. She did really want to go but she couldn’t bring her self to accept she would fit in.

"Come on, lets see if we can find a dress." Said Angel standing up and pulling her with him.

"But I look all scanky now." Buffy protested looking down at her workout clothes.

"You don’t have to look perfect to shop." He said dragging her from the apartment.

Buffy reluctantly shopped with him. She looked around a few places, looking for something but nothing caught her eye. They were all either too showy or too formal.

The next place they tried was April Fools and Buffy found the prefect dress. An off the shoulder dress in red with a full skirt and matching shawl. Not too showy or too formal.

She looked at the price tag in the dressing room, which read $350. Buffy shook her head, no way could she ask Angel to pay that for a dress. Hell, she could have lived on that for more than a month once upon a time.

She came out of the dressing room and handed the dress to the assistant. "No good." The lady asked.

"It’s just not me." Said Buffy.

Angel came over to her. "I thought you looked nice." He said.

Buffy fought for an excuse. "It just wasn’t me. Lets go home, please."

Angel nodded; she had had enough of shopping for one night.

As the prom drew closer Buffy got more and more moody. She refused to look for a dress and wouldn’t discuss it with anyone.

Truthfully she desperately wanted to go, she was just too afraid of being laughed at.

"Buffy, I think we may have a problem" said Giles the morning of the prom.

"What’s the what?" asked Buffy.

Giles played a video of a boy being attacked. "I’ve reviewed this with the others and we think this is a hell hound who’s been trained to attack the prom.

Buffy sighed. Looked like she would be going after all.

"OK, so what do we know about the trainer?"

It hadn’t been hard to track the hellhound raiser. Angel had used his contacts to see if anyone had been ordering brains recently, the staple of any hellhounds diet. Only one person had and Buffy was on her way there now. She may not have a prefect prom to look forward to but she couldn’t let her friends down. She knew how much they had all been looking forward to this evening.

Buffy quickly took the hellhound raiser out and killed the hounds. The only problem was one escaped while she was doing this.

Assuming it was probably trained to head for the school she ran straight there. Getting there just in time to see the hound heading for the hall.

"Hey!" Buffy called to it. The hound stopped and turned. "Come on, come get me."

The hound attacked her and Buffy fought it, soon snapping it’s neck. Over the music from the Prom she doubted anyone had heard. She carried the body through to the library, stashing it in the cage and returned to the hall. She opened the door a crack to look in. Everyone seemed so happy. Dancing, laughing, kissing. She wished she could have gone.

Someone cleared their throat behind her, Buffy turned to see Angel dressed in a Tux.

"Angel, what are you…?"

Angel smiled and held out a dress cover. "Go to the ladies." He said.

Buffy could feel tears sting her eyes. "Is this…?"

"Just go. Meet me back here when you’re done."

Buffy took the dress bad and kissed him. She didn’t care what he had bought her; it would be great what ever.

In the ladies room Amy was waiting for her.

"Come on," she said indicating Buffy to sit on a chair. "We don’t have long."

Amy applied Buffy’s make up and put her hair up in a simple style. Buffy then took the dress out. It was the red one from April Fools.

"Oh my god." She exclaimed.

"What?" asked Amy.

"This dress. I told him I didn’t like it because it was too expensive."

"But you do?" asked Amy confused.

"I love it, and he knew."

Angel waited for Buffy to emerge and he smiled as she coyly stepped out from the bathroom.

"You like it?" he asked.

Buffy hugged him. "I love it. Thank you."

Angel kissed her cheek. "Come on, let’s get in there." He said taking her arm.

Chapter 43

The evening was magic. Buffy was clearly the prettiest women there and heads turned as she walked in.

As Angel led her onto the dance floor Buffy looked up at him. "How did you know?" she asked.

"Because I love you."

Buffy smiled at his reply and rested her head on his chest. Angel kissed the top of her head and then rested his chin on it. They stood there, gently swaying in each others arms to the music.

When the prom was over Buffy decided she wanted to walk home, to keep the night going as long as possible. They strolled quietly, hand in hand through the Sunnydale streets. Buffy felt like she was floating on air. She stole the occasional glance at him. He looked so handsome.

Angel stole secret glances at her also, when she wasn’t looking. He wondered what he had done in his sorry life to deserve someone like her.

She was so good, so pure, so sweet. And she had risked her life to save his sorry ass. He didn’t deserve her, he knew that. But for some unknown reason she loved him. And with all his heart, he loved her too. He would do anything for her, to help her, protect her. Her life was a hard one and he would do everything in his power to make it better.

He had considered leaving her. She wasn’t the scared girl he had known when she first came to Sunnydale. She was blossoming into a woman. A strong confident one. One who deserved a normal life, with a normal boyfriend.

But he couldn’t leave her. He knew how strong her love for him was, he couldn’t shatter her like that. If she decided to end it, Angel would allow her to. He would walk away, giving her what she wanted. It would probably crush him but if that was want she wanted… All the time she wanted him though he would be there, by her side.

It was probably selfish of him to deny her the chance of a normal life but part of him didn’t care. He wanted her at any cost.

About half way home Buffy’s feet began to ache in her high heals. She didn’t complain but her pace slowed.

"What is it?" Angle asked.

"Nothing." She smiled back. "I’m fine."

Angel noticed the slight irregularity in her step. "Your shoes hurt?" he asked.

"A little but I’m fine."

Angel didn’t buy that though and he scooped her up into his arms, carrying her the rest of the way home. Buffy tried to protest but Angel was having none of it. He didn’t put her down until they were at the door to his apartment.

As he went to unlock the door she cupped his face with her hand and turned him to face her. "I love you." She said.

Angel smiled at her. "I love you too."

He opened the door and Buffy walked in to see the apartment covered in candles and rose petals.

"Oh my." Said Buffy. Angel walked up behind her, wrapping his hands around her waste.

"You like?" he asked.

"I love." she turned to face him, tears shimmering in her eyes.

He gently leaned down and captured her mouth in a soft kiss. His hand went around her back and quietly pulled the zip down on her dress. Without breaking the kiss he slipped the dress off her shoulders and it pooled at her feet.

Picking her up again he carried her through to the bed and placed her gently on it.

His mouth set about exploring her skin. Something he had done a hundred times before but it never became old. He tasted, kissed and licked all of her he could. Taking his time, savouring her.

He freed her from her bra and panties and set about exploring those areas too, softly, reverently.

Buffy moaned her approval.

Finally he was ready to enter her. He quickly stripped his own clothed off and lay above her. Buffy pulled him down to her, wrapping her hands around his back. Angel gently began moving inside her, taking things slowly.

Buffy closed her eyes as her climax washed over her. She called his name out as he reached his own peak and then they lay there, in each others arms, a mass on tangled limbs.

The mayor was furious. "That little bitch. She’s ruined everything!"

"Sir." Said the deputy. "Please."

"Please what? It’s thanks to her that I cant go through with the ceremony. Oh she’ll pay. She will pay dearly."

Chapter 44

Buffy’s time up to graduation day was spent fending off attacks. The mayor was gunning for her in a Major way. Capital M.

Each night the vampire or demon group attacking her got bigger or stronger. It got to that stage where even Buffy and Angel couldn’t handle them alone. It took some convincing but she eventually agreed to have some help. Oz, Larry, Amy, Michael and Giles went with them each night. The arms they carried were impressive, everything from crossbows to swords and axe’s.

Buffy hadn’t liked the help, nor had she wanted it, but she had to admit, after serious prompting from Angel, that she needed it.

They all staggered back to the Library to treat their various wounds.

"Man, that was brutal." Said Larry, sagging into the closest seat, holding his shoulder.

"Tell me about it." Said Amy, getting the first aid box out. "I think 20 vampires is kind of over kill if you ask me."

"Agreed." Said Giles. "We must do something about this. Tonight was bad enough, I’m worried that however many people we have out there, its soon going to be too much for us."

Buffy nodded. "I have an idea, but I’m not sure you’ll like it." She said.

"Go on." Prompted Giles.

Buffy took a deep breath. "OK, so graduation day is like four days away right?" they all nodded. "And on graduation day he becomes mortal again." They all looked at her expectantly, except Angel who had a fare idea where she was going. Buffy took another deep breath. "Sooo…. I say we stop patrolling until then."

Giles leaned forward. "It’s just stalling the inevitable Buffy. Once human he still has power in the town and I don’t think he’ll stop coming after you."

"That’s where the demons in this town come in. Now I know he’s been running the undesirables out of town, the ones who don’t fit in with his way of doing things. And he’s had a lot killed, that tends to piss the undead off."

"What are you suggesting?" asked Giles.

"I say we put the word on the street that the mayor is soon going to be vulnerable again. I mean not only will he be human but I’ve already taken half or more of the local ‘Mayor Approved’ vamps that work as his protection. I say we let the rest know that the mayor is back on the menu."

Giles sighed. "Well, I have to say, this is quite a dilemma." The mayor would soon be human again. Still, there was no denying his evilness.

"I’m not saying we kill him Giles. We’re just giving the evil doers a chance at pay back, which, lets face it, they would have come for sooner or later."

"Yes, I suppose you’re right." Agreed Giles.

Buffy smiled. "Great. So, we stay locked away after dark until the mayor is taken care of, then we clean up the town of it’s new inhabitance, leaving the hell mouth relatively vamp free so I can go to UCLA."

Giles still wasn’t comfortable with the idea.

"Sounds like a plan." Said Oz.

"I agree with Buffy. The guy’s got it comin’ " said Larry.

"But Giles is right." Said Amy as she patched up Larry’s shoulder. "He’s human. Or he will be soon."

Larry looked down at the wound in his shoulder then into Amy’s eyes. "He’s the reason you’re doing this to me. You think he deserves to live?"

Amy paused a second. "No." she said quietly.

"So we’re agreed?" asked Buffy.

Giles gave another deep sigh and cleaned his glasses. "I suppose. If we don’t do something now he’ll only try again. We already know he’s over 100 years old, who knows how long he’ll live."

"And the longer he lives, the more opportunities he has to try again." Buffy finished for him. "We can’t leave this mess for someone else to clean up next time Giles. We have to do it now."

Giles nodded. "Go ahead."

"Hey Willy, how you doin’?" asked Angel.

"Oh, hey Angel. Haven’t seen you around these parts much. What can I do for you?"

"Nothing. It’s what I can do for you actually."

Willy backed away nervously as Angel walked closer. "How can you help me?" he asked.

"See, I happen to know the kind of people who frequent this place. I also know that you’ve been loosing business since the mayor started getting heavy handed around here."

"So?" asked Willy as he continued backing up.

"I know something about the mayor that I think your patrons are going to like."

"N… No one can touch the mayor. You know that."

"But they can soon."

"A… Angel, just cut to the chase would ya? I have work to do here." Willy bluffed.

Angel smiled. "They mayor is becoming human again as of three days time. After graduation day he’s as vulnerable as you Willy."

Willy looked at his sceptically. "You would be playing with me now, would ya buddy?"

"No. I have better things to do. Just let it be known that the mayor is back in the game, should anyone harbour any, um, shall we say, ill feelings towards him."

"Right, spread the word, got ya Angel."

Angel smiled "Good." He turned and left leaving a confused and scared Willy behind him.

Buffy snuggled closer to Angel. "This is nice." She commented.

"Yeah, it is." Angel agreed.

"Just a shame it has to end." Buffy pouted.

"It was your idea."

"I know. And taking scary-bad-guy-mayor out, good idea. Cleaning up all the demons after him, not going to be as easy."

"We’ll deal." Said Angel kissing her hair.

"I know. It just makes LA seem so much further away."

"But it’ll be worth it. Think about it, the more demons you wipe out now, the fewer there are to cause problems here and make you come back."

"I know. I just liked being a regular girl again." Buffy sighed. "No patrolling, no monsters. Just me and you, having fun."

"I don’t know many teenage school girls who live alone with their creature of the night boyfriends." Said Angel.

Buffy snuggled in closer. "Well maybe I don’t want to be completely normal. Just semi normal."

Chapter 45

To everyone’s surprise the Mayor still gave his graduation speech. To Buffy it all seemed aimed specifically at her, making a point.

"Life is full if decisions." He began. "Being adults you're just starting to make yours. Some are good. Some are not so good." He looked over to Buffy. "But we all have to deal with the consequences of those decisions. We have to live with them. Sometimes we have to change what’s happened, make it right."

Buffy sighed; this was going to be a long speech.

She spent most of his speech smiling at him. She knew he didn’t have long left to live. He didn’t know that though.

And try as she might, she couldn’t fine even one jot of sympathy for him.

As his speech approached the 15 minute mark Buffy decided she’d had enough, she got up, looked Wilkins in the eye and walked away.

The mayor smarted as he watched her leave but there was nothing he could do in daylight. He could wait though, one day she had to parole again and waiting for her was certain death.

"Any news?" asked Buffy of Angel.

Angel hung the phone up. "Nothing yet."

Buffy pouted. "Just kill him already, is it that hard?"

Angel smiled at her and sat next to her, taking her hand. "It’s only been two days. Give them time."

Buffy nodded. "I know. I just want this over so we can start cleaning the town up and move on."

"I know. But we have our whole lives ahead of us. We can wait a week or two."

Buffy cuddled into him. "You would say that, you’re not getting any older." She joked.

The next evening the battle started with the mayor. He wasn’t dead yet but his remaining minions were fighting with the new crown in town.

"Looks like they may do the job for you at this rate Buffy." Said Giles.

"Life isn’t that easy Giles. I just hope they get to the mayor soon. If they don’t, I will."

"Buffy." Admonished Giles.

"I know, I know. Doesn’t mean I can’t dream though." She said with a wicked grin.

Finally word came that the Mayor was dead. Five days after graduation and he was gone. Most of his minions had been killed or fled from his enemies. That made Buffy’s job easier. She only had to kill the anti mayor vamps now.

They kitted up that night, all of them and prepared to fight.

The battle was long and hard. It seemed the mayor had pissed off more vampires than Buffy had counted on. They kept coming. Vamp after vamp, after demon.

At 11pm everyone was tired and they called it a night. They would do it again tomorrow.

The next night was easier as the vampire population seemed to be thinning. It was by no means easy though.

In fact it took a week of patrols until the population seemed to be back to its old numbers. Buffy killed her last vamp of that evening and turned to the others.

"I think we did it." She said with a smile.

"I’m inclined to agree." Said Giles. "However I would advise caution."

"Chill Geeves, of course we’ll keep an eye on things. But for now, be happy."

"Yes, quite."

Buffy rubbed her neck after taking her coat off.

"Stiff?" asked Angel.

"Yeah." She said rolling her shoulders.

Angel stepped up behind her and gently began to rub her shoulder muscles.

"Ooh, that feels good." Said Buffy, leaning into his touch.

Angel kissed her hair. "Get changed, lie on the bed."

Buffy undressed, as he asked and lay waiting got him. Angel soon undressed also and joined her. He straddled her hips and began working her neck and shoulder muscles again. Buffy moaned her approval.

He moved lower, working her back muscles then began long, languid stroked from her shoulders to her lower back.

As the tension left and Angel finished, Buffy squirmed underneath him until she was lying face up.

"That was wonderful." She smiled up at him.

"Good."

"Now we have to find something fun for you!" said Buffy as she rubbed his semi erect shaft.

Buffy used her slayer strength to push him off her and roll, so she was on top. She crawled backwards down his body until her face was in line with his member. She looked up at him as she began to lick the shaft, from base to tip, like a lollypop. Angel groaned and closed his eyes.

Buffy then closed her lips around the top, rubbing her tongue over the glands. Her hands wandered up to his chest to play with his nipples.

Buffy slowly took more and more of him into her mouth, slowly bobbing her head. Angel entwined one hand into her hair, gently urging her on.

Buffy responded, taking him deeper and working his faster.

Angel groaned again as Buffy continued to work him.

She soon felt him nearing his climax and she pushed him over the edge. Once she had swallowed his seed she slowly crawled up his body again.

Angel pulled her down into a heated kiss, squashing her breasts against his chest and running is hands over her smooth, soft flesh.

As Buffy pulled away he looked up into her eyes.

"God, you’re beautiful." He exclaimed.

Buffy smiled and began to rub her wet centre over his shaft. Angel was soon back to full hardness and she positioned him at her entrance and slowly sat down.

She sat upright on him and began to ride him as he reached one hand to her breasts and one hand to her clit.

Buffy began to move faster as he stimulated her. She closed her eyes and began to gasp as small waves of pleasure washed through her.

Angel expertly engineered a breathtaking climax in her and as she came she sat down on him; her sheath clamped tightly around him, pushing him into his own orgasm.

Buffy lay back down on his chest, breathing heavily. Angel gently stroked her back as she recovered.

Chapter 46

Buffy strolled around the town alone. It was noon and she and Angel were leaving for LA that evening. She would miss this town though, it had been the only home she had known for years. She had good friends here and some good memories.

The memories would go with her of course but the friends wouldn’t. Buffy didn’t really do the correspondence thing so she doubted they would stay in touch long.

This walk was her final stroll around. Her final chance to savour the town. The town that tamed her.

Angel had rented the split level apartment/office in LA, she had been accepted to UCLA and the vampires here had been cleaned up. She was free to leave.

Her eyes misted up. Leaving had never been a problem before, it was her ‘thing’ so to speak. But this time she would be sorry to go.

It was the right thing to do. She needed to get out, needed to find herself and find her future.

That didn’t make leaving any easier though.

Buffy blinked back her tears and stopped in the espresso pump for a final coffee. She sat alone, savouring the slightly bitter coffee that she may never enjoy again and solidifying her memories of this place.

"Take care." Said Giles as he hugged her.

"I will."

"Call if you need anything."

"I will."

Giles smiled at her. Just then Angel returned. "Car’s packed. Are you ready?"

"I am." She turned back to Giles. "Tell them I’m sorry I couldn’t say goodbye. It’s just… I cant. You know."

"I understand. As I’m sure will they."

Buffy smiled at his understanding. Angel put his arm around her shoulders.

"We’d better get going, it’s a long drive."

Buffy nodded. "Call me if anything happens wont you?" she asked Giles.

"I shall. Things appear under control for the moment though, I don’t anticipate any problems in the near future."

Buffy pulled away from Angels embrace and gave Giles one final hug. She then turned and walked out of the apartment with out another word.

Angel silently shook Giles hand.

"Take care of her." Said Giles.

"I will."

Then Angel left also, leaving Giles alone. He wandered out to the street and watched as their car pulled away.

His emotions were mixed. He was happy for Buffy, she was making a life for herself. He was also sorry to see her go. She was a special young woman and her presence in Sunnydale would be missed.

THE END