Title:- Shadows of the past

Authors’ name:- Cat

E-mail:- Cathy@edcom-int.com

Disclaimer:- Would B/A be separate if I owned them? No, I don’t think so.

Distribution:- Will eventually be here http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze3ydhk/ If you want it, just ask

Spoilers:- None at all.

Rating:- R for adult themes

Parings:- Buffy/Angel(us)

Summary:- Detective fic. Angelus is a detective, Buffy the psychologist sent to help him on his case. But there’s more to it than that (I’m not giving everything away you know!)

Feedback:- Please. It’s like chicken soup for the muse.

Authors Notes:- this is my first fic like this, kind of a thriller (well I hope it is). Hope it works :- )

Chapter 1

Angelus Devero closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose. It was only 9am but with only three hours of snatched sleep on the rec room sofa, he still felt tired. His change of clothes and shave made him look presentable but it did nothing for the raw eyes and slight pounding in his head.

He got to his feet and headed for the coffee maker. He noticed the room was now buzzing with detectives, he hadn’t even heard them come in. That was the thing with Angelus, if he was working, he was oblivious to the outside world.

He filled his mug with fresh black coffee from the percolator. His own purchase. If he was going to work long days he was damned if he was going to drink the swill that the machine in the hall called coffee. It was for everyone’s use in the office though and the only rule was, the one to empty the pot, brewed a new one.

He said hi to a few other detectives as he made his way back to his desk.

The file in front of him greeted him with photos of last night’s murder. The fourth in as many weeks.

The pictures were nothing though; he had been there and seen the body for himself.

Sighing, he read the reports again.

She had been found by a dog walker around 7pm. He had called the police on his cell phone.

She was spread eagled, her dress torn from her and found laying close by.

The coroner said the cause of death was strangulation. After death, she had been sexually assaulted with a broken bottle. The full Pathology report wasn’t back yet though, so these were just the preliminary findings.

Probably killed at the scene, judging by the signs of a struggle.

Just then, he heard his superior’s voice. She must be here.

He buried his head lower into the file an attempt to put the inevitable off for a little longer.

"Detective Devero?" came his commander’s voice, too soon.

Angelus looked up to see his captain and a woman.

"This is Dr. Summers." He said.

The woman held her hand out and Angelus shook it though his expression didn’t warm at all. "Pleased to meet you." He said. Buffy smiled warmly.

She wasn’t what he was expecting at all. He had assumed she would be older, 40’s or so, but this girl didn’t look a day over 26. Her hair was long and blonde and held up by a small band. Her clothes were simple, a navy blue suit with a light blue camisole underneath.

"Well, I’ll let you two get on." Said the captain walking away.

Angelus stood up. "I’ll have someone take you to the crime scenes." He said.

The captain turned around at the door. "You will not." He said sharply. "You will take Dr. Summers yourself."

Angelus sighed, he had been afraid of this. He grabbed his jacket and headed for the door as Dr. Summers followed in his wake.

"Angel." Someone called his name as he left.

"What?" He turned to a red headed woman.

"They think they’ve got a ID on the latest victim."

Angelus sighed. "You can arrange the viewing. I have to baby sit for a while."

He turned and waltzed out.

Buffy couldn’t believe the arrogance of this man. He was rude, obnoxious and made no attempt to hide his disapproval of her.

That wasn’t new, most people didn’t like her coming into their case but most also weren’t so openly hostile. She followed him to his car and got in the passenger side.

He hadn’t spoken a word to her since their introduction. She had to break the ice or working with him would be impossible.

"Nice car, not standard issue is it?"

"No."

"Any reason?"

"I like air conditioning that works and an engine that can do more than 50 miles per hour."

"Isn’t that a risk?"

He looked at her like she was an idiot. "Trust me Doctor, detectives aren’t in much danger. We don’t do car chases and we don’t tend to get shot at like the uniforms do."

"Buffy."

"What?"

"Call me Buffy. Please."

Under his breath he mumbled. "Child’s name for a child."

"I’m sorry?!" she asked, her tone no longer consolatory.

"Nothing." He said.

"You called me a child."

"No I didn… OK, I did."

Buffy was seething. "I can assure you I am no child. I may be young for a psychologist but I am well trained. I know what I’m doing and I don’t appreciate being pre-judged."

Angelus didn’t reply.

"Anyway, Buffy’s a better name than Angel. Little girlie isn’t it?"

"It’s Angel to my friends, of which you are not one. You can call me Angelus or Detective Devero."

"Mind if I call you asshole instead, it fits so much better."

Angelus kept quiet, for the sake of his job he had to keep this professional. Five minutes later he pulled up at the roadside and got out. Buffy followed.

Angelus walked under the crime scene tape and began walking to where the victim was found. Buffy tried to keep up but his pace was fast and the ground was sloped. She was glad she’d worn her flats.

Angelus stopped by where the body was found and lit a cigarette as he waited for her.

Buffy soon caught up. "What was she wearing?" she asked.

"Pink floral dress."

"Shoes?"

She was quick. "Pink pumps."

"She wasn’t expecting to come here then." She paused. "Any ligature marks found?"

"No."

Buffy mentally went over the information she had been faxed late last night. "Fits the MO. Any vehicles seen in the area?"

"We’re still stopping people to check. Nothing as yet."

"Signs of a struggle?"

"Dirt under her finger nails, scratches to her neck but no foreign blood."

"He wore gloves."

Angelus didn’t reply.

"And this is the latest victim?" she asked.

"Yes."

"And dead approximately two days?"

"That’s right."

Buffy walked around the scene. The site wasn’t visible from the road. Nothing but trees visible in the other direction.

"How far does the forest extend?" she asked.

"About three miles. Nothing but a few deer trails until then."

Buffy nodded. "He knows this area." She mused. "And the assaults all happened after death?"

"Yes."

"All broken bottles?"

"Yes."

"Even the male victim?"

"Yes."

Buffy nodded. "OK, next one." She said heading back to the car.

They travelled in silence to the next crime scene. This one was next to a small pond. The crime scene tape was long gone here.

The terrain here was also steep. As Buffy stood next to the pond she looked back to the road again. This site wasn’t visible from the road either.

"Signs of a struggle again?" She asked, since the scene no longer held any trace of the crime.

"No, this was a hiker. Hit on the head, strangled again then assaulted."

Buffy nodded. "Was she walking in this area?"

"Family says no, she was supposed to be walking about 10 miles over, which is where her car was found."

"So she was hit then brought here."

"Looks like."

Buffy silently hoped the poor woman never woke up from her blow to the head.

"Was the position of the body the same?"

"Almost. Her clothing wasn’t completely removed, most was cut away though."

"Was the pond dragged?"

"Yes, nothing found."

"Blood on the scene?"

Not much. The bleeding from the head would have almost stopped by the time she was killed. The assault was after death again."

"Makes sense. Ten mile drive plus the time it would take to drag her back to his car."

"You’re thinking his car will have bloodstains?"

"Maybe. Everything I’ve read so far says he’s too careful for that but it’s a possibility."

Angelus’ thinking exactly. He didn’t say so though.

The third crime scene was the male victim. He was found in his apartment.

"Inside." Buffy muttered to herself.

She walked around drinking the apartment in. She had seen on the way in that there were no security measures here. The lock on the front door was broken so anyone could walk in and out.

She was even more certain the perp knew this area.

"How long had he lived here?"

"Almost 6 months."

Buffy nodded. "Was he attacked here?"

"Probably. Absolutely no signs of a struggle though."

Buffy turned to him. "None?"

"No."

"The door?"

"No signs of a break in."

"Strangled again?"

"Garroted."

Buffy pondered this. "Scratches on his neck?"

"No."

"Probably unconscious then. But the report said no head wounds. I’m guessing he was drugged."

Angelus had to admit she was sharp. "Probably, but he wasn’t found until a week later. The lab’s still working on his blood, but there are a thousand chemicals that could have been used to drug him that wouldn’t show up or are quickly broken down in the blood."

"He’s a smart one alright." She looked around for personal effects, pictures, albums, mementos, anything. All she could see was a photo with him hugging another young man. "Gay?" She asked.

"Right."

"Makes it easier to understand. Comes back for a drink, he drugs the victim’s drink and kills him."

Angelus nodded. "That’s where we got to." He said sharply. He couldn’t understand why they needed this woman.

The fourth crime scene was the oldest, the first victim.

She was different because she was younger than the other victims. She was found outside again, this time in a parking lot.

"She was found at 6am right?" Buffy asked.

"Right, killed about eight hours earlier."

Buffy looked around the scene again. This one was visible from the road.

"Why did he change?" she asked herself. Possibly because he didn’t want the bodies found so quickly. Angelus didn’t offer her his theories.

"No cars spotted in the area?" she asked.

"They all check out."

"Lets get back to the station so I can begin."

Chapter 2

Buffy had a small cubicle to work in. She always requested privacy when she worked. It helped her to think.

She was also left alone, as asked. Not that Angelus would have harassed her, he couldn’t wait to get away once they got back. Buffy shouldn’t have antagonised him in the car but she couldn’t help it. Sure, she fast tracked through school and college but at 31 she had a solid background in helping the police.

Slowly she went thought the files from each victim, entering her findings into her laptop.

As she finished with the files she looked through the list, now certain it was a serial killer.

Cause of death, strangulation. Victims one and four by hand, victim two garotted, victim three with rope.

All victims assaulted with a broken bottle. Varying brands but always a red wine bottle.

Victims assaulted after death.

Found in a state of complete or almost complete nakedness.

All victims blonde haired. Women victims had long blonde hair

No forensic evidence found on any victim.

First three victims rendered unconscious before being killed.

Varying ages in victims. Victim one was young, 16 years old and small for her age, possibly suggesting a lack of confidence on the perp’s part. Second victim was drugged, also suggesting perp wasn’t confident of over powering him. Third victim knocked unconscious. Fourth victim not over powered before death, signs of struggle but still no forensic evidence.

She got up and went for coffee, letting her thoughts mull over in her brain.

The murders weren’t sexual in motivation, she was sure of that. The very fact they hadn’t been raped spoke volumes. Then there was the fact they weren’t assaulted until after death.

Rage was the cause of these crimes, the perp was angry about something.

Buffy put the money into the machine and pressed for coffee.

"Hi." Buffy turned to face the red head girl from earlier. "You’re Dr. Summers right?" she asked with a shy smile.

"Yeah." Buffy held out her hand. "But please, call me Buffy."

The girl shook the offered hand. "I’m Willow Rosenberg."

"I saw you earlier, are you on this case too?"

Willows expression clouded. "Yeah. It’s not one of my favorite cases."

Buffy nodded and collected her coffee as the machine beeped to remind her it was ready.

"Ooh, I wouldn’t drink that." Willow said. "The polite term for it is swill."

Buffy looked into the cup, it didn’t look appealing.

"I’ll bring you some from the detective’s room," Willow offered. "It’s more than drinkable."

Buffy smiled. At least everyone around here didn’t hate her. "Thanks."

"Be right back."

Buffy left the cup on a table by the machine and headed back to her tiny room.

She sat reviewing her notes as Willow came back in with a steaming mug and some sugar and milk.

"I didn’t know how you took it," she explained putting the tray down.

"Black is fine." Said Buffy taking a sip from the mug. "It’s good."

"Italian. Angel won’t drink anything but."

Buffy’s smile faltered slightly as she remembered him.

"He’s not so bad." Willow said, reading her expression. "You just have to get used to him."

"I don’t think he wants to get used to me." Buffy said.

Changing the subject Willow asked. "So, have you found anything yet?"

Buffy was about to tell her what she thought, but stopped. "It probably wouldn’t please him if I tell one of his detectives before I tell him."

Willow blushed. "I know. I just find it interesting, you know?"

"I find it tedious and frightening, but I understand." Buffy said with a reassuring smile. "I should be done soon so maybe you can eavesdrop when I see him." Buffy winked on that last remark.

"Maybe. Anyway, if you want more coffee just come into the office, there’s plenty."

Buffy finished two hours later at just after 6pm. She went to the detective’s room and handed Angelus her report.

He took it and looked at her contemptuously.

"Mind giving me the bullet points, I’m kind of busy here."

Buffy sighed; he was not going to make this easy.

"OK. It’s definitely a serial killer. The attacks aren’t sexual in nature."

"But…"

Buffy held up a hand to stop him. "Let me finish. They aren’t sexual. It was all done post mortem. His reason for killing is anger. He has been, or he feels he’s been wronged in the past."

Angelus hadn’t considered that. "So what now? You tell me I’m looking for a loner with poor social skills, but a brilliant mind?"

"No, I’m not a clinician. I do geographical studies. What I need now are any sexual assaults involving blonde woman aged 12 to 40, both solved and unsolved, for the last two years. Preferably those where the perp wore gloves and grabbed his victims by the neck."

"And what will that tell you?"

"Hopefully where he lives or works."

Angelus looked skeptical. Buffy didn’t have time for this so she stood up and said, "I have to get going now. I’d appreciate those files by tomorrow morning. I’ll be in about 11am."

She turned and left.

Buffy drove over to Rupert Giles house. He was always a good sounding board.

Giles answered the door and looked at her expression. "Didn’t go well then?" he asked.

Buffy walked past him and went straight for his drinks cupboard.

"I’ll take that as a yes." Giles said sitting down, ready for Buffy to begin.

Buffy poured two brandies and handed one to Giles.

"It’s the detective. He’s just so arrogant. I can’t work with him."

"You have to Buffy. There are more important things here than a clash of personalities."

"I know." She said sighing. She wasn’t ready to give her anger up just yet. "He called me a child."

"As have many others." Giles pointed out.

"OK, I know I look young but they didn’t say it like he did."

"How did he say it?"

"Like an insult. He’s awful Giles. Just awful."

"And the case?" Giles asked, hoping to steer her on to something else.

"The case is weird. Not sexually motivated. I’ve asked for matching sexual assaults so I’ll go through those tomorrow."

Once Buffy had left Angelus he went back to reading the pathology report. He finished reading it for the second time and placed it to one side. Then he saw her report again. He didn’t want to read it. There was probably nothing in it that was useful but he found himself reaching out for it.

She was sharp. Her observations clear and precise. After reading her thinking, he had to admit, these cases probably weren’t sexual in nature.

She also mentioned that all the victims were blonde and petite. That had occurred to Angel but he hadn’t given much thought to it. Just that they were probably the perp's type.

Buffy had a different angle though.

"Perpetrator probably feels wronged by a similar looking woman. He may possibly be recently divorced or just out of a relationship."

He read on to see what she had to say about the male victim.

"Blonde again, suggesting more than a preference for blondes. Victim was gay. Perp unlikely to be gay since no intercourse was had."

"Suspect probably feels inferior to the world. His confidence is growing though. First victim was young and small for her age but was still knocked out. The fourth victim, while also small, was not rendered unconscious before the attack. The closeness in the cases also shows both growing confidence and rage."

Angelus made a note to ask her where this growing rage might lead to.

The final note said. "All victims assaulted with red wine bottle. Most serial killers drink beer. Either we have an upper class serial killer or, more likely, the wine signifies something personal to him."

He finished the report and placed it on top of the pathology report. It was late, he should be getting home. He deserved a decent night’s sleep one night this week.

It had worked. Little miss perfect was there. She thought she was safe but she never would be.

He watched as the lady came out of her work and headed for her car. Her long blonde hair flowed freely over her shoulders, occasionally being ruffled by the evening breeze.

Just like her hair was.

The woman said goodnight to a few colleagues and drove away. He followed.

Buffy was in the university early the next morning. She had students to meet with before she could go back to the police station.

As the time approached and she had to leave, a little seed of dread planted itself in her stomach.

She tried to tell herself it was ridiculous. The only reason for it was Angelus and she certainly wasn’t afraid of him!

She swallowed back her feelings and headed off. No feeling of dread was going to keep her from her work.

Angelus looked up as she walked in. Her hair loose today and her clothes more relaxed.

"The files are waiting for you." He said.

Buffy thanked him and headed for the coffee machine. Angelus almost wanted to tell her no but that was petty. He couldn’t afford to look petty in front of his other officers.

Buffy smiled sweetly as she walked out again saying hello to Willow.

Angelus couldn’t tear his gaze from her until she was out of sight.

"Nice, isn’t she?" Willow said.

Angelus turned and glared at her.

"What? It was just a comment." She said looking indignant.

Buffy soon had the assault files sorted into definitely the same guy, maybe, and not the same guy.

She reviewed her matching criteria again and took another look through the maybe files, discounting them all as not the same guy.

That left her with seven assaults.

Four of the victims had been hit over the head. Two of those had bruises to the neck consistent with a strangle hold. Of the other three, the women were all grabbed from behind, around the throat and choked unconscious before being assaulted. The assailant had always worn gloves.

Now came the hard part of mapping the crimes. The mapping itself didn’t take long but Buffy had to mark the points on the map in her computer so she would know what she was dealing with. First, she needed a map.

She took out her second laptop and plugged it into her mobile phone just as the door opened.

"We think we have a letter from him." Willow said, slightly breathless.

Buffy bolted from her chair and ran after the red head.

Angelus read the letter again. Buffy had been right.

"Where is it?" said the woman herself as she raced into the room on Willow’s heals.

Angelus held up the plastic wallet it was housed in, Buffy walked over.

"Can I take a look?"

Angelus handed it to her.

My life never really began. That’s your fault. Thanks to you I have endured hardship and pain, all for nothing!

This is for you. Every time I kill them, I think of killing you.

And I will.

Not today, probably not tomorrow but soon.

First I want you to worry, like I did. To feel those butterflies in the pit of your stomach and the dread every time you close your eyes. I want you to suffer first. Because unlike me, you can’t suffer afterwards, you’ll be dead.

Sleep tight….

"When was this received?" asked Buffy.

"It was sent to the first victim’s house this morning. Even though it was addressed to the police the mother opened it anyway since it had their address.

Buffy’s hands felt clammy and she handed the letter back.

"What is it?" asked Angelus, noticing how pale she looked.

"Nothing. I just hate these cases." Buffy bluffed. She did hate them but they had never affected her like this before. No, something else was there, lurking at the back of her mind. Something that frightened her.

She sat in one of the chairs opposite Angelus' desk and Willow brought her a coffee. Buffy accepted it. "Thanks."

Angelus handed the letter to Willow. "Take it to forensics and get me some copies." Willow nodded and left.

"Are you OK?" Angelus asked Buffy again.

"I’m fine, honestly."

"How's the work coming?"

"Slow. I was just about to begin entering the map markers. Give me two hours for that, then another to enter the data, then the computer will need thirty minutes or so to work things out."

Angelus nodded. "Need any help?"

Buffy shook her head. "I’m fine. Besides, there’s nothing to do but watch me."

Buffy stood up. "I should get back to it. The longer I leave it, the longer he’s out there."

Angelus nodded. "I’ll check on you later to make sure you’re OK."

"Don’t bother, really."

Angelus watched her as she walked away. She didn’t look good. Not at all.

And now that he looked at her from a slightly different perspective, one of concern rather than anger, he could see she was also very attractive.

Then he got a feeling himself. It didn’t make him go pale but as he watched her retreating figure he couldn’t help but feel a prick of fear at the base of his spine.

He stood a few minutes, trying to figure it out. But nothing came. Willow eventually came back and interrupted him so he pushed the feeling aside.

Chapter 3

Buffy had finished plotting the map when the door opened and Angelus entered with a coffee.

"Thought you might need this."

"Thanks." Smiled Buffy.

He noticed she was back to her old self. "You feeling better?"

"Yeah. It’s just the case. Civilians and all that, not used to murder." She covered.

Angelus knew that wasn’t true though. According to his captain she had been consulting with the police for five years.

That puzzled him also, her age. He decided to be blunt. "I hope you don’t mind me asking but…" Buffy looked up at him. "You have a PHD, and have worked with the police for five hears, but you don’t look a day over 26. What’s with that?"

Buffy smiled. "I fast tracked through most of my studies, graduated with my doctorate at 25. I’m now 31."

Angel blinked in surprise. "31. Never would have guessed it."

Buffy smiled. "Thanks. It’s great until I try and buy alcohol." She joked. Angel smiled. "So, is this a social call, ’cause I’m guessing not?"

"Well…"

"Don’t tell me, you want me to look over the letter, examine it from a psychological perspective, right?"

"Yeah. You caught me." He said withdrawing a copy of the letter from his jacket. Though the letter was mainly an excuse, he wanted to check up on her to see if she was OK.

Buffy smiled. "If I could, I’d love to, but it’s not my speciality. I’ll ask around though, I’m sure there’s someone at the university who specialises in writing analysis. If not, Giles is sure to know of someone"

"Giles?" He asked, a little too much anxiety in his voice.

"The head of the psych department. Not to mention my mentor for the past, god knows, how many years."

Angel released a breath he didn’t know he had been holding. "OK, just remember the confidentiality. You can’t show it to someone without them signing an agreement."

Buffy nodded. "I understand. If you have a copy of the form it’ll help things go faster."

"I’ll get it to you before you leave." He checked his watch. "Another hour before the data’s inputted right?"

"About that." Buffy agreed.

"Would you like to get a cup of coffee while we wait for the results?"

Buffy looked up at him trying to read his features. She couldn’t detect anything there, his face was blank. Was this business or pleasure, she wondered?

"Um, sure, I guess." She said after realising she hadn’t answered him.

"Great. Come through to the office when you’ve done."

Going to the office where they could be seen leaving together. Had to be business. Buffy relaxed slightly. "OK, I’ll see you later. Thanks for the coffee."

Angelus flashed her a smile as he left.

Buffy picked up the letter and read it again. That same chill went down her spine but not as strong as before. What ever it was bugging her it wasn’t ready to come out. She put the letter in her laptop case and turned back to her work.

Buffy went through to the detective’s room when she was done. It had taken a little over an hour but everything was done. The computer estimated 45 minutes to complete the calculations.

Angelus smiled up at her as she entered. "I won’t be a minute." He said signing something then closing the file. He grabbed his jacket and escorted her out.

"Is it OK if we find a sandwich shop?" asked Buffy. "I tend to forget to eat when I work."

"Me too. I think the shop on the corner does snacks. Good enough?"

"Fine."

Five minutes later they were settling into a booth of the small café. It was almost empty since it was only 4pm. Buffy looked over the menu and selected a chicken wrap with a diet coke. Angelus chose the same with a coffee.

"So what’s this program?" asked Angelus.

Buffy settled back and explained it. "For my thesis, it occurred to me there might be a trend in criminal’s patterns. Like they tend to stick close to home, that’s been proven. So, I asked the FBI for their files. They didn’t agree at first but once they realised I didn’t want any names and addresses they were fine. So I began, by hand, charting these crimes on maps and soon discovered that there was a pattern and it could be predicted. Even in blind tests. Of course it took days to do by hand."

"So you wrote a program?" asked Angelus, impressed.

Buffy laughed. "No. I’m not that talented. I got talking to a computer major one day, told him my woes and he said he should be able to design something. We teamed up, did our thesis together but focused on different angles. I provided the criteria and the parameters, which I’d worked out from the FBI cases. Together we created the first geographical profile program."

Angelus was impressed. "So why not the usual personality profile? That’s what most psychologists do."

"I’m not a clinician. Besides which, I never found them helpful. They could apply to dozens of people, not all of who turn out to be serial killers. If you want to know if your suspect was a bed wetter, you’ve got the wrong gal here."

"But you must have studied the same things."

The food arrived and Buffy took a bite of her wrap. "I did." She said, swallowing the first mouthful. "I just don’t practice on real patients. The people who do, they're qualified to make judgements. I prefer a classroom."

"And detective work."

Buffy tensed slightly. Not much, but Angel caught it. "Someone has to do it." She said flippantly.

"So, where are you with the case?" Buffy asked as a silence descended over them.

"Nowhere. No suspects, no viable leads. Sure, we’re checking things out but I don’t expect it to lead anywhere."

"Why not?"

"He’s too clever. He’s left us nothing so far. I just don’t see him parking his car somewhere visible to be on our vehicle list. Or letting himself be seen by someone to be on our witness descriptions. There’s nothing."

"But there is the possibility of blood in his car from the hiker."

"True. But like you said, he’s too clever for that."

"That’s usually their undoing. They get overconfident, slip up and get caught."

"I noticed in your report that you thought he was growing more confident." Angelus observed.

Buffy raised an eyebrow, she didn’t think he would read it. "He is. Both the assaults and the murders show an increase in confidence with each attack. With the last assault victim, I think he was about to kill them. He either didn’t quite have the guts or he was interrupted. The victim’s statements don’t say anything about an interruption though. Granted, they were unconscious but I don’t think that’s it. I think he had to work up to murder."

"Any idea on motive?"

Buffy sighed and wiped her mouth as she finished the wrap. "Nothing concrete."

"Any theories?"

"One or two. Based on the letter, which we have to keep in mind, could be a hoax."

"Understood. Go on."

Buffy sipped her coke, trying to get her thoughts in order. "The letter is personalized, as though he is speaking to someone specific. I think that person is the one who wronged him. She’s blonde, resembles the female victims." She paused. "The letter was addressed to the police though. How was it addressed?" she asked.

"The envelope said ‘The police’ and had the victims address below."

Buffy pursed her lips. "He’s not ready to tell us who the object of his obsession is. The fact it was addressed to the police could mean one of two things. Either the person who harmed him is on your case, or possibly just a policewoman. Or he wants you to know his motivation and he sent the letter meant for her, to you."

"Which do you think it is?"

"I’m honestly not sure. If I had to guess, I’d say someone on the force."

"Really?"

Buffy nodded. "Just an opinion though. The letter clearly states he wants to strike fear into her before he kills her. He also wants her to feel responsible for the killings."

"I didn’t get that."

"Well it might not have been his intention, but when you say, ‘This is for you. Every time I kill them, I think of killing you.’ It’s going to affect them. They will feel blame for these crimes."

"If only we knew who he was talking to."

"You could try seeing who fits the same description as the victims, showing them the letter. Might jog a memory. Ex-husband, wronged lover."

It was a good idea. "I’ll try it."

"There’s also the wine bottles." Said Buffy.

"You think it’s significant?"

"Very. I’m just not sure why." Buffy checked her watch. "Results should be done."

"Lets get back then."

Angel paid the check, refusing to let Buffy pay her share. She accepted gracefully but would have rather paid half. His paying made it feel like a date.

Buffy sat in front of the laptop while Angel leaned over her shoulder.

Case by case, layer by layer, she built the picture up for him.

"With one case the catchment area is huge." She explained. Angelus could see a huge purple area filling the screen.

"As we add the next case, it gets smaller." Now there were patches of red appearing, the purple area also shrank. The red continued to grow and change shape with each new case while the purple area shrank.

Finally, with all the assault cases added there was an area about five blocks wide over downtown LA.

"What happens when we add the murders?" he asked.

"The area will change. Be less certain. Remember we only have the dump sites, not the abduction points or even where he first saw her. My guess is he stalked a certain type until he knew when he could get them alone."

Buffy slowly added the murders.

The purple area became larger while the red area got smaller. Soon they were left with a red dot covering a two block area and the purple covering a good 20 block area.

"What does that mean?" he asked.

"The bigger the purple area, the more chance of being wrong. I suggest you go from the assault results for now. They are all plotted from where the victim was attacked, not where they were found."

Angelus nodded. "Can you print it off?"

Buffy typed, bringing the old area up then she popped a disk out. "I need a computer."

"Follow me."

Buffy pulled the printout from the printer and handed it to Angelus.

"Thanks. Do we canvas door to door?" he asked.

"Possibly, but be careful. Check the records, don’t visit people living alone, they're the most likely suspects. Make general inquiries about any suspicious looking people. And problems with the neighbours. Don’t ask them if they think they're living next to a serial killer. Don’t even tell what the case is, the press will get a hold of it and have a field day. Then you can kiss your perp goodbye."

She looked up to see him smiling at the basic advice she was giving him. "Sorry, you probably knew that already."

"I did ask." He said.

"Well, I guess that I’m done. Let me know how you’re getting on with the case." She turned to walk out of the room.

"Uh, Dr.." he said, stalling her at the door.

"If I need you, where can I reach you?"

"Your captain has the university number." She turned again.

"Wait. What if I need you out of hours?"

Buffy stiffened slightly. She counted to three to calm herself and turned back. "I have a card in my purse. I’ll give it to you."

She turned to leave again, Angelus followed.

Back in the small room again Buffy plucked a card from her purse and handed it to him.

"It’s a pager number." He said.

"I know. They’ll know how to reach me in an emergency."

Angelus let it lie.

Buffy packed her laptops away in their cases and slung them over her shoulders. "Well, nice working with you." She said.

"You too. I’ll keep you informed."

"Thanks."

And with that she breezed out of his case and his life.

Chapter 4

There was a second letter the next day, addressed to the third victim’s house this time.

"I see you. You never see me but I see you. I’m always here, watching, waiting. You cannot escape me.

For a long time I hated you for what you did. Loathed wouldn’t be too strong a word. Hatred was eating me up. I couldn’t see straight, I couldn’t think. Now I don’t need the hate, I have revenge.

You were so smart. Thought you were smarter than me, didn’t you? Well, you aren’t. You never will be. You may have won then, but this will be my victory.

Sleep tight, My love! XXX"

"Willow, where are we with the people on the force." Asked Angelus looking up from the letter.

"The ones who look like the victims? All department heads and divisions have a description. They should be sending the officers detail’s through later who match."

"Good. Let me see the list when it gets here."

"Will do."

Angelus sat back in his chair and read the letter again.

Who was he talking to?

Buffy cleared her things away as the lecture ended and the kids filed out. Picking up her briefcase she headed for the door, only to be met by him.

"Detective Devero." She said. "I didn’t expect to see you so soon."

He smiled. "Angel, please."

"OK, Angel, how can I help you?"

She was all business which miffed Angelus slightly but he pressed on regardless.

"We had another letter today. I was wondering who you had found to review the cases."

Buffy nodded. "Of course. Giles himself is reviewing them, I’ll take you to his office."

Angelus trailed behind her as she weaved a path through the students back to the staff offices and finally to a door marked, Head of Psychology, Dr. Giles.

Buffy knocked and went straight in.

"Buffy, good morning."

"Hi Giles. This is Detective Devero, the one I was working with. He’s had another letter."

"Good, good." He said shaking Angelus’ hand. "Pleased to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you."

Angelus flinched slightly at that remark, it couldn’t be good things. He removed the copy of the new letter from his jacket and handed it to Giles.

Giles took the paper and began reading, Buffy looked over his shoulder.

"Oh dear." He said when he had finished. "This isn’t looking good."

"Why?" asked Angelus.

"The writer is clearly enraged, the rough strokes from the pen show that. In this new letter his rage is showing even more, some of the words are almost unreadable."

"His mental state is deteriorating." Buffy clarified.

"Yes, quite." Said Giles. "In any case I expect him to murder again soon. I also believe this woman he is addressing is in serious danger."

Angel nodded. "We’re taking steps to find her now. Is there anything else you can tell me?"

Giles sat down and withdrew his notes on the first letter. "They’re only rough I’m afraid, I haven’t had time to type them up yet. Anyhow, it appears he is educated, probably to college level or thereabouts. He may have been a drop out. His language is basic but I believe that to be from rage rather than lack of schooling. Age, indeterminable. Race, probably white but that’s based more on Buffy’s work than the letters."

Angelus nodded. "Thank you. If you could let me have a report on the letter as soon as you can I’d appreciate it."

"Yes, of course. I’ll fax a copy through to you as soon as it’s done."

"Thank you Dr."

"Think nothing of it."

Angelus turned to leave, as did Buffy who closed the door behind them.

"Are you free for lunch?" asked Angelus.

"Yeah I.. Um, actually I have a class to prepare for."

Angelus smiled at her. "No, I think your avoiding me. I know we got off on the wrong foot but I’d like us to be friends."

"Don’t you have work to do?"

"Been at it since 5am, I think I deserve a break. Come on, one lunch in the school cafeteria, it’s safe, public and I promise to keep my hands to myself."

"I… OK. Lunch."

Angelus smiled, Buffy didn’t. She looked uncomfortable.

As they sat eating in the staff canteen Buffy seemed stiff. Angelus began to wonder what made her so cold. He switched from small talk to discussing the case with her. She seemed to relax somewhat and conversed with him, offering her thoughts on what he told her.

Angelus wondered what it was that caused her to clam up around him. Was it with all men or just him? What had made this young, seemingly confident woman loose her confidence when with him?

He would look into that later.

Buffy arrived home at her house and quickly undressed, changing into something more comfortable. Once dressed in jogging bottoms and a t-shirt she headed through to the kitchen. She poured herself a glass of red wine and put on some rock music, Bon Jovi.

She hated working on these cases, they always got to her. It would be months before she had a restful night’s sleep again.

She knew she shouldn’t be drinking either, certainly not on an empty stomach. She was past caring though, she needed to switch off.

She took her wine through to the living room and reclined on the sofa, letting the music wash over her and hopefully drown out her own thoughts.

It did stop her morbid thinking, but it didn’t keep Angelus out.

Buffy tried thinking of something else. Tomorrow’s classes, her next paper, anything but it didn’t work; he kept finding his way back into her thoughts.

She liked him, there was no denying that but a relationship was impossible.

As though on cue Mitsy appeared. Buffy beckoned the small dog onto her lap and she eagerly jumped up.

"Why now?" she asked the dog. Mitsy’s reply was to lick Buffy’s hand.

"Big help you are." Buffy teased.

It didn’t make sense. She didn’t want a man, she didn’t need one and she hadn’t felt any attraction to one for years. Yet here this one was, wearing her down, worming his way into her affection. She sighed and picked the dog up as she went to fill her glass up again.

Alcohol was the only thing that was going to work tonight, as it had on numerous other nights. It was the only think that could provide the peace she needed and clean the noise from her head.

Buffy awoke to the shrill ring of her phone. She put a hand to her head to try and ease the thump the noise created. It didn’t work. Gradually she opened her eyes to a squint. Mitsy stared up, looking quizzically at her.

Initially disoriented to find herself in the living room she sat up. She must have fallen asleep there last night. Her headache and the empty wine bottle were solid evidence as to why.

She groaned and rummaged on the side table for her cordless phone, her eyes hurting too much to open completely and allow her to look properly. Finally she found it, clicked the answer button and relished the silence for a moment before speaking.

"Hello?"

"Dr. Summers, this is your pager service. Sorry to disturb you but we had an urgent message from Detective Devero."

Buffy’s thoughts slowly cleared. "Uh, what was it?"

"He said he couldn’t discuss it with me but he’ll pick you up at 8am."

"What time is it now?"

"Just now 7:30."

"Thank you."

Buffy hung the phone up.

Why was he coming here? More importantly, how did he know where here was? She never gave her address out if she could avoid it and the university was under strict instructions not to give it to anyone.

She groaned again and buried her face in her hands. She’d better get ready.

She found the strength to drag herself up from the sofa and headed for the stairs.

She ran the shower and while she waited for it to heat up she found the Tylenol and took two.

Undressing she stepped into the shower, letting it wash last night off her.

Dead on 8am the doorbell rang. Buffy was ready and she looked through the peephole. It was him. She opened the door. He smiled warmly at her.

"How did you get my address?" she asked coldly.

"The university gave it to me." He lied.

"Not without a court order they wouldn’t. Try the truth."

Angelus sighed. "OK, I ran your plate through the DMV."

"Is that legal?"

"Not really but I needed to find you."

"Why?"

"There’s been another killing, I want you to take a look."

Buffy nodded and turned back into the house, leaving Angelus standing on the step, waiting for her. A few moments later she emerged with her handbag and a pair of dark glasses on.

She locked up behind herself and Angelus noticed all the locks. He hadn’t noticed them originally but now he saw she had four separate locks on the front door.

Without speaking she turned and headed for his car. Angelus followed. He was becoming more and more intrigued by this woman. What was her deal?

"I’m sorry to bother you so early." He apologized as they drove. "My captain said I should have you look at the crime scene while it was fresh."

"Remind me to thank him." Buffy said flatly.

Angelus sighed and carried on driving. He didn’t try and talk to her again.

Buffy watched the scenery out of the side window as they drove. Gradually it became familiar to her. The further they went, the more dread crept into her stomach.

‘Don’t be ridiculous’ she told herself. ‘It’s just an area like any other. It means nothing.’

She took some deep breath and tried to calm herself down.

She turned to look out of the front window now; something compelled her to see exactly where they were going.

Then she saw the school ahead. Her old high school.

She took deep breaths, waiting for the panic to subside as Angelus passed it.

But he didn’t pass it. He drove into the car park.

Buffy swallowed. "What are we doing here?" she asked.

"This is where the body was found."

"Where?" she choked out.

"The gym. Why?"

Buffy was grateful for her dark glasses, it meant he couldn’t see her tears forming. She opened the car door and bolted out. "I need the ladies room." She called, running off into the school.

Chapter 5

Buffy paced in the toilet trying to calm herself. This wasn’t about her; this was nothing to do with her. It was a long time ago. She was safe. She was calm. She could handle this.

Once her emotions were in check again she checked her makeup in the mirror and headed out to the hallway to find her way back to the gym. It had been years but she still knew the way. She would never forget.

Angelus waited for her.

"Can’t a girl pee in peace now?" she asked.

"I was worried."

"You shouldn’t have bothered." She took another deep breath and walked off towards the gym. Angelus followed in her wake.

The gym was a hive of activity, photographers, forensic guys, the coroner’s men, not to mention the officers swarming about.

Buffy pushed through the doors into the hall.

The body had been bagged up which Angelus was grateful for. Given Buffy’s state at the moment it might have been too much for her. He wasn’t sure he should have brought her here at all.

Willow walked over to them as they entered. "They’re taking the body away any minute. The forensic guys still need some more time though." She saw how pale Buffy looked. "Are you OK?" she asked.

"Fine, thanks."

"Do you have the letter?" Angelus asked.

Willow shook her head. "It’s with the forensic team. Want me to get it?"

"Yeah."

Willow walked away and Angelus began explaining the scene to Buffy.

"She was found over there, behind the stage. Found by the janitor at 6am when he came in to mop the floor. Position was the same as the others. Assaulted with a bottle post mortem again. The only difference is that it’s inside again and this time she clutched a letter from the killer in her right hand."

Buffy didn’t reply. Her mind was fighting a war between the past and the present, neither winning.

Willow reappeared and handed Angelus the letter. He thanked her and showed it to Buffy.

"Buffy." He called when she didn’t take the letter. "BUFFY. HEY!"

Buffy turned to face him, the present winning the battle momentarily. "Huh? Oh." She said taking the letter.

The letter was different to the others. It had only one line written.

"I promised you I’d be back."

Buffy dropped the letter. Her breath became ragged and shallow. A small, breathless cry issued from her lips, "NO!" As she fell to the floor, light-headed.

Angelus watched as Buffy sat there shaking. He didn’t know what to do; he guessed she had just had a panic attack. Willow was looking after her at the moment, talking calmly to her and telling her to breath.

Buffy slowly seemed to be back in control of herself.

"What is it?" Angelus asked, kneeling beside her chair and taking her hand.

"I know who your killer is."

Buffy sat in the meeting room as Angelus briefed his detectives on what had happened. She sat silently, not really listening.

With this new murder he now had a dozen people at his disposal and they were all crowded around the table.

"First, call off the interviews with look-a-likes from other departments. I think we’ve found our woman. Second, I want every child at that school interviewed today. Hardy, Waller, English and Backman, you take the kids. You know the drill, any unusual looking people hanging around, etc... We do have a lead. Three ex cons, I’m waiting for mug shots. I’ll issue you all with pictures soon. Other than that, keep doing what you’re doing." He looked to four detectives. "Keep canvassing the area I told you to. Take the pictures with you, ask if anyone’s seen them." He looked to the final four detectives. "Willow, where are we with the ID on the body?"

"Still trying. Nothing yet."

"Keep on it. Gregson and Skye, I want you to show the pictures to the families, see if they know any of them." He looked at the last detective. "I want you to distribute the pictures to every division."

The officer nodded his agreement.

"OK, dismissed."

They slowly got up and filed out of the office leaving Angelus and Buffy alone.

Buffy didn’t even acknowledge his presence. He sat beside her. "Wanna tell me about it?"

Buffy shook her head.

"Might help."

"There isn’t anything to tell."

Angelus sighed. "I’ll just look up the file then."

Buffy shivered. And Angelus immediately felt bad for the harsh comment.

"I’m sorry. I want to help but I can’t if you don’t tell me what’s happening."

"OK, but not here. I wanna to go home."

"OK, we can do that. I’ll take you home."

Buffy opened the front door and turned the alarm off before greeting Mitsy. She immediately shed her suit jacked and put on an old cardigan than drowned her small figure. She walked through to the kitchen and Angelus followed.

"Coffee?" She asked as she filled the kettle. Angelus could see she was shaking. He gently put his hands over hers.

"Let me," he said. She released the kettle to him.

Angelus walked around the kitchen looking for the coffee and mugs as the kettle boiled. Buffy took a seat at the table and rung her hands together.

Angelus made the coffee and seeing a tray of spirits near by he poured a large shot of whiskey into Buffy’s.

He then sat opposite her at the table and waited for her to begin.

Buffy wrapped her hands around the mug, trying to ward off an internal chill. She took a few sips. Stalling tactics, she knew.

Taking a deep breath she began.

"You know I fast tracked through school right? Well at 14 I found myself at that school, a freshman. It was great to begin with. Then at the end of the first year this guy Forrest, from the football squad, asked me to the prom. I should have guessed something wasn’t right. He was a senior, 18. What did he want with me? I was naive. But he was on the football team and everyone adored him, it felt nice to be wanted, so I said yes."

She paused in her story. "Anyway, on the night he and two of his buddies had a bit too much to drink. They sneaked a bottle of vodka in. Towards the end of the night they coaxed me away, saying they wanted to show me something. Like a fool, I went behind the stage with them."

"They attacked me. Ripped my dress, began…" another pause and a long sip of coffee. "They did things to me."

"Did they rape you?"

"NO. God no. Thankfully Miss Calendar interrupted them. Otherwise, I don’t know what they would have done. She called the police and all three were arrested. There was nothing I could do so I told the truth."

"They went down?"

"Yeah, nine months for Forrest and Graham, six for Riley because he had just held me down, he didn’t actually do anything. Being over 18 they were tried as adults."

"How did you know the letter was for you?"

"As Riley was led out of court he saw me, he promised he’s be back for me."

"That’s it?" he asked, wondering why she was so paranoid these days. There had to be more to it than that.

Buffy looked up at him. "That’s it. That’s what they did to me."

Angelus shook his head. "There’s something else. Why do you flinch every time I move away from being professional? Why do you have so many locks on your door? Why is your address a big secret?"

Buffy sighed. "After they went down the school didn’t take it well. The students that is. They said I had ruined their careers. They all had college scholarships, but with a conviction, the offers had been withdrawn. The rest of my time there was hell. The women were bitchy, called me names, wrote things about me on the bathroom walls. But the men... They threatened me and… sometimes they hit me. I can’t count the number of times our windows were smashed. Every day it was something. Their favourite thing was to pin me against a locker and threaten to finish what the others had started. I lived every day in fear that they would do it."

Angelus reached out and took her hand. "Didn’t you tell anyone?"

"Tell! Yeah, ‘cause that worked so well the last time. No, I kept my head down, dressed plainly and buried myself in my studies. It was the only thing I could do."

Angelus found new respect for her. "Did you get out?"

"In the end. Scholarship to college. Moved away to New York to study. Didn’t help the fear though. Everyone was a threat. I lived alone in this fortress of an apartment, worked, studied and slept. It was all I could do."

"Why come back?" he asked.

"My family was here. By the time I had my doctorate I felt ready. I’d had counselling, I was over it. I moved here though, I couldn’t go back to the same neighbourhood."

"That’s understandable."

Buffy looked up from her mug and met his gaze, tears shone in her eyes. "It isn’t over though. They’re back for me."

Angelus squeezed her hand harder. "I won’t let them get you. I swear."

Buffy’s tears fell. "You can’t stop them. No one can."

Angelus almost growled the next comment. "I will." He walked around the table and sat next to her, holding her. Buffy leaned into him and cried.

For Buffy, the emotional stress of the morning was too much, she cried herself to sleep. Angelus gently carried her through to the living room and settled her on the sofa.

Going back into the kitchen so as not to disturb her he pulled his mobile phone out and called the office to see what was happening.

Willow answered everything she could.

The bad news was that none of the students had seen anything. The good news was that they found where the suspect had been living.

"One Roger Fipps, ID’d from the photos as Riley Finn, was living in an apartment above a shop on Swan Street. Looks like he’s been gone a few days though." Willow informed him.

"Just Finn?" he asked.

"Looks like. None of the neighbors had seen the other two. We’re still checking on their whereabouts but it doesn’t look like they’re working together."

"OK. Let me know if there’s any change. Also, I want a guard put on Buffy round the clock. He’s going to be coming for her soon."

"What makes you say that?"

"He knows we’re onto him. That last letter was meant to tip the scale, which it did. He either has to put up or shut up now. I don’t see him stopping, do you?"

"No." Willow agreed. "And you’re sure it’s Buffy he’s after?"

"Certain."

"OK, I’ll sort out protection. What time do you want the first one there?"

Angelus checked his watch. "I’ll take it until 10 tonight, send someone to cover me then."

"Got it."

"And Willow?"

"Yeah?"

"Have someone drop the files on my desk off. I should be working while I’m here."

"Will do."

Angel hung up.

Chapter 6

Buffy awoke about an hour later. She hadn’t really been tired, just emotionally exhausted.

She picked up Mitsy, who had been sleeping beside her, and went in search of Angelus. She hoped he was still here; she didn’t want to be alone right now.

He was there sitting at the kitchen table working.

"What’s that?" Buffy asked, sitting opposite him.

"The records of Graham Miller, Forrest Gates and Riley Finn. I had some stuff driven over."

Buffy nodded. "So, what have they been up to?"

"Are you sure you want to know?"

Buffy realized he was worried about her after her earlier reaction. "I’m fine. Now that I know someone’s after me I can’t not know what you know, you know?"

Angelus couldn’t help but to smile at her. "OK, here’s what we have so far. The murderer is one Riley Finn. We found his apartment but it looks like he cleared out a couple of days ago."

"He knows what I do, as soon as he saw me on the case, he should have cleared out."

"My thoughts too. But at last we know who we’re after."

"So it’s just him?" Buffy asked.

"Looks like it. Forrest Gates is currently locked up for Armed Robbery. He’s still there; I checked with the warden. Graham Miller went straight. We don’t know where he is right now but the last we know he was married and living in New Jersey, working as a mechanic."

Buffy sighed. "What happened to Riley after he got out?"

"He drifted from job to job, some petty theft, muggings etc., some jail time, then nothing. Two years ago he disappeared and we have no trace of him since."

"Well he’s back now."

Angelus nodded. "Are you OK?"

"Yeah. I wouldn’t mind changing though." She said indicating her rumpled clothes.

"Go ahead. I’ll be here."

Buffy headed for the stairs as Angelus went back to work.

Once in her bedroom, Buffy took her old clothes off, donned a robe and brushed her hair, securing it in a simple bunch and headed for the shower.

As soon as Angelus heard the scream he bolted form his seat. Even an Olympic hurdler couldn’t have made it to those stairs as fast.

He found Buffy in the bathroom staring at the tub.

"What?" He asked her.

Buffy pointed towards the bathtub and Angelus looked over to it. The bath was full of red water.

Angelus pulled Buffy to him, partly to comfort her and partly to block her gaze of the bath.

Thirty minutes later, Buffy sat at the kitchen table again. She was dressed in simple clothes, jogging pants, a t-shirt and her cardigan with her hair still pulled back from her face.

Angelus looked at her occasionally. Even though she seemed to be doing everything she could to look plain and unattractive she still looked gorgeous.

He was distracted from looking at her again by one of his officers.

"It’s human blood in the water," he said, "we just got the conformation."

"Ask them to see if it matches the any of the victims blood and rush the results. If not, we have another victim out there somewhere."

The officer nodded and headed back to the stairs. Angelus went over to Buffy and sat opposite her, taking her hand. "Are you OK?"

"He was here. In my space."

Angelus nodded, understanding how it must feel.

"It’s just not mine any more. I don’t feel safe here," she said, looking around the kitchen that had once seemed so warm and inviting, "just like before. Home used to be a haven with my mom. She’d make me cocoa and sit with me if I had a bad day. It just felt safe until the rocks started coming through the windows. Home was just another place I had to be on my guard. He’s taken another safe haven. School, home, now this home."

Angelus nodded again. He couldn’t really offer anything but sympathy.

"How’s it going?" She asked, referring to the army of men crawling over her things like ants at a picnic.

"They’re still dusting for prints. We’ll need a set of yours to compare."

"Fine. Any idea how he got in?"

"The alarm has been tampered with. It’s been disconnected from the sensors on the lounge window, that’s how he got in and there are small scratch marks on the sill."

"Any idea how long he’s been coming and going?"

"The marks look fresh."

Buffy gave a sigh of relief. At least he hadn’t been in that often.

"Do you want me to call anyone for you?"

"No, there’s only Giles and I don’t want to dump all this on him."

"What about your family?"

"Mom died a few yeas back, I don’t know where my dad is. That’s it for family."

Angelus didn’t like the thought of her staying alone at a time like this, especially in this house.

"I’ve arranged for a guard for you so someone will be with you at all times from now on."

Buffy looked at him, akin similar to sadness in her eyes.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Nothing." Buffy said shaking her head. "I uh, I just can’t stay here now." She covered. She didn’t feel she could stay in the house now but that was only part of the reason she was sad. She knew it was ridiculous but she had hoped Angelus would stay with her. He had an investigation to run though; it was silly of her to expect him to stay.

"Where will you go?"

"A hotel probably. Until this is sorted."

Angelus heard himself speak but he didn’t feel like he was actually saying the words. It was like he was observing himself.

"I don’t want you in a hotel."

"Wha… why?"

"I… it’s too public." He covered. "My men would have no idea who was who. You need to be somewhere they can keep an eye on you without dozens of people coming and going."

"I don’t have anywhere like that. I can’t impose on Giles. Not to mention I’d be putting him at risk just by being there."

Again that little over ride switch in his brain spoke for him. "Stay with me."

Buffy looked at him. "I… I can’t impose of you."

"It’s not an imposition. I have a spare room, plus…" Angelus thought desperately for a reason she should take him up on the offer. "Plus, if this bastard does come after you I want to be the one to bag him. The invitation is purely selfish on my part."

"I’ll let you know. Doesn’t look like I’m going to be able to get at my stuff any time soon anyway."

"OK. I should check on things. Will you be OK?"

"I’m fine. I’m boiling the kettle again if your men want anything."

"I’ll tell them to come running if they do."

Buffy watched him walk out of the kitchen and stared absently after him for a moment.

Should she agree to stay with him? Was there more to the offer than he had said? He raised a good point about the hotel because it would be hard to tell who was who. She was sure she didn’t want to impose on Giles. She loved him too much to put him in danger. She didn’t have the funds to rent a place because her money was tied up in the house. Plus, she doubted you could get anywhere to rent the same day.

It looked like her only option was to take Angel up on his offer. He was a seasoned police officer so he knew the risk he was taking by inviting her. It would also mean she would be closer to the investigation so she would know more about what was happening if she stayed with him.

She poured the water in the kettle and set it to boil just as she made up her mind.

It took three boilings of the kettle before everyone who wanted one, had their drink. Buffy sat at the kitchen table with her mug and picked up her phone. First she called Giles to fill him in on things. She assured him she was OK and told him she wouldn’t be in to work for a few days. Giles understood and told her he would have her classes covered for her. Buffy thanked him and told him not to worry.

Next she called the school, telling them who she was, (a consultant to the police, not the next victim or an ex pupil) and asking for the yearbooks for ’1984, ‘85 and ‘86. They agreed to have them put aside for someone to collect before 6pm. Buffy spoke to Willow next asking if she could possibly find the time that day to collect them.

"Sure, I’m just heading out to get the employment records from your alarm company so I can stop by on my way. Where do you want them?" she asked.

"Just leave them at the station, I’m sure I’ll be by later."

"You got it."

"Also, can you get parole records?"

"Um, I guess. Why?"

"See if you can get the records for Riley Finn, I want to go through them, see if there’s any insights in there."

"I’ll see what I can do."

After what seemed like an eternity, the people swarming over her house gradually began to dwindle until it was only Angelus and Buffy left.

Buffy quickly packed a few bags and she headed off to the station house in her car, Angelus following behind her.

He was still trying to work out his offer to let Buffy stay with him. Sure, he liked her, as he had other people he worked with, but he had never offered anyone a place at his before.

He also wasn’t sure he wanted her to see where he lived. His time there was minimal and he didn’t entertain much, as such it was rather functional and plain. Not at all like Buffy’s house that just invited people to make themselves comfortable.

Still, he mused, it was too late now. The offer had been made and he couldn’t renege.

They arrived back at Angelus’ apartment a little after seven. Angelus had been surprised to learn she had requested information from the school. After the events of today he hadn’t expected her to even think clearly let alone mount her own investigation.

"He knows what I do for the police." She had said, explaining the yearbooks. "But he’s probably forgotten I’m still a psychologist. There are other ways to trace him."

"Yearbooks?" he asked skeptically.

"Yes, yearbooks. He was a jock; jocks get the most attention in these things. They get interviewed and profiled and people write about them. The better picture I build up on this guy, the easier it’ll be to find him."

He had never thought of building a profile from a yearbook before but it was an interesting idea.

Angelus pulled over in front of his apartment and got out to open his garage for Buffy. If Riley thought he couldn’t get to her the usual way he may resort to tampering with her car, so Angelus insisted she park it in the garage in which he could padlock.

Buffy pulled her car in, picked Mitsy up before making her way around the boxes stored there to collect her things out of the back. She joined him at the door as Angelus closed it, locked the padlock and gave Buffy the key.

"That’s the only one I have." He warned her. "Don’t lose it."

"Promise."

Taking her bags he led her to the apartments above the garages.

Angelus lived on the second floor, which was actually the 3^rd story since the garages took up the ground floor. He doubted anyone would risk breaking in through a window so they just had to worry about attack from the front door.

At first glance, the apartment looked cold, but on second glance it was actually quite inviting. The walls were plain, off white and the furniture functional but the lighting was soft and the walls were covered in sketches, which leant warmth to the apartment.

Her room was also more of a storeroom than a second bedroom. The bed in it looked like more of an after thought. Books were stacked against the walls; a computer and cluttered desk took up most of another wall. There were also more sketches resting on the floor and adorning the walls.

"It’s not much, but it’s home." He had said by way of an apology.

"I like it." Said Buffy.

Angelus smiled. "There are some drawers somewhere in here." He said clearing some books and sketches away to reveal a small set of dresser drawers. "If you need to hang anything, there’s room in my wardrobe."

"Thanks but drawers will be fine."

"OK, well unpack then come find me, I’ll see what I can rustle up for dinner."

Chapter 7

Once Buffy finished unpacking she went on a search for Angelus. She found him rummaging through his kitchen cupboards.

"Hey."

He turned to her. "All I could find was soup," he said, brandishing a tin in his hand. "I don’t entertain much."

"Why don’t we order in, my treat." Buffy offered.

"Uh, sure. I have some menu’s somewhere around here." He rummaged in a drawer and came up with a dozen or more different take out menus. "There should be something in here."

They sat in the living room a half an hour later eating Chinese food directly from the boxes, drinking Bud beer, since it was the only alcohol Angelus had, and discussing the case.

"So, if you can get those parole reports, hopefully I’ll be able to give you a few ideas as to where he might be hiding out."

Angel sighed; it had been all work since they had come in. "Do you mind changing the subject?" he asked. "I don’t know about you but I could do with a distraction."

"Uh… I guess we can. Sure." Silence. "What do you want to talk about?"

"How about you. What do you like?"

Buffy was a little uncomfortable but she did her best to hide it. "I like films and music and books and TV and opera."

"What kind of films?"

"The usual."

She wasn’t going to make this easy on him. "So, have you ever been married?" He tried a different approach.

"No, why?"

"I just find it hard to believe a beautiful young woman like yourself hasn’t been snatched up yet."

"I don’t have time for relationships."

How many times had he heard that line? It generally meant, I don’t want to date you anymore, or I’m scared of dating in general.

He knew by now she was uncomfortable but he didn’t feel he could back down. "But you have dated right? I mean you haven’t always been single?"

"NO. I’ve had relation… Well, one relationship."

Angelus was intrigued, who had worn through her armor to win her heart. "Who was he?"

Buffy eyed him a moment then decided to tell him as much as she told anyone. "He was taking his PhD when I was. He was older, obviously. We used to meet up in a group a couple of times a week and debate things. Anything from who should be the next president to whether Star Trek the original was better than The Next Generation. He was smart and funny. He almost always won the debate."

"And?"

"And he asked me out one time. I said no but he kept chasing. Eventually, I caved."

"How long were you together?"

"About four years."

"Why’d you split up?"

Buffy put down her Chinese food and took a long sip of her beer. Mitsy looked up from her place at Buffy’s feet as though she sensing this was a bad subject. "We had issues."

Angelus really knew he was pushing it now but he felt like he had to know. "What kind of issues?"

Buffy took a deep breath. Only Giles knew the reason for her break up, no one else did. Yet, she wanted to tell this man. She wanted to bare her soul to him. But what if he rejected her. Or worse, he was just the same as the other men?

"He hit me." The words came out and she couldn’t stop them. "After high school I had pretty low self esteem, I guess that’s what he saw in me. Why he wanted me, not the other girls. I thought he was safe. He wasn’t a jock like the boys in school who terrorized me. He was a brain and he was kind and funny."

"What happened?" Angelus asked with genuine concern. The thought of anyone harming this creature before him was beyond his reasoning. He wanted to understand.

"Nothing to begin with. It turned out though, that while he was smart he wasn’t much with the work ethics. He hated it when I did better. He resented me. One day he turned around and hit me. I’d just won an argument with our friends and he didn’t like it. We got back home and he turned around and struck me. I hadn’t even said anything."

"You didn’t leave?"

"I was in too deep. I thought I loved him. And he was so apologetic." A wry smile formed on her lips. "I know, the psych student who doesn’t see the abusive relationship coming." She took another deep breath. "I forgave him, but three weeks later, he did it again. Worse. Every time he hit me he took a little more of my self belief away."

"How did you get out?"

"After college we worked in New York for a while. I decided I wanted to come home. I missed my mom." Buffy closed her eyes, remembering the horrors of long ago. "He put me in the hospital that night. Told me I was worthless and he didn’t need me. I don’t know what changed. I guess I did." She paused for a moment. "He came to see me in the hospital every day. He brought flowers, candy and tearful apologies. It didn’t work though. I knew I’d never go back to him. So he tried the old tried and tested, make Buffy feel like crap, that it was all my fault. I still didn’t buy it this time though. I enlisted some friends to move my stuff out while he was at work and just left. I was on a plane by the time he got home."

"Was that the end?"

"No. He tried to get me back. He called my mom day and night. Sent letters and presents. I sent them all back unopened. Then he flew out. I met him at the airport with a copy of the pictures I had of my last beating, a copy of the medical report and a sworn statement given to my lawyer. I told him if he ever tried to contact me or my family again I’d have him sent down and sued. He was working for a well-known therapy group then and I knew it would ruin him. He agreed and went home."

"You didn’t press charges?"

Buffy shook her head. "No, I just wanted out. That’s partly why I do what I do now. Penance. See, he put another girl in hospital not too long after. If I had pressed charges she might never have had to go through that."

Angelus moved across one seat on the sofa and pulled Buffy too him. She relaxed into him and he held her.

No wonder she was so scared of relationships. All the men she knew had been bastards. He gently stroked her hair and comforted her but made no move to take things further. This girl was special and he was damned if he was going to blow it before it had begun.

Riley Finn watched the light in the apartment. It had been easy to slip past the officer in the car out front. One pass of the building and he had spotted him. Then he simply walked on past the building and came at it from behind, through the gardens of the building opposite.

He now sat at the end of the garden watching. He had spotted her silhouette earlier so he knew which apartment she was in.

She was guarded now but he had expected that. He hadn’t expected her to move in with the detective though. He could overcome that. She would let her guard slip eventually and he would be there waiting.

Buffy woke up in her bed fully clothed. She didn’t remember coming to bed so she must have fallen asleep out there and he had carried her in.

She thought back to last night’s discussion. She had told him so much.

Would he think less of her now? Would he use the information he had to ‘play’ her?

She hoped not, but no matter how hard she tried, she didn’t regret having told him.

She climbed out of bed and gathered up a change of clothes and a toiletries bag and headed for the bathroom.

She emerged washed and refreshed. She felt fired up, driven to find Riley. No more was she going to take life’s crap. She had survived too much already; she wasn’t going to be a victim any more. If riley wanted her, he could come get her. She was ready.

She realized it was probably false bravado. After all, he could have a gun and she couldn’t argue with that. But at least it would be over, finished. Buffy didn’t have a death wish but she also couldn’t go on indefinitely, just waiting to be attacked.

She wandered into the kitchen to find Angelus reading the paper at the kitchen table. "Morning." He said.

"Hi," she beamed back at him, smiling.

Along the side were a half a dozen different cereals. "I didn’t know what you liked." He offered by way of an explanation, "So I bought a few different ones."

"You got these this morning?" she asked, touched by the gesture.

"Yeah, the shop isn’t far."

"Thank you."

She took a bowl and selected coco pops. Today wasn’t a day to be worrying about the diet.

"I also fed the dog."

"Thanks. Where is She?"

"In the garden. Thought I’d let her run around for a while before we have to leave."

"Can she get out?"

Angelus shook his head. "It’s all fenced off, the kids play there so it’s been made safe."

"Mitsy!" Buffy called again from the back entrance to the apartments. It wasn’t like Mitsy not to come because she always came when called.

Buffy began walking the edge of the garden to see if she could have gotten out, all the time calling her name.

Angelus was right, there was no way out that she could see, even for a small dog like her. But where the hell was she?

"MITSY! COME ON GIRL. COME HERE MITSY!"

Nothing.

"No sign?" Angelus called from his apartment window.

Buffy looked up and shook her head.

That was odd. The only possibility was that one of the kids had let her back in the building. And if they had done that, she could also have darted out the front door when it was opened.

The morning meeting was held as usual for officers to report their progress.

Buffy had tried every apartment in the building that morning before they left and no sign of Mitsy. Although, if one of them had let her escape they probably wouldn’t own up to it. She would call around the local dog shelters later to see if she had been picked up.

Willow began sharing information. She discovered that Riley had worked for Buffy’s alarm company for two weeks. That’s how he got the records of her alarm and knew how to get around it. He had used a false name and social security number on his employment records. Two weeks after starting he never turned up again.

The latest victim had been identified as Hannah Grant. Her family was being informed and her friends questioned.

The forensic reports on Buffy’s house showed his fingerprints all over the house. Mainly in the bedroom and bathroom but he had done a thorough search on the place.

The DNA test to match the blood in the bath to one of the victims hadn’t come back yet. Angelus wasn’t surprised, the tests took a while, even when rushed through.

None of the pupils at the school had seen anything note worthy.

None of the other precincts had reported any sightings of Riley.

The examination of Riley’s old apartment hadn’t shown much. No blood was found there so he obviously hadn’t brought any of his victims back with him. A few items of clothing had been left but nothing to give them a clue as to where he had gone.

His picture was being released to the press later that day; hopefully some sightings would come in soon.

The parole reports had come in and were waiting for Buffy to examine them.

Everyone was sent away with their orders for the day and Buffy and Angelus returned to the detective’s office to collect the parole reports and yearbooks.

Buffy set up her laptop on Angelus’ desk and they went over the items together.

The first thing that struck Buffy was his high school record. Straight A’s. Most jocks only achieved enough to stay on the team. Riley was the exception.

His hobbies included scouting, football, hiking and cinema. His favorite subjects were English, History and Geography.

"It could help him find a hide out." Buffy pointed out. "If he can read the local terrain on a map he can find an isolated spot to hide out in. His scout activities would also help. Orienteering, survival camp, etc."

"Mmm, worth looking into."

They carried on.

The parole reports showed a lot of bitterness on Riley’s part. He felt like the injured party, repeatedly insisting he had done nothing wrong. He was released, not because he was reformed, simply because he had finished his sentence. He showed no signs of remorse.

His next arrest was for mugging. He received 12 months suspended sentence. He attended weekly, then bi-weekly sessions with his parole officer. No real insights recorded about his character though.

He was arrested again 18 months later. This time for holding a couple up at gunpoint and stealing $1760 worth of jewellery and cash. Unfortunately, while his haul was fairly big, his victims were fairly powerful, being the mayor’s son and daughter in law. Since he had hit the man, he was also charged with assault.

He received 3 years jail time.

His parole meetings showed he felt remorse but one member of the panel had asked it to be recorded that he seemed insincere. She was outvoted and he was released on parole after serving just a year and a half. His next parole officer tried to enlist him adult education classes and put him back on the right track. She noted after repeated attempts that he "seems to fight every attempt at improving himself or his prospects. He shows rage at times but I’m not sure to who or what this is directed. Very likely to re-offend."

Towards the end of his parole he had disappeared. She had tried tracking him down but to no avail. He was simply gone. Until now.

"So, what do you think?" Angelus asked as they finished.

Buffy leaned back in her chair.

"He has a lot of rage in him, mostly directed at me. His life began going off course after that incident and, in his mind, he didn’t actually do anything wrong to deserve it. As things got worse he begins to focus more and more on me as the cause of his problems. Finally he decided to do something about it."

"Any idea what pushed him over the edge?"

"Could be any one of a number of things. There’s nothing here to say what though. To you and me, it might seem like nothing but to him it’s the last straw."

"So you think he’s camping out somewhere?"

"Maybe, there are no certainties in this line of work. He could just as easily be staying at a dive motel."

Angelus nodded. "OK but we should check it out. We’re already looking into his known associates but he didn’t have many of them so we should be able to rule them out pretty soon."

"Matt, one of the geography professors at the college, should be able to tell us likely hide outs."

"Ok, call him."

Buffy made the call as Willow walked into the office, brandishing an envelope.

"Hi, this is Dr. Summers, can you put me through to Matt Burton please."

As Buffy waited to be connected she looked over at the detectives who now surrounded Willow’s desk. She saw Willow don a pair of gloves then someone blocked her view.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Matt, it’s Buffy."

"Hi, well I don’t often get calls from pretty psych teachers. What can I do for you?"

"I need a hand. I want you to check out some local maps and tell me of places someone could use to hide out."

"Hide out how?"

"Live, or camp somewhere. Maybe caves or something, I don’t really know. This person is proficient in hiking and probably also has survival skills. He’s probably not too far out though, he has access to the city."

"Is this for your case?"

"Yeah. We think the killer may have gone underground."

"Well I’ll take a look and call you back with a few suggestions."

Buffy saw Angelus looking over at her, his face unreadable. She still couldn’t see what was happening. "Uh, yeah, great. Thanks Matt." Buffy hung up.

"What’s the what?" Buffy asked them as she noticed more of the detectives looking over at her.

No one spoke up. Buffy’s brow knitted in confusion as she made her way over to Willows desk.

Lying on a sheet of white paper lay a large tuft of white hair, the ends stained with something brownish red.

"No," Buffy said quietly, unwilling to admit the truth.

"I’m so sorry." Angelus said, trying to rest his arm around her shoulder.

Buffy brushed him off. If she accepted comfort it would make Mitsy’s death a reality. And it couldn’t be a reality. It just simply couldn’t.

Angelus nodded to Willow and she placed the envelope and hair into a separate plastic bag and left the office. Buffy still stared at the place where the hair had rested.

"Buffy," Angelus tried again, "I… I’m sorry."

"I have to go." Buffy turned and left the office, heading for the toilets.

Buffy stared at her reflection in the mirror. She couldn’t be dead.

But in her heart Buffy knew she was. If she was still alive Riley would have included a note or a ransom demand or something. The blood stained hair spoke for itself though, it didn’t need an accompanying note.

Buffy saw the tears well in her eyes and slowly trickled down her cheeks.

The door opened and Angelus walked in.

"Are you OK?"

Buffy looked over to his reflection in the mirror and saw the concern and worry etched on his features.

"It’s all my fault, I’m so sorry Buffy."

Buffy turned and hugged him fiercely allowing sobs to wrack her small frame.

Chapter 8

Buffy and Angelus sat in the conference room, Buffy nursing a mug of coffee, her legs drawn up protectively and her chin resting on her knees.

"I know she was just a dog," she began, her voice flat, "but she was my only friend. For six years she was my companion."

Angelus nodded.

"I can’t really believe it. That she’s gone. I… I just… God, you must think I’m so stupid getting all worked up over a dog." She said, meeting his gaze for the first time since they came in the room.

"Not at all. It’s natural."

"But it’s not natural. She was killed. Probably horribly."

"I know," Angelus sighed, "if there was anything I could do to make it right you…"

Buffy reached out and took his hand. "It wasn’t your fault. You didn’t know he was waiting. You were just trying to be nice."

Angelus wasn’t ready to let himself off the hook but he didn’t contradict her.

"This is his fault." Buffy said, her voice now full of emotion, anger, hurt and a venom Angel hadn’t heard before.

"We’ll find him. I promise you that."

The letter had been dropped off at the station in broad daylight and left on one of the seats.

The CCTV footage revealed it had been Riley.

Angelus tore the duty sergeant off a strip or two, pointing out the two pictures of Riley on either side of his desk, not to mention the ones all over the rec room.

Next in line was the detective who was supposed to be watching the house last night.

"What is the fucking point of you watching if he still gets in? What were you fucking doing? Sleeping?!"

Angelus knew his anger was more over his own guilt that their wrongdoing but at the moment, he couldn’t help it.

He finished shouting and dismissed the detective. His anger hadn’t abated though and he sat down, trying to take deep breaths.

The afternoon was spent looking at the sites suggested by Matt Burton while Angel’s captain handled the press conference. Angel had never been one for the spotlight.

They had five sites to check in all. Angel and Willow each headed a team to search the areas two at a time. They had also drafted in some uniforms to help in the grid search.

The first site turned up nothing.

Willow found some tire tracks at the third site but they looked old and there were three different sets. Add that to the camp fire ashes found and the empty beer cans and it added up to some local boys out for a good evening.

Willow took samples though, just in case.

Angelus turned up dry on the fourth site.

As they joined up to search the fifth site he wasn’t hopeful of their chances of finding anything. And as Buffy had said it was just a chance. It was equally possible that even if he was living out here, he wasn’t at one of the sites Matt Burton had chosen.

He was proved wrong though. There were signs that he had been living here. The grid search turned up some rope with some suspect stains. There was also a single set of tire tracks which Angelus had casts made of. Another campfire was found, this time with a few old food packets around it, suggesting someone had been here for a few days.

Buffy watched from Angelus’ car, she was going over everything again, searching for any clue she might have missed.

Angelus came back to check on her regularly but she waved him off each time.

The search was concluded just after 10pm and the officers began to leave.

"He’s not still here is he?" Buffy asked.

"No, the fire’s cold, the food’s old. We guess he abandoned it about two days ago."

Buffy nodded. "He knows where I’m staying now."

"Doesn’t matter. The guard will be outside the door tonight, keeping watch. Plus, you have me. I’ll keep my gun loaded."

Buffy sighed. "Is it really a good idea to stay where he knows I am though?"

"Where else would be safer?"

Buffy couldn’t argue with his logic. Besides, she didn’t really mind if he found her. She would have to face him eventually.

The next day was spent chasing leads again. Most proved to be dead ends.

The tire tracks came from a Ford Escort. The food found could have been purchased anywhere except for a protein bar. They were still checking into suppliers of this bar.

The rope found looked like the rope found with the garroted victim. They just needed more tests to make a conclusive match.

They canvassed the area around Angelus’ apartment. No one had seen anyone matching the picture of Riley.

Angelus was growing more and more worried. The longer this took, the more danger Buffy was in.

At his suggestion Buffy had gone back to work, resuming a ‘normal’ routine in the hopes of drawing him out. The detective watching her wore students clothing and blended in with the crowd.

Every teacher had been issued a picture of Riley Finn so they could alert someone if they saw him.

Buffy knew her class was aware of something going on, they just didn’t know what and she wasn’t about to inform them.

Angelus called her regularly, just to check to see if she was ok.

At the end of the day Buffy was exhausted. She had been looking for his face all day. Checking everyone in her lectures, every one she passed.

The detective watching her at the end of the day noted how drawn she looked.

"I’m fine." She assured him. "I’m going to stop on the way home for some wine so don’t be surprised."

The detective raised his eyebrows at her calling Angel’s place home but he didn’t comment on it.

Angelus wasn’t in a much better state than Buffy when he got back. Fruitless searching and endless worry had taken their toll on him as well.

He arrived back early and brought work home with him so he could be there to protect Buffy if needed. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust the detective assigned to watch her, he just preferred to be there himself as well.

Buffy also had a stack of marking to do so they sat in silence working.

Angel glanced over at her occasionally. He noticed that she had brought 5 bottles of red wine and was currently on the second. He had declined to join her.

She hadn’t drunk like that the last two evenings. He supposed with the stress she must be under, she was entitled to relieve it somehow

Angelus watched her as she slowly drifted off to sleep. She looked so peaceful, almost innocent. Her face free of worry lines or grief.

He finished reading the path report and closed the file. Gently picking Buffy up he carried her through to her room and carefully placed her on the bed. She stirred slightly. He sat beside her, tenderly brushing her hair back from her face.

Her eyes flickered opened and she smiled up at him.

"Hey. I’m sorry. I’m a terrible drunk." She apologized softly.

"Whatever keeps the demons at bay. At least you didn’t drool."

Buffy smiled. "So, what’s your story then?" she asked.

"Huh?"

"Why aren’t you married? It’s only fair."

"I guess it is. Truthfully, I am married." Buffy’s brow creased in confusion. "To the job." He clarified.

"That old excuse."

"It’s not an excuse. Have you ever been on a date and had to leave when work paged you after half an hour?" Buffy shook her head. "Well I don’t know how men would take it but the women I date, they tend to hang up on me when I call again."

"But you do date?"

Angel was silent, he didn’t want Buffy to think badly of him but he also didn’t feel he could lie to her. "Date wouldn’t be the word for what I do."

"One night stands."

"Pretty much." He admitted. He couldn’t meet her gaze; afraid he would find disapproval there.

Buffy reached her hand up and cupped his face. He looked at her. He didn’t see scorn or ridicule there, just Buffy, smiling gently at him.

She moved over on the small bed and gestured for his to lie next to her. He did.

"Who hurt you?" she asked.

"No one."

"Someone made you the control freak you are. Who?" Buffy knew it was the alcohol making her so forward but she had to know.

"I just like to be able to control things. Other people don’t do as good a job."

"Like who?"

"Don’t analyze me."

"I’m not. I just want to know about you."

He knew exactly where his behavior came from. "My father. He was a drunk. A bad drunk. People used to tell me that before my mom died he was a good guy. But she had been long dead by then."

"You looked after him."

"Yeah. Through some miracle he managed to keep his business running. The rest was up to me. If I didn’t buy food, we didn’t eat. He only bought drink. He didn’t pay the bills, he didn’t do laundry, he just sat there, every evening drinking. My aunt Kate helped until I was seven, then she had to move away."

"How could a seven year old do all that?"

"Gradually. He didn’t become an alcoholic over night. First I learned to do laundry. It was pretty easy. As I got older, I realized he didn’t pay the bills on time, that was why the phone sometimes got cut off or the power was shut off. I soon learned to forge his signature on the checks. I’d make one out to cash each week and use it to shop. He never even realized."

"Where is he now?"

"Dead. Dead at 47 from liver failure."

"I’m so sorry."

"Don’t be. I spent a few months in foster care homes after I started a fire while cooking. I soon learned people had it much worse."

"I’m still sorry."

Angel smiled. "It taught me something about life."

"What?"

"Life is hard. You have to look out for the good times, be open to them. Because if you miss the small drops of happiness, you end up like him. Waiting to die."

"Look for the happiness." Buffy repeated, admitting it was a pretty good way to look at life.

"Yeah." Angelus touched her hand and turned them so they were palm to palm, then he laced his fingers with hers. It felt warm to touch her, like slight pins and needles over his skin.

"Happiness." He said softly, his gaze leaving their hands and traveling back up to her face.

He leaned over and gently kissed her forehead softly. Buffy gasped. His flesh goose bumped and his hair stood on end. It was like electricity shot through his body, warming him, exciting all his senses.

Slowly he placed another kiss on her forehead, then another, slowly working his way to her temple. He pressed his lips to her cheek, waiting for her to push him away.

She didn’t.

Buffy’s breathing was shallow and her head felt light, almost unreal. They shouldn’t be doing this. She shouldn’t be doing this.

But god, she wanted to!

He resumed his trail of kisses, over her cheekbone until he reached the corner of her mouth. Buffy turned slightly and parted her lips in a silent invitation. Then he kissed her properly, first exploring her lips then urging them apart with his tongue. Buffy allowed the invasion of her mouth and responded.

He deepened the kiss and she let go of his hand and pulled him closer.

He wrapped his hands around her waist needing her as close as possible.

He finally pulled away and looked into her eyes. He saw such trust there and it scared him. He had given her no reason to trust him, yet she did, and he was now painfully aware of how he could fail her. There were so many ways in which he could fail her.

Seeing his look Buffy grew concerned. "What?" she asked, breathlessly.

He forced a smile. "Nothing. I was just thinking how beautiful you are."

He knew he could take things all the way tonight. She would respond to him and she would have fun. But he risked her feeling bad about it tomorrow. Without the alcohol she probably wouldn’t even have let him kiss her.

He wasn’t about to ruin something for one night of passion.

He pulled her to him and she rested her head on his chest.

Buffy’s head still swam and she felt like she was floating, the only contact she had in this world was him, his hard chest against which her head rested, keeping her anchored to the bed.

Slowly they drifted off to sleep together.

Chapter 9

Buffy awoke in the morning to see those two chocolate brown eyes smiling at her. She smiled back.

"Sleep well?" he asked.

"Yeah. You?"

"Like a log." He kissed her forehead. "I hope I wasn’t too forward."

Buffy remembered everything. "No. Just forward enough." He kissed her again, not with the passion of last night but with a gentle familiarity.

They broke apart again and lay in each other’s embrace.

"I’m sorry about last night. Getting drunk and asking so many personal questions. I don’t normally do that."

"Don’t be sorry. I’m not."

They lay silently for a few more minutes until Buffy’s alarm intruded on their peace.

She sighed. "Guess that means back to reality." Her worries suddenly coming back to her.

"I guess so." Angelus didn’t want to leave. When she was with him he could protect her. Once they left someone else, someone he couldn’t control, would look after her.

Reluctantly they got up and prepared for the day ahead.

Angelus had a forensic report waiting for him on his desk. Prints lifted from the debris at the last site from yesterday had belonged to Riley. He had definitely been there.

God knew where he was now though. He called Buffy at the university and told her.

Next he had the daily meeting with his staff. Nothing unexpected. He dolled out orders and went back to read Buffy’s last report again.

Buffy’s day was beginning to drag. Try as she might she couldn’t get her excitement over seeing Angel again that evening to fade. The time until she saw him again seemed endless. Her two-hour lectured seemed to last for four. Lunch was endless. The afternoon even longer.

It wasn’t like her but she couldn’t help herself. Somewhere down the line probably lay hurt and betrayal. She knew that. But it didn’t stop her feeling like she was flying when she thought of Angelus.

She was still wary, looking for Riley everywhere. She wondered if releasing his photo to the press had caused him to leave his plans for now.

Possibly, but she wasn’t counting on it.

She headed back to her office at 3pm with her teaching over for the day. Her guard, Officer Howe, accompanied her. He sat there as she marked papers.

After half an hour or so he excused himself to visit the "little boys room," as he put it.

Buffy continued her marking. She doubted anyone would make a move on her here. It was too public.

Buffy was interrupted from her thoughts by a knock. "Come in." she called.

A uniformed officer walked in. "Sorry to bother you ma’am, Detective Devero sent me." He said with a slight southern drawl. "There’s been another killing. He wants you to take a look." The sun shined off his short, dark hair and reflected off his aviator sunglasses.

‘Serious case of stuck in the 80’s, Top Gun wannabe.’ Buffy thought.

"Uh sure. Officer Howe will be back any second."

"He’s been radioed. I’ll look after you until we get to the site."

"OK." Buffy grabbed her purse and headed for the door.

They walked to the elevator, taking it to the staff parking lot under the building.

"Where’s your car Ma’am?" he asked.

Buffy rummaged in her purse as she stopped once out of the elevator. "Just there." She said, pointing absently over to a corner of the garage.

"I’ll make sure you get in OK, then I’ll meet you by the gate. OK?"

"Sure." She said, still rummaging for her keys.

As she fell to the floor, she never knew what had hit her.

"Detective Devero, please." Asked Giles. "Yes it is urgent, so pull him out of what ever goddamn meeting he’s in. Yes, I’ll hold."

Giles looked over to the police officer that was now holding an ice pack to his injured head.

"Hello." Angelus asked, gruffly as he came on the line.

"Aah. Detective, it’s Mr Giles here."

"How can I help?" He said, his tone softening a little.

"It’s Buffy. I’m afraid she’s missing and your officer has been attacked."

"WHAT! Jesus H Christ! Is he there?"

"Uh, yes. Rather nasty bump to his head but I think he’ll be OK."

"I really couldn’t give a fuck if he lives or dies right now, just put him on!"

Giles handed the phone over and watched as the officer grimaced as he was shouted at. He pitied the officer but in all fairness, he wasn’t too happy about the situation Buffy could be in right now either.

Willow watched her boss shout down the phone. She soon gathered that Buffy was missing and went to stand beside Angel’s desk, waiting for orders.

Angelus slammed the phone down onto its cradle; it rebounded and hit the desk before swinging idly off the edge.

"SHIT!"

Every officer now looked at him.

Angelus took two deep breaths.

"OK People. Riley has Buffy." He shouted.

"Are you sure Boss?" asked one.

"Yes. Howe was attacked in the men’s room and was found by a student. Buffy’s car is there but she’s isn’t so I’m inclined to think she’s missing." He said scathingly.

The officer didn’t press it.

"OK people. You’ve all read Buffy’s reports. Where could she be?"

No one offered any suggestions. Angelus mentally went over as much as he could remember.

It was personal, about Buffy, he would probably want the site to represent something to her, him or both of them.

He would need privacy. Although since he was growing bolder this might become less of a factor.

He would probably feel the need to gloat before killing her, which gave them some time, hopefully.

"OK, Will, take the school, do a complete search, especially the gym and sports areas. Hardy, check Buffy’s house. English and Backman, check out Riley’s old house. Gregson, Rodriguez and Skye, you check where he was first held, the young offenders institution. Make sure he isn’t there and there’s no way he could get in. Then check out all the other places he was held over the years."

Angelus anxiously ran a hand through his hair. Seeing his detectives still standing there he shouted, "GO!"

They scattered to perform the various tasks.

Chapter 10

Buffy awoke to a pounding head. Her initial reaction was too much wine again. She sat up and the pounding turned into a focused point on her head.

This was no hangover. She reached up to touch her head and discovered she was bound to a banister, her hands handcuffed through a bar. She couldn’t move her hands enough to feel her head.

Then she heard a noise, coming from the kitchen. Just a faint noise, like a slow scuffing on the linoleum. She stilled her breathing, trying to listen for more sounds.

Gradually she remembered, the officer, the elevator, the car park then nothing.

Another scuffing noise and he appeared.

"Hey, look who’s up." he said, a cold smile on his face.

Angelus paced the office. Somehow he knew Buffy wasn’t at any of the places he had sent the detectives to. He knew the answer was in his brain somewhere, if he could only get to it.

Skys called over to him, nothing found at the young offenders institution.

Angelus resumed pacing.

Buffy couldn’t believe her stupidity as she saw him. She had gone with him, willingly. Fooled by cheap hair die and a pair of glasses.

"Aww, look at poor ‘lil Buffy. All scared." He taunted. Then his voice grew cold. "You should be scared. You ruined my life. Now you’re going to pay for that."

Buffy swallowed and tried to put on a brave air. She had to keep him talking. Had to let him brag. The longer she drew this out the more chance she would have of being saved.

"You asked for it." She said with as much courage as she could muster.

"No, you asked for it. I didn’t do anything to you. NOTHING! You could have helped me, said something to say I didn’t do anything, that I didn’t hurt you. But NO! You sent me down. Ruined any prospects I had."

"I was 14. I did what they asked of me and I told the truth. You have no one to blame but yourself."

Quick as a flash Riley crossed the hall and slapped her. "You will show me some respect, girl. If not this could be a long night for you."

Buffy took a few calming breaths as he stepped back.

"Why? Why kill them? They hadn’t hurt you."

"No, their only wrong was to look like you. I couldn’t help it. I started by attacking them, thinking it was you, wishing it was you. But it wasn’t. Still helped though. Made me feel better for a while." He paused. "Then it got too easy. It didn’t ease the rage any more. I had to move on."

"And you did."

"I did. It was easier than I expected. To take a life, that’s a taboo few people have the guts to break. But I knew I could do it. For you, I could do anything."

"Why not just come after me?"

Riley smiled. "That would have been too easy. I wanted you to suffer, like I had."

"Why the boy?"

"Boy? Oh, you mean the fag." He smiled proudly and leaned against the wall. "That was just to see if I could. He had to be blonde, of course to make sure he was connected."

"So you drugged him and killed him. Very butch of you."

"You think you know so much don’t you?" he sneered. "So I drugged him, doesn’t change what I did to him does it!"

"No. He’s just as dead."

"He is. Wasn’t sure I could do it to a man but I did. Didn’t like it much, he didn’t look like you but I had to try."

Buffy felt waves of nausea. "And the red wine bottle?"

"A clue for you. I did my research. You had no idea how often I watched you. I did think you might have figured it out a bit sooner. Hey, guess you aren’t as smart as you think you are."

Angelus ran to his car. Something Buffy had said to him once. Her home.

‘He’s taken another safe haven. School, home, now this home’ 

Her old home. Angelus didn’t know how but somehow he had been behind those rocks through the window. Now he was taking her back. Somewhere he didn’t think they would look.

Angelus started the engine and sped away.

Buffy shifted her weight and moved on the stair she was sitting on. "But why attack them with the bottle? You aren’t a rapist. These crimes weren’t sexual."

"I know that! I’m not a monster Buffy. That’s why I did them after death. As for why? I guess if I was going to go down for sexual assault I figured I might as well do it. But I’m not a rapist. That’s just what animals do."

"And you aren’t an animal."

"NO! They were though."

"Who?"

"Them, the prisoners. They didn’t give a fuck as long as they got a fuck." He smiled at his own pun. "I have you to thank for that too."

"Why didn’t you tell anyone?"

Riley laughed. "Yeah, and next time wind up dead. That would have been nice for you, wouldn’t it."

He walked away, back into the kitchen.

Buffy was running out of ideas. Pretty soon he’d have nothing left to do but kill her. She looked around her old house. She looked towards her room at the top of the stairs, the kitchen where her mom had made her cocoa and given her cookies.

"I brought you a present," he said, emerging with a lifeless Mitsy in his hands. He dropkicked the dog over to where Buffy sat. The body bounced off the railing and landed on the floor.

Buffy prayed he hadn’t done that before she died. She looked down at the tiny, lifeless body. Her head had been bashed in and dried blood covered her head and neck.

Buffy tried to be brave, she tried to hold her emotions inside but she couldn’t. Her tears ran warm paths down her cheeks.

"Finally! Some emotion!"

Buffy looked over at him. Her eyes no longer sad or scared but disgusted.

"And you say you aren’t an animal." She spat.

Riley’s eyes flashed with anger.

"I think it’s about time I just kill you. Put us both out of our misery." He took a step towards her.

"Why here?"

Riley stopped, realizing he hadn’t finished bragging yet. He smiled. "Remember all those rocks? They were from me, baby!"

"Wa…How?"

"I had friends. I believe you met most of them. Anyway, I asked, and they did. I thought this would be a fitting place to finish it, you know? I terrorized you here once, now I can finish it personally."

Angelus sprinted the last few yards to Buffy’s old house and carefully crept around the side, careful no to be seen through the windows.

He peaked through the first window. A kitchen, looked empty. He carried on to the next window.

"I have to say I was surprised it was still empty. Must be fate intervening to help me or something."

"Or the fact I still own it."

"You do? Huh, I never thought to check that." He paused, considering that. "Now I have to ask, why didn’t you sell? It can’t have held nice memories for ya, my buddies saw to that."

"I had no choice. I couldn’t sell it until I put you behind me."

"Aww, that’s sweet, you waited just for me."

"No, I waited until I was over you. All of you."

"You don’t have to worry about them Buff. They were too weak to try anything."

"Graham went straight, you could have too."

"Yeah, mechanic. Nice life. I was destined for college, business school, not tinkering with cars. Sure, I could have gone straight but that was no life. Not compared to the life you took from me."

He walked closer to her. "And now I’m tired of you. It’s time for you to kiss goodbye to the world Buffy."

Buffy brought her legs up onto the step below the one she was sitting on. She looked fearful as he approached.

"Poor buff. All…"

Riley looked towards the back of the house as a window crashed inwards. Buffy took the opportunity to kick him with both legs, sending his sprawling back on the floor.

"BUFFY!" Angelus’ voice called.

"In the hall!"

Riley picked himself up of the floor and headed for the garage door. It swung shut just as Angelus entered the hallway, running over to her.

"Are you OK?"

"Fine, he’s in there." She said, gesturing with her head towards the door.

Angelus looked at the matted blood in her hair, wondering if he could afford to waste time chasing Riley. But if he didn’t Riley could kill them both. "I’ll be right back."

Angelus stood outside the door, his gun held by his side and called. "LAPD, come out with your hands up NOW asshole."

No reply. He held his gun out in front of him as he swung the door open. He scanned the room for the doorway. There was no sign of him.

He double-checked, then cautiously walked in.

The garage was empty, no hiding places. But surely he would have heard if the door had opened?

He didn’t have much time to think about that as Riley fell on him from above, knocking him to the floor.

"NO!" Buffy cried. Riley hit him twice with the nightstick from his uniform, both blows to the head.

"No." Buffy cried again, this time quietly.

Riley got up and grinned at her.

"Looks like no one’s coming to save you now."

He slowly walked towards her, like a predator stalking his prey.

He reached her and closed his hands around her throat. "I’m going to enjoy this."

"You forgot one thing." Said Buffy.

"What?"

Two loud bangs rung out and Riley clutched at his chest on his dark uniform. He pulled his hand away. Blood.

He turned to look into the garage to see Angelus, lying on the floor, the gun still aimed at Riley.

Riley fell to the floor and Angelus collapsed, closing his eyes.

Buffy began to sob as she watched both men die. She pulled frantically at her bonds but neither they nor the banister railing gave.

"NOOOOOOOOO!"

Chapter 11

"Don’t move!" said the doctor harshly.

"I have to know. Please, let me see him then you can examine me." Begged Buffy.

"I can’t do that. Now lay still or I’ll have to restrain you."

Buffy lay back on the bed and allowed herself to be poked and prodded.

Was he OK? Was he even alive? Was that why she couldn’t see him, because he was dead?

Buffy balled her hands into fists as she waited for the doctor to finish.

She answered each question through clenched teeth, trying not to loose her temper.

The pounding in her head was still there, just as bad as before but she ignored it. She could only focus on him right now. Where was he? How was he?

Willow entered a few moments later.

"How is he?" asked Buffy.

Willows grave look told her it was bad. "I don’t know yet. They’re still working on him."

"Can I see him?"

"He’s in the O.R.. I’ll let you know as soon as he comes out."

"Thank you."

"You have a serious concussion. I want a head CT then we’ll keep you overnight. I’ll send someone in to treat the abrasions on your wrists." The doctor said as she finished her examination.

"Doc, you couldn’t drag me out of here."

Buffy waited by Angel’s bedside. He was stable, but that was all anyone would say. The sooner he woke up the better but there could still be brain damage.

It had taken a lot of fighting to be allowed out of her room but with Willow’s help she had managed to convince them. Willow entered a few moments later with two cups of coffee.

"Not much but it’s all they had." She said handing Buffy a cup. She tasted it. It was foul.

"No change." Buffy stated. The bleep of the machines proved almost therapeutic to her. It was proof he was alive. Proof he hadn’t given up yet.

Willow pulled up a seat beside Buffy. "How are you?"

"Head’s better, they finally gave me something."

Willow nodded. "No nausea?"

"Not since earlier."

They sat silently for a few moments.

"How did you find us?" Buffy asked.

"Angel took off for your old neighborhood without your address. He left Skys to look it up and call him with it. That’s how we knew where he was heading. I was at the school, I heard the call on the radio and took off. It was just luck that I was closest."

Buffy nodded. "If you hadn’t have come so quickly he could have died."

"I know."

Buffy eventually fell asleep, her head resting on Angel’s hand. Nurses tried to move her but she wouldn’t let them. She wasn’t leaving until he woke up.

By morning he still hadn’t awakened. Buffy stiffly got out of her wheel chair and walked around the room, limbering her sore muscles up. Her head still hurt but she could deal with that. She would gladly take pain a thousand times worse if he would just wake up.

Giles arrived later that morning to see her.

Buffy didn’t notice him immediately. He stood by the door and watched her for a moment. She sat perfectly still at his bedside, holding his hand.

"Buffy." He said gently.

She turned to face him, her face a mask of pain.

Giles dropped the bag he had brought and crossed to her, hugging her tightly.

When they pulled apart he pulled a seat up next to her.

Buffy returned to looking at the sleeping form before her.

"How are you?"

"Been better… I’ll be fine. Really."

"And Angelus?"

Buffy sighed. "Don’t know. They wont tell me much. He had surgery and a CT scan. They need him to wake up to tell how bad it is. The longer he’s unconscious, the worse it looks."

Giles retrieved the bag he had brought. "I stopped by your house and picked up some things I thought you might need."

Buffy smiled at his thoughtfulness.

"Go and change, that hospital gown can’t be comfortable."

"Will you stay with him? I don’t want him to be alone when he wakes up."

Giles nodded and Buffy headed for the bathroom in Angelus’ room.

She showered and changed, leaving her hair unwashed since the cut on her head had stitches in and a dressing on. She noticed Giles had also put some books and a daily paper in the bag for her. She couldn’t help but smile at his thoughtfulness. She emerged feeling slightly better. At least she was clean now, the blood spatter from Riley all gone.

She sat back down next to Giles and he took her hand.

Eventually Buffy broke the silence. "I don’t know if I can do it again." She said quietly.

Giles squeezed her hand.

"Watching Mom die… that was the hardest thing I ever did. I know Angelus and I hardly know each other but… it feels like losing her all over again."

Her tears fell and Giles drew her into an embrace.

"I know it’s hard Buffy. Your mother was a wonderful woman."

Buffy sat up and wiped at her tears. "I know. I know you loved her too."

"I did. But I’m not sorry."

Buffy looked at him quizzically.

"I had the privilege of being with one of the greatest women in the world. And through her I met you. I can’t be sorry for that. If she had lived… well I’m not sure what would have happened but I do know my life was better for having known her. And dead or not, I can’t regret that."

Buffy smiled at his sweet words.

"I never really got to know him though." She said looking back at the bed. "We never even got started Giles."

"He will be OK." Giles assured her.

"How do you know?"

"Because no one would leave you if they had a choice."

Giles left after a few hours. Buffy missed him but she knew he had his own life now. They would forever be bonded by a love of her mother but he wasn’t her father, he shouldn’t have to look after her. He had done far too much of that already.

Willow turned up not too long after and they took Buffy’s statement from her.

Willow also told Buffy that Riley had died two hours ago. One of the bullets had hit the Vena Cava and despite the best efforts, he had died.

Buffy couldn’t feel remorse for him. Her only regret was that he didn’t suffer more.

Willow also informed Buffy that the blood in her bathtub had been Riley’s, diluted with water and red dye.

Once again Buffy was left alone with Angelus. She picked up the paper and bean reading it to him. Needless to say most of it was about the case. Buffy skipped those articles, he, nor she for that matter, needed reminding.

Nurses came in and out all day, checking his vitals, administering his IV but there was no sign of his waking.

Buffy wasn’t asked to leave again, Willow had spoken to the nurses on her behalf and, as one of LA finest, they pretty much got their way.

As night fell, Buffy stood beside the bed looking down at him. Gently she lowered the railing, moved his arm out of the way and climbed onto the bed with him, resting her head against his chest.

She would give anything for a kiss like the one they had shared in his spare bed but the most she could do was kiss his motionless lips and whisper good night.

Shortly after sleep over took Buffy she was awakened by something pressing on her shoulders, assuming it was a nurse trying to move her she pushed the hand away. It returned.

Buffy finally threw off the cobwebs of sleep and turned to face the nurse. But the room was empty. Buffy looked to her shoulder. The hand still rested on her shoulder.

Buffy slowly turned back to the bed, afraid and exhilarated by what she might find. She found his gentle eyes looking up at her, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Oh thank god." Buffy cried, kissing him on the lips. Angel groaned and Buffy immediately pulled away mumbling "I’m sorry, I’m so…," before she fell off the edge of the bed.

One of the nurses came rushing in to see what the commotion was. She smiled at Buffy’s crumpled form lying on the floor.

"That’s what the rails are for." She said with a chuckle in her voice.

Buffy dragged herself up as the nurse went to check on Angel.

Buffy stood by his bedside and took his hand again. His eyes held the same mirth that the nurse’s voice had. Buffy couldn’t help but smile back as her cheeks blushed.

The nurse checked Angelus’ vitals and asked him how he was.

His voice was a whisper as he replied. "You should see the other guy."

Buffy smiled and brought his hand to her lips to kiss it. He was OK. She had been so worried about brain damage but if his sense of humor was anything to go by he would get off lightly.

The nurse laughed at his joke. "Good for you honey. Well, I’ll leave you two alone now. The doctor will be by in the morning for a full checkup." She looked over to Buffy. "Don’t tire him out." She said with a wink as she headed for the door.

"I was so worried."

Angel took her hand and gripped it. "You didn’t have to be. I’d never leave you."

Angelus Devero didn’t get off as lightly as he had hoped though. The doctor came to see him the next day and while his cognitive functions were all unimpaired, his motor functions left a bit to be desired. He couldn’t walk.

"I’ll start a physiotherapy course, someone will come by later and discuss the treatment with you."

Angel lay there, still coming to terms with the fact he may never walk again. At least not walk properly.

"Doctor," Buffy said, "what are his chances?"

The doctor sighed. "Hard to say. He will regain some movement, that’s certain, he isn’t paralyzed but the region of his brain that deals with walking has been damaged. Some patients are able to compensate, using other areas of the brain to… essentially take over from the damaged region. Unfortunately there are no success and failure rates, it depends on the injury, the patient, the age and other factors we cant predict. I’m sorry." He said with genuine sympathy in his eyes. "I really can’t guarantee anything."

"Thank you." Buffy said. She knew he was doing his best for them.

As the doctor closed the door she turned to Angel. He didn’t look at her.

"It’ll be OK." She assured him. "You’re a fighter and you’re young and healthy. You can beat this."

Angel looked over to her, his features unreadable. "Go."

"What? I… No! If you think for one minute that I’m leaving you here alone you are sorely mistaken."

"I don’t want you here Buffy," he said calmly. "Leave me alone."

"No, you don’t mean that," she cried softly, tears brimming in her eyes. "Angel, I love you."

"I don’t. Please go."

Buffy wiped away the tears as she ran from the room.

Angel lay back on the bed and closed his eyes as his own tears began to fall.

"Hey Angel."

"Will." He smiled. "How are things?"

"Good, pretty good. How about you?"

"Good, things are… yeah, good."

Willow took a seat beside his bed. "Um, which is why Buffy’s a head case and you’re lying here alone."

"You know nothing about it so just leave it alone."

"No. You broke her heart Angel," she said, becoming agitated. "And I’m sorry, hospitalized or not, that’s wrong and I’m damn well not going to let you get away with it."

"Away with what? Buffy and I aren’t even in a relationship. I owe her nothing."

"Yeah, you’d like to believe that, wouldn’t you? I know you love her; I can see it on your face every time you’re together. I also know you’re only pushing her away so she doesn’t have to deal with you being in a wheelchair."

Angel swallowed. She had caught him out. "Why would she want someone like me?"

Willows features softened. "Because you’re kind and sweet. And a little oafish at times and loud and over bearing."

"Are we done with my good points?" he asked harshly.

"But for some reason she loves you Angel. Don’t throw that away. At least give Buffy a chance to decide for herself if she wants this."

"I can’t."

"Why the hell not!"

"Look, Willow, it’s complicated OK? I just…I need time."

Willow scoffed. "Time. Well by the time you get out of here you may not have a chance with her anymore. Is your ‘time’ worth that risk?"

She didn’t give him a chance to reply, she walked over to the door but before leaving she turned back. "Don’t throw this away because your male pride is in the way." She turned and left.

Buffy sat on her sofa, alone with her white wine. The red just had too many bad memories right now. Not that switching her drink really did anything to keep her thoughts at bay.

She sighed and turned back to the papers she was supposed to be marking.

The house seemed so empty now. So cold.

A dozen times a day she thought she’d see Mitsy out of the corner of her eye but she was never there. She couldn’t sleep well because of the bad dreams she had. This house wasn’t home any more. It never would be again.

Which is why she was selling both this place and her mother’s house. It was time for a new start. She had been offered a place at UC Sunnydale, which she had accepted. Giles hadn’t wanted her to go but he understood she needed a fresh start and supported her decision. Indeed, his glowing reference was one of the reasons she got this new job so quickly.

It had been ten days now since Angel had thrown her out of his hospital room. Ten days of misery and self-flagellation for being so stupid and getting so attached to someone she hardly knew.

Willow still called her every day and told her how Angel was doing. She had tried to explain why he pushed her away but that didn’t matter to Buffy. All that mattered was that he had rejected her and she didn’t care why.

She was pleased his physiotherapy was going so well, it was her fault he was like that after all. But she no longer wanted anything to do with him and she refused Willow’s repeated attempts to get her to visit him again.

In a week she was leaving, she just had to retain her composure until then, when she could start again, fresh with a clean slate.

The end of this story but not the end of Buffy and Angelus' story