Justified

Justified

Author: brionycain ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Part 31

Angel was about to take a shower as the phone rang beside the bed. He picked it up hearing Cordelia on the other end before he ever said hello.

"Angel, Buffy just left and we had a really good talk. She isn't upset with me or anything. She wants me to get better so maybe the Powers will give me another chance. You still need me, don't you? Aren't I still vision girl? But I have this problem and I thought maybe you could help me along with Buffy anyway. I mean you know I would never want anything really bad to happen to her. I mean she is a Slayer and all; she can take care of herself. Dawn is mad at me though, she thinks I knew about all these things that happened to them but really I didn't. I don't get visions about everything Angel, you know that. I didn't know Buffy was going to get shot or that Willow's girlfriend was going to die. I didn't know Willow was going to go all evil on them and try to destroy the world. …………Angel, Angel, are you there?"

Cordelia listened hard on the other end of the line. "Angel, are you still there?"

Angel stood motionless the phone receiver still in his hand. He had heard all Cordelia's ramblings and he knew he just knew she was lying. She knew all these terrible things were going to happen to Buffy and her friends and she had never bothered to let him know. He closed his eyes. Cordelia had been one of his best friends; at least he had always thought so. "I'm here Cordy."

Her ramblings continued, "I didn't know that Buffy was pulled out of Heaven and all, at least not at first and after you went to see her you were so miserable and I would never have thought she would let Spike do all those things to her. I mean yuck! I can't believe she would actually screw Spike. And I know he tried to rape her but she is strong, she fought him off."

Her last words went through him like fire. He thought he had stumbled outside and was even now combusting into flames. He spoke quietly into the phone. "What did you say?"

The woman on the other end got quiet for a moment. "Uh, nothing."

"Cordelia did you or did you not say Spike tried to rape Buffy?"

"Um, yes, I did say that."

He rose to his feet trying to control the black fury rising up inside of him. He spoke calmly. "You knew this and you never told me."

She hesitated for only a moment. "Yes"

With this admission all his sense of reasoning evaporated. He clutched the phone tightly.

"Don't ever let me lay eyes on you again."

Dropping the phone in its cradle he paced the bedroom floor trying to get those words out of his head. `Spike and Buffy, Buffy and Spike, Spike tried to rape Buffy.' His false seer's voice was ringing in his ears and he knew if she were in front of him right now he could not be responsible for his actions. At the other end of the line Cordelia hung up the receiver. She jumped when she realized Xander was standing behind her. He had forgotten his shampoo and come to get it overhearing her entire conversation. She turned to him quickly. "Xander, it isn't what you think. I didn't mean to tell him. It just slipped out."

"Did it? How did Angel take your news?"

"He never wants to see me again."

He picked up the bottle and turned away. He spoke over his shoulder. "Was it worth it Cordy? All the manipulating and lying to your friends, was it really worth it? You need to ask yourself that." She set down in the chair and began to cry. Her last hope was gone. Now she was all alone.

Angel stepped into the hallway where he heard Spike's voice sounding from the stairs. He moved quickly to see him coming up the stairs carrying a mug of blood. The two vampires faced each other one amused, one angry.

"Well, did you decide to come up for air? Haven't even seen you come down to eat." He held up what Angel recognized as Fred's favorite mug. "Your not still snacking off our Slayer are you?"

The older vampires face went even paler and his eyes flashed golden as he grabbed the younger man by the arm. "She is not yours, he roared. "She will never be yours. I did not leave her so you could touch her with your filthy hands. You tried to destroy her soul. She is mine, she has always been mine."

Angel punched Spike in the face causing him to fall down the stairs the mug spilling and crashing beside him. He jumped over the stairwell and landed on the bottom almost before his blonde grandchilde could fall to meet him. Spike looked up groggily as Angel's fist came down to meet him and he realized in that instance that the dark haired man knew. Every horrible sordid thing he had inflicted on the blonde Slayer Angel knew. If there was anything Spike did feel remorse for then his treatment of Buffy was it. He had done everything in his power to make her turn to him. He had belittled her; he had played on all her insecurities and then he had hit her. Telling her she came back wrong was the catalyst. He had forced her to reach out for the only thing she could understand at the time, the darkness. When she had finally turned away from him he had felt anger like no other and he wanted to punish her, he sought to make her admit she needed him, that she loved him and only him. He had heard her cry for Angel in her sleep on more than one occasion through the years and after her friends brought her back it was again Angel she cried for when the nightmares plagued her. This had infuriated him and he was determined she would never cry for the dark vampire again. After his little tryst with Anya he had told Buffy's friends about the two of them because he knew they would be angry with her and then she would have no one to turn to but him again. It hadn't worked and forcing his way into her bathroom had been the last straw. He was determined to make her love him anyway he could. He looked up into Angel's face and he knew this was his penance, his punishment for touching his mate, for treading where no vampire dared. No, he had never drank from her but he had done everything but. The larger man's fist met with the bones of Spike's face crushing them. Blood poured from his nose but the dark vampire was relentless. Angel felt his own surge of pain as his knuckles split open on Spike's face. The blonde vampire's scream when Angel picked up his hand taking hold of his fingers to break them all caused everyone in the hotel to come running. Dawn and Connor came from the hallway while Wesley and Giles ran from the office. The four of them could only watch horrified at the beating Angel was bestowing on Spike.

Gunn and Fred came running from the kitchen sure that a demon had intruded but stopped short at the sight before them. Dawn looked down at her feet at the broken mug. She reached for it just as Connor pulled her out of the way cutting her hand in the process. Willow ran from behind Wesley putting up a hand to use her magick but he stopped her shaking his head. Angel kicked Spike in the chest and the sound as his bones broke rang through the air. He lifted him up tossing him on a couch breaking it in two pieces and grabbing a wooden leg impaling him through the shoulder taking care not to hit his heart. He pulled it out and ran it through his side causing the blonde vampire to scream in agony. Spike didn't try to fight back as his grandsire effectively punished him for every time he had dared to touch Buffy.

"Did you drink from her, Angel roared. "Did you?"

Spike tried to answer but his jaw was broken while blood continued to pour from his mouth where he had bit his tongue. He looked into his grandsire's eyes.

"No, I ne-ver, he choked out hoarsely before collapsing. Faith had just stepped from the shower and was pulling on her clothes when she heard the screaming. She ran for the stairs leaping down them when she saw the dark haired man splattered with blood and the mess that was Spike huddled on the ground before him. She tried to intervene but Angel pushed her away causing her to fall at Connor's feet. The boy helped her to her feet trying to hold her back as Angel reached again for the smaller man, ignoring Spike's screams of agony as his many broken bones moved against each other. His leg was twisted at an odd angle while a large cut had opened over his eye. His eyes were both swelling shut and he tried to speak again but could only choke on his own blood. Angel picked him up tossing him just short of the front doors. Faith looked out the glass doors at the mid day sun. "No Angel, not the sun."

Gunn stepped forward not sure of what to do but Angel turned to him his eyes flashing.

"This is family business Gunn. Back away." He grabbed Spike's arm and began to drag him toward the door.

Willow looked at Wesley who turned to her nodding his assent. She raised her hand toward Angel. "Stop"

The dark vampire dropped his blonde victim and turned to her his voice deadly calm. Wesley noted Angel's face had not changed during the entire ordeal.

"Willow, stay out of this."

The frightened redhead moved a step forward. "I can't do that Angel; if you kill Spike you will regret it. Buffy wouldn't want this. She would never want this."

He snapped at her. "I should have killed him years ago." He looked her in the eyes. "You knew what he did. All of you knew what he did. Why didn't she kill him?"

She dropped her eyes not being able to look him in the face. "I don't know Angel, I really don't know."

Wesley stepped forward. "Angel, think about it you are a much better man than this." He looked at him solemnly searching his face. "Angel, you are Angel aren't you?"

Angel stepped away from the bloodied vampire on the floor looking around at his family and friends.

"It doesn't really matter, now does it?" He looked at Giles the anger still evident on his face as he pointed a finger at him.

"When I left I expected you to take care of her." He turned away and moved swiftly up the stairs leaving bloodied footprints behind him. The others winced when they heard his bedroom door slam shut. Connor moved closer to Faith who was now kneeling beside Spike.

"Is he going to be okay?"

"I don't know." She looked up at Gunn. "Could you help me get him up?"

They reached for his arms to lift him but the pain was too much as he screamed in agony. Willow knelt beside Spike. "Let me help you with the pain." She reached for him but he tried to move away blinking to focus on her through his swollen eyes.

"No, I want it, I have to feel it." He gasped as he struggled to lift his head from the floor. All his ribs were broken. If he needed to breathe he would be dead. Reaching out with his one good hand to clasp hers as his voice came out in painful tones.

"You should have let him fry me. I want it to end. He should have finished the job."

Willow felt her eyes tearing as she patted his hand. "I couldn't do that. I don't have the right to decide who lives and dies, no one does." She felt a hand on her shoulder. Faith looked down at Spike and then back at Willow. "Please, she whispered, anything you can do, we have to get him out of here before something else happens." Willow placed her hand on Spike's bloody head. "Sleep now." She nodded to Gunn who bent down to lift him. Connor moved to his feet taking care of his broken leg. They carried him down the hall. Fred went to Dawn who was leaning against the lobby desk crying. "You have hurt your hand. Come with me and I'll fix it up for you." She pulled on her arm gently leading her to the kitchen. Giles wiped his brow as he took in the carnage in the lobby. "He's right. I should have taken better care of her and I didn't. I have never seen Angel like this. Was that even Angel or has Angelus come out again? I don't understand what happened here today."

Wesley picked up a piece of Fred's broken mug. He set it on the lobby desk before turning to Giles. "I think what happened today would be obvious Rupert. Angel now knows about Spike and Buffy. He did what any Master would do when he learns his childe has encroached on his territory. He punishes him. If it weren't for Willow I have no doubt he would have killed him."

Giles sank down onto a couch. "You don't really think this was all about vampire ownership do you? Angel left Buffy behind, remember? He walked away from her because he wanted what was best for her. I applauded him for having the foresight. You didn't want them together anymore than the rest of us."

"No, I didn't. But we failed Rupert. We failed with both our Slayers. Faith ended up in prison and as for Buffy was she better Rupert? Did she find the life Angel wanted for her? We all know she didn't. And no I don't think this was all about vampire ownership. This was about a man who finds out the woman he loves more than anything was violated. He did what any man would do. He sought to destroy her attacker. We know the line between Angel and Angelus is very fine right now. The past few weeks' events have proven it. But today it wasn't Angelus who beat Spike. I haven't any doubt it was Angel." He took in the bloodied lobby floor and stairs along with the broken furniture.

"I think this was all Angel."

The man in question paced nervously around his room stopping to look down at his bloodied hands with their own torn flesh and the blood that spattered his clothing most of it Spike's. It had been a long time since he had let himself reach the state he was in now and he fought to control his anger. If only Willow hadn't interfered Spike would be dust now and the punishment was warranted. It was made even worse by the fact that Cordelia had known and had not bothered to inform him. The fact that Buffy still let Spike hang around bothered him greatly. He looked down at his hands his Claddagh ring covered in the now dried substance. The smell was stifling and he stripped off his clothes dropping them in a heap at his feet. Blood smears covered his chest and arms where it had soaked through and he hurried to get it off him. Moving to the bathroom he climbed into the shower the hot water covering him as he scrubbed at his body. Willow was right. Buffy would not have wanted this and it would upset her but Spike hadn't left him any choice. If he and Buffy were ever to have a future together then his grandchilde needed to learn his place once and for all. No man or vampire for that matter would just set by while another touched his mate. He sank down into the shower the water rushing over him and the feeling of numbness enveloping him. He sat there for several minutes letting the water wash all his transgressions away. He raised his head and smiled. She would be back soon. He couldn't wait to see her.

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Part 32

Rating: NC-17

Wesley stood outside the bedroom door pausing to look at both Faith and Giles before knocking. He knocked lightly. "Angel, are you in there?"

A harsh laugh chilled them to their bones.

"Angel, you want Angel, well Angel isn't home." The door threw open to reveal Angel's alter ego in all his glory standing in a towel his hair dripping wet from his shower.

"Tell me something Wesley and do be quick about it. Where did the soul put my favorite pants? I can't seem to find them."

Faith came up behind Wesley grabbing his arm to pull him away from the vampire. Angelus laughed. "Hey, if it isn't the skanky Slayer? How does it feel to always be number two? This reminds me of a movie I happened to see once." He leaned toward her. "You were good kid, real good. But as long as she's around you'll always be second best see?"

Faith swung at him but he ducked before she could connect with his jaw. "Now, now, let's not get all excited here." He nodded at Giles. "Hey old man, how is Sunnydale these days? Oh that's right you wouldn't know. You left our Slayer alone." He took in the three of them. "It's simple really. Get Buffy back here and no one dies." He took a deep breath. "I take that back. Someone is definitely going to die here but then he already is dead. Where is my wayward grandchilde hiding anyway? Soul boy didn't finish the job but I intend to."

His fist shot out catching Faith in the jaw sending both her and Wesley sprawling into the hallway. He looked to the left of him where Dawn was hugging the wall hoping to avoid his detection while she moved in for a closer look. He grabbed her hand pulling her to him to breathe in her scent.

"So you're supposed to be made from Buffy huh? Someone lied to you girl. You smell nothing like Buffy." He pulled the bandage from her hand inspecting the open wound on her palm where she had cut herself downstairs. He laved it with his tongue closing it. "There all better now but little girl you taste nothing like Buffy." He pushed her gently away. "I know, I know, mustn't hurt the baby sister." Angelus looked down the hallway to see Fred and Willow near the stairs. He dropped his towel to where he was completely exposed except for his groin area where he held the towel in front of him.

"You ladies thought I was going to show you the prize didn't you?" He grinned wickedly. "Sorry, I can't do that. You see my mate has a tendency to get a little jealous." He looked up toward the ceiling an evil smirk on his face. "Yes, it's true; I the one and only Scourge of Europe have been taken off the market." He stepped back into the room smirking at Wesley and Faith who had remained on the floor. "Tell her I'm waiting." He closed the door in front of them.

The lobby was chaos when Buffy entered. Fred and Dawn were trying to clean the blood off the floor while Gunn was carrying out the broken couch with Connor's help. Dawn dropped her towel and hurried to her sister. Buffy took in the sight around her.

"Dawnie, are you okay? What happened here?"

"It was Angel; at least I think it was Angel. He beat Spike. He almost killed him. Now, she pointed up the stairs, Angelus is up there. I don't know what happened."

Giles rushed out of the office. "Buffy, it appears we may have Angelus on our hands. We aren't sure why but it may have something to do with Angel's rage over Spike's um, transgressions involving you. He snapped. He almost beat him to death."

Buffy was shocked. "I have to go to him."

"He is badly beaten Buffy. Willow and Faith are in there with him. He has lost a large amount of blood and he has numerous broken bones."

She looked at him confused. "Angel is hurt?"

"No, I was talking about Spike. Angel is well, Angelus at the moment."

She quickly moved up the stairs. Wesley met her at the top step.

"Buffy I don't know if it's safe for you to go in there. But you're the one he's waiting for."

She didn't answer but patted his shoulder before moving to the bedroom door. Entering quietly she scanned the room before locking the door behind her. Angelus was setting in the chair in front of her its back facing her. She walked up behind him her hand aware of the stake hidden in her jacket. "Buffy, Buffy, you know you haven't any intention of staking me. We're forever you and I. There isn't any till death do us part here. It's more like until eternity." He stood to face her. "Aren't you happy to see me? I thought we had grown closer the last weeks we have been together here. That is why you locked the door, isn't it? So we could spend some time together? I know that was you both above and below me the other night." He licked his lips. "Baby, you still taste just as sweet as the last time."

Buffy tried to remain calm as she stood before him. Her pulse was racing and she knew there wasn't any way to hide it. She lifted her head trying to prepare for what she might find in his eyes. That was the biggest difference between the outward appearances of Angel versus Angelus. It was indeed true the eyes were the windows to the soul. She knew Angelus eyes could be cold, full of hate and anger. He was unpredictable. He might very well want her dead or at least revenge since he wasn't successful the last time. She gulped hard as she remembered the events that had transpired before. She looked around the room. There weren't any artifacts, no ugly statues to open portals to hell this time. She searched his face before frowning. His eyes were lively and full of mischief. He reminded her of a disobedient little boy as he moved toward her.

"You don't trust me. That hurts me more than I can say. I don't want to hurt you baby. I just want to fu- excuse me, make love to you."

Buffy moved away from him. "Love, you don't know what that is. All you know is death and blood and pain. Why are you here? We thought Angel's soul was bound. What happened to make him lose it again? He was fine earlier."

Angelus unbuttoned his shirt slipping it off his shoulders to show his muscular chest the bruise on his neck where she had bit them earlier still evident. He smiled at her.

"Oh don't worry about him. The soul is still here. I just happen to be in charge right now. I'm afraid Angel got a bit of news that was just too much for him to handle. He was very angry; a bit of a bad boy. I have to say I'm actually proud of him. But then I came out to play. I don't know how long I'll be here so I really don't want to waste anymore time."

She grabbed his arm. "You have to tell me what happened to him, please."

Angelus took the opportunity to pull her into his arms burying his face in her hair. He breathed in her scent before moving to stroke her cheek. She stiffened in his arms and he relaxed his hold but didn't release her.

"It was that bitch seer. She called him all wanting forgiveness for being the lying slut that she is. She told him about you and Spike, all about you and Spike. She didn't really go into all the details but our boy didn't take it too well. He punished our disobedient grandchilde. He would have finished him off if that damn whore of a Slayer and the witch hadn't interfered. I think they need punishing. They need to learn to stay out of family business, our business. You don't touch what doesn't belong to you, Spike knows that."

Buffy moved away from him to take a seat on the bed. "I didn't want him to ever find out about that. Spike and I are over. He has a soul now. He is trying to make up for everything he's done."

Angelus threw back his head and laughed. He stopped when he saw Buffy's stricken face. "I'm not laughing at you love. It's just that this is Spike here. I don't see him atoning for much of anything. You have made the mistake of thinking because he has a soul he is therefore like Angel. He isn't and he never will be." He sat down on the bed beside her. "You want to believe that just because someone has a soul they are therefore good. The way you humans treat each other, you should know better than that. Even that seer bitch has a soul. You don't mind if I finish off Spike and then kill her do you? I've been listening to her voice for years and I really want to rip her head off. She really hates you, you know that don't you?"

"I know you are just a soulless demon, that's what I know. I do mind if you finish off Spike or hurt Cordelia even though I don't know why I'm saying that in her case. Why are you being so nice to me? You hate me. Stop the games and tell me what you want."

He ignored her last comment pushing on with his thoughts. "If I was such a demon I would punish you for lets just say your involvement with Spike but I can't and I don't hate you. If it would have been up to me we would have never walked away from you. I knew even then your bond wasn't just with Angel but with me too. He took us away from you because he knew I wanted you just as badly as he did and it terrified him. He knew I wasn't interested in killing you but he was afraid I might turn you. You belong to both of us just as we belong to you. You know this. If you didn't you wouldn't have called for me like you did and let me say again it was wonderful." He reached for her pulling her into his chest. "You are as much a part of me as you are him." He rubbed his nose against her cheek before making his descent for her neck. He kissed the scar there sending shivers through her. "You still taste sweet. Just like nectar. I bet you taste just as sweet in other places too."

She pushed away from him. "You're a pig."

He raised an eyebrow. "Yes, and you love it." He sobered for a moment. "Once again, I don't know how much longer I have until the soul takes control again. Do you suppose I could have a kiss just for me without him getting in the way? I even promise not to bite. All I want is just one kiss."

She studied him for a moment before rising to her knees on the bed. Part of her wanted to kiss him while the other part was worried about both what Angel would think of it and whether Spike was going to be okay. She knew she and Angel would have some talking to do.

"Hey, it's not fair to be thinking about them when you're here with me." He moved closer.

"All I asked for is a kiss; anything else is up to you."

Buffy looked into his eyes checking for signs of anything to show whether he was being sincere or not. Leaning closer he could see just the tiniest amount of cleavage beneath the rounded neckline of her shirt. She moved her right hand to his face caressing his cheek before sliding to the back of his head where she rubbed his neck. She traced a finger over the bruise on his neck while he took the opportunity to breathe in her scent again. She looked into his eyes once more before pressing her lips against his. He reached an arm around her deepening the kiss and returning it while pulling her into his lap. His other arm came up around her drawing her tighter into his embrace while his hand slid up under her shirt to caress her back. She moved to set astride him while her hands pushed his open shirt out of the way. Buffy knew he would let her take the lead this time until he reached the point where he couldn't any longer. She couldn't discern whether her labored breathing and the heat flowing through her body was for Angel or Angelus. He moved to her ear kissing her lobe.

"Let me feel your skin. It's smooth like silk and warm, so warm." She slipped her shirt over her head while he leaned down into her chest taking a lace covered nipple into his mouth. He lay back on the bed taking her with him. Her breathy sighs were making him hard before she even touched him. His erection was pressing against her leg and he pushed into her.

"Touch me, he whispered, see how hard I am for you, only for you. My Buffy, my beautiful Buffy."

She pulled away rising to stand by the bed.

"Why are you calling me Buffy? You have always called me Buff or even lover. You have never called me Buffy." He set up in front of her tracing a pattern on her stomach while he toyed with the buttons on her jeans.

"It's simple really. It has occurred to me that Xander has been known to call you Buff." He leveled a look at her. "That boy and I will never have anything in common. It's a good thing he no longer has a passion for you or I would have to make him sorry." He smiled up at her. "I have been a bad boy too today just like Angel. Though I think his behavior is much worse than mine. Did they tell you?"

She shook her head no as she bent down to kiss him. He slipped his tongue in to meet hers wanting to taste her in anyway he could. His fingers quickly unfastened her jeans dipping inside to cup her cloth covered mound. She was already wet and he took a quick indrawn breath as her scent wafted up to greet his nose. He quickly shed his pants to reveal he wasn't wearing Angel's usual boxers. She looked down at his unclothed body raising an eyebrow.

"What, he said; it's just one more thing I would have to take off." She smiled at him as she took a hold of his erection stroking it slowly her eyes never leaving his face. She could feel it lengthen and grow harder under her fingers. She lightly licked the end of it causing him to jump. He lay back on the bed. "Damn, you're going to be the death of me." He laughed. "Good thing I'm already dead."

"Angelus, shut up."

He closed his eyes as she took him into her mouth her tongue tracing the underside before taking him deep into her throat. He tried to pull away but she held him fast her throat muscles closing around him. He could feel it starting and he roared as he came his seed spilling down her throat. He felt like a schoolboy. He couldn't believe he had come so fast once she had taken him in her mouth. She rose to stand before him and he reached for her.

"My turn, he said gleefully as he quickly removed her jeans and then her panties. He pulled her down to lie on the bed beside him moving swiftly between her thighs. He buried his nose in her mound. "Ah, the sweet smell of Buffy." He dipped his tongue into her slit and she moved against him. "Do you like that?"

Her only answer was a gasp as he lightly licked her outer lips while his hands massaged her inner thighs. Her juices began to flow more freely so he slid two fingers inside of her relishing in the feel of her muscles clamping around them. His cock twitched painfully beneath him but he wanted her to come at least once before he entered her. He applied a light pressure to her clit with his tongue while continuing to rub her opening with his fingertips. Buffy was a very passionate woman and Angelus had learned in just the few times Angel had been intimate with her just how her temperature changed, how her breathing sounded, and how her body tightened just before she came. She made a low moan in her throat and he knew she was near. He took her clit in his mouth and began to suck alternating between licking her inner lips and flicking her nub with this tongue. She tensed before collapsing her orgasm washing over her as she panted for air. He leaned back and looked into her face her eyes were closed and she had a small smile on her lips. She looked like a well loved woman but he wasn't finished. Rising above her he moved to the foot of the bed pulling her with him. He put one foot on the floor and bent forward resting his other knee on the bed. Reaching down he lifted her hips sliding his cool length into her. She gasped at the intrusion and he gave her a moment to move against him finding her perfect spot. He pulled out and he pushed back in slowly fighting the need to pound into her. Her head and shoulders lay back on the bed her hips raised to cradle against him while his full length filled her. He looked into her eyes. "Do you know whose inside you Buffy? Do you know who wants to make you come until you beg me to stop? Do you Buffy?"

He pulled almost all the way out before sliding again inside her where he knew he was the deepest, the tip of his cock tapping against her womb. He pulled out again loving the sounds of her protests before he pushed forward again. She opened her passion filled eyes to look into his. "Please, she whispered.

"Please what? Tell me what you want and I'll do it for you, I'll do it to you."

"Please Angelus, harder."

That was all it took as he once more he pulled almost out before slamming his way home. She began to moan beneath him as he held her slim hips in his hands while pounding into her. Her breasts jiggled with each thrust but he didn't want to stop long enough to take one in his mouth. He could feel her orgasm beginning as her muscles tightened around her cock. He slid his arm under her to hold her up while his other hand found her clit massaging it with his thumb before feeling her explode as she came on his cock. He reached down pulling her up to him so she effectively straddled him while he continued to pound into her body. Her head was thrown back and her breathing labored her body feverish. She lifted her head to look in his eyes.

"Drink"

He let out a roar before biting into her scar taking a long swallow. He came as she did again spilling his seed deep inside her. Exhausted he lay her down on the bed climbing up to collapse beside her. Leaning over her he laved the wound on her neck insuring it would close. She smiled as he moved to her face looking down at her before placing a kiss on her lips.

"I love you, she whispered.

He stroked her face as the demon felt his undead heart swell. He pulled the sheet up over her as she snuggled against him. He lay there looking up at the ceiling. He knew Angel might have wanted to sleep by now their large body curled behind her but not him. He wanted to smell her, touch her. He wanted to relish every moment he had at being the one in front right now instead of having to remain in the background where every touch was muted, every whisper barely heard. He had missed her so much while they had been separated and the few times Angel did come in contact with her again were never enough for his demon. He could feel the soul pushing forward and he knew he didn't have much time nor did he know when he would ever get this chance again. He looked over at their mate laying there in her slumber. Where once he only wanted to see her broken and bleeding now he wanted to see her smile, feel her sighs as she moved beneath him, her warm body caressing his. He smiled as he remembered those three little words she had whispered to him. He reached over her smoothing the hair away from her face.

"You made me love you, he whispered. "I never wanted to but I do. I'll never let you go. I can never give you up. He won't either, I promise you." He remained silent for a moment stroking her face one last time. He resumed his position on the pillow when he felt Angel pushing to the front. "Okay, I'll go but you better take good care of her."

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Part 33

A loud banging drove Xander from his place on the couch to open the door. He stepped aside to allow entrance to Giles and a very upset Lorne. The green demon strode past him entering the living room. "Where is she?"

The younger man rubbed his face with his hand. "She's in the bedroom. She was crying earlier but I don't know if she is really upset or just upset that I heard her conversation with Angel."

He caught Giles eye. "So I guess Angel and Buffy aren't doing too well right now?"

The former Watcher gave him an angry look. "Not now, Xander."

Lorne knocked on the bedroom door. "Cordelia, get out here. I want to talk to you." He waited for a few seconds. "If you don't come out now I'm coming in. I don't care if you're naked as the day your demon mother spit you out."

She flung open the door. "Hey, my mother is not a demon, and I have you know I'm only half demon which I got because the visions were killing me, thank you."

He crossed his arms as he leaned back against the wall. "Is that so? I could have sworn you were all demon considering the damage you've done today. All the work I have done bringing those two back together and then you go and destroy it."

She bristled at his tone, "Is it my fault little Miss save the world didn't bother to tell him her big secret? And then she lets the evil demon stay around? Maybe Angel needed to know what his ex has been up to before he got in too deep again."

"Shut up, shouted Giles, "you stupid girl. You have no idea what you've done. You are so hell bent on hurting Buffy that you did the worse possible thing you could. You brought Angelus out and Buffy is with him right now."

"What, shouted Xander, "how did that happen? I thought Buffy bound Angelus. She and Angel have been getting all happy the last few days and how is this Cordy's fault? She wasn't even there."

"The best we can ascertain Angel didn't take the news very well. He beat Spike severely and would have killed him if Willow hadn't intervened. He let me know in no uncertain terms I had shirked my duty towards Buffy. Afterwards Angelus came out.

He hit Faith, told me again how disappointed he was in me and then demanded to see Buffy. She went up to him as soon as she arrived. That was a while ago."

"But why isn't anyone trying to help Buffy? Angelus could be torturing her right now. We need to get over there."

Lorne cleared his throat. "I'm sure Buffy is fine. Angelus won't hurt her." He turned again to Cordelia. "As for you, I'm sure he would really like to talk to you."

She moved away groping for her door to close herself in. "No, you can't let him get me? Angel can come in my apartment. We have to do a spell to keep him out."

Lorne snorted, "Why, it's your fault he's out and roaming his bedroom right now? He may just want to say thank you."

"No, she cried, "I already told Xander. I didn't mean to tell Angel about Spike. It just came out. I didn't mean to tell him, I really didn't."

"Okay, Lorne smiled, "if that is the truth then you won't mind singing for me. Come on Cordy, let's hear those pipes, not that I'm relishing this but it's all I have to work with."

"But why do I have to sing? I don't have any music and besides you have read me before without me singing."

"And that was a mistake on my part. I can't trust you not to lie to me. None of us can now. If you want us to believe you then sing."

"But what am I going to sing? And you want me to sing right here?"

Xander took her arm pulling her to the living room. Giles took a seat in the chair to watch them while Lorne moved closer to the pair of them. He watched intently as the young man stroked her arm. "Just sing, Cordy. Prove to them you didn't mean it. Sing row, row, row your boat, it doesn't matter. Just sing."

She got through two verses before Lorne intervened. "Stop, just stop, you don't sing any better than Angel." He paused to look at the others. "Okay, I believe you; you didn't mean to spill the beans to Angel but honey I have to tell you what I did see I didn't like."

He nodded to Xander who moved her to the couch before taking a seat beside her. She took his arm holding on to him as Lorne continued, "Your soul is dirty Cordelia. It's consumed with jealousy and envy. Your selfish and petty, two things I knew but had always overlooked before. You want to blame Buffy for your hardships and you think if she would just forgive you correctly it would make it all better. I'm telling you now Buffy isn't the one you should be seeking redemption from. " He paused for a moment. "The Powers took your eyesight from you. They are the only ones who can decide to return it. You need to pray to them to forgive you, it's your only hope." He shook his head. "I need to get back to the hotel. I have a feeling I'm going to be needed very soon." He met Giles gaze. "I know you're worried but I don't think we should worry about Angelus hurting her. It's another one of those things I can't explain."

Giles walked him to the door. "I think I will be staying here for a while. I have some soul searching of my own to do." He took off his glasses and started to clean them but stopped returning them to his face. He frowned as he faced the green demon.

"They were both right. Angel and Angelus, they were both right. I failed her dreadfully. I love her as if she were my own daughter but when she needed me I wasn't there. I have to live with that."

Lorne smiled sadly. "But she loves you. To her, you are her father."

The former Watcher shook his head. "I'm no better than her birth father. I deserted her just as he did."

Lorne patted his shoulder. "But you're here now. It's what you plan to do while you're here that counts. If you can support her and her love for Angel then that's all she needs. I've got to go."

Buffy stepped from the shower wrapping her body in the heavy towel. She moved into the bedroom only to be greeted by the loud clap of thunder outside the window. Moving the heavy drape aside she could see the night was heavy and dark and the lightning flashed over the rooftops of the buildings surrounding the hotel. She turned to face the man who lay asleep behind her but he slept on oblivious to the sounds of the storm outside. She moved closer to the bed studying the face of her lover as he slept. Leaning over him she pulled the blanket up and adjusted the coverlet at the foot. A large part of her wanted to crawl back into bed and snuggle up beside him feeling his large body flush against hers. She had stood in front of the bathroom mirror earlier examining her body. There were no marks, no bruises, nothing to show she had been with the demon Angelus but the mark at her neck, their mark. She knew now he was right. Her mark had always been the work of both of them and she just hadn't been aware then. Now she was feeling confused and more than a little guilty. She remembered his words just before she closed her eyes to sleep.

"You made me love you. I never wanted to but I do. I'll never let you go. I can never give you up. He won't either, I promise you."

She had come to him earlier and it wasn't because she was worried about him hurting anyone. The truth was she hadn't considered the others at all. All she could think about was getting to him; her only concern seeing him. She knew she wanted him every bit as much as he wanted her. Spike had told her once she wanted the monster, she craved the darkness. Perhaps he was right. The others had said Angel had been the one who attacked Spike and Angelus had confirmed it. She knew it had to be true for if it had been his handiwork he would have gladly admitted it. She cringed to think of just exactly how Cordelia had told him about her and Spike. The thought of Angel's reaction scared her. What if opened his eyes and all she would see is the disgust and betrayal mirrored there? Would he ever be able to forgive her for her twisted sexcapades with Spike, and what about Angelus? A chill sent a shiver through her as she dressed quickly pulling her wet hair into a ponytail. She needed to talk to someone before she had to face Angel but who could even begin to understand what she herself didn't. Making her way silently down the stairs she realized it was much later than she thought as it appeared everyone else was asleep. She paused outside the kitchen door to see Lorne inside with Wesley. Both men were speaking in quiet whispers and they froze when she entered. Wesley rose to his feet. "Buffy, are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I guess the storm woke me up." She attempted to lie but then caught Lorne's eyes on her. "No, I've been awake for a while really. Is everyone else okay?"

The older man nodded. "Everyone is fine. As for Spike I think he will be eventually. Vampires do heal quickly but he took quite a beating."

She stole a glance at Lorne before looking down at her hands.

"I don't know what to say about the whole thing with Spike. I knew I was going to have to tell Angel but I didn't know how. I am as responsible as he is for what happened between us." She looked up at Wesley. "You don't know the things I did."

Lorne interrupted, "Let me tell you what I know." He nodded toward the seat in front of him and she sat down.

"I know people do things sometimes for all the wrong reasons but in the end we learn something from it. Now you baby doll, the first time I saw you wasn't in the lobby that morning. I looked in on you and Angel cakes the night before when you both were asleep. I don't usually barge into people's bedrooms but Fred was adamant I see the two of you when I arrived. Now I'm glad I did. I realized much of what I believed about him was wrong. I will never just assume anything ever again and you, I know what you are feeling and I want to tell you he loves you very much." He reached for her hands causing her to look at him. "I don't need to tell you any of this and I've already had this conversation with your other half. Talk to him, tell him exactly how you feel, tell him about all your fears because I can guarantee he has plenty of his own right now."

She nodded then turned to Wesley taking the cup of tea he offered before resuming his seat. "Lorne is right Buffy. Angel will undoubtedly be upset and embarrassed by some today's events. As for his altercation with Spike I know the others feel Angel did this because Spike assaulted you and I don't doubt that but everyone forgets that first and foremost Angel and Spike are vampires and they do have their laws. Spike is also well aware of the depth of Angel's devotion to you. Their relationship has always been strained at best and I'm sure Spike also felt by his involvement with you he would be defying Angel who is his grandsire. Also we don't know how Angelus was able to come out earlier. He didn't really hurt anyone but he is still dangerous. I have to admit when he grabbed Dawn I was terrified."

"He touched Dawn?" Buffy remembered him saying something about being a bad boy but she hadn't been too worried about it then. All at once she felt sick at her stomach. Her distress showed plainly on her face and Wesley continued. "He didn't hurt her. In fact he only licked her hand. She had cut it earlier during the fight and he closed the wound. He left her go immediately. He was much more interested in you. He made it very clear he only wanted to see you. Is he still up there?"

"No, Angel is in control again. I haven't talked to him because he's asleep; I just know it's him. Also I heard Angelus telling him he could have control again. But will this happen again? This is my fault, isn't it? In trying to help Angel I brought Angelus too close to the surface. I seem to have a habit of unleashing him on the world." She laughed harshly, "He told me he loves me and that he would never leave me. He said if it had been his choice he would never have left in the first place. Am I crazy? Why do I feel like he was telling me the truth? I am so confused right now."

Wesley studied her for a moment the guilt at his thoughtlessness flowing over him. "Buffy, I want you to know how sorry I am that I brought you here for Angel without any regard as to how you would have to deal with all of this. In my own selfishness I failed to consider how any of this would affect you. As for Angelus, I can't believe I'm saying this but I do believe he was telling you the truth. I find it interesting he would admit it but he had already made it clear to all of us he considered himself to be 'yours' in every sense of the word. You and Angel will have to talk about all of this. I wouldn't go anywhere near Spike right now if I were you. We will keep you informed as to his progress but I am certain the only reason Angel didn't finish what he started was Willow was able to stop him."

The blonde Slayer buried her face in her hands for a moment and the Lorne took this opportunity to move closer. He took in a deep calming breath as he struggled to read the emotions poring from the small blonde. "Baby girl, you and Angel cakes are going to be the death of me with all the sensory flooding to my poor noggin, a demon can only take so much." He sobered as he took in her anxious face. "I want to tell you something else too. I know this mess has you worried but the important thing to remember is you have him and he has you. Yes, Angelus is part of the package but that's a given. It's not as if you can't handle him. I'm not going to tell you it will be easy."

She lifted her head to look at him. "One thing Angel and I have never had is easy. That would be too much to ask for."

He smiled. "But if it's worth having then it's worth fighting for, right? Together you are strong, alone you are dead." She froze but did not meet his eyes. His voice dropped as he spoke in her ear. "That is another thing you two will have to discuss. Does he know you remember?"

She raised her head to look at him. "I don't know. We talked about it when we were on the dream plane but I don't know if he remembers everything we said. I don't blame him if that's what your wondering."

The green demon smiled, "The thought never crossed my mind. It's just as I already told you talk to him. Tell him everything. Listen to what he says in return and this time lead with your hearts and not your heads. I know you feel like he does that you have both made some terrible mistakes. Darling with our lives such as they are who hasn't? You two are supposed to be together. I know it, everyone else knows it, and the Powers know it. You just make sure he knows it. Why don't you try to get some rest? I know I could use some shut eye myself."

"I think I just want to sit here for a while. I need to think."

Wesley rose from his seat behind the desk. "I think I will say goodnight or perhaps good morning. It will be dawn in a few hours." He rubbed her shoulder reassuringly, surprising himself as he smoothed her hair. "Everything will be fine."

The two men said their goodnights and she moved to the lobby taking in her surroundings. Taking her cup of tea she entered Angel's office, snuggling into his chair. It wasn't long before she fell asleep.

Angel hurried down the stairs afraid of what he might encounter at the bottom. Was she downstairs with Spike right now, tending his injuries, nursing his wounds? And if she was, how should he handle this? He hurried down the stairs stopping at his office door. There she was asleep in his chair. He couldn't help the extreme sense of relief he felt inside as he moved closer to the door. He reached for the doorknob but turned his head as his ears picked up the sounds of Spike moaning from down the hallway. He followed them to find the blonde vampire tossing in his sleep as Faith leaned over him. The dark haired Slayer washed his face and chest with unsteady hands her face impassive as she tended to the wounded vampire. She rose quickly from the bed turning to find Angel standing behind her. He moved closer to the bed looking down on the man laying there. He could feel his rage returning but struggled to keep it under control. He raised his head to see her watching him. She looked exhausted and a faint purple bruise graced her check.

"You can leave us now." Angel felt the familiar twinge of guilt remembering how he had struck her earlier both downstairs and upstairs again while Angelus had been in control. He pushed down the impulse to apologize. The others should not have interfered in his 'family' business. He watched her hesitate and spoke quietly,

"I'm not planning on doing anymore damage to him tonight."

She studied him warily as she picked up the basin of water. She moved to the doorway stopping for a moment. "He's been talking in his sleep. He talks to you, to her. He begs you to kill him and her for forgiveness. The rest doesn't make much sense."

Angel remained silent as she left before turning again to Spike. He stood over him waiting until the blonde vampire opened his eyes. He blinked a few times before resting his gaze on his grandsire standing over him. "I was waiting for you to come. Let's finish this, shall we? Just get it over with."

The dark haired man snorted, "No, I don't think so. I want you to feel this. I want you to feel every minute of it. You'll heal but it will take a while and while you're laying there I want you to remember every moment of the beating I gave you. If I ever catch you near her again then I will finish it and no one will be able to stop me."

Spike coughed deeply, tensing as the pain from his ribs shot through him. He struggled to rise but Angel pushed him backward his large hand pressing on his chest. He knew it wouldn't take much for the older man to cave in his chest so he stilled. He took a deep breath, "She only wanted you. You weren't there when they brought her back." He raised his head as he shouted at him hoarsely. "The nightmares, she cried for you and you never came. She went to see you and you broke her some more before sending her home. I took her but you gave her away."

Angel shoved him back onto the bed looming over him angrily. "I meant what I said."

He left the room pausing in the lobby as Faith met him coming from the kitchen. He looked into her tired face.

"You should be in bed. It will be daylight soon." He paused for a moment. "Do you really think he's worth saving?"

She lifted her gaze to his. "I remember a time when Buffy was the only one who believed in you. She stopped me from staking you, remember? Later you were the one who tried to help me when I didn't deserve it."

She looked toward his office where Buffy sat asleep in his chair. "She doesn't look very comfortable there, does she? I'm betting you could do something about that."

He started to move away but paused, "Faith, I…."

Her words drifted over her shoulder as she moved away.

"Don't apologize, Angel. It isn't necessary and you don't really mean it anyway."

He entered his office stopping again to look down at the woman in his chair. He picked her up gently her arms automatically reaching around his neck as he made his way up the stairs to their room. He paused for a moment as his enhanced hearing again picked up the sound of Spike moaning while Faith whispered to him soothingly. Buffy shifted in his arms and he continued down the hallway. Entering the bedroom he laid her down on his bed crawling in behind her as she moved to snuggle into his arms. She murmured in her sleep. "I love you." He closed his eyes tightly but a tear escaped down his face. All his old fears were rising again to haunt him. She was still human and he was still a demon; he immortal and her not. He had snapped earlier today. The blinding rage he felt against Spike was still ringing in his ears. He could have killed him and never felt a tinge of regret. And now Angelus, he knew how his demon felt now while having to remain in the background. It was if every touch, every caress was muted, as if he were wearing gloves on his soul. He had been there earlier as his demon had made love to Buffy. Every touch he had experienced as if secondary, every word he had heard as if it were a whisper. His demon had moved to the background with his warning evident.

'You had better take good care of her.'

In all their years together he had never imagined he and Angelus would ever agree on anything but that one thing was their love for one woman. A woman Angelus was perfectly willing to share with him now. He had wanted everything for her when he walked away that night and she had yet to find any of it. He thought about what his life had been like since they had been apart and he didn't want to return to that old existence. Too many times he had had to separate himself from her. He cursed the Powers that would bring her to him and then allow him to put her in danger again. As he kissed her forehead she smiled in her sleep and he realized how much he had missed all of this. Having her here, holding her like this, it was all he could ever wish for, all he had ever wanted was to someday be worthy of her, to be the man she deserved. He slept with her pillowed on his chest, his large hands caressing her back as if in sleep she would be taken from him.

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Part 34

Wesley was setting in the garden staring at nothing when Willow found him. "Good morning, she said handing him his cup of tea.

"You didn't get much sleep did you?"

He shook his head. "You've heard the old adage, no rest for the wicked; well that is exactly how I am feeling today."

"I've never thought of you as wicked. I remember not liking you very much when you were in Sunnydale but that is just because you were trying to replace Giles. I never really got to know you. None of us did."

"I didn't like myself very much back then and I'm not feeling much better about myself now. I started all of this and now I can't do a damn thing to fix it."

The redhead patted his shoulder reassuringly, "I know you were just trying to help Angel. All of us know that. Have you seen either of them since she went upstairs yesterday? I know you and Lorne believe Angelus won't hurt her and you didn't want us to interfere but this is Angelus we're talking about."

Lorne and I talked to her late last night. She is fine and Angelus has given control to Angel again. According to Buffy he did it voluntarily."

Willow sat stunned. "Wow, I would never have expected that. No, maybe I would. I remember telling her one time that it didn't matter whether he was Angel or Angelus she was still the only thing he could think about."

He rose from his seat. "After yesterday I think you can assume your observations are still very true. Even so it seems Angelus has managed to surprise us all by admitting his true feelings."

He looked into the glass doors to see the others entering the lobby. "I need to fill everyone in. Are you coming?"

"Yes, I'm with you."

Buffy opened her eyes to the sounds of the shower running. She could hear Angel moving around in the bathroom and the feeling of panic overwhelmed her. She was scared, down to the very marrow of her bones terrified at seeing his face when he came through the door. She tried to remember everything Lorne and Wesley had told her last night but right now none of their reassuring words would come through. She rose quickly grabbing her jogging pants and a tank top. She slipped from the bedroom and hurried down the stairs. Dawn and Connor were setting in the lobby and they rose as she came down spotting the bandage on her sister's hand.

"Dawnie, are you okay? Wesley told me you hurt your hand."

She reached for her hand inspecting the bandage.

"Don't worry Buffy, it's fine. I cut it but then Angelus fixed it, he didn't even try to hurt me." She took back her hand removing the bandage and holding it up. "Giles says he actually helped me. He closed the wound on my palm. See, it's almost healed."

Connor moved closer to Buffy. "Are you okay, he asked her quietly.

"I'm fine." She sensed his unasked question. "Your father is okay too. He is in the shower right now."

He seemed to accept her answer moving away from the two sisters. Buffy's eyes followed him as Dawn chattered in her ear.

"You won't believe what Angelus did yesterday. It was scary but it was also exciting and very naughty."

Buffy turned back to her. "That's great Dawn but if he ever comes out again I want you to stay away from him."

The teenager snorted, "He wouldn't hurt me. He said he can't hurt me. He was much more interested in you anyway, she teased.

Gunn and Fred came in from the kitchen the small woman coming to Buffy and enveloping her in a hug. Buffy looked at her surprised while Gunn grinned behind them. "I'm glad you're okay, she said shyly. "I've been worried about you though Wesley said you would be okay. Yesterday was pretty scary around here what with Angel beating up Spike and then Angelus… She stopped in mid-sentence her face getting red. "Would anyone like to have some breakfast? Willow is cooking this morning and it smells wonderful."

Buffy hesitated before speaking. "I'm not very hungry right now. I think I would like to go workout for a little while." She moved toward the basement stairs and Gunn moved in behind her.

"Hey, is that offer to spar with me still open? I would really like to see you in action when we aren't fighting for our lives."

Buffy looked back at the others. "Sure, come on." She spoke to Dawn. "You go have breakfast. I'll eat in a little while."

"But I haven't got to tell the rest of what Angelus did, Dawn protested. Fred's face turned pink again remembering the towel incident. 'How was she supposed to look her boss in the face again after seeing him like that?' She took Dawn's arm. "Come on, you can tell her later."

Connor stood against the basement wall watching Gunn and Buffy warm up. He had been amazed before watching her fight and was looking forward to seeing her again. Lorne came down behind him as Buffy and Gunn started to spar. The demon had come immediately upon hearing the black man had challenged her and he was eager to see how the blonde Slayer was today. He had just come from looking in on Spike. Faith had been asleep on the couch they had moved into the room and the blonde vampire had been staring up at the ceiling. He had moved closer to the bed waiting until Spike looked at him. "How are you feeling?"

"Like hammered shit, he chuckled, "I feel like I had my ass kicked but then I did, didn't I?" He paused as a wave of pain washed over him. "Is she okay? I heard the evil one reared his pretty head. I'm surprised he didn't pay me a visit."

"I think he was more interested in her this time. She was okay earlier. I haven't seen him yet."

"Don't let him do anything stupid. I know him and he will. If he sends her away then all of this will be for nothing, he said shaking his head. "I talked to him last night but I don't know if I got through that thick head of his."

He struggled to rise but the pain stopped him and he fell back on the pillow. He coughed harshly before speaking again.

"She's been good to me. We all know I damn well don't deserve it but still she's been good to me." He jerked his head over toward Faith asleep on the couch.

"This one over here, she has been here all night. Even when Red tried to get her to go to bed she still stayed. I don't deserve either of them but that hasn't stopped them."

"Maybe, mused Lorne, "they see something in you the rest haven't. Maybe there is more to you than just what the others see."

"And what do you see, asked Spike quietly, "am I worth saving because right now I'm not so sure."

"That is something you will just have to decide for yourself."

He headed for the doorway but Spike spoke again, "Don't let him screw this up. If he hurts her again I will get out of this bed and beat his ass. He only gets the one round. I owed him that. He won't get another one without a fight."

Wesley entered the basement to find the others watching Buffy and Gunn. It had been some years since the former Watcher had seen her in training and he marveled at how much her skills had matured. She was like lightning and Gunn didn't have a chance. They all knew she was holding back in order to not injure him and it hurt the black man's pride more than he wanted to admit. He was a head taller and almost twice her weight and she still urged him on. He crouched to the floor intending to sweep her feet from under her when Angel entered the room distracting them all for a moment. She took Gunn down landing on his chest and his arms went around her waist in an instinctive move. Everyone jumped when a low warning growl erupted from Angel. Gunn froze beneath her removing his arms from her waist. She calmly got to her feet giving him a hand where he rose quickly to face his boss.

"We were just sparring Angel man, that's all. I'm just getting my ass whipped and trying to take it like a man."

Buffy kept her eyes on Angel while she spoke to Gunn.

"Thank you for the workout. I needed it."

He glanced quickly at Angel before smiling at her.

"You kicked my ass. I'm dying here and you didn't even break a sweat. You need someone better than me to train with."

She turned to Angel. "Did you hear that baby? I need someone to train with. Are you up for it?"

The others stepped back as Angel quickly discarded his shirt and moved in front of her. They began as if by hidden cue each knowing exactly how to move, how to turn, how to kick. They moved as if they were one, a perfect mirror of the other. Connor was as mesmerized as the others watching their bodies move in perfect sync. For the first time he understood the passages he had read regarding the two of them. His father was dark where she was light. They were like sunlight and shadow, the sun and the moon, the darkness and the dawn. Lorne had moved closer to watch them in their dance of anger, passion, love and uncertainty. He closed his eyes when it became too much to bear for him. The emotions coming off them were painful to see and even harder when he could feel the residuals of them. He motioned to Wesley and the others and they all followed him upstairs. In the lobby the demon sank onto a couch breathing heavily.

"What's happening down there, asked Wesley. "I know you read something."

"They will have to work it out on their own. I just hope our stubborn boss remembers what I told him." He rose to his feet and headed to the kitchen. "I need a drink."

Wesley frowned. "Isn't it a bit early?"

"Some days it can never be too early."

Cordelia entered the living room her hand in front of her to find the couch. Xander rose and reached for her but she shook him off.

"Thank you, but I have to do this on my own." She took a seat and lifted her head to face both he and Giles. "I've been doing some thinking about a lot of things and I have come to realize Lorne is right. I have to make some changes in my life and I need to begin now. I want a clean slate if I can even hope for that. I have to prove to the Powers that I can change or else I will stay like this. Wesley said something to me that I tried to ignore but I can't. Doyle passed his visions to me because he believed I would use them to help Angel and others. He would be very disappointed in me if he knew how I'd ignored them when it suited me. I'm not going back to the hotel. I don't have a place there any longer and I know it's my doing. I don't know exactly what I'm going to do but I have to make some decisions quickly."

Giles leaned forward in his chair. "Cordelia, you are going to have to work very hard to prove to any of us you are trying to change your life here. It won't be easy, not even a little bit."

She hesitated for a moment. "I know that and I don't expect you to believe me right now. I know I am going to have to earn your trust and I will have to do that one at a time. Giles, I have always respected you, even though I didn't act like it. I would appreciate any advice you could give me here."

"Actually Cordy, began Xander, "I may have an idea if your interested and willing to listen."

She sat back in her seat. "I'm interested, I'm very interested."

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Part 35

Dawn and Connor followed a worried Lorne into the kitchen where the demon took a glass from the cabinet. He turned when he realized the teenagers were behind him.

"What can I do for you little one? Just please don't ask me to read you right now because my brain is still overloaded with your sister and the broody one."

Dawn shared a look with Connor. "That's not I wanted to ask you. What is the biggest obstacle keeping Buffy and Angel apart?"

The green demon took a seat at the table forgetting all about his sought for drink. "Well, I would have to say other than Angel's taking it upon himself to make all the decisions regarding the two of them it would have to be their duty to the world."

Connor sat down across from him and Lorne lifted his head to face him. They eyed each other warily for a moment before the boy spoke. "You mean he has work to do here and someone has to watch over Sunnydale?"

"Exactly, where are you two going with this?" He leaned back in his chair studying the two of them. "You two are up to something. Let's have it kiddies and remember sometimes best laid plans and all we have a tendency to do more damage than good."

Dawn snorted, "You mean where you and Fred were trying to tell Angel he belonged with Cordelia instead of my sister?"

He shrugged his shoulders sheepishly. "You aren't going to be letting me forget that anytime soon, are you?"

She raised an eyebrow in a gesture that reminded him of Spike. "I seriously doubt it. But we want them to be able to stay together and I think you should help us come up with something. It would be a way of helping make up for your lame idea."

Lorne looked at Connor and laughed. "She's a tough one, isn't she?'

Dawn smiled. "I'm a Summers. All Summers women are tough. We have to be and I think we should go see Faith and Willow now."

An exhausted Buffy sank to the mat in the basement breathing heavily followed by an equally exhausted Angel. The two of them lay there for long moments each waiting on the other to speak. Buffy finally rose to set beside him studying his face as he stared at the ceiling. He stole a look at her before speaking.

"I told you once that I have loved one woman in my entire life. Do you remember that day? I also told you to be careful with this gift because sometimes it can be painful. We've had a lot of painful Buffy, more than you ever deserved. When I left Sunnydale I did it because I loved you more than I could ever put into words and because I was terrified. I can admit it now. I was terrified that one day I wouldn't be able to stop myself and Angelus would be unleashed again. I wanted you to be happy with someone who could give you all the things I never could. One thing I didn't consider was the fact your calling isolates you from so many who couldn't even begin to understand what you have to do every day to keep them safe. I'm not going to tell you that I haven't accomplished some good being here, I have. I've also found myself slipping. There have been times when I just wanted to let Angelus have control and never have to deal with anything again. The whole situation with Darla and then Connor, I never wanted to hurt you. There were so many times I wanted to pick up the phone and talk to you but I couldn't. It would have just made things much worse than they were."

"Cordelia told me you used to call me and then hang up when I answered. I remember getting those calls and I sometimes got this feeling it might be you but I thought it was too much to hope for. I wish you would have talked to me then. Just knowing you were out there and still thinking of me like I was you, I missed you so much. The last time we saw each other you were so happy to see me and I couldn't tell you that I didn't want to be here. I just wanted all the pain to stop. You came back here and I had to go back home."

"I should have known something wasn't right. I was so happy to see you that I got scared. We all know what happens when I get too happy Buffy and it was never your fault. You just happened to be the one who could make me the happiest. I'm sorry I wasn't where I could help you. I'm sorry I sent you back and knowing what I do now makes it much worse. But I don't understand something Buffy. Spike has been in Sunnydale all this time. You have let him be around your family, your friends. You have always known he was dangerous and yet you let him walk free. Why didn't you just stake him?" He looked into her eyes. "You're going to have to explain to me why you didn't just kill him. Even after he attacked you you're still helping him. Why Buffy?" He hesitated for a moment before asking his next question. "Are you in love with Spike?"

"No, I don't love Spike. Why would you ask me that? I have never been in love with Spike."

Then why, why didn't you kill him? You've had all these chances to end his sorry existence and you didn't."

"I can't kill him Angel. I just couldn't. I have wanted to time after time but I didn't and now he has a soul. He is trying." "Spike is only out for Spike and he always will be. Even before he went and got his soul and I know what the others think and I don't believe for one minute he got it for you I think it's just what he ended up with."

I couldn't kill him. I can't. Don't you understand? He's yours. He's part of you. I can't kill him anymore than I can kill you."

"But you did kill me Buffy. Remember, you sent me to Hell."

The moment he said it he wanted to take it back. He had let his anger and frustration get the best of him and he reached for her as she stumbled to her feet. He rose beside her grabbing her arm. "I'm sorry Buffy. I didn't mean that."

She pulled free and turned away from him trying to hide the tears sliding down her cheeks. She wiped at them before turning to face him again. "Yes, I killed you. I can't ever take that back. You don't know how many times I wished I had done things differently. I wish I had gone instead of you."

He moved to her taking her in his arms again. "No, you did what you had to. There wasn't any other choice. God Buffy, I'm just going to hurt you again. All I have ever done is hurt you and I have never wanted to. I don't know Buffy, I just don't know."

She pulled away from him stepping back to look into his face. "Angel, if you have decided that this is a mistake and you don't want to be with me then tell me now." He looked down before meeting her gaze. "I just don't want to hurt you anymore. I still can't give you everything you need and deserve."

She shook her head sadly. "Stop making my decisions for me. I'm 22 years old. I know you're going to tell me you've lived a long time and you've seen a lot of things but you haven't lived. You've existed, just like I have. I told you when you left I was never going to change. I still love you, the only person I have ever loved with all my heart and all my soul is you. But if you don't want me and you don't want us then I need you to tell me now."

He looked at her face and started to speak. "Buffy….."

"Dad?" Connor stood in the doorway taking in the sight of Buffy's tear stained face and his father's pained one. "I'm sorry for interrupting but we have a problem and Wesley said to get you. That demon they got the other night wasn't the only one."

Angel looked at Buffy who was staring at Connor. She moved forward once again wiping at her face.

"Okay, duty calls. We're on it." She went to the stairs and headed up. Connor moved behind her turning back to look at Angel. "Are you coming?"

Gunn and Connor moved quietly through the sewers behind Buffy and Faith while Angel trailed behind them. The dark haired woman had taken one look at her sister Slayer's face before shooting Angel a thunderous look and following after her. Willow had handed Gunn a wrapped package and Connor had picked up the large spray container. "Are you sure this is going to work, the black man had asked. He had been met by the dual frowns of Willow and Fred. "Of course, the red head had explained, "the sulfur and light will stun them then you slash an opening in their forms." Fred continued, "The ammonia will disintegrate them. Mold needs the dampness to live and what kills mold but ammonia." He held up his hands in defeat. "Okay, remind me never to question two brainy women."

The large warehouse had been abandoned many years before and its ample room allowed the group of Grangkor demons staying there to move about through the tunnels at will. They reached the sewer entrance of the warehouse and Angel moved in front of them to lead the way. He looked down at Buffy. "I need to lead in case one of them attacks without warning. I don't want anything to happen to anyone and I'm the one who doesn't need to breathe." She nodded in agreement but would not meet his gaze so he kissed the top of her head quickly. "Be careful, he whispered before heading through the door. A roar was heard immediately and the others rushed in after him. Gunn moved forward lighting the packet and tossing it in the direction of the demons. The quick flashes of light and the substance contained within immobilized their systems and the group moved quickly to dispatch each one. Connor moved in behind Faith and Buffy as they slashed each one and then he sprayed them with ammonia from the canister. The demons began to melt as the spray covered them and the floor was soon covered with the same green goo that had covered Spike a few days before. The group stepped back for a moment surveying their work before heading back into the sewers. Angel stopped Buffy while nodding the others on and they moved away down the tunnel leaving the two of them alone. He stepped back away from her for a moment and she froze looking around her. She realized where they were and she fled leaving him standing there. She caught up to the others quickly tears streaming down her face as she passed them.

Faith hurried behind her. "Buffy wait a minute." Gunn followed her quickly while Connor stood there before heading back to his father. He found him standing where she left him. "What happened, he asked, "why is she upset?"

Angel made to move around him. "Buffy and I are complicated. I don't expect you to understand."

Connor stood in his way. "Then make me understand. I know you are supposed to love her and yet she's running away and she's crying. She was crying downstairs when I came to get you both." He paused for a moment. "Is this about Spike? Is this because you're jealous of her and Spike?"

"I'm not jealous of Spike. This isn't any of your business."

"That's where your wrong, Dad. I'm making this my business. I told you I wouldn't let anyone hurt Buffy again. If you love her and she loves you then what is the problem? You don't have to worry about the curse anymore. Is this about Angelus, because he came out again? I was there Dad. I heard him. He isn't going to hurt her. You're the one doing that."

Angel faced him angrily. "This isn't about Angelus and if you want to know he's yelling at me just like you are right now. He's telling me to go after her and stop screwing up." He stopped before adding quietly. "He's afraid of losing her again."

Connor studied his face. "And how do you feel, Dad? Are you afraid of losing her?"

"I'm terrified."

"Then tell her that. Whatever it is that is keeping you apart then fix it. This is the love of your life, remember? You are the one who told me you didn't want to go on without her. You wanted me to kill you if she didn't wake up. You need to go to her, talk to her. We have everything worked out but you have to want her first."

"Of course I want her. I have always wanted her. That was the problem. I wanted her too damn much and it could get everyone killed. Angelus didn't want to kill her, not at first. He wanted to turn her. After he realized she was too strong for him then he wanted to just end the world. He thought if he couldn't have her then he would just destroy everything. After I came back from Hell he was there always just under the surface. Every time she was near me he was there always pushing. He needs her as much as I do."

Connor moved closer to his father. "Do you still think he wants to hurt her? Is that what you are so scared of?"

Angel shook his head. "No, he doesn't want her hurt. He would protect her with my life and his very existence." He looked at his son. "What do you mean by `we have everything worked out'?"

Connor smiled. "You will just have to trust us. Are you ready to go back?" He looked at Angel's face. "Dad, what's wrong?"

Angel moved around him running down the tunnel. "It's Buffy."

Cordelia stood up in the middle of her living room as if frozen. Giles came from the kitchen just as she began to shake. He held her up as Xander came running into the room. She threw her head back and started to scream. "Buffy, oh please no, Buffy." She started to sink to the floor but they caught her helping her to the couch. A bright light flowed around her and she shook under the weight of it as Xander tried to hold her up. She began to sob uncontrollably her shoulders heaving under the stress. She raised her head and opened her white eyes. She struggled to rise but he tried to stop her. "We have to go, she sobbed. "I have to get to Buffy."

"I'll call the hotel, offered Giles. "You can talk to her."

"No, she rose to her feet, "I have to go to her. I have to tell her. Please take me to Buffy."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Part 36

Buffy had gone upstairs when Faith reached the hotel. She followed her into the bedroom she had been sharing with Angel. "Are you okay, B?"

Buffy looked at her through sad eyes. "I just want to take a shower and get this junk off me. I need to be alone for a while Faith."

"Okay, but if you need me I'll be in my room. I'm going to take a shower too."

Buffy moved to the bathroom stepping into the shower. She washed quickly and dressed before moving around the room throwing her things in her bag. Her eyes fell on the pad lying on the dresser and she picked it up. She scribbled her note quickly and left it on the dresser before picking up her bag. She raised her pant leg inspecting the area. One folded piece of gauze later she was headed down the stairs. Lorne met her at the bottom. "Is this what you really want? Because honey I don't believe it is."

She shook her head. "No, but it's what he wants. I just want to go before he gets back. Thank you for everything. I know you tried. I left him a note upstairs. I thought it was time one of us actually said goodbye." She set her bag down and raised her hand to show him her ring. She started to pull it off. "I know you were the one he showed our rings to first. Would you see that he gets this?"

He reached for her hand halting her movement. "No, I won't. That is yours and it will always be yours. You can't expect me to return it to him." He studied her face. "Why do I feel if I let you leave now I will never see you again? This terrifies me sugar. Please don't go. You need to wait for him to get back."

She patted his arm. "Lorne, did you ever consider maybe he's giving me enough time to be gone before he gets back? Angel isn't very good at saying goodbye. In all the times he's left me we have never said goodbye. I'm telling you Lorne. Tell everyone here I said thank you and goodbye."

He hugged her tightly not bothering to stop the tears from rolling down his green cheeks. "Please baby doll, I wish you would reconsider. You need to wait for him."

Cordelia ran through the front doors of the hotel tripping on the stairs as she entered. She rose and shouted, "Buffy, Buffy, where are you?" "I'm right here Cordelia, she answered moving from Lorne's arms. What is it?"

The blind seer tried to face her. "You can't leave. You have to stay, you can't go."

"Yes, I do have to leave, Buffy frowned. "There isn't anything for me here. There never will be. I would think you would be happy I'm leaving and I promise you I won't be coming back."

Cordelia tried to move closer listening for the sound of her voice. She put her hands out in front of her flinching when Xander took her arm. He looked from her to Buffy. "Something happened. I think she had one of her visions. She started crying, saying she had to get here to you."

The dark haired woman tugged at his arm. "Take me to her, please, Buffy, please. You can't leave. You won't survive and neither will he. You know you won't survive."

The small blonde froze at the seer's words. She steeled her emotions as she spoke, "Cordelia, Angel and I have been apart for a while now. He will go on with his life and I will go on with mine. That's the way he wants it."

"No, the other woman shouted, "That isn't true, you know it isn't." She reached for her grabbing her arm as the others entered the lobby from the kitchen and Faith came down the stairs. She went to the two women. "What is going on?"

Cordelia didn't answer but continued to hold on to Buffy's arm. She tried hard to focus on her; her other hand reached out for her face. Buffy was motionless as Cordelia gently touched her cheek. She smiled at her sadly. "You have been crying. I'm so sorry you're hurting. You know, she whispered to her, "you have always known and you're still leaving." She raised her voice. "Show them, show Faith your ankle."

Buffy stepped back. "There isn't anything wrong with my ankle."

Cordelia moved closer. "There is, we both know there is. I saw it, in my vision, I saw it. You had it done. You remembered everything after Willow did the mind swipe on you and the others. She fixed it and everything came back, you remembered everything. Even what you were supposed to forget, you remembered. You were in pain, it was so real and I felt it. I never before thought about your pain, all these years you have hurt so much and it's never stopped, has it? That night your heart gave up, you wanted to be dead again. I saw everything you did."

Buffy blinked back the tears as she looked at Cordelia's face and shining white eyes. She remembered all too well that night. The memories had come rushing over her and she felt like she was drowning. At that moment every painful moment in her young life had risen up again and then she saw herself in L.A. It was the day after Thanksgiving, she and Angel, the sunlight, the kiss, the table, eating chocolate, peanut butter and ice cream in his bed, they made love over and over and then it was gone. He had told her what he had to do and she had answered it wasn't enough time. She promised she would never forget. In those few seconds she had remembered and then she was lost. She felt someone pulling on her hand and she focused again on Cordelia. The blind woman tugged on her hand holding it firmly in both of her own.

"Buffy, I am so sorry. That night you got the tattoo and no one knew. It's bleeding isn't it? I know it is. It will bleed until you can't bleed anymore." Her voice rose as she cried; the tears choking as she tried to force the words out. "Your life is slipping away while we are standing here and you know it. It isn't an ordinary tattoo. It is linked to your soul. When your heart finally shatters, when you've no hope left, it bleeds." Faith looked down at Buffy's feet detecting a dark spot forming on the inside of her pants leg. Dawn saw it too and clutched Giles arm. "Do something, she begged, "can't you do something?" They all turned again to Cordelia who was still holding on to Buffy. She leaned in closer. "I remember too now; the day no one but Angel was supposed to. I remember you being here. Doyle had told me about it but I didn't really care. Angel was human and he was so excited and scared. The two of you were together and all I was worried about was how it all affected me. I didn't care about you, about your feelings. I am so sorry Spike hurt you. I am so sorry I let my jealousy cloud my purpose for being here. I'm not staying in Los Angeles Buffy. Xander has offered to let me go back to Sunnydale with him. I have to learn how to live like a blind person now and he's going to help me. You have to stay with Angel. The two of you love each other so much. He won't survive without you. I have seen it, Buffy. I've seen your end." She took a deep breath before continuing, "You were there, Angel was there, and even though you were gone we put him with you. His ashes, we put them in your casket. He was still buried with you. Even in death you are together."

A loud roar came from the hallway and everyone turned as Angel ran into the lobby followed by Connor. He reached for Buffy grabbing her away from Cordelia and setting her on the front desk. The smell of her blood was overpowering and he shook his head before ripping away her pants leg. The tattooed heart was throbbing and with every pulse another drop of blood oozed from it. The others looked shocked as he pulled off her shoe and blood stained sock causing the blood soaked gauze to fall to the floor. He wrapped his arms around her waist before laying his head in her lap. "Don't go, he whispered, please don't go. None of this matters without you. We can work everything out. Whatever we have to do, I'll do it, just don't walk away from me, not this time."

She raised her hands to his head but stopped short of burying them in his hair. "You are the one who turned away from me. Yes, I ran, but I looked around and there we were standing in the sewer again. You broke up with me in a sewer, remember, and then again when I was here that Thanksgiving, we talked again, in the sewer. Don't you remember, we said we couldn't have a future, that nothing had changed, the best case scenario, remember Angel? Today after we killed those demons you looked at me and then you turned away. I was not going to give you the opportunity to break my heart in a damn sewer, again."

The others watched as the tattoo began to beat harder causing the blood to flow in a trickle. Angel raised his head in panic as he placed his hand over the heart trying to stop the dripping flow. "Please Buffy; I don't want to lose you. I don't want to lose us, not again."

She placed her hands on his head stroking his face and neck. "All I ever wanted was you. It didn't matter how we had to do it or what we had to go through. It has always been you." She looked down at his hand covering her ankle. "I'm sorry I disappointed you. I'm sorry I'm not the Buffy you loved any longer. I lost her somewhere and I've never found her again."

He shook his head. "No she isn't lost, she's right here in front of me. She's just hurt for so long and she doesn't want to do it anymore. She doesn't have to apologize to me either, not for anything. I am not disappointed in you, I'm angry with myself for letting my jealousy cloud my senses." He rose to face her looking into her eyes. "I can never let you go; I can never give you up." He paused as her eyes grew wide. "That's right Buffy. We can't give you up. I know he loves you as much as I do and you know something I don't feel so bad about that anymore. It means that no matter what happens I know he will protect you with everything he has." He smiled up at her. "He's very pissed at me right now, you know that don't you? Angelus and Connor made me face some things I didn't want to. I've made all our decisions for the both of us because I thought I was doing what was best for you. I didn't talk to you about our choices and I've let too many things stand in the way of our being together and I'm not doing it anymore. It's time you and I came first. We've been so busy trying to help everyone else that you have suffered so much and I'm not doing much better. I don't want to do this anymore if I can't have you with me." He looked down at her ankle and his bloody hand. "You're going to have to stop bleeding all over me. You know how hard this is to control with you like this."

"I don't know how to stop it. When it started bleeding I just knew it was the end."

"It's not the end, Buffy. We're just beginning to have what we always wanted. We will never end, don't you know that." He leaned in closer to her ankle inspecting it before licking the throbbing heart. He felt his face change but he continued to clean it and the area around it until it had stopped bleeding and the throbbing had ceased. He kissed the area lovingly and watched as it began to fade until no trace of the tattoo remained. He lifted his head to look at her. "It's gone."

She held out her arms and he came to her willingly as she caressed his ridged face until he changed. She kissed him gently before burying her face in his broad chest. Dawn looked at Faith who smiled at her through teary eyes. Xander squeezed Cordelia's hand. "They are going to be okay." The blind woman smiled through her own tears as he helped her turn to go. Buffy looked at her. "Cordelia, wait." She moved to jump from the desk but Angel held her fast. She held tightly to his hand while she spoke, "I don't want you to think you have to leave your home because of me. I'm not trying to take your place here. They still need you."

The former seer smiled. "No, they don't and I don't belong here any longer. My vision of the two of you was my last one. I'm moving forward or some may say backward but I'm going to have to find my own way. I would still like to help some way just not here. Is there an opening in the Scoobies by any chance?" Buffy looked to Giles and Willow before letting her gaze rest on Xander. Giles and Willow smiled while Xander waited for her decision. "Your spot has always been open Cordelia. We never replaced you." She turned back to Angel and he took her in his arms holding her tightly. She returned his hug before mumbling against his chest. "Angel, we still have a problem. You are needed here and I am needed in Sunnydale."

Faith stepped forward nervously. "Actually B we might have something worked out there if you and big guy there will agree." She paused for a moment but Willow nodded giving her encouragement. "We think you should stay here with him. I can go to Sunnydale and take over your slaying. I'm out now and I need to get to work. It's time you took a break and I can help you do that. I'm not saying I can replace you or anything and you can always help Angel's gang here and we aren't that far apart if something big comes up." She looked again to Willow who continued, "This is the plan Buffy. Faith can stay at the house if she wants and its okay with you. If Dawn wants to come back to finish her school year then we will be there for her. Spike is coming back with us so he can help too." She looked over at Xander who was still standing with Cordelia. "Xander is part of us still if he wants to be and all of us can help Cordelia learn to adapt." She added quickly, "But it's your decision. We aren't trying to replace you or anything. We just want the two of you to be happy, finally. The way you both deserve."

Buffy looked at her sister standing with Connor. "Is this what you want Dawn? I can't just desert you. You're my little sister, my family."

"You won't be deserting me. I'm going to go back with the others and finish the semester. It's only a couple of months. Then I think I might like to come back and go to school here in L.A. and stay with you and Angel if it is fine with him. I want to learn from Fred and Wesley and…." she stole a quick look at Connor, "spend time with everyone else." She looked around at all of them in the lobby. "I would love to have both of you here, said Fred. Lorne patted the brunette on her shoulder. "And I could get used to seeing you kick Gunn's behind on a regular basis and that pretty face would be a welcome sight around here too." He looked at Angel. "Not that you aren't pretty Angelcakes she is just prettier." Gunn laughed nervously while eyeing Angel. "Don't look at me. I wanted everyone to stay." She jumped down from the desk and went to Wesley. "Thank you for everything." She hugged his neck before kissing his cheek. "I owe you for all of this." He shook his head. "No, I owed you and him. Just be happy." She stepped back feeling a pair of strong arms around her waist and a familiar kiss at her temple. She turned her head to smile at him. Angel grinned at her before placing a quick kiss on her lips. "I think they solved our problem. It's your decision now. All you have to do is agree."

She looked around at all of them before turning back to him. "I agree."

The End

Challenge specifics

Set after Angel season three finale (I can't remember what it's called) (It was called Deep Down.)

When Wesley rescues Angel from the box, he is unconscious and starved to death. He brings him back to the A-Team (including Cordelia, who never ascended) and they discover when Angel wakes he has no memory of who he is, what he is, or where he is. Desperate to have Angel back Wesley begs Buffy to come and help.

MUSTS: Buffy dropping everything to come and help Buffy getting a sobbing call from Cordelia at three a m Wesley hugging Buffy Buffy commenting on Cordelia's hair Faith being released from jail Buffy helping Angel to re-gain his memory Spike coming with Buffy (back-up) Connor trying to kill Buffy A big show-down between Angel and Connor Buffy & Angel getting back together Smut! Angle going to see Lorne

AT LEAST FIVE: Connor killing Justine Buffy & Faith threatening Connor Angelus popping up References to either Batman or Superman Cordelia telling Buffy a personal secret about Angel Spike/Faith getting together The Oracles giving a prophecy Angel asking about Sunnydale Someone saying "You were good kid, real good, but as long as I'm around you'll always be second best see?" Connor working for Wolfram and Hart Song "Bittersweet Symphony"- The Verve A sonnet either by Shakespeare or Elizabeth Barrett Browning

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